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Enhancing Science Teaching Efficacy of Pre-Service Preschool Teachers through Inquiry-Based Science Course

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Title: Enhancing Science Teaching Efficacy of Pre-Service Preschool Teachers through Inquiry-Based Science Course
Language: English
Authors: Yasemin Özdem Yilmaz (ORCID 0000-0002-7688-1268), Mustafa Sahin (ORCID 0009-0003-2735-4853)
Source: Journal of Baltic Science Education. 2025 24(4):670-683.
Availability: Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Early Childhood Education
Preschool Education
Descriptors: Preservice Teachers, Preschool Teachers, Inquiry, Active Learning, Science Instruction, Teacher Effectiveness, Instructional Effectiveness, Learner Engagement, Educational Strategies, Classroom Techniques, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Turkey
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Teachers Sense of Efficacy Scale
ISSN: 1648-3898
2538-7138
Abstract: Natural science is often overlooked in preschool education, despite its crucial role in developing young children's inquiry and exploration skills. This study aimed to explain the impact of inquiry-based science teaching activities on the science teaching efficacy of preservice preschool teachers. Participants included 23 pre-service teachers enrolled in a preschool education undergraduate program at a university. Employing a pretest-posttest weak experimental design, data were collected using the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and a semistructured interview form developed by the researchers. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted, and quantitative and qualitative data were analysed comparatively. Results indicated a significant increase in participants' science teaching efficacy following their engagement in inquiry-based activities. The findings highlight the effectiveness of structured, inquiry-centred coursework in enhancing pre-service preschool teachers' confidence and competence in science teaching, underscoring the importance of embedding inquiry-based approaches within early childhood teacher preparation programs.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1482081
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Enhancing Science Teaching Efficacy of Pre-Service Preschool Teachers through Inquiry-Based Science Course
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yasemin+Özdem+Yilmaz%22">Yasemin Özdem Yilmaz</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7688-1268">0000-0002-7688-1268</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mustafa+Sahin%22">Mustafa Sahin</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2735-4853">0009-0003-2735-4853</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Baltic+Science+Education%22"><i>Journal of Baltic Science Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 24(4):670-683.
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  Data: Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
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  Data: 14
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preservice+Teachers%22">Preservice Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preschool+Teachers%22">Preschool Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inquiry%22">Inquiry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+Learning%22">Active Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Instruction%22">Science Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Effectiveness%22">Teacher Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Effectiveness%22">Instructional Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Strategies%22">Educational Strategies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Classroom+Techniques%22">Classroom Techniques</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Data: 1648-3898<br />2538-7138
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  Data: Natural science is often overlooked in preschool education, despite its crucial role in developing young children's inquiry and exploration skills. This study aimed to explain the impact of inquiry-based science teaching activities on the science teaching efficacy of preservice preschool teachers. Participants included 23 pre-service teachers enrolled in a preschool education undergraduate program at a university. Employing a pretest-posttest weak experimental design, data were collected using the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and a semistructured interview form developed by the researchers. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted, and quantitative and qualitative data were analysed comparatively. Results indicated a significant increase in participants' science teaching efficacy following their engagement in inquiry-based activities. The findings highlight the effectiveness of structured, inquiry-centred coursework in enhancing pre-service preschool teachers' confidence and competence in science teaching, underscoring the importance of embedding inquiry-based approaches within early childhood teacher preparation programs.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1482081
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 670
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Preservice Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preschool Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inquiry
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      – SubjectFull: Active Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Science Instruction
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher Effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Strategies
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      – SubjectFull: Classroom Techniques
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Turkey
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      – SubjectFull: Teachers Sense of Efficacy Scale
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      – TitleFull: Enhancing Science Teaching Efficacy of Pre-Service Preschool Teachers through Inquiry-Based Science Course
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            NameFull: Mustafa Sahin
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              Y: 2025
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