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The research indicates the importance of learning about our natural environment from an early age to train scientifically literate and environmentally responsible citizens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of a group of 120 primary school children regarding the biodiversity of their nearby environment (Andalusia, Spain) based on their drawings. For this, we used a qualitative methodology that focused on the analysis of the content. We analyzed the content of each drawing, complemented with written questions and an interview. The different environmental elements (natural, geological, and anthropic) of the children’s drawings were identified and analyzed. The results show how children perceive the biodiversity (plants and animals) of their nearby environment and their low knowledge of the concept of the environment as a system. Likewise, this study allowed for the definition of a series of emerging categories as an instrument of analysis that will serve as the basis for the design of appropriate strategies to improve initial teacher training in regard to science education.

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El cambio de las concepciones y emociones sobre la enseñanza a través de ciclos de mejora en el aula Porlán

En este trabajo se analiza la evolución de las concepciones sobre los contenidos de 16 docentes universitarios de ciencias, cuando realizan ciclos de mejora en el aula en un curso de formación. Para ello, se ha utilizado un cuestionario inicial de preguntas abier-tas y un informe final público sobre su práctica docente. La metodología utilizada ha sido de tipo cualitativa y basada en el análisis del contenido de ambos instrumentos. Los resultados indican que el desarrollo profesional alcanzado es significativo y se orienta hacia una visión de los contenidos coherente con una enseñanza centrada en el estudian-te y en el aprendizaje, aunque de diverso grado según las dimensiones analizadas. Tam-bién permiten proponer una hipótesis de progresión del conocimiento docente del profe-sorado universitario de ciencias en relación con los contenidos, que oriente las estrategias formativas.

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El objetivo de este trabajo es validar un instrumento para analizar las actitudes de los futuros maestros de educación infantil

What do prospective teachers know about the sort of activities that are helpful in learning science? A progression of learning during a science methods course What do prospective teachers know about the sort of activities that are helpful in learning science? A progression of learning during a science methods courseThe activities designed by 91 teams of primary teacher education students as part of their teaching proposals in a course on science teaching are analysed together with the subsequent reformulations of those activities. The objective of the study was to gain insight into the students' professional practical knowledge and the underlying focus of their approach to teaching. Qualitative methods based on content analysis were applied. The instruments used were a reflection script and the students' teaching proposals about the different versions of a specific theme of science content. The results indicate that these prospective teachers' knowledge about the types of activities that are appropriate for teaching science changed during the course from a teacher-and teaching-centred approach centred to one focused on the pupil and learning. The implications for science teacher education are discussed.