Investigation of the Relationship between Pre-service Science Teachers’ Subject Matter Knowledge and Pedagogical Content Knowledge regarding the Particulate Nature of Matter

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyze whether there is a relationship between subject matter knowledge (SMK) related to the key concepts take part in 6th class “particulate nature of matter” unit and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of the pre-service science teachers. The participants of the study consisted of five pre-service science teachers who were enrolled at Gazi University at the Department of Elementary Science Education senior class in 2007 – 2008. In the study “case study research method” which is a sort of “qualitative research methodology” was used. Data was gathered via observations, interviews and document analysis methods. . In the analyses of the semi structured interviews, video records and documents made with pre-service teachers; descriptive analysis, content analysis and comparison techniques were used together. Data collected from the sample of the research shows that the pre-service teachers have inadequacies in SMK related to the concepts analyzed in the scope of this research. These inadequacies in pre-service teachers’ SMK limit the activities (planning and implementation) which are used through teaching process. In consequence, it is ascertained that SMK is interrelated with PCK and must be investigated together with PCK.