Periódico: International
Journal of Science Education
Publicação: Volume 34, Number 1, January 2012, pp.
127-152
Título do artigo: Developing Scientific
Literacy in a Primary School
Published online: 25 May 2011
Abstract
The science education
literature demonstrates that scientific literacy is generally valued and
acknowledged among educators as a desirable student learning outcome. However,
what scientific literacy really means in terms of classroom practice and
student learning is debatable due to the inherent complexity of the term and
varying expectations of what it means for learning outcomes. To date the teacher
voice has been noticeably absent from this debate even though the very nature
of teacher expertise lies at the heart of the processes which shape students'
scientific literacy. The research reported in this paper taps into the
expertise of (participating) primary teachers by analyzing the insights and
thinking that emerged as they attempted to unravel some of the pedagogical
complexities associated with constructing an understanding of scientific
literacy in their own classrooms. The research examines the processes and structures
within one primary school that were created to provide conditions to allow
teachers to explore and build on the range of ideas that presently inform the
scientific literacy debate. The research reports these teachers' views and
practices that shaped their actions in teaching for scientific literacy.