Representations on the teaching and learning of science during pre-service teacher training

Abstract

This article presents some results obtained within the framework of a research project aimed at identifying the social representations of the undergraduates during their teacher training in Physics and Chemistry at the UNSJ (Universidad Nacional de San Juan–National University of San Juan, Argentina). The analysis of the results allow inferring the way these representations impinge on the processes of teaching-learning science subjects, along with how they may contribute to
overcome difficulties and benefit the formative development of future teachers. To approach this survey, a technique for evocation and hierarchy was devised and implemented so as to identify the content and structure of social representations. The technique was developed as regards three inductive axes: Physics, Chemistry and Teaching. From the results, it can be noted that the social representations built by the undergraduates about Physics and Chemistry are associated mainly to a high evaluation of said subjects when considering their intrinsic scientific nature, whereas a lower evaluation is made in relation to the teaching and affective aspects, as well as the sociocultural
context characteristics. With regard to teaching, the students associate this feature mainly to general educational aspects, i.e. teaching itself, and to the subject contents and associated resources that enable the teacher to achieve the educational endeavor. Through this study, it was possible to identify the aspects that may become obstacles and, conversely, the ones
that facilitate the teaching-learning task. These facts, in turn, pose new questions that may promote further research and allow delve deeper into this study field. In addition, the survey unveils the need to make the students face their own representations which, in turn, will promote a reflexive thinking on the influence of these findings on their future performance as teachers.