Development of an instrument for science teachers' perceived readiness in STEM education

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi, Matematik ve Fen Bilimleri Eğitimi Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2017

Öğrenci: AYŞE NİHAN ŞATGELDİ

Danışman: ÖMER FARUK ÖZDEMİR

Özet:

The main purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to measure science teachers’ perceived readiness in STEM education. For this purpose, 54 items were written after extensive literature review and interviews with experts. Some of these items were rewritten or omitted as a result of expert opinions and finally 50 items were pilot tested. In the thesis, 306 elementary and secondary science (elementary science, physics, chemistry and biology) teachers participated. To finalize the instrument, out of 50 items in the pilot test, 30 items were retained as a result of factor analysis. The analysis extracted 7 factors for these 30 items. These factors are named as engineering and design, making connections, 21st century skills, local/global problems, performance assessment, STEM interest, and technology usage. With the final version of the instrument, after establishing its validity and reliability, science teachers’ perceptions about their knowledge and skills can be analyzed to understand whether or not teachers can implement STEM education effectively. Also, with the result of this test, weaknesses of teachers can be determined and inservice trainings can be organized accordingly.