Understanding the Processual and Contextual Aspects of Science by Means of the History of Photosynthesis

Yıl 2019, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2, 633 - 646, 15.04.2019

Arzu Saka

https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.8.2.633

Öz

The aim of this study is to present pre-service biology teachers with reading texts about the research of Van Helmont and Joseph Priestley relate to the subject of photosynthesis, for their familiarization with the processual and contextual aspects of science and their understanding of the nature of science, and to reveal the extent to which these texts contribute to the teacher candidates. The study was carried out by “action research method”.  The sample consisted of 66 biology pre-service teachers studying at Karadeniz Technical University between the years of 2016 to 2018. In this study, two separate reading texts were prepared in order to increase pre-service teachers’ processual and contextual understanding, and after the teacher candidates had read the texts, they were asked to answer the related questions. Percentage and frequency values were determined by grouping the answers as “correct, partially correct, incorrect and unanswered”. The fact that in this study, only 47% of the pre-service teachers were able to form a correct hypothesis means that their skills in this regard are in need of development. Candidates experienced some difficulty in interpreting statements that were not given explicitly in the text. The candidates' level of critical thinking is at a good level. It has been determined that they have post-modern view as epistemological belief. There is a need for designing instructional materials covering conceptual, processual, contextual dimensions of science in different subjects at university level and presenting them to biology teachers in book format.

Anahtar Kelimeler

History of Science, photosynthesis, aspects of science

Kaynakça

• Ahopelto, I., Mikkila-Erdmann, M., Anto, E., & Penttinen M. (2011). Future elementary school teachers' conceptual change concerning photosynthesis. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 55(5), 503-515. doi: 10.1080/00313831.2010.550060
• Akcay, S. (2017) Prospective elementary science teachers’ understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the context of multiple biological levels as nested systems. Journal of Biological Education, 51(1), 52-65. doi:10.1080/00219266.2016.1170067
• Akyol, H. (2005). Turkce ilkokuma yazma ogretimi [Turkish first reading and writing teaching]. Ankara, Turkey: Pegem A Publishing.
• Appelget, J., Matthews, C. E., Hildreth, D. P., & Daniel M. L. (2002). Teaching the history of science to students with Learning disabilities. Intervention in School and Clinic, 37(5), 298-303. doi: 10.1177/105345120203700506
• Bahar, M. (2003). A study of pupils’ ideas about the concept of life. Kastamonu Education Journal, 11(1), 93-104.
• Bayat, N., Sekercioglu, G., & Bakir, S. (2014). The relationship between reading comprehension and success in science. Education and Science, 39(176), 457-466.
• Benzer, A. (2016). Turkce ve fen bilgisi ogretmen adaylarinin okudugunu anlama ve okuma stratejilerinin bazi degiskenler acisindan incelenmesi [The examination of reading strategies of science and Turkish teachers' reading comprehension and reading strategies in terms of some variables]. International Journal of Social Science, (43), 21-30. doi: 10.9761/JASSS3209
• Bikmaz-Bilgen, O., & Dogan, N. (2017). Puanlayicilar arasi guvenirlik belirleme tekniklerinin karsılastirilmasi [The Comparison of Interrater Reliability Estimating Techniques]. Journal of Measurement and Evaluation in Education and Psychology, 8(1), 63-78. doi: 10.21031/epod.294847
• Campbell, N. A., Reece, J. B., Urry, L. A., Cain, M. L., Wasserman S. A., Winickoff, B., & Jackson, R. B. (2010). Biology (8th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
• Can, B., & Pekmez, E. S. (2010). Bilimin dogasi etkinliklerinin ilkogretim yedinci sinif ogrencilerinin bilimsel surec becerilerinin gelistirilmesindeki etkisi [The effects of the nature of science activities on the development of seventh grade students’ science process skillss]. Pamukkale University Journal of Education, (27), 113-123.
• Crane, L., & Winterbottom, M. (2008). Plants and photosynthesis: peer assessment to help students learn. Journal of Biological Education, 42(4), 150-156. doi:10.1080/00219266.2008.9656133
• Cakici, Y. (2009). Fen egitiminde bir onkosul: Bilimin dogasini anlama [A prerequisite in science education: Understanding nature of science]. Marmara University Ataturk Education Faculty Journal of Educational Sciences, (29), 57-74.
• Celik, H., & Ozbek, G. (2013). 7E ogretim modelinin hipotez kurma ve degisken belirleme becerileri uzerine etkisi [The effects of 7E instruction model on setting hypothesis and variable determination skills]. The Journal of the Industrial Arts Education Faculty of Gazi University, (31), 13-23.
• Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education. (6th ed.). London, UK: Routledge.
• Collins, A., & Spiegel, S. A. (2001). Teacher Research. Retrieved February 10, 2010, from http:/www.enc.org/professional/research/journal/science/documents.
• Dogan, Y., & Yilmaz, M. (2013). Yapilandirmaci programin ogrencileri fen ve teknoloji okuryazari yapma rolu ve programin uygulanmasina iliskin ogretmen goruslerinin incelenmesi [Examination of teachers’ views about purpose of constructivist program makes students science and technology literacy]. Mustafa Kemal University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 10(23), 119-129.
• Driver, R., Leach, J., Millar, R., & Scott, P., (1996). Young people's images of science. London, UK: Open University Press.
• Ekiz, D. (2013). Bilimsel arastirma yontemleri [Scientific research methods]. Ankara, Turkey: Ani Publishing.
• Gallagher, J. J. (1991). Prospective and practicing secondary school science teachers’ knowledge and beliefs about the philosophy of science. Science Education, 75(1), 121-133.
• Gonzalez-Rodriguez, C., Garcia-Barrios, S., & Martinez-Lozada, C. (2009). Plant nutrition in Spanish secondary textbooks. Journal of Biological Education, 43(4), 152-158. doi: 10.1080/00219266.2009.9656175
• Hall, D. O., & Rao, K. K. (1994). Photosynthesis (5th ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Harlen, W. (1993). Teaching and learning primary science (2nd ed.). London, UK: Paul Chapman Educational Publishing.
• Henke, A., & Hottecke, D. (2015). Physics teachers’ challenges in using history and philosophy of science in teaching. Science & Education, 24(4), 349-385.
• Janssen, P.J.D., Lambreva, M.D., Plumere, N., Bartolucci, C., Antonacci, A., Buonasera, K., … Rea, G. (2014). Photosynthesis at the forefront of a sustainable life. Frontiers in Chemistry, 2(36), 1-22. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2014.00036
• Jensen, M. S., & Finley F. N. (1995). Teaching evolution using arguments in a conceptual change strategy. Science Education, 79(2), 147-166.
• Kandil- Ingec, S., Tekfidan, K., & Karagoz, E. (2016). Fizik ders kitaplarinin bilim tarihi acisindan incelenmesi [Examination of physics textbooks in terms of history of science]. Fen Bilimleri Ogretimi Dergisi [Journal of Science Education], 4(2), 168-187.
• Kanli, U., & Yagbasan, R. (2008). 7E modeli merkezli laboratuvar yaklasiminin ogrencilerin bilimsel surec becerilerini gelistirmedeki yeterliligi [The efficacy of the 7e learning cycle model based on laboratory approach on development of students’ science process skills]. Gazi University Journal of Educational Faculty, 28(1), 91-125.,
• Keskin, H, Tezel, O., & Acat, B. (2016). Ortaokul ogrencilerinin fen ve teknoloji dersine iliskin bilimsel okuryazarlik seviyeleri [Secondary students’ level of scientific literacy related to science and technology course]. The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies, (47), 1-18.
• Klopfer, L. E. (1969). The teaching of science and the history of science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 6(1), 87-95.
• Koch, A., & Eckstein, S. G. (1995). Skills needed for reading comprehension of physics texts and their relation to problem-solving ability. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 32(6), 613 – 628.
• Kose, S. (2008). Diagnosing student misconceptions: using drawings as a research method. World Applied Sciences Journal, 3(2), 283–293.
• Kose, S., & Usak, M. (2006). Determination of prospective science teachers’ misconceptions: photosynthesis and respiration in plants. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 1(1), 25 – 52.
• Lacin-Simsek, C. (2009). Fen ve teknoloji dersi ogretim programlari ve ders kitaplari bilim tarihinden ne kadar ve nasil yararlaniyor? [How much and how science and technology curriculums and textbooks benefits from history of science?]. Elementary Education Online, 8(1), 129-145.
• Marques da Silva, J., Bernardes da Silva, A., & Padua, M. (2007). Modulated chlorophyll a fluorescence: A tool for teaching photosynthesis. Journal of Biological Education, 41(4), 178-183.
• Matthews, M. R. (1994). Science teaching: the role of history and philosophy of science. Abingdon, RN: Routledge.
• Matthews, M. R. (2009). Science and worldviews in the classroom: Joseph Priestley and photosynthesis. In M.R. Matthews (Ed.), Science, worldviews and education (pp.271-302). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.
• McComas, W.F., Clough, M.P., & Almazroa, H. (2002). The role and character of the nature of science in science education. In W. F. McComas (Ed.), The nature of science in science education: Rationales and strategies (pp.3-39). Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
• Melis, A., & Happe, T. (2004). Trails of green algae hydrogen research– from Hans Gaffron to new frontiers. Photosynthesis Research, 80(1-3), 401-409.
• Metioui, A., Matoussi, F., & Trudel, L. (2016). The teaching of photosynthesis in secondary school: A history of the science approach. Journal of Biological Education, 50(3), 275-289.
• Mikkila-Erdmann, M. (2001). Improving conceptual change concerning photosynthesis through text design. Learning and Instruction, 11(3), 241-257. doi: 10.1016/S0959-4752(00)00041-4
• MEB (Milli Egitim Bakanligi) [Ministry of Education], (2013). Biyoloji Dersi (9, 10, 11 ve 12. Siniflar) Ogretim Programi [Secondary School Biology Curriculum (Grades 9–12)]. Retrieved January 8, 2016, from. http://ttkb.meb.gov.tr/program2.aspx
• Morgil, I., Temel, S., Gungor-Seyhan, H., & Ural-Alsan, E. (2009). Proje tabanli laboratuar uygulamasinin ogretmen adaylarinin bilimin dogasi konusundaki bilgilerine etkisi [The effect of project-based laboratory practice on the knowledge of teacher candidates about the nature of science]. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 6(2), 92-109.
• Narguizian, P. J. (2002). The history of science in secondary biology textbooks in the United States: A content analysis (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Southern California, California, USA.
• Ozay, E., & Oztas, H. (2003). Secondary students’ interpretations of photosynthesis and plant nutrition. Journal of Biological Education, 37(2), 68–70.
• Patric, P., & Matteson, S. (2018). Elementary and middle level biology topics: a content analysis of science and children and science scope from 1990 to 2014. Journal of Biological Education, 52(2), 174-183. doi: 10.1080/00219266.2017.1293556
• Raven, P. H., Johnson, G. B., Mason, K. A., Losos, J., & Singer, S. (2011). Biology (9th ed.). New York, NY: The MacGraw-Hill Companies.
• Ross P., Tronson, D., & Ritchie, R. J. (2006). Modelling photosynthesis to increase conceptual understanding. Journal of Biological Education, 40(2), 84-88. doi: 10.1080/00219266.2006.9656019
• Saka, A. (2019). Development of preservice biology teachers’ skills in the causal process concerning photosynthesis. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 7(4), 51-62. doi: 10.11114/jets.v7i4.4022
• Schattner, P. (2015) The case for ‘story-driven’ biology education. Journal of Biological Education, 49(3), 334-337. doi: 10.1080/00219266.2015.1058844
• Soylemez, Y. (2016). Icerik analizi: Elestirel dusunme [Content analysis: Critical thinking]. EKEV Akademi Dergisi [EKEV Academy Journal], 20(66), 671-696.
• Svandova, K. (2014). Secondary school students’ misconceptions about photosynthesis and plant respiration: Preliminary results. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 10(1), 59-67. doi: 10.12973/eurasia.2014.1018a
• Tan, M., & Temiz, B. K. (2003). Fen ogretiminde bilimsel surec becerilerinin yeri ve onemi [The importance and role of the science process skills in science teaching]. Pamukkale University Journal of Education, (13), 89-101.
• Tasar, M. F. (2003). Teaching history and the nature of science in science teacher education programs. Pamukkale University Journal of Education, (13), 30-42.
• Tekkaya, C., Capa, Y., & Yilmaz, O. (2000). Biyoloji ogretmen adaylarinin genel biyoloji konularindaki kavram yanilgilari [Biology teacher candidates' misconceptions about general biology]. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, (18), 140-147.
• Terzi, A. R., (2005). Universite ogrencilerinin bilimsel epistemolojik inanclari uzerine bir arastirma [A research on the scientific epistemological beliefs of university students]. Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Social Sciences, 7(2). 315-330.
• Tunc-Sahin, C., & Say, O. (2010). Ilkogretim ogrencilerinin bilimsel okuryazarlik duzeylerinin incelenmesi [Investigation of scientific literacy levels of elementary students]. ZKU Journal of Social Sciences, 6(11), 223-240.
• Vartak, R. (2006). Photosynthesis in plants with non-green leaves. Journal of Biological Education, 40(4), 178-180. doi: 10.1080/00219266.2006.9656041.
• Wandersee, J. H. (1985). Can the history of science help science educators anticipate students’misconceptions? Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 23(7), 581-597.
• Wang, H. (1998). Science in historical perspectives: a content analysis of the history of science in secondary school physics education (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Southern California, California, USA.
• Yavuz, S., Buyukeksi, C., & Isik-Buyukeksi, S. (2014). Effect of science fair on epistemological beliefs. Karaelmas Journal of Educational Sciences, 2, 168-174.
• Yenilmez, A., & Tekkaya, C. (2006). Enhancing students’ understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plant through conceptual change approach. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 15(1), 81–87.
• Yilmaz, M. (2008). Turkcede okudugunu anlama becerilerini gelistirme yollari [The developing methods of reading comprehension skills in Turkish]. Mustafa Kemal Journal of University Social Sciences Institute, 5(9), 131-139.