Understanding Novel Engineering Implementation Barriers for Teachers.
Mehta, Lajja.
2015
-
Abstract: Novel
Engineering (NE) is an interdisciplinary approach to teach engineering and literacy in
elementary and middle schools. In order to further improve the NE program and increase
its adoption, it is important to understand teachers' experiences with NE and the
barriers they face in implementation of NE activities. The aims of this study were to
identify the top barriers to NE imple... read morementation and uncover if any relationship exists
between teachers' background and the barriers they mentioned. Data for this study were
collected through one-on-one interviews and an online questionnaire conducted with 12
elementary school teachers. Risk assessment methodology was employed to assess the major
barriers in the questionnaire, while a semi-structured interview was used to explore
teachers' experiences in detail. Results of the quantitative and qualitative responses
indicate lack of time, pressure from administration to meet standards, and access to
materials as top barriers for NE implementation. This thesis analyzes the relationship
between teachers' backgrounds and the top barriers, and discusses how this analysis
could be used to empower teachers to efficiently infuse engineering education into their
classrooms.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University, 2015.
Submitted to the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor: Chris Rogers.
Committee: Dan Hannon, and Ethan Danahy.
Keywords: Education, Engineering, and Psychology.read less - ID:
- 5712mk450
- Component ID:
- tufts:21482
- To Cite:
- DCA Citation Guide EndNote
