A constructivist approach to integrating science, technology, and engineering into preservice teacher education

Abstract

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A qualitative assessment of preservice elementary teachers' formative perceptions regarding engineering and K-12 engineering education

“…Previous research in this area examined perceptions of engineering subject matter (e.g. definitions of engineering) (ASEE, 2006;Davis & Gibbin, 2002;Lambert, Diefes-Dux, Beck, Duncan, Oware, and Nemeth, 2007;NAE, 2008) and perceptions of teaching engineering (ASEE, 2005;Baker, Yasar-Purzer, Kurpius, Krause, and Roberts, 2007;Gallagher, 2004;Hudson, English, and Dawes, 2009;Yasar, Baker, Robinson-Kurpius, Krause and Roberts, 2006).…”

“…and "What do engineers do?" (ASEE, 2006;Davis & Gibson, 2002;Gallagher, 2004;Lambert et al, 2007;NAE, 2008). This approach has yielded data regarding participants' inert knowledge of engineering.…”

“…Lambert et al (2007) examined the effects of inservice teachers' participation in a week-long engineering academy, and Baker et al (2007) investigated the effects of a graduate level engineering design course on inservice teachers' perceptions of teaching design, engineering, and technology. With regards to preservice teachers, researchers have investigated how engineering workshops (Hudson et al, 2009) and an engineering course (Gallagher, 2004) shaped perceptions of teaching engineering in an elementary classroom.…”