Improvement of Argumentation Based Inquiry Science Teaching Competencies of Pre-service Science Teachers

Abstract

The aim of the study is the improvement of argumentation based inquiry science teaching competencies of pre-service science teachers. In this study, the effects of argumentation-based inquiry teaching practices on teaching-learning conception and the ability to design experiments of the preservice teacher were investigated. "Concurrent triangulation design" was used as mixed research
method. The study was carried out for 14 weeks with 38 pre-service teachers who selected "Science Literacy" course for 2016-2017 academic years. Teaching-learning conception scale, experiment design studies and self-evaluations, semi-structured interview and reflective evaluation forms were used as the data collection tools. Although the quantitative findings reveal that there is no radical change in the teaching-learning conceptions of the pre-service teachers, the qualitative findings obtained showed that the pre-service teachers' improved experiment design skills and created awareness about the teaching of scientific process skills. It also showed that pre-service teachers experienced a change towards an openended inquiry in experimental designs and this led to a number of changes and awareness in teachinglearning conception.