Changes in Optics Content Described in the Middle-school Science Curriculum and Textbooks Accompanying Revision of the National Science Curriculum

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze how optics concepts and activities have changed according to the revision of the national science curriculum. For this purpose, the optics achievement standards presented in the middle- school science curriculum of the 7th curriculum, 2007 revised curriculum, 2009 revised curriculum, and 2015 revised curriculum, and the optics content presented in the textbooks developed for each curriculum, were compared and analyzed. The optics content is classified into four concepts: the process of viewing an object; light and color; reflection and refraction; and the image from a mirror and a lens. The main results are as follows: First, according to the revision of curriculum, some optics concepts have been added or removed. In particular, big changes have appeared in the concepts of "process of viewing the object", "dispersion", "reflection and refraction" and so on. Second, the content for 'image formation by a mirror and a lens' was gradually reduced, according to the revision of curriculum, and the level of activity was also adjusted. Third, attempts to present the content of textbooks in conjunction with the phenomena and tools that students can experience in everyday life have increased gradually. In addition, based on the analysis of the content of curriculum and textbooks, the implications for optics education have been discussed.