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Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article 8 (Jun., 2015) |
Still persistent global problem of scientists’ image
Hakan TÜRKMEN
Ege University, Faculty of Education, Department of Elementary School Education, Science Education Bornova, 35100, Izmir, TURKEY
E-mail: hakan.turkmen@ege.edu.tr
Received 2 Feb., 2015
Revised 15 Jun., 2015
Per-service teachers’ views of science and scientists have been widely studied. The purpose of this study is to identify whether there is problem of image of scientists and determine where they receive about scientist image. Three hundred thirty five (105 from Turkey, 162 from Europe, 68 from US) elementary pre-service teachers participated in this study. This study showed that pre-service teachers perceived about stereotypic scientist indicators which are “Caucasians”, have “facial hair”, and indicator of “symbols of research” and “symbols of knowledge”, “technology” were almost same percentage. Moreover, there often is a lack of perspective in “Indications of Danger”, “Indications of Secrecy”, and “Mythic Stereotypes”. The ethnic minority representation was the minimum rate. All pre-service teachers think that highest sources of image of scientist are orderly teacher, parents, friends, and media, but parents friends and media are not very crucial source for Turks as much as Europeans and the Americans. Both groups were influenced to a considerable degree by teachers, the content of science textbooks and books, this study illustrated the possible impact of the curriculum. The impact of science teachers and textbooks has shaped what a scientist is and what a scientist does. However, field trip and assessment, and projects related scientist are not common in science lessons. The view of Turkish pre-service teachers is less focused on them than Europeans’ and the Americans. Eventually, stereotypical images of the scientist are a slightly lesser than revealed in previous studies but stereotypes of scientists are widely persistent even among elementary preservice teachers. Pre-service elementary teachers' images of scientists and attitudes toward science may be affected by the way science is taught in their teacher education programs. The most recent primary level of science curriculum programs includes activities to engage students in the manner of constructivist approach for the US, European countries and Turkey. Results showed that if how effective using this educational perspective elementary pre-service teacher’ minds will be touched and they will complete understanding of what science and a scientist is in their minds.
Keywords: The Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST); Science teaching; Scientist
