Education Commons^™

Constructivism And Instructional Design: Some Personal Reflections, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

Some personal reflections on instructional design and its relation to constructivism are explored. Instructional design in its present form is out of sync with the times in that its orientation, methods, and research base are behavioristic, or positivistic. However, a constructivist theory of instructional design is possible, particularly if constructivism is recognized as a philosophy rather than a strategy. To better fit the needs of practitioners, instructional design theories need to be better grounded in a broad understanding of learning and instructional processes. Generic principles and specific heuristics are needed for dealing with recurring problems and situations in instructional design …

From The Inside In: An Examination Of Common Core Knowledge & Communication In Schools, Jonathan Supovitz, Ryan Fink, Bobbi Newman

Bobbi Newman

In this report, CPRE researchers explore how Common Core knowledge and influence are distributed inside of schools and how these configurations may help teachers to engage with the Common Core and influence their understanding and implementation. To do so, we used a mixed-method approach to examine knowledge and influence in eight schools, including five elementary schools and three middle schools. Our central method was a survey of knowledge and influence of all faculty members in a sample of eight schools. These data are supplemented with interview data from a purposeful sample of teachers and administrators in the eight schools.

Sponsored …

The Relationship Between A College Preparation Program And At-Risk Students' College Readiness, Jennifer Cates, Scott Schaefle

Scott Schaefle

This study evaluates the relationship between elements of a college preparation program and the college readiness of low-income and/or Latina/o students at the completion of 6 years of participation in the program. Hours of participation in tutoring, mentoring, advising, college campus visits, summer programs, and educational field trips are examined in relationship to students' college-track course completion and Preliminary SAT (PSAT) participation. In addition, the relationship between students' expectations for college and their ranking of program activities is examined. Results indicate that key program elements related to college readiness include advising, college campus visits, and college information through booklets and …

Learning To Teach A Foreign Language: Identity Negotiation And Conceptualizations Of Pedagogical Progress, Jason Martel

Jason Martel

No abstract provided.

We, The Students And Teachers: Teaching Democratically In The History And Social Studies Classroom, Robert Maloy, Irene Laroche

Robert W. Maloy

We, the Students and Teachers shows history and social studies educators how to make school classrooms into democratic spaces for teaching and learning. The book offers practical strategies and lesson ideas for transforming democratic theory into instructional practice. It stresses the importance of students and teachers working together to create community and change. The book serves as an essential text for history and social studies teaching methods courses as well as professional development and inservice programs for history and social studies teachers at all grade levels

The Case, Glenn W. "Max" Mcgee, Christopher Kolar

Christopher G. Kolar

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) was created by the State of Illinois to develop talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. IMSA enrolls a diverse pool of academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs designed to foster imagination and inquiry (see www.imsa.edu).

Engaging With Excellence In Mathematics Teaching : Creating Excellence In The Learning Environment, Ray Peck, Hilary Hollingsworth, W Morony

Ray Peck

No abstract provided.

Twenty-First Century College Commentaries, Mary Ferguson

Mary J. Ferguson, Ed. D.

My parents were children of second generation post slavery parents; they valued the educational basics of math, reading and writing. When I revisited the requirements my parents demanded from us as child scholars, it reminded me of how simple things use to be in order to live an educated, simple and responsible life. ‘Go to college’ was their number one educational demand; having lived through the Great Depression, they valued God, education and our country. My siblings were the first generation of college students to obtain higher education or should I say four-year degrees in my family. School was a …

The Case, Glenn W. "Max" Mcgee, Christopher Kolar

Glenn W. "Max" McGee

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) was created by the State of Illinois to develop talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. IMSA enrolls a diverse pool of academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs designed to foster imagination and inquiry (see www.imsa.edu).

The Power To Transform: Leadership That Brings Learning And Schooling To Life, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Stephanie Pace Marshall, Ph.D.

The Power to Transform is a call to re-conceive and re-design schooling. Rather than offer “best practices” or “prescriptive solutions,” it invites leaders of all ages and walks of life to think differently about learning and schooling. It illuminates the “why” and “what” of educational transformation and explores its deepest roots. It offers new language, new design principles, a new framework, and a new map for creating vibrant, imaginative and adaptive learning landscapes that integrate the dynamic properties of living systems with the generative principles of learning. It is from this natural integration that the new story of learning and …

Blessed Unrest: The Power Of Unreasonable People To Change The World, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Stephanie Pace Marshall, Ph.D.

In her keynote address at the 2008 NCSSSMST Professional Conference, Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall addresses what work can be done with the collective resources of its Consortium members which beg to be shared and connected--and also explores what the source of "...our Blessed Unrest that will give us the courage to become unreasonable advocates for our children and for STEM transformation?"

Re-Imagining Specialized Stem Academies: Igniting And Nurturing ‘Decidedly Different Minds,’ By Design, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Stephanie Pace Marshall, Ph.D.

This article offers a personal vision and conceptual design for reimagining specialized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academies designed to nurture decidedly different STEM minds and ignite a new generation of global STEM talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. This design enables students to engage actively in the authentic work, modes of inquiry, and practices that distinguish four STEM learning cultures, environments, and communities: (a) Inquiry and Research Laboratory and Interdisciplinary Learning Center—develops disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and inquiry-based thinking; (b) Innovation Incubator and Design Studio—ignites innovative and design-based thinking; (c) Global Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Institute—nurtures change leadership and systems-based thinking; …

Inferring Impulsive-Analytic Disposition From Students’ Actions In Solving Math Problems, Kien Lim, Miguel Mendoza

Kien H Lim

The research reported in this paper is part of a larger study designed to investigate the validity of the Likelihood-to-Act (LtA) survey—an Likert-scale instrument, currently under development and testing, for assessing students’ impulsive-analytic disposition in mathematics. Transcripts and videos of 15 interviewees’ responses to five problems, adapted from the LtA Survey, were analyzed in terms of (a) solution strategies and (b) impulsive-analytic disposition. Two scores were derived from quantifying the codes that were assigned to the 75 problem-solving episodes. These scores were highly correlated to one another and were correlated to the LtA_Difference (impulsive minus analytic) score, obtained from the …

The Green Growth Knowledge Economy: Implications For Technology And Design Teachers, Kurt Seemann, Jason Newcombe, Angela Turner

Dr Angela Turner

How societies learn, design and develop a green growth focus in knowledge innovations are the keys to sustainable economic and social development. The unique characteristics of knowledge and the dynamics of the knowledge economy mean that, whether we like it or not, a cultural change is required from thinking in terms of production to thinking in terms of innovation. Inevitably, the teaching and learning of green knowledge innovations is a key factor for determining how well societies will sustain a quality life in the emerging resource constraints that populations face. This chapter outlines key ideas underpinning the nature of a …

Knowledge, Belief And Science: Methods For Teaching Vce Philosophy – Unit 4, Area Of Study 2, Jacob Pearce, D Vine

Dr Jacob Pearce

No abstract provided.

Ya Me Fui! When English Learners Consider Leaving School, Jeanmarie Hamilton Boone

Jeanmarie Hamilton Boone

This study examines narratives of English learners who have either dropped out or considered dropping out as a result of their experience in high school. This research seeks to determine at which point students left or considered leaving school, which often goes undetected in traditional quantitative data collection methods. The common themes that emerged in these narratives are examined in light of existing research. Researchers have suggested the following reasons English learners leave high school before earning a high school diploma: employment, limited English skills, disciplinary problems, poor grades, and not feeling a “sense of belonging” to the school. The …

Continuing Discussion Of Mathematical Habits Of Mind, Annie Selden, Kien H. Lim

Kien H Lim

The idea of “mathematical habits of mind” has been introduced to emphasize the need to help students think about mathematics “the way mathematicians do.” There seems to be considerable interest among mathematics educators and mathematicians in helping students develop mathematical habits of mind. The objectives of this working group are: (a) to continue the discussion of various views and aspects of mathematical habits of mind begun at PME-NA 31, (b) to explore avenues for research, (c) to encourage research collaborations, and (d) to interest doctoral students in this topic.

Getting Boys To Read: A Look At The Research And The Books They Love, Carrie Lynn Cooper Dean Of Libraries, Kathy Cox Watson

Kathy Cox Watson

This session focuses on what the research says about males as readers and introduces the audience to great boy books and other types of text that appeals to male readers. The presenters have chosen titles from the Kentucky Bluegrass Awards program that are of interest to young male readers. Presenters also introduce and promote Kentucky’s children’s choice reading program, the Kentucky Bluegrass Awards. To misquote George Ella Lyon, the presenters woudl like to get boys to "shake hands with a book."

Dr. Skateboard’S Action Science, William Robertson

William H. Robertson

Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science is designed to incorporate both a four part Video Series and an accompanying activity booklet that focuses on concepts in physical science that integrates both skateboarding and BMX. Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science explores concepts suitable for middle grade (4-8) students in a curriculum that is designed to address both the objectives and enduring knowledge of physical science in content and process skills for both the National Science Standards and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The video instruction provides the teacher with a series of instructional hooks and content information that can be used to explore …

Developing Problem-Based Curriculum: Unlocking Student Success Utilizing Critical Thinking And Inquiry, William Robertson

William H. Robertson

This book utilizes a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach to curriculum development and delivery. PBL is an inquiry-based approach that can be defined as both a curriculum and a process. The curriculum consists of carefully selected and designed problems that engage the learner in the process of acquiring critical knowledge, developing proficiency in problem solving, engaging in self-directed learning, and participating in collaborative teams. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a multidisciplinary approach that integrates effective teaching and learning practices with computer technology. This curriculum integration process engages students in collaborative research that can be shared in the classroom, across a community or …

Does Religious Behavior Predict Academic Success For English Learners?, Jeanmarie Hamilton Boone

Jeanmarie Hamilton Boone

This study examined the religious practices and behaviors of predominantly Hispanic high school English learners to determine whether their religious behaviors, such as attending church, enjoying church attendance and wearing religious symbols were associated academic achievement. In the sample of 126 primarily Christian students, religiosity was determined not to be associated with academic achievement.

Collaboration: Advocacy For School Change, Cynthia Strong

Cynthia Strong

Adolescent literacy is a looming issue in secondary schools. Being able to read, comprehend, and write is imperative for students to understand the content of their classes and textbooks. According to Michael Kamil, professor of psychological studies in education and learning at Stanford University, "we almost need a trauma center to take care of this problem, it's that serious for kids that can't read...It's the number-one factor standing in the way of their graduating" (Manzo-Kennedy). Given the importance of literacy, this article provides a story of how a high school media specialist on the east coast sought to collaborate with …

Development Of An Assessment Model To Support The Technical Specifications And Proposals For The Review Of The Syllabuses For The Senior Phase Of Learning, Gabrielle Matters, Claire Wyatt-Smith

Dr Gabrielle Matters

No abstract provided.

Engaging With Excellence In Mathematics Teaching : Creating Excellence In The Learning Environment, Ray Peck, Hilary Hollingsworth, W Morony

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

No abstract provided.

Students' Advice To Prospective Middle School Teachers: Learning From The Experiences Of Future Students, Mark Storz

Mark G. Storz

No abstract provided.

Ict Acheivers Program, Anne-Marie Chase, Greg Powell

Dr Anne-Marie Chase

Methods 1/2/3/4 : Tasks Designed To Develop The Characteristics Possessed By Talented Mathematicians, G Williams, G Cowling, Ray Peck, J Ripon

Ray Peck

This paper discusses group learning among VCE mathematics students at a combined schools' workshop in Hamilton, Victoria, and at Gippsland Grammar. When tasks with the potential for collaborative groups to discover complexities are used in conjunction with a teaching approach like class collaboration students tend to engage with the tasks, more frequently display the types of characteristics possessed by talented mathematicians, and develop new mathematical understandings. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the tks described in this paper are suitable for such a purpose.

The Essential Career Guide To Becoming A Middle And High School Teacher, Robert Maloy, Irving Seidman

Robert W. Maloy

The Essential Career Guide to Becoming a Middle and High School Teacher offers a step-by-step guide to preparation, certification, and employment as a teacher. It provides guidance about issues and choices facing prospective educators, including making the decision to teach, assessing the differences between middle schools and high schools, identifying an excellent teacher education program, understanding alternative pathways to certification, taking state-mandated teacher tests, succeeding as a student teacher, and finding a first job in the profession.