Enhancing Elementary Science Teachers’ Knowledge of Teaching: The Case of Designing and Implementing an Instructional Unit

Jing-Ru Wang

From the issue entitled "Science and Mathematics Teacher Education"

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Abstract

This article provides a model for the professional development of elementary science teachers. The model focused on integrating different domains of knowledge into science teaching, including the knowledge of the science curriculum, especially scientific inquiry, teacherrsquos knowledge, and studentsrsquo knowledge. The two case studies in this article revealed that the teachers construct their knowledge in a social context. The constant reflections on the experiences helped them to generate alternative teaching approaches. The findings suggest that the model of the project had two functions. First, it provides a useful strategy to help science teachers to bridge the gap between theories of teaching and their own teaching practices. Second, it provides a social learning environment for learning how to teach science.

Keywords  concept map - elementary teacher - professional development - science teaching - scientific inquiry

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