Contribution of Graduate Education to the Professional Development of Science Teachers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the views of science teachers about the contribution of graduate education to professional development. This research was conducted with the phenomenology of qualitative research method. Maximum diversity and criterion sampling were used in determining the participants. Accordingly, the study was conducted with eight science teachers who are in postgraduate education working in public secondary schools in Kayseri province in the 2020- 2021 academic year. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview. Within the scope of the research, measures such as taking expert opinions on validity and reliability, recording the interviews, and giving the participant statements directly were taken. Content analysis was used in the analysis of the data. The audio recordings of the interview were transcribed and the codes, categories, and themes were determined by taking the opinions of an expert in qualitative research. The findings section includes direct quotations about the participants. The researchers concluded that teachers should receive postgraduate education and that the courses and scientific studies in postgraduate education contribute to their professional life. Moreover, researchers concluded that regulations should be made in compulsory and elective courses, foreign language and science-specific courses should be added with the incentives of the Ministry of Education in order to increase the efficiency of graduate education. In addition, the researchers concluded that teachers faced difficulties such as accessing documents, obtaining research permission, and insufficient financial situation in graduate education. Based on these results, the researchers gave suggestions such as working in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and universities in order to improve postgraduate education, giving technological lessons by experts in the field and arranging class hours.