Validating the Draw-a-science-teacher-test checklist (DASTT-C): exploring mental models and teacher beliefs.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Thomas, Julie A.; Pedersen, Jon E.; Finson, Kevin D.
- Source
- Journal of Science Teacher Education; Nov2001, Vol. 12 Issue 4, p295-310, 16p
- Subject
- Science education (Elementary)
Teachers college student attitudes
Test validity
Psychological tests
Test reliability
Science education
Teaching methods
Science -- Methodology
Student teachers
Science teachers
Teaching
- Language
- ISSN
- 1046560X
A study investigated preservice elementary teachers' mental images of themselves as science teachers and examined whether the Draw-A-Science-Teacher-Test Checklist (DASTT-C) is a valid measure of these preservice teachers' mental images. The participants were 27 elementary education majors at a mid-sized regional four-year university. The participants were required to draw a picture of themselves as science teachers at work and to answer a question explaining their pictures. It was found that the preservice teachers developed mental models of elementary science teaching from their own experiences as elementary school students; that the preservice teachers' mental models and beliefs were significantly correlated with specific, intense memories of their own experiences of learning science in elementary, high school, and college science classes; and that the DASTT-C was effective in helping the students explore their mental images of themselves as science teachers and their personal beliefs of elementary science teaching.