Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Science Study and teaching (Secondary) Australia'
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Cox, Philip F. "Student beliefs about learning in religion and science in Catholic schools." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2004. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/799.
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The focus of this study is the impact of student perception of the validity of content on student learning. It is proposed that, if the content of a subject is perceived by students as being different to the content of another subject, a result of this perceived difference is that students will treat their learning in these subjects differently. To test this proposal, student beliefs about items from the content of the religious education course are compared with student responses to items of content of their science course. A sample of 1418, year 11 students from nine co-educational Catholic secondary schools were asked to respond to a series of outcome statements from the year 10 religious education and science courses. The questionnaire asks two questions; one, can• the student recall being taught each item; and two, does the student believe that the item is true. If the students believe that the item is true, they are asked to indicate one of three possible reasons for their belief. One, they believe the item because the teacher had provided them with evidence that convinced them that the item is true; two, they believe the item because they trust the teacher to teach them what is true, or three they believe the item for some other reason such as faith. This study does not deal with the issue of faith formation, catechesis, new evangelisation or evangelisation which are significant raison•d'etre of Catholic schools and are closely linked to the study of religious education in Catholic schools. Student and staff responses to a number of open-ended questions, and extensive discussions with students in a Reference Group, provide additional insights into the student beliefs regarding the nature of knowledge particularly for the content of their religious education and science courses.
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Sheffield, Rachel. "Facilitating teacher professional learning : analysing the impact of an Australian professional learning model in secondary science." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2004. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/811.
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In education, innovations are frequently introduced to promote changes to the curriculum, teachers' practice, and the classroom environment, however, these initiatives are often implemented without sufficient evaluation to monitor their impact and effectiveness in bringing about the desired changes. This thesis analyses the impact of a teacher professional learning program on lower secondary science teachers' practice. It examines the relationship between teachers' concerns about the strategies incorporated in the Collaborative Australian Secondary Science Program (CASSP) and teachers' ability to understand the strategies, on their ability to utilise those strategies in the classroom. It also seeks to determine teachers' beliefs about their current science teaching practice and how this is different from their beliefs about ideal science teaching, and also, how these beliefs direct teachers’ classroom practice. Finally this study describes a number of primary and secondary factors found to impact on teachers' professional learning. 11tc CASSP model encapsulates the primary factors of curriculum exemplars (curriculum resources), explanation und modelling (professional development), and reflection (participative inquiry). The secondary factors include ensuring adequate time for change to occur, student support and participation, peer teacher support, support from lenders including-heads of department, support from the school administration and support from state education officers. This study has demonstrated that teachers’ professional learning is a complex process that is strongly influenced by teachers' beliefs, concerns and understandings, and is impacted by the primary and secondary factors identified by the research. Teachers must be able to envision the advantages of incorporating new strategies into their existing practice, and consequently seek to make these changes to their teaching. This study has shown that students are also an important influence the implementation of an innovation, without their support, teachers are unlikely to make successful changes to their teaching practice. lmplications of the research include the need to elaborate the CASSP professional learning model to include the secondary factors identified in the study, and the need to inform students about innovations so that they can see the benefits for them in terms of improved learning outcomes.
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Holly, Christina R. "An investigation of the factors that influence the career aspirations of Year 12 science students." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1549.
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What has become apparent in recent years is the lack of upper secondary students choosing science related subjects in their final years of schooling. Even of those students who choose science subjects to study in Years 11 and 12 in Australia, many tend to choose non-science pathways for tertiary education options (department of Education, Science and Training, 2003). This is worrying trend, given the numbers of science professionals and teachers required in the new age of technology. By investigating a sample of Western Australian Year 12 students that study any science related subjects, it is expected that there may be some underlying factors that can be identified that play important roles in their career aspirations. Previous research suggests that these factors will most likely be a combination of social, environmental and individual influences. Science learning experiences, albeit positive or negative, also most certainly determine an individual’s interest in science. It is important to understand why science is failing to capture the interest of our best students, who potentially could contribute intellectually to the future of Australian science. A sample of five secondary metropolitan schools was involved in the collection of data. Using a qualitative case study research method, Year 12 science students, aged 16 to 17 years, were surveyed on aspects of career aspirations and experiences in science. Focus groups from each school participated in a narrative inquiry with the author to further probe their thoughts about career choices in relation to science learning experiences. Staff involved in helping students with their career decisions such as Career Advisors, Year 12 Coordinators and science teachers were also interviewed. In summary, it can be noted, that whilst many of our Year 12 science students are reported high levels of enjoyment of science, there is significant room for improvement. Teachers are seen as a vital link in fostering students’ enjoyment of science, and need to be able to teach science in a relevant fashion, enabling students to understand and to be able to explain the concepts of science. Teachers also have an important role to play by identifying the range of careers that scientific knowledge will support. The study found that personal interest and academic ability are significant factors that influence the career aspirations of Year 12 students, it must also be acknowledged that parental influences also have a large influence on career aspirations of Year 12 students, as well as a range of other factors that will be discussed in the body of this research. The choices of university versus TAFE continue to be an issue, with the majority of students opting for university courses even when not academically able to fulfil the course requirements. Career counsellors also need to play a more active role in helping Year 12 students with decisions by being more readily accessible with relevant information, as this was one criticism of Year 12 students that participated in this research. In conclusions, it is important to note that a greater priority needs to be given to developing the quality of secondary science, and education about career pathways in science. It is very important that all students experience a science education that will make a difference in their lives whilst fostering scientific literacy. It is also important, as a society, to attract our best young minds into science as this will only endeavour to increase the competitiveness of Australian science (Goodrum, Hackling & Rennis, 2001).
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Kurup, Premnadh M. "Secondary students beliefs about, understandings of, and intentions to act regarding the greenhouse effect." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2003. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1324.
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The greenhouse effect (GHE) is a concern to everyone on this planet. To understand the GHE, students and citizens need an understanding of the chemical processes underlying this environmental phenomenon. Citizens need to be scientifically literate in relation to this phenomenon in order to participate in democratic decision-making and to take appropriate actions in their daily lives. As the GHE is a global issue it will require collective and individual actions to prepare for the likely climatic changes and to reduce the further impact of the GHE. This study focused on high school students' beliefs about, understandings of the GHE and their intentions to act in ways that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Aspects of the GHE that are taught in high school science were also investigated. The study was conducted in five schools each in Western Australia (Australia) and Kerala (India) and data were collected from 438 Year 10 and 12 students representing compulsory and post-compulsory stages of education in both states. Two hundred and thirteen students from Western Australia and 225 students from Kerala completed a questionnaire and a sample of students and heads of science were interviewed. A Propositional Knowledge Statement (PKS) was developed, which is a set of propositions that outline science concepts necessary for an understanding of the GHE in terms of its causes, effects, mechanism and actions that can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emission. In this study the PKS is considered to be the essential knowledge necessary to interpret the GHE, to take appropriate environmental action, and to make informed decisions as a scientifically literate member of society. The questionnaire and interviews were based on the PKS. The study revealed that high school students strongly believe that the GHE is real and affecting the climate at present and will also affect it in the future. They consider that the GHE is a relatively important social issue and they believe that governments should conduct programmes to raise community awareness and enact strict laws to reduce the release of greenhouse gases. Students' understanding of the GHE is inadequate to make informed decisions and take appropriate environmental actions as a scientifically literate member of society. The majority of students and their families are already taking or are considering taking 10 accepted actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by household activities. The majority of students are not prepared to sacrifice their personal comforts or conveniences to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and they have strong reasons for that, however, they believe that governments should enact strict laws to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and should sign the Kyoto protocol. The GHE is not adequately represented in Western Australian and Kerala science and chemistry curricula. The heads of school science departments in Western Australia and Kerala consider that school science should do more to teach the GHE, as it is an important aspect of scientific literacy. An ideal scenario for students’ beliefs about, understanding of the GHE and commitments to take action that would enable individuals and communities to reduce greenhouse gas emission was developed based on the PKS and reports such as lPCC (2001), UNEP (2001), AGO (1999; 2000) and UN (1992). The actual scenario was based on the data from this study. The differences between ideal and actual scenarios were discussed and implications for improving education about the OHE were developed. Information about the curriculum and students' sources of information about the GHE, students' beliefs, understandings and intentions to act were mapped against the theory of reasoned action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980).
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Johnson, Valerie. "Drama teaching: Understanding what we do." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2002. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/732.
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Drama teaching in secondary schools in Western Australia has become an increasingly complex discipline in recent years. This study has considered the work of Drama teachers from the point of view of those practising the discipline, using a phenomenological methodology which allowed the voices of the participants to be heard directly. In the discussion, consideration is given to the way in which these teachers practice the dynamic which is drama, are influenced by the art form of theatre, and deliver the school subject, Drama.
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Chiarella, Andrew. "Statistical reasoning and scientific inquiry : statistics in the physical science classroom." Thesis, McGill University, 2001. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=33882.
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Teaching science using an inquiry approach is encouraged by several organisations responsible for defining teaching and learning guidelines in North America. However, using this approach can be difficult because of the complexity of inquiry. One source of difficulty is an inability to make sense of the data. Error variation, in particular, poses a significant barrier to the correct interpretation of data and therefore successful inquiry learning. A study was conducted to examine middle school students' ability to make sense of the data they collected in three related experiments. These data involved taking measurements of two continuous variables that were affected by error variation. The results indicated that students tended not to use abstract patterns to describe the data but rather used more local patterns that did not make use of the whole data set. However, many students also indicated an intuitive understanding that a greater amount of data could be used to generate results that are more accurate. This suggests a disparity between what the students understand about data and what they are capable of doing with data. Educational implications are that students may benefit from learning ideal patterns that can be compared to non-ideal data they collect.
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Zungu, Zacheus Ngcebo Dumisani. "A Critical analysis of the secondary school economic science curruculum." Thesis, University of Zululand, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10530/1215.
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Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department Of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the
University of Zululand, South Africa, 2002.The economic sciences curriculum is supposed to equip learners with skills that would be readily recognised and acceptable to the corporate world. Yet it became obvious from the high unemployment rate of leamers with economic science background that the expected skills were less developed than expected. School leavers need to be retrained for them to be able to carry out elementary tasks like bookkeeping. It is the inadequacy of the present secondary school curriculum to produce employable school leavers that prompted this inquiry. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relevance of the economic science curriculum to the needs of the corporate world. The study revealed that lack of participation by all relevant stakeholders in the development of a curriculum creates the gaps between the schooling system and the corporate world. The lack of resources and poor communication between business and education also contributed to the unemployability of school graduates. There is, therefore, very little congruence between what is taught and the world of work. Several recommendations to address the problem were put forward. The most important of these recommendations is .the establishment of partnerships between education and vocational skills may be fused. Economic science education needs to be given prominence in all schools including those in rural environments where given subject advisors seldom visit
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Ayob, Aminah. "Study of learning interactions in group work in secondary science." Thesis, Keele University, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.278528.
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Mazibuko, Edmund Z. "The mediation of teaching through central curriculum controls: Four case studies of history teaching in year 12 in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1995. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1573.
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The work of scholars on pedagogical content knowledge has drawn attention to the importance of mastery of subject matter. Good teachers are able to make clever transitions between their knowledge of content and their pedagogy. The examples of these transitions in the literature usually assume that teachers have a large measure of control over the content: lessons are exploratory and concerned with understanding the deeper meanings and fundamental concepts that underpin the discipline base. The reality of most classrooms is otherwise; teachers are guided by syllabus statements, textbooks and end of year examinations. Sequence and pace of instruction are often implicitly or explicitly controlled. Teachers are required to make choices: either teach towards the examination or teach for deeper understanding and jeopardise the completion of the examinable content. The purpose of this study was to examine how experienced Year 12 history teachers in Western Australia managed the tension between content coverage and teaching for deeper understanding of the subject matter. To examine this question, four experienced history teachers in four high schools in Perth, Western Australia took part in the study. These teachers were observed teaching history in Year 12 during the 1994 school year and they were also interviewed on aspects of their teaching, the syllabus and the TEE examination. The students in these classrooms were also interviewed during the data collection period. The stories of these teachers are presented in four case studies. Evidence from this study indicates that the experienced Year 12 teachers have learned to make compromises in the way they teach and manage content coverage in such a way that they are able to achieve high levels of examination performance while maintaining a focus on conceptual learning. The teachers managed this balancing act by (a) representing high examination performance and conceptual understanding of the subject matter as a single objective rather than as two objectives in opposition, (b) ensuring that students had a broad conceptual understanding of the key issues contained in the examination syllabus so that the students could independently construct answers to the kinds of questions contained in examinations and (c) selectively emphasising and teaching in depth some parts of the syllabus though the whole syllabus was covered at least superficially. Though the teachers would have preferred more personal control over the selection of content and assessment procedures, they nevertheless saw the external examination to have merit; however, as this study has demonstrated, the external examination is clearly a fallible means of student evaluation.
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Wong, Kai-shung. "Evaluating teaching units on science issues in society a case study in sixth form curriculum /." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 1988. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/HKUTO/record/B38627036.
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Benjamin, Morris A. "Nigerian science teachers' beliefs about effective science teaching, their pedagogical content knowledge, and how these influence science teaching." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2004. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/834.
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This study investigated Nigerian junior secondary science teachers' beliefs about effective science teaching, their pedagogical content knowledge and how these influence their classroom teaching behaviour. The research is underpinned by a conceptual framework, which establishes a strong relationship between teachers' beliefs about teaching, teachers' pedagogical content knowledge and classroom teaching practices. The study was carried out in two phases. The first phase involved a survey of all junior secondary science teachers (N=70) from the 30 secondary schools in two Local Education Districts of Lagos State, Nigeria. The second phase involved in-depth case studies of three science teachers who were purposively selected. The case study data were collected through interviews, classroom observation sessions and document analysis. Findings from the study revealed that the teachers hold narrow, objectivist or realist views of the nature of science, and narrow and elitist views of the purpose of science teaching in schools. They also espoused beliefs consistent with knowledge transmission, teacher-centred, teacher-dominated classrooms in which students should play mainly passive roles of listening, observing the teacher and copying notes whilst under strict supervision of the teacher so as to maintain a quiet classroom for science teaching. Assessment practices are based on short paper and pencil periodic tests and terminal examinations, which are mainly for summative purposes. The teachers' classroom behaviour reflected accurate knowledge of science content and an understanding of the social and physical environment in which their students are learning. However, their teaching practices reflected pedagogical knowledge and skills, and knowledge of student learning derived from the traditional knowledge transmission pedagogy, which is not consistent with current understanding, and best practices in science teaching and learning. Their teacher-centred practices are consistent with their knowledge transmission beliefs and their pedagogical content knowledge in relation to pedagogical strategies and how students learn in science. The study revealed that shortages of science textbooks, insufficient teaching facilities and large classes, limit teachers’ effectiveness in science teaching. More contemporary approaches that actively engage students in learning and develop scientific literacy in the Nigerian context have been recommended. The implications of these findings for initial teacher education, professional development, science curriculum and science teaching have been outlined.
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Mockel, Lindsey Joan. "Thinking Aloud in the Science Classroom: Can a literacy strategy increase student learning in science?" PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1420.
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This research study investigated the effect of using the think aloud protocol while reading informational text on students' ability to learn from text in a secondary science classroom. The participants in this study were high school students (n=47) in three classes of a mixed-grade Integrated Biology, Chemistry, and Physics course. The study tracked student achievement during a four-week curriculum unit on the theory of evolution and evidence for biological evolution. All students received instruction on using the think aloud protocol, and all students practiced the think aloud protocol when reading short articles related to scientific evidence for evolution. The researcher measured student's ability to read and understand science text by comparing scores from a reading skills pre-assessment and post-assessment from each student. Student surveys were conducted to gather feedback on the effectiveness of the strategy in teaching students to use a literacy strategy while reading science text. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
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Lockwood, Jeffrey Frank. "The effect of research-based science instruction on the attitudes of students, by gender, towards science, scientists, and careers in science." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/186605.
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Research-based curriculum is a system of instruction which uses an authentic learning, problem-solving, cooperative learning, hands-on, and inquiry-discovery approach, guided by a constructivist philosophy. Its usefulness has been recognized for many decades but "research in the classroom" has not been adopted as a teaching method by many. This study centers on research done by students in science classrooms. The primary purpose of this study was to measure, both quantitatively and qualitatively; (1) students' understanding, by gender, of the nature of science and, (2) student attitude changes, by gender, toward the nature of science, scientists, and careers in science before and after the completion of research projects. The gender equity problem in science classes is explored and improvements in four process skills were measured for both treatment and control groups. Also, different models of research-based science education are described. The Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA) and the Nature of Science Scale (NOSS) were given pre and post to both groups. Several qualitative instruments were given and student journals were analyzed by gender. The results of TOSRA showed gains in positive attitude for students after they experience a research-based curriculum for six of the seven TOSRA scales. However, the control group had similar gains so the mixed design analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences between control vs. treatment or male vs. female interactions. Much of the qualitative analysis revealed that students' understanding of the nature of science changes considerably after they "do" scientific research. The journal analysis and the "Research is...." question analysis show that students also have a significant affective response to the research experience. Quantitatively, the total NOSS score improvement for the treatment group was substantial (11.4 to 13.8) and better than the control, although it was not a statistically significant difference. Generally, treatment students showed greater improvement on all NOSS scales. Treatment students also had greater gains on the four different process skills measured in this study. Research-based curriculum is an effective way to change students' attitudes towards science and a sound way to increase student understanding about the nature of the research process.
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Dzama, Emmanuel Nafe Novel. "Malawian secondary school students' learning of science: historical background, performance and beliefs." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2006. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_7649_1182745431.
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This study explored the problem of poor performance in science among students who are provided secondary school places on merit in Malawi. Existing studies of the problem are inconsistent suggesting that these studies may have shed light on some parts of a complex problem. Questionnaires, interviews and analysis of documents were used to obtain information concerning students&rsquo
conceptions of science, science learning and events that eventuated into the problem in the past. The population for this study was 89 government and governmentassisted secondary schools. From that population eighteen schools were randomly selected from each of the six education divisions in the country. One thousand five hundred secondary class 3 students drawn from randomly selected schools participated. The participating students completed a 31item learning beliefs and practices
questionnaire with items drawn from the science education literature and adapted to the local situation and a selfefficacy and attribution of failure questionnaire. Forty students were interviewed about their concepts of science and science learning. Relevant documents found in the Malawi National Archives were analyzed to determine the origin of the problem.
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Li, Wai-man, and 李偉文. "Factors affecting the use of science equipment in the teaching of unit8 "Making use of electricity" of integrated science in Hong Kong aidedsecondary schools." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1990. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B3862686X.
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Black, Pamela Marjorie. "Genetics education, science-talk, and dialogic pedagogy : developing 14- to 16-year olds' school science concept of genetics and inheritance, in the context of human health and disease." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.608065.
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Apple, Kendra Kea. "Inquiry-based science for high school students: a forensic unit." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2000. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2585/.
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This project constitutes an instructional unit for honors biology that involves the use of science in the field of criminal investigation and forensics. Before beginning the unit, the learners should have mastered basic laboratory skills, including use of the microscope. They should also have an understanding of the basic structure and function of DNA and its role in heredity and protein synthesis. The standard time frame is 24 days with 70-minute periods, but can be easily adjusted to meet classroom needs. Several instructional strategies enhance student learning and make science fun. The unit is inquiry-driven and activity-based. Students are surprised by the crime, gather and analyze evidence, and work towards proposing an explanation. This real world problem involves the use of cooperative learning and a variety of assessment techniques.
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Ainsworth, Sharon G. "Perspectives on differentiation in practice : an interpretive study from teaching Japanese as a second language in Western Australian secondary schools." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/288.
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This focus of this interpretive study was aimed at presenting an active conception of differentiated curriculum from within the context of Western Australian (WA) second language teaching practice. Significantly, research into differentiation is a relatively new phenomenon in Australia and in particular, to WA second language teaching. Data was collected from seven Japanese language tcachers and their perspectivcs illustrated the realities of individual teaching in the construction and implementation of diffrerentiated curriculum. These teachers worked within an outcomes-based Curriculum Framework (Curriculum Council. 1998) mandate which defines curriculum for all WA schools and require responsive teaching to cater for the myriad range of learners apparent in classrooms. Differentiation authors suggest how teachers may differentiate classroom elements of ' content', 'process'. 'product' and 'learning environment' and design curriculum in response to student needs and address learner characteristics of 'readiness', 'interest', 'learning profile' and 'affect'. Teachers' interviews in this study highlighted how students enter Year 8 with a range of prior primary school second language learning experience that differs in terms of intensity, duration or type. Students in transition to secondary school may therefore be both beginners and continuers of the Japanese language and be in the same Year 8 class.
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Seah, Wee Tiong. "The negotiation of perceived value differences by immigrant teachers of mathematics in Australia." Monash University, Faculty of Education, 2004. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/5456.
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Le, Kim. "Cultural hybridity and visual practice: Towards a transformative-repair multicultural pedagogy for visual arts education." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2004. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/790.
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This research project examines how transitional multiculturalism, cultural hybridity and transformative-repair are practiced by a professional artist-researcher and novice artists. Transitional multiculturalism and cultural hybridity are examined through a series of artworks by a Vietnamese-born artist-researcher. This series of artwork, which reflects 35 years of creating art in both Vietnamese and Australia, demonstrate a personal engagement with issues of cultural diversity, upbringing, and related aesthetic studies. The intention of this exhibition is to chart the characteristics of the artist's expression, which is culturally hybridised. This part of the study aims to identify those artistic conventions associated with specific visual traditions that have been incorporated into the artist-researcher's paintings. The main influences identified originate from both Eastern arts traditions (Viet nam, Japan and China) and Western visual arts traditions. This study also aims to identify how to use artistic conventions associated with the expression of one's culture und ancestry, which may continue to improving one's knowledge in different traditions and history across diverse aesthetic systems of hybridity. Information and understandings gained from the first part of this research will provide insigns, which will have relevance to secondary school visual arts learning areas. The transformative-repair model of multiculturalism is examined through a visual arts project conducted by secondary school students. More specifically this part of the study aims to identify principles, approaches and content for transformative repair, experiences of two students of culturally diverse hack grounds (African and Vietnamese) who are currently engaged in this culturally diverse Australian society.
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Hoare, Philip. "Effective teaching of science through English in Hong Kong secondary schools." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2003. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B29768299.
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Hung, Cheung-ling. "A study of the teaching methods used by integrated science teachers in Hong Kong secondary schools." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 1988. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B1803925X.
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Williams, Jeni Kimberly. "Inquiry learning in the earth science classroom." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2004. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2641.
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Lam, Wai-lin, and 林慧蓮. "Teaching methods and approaches to learning in science among Secondary1 students in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1994. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31957195.
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Van, Raden Stephanie Justine. "The Effect of Role Models on the Attitudes and Career Choices of Female Students Enrolled in High School Science." PDXScholar, 2011. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/370.
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Girls who have high aptitude in math are not entering careers related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM fields) at the same rate as boys. As a result, female students may have fewer employment opportunities. This study explores one potential way to reduce the gap between male and female career aspirations and choices. Specifically, it looks at the impact of bringing women with careers in math- and science-related fields into high school classrooms as role models. The study uses surveys to measure pre- and post-visit perceptions of science and scientific work as well as student's short-term interest in math and science courses. In addition to these surveys, student comments were collected about the role model visits. While the overall study yielded little statistical significance, it also indicated that the role model visits had some impact on student perceptions and choices and raised questions that warrant further study.
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Wagner, Brandon Joel. "Integrating K-W-L Prompts into Science Journal Writing: Can Simple Question Scaffolding Increase Student Content Knowledge?" PDXScholar, 2014. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2127.
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Writing-to-learn strategies have been administered in the past to enrich student learning. The purpose of this study was to see if K-W-L prompts in science journal writing could benefit student content knowledge within biology. Two high school biology classes were provided with learning journals. The journals given to the students during the treatment unit were provided with K-W-L question prompts to guide student learning while during the comparison unit students were given an open ended writing assignment. Pre and posttests were administered to determine student-learning gains. Student motivations and opinions of the treatment were collected through student interviews. The combined results were used to determine to what extent could K-W-L prompts in science journal writing influence comprehension of content knowledge. This study found there to be no difference in student learning gains when utilizing the K-W-L literacy strategy versus another free-writing activity. When scored, student K-W-Ls total scores did correlate to student success on unit tests. This opens up the potential for K-W-Ls to serve as an adequate tool for formative assessment. Here the K-W-L could be expanded to enrich student question asking, potentially aid students learning English, and potentially be used by students without teacher scaffolding.
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Chan, Kam-ho, and 陳錦河. "Experienced teachers' development of pedagogical content knowledge for teaching a new topic." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/206720.
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Mabodoko, Mkhumbuzi Joe. "A phenomenological investigation into the lived experiences of grade 12 Physical Sciences learners from selected schools in the Western Cape Province." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2565.
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Thesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.This study aims to narrate the lived experiences of Grade 12 Physical Sciences learners. According to UMALUSI reports on National Senior Certificate (NSC) of 2011 and 2013, there seems to be a steady decrease in the number of learners writing Physical Sciences from 2008 to 2013. One of the aims of this study is to investigate why there is a steady decline in the number of learners choosing the subject and what their classroom experiences are. A related aim is to describe how these learners’ perceptions of their Physical Sciences educators affect their mental experiences in the subject. The study used phenomenology both as a research methodology as well as the underpinning theoretical framework. Twelve Grade 12 learners from 3 different schools in the Metro North Education District in Cape Town were chosen to participate in this research. The data were collected using two rounds of in-depth semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and explicated using Giorgi’s phenomenological method. The findings show that although Physical Sciences educators are trying to support their learners, they are failing to meet the expectations of the learners. These findings provide new insights into understanding the world of the learner better and that the recommendations could have transformative implications for curriculum planners, curriculum advisors and pedagogical strategies in how the subject is presented to learners.
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Wong, Kin-on James, and 黃健安. "A study of pupils' understanding of the particulate nature of matter in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1988. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B38627048.
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Hoffenberg, Rebecca Sue. "An Investigation into Teacher Support of Science Explanation in High School Science Inquiry Units." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1103.
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The Framework for K-12 Science Education, the foundation for the Next Generation Science Standards, identifies scientific explanation as one of the eight practices "essential for learning science." In order to design professional development to help teachers implement these new standards, we need to assess students' current skill level in explanation construction, characterize current teacher practice surrounding it, and identify best practices for supporting students in explanation construction. This multiple-case study investigated teacher practice in eight high school science inquiry units in the Portland metro area and the scientific explanations the students produced in their work samples.
Teacher Instructional Portfolios (TIPs) were analyzed with a TIP rubric based on best practices in teaching science inquiry and a qualitative coding scheme. Written scientific explanations were analyzed with an explanation rubric and qualitative codes. Relationships between instructional practices and explanation quality were examined.
The study found that students struggle to produce high quality explanations. They have the most difficulty including adequate reasoning with science content. Also, teachers need to be familiar with the components of explanation and use a variety of pedagogical techniques to support students' explanation construction. Finally, the topic of the science inquiry activity should be strongly connected to the content in the unit, and students need a firm grasp of the scientific theory or model on which their research questions are based to adequately explain their inquiry results.
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Evans, Heather M. "A study of students' cultural background and teacher-student interpersonal behaviour in secondary science classrooms in Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1258.
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This thesis examines the cultural background of students and investigates differences in the way teachers interact with students of different cultural backgrounds. The study comprises three parts. Firstly, it validates the new classroom environment measuring instrument, the Cultural Learning Environment Questionnaire (CLEQ). This instrument is used for the first time to assess the cultural factors that students bring to their classrooms. Secondly, as well as providing validation data for the use of the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI), it investigates associations between students' cultural background and their perceptions of student-teacher interactions. The third part of the study looks at whether the students' cultural background affects their attitudes and achievement. This study is significant because teachers in multicultural classrooms need to be informed about how cultural factors interact with student perceptions of their preferred student-teacher interpersonal behaviours. As a result of this study, a tool is now available that can be used by teachers to monitor what is occurring in their own classrooms and to guide improvements in their teaching, thereby leading to improved learning among students.
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Beck, Stacie Elizabeth. "Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Other Words Students Avoid Speaking Aloud: Evaluating the Role of Pronunciation on Participation in Secondary School Science Classroom Conversations." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1088.
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Student's verbal participation in science classrooms is an essential element in building the skills necessary for proficiency in scientific literacy and discourse. The myriad of new, multisyllabic vocabulary terms introduced in one year of secondary school biology instruction can overwhelm students and further impede the self-efficacy needed for concise constructions of scientific explanations and arguments. Factors inhibiting students' inclination to answer questions, share ideas and respond to peers in biology classrooms include confidence and self-perceived competence in appropriately speaking the language of science. Providing students with explicit, engaging instruction in methods to develop vocabulary for use in expressing conclusions is critical for expanding comprehension of science concepts.
This study fused the recommended strategies for engaging vocabulary instruction with linguistic practices for teaching pronunciation to examine the relationship between a student's ability to pronounce challenging bio-terminology and their propensity to speak in teacher-led, guided classroom discussions. Interviews, surveys, and measurements quantifying and qualifying students' participation in class discussions before and after explicit instruction in pronunciation were used to evaluate the potential of this strategy as an appropriate tool for increasing students' self-efficacy and willingness to engage in biology classroom conversations. The findings of this study showed a significant increase in student verbal participation in classroom discussions after explicit instruction in pronunciation combined with vocabulary literacy strategies. This research also showed an increase in the use of vocabulary words in student comments after the intervention.
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Mone, Fisi'ihoi. "Monitoring Standards Of Science Investigation Skill Attainment By Tongan Secondary Science Students." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1991. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1457.
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The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the science investigation skill attainment of Tongan Form 5 (16 years of age) General Science students. Benchmark statements were developed to describe the range of science investigation skills and standard of performance that should be expected of Tongan Form 5 General Science students. A written test of science process skills and a practical test of science apparatus skills, were developed to assess the level of attainment of science investigation skills by students who have completed Form 4 and Form 5 General Science in Tonga. The instruments were piloted twice in Western Australian schools, revised, piloted in Tonga and then administered to students at ten high schools In Tonga. From the written test of science process skills, it was found that more than 60% of the Form 5 students had not attained the benchmark standards. The students performed best on questions regarding collecting and communicating information, and worst on the questions relating to problem analysis, planning and control of variables. From the practical test of science apparatus skills, it was found that more than half of the Form 5 students had not attained the benchmark standards related to using laboratory equipment like a thermometer, Bunsen burner, triple-beam balance, and measuring cylinder.
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Evans, Heather M. "A study of students' cultural background and teacher-student interpersonal behaviour in secondary science classrooms in Australia." Curtin University of Technology, Science and Mathematics Education Centre, 1998. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=11765.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines the cultural background of students and investigates differences in the way teachers interact with students of different cultural backgrounds. The study comprises three parts. Firstly, it validates the new classroom environment measuring instrument, the Cultural Learning Environment Questionnaire (CLEQ). This instrument is used for the first time to assess the cultural factors that students bring to their classrooms. Secondly, as well as providing validation data for the use of the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI), it investigates associations between students' cultural background and their perceptions of student-teacher interactions. The third part of the study looks at whether the students' cultural background affects their attitudes and achievement. This study is significant because teachers in multicultural classrooms need to be informed about how cultural factors interact with student perceptions of their preferred student-teacher interpersonal behaviours. As a result of this study, a tool is now available that can be used by teachers to monitor what is occurring in their own classrooms and to guide improvements in their teaching, thereby leading to improved learning among students.
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孟鴻偉 and Hong-wei Meng. "A structural model of factors related to science achievement in China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1991. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31232747.
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Keady, Wayne M. "Secondary students' skills of measuring liquid volume and understanding of uncertainty of data." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1999. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1209.
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This research is a detailed study of students' skills of measuring liquid volume, the decisions they make when planning to collect data and whilst collecting data, and the extent to which they understand the uncertainty associated with the data they collected. These skills and understandings are at the heart of scientific literacy (Duggan & Gall, 1996a). The introduction of the Working Scientifically strand in the Australian national curriculum framework and profile of learning outcome statements for science (Australian Education Council, 1994) illustrates the increased emphasis placed in curriculum documents on investigation skills and scientific literacy. The profile of outcome statements describes a progression in these skills and understandings. This study focused on three groups of three students tram each of Years 8, I 0 and 12 and their performance on two authentic problem solving investigation tasks. The groups of students were observed performing two different investigation tasks that involved the measurement of liquid volume. Video and audio records were made of the groups' use of equipment and dialogue, observations and debriefing interviews provided data for case studies of the groups and how they conducted the investigations. The study revealed that the students have poor skills of planning for investigation work, and seemed to lack any form of planning schema. Many students engaged in no up-front planning and only made planning decisions as they collected their data. Very few of the students conducted replicate trials, and those that did perform replicate trials were unable to give a valid reason for doing so. The skills of measuring liquid volume that were observed, revealed a range of skill levels in all age groups. Many students who cited the correct skills for accurate measurement in debriefing interviews did not demonstrate them whilst conducting the investigation. Students generally displayed a poor understanding of uncertainty. No students averaged results from replicate trials, many did not graph their data, some did not record their data but all were confident of the validity of their conclusions. There was no observed age-based progression of skill for the measurement of liquid volume, with good and poor technique being observed in all age groups. There was a progression, however, in their understanding of uncertainty. Younger students were extremely confident in their conclusions and were unwilling to concede the effect of error on their data whilst the older students did accept that experimental error would affect their data, but did not concede that this effect was great enough to affect the validity of their conclusions.
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Chani, Fungisisai M. "An investigation into how two Grade 11 Physical Science teachers mediate learning of the topic chemical equilibrium : a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017334.
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The Namibian Physical Science Higher Level Syllabus requires students to study the topic on chemical equilibrium. This section has proven to be one of the most difficult for Namibian learners as reflected by their poor responses to questions in the Grade 12 NSSC ‘H’ examinations. Triggered by these discoveries, I decided to conduct a research on how teachers mediate learning of the topic on chemical equilibrium in a Namibian context. Conducted at a private school in Windhoek, the study involved two experienced Grade 11 Physical Science teachers renowned for good results. I adopted a qualitative case study underpinned by an interpretive paradigm. Sense making of concepts on chemical equilibrium was my unit of analysis. To generate data, I used document analysis, semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, which were videotaped as well as stimulated recall interviews. Vygotsky’s mediation of learning and social constructivism blended with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the theoretical frameworks adopted in the study. During the analysis process, there was grouping of data into categories. These included teacher-learner interactions as emphasized by Vygotsky’s mediation of learning and learners’ challenges according to PCK. I used an inductive approach to identify emerging themes from my data. The themes were colour coded and the developed into analytical statements. Data triangulation, member checking, and peer review ensured data validity and trustworthiness. Stimulated recall interviews conducted while watching the videos with the two teachers, complemented these approaches. My findings were that teachers extensively used various meditational tools such as prior knowledge, language, analogies and an equilibrium game to mediate learning. The teachers experienced numerous challenges during mediation of learning, including language difficulties and learners’ failure to comprehend complex chemical equilibrium concepts. Notwithstanding, the teachers in this study managed to some extent to overcome the challenges by exhibiting facets of advanced PCK.
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Chitepo, Thokozile 1961. "Cognitive processes in the acquisition of knowledge from science instruction in Zimbabwe." Thesis, McGill University, 1987. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=66075.
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Nanghonga, Ottilie Mwanyenenange. "An investigation on how grade 8 learners make sens of static electricity through exploring their cultural beliefs and experiences about lightning: a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001537.
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Lightning as a natural phenomenon is shallowly presented in the Namibian curriculum documents such as the syllabus and textbooks. This gap in curriculum triggered my interest to investigate whether learners’ meaning-making in static electricity was enabled or constrained by elicitation and integration of their cultural beliefs and experiences about lightning and by their practical activities. This study was conducted with my grade 8 learners at the school where I am currently teaching. The school is located in a rural area in Ohangwena region in Northern Namibia. The study is situated within an interpretive paradigm. Within the interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study approach was adopted. I considered this methodological orientation appropriate in this study as it allowed me to use the following data gathering methods: document analysis, brainstorming, discussions and presentations, semi-structured interview, focus group interview, observation and an assessment test. Multiple methods to gather data were used for triangulation and validation purposes. For data analysis purposes, the data sets were colour-coded to derive themes and analytical statements. Ethical considerations were also taken seriously in this study and all participants gave consent. An analysis of data revealed that there is no learning objective or basic competence in the Namibian Physical Science syllabus for grade 8-10 that requires learners to bring in their cultural beliefs and experiences, in particular, about lightning. Yet the study revealed that learners possess a lot of prior everyday scientific and non-scientific knowledge and experiences about lightning that they had acquired from their communities. Also, mobilization of learners' everyday knowledge and experiences about lightning enabled learner engagement during the science lessons. Likewise, engaging learners in practical activities in static electricity helped them to make meaning of scientific concepts. Based on my research findings, I therefore, recommend that learners' prior everyday knowledge and experiences about lightning should be incorporated during teaching and learning of the topic on static electricity.
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Hung, Cheung-ling, and 孔祥齡. "A study of the teaching methods used by integrated science teachers inHong Kong secondary schools." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1988. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31955782.
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Wong, Kai-shung, and 王啓淞. "Evaluating teaching units on science issues in society: a case study in sixth form curriculum." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1988. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B38627036.
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Owen, Jeffery C. "Design, Implementation and Assessment of an Earth Systems Science Course for Secondary Teachers." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2003. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/OwenJC2003.pdf.
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Sum, Ngai-ling Ivin, and 岑艾玲. "Towards political education for transition: the development of political studies in Hong Kong secondaryschool." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1985. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31955496.
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郭雪愉 and Kwok Suet-yu Heather Fielder. "Application of data-logging technology in secondary school science classrooms: a case study." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2001. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31256211.
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Fung, Yuk-ling, and 馮玉玲. "Junior secondary students' understanding of the nature of science through their study of science stories." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2003. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B42576908.
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Adolphe, Francois. "A cross-national study of classroom environment and attitudes among junior secondary science students in Australia and in Indonesia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/547.
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One purpose of the present study was to validate a modified version of the What is Happening In This Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire and the Test of Science Related Attitude (TOSRA) in both Australia and Indonesia. It was the first classroom environment study that used the two above questionnaires simultaneously in these two countries. The second aim of this study was to find out whether the scores on the WIHIC questionnaire and TOSRA vary with country and with gender. The third and final aim of this study was to evaluate the strength of the associations between students' perceptions of their classroom environment and their attitude to science in both Australia and Indonesia. The sample consisted of 1,161 students (594 students from 18 classes in Indonesia and 567 students from 18 classes in Australia). All the students came from private coeducational schools. The original WIHIC questionnaire had eight scales made up of ten items per scale while the original version of TOSRA had seven scales made up of ten items per scale. Principal components factor analysis followed by varimax rotation resulted in the acceptance of a revised version of the WIHIC comprising 55 items and a revised version of TOSRA comprising 20 items. The a priori factor structure of the revised version of each questionnaire was replicated in both countries, with nearly all items having a factor loading of at least 0.30 on their a priori scale and no other scale.The use of MANOVA revealed that there were a few differences between Australian and Indonesian students' perceptions of their classroom environments and in their attitudes to science. For example, Australian students had a more positive attitude towards scientific inquiry while Indonesian students had a more positive attitude towards career interest in Science. A comparison between male and female students in the two countries revealed that both genders had almost similar perceptions of their learning environments and attitudes to science. However, female students had a slightly higher score when it came to career interest in science, student cohesiveness and equity. A series of simple correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed reasonably strong and positive associations between each classroom environment scale and the attitude scale. Overall Teacher Support and Involvement were the strongest independent predictors of student attitudes to science in both Indonesia and Australia.
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Couch, Andrew Charles. "Comparison of teaching approaches and strategies : how do the use of traditional teaching and flipped classroom teaching techniques affect the attitudes and attainment of science students in an international school in Hong Kong?" Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/209679.
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Education is an evolving process for teachers. In order to move away from the generally accepted face to face delivery method and adapt to upcoming trends in education, teachers are implementing the flipped classroom as a means to deliver curriculum content to their students.
During this study a comparison between a flipped classroom and traditional lecture style teaching approaches was conducted within a Hong Kong based International School in order to gain insight into the effects on students attitude and academic attainment in science. The comparison was conducted using participants from two year 9 (13-14 year old) general science classes. One class conducted their science lessons for the academic year using the flipped classroom approach. Within this structure a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) was used as the platform for delivering the lesson content. Students were tasked to produce questions and notes based on the online material. The second class, completed their science lessons using a traditional lecture based approach. In these lessons, the teacher delivered content via a lecture and question and answer sessions. Both classes completed investigations and practical activities during the lessons with the flipped classroom class expected to contribute to the design of investigations and the traditional class following provided instructions.
In order to determine the effects of the teaching strategies employed during the study on the students attitude and attainment in science, pre and post course attitudinal surveys and pre and post topic tests were presented to the students. The quantitative data was analysed using ANOVA tests and qualitative data responses were interpreted for what the responses could infer or imply.
This research has found that the implementation of a flipped learning teaching strategy can be a positive and useful instrument for teachers to use. This strategy is still relatively in its infancy and will continue to develop along with the ever changing world of technology. With the findings relating to the effects on attitude and attainment largely being positive but not necessarily significant, it would appear as though a mix of strategies needs to be employed by teachers in order to facilitate the variety of learner approaches that are experienced.published_or_final_version
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Schroeder, Leah M. "The value of computer-assisted instruction in secondary science education." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1986. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/172.
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Chitepo, Thokozile 1961. "Students' ability to apply their knowledge and reason from science instruction in Zimbabwe." Thesis, McGill University, 1997. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=34515.
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The goal of this research was to investigate the knowledge high school students acquire from science instruction in Zimbabwe, and their ability to reason from and apply their knowledge based on previous learning. Science educators in Zimbabwe are concerned with improving the quality of student's achievement and that students develop a conceptual understanding of basic science rather than a rote memorisation of facts and that students become better prepared to acquire science content on their own. The research reported here utilises the discourse comprehension analysis model and methods developed by Frederiksen (1975, 1986) to investigate students' learning. Based on these methods, it is possible to examine: (a) how students acquire knowledge and understanding, and (b) how they apply what they learn to reason using their conceptual knowledge.The design of the study involved the use of three texts each of which represented different information types within a science domain, 'gas pressure'. The content of the texts was presented by the same teacher during natural classroom instruction to classes at two levels (higher and lower) of a high school grade. The first text concerned Basic Knowledge (concepts and principles) in the domain, and the second and third texts described Familiar and Unfamiliar experiments respectively within the same science domain. In addition, for both of these experiments, several types of information were presented: Procedures, Observations and Explanations. Students' responses to comprehension questions were subjected to a conceptual (propositional) analysis and coded against an 'expert' model of the content of the texts used by the teacher during instruction to the students. The study focused on identifying the extent to which the students' responses directly matched the 'expert' model or consisted of modifications (inferences) that indicated alternative (true or false) conceptual knowledge frameworks that the students may have possessed.
The major findings of this research were as follows: Students' answers to questions about their knowledge of basic concepts comprised a large number of responses that directly matched (i.e., literally recalled) the information presented by the teacher during instruction and also included a high number of incorrect inferences. Students' comprehension of the Familiar and Unfamiliar experiments was also characterised by a high degree of 'literal learning' as shown in the generally high amounts of recall of propositional information compared to inferences. Students' responses to these questions consisted mostly of Observation information, and least of Explanations. This suggests that they were more likely to recall observed events that they were to interpret. Students' reasoning was generally poor relative to their comprehension of both experiments, and their responses consisted of more recall responses than inferences. In addition, students' reasoning about the Unfamiliar experiment was characterised by a high number negative higher-order inferences. Finally, students in the higher level displayed higher levels of competence than those in the lower level, particularly in their knowledge of Procedures and Observations in contrast to Explanation information, for both experiments.
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Blackmon, Phyllis Ann. "A Case Study Investigating Secondary Science Teachers' Perceptions of Science Literacy Instruction." ScholarWorks, 2015. http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1670.
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This project study addressed the lack of inclusion of discipline literacy pedagogy in secondary classrooms in a rural school district in eastern North Carolina. Discipline literacy practices are recommended in the Common Core Standards for History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects. The district had implemented content area reading strategies across content areas, yet no significant progress in secondary students' reading abilities had been demonstrated in statewide or national assessments. The conceptual framework that drove this study was disciplinary literacy, founded by the literacy research of Shanahan, Shanahan, and Zygouris-Coe. Within a qualitative case study method, this investigation of 8 secondary science teachers' experiences teaching literacy during content instruction focused on practices of embedding science-specific reading strategies into lessons and factors that influence teachers' decisions to participate in professional development to advance their learning of discipline-specific literacy methods. Data were collected and triangulated using a focus group and 8 individual interviews. Data from both methods were analyzed into codes and categories that developed into emergent themes. Findings from the focus group and individual interviews revealed that the science teachers possessed limited knowledge of science-specific reading strategies; used random, general literacy practices; and had completed inadequate professional development on science-related topics. Positive change may occur if district leaders support teachers in expanding their knowledge and application of discipline literacy strategies through participation in discipline literacy-focused professional development. The study may provide educators and researchers a deeper understanding of disciplinary literacy and increase research on the topic.