Education Commons^™

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.

Capstone Learning Design: Process And Implementation At Hostos, Sarah Brennan Ms., Silvia Reyes

Sarah Brennan

Professional Development Opportunities For Future Faculty And Early Career Scholars, Bryn Harris, Amanda Sullivan

Bryn Harris

No abstract provided.

Making An Impact! Advancing Student-Centered Learning At Purdue University, Tomalee Doan, Clarence Maybee, Mary Elizabeth Mcneil

Beth McNeil

The mission of Instruction Matters Purdue Academic Course Transformation (IMPACT) is to redesign foundational courses using student-centered learning as a basis. The libraries’ advancement of this campus-wide change will be discussed from three perspectives—administrative, space planning, and curriculum redesign. Discussion will focus on the changing expectations for librarians, especially as instructional partners, the redesigning of library learning spaces to support instructional innovation, and elements necessary for developing a faculty learning community focused on enhancing student-centered learning.

Staff In Australia’S Schools 2007, Phillip Mckenzie, Julie Kos, Maurice Walker, Jennifer Hong, Susanne Owen

Maurice Walker

The SIAS project, undertaken by the Australian Council for Educational Research in collaboration with the Australia College of Educators, gathered information from over 13,000 secondary and primary school teachers and leaders across the country. It aimed to address key gaps in the data available to characterise the teaching profession to support workforce planning. The project's findings and recommendations are presented in two components: the Staff in Australia's Schools data survey; and a report on Teacher Workforce Data and Planning Processes in Australia. The reports produced through the SIAS project provide a wide range of comprehensive data and advice on a …

Tying It All Together: Implications For Classrooms, Schools, And Districts, Ryan Flessner, Kenneth Zeichner, Kalani Eggington

Ryan Flessner

Ryan Flessner, Kenneth Zeichner, and Kalani Eggington's contribution to "Creating Equitable Classrooms through Action Research"

Politics And Action Research: An Examination Of One School’S Mandated Action Research Program, Ryan Flessner, Shanna Stuckey

Ryan Flessner

Action research has been shown to empower educators, create lasting changes in schools, and have an impact on student learning outcomes. Given these positive results, many school leaders are beginning to mandate the use of action research within their schools. While some in the field have warned against mandating action research, there is little research examining the effects of doing so. This study examines the mandated school-wide action research program at Fieldstone Elementary. While some results align with the action research literature (importance of collaboration, necessity of time to conduct action research, etc.), this article also examines the political tensions …

Creating Equitable Classrooms Through Action Research, Cathy Caro-Bruce, Ryan Flessner, M. Klehr, K. Zeichner

Ryan Flessner

Despite the best intentions of reform efforts, educational inequity continues to exist in public schools. Creating Equitable Classrooms Through Action Research confronts this challenge head-on and shows educators how they can use action research confronts this challenge head-on and shows educators how they can use action research to both raise student achievement and strengthen instruction leadership. Ideal for both a first-time action research endeavor or one already in progress, this practical guidebook helps practitioners formulate specific research questions, collect and analyze data, and communicate their findings. Invaluable for school district leaders, teachers, professional development schools, and preservice teachers, this resource …

Traumatic Brain Injury: The Efficacy Of A Half-Day Training For School Psychologists, Susan C. Davies, Ashlyn M. Ray

Susan C. Davies

The incidence rates of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are increasing, yet educators continue to be inadequately trained in assessing and serving students with TBIs. This study examined the efficacy of a half-day TBI training program for school psychologists designed to improve their knowledge and skills. Results of quantitative and qualitative survey analysis indicated there was little increase in knowledge and skills from pre-training to one-year follow-up, although participants did increase in confidence related to their decision-making abilities in working with students with TBI. The data indicate a need for future study of more effective training models.

Stem Professional Development For Early Childhood Teachers., Kimberly Brenneman, Alissa A. Lange

Alissa A. Lange

No abstract provided.

Overcoming A Common Storm: Designing Professional Development For Teachers Implementing The Common Core, Jonathan Bostic, Gabriel T. Matney

Gabriel T. Matney

Classroom implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) requires significant professional development that develops teachers’ understanding of the mathematics content and practice standards. This professional development must begin with the content and pedagogical needs of the teachers it serves. This study examined elementary and middle school teachers’ perceived mathematics content needs related to the CCSSM mathematics content domains, their perceived pedagogical needs, and the connection between these perceptions and statewide assessment data. K-5 teachers indicated a great need in Operations and Algebraic Thinking and Numbers and Operations on Fractions. Middle school teachers expressed a major need in …

Beyond The Author's Chair: Expanding Sharing Opportunities In Writing, Anna H. Hall

Anna H Hall

Providing children with opportunities to share their writing with others is a vital part of establishing a successful writing community. Although sharing is most often viewed as a beneficial experience for children, it is important to acknowledge that sharing can also be uncomfortable and intimidating for many young authors. This article provides tips for establishing a respectful writing community, including strategies for whole-group sharing, as well as alternative experiences for children who are reluctant to share.

Integrating Instructional Technology Into A Teacher Education Program: A Three-Tiered Approach, Elizabeth Truesdell, Rebecca Birch

Rebecca Birch

This project description examines how a teacher education program integrated new instructional technology through the creation of a Technology Facilitator position in the department. The project proceeded through a three-tiered system of learning literacy to establish a knowledge base amongst faculty members, augmenting required courses to model the use of instructional technology, and finally the transformation of the credential program where the activity of learning can only be accomplished through leveraging technology. As a professional program housed in a liberal arts institution, this project combines aspects of the essential learning outcomes of the 21st century with the professional skills required …