Skip to main content
Log in

Pragmatism, Pedagogy and Philosophy A Model of Thought and Action in Action in Primary Technology and Science Teacher Education

  • Published:
International Journal of Technology and Design Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article reports on one outcome from a three-year study with pre-service primary teachers at Goldsmiths' College, University of London. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of participants' prior educational experience and beliefs about the relationship between design & technology (D&T) and science on their lesson planning for these subjects during school placements. Data from the study support a three-domain model of pre-service teachers' thinking and action. When operating within the pragmatic domain, participants are primarily concerned with survival in the classroom, resulting in short-term planning which may contradict their epistemological and curricular beliefs. In the pedagogical domain, the focus shifts from the pre-service teacher themselves and their immediate survival to the learning potential of the activities they plan. There is evidence that some participants have progressed to operating within a philosophical domain, leading to clasroom practice which reflects and re-conceptualises pre-service teachers' core beliefs about the nature of, and relationship between, D&T and science.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Aikenhead, G. & Ryan, A.: 1992, ‘Students' Preconceptions about the Epistemology of Science', Science Education 76(6), 559–580.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlex, D., Banks, F., Owen-Jackson, G., Jarvinen, E. & Rutland, M.: 2000, ‘Findings of an International Teacher Training Research Study, the DEPTH Project', Proceedings-PATT 10 Conference, The Netherlands, 23–32.

  • Banks, F., Leach, J. & Moon, R.: 1999, ‘New Understandings of Teachers' Pedagogic Knowledge', in Leach, J. & Moon, R. (eds.), Learners and Pedagogy, Paul Chapman Publishing, London, 89–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Britzman, D.: 1986, ‘Cultural Myths in the Making of a Teacher: Biography and Social Structure in Teacher Education', Harvard Educational Review 56(4), 442–446.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cross, A. & McCormick, R.: 1986, Technology in Schools, Open University Press, Buckingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, D. & Rogers, M.: 2000, ‘Pre-Service Primary Teachers' Planning for Science and Technology Activities-Influences and Constraints', Research in Science and Technology Education 18(2), 213–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department for Education and Employment (DfEE): 1998, Circular 4/98: Requirements for Course of Initial Teacher Training, DfEE, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, P.: 1994, ‘Representations of the Relationship between Science and Technology in the Curriculum', Studies in Science Education 24(1), 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giere, R.: 1993, ‘Science and Technology Studies: Prospects for an Enlightened Postmodern Synthesis', Science, Technology and Human Values 18(1), 101–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, B. G. & Strauss, A. L.: 1967, The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Qualitative Research, Aldine, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggerty, L.: 1995, New Ideas for Teacher Education, Cassell, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hauglustiane-Charlier, B.: 1997, ‘Why Do We Want to Change Teachers' Beliefs and How Could We Support These Changes?', European Journal of Teacher Education 20(3), 227–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodson, D.: 1993, ‘Teaching and Learning about Science: Considerations in the Philosophy and Sociology of Science', In Edwards, D., Scanlon, E. & West, D. (eds.), Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Science Education, Open University Press, Buckingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis, T. & Rennie, L.: 1996, ‘Perceptions about Technology held by Primary Teachers in England', Research in Science and Technology Education 14(1), 43–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • John, D.: 1991, ‘A Qualitative Study of British Student Teachers' Lesson Planning Perspectives', Journal of Education for Teaching 17(3), 301–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, J. & Hayed, M.: 1995, ‘Teachers' Perceptions of Science and Science Teaching', European Conference on Research in Science Education Proceedings, Leeds.

  • Kennedy, M.: 1991, An Agenda for Research on Teacher Learning, National Centre for Research on Teacher Learning, Michigan State University.

  • Lacey, C.: 1977, The Socialization of Teachers, Methuen, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauda, D. P.: 1985, ‘Technology Education: A Fundamental Framework for Improved Capability in Mathematics and Science', The Technology Teacher 45(2), 3–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Layton, D.: 1993, Technology's Challenge to Science Education, Open University Press, Buckingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lelas, S.: 1993, ‘Science as Technology', Science as Culture 44, 423–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCulloch, G., Jenkins, E. & Layton, D.: 1985, Technological Revolution? The Politics of School Science and Technology in England and Wales since 1945, Falmer Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, R. & Murphy, P.: 1994, ‘Learning the Processes in Technology', British Educational Research Association Annual Conference (BERA 94).

  • Miles, S., Everton, T. & Bonnett, M.: 1994, ‘Primary Partnership Matters: Some Views from the Profession', Cambridge Journal of Education 24(1), 49–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitcham, C.: 1980, ‘Philosophy of Technology', in Durbin, P. (ed.), A Guide to the Culture of Science, Technology and Medicine, MacMillan, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schon, D.: 1983, The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action, Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulman, L. S.: 1987, ‘Knowledge and Teaching: Foundations of the New Reform', Harvard Educational Review 7(1), 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tann, S.: 1993, ‘Eliciting Student Teachers' Personal Theories', in Calderhead, J. & Gates, P. (eds.), Conceptualizing Reflection in Teacher Development, Falmer Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teacher Training Agency (TTA): 2002, Standards for the Award of Qualified Teacher Status, TTA, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tillema, H.: 1997, ‘Guest Editorial: Stability and Change in Student Teachers' Beliefs', European Journal of Teacher Education 20(3), 209–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpert, L.: 1992, The Unnatural Nature of Science, Faber, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziman, J.: 1968, Public Knowledge, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoller, U. & Ben-Chaim, D.: 1994, ‘Views of Prospective Teachers versus Practising Teachers about Science, Technology and Society Issues', Research in Science & Technological Education 12(1), 77–87.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Davies, D. Pragmatism, Pedagogy and Philosophy A Model of Thought and Action in Action in Primary Technology and Science Teacher Education . International Journal of Technology and Design Education 13, 207–221 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026140422569

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026140422569

Navigation