Investigating preservice science teachers’ argument quality through SSI-based instruction: The role of context

Year 2024, Volume: 13 Issue: 5-Special Issue, 465 - 483, 28.12.2024

Ümran Betül Cebesoy , Banuçiçek Seyhan Özdemir

https://doi.org/10.19128/turje.1505145

Abstract

Socioscientific (SSI)-based instruction has gained popularity in science education research as the number of controversial topics has increased daily. This study has two objectives: first, it aims to explore the quality of arguments made by pre-service science teachers (PSTs) through various SSI contexts. Second, it explores whether the context influences participants’ argument quality. For these purposes, a case study was designed with 13 senior (fourth grade) PSTs enrolling in a state university in Türkiye. Data were collected through participants’ reports. The results revealed that participants mostly articulated arguments along with supporting evidence (including backing, warrant, or grounds) without considering different perspectives (i.e., counter-arguments) and refuting evidence (i.e., rebuttal) in various SSI contexts. In terms of the SSI context, genetically modified organisms and artificial meat consumption contexts were the ones where participants were able to generate more arguments compared to other SSI contexts. Recommendations for teacher education programs in terms of enhancing the quality of arguments and the role of various SSI contexts in improving participants’ argumentation processes were provided.

Keywords

Argument quality, Context, Pre-service science teachers, Socioscientific issues (SSI), SSI-based instruction

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee for Science and Engineering of Usak University, decision number 2022-23/06

Supporting Institution

No funding was received.

Thanks

We would like to thank all the participating pre-service science teachers.

Fen bilgisi öğretmen adaylarının argüman kalitelerinin SBK temelli öğretim yoluyla incelenmesi: Bağlamın rolü

Abstract

Sosyobilimsel (SBK) temelli öğretim, tartışmalı konuların sayısının gün geçtikçe artmasıyla fen eğitimi araştırmalarında popülerlik kazanmıştır. Buradan yola bu çalışmanın iki amacı vardır: Araştırmanın ilk amacı, fen bilgisi öğretmen adaylarının çeşitli SBK bağlamlarında ürettikleri argümanların kalitesini incelemektir. Araştırmanın diğer amacı ise bağlamın katılımcıların argüman kalitesini etkileyip etkilemediğini araştırmaktadır. Bu amaçlar doğrultusunda, Türkiye'de bir devlet üniversitesinde öğrenim gören 13 son sınıf fen bilgisi öğretmen adayı ile bir durum çalışması tasarlanmıştır. Veriler, katılımcıların yazılı raporları aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Sonuçlar, katılımcıların çoğunlukla farklı SBK bağlamlarında farklı bakış açılarını (örn. karşı argümanlar) ve bu bakış açılarına yönelik çürütücü kanıtları (örn. çürütme) dikkate almadan destekleyici kanıtlarla (destek, gerekçe veya dayanak kullanarak) birlikte argümanlar ifade ettiklerini ortaya koymuştur. SBK bağlamı açısından, GDO ve yapay et tüketimi bağlamları, incelenen diğer SBK bağlamlarına kıyasla katılımcıların daha fazla argüman üretebildikleri bağlamlar olduğu belirlenmiştir. Argümanların kalitesinin artırılması ve farklı SBE bağlamlarının katılımcıların argümantasyon sürecini geliştirmedeki rolü açısından öğretmen eğitimi programları için öneriler sunulmuştur.

Keywords

Argüman kalitesi, Bağlam, Fen bilgisi öğretmen adayları, Sosyobilimsel konular (SBK), SBK temelli öğretim

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