Awareness and Confidence of Vietnamese Primary School Teachers towards STEM-Integrated Teaching Approach

Abstract

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education has been piloted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training for primary school teachers since 2022. This research aims to evaluate awareness, confidence and the correlation between those variables with the demographic factors of Vietnamese elementary school teachers after nearly a year of implementing integrated STEM teaching. This study used a questionnaire survey method consisting of 30 items on a 5-point Likert scale for 148 elementary school teachers in the Central and Central Highlands of Vietnam. Data was analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics results showed that Vietnamese elementary school teachers have good awareness but lack confidence in STEM-integrated teaching. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between teachers’ awareness, confidence, and some demographic factors (educational level, work area). The outcomes of the one-way ANOVA analysis revealed a positive correlation: increased levels of teachers’ education corresponded to heightened awareness and confidence in STEM-integrated teaching. Additionally, teachers located in urban areas demonstrated greater awareness and confidence compared to their counterparts in rural countryside and highland areas.. Some recommendations to increase awareness and improve confidence in teaching STEM integration for Vietnamese elementary school teachers are presented at discuss session.