The understanding levels of preservice teacher's of basic science concept's measurement units and devices, their misconceptions and its causes

Conference: 1st World Conference on Learning, Teaching and Administration (WCLTA) Location: Amer Univ, Cairo, EGYPT Date: OCT 29-31, 2010In this study it is aimed to determine preservice science teachers' and elementary teachers' level of understanding about measurement units, and devices; and misconceptions about basic science concepts (mass, weight, density, heat, temperature, energy, specific heat etc.). The sample included 92 undergraduate students who are second year preservice elementary teacher; and first and second year elementary science teacher. In this study the data was collected through data meaning-analysis table, which is one of the types of related diagram. In order determine the cause of the problems they encounter while learning measurement devices and units, 12 participants were interviewed using open-ended questions as well. It has been found that preservice teachers have misconceptions in the concepts and units about mass, weight, heat, temperature, energy and specific heat. Interview showed that more attention should be given to related courses which focus on measurement devices and units