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Full-Text Articles in Education

Developing Instructional Skills: Perspectives Of Feedback In Student Teaching, Noelle Won, Kimy Liu, Debra Bukko Aug 2019

Developing Instructional Skills: Perspectives Of Feedback In Student Teaching, Noelle Won, Kimy Liu, Debra Bukko

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Feedback is essential for the transformation and development of new teachers. This action research study explored perceptions of feedback givers/receivers in the development of essential teaching skills in a new co-teaching model. Outcomes informed programmatic changes to teacher education trainings and protocols. The research team included teacher education faculty, including the program leader (author 1), faculty (author 2) and K-12 teacher leader (author 3). Student teachers (6), cooperating teachers (7), and university supervisors (3) participated in semi-standard interviews and close-ended surveys. Responses were analyzed for feedback content, frequency, timing, effectiveness, reception and application. Three key components of the feedback process …


Effects Of Game-Based Learning On Attitude And Achievement In Elementary Mathematics, Kyli White, Leah P. Mccoy Jan 2019

Effects Of Game-Based Learning On Attitude And Achievement In Elementary Mathematics, Kyli White, Leah P. Mccoy

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Games-based learning involves instruction with realistic game experiences (Cicchino, 2015). This action research study explored game-based learning as fifth grade mathematics students completed a brief unit on ordered pairs utilizing games-based lessons. Attitude and achievement data were collected mainly by surveys, content tests, student interviews, and field notes. Additional information included in the teacher-researcher analysis consisted of classroom photographs, videos, and student work samples. Results revealed that student attitudes improved both toward the lessons and toward math in general. Similarly, achievement improved for all students across the unit. Analysis of the narrative data produced three themes. First, the students acquired …


Close Reading In The Urban Classroom: A Teacher's Introspection, Sharonica Nelson Jan 2019

Close Reading In The Urban Classroom: A Teacher's Introspection, Sharonica Nelson

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The purpose of this action piece is to discuss my experience with teaching close reading in the urban classroom. It explains ideas and challenges that I encountered when teaching close reading in conjunction with close reading strategies. I detail close reading strategies and explain how they can be used advantageously. The article closes with ideas on how I learned the importance of promoting student self-application of strategies, incorporating strategies so that they are not time consuming, differentiating strategies, and ultimately, the idea of promoting reading for enjoyment.


The Impact Of Math Vocabulary On Conceptual Understanding For Ells, Vanessa Valley Jan 2019

The Impact Of Math Vocabulary On Conceptual Understanding For Ells, Vanessa Valley

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of teaching daily math word problems in a 3rd-6th grade ELL classroom on math vocabulary use and math word problem and place value comprehension. This teacher research study used a pre and post word problem test graded on a 16 point scale and a frequency tally to track math vocabulary use. The results showed a small increase in word problem comprehension and a large increase in math vocabulary frequency. While math problems help some students’ math comprehension, the written format in English combined with the students’ lower English reading ACCESS …


The Benefits Of Providing Choice In Pre Service Teacher Education, Tami B. Morton, Agnes Stryker Jan 2019

The Benefits Of Providing Choice In Pre Service Teacher Education, Tami B. Morton, Agnes Stryker

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Traditionally, teacher educators provide structured lectures for their pre service teachers to impart knowledge of what will be encountered in the field once they begin teaching in schools. However, in this paper, two reading professors who are proponents of constructivist teaching, decide to provide choice in their seminars. Allowing choices provided an opportunity for students to encourage motivation, maximize performance, help increase independence and self-management skills and provide a feeling of control with their learning situation. Choices are evident in both informal and formal assignments throughout the semester. Pre service teachers who were able to share new knowledge in their …


Facilitating Collaboration Through A Co-Teaching Field Experience, Mark S. Montgomery, Adam Akerson Jan 2019

Facilitating Collaboration Through A Co-Teaching Field Experience, Mark S. Montgomery, Adam Akerson

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This article describes an action research project in which two teacher educators implemented a co-teaching field experience with pre-service teacher candidates acting as co-teachers to facilitate collaboration among peers. The goal of the action research was to better meet the needs of pre-service teacher candidates and continually develop their ability to grow as reflective and collaborative future teaching educators. To increase collaboration, co-teaching models were implemented in an early field experience. Teaching activities and assignments provided opportunities for collaboration as co-teachers and as members of a teaching community. Data collection and observations indicate peer-to-peer co-teaching helped create a collaborative atmosphere …


“I Notice My Feelings:” Exploring Mindfulness With 1st Graders And Their Families, Katie Schrodt, Zachary Barnes, Megan Devries, Jennifer Grow, Pauli Wear Jan 2019

“I Notice My Feelings:” Exploring Mindfulness With 1st Graders And Their Families, Katie Schrodt, Zachary Barnes, Megan Devries, Jennifer Grow, Pauli Wear

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This paper explores a study completed with 1st grade students while a five-week mindfulness unit was implemented in their classroom. The paper discusses tactics for teaching mindfulness strategies to students and results observed in the students over the course of the five-week study. It also contains journal entries completed by students and their families both in the classroom and at home.


When Words Do Not Work: Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Confidence In Teaching Reading To English Learners, Christina M. Pavlak, Monica Cavender Jan 2019

When Words Do Not Work: Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Confidence In Teaching Reading To English Learners, Christina M. Pavlak, Monica Cavender

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This practitioner research study explores what happens when students in a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program are engaged in a clinical experience at an urban pre-K-8th-grade school with a majority English Learner (EL) population. Specifically examined is preservice teachers’ confidence in implementing strategies to meet the needs of ELs in beginning reading. Data sources included: a survey, a written reflection, weekly lessons plans, blog entries, and informal observations of small group instruction and class participation. Qualitative analysis (Charmaz, 2000, 2003, 2005) was used. Results from this study point to the need for teacher preparation programs to support teacher …


Editorial Introduction: Educator Inquiry Into Authentic Learning, Suzanne Porath Jan 2019

Editorial Introduction: Educator Inquiry Into Authentic Learning, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

As a term, authentic learning continues to permeate educational discussions. It is sometimes called real-world learning, project-based learning, or inquiry-based learning, but at its core, authentic learning experiences involves: 1) activities that reflect work done in the world; 2) inquiry of complex problems through critical thinking and reflection; 3) social discourse and collaboration; and 4) choice (Rule, 2006). This issue of Networks highlights the inquiries of educators across grade levels and subject areas as they implement authentic learning experiences for students.


Editorial Introduction: Taking Risks With New Forms Of Instruction, Suzanne Porath Jan 2019

Editorial Introduction: Taking Risks With New Forms Of Instruction, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

No abstract provided.


It Does Not Need To Be Perfect! Two Teacher Educators’ Quest To Enhance Online Instruction With Videos, Elena Andrei, Mary Frances Buckley-Marudas Jan 2019

It Does Not Need To Be Perfect! Two Teacher Educators’ Quest To Enhance Online Instruction With Videos, Elena Andrei, Mary Frances Buckley-Marudas

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Two early career literacy and language teacher educators who have digital literacies at the core of their professional and scholarly pursuits share their quest to enhance their online instruction. The authors wanted to identify one new improvement for their online courses in an effort to engage the students and support a more connected learning community. The improvement was instructor-made videos. Once the first video was shared and posted, weekly peer support, the premises of “keeping it simple” and “it does not need to be perfect” seemed to be critical in the implementation of videos for the online instruction. The authors …


Bringing Math To Life: Provide Students Opportunities To Connect Their Lives To Math, Carol D. Benson-O'Connor, Christina Mcdaniel, Jason Carr Jan 2019

Bringing Math To Life: Provide Students Opportunities To Connect Their Lives To Math, Carol D. Benson-O'Connor, Christina Mcdaniel, Jason Carr

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Math journals provide students with opportunities to articulate their understanding of math concepts and/or their frustrations with the gaps in those understandings. Their use supports metacognitive thinking to enhance understanding and application. This study took a look at the use of math journals by fourth grade students as a conduit for critical thinking, reflection, and real world math application. For this study, student journal entries consisted of identification of a real-life event, the use of a problem-solving strategy learned during class instruction, narrative of both the problem’s description as well as the rationale for choosing the problem, and the use …


The Impact Of A Short Test-Wiseness Intervention On Standardised Numeracy Assessment Scores: A Cautionary Tale About Using Naplan Growth Data To Evaluate Primary Schools, James A. Russo Jan 2019

The Impact Of A Short Test-Wiseness Intervention On Standardised Numeracy Assessment Scores: A Cautionary Tale About Using Naplan Growth Data To Evaluate Primary Schools, James A. Russo

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Building on the rich tradition of ‘teacher as researcher’ in mathematics education, I describe a study undertaken whilst working as a mathematics specialist in an Australian primary school. The focus of the study was on examining whether explicitly teaching students test-taking strategies (‘test-wiseness’) improved their performance on a standardised numeracy assessment; specifically a practice version of the Year 3 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). The study was unusual for teacher-research in that it adopted an experimental design. Thirty-eight Year 2 students (7 and 8 year olds) were randomly allocated to either an intervention condition (n=19) focused on …