Perspectives on the future of PCK research in science education and beyond

Abstract

This book demonstrates that PCK is studied with different intentions, different methodologies, and in different contexts. Nevertheless, the two PCK Summits of researchers in science education have made significant progress in conceptualising PCK, representing it first in a consensus model, and now refining that model in response to the successes and failures from studies that have applied the original model to current research. The Refined Consensus Model (RCM) of PCK for science teaching consists of a set of related components, allowing researchers to locate their work in specific components of PCK, connect their work across components, and to connect their work with broader issues and policies. Clearly, the RCM and research on PCK are closely intertwined. The intention of this chapter is to use the refined model to help outline some possible strands for future PCK research, particularly with the new PCK researcher in mind. Using the RCM as a framework, we describe possible studies on the structure of PCK, the development of PCK, the measurement of PCK, and the broader impacts of the refined model itself in science education and potentially other domains.