Promoting Issues-based STSE Perspectivesin Science Teacher Education:

Problems of Identity and Ideology.

In Press for Science and Education.

Erminia Pedretti, Larry Bencze, Jim Erminia Pedretti, Larry Bencze, Jim Hewitt,Hewitt,Ashifa Jivraj & Lisa RomkeyAshifa Jivraj & Lisa Romkey

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto

Issues facing humanity …Social Injustices

For example,

Environmental Degradation

Soil, Water & Air Pollution:Soil, Water & Air Pollution: e.g., hazardous chemicals (e.g., dioxin) e.g., hazardous chemicals (e.g., dioxin)

in waterin water e.g., increased ‘Global Warming’ gasese.g., increased ‘Global Warming’ gases e.g., drugs (e.g., Vioxx) with negative e.g., drugs (e.g., Vioxx) with negative

side effectsside effects Habitat DamageHabitat Damage

e.g., deforestatione.g., deforestation e.g., ozone layer destructione.g., ozone layer destruction

Species LossSpecies Loss ~3/h; ~125/d; ~25,000/a~3/h; ~125/d; ~25,000/a

Issues facing humanity …

Role for school science in addressing social &

environmental problems?

Yes!!

Literacy Goals for School Science

Learning ‘Science & Technology’Learning ‘Science & Technology’ Learning ‘About’ Science & TechnologyLearning ‘About’ Science & Technology Learning ‘To Do’ Science & Technology’Learning ‘To Do’ Science & Technology’ Learning to/taking Socio-political ActionLearning to/taking Socio-political Action

Hodson, 2003

Wenger, 1998

Issues-based STSE EducationMultimedia Documentary

Research Context & Methods

Data SourcesData Sources: 64 student-teachers; 1-year : 64 student-teachers; 1-year BEd; Large Canadian universityBEd; Large Canadian university

Data TypesData Types:: Pre- and post-case method Likert Pre- and post-case method Likert

questionnairesquestionnaires Field notes during case methodField notes during case method Samples of student-teachers’ workSamples of student-teachers’ work

Open-ended surveyOpen-ended survey Reflective writingReflective writing WorksheetsWorksheets

Audio & video taped conversations and Audio & video taped conversations and interactionsinteractions

AnalysesAnalyses:: CCM re: CGTCCM re: CGT

Results

Student-teachers generally agreed that STSE Student-teachers generally agreed that STSE education was an essential component of education was an essential component of science education.science education. e.g., ‘‘STSE is in keeping with the need to make

science relevant to the learner, by treating the subject within a larger context’’, and ‘‘students should be strongly encouraged to question science... the political, social, environmental influences.’’

But, student-teachers also expressed But, student-teachers also expressed reluctance about using STSE education early in reluctance about using STSE education early in their careers.their careers.

1. Letting go: Autonomy and control

Tensions regarding ‘teacher identity’ …

2. A voice in the wilderness: Support and belonging

Tensions regarding ‘teacher identity’ …

3. Getting through it all: Negotiating curriculum

Tensions regarding ‘teacher identity’ …

4. Is this our role: Politicization and action?

Tensions regarding ‘teacher identity’ …

5. Who’s take anyway? Biases and ideological bents

Tensions regarding ‘teacher identity’ …

What have we learned about STSE Ed in Teacher Education?

The ‘idea’ of STSE Ed. appeals to student-teachersThe ‘idea’ of STSE Ed. appeals to student-teachers Early adoption unlikely, due to 5 ‘tensions’ relating to student-Early adoption unlikely, due to 5 ‘tensions’ relating to student-

teachers’ instructional identitiesteachers’ instructional identities i.e., control & autonomy; support & belonging; expetise & i.e., control & autonomy; support & belonging; expetise &

negotiating curriculum; politicization & action; and, biases & negotiating curriculum; politicization & action; and, biases & ideological bentsideological bents

Note that Case depicted whole STSE Ed unitNote that Case depicted whole STSE Ed unit STSE Ed in TEd might be improved by:STSE Ed in TEd might be improved by:

Explicit attention to competing SE ideologiesExplicit attention to competing SE ideologies Explicit attention to specific STSE political ideologiesExplicit attention to specific STSE political ideologies Assist in StTs CK & PCK re STSE EdAssist in StTs CK & PCK re STSE Ed Use more ‘modest’ STSE documentariesUse more ‘modest’ STSE documentaries Ensure documentaries are paired with participation in STSE Ensure documentaries are paired with participation in STSE

EdEd Further work is needed in determining StTs’ actual school Further work is needed in determining StTs’ actual school

practicespractices

Paper is on-line at:

http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~lbencze

Contact Erminia at:

epedretti@oise.utoronto.ca

Contact Me:

lbencze@oise.utoronto.ca

The End!