Shifting from physics teacher to basic-science teacher: Adequate or not? (a self-study)

Abstract

For years, basic concepts of physics were taught in Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia as a subject in primary-school teacher education study program. Nonetheless, since 2015/2016 school year that course was removed from the program curriculum and basic-science enrichment is a new subject instead. Basic-science enrichment subject contains basic physics, basic chemistry and basic biology and all of them are simply in one course. Meanwhile, the author who has physics educational background and usually taught basic concept of physics should teach basic science including basic chemistry and biology. This paper is a result of a self-study research as self-reflection on teaching that elaborates the advantage and drawback of being a teacher with physics educational background, but eventually should immerse herself in a basic science (not-only physics) teaching and learning environment. Some questionnaire results from the students about the impressions they got from the teacher related to this case were also discussed.