As mankind in the 21st century is living in complex social issues related on science technology, it is essential to educate STEAM that can develop the integrative ability which is not only knowledge of science technology but also creative problem solv...
As mankind in the 21st century is living in complex social issues related on science technology, it is essential to educate STEAM that can develop the integrative ability which is not only knowledge of science technology but also creative problem solving, force a decision, humanistic and artistic knowledge to solve these problems. The 2009 revised curriculum containing STEAM is applied to the science textbooks of the middle school and these have been used from 2013, in order from 7th grade. Therefore it is necessary to examine whether how STEAM is reflected in textbooks from 2013. In this study, science textbooks were analyzed to investigate how many STEAM activities are contained in textbooks and reflect any activity types and contents. Subjects of analysis are selected from the five sorts of textbooks that are used mostly among the nine sorts of them, and textbooks including two or more STEAM components of STEAM activities stated on textbooks and teacher's guide are selected to conduct type analysis and content analysis for each activities of STEAM. For type analysis, STEAM activities were classified into 10 types by using an "analysis framework of STEAM activity types". For content analysis, each STEAM activity is analyzed in the components of STEAM using the framework of classification of Yakman and in integration level using integration pattern on the basis of Fogarty’s five patterns.
The results are as follows:
First, a result of number of STEAM activities in textbooks shows that Visang textbook is most at 146, Kumsung textbook was small most 12 in all STEAM activities and that Visang textbook is most at 70, Kumsung textbook was small most 9 in STEAM activities included two or more components of STEAM. From this result, it was found that STEAM activities described in textbooks were not appropriate.
Second, STEAM type of activities included textbooks and each section depends on the type and characteristics of the activity. The analysis of STEAM activity types in each textbooks shows that Read(R) type is most frequency in Mirae-n, Chunjae, Kumsung textbook, Express(E) in Visang and Creative design(C) in Doosan. However, Discussion(D), Media making(M), Visit & Experiential activity(VE), Hands-on-activity(H) type is hardly observed. In comparison to the textbook by section, type of STEAM activities contains the least from any textbook in Ⅰ Section, and the most from the most of the textbooks in Ⅲ, Ⅳ section.
Third, the analysis of the components of STEAM shows that STEAM activities associated with two are most frequent and combination of Arts(A), Science(S) is the most. However, STEAM activities associated with four or five is hardly observed. Looking at the contents contained in the components of STEAM, there are a lot of activities with the materials associated with the real-life most. In particular, STEAM activities highlighted technology was contained that reflects the trends in science and the latest science and technology state-of-the-art technology. Further, STEAM activity highlighted engineering is contained Creative design(C) type.
Fourth, the analysis based on Fogarty’s integration types of STEAM activities shows that threaded type is most frequent, followed by sequenced, webbed, shared, integrated type. The 'integrated model' which is the highest level of interdisciplinary integration is least.
Therefore, in order to better understand the students' interest, cultivate problem-solving skills and interdisciplinary thinking, it must consist of STEAM activities suitable. In particular, if Discussion(D), Media making(M), Visit & Experiential activity(VE), Hands-on-activity(H) type not included in the textbook were offered with the Read(R) type that presented relatively many in the textbook, the structure of the various activities that students can participate is possible. Further, by using the materials of the various real-lives, STEAM activity enhances the students’ interest. Furthermore, by using the activity associated with other areas of science, it increases the convergence thinking of the student. Finally, When constructing the webbed type of STEAM activity that is easier to construct the class than the integrated type, it is possible to compose STEAM activity contained high integrate level and the various components of STEAM.