Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge on Socioscientific Issues and Social Justice

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge on Socioscientific Issues and Social Justice
Language: English
Authors: Augusto Z. Macalalag (ORCID 0000-0003-0332-197X), Zachary Minken (ORCID 0000-0003-4033-2213), Kelly Feighan (ORCID 0000-0002-8369-9499), Megan Richardson (ORCID 0009-0004-1050-2589), Marlin Marte (ORCID 0009-0008-4903-3264), Gabrielle Ialacci (ORCID 0009-0008-8413-3746), Benjamin Van Meter (ORCID 0009-0006-4069-6120), Khaliah Sproul (ORCID 0009-0007-4806-3026), Alan Kaufmann (ORCID 0009-0008-6787-266X)
Source: Turkish Journal of Education. 2024 13(5):484-507.
Availability: Turkish Journal of Education. Available from: Mehmet Tekerek. Azerbaycan Avenue 64/22 Onikisubat, Kahramanmaras TR 46040 Turkey. Tel: +90-505-383-7988; e-mail: turjeorg@gmail.com. Web site: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/turje
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2024
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Contract Number: 2101395
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: STEM Education, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Teacher Competencies, Scientific Literacy, Science and Society, Faculty Development, Secondary School Teachers, Program Effectiveness, Social Justice, Social Problems, Foreign Countries, Culturally Relevant Education, Teacher Attitudes, Knowledge Level
Geographic Terms: Australia
ISSN: 2147-2858
Abstract: Reforms in STEM education call for reframing teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) by focusing on development of students' knowledge and scientific literacy through socioscientific issues (Lee, 2016; Zeidler, 2016; Johnson et al., 2022). We developed a two-year professional development (PD) for 6-12th grade STEM teachers that embedded SSI framework into their teaching. An analysis of survey and interview data from 24 teachers over two years and data from nine focus group interviews and pre/post surveys were used to answer our research questions on the enhancement of teachers' SSI pedagogical practices, and PCK for integrating social justice to their lessons. Our findings suggest that the PD was beneficial to participating teachers and improved their comfortability and experience teaching SSI. Moreover, our teachers developed PCK for teaching STEM through the lens of social justice in several ways, including considering different perspectives and backgrounds, connecting to current events and issues relevant to students' lives and engaging students in decision making and problem solving to make a positive impact in their communities.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1472563
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Reforms in STEM education call for reframing teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) by focusing on development of students' knowledge and scientific literacy through socioscientific issues (Lee, 2016; Zeidler, 2016; Johnson et al., 2022). We developed a two-year professional development (PD) for 6-12th grade STEM teachers that embedded SSI framework into their teaching. An analysis of survey and interview data from 24 teachers over two years and data from nine focus group interviews and pre/post surveys were used to answer our research questions on the enhancement of teachers' SSI pedagogical practices, and PCK for integrating social justice to their lessons. Our findings suggest that the PD was beneficial to participating teachers and improved their comfortability and experience teaching SSI. Moreover, our teachers developed PCK for teaching STEM through the lens of social justice in several ways, including considering different perspectives and backgrounds, connecting to current events and issues relevant to students' lives and engaging students in decision making and problem solving to make a positive impact in their communities.
ISSN:2147-2858