In-service Science Teachers Research Articles

Towards more culturally aware teaching of ‘scientific practices’: Understanding science as a social-historical human endeavour

‘Scientific practices’ are included as a core element in Norway’s new science curriculum as of 2020. In dialogue with international research on the teaching and learning of scientific practices, Haug et al. (2021) have identified and operationalised eight central scientific practices to support a shared understanding within science education. We are responding to Haug et al.'s invitation to contribute to the discussion about how we can understand and work with practices as they are described in the science curriculum in Norway. We supplement their approach, by enriching the eight practices identified by: (a) recognising the social and historical dimensions of science, (b) appreciating a plurality of knowledge-making practices beyond scientific inquiry, (c) connecting teaching to actual science practices. We further introduce a ninth practice we call “Doing science together”. This supplementary work is aimed at foregrounding the relationship between science practices and the nature of science. Implications for use are discussed, including suggestions for learning outcome areas for preservice and in-service science teachers.

Fostering Educator Buy-in of Language and Literacy in the Science Classroom

This paper describes a project to build linguistic awareness among science educators at multiple levels: pre-service K–12 teachers, in-service K–12 teachers, and university faculty in both education and STEM fields. Educational linguists from a language-focused non-profit research organization created modules on teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for middle school science educators at a large urban U.S. university. The module content, which was integrated into three science education methods courses, was designed around three key principles: linguistic understanding, critical language awareness, and pedagogical modeling. A critical component to the project’s success was fostering “buy-in” from the various groups of educators through multiple means, including piloting materials with in-service science teachers, training university faculty on the language and literacy materials, and revising content based on feedback from the MAT program faculty and students. The findings demonstrate that over time, the educators re-examined their roles as teachers of language and literacy and reassessed their thinking related to science instruction, highlighting the efficacy of incorporating language development content into training and professional development for STEM educators at multiple levels.

The impact of the digital teaching competencies of in-service science teachers on students’ attitudes toward learning science

The impact of the digital teaching competencies of in-service science teachers on students’ attitudes toward learning science

Exploring STEAM teachers’ trust in AI-based educational technologies: a structural equation modelling approach

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool with the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning processes. However, the successful integration of AI in education depends on the trust and acceptance of teachers. This study addresses a significant gap in research by investigating the trust dynamics of 677 in-service Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) teachers in Nigeria towards AI-based educational technologies. Employing structural equation modelling for data analysis, our findings reveal that anxiety, preferred methods to increase trust, and perceived benefits significantly influence teachers' trust in AI-based edtech. Notably, the lack of human characteristics in AI does not impact trust among STEAM teachers. Additionally, our study reports a significant gender moderation effect on STEAM teachers' trust in AI. These insights are valuable for educational policymakers and stakeholders aiming to create an inclusive, AI-enriched instructional environment. The results underscore the importance of continuous professional development programs for STEAM teachers, emphasizing hands-on experiences to build and sustain confidence in integrating AI tools effectively, thus fostering trust in the transformative potentials of AI in STEAM education.

Secondary Stage Science Teachers’ Perceptions toward STEM Education in Saudi Arabia

Many Saudi students lack the motivation to pursue STEM careers due to their teachers’ limited experience and low efficacy in teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Teachers’ perceptions are central to efficient STEM education; however, little is known about the perceptions of teachers toward STEM education in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study attempted to identify the perceptions of secondary stage science teachers toward STEM education and their knowledge about the requirements for its implementation. The study also investigated whether there were statistically significant differences that could be attributed to teachers’ qualifications, years of experience, and specialization variables. A questionnaire was applied to 175 in-service science teachers. The results showed that the secondary stage science teachers had a medium level of positive perceptions toward STEM education and a high level of knowledge about the requirements for its implementation. It was also revealed that there were statistically significant differences in teachers’ perceptions due to their qualifications and years of experience, in favor of teachers with graduate degrees and with more years of experience, while there were no statistically significant differences due to teachers’ specialization. Based on the findings of this study, a number of recommendations on improving science teachers’ knowledge of STEM education and the requirements for its implementation are provided.

Responsive facilitation: validating constructs to support in-service science teacher professional development

ABSTRACT In the United States, science education has experienced substantial shifts in the last decade. For in-service teachers, professional development programs (PDPs) play an important role in reform success. Despite well-known core features of effective PDPs, research still suggests a range of results among programs that claim to use those features. An analysis of the nuances associated with these core features has emerged as an important step in bridging the gap between conceptual and actual effective PD. This article presents the validation of constructs for responsive facilitation, which may serve as a source of these nuances. Using an adapted Delphi Method, constructs were validated by multiple expert groups. A 10-construct consensus is presented with an eleventh remaining under dispute. All constructs have connections to current literature and may support the gap noted above. Implications include a structure that may provide nuance to the core features and support more consistently effective PD.

Teaching for sustainable development in vocational education

ABSTRACT The pursuit of sustainable development is a necessity for life on Earth and the future of humanity. Education is important in this endeavour; therefore, creating knowledge about teachers’ teaching for sustainable development is essential. This study aimed to investigate how Swedish upper secondary science teachers adjust their teaching of the environmental dimension in sustainable development to the different vocational education programmes their students attend. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 15 in-service science teachers and analysed by thematic coding. The result showed that most teachers (but not all) adjusted their teaching to the students’ vocational educational programme; however, they did it to different extents and in different ways. The result presents teachers’ descriptions of and arguments for adjusting their teaching linked to the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) framework. The PCK framework is used as a theoretical lens in this study. Further research is needed to investigate how science teachers’ adjustments to students’ vocational education affect the students’ knowledge of the environmental dimension in sustainable development and how that affects actions in their future professional life.

In-Service Science Teachers’ Views of the Empirical and Tentative Nature of Science

According to research, teachers' views about the nature of science influence their students' views, as well as how they teach science. The goal of this study was to ascertain in-service science teachers' views on the empirical and tentative nature of science. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. The sample comprised of ten in-service senior high school science teachers (7 males and 3 females) who were purposefully selected. In-service science instructors exhibited naive views of science (M = 2.81, SD = 0.33). Majority of the in-service science teachers (80%) held naive views, and 20% held informed views of the nature of science. The study revealed that in-service science instructors held a naive understanding of the empirical nature of science (M = 2.60, SD = 0.31). They did, however, held informed views about the tentative character of science (M = 3.77, SD = 0.79). The study recommends that research and professional development activities be directed toward assisting science teachers in developing a deep, comprehensive, and integrated grasp of science. Nature of science should be explicitly taught at the teacher education institutions to help prospective teachers understand the nature of science.

Moving from surviving to thriving: a taxonomy of beginning science teacher challenges

Induction programs have been promoted as a potential solution for alleviating aspects of job dissatisfaction that lead to attrition of beginning science teachers. We can meet the immediate concerns of beginning teachers that impact job satisfaction while simultaneously helping them improve their practices by better understanding the particular challenges they face. This qualitative study examines challenges as expressed within an online induction program for non-tenured Science educators with data from synchronous chat room sessions between mentors and beginning teachers. The results indicate that there is a more diverse and nuanced set of challenges that beginning in-service science teachers face than previously indicated by literature. The content-specific nature of these challenges supports the call for content-specific induction.

In the Trading Zone

In this article, we describe and discuss the negotiations and processes of carrying out a science curriculum-based research project with multiple stakeholders, including an 8th grade science teacher/soccer coach, and 24 student-participants from a middle school in the South-eastern United States. Drawing on the theoretical notion of trading zones, we focus on the negotiations, commitments, and collaborations that took place in order to: (a) teach science to Latino students in the context of an after-school soccer program, (b) develop curriculum and (c) carry out a research program in which both material things and physical spaces are recognized as central to this process. Our study presents these experiences and processes in relation to the characteristics of the human and non-human elements involved in this work. We conclude with a set of recommendations for pre-service and in-service science teachers developing science activities as part of a broader curriculum and teaching science to middle school students in multilingual, multi-ethnic, and multicultural settings.

Fen Bilgisi Öğretmenlerinin Aşı ve Aşı Konusunun Fen Bilimleri Öğretim Programına Dahil Edilmesine İlişkin Bakış Açıları

Socioscientific issues are complex dilemmas that lack clear-cut answers. The purpose of this current study was to investigate in-service science teachers' perspectives on vaccination, consider a socioscientific issue, and assess their views regarding its significance in science education and potential integration into the curriculum. Forty-nine in-service science teachers participated in this study, using convenient sampling, and collected their responses to six open-ended questions administered online. Teachers were asked whether they discuss everyday topics in the classroom, and most teachers confirmed that they integrate daily-life subjects into their lessons. Similarly, in response to questions about including science-related topics not covered in the curriculum, the majority expressed their willingness to engage in these discussions, especially regarding vaccination. Regarding their ability to provide information about vaccination, a significant portion of science teachers reported feeling confident in their capacity to do so. Additionally, when asked about the importance of students' knowledge about vaccination and its integration into the curriculum, 39 teachers advocated for its inclusion, seven opposed it, and two acknowledged its significance but not integration into the curriculum. Notably, when questioned about the difficulty of explaining vaccination-related topics, 32 teachers indicated they would not encounter challenges. This research underscores the pivotal role of science teachers in fostering informed discussions about vaccination and highlights the potential benefits of integrating this crucial subject into science education. The findings of this study underscore science teachers' recognition of the importance of addressing socioscientific issues, such as vaccination, in the curriculum, provided that appropriate adjustments are made.

Collective pedagogical content knowledge for teaching sustainable development

It is vital that upper secondary students gain a rich and deep knowledge of sustainability issues, as they will enter adulthood and working life within a short time. The students belong to a generation that will be intensely involved in managing several environmental issues to achieve sustainable development for our Earth. However, earlier research indicates that many teachers have a low self-efficacy for teaching sustainability issues. This study aimed to explore how science teacher teams in Swedish upper secondary schools can develop their knowledge and expertise in sustainable development (SD) through collective reflections with the support of the reflective tool Content Representation (CoRe). Science teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) development in teaching SD was examined. Twelve in-service science teachers participated in the study. The qualitative research design included semi-structured interviews and science teacher teams’ collective meetings. The findings covered four themes about how the collective reflections with support of the CoRe tool stimulated teachers’ PCK development: (1) creating structure and a focus for learning conversations, (2) modification of the teaching approach, (3) development of new content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge in SD, and (4) shared language to stimulate equal opportunities for students to learn SD. The conclusion is that with the support of CoRe, the teacher team’s collective PCK in SD was developed; therefore, we recommend that decision-makers within the school system organize regular meetings in science teacher teams and introduce CoRe to the teachers.

Antecedents of Chilean in-service science teachers’ emotions: the important role of teacher motivation towards teaching career and self-efficacy

ABSTRACT This study analyses the antecedents of the most frequent emotions experienced when teaching science (enjoyment, anger and anxiety). Data were obtained from 430 Chilean in-service science teachers using a self-report questionnaire and analysed with linear regressions. The results show the important role of motivation towards teaching career and self-efficacy in teachers’ emotions. Moreover, and to a lesser extent, the perception of science teaching relevance and satisfaction with teaching career choice are antecedents for teacher enjoyment. Notable are the multiple effects of the intrinsic value of the teaching career, the value of working with students, and teacher self-efficacy on the emotions of in-service science teachers, because they increase enjoyment and reduce anger and anxiety. Actions are needed to improve teacher emotions, increase positive ones and reduce negative ones.

Using Small-Group Discussion to Foster In-Service Teachers’ Comprehension and Instruction of Sustainable Energy Transitions through PV Science

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of a practice-based approach to in-service science teacher education, using small-group discussions about photovoltaic (PV) science to support teachers’ instruction on sustainable energy transitions in response to climate change risks. Ultimately, we aimed to promote teachers’ PV science comprehension as well as their ability to use small-group discussions productively in their future classrooms. In-service teachers (N = 6) participated in a five-week summer Solar Energy Engineering Research Experience for Teachers program where they read a series of scientific articles, attended presentations, and engaged in small-group Quality Talk discussions, all about solar energy as a sustainable technology for post-carbon energy futures. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, we gathered evidence associated with both the indicators of high-level comprehension evidenced within the talk as well as teachers’ individual PV science knowledge before and after each discussion. We also collected data related to teachers’ instructional intentions via lesson plans and their self-reported future use of classroom discussions. Numerous indicators of high-level comprehension were present within the talk and teachers evidenced growth in their PV science knowledge from pretest to posttest. Additionally, teachers not only infused their lesson plans with the PV science topics they discussed, but they also expressed intentions to teach PV science using discussions in their future classrooms. Findings suggest in-service teachers can benefit from opportunities to engage in a practice-based approach emphasizing discussions, resulting in not only enhanced PV science comprehension but also intentions to enact discussions about the learned content in their future classrooms.

Evaluating science teachers’ flipped learning readiness: a GETAMEL approach test

ABSTRACT Flipped learning has become an ally in education. However, although the literature has identified multiple benefits of using this strategy to improve student learning outcomes, its adoption and implementation by teachers in science education remain scarce. This study examines antecedents of science teachers’ flipped teaching readiness to act, aiming to encourage more teachers to use this strategy. The study implemented the General Extended Technology Acceptance Model for E-Learning (GETAMEL) approach as the theoretical framework. A cross-sectional research design study, including 398 in-service science teachers, was implemented in five Turkish cities during the first semester of 2022. The results indicated that the GETAMEL approach provided adequate prediction power to explain science teachers’ flipped teaching readiness. It was also shown that all hypotheses were supported, and constructs of the conceptual model were significant activators of intention to use the flipped learning approach for science teaching. Moreover, subjective norm, experience, perceived enjoyment, anxiety, and self-efficacy on perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention acted as mediator constructs. Overall, this study guides researchers and practitioners to better comprehend science teachers’ flipped teaching readiness.

BLENDED LEARNING ON WECHAT PLATFORM-BASED SPOC IN LOWER-SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING

This paper proposes a blended teaching design model on WeChat Platform-based SPOC and carries out an empirical study of its applicability and effectiveness in lower-secondary school science teaching. Participants were from two eighth grade classes with different academic performance, and after conducting the same blended teaching, it was found that pre-class knowledge transmission on the WeChat platform considerably enhanced students’ classroom participation, which was also highly related to their improved post-class test scores. The improvement in the performance of the weak groups is more obvious. In addition, backend data from the WeChat platform revealed that the number of resource clicks was significantly higher than the total number of students, indicating that the sharing function of the WeChat platform facilitated the sharing of educational resources. Seven in-service science teachers were also interviewed to qualitatively evaluate and analyze the teaching model from the perspective of in-service teachers. The comprehensive results indicate that the teaching model constructed in this study achieves good results, facilitates the development of students’ independent learning ability, and allows for the integration of this blended teaching model into lower-secondary curriculum. Keywords: Blended teaching; Science education; SPOC; Teaching design model; WeChat platform-assisted teaching

Attitudes and Knowledge in High School Science: An Empirical Test of a Theoretical Model of Correlations

It has been discussed that emotional investment in the educational process generates positive cognitive outcomes. This correlation addresses a core tenet of the three learning domains, Cognitive, Affective, and Psycho-Motor where all three constitute separate areas of one single learning process. And as such, one would expect to be able to measure this correspondence between the three domains. This study attempts to test the hypothesis of a correlation between the cognitive and affective domains in a cohort of in-service science teachers. Specifically, we seek to assess whether the affective posture towards school sciences shows an association with their cognitive competence in biology, chemistry and physics. We used partial least square regression analysis to examine the data, and the results indicate a direct correlation between the affective and cognitive domains. Teachers who scored higher in cognitive tests for the three sciences also had a more positive attitude towards them. These findings provide strong empirical evidence in support of the theoretical principle that the three domains are separate but interconnected components of the educational process.

Teachers’ Experiences Regarding Science Learning Management during the Post-COVID-19 Era

The aim of this research was to study teachers' learning management experience in teaching science after the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 66 senior pre-service science teachers, who carried out fieldwork in the school, and 53 in-service science teachers; the selection was conducted by purposive sampling. The instrument of this research was a questionnaire consisting of five open-ended items. Data were collected through qualitative and then quantitative data analysis. The results revealed that pre-service and in-service science teachers chose the 5E instructional model for science learning management post COVID-19.
 
 Regarding the second research question, active learning was chosen by pre-service and in-service science teachers to suit the science learning approach. Science instructors in pre-service and in-service programs recommend that classrooms be fun-oriented. The limitations in terms of equipment, media, and technology were identified as a problem and an obstacle to science learning management. Science teachers desired to improve themselves in the issues of game and activity development, teaching technique, modern technology, and learning attraction.

Indonesian Pre-service and In-service Science Teachers’ TPACK Level

This current study aimed to examine the levels of TPACK among pre-service and in-service science teachers, including several influencing factors such as gender, status, and age. Through a study of TPACK dimensions of the 211 pre-service and in-service biology teachers and science teachers were identified. The results depicted that pre-service and in-service science teachers dominate the understanding and application of non-technological dimensions. Otherwise, it was found that technological dimensions needed to be more knowledgeable for pre-service and in-service science teachers. The analysis of the variance test demonstrates significant differences were identified regarding status and age. However, no dimension was found to be significantly different regarding age level. To sum up, pre-service and in-service science teachers have different understandings and applications of ICT integration in science classrooms. Professional teaching can be developed by improving knowledge and skills of technology, pedagogy, content, and their integration.

Anter: Ant research institute – Three iterations of testing to develop an ant world in the palm of the hand

Given the newly reformed recommendations calling for students’ engagement in scientific practices, we developed a learning game, entitled Anter: Ant Research Institute, for students to experiene the practices of ant scientists. The development process involved three iterations. The 1st iteration included 23 in-service science teachers (15 junior high school and 8 senior high school) to validate the game content and provide feedback to improve the game design. The 2nd iteration consisted of 103 junior high school (7th-8th grade, aged 12–14) and 95 senior high school (10th-11th grade, aged 15–17) students to evaluate the effectiveness of the game and the experiential value in gameplay. The 3rd iteration included 368 7th graders to test the behavioural learning hierarchy (“do-learn-feel”) model. The testing indicated that Anter is effective for students to acquire knowledge about ants and develop skills related to conducting ant investigations. It provided students with a positive experience of value in gameplay, supporting the theorisation of the “do-learn-feel” ordering of relationships. This successful articulation of developing Anter to reliably achieve instructional goals in systematic procedures is of benefit for game-based science learning.