The Development of a Teacher’s PCK on the Use of Project-Based Learning to Teach Science

Shruthi Reddy; Anna-leena Kähkönen; Josephine Moate

The Development of a Teacher’s PCK on the Use of Project-Based Learning to Teach Science

Abstract

Teachers are increasingly expected to incorporate Project-based learning (PBL) pedagogy to teach science. While teachers’ definitions and challenges in the use of PBL are widely studied, very few studies focus on the development of a teacher's knowledge of the use of PBL over multiple projects. The current research is an in-depth case study aimed at studying the development of a Finnish class teacher’s knowledge on the use of PBL to teach science by using pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) as the lens to study teacher’s knowledge. Data was collected in the form of interviews and classroom observation over eight weeks. Concept maps and critical incident analysis were used to analyse the data. The findings show that reflecting on student learning, use of learning materials and unexpected results in science experimentation contributed to the development of the teacher’s knowledge of student understanding, assessments, science curriculum, and orientation to science teaching. The teacher’s knowledge of student understanding and assessments were closely related and further led to the development of her knowledge in instructional strategies for the use of PBL to teach science.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Shruthi Reddy ^*
0000-0002-2452-2845
Finland

Anna-leena Kähkönen
0000-0003-3308-0062
Finland

Josephine Moate This is me
0000-0003-3530-4373
Finland

Publication Date

December 31, 2024

Submission Date

June 17, 2024

Acceptance Date

October 17, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 13 Number: 3

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA65MS79KH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Reddy, S., Kähkönen, A.- leena, & Moate, J. (2024). The Development of a Teacher’s PCK on the Use of Project-Based Learning to Teach Science. Journal of Teacher Education and Educators, 13(3), 211-227. https://izlik.org/JA65MS79KH