Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Stem Education in Early Years: Challenges and Opportunities in Changing Teachers’ Pedagogical Strategies in Delta State

ODIBO, Aghogho

Abstract

The study examined STEM education in early years: Challenges and opportunities in changing teachers’ pedagogical strategies in Delta State. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study's population included 478 head teachers and 39,904 teachers (teaching staff) in public primary schools with pre-primary education centres in Delta State. The sample size for this study is 594 head teachers and teachers. The research instrument for data collection in this study is a questionnaire constructed by the researcher, titled: “Challenges and Opportunities in Changing Teachers’ Pedagogical Strategies in Early Years STEM Education (COCTPSEYSE)”. The instrument was duly validated and had a reliability index of 0.72. The 594 copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents on a one-to-one basis and collected on the spot after completion to ensure high response rate. The obtained data from the respondents’ responses to items in the questionnaire were analysed using weighted mean. Based on the four-point rating scale of the questionnaire, a mean of 2.50 was adopted as criterion mean for each item in the questionnaire. The findings revealed the various obstacles that educators encounter in their efforts to provide high-quality instruction to young learners. From limited resources and support from administration to difficulties in meeting diverse learning needs and managing pupil behaviour, teachers in Delta State face a multitude of challenges that impact their ability to deliver effective instruction. Among others, it was highly recommended that the government should prioritize increasing resources for early years education, and professional development opportunities for teachers.

Keywords

STEMEarly Years EducationChallengesOpportunitiesPedagogical Strategies

References

Barnett, W. S., Carolan, M. E., Squires, J. H., Clarke Brown, K., & Horowitz, M. (2013). The state of preschool 2013: State preschool yearbook. New Jersey, USA: National Institute for Early Education Research. Bassok, D., Latham, S., & Rorem, A. (2016). Is kindergarten the new first grade? AERA Open, 2(1), 1-31. Brown, K. M. (2018). Understanding the barriers to effective pedagogy in early childhood education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 50(2), 87-102. Dalli, C., White, E. J., Rockel, J., & Duhn, I. (2017). Early childhood education: Society and culture. USA: Sage Publications. Garcia, A., Smith, J., & Lee, M. (2017). Culturally responsive teaching practices in early childhood education. Journal of Early Childhood Education, 42(3), 215-230. Hohmann, M., Weikart, D. P., & Epstein, A. S. (2018). Educating young children: Active learning practices for preschool and child care programs. USA: High/Scope Press. Johnson, A. L. (2017). Overcoming obstacles: A study of the primary challenges faced by teachers in early years education. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 39, 112-125. Jones, S., & Brown, L. (2018). Integrating technology into early childhood education. Journal of Educational Technology, 25(4), 301-315. Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30, 607-610. Osuji, U. C. (2017). Managing secondary education in Nigeria for global citizenship and economic emancipation. A Paper Presented at the WCCI 18th World Conference in Education held in Hotel Villa Mana Regina-Roma, Via Della Camilluccia, 68700135, Rona, Italy from 14th – 20th July. Vol 10. No. 3 March 2024 Pianta, R. C., & Hamre, B. K. (2009). Conceptualization, measurement, and improvement of classroom processes: Standardized observation can leverage capacity. Educational Researcher, 38(2), 109-119. Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (Eds.). (2020). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. USA: National Academies Press. Smith, J. (2015). Challenges in implementing effective pedagogical strategies in early years education: A review of the literature. Journal of Early Childhood Education, 42(3), 215- 230. Siraj-Blatchford, I., & Mayo, A. (2018). Pedagogy in early childhood: A holistic approach. USA: Sage Publications. Wood, E., & Bennett, N. (2017). Changing perspectives on early childhood: Theory, research and policy. USA: Routledge. Wu, H.-K., Krajcik, J. S., & Soloway, E. (2021). Promoting understanding of chemical representations: Students' use of a visualization tool in the classroom. Science Education, 85(3), 217-239.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND EVALUATION