Browsing by Author "Merriman, Jennifer"
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Publication Getting on Board With the STEM Revolution: Two Christian Schools’ Experiences(Avondale Academic Press, 2016-11-01) Merriman, Jennifer; Baywood, Vanessa; Fitzsimmons, Phil; Kilgour, Peter W.This paper reports on an initial investigation into teachers’ perceptions of the process of introducing the integrated teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) using a cooperative and problem solving approach. The study was conducted at two independent schools in New South Wales and will be ongoing. The initial results indicate that while there has been a positive attitude to the introduction of STEM into the two schools, there is perceived to be a need for additional professional development that will lead to greater teacher confidence, improved attitudes, wider knowledge of the importance of STEM, and more extensive teamwork. There was also found to be a discrepancy in the perceptions of primary and secondary teachers largely due to the structure of the timetable and the disjointed nature of the key learning areas.
Publication STEM Down the Track: Two Christian Schools' Further Experiences(Avondale Academic Press, 2017-07-01) Merriman, Jennifer; Kilgour, Tieren; Fitzsimmons, Phil; Kilgour, Peter W.Students’ perceptions of what STEM is and
how it has been implemented in their schools
is reported in this paper. Students were asked
in focus groups about what STEM is and how
they had seen the progress their two respective
schools had made in its implementation. The
data showed that students were very familiar
with what STEM is and how it was developing
in their schools. While younger students
enjoyed the fun and the challenge, secondary
students could see the potential for the STEM
they are doing at school to help in their future
employment. Another interesting factor revealed
in the study was the alignment of student
answers with each of the cognitive levels of
Blooms Taxonomy of Educational Objectives.