Becoming a More Effective Science Teacher

• Other Authors: Morales, Omar (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Education
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2277

The purpose of this study is to determine this teacher's progress towards effectiveness in teaching. Three different perspectives are used to establish whether there has been a change towards teaching effectiveness. The first perspective will be my own by using autoethnography and analyzing it for my beliefs/perceptions of teaching modeled for me by teachers of my past as well as my beliefs now as I teach. The second perspective will be that of my eighth grade students' ideas and beliefs about effective science teaching through surveys, questionnaires, and one-on-one interviews. The final perspective will be that of policymakers, especially those responsible for the National Board for Professional Teaching Skills and the National Science Education Standards. Included in this perspective will be those of educational researchers and the assertions that they make about effective teaching. From these three perspectives, the conclusion is found. Effective teaching consists of the qualities of: care, commitment, creativity, competence, and confidence. According to these qualities, I can then say that I am becoming more effective as a teacher. === A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Middle & Secondary Education in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. === Summer Semester 2005. === March 26, 2005. === Effective Teaching, Constructivism === Includes bibliographical references. === Alejandro Gallard, Professor Directing Thesis; Nancy Davis, Committee Member; Penny J. Gilmer, Committee Member.