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Assessing college students’ perceptions of a case teacher’s pedagogical content knowledge using a newly developed instrument

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Abstract

Ongoing professional development for college teachers has been much emphasized. However, previous research on learning environments has seldom addressed college students’ perceptions of teachers’ PCK. This study aimed to evaluate college students’ perceptions of a physics teacher’s PCK development using a newly developed instrument and workshop intervention. A mixed method design was employed incorporating both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The survey “Assessing Students’ Perceptions of College Teachers’ PCK” was adopted as the instrument of research. This survey was conducted twice in this study; with the pre-test carried out during the mid-term exam and the post-test given in the last week of the semester. The results indicate that only SMK and IRS showed significant difference in the four categories of the survey, while IOC and KSU did not. Furthermore, the organized workshops helped the case teacher to better understand students’ prior conceptions of the subject matter and learning difficulties, and further facilitated her adjustment of instructional strategies. The limitations of this study are discussed and suggestions for improvement are also provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Teacher Education, Chung-Yuan Christian University, 32023, Chung-Li, Taiwan, ROC

    Syh-Jong Jang

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  1. Syh-Jong Jang
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Correspondence to Syh-Jong Jang.

Appendix: assessing students’ perceptions of college teachers’ PCK

Appendix: assessing students’ perceptions of college teachers’ PCK

Directions for students:

This questionnaire contains five statements about teaching practices which could take place in this class. You will be asked how often each practice takes place. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers. Your opinion is what is wanted. Think about how well each statement describes what this class is like for you. You will be asked to describe freely your personal comments to the course in the end. Be sure to give an answer for all questions.

Draw a circle around

1.

If teaching practice takes place

Never

2.

If teaching practice takes place

Seldom

3.

If teaching practice takes place

Sometimes

4.

If teaching practice takes place

Often

5.

If teaching practice takes place

Always

A. SMK (subject matter knowledge)

C. IOC (instructional objective & context)

1

My teacher knows the content he/she is teaching

1

My teacher makes me clearly understand objectives of this course

2

My teacher explains clearly the content of the subject

2

My teacher provides an appropriate interaction or good atmosphere

3

My teacher knows how theories or principles of the subject have been developed

3

My teacher pays attention to students’ reaction during class and adjusts his/her teaching attitude

4

My teacher selects the appropriate content for students

4

My teacher creates a classroom circumstance to promote my interest for learning

5

My teacher knows the answers to questions that we ask about the subject

5

My teacher prepares some additional teaching materials

6

My teacher explains the impact of subject matter on society

6

My teacher copes with our classroom context appropriately

7

My teacher knows the whole structure and direction of this SMK

7

My teacher’s belief or value in teaching is active and aggressive

B. IRS (instructional representation and strategies)

D. KSU (knowledge of students’ understanding)

1

My teacher uses appropriate examples to explain concepts related to subject matter

1

My teacher realizes students’ prior knowledge before class

2

My teacher uses familiar analogies to explain concepts of subject matter

2

My teacher knows students’ learning difficulties of subject before class

3

My teacher’s teaching methods keep me interested in this subject

3

My teacher’s questions evaluate my understanding of a topic.

4

My teacher provides opportunities for me to express my views during class

4

My teacher’s assessment methods evaluate my understanding of the subject

5

My teacher uses demonstrations to help explaining the main concept

5

My teacher uses different approaches (questions, discussion, etc.) to find out whether I understand

6

My teacher uses a variety of teaching approaches to transform subject matter into comprehensible knowledge

6

My teacher’s assignments facilitate my understanding of the subject

7

My teacher uses multimedia or technology (e.g. PowerPoint) to express the concept of subject

7

My teacher’s tests help me realize the learning situation

Comments:

  • In this course, if you have any learning difficulty or opinion, please describe it as follows.

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Jang, SJ. Assessing college students’ perceptions of a case teacher’s pedagogical content knowledge using a newly developed instrument. High Educ 61, 663–678 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-010-9355-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-010-9355-1

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