Year 3 and year 4 teachers' confidence and misconceptions in electricity and magnetism

Abstract

The aim of this research is to identify the scientific concepts on electricity and magnetism covered in these years and to ask teachers about their confidence in teaching these concepts. 340 questionnaires were sent to all Year 3 and Year 4 teachers in Malta and Gozo with a 78% response. Ten interviews were carried out in five primary state schools. An analysis of these interviews was done in order to identify the misconceptions that the teachers hold in electricity and magnetism and to verify that their perceptions reflect the actual problems. It was found that Year 4 teachers feel less confident in teaching science topics than Year 3 teachers. A substantial number of teachers hold different misconceptions on electricity and magnetism. These include wrong ideas about static electricity, conductors and insulators of electricity, closed/ open circuits, voltage, magnetic materials, properties of magnets and magnetic fields. Teachers should be provided with adequate training. Moreover, additional support to teachers could be given by providing them with guidelines that can be used during the science lesson together with the science worksheets. Recommendations are given in the last chapter and this dissertation also provides samples of activities and guidelines that can help the teachers in electricity and magnetism (Appendix 5).