The Professional Development of STEM Teacher in Secondary School by Participatory Action Research

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to 1. study about the characteristics of STEM teachers and context in professional development of STEM teachers in secondary schools, 2. to construct the guideline for development of STEM teachers in secondary school by the participatory action research (PAR), 3. to carry out the development of STEM teachers in secondary school by participatory action research, and 4. to get the lesson learned from the  development of STEM teachers in secondary school by the participatory action research. There were 4 steps of this study; (1) Study about the characteristics of STEM teachers and context in professional development of STEM teachers in secondary schools through the documents synthesization and the experts assessment. (2) Construct the guideline for development of STEM teachers in secondary school by using participatory action research technique which consists of two processes; preparing process and planning process using the participatory planning technique (Apreciation-Influence-Control, AIC). (3) Carry out the development of STEM teachers in secondary school by using participatory action research technique which consists of three processes; acting process, observation process, and reflecting process. and (4) Study about critical success factor of development of STEM teachers in secondary school by using participatory action research. Data gathered in these proceses was provided by documents and conference from three groups, i.e. the researcher, co-researchers and developers. The results of the research were as follows : 1) The result of studying the STEM teachers characteristics and Context of STEM teachers development in secondary school, it was found that there were three aspects, namely the teaching and learning management, the classroom management, and the self-development as well as professional development.There were 13 characteristics or 57 Indicators. In addition, concerning the result of studying the context for the development of the STEM teachers’ characteristics of Bankardprachanukroh School, it revealed that there have been the preparation of the Inputs, i.e. the STEM teachers development, STEM teachers, budget, teaching media , materials and equipment, places, facilities as well as management system, including the development of STEM education through the process of STEM teacher’s Professional Learning Community ( PLC ) and organizing of the exhibitions displaying the outcomes of STEM education. 2) Concerning the approach to development of the STEM teachers in secondary school by participatory action research ( PAR ), it was found that there should be the development in four activities i.e. building the STEM teachers’ network, adjusting the ID Plan, developing the STEM education with Professional Learning Community (PLC) and organizing the exhibition displaying the outcomes derived from the STEM education. 3) The result of development of STEM teachers in secondary school by participatory action research ( PAR ), it was found that (1) The STEM teachers were supported by the STEM teachers’ network. (2) The STEM teachers used ID Plan in the STEM teachers development. (3) The STEM teachers were supervisioned by the school supervision system. (4) The STEM teachers have been the portfolio and 3 aspects of STEM teacher characteristics development information which coaching and mentoring by the professor or the assessor. 4) As regards getting the lesson learned from the development of  STEM teachers in secondary school by the participatory action research ( PAR ), it was found that factors to the success of development of the STEM teachers in secondary school were as follows : (1)There is a good leader towards developing of STEM teachers in secondary school. (2)There is good cooperation from every related personnel. (3)There are definite guidelines to the constant development of STEM teachers. (4)There is building of network in development of STEM teachers both in and out of school. (5)There is creation of information system of STEM teachers’ characteristics and development by adjusting the performance report system of every STEM teachers.