The purpose of this study was to examine the operating state of integrated classes in kindergartens and childcare centers in accordance with the implementation of the Nuri curriculum for age 5 and the needs of teachers for assistance. The following re...
The purpose of this study was to examine the operating state of integrated classes in kindergartens and childcare centers in accordance with the implementation of the Nuri curriculum for age 5 and the needs of teachers for assistance. The following research questions were posed:
1. What is the state of integrated education in kindergartens and childcare centers in accordance with the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
1-1. What is the operating state of the Nuri curriculum for age 5 in integrated classes in kindergartens and childcare centers?
1-2. What is the state of teacher efficacy among teachers in charge of integrated classes in conjunction with the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
1-3. What is the state of material support for integrated classes in kindergartens and daycare centers after the introduction of the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
1-4. What is the state of administrative and financial assistance for integrated classes in kindergartens and daycare centers after the introduction of the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
2. What are the needs of teachers for the operation of integrated classes in kindergartens and childcare centers in conjunction with the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
2-1. What are the needs of teachers for the operation of the Nuri curriculum in special classes in kindergartens and childcare centers in conjunction with the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
2-2. What are the needs of teachers for training related to integrated class in conjunction with the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
2-3. What are the needs of teachers for material assistance for integrated classes in kindergartens and childcare centers in conjunction with the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
2-4. What are the needs of teachers for administrative and financial assistance for integrated classes in kindergartens and childcare centers in conjunction with the Nuri curriculum for age 5?
The subjects in this study were 268 teachers who were selected from among the teachers in charge of five-year-olds in childcare centers and kindergartens located in South Jeolla Province. The selected teachers took training courses in the Nuri curriculum and integrated education. A survey was conducted, and the questionnaire used in this study was prepared by selecting appropriate items from earlier studies and literature and by modifying the selected items by having a discussion with experts.
The major findings of the study on Research Question 1 about the state of integrated education in kindergartens and childcare centers in conjunction with the implementation of the Nuri curriculum for age 5 were as follows:
As for Research Question 1-1, the operating state of the Nuri curriculum was investigated in terms of the operation of integrated classes, and that was found to be on a moderate level.
As for Research Question 1-2, the teacher efficacy of the teachers was on a low level when their teacher efficacy was evaluated in terms of the operation of the Nuri curriculum and of integrated classes.
As for Research Question 1-3, the material environments for special classes were on a moderate or low level when the material environments were evaluated in terms of the operating state of integrated classes after the introduction of the Nuri curriculum.
As for Research Question 1-4, the administrative and financial assistance was not sufficient, either, after the introduction of the Nuri curriculum.
The findings of the study on Research Question 2 about the needs of the teachers for the operation of integrated classes in association with the Nuri curriculum were as follows:
As for Research Question 2-1, both of the kindergarten and childcare center teachers called for assistance for the role planning of general and special education teachers the most. In relation to teaching materials for integrated education, they were most in want of teaching aids and materials for preschooler activities.
As for Research Question 2-2, the teachers were in need of training related to integrated education in conjunction with their teacher efficacy, and they hoped to take an online training course twice a year.
As for Research Question 2-3, there were very strong needs for every item of physical environments after the introduction of the Nuri curriculum.
As for Research Question 2-4, there were very strong needs for every item of administrative and financial assistance as well.
There are some limitations to the study, which were discussed in association with the findings, and there are some suggestions on how to improve integrated education based on the findings:
The geographic scope of this study was confined to some regions, and various regions should be investigated in the future. The questionnaire method was used in this study to find out the state of integrated education and needs for that, and more in-depth research should be implemented by making a direct observation of childcare centers and by having an in-depth interview with teachers. Plenty of administrative and financial aid should be provided to ensure the successful application of the Nuri curriculum to help every infant and preschooler involving disabled ones benefit from it. As it's not yet been a long time since the Nuri curriculum for age 5 was introduced, a lot of studies should be carried out when the Nuri curriculums for age 3 to 5 are carried out.