Climate change? Who knows? A comparison of secondary students and pre-service teachers

Boon, Helen J. (2010) Climate change? Who knows? A comparison of secondary students and pre-service teachers. Australian Journal of Teacher Education , 35 (1). pp. 104-120.

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Abstract

In the context of recently published academic discrepancies between Queensland students and students from other Australian states, final year pre-service teachers were surveyed to explore their understanding and knowledge of climate change. Their responses were compared to those of secondary students to discern any significant gains in knowledge as a consequence of tertiary teacher training. Responses from a survey completed by a sample of 107 pre-service teachers and 310 grade 10 secondary students were examined for their level of understanding and knowledge, models of explanation and sources of information of the phenomenon.

Results showed similarities between the two groups, with knowledge and understanding of climate change remaining unacceptably low in pre-service teachers, including those secondary specialists citing science and environmental studies (SOSE) as their focus of study.

The study highlights the need to develop tertiary science curricula to bridge pre-service teachers’ knowledge and understanding gaps of important school curriculum topics while embedding these in broader considerations of curriculum planning.

Item ID: 8231
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1835-517X
Keywords: pre-service teachers; ozone layer; science; climate change; sustainability; secondary education
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Reproduced with permission from Australian Journal of Teacher Education.

Date Deposited: 16 Feb 2010 23:59
FoR Codes: 13 EDUCATION > 1301 Education Systems > 130103 Higher Education @ 50%
13 EDUCATION > 1301 Education Systems > 130106 Secondary Education @ 50%
SEO Codes: 93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9302 Teaching and Instruction > 930202 Teacher and Instructor Development @ 50%
93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9305 Education and Training Systems > 930501 Education and Training Systems Policies and Development @ 50%
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