International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2016, Vol. 12(1) 108-116

The Relationship Between Preservice Science Teachers’ Attitude Toward Astronomy and Their Understanding of Basic Astronomy Concepts

Behzat Bektasli

pp. 108 - 116   |  Manu. Number: ijpe.2016.022

Published online: February 01, 2016  |   Number of Views: 282  |  Number of Download: 817


Abstract

Turkish preservice science teachers have been taking a two-credit astronomy class during the last semester of their undergraduate program since 2010. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between preservice science teachers’ astronomy misconceptions and their attitudes toward astronomy. Preservice science teachers were given an Astronomy Attitude Test and a conceptual test at the beginning of their astronomy course. Three students from each of three attitude levels (low, medium, and high) were selected for interviews and asked to explain their conceptual test responses in depth. Generally, low-attitude students had more misconceptions and gave non-scientific, low-level explanations, whereas middle- and high-attitude students gave more scientific explanations. The results suggest that students develop negative attitudes about a subject in which they lack knowledge.

Keywords: astronomy attitude levels, basic astronomy concepts, preservice science teachers


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Bektasli, B. (2016). The Relationship Between Preservice Science Teachers’ Attitude Toward Astronomy and Their Understanding of Basic Astronomy Concepts. International Journal of Progressive Education, 12(1), 108-116.

Harvard
Bektasli, B. (2016). The Relationship Between Preservice Science Teachers’ Attitude Toward Astronomy and Their Understanding of Basic Astronomy Concepts. International Journal of Progressive Education, 12(1), pp. 108-116.

Chicago 16th edition
Bektasli, Behzat (2016). "The Relationship Between Preservice Science Teachers’ Attitude Toward Astronomy and Their Understanding of Basic Astronomy Concepts". International Journal of Progressive Education 12 (1):108-116.

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