The Development Of Preschools’ Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTs) Teaching Model towards Improving the Quality of Teaching

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a preschools’ higher order thinking skills (HOTS) teaching model. Some important aspects are also studied namely, the level of preschool teacher's thinking, the preschool teacher's view of the role played by the authorities, the needs of preschool teachers in implementing HOTS and the daily teaching practice of preschool teachers. The mixed method approach is used in this study. The quantitative study was analyzed using the SPSS version 23 software while the qualitative study was analyzed using the Hermeneutic method that was interpretation of text to metatext. A total of 125 preschool teachers from all over Perak state were involved in quantitative data collection using questionnaires. Meanwhile, 30 preschool teachers from three districts, Larut Matang Selama, Kuala Kangsar and Kinta Utara were involved in the collection of qualitative data using observation, interview form and daily lesson plan document analysis. The findings show that the implementation of HOTS at preschool level is still at a moderate level as there are still less skilled teachers in implementing HOTS during the teaching and learning process. In addition, the role of the authorities is still at the beginning because not all preschool teachers have the opportunity to attend courses, trainings, seminars related to the implementation of HOTS especially the teachers who teach in the rural schools. The implication of this study is that authorities such as Ministry of Education, Perak State Education Department, District Education Office and principals need to strengthen the implementation of HOTS through the provision of courses, trainings and seminars as well as improving teachers' needs for teaching and learning processes such as providing teaching aids as well as conducive learning space. In addition, with a preschool HOTS modeling book guide, it can be used as a guide to teachers in the implementation of HOTS in preschool.