Elementary Pre-Service Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions Regarding Life Sciences

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the metaphors elementary pre-service teachers’ used regarding Life Sciences. This study was conducted with the participation of 130 teacher candidates from elementary education in Faculty of Education at Muğla University. A questionnaire consisted of open ended questions has been created to determine the views of teacher candidates regarding Life Sciences. The questions are generally similar to “Life Sciences is like ….. ; because …..“. Teacher candidates’ views regarding Life Sciences has been analyzed with content analysis technique. After the study, it’s been seen that teachers created 49 metaphors such as addressing requirements, an indispensable element, connected to each other, guiding, extensive content, creating curiosity and excitement, creating awareness, real life experience, source of energy, problem solving, and negative effect. As a result, it has been found out that teacher candidates are aware of the importance of Life Sciences. However, there are some teacher candidates having negative thoughts regarding Life Sciences.