Secondary School Biology Teachers' Perceptions of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Trend and the Level of Teaching Self- Efficacy

Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Qumeizi

Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Qumeizi Prince Sattam bin Abduaziz University - Saudi Arabia

Keywords: STEM, teaching self-efficacy, teacher's perceptions, education. science education, and biology teachers.

Abstract

This paper attempts to identify the perceptions of secondary school biology teachers on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) educational trend and the related teaching requirements. Being conducted with 37 secondary school biology teachers in AlKharj Governorate in Saudi Arabia, the study also measures their level of teaching self-efficacy in the light of that STEM educational trend. A test and a questionnaire were prepared for this purpose. The data that were collected via the survey and the given test were analyzed. Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to validate the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The statistical stability of the test and the questionnaire were calculated according to Alpha-Cronbach Coefficient. The results of the study show that there is a weakness in the teachers' knowledge of the STEM trend. Their opinions and answers reveal that their perceptions of this kind of education and the related teaching requirements is weak. The results also show that the level of teaching self-efficacy in the light of the STEM educational trend ranges from medium to high. In addition, while there are no statistically significant differences in three different variables, there are statistically significant differences in other two variables in the study. The study ends with some recommendations that can help in developing the teachers' perceptions on STEM education and their teaching self-efficacy.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Qumeizi, Prince Sattam bin Abduaziz University - Saudi Arabia

Associate Professor of Curriculum and Teaching Methods, Prince Sattam bin Abduaziz University - Saudi Arabia

References

Alahmad, N.& Alshehri, F.(2010), “Teacher Education in Saudi Arabia,” International Handbook on Teacher Education Worldwide: Issues & Challenges for Teacher Profession, K.G. Karras and C. C Wolhuter, Eds., Atrapos Editions: Athens, 2010, ch 13, pp. 419-445.

Al-Deghaidy, H., & Mansour, N. (2015). “Science Teachers' Perceptions of STEM Education: Possibilities and Challenges,” International Journal of Learning and Teaching, V. 1 (no1), June 2015.

Aldosari, Hend, M. (2015). “The Reality of Saudi Arabia's Experience in Teaching STEM in the light of the International experiences,” The First Conference of Excellence in Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics, held in King Saud University, 5-7/5/2015, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Alenazi, A. & AlGabr, G. (2017). “Investigating the level of science teachers' perceptions about stem approach and its relationship with some variables,” Journal of Assuit School of Education, Egypt, V.2 (no. 2), 613-647, April, 2017.

Asghar, A., Ellington, R., Rice, E., Johnson, F., & Prime,. (2012). “Supporting STEM education in secondary science contexts,” The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning, V.6(no2), 85–125.

Bruce-Davis, M., Gubbins, E., Gilson, C., Villanueva, M., Foreman, J., & Rubenstein, L. (2014). “STEM high school administrators’, teachers’, and students’ perceptions of curricular and instructional strategies and practices,” Journal of Advanced Academics, V.25(no.3), 272–306.

Bybee, Bodger, W. (2010). “Advancing STEM Education: A 2020 Vision,” Technology and Engineering Teacher, V.7(no1), 30-35, Sep 2010.

Dare, E., Ellis, J., & Roehrig, G. (2014). “Driven by beliefs: understanding challenges physical science teachers face when integrating engineering and physics,” Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, V.4(no2), 47–61.

Hausamann, D. (2012) “Extracurricular Science Labs for (STEM) Talent Support,” Roeper Review, V.34 (no3), 170-182.

Herro, D. & Quigley, C. (2017). “Exploring teachers’ perceptions of STEAM teaching through professional development: implications for teacher educators,” Professional Development in Education, 43, 416–438.

Hsu, M., Purzer, S., & Cardella, M. (2011). “Elementary teachers’ views about teaching design, engineering, and technology,” Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, V.1(no2), 31–39.

Khaga, Bareaa & Almoheisen, Ibrahin (2015). “Professional development of science teachers in the light of the integration of Science, Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)”, The First Conference of Excellence in Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics, held in King Saud University, 5-7/5/2015, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Lesseig, K., Slavit, D., Nelson, T., & Seidel, R. (2016). “Supporting middle school teachers’ implementation of STEM design challenges,” School Science and Mathematics, V.116(no4), 177–188.

Lou, S.J., Tsai, H.Y., Tseng, K.H. & Shih, R.C. (2013). “Effects of Implementing STEM-I Project-Based Learning Activities for Female High School Students,” International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, V.12 (no1), Jan-Mar, 2014, 52-73,

Nadelson, L., Callahan, J., Pyke, P., Hay, A., Dance, M., & Pfiester, J. (2013). “Teacher STEM perception and preparation: Inquiry-based STEM professional development for elementary teachers,” The Journal of Educational Research, May 2013.

Ndeke, Grace & Keraro, Fred (2017). “Secondary School Biology Teachers's Perceptions of the Nature of Science,” American International Journal of Social Science, V. 6 (no.3), September 2017, 131-136.

Park, H., Byun, S., Sim, J., Han, H., & Baek, Y. (2016). “Teachers’ perceptions and practices of STEAM education in South Korea,” Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science, & Technology Education, V.12(no7), 1739–1753.

Smith, K., Rayfield, J., & McKim, B. (2015). “Effective practices in STEM integration: describing teacher perceptions and instructional method use,” Journal of Agricultural Education, V.56(no4), 182–201.

Srikoom, W., Hanuscin, D., & Faikhamta, C. (2017). “Perceptions of in-service teachers toward teaching STEM in Thailand,” Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, V.18(no2), 1–23.

Stohlmann, M., Moore,T, & and Roehrig, G. (2012) “Considerations for teaching integrated STEM education,” Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, V.2, (no1), 2012.

Wang, H., Moore, T., Roehrig, G., & Park, M. (2011). “STEM integration: teacher perceptions and practice,” Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, V.1(no2), 1–13.