An analysis of the earth science chapter in the official Turkish fifth grade science textbook revised in 2013

Abstract

Earth science education aims not only improvement of scientific literacy but also teaching domain specific characters of earth science. Textbooks have important roles in earth science education. The purpose of the study was to analyze the earth science chapter of the 5th grade science textbook in Turkey in terms of earth science literacy (ESL) and science literacy (SL). In this study, quantitative analysis method was used. SL framework consists of four main themes; science as a body of knowledge, science as a way of investigating, science as a way of thinking and the interaction among science, technology, and society”. Moreover, ESL framework involves six themes which are geological time, spatial thinking, holistic system thinking, fieldwork, knowledge of earth science and earth science, technology and society. The SL framework was retrieved from the science education literature. The ESL framework was developed by the researcher based on the earth science literature. The data analyzed in accordance with frameworks of SL and ESL by two independent researchers. The results showed that the “fieldwork” theme of ESL was most emphasized in the earth science chapter. Moreover, it was found that some of the domain characteristics of earth science education such as geological time, spatial thinking, holistic system thinking were inadequately emphasized. The results also indicated that “science as a body of knowledge” theme was the most emphasized whereas the “scientific thinking” theme was not emphasized adequately. This study will be one of the guides about science textbooks for textbook preparation commission, science educators and teachers.