The purposes of this case study were (1) to explore one experienced teacher's views on Earth Systems Education and (2) to describe and document the characteristics of the Earth Systems Education (ESE) curriculum provided by an exemplary middle school science teacher, Dr. J. All the essential pieces of evidence were collected from observations, interviews with the experienced teacher and his eighth grade students, informal conversations, document analysis, and field notes. The NUD*IST for MS Windows was used for an initial data reduction process and to narrow down the focus of an analysis. All transcriptions and written documents were reviewed carefully and repeatedly to find rich evidence through inductive and content analysis. The findings revealed that ESE provided a conceptual focus and theme for organizing his school curriculum. The curriculum offered opportunities for students to learn relevant local topics and to connect the classroom learning to the real world. The curriculum also played an important role in developing students' value and appreciation of Earth systems and concern for the local environment. His instructional strategies were very compatible with recommendations from a constructivist theory. His major teaching methodology and strategies were hands-on learning, authentic activities-based learning, cooperative learning, project-based learning (e.g., mini-projects), and science field trips. With respect to his views about benefits and difficulties associated with ESE, the most important benefit was that the curriculum provided authentic-based, hands-on activities and made connections between students and everyday life experiences. In addition, he believed that it was not difficult to teach using ESE. However, the lack of time devoted to field trips and a lack of suitable resource materials were obstacles to the implementation of the curriculum. Implications for science education and future research are suggested.

본 질적 연구에서는 사범대학에서의 예비교사 교육과 현직 교사 재교육의 개선방안에 대한 현장 교사들의 의견을 수렴하였다. 현장에서 좋은 수업을 실천하고 있는 사례로 선정된 10명의 과학 교사들과의 심층면담을 통하여 그들이 진단하는 교사양성 교육과 재교육 실태 및 개선방안을 분석하였다. 사범대학에서의 예비교사 교육과 관련하여 좋은 수업을 하는 현장의 과학교사들은 (1) 사범대학이 교사양성 기관으로서의 정체성을 확보해야 하며, (2) 이론과 실제가 조화된 교육과정을 통하여 현장과의 연계성을 고려한 교사양성 교육을 실시해야 하고, 이를 위하여 (3) 사범대학 교수진에 교과교육 전공자를 확보해야 한다고 주장하였다. 또한, 교사들은 현직 교사 연수와 관련하여 (1) 현직 교사들 스스로 계속교육에 대한 인식을 전환하여 교사로서의 전문성 개발을 위하여 끊임없이 노력하여야 하며, (2)교사 연수 내용과 방법의 현장성을 높여서 교사들이 필요로 하는 교사연수로 바뀌어야 하며, (3)교직 사회에 진정한 의미의 수업장학 풍토의 정착이 필요하다고 강조하였다. 성공적인 교실개혁을 위한 교사 (재)교육의 필요성도 논의하였다.