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Teacher Education and Professional Development

2013

Virginia Commonwealth University

Articles 1 - 20 of 20

Full-Text Articles in Education

Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science Task Force Report: Preface Jan 2013

Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science Task Force Report: Preface

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Teaching About Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science: Toward A More Complete View Of Science Jan 2013

Teaching About Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science: Toward A More Complete View Of Science

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations Jan 2013

Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Scientific Argumentation As A Foundation For The Design Of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction, A. Falk, L. Brodsky Jan 2013

Scientific Argumentation As A Foundation For The Design Of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction, A. Falk, L. Brodsky

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Despite the attention that inquiry has received in science education research and policy, a coherent means for implementing inquiry in the classroom has been missing [1]. In recent research, scientific argumentation has received increasing attention for its role in science and in science education [2]. In this article, we propose that organizing a unit of instruction around building a scientific argument can bring inquiry practices together in the classroom in a coherent way. We outline a framework for argumentation, focusing on arguments that are central to science—arguments for the best explanation. We then use this framework as the basis for …


Challenging Pre-Service Students' Teaching Perspectives In An Inquiry-Focused Program, J. L. Pecore, A. Shelton Jan 2013

Challenging Pre-Service Students' Teaching Perspectives In An Inquiry-Focused Program, J. L. Pecore, A. Shelton

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Inquiry teaching based on constructivist learning theory has been an emphasis in pre-service education for over a decade. In general, a developmental teaching perspective supports inquiry-based instruction where teachers view learners as constructors of knowledge and teaching as providing questions, problems, and challenges that form a bridge from the learners' prior knowledge to a new, more sophisticated form of reasoning. Since teaching perspectives influence student learning, teacher effectiveness, and teacher attrition, challenging pre-service teachers to overcome experience-based convictions of a transmission perspective is necessary in teacher education. In this study, we examined the teaching perspectives of secondary, pre-service methods students …


Infusing Problem-Based Learning (Pbl) Into Science Methods Courses Across Virginia, K. R. Thomas, P. L. Horne, S. M. Donnelly, C. T. Berube Jan 2013

Infusing Problem-Based Learning (Pbl) Into Science Methods Courses Across Virginia, K. R. Thomas, P. L. Horne, S. M. Donnelly, C. T. Berube

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article outlines the results of a collaborative study of the effects of infusing problem-based learning (PBL) into K-12 science methods courses across four universities in Virginia. Changes in pre-service teachers' attitudes surrounding science teaching were measured before and after completing a science methods course in which they experienced PBL first-hand as participants, and then practiced designing their own PBL units for use in their future classrooms. The results indicate that exposure to PBL enhances pre-service teachers' knowledge of inquiry methods and self-efficacy in teaching science.


Inquiry Teaching: It Is Easier Than You Think!, S. Key, D. Owens Jan 2013

Inquiry Teaching: It Is Easier Than You Think!, S. Key, D. Owens

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article is a survey of the literature on inquiry teaching. Many teachers do not participate in inquiry teaching for various reasons. The following are the main reasons: it takes too much time; students do not learn what they need for the state test; and, the teachers do not know how to grade projects and presentations. These reasons sound like rhetoric from long ago, but it is very current. In this article, research is used to show that students who participate in inquiry learning or any type of problem-based education do much better than students who do not have that …


Building A Case For Mathematics Specialist Programs, D. Blount, J. Singleton Jan 2013

Building A Case For Mathematics Specialist Programs, D. Blount, J. Singleton

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Right Triangles Of Gian Francesco Malfatti, J. Boyd Jan 2013

Right Triangles Of Gian Francesco Malfatti, J. Boyd

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Reform Teaching In Mathematics And Science Courses — A Follow-Up Evaluation, G. M. Bass Jr. Jan 2013

Reform Teaching In Mathematics And Science Courses — A Follow-Up Evaluation, G. M. Bass Jr.

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Strong Support For Mathematics Specialists In Virginia, J. Singleton, D. Blount Jan 2013

Strong Support For Mathematics Specialists In Virginia, J. Singleton, D. Blount

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Aims & Scope Jan 2013

Aims & Scope

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Contents Jan 2013

Contents

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Title Page, Coordinating Editor's Remarks Jan 2013

Title Page, Coordinating Editor's Remarks

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Executive Summary — Teaching About Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science Jan 2013

Executive Summary — Teaching About Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


How Does Leadership Matter? Developing And Teaching A Definition Of Hands-On Science, A Prerequisite For Effective Inquiry Teaching, D. R. Sterling Jan 2013

How Does Leadership Matter? Developing And Teaching A Definition Of Hands-On Science, A Prerequisite For Effective Inquiry Teaching, D. R. Sterling

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This descriptive case study describes leadership skills and planning for setting clear directions by program leaders for a statewide professional development initiative to extend improvement in science teaching and learning. For science teachers and leaders in Virginia, a critical part of setting clear goals that everyone can understand is defining key science terms. One of the four key terms, "hands-on science," is defined here. Materials to develop teachers' understanding of the term for effective implementation of classroom inquiry activities are shared, along with a rubric for evaluation by and for teachers. Understanding of the term "hands-on science" is necessary before …


Understanding Mathematics And Science Advice Networks Of Middle School Teachers, D. White, A. Ruff Jan 2013

Understanding Mathematics And Science Advice Networks Of Middle School Teachers, D. White, A. Ruff

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

We report findings from a research project designed to examine the mathematics and science advice networks of teachers who participated in professional development under the auspices of the NSF-funded Rocky Mountain-Middle School Math and Science Partnership. We provide descriptive statistics of results. Additionally, we reflect on the research process and discuss some of the practical challenges involved.


Grappling With Issues Of Learning Science From Everyday Experiences: An Illustrative Case Study, A.-L. Tan, M. Kim, F. Talaue Jan 2013

Grappling With Issues Of Learning Science From Everyday Experiences: An Illustrative Case Study, A.-L. Tan, M. Kim, F. Talaue

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

There are different perceptions among researchers with regard to the infusion of everyday experience in the teaching of science: 1) it hinders the learning of science concepts; or, 2) it increases the participation and motivation of students in science learning. This article attempts to contemplate those different perspectives of everyday knowledge in science classrooms by using everyday contexts to teach grade 3 science in Singapore. In this study, two groups of grade 3 students were presented with a scenario that required them to apply the concept of properties of materials to design a shoe. Subsequently, the transcripts of classroom discussions …


Unlocking Undergraduate Problem Solving, D. Cline, K. Peterson Jan 2013

Unlocking Undergraduate Problem Solving, D. Cline, K. Peterson

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

It is difficult to find good problems for undergraduates. In this article, we explore an interesting problem that can be used in virtually any mathematics course. We then offer natural generalizations, state and prove some related results, and ultimately end with several open problems suitable for undergraduate research. Finally, we attempt to shed some light on what makes a problem interesting.


A Lesson Plan With An Arc Midpoint, G. V. Akulov, O. G. Akulov Jan 2013

A Lesson Plan With An Arc Midpoint, G. V. Akulov, O. G. Akulov

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The article introduces an explicit way of locating the arc midpoint in the Cartesian plane, which is consistent for both x- and y-coordinates and is technically accessible for students starting as young as fifteen. The authors give the proof of the statement using two trigonometry identities, and discuss some materials for innovative lessons on the arc midpoint computation that could enrich and enhance curriculum.