Impact of DECODE Model and STEM Education on In-Service Teachers^ Professional Development in Tamil Nadu, India
P Rajasekaran, Josly Jose , Narmada Devi G, Prawnya V , Dr.P.S.Sreedevi & Chun Yen Chang

Research Scholar, Department of Education, The Gandhigram Rulal Institute-DTBU, Dindigul, India.

Professor, PI JRP ICSSR (India)-NSTC (Taiwan), Department of Education, The Gandhigram Rural Institute Dindigul, India.

Chair Professor, PI- Institute of Research Excellence in Learning Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University

Department of Earth Sciences, National
Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan

Graduate School of Education, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan

Department of Biology, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia

Abstract

In the context of rapidly evolving educational demands, continuous professional development has become imperative for in-service teachers. This study investigates the impact of a professional development program based on the DECODE Model and STEM education aimed at enhancing critical thinking skills among 37 in-service science and mathematics teachers in Tamil Nadu, India. The intervention included hybrid-mode workshops facilitated by both Taiwanese and Indian experts, comprising three structured sessions: Demonstration, Co-teaching and Co-training, and Debrief. A validated 35-item rating scale was administered before and after the workshop to measure five stages of professional growth: knowledge base construction, model observation, practice reflection, implementation of changes, and expertise acquisition and dissemination. Results from a paired samples t-test indicated a statistically significant improvement in participants^ professional development scores (t = -4.515, p < .001) with a large effect size (Cohen^s d = 1.45). The study concludes that the DECODE Model is an effective framework for empowering in-service teachers with innovative pedagogical skills and promoting reflective teaching practices in STEM education.

Keywords: Critical thinking skills, STEM, In-service teachers, DECODE, Professional development

Topic: STEM Education and Technology