Research Article

What do pre-service and mentor teachers learn from collaborative professional development on socioscientific issues?

Volume: 13 Number: 5-Special Issue December 28, 2024
EN TR

What do pre-service and mentor teachers learn from collaborative professional development on socioscientific issues?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of a professional development program on socioscientific issues (SSI) to enhance pre-service and mentor teachers' engagement with SSI supported by technology-supported teaching. It aims to explore the learning outcomes for both groups and the influence of their perspectives on science education on these outcomes. The method involves collaborative SSI material development and implementation in classrooms. The study involved 11 senior (10 female; 1 male) pre-service biology teachers and four biology teachers who mentored them in schools during their Teaching Practice courses. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews, reflective diaries, and meeting recordings and were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The findings show that pre-service teachers gained multidimensional reasoning, technology integration skills, and ethical and moral reasoning abilities, with gains influenced by their science teaching perspectives. Mentor teachers with progressive views in science teaching understanding had greater benefits, such as improved SSI understanding and student engagement techniques, than those with traditional views.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)

Project Number

222K318

Thanks

This study was supported by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the Grant Number 222K318. The authors thank to TUBITAK for their supports.

References

  1. Aivelo, T., & Uitto, A. (2019). Teachers’ choice of content and consideration of controversial and sensitive issues in teaching of secondary school genetics. International Journal of Science Education, 41(18), 2716-2735. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2019.1694195
  2. Anderson, L., & Stillman, J. (2013). Student teaching’s contribution to preservice teacher development: A review of research focused on the preparation of teachers for urban and high-needs contexts. Review of Educational Research, 83(1), 3-69. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654312468619
  3. Baartman, N. (2020). Challenges experienced by school-based mentor teachers during initial teacher training in five selected schools in Amathole East district. e-BANGI, 17(4), 149-161.
  4. Badeo, J. M., & Duque, D. A. (2022). The effect of socio-scientific Issues (SSI) in teaching science: A meta-analysis study. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 12(2), 291-302. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.1340
  5. Carson, K., & Dawson, V. (2016). A teacher professional development model for teaching socioscientific issues. Teaching Science, 62(1), 28-35.
  6. Cebesoy, B. U., & Chang Rundgren, S. N. (2023). Embracing socioscientific issues-based teaching and decision-making in teacher professional development. Educational Review, 75(3), 507-534. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2022.2095557
  7. Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. Sage.
  8. Chen, L., & Xiao, S. (2021). Perceptions, challenges and coping strategies of science teachers in teaching socioscientific issues: A systematic review. Educational Research Review, 32, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100377

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators , Science Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 28, 2024

Submission Date

June 30, 2024

Acceptance Date

October 1, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 13 Number: 5-Special Issue

APA
Aydın, Ö. H., Han Tosunoğlu, Ç., Ağlarcı Özdemir, O., & Dogan, O. (2024). What do pre-service and mentor teachers learn from collaborative professional development on socioscientific issues? Turkish Journal of Education, 13(5-Special Issue), 535-557. https://doi.org/10.19128/turje.1507809

Turkish Journal of Education is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0