Education Commons^™

Case Study Of The Accommodation Readiness Spiral As An Evaluative Framework For Action Research Plans, Stephanie Mccutcheon, Erica Sponberg, Judith Mena Pazmiño, Kevin Murry, Socorro Herrera

Prairie Journal of Educational Research

This study utilized qualitative research to examine student work for evidence of language exemplifying the progressive levels of the Accommodation Readiness Spiral (ARS). The goal of this research is was to consider how the ARS could be utilized as a purposive framework for the assessment of professional, capacity building potential as related to a teacher’s readiness for the accommodation of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students. Thus, we intended to explore the question, what examples of text within ECM participants’ action research plans appear to correspond to levels of the ARS if used as a framework of evaluation for professional …

Utilizing Project-Based Learning To Increase Engagement And Performance In The High School Classroom, Alan English

Prairie Journal of Educational Research

Abstract

Project-based learning was incorporated into a high school American History course unit where students were expected to write an original history of the Vietnam War based exclusively on primary sources. Throughout the school year, students working as a collective unit worked to raise funds at school events for the purpose of surprising a class guest speaker, a Vietnam veteran, with a sponsored flight to Washington D.C. through Kansas Honor Flights. In addition to creating an experience of civic participation, student engagement (as measured by rate of completion of the project) and performance (as measured by average grade on the …

Engaging Graduate Students In The Online Learning Environment: A Universal Design For Learning (Udl) Approach To Teacher Preparation, Marla J. Lohmann, Kathleen A. Boothe, Andrea R. Hathcote, Amy Turpin

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Today’s classroom is more diverse than ever; it is imperative that universities find solutions for meeting these diverse learning needs. One potential solution is Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which is a promising practice in the K-12 classroom. UDL is based on the idea that diversity among students is predictable and systematic adjustments to the curriculum should be made based on that predictability. While there is strong research supporting the use of UDL for traditional K-12 classrooms, there is little research regarding its implementation in the online university teacher preparation classroom. This study explores the use of UDL for increasing …

Shuffle Lit!: Using Ipod Shuffles To Encourage Literacy Experiences At Home, Ashlee B. Hover

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

A kindergarten teacher used action research to examine how literature, audio books, homework, and Apple iPod Shuffles can be combined to encourage and improve literacy at home. The research participants consisted of 16 kindergarten students in Middle Tennessee and their parents. The kindergarten students took home a tote bag with the following contents: an Apple iPod Shuffle loaded with many audio stories, six books, two types of headphones, and an iPod listening/reading log. The students took the project materials home for a week to enjoy with their parents and other family members. The parents or siblings recorded the students’ experiences …

A Scaffolding Approach Using Interviews And Narrative Inquiry, Sharon Heilmann

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This article examines how educational scaffolding was used in a graduate research methods course to encourage student mastery of two qualitative research concepts, interviews and narrative inquiry. Findings suggest that scaffolding resulted in students’ mastery of both concepts as well as students’ increased attention to quality of interview questions and outcomes. Further implications suggest scaffolding would be useful in combining other qualitative topics such as integrating content analysis skills with research designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, and case studies.

Una Destinatio, Viae Diversae – One Destination, Many Paths: An Invitation To Design Curriculum, Aviva B. Dorfman

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

One goal of early childhood teacher educators is to teach in ways that model teaching young children. What better way to study curriculum than to design it? This article describes a graduate early childhood curriculum course in which the students participate in the process of designing the syllabus. They receive a syllabus empty of topics, schedule, and readings. Together, we design the course according to their interests and needs. By semester’s end there is a full reading list and schedule. The invitation to co-design curriculum provides opportunities for investigation, representation and reflection as does constructivist teaching for children, and demonstrates …

Prospective Teachers’ Perceptions Of Influential Teacher Qualities, Daniel J. Bergman

The Advocate

While much has been written regarding elements of “good” teachers, little exists with respect to qualities of influential teachers. Prospective science teachers (N = 98) completed a survey identifying and describing influential teachers in their own lives. In addition to demographic data, qualitative content analysis of narratives excavated common themes. The seven most frequent attributes of influential teachers were passion, rapport, pedagogy, time, high expectations, fun, and helpful. Implications for teacher education and research include synergistic combinations of these traits, alignment with literature on effective teaching, development of professional dispositions, and more.

Responding To The Needs Of Early Career Sets Through Educator Preparation Programs, Jeongae Kang, Shantel Farnan, Tamara Lynn

The Advocate

Effective collaboration between special education teachers (SETs) and general educator teachers (GETs) is critical to better serve diverse students in the general education classroom. However, multiple areas of needs reported by early career SETs indicate that achieving the goal of effective collaboration is challenging. With a better understanding of the early experiences of SETs and their specific needs, GETs would be more suited to support early career SETs and increase effective partnerships across diverse educational settings. This article identified the needs of beginning SETs and discussed the directions of educator preparation programs in response of the reported needs.

Table Of Contents And Introductory Materials For Vol. 23, No. 6, Spring-Summer 2018, Bruce Quantic

The Advocate

Table of contents, editorial information, a message from the president of ATE-K, and a message from the editor for Vol. 23, no. 6, Spring-Summer 2018 for The Advocate.

A Different Level Of Caring: Navigating The Intersections Of Perception Of Care In Teaching, Donna M. Sayman, Kell Carrero, Mandy E. Lusk

The Advocate

This study sought to predict teacher’s perceptions of caring. We surveyed 457 educators using the Caring Abilities Inventory (Nkongho, 1990). Due to the ever increasing diversity of American classrooms, it is critical to determine how to best recognize, recruit, and prepare the next generation of teachers. Findings indicated differences in caring among gender and race. Implications for teacher preparation programs could be a need to gain insight into gendered and racial notions of care.

Stem Summer Program Impacts Middle Schoolers, Pre-Service Teachers, Lori Goodson, Todd Goodson, Lacee Sell

The Advocate

A partnership between a local school district and a university’s education college has created an innovative program that provides learning opportunities at all levels each summer. Entering its eighth year, the program brings together middle school students, pre-service teachers, classroom teachers, and university graduate students and faculty for a month of hands-on learning in a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) activities. The program continues to thrive with approximately 50 pre-service teachers, 325-350 middle schoolers, and 20-30 classroom teachers participating. Through the years, it continues to be an engaging and positive experience for those involved.

Parent Involvement In Pre-Kindergarten And The Effects On Student Achievement, Kimberly Mcdowell, Ashlie Jack, Meredith Compton

The Advocate

An ever-present achievement gap has been found among students and their peers. Educational research and literature have found that the growing gap is due in part to a lack of parent involvement in their students’ education and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate how parent involvement affects student achievement and academic success in Pre-Kindergarten. It was hypothesized that parents who display higher levels of involvement will have children who perform better academically. The participants in this study included 26 preschool children and their parents. The researcher utilized a curriculum-based measurement, AIMSweb, and IGDI’s (Indicators of Individual …

"A Constant State Of Flex And Change": A Teacher Candidate's Perceptions Of And Experiences With Military-Connected Learners, Vicki S. Sherbert

Educational Considerations

All teacher candidates enter the classroom with initial perceptions and assumptions regarding their students’ diverse lived experiences and the role those experiences may play in the classroom (Wenger & Dinsmore, 2005). For teacher candidates with no military background, concerns may extend beyond those typical of teacher candidates in other internship placements to include worries about understanding and meeting the unique needs of military-connected learners. This qualitative case study involved three teacher candidates who were about to begin their student teaching internships working in elementary classrooms in schools on a military post. This article will offer an in-depth description of one …

Changing Teacher Education: Challenging Assumptions And Moving Forward, Todd Goodson

Educational Considerations

This issue marks the first under the direction of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University. This issue is devoted to the theme Changing Teacher Education, and our contributing authors explore various aspects of change and their implications for both teacher education as well as K-12 education. The issue also includes a new feature, Key Conversations, devoted to an interview with a leading figure whose work illuminates the theme of the issue.

A Year On The Rock: A Methods Professor Returns To The Classroom, Bradley J. Burenheide

Educational Considerations

As a Methods Professor in a Research I institution in the Midwest and the largest education program in its respective state, I faced a crisis after ten years in higher education. The concern I faced was whether or not the repertoire I taught my students was appropriate and meaningful in their training. While staying abreast of current research and strategies, I wanted to ensure that my techniques were still applicable to working with students after ten years of less connection with classrooms. This article discusses the framework employed in the research experience as well as the big lessons that were …

Developing And Sustaining Positive Relationships Through Stakeholder Engagement, Christopher Jochum, Paul Adams, Shawn Henderson

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Developing and sustaining positive working relationships with stakeholders is an increasingly important component of departmental leadership. Participants in this session will learn how a teacher education department successfully engages stakeholders to promote student success, encourage fund raising initiatives and support the university and departmental culture.

Leading The Transition To Active Learning Strategies And The High-Engagement Teaching Model, William J. Buchhorn, Elena Allen

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This interactive workshop will showcase several strategies used in the new active learning model of teaching as chairs from English and Reading at Butler Community College (KS) share insights developed during the multi-year implementation of a partnership with AVID for Higher Education.

Shifting The Culture Through Strategic Moves And Hires, Sarah Edwards

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Wondering how to motivate faculty to be the drivers for building and maintaining an assessment system that works? Join this session to consider how to make strategic moves and hires designed to have faculty own data and view assessment as a vital part of the faculty role.

Preparing For College Success: Exploring Undergraduate Students' Perceptions Of The Benefits Of A College Reading And Study Skills Course Through Action Research, Christy M. Howard, Lanette Moret, Johna Faulconer, Tanya Cannon, Amanda Tomlin

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate students’ perceptions of the benefits of a college reading and study skills course. Researchers have found that even with increased emphasis on college readiness, many students continue to enter college unprepared for the rigorous academic expectations they may face. With this in mind, this study was designed to examine the perceptions of students entering college and being enrolled in a “support” course based on their SAT scores. Findings revealed that participants valued learning study skills and strategies that supported their understanding of course material before, during, and after the reading process. …

Experiences And Perceptions Of University Students And General And Special Educator Teacher Preparation Faculty Engaged In Collaboration And Co-Teaching Practices, Leila A. Ricci, Joan Fingon

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

General and special education faculty modeling co-teaching practices in teacher preparation programs can promote collaboration among future K-12 teachers serving children with diverse needs. This article describes the experiences and perceptions of 59 university students enrolled in teacher preparation reading courses with sessions co-taught by general education and special education faculty members at a large, Hispanic serving public urban university in Southern California. The courses included lessons on co-planning, co-instructing, and co-assessing in reading jointly taught by the general education and special education professors; class readings and activities on collaboration and co-teaching; and the opportunity for university students to co-plan …

How Will You Contribute? A Look At An Instructional Strategy To Improve Student-Centered Learning, Christine Kenney

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The dreaded blank stares, looking down at a phone, or the student who falls asleep. University instructors know students who demonstrate these behaviors and have watched them disengage during class. Students might wish to engage, but may not know how. The purpose of this article is to examine the use of contribution strategies with undergraduate students in an effort to foster their engagement in class. Through a semester-long study, students’ usage of seven contribution strategies within course discussions was examined through frequencies and audio recordings. Findings reveal that students incorporated the seven contribution strategies into course discussions however they did …

Revisiting A Classic: A Book Review Of Understanding Reading: A Psycholinguistic Analysis Of Reading And Learning, Chris Sclafani

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Often, the teaching profession spends a great deal of time looking towards the future, or considering what might be the next big trend that will help students. However, it is sometimes important to reflect back upon the texts and ideas that set the tone for the profession. Understanding Reading: A Psycholinguistic Analysis of Reading and Learning by Frank Smith is a classic text that laid the foundation for teachers of literacy to move from an existence of teaching rules and exceptions to becoming an actively involved participant in the process of building and facilitating comprehension in students of all ages. …

Editorial Introduction, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

No abstract provided.

Professional Development Needs For General Education Teachers To Educate Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Natalie Precise, Kim Finch, Cynthia Macgregor

The Advocate

The purpose of this study was to identify areas in which educational leadership could aid in preparing general education teachers to educate children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A needs assessment was conducted through a case study in a rural Missouri school district to identify the level of efficacy noted by teachers of various experience levels. Pre-service preparation and provided professional development were examined to identify ways in which educational leaders could further the knowledge base and effectiveness of general education teachers to teach students with ASD.

Students' Perceptions Of Grading Practices And Impacts On Mindset Development, Julie Thiele

The Advocate

This study examined the impact grading policies have on students’ mindsets in urban Midwestern middle schools. The components of this quasi-experimental, causal comparative survey research relied on the grading policies in place at the school level and the students’ reporting of their mindset. The findings demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the mindset levels of students from schools with different grading policies. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies between student perceptions of the grading practices and the schools’ stated grading policies. These findings begin to explore the impact grading practices have on students, during the transition from traditional to standards based grading.

Table Of Contents And Introductory Materials For Vol. 23, No. 5, 2017/2018, Bruce Quantic

The Advocate

This includes the table of contents, a message from the ATE-K president, and editorial information for vol. 23, issue 05 (Fall - Winter 2017/2018)

Teacher Perceptions Of A Culture Of Thinking, Gary G. Andersen

The Advocate

Building classroom and school cultures of thinking is one of the fundamental and critical purposes of education. This study is an exploratory effort to obtain a clearer picture of teachers’ perceptions about eight components of a culture of thinking within their own classroom. The instrument used is a quantitative survey developed by Ritchhart (2015) that examines eight forces of cultures of thinking (expectations, language, modeling, time, opportunities, routines, physical environment and interactions). The survey results provide useful information about potential target areas for those seeking to deepen cultures of thinking in educational settings.

Swinging The Pendulum Towards Social Emotional Support (A Position Paper), Jessica Lane

The Advocate

This paper discusses how for 15 years mandated high-stakes testing took precedence as the prominent measure of student success. An unintentional consequence of this time was that social-emotional competencies were overlooked. Most recently, the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) has developed and implemented an accreditation model that is based off of a more holistic look at student success. This new model broadens the scope of academic success, and uses the ideas of relationships, relevance, responsive culture, rigor, and results as key measurable components. This article posits that leveraging the expertise of school counselors in social and emotional development, and providing …

Cultivating Courage To Overcome Bullying Through Diversity Book Clubs, Sonja Ezell

The Advocate

As universities enroll increasingly diverse student populations, fill tenure track positions with minority status faculty, and hire staff members conscientiously, they need transformative narratives and culturally sensitive dialogs as adaptive changes. A small university in the Midwest provided a diversity book club to promote weekly conversation among students, faculty, and staff on issues related to race religion, ethnicity, sexuality and gender. This study examines diversity book club study offerings for courageous responses to bullying and recommends practices to cultivate courage to overcome bullying related to diverse populations on university campuses.

Elearning For Edleaders At Emporia State University, John Morton, Daniel Stiffler, Nancy Albrecht, Timothy Marshall

The Advocate

The building level leadership practicum at Emporia State University in Emporia, KS, has moved from a face-to-face experience to a totally online experience. Students participate in 56 total learning activities which are reported online for the two semester course. The program provides flexibility to students and still allows quality interaction via structured discussions. In addition, students select a practicum research project which allows them to gain hands on experiences by following the project from start to completion. The shift in program has garnered positive student response and support. This program utilizes elearning to prepare graduate building level leadership students for …