Curriculum proposal for science-teaching courses in primary school teacher training

In this research, the objective is to review the curricula for Science and Technology Teaching I and II courses included in the Undergraduate Programs for Primary School Teachers in Turkish Faculties of Education, with reference to their objectives, contents, learning-teaching process involved, and the assessment procedures, and to come up with a curriculum proposal for science instruction. In the research which utilizes a case study, one of the qualitative research methods, qualitative data were analyzed using triangulation by descriptive analysis. In the triangulation method evaluated within the scope of case studies, various methods such as document review, observation and interview were used to diversify the data. In the research process, need assessment studies were conducted and data were collected from 2013 to 2015. In line with this, literature review was performed for the process of determining curriculum requirements. Additionally, the analysis of YOK and university website documents; observation data obtained from courses like Science and Technology Teaching I and II, Science and Technology Labratory; Primary School Teaching second, third ve forth grade preservice teachers, studied with the specified curriculum and assigned teachers and faculty members gathered from the specified course of conduct focus group discussion and semi structured interview records were utilized. In the research, at the result of the studies for determination of needs, it has been discovered that there has not been a curriculum aimed at Science and Technology Teaching I and II courses, that lecturers generally develop curricula depending on their own qualifications, and that curriculum applied by faculty members in bachelor's degree for Primary School Teaching department cannot completely meet the needs of primary school preservice teachers. Accordingly, a Science Teaching Courses Curriculum Design draft has been prepared considering the Science and Technology Teaching courses which have already been operative in bachelor's degree for Primary School Teaching by the researchers. The developed curriculum design was examined and necessary regulations were made in a workshop organization by 23 experts. The curriculum for Science Teaching I and II courses designed by organizing Demirel's DEPGEM model, is based on progressivism education philosophy, which emphasizes student-centered education and constructivist approach. In Science Teaching Courses Curriculum designed in this research, there are 13 objective statements and 80 outcomes, which takes cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains; 15 subject titles and subtitles in accordance with the objectives in terms of content; 17 principles in teaching-learning process and 13 principles in evaluation process. Key Words: Primary school teaching, Science teaching, Curriculum design, Teacher training.