Pre-service teachers learning to teach science to special education needs students

What is it about?

This paper describes the development and implementation of a course for pre-service science teachers designed to help them be better prepared to teach science to students with special education needs. The papers describes the design of the course, activities, and reflections /reactions from pre-service teachers about what was learned from participating in this 15-week course. This course asks teachers to consider their personal biases about people with disabilities and asks them to critically assess the value of science education for all people - regardless of ability. This research provides detailed context about the issue of science teacher preparation and special education in Korea.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

There is currently very limited research available about science and special education. In addition, there are very few papers addressing the issues of special education and science teaching and learning in Korean contexts. The course is novel and offers science teacher educators a useful example of how to engage pre-service teachers to think about their roles as science teachers in classrooms where students with disabilities are increasingly being integrated with general education students.

Perspectives