Open Journal for Educational Research

57-72

Authors: Daimond Dziva, Maroni Runesu Nyikahadzoyi, Dimitrios Koliopoulos & Konstantinos Ravanis

This study explored the teacher knowledge manifestation of Integrated Science (IS) teachers who have specialised in Chemistry, Biology or Physics during their pre-service teacher education. 60 experienced Integrated Science teachers responded to an ‘Integrated Science Teacher Knowledge’ questionnaire which embraced different dimensions of teacher knowledge. The results of the study indicate that the IS teachers have a common set of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are, in their professional opinion, needed and in some instances, would enable them to teach IS. The research participants had considerable knowledge as well as clear views about what it meant for them to be IS teachers. It however should be noted that there was a marked variance in the perception of the three cohorts of teachers towards teaching through Practical Work, importance of pre-service teacher education specialisation towards teaching IS and knowledge of students’ culture. This study provides contextual inputs to effective IS teacher education re-alignment informed by the IS teacher practitioners, those with the craft knowledge of the contextual environment of the IS classrooms.

89-102

Authors: Antonia Skopelitou, Panagiotis Giavrimis & Ekaterini Nikolarea

This study presents, discusses and assesses the findings of a research into All-day School (AS) and All-day Primary School (APS) institutions and the teacher’s role in them in Greece. The AS in kindergarten and primary school emphasizes the children’s process of development and learning, is flexible to shape the curriculum, prepares children for the next day’s lessons, thus pedagogically utilizing students’ free time; it helps change the pedagogical climate, develops new forms of teaching and is considered educational innovation. As far as the participants of the present research is concerned, it is made up of 22 Primary School teachers who worked in the APS in the past. The criteria for their selection were gender, years of service in Primary Education and whether they had worked in an APS. In terms of gender, the men who participated in the research were 9 and the women were 13. According to the teachers, the APS was established having the best standards. Teachers seem to support the institution and recognize the important role it can play in the students’ all-round development. However, the problems that arise are many and teachers have been trying to do their utmost with the few resources available and the absence of the State. The State must ensure that the APS will find its place in the education system and will play its social and pedagogical role.