scholarly journals Profiles of Pre-Service Primary Teachers: Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, and Gender Stereotypes in Teaching Science and Mathematics

2022 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. em2062
Author(s):  
Marianela Navarro ◽  
Annjeanette Martin ◽  
María P. Gómez-Arízaga
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Delahunty ◽  
Máire Ní Ríordáin ◽  
Mark Prendergast

BackgroundThe underrepresentation of women in STEM fields is a pervasive global issue. Despite evidence casting doubt on the preconceived notions that males outperform females in these domains, gender stereotype beliefs persist and have been highlighted as potential cultural barriers limiting females opportunities. Gender stereotype and ability beliefs emerge in early childhood and recent evidence has highlighted early childhood education as a promising period for the cultivation of positive STEM dispositions. AimsThis study investigated gender stereotype beliefs, mathematical self-beliefs and STEM attitudes among a sample of pre-service early childhood teachers to assess the existence of stereotype endorsements and predictive relationships with STEM interests.SampleParticipants were pre-service early childhood teacher (N=74), mean age 21.17 years, 4 males and 70 femalesMethodsElectronic surveys utilising a series of pre-established scales, measuring gender stereotype bias from ability and cultural perspectives, mathematical self-belief variables (self-efficacy, self-concept, anxiety), and interest in STEM, were distributed. ResultsRegression analysis reveal previous level of mathematical study at secondary school, social persuasions as a sources of self-efficacy and gender stereotype endorsements as significant predictors of overall attitude to STEMConclusions Findings suggest the importance of previous school experience and social influences as well as participants’ gender stereotype endorsements in influencing interest in STEM. These data are discussed in light of implications for teachers; future practice and teacher education


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Wong

Women continue to be underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers/sectors. Concurrently, negative stereotypes about women’s abilities to perform in STEM persists. This research examined whether gender stereotypes influence women’s STEM-related intentions and choices and the mediating influence of cognitive predictors based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT; Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994). In total, 194 women from Ryerson University were randomly assigned to a stereotype threat (n =65), stereotype nullification (n = 65), or control condition (n = 64). Participants completed questionnaires assessing math self-efficacy, math and science interests and intentions, and a math/verbal choice task. In support of SCCT, math self-efficacy and math/science interests predicted math/science intentions and choice on the math/verbal test. Furthermore, “math identified” participants in the stereotype threat condition reported lower math/science intentions. This research has implications for current interventions designed to increase women’s participation and retention in STEM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina C. Obiakor ◽  
Kristen E. Obiakor ◽  
Charles C. Obiakor ◽  
Festus E. Obiakor

AbstractScience and mathematics have international and global origins and impacts that are intertwined with national origin, race, culture, religion, language, and gender, to mention a few. This means that scientific and mathematical knowledge goes beyond myopic narrow confines. Put another way, teaching science and mathematics without explicating their phenomenal foundations and influences is tantamount to “scotching the snake, but not killing it.” In this article, we use cases to discuss cultural contexts in teaching science and mathematics. Embedded in our discussion are issues of teacher preparation, innovative teaching, and disparities in public health and environmental health.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mittelberg ◽  
Osnat Rozner ◽  
Helen Forgasz

We report findings from qualitative case studies of two grade 5 classrooms in Israel, one Jewish and one Druze. The aim was to identify classroom factors contributing to the differences in the gendered patterns of mathematics outcomes for Jewish and Arab Israeli students. Marked differences were found in the teachers' gender-related interactions with students, and their beliefs and expectations of boys' and girls' mathematical capabilities. The Jewish teacher held conventional gender-stereotyped beliefs of male mathematical superiority. The Druze teacher believed that girls required affirmative action to overcome implied gender biases in favour of males in the Druze community. The findings support earlier research and theoretical perspectives on gender-related issues in the mathematics classroom. In particular, when teachers hold gender-biased beliefs and expectations, students' classroom experiences and mathematics learning outcomes are impacted along gender lines.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (II) ◽  
pp. 159-185
Author(s):  
Jackson Ombasa Ayiema ◽  
Teresa Mwoma ◽  
Hudson Ouko

The continuous poor results of science and mathematics in Athi-River Sub-County of Machakos County-Kenya has yielded to the study of  determinants of pre-primary school teachers’ use of instructional resources in teaching science and mathematics activities. The effects of use of the instructional resources in learning achievement which has led to poor performance in science and mathematics activities in the current study locale. The major purpose of the study was to establish the extent of teachers’ use of instructional resources in teaching pre-primary science and mathematics activities in Athi-River Sub County of Machakos County, Kenya. The study also found out the effects of teachers’ training level in the use of instructional resources in teaching science and mathematics, Teacher- gender and use of instructional resources, Teacher’s attitude and use of instructional resources in teaching science and mathematics activities and teacher- motivation on the use of instructional resources in teaching science and mathematics in pre-primary schools. This study employed Bruner’s learning theory (1966), which matched well with the determinants of pre-primary teachers’ use of instructional resource.  The study targeted 40 pre-primary head teachers, 600 pre-primary teachers and 1800 pre-primary children in Athi-River Sub-County, Machakos County.  Athi-River Sub-County was sub-divided to 5 bases and stratified sampling technique was used to select 6 pre-schools from each base translating to a total of 30 pre-schools. Random sampling was used to select 6 pupils from each of the sampled schools for focused study giving a sample size of 1800 pupils. Purposive sampling was also used to select 2 teachers for science and mathematics activities from each of the sampled schools. All head teachers from all the 30 sampled schools were selected leading to a sample of 30 head teachers. A sample size of 270 respondents including 60 teachers, 30 head teachers and 180 pupils) was used in the study. Questionnaires and oral-interviews were used to collect data. Validity of the instruments was determined through examining of the items using content validity. A. Pilot test of the research instruments was done in two schools in the neighboring sub county. Quantitative data was generated from the close-ended items from the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data such as frequency; standard deviation and mean data analysis was analyzed according. The data was presented in tables. Qualitative data produced from the questionnaire, interview schedules, focused group discussion, as well as data obtained through the observation checklists was analyzed with regards to relevant themes and discussed in line with the research objectives. The findings of the study were as follows: teachers with higher training qualifications were more likely to use instructional resources in teaching science and mathematical activities than their counterparts with less or no training. Male teachers were found to use instructional resources more often in teaching science and mathematics than their female counterparts. Teachers with positive attitude towards science and mathematics were also found to use more instructional resources than teachers with negative attitude. The study recommends that the ministry of education should facilitate pre-primary school teachers to advance their studies through in-service training and that the government of Kenya should motivate pre-primary teachers by paying them reasonable salary. All stakeholders should ensure that instructional resources are made available for better pupil achievement in science and mathematics. This is an open-access article published and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License of United States unless otherwise stated. Access, citation and distribution of this article is allowed with full recognition of the authors and the source.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Wong

Women continue to be underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers/sectors. Concurrently, negative stereotypes about women’s abilities to perform in STEM persists. This research examined whether gender stereotypes influence women’s STEM-related intentions and choices and the mediating influence of cognitive predictors based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT; Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994). In total, 194 women from Ryerson University were randomly assigned to a stereotype threat (n =65), stereotype nullification (n = 65), or control condition (n = 64). Participants completed questionnaires assessing math self-efficacy, math and science interests and intentions, and a math/verbal choice task. In support of SCCT, math self-efficacy and math/science interests predicted math/science intentions and choice on the math/verbal test. Furthermore, “math identified” participants in the stereotype threat condition reported lower math/science intentions. This research has implications for current interventions designed to increase women’s participation and retention in STEM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen María Fernández García ◽  
Susana Torío-López ◽  
Omar García-Pérez ◽  
Mercedes Inda-Caro

The main objective of the paper will be to analyze the influence of parental academic expectations and gender stereotypes in secondary education students’ self-efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations, and interests. 2364 students in their final year of Lower Secondary Education participated in the study in Spain. Data have been analyzed combining three procedures: descriptive analysis, comparison of means and structural equation modeling. The results indicate that boys perceive higher parental support than girls in technology and computing. Regarding gender stereotypes, boys perceive higher parental gender stereotypes than girls in technology/computing and science. In our sample, perceived parental support and gender stereotypes do not have a direct influence on outcome expectations and interest, however, self-efficacy beliefs do influence outcome expectations and interest.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Amelie Tihlarik ◽  
Stefan Sauer

Due to the increasing importance of digitization, ICT and engineering sectors are also growing. In these sectors, there are a lot of high-qualified and well-paid jobs. However, despite the growing importance and popularity of digital solutions, one fact (at least) is, unfortunately, still very stable within the ICT and engineering sectors: When it comes to employees, there are still huge differences with respect to gender and gender stereotypes. (Commercial) technology development can be regarded as having masculine connotations both structurally and culturally. Therefore, we address these connotations, especially the roles of androcentric bureaucracy, which could be described as hierarchical, technocentric, and very controlling-oriented, and (the structural possibilities of) self-efficacy. We discuss, conceptually and empirically with a focus on software development, whether new management approaches like agile frameworks and new management roles like Feel-good Managers and Scrum Master could be seen as a cure for inequality or if there are new stereotypical gender-related ascriptions for specific activities or processes.


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