Hong Kong mathematics teachers' perceptions of STEM integration: An exploratory study

Hong Kong mathematics teachers' perceptions of STEM integration: An exploratory study

• Guo, Jing The Education University of Hong Kong
• Zhang, Qiaoping The Education University of Hong Kong

• G Curriculum, Teaching & Learning: Specific Disciplines
  • GC Mathematics & Statistics
• G Curriculum, Teaching & Learning: Specific Disciplines
  • GD Science & Technology
• G Curriculum, Teaching & Learning: Specific Disciplines
  • GG Engineering, Manufacturing & Construction
• M Teachers & Education for Teachers
  • MG Identities, Attitudes & Opinion of Educational Workers

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Primary Education
• Secondary Education

Background and aims: The theoretical rationale of STEM education has originated from the curriculum integration theories. Numerous studies have discussed the integration of STEM education in covering the interconnected nature of the four disciplines and real-life problems. Three approaches have been widely mentioned, which included multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary (Vasquez et al., 2013). Although teachers play a core role in designing and implementing STEM pedagogy at schools, little research explored mathematics teachers’ views of STEM. Hence, this exploratory study aims to explore mathematics teachers’ perceptions of STEM education to address the issue. Specifically, the study sought to describe the concerns and challenges faced by Hong Kong mathematics teachers in implementing STEM education, and to expand our understanding of implementing STEM education in mathematics teaching.Methodology or process(es) undertaken: By purposive sampling, nine Hong Kong mathematics teachers (4 primary, 5 secondary) were invited into online interviews. Interviewees were selected based on the criteria that they had taught mathematics in schools and had participated in STEM education. Their teaching experience ranged from 5 to 15 years. They were asked to report their views on the goals and values of STEM education, the approaches of STEM integration, challenges they faced, and its relationship to mathematics.Results and conclusions: It is found that two values of STEM education are recognized by Hong Kong mathematics teachers, which include promoting students' personal development and social technological innovation. Three integration approaches of STEM pedagogy (multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary) are identified. The transdisciplinary approach is most preferred, but the interdisciplinary approach is most adopted. Teachers perceives both internal and external challenges when implementing STEM at schools. The external challenges are related to administrative resources or support. The internal challenges are related to teachers’ professional knowledge and students’ learning styles. Teachers’ views of the relations between mathematics and STEM education are diverse, although most of them agree that students could develop and apply mathematical knowledge in STEM activities. Copyright © 2022 7th STEM in Education Conference.

Paper presented at The 7th STEM in Education Conference, Sydney, Australia.

• English

Conference Papers

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/en/bibs/99a9a2e1

2023-03-06