Higher Order Thinking Skills in a Primary School Setting: A Case Study of Teachers’ Perception and Pedagogical Strategies

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Higher Order Thinking Skills in a Primary School Setting: A Case Study of Teachers’ Perception and Pedagogical Strategies

Mohamad Noori Shah Kalilur Raheem¹& Nur Ehsan Mohd Said²

 ^1,2Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Abstract: – Since the implementation of the new KSSR curriculum a greater emphasis was visible in the area of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTs). This includes the domain of English as a Second Language Learning (ESL) in the Malaysian Primary school. Therefore, teachers are required to possess a certain level of knowledge and practice that adheres to the objective of teaching HOTs in the Malaysian ESL classroom. This case study intends to explore English primary school teachers’ perception and pedagogical practices in the Malaysian primary ESL classroom. Four English primary school teachers were purposefully selected from a Malaysian primary school in the state of Sabah. Interview sessions as well as observation sessions were conducted to provide robust information. The Conventional Content Analysis approach is the choice to analyse the data of this study. The resulting themes are discussed critically using relevant theories and studies in the HOTs teaching and learning area. This is to justify the relevant themes of this study. The aim of this study is to explore teachers’ current perception and practice in teaching HOTs. As a result, a model of the current teaching approaches being used that fits the objective of promoting HOTs in the Malaysian primary ESL is obtained. This model is the validated result and outcome of this study.

Keywords: Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTs), primary, ESL classroom, KSSR, teaching approaches

I. INTRODUCTION

Higher Order Thinking Skills or HOTs are a fundamental element in a learning process. It becomes a strong tool in learning, understanding and usage of knowledge. According to Brookhart (2011), HOTs are an essential tool to prepare students for the real world. These skills are meant to equip the students to face the challenges of real life. The Malaysian education has recently taken a shift towards a globalisation path. Through the implementation of the new curriculum syllabus; Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) and Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Menengah (KSSM), as well as the updated cognition and HOTs based formative and summative assessment, the Ministry of Education is aiming at producing more HOTs savvy students to improve the level of Malaysian students in the at the international stage (MoE 2012).

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