Prospective chemistry teachers perceptions of their profession: the state of the art in Slovenia and Finland

Main Article Content

Vesna Ferk Savec
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1562-3636
Bernarda Urankar
Maija Katariina Aksela
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9552-248X
Iztok Devetak
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4719-8424

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to present Slovenian and Finnish prospective chemistry teachers perceptions of their future profession, espe­cially with regard to their understanding of the role of the triple nature of chemical concepts (macro, submicro and symbolic) and their representations in chemistry learning. A total of 19 prospective teachers (10 Slovenian, 9 Finnish) at masters level in chemical education participated in the research. The pros­pective teachers opinions were gathered using an electronic questionnaire comprising six open-ended questions. The study revealed many parallels between Slovenian and Finnish prospective chemistry teachers perceptions of their future profession and their understanding of the role of the triple nature of chemical concepts, especially particle representations, in chemistry learning. The majority of the prospective teachers from both countries believe that per­sonal characteristics are the most important attribute of a successful chemistry teacher. Thus, they highly value teachers enthusiasm for teaching and the use of contemporary teaching approaches in chemistry. The prospective teachers displayed an adequate understanding of the role of the triple nature of chemical concepts (i.e., particle representations) in the planning and implementation of a specific chemistry lesson.

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How to Cite
[1]
V. Ferk Savec, B. Urankar, M. K. Aksela, and I. Devetak, “Prospective chemistry teachers perceptions of their profession: the state of the art in Slovenia and Finland”, J. Serb. Chem. Soc., vol. 82, no. 10, pp. 1193–1210, Nov. 2017.
Section
History of & Education in Chemistry
Author Biographies

Vesna Ferk Savec, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education

 

The Unit of Chemistry and Chemistry Education; Department of Biology, Chemistry and Home Economics

 

Bernarda Urankar, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education

The Unit of Chemistry and Chemistry Education; Department of Biology, Chemistry and Home Economics

Maija Katariina Aksela, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Science

The Unit of chemistry teacher training, Department of chemistry

Iztok Devetak, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education

The Unit of Chemistry and Chemistry Education; Department of Biology, Chemistry and Home Economics

 

 

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