Chemistry Teachers' Teaching Practices: Case Studies

Abstract

     This research is qualitative research using case studies as a research method to examine the teaching practices of chemistry teachers. The participants were three chemistry teachers who were taught at different secondary schools under the Bangkok Educational Service Area, Office 2. The data were collected by using classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and lesson plan analysis. The data were analyzed by using analytic induction and organized into five themes common to the teachers' teaching practices. These themes are: reviewing related concepts to assist students in understanding current concepts, having students get involved in the learning processes so as to deepen their own understanding of the material being taught, emphasizing group work, assessing students' understanding through various methods, and having the teacher act as facilitator. Regarding constructivist teaching practices, the three teachers are both similar and different in terms of their exposure to those practices. However, they all still adhere to a traditional approach to teaching. This research recommends they be helped with the development of both their understanding and their teaching practices based on a constructivist approach.