Using Four Tier Diagnostic Tests to Understand the Conceptions Held by Pre Service Primary School Teachers about Sea Pollutant Migration

Abstract

The territory of Indonesia is dominated by vast oceans. Therefore, Indonesian citizens should be
equipped with a deep understanding about sea currents and sea pollution. This study aims to
identify the conceptions held by pre service primary school teachers about both sea currents and
sea pollutant migr ation. The study also aims to identify whether pre service primary school teachers
see a relationship occurring between those conceptions. The study involved 147 pre service primary
school teachers from one of Indonesia’s teacher training institutions. Fou r tier diagnostic tests were
used to gather data about the conceptions of pre service primary teachers. The data were
interpreted and analyzed in a descriptive quantitative method. The results showed that pre service
primary school teachers’ conceptions ab out sea currents and sea pollutant migration were mostly
in the category of ‘misconception’ and ‘have no conception’. The correlation test about the ability
of pre service primary school teachers to explain the concepts of sea cur rents and sea pollutant
migration was also not significant. The results of this study indicate a need to improve the quality of
teaching and learning for pre service primary school teachers about convection by linking it to sea
currents and sea pollutant m igration.