Education Commons^™

Meaningful Distributed Instruction— Conceptual Previews For Symbolic Procedures, Edward C. Rathmell

Faculty Publications

Understanding a symbolic procedure means far more than “getting the right answer.” A mathematical symbolic procedure or written skill involves step-bystep thinking that leads from a computational problem to a solution. Memorizing this step-by-step procedure may enable a student to answer the problem, even answer it correctly. Yes, that is important, but understanding means much more.

Health Literacy In The Mathematics Classroom: The Iowa Core Curriculum As An Opportunity To Deepen Students’ Understanding Of Mathematics, Elana Joram, Susan Dobie-Roberts, Nadene Davidson

Faculty Publications

By 2012, all high schools in Iowa will be required to incorporate the new Iowa Core Curriculum, followed by elementary and middle schools in 2014 (Iowa Department of Education, 2009). The Iowa Core Curriculum addresses the question: "How is Iowa's educational system preparing our youth for successful lives in the 21st-century global environment?" (Davidson, 2009). It consists of core content standards, and identifies essential concepts and skills for content areas. The Iowa Core Curriculum also includes the ―21st Century Skills‖ of ―health, financial, technology, and civic literacy, and employability skills. These skills are to be infused into existing subject matter …

Meaningful Distributed Instruction— Developing Number Sense, Edward C. Rathmell

Faculty Publications

What Is Number Sense?

The primary goal for elementary and middle school mathematics is to help students learn to use numbers meaningfully, reasonably and flexibly in everyday life. This means that students must develop a deep understanding of

-- numbers and operations,
-- when operations can appropriately be used to solve problems, and
-- judging the reasonableness of their solutions to problems.

They also need to develop attitudes so they

-- believe they can make sense of mathematics, and
-- habitually try to make sense of mathematics.

In other words, students need to develop number sense.

Understandings Needed for Number …

A Working Conference On Students With Disabilities In Stem Coursework And Careers, Audrey C. Rule, Greg P. Stefanich, Charlotte W. Haselhuhn, Belinda Peiffer

Faculty Publications

Background: Few teachers and special education specialists are aware of the materials and resources available to support science; technology; engineering; and mathematics instruction for the scattered and isolated 3000 students with sensory and motor disabilities in Iowa's K-12 schools. Additionally; faculty at many community colleges and regent institutions are not aware of possible accommodations for their students with disabilities who have interests in pursuing STEM careers. Unfortunately; this often leads to discouragement and lack of success for students with motor or sensory disabilities. This conference brings together experts and conference attendees involved in instruction; support; or transitions for these students …

Personal Epistemologies And The Learning Paradox In Teacher Education: A Neglected Dilemma, Elana Joram, Carmen Montecinos

Faculty Publications

In this chapter, we discuss the role that personal epistemologies play in teacher education, particularly with respect to the potential problems and roadblocks they may present. We suggest that epistemological beliefs govern the kind of knowledge that preservice teachers consider to be legitimate and worthwhile learning in their programs, regulate the ways in which they make choices among competing knowledge claims and justify their own choices. A body of research has examined epistemic cognition as a dimension of the cognitive growth that occurs during the college years (e.g., Baxter- Magolda, 2002; King & Kitchener, 2002; Perry, 1970), and recently, the …

The Iowa Core Curriculum And Me: How My Teaching Of Mathematics Methods Will Change, Catherine M. Miller

Faculty Publications

It is an exciting time to be a mathematics educator in Iowa! We are joining the other 49 states by having a set of state standards. In fact, Iowa is exceeding federal expectations by having a curriculum to inform the work of teachers and school administrators. Because of this, we enter an era of change in Iowa and, as we know, change is never easy. To succeed in implementing the Iowa Core Curriculum (ICC) in mathematics all teachers need to learn about it and have help in implementing its core ideas and content. This includes teachers who will begin their …

Conceptual Previews In Preparation For The Next Unit Of Instruction, Michele Carnahan, Bridgette Stevens

Faculty Publications

Understanding meanings of operations and how they relate to one another is an important mathematical goal for students in fourth grade (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000). Using pictures, diagrams, or concrete materials to model multiplication helps students learn about factors and how their products represent various contexts. The foundation of understanding how operations of multiplication and division relate to one another deepens the understanding of the composition of numbers. Discussing different types of problems that can be solved using multiplication and division is important, along with the ability to decompose numbers. When students can work among these relationships …

Skittles Chocolate Mix Color Distribution: A Chi-Square Experience, David R. Duncan, Bonnie H. Litwiller

Faculty Publications

In teaching statistical processes, it is important that there be application to realworld settings and activities. When this is done, students are more likely to see the meaning of the steps being developed.

One such activity involves using the Chi-Square statistical test and its applications to counting Skittles Chocolate Mix candies. Many students are aware that these candies come in five different flavors: Brownie Batter (BB), Vanilla (V), Chocolate Caramel (CC), S’mores (S), and Chocolate Pudding (CP).

Problem-Based Instructional Tasks, Larry Leutzinger

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Selecting U.S. Senators By The Original Method: Intersecting Mathematics And Social Studies, Bonnie H. Litwiller, David R. Duncan

Faculty Publications

Mathematics teachers are concerned with incorporating connections with other academic areas in their mathematics curriculum. Social science provides a rich source of data which can be collected, organized, and interpreted by mathematics students. These data become of particular interest to many students if they involve political questions and processes.

Playing Games To Build Understanding, Michele Carnahan, Bridgette Stevens

Faculty Publications

I am fortunate. I teach from Investigations in Number, Data, and Space [TERC] (1996), a standards-based elementary mathematics curriculum. My evolution from teaching in a traditional teacher-centered approach to one that supports a student-centered community of learners has been a slow and gradual process during the past six years of teaching. Fortunately, through experience, professional development, and graduate level courses, I have come to appreciate the conceptual understanding students acquire from learning mathematics via a student-centered approach and how playing games is an effective instructional strategy for learning mathematics. As intended by the authors of Investigations and envisioned by the …

Taking A Closer Look At Measurement – Using Teacher Read Alouds Of Nonfiction To Develop Students’ Measurement Sense, Elana Joram, Faith Garcia

Faculty Publications

Many students think of measurement as a set of procedures, for example, lining up a ruler with an object, and stating the number on the ruler that corresponds with one end of the object. This may be one reason that measurement is typically one of the weakest areas of mathematical achievement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (Struchens, Martin, & Kenney, 2003). To combat students’ weaknesses in measurement, we suggest that in the early grades they need to develop a feel for standard measurement units, such as inches and feet, and become familiar with real world referents that correspond …

Student Explorations Of Quantum Effects In Leds And Luninescent Devices, Lawrence Escalada, N. Sanjay Rebekki, Dean A. Zollman

Faculty Publications

We developed activity-based instructional units to introduce basic quantum principles to students with limited physics and mathematics backgrounds. To emphasize the practical applications of contemporary physics, we introduced concepts using the contexts of light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fluorescent lamps, and glow-in-the-dark toys. As our standard of living becomes more dependent on the latest developments in science and technology, our students' literacy must be at a level that enables them to make educated decisions on science- and technology-related issues and their everyday applications. Students need to have at least a basic understanding of 20th-century physics and its applications …

Mexican Elites And Language Policy In Tucson’S First Schools, Elise M. Dubord

Faculty Publications

Educational institutions developed in Tucson, Arizona in the last quarter of the 19th Century during a critical time in cultural and political shifts of power between Anglo and Mexican elites in Southern Arizona. This paper examines unofficial language policies in both public and parochial schools in Tucson that reflect the accommodation of power between the two groups. The data used to reconstruct these de facto language policies comes from school documents, newspaper articles and advertisements, memoirs of teachers, politicians and others as well as historical accounts of the formation of Tucson’s first schools. Tollefson (1991) suggests that “language policy is …

Reflecting Latino Culture In Our Classrooms: A Quick Start For Teachers., Christine Canning, Mary Salazar-Guenther, Julio Polanco-Noboa

Faculty Publications

This paper describes how the University of Northern Iowa's San Antonio Regional Student Teaching Program developed a course to provide cultural information on Hispanic Americans for its predominantly white student teachers. The course was delivered over 2 semesters; with students doing most work in five 2-hour meetings on campus. During the student teaching semester; they implemented the ideas and activities that they had created during the course. The paper presents the course syllabus; which offers a background on Hispanics and five sessions that emphasize how to reach Hispanic students; Mexican and Mexican American culture (holidays; food; art; and music); literature …

What Would Buffy Do? The Use Of Popular Culture Examples In Undergraduate Library Instruction., Jerilyn Marshall

Faculty Publications

This paper presents results of a survey that gathered information on the use of popular culture examples in college library instruction sessions; including the types of popular culture materials currently being used as examples; the types of courses in which they are used; the librarians' purposes in using the examples; and the librarians' impressions of whether or not the examples had an effect on the success of the session. A call for participation in the survey was distributed through two online discussion lists; BI-L and LIBREF-L during December 2001. Librarians working at the University of Northern Iowa were also invited …

Geographic Alliance Of Iowa. Lesson Plans, Kay E. Weller, Nancy Howe-Ford

Faculty Publications

This collection of five lesson plans in geography can be adapted for use with K-12 students. Each lesson plan explains the lesson and provides basic instructions. The lesson plans are titled: "Teaching Geography Using Literature in K-University Classrooms" (Kay Weller); "Geography and a Mystery Novel" (Kay Weller); "Understanding Latitude and Longitude" (Kay Weller); "Mississippi River Cruise" (Kay Weller); and "Create a Magazine Project" (Nancy Howe-Ford). (BT)

An Investigation Of The Amount Of Emphasis Placed On Content And Delivery By Instructors Of Public Speaking, Paul J. Siddens Iii

Faculty Publications

A study examined how much emphasis instructors of public speaking place on content and delivery when teaching and delivering oral and written critiques. The study sought to determine whether when teaching a hybrid introduction to communication course; or public speaking course; instructors are challenged with teaching their students about issues related to the content of the speech; such as the introduction and conclusion; organization; supporting evidence; and issues related to physical and vocal delivery such as appearance; gestures; eye contact; volume; rate; and vocal variety. This was a pilot study to test the research questions; survey instrument; and methodology used …

Constructing A Partnership With The Community: Distance Education, Ronnie G. Bankston

Faculty Publications

The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Northern Iowa has made a commitment to establish and maintain partnerships with its Iowa Communications Network (ICN) based learning communities and with the institutions of higher education throughout the state that facilitate the delivery of experiential learning to students. In January 1997; graduate student enrollment doubled when the department began offering programs in Communication Education and Public Relations over the ICN. The program has moved from a top-down pedagogical model to the creation of a partnership with its learning community. Students in the ICN Communication Education program must successfully complete a …

Classroom Teacher Cadres: A Partnership Between Agencies That Is Designed To Inspire And Model "Best Teaching/Learning Practices" For Student Teachers, Richard G. Stahlhut, Richard R. Hawkes

Faculty Publications

This paper describes how the University of Northern Iowa constructed formal networks that increased communications with public school practitioners and infused new ideas into the teacher training program. Faculty in the Office of Student Field Experience decided all regional campuses of the university should provide some common experiences for teacher trainees; including not only a common core curriculum; but similar structures for delivery as well. The core curriculum was built on five ingredients: teaching experiences; seminars; journals; conferences; and action research projects. Each regional partnership agreed to arrange pre-student teaching field experiences and a semester of student teaching; as well …

In The (Not So) Distant Future: Fiber Optic Distance Learning At The University Of Northern Iowa, Mary Bozik

Faculty Publications

Currently every Area Education Agency; community college; and Regent University in Iowa is connected by a fiber optic system known as the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). Every semester; 7 to 13 college credit classes have been offered at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) via the ICN since 1993. In the Spring of 1995 seven classes (six graduate; one undergraduate) were offered on the ICN by UNI; all were taught by a different instructor; each of whom had participated in a 3-day preparatory workshop. All 168 students were surveyed and 103 responded. Students reported their instructors used a variety of …

Technology: Connecting People And Places, Richard Stahlhut

Faculty Publications

The College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) established collaborative partnership agreements with nine major school districts in Iowa where UNI student teachers were placed. One collaborative project connected the campus coordinator with the nine off-campus sites through the campus computer network (Caucus). In the 1993-94 school year the transition to Internet is being made. This paper describes: (1) how the UNI computer network (Caucus) was developed and extended; (2) projects that caused practitioners to become active partners in the UNI Teacher Education program; (3) projects such as newsletters; establishment of mentor programs for student teachers; and …

School/University Partnerships And The Uni Teaching Associates Cadre Model: Professional Benefits To Prek-12 Educators., Mary J. Selke, Roger A. Kueter

Faculty Publications

The implementation of the University of Northern Iowa's (UNI) Teaching Associates Cadre Model (TAC) Professional Development School (PDS) program is discussed within the context of Kagan's six stages of collaborative relationships: formation; conceptualization; development; implementation; evaluation; and termination or reformation. The TAC was designed to involve school-based practitioners more closely and directly in the preservice and inservice preparation of educators. TAC members are master teachers and experienced cooperating teachers who form professional partnerships with professors and clinical supervisors. Clinical supervisors are jointly employed by UNI and a school system to assist professor-coordinators with practicum supervision of student teachers. TAC members …

Promoting Cultural Diversity And Sensitivity In The Basic Communication Course, Paul J. Siddens Iii

Faculty Publications

The University of Northern Iowa is fully committed to the ideas of equal opportunity; cultural diversity and sensitivity. The Oral Communication Basic Course Program in the Communication Studies Department is fully committed to teaching students to appreciate and actively use principles of cultural diversity and sensitivity in their daily lives. Toward that end; there are several tools the instructors use in mass lectures and classroom recitation sections; and that they will use in their Oral Communication Basic Course Computer Laboratory; to teach students about cultural diversity and sensitivity; including textbook selection; graduate student assistant and faculty orientation; class exercises; and …

What Educators Want In A Master's Program: A Practitioner's Perspective, Mary J. Selke

Faculty Publications

A constructivist practitioner's masters program in professional development (PDMA) was designed and piloted at the University of Northern Iowa. The program provides an option for pursuing a master's in education structured upon the following constructivism-focused framework of components: (1) the program is designed for experienced educators; and all coursework is applicable to the classroom; (2) classrooms serve as field-based learning laboratories; (3) students progress through the program in cohort groups; (4) professors collaborate in teaching teams to deliver an articulated curriculum; (5) electives; seminars; and practice foster individualization within a community of learners; (6) exit outcomes reflect the linkage of …

Using Computer Conferencing Technology To Assist Collaboration Between Higher Education Faculty; Student Teachers And K-12 Practitioners, Richard Stahlhut, Richard R. Hawkes

Faculty Publications

The College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) created collaborative partnerships with nine major school districts in Iowa in order to establish several kinds of relationships between practitioners and university faculty which computer networks facilitated. A new "Cobra" computer conference system was expanded to the nine regional off-campus centers where UNI student teachers were working; and modem-equipped portable computers were linked to the campus through a WATTS telephone line. Personnel; including field-based personnel and practitioners; were then able to communicate with nearly all offices on UNI campus through E-mail and computer conferences. Further programs have recruited teachers …

A Report On The Assessment Procedures Used In The Evaluation Of Student Teaching At The Middle School Level, Joane W. Mckay

Faculty Publications

This conference paper on assessment of the qualities of student teachers in middle schools discusses the concepts of authentic assessment; continuous evaluation; the roles of the cooperating teacher and the university coordinator; and assessment procedures used at the University of Northern Iowa. Eleven categories are presented for use in determining; at mid-term of the student teaching experience; whether a student teacher is meeting the requirements to become an effective teacher. These are: knowledge of content and skills areas; knowledge of learners/learning process; use of instructional planning strategies; use of instructional strategies/teaching styles; use of management and discipline strategies; use of …

Human Relations Training For Student Teachers, Richard Stahlhut, Richard Hawkes

Faculty Publications

Human relations training is a requirement for all teacher education majors graduating from Iowa colleges and universities. At the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) this course is delivered to preservice teacher education students in conjunction with their full semester student teaching experience. Major goals of the training program are: (1) to confront individuals with experiences designed to create an awareness of biases; attitudes; and beliefs and to create awareness of the degree of congruency between stated beliefs and actual behavior; and (2) to internalize and translate such awareness into actions which result in more positive relationships within the teaching/learning environment. …

A Pilot Study: Comparing The Use Of Computer-Based Instruction Materials And Audio-Tape Materials In Practicing Chinese, Ka-Fai Shiu, Sharon E. Smaldino

Faculty Publications

Computer-based and audio tape materials were compared for their effectiveness in helping students practice Chinese language lessons. Subjects were enrolled in an intensive elementary course in Mandarin Chinese. The textbook and audio tape were prepared by the Beijing Language Institute in China; and the computer-based material was developed by the author using HyperCard based on the textbook. Written and spoken components were tested; using tests developed by the instructor; a native of China. The instructional materials were used alternately in the 16-week course at the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls). Students performed better in the weeks the computer-based materials …

A Districtwide Staff Development Program For Transitioning From A Basal To A Whole Language Literacy Program: The Teacher Educator's Role As A Partner In The Change Process, Jeannie L. Steele, Kurt Meredith

Faculty Publications

This paper describes Project MILE (Moline Improvement in Literacy Education); a school/university partnership program between the University of Northern Iowa and Moline (Iowa) Public School District #40. The project called for a long-term collaborative effort in order to develop a complex and sophisticated level of university involvement with a single school district; which would allow for observation of successes and failures and provide opportunities for refinement of training efforts based on feedback. The project combined the prescriptive and catalytic models of organizational intervention; as teacher educators served as consultants to bring new information and strategies to the school teaching and …