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Contrasts in Teacher and Student Perceptions of STEM Content and Careers
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, , , University of North Texas, United States

CITE Journal Volume 11, Number 1, ISSN 1528-5804 Publisher: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education, Waynesville, NC USA

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Abstract

Analysis of baseline attitudinal data gathered from a National Science Foundation Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers project uncovered large contrasts between the perceptions of practicing professionals and students toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and careers (Tyler-Wood, Knezek, & Christensen, 2010). These findings have been reconfirmed in a second year analysis based on new data and are reported in this paper. The pattern of findings suggests that university teacher preparation candidates hold attitudes similar to middle school students, while the faculty (the educators of teacher preparation candidates) have attitudes similar to STEM education professionals. Additional findings based on disaggregated data are reported. For example, middle school students appear to have more positive perceptions of science, mathematics, and engineering than do the university preservice teachers surveyed, who are destined to be middle school teachers.

Citation

Knezek, G., Christensen, R. & Tyler-Wood, T. (2011). Contrasts in Teacher and Student Perceptions of STEM Content and Careers. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 11(1), 92-117. Waynesville, NC USA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education. Retrieved June 8, 2023 from .

© 2011 Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education

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