Summer School 2024 /Semaine de l'Université 2024 /60eme Anniversaire de l'Université

In-service science teachers’ views on nature of science at Fundamental Schools in Burundi

12 nov. 2024, 09:15

15m

Amphitheatre C/1-1 - Amphitheatre C (IPA) (Campus Rohero)

Enseignement des sciences fondamentales/ Teaching of Basic Sciences Session parallèle 2: EDUCATION

Orateur

Vianney MUNEZERO (University of Burundi , Institute of Applied Pedagogy)

Description

Abstract
The Nature of Science (NOS) plays a key role in promoting scientific literacy. Guided by the analytical framework in the current literature, whereby ten NOS aspects were targeted, this study aims to assess the views of in-service science teachers of Cycle four Fundamental Schools on NOS. The quantitative embedded and cross-sectional study design and thematic analysis were applied in data collection and analysis. Using the forced choice questions (FCQ) and the Views of Nature of Science questionnaire (V-NOS questionnaire), 60 in-science teachers teaching physics in cycle 4 were purposively selected. The findings showed that in-science teachers were not explicitly and implicitly aware of at least 5 out of 10 NOS aspects. The findings also revealed that most in-service science teachers have uninformed (naïve) views on NOS aspects, mostly for the following aspects: social values, the theory-driven, scientific theories, scientific ethics and social values of scientific knowledge. Based on the study findings, the researchers recommend the education stakeholders for the improvement strategies of NOS aspects among teachers, students and researchers for extended research on NOS conceptions, technologies and Innovations in education.
Keywords: Cycle four, Nature of Science, V-NOS, Scientific literacy.