An Investigation of Primary School Teachers’ Beliefs on Teaching-Learning Processes in Science and Technology Course in Terms of Constructivism

The purpose of this study was to examine primary school teachers’ beliefs on teaching-learning processes in science and technology course which is offered in the 4-5th grade primary school curriculum. The study was designed as a qualitative phenomenological study. Participants were 15 primary school teachers who were teaching 4th or 5th graders during the 2008-2009 academic year. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Content analyses were conducted in order to generate themes and quotations were used to support findings. Results of the study indicated that nine teachers were in the stage of transition from teacher-centered approach to student-centered approach. Only five teachers showed evidence that they used a student-centered approach while teaching and one teacher presented ideas of teacher-centered approach. Results indicated that most of the participants in this study were not practicing based on constructivist teaching philosophy in science and technology course. Professional development programs, which emphasize constructivist teaching philosophy and practices, should be available for primary school teachers.