Investigation of Pre-Service Science Teacher’s Beliefs Regarding the (ature of Environmental Knowledge


Adıbelli E., Yılmaz Tüzün Ö.

The National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), Pennsylvania, United States Of America, 21 - 24 March 2010, pp.47

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • City: Pennsylvania
  • Country: United States Of America
  • Page Numbers: pp.47
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

 This study is an investigation of prospective science teachers (PSTs)’ epistemological beliefs regarding the dimensions of source, certainty and structure of knowledge in the domain of environment and whether environmental epistemological beliefs in these dimensions differ across knowledge in the domains of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. The participants of the study consisted of 17 PSTs. The instrument used for assessment of PSTs’ epistemological beliefs regarding knowledge was a semistructured interview developed by Schommer-Aikins (2008). To examine domain-specific epistemological beliefs, participants answered each question first for the domain of environment and then the domains of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. Comparative data analyses methods were used to analyze data. The qualitative analyses of PSTs’ responses to a set of interview questions indicated that PSTs’ do not espouse the same beliefs regarding the source, certainty and structure of environmental knowledge and that of physical, chemical, biological and mathematical knowledge. The findings of this study also highlighted that in addition to the amount of environmental knowledge, the nature of knowledge gained in environment must be addressed in environmental education.