The Opinions of Prospective Science Teachers about Some Basic Astronomy Concepts

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reveal prospective science teachers' opinions about some basic astronomy concepts before and after they participated in an instruction process about these concepts using a Technology Aided Instruction (TAI) in their courses. The working group consists a total of five science teaching program prospective teachers who were studying in the senior class of a university in the Western Black Sea region in the fall semester of 2015-2016 academic year. The study was designed on the basis of case study. These five teachers were then interviewed and the data was analyzed by means of content analysis. As a result, it was concluded that there were significant differences among prospective teachers and they gave more explanatory and scientifically acceptable responses to the interview questions after the TAI instruction practices ended. The technology was an effective means of reducing the number of alternative ideas the prospective teachers held about basic astronomy concepts. In view of the findings of the study, it is suggested that astronomy classes should involve the TAI practices.