ERIC Number: EJ835358
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Apr
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-0145
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Cases of Science Professors' Use of Nature of Science
Karakas, Mehmet
Journal of Science Education and Technology, v18 n2 p101-119 Apr 2009
This study provides qualitative analysis of data that answers the following research question: how do college science faculty teach science and NOS and incorporate aspects of NOS and the history of science into their undergraduate courses? The study concentrates on four cases and more specifically on three introductory science classes and on four instructors who taught those courses. These instructors were chosen as case studies to explore in greater detail what occurs inside introductory science courses in one particular higher institution in the Northeastern United States. Participants' teaching styles are presented through a combined and detailed presentation of interview data and classroom observations supported with examples from their classroom activities. Constant comparative approach was used in the process of organizing and analyzing data. Findings revealed that participants preferred to use the traditional teacher-centered lecturing as their teaching style and their main concerns were to cover more content, develop the problem solving skills of their students, and teach the fundamental principles of their subjects without paying special importance to the NOS aspects. The study also revealed that other variables of teaching science, such as large class size, lack of management and organizational skills, teaching experience, and instructors' concerns for students' abilities and motivation are more important for these scientists then teaching for understanding of NOS.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Study, Introductory Courses, College Faculty, Case Studies, Interviews, Observation, Grounded Theory, Course Content, Teacher Attitudes, Teaching Styles, Science Instruction, Scientific Concepts, Science Education, Technology Education, Environmental Education, Science History, Scientific Principles, Science Teachers, College Science
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A