An Investigation into Teacher and Student Teacher Confidence in their own Understanding and Abilities to teach Science and Technology effectively in Primary Schools in Northern Ireland

Abstract

There is strong evidence in the literature of a correlation between teacher competence and knowledge of a subject and the subsequent quality of the learning experience. Effective teaching requires knowledge and understanding about the content of teaching, how pupils learn and how to manage the process of learning. The National Curriculum brought into sharp focus the role of subject knowledge. It challenged teachers to provide access to science for all children. The teacher requires ‘curricular expertise’ - subject knowledge, the understanding of how children learn and the skills to teach the subject successfully.