Teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy, and implementation of early childhood learning standards in science and math in prekindergarten and kindergarten
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Rebekah Chace Pierro (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Linda Hestenes
Abstract: Teacher self-efficacy and teacher beliefs play salient roles in science and math education with in-service teachers. This study seeks to understand the relationship between teacher knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy about science and math education in prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms. The Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Science and Math Standards and Self-Efficacy Surveys were created to measure teacher knowledge of curriculum standards, beliefs of teaching skills, level of self-efficacy, and frequency of activities in classrooms for science and math, respectively. The self-report surveys were completed by 53 prekindergarten and 30 kindergarten teachers to examine the relationship that their knowledge of science and math standards, beliefs of science and math teaching skills, and level of science and math self-efficacy have on the frequency of science and math activities conducted in their classrooms. Beliefs of science and math teaching skills were related significantly to the reported frequency of science and math activities in prekindergarten and for science activities in kindergarten. Years of teaching prekindergarten was associated significantly with increased science and math activities. Teacher education was not associated with frequency of science or math activities. Findings revealed the more prekindergarten teachers enjoyed their science classes and math workshops the more they reported conducting science and math activities in the classroom. Both prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers reported that the less they enjoyed their previous math classes, the more time they spent on math activities in their classrooms. Results from this study have implications for professional development regarding science and math pedagogy and content knowledge.
Teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy, and implementation of early childhood learning standards in science and math in prekindergarten and kindergarten
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Created on 8/1/2015
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2015
- Keywords
- Kindergarten, Math education, Prekindergarten, Science education, Teacher beliefs, Teacher self-efficacy
- Subjects
- Early childhood teachers $x Attitudes
- Kindergarten teachers $x Attitudes
- Science $x Study and teaching (Early childhood) $z North Carolina
- Mathematics $x Study and teaching (Early childhood) $z North Carolina