Abstract

In this article we review the existing background about science teaching in Chile, focusing on three main issues: Science teaching practices, the competencies that teachers believe to be the most necessary, and the main educational guidelines that currently exist in training programs that educate teachers of science. Regarding science teaching, there are still problems due to the fact that many science lessons are still taught in the traditional way, where no scientific enquiry skills are developed. As far as the necessary competencies to teach science are referred, a group of practicing teachers claim that the most important aspects are related to the very subject of teaching, including aspects as assessment, planning and the implementation of strategies for science teaching, as well as the promotion of a classroom environment that fosters learning. In terms of science teacher education, most of 35 teacher training programs in Chile are based on two main pillars: the subject or scientific training and the general pedagogical training. Less relevant are other domains such as research, science didactics, science history and philosophy, use of technologies and the practical training. According to the current tendencies in teachers' education in the world and taking into account the drawbacks and the needs mentioned by practicing teachers, we suggest that new measures should be implemented in order to favor a better training in science teaching, focusing on practical experiences as well as on research experience in science teaching or didactics.