How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher Education

Supporting teacher candidates’ learning of coherent and well-ordered content knowledge is one of the most important educational aims in subject teacher education. To reach this aim, teacher educators need suitable tools to enhance the formation of such knowledge. In this article, we presen...

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Main Authors: Maija Nousiainen, Heidi Hyytinen, Elina Palmgren, Auli Toom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/9/2/120
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author Maija Nousiainen
Heidi Hyytinen
Elina Palmgren
Auli Toom
author_facet Maija Nousiainen
Heidi Hyytinen
Elina Palmgren
Auli Toom
author_sort Maija Nousiainen
collection DOAJ
description Supporting teacher candidates’ learning of coherent and well-ordered content knowledge is one of the most important educational aims in subject teacher education. To reach this aim, teacher educators need suitable tools to enhance the formation of such knowledge. In this article, we present an analytical framework to examine conceptual knowledge, meaning the ability to define the relevant concepts pertaining to a task; relational knowledge, i.e., the ability to consider interrelations between the concepts; and strategic knowledge, i.e., the ability to use the knowledge by providing (experimental or modeling) procedures, which build new knowledge. A sample analysis of 16 teacher candidates’ written reports is presented to illustrate how this framework can be used. The aim of the study was to reveal what kind of variation in teacher candidates’ content knowledge can be found. This study suggests that teacher candidates’ written reports can reveal remarkable differences in the epistemic dimensions of content knowledge. The framework shows the differences among the teacher candidates as well as produces information for teacher educators of the critical aspects, when and where to intervene, and where to focus using different teaching practices.
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spelling doaj.art-31d5026a4573494db85ae8e935b7e0412022-12-22T04:03:57ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022019-05-019212010.3390/educsci9020120educsci9020120How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher EducationMaija Nousiainen0Heidi Hyytinen1Elina Palmgren2Auli Toom3Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, FinlandCentre for University Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, FinlandCentre for University Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, FinlandSupporting teacher candidates’ learning of coherent and well-ordered content knowledge is one of the most important educational aims in subject teacher education. To reach this aim, teacher educators need suitable tools to enhance the formation of such knowledge. In this article, we present an analytical framework to examine conceptual knowledge, meaning the ability to define the relevant concepts pertaining to a task; relational knowledge, i.e., the ability to consider interrelations between the concepts; and strategic knowledge, i.e., the ability to use the knowledge by providing (experimental or modeling) procedures, which build new knowledge. A sample analysis of 16 teacher candidates’ written reports is presented to illustrate how this framework can be used. The aim of the study was to reveal what kind of variation in teacher candidates’ content knowledge can be found. This study suggests that teacher candidates’ written reports can reveal remarkable differences in the epistemic dimensions of content knowledge. The framework shows the differences among the teacher candidates as well as produces information for teacher educators of the critical aspects, when and where to intervene, and where to focus using different teaching practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/9/2/120content knowledgeepistemic dimensionsteacher candidatesanalytical framework
spellingShingle Maija Nousiainen
Heidi Hyytinen
Elina Palmgren
Auli Toom
How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher Education
Education Sciences
content knowledge
epistemic dimensions
teacher candidates
analytical framework
title How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher Education
title_full How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher Education
title_fullStr How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher Education
title_full_unstemmed How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher Education
title_short How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher Education
title_sort how do physics teacher candidates substantiate their knowledge an analytical framework for examining the epistemic dimensions of content knowledge in higher education
topic content knowledge
epistemic dimensions
teacher candidates
analytical framework
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/9/2/120
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