The Perceptions of Pre-service Science Teachers Regarding Ethics Education Related to Science and Technology

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this study was to identify the current status of ethics education in science andtechnology for pre-service science teachers and find out their recognition on the needs for ethics education at school.A survey was administered for this study and a total of 594 pre-service science teachers studying in college/universityof education participated. The survey was organized to examine participants' 1) experience in ethics education inscience and technology, 2) recognition on the needs of ethics education in science and technology, and 3) the need forit in elementary and secondary school. Each item was responded using either 1 to 5 Likert type scale, multiplechoices, or open questionnaires. The results showed that 37.4% of participants obtain science technology informationfrom the mass media, and 23.5% from the school education. Only 8.4% of the participants had the experience oftaking class on ethics in science and technology. In terms of level of confidence in understanding the ethical issues inscience and technology, the average response was 2.73. However, their perception on the needs of the ethicseducation ranges from 3.34 to 4.58, which is much stronger than other responses on average. This strong perceptionon the needs was much higher for pre-service science teachers for elementary school, than those of the secondaryschool(p<.05). All participants recognized the need for ethics education in science and technology at both elementaryand secondary school. In responses for which subject should provide ethical issues on science and technology,science class was most frequently suggested (62.4%), followed by ethics class (29.1%). In responses for the mostefficient form of learning, they suggested that case studies (43.5%), followed by discussions (41.4%) would be anefficient way to learn. Even in the responses of open questionnaires asking for efficient ways of learning ethicalissues, participants suggested that discussions on various ethical issues on the cases in the science and technologywould provide practical and substantial learning. Key words: ethics education, science and technology, pre-service science teacher Ewha Womans University