The Influence of School Contexts on Building Science/Biology Teachers’ Experiential Knowledge

Abstract

This research aims to understand how school contexts influence on building Science/Biology teachers’ experiential knowledge. Based on Wertsch’s studies on mediated action, we consider that experiential knowledge is built in the tension between subjects and in the cultural tools they apply. We produced data through narratives from a focus group in which teachers discussed aspects related to planning, practice and assessment of teaching work. The results show that aspects such as planning time organization, resources availability and bureaucracy interfere in the possibility of producing interdisciplinary work and shared reflections; in the constant adaptation of what will be taught; and in the development of teaching autonomy. Finally, we suggest that mobilizing this knowledge in teacher training programs contributes to building teaching professionality.