logo logo European Journal of Educational Research

EU-JER is is a, peer reviewed, online academic research journal.

Subscribe to

Receive Email Alerts

for special events, calls for papers, and professional development opportunities.

Subscribe

Publisher (HQ)

Eurasian Society of Educational Research
Eurasian Society of Educational Research
7321 Parkway Drive South, Hanover, MD 21076, USA
Eurasian Society of Educational Research
Headquarters
7321 Parkway Drive South, Hanover, MD 21076, USA
cycle four nature of science physics textbooks scientific literacy

Representation of Nature of Science in Physics Textbooks of Cycle 4 Fundamental Schools in Burundi

Vianney Munezero , Lakhan Lal Yadav , Jean Bosco Bugingo

Guided by the analytical framework in the current literature, whereby ten nature of science (NOS) aspects were targeted, this study aims at assessing .

G

Guided by the analytical framework in the current literature, whereby ten nature of science (NOS) aspects were targeted, this study aims at assessing the extent to which the three physics textbooks for Cycle 4 of Fundamental Schools in Burundi represent the NOS aspects. The quantitative embedded research design which combines the qualitative and quantitative to both the representations of text and images were applied to collect and analyses data. Three physics textbooks used in this study as textbooks I, II and III (grade 7 textbook, grade 8 textbook and grade 9 textbook) were purposively selected. 65 physics lessons were analyzed in three steps including exploring representations of NOS aspects, representations of NOS teaching approaches and accuracy and completeness of NOS aspects. Data were collected using a guide document analysis and a rubric of NOS scoring and were analysed descriptively. The findings found a considerable deficit of NOS aspects in the physics textbooks. The findings also revealed the critical situation where the few lessons poorly represent the NOS aspects and the majority of them do not include the aspects of NOS. Furthermore, this study suggests the in-charge of quality assurance to evaluate and deliberate on the accuracy and completeness of physics textbooks for Cycle 4 of Fundamental Education in Burundi.

Keywords: Cycle four, nature of science, physics textbooks, scientific literacy.

cloud_download PDF
Cite
Article Metrics
Views
326
Download
430
Citations
Crossref
4

Scopus
4

References

Abd-El-Khalick, F. (2012). Examining the sources for our understandings about science: Enduring conflations and critical issues in research on nature of science in science education. International Journal of Science Education34(3), 353-374. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2011.629013

Abd-El-Khalick, F., & Lederman, N. G. (2000). Improving science teachers' conceptions of nature of science: A critical review of the literature. International Journal of Science Education22(7), 665-701. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690050044044

Abd-El-Khalick, F., Myers, J. Y., Summers, R., Brunner, J., Waight, N., Wahbeh, N., & Belarmino, J. (2017). A longitudinal analysis of the extent and manner of representations of nature of science in U.S. high school biology and physics textbooks. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 54(1), 82–120. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21339

Abd-El-Khalick, F., Waters, M., & Le, A. P. (2008). Representations of nature of science in high school chemistry textbooks over the past four decades. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45(7), 835–855. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20226  

Ayvacı, H. Ş., & Özbek, D. (2019). The effect of documentary films on preservice science teachers’ views of nature of science. Journal of Science Learning, 2(3), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.17509/jsl.v2i3.17998

Banuza, A., Ndikuryayo, F., Lumonge, D. Z., Masudi, K. J., & Kabungulu, M. C. (2017). La recherche en didactique des sciences en Afrique des Grands-Lacs : Une dynamique vivante [Research in science education in great lakes of Africa: A living dynamic]. Les Cahiers Du CERUKI, 52, 324-337. https://bit.ly/3DPM4n1

Banuza, A., Nijimbere, C., & Ndikuryayo, F. (2016). De l’espace numérique à sa pédagogisation: Comment améliorer la qualité de l’enseignement des sciences au lycée Cibitoke [From the digital space to its pedagogization: How to improve the quality of science teaching in Cibitoke high school]. Adjectif. https://bit.ly/3rM0lcN

Bugingo, J. B., Yadav, L. L., & Mashood, K. K. (2022). Representation of nature of science aspects in secondary school physics curricula used in East African Community countries. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(8), 175-201. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.8.11

Chang, Y., Chang, C., & Tseng, Y. (2010). Trends of science education research: An automatic content analysis. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 19(4), 315–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-009-9202-2

Chiappetta, E. L., Ganesh, T. G., Lee, Y. H., & Phillips, M. C. (2006, April 3-6). Examination of science textbook analysis research conducted on textbooks published over the past 100 years in the United States [Paper presentation]. Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, CA, United States.

Cofré, H., Vergana, C., Lederman, N. G., Lederman, J. S., Santibanez, D., Jimenez, J., & Yancovic, M. (2014). Improving Chilean in-service elementary teachers’ understanding of nature of science using self-contained NOS and content-embedded mini-courses. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 25(7), 759–783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10972-014-9399-7

Dagher, Z. R., & Erduran, S. (2016). Reconceptualizing the nature of science for science education: Why does it matter? Science & Education, 25, 147–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-015-9800-8

Erduran, S., & Dagher, Z. R. (2014). Reconceptualizing nature of science for science education. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9057-4 

Esmer, F. (2011). Exploring representation of nature of science aspects in 9th grade chemistry textbooks [Master's thesis, Middle East Technical University]. OpenMETU. https://bit.ly/3CizFWa

Guisasola, J., Almudí, J. M., & Furió, C. (2005). The nature of science and its implications for physics textbooks: The case of classical magnetic field theory. Science & Education, 14(3–5), 321–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-004-7936-z

Halai, N., & McNicholl, J. (2004). Teachers’ conceptions of the nature of science: A comparative study from Pakistan and UK. School Science Review86(314), 93-100. https://bit.ly/3qKlqEf

Irez, S. (2009). Nature of science as depicted in Turkish biology textbooks. Science & Education, 93(3), 422–447. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20305

Ivomo. (2021). Beaucoup de Fautes Dans des Manuels Scolaires de Burundi [Many mistakes in instructional materials in Burundi]. Ivomo. https://bit.ly/3RPbdSF

Kagumba, R. E. M. (2015). Uganda science teacher educators: A concurrent mixed methods investigation of perspectives on nature of science, pedagogy, and classroom learning environment [Doctoral thesis, Western Michigan University]. https://bit.ly/3rDZI50

Li, X., Tan, Z., Shen, J., Hu, W., Chen, Y., & Wang, J. (2020). Analysis of five junior high school physics textbooks used in China for representations of nature of science. Research in Science Education50(3), 833-844. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-018-9713-z

Linneman, S. R., Lynch, P., Kurup, R., Webb, P., & Bantwini, B. (2015). South African science teachers’ perceptions of the nature of science. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 7(1), 35–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/10288457.2003.10740547

Masilela, T. E., & Ramaila, S. (2019). The representation of the nature of science in south african grade 12 life sciences textbooks. In M. Z. Ramorola & U. I. Ogbonnaya (Eds.), Proceedings of the South Africa International Conference on Education (pp. 56-68). African Academic Research Forum.

Matthews, B. (2004). Promoting emotional literacy, equity and interest in science lessons for 11–14-year-olds; the ‘improving science and emotional development ‘project. International Journal of Science Education26(3), 281-308. https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069032000097406

Maurines, L., Fuchs-Gallezot, M., Ramage, D., & Beaufils, D. (2013). La nature des sciences dans les programmes de seconde de physique-chimie et de sciences de la vie et de la terre [The nature of sciences in the physics, chemistry, life and earth sciences curricula in grade 12]. Research in Didactic of Science and Technology/ Recherches en Didactique des Sciences et des Technologies, 7, 19-52. https://doi.org/10.4000/rdst.674   

Mbonyiryivuze, A., Kanamugire, C., Yadav, L. L., & Ntivuguruzwa, C. (2018). Reforms in science curricula in last six decades: Special reference to physics. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences, 14, 153–165. https://bit.ly/3RK6DEE

McComas, W. F. (1998). The principal elements of the nature of science: Dispelling the myths. In W. F. McComas (Ed.) The nature of science in science education (pp. 53-70). Kluwer Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-47215-5_3

McComas, W. F. (2008). Seeking historical examples to illustrate key aspects of the nature of science. Science & Education, 17(2), 249–263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-007-9081-y

Michel, H., & Neumann, I. (2016). Nature of science and science content learning. The relation between students’ nature of science understanding and their learning about the concept of energy. Science & Education, 25(9), 951–975. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-016-9860-4

Nahimana, V., Mukene, P., & Rurankiriza, J. M. (2015). Republique du Burundi, plan sectoriel de developpement de l’education et de la formation PSDEF 2012-2020 [Republic of Burundi, sector plan for the development of education and training]. Government Publishing Service. https://bit.ly/3BN4R0y

National Research Council. (2012). A framework for K-12 science education: Practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas. The National Academies Press. https://bit.ly/3UkKBKT

Niaz, M., & Maza, A. (2011). Nature of science in general chemistry textbooks. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1920-0

Nicholls, J. (2019). Methods in school textbook research. History Education Research Journal, 3(2), 11–26. https://bit.ly/3Bpf02i

Ojimba, P. (2013). Science education reforms in Nigeria: Implications for science teachers. Global Advanced Research Journal of Peace, Gender and Development Studies, 5(2), 86–90.

Osborne, J., Collins, S., Ratcliffe, M., Millar, R., & Duschl, R. (2003). What “ideas-about-science” should be taught in school science? A Delphi study of the expert community. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 40(7), 692–720. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.10105

Park, W., Yang, S., & Song, J. (2019). When modern physics meets nature of science. Science & Education28(9), 1055-1083. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-019-00075-9

Ramnarain, U. D., & Chanetsa, T. (2016). An analysis of South African Grade 9 natural sciences textbooks for their representation of nature of science. International Journal of Science Education, 38(6), 922-933. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2016.1167985

Schwartz, R. S., Lederman, N. G., & Abd‐el‐Khalick, F. (2012). A series of misrepresentations: A response to Allchin's whole approach to assessing nature of science understandings. Science & Education96(4), 685-692. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21013

Upahi, J. E., Ramnarain, U., & Ishola, I. S. (2020). The Nature of Science as represented in chemistry textbooks used in Nigeria, Research in Science Education, 50, 1321-1339.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-018-9734-7

Varly, P., & Mazunya, M. (2018). Burundi ASA: Study two report on the quality of education. (Report No. P161127). https://bit.ly/3LwJzHH

Vesterinen, V. M., Aksela, M., & Lavonen, J. (2013). Quantitative analysis of representations of nature of science in Nordic upper secondary school textbooks using framework of analysis based on philosophy of chemistry. Science & Education, 22(7), 1839–1855. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-011-9400-1

World Bank. (2011). A regional exploration of pathways toward harmonization of math and science curriculum in the East African Community. https://bit.ly/3eH2FP5

World Bank. (2018). The Republic of Burundi for an early grade learning project. https://bit.ly/3ScjqjC

Yadav, L. L., & Shrivastava, M. (2007). Teaching and learning of the nature of science and technology: A look from a developing country. The International Journal of Learning, 14(2), 119-126. https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9494/CGP/v14i02/45191

Yao, J. X., & Guo, Y. Y. (2018). Core competences and scientific literacy: The recent reform of the school science curriculum in China. International Journal of Science Education, 40(15), 1913–1933. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2018.1514544

Zhuang, H., Xiao, Y., Liu, Q., Yu, B., Xiong, J., Bao, L., & Yu, B. (2021). Comparison of nature of science representations in five Chinese high school physics textbooks. International Journal of Science Education, 43(11), 1779–1798. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2021.1933647

...