The effect of the applications that were carried out within the scope of science technology and society course, on the perceptions of preservice teachers toward understanding the aspects of nature

Science and Technology Education Program underwent some changes in 2004. In this context, the science and technology education program aims to educate each student as a scientifically literate individual. This may be possible by giving a clear picture of science and scientific knowledge in education programs at teacher training institutions (faculty of education). In this regard, it is very important ?to understand the nature of science? in science education.The aim of the study is to examine the effect of the applications that were carried out within the scope of Science Technology and Society course, on the perceptions of preservice teachers toward understanding the aspects of nature.The study was conducted with 30 preservice teachers in Science Technology and Society course during the spring term of 2011-2012 academic year. To examine the effect of Science, Technology and Society course on preservice teachers? perceptions on the nature of science, Views on Nature of Science ? C and Views on Science-Technology-Society questionnaires were given to 30 participants before and after the application. During 12 weeks of Science Technology and Society course, students were informed about up-to-date information and socio-scientific dimensions on the basic subjects of science. In this study that utilized single-group pre-test and post-test experimental pattern, the perceptions of preservice teachers that were obtained through VNOS-C questionnaire were analyzed by using content analysis method. The data which were collected by VOSTS questionnaire were compared by using SPSS 15.0 package program.The results show that preservice teachers gained a contemporary viewpoint on tentativeness, empiricism, subjectivity, imagination and creativity, social and cultural values, the difference between observation and inference about the aspects of the nature of science. Nevertheless, the study shows that further effort is necessary to get students to realize the factor ?There is a difference between the scientific theory and law.?Key Words: Nature of Science, Scientific Literacy, Science Technology Society