Analysis of a Moodle-based training program about the Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Evolution Theory and Natural Selection

Abstract

In this study we aim to find out whether a training program for secondary school science teachers which was organized based on the model of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), could improve their individual PCK for a specific scientific issue. The Evolution Theory (ET) and the Natural Selection (NS) were chosen as the scientific issues of interest. Both of them are fundamental in biology teaching, especially the ET which can be taught as a unifying theory of biology. The individual PCK of teachers can be improved by strengthening its components: knowledge, pedagogy and managing the context. The principals and content of the seminar were decided based on the results of another study among Greek teachers for the characteristics of their PCK about ET, NS and Nature Of Science (NoS). The seminar involved 16 secondary school teachers. We found that all trainees improved their individual PCK and felt adequate to teach more effectively the ET and the NS to their students. All participants through the activities they performed, moved to a more constructive and learner-centered teaching style compare to what they used to do before the training program.

Εφαρμογή Ψηφιακών Διδακτικών Σεναρίων Για Το Γυμνάσιο Από Την Πλατφόρμα Αίσωπος

“…Οι Στασινάκης & Μαυρικάκη 2015, ανέλυσαν τις παρανοήσεις σχετικά με το πεπτικό σύστημα και διαπίστωσαν πως ήταν ελλιπής ο εντοπισμός της θέσης των οργάνων, αν και σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις παρατηρήθηκαν ορθά σχέδια για τα όργανα χωρίς όμως να καταγράφονται τα ονόματά τους. Τέλος, σημαντικό και ιδιαίτερο κεφάλαιο των παρανοήσεων των μαθητών (αλλά και των εκπαιδευτικών) αποτελούν τα θέματα της εξελικτικής θεωρίας, με λαθεμένες αντιλήψεις όπως για παράδειγμα «το περιβάλλον καθορίζει την ποικιλομορφία που πρόκειται να επιλεχθεί» ή «οι άνθρωποι εξελίχθηκαν από τους πιθήκους» (Stasinakis & Athanasiou, 2016;Stasinakis & Kalogiannakis, 2017).…”

Local History in a Digital Environment: Creating an Online Course for Young Children

“…Under these circumstances, students develop misunderstandings [3], display difficulties in learning [4], find it hard to retain information and develop a negative stance toward history lessons. The traditional lecture method does not appear to be an appropriate approach for contemporary students [5].…”

Using Aipotu simulation to promote evolution learning and teaching

“…Research in didactics about evolution detects many interesting points that should be discussed, such as misconceptions, teachers' inadequacy, and so on. 2,3 There are many reasons why both teachers and students find teaching of the theory confusing sometimes. 4,5 In our proposal, we deal with two of them: terms/concepts as well as the understanding of the evolution mechanism.…”

“…Discourse on evolution usually evokes conflicts. Research in didactics about evolution detects many interesting points that should be discussed, such as misconceptions, teachers' inadequacy, and so on 2,3 …”