On Scientific Literacy Development: Exploring Challenges of Science Teaching in Elementary School Teachers

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2017

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Abstract

Scientific literacy is a primary goal of science education. Scientific literacy contributes to the development of skills such as critical thinking, reasoning, communication skills, and understanding of the world around us. These skills are a transferrable outcome of science education. The purpose of this research is to explore the challenges of teaching science in elementary school teachers, by investigating current instructional practices and understanding teachers’ conceptualization of scientific literacy. Understanding the challenges teachers experience in teaching science can help us make improvements to student learning and development of scientific literacy. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with two current educators from the Greater Toronto Area. An analysis of the data revealed an emphasis on the importance of hands on experience and inquiry learning in classrooms. The findings revealed that the challenges teachers often experience in science teaching are due to teacher education, and time and resources. This study informs the importance of scientific literacy development and provides insightful recommendations for the current Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum.

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scientific literacy, development, challenges, science teaching, Ontario

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Creative Commons

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