STEM Teachers’ Practices, Opportunities, and Challenges in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Implications to Education, Administration, and Teacher Training Institutions

The demands of globalization have ushered in the Age of Emerging Technologies (ETs). Although some educational technologies (ETs) are not new, very few Filipino educators utilize them in their classroom practice, despite their potential to improve the teaching-learning process. The study identified the types of educational technologies (ETs) used by Filipino STEM teachers and how these are being utilized, the reasons for using ETs, the observed or perceived effects on students’ learning, the observed or perceived challenges in using ETs, and the enabling mechanisms to support the integration of ETs in STEM classrooms. The study used a case study qualitative research design with participants from Public HS (PHS) and Public Science HS (PSHS) who completed an online questionnaire. The results of the study showed that there was no difference between PHS and PSHS teachers’ use and perception of ETs and that most teachers use AI in their teaching practice. The result also showed that teachers use ETs mostly as teaching aids and to promote STEM education and careers. Teachers were also found to have either positive or negative observed and perceived effects of ETs’ use on students’ learning. The challenges in using ETs were the lack of equipment, training, integration time, teaching resources, and their potential misuse. Enabling mechanisms for ET integration include an investment in infrastructure and human resources, and programs to sustain teachers’ motivation to use ETs. The findings of the study have potentially useful implications for STEM Education, School Administration, and Teacher Training Institutions.