The Effects of the Science Curricula and Teaching Methods Course in Improving the Epistemological Views of Learning Scientific Concepts of Students in the Class Teacher Program at Al al- Bayt University

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying the effects that the course
entitled Science Curricula and its Methods of Teaching had on the
epistemological views of learning scientific concepts of the subjects.
The study also focused on analyzing the effect of the course on the
subjects' epistemological views according to their different levels of
scientific achievement. A 36 item instrument was developed by the
researcher to measure the epistemological views of learning scientific
concepts. The reliability and validity of the instrument were assured.
The instrument was applied on the study sample which consisted of 86
male and female students enrolled in the course 'Science Curriculum
and its Methods of Teaching' for the second semester of the school
year 2007/2008 at Al al-Bayt University. The findings of the study
revealed that the course was effective in improving the
epistemological perceptions of the subjects. The effectiveness of the
course also varied according to the achievement levels of the subjects
in two fields: the nature of scientific concepts, and evaluating the
learning of these concepts in favor of higher achievers. In light of
these findings, a number of recommendations were suggested.