The challenges faced by Higher Education Instructors (HEI) teaching Science-Technology-Society (STS)

This phenomenological study intended to find out the challenges faced by Higher Education Instructors in teaching Science, Technology and Society course under the revised General Education Curriculum (GEC) guidelines of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). It aimed to describe the challenges and difficulties encountered by seven Science instructors in terms of: (a) content, (b) teaching strategies, (c) learning resources, (d) planning and preparation, and (e) facilities. Interviews, focus group discussion and survey were conducted to conceptualize the patterns using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that their lack of trainings especially to deliver the STS contents impede them to confidently implement the STS science education. Likewise, the limited resources like
textbooks or any learning material reflecting STS approach was also addressed as one its difficulties. However, factors related to teaching strategies, planning and preparation and facilities were not considered as difficulties by most participants during their conduct of STS instruction. Thus, to address
these challenges, upholding of more training programs or seminar-workshops that are inclined to STS teaching is strongly suggested, in order to equip the science teachers in providing quality education in higher education. It is also suggested that more relevant resources parallel to the STS approach must be
provided. Further, a similar study must be conducted to a larger sample size to validate these experiences from other HEIs.

Keywords –Higher Education Instructors, Challenges, Science-Technology-Society