An action research project developing STEAM in Kindergarten using 'Paper Zhiju'

• Main Authors: Chang, Ya-Ling, 張雅玲
• Other Authors: Liu, Shu-Ying
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/4nrs3r

碩士 === 國立清華大學 === 幼兒教育學系碩士在職專班 === 106 === This study explores how kindergartens can use ‘paper zhiju’ in combination with the spirit of scientific inquiry of STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) to enhance children's ability to problem solve and develop distinctive storytelling methods. This research uses scaffolding to support the STEAM scientific inquiry. Objects and events can be arranged according to level and size, in time and in space, and relationships can be found from the sequence. From this the children can create a running backdrop that moves horizontally and that keeps moving with the story. Rearranging the connected images strengthens the children’s conceptualization of numbers and space, and develops their innovative storytelling. Ten children from the kindergarten where the researcher teaches participated. Action research was adopted as the research method, the cycle of measurement, design, production, application and mathematics used to develop the teaching plan and collect research data. That data was collected by means of personal observation, video recording, teaching notes, photographs of the children learning, children’s drawings, and conversations with teachers; all analyzed and cross-validated by triangulation. The following conclusions are drawn from the research: 1.STEAM can be used to encourage children’s inquiry and problem solving. 2.Children have the ability to support and scaffold each other. 3.The use of ‘paper zhiji’ strengthens the children’s understanding of space and mathematics concepts. 4.The children can use the ‘A’ of STEAM innovatively to create new stories. From these conclusions, it is recommended that future researchers should develop the themes of this project, in particular: 1.The value of young children as maker through STEAM education and the use of ‘paper zhiju’. 2.Combining STEAM education with other concepts and themes to develop innovative courses. 3.Combining art, science and technology to expand new ideas and thinking in early childhood education.