Primary teacher educators' practices in and perspectives on inquiry-based science education: insights into the Australian landscape

Article

Fitzgerald, Angela, Pressick-Kilborn, Kimberley and Mills, Reece. 2021. "Primary teacher educators' practices in and perspectives on inquiry-based science education: insights into the Australian landscape." Education 3-13: the professional journal for primary education. 49 (3), pp. 344-356. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2020.1854962
Article Title

Primary teacher educators' practices in and perspectives on inquiry-based science education: insights into the Australian landscape

ERA Journal ID20762
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsFitzgerald, Angela (Author), Pressick-Kilborn, Kimberley (Author) and Mills, Reece (Author)
Journal TitleEducation 3-13: the professional journal for primary education
Journal Citation49 (3), pp. 344-356
Number of Pages13
Year2021
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN0300-4279
1475-7575
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2020.1854962
Web Address (URL)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03004279.2020.1854962
Abstract

Initial teacher education (ITE) providers prepare graduates to be effective classroom practitioners, but there is little contemporary research capturing what this preparation actually looks like for primary (elementary) science education in Australia. Drawing on a broader study, this paper reports on teacher educators’ practices and perspectives about inquiry-based science education using questionnaire and interview data. The findings unpack five themes that make sense of how inquiry-based science education is understood and enacted in ITE. Implications are discussed in the form of ‘tensions’ for both inquiry-based science teaching and learning with recommendations for navigating these tensions suggested.

KeywordsInitial teacher education, inquiry-based education, primary science, science education, primary school education
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390304. Primary education
390113. Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy
390307. Teacher education and professional development of educators
390303. Higher education
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Southern Queensland
University of Technology Sydney
Queensland University of Technology
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q772v/primary-teacher-educators-practices-in-and-perspectives-on-inquiry-based-science-education-insights-into-the-australian-landscape

Log in to edit
  • 130
    total views
  • 5
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The efficacy of the Dimensions of Attitudes toward Science (DAS) for explaining primary preservice teachers’ intention to teach science
Mills, Reece, Whiteford, Chrystal, Brown, Daniel and Tomas, Louisa. 2023. "The efficacy of the Dimensions of Attitudes toward Science (DAS) for explaining primary preservice teachers’ intention to teach science." International Journal of Science Education. 45 (3), pp. 165 - 180. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2022.2154131
Innovative Uses of Visual Technologies in Initial Teacher Education: Changing Policy to Support Practice during COVID-19
Adams, Megan, Brooks, Tim, Fitzgerald, Angela, George, Sindu and Cooper, Rebecca. 2021. "Innovative Uses of Visual Technologies in Initial Teacher Education: Changing Policy to Support Practice during COVID-19." Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy. 6 (1), pp. 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1163/23644583-bja10016
Exploring 'Next Practice': Principals' Perceptions of Graduate Skills and Attributes for Future Classrooms
Fitzgerald, Angela. 2021. "Exploring 'Next Practice': Principals' Perceptions of Graduate Skills and Attributes for Future Classrooms." Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 46 (5), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2021v46n5.1
Supporting Pre-Service Teachers in Becoming Reflective Practitioners Using Conversation and Professional Standards
Bradbury, Ondine J., Fitzgerald, Angela and O'Connor, Justen P.. 2020. "Supporting Pre-Service Teachers in Becoming Reflective Practitioners Using Conversation and Professional Standards." Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 45 (10), pp. 18-34. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2020v45n10.2
It Takes a Village: Using Communities of Practice as a Framework for Reflecting on Rural and Regional Professional Experience Opportunities
Fitzgerald, Angela, Bradbury, Ondine and Leach, Tania. 2021. "It Takes a Village: Using Communities of Practice as a Framework for Reflecting on Rural and Regional Professional Experience Opportunities." White, Simone and Downey, Jayne (ed.) Rural Education Across the World: Models of Innovative Practice and Impact. Gateway East, Singapore. Springer. pp. 25-45
Understanding the conditions informing successful STEM clubs: what does the evidence base tell us?
Davis, Kate, Fitzgerald, Angela, Power, Margaret, Leach, Tania, Martin, Neil, Piper, Stephanie, Singh, Rena and Dunlop, Shelley. 2023. "Understanding the conditions informing successful STEM clubs: what does the evidence base tell us?" Studies in Science Education. 59 (1), pp. 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057267.2021.1969168
Acknowledging documentary filmmaking as not only an output but a research process: a case for quality research practice
Fitzgerald, Angela and Lowe, Magnolia. 2020. "Acknowledging documentary filmmaking as not only an output but a research process: a case for quality research practice." International Journal of Qualitative Methods. 19, pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920957462
Interfaculty collaboration for improving international mobility experiences: sustaining a dialogue across difference
Fitzgerald, Angela, Parr, Graham, Williams, Judy, Wellam, Rachel, Howard, Bethany, Zandes, Stavroula and Diug, Basia. 2023. "Interfaculty collaboration for improving international mobility experiences: sustaining a dialogue across difference." Teaching in Higher Education. 28 (1), pp. 51-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2020.1769056
Effective teaching in primary science, technology, society and the environment
Dionne, Liliane, Petringa, Natascia and Fitzgerald, Angela. 2020. "Effective teaching in primary science, technology, society and the environment." Leite, Laurinda, Oldham, Elizabeth, Afonso, Ana S., Viseu, Floriano, Dourado, Luis and Martinho, Maria Helena (ed.) Science and mathematics education for 21st century citizens: challenges and ways forwards. Hauppauge, United States. Nova Science Publishers. pp. 333-357
Contemporary science curricula in Australian schools
Dawson, Vaille and Fitzgerald, Angela. 2019. "Contemporary science curricula in Australian schools." Dawson, Vaille, Venville, Grady and Donovan, Jennifer (ed.) The Art of Teaching Science: A comprehensive guide to the teaching of secondary school science. Crows Nest, Australia. Allen & Unwin. pp. 69-83
Exploring Values Through Lived Experiences of the World Heritage Site of Petra: A Case Study
Fitzgerald, Angela and Abouali, Diana. 2020. "Exploring Values Through Lived Experiences of the World Heritage Site of Petra: A Case Study." Corrigan, Deborah, Buntting, Cathy, Fitzgerald, Angela and Jones, Alister (ed.) Values in Science Education: The Shifting Sands. Cham, Switzerland. Springer. pp. 211-224
Informal Spaces for STEM Learning and Teaching: STEM clubs
Fitzgerald, Angela, Leach, Tania, Davis, Kate, Martin, Neil and Dunlop, Shelley. 2020. "Informal Spaces for STEM Learning and Teaching: STEM clubs." Fitzgerald, Angela, Haeusler, Carole and Pfeiffer, Linda (ed.) STEM Education in Primary Classrooms: Unravelling Contemporary Approaches in Australia and New Zealand. Abingdon, United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 168-187
More than coding: Positioning STEM education in practice
Fitzgerald, Angela, Haeusler, Carole and Pfeiffer, Linda. 2020. "More than coding: Positioning STEM education in practice." Fitzgerald, Angela, Haeusler, Carole and Pfeiffer, Linda (ed.) STEM Education in Primary Classrooms: Unravelling Contemporary Approaches in Australia and New Zealand. Abingdon, United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 1-11
Out in the field: examining the role of school-based experiences in preparing primary pre-service teachers as confident and competent teachers of science
Fitzgerald, Angela. 2020. "Out in the field: examining the role of school-based experiences in preparing primary pre-service teachers as confident and competent teachers of science." International Journal of Science Education. 42 (2), pp. 290-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2019.1710618
Navigating and negotiating borders: Western pre-service teachers’ experiences of teaching science in a non-western setting
Fitzgerald, Angela. 2019. "Navigating and negotiating borders: Western pre-service teachers’ experiences of teaching science in a non-western setting." Teaching and Teacher Education. 82, pp. 96-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2019.03.013
Reinvigorating primary school science through school-community partnerships
Smith, Kathy, Fitzgerald, Angela, Deefholts, Suzanne, Jackson, Sue, Sadler, Nicole, Smith, Alan and Lindsay, Simon. 2018. "Reinvigorating primary school science through school-community partnerships." Corrigan, Deborah, Buntting, Cathy, Jones, Alister and Loughran, John (ed.) Navigating the changing landscape of formal and informal science learning opportunities . Switzerland. Springer. pp. 87-103
(Re)navigating the classroom as a teacher educator
Fitzgerald, Ange. 2018. "(Re)navigating the classroom as a teacher educator ." Fitzgerald, Ange, Parr, Graham and Williams, Judy (ed.) Re-imagining professional experience in initial teacher education: narratives of learning. Singapore. Springer. pp. 199-213
Re-imagining professional experience in initial teacher education
Parr, Graham, Williams, Judy and Fitzgerald, Ange. 2018. "Re-imagining professional experience in initial teacher education." Fitzgerald, Ange, Parr, Graham and Fitzgerald, Angela (ed.) Re-imagining professional experience in initial teacher education: narratives of learning. Singapore. Springer. pp. 1-15
Science in primary schools: examining the practices of effective primary school teachers
Fitzgerald, Angela. 2012. Science in primary schools: examining the practices of effective primary school teachers. Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Sense Publishers.
Celebrating Australia’s diversity through science education
Fitzgerald, Angela, Pfeiffer, Linda and Woolcott, Geoff. 2018. "Celebrating Australia’s diversity through science education." Woolcott, Geoff and Whanell, Robert (ed.) Teaching secondary science: theory and practice . Cambridge, United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press. pp. 191-213
Bringing Australia’s diversity into science education
Pfeiffer, Linda, Fitzgerald, Angela and Woolcott, Geoff. 2018. "Bringing Australia’s diversity into science education." Woolcott, Geoff and Whannell, Robert (ed.) Teaching secondary science: theory and practice. Cambridge, United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press. pp. 394-415
Tourist, tour guide, traveller, travel agent? Reflections on leading and learning from international professional experience
Fitzgerald, Ange. 2017. "Tourist, tour guide, traveller, travel agent? Reflections on leading and learning from international professional experience." Fitzgerald, Ange, Parr, Graham and Williams, Judy (ed.) Narratives of learning through international professional experience. Singapore. Springer. pp. 15-27
Embedding assessment within primary school science: a case study
Fitzgerald, Angela and Gunstone, Ricahrd. 2013. "Embedding assessment within primary school science: a case study." Corrigan, Deborah, Gunstone, Richard and Jones, Alister (ed.) Valuing assessment in science education: pedagogy, curriculum, policy. Netherlands. Springer. pp. 307-324
Monash University International Professional Experience Program
Williams, Judy, Fitzgerald, Ange and Parr, Graham. 2017. "Monash University International Professional Experience Program." Fitzgerald, Ange, Parr, Graham and Williams, Judy (ed.) Narratives of learning through international professional experience. Singapore. Springer. pp. 1-14
Making sense of primary science
Smith, Kathy and Fitzgerald, Angela. 2013. "Making sense of primary science." Fitzgerald, Angela (ed.) Learning and teaching primary science. Port Melbourne, Australia. Cambridge University Press. pp. 1-16
Science that matters: exploring science learning and teaching in primary schools
Fitzgerald, Angela and Smith, Kathy. 2016. "Science that matters: exploring science learning and teaching in primary schools ." Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 41 (4), pp. 64-78. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2016v41n4.4
Examining the beliefs and practices of four effective Australian primary science teachers
Fitzgerald, Angela, Dawson, Vaille and Hackling, Mark. 2013. "Examining the beliefs and practices of four effective Australian primary science teachers." Research in Science Education. 43 (3), pp. 981-1003. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-012-9297-y
Nurturing quality science learning and teaching: the impact of a reading group
Fitzgerald, Angela, Cooper, Rebecca and Sarkar, Mahbub. 2016. "Nurturing quality science learning and teaching: the impact of a reading group." Teaching Science: The Journal of the Australian Science Teachers Association. 62 (2), pp. 44-51.
What teachers’ want: supporting primary school teachers in teaching science
Fitzgerald, Angela and Schneider, Katrin. 2013. "What teachers’ want: supporting primary school teachers in teaching science." Teaching Science: The Journal of the Australian Science Teachers Association. 59 (2), pp. 7-10.
Perceptions and pedagogy: exploring the beliefs and practices of an effective primary science teacher
Fitzgerald, Angela, Dawson, Vaille and Hackling, Mark. 2009. "Perceptions and pedagogy: exploring the beliefs and practices of an effective primary science teacher." Teaching Science: The Journal of the Australian Science Teachers Association. 55 (3), pp. 19-22.
Science investigations
Corrigan, Deborah, Fitzgerald, Angela and Kidman, Gillian. 2018. "Science investigations." Fitzgerald, Angela and Corrigan, Deborah (ed.) Science education for Australian students: teaching science from Foundation to Year 12. Crows Nest, NSW, Australia. Allen & Unwin. pp. 143-175
The role of context and relevance
Corrigan, Deborah and Fitzgerald, Angela. 2018. "The role of context and relevance." Fitzgerald, Angela and Corrigan, Deborah (ed.) Science education for Australian students: teaching science from Foundation to Year 12. Crows Nest, NSW, Australia. Allen & Unwin. pp. 57-85
What the learner brings
Smith, Kathy and Fitzgerald, Angela. 2018. "What the learner brings." Fitzgerald, Angela and Corrigan, Deborah (ed.) Science education for Australian students: teaching science from Foundation to Year 12. Crows Nest, NSW, Australia. Allen & Unwin. pp. 26-56
Becoming a teacher of science: introducing a journey of identity and evidence
Fitzgerald, Angela and Corrigan, Deborah. 2018. "Becoming a teacher of science: introducing a journey of identity and evidence." Fitzgerald, Angela and Corrigan, Deborah (ed.) Science education for Australian students: teaching science from Foundation to Year 12. Crows Nest, NSW, Australia. Allen & Unwin. pp. 3-25