Experiences of the Teachers in the Practical Problem-Based Home Economics Class

Abstract

This study examined in depth what teachers experience in a practical problem-based home economics class. This study established the research question, “What do teachers experience in the practical problem-based home economics class?” and selected three teacher participants who had steadily performed a practical problem-based home economics class to directly observe classes and conducted intensive interviews with the class performing teachers. The three research participants performed the practical problem-based class as a method of practicing their educational beliefs and based on a problem consciousness that textbook centered classes focusing on concepts cannot manage. They also tried to make efforts to reconstruct the textbook centered with practical problems to promote the critical thinking abilities of students. In practicing the practical problem-based class, the research participants recognized that it was important to show the present problems in reality to the students, teach broad value concepts, and establish rapport with students. They tried to make class content correspond to class evaluation. They felt awarded in how they influenced the development of students and the perception of home economics subjects in a positive way as well as experienced various actual difficulties in performing the practical problembased class. The three research participants examined themselves through the agony and reflection of the class, and integrated the class with daily activities by applying problem solving methods of practical problem-based classes to their lives.