Mr. Louie B. Dasas, MS, Chair of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics strand of the Senior High School, presented a research paper entitled “Pedagogical practices of beginning Filipino STEM teachers: Reflections and policy implications” during the 15th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education. The presentation was done last January 6, 2017, in Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki, Hawaii.
Recognizing that “Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) education demands for instruction that focuses on integration, establishes relevance, and emphasizes on the development/enhancement of 21st century skills,” Dasas underscored that “successful planning and implementation of STEM instruction demand from teachers several facets: content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and technological knowledge.”
The study explored the pedagogical practices of beginning Filipino teachers using key informant interviews, document analyses, Science Teaching Belief Instrument (STEBI), and the Pedagogy of Science Teaching Test (POSTT). The results of the study reveal meaningful bases for looking at existing policies pertaining to science teacher training. More specifically, the study draws importance on equipping pre-service and in-service with necessary pedagogical knowledge to further advance the goals of STEM education. Further, the study has critical implications to both pre-service and in-service training programs for science educators.
