Emerging Trends And Challenges In Science Education
Adesina, Abiodun Ezekiel
Gabriel, Elizabeth Tosin
General Studies Education, Department School Of Education
Emmanuel Alayande University Of Education, Oyo, Oyo State
Abstract
Science education has been recording dismal academic achievement, skills and attitudinal outcomes in Nigeria. The students, right from the basic education to the tertiary level lack 21st century skills of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, citizenship, self-regulation, time management, knowledge construction, problem solving, digital literacy skills and many other positive skills expedients for proper employability and entrepreneurship. The conventional, didactic, non-heuristic instructional strategy adopted in teaching science education in the country is already dated at the face of Covid-19 and post-Covid-19 pandemic. The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA, 2012, 2020) of America recommended the Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) as the trending path to science education productivity through technology integration and reflective thinking. Cybernetics, constructivism and behaviorism theories buttressed the integrating of technology and reflective thinking in science education. Empirical findings equally justify teaching science technologically and with reflective thinking. There are challenges to technological integration in science education, the FUD factors (Fear, Uncertainties and Doubts) about the use of technology in science education, Inadequate ICTs policies and programmes, insufficient technological infrastructures, low ICTs skills and knowledge, poor attitudes to change (status quo sustenance), poor finance, poor management cum maintenance culture, and many other impinging challenges to effective technological integration in basic science education. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in ICTs infrastructural development in schools, adequate funding, training and re-training of science education teachers will allay major constraints to effective utilization of technology in basic science education for enhanced productivity.
Keywords: Emerging trends in basic science education, Challenges in science education, Next Generation Science standard (NGSS).
Impact Statement
Science education has been recording dismal academic achievement, skills and attitudinal outcomes with low 21st century skills and invariably low employability and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The conventional instructional strategy dated at Covid-19 and post-Covid-19 pandemic was criticized for this. The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA, 2020) of America recommended the Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) of science education productivity through technology integration and reflective thinking. Cybernetics, constructivism and behaviourism theories buttressed this. Empirical findings equally justify teaching science technologically and with reflective thinking. There are challenges to technological integration in science education, the FUD factors (Fear, Uncertainties and Doubts), Inadequate ICTs policies and programmes, insufficient technological infrastructures, low ICTs skills and knowledge, poor attitudes to change (status quo sustenance), poor finance, poor management cum maintenance culture, and others. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in ICTs infrastructural development in schools, adequate funding, training and re-training of science education teachers and others as panacea.
Author’s Profile
ADESINA, ABIODUN EZEKIEL, Ph.D.
ORCID Number: 0000000311500716
Dr. Abiodun Ezekiel Adesina is a Principal Lecturer, Science and Mathematics Education Unit of General Studies Education, School of Education, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Oyo state, Nigeria. He has NCE in Agricultural Science Education, B. Sc. (Ed.) Agric Science Education and Master and Ph.D. in Science Education. His research tentacles cover ICTs application in education, use of Computer Assisted Instructions, Learning Management Systems, at present researching into STEAM education and integration of Artificial Intelligence in STEAM education. He has authored many research articles in related fields to science education and co-authored in collaboration with other researchers. A strong member of Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and many other professional bodies.
MRS. GABRIEL, ELIZABETH TOSIN
Mrs. Gabriel, Elizabeth Tosin is a Lecturer III, Science and Mathematics Education Unit of General Studies Education, School of Education, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Oyo state, Nigeria. He has NCE in Computer Science/ Mathematics, B.Sc. (Ed.) and MED. Mathematics Education. Her research areas span teaching and learning Mathematics in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. She is currently working of her PhD. Proposal on integrating technology in Mathematics education.
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