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Asia-Pacific
Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 4, Issue 2, Article 1
(Dec., 2003) Winnie Wing Mui SO and Yun Foon KWONG Research on teaching of "Solar Eclipse" in primary classroom
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Research on teaching of "Solar Eclipse" in primary classroom
Winnie Wing Mui SO1 and Yun Foon KWONG2
1Department of Science
The Hong Kong
Institute of Education, Hong Kong
2S.K.H. Tin Wan Chi Nam Primary School, Hong Kong
Email: wiso@ied.edu.hk and yfkwong@eservices.hkedcity.net
Received 17 May, 2003
Revised 24 Oct., 2003
Abstract:
It has been realized that children have their own understanding of how the world works preceding formal education in schools. It is also found in research that the social-cultural views about specific scientific concepts have generated certain alternative concepts in pupils. A great number of western studies have been done to find out students' science understanding; less has been done to understand local children's understanding of science. This research attempts to explore children's understanding of a natural phenomenon "Solar Eclipse". The research also looks into the effectiveness of employing constructivist view in designing teaching and the feasibility of research on teaching in primary classrooms. All primary six pupils of a local school and their General Studies teachers were involved in the study. Research methods include interviews, questionnaires and analysis of lesson. The results showed that children's understanding are enhanced, at the same time, children chose their favorite effective teaching activities. Also, there were changes in teachers' conceptual understandings and use of teaching methods. There was evidence that research on teaching can enhance teachers' professional development.