Education Commons^™

An Alternative Pathway To Elementary Teaching, Lotta Larson, Tom Vontz

Educational Considerations

This article describes an alternative pathway to elementary teaching through the MAT online program at Kansas State University.

Teachers’ Increased Use Of Informational Text: A Phenomenological Study Of Five Primary Classrooms, Heather D. Young, Christian Z. Goering

Educational Considerations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explain how the Common Core State Standards may have influenced teachers' practices and philosophies regarding literacy instruction. Conducted in five kindergarten through second-grade classrooms within one elementary school, this research study collected semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and teacher-reported lesson plans over fourteen weeks. We observed that one of the largest instructional shifts due to the implementation of new standards was in the area of informational text use. This change came about not due to the volume of empirical research stating the benefits of such texts, but rather because of an educational policy …

"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 …

Teaching As A Political Act: Critical Pedagogy In Library Instruction, Melia Erin Fritch

Educational Considerations

This article establishes a theoretical framework for critical library instruction (and thereby critical information literacy) that is built upon critical feminist theory, critical race theory, and engaged pedagogy, among others. Using the ideas and work of theorists to create a path linking the ideas of critical analyses together, the author demonstrates the importance and need for critical information literacy within library instruction to empower students, creating opportunities for lifelong learning. Noted within the article are the obstacles for librarians who focus on feminist engaged pedagogy in their teaching; however, the author shares with readers that the challenge is in fact …

Instructors’ Perceptions And Experiences Re: Creating And Implementing Customized E-Texts In Education Courses, Deepak Prem Subramony

Educational Considerations

This article presents partial findings from a case study exploring the outcome of an open alternative electronic textbook initiative launched by the College of Education at a large Midwestern university. On the basis of interview data generated by the aforesaid study, this article details the perceptions and experiences of instructors participating in the initiative regarding: (a) their rationale/justification for creating tailored/customized e-texts for their respective courses; (b) the strategies they followed, the challenges they faced, and the benefits they accrued as part of the process of designing, developing, and implementing these e-texts; and (c) how their students responded to the …

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 …

Karen Symms Gallagher: Caep Chair Shares Insight Into Teacher Preparation, Accreditation, Lori Goodson

Educational Considerations

At the heart of teacher preparation, changes are taking place—a push for continued high standards and an effort to determine the impact various programs are having on P-12 student learning. Leading the way is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which emerged in 2010 from education leaders’ desire for a next generation of accreditation model to improve the preparation of teachers for America’s schools.

In this challenging environment, Karen Symms Gallagher, the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education shares her insight as the recently selected …