The Use of Experiments among Palestinian Science Teachers in the Jerusalem Area

Abstract

This study is to measure the use of experiments in science teaching. There is a common belief that using experiments is crucial to the learning-teaching process. However, there is a lack of practicing experiments due to various challenges.A questionnaire was designed and distributed to a convenience sample consists of 196 high science teachers from various schools in East Jerusalem. This is enhanced by interviews with six science teachers. It was found that teachers' beliefs about using experiments in teaching science are positive and not affected by the independent variables of gender, scientific degree, authority, specialization andexperience. In spite of that, there is a lack in using experiments.Among the main challenging factors are the Palestinian curriculum system which restricts the use of experiments, shortage in laboratories, materials and allocated time. Other existing barriers are the lack of motivations toward using experiments among school administrations, and large number of students in the class. In addition, the Palestinian educational system discards practical aspect in the student evaluation process. There is a need to consider overcoming these challenges when reviewing the new curriculum.