Abstract

REYES-GONZALEZ, David  and  GARCIA-CARTAGENA, Yonnhatan. Development of Scientific Skills in Initial Training for Mathematics and Science Teachers. educ.educ. [online]. 2014, vol.17, n.2, pp.271-285. ISSN 0123-1294.  https://doi.org/10.5294/edu.2014.17.2.4.

The study examined the scientific skills in an introductory robotics training course for physics, chemistry and mathematics teachers. The research was divided into two phases: training on the particular aspects of robotics (electronics and programming), using theHome-Bot^® Parallax^® and PBASIC programming language kits; and apractical problem-solving phase involving navigation with robots. The data were collected by means of a written test and a checklist, in addition to audio recordings. This information was analyzed using a frequency distribution for the skill and its statistical measurements, combined with tests comparing the measurements among groups. Last of all, a comparison between the quantitative and qualitative data extracted in the study was done by analyzing the contents of the video recordings. With regard to the main results, the skills being tested were manifest with no significant differences among those who are studying for teaching careers in physics, chemistry pedagogy and mathematics. This highlights the potential of robotics to develop science process skills in initial training for science and mathematics teachers.

Keywords : Scientific activities; educational personnel training; robotics; Skills development.

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