Using 5E learning circle to enhance pre-service elementary schoolteachers' scientific inquiry teaching practice

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to understand the pre-service elementary school teachers' scientific inquiry teaching practice. Research methods used in this study include qualitative and quantitative research methods. There were 33 pre-service elementary school teachers participated in this study. Instructional strategies used in this study were the 5E learning circle in order to increase pre-service elementary school teachers' practice of science teaching. Research instruments used in this study include Scientific Inquiry Beliefs Scale, Chinese version Test of Integrated Science Process Skills, and Performance of Scientific Inquiry Teaching Demonstration. The results were obtained by t-test analysis and correlation procedure. The results of this study were (1) the Scientific Inquiry Beliefs Scale showed pre-service teachers in the post-test achieved higher scores than in the pre-test (t = 9.83, p < .001); (2) The correlation between the performance of pre-service teachers in inquiry teaching and the Chinese version Test of Integrated Science Process Skills were significantly correlated (p< .05) ; and (3) the outcomes of the Performance of Scientific Inquiry Teaching Demonstration showed pre-service teachers scientific inquiry belief had improved. Therefore, it can be concluded the 5E learning circle and scientific inquiry strategies were effective for pre-service elementary school teachers on scientific inquiry teaching in this study.