The attitudes of Pre-service Teachers Towards the Use of Experiments in Teaching and Learning Science

Abstract

This study examined the attitude of pre-service teachers towards the use of experiments at a university in South Africa. This study employed a quantitative research design to investigate the attitudes of a sample of 82 pre-service teachers toward the use of experiments in science education. The participants were chosen through stratified random sampling. In a stratified random sample, the population was split into gender-based groups that are mutually exclusive, and random samples were taken from each category. The population comprised all undergraduate pre-service science teachers. All 2nd-year pre-service science teachers made up the study sample size (36 males and 46 females, making a total of 82). The study utilised experiments, survey administration, and questionnaires to gather data on pre-service teachers' attitudes and experiences related to experiments in science education. The data was collected using Google Forms and shared via WhatsApp. The aim was to understand the occurrence of positive and negative attitudes, identify potential patterns, and assess the impact of demographic variables such as gender. The questionnaires were designed to elicit responses regarding pre-service teachers' attitudes, perceptions, and experiences related to experiments in science education. These attitudes were measured and analysed quantitatively using IBM-SPSS, with a focus on understanding the pre-service science teachers attitudes towards the use of experiments by identifying potential patterns and assessing the impact of demographic variables. Virtual or computer laboratory simulations are computer-based tools with wide application possibilities in scientific areas. Virtual laboratories include students doing experiments online, and they require input data to begin the tests. Real laboratory experiments involve tasks that are carried out in the laboratory using a lab manual. Students acquire data in this type of experiment by taking measurements or making observations. Additionally, the lab manual was provided to assist with the carrying out of the experiment. The statistical analysis method used is called inferential statistics. This type of method was used to measure differences between groups (between males and females), assess relationships between variables and test hypotheses. IBM-SPSS version 28 for Windows was used to analyse data that were collected using google form on a weekly basis. Most of the pre-service science teachers shows positive attitudes towards the use of experiments in science education. This confirms that majority of pre-service science teachers identify experiments as an effective teaching tool to make learners understand the curriculum and improve student engagement. According to the findings, female pre-service teachers showed a slightly higher positive attitudes towards the use of experiments than male pre-service teachers. Males only shows the confidence of able to conduct experiments independently and with less help from the demonstrator. Results showed that gender does not significantly influence attitudes towards experimental methods in science education among pre-service teachers, indicating the importance of using lab manuals in scientific areas. The study encourages the importance of having practical science experiments during the teacher education programs to foster positive attitudes and improve teaching effectively.