Learning Science and Mathematics (LSM) Journal Vol.1, Issue 15, pp 30-39
Development of STEM Teaching Module for Rural Primary Schools in Sabah: Need Analysis with Justification and Key Features
Junainah Jamaludin, Lay Yoon Fah, Crispina Gregory Khan, Khoo Chwee Hoon & Adeline Leong Suk Yee
Received first draft 5 March 2020. Received reports from first reviewer (25 March); second reviewer (1 April); third reviewer (1 July). Received revised draft 19 October
Accepted: 1 November 2020.
Published: 30 December 2020
Abstract
This paper reports on part of a bigger scale study related to STEM education at primary level. Several education officers have been interviewed to obtain information related to the implementation of STEM education in rural schools. The interview session involving education officers from different fields of job specification and experienced in teaching science in primary and secondary schools. Mixed-research method was implemented including collection of quantitative (survey on needs analysis that was validated and reported earlier) as well as qualitative (observation and interview to be reported in this article) data. A protocol has been prepared by the researchers to focus on questions related to the appropriate science topics to be integrated in STEM, the module features expected by teachers in rural schools, STEM activity suggestions to be included as well as the expectations of rural teachers in implementing STEM teaching. Random sampling technique has been used in selecting the subjects. Results from the interview showed that three out of five subjects could not describe 5E Instructional Model (engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate) accurately even they have been used the phases in the model in their science teaching. Several topics have been proposed by the subjects to be included in the to-be-developed Year 4 and Year 5 STEM module. Some of the problems identified through interviews are short period in science teaching, lack of complete laboratory that able to support STEM teaching, no compilation of STEM teaching manual in rural school and limitation of STEM teaching reference in the context of schools in Malaysia. From the need analysis, teachers claimed that the exposure to STEM must be done at the earliest level of education such as kindergarten. Further research involves the development of STEM modules by considering the needs of rural science teachers. The success of this model is seen through the improvement of students’ achievement and positive attitudes to STEM learning
Keywords: Need analysis; Module development; STEM education; 5E instructional model; Rural schools
© 2020 SEAMEO RECSAM LSM Journal
More Article
...