ERIC Number: EJ1396799
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0263-5143
EISSN: EISSN-1470-1138
What Contents from the History of Chemistry Are Estimated as Useful for Chemistry Lessons -- Attitudes of Chemistry Teachers
Milanovic, Vesna D.; Trivic, Dragica D.; Tomasevic, Biljana I.
Research in Science & Technological Education, v41 n3 p1101-1116 2023
Background: In the previous decades many research papers and educational documents have emphasized the importance of the application of history of science in the science education of students. Consequently, chemistry teachers are expected to be familiar with the historical development of science and capable of incorporating historical contents in teaching practice in order to support the development of students' conceptual understanding and the understanding of the nature of science. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate chemistry teachers' attitudes towards the impact of history of chemistry in promoting students' understanding of chemistry and the inclusion of topics from history of chemistry in regular teaching practice. Sample: The sample comprised 272 chemistry teachers working in primary schools (for students aged 7 to 14), who teach chemistry in the seventh and eighth grade (students aged 13 to 14). Design and methods: A questionnaire which consisted of three parts and contained 11 questions altogether was used for data collection. Results: The most common topics from history of chemistry in the respondents' classes were how some discoveries had been made, most often the structure of atoms and the periodic table of elements. Two-thirds of the teachers estimated such contents as useful and interesting, but over half of the respondents assessed the contribution of the historical context to the understanding of chemical concepts as moderate. Conclusion: Based on the teachers' answers it can be concluded that they recognize some potential benefits of the implementation of history of chemistry in teaching chemistry, but their answers also indicate that they need some additional support in the application of historical topics in their regular teaching practice.
Descriptors: Science Education, Science History, Science Teachers, Chemistry, Teacher Attitudes, Elementary School Teachers, Grade 7, Grade 8, Course Content, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 7; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 8
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Serbia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A