Creativity, inquiry, or accountability? Scientists' and teachers' perceptions of science education

Abstract

Although there have been numerous studies that indicate the benefits of teachers and students working with scientists, there is little research that documents scientists' views of science education, science teacher preparation, and the goals of science education. Furthermore, little is known about how scientists' views of science education may differ from those held by science teachers. Through the use of semistructured interviews, the perceptions of 37 scientists from diverse science domains and 21 middle and high school science teachers were explored. Participating scientists expressed concerns about the variability in quality of teaching, programs, and resources available for science instruction. Scientists expressed a desire for teachers to have more experience conducting science research and developing their own critical thinking skills. When asked what goals are most important for science education, 40% of the scientists emphasized that teachers should make science fun and exciting for their students. Science teachers' perceptions of science education were compared with the scientists' perceptions. Thirty percent of the teachers agreed with the scientists that too much variability in program or instructional quality exists in science education. Seventy‐six percent of the science teachers also thought there is a need to teach critical thinking skills, but more importantly there is a need to inspire creativity and a desire to learn science in students. Both teachers and scientists expressed concerns about how high‐stakes accountability inhibits efforts to improve science education. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 92:1058–1075, 2008

Sardonic science? The resistance to more humanistic forms of science education

“…However, one recent investigation is described by Taylor et al (2008). From a set of interviews with 37 scientists and 22 science teachers drawn from the south eastern region of the USA, these authors report that the scientists expressed concerns about the teaching of science and wished that teachers themselves had more direct experience of conducting scientific research.…”

“…Both scientists and teachers expressed negative views on the current emphasis upon testing in schools, and that it ''inhibited efforts to improve science education''. Taylor et al (2008) note that both the scientists and the teachers in their survey shared the common goal of ''producing scientifically literate citizens who enjoy science'' (p. 1071). They want students to develop science literacy and carry out genuine open-ended science inquiry.…”

Science Teacher Candidates’ Portraits of Science Teaching as a Profession by using the Characters in the Movie “3 Idiots”

“…They stated that a good science teacher should interact with students, focus on researching and questioning, develop an effective learning environment, not discriminate against students but instead guide them, conduct lessons through application, use technology, do their jobs with love, and be tolerant and affectionate rather than oppressive. Other studies show parallel results on the qualifications of a science teacher (Çepni & Bacanak, 2002;Duban, 2010;Işık Terzi, 2008;Keisa, 2009;Morgil & Yılmaz, 1999;Sweeney, 2003;Şahin & Yıldırım, 1999;Taylor, Jones, Broadwell, & Oppewal, 2008;Wayne, 2008).…”

Teacher’s Reflection of Inquiry Teaching in Finland Before and During an in-Service Program: Examination by a Progress Model of Collaborative Reflection

“…Most research findings have been based on a partial perspective of teacher reflections: individual or collaborative. The inquiry teaching, which requires a relevant and dynamic view of many classroom activities (Oliveira, 2010), has been shown in recent in-service programs, to give inconsistent progress of participant teachers (Taylor, Jones, Broadwell & Oppewal, 2008). According to Cobb et al (2010), teacher profiles and the evaluation framework should be addressed while conducting an innovative experimental program to support science teachers.…”