Secondary School Science Teacher Response to Minimum Competency Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities

Teachers have an essential role in preparing students for Minimum Competency Assessment (MCA) or Asesmen Kompetensi Minimum (AKM). It takes preparation, readiness, and a good teacher's perception of the AKM so that the implementation of this program goes well. This study aims to analyze teachers' perceptions in secondary schools related to the opportunities and challenges of implementing AKM. A total of 66 secondary school science teachers participated as respondents in this study. Respondents in this study were randomly selected based on their willingness to fill out a given survey. The data collection instruments were six open-ended questions. This instrument is distributed online using Google Forms. The data obtained were then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results of this study reveal that the majority of science teachers have the perception that AKM policy is appropriate and suitable for implementation. However, the availability of supporting facilities and ICT literacy of students and teachers is considered a challenge that must be met. On the other hand, AKM and National Assessment (NA) are considered opportunities to improve the quality of education both nationally and locally in schools. This research is expected to reference the perception of science teachers about the challenges and opportunities for implementing AKM policies in junior high schools

Impact of a Training Programme on the e-rubric Evaluation of Gamification Resources with Pre-Service Secondary School Science Teachers

Social constructivism is a learning approach in which students actively construct their own knowledge by way of experiences and interactions with others. As such, it is important to highlight both individual and group-based reflection practices in pre-service teacher training as a key aspect for improving teaching practice. This paper presents the results of the design and implementation of a training programme of 7 sessions (8.5 h of class participation plus 25 h of personal homework) for pre-service secondary school science teachers, who were asked to design a gamification resource and an e-rubric to evaluate it. Subsequent improvement of this e-rubric was enhanced by performing different reflection activities at key moments. The programme was carried out by 50 Spanish pre-service teachers from Málaga (Spain). Data collection centred on the e-rubrics designed, the emotions experienced and the possible transfer to real-life practice performed six months later. The impact of reflections on the evaluation was studied by analysing the evolution of the categories proposed by the participants for the e-rubric at different times, with marked changes being found during design and preparation of the gamification resource, and only very minor changes post-implementation. In addition, a group-based criteria consensus session favoured a more in-depth reflection. Interest was the main emotion experienced by pre-service teachers, especially during preparation and use of the resource. The programme also had a marked impact on transfer of the e-rubric into practice, as did the designed resource, although to a lesser extent.

LEARNING PROGRESSIONS IN LOWER-SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN JAPAN

This research examined whether incorporating learning progress (LPs) in teaching can help Japanese lower-secondary school students systemically understand science concepts. A teaching plan incorporating the learning progressions (LPs) concept was developed. Next, a lesson was conducted for 36 third-year students of a public lower-secondary school in Japan (Hiroshima Prefecture) from the unit of “Ions and Atoms.” Then, the portfolios used in the class and the assessment questions after the class were analyzed. The results show that some students understood the concepts systemically at the grade level indicated by the LPs; however, some students did not. The results of this study suggest the following: (1) teachers should examine the appropriate teaching methods in the target unit and incorporate teaching to allow students to engage with what they are learning; (2) students should understand the lower-level concepts related to the target unit based on LPs, and if the level of understanding is insufficient, teachers should incorporate time to review and reconstruct the concepts. Keywords: lower-secondary school science, scientific concepts, learning progressions (LPs), systemic learning

UPPER-SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE INTEGRATING MECHANISMS AND IMPORTANCE OF STEM EDUCATION

This study aimed to recognize upper-secondary school science teachers’ perceptions of the meaning, importance, and integrating mechanisms of science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) education, taking in to account the differences between the science teachers’ perceptions according to their specialties, years of experience, and degrees. A closed-ended questionnaire was distributed among 700 science teachers (biology, physics, and chemistry) in Riyadh, and 255 teachers responded. The results showed a strong alignment in the upper-secondary school science teachers’ perceptions of the meaning and the importance of STEM education, although there was less of a consensus regarding the integrating mechanisms. There were statistically significant differences in the physics teachers’ perceptions of STEM meaning, although there were otherwise no significant differences by specialty in the science teachers’ perceptions of the importance of STEM education and its integration mechanisms. Furthermore, the teachers showed no statistically significant differences in STEM’s meaning, importance, or integrating mechanisms according to their years of experience. Based on the results, recommendations included intensifying professional development programs on utilizing technology, engineering, and mathematics in learning science concepts and application. Keywords: integration mechanisms, science teachers, STEM education, teachers’ perceptions, upper secondary school