ERIC Number: ED578746
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 258
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-3551-5936-3
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
An Analysis of the Model and Enacted Curricula for a History of Science Course in a Nationwide Teacher Education Program
Nouri, Noushin
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Arkansas
The UTeach program, a national model for undergraduate teacher preparation, includes "Perspectives on Science and Mathematics," a class designed to share content about the History of Science (HOS) with preservice teachers. UTeach provides a model curriculum as a sample for instructors teaching "Perspectives." The purpose of this study was (a) to describe and evaluate the model science lessons provided; (b) to compare the relationship of the various versions of the "Perspectives" class with the model curriculum; (c) to determine the factors that led to instructors' success or failure in implementation of the model curriculum; and (d) to highlight the instructors' best practices as a basis for improving the UTeach model curriculum. In addition, the study highlighted the relationship between "Perspectives" and the nature of science (NOS) by following the possible links to the NOS in the model curriculum and instructors' classroom practices. This study includes information collected from 11 sites by conducting 16 instructor interviews, reviewing syllabi and other course materials, and analyzing survey responses. Qualitative analysis of the 11 case studies showed no explicit connection to the NOS in the curriculum though the model is written using topics the literature recommends for teaching the HOS. The curriculum corrects some student misconceptions and introduces controversial issues, failures, and successes in teaching the HOS. Most instructors do not adhere strictly to the model curriculum but adapt portions. Factors determining an instructor's decision to adapt the model included background, experience, teaching methods, local conditions, and standards. Instructors' best practices included performing historical experiments, and role playing. Providing a list of objectives for a class in the HOS that meets National Science Standards can be helpful to course instructors. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Teacher Education Programs, Science Education History, Undergraduate Study, National Curriculum, Curriculum Implementation, Models, Performance Factors, Best Practices, Educational Practices, Scientific Principles, Interviews, Teacher Surveys, Instructional Material Evaluation, Qualitative Research, Fidelity, Teaching Methods, Course Descriptions
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
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