Views of STEM-trained Teachers on STEM Education in Türkiye

Authors

Keywords:

STEM teachers,, STEM trained teachers, Teacher views, STEM education.

Abstract

STEM education is important because it helps students learn about the world around them and how to solve problems. As enforcers of STEM, STEM-trained teachers have a unique point of view on this subject. This case study aims to reveal the views of STEM-trained teachers about STEM education in Türkiye. For this purpose, 61 teachers who had STEM training and STEM background participated in the study. Data were collected via a questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions and analyzed with the content analysis procedure of qualitative methods. Results point out that STEM-trained teachers are aware of the interdisciplinary nature of STEM education and value daily life problems in activities. Despite being previously trained, the need expression for practical training on hands-on activities in STEM education is significant. Our suggestions for future research include more precise and activity-based teacher training, financial support on disposable materials and STEM-lab environments, and a cooperative perspective on different branches of teachers of the same school.

References

Akarsu, M., Akçay, N. O., & Elmas, R. (2020). Characteristics and evaluation of STEM education approach. Bogazici University Journal of Education, 37, 155-175.

Alkılınç, S. (2019). An investigation of teachers’ views on stem in-service trainings & STEM integration into their courses [Unpublished Master’s Thesis]. Balıkesir University, Türkiye.

Altan, E. B., & Üçüncüoğlu, İ. (2018). STEM focused laboratory practices for pre-service science teachers: Healthy living module. International Journal of Humanities and Education, 4(9), 329-347.

Arslan, Ö. (2021). A different perspective on design-skill workshops and STEM education: Teachers’ opinions. Journal of STEM Teacher Institutes, 1(1), 58–65. http://jstei.com/index.php/jsti/article/view/6

Aykan, A., & Yıldırım, B. (2022). The integration of a lesson study model into distance STEM education during the covid-19 pandemic: Teachers’ views and practice. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 27(2), 609–637. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10758-021-09564-9

Bakırcı, H., & Kutlu, E. (2018). Fen bilimleri öğretmenlerinin FeTeMM yaklaşımı hakkındaki görüşlerinin belirlenmesi. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT), 9(2), 367-389.

Beschorner, B., & Kruse, J. (2016). Pre-service teachers’ use of a technology integration planning cycle: A case study. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 4(4), 258–271. https://www.ijemst.org/index.php/ijemst/article/view/92

Bircan, M. A., & Çalışıcı, H. (2022). The effects of STEM education activities on fourth grade students' attitudes to STEM, 21st-century skills and mathematics success. Education and Science, 47(211), 87-119.

Bybee, R. W. (2006). Scientific inquiry and science teaching. In L. B. Flick & N. G. Lederman (Eds.), Scientific Inquiry and Nature of Science (Springer, Vol. 25, pp. 1–14). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5814-1_1

Bybee, R. W. (2010). What is STEM education?. Science, 329(5995), 996. https://doi.org/10.1126/SCIENCE.1194998

Cavas, B., Capar, S., Cavas, L., & Yahsi, O. (2021). Turkish STEM teachers’ opinions about scientist-teacher-student partnership: Research article. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 18(4), 622–637. https://doi.org/10.36681/tused.2021.94

Çepni, S., & Ormancı, Ü. (2017). Kuramdan uygulamaya STEM eğitimi [STEM education from theory to practice]. In S. Çepni (Ed.) STEM education from theory to practice (pp. 1–37). Pegem A. https://doi.org/10.14527/9786052410561

Chabalengula, V. M., Mumba, F., & Mbewe, S. (2012). How pre-service teachers’ understand and perform science process skills. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 8, 167–175. https://doi.org/10.12973/EURASIA.2012.832A

Çınar, S., Pirasa, N., & Altun, E. (2022). The effect of a STEM education workshop on the science teachers’ instructional practices: Research article. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 19(1), 353–373. https://doi.org/10.36681/tused.2022.125

Degenhart, H. S. (2009). Relationship of inquiry-based learning elements on changes in middle school students’ science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) beliefs and interests. [Doctoral dissertation], Texas A&M University, USA. https://tdl-ir.tdl.org/handle/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-1225

Duit, R. (2007). Science education research internationally: Conceptions, research methods, domains of research. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 3(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.12973/EJMSTE/75369

Duschl, A. R., Schweingruber, A. H., & Shouse, W. A. (2007). Taking science to school: Learning and teaching science in grades K-8 (Free Executive Summary). The national Academies Press. http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11625.html

Eroğlu, S., & Bektaş, O. (2016). Ideas of science teachers took STEM education about STEM based activities. Journal of Qualitative Research in Education, 4(3), 43-67.

Ghavifekr, S., & Rosdy, W. A. W. (2015). Teaching and learning with technology: Effectiveness of ICT integration in schools. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 1(2), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.21890/ijres.23596

Güder, Y., & Gürbüz, R. (2018). Interdisciplinary mathematical modeling activities as a transitional tool for STEM education: Teacher and student opinions. Adıyaman University Journal of Educational Sciences, 8(2), 170-198.

Karademir, A., & Yıldırım, B. (2021). A different perspective on preschool STEM education: Preschool STEM education and engineering for preservice teachers: Research article. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 18(3), 338–350. https://doi.org/10.36681/TUSED.V18I3.1063

Karakaya, F., Yantırı, H., Yılmaz, G., & Yılmaz, M. (2019). Determination of primary school students' views about STEM activities: Example of 4th grade. International Journal of Turkish Educational Studies, 13, 1-14.

Karışan, D., & Yurdakul, Y. (2017). The effects of microprocessors based science technology engineering and mathemetics (STEM) investigations on 6th grade students’ attitudes towards these subject areas. Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Education Journal of Educational Sciences, 8(1), 37-52.

Kelley, T. R., & Knowles, J. G. (2016). A conceptual framework for integrated STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/S40594-016-0046-Z

Köse, M., & Ataş, R. (2020). The opinions of elementary teachers about STEM education. Academy Journal of Educational Sciences, 4(2), 103-110. https://doi.org/10.31805/ACJES.828442

Kurtuluş, A., Akçay, A., & Karahan, E. (2017). Teachers’ views on STEM education in secondary mathematics classes. Journal of Research in Education and Teaching, 6(4), 354-360.

Meador, K. (2003). Thinking creatively about science suggestions for primary teachers. Gifted Child Today, 26, 25–29. https://doi.org/10.4219/GCT-2003-93

Ormancı, Ü. (2020). Thematic content analysis of doctoral theses in STEM education: Turkey context. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 17(1), 126–146. https://doi.org/10.36681/tused.2020.17

Özbilen, A. G. (2018). Teacher opinions and awareness about STEM education. Scientific Educational Studies, 2(1), 1-21.

Paz, M., Morales, E., Avilla, R. A., Sarmiento, C. P., Anito, J. C., Elipane, L. E., Palisoc, C. P., Palomar, B. C., Owen, T., Ayuste, D., & Ramos-Butron, B. (2022). Experiences and practices of STEM teachers through the lens of TPACK: Research article. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 19(1), 237–256. https://doi.org/10.36681/tused.2022.120

Rizki, Y. (2018). The influence of virtual chemistry laboratory media on students’ understanding of submicroscopic level and student activity grade XI. 3rd Annual International Seminar on Transformative Education and Educational Leadership (AISTEEL 2018) The, 200, 520–524. https://doi.org/10.2991/aisteel-18.2018.112

Sahin, A., & Top, N. (2015). STEM students on the stage (SOS): Promoting student voice and choice in STEM education through an interdisciplinary, standards-focused project based learning approach. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 16(3). https://www.jstem.org/jstem/index.php/JSTEM/article/view/1911

Selvi, M., & Yıldırım, B. (2017). STEM Öğretme-öğrenme modelleri: 5E öğrenme modeli, projetabanli öğrenme ve STEM sos modeli [STEM Teaching-learning models: 5E learning model, project-based learning and STEM sos model]. In S. Çepni (Ed.), STEM education from theory to practice (pp. 203–238). Pegem. https://doi.org/10.2/JQUERY.MIN.JS

Tanın, K. (2021). The effects of STEM activities on pre-school teachers' computational, critical and multidimensional 21st century skills. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Kastamonu University, Türkiye.

Thiagarajan, S., Semmel, D. S., & Semmel, M. I. (1974). Instructional development for training teachers of exceptional children: A sourcebook. Leadership Training Institute/Special Education, University of Minnesota.

Thibaut, L., Ceuppens, S., de Loof, H., de Meester, J., Goovaerts, L., Struyf, A., Boeve-De Pauw, J., Dehaene, W., Deprez, J., de Cock, M., Hellinckx, L., Knipprath, H., Langie, G., Struyven, K., van de Velde, D., van Petegem, P., & Depaepe, F. (2018). Integrated STEM education: A systematic review of instructional practices in secondary education. European Journal of STEM Education, 3(1), 2-12. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/85525

Ülger, B. B. (2019). Üstün yetenekli öğrencilere yönelik farklılaştırılmış sorgulama temelli fen bilgisi ders modüllerinin geliştirilmesi, uygulanması ve etkililiğinin değerlendirilmesi (The development, implementation and effect of differentaited inquiry-based science lesson modules for gifted students) [Unpublished Doctoral Thesis]. Bursa Uludağ University.

Xie, Y., Fang, M., & Shauman, K. (2015). STEM Education. Annual Review of Sociology, 1(41), 331–357. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-071312-145659

Yıldırım, B. (2018). Research on teacher opinions on STEM practices. Journal of Education Theory and Practical Research, 4(1), 42-53. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ekuad/issue/35893/410906

Yıldırım, B. (2020). A model proposal for teacher training: STEM teacher institutes training model. Pamukkale University Journal of Education, 50, 70-98.

Yıldırım, B., & Altun, Y. (2015). Investigating the effect of STEM education and engineering applications on science laboratory lectures. El-Cezeri Journal of Science and Engineering, 2(2), 28-40. https://doi.org/10.31202/ECJSE.67132

Yıldırım, B., & Selvi, M. (2017). An experimental research on effects of STEM applications and mastery learning. Journal of Theory and Practice in Education, 13(2) 183–210. http://acikerisim.comu.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/20.500.12428/1737

Yıldırım, M., Sultan Acarlı, D., & Yaman Kasap, M. (2020). Investigation of in-service and pre-service science teachers’ perceptions of scientific process skills. Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE), 16(2), 104–115. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v16i2.10302

Zhou, S.-N., Chen, L.-C., Xu, S.-R., Lu, C.-T., Li, Q., & Li, D.-A. (2021). Primary students’ performance of STEM domain-specific self-efficacy belief and expectancy-value belief. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 20(4), 677–690. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/21.20.677

Downloads

Published

2022-12-23

How to Cite

Sarıoğlu, S., Kıryak, Z., Ormancı, Ümmühan, & Çepni, S. (2022). Views of STEM-trained Teachers on STEM Education in Türkiye. Journal of STEM Teacher Institutes, 2(2), 39–54. Retrieved from http://jstei.com/index.php/jsti/article/view/38