Abstract
This multiple-case study investigated the changes in three secondary science preservice teachers' views of the nature of science (NOS), their beliefs about the importance of NOS, as well as how these changes relate to their NOS teaching at the end of a science methods course guided by the reconceptualized family resemblance approach (RFN). RFN is a conceptual framework that visualizes science as a cognitive-epistemic and socioinstitutional system, and its educational applications have recently begun to be explored. Data sources included the pre and post course RFN Questionnaire (Kaya et al., 2019) and individual interviews, as well as each preservice teachers' lesson plan and teaching video from the end of the semester. Findings showed that there was an overall improvement in preservice teachers' views of NOS and revealed some inconsistencies between the views reflected on the questionnaire compared to those expressed during the interview. One preservice teacher continued to hold misconceptions about scientific theories and laws after the course. Two preservice teachers developed far-reaching beliefs in the importance of teaching NOS that transcend the classroom and were able to implement explicit-reflective NOS instruction at the end of the course. Despite having accurate views and knowledge of effective NOS teaching and professing a belief in the importance of teaching NOS, the third preservice teacher did not enact explicit-reflective NOS instruction at the end of the course. Contributions to the NOS literature were identified. Recommendations were made for further study and implications for research and science teacher education were discussed.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2023
Semester
Summer
Advisor
Gao, Su
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Community Innovation and Education
Department
School of Teacher Education
Degree Program
Education; Science Education
Identifier
CFE0009695; DP0027802
URL
https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0027802
Language
English
Release Date
August 2023
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Beeghly, Kelsey, "Changes in Preservice Secondary Science Teachers' Views, Beliefs, and their NOS Teaching During a Science Methods Course Guided by RFN" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-. 1859.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2020/1859