ERIC Number: EJ902482
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Oct
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-6803
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Constructing Elementary Teachers' Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practical Knowledge through an Inquiry-Based Elementary Science Course
Choi, Sanghee; Ramsey, John
School Science and Mathematics, v109 n6 p313-324 Oct 2009
This study examines inservice elementary school teachers' beliefs, attitudes, and practical knowledge toward inquiry-based science instruction and the influence of an inquiry-based elementary science course on teachers' beliefs, attitudes, and practical knowledge regarding inquiry. Both surveys and a case study were administered to the 14 elementary school teachers before and after completing a three-credit elementary science methods course that was inquiry-based. The findings showed that the teachers' beliefs, attitudes, and practical knowledge about inquiry were clearly influenced by the course. Through this course, the teachers developed fairly positive beliefs and attitudes that promoted inquiry instruction. The majority of participants also improved their knowledge and skills of conducting inquiry as they successfully practiced inquiry-instruction in their science teachings. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Elementary School Science, Methods Courses, Elementary School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Science Instruction, Beliefs, Knowledge Base for Teaching, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Inquiry, Inservice Teacher Education, Interviews, Observation, Lesson Plans, Reflection
School Science and Mathematics Association. Oklahoma State University, 245 Willard, Stillwater, OK 74078. Tel: 405-744-8018; Fax: 405-744-6290; e-mail: office@ssma.org; Web site: http://ssmj.tamu.edu.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A