Digital Commons Network^™

Implementing Web-Based Instructional Technologies To Support And Improve Math Achievement, Howard V. Coleman, Jeremy Dickerson

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This paper presents a case study review of a public school's effort to improve student math achievement scores. The implementation process reviewed in this case study occurred in a public school that had become increasingly concerned about its elementary students' low math scores on in-class assessments and standardized tests. The public school's leadership team in this case study was interested in focusing on providing digital instructional support for all students, and in specifically targeting students needing math intervention. The digital instructional support was to be used to complement, rather than replace teachers' lesson plans and classroom activities. A K-5th grade …

Full Issue: Volume 9, 2016, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

Reconceptualizing Educational Technology Integration In A Middle Level Teacher Preparation Program, Deborah H. Mcmurtrie, Bridget K. Coleman, Gary J. Senn

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

Our middle level education (MLE) faculty recently engaged in a self-study guided by this research question: How is our university preparing our MLE teacher candidates to integrate technology in teaching and learning? There were two overarching goals: 1) identify where we can introduce, practice, reinforce, and master technology skills and concepts. 2) reconceptualize our technology integration course. Our process included collaborating with stakeholders, surveying teacher candidates, examining theoretical underpinnings, exploring research-based best practices, and analyzing our programs. Data was collected through multi-year technology surveys and semi-structured focus group interviews. We grouped survey data into three broad technology categories: instructional delivery, …

Transitioning To Act Standards In South Carolina Schools: Insights And Techniques For School Districts, Howard V. Coleman, Jeremy Dickerson, Cindy Ambrose, Edi Cox, Dottie Brown

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The adoption of ACT Standards in South Carolina for the 2015/2016 school year is requiring rapid and systemic change for teachers, local school leaders, district administrators, and university teacher/administrator preparation programs. This article presents descriptions of the new standards and assessments, provides an overview of the current transition to ACT Standards, and emphasizes the importance of planning and implementing relevant, high quality professional development for teachers and local school leaders. The article concludes with examples of techniques from the Horry County Schools ACT planning and implementation process.

Understanding English Language Learners: A Qualitative Study Of Teacher Candidates Teaching In Another Country, Culture, And Context, Lee Vartanian

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Regardless of the influx of English Language Learners (ELLs) in public schools, many pre-service and in-service teachers are underprepared to teach them (O'Neal, Ringler, & Rodriguez, 2008). Study abroad experiences, that include a teaching component, may provide an option for teacher candidates wishing to increase their ability to teach ELLs. In May 2014, nine teacher candidates from South Carolina taught for two weeks in an elementary school in central Guatemala. This qualitative study focused on how the experience of teaching in a new country, culture, and context impacted participant perceptions of effective teaching practice, the diverse needs of children, and …

A Rubric For Revitalizing Teacher Reflection, Todd Cherner, Marcie Ellerbe, Elena Andrei

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The notion that teachers must be “reflective practitioners” has long been supported by research, and teacher education programs typically promote reflection as one of their central tenets. Additionally, several rubrics have been created and used to evaluate pre-service teachers' reflection. The challenge, however, is that few of these rubrics are research-based or have been validated. In response, this article presents a narrative that explains how three teacher educators came together and used qualitative research methods to construct and validate a rubric designed to evaluate pre-service teachers' reflections. This rubric can be adopted by teacher educators to assess the quality of …

Technology Beliefs And Self-Efficacy - A Pilot Study, Michael Cook, Ron Knorr

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This research was a pilot study for validation of an instrument used to measure changes in teachers' technology beliefs and self-efficiency after a course in the use of educational technology. The research literature revealed high interest but low self-efficiency in use of such technology among teachers. After pilot survey validation, the survey was administered pre and post course to a cohort of participants in a concentrated graduate/professional development course. Results of this study indicated no statistically significant change in teacher technology beliefs, but the results showed statistically significant improvement in teacher technology self- efficacy across multiple educational technology platforms. Explanations …

Full Issue: Volume 8, 2015, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

Senior Stories: Using Biblio-Therapy To Shape Positive Perceptions Of Senior Adults In Teacher Education Program And Multigenerational Settings, Linda Karges-Bone

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Biblio-therapy is a powerful tool in the hands of educators. Those who prepare future teachers can benefit from a more broad exposure to biblio-therapy as it relates to the treatment of senior adults. Too often, seniors are seen as weak, passive, and powerless. The bias of ageism has the potential to negatively influence perceptions of seniors by themselves and others. The model outlined in this article offers 1) opportunities to use biblio-therapy in a collaborative way in senior adult and school age populations; and 2) a more balanced and healthy perception of senior adults in children's literature choices.

Helping Teen Mothers Graduate: A Qualitative Study Investigating The Educational Experiences Of Teen Mothers Who Graduated With Recommendations For Teachers, Christine Stroble, Greg Wiggan

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

In June 2013 the U. S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) urged secondary schools to do more to help the hundreds of students who become mothers and fathers each year graduate from high school. With the same intent, in 2012-2013, we conducted a qualitative phenomenological study investigating the educational experiences of teen mothers who graduated from high school and attended or completed college and sought to discover the factors that contributed to their success. The research question that guided our study was: What is the educational experience of teen mothers who graduated from high school and attended …

The Impact Of The Two-Way Immersion Model On Hispanic Pre-Service And In-Service Teachers’ Understanding Of Curriculum Implementation In Early Childhood Field Placements, Omar J. Vigo

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Dual language education, also known as Two-Way Immersion (TWI), is a teaching method that puts native English speakers and native speakers of another language in the same classroom. This helps both groups become bilingual and biliterate (Christian, 1996; Lindholm-Leary, 2001). The TWI approach highlights several benefits, including bilingualism and biliteracy, academic achievement, cross-cultural competence, cognitive improvements, and equity and accessibility (Lindholm-Leary, 2001). Research on the TWI model in adults is limited, although it has demonstrated effectiveness in supporting Hispanic teacher candidates, unlike studies conducted in primary education. This demonstrates that the TWI methodology benefits students (Van Booven, 2012). This …

Mentoring Mentalities Made Manifest: Toward A Better Understanding Of Secondary Teacher Mentor Professional Learning, Practice, And Self-Efficacy, Maggie L. Wilson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Teacher shortages are becoming increasingly problematic nationwide. Teacher mentoring has been found to be an effective method of curbing teacher attrition, but little attention has been addressed to ensuring that teacher mentors are receiving the most relevant professional learning experiences to bolster their self-efficacy and mentoring practice. This qualitative study, drawing on research traditions such as grounded theory and case study, seeks to illuminate the mentor self-efficacy and practice of secondary teacher mentors and to understand the role their professional learning plays in how and how well they enact their mentor roles. Through qualitative interviews, including artifact-based interviews, this study …

Critical Discourse Analysis Of Turnaround Leadership Competencies Using A Transformative Leadership Framework, Kevin D. Mcdonald

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

School turnaround leadership has become a leading strategy to address school underperformance emphasizing rapid and dramatic improvement in a school within the bottom five percent of schools as measured by gains in both mathematics and English Language Arts. However, prevailing turnaround leadership discourse largely centers technical and managerial competencies, often marginalizing leadership practices oriented toward equity, advocacy, and social transformation. This narrowing of leadership is particularly consequential for Black male principals, who are disproportionately assigned to low-performing and turnaround schools and whose leadership practice frequently reflects core elements of transformative leadership.

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore current …

Untitled, Melissa Ferreira

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Moving To The Outskirts, Jose Perez

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Using Bloom’S Taxonomy To Help Guide Technology Decision-Making In Schools, Jeremy Dickerson, Howard V. Coleman

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) provides a clear understanding of what students are expected to learn and are designed to reflect the knowledge and skills that young people need for success in college and careers (2013). The CCSS are intended to make all students ready for life in a technological society. Technology proficiency is a key expectation that is embedded throughout the content standards (Center for Digital Education, 2013). Transitioning to the CCSS means taking a more structured approach to integrating technology and a dedication to instruction that is based upon higher-order critical thinking. This paper presents the formal …

Classroom Exercise Breaks In Central South Carolina:‘It’S Not A Well-Oiled Machine’ But ‘Kids Are Happy And Productive’, Erin K. Howie, Russell R. Pate

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

In order to comply with state physical activity policies and increase physical activity of students, schools have begun to implement classroom exercise breaks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of existing classroom exercise breaks in elementary schools in central South Carolina. Principals in elementary schools in central South Carolina were invited to participate in a brief online survey and phone interview about classroom exercise breaks. Principals reported varied types of classroom exercise breaks but described many benefits of exercise breaks including improved student behavior and attention. Providing resources and example activities, training teachers to …

Teacher Educator, Know Thyself: Lessons Learned From Completing The Edtpa, Stacy Furness

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

In this study, teacher education faculty from a Midwestern state university completed the Education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), a recent state legislative requirement for teacher licensure and program review. The purpose of the study was to improve teacher preparation practices in anticipation of the newly required teacher performance assessment. In addition to addressing teacher preparation practices and supporting teacher candidate success in completing the assessment, the research had unintended benefits including reducing faculty fears around anticipating the use of the instrument, increasing faculty buy in and increasing awareness about the function and purpose of the assessment.

Incorporating Environmental Education Guidelines Within The Common Core State Standards, Marni Friedman

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

In 2010, the Common Core State Standards provided an opportunity for states throughout the nation to prepare their students equally for the real world environment. South Carolina is one of the 46 states that voluntarily adopted the new standards and is currently in the process of implementation. The national No Child Left Inside act passed in 2011 with the hopes to integrate environmental education throughout all subjects taught in schools (Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2012). The goal of environmental education is to increase environmental awareness and concern for the environment as well as to foster positive environmental behaviors. This paper discusses …

Full Issue: Volume 6, 2013, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

Mathematics Anxiety: Understanding Its Concept, Impact On Secondary Students’ Academic Performance And Career Prospects, And Effective Intervention Strategies, Sabiruddin Molla, Safwana Rashid, Saba Sultana

Numeracy

This study investigates the influence of mathematics anxiety on secondary school students’ academic performance and career pathway selection. Mathematics, often perceived as abstract and challenging, can evoke high levels of anxiety that affect both learning outcomes and career-related decisions. Data were collected from 106 students across two urban secondary schools in Kolkata. Findings revealed that students possessed a significant understanding of the concept of mathematics anxiety (t (105) = 8.48, p < .001, d = 0.82). A strong positive correlation was observed between mathematics anxiety and academic performance (r = .686, p < .001), indicating that elevated anxiety levels correspond with lower achievement. Additionally, a significant positive correlation (r = .475, p < .001) showed that mathematics anxiety influences students’ career pathway selection, with higher anxiety leading to avoidance of mathematics-related careers. The study highlights that negative attitudes toward mathematics often stem from perception rather than actual difficulty. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for innovative teaching strategies and targeted interventions to reduce mathematics anxiety and enhance students’ academic and career outcomes.

Best Practice Usage With English Language Learners In Regular Education Classrooms: A Study Of Charleston County, South Carolina Public Schools, Barbara Rabon, Zachary Kelehear

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which select Best Practices are used in regular education classrooms and if there was correlation between the frequency of their use and previous professional development attendance. Regular education teachers were the target audience for this study because the average English Language Learner (ELL) spends only three hours a week with a certified ESOL teacher, and the remaining 34 hours with a regular education teacher. Charleston County, SC was selected because of its large ELL population (2,138 students), the fact that there are currently 78 schools serving ELLs and because …

The Cultural Symphony In Schools: Effectively Teaching African American And Latino High School Students, Dionne V. Mclaughlin

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This mixed methods case study examines the perceptions that 24 African American and Latino students at one North Carolina high school have of effective classroom instruction in their favorite teacher's class. Six teachers were also interviewed and asked to reflect on student feedback and 1,003 anonymous students were surveyed (secondary data source). Critical Race Theory (CRT) was utilized to examine the racial context of this high school, students' counter stories, the existence of deficit thinking, and the presence of bias (Marshall, C. 2010; and Yosso, T. 2006). The data from this study indicate that effective teachers of African American and …

Middle-Level Principals’ Perception Of The Scheduling Configuration Needed For Social Studies Instruction, Kenneth E. Vogler, Audrey Allan, Susan Schramm-Pate

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Principals' perceptions of curriculum and instruction issues are particularly relevant in today's era of testing and accountability. Using a survey instrument given to a representative sample of South Carolina public school middle-level principals, the study explored principals' perception of the type of scheduling configuration needed for social studies instruction. Results of this study suggest that there is no relationship between principals' perception of scheduling configurations used for social studies instruction and the schedule configuration used in their school. But, an association was found between principals' perception of how well students are prepared for next grade level in social studies and …

The Impact Of International Clinical Experiences On Pre-Service Teacher Candidates: Understanding Self And Culture, Sandy Ayers, James Lane

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This study investigated the impact of pre-service teachers completing field experiences at the International School of Helsinki (ISH), Finland and at International School of Ulaanbaatar located in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The study focuses on the cultural perceptions of pre-service teachers before and after completing the experience as well as the benefits the teacher candidates incurred from teaching in an international setting. Findings showed that an international clinical experience did not dramatically change perceptions but did impact preservice teachers in terms of global understanding, connectedness and desire to become more worldly aware. In addition, participation in the experience resulted in a change …

Lessons Learned From The Belize Writing Project, Margaret Walworth, Deirdre Ward

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This article examines the development of the Belize writing project, an international service project between students in Georgia and Belize, Central America. The shift in the purpose and design of the project is chronicled and explained in terms of student and teacher needs. What began as a service project designed to provide reading materials for students in Belize has evolved into a writing project to support the development of students and teachers as readers and writers in both countries.

Transitioning To The Common Core Standards In South Carolina, Howard V. Coleman, Jeremy Dickerson

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Large-scale planning is currently underway for school systems preparing to adopt the Common Core Standards for K-12 education. The adoption of these standards requires effort and coordination by all stakeholders in the educational system and places significant pressure on teachers and school leaders to ensure that the transition is efficient and effective. This article provides a brief context for the Common Core Standards, gives an overview of the transition process many schools are undertaking and concludes by describing how this transition is relevant to the preparation of new teachers and school leaders who are in university-level educator preparation programs.

Full Issue: Volume 5, 2012, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Use Of The Global Guidelines Assessment Tool In Italy: Blending Assessment And Teacher Training In The Kindergartens Of Parma, Dolores A. Stegelin, Luciano Cecconi, Andrea Pintus, Rossana Allegri

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The growing emphasis on accountability in educational settings requires teacher educators to develop effective and relevant strategies to prepare pre-service teachers and to support in-service teachers in the area of assessment. This article presents a creative in-service teacher training project in Parma, Italy that engages kindergarten teachers in the use of a global assessment tool for the purpose of professional development, improved learning environments, and enhanced teacher self-assessment and critical thinking. The project stems from a collaborative research project between teacher educators in South Carolina and Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Teachers' Perceptions Of Assessment Uses And Necessity In Teaching, Kay Hanson

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Teacher knowledge, performance, and competence are coming under increased scrutiny because of assessment-laden mandates such as No Child Left Behind and Response to Intervention. While considerable research has focused on teacher practices, limited research has been done on teachers' perceptions regarding the usefulness and necessity of utilizing assessment for instructional purposes despite the fact that teacher perceptions impact performance. This paper presents the results of a study on the assessment practices and perceptions of in-service classroom teachers.