Education Commons^™

The Interconnectedness Of Relational And Content Dimensions Of Quality Instruction: Supportive Teacher-Student Relationships In Urban Elementary Mathematics Classrooms, Dan Battey, Rebecca A. Neal, Luis Leyva, Karlyn Adams-Wiggins

Rebecca Neal

Test Items In The Complete And Short Forms Of The Bot-2 That Contribute Substantially To Motor Performance Assessments In Typically Developing Children 6-10 Years Of Age, Kadi Carmosino, Ashley Grzeszczak, Kaylie Mcmurray, Ali Olivo, Bo Slutz, Brittany Zoll, Betsy Donahoe-Fillmore, C. Brahler

C. Jayne Brahler

Objectives: Determine the magnitude of association between individual subtest items of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2), and the respective total subtest scores and to review items on the BOT-2 Short Form. Background: The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2), is a test used to measure gross motor proficiency in both typically developing children and children with developmental disabilities between the ages of four and twenty-one. The BOT-2 Short Form consists of fourteen test items proportionally selected from the subtests of the Complete Form. It can be used as a screening tool and takes less …

A Case Study: Data Management In Biomedical Engineering, Glenn Gaudette, Donna Kafel

Glenn R. Gaudette

In a biomedical engineering lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, co-author Dr. Glenn R. Gaudette and his research team are investigating the effects of stem cell therapy on the regeneration of function in damaged cardiac tissue in laboratory rats. Each instance of stem cell experimentation on a rat yields hundreds of data sets that must be carefully captured, documented and securely stored so that the data will be easily accessed and retrieved for papers, reports, further research, and validation of findings, while meeting NIH guidelines for data sharing. After a brief introduction to the bioengineering field and stem cell research, this …

Fostering Preservice Teachers' "Nature Of Science" Understandings In A Physics Course, Ehsan Kattoula, Geeta Verma, Lisa Martin-Hansen

Geeta Verma

In this paper, the authors examine an algebra-based physics course designed for preservice teachers and explore how the course integrated two pedagogical strategies to bridge the gap between inquiry-learning experiences and the teachers' nature of science (NOS) understandings. The results of this research show that the explicit, reflective process allowed participants to examine their NOS understandings, which thereby fostered changes in their understanding.

Examining The Mediation Of Power In A Collaborative Community: Engaging In Informal Science As Authentic Practice, Anton Puvirajah, Geeta Verma, Horace Webb

Geeta Verma

Focusing on the interplay of context and language, this study examined a group of high school students and their mentors’ use of language during a robotics competition. This informal setting allowed us to gain insights into the mediation and manifestation of power within the group. Using critical discourse analysis of competition transcripts and interviews we found that both students and mentors felt a sense of ownership and community leading to symmetry in power amongst them. The shift in power led to greater student ownership and agency and created a space for authentic and meaningful science learning. The context of the …

Enacting Acts Of Authentication In A Robotics Competition: An Interpretivist Study, Geeta Verma, Anton Puvirajah, Horace Webb

Geeta Verma

While the science classroom primarily remains a site for knowledge acquisition through teacher directed experiences, other sites exist outside of the classroom that allow for student generation of scientific knowledge. These sites provide opportunities for linguistic and social interactions to play a powerful role in situating students' science learning experiences. Augmenting students' formal school science experiences with informal experiences outside of the classroom enables them to intersect their personal knowledge with canonical disciplinary knowledge. This allows for conditions of practice that are more relevant to the students. In this study we introduce the notion of acts of authentication to examine …

Embracing Learner’S Ideas About Diffusion And Osmosis: A Coupled-Inquiry Approach, Ryan Sweeney, Lisa Martin-Hansen, Geeta Verma, John Dunkhase

Geeta Verma

Learning about osmosis and diffusion is often a challenging task for middle school students. Here the authors present a lesson that was converted from a “cookbook” lab (McLaughlin and Thompson 2007) into a more inquiry-oriented lab that uses inquiry teaching strategies and hands-on investigations to teach middle-grade students about osmosis and diffusion.

Wind Solvers: A Conventional Wind Vane Activity Becomes An Opportunity For Problem Solving, Ryan Sweeney, Geeta Verma, Lisa Martin-Hansen

Geeta Verma

Weather happens all around us every day. Students can take for granted the different elements of the weather that they experience. Measuring real weather provides a nice opportunity for data collection and problem solving when students work to create a procedure before they gather data. It is also a powerful way to get students to notice the weather. As we collaboratively created a unit on weather and taught it in a fourth-grade classroom, we took the common activity of having students construct a wind vane a step further. In this lesson, the data collection process is changed from a "cookbook …

Narrating International And National Trends In Us Science Education: An Autobiographical Approach Showcasing Dr. Robert Yager, Geeta Verma, Lisa Martin-Hansen

Geeta Verma

This biographical piece is based on a conversation involving Bob Yager, Geeta Verma, and Lisa Martin-Hansen which took place at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) conference in March, 2008. The unique aspect of this autobiographical piece is that it highlights Dr. Yager's account about the emergence of the science education field of study and his engagement with the field over a period of more than 50 years. The piece is organized using conversation topics through a biographical narrative format that starts at the beginning of Dr. Yager's career, establishing science education at The University of Iowa, …

Http://Www.Ejmste.Com/V4n4/Eurasia_V4n4_Verma_Martin-Hansen.Pdf, Geeta Verma, Lisa Martin-Hansen

Geeta Verma

No abstract provided.

Influence Of A Science-Focused After-School Program On Underrepresented High-School Students' Science Attitudes And Trajectory: A Survey Validation Study, Anton Puvirajah, Geeta Verma, Hongli Li, Lisa Martin-Hansen

Geeta Verma

As engagement with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) increases in after-school programs (ASPs), it is important to examine the impact of this engagement on students' academic achievement, STEM participation, and affinity toward STEM. Results of these examinations can offer insights into both best practices that could be replicated and possible poor practices that could be avoided in ASP sites. This study describes the validation process that was undertaken on an instrument developed to measure science-related attitudes, and education and career trajectories of students participating in a STEM-focused ASP. We then use the validated instrument to draw certain conclusions about …

Colonial And Postcolonial Science In India: Reenacting And Replaying Similar Themes In The Us [Book Chapter], Geeta Verma

Geeta Verma

No abstract provided.

Science And Society In The Classroom: Using Sociocultural Perspectives To Develop Science Education, Geeta Verma

Geeta Verma

In 21st-century America, one of the goals of the education is to successfully prepare students for their meaningful, sustained, and robust participation in a democratic society. In the context of K–12 science education, this means educating students so that they develop into future adult citizen capable of considering and deciding on conflicting issues and policies influenced by science, technology, and sustainability issues. The challenge for science education is thus to find successful ways to integrate content, pedagogy, and citizenship education.

It is important to examine curricular approaches in science classrooms since most of the science education a student receives take …

Critical Mass In The Teacher Education Academy: Symbiosis And Diversity, Gertrude Tinker Sachs, Geeta Verma

Geeta Verma

Critical Mass in the Teacher Education Academy is a book that will generate a great deal of conversation about the value and contributions of teacher educators in preparing the next generation of teachers and teacher educators. Our work in the field of teacher education is ultimately grounded in who we are, where we have come from, and the extent to which we are prepared to acknowledge and critique our learning experiences. This book affirms the value of theorized self-critique and critical reflection in anchoring the field to empower educators to be active agents of change for the greater good. The …

Dps Exemplary Schools Case Study: A Cross-Case Analysis, Honorine Nocon, Alan Davis, Tracy Keenan, Ruth Brancard, Barbara Dray, Heather Johnson, Kara Mitchell, Sally Nathenson-Mejia, Nancy Shanklin, Sheila Shannon, Shruti Poulsen, Maria Thomas-Ruzic, Ron Tzur, Geeta Verma

Geeta Verma

No abstract provided.

Moving Education In2 The Future: Creating The Next Generation Of Innovators, Lawrence Bergie, Britta Mckenna

Lawrence Bergie

What started as planning for the next generation of inquiry-based learning led to an entirely new center for innovation and entrepreneurship! Hear how this innovative idea moved to the design of a physical innovation hub and see how IMSA has transformed a former computer lab IN2 a working prototype of their future space. Dive into the many aspects of creating innovation spaces: design process, STEM foundation and entrepreneurship cornerstone, Makerspace development through a student leadership and service initiative, collaboration potential with community partners and local/regional business entities, student inquiry and research potential and the ability to showcase area emerging technology …

Can We Identify Guessing In Student Response Patterns? A Preliminary Analysis Of A Field Trial Design, Chris Freeman

Chris Freeman

This research is grounded in the intersecting theoretical frameworks of validity of assessments (Messick, 1989), and the use of Item Response Theory (IRT) to analyse and report student achievement tests. The research questions seek to investigate the use of data from those assessments and in particular cases where guessing is an acknowledged and in some cases encouraged in student response strategies in multiple choice tests.

Evaluation Of The State Of Georgia's School Instructional Extension Program (Siep) At One Middle School, Taiesha Adams

Taiesha Adams

This study examined the implementation of the State of Georgia's School Instructional Extension Program (SIEP) at one middle school in a rural school district. SIEP was adopted in this district in an effort to improve outcomes for students who demonstrate deficiencies in core-academic subjects. For the past 2 years, SIEP has been used at this study site to address low academic performance in the area of mathematics. However, to date, school leaders have not developed a system to evaluate the efficacy of the program. The purpose of this project study was to conduct a comprehensive program evaluation that addressed the …

Mat-Rix-Toe: Improving Writing Through A Game-Based Project In Linear Algebra, Adam Graham-Squire, Elin Farnell, Julianna Stockton

Elin R Farnell

The Mat-Rix-Toe project utilizes a matrix-based game to deepen students’ understanding of linear algebra concepts and strengthen students’ ability to express themselves mathematically. The project was administered in three classes using slightly different approaches, each of which included some editing component to encourage the improvement of the students’ mathematical thinking and writing. Differences in the implementation of the project illustrate the benefits and drawbacks of various methods of editing in the mathematics classroom and highlight recommendations for improvements in future implementations of the project.

Have A Kids Inquiry Conference: Putting A Twist On The Typical Science Fair, Paula Magee, Ryan Flessner

Ryan Flessner

In school, the traditional format for the formal sharing of science experiences has been the science fair. Although the format of science fairs may vary, the usual components consist of a step-by-step experimental process that students follow as they test different variables, construct a hypothesis, and collect data to support or disprove their hypothesis. Usually the science fair is conducted as a competitive event at which prizes are awarded for the "best" examples. Unfortunately, this type of science event has little connection to the real sharing that scientists do regularly.

The National Science Education Standards (NSES) call for an approach …

General Aviation Weather Encounter Case Studies, John Lanicci, Massoud Bazargan, Daniel Halperin, Scott Shappell, Jaclyn Baron, Rebecca Iden, Carla Hackworth, Kali Holcomb

John M Lanicci

This study presents a compilation of 24 cases involving general aviation (GA) pilots’ weather encounters over the continental U.S. The project team interviewed pilots who had experienced a weather encounter, and we examined their backgrounds, flight experience, and weather encounter details. Results from meteorological data analysis for each weather encounter were consistent with findings of larger GA weather accident studies in terms of the types of hazards encountered and flight phase during which the encounters occurred. Investigation of pilot weather products and the sources from which they were obtained revealed a lack of uniformity of pre-flight data sources and underutilization …

Project-Based Collaborative Innovation For The Igeneration, James Gerry, Carl Heine

Carl Heine

Social media provides powerful opportunities to create new learning communities. Online, project-based activities reach today's iGen students in ways they learn best, maximizing interaction and individualization through the use of free Web technologies such as CoolHub.IMSA. Discover ways to use networing tools to transform teaching and learning at your school.

Snapshots Issue 4: Boys, Girls And Mathematics, Lisa De Bortoli

Lisa De Bortoli

The most recent OECD Programme for International Assessment (PISA) survey enables educators, policy makers and the wider community to compare Australian students with each other, as well as their counterparts across the world. PISA measures the extent to which 15-year-old students near the end of compulsory education have acquired the knowledge and skills that young adults need to meet the challenges of the future. This issue of Snapshots looks to the data from PISA on similarities and differences in student performance by sex to inform education policies, improve educational outcomes and equity.

Creative Activities In Mathematics : Problem-Based Maths Investigations For Lower And Middle Primary : Book 1., Derek Holton, Catherine Pearn

Catherine Pearn

Problem-based learning is a powerful alternative to drill-and practice or skills-based learning, especially within maths, but it can be difficult to source rich materials that engage an entire class. The Creative Activities in Mathematics series provides a wealth of investigations and open-ended active learning activities, designed to engage students with mathematics and develop their problem-solving, collaboration and mathematical skills. Book One provides 12 different class activities suitable for students in lower and middle primary school (Foundation to Year 4), along with teaching notes and staged lesson plans. Each activity is a whole-class investigation with open-ended answers that takes a particular …

Early Science Learning Experiences: Triggered And Maintained Interest, Mary Ainley, John Ainley

Dr John Ainley

A key question for science educators is how to sustain interest in novel or intriguing scientific phenomena so that interest in science is maintained, with the potential to develop into a more enduring interest as manifested in choice of studies in senior high school and tertiary programs. According to Hidi and Renninger (2006), progress through the phases of interest development depends on the availability of opportunities to engage and re-engage with content of the interest, and on support for taking up those opportunities. In this chapter, The authors investigate the validity of this proposition, examining evidence from early childhood studies, …

Using Competencies To Explain Mathematical Item Demand: A Work In Progress, Ross Turner, Werner Blum, Morgens Niss

Ross Turner

Buried Or Not? What’S Happened To Numeracy?, David Tout

David (Dave) Tout

International surveys reveal a worrying decline in adult numeracy development. Dave Tout makes the case for a renewed focus.

Maths + Confidence = Higher Scores For Boys, Sue Thomson, Lisa De Bortoli

Lisa De Bortoli

Teenage boys outperform Australian girls in mathematics by the equivalent of about one-third of a school year, according to the latest PISA survey, as Sue Thomson and Lisa De Bortoli explain.

Don't Subtract Numeracy, David Tout

David (Dave) Tout

The development of adults’ core skills for work and life requires attention to language and literacy, but numeracy counts as well, says Dave Tout.

Comparison Of Piaac And Pisa Frameworks For Numeracy And Mathematical Literacy, Iddo Gal, David Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This paper describes key aspects of the frameworks for the assessment of adult numeracy and mathematical literacy in PIAAC and PISA, which are OECD two flagship programs for international comparative assessment of competencies. The paper examines commonalities and differences in how the constructs of adult numeracy and mathematical literacy were assessed in PIAAC and PISA, and sketches selected challenges associated with interpretation of results from these surveys.