PRE-SERVICE SCIENCE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ABOUT BIOLOGY CONCEPT THROUGH METHAPHORS

In this study, it was aimed that determining the mental images of pre-service science teacher about biology concept. The study group of the research consist of the pre-service science teachers (N = 125) who are studying at the Faculty of Education of a state university in Central Anatolia. The participants of this study is consist of 23 male and 102 female student. Phenomenology design was preferred among qualitative research methods. An open-ended interview form was constituted as data collection tool. In the interview form, pre-service science teachers were asked to complete “Biology is like .........; because it is……..” sentence. The data were analyzed by content analysis methods. In the content analysis, the raw data in the interview form were coded and the themes were determined. Data are categorized under these themes. Coding and theme formation were carried out by two different researchers. Pre-service science teachers who participated the research produced a total of 68 valid metaphors. As a result of the research, it is seen that pre-service science teachers have common mental perceptions in “Life, Everything in Nature, Universe and Health” themes about biology concept based on grade levels. In this respect, subjects which students have difficulty to understand can be identified and, a new study can be proposed based on the terms formed around these subjects