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Changing primary teacher trainees' attitudes to science

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Abstract

A study of primary teacher trainees' perceptions and attitudes to science in 1990, has been useful in designing a semester unit aimed at increasing the confidence and interest of first year students at Victoria College. This paper outlines the background survey and discusses some, of the results and how they were used to develop the Professional Readiness Study-Understanding Science. This unit attempts to change attitudes by focussing on metacognition and encourages students to understand and control their own learning. Discussion involves teaching and learning strategies and alternative assessment approaches including the student's journal-the Personal Record.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Teacher Education (Primary), Victoria College, 3125, Burwood, Victoria

    Beverley Jane (Lecturer)

  2. Faculty of Teacher Education (Primary), Victoria College, 3144, Malvern, Victoria

    Marjory-Dore Martin (Head of Science) & Russell Tytler (Senior Lecturer)

Authors
  1. Beverley Jane
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  2. Marjory-Dore Martin
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  3. Russell Tytler
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Additional information

Specializations: technology for learning, health education.

Specializations student understanding of biology, particularly genetics, evaluation.

Specializations: children's learning in science, language in science.

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Jane, B., Martin, MD. & Tytler, R. Changing primary teacher trainees' attitudes to science. Research in Science Education 21, 188–197 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02360472

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