ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOCIOSCIENTIFIC ISSUE-BASED INSTRUCTION IN SCIENCE CLASSROOMS

Abstract

The social roles and responsibilities expected from citizens are increasing due to changingglobal living conditions. Science education is expected to prepare conscious and sensitivestudents because today’s students are the adults of the future. To do so, the main pre-requisiteis quality teacher education. In the past decade, one of the most important research fields ofscience education has become socioscientific issues. The purpose of this research is toexplore advantages and disadvantages of socioscientific issue based instruction in scienceclassrooms according to prospective science teachers’ views. A qualitative single case studydesign has been utilized. Prospective science teachers’ diaries and focus group interviewswere used as data collection tools. Dolphinariums, Kyoto Protocol, genetically modifiedorganisms, recyclable black bags’ benefits and damages, genetic tests, alternative energysources and organ donation are examples of socioscientific issues, which are taught throughactivities in special teaching course. Findings of the study show that the advantages ofsocioscientific issue based instruction in science classroom are comprised of six sub themesthat are upskilling, social awareness, development of thinking, meaningful learning, characterand professional development, contribution to scientific literacy whereas disadvantages ofthis instruction process are challenges to teachers and students, limitations of teaching andlearning process in prospective science teachers’ perspectives.