Are Future Chemistry Teachers Prepared to Perform Chemical Experiments at Primary and Secondary Schools?

Abstract

Our contribution is devoted to study the ability of future chemistry teachers to organise pupils’ observation of chemical phenomena. In this article measuring of multi-level means is described, which should denote a readiness of probands to perform an observation during carrying out chemical experiment. It is based on the assumption that well-prepared observers are able to work actively and to propose alternative solutions, because of their deep understanding of a procedure. In next part of this article the results of a research carried out at Faculty of Natural Sciences in Bratislava are analysed. The research was also aimed to detect if students are prepared to perform chemical experiments without a risk that they will be confused by a procedure or different course of experiment as they had expected.

Conditions for Experimental Activities at Elementary and High Schools from Chemistry Teachers’ Point of View

“…There are two-thirds of teachers who consider in-service training not important with only c. 20 % of the teachers acting like prospective target group for teacher development courses. This result was surprising as teachers were reported to understand chemistry experiments only to some extent [29].…”