مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - The effect of nature of science teaching based on two different approaches on the elimination of prospective science teachers’ misconceptions

Abstract :

Along with the modern understanding of science, the viewpoints of individuals in the society towards science and scientific studies have also changed. This situation has also increased the importance given to different titles such as scientific literacy and the nature of science. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of the teaching method of the nature of science carried out with explicit-reflective and implicit approach on the elimination of misconceptions of science teacher candidates about the nature of science. The research was carried out in the Fall semester of 2008-2009 academic year. The number of participants of the research was 43 science teacher candidates in a public university in Istanbul. Participants of the research was selected rondamly and assigned to Group I and Group II. Group I was taught with the method based on explicitreflective and Group II was taught with method based on implicit teaching approach. Research data were collected through the VNOS-C scale, interview questions and video records. Research data were evaluated with content analysis. The data obtained from interviews and video records in the research were used for triangulation. The results obtained from the research revealed that both groups have different misconceptions, such as scientific theory and laws, the experimental and tentative nature of science. The result of the research also revealed that the teaching method carried out with explicit-reflective approach is more effective in the elimination of misconceptions of prospective science teachers on the nature of science in comparison to implicit approach.