Education Commons^™

Pre-Service Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, And Perceptions Of Gender In The Classroom, Victoria Mcilquham

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This qualitative study examined the knowledge of gender definitions and attitudes toward gender that pre-service teacher candidates possess. Participants were students in an undergraduate elementary education program at a southeastern university. The participants responded to an open-ended paper survey. The survey consisted of questions asking about the definition of gender, gender roles, perceived differences between boys and girls, as well as plans for their future classrooms. Data was analyzed through a qualitative lens with the development of codes, categories, and themes. Responses varied, but the overall data suggested that teacher candidates have misconceptions about the definitions of gender, conflicting views …

Turning Policy Into Practice: A Case Study Examining The Interplay Between Policy, Research, And Program Design In Teacher Education, Ryan Andrew Nivens, Catherine Paolucci

ETSU Faculty Works

Excerpt:This presentation will consider the interplay between policy, international research and the design and development of a new mathematics teacher education program in the Republic of Ireland.

Effects Of Policy And Research On The Structure Of Teacher Education In Tennessee, Ryan Andrew Nivens, Catherine Paolucci

ETSU Faculty Works

Excerpt:Globally, recent discussion has focused on research, policy, and practice in the development and structuring of teacher education programs (OECD, 2005).

Textbook Aliteracy In Teacher Education: Information Everywhere, But How Much Do They Read?, Rosalind R. Gann, L. Kathryn Sharp, Scott Mcilquham

ETSU Faculty Works

This article explores the problem of textbook aliteracy, i.e. the failure to read assigned texts despite the ability to do so. Constructivism is its theoretical frame. Teacher education students at a medium-sized university in the Southern Appalachian Mountains were surveyed on their textbook reading practices. Ninety percent of the 116 students completing the survey reported studying instructors’ power points in preference to completing assigned readings, at least some of the time. All were readers, though a majority (68%) reported at least some difficulty reading assigned texts. Often, they appeared to be avoiding the challenges posed by demanding text. The authors …

K-6 Classroom Teachers' Perceptions Of Effective Teacher Education Programs., Pauletta J. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The demands placed upon stakeholders of the public education system have become more and more compelling with each passing year. With the success of schools and students at stake, it is imperative to examine multiple facets of the public education structure. One of the most important aspects of this process is the development of preservice teachers entering the classroom.

This study initially chronicled the history of teacher education and state licensure. Subsequently, standards enforced by the Tennessee Department of Education and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education were also explored to gain information about the guidelines and criteria required …

Approaches To Case Analyses In Synchronous And Asynchronous Environments, Trena M. Paulus, Gina Phipps

Trena M. Paulus

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools can be used to integrate time-intensive tasks, such as case study analyses, more easily into the teacher education curriculum. How students talk together online for learning purposes in CMC environments is an area that has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This paper extends findings from a previous study by comparing two groups of four preservice teachers analyzing cases in a synchronous and asynchronous environment. A case study and computer-mediated discourse analysis approach was taken to make sense of the discussion transcripts and participant reflections. Booth and Hulten’s (2003) taxonomy of learning contributions is used as an …

An Examination Of Teacher Education Programs And School Induction Programs In Their Preparation Of Teachers For The First Year Of Teaching., Nancy Kay Dillon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify beginning teachers' perceptions of how colleges and universities can improve their teacher preparation programs and what school systems can do to ensure that first-year teachers have a successful and satisfying experience in the classroom. A total of 20 first and second-year elementary teachers participated in 20 separate, qualitative interviews. The information collected from the interviews was inductively analyzed.

Several themes reflecting the perceptions of study participants emerged during the data analysis process: (1) a belief that college classes did not reflect or prepare new teachers for the "real world" of teaching. (2) …

Staff Development Programs In Public Elementary Schools In Northeast Tennessee, Richard A. Mcinturf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to collect and report on the perceptions of elementary school teachers as to the quality of staff development programs being offered in schools and school systems throughout Northeast Tennessee. A second purpose was to study the relationship between certain school district characteristics and teacher perception scores related to the staff development programs. The National Staff Development Council's Self-Assessment and Planning Tool was used to collect data related to teacher perceptions. Mean scores were calculated and t-test analysis completed for each variable named in the study. Conclusions of the study are consistent with most findings …

Moral Purposes Of Successful Teachers, Richard H. Aubrey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the moral purposes of successful teachers. Moral purpose was defined as the values and beliefs associated with serving society and serving individuals other than oneself Key informant interviews were conducted with the 18 finalists for Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Interviewees, were asked four basic questions: (1) Why did you choose teaching as a career? (2) How would you describe your moral purpose in teaching? (3) Has your moral purpose changed over time? (4) How would you describe the teacher's role in society? Data were analyzed qualitatively. Detailed profiles of each of …

A Study Of Faculty Development At Fourteen Community Colleges In The Tennessee Board Of Regents System, James C. Lefler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the status of and need for faculty development in the 14 community colleges in the Tennessee Board of Regents System. The study examined the status of faculty development, importance of scholarship, perceived needs, preferred faculty development topics, and methods of instruction. A review of demographic characteristics was conducted to develop a profile of TBR community college faculty and to assess the relationship between these demographic variables and the need for and selection of faculty development topics. Data collection was conducted using the Faculty Development Questionnaire . A selective random sample was drawn …

A Qualitative Study Of Four University Teaching And Learning Centers: Activities, Funding, And Evaluation Of Professional Development For Faculty, Melba L. Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activities, funding, accountability, and evaluation of selected teaching and learning centers relative to the professional development of faculty in four-year public institutions of higher education. Using a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with directors of four teaching and learning centers. In accordance with the concept of purposeful sampling, the centers chosen for study were located in Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The following research questions were investigated: (1) What is the primary mission or purpose of teaching and learning centers relative to faculty development? (2) What types of activities …

New Teacher Induction Programs In Tennessee: Formal, Informal, And Influential Practices, Peggy A. Goodson-Rochelle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher examined beginning teacher induction programs in large and small districts in Tennessee for the 1997-1998 school year. Types of induction, formal and informal, were examined. The study looked at the teacher attitudes of job satisfaction, job adjustment, and socialization into the profession of teaching. The research design included five questions with two hypotheses used for testing differences between teacher attitudes in large and small systems. Beginning first-year teachers were surveyed and asked to rate their induction program as to best practices. Teachers rated the occurrence of activities in seven areas and how supportive activities were in their roles …

Ideal And Actual Mentor Teacher Characteristics As Perceived By Second-Year And Non-Returning First-Year Public School North Carolina Teachers, Barbara D. Tipton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher examined non-returning first-year teachers and second year teachers who taught during the 1994-95 school year. The research design included five research questions with six null hypotheses testing for differences among second year teachers' perceptions and non-returning teachers' perceptions of their mentor teachers. After calculating ratings on desired and demonstrated scales by 464 subjects, criteria were ranked on mentor characteristics on 12 tasks. The extent to which each task was demonstrated during their first year's teaching experience was also calculated. Participants indicated that the ideal mentor would advocate for the novice and would demonstrate a sensitive approach in assisting. …

Assessing Professional Development Needs Of Elementary Teachers Implementing Inclusion Of Children With Disabilities In General Education Classrooms, Patricia D. Burgess

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A descriptive study was conducted to identify authentic professional development needs of elementary teachers preparing, implementing, and maintaining inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classrooms in Northeast Tennessee. The purpose of this study was to contribute information of identified professional development needs of elementary teachers to current research on responsible inclusive education. Data were collected from 325 elementary teachers randomly assigned to the sample using a 65-item survey designed for this study. Three subsections of the survey, Assessing Professional Development Needs of Teachers Implementing Inclusion in Grades PreK-8, assessed the perceived needs of conditions, areas, and foundations …

The Relationship Of Experience, Education, And Tennessee Career Ladder Status To Teachers' Perceptions Of Staff Development Needs In Block Scheduled Programs, Rita S. Mullins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem related to this study was to develop a clearer understanding of the staff development needs of high school classroom teachers implementing block scheduled programs. The purpose of this study was to determine if teachers' perceptions of staff development needs differed when teaching experience, education (highest degree earned), and Tennessee Career Ladder status were considered. Four levels of each independent variable were analyzed by six categories of perceptions, the dependent variables. The categories were: (a) Planning, (b) Knowledge, (c) Satisfaction with staff development, (d) Adult learning strategies, (e) Level of involvement, and (f) Impact on student testing and grades. …

Linking Teacher Evaluation, Professional Growth, And Motivation: A Multiple-Site Case Study, Nancy C. Wagner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of the activities, processes, and structures used to link a teacher evaluation program to professional growth and motivation. A total of 52 teachers in the Johnson City School System, who were scheduled for evaluation during the 1994-95 school year, were selected by both random and purposeful sampling techniques to participate. Data were collected through both quantitative and qualitative methods. Principals of the nine schools involved also participated in the naturalistic inquiry component of the study. Data were analyzed both deductively and inductively. The analysis revealed attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions …

The Relationship Between Student And Faculty Learning Style Congruency And Perceptions Of The Classroom Environment In Colleges Of Teacher Education, Patrick N. Kariuki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of congruence between teachers' and undergraduate education majors' learning styles in selected colleges of the Tennessee Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and to determine if the style congruence was related to student perceptions of the classroom learning environment. A related purpose was to identify needed changes in classroom environments based on the characteristics of the actual and ideal classroom environments as perceived by students, characteristics of the actual classroom environment as perceived by their teachers, and characteristics of actual and ideal classroom environments as perceived by men and women …

Perceptions Of Classroom Social Environment Held By Virginia Community College Students And Instructors In Developmental Courses, Ann C. Bartholomay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine students' classroom social environment needs by identifying characteristics of actual and ideal classroom environments as perceived by students taking developmental math or English courses in Virginia community colleges, characteristics of the actual classroom environments as perceived by their instructors, and characteristics of actual and ideal classroom environments as perceived by subgroups of students. The subgroups were formed by gender, race, age, type of developmental course, size of college, and whether students were first generation college students. The Adult Classroom Environment Scale was administered to students and instructors in developmental studies classes in …

Relationships Among Teachers' Efficacy, Teachers' Locus-Of-Control, And Student Achievement, David L. Burrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if teacher effectiveness, as measured by value-added gain scores on student achievement, was related to the teacher personality characteristics of efficacy and locus of control. The value-added mean gain scores for each teacher were correlated with teachers' scores on the Rand Corporation Efficacy Scale and the Rose and Medway Teacher Locus of Control Scale. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine if these teacher characteristics along with selected demographic variables could be used as good predictors of achievement gain. The population consisted of 132 middle school teachers across five subject areas …

The Relationship Of Right Brain/Left Brain Hemispheric Dimensions Of Cognitive Style Between Teachers And Principals In Northeast Tennessee, Thomas S. Little

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Problem of this study was to determine if the cognitive style of elementary school principals affects the principal's evaluation of a teacher when there is a match or mismatch between the principal's and teacher's cognitive style. Using the Productivity Environmental Preference Survey, the dimensions of right brain/left brain hemispheric dimensions of cognitive style were measured for the sample population. The sample population included 40 elementary school principals and 120 elementary school teachers. The 120 teachers were made up of teachers selected by each of the 40 principals as the most effective teachers in the school. The statistical analysis of …

College Teaching In Four States: An Examination Of Teaching Methods Received And Needed By New College Teachers, Lee F. Mumpower

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine what teaching methods new college teachers received and which ones they believed were important. New college faculty were asked questions on teaching methods to determine which, if any, were made available to them before they entered college teaching. The research questions under study were: (1) What type(s) of methodological preparation do/does higher education faculty receive? (2) What methodological preparation would be beneficial to new higher education faculty? (3) How do new higher education faculty learn methodological preparation? (4) What strategies could be developed to assist new higher education faculty in the development …

Self-Concepts Of Career Level Ii And Iii Teachers And Career Ladder Eligible Teachers In The Public Schools Of Tennessee, Lois C. Myers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a significant difference in the self concept of Career Level II and III teachers and teachers who are eligible to apply but have not elected to participate in the Career Ladder Program in the public schools of Tennessee. The technique of causal-comparative research was used in this study. The Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS), developed by William Fitts, was selected as the appropriate instrument for use in this study. The TSCS is a versatile instrument that measures ten dimensions related to self concept: total level of self esteem, self …

The Impact Of Site-Based Management On Perceived Roles Of Superintendents, Board Chairpersons, Principals And Selected Central Office Personnel In Tennessee School Systems, Narvia D. Haywood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of site-based management has had an impact on the operation of school systems in Tennessee; however no one seems to know for certain what that impact was. Findings from this study revealed that there is a basic understanding of the impact of site-based management as perceived by superintendents, board chairpersons, principals, personnel, budget, curriculum, and staff development administrators. Findings also revealed that central office staff and principals, for the most part, perceive that the superintendents and board chairpersons were supportive of site-based management programs. One hundred and eighty-one educators, including board chairpersons, responded to a fifty-four item questionnaire. …

The Impact Of Site-Based Management On Perceived Roles Of Superintendents, Board Chairpersons, Principals And Selected Central Office Personnel In Tennessee School Systems, Narvia D. Haywood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of site-based management has had an impact on the operation of school systems in Tennessee; however no one seems to know for certain what that impact was. Findings from this study revealed that there is a basic understanding of the impact of site-based management as perceived by superintendents, board chairpersons, principals, personnel, budget, curriculum, and staff development administrators. Findings also revealed that central office staff and principals, for the most part, perceive that the superintendents and board chairpersons were supportive of site-based management programs. One hundred and eighty-one educators, including board chairpersons, responded to a fifty-four item questionnaire. …

An Administrative Model For Professional Development Centers In The Reform Of Teacher Education, Norma J. Morrison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study was to identify a validated model of professional development centers (PDCs) for teacher education that could be applied collaboratively by administrators in higher education and the local school systems. A thorough investigation failed to reveal a model. Therefore, a professional development center model was synthesized from the literature, attributes of existing centers, and ideas of East Tennessee educators who were in positions to implement such a model. The examination of centers incorporated both quantitative and qualitative research methodology. The quantitative investigation was a combination of inductive and deductive analysis of responses to a survey form …

The Development Of Teacher Training Principles From Identified Teacher Concerns Related To Mainstreaming In A Day Care Center, Susanna M. Floyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study was to identify teacher training principles which would aid day care teachers in integrating handicapped children into their classrooms. This was a descriptive study which utilized a questionnaire methodology. The questionnaire was administered to teachers of randomly selected day care centers in Tennessee. The sample size was 347. The questionnaire identified from the literature review was the Stages of Concern Questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to identify concerns of individuals toward an innovation. The instrument was modified to be used in identifying the concerns of day care teachers toward mainstreaming young handicapped children into day …

The Relationships Among Selected Variables Of University And Teacher Education Admission Criteria And Scores On The Common Examination Of The National Teacher Examination, Christine M. Ejlali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study was to determine the relationships among selected predictor variables in order to identify the combination of variables which best predicts scores on the National Teacher Examination-Weighted Common Examination Total Score. The identified variables were sex, teaching level, ACT composite scores, teacher education admission grade-point averages, CAT scores in Reading, Mathematics, and English, and Professional Education sequence grade-point averages. Nine hypotheses comprised the basis of this study. The first eight hypotheses pertained to the bivariate relationship of each predictor variable and the NTE-WCET scores. Hypothesis nine concerned the relationships of the combination of the predictor variables …

A Pilot Training Program For Improving Resident Physicians' Teaching Skills, Barbara K. Lawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a pilot training program on teaching skills and determine if such a program could significantly improve the teaching behavior of resident physicians in the East Tennessee State University College of Medicine. (Abstract shortened.)

Perceptions Of Teacher Educators And Public School Principals Concerning The Importance Of Selected Behaviors For Beginning Teachers: A Q Study, Jean C. Flanigan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors of agreement or disagreement between a group of public school principals and a group of teacher educators concerning their perceptions of the relative Importance of specific teaching behaviors to the success of the beginning classroom teacher. (Abstract shortened.)

Practices In The Selection And Preparation Of Supervising Teachers In Accredited Elementary Education Programs In State-Supported Teacher Education Institutions In The United States, Montess Byrd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. The problem of this study was to determine the present practices in the selection and preparation of off-campus supervising teachers in accredited elementary education programs in state-supported teacher education institutions in the United States. (Abstract shortened.)