Science Process Skills and Attitudes of Preservice Elementary Teachers

This study was conducted to describe the relationship between preservice elementary teachers' competency in science process skills and their attitudes toward science. The instrument selected to measure science process skills was the Test of Integrated Process Skills II (TIPSII). A revision of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of elementary science education 1999-10, Vol.11 (2), p.57-64
Main Authors: Downing, Jan E., Filer, Janet D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitude scales
College instruction
Elementary Education
Elementary School Science
Elementary School Teachers
Higher Education
Knowledge Base for Teaching
Mathematics
Mathematics education
Preservice Teachers
Psychological attitudes
Science Education
Science Interests
Science learning
Science Process Skills
Science teachers
Teacher Attitudes
Teacher Competencies
Teacher Education
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Summary:This study was conducted to describe the relationship between preservice elementary teachers' competency in science process skills and their attitudes toward science. The instrument selected to measure science process skills was the Test of Integrated Process Skills II (TIPSII). A revision of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales (SAS) was used as a predictor of the subjects' attitudes toward science. The SAS consisted of six subscales also examined in the study. The hypothesis for the study stated that elementary preservice teachers who demonstrated a high competency in process skills would also indicate positive attitudes toward science. The data was collected while subjects were enrolled in an elementary math and science methods course during their first senior semester just before student teaching. Analysis of the data indicated a significant positive correlation between elementary preservice teachers' ability to perform science process skills and their attitudes toward science. Upon analyzing the data collected on the six subscales, a significant positive correlation was found between the TIPS II and the Confidence in Learning Science Scale and the Teacher Scale.
ISSN:1090-185X
2168-8753
DOI:10.1007/BF03173838