Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Since the 1960, science educators have increasingly emphasized the need for a

comprehensive view of science in curricular reforms and materials (NSTS, 1996, and

Yager, 1996;). There is widespread agreement that a more holistic approach to science

education will be better promote general scientific literacy and greater public participation

in science issues. The three inter-related aims that emerged to help students and teachers

gain a holistic view of the nature of science. First to these is the presentation of ideas,

concepts, principles, and theories of science. Second is the presentation of the processes of

science: how ideas, concepts, and theories are develop. Processes of scientific inquiry

incorporate both the generation and testing of knowledge in a specific context. And the

third is the presentation of science, technology, and society issues. Commented [MM1]: Citation here

Science is important subject at primary level and understanding of basic science

concepts increases the content knowledge of the teachers and students. But for time

teachers faced the difficulties to understand some science concepts. If these concepts which

are difficult to understand for the teachers. It will be transforming towards students

incorrectly and it will create many alternative conceptions. Commented [MM2]: Citation (Author and year)

In order to teach science concepts, teachers need to understand subject matter

deeply and flexibly so they can help students create useful cognitive maps, relate one idea

to another, and address alternative conception. Teachers need to see how ideas connect

across field and to everyday life. This kind of understanding may provide a foundation for
pedagogical content knowledge that enables teachers to make ideas accessible to others, to

be aware of the conceptual problems of the teachers. Commented [MM3]:

Commented [MM4]: Current educational system where
contextualization in elementary is applied (2 to 3 literature)

Next paragraph, studies that telling that there is difficulty on

the part of teachers and pupils using contextualization.

Establish research gap.