Science Teaching Series

Internet Resources

I. Developing Scientific Literacy

II. Developing Scientific Reasoning

III. Developing Scientific Understanding

IV. Developing Scientific Problem Solving

V. Developing Scientific Research Skills

VI. Resources for Teaching Science

Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Science Teaching


Resources on PCK in the Science Classroom

What is PCK? According to Shulman (1986) , PCK includes "the most useful forms of representation of [topics], the most powerful analogies, illustrations, examples, explanations, and demonstrations - in a word, the ways of representing and formulating the subject that make it comprehensible to others ...Pedagogical content knowledge also includes an understanding of what makes the learning of specific topics easy or difficult: the conceptions and preconceptions that students of different ages and backgrounds bring with them to the learning of those most frequently taught topics and lessons."

Pedagogical content knowledge is an accumulation of common elements;
• Knowledge of subject matter
• Knowledge of students and possible misconceptions
• Knowledge of curricula
• Knowledge of general pedagogy.
PCK is knowing what, when, why, and how to teach using a reservoir of knowledge of good teaching practice and experience.

pck