Skip to main content

Part of the book series: International Technology Education Studies ((ITES,volume 9))

  • 878 Accesses

Abstract

In this study, we reflect on questions pertaining to the knowledge and skills that are needed to teach science and technology in primary education. What should primary teachers know of science and technology? As non-specialists in a huge and everexpanding domain, primary teachers can use some advice on the priorities. A second incentive for pursuing this question concerns the doubts expressed in various parts of society as to the generic level of knowledge of primary teachers. Trust in teacher competence, so it is said, can be regained when teachers themselves pass rigorous tests. In this study, we investigate what the content of a science and technology knowledge base could be, and which challenges will have to be resolved for its use in practice.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abell, S. K., Rogers, M. A. P., Hanuscin, D. L., Lee, M. H., & Gagnon, M. J. (2009). Preparing the Next Generation of Science Teacher Educators: A Model for Developing PCK for Teaching Science Teachers. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 20, 77–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APP (2010). National Curriculum for England and Wales. Retrieved from the website of APP:http://www.nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/263985,19March2010

  • Appleton, K. (2003). How do beginning primary school teachers cope with science? Toward an understanding of science teaching practice. Research in Science Education, 33(1), 1–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Appleton, K. (2007). Elementary science teaching. In: Abell & Ledermann: Handbook of Research on Science Education. Mahwah (NJ, USA): Lawrence Earlbaum Associates, 493–536.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appleton, K. (2008). Developing science pedagogical content knowledge through mentoring elementary teachers. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 19, 523–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg, E. van den, Louman, E., & Marell, J. (2010). Kennisbasis Natuurwetenschappen en Techniek voor Leerkrachten in het Primair Onderwijs. [Knowledge base science and technology for teacher in primary education]. Draft version. Den Haag: LOBO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boersma, K., Graft, M. van, Harteveld, A., Hullu, E. de, De Knecht-van Eekelen, A. de, Mazereeuw, M., et al. (2007). Leerlijn biologie van 4 tot 18 jaar. Uitwerking van de concept-contextbenadering tot doelstellingen voor het biologieonderwijs. [Teaching plan biology 4-18. Elaboration of the concept-context approach into objective for biology education]. Utrecht: NIBI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bybee, R. (2010). The teaching of science: 21st century perspectives. Arlington: NSTA Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coe, M.A. (2001).http://faculty.mwsu.edu/west/maryann.coe/coe/inquire/inquiry.htm (consulted on February 21, 2010)

  • Dewey, J. (1910). Science as subject-matter and as method. Science, 31, 121–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. (1916). Method in science teaching. The Science Quarterly, 1, 3–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dijkgraaf, R., Fresco, L., Gualthérie van Weezel, T., & Calmthout, M. van (Eds.). (2008). De bètacanon. [The canon of the sciences]. Amsterdam: Meulenhoff.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duschl, R.A., Schweingruber, H.A., & Shouse, A.W. (2007). Taking Science to School: Learning and Teaching Science in Grades K-8. Washington: The National Academies Press.http://www.nap.edu

  • ETS (2008). The Praxis Series Official Guide. Princeton: Educational Testing Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graft, M. van, & Kemmers, P. (2007). Onderzoekend en Ontwerpend Leren in Natuur en Techniek. [Inquiry and design based learning in science and technology]. Den Haag: Platform Bèta Techniek.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hacker, M., Vries, M. de, & Rossouw, A. (2009). Concepts and Contexts in Engineering and Technology Education. New York/Delft: Hofstra University & Delft University of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hackling, M. W., & Prain, V. (2005). Primary connections: Stage 2 Trial: Research Report. Canberra: Australian Academy of Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harlen, W. (1997). Primary teachers’ understanding in science and its impact in the classroom. Research in Science Education, 27(3), 323–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harlen, W. (2006). Teaching, Learning & Assessing Science 5-12 (4th edition). London: SAGE Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harlen, W. & Qualter, A. (2009). The Teaching of Science in Primary Schools (5th edition). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • ITEEA. (2007). Standards for technological literacy: Content for the study of technology. Reston: International Technology and Engineering Education Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katehi, L., Pearson, G., & Feder, M. (2009). Engineering in K-12 Education: Understanding the status and improving the prospects. Washington: National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keulen, H. van (2009). Drijven en zinken, wetenschap en techniek in het primair onderwijs. [Floating and sinking: science and technology in primary education]. Inaugural address. Eindhoven: Fontys University of Applied Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keulen, H. van (2010). Wetenschap en techniek - IJkpunten voor een domein in ontwikkeling. [Science and technology – Benchmarks for a developing domain]. Den Haag: Platform Beta Techniek.

    Google Scholar 

  • La Main à la Pâte (2008). Retrieved on November 28, 2008 fromhttp://www.lamap.inrp.fr/

  • Millar, R. (2010). Analysing practical science activities. College Lane, Hatfield (UK):Association for Science Education, ISBN 9780863574252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Millar, R., & Driver, R. (1987). Beyond processes. Studies in Science Education, 14, 33-62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OCW (2006). Core objectives primary education. Den Haag: Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschappen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Motivaction, & YoungWorks. (2010). Bèta Mentality 2011-2016 - Attracting young people to science and technology. Den Haag: Platform Bèta Techniek.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, C., Neil, P., & Beggs, J. (2007). Primary science teacher confidence revisited: ten years on. Educational Research, 49(4), 415–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NSES (1996). National Science Education Standards. Washington: National Academy of Sciences.http://www.nap.edu/catalog/4962.html

  • National Science Teacher Association (2003). Standards for science teacher preparation. Arlington: NSTA.

    Google Scholar 

  • NSTA. (2010). Draft Revisions to the 2003 NSTA Standards for Science Teacher Preparation. Arlington: NSTA.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2009). PISA 2009 Assessment Framework - Key competencies in reading, mathematics and science: OECD.

    Google Scholar 

  • QCA (1999) The National Curriculum for England and Wales.http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/key-stages-1-and-2/subjects/science/index.aspx

  • Rocard, M., Csermely, P., Jorde, D., Lenzen, D., Walberg-Henriksson, H., & Hemmo, V. (2007). Science education now: A renewed pedagogy for the future of Europe. Brussels: European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rohaan, E. (2009). Testing teacher knowledge for technology teaching in primary education. PhD Thesis. Eindhoven: Eindhoven University of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, L.S. (1987). Knowledge and teaching: Foundations of the new reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(1), 1-21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C. L., Maclin, D., Houghton, C., & Hennessey, M. G. (2000). Sixth-grade students’ epistemologies of science: The impact of school science experiences on epistemological development. Cognition and Instruction, 18(3), 285–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Traianou, A. (2007). Understanding teacher expertise in primary science. Rotterdam: Sense.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaan, E. de, & Marell, J. (2006). Praktische Didactiek voor Natuuronderwijs. [Practical pedagogy for nature education]. Bussum: Coutinho.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagenschein, M. (1989). Verstehen Lehren - Genetisch-Sokratisch-Exemplarisch. Weinheim: Beltz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walma van der Molen, J., Lange, J. de, & Kok, J. (2007). Uitwerking van het Theoretisch Kader voor de Professionalisering van Leerkrachten op het Gebied van Wetenschap en Techniek. [Elaboration of the theoretical framework for professional development of teachers in the area of science and technology]. The Hague, The Netherlands, Platform Bèta Techniek.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walma van der Molen, J. (2009). Wat vinden leraren basisonderwijs van wetenschap en techniek? [What do primary teachers think of science and technology?]. In H. van Keulen & J. Walma van der Molen (Eds.), Onderzoek naar wetenschap en techniek in het Nederlandse basisonderwijs [Research into science and technology in Dutch primary education] (pp. 157–163). The Hague, The Netherlands: Platform Bèta Techniek.

    Google Scholar 

  • Worth, K., Duque, M., & Saltiel, E. (2009). Designing and implementing inquiry-based science units for primary education. Montrouge: La main à la pâte.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Sense Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Berg, E.v.d., Keulen, H.v. (2011). A Science and Technology Knowledge Base for Primary Teachers. In: Vries, M.J.d., Kuelen, H.v., Peters, S., Molen, J.W.v.d. (eds) Professional Development for Primary Teachers in Science and Technology. International Technology Education Studies, vol 9. SensePublishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-713-4_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Societies and partnerships