Level of Inquiry as Motivator in an Inquiry Methods Course for Preservice Elementary Teachers

Of great importance for achieving science education reform may be teachers' interest in science and enjoyment of science. This study explores the motivational qualities (rated for interest, fun, and learning value) of different levels of inquiry of hands‐on class activities. The participants, 53 preservice teachers in two sections of a science methods course, rated the activities at the end of each class. At the end of the course, these activities were categorized by level of inquiry (levels 0–3), with 30% rated as level 0 (no inquiry), 40% as level 1, 22% as level 2, and 8% as level 3, according to how much choice was given for posing questions and designing investigations. Ratings of each hands‐on activity indicated that participants perceived activities of higher levels of inquiry to be more fun and more interesting. They also perceived that they had learned more. These findings suggest that course instructors should determine level of inquiry when planning course activities, and degree of participant input into course activities may be important in the development of interest in science. A focus on hands‐on learning especially at higher levels of inquiry may serve both to capture the interest of teachers and to model how they can make science more authentic and engaging for children.     

Understanding of Earth and Space Science Concepts: Strategies for Concept‐Building in Elementary Teacher Preparation

This research is concerned with preservice teacher understanding of six earth and space science concepts that are often taught in elementary school: the reason for seasons, phases of the moon, why the wind blows, the rock cycle, soil formation, and earthquakes. Specifically, this study examines the effect of readings, hands‐on learning stations, and concept mapping in improving conceptual understanding. Undergraduates in two sections of a science methods course (N= 52) completed an open‐ended survey, giving explanations about the above concepts three times: as a pretest and twice as posttests after various instructional interventions. The answers, scored with a three point rubric, indicated that the preservice teachers initially had many misconceptions (alternative conceptions). A two way ANOVA with repeated measures analysis (pretest/posttest) demonstrated that readings and learning stations are both successful in building preservice teacher's understanding and that benefits from the hands‐on learning stations approached statistical significance. Concept mapping had an additive effect in building understanding, as evident on the second posttest. The findings suggest useful strategies for university science instructors to use in clarifying science concepts while modeling activities teachers can use in their own classrooms.