Essential Elements of Initial Teacher Education Courses for Science Teachers‐‐a survey of tutors in the UK

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a recent questionnaire survey carried out with the support of the Association of Science Education Tutors (in Higher Education). The aim of the investigation was twofold: (i) to identify the range of elements which currently constitute courses in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for science (and science main) students for all phases of compulsory education; and (ii) to identify activities and materials (where they exist) which support ITE courses. The findings indicate that there is consensus among most tutors of ITE courses that half of the elements listed are essential. For no element did as many as half the tutors use support material in the delivery of their courses. Many tutors would be prepared to produce such material for publication.