Perspectives of college students and high school science teachers on factors affecting college science learning

Abstract

This study examined factors influencing college science learning from the perspectives of college students and high school science teachers. Using a survey created based on focus group interviews, college science majors and high school science teachers rated various factors of high school learning that positively influenced college science learning. Findings suggested that the perceptions differed by college major: the physics major students considered math proficiency and logical thinking skills as the important factors; chemistry major students and biology major students considered English proficiency and basic scientific knowledge as the most important factors. Both college students and science teachers emphasized basic science knowledge and math proficiency. However, differences between the two groups were also found in that the students perceived more need to learn about experimentation than the teachers whereas the teachers had a priority in increasing advanced science content. Copyright © 2005 KCSNET.