The Influences of Teaching Practices upon Preservice Elementary School Teachers' Self-images of Science Teaching

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the influences of teaching practices upon preservice elementary school teachers' self-images of science teaching. Twenty-six juniors were selected from the departments of science education in a national university of education. The Draw-A-Science-Teacher-Test Checklist (DASTT-C) was administered before and after teaching practices. Five juniors were also interviewed in depth, and some of their science classes during teaching practices were observed, in order to investigate the factors influencing the formations of their self-images of science teaching. Analyses of the results revealed that their self-images of science teaching changed from near 'studentcentered' to near 'teacher-centered'. Many juniors responded that the main factors affecting the formations of their images of science teaching before teaching practices were teaching-learning experiences in elementary and secondary schools, and/or universities. After teaching practices, however, many juniors responded teaching-learning experiences during teaching practices. The factors were classified into three types, which are the influences of the experiences in teaching elementary school students in science classes, the influences of other preservice elementary school teachers, and the influences of guidance teachers. Educational implications of these findings are discussed.