Pedagogical content knowledge: What is it and how can science teachers’ PCK be investigated?

Theatre Q227, Level 2, Kwong Lee Dow Building, Melbourne Graduate School of Education

Mathematics & Science Education Research Seminar

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is widely used as a theoretical lens for researching the professional knowledge of science teachers. Nevertheless, the divergent views in understanding and interpreting PCK have restricted its utility in research, teacher education and policy. This talk will describe the major scholarly debates about the PCK construct within the science education community, the progress towards consensus about the PCK concept and the various approaches to investigate science teachers’ PCK based on a comprehensive review of empirical studies. Issues and knowledge gaps within the current literature related to investigation of science teachers’ PCK will also be discussed Future direction for research on science teachers’ PCK will be proposed based on mathematics teachers’ PCK research.