Development and validation of an instrument for analysing teachers' views about models [Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento para analizar las visiones de los profesores sobre modelos]

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Torres, J (Author) FCUP; Clara Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Revista Eureka

Vol. 14

Pages: 181-198

ISSN: 1697-011X

Publisher: Asociacion de Profesores Amigos de la Ciencia

Indexing

Scopus - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-DXE

Abstract (EN): Many studies reveal that models and modelling activities are fundamental in science teaching. However, there are also many studies that show that science teachers do not hold adequate views regarding models in science and for teaching. This study is part of a broader research and intends to present a theoretically grounded instrument (a questionnaire) developed for analysing the teachers' views about models and modelling. The instrument was applied to seventeen prospective science teachers, students of the master in Biology and Geology Teaching, which voluntarily participated in this study. Inter-rater agreement and data from interviews were used in order to validate the instrument. The result of the analysis show that the instrument is able to reveal differences among teachers' views and that it is possible to attain a deep analysis of their views regarding models in science and for teaching through the combined analysis of data (obtained through questionnaires and interviews). Data analysis also reveals that prospective science teachers hold naïve views regarding models and that they do not value all models potentials in science teaching, suggesting the need for improving prospective teachers' views regarding those aspects.

Language: Spanish

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific