An International Comparative Case Study About Using Science Notebooks in Science Teacher Education

Abstract

Science notebook is a material, methodology, formative assessment model which develop learners’ higher order thinking skills. The aim of this study is to identify perceptions of preservice science teachers from U.S. and Turkey about application of science notebooks in Science Teaching Method course. This is a case study and qualitative methodology was used. Study group consist of third grade preservice teachers (42 of them were from Turkey and 25 of them were from U.S.). Study lasted 16 weeks. Survey, observation, interview and science notebooks were used as data collection tools. Descriptive and content analyses were used for data analysis. It was found that science notebooks develop preservice teachers’ teaching skills and suggestions related to applications were given at the end.