Factors hindering teachers from integrating natural sciences and mathematics into home economics courses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the integration of natural sciences and mathematics into home economics teaching, particularly any factors hindering integration. Altogether 88 Slovenian home economics teachers were questioned. The results show that biology, consumer and health education were integrated into home economics courses more often than other subjects. Slovenian home economics teachers' integration of other school subjects or topics depends mainly on their work experience and combination of subjects during their undergraduate studies. Another indicator, a negative one, was that our teachers didn't know some relevant science and mathematics subject curricula and they are not enough competent in these sciences. This should be the first step in the future development of home economics teacher education.