Nature of science, scientific and geoscience models: Examining students and teachers’ views

Authors

  • Joana Torres University of Porto, Faculty of Sciences, Earth Sciences Institute, Porto-PORTUGAL
  • Sara Moutınho University of Porto, Faculty of Sciences, Earth Sciences Institute, Porto-PORTUGAL
  • Clara Vasconcelos University of Porto, Faculty of Sciences, Earth Sciences Institute, Porto-PORTUGAL

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36681/

Keywords:

Nature of Science, Scientific Models, Geoscience Education, Science Teachers’ Views, High School Students’ Views

Abstract

This study investigates Portuguese science teachers’ and Portuguese high school students’ views regarding nature of science, scientific models and Geoscience models and explores the relations between their views. It also examines how Portuguese science teachers value and use models in science classroom. A survey was applied to 145 science teachers and 415 students of the last year of secondary school, who answered to 14 multiple choice questions. Descriptive analyses showed that teachers and students hold intermediate views regarding nature of science and scientific models. Some errors were also detected concerning Geoscience models. T-test analyses showed significant differences between teachers and students’ views, as teachers gave globally more informed answers. Authors considered that more attention should be given to teachers training regarding those issues and that more research is needed in order to understand how teachers deal with nature of science teaching and how they value and use models in classes.

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Published

15.12.2015 — Updated on 15.12.2015

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How to Cite

Torres, J. ., Moutınho, S. ., & Vasconcelos, C. . (2015). Nature of science, scientific and geoscience models: Examining students and teachers’ views. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 12(4), 3-21. https://doi.org/10.36681/

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