ERIC Number: EJ1420568
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Dec
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2520-8705
EISSN: EISSN-2520-8713
Available Date: N/A
Kindergarten Teachers' Attitudes toward and Confidence for Integrated STEM Education
Journal for STEM Education Research, v2 n2 p154-171 2019
This study examined kindergarten teachers' attitudes toward and confidence with implementing integrated STEM education in early childhood classroom settings. Data were collected through a self-report survey completed by 430 kindergarten teachers across China, as well as face-to-face interviews with 14 teachers from six provinces. The results revealed that the participating kindergarten teachers tended to have positive attitudes toward early childhood STEM education. However, the majority of the kindergarten teachers were not confident with implementing STEM education in their classroom settings. Regional differences were evident in the data: Kindergarten teachers from eastern region of China reported a higher level of confidence than teachers from central and western regions. Moreover, kindergarten teachers' years of teaching experience and level of education were not found to be associated with their attitudes toward or confidence with STEM education. This paper concludes with a discussion of the potential challenges for STEM education in Chinese kindergartens based on the findings from this study. Implications and suggestions for future research are proposed.
Descriptors: Preschool Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Self Esteem, Foreign Countries, Geographic Regions, Teacher Characteristics, STEM Education, Integrated Curriculum, Early Childhood Education, Kindergarten
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A