EDU555

Assignment: Article Review

Pre-service biology teachers perceptions on the instruction of
socio-scientific issues in the curriculum

Prepared by :

Hidayatul Ikhwan Bin Zulkifli

(2013433546)

Prepared for :

Sir Muhamad Furkan Bin Mat Salleh

Summary:
Author: Yilmaz Kara
Source: European Journal of Teacher
Education
Purpose: To acknowledge the roles of
teachers in supporting students learning
on socio-scientific issue (SSI)
Issue: Perceptions on the Instruction of SSI
in the Curriculum

Background
Yilmaz Kara is a researcher in biology
education at Karadeniz Technical
University, Turkey.
He has national and international
teaching experiences in higher
education at national and international
educational research foundations and
education institutes.
His research and publications focus on
teacher education and professional
development, assessment processes in
education, educational reform
movements, and technology

 SSI include highly controversial

issues that exist at the intersection
between science and the broader
social context in which the products
and processes of science are situated
(e.g., stem cell research, genetically
modified foods, evolution,
radioactive-waste disposal, and
climate change).

 I reckon that it is necessary to

include the SSI framework in science
curricula that will provide leverages
for both parties, the teachers as well
as students.

 SSI teaching would benefits in a way

that it will develop teachers and
students ethical sensitivities and
enhance students moral-ethical
judgements.

 For instance, government has been

planning to construct nuclear power
plants for acontinuous electricity supply.
All right, but why dont we talk about the
harmful effects to nature and living
things.
For an instance, when the world discovers
human cloning process. At some point, of
course it has its own pros but most of the
society criticised this practise as it is said
to be against the nature where humans
are trying to take the role of God.

 Although SSI has not been

recognised by many countries, it
does not obviate the positive
influence of it. Indeed, social
awareness is necessary regardless
what practices and cultures we are in
as it requires us to be more sensitive
towards the surrounding rather than
being self-centered and selfish.

 On the other hand, practising SSI

would improve students decision
making skill in both academic and
non-academic context.

Conclusion
Addressing SSI into science
education will give a lot of
advantages.
Aiming for generation that could
contend the balance between
science education and socioscientific issues are born in the
future.