Using ATOM To Develop Pre-service Chemistry Teachers' Conceptions Of Nature Of Science

Understanding of the nature of science (NOS) is stated to be an indispensable part of scientific literacy. But researchers suggest that teachers do not posses adequate conceptions of the nature of science. So researchers attempt to improve teachers'understanding of the nature of science (NOS). History of science (HOS) materials provide a rich array of sources for addressing key NOS. History of science materials have been widely used to stimulate interest in science and convey the NOS. But it is difficult and time-consuming to collect History of science materials. Becker (2000) said videos or films about HOS can over these Difficulties.The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in pre-service teachers'understanding of the nature of science (NOS) as a result of ATOM-teaching Instruction.The sample of this study consisted of 60 pre-service Chemistry teachers'. And data were collected by Student Understanding of Science and Scientific Inquiry(SUSSI)and analyzed by SPSS 16.0.The analysis of data revealed that:1) Participants had some understanding of NOS at moderate level before the experiment.2) ATOM-teaching Instruction can significantly improve the Chemistry preservice teachers'understandings of some aspects of NOS to the point that they have a good understanding of NOS at a high level.3) Those preservice teachers well approved this instruction.According to this student, the author drew some suggestions like this:1) Pre-service Chemistry teachers'curriculum must emphasize on NOS education to cultivate Excellent science teachers.2) The HOS teaching could incorporate videos about HOS and inquiry experiments to make preservice teachers have a better understanding of NOS.