Question

ABSTRACT
While there is a growing interest in infusing engineering into elementary classrooms, very little is known about how well positioned elementary teachers are to teach engineering. This study examined elementary teachers’ perceptions of and familiarity with design, engineering, and technology (DET). Data was collected from 192 elementary teachers using the “DET Teacher Survey”. While these elementary teachers thought teaching DET was important, they were relatively unfamiliar with DET. Years of teaching experience did not affect teachers’ familiarity with teaching DET and their perceptions of how important DET was. Moderately experienced teachers showed stereotypical views of engineering. Furthermore, teachers’ motivations to teach DET differed based on their ethnic backgrounds. The results suggest a need to improve elementary teachers’ familiarity with design, engineering, and technology. Professional development activities should be guided by research on teacher knowledge, and establish an alignment between motivations of teachers and expectations of their schools to ensure administrative support.

1. Based on the journal paper above, write the components of the abstract in the table provided below. (45 points)

   Problem statement Purpose of the study:

   Participants/subjects:

   Data collection/Research method:
   Findings/main results:

Answer 1

Problem statement

The problem statement is about lack of knowledge about ability of elementary teachers to teach engineering even if there is growing interests to infuse engineering subject in elementary education.

Purpose of study

The study examines perceptions as well as knowledge of elementary teachers about design, technology and engineering.

Participants/subjects

The subjects or participants are 192 elementary teachers who participated in a survey.

Data collection/research method

The research method used is a qualitative research method that uses survey and questionnaire. The teachers are asked about their familiarity and importance of DET or design, engineering and technology. The data collection method is primary data collection method that collects subjective perceptions of elementary teachers through a survey.

Findings/ main results

The findings of the research reveal that the teachers are unfamiliar with the engineering, technology and design and their importance. Experienced teaches have stereotype view about engineering. Their perceptions are shaped by their ethnic background as well. This reveals that some teachers recognize importance of teaching DET subject whereas other teachers do not recognize its importance. The conclusion drawn from research is to improve elementary teachers’ ability to know engineering, design and technology subject. The research suggests that the teacher should be provided a professional development training to enhance their knowledge about design, engineering and technology. The research also suggests that alignment between teachers’ motivation and school expectations must be achieved to ensure that they receive administrative support to teach engineering subject.