Science Teachers and Problem Solving in Elementary Schools in Singapore

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which science teachers taught problem solving in elementary science. The survey involved 348 teachers in 36 Singapore elementary schools. The study investigated the science teachers’ views about their use of science instructional techniques in general and the problem-solving teaching approach in particular. It also focused on the difficulties faced by science teachers in implementing the problem-solving teaching approach in the science classroom. It was found that the most emphasised activities were completion of science workbooks, teachers’ explanation of concepts, and hands-on activities. The least emphasised activities were computer-based learning, activities beyond the textbook and workbook, and visits to the ecology garden and other parts of the school. Only about one-third of the teachers often conducted activities pertaining to problem solving. Most of them were more concerned about covering the science syllabus for examinations, the physical constraints of the learning environment, and pupils’ abilities and motivation. On the other hand, teacher-related factors ranked low: these included teachers’ preference for teaching and learning outcomes, their ability to maintain control over pupils’ learning, feelings of inadequacy of science knowledge, and insufficient understanding of the pedagogical method of teaching problem solving.