Determining the in-service training needs of classroom teachers on basic astronomy topics: A training program proposal

The research aimed to identify the in-service training needs of classroom teachers regarding basic astronomy topics and to design a training program aligned with these needs. For this purpose, a qualitative approach was adopted and the study was conducted as a case study convenience sampling was used to form the study group, which included 25 classroom teachers from private schools in Muratpaşa, Antalya, 20 fourth-grade students, 10 science education faculty members from various Turkish universities, and 19 senior pre-service teachers. Needs analysis was conducted using document analysis, observations, and semi-structured interviews. Interview forms included 12 questions for teachers, 4 for students, 3 for academics, and 6 for pre-service teachers. Each interview lasted 20–30 minutes. Additionally, classroom observations were carried out, guided by a 9-item observation form designed to align with the study's objectives. Both teacher and student interactions during lessons were observed. Content analysis was applied to the collected data, resulting in codes, categories, and themes. Findings revealed that classroom teachers required support in several areas: basic astronomy concepts, use of diverse materials and activities, teaching methods and techniques, addressing misconceptions, improving astronomy literacy, and integrating technological applications into astronomy instruction. Based on these needs, an in-service training program was developed. The program's pedagogical approach was selected, learning outcomes were defined, and a detailed plan specifying the delivery format, duration, and location was created. Lesson plans were prepared, core literature and resources were identified, and practical applications with examples were included as program content. Finally, recommendations were formulated based on the needs analysis, aiming to enhance teachers' knowledge, instructional strategies, and resource use in teaching astronomy effectively.