Views of pre-service science teachers about informal learning environments before and after science and technology museum visit

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2019
Aras Özdemir, Leman
Informal learning environments are appropriate to support student centered education. There are real examples and problems in informal learning environments and social interactions and being active in applications increases motivation and interest of students. Thus, science becomes more enjoyable for students. If pre-service science teachers have knowledge about these environments, they can visit there in future during their profession. Therefore, it is important to explore views of pre-service science teachers about informal learning environments. The purpose of this study was exploring the views of pre-service science teachers about informal learning environments after visiting science museum in conjunction with method of science teaching course. This study was a qualitative research and data were gathered by conducting interviews. A total of 17 pre-service science teachers were interviewed before and after visiting Science and Technology Museum in Middle East Technical University (METU). Content analyses method was used in data analyses. Results of the study showed that instruction about field trips and integrating the Science and Technology Museum visit into the program of the science teaching methods course generally provided the pre-service science teachers to make more comprehensive explanations and to give more detailed information about informal learning environments and additionally they generally developed positive views after visit.

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Citation Formats
L. Aras Özdemir, “Views of pre-service science teachers about informal learning environments before and after science and technology museum visit,” Thesis (M.S.) -- Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences. Mathematics and Science Education., Middle East Technical University, 2019.