Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
This
paper is part of a qualitative study that has surveyed the goal element of
curriculum in science education of Iran and some other countries of
the world using both the comparative and descriptive– analytic methods. To meet
the goal of preparing a comprehensive picture, the documents relevant to this
issue in the pioneer and selected countries in science and technology were
gathered, described, interpreted, compared and contrasted. The present paper
tries to survey and study the goal element of curriculum in science education
of Iran
and these selected countries. The obtained results of this study can help
curriculum planners, text-book authors, teachers, and other interested people
to act with a deeper insight when developing or changing/revising curricula,
enabling them to select more appropriate objectives. The obtained results show
considerable similarities and differences between science education goals of Iran and other
countries studied. These similarities are visible mostly in curricular written
documents or intended documents so that the objectives look very similar in all
these countries. All the studied countries focus on four subjects including
physics, chemistry, biology, and geology. Furthermore, the goals advanced in
these documents address the three dimensions of knowledge, skills and
attitudes. The most significant points common among the studied countries are
the promotion of technological scientific literacy, ability of solving
problems, reflecting, and nature discussions. However, there is a remarkable
gap between our country and others which demands serious consideration: this
gap portrays a flaw in curriculum implementation that reflects itself in
achieved curriculum objectives by students. The results of TEEMS tests
illustrate this issue. However, further research in this area is needed for
more appropriate conclusions
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