Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education

Pakistani Chemistry Teachers’ Understanding, Beliefs, and Teaching Practice About Climate Change

Asghar Pervaiz Gill 1 * ,
Todd D Ellis 1,
Charles R Henderson 1
1 Western Michigan University* Corresponding Author
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Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, Volume 6, Issue SI, June 2023, pp. 161-176
OPEN ACCESS VIEWS: 974 DOWNLOADS: 567 Publication date: 15 Jun 2023
ABSTRACT
Teachers’ personal beliefs and understanding about science topics play a vital role in students learning. This is especially relevant for the teaching of climate change which is a scientifically complicated topic that can also be influenced by personal and political views. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen Pakistani chemistry teachers (grades 10 & 12) to understand their knowledge about the science of climate change as well as their beliefs and practices related to the teaching of climate change. We found that teachers believe it is important to teach climate change in schools. They report that they teach climate change with relevant topics and do not face any obstacles doing so. No consensus was found regarding the appropriate grade levels and disciplines in which climate change should be taught. We also found that teachers have insufficient scientific knowledge about climate change (e.g., they think that any change in environment is climate change and climate change is related to pollution and ozone layer depletion). Our results suggest that there is a need to include climate change in in-service refresher courses and preservice teacher training programs, so the teachers have better understanding of the science of climate change. Further, there should be more climate change content in high school chemistry and biology.
KEYWORDS
Chemistry teachers, Climate change teaching, Knowledge and beliefs, Pakistani schools
CITATION (APA)
Gill, A. P., Ellis, T. D., & Henderson, C. R. (2023). Pakistani Chemistry Teachers’ Understanding, Beliefs, and Teaching Practice About Climate Change. Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 6(SI), 161-176. https://doi.org/10.31756/jrsmte.618SI
SUPPLEMENTARY FILES
Interview Protocole used for data collection
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