Digital Commons Network^™

Content Area Language And Literacy, Saadia Ali, Margaret A. Berg

Open Textbooks & Reviews

Content Area Literacy courses have long been a requirement in teacher education programs for pre-service teachers for the secondary level and, sometimes, for the elementary level. The 2020 World-class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Framework takes a genre approach that aligns well with the traditional Content Area Literacy courses in teacher preparation programs. WIDA argues for an educational approach that fosters (a) equity of opportunity and access, (b) integration of content and language, (c) collaboration among stakeholders, and (d) a functional approach to language development. This textbook examines the elements that make up the Simple View of Reading with adjustments …

Understanding Humans As Imago Dei: Implications For Curriculum And Pedagogical Choices, Beverley Elizabeth Norsworthy

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

After 15 years as a Christian school principal and 30 years in Christian teacher education, both initial and in-service, I have come to the conviction that a critical component of effective transformative Christian Education is a rich, biblically rooted understanding of humans as imago Dei which intentionally shapes curriculum and pedagogical choices. Rather than ‘having’, ‘bearing’ or ‘being made in’ the image of God, recent scholarship positions imago Dei as one’s vocation. We are being the image of God, it is our identity “rather than a capability or function” and therefore “we cannot lose it” (Imes, 2023, p. 54). When …

Flannery O'Connor And Storytelling Unit Of Study, Caroline Lacksen, Natalie Puckett, Keith Pruett, Erin Smith, Nathan Pearson, Lashonda Hurst, Jessica Mcquain, Timothy Connors

Writing for Success

The Writing for Success grant sponsored by the federal Department of Education pioneered the creation of a standards-based fifth grade unit of study focused on Flannery O’Connor and the theme of local storytelling. This project utilizes an author study, digital humanities, and intensive writing instruction to engage students with an important Georgia writer and boost their interest and engagement with various forms of written and oral expression.

Through exposure to a variety of communication forms, including narrative, informational, and opinion writing in addition to oral history, poetry, song, and podcasting, students gain confidence in evaluating the context and audience of …

Teachers And Technology In The Pacific, Anna Dabrowski, Yung Nietschke, Elizabeth Cassity

International Education Research

Although digital literacy is increasing in the Pacific region, access to educational technologies within the education sector remains inconsistent for both teachers and their students. This report presents an analysis of current practices that support technology integration in the classroom, with a particular focus on the work of teachers in the Pacific Island states of Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Based on an analysis of academic and grey literature, and interviews with key stakeholders involved in the implementation of educational technologies in the region, several key findings emerge. Education policies and practices designed to improve the digital literacy …

Responding To Disruptive Behaviors In The Classroom, Tatum Bernet

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This lesson is designed to prepare Teaching Assistants to effectively respond to disruptive behaviors in the classroom with a 3-step evidence-based framework. It is centered around the overarching idea that all behaviors are a form of communication. The role of an educator is to create an environment that supports learning for all types of students and to teach children how to appropriately communicate their emotions/needs. The 3-step Behavioral Support framework is as follows: 1) Identify behavior 2) Identify the why 3) Identify intervention.

Select The Right Tools: Composition In A Restricted Environment, Harrison T. L. Stone, Lesia Lennex

Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education Research & Publication Archives

Alphasmart devices are keyboards with some word processing ability such as spell check (Simpkins, 2023). The bare bones device thwarts students’ ability to browse for games or mismanage the default settings in Word. Alphasmart products can be used to assist with typing skills for the GED or ever-increasing technology-conversant jobs. The Alphasmart can either store information or via USB so an instructor can review student writings. Importantly, student work, such as a resume, may be printed from the device. Where it can only display a few lines of text at a time it would work well with students who get …

Measuring Mobility: A Quantitative Description Of Sbae Teacher Mobility In Minnesota, Becky Haddad, Lavyne L. Rada, Amy R. Smith

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

Considerations around teacher attrition, supply and demand, and retention are incomplete without including teacher mobility. The problem, as it currently stands, finds SBAE ill-equipped, at the professional level, to support mobile teachers. Providing support, however, starts with understanding the population; in this case, mobile teachers. The purpose of our study was to quantitatively describe teacher mobility in [State] over the last 20 years (1999-2021). To describe SBAE teacher mobility in our state, we utilized teacher retention data compiled from state teacher directories over the last 20 years (1999-2021). We corroborated previous findings noting heightened attrition after year one in a …

Behind The Scenes: Instructional Coaches’ Perceptions Of Curriculum Leadership Development, Cora C. Garner

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Since the 20th century, instructional coaching has influenced curricular and pedagogical practices that impact student achievement in K-12 schools; however, the existing literature provides minimal evidence of their experiences in curriculum leadership development. To fill the research gap, this study explores instructional coaches’ perceptions of their professional learning related to curriculum development and leadership. The research questions included (1) How do ICs perceive professional learning opportunities for curriculum leadership? and (2) How do instructional coaches describe the development of their curriculum coaching knowledge and practices? Upon applying the conceptual framework, which included the Saylor et al. (1981) curriculum development model …

An Investigation Of Toddler Risky Play Informed By The Voices Of Parents And Teachers Of Toddlers In One School Setting, Megan Kybartas, Mary Jane Moran, Tyler J. Kybartas

Graduate Research - College of Education

This qualitative study explored the perceptions of teachers and parents within the context of toddlerhood risky play at a university laboratory school. Sociocultural and bioecological theories informed the study and the developmental niche framework guided the data analysis. Video-stimulated recall interviews were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Findings include: (1) parents’ and teachers’ perceptions of risky play are comprised of (a) their psychology as the caregiver, (b)knowing the child, and (c) cultural influences, (2) parent and teacher descriptions of risky play include that it happens outdoors, away from adults, and encompasses developmental benefits, and (3) the development of perceptions …

Collaborative Leadership For Research Investigating Stem Teacher Preparation Across Many Institutions, Dana P. Franz, Keith Hubbard, Devon Brenner

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This paper describes the creation of a collaborative research team investigating the impacts of education preparation on the recruitment and retention of science and mathematics teacher candidates in rural settings. Our collaborative research includes a core leadership team across 3 institutions and with collaboration across 14 total universities. We discuss the process from the inception through year two of this program, including the structure of leadership, communication techniques with the large group, and efforts to translate this research into scalable action. Using a framework for transdisciplinary research (Hall et al., 2012), we describe the processes and challenges that we encountered …

Teacher Resilience: Validating An Instrument In The Us Context, Joy Mccreary

CGU Theses & Dissertations

The research surrounding teacher resilience is an emerging field, and the cultivation of instruments that measure teacher resilience should be bolstered. Specifically, there is a need for the creation of an instrument to be used in the United States. To address this need, I piloted the Multidimensional Teachers’ Resilience Scale (Mansfield & Wosnitza, 2015; Peixoto et al., 2020) in the US. The Multidimensional Teachers’ Resilience Scale (MTRS) comprises 29 items on four dimensions of resilience (professional, motivational, social, and emotional). The MTRS shows decent reliability and validity, but also demonstrates a need for a stronger instrument to be developed. As …

Claiming Our Place In The Center: Counterstories Of Women Of Color Open Educational Resources (Oer) Librarians, Regina Gong

Copley Library: Faculty Scholarship

Research has recognized the importance of libraries and librarians in supporting, managing, and sustaining open educational resources (OER) programs in postsecondary institutions. Open education initiatives generally align with social justice aspirations and should be open and inclusive to everyone. Yet, in practice, this has not always been the case. While librarians are considered critical partners in the leadership and management of OER programs and are often heralded as heroes and champions of these initiatives, research has failed to interrogate and discuss the experiences of Women of Color (WOC) doing OER work. In particular, the challenges and often invisible labor that …

The Relationship Between Social Justice Attitudes And Compassion In Preservice Teachers: A Critically Compassionate Intellectualism Framework, Megan Hut

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation aims to gain further knowledge about the implementation of the Critically Compassionate Intellectualism (CCI; Cammarota & Romero, 2003) framework in teacher education. This framework, originally developed to provide a better education for Latine students who were being silenced in their original schools, emphasizes authentic caring, critical pedagogy, and social justice content. CCI aims to provide students with an education that better equips them to be part of our democratic society and is supposed to lead to an increase in students’ critical consciousness through developing compassionate relationships and making content related to students’ experiences. Based on the success of …

The Use Of Graphic Organizers On The Reading Comprehension Of High School Students, Beckylee Ramos Lorenzo

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This study seeks to identify correlation in the use of graphic organizers in reading comprehension of twelfth grade English language arts students. Specifically, this study seeks to determine if the use of graphic organizers in the teaching of reading has impacts on the reading comprehension of 12th grade English language arts students. The study intends to contribute to closing an information gap surrounding the effects of using instructional strategies such as graphic organizers in reading comprehension in a twelfth-grade English class. The research questions helped to guide this study in identifying descriptive statistics within PSAT reading comprehension scores during the …

Generations Growing Together: Intergenerational Learning As A Pedagogical Strategy In Early Childhood Education And Care Services. A Handbook For Practitioners And Trainers, Anne Fitzpatrick

Books/Book chapters

Despite being the oldest form of learning, IGL has declined steadily over time due to wide-ranging social, cultural, economic and demographic changes. Children in the Western world are growing up in smaller, geographically dispersed family circles and, consequently, have fewer opportunities to interact with different age groups and to see themselves as part of a multigenerational society. Older people are living longer, yet are frequently separated from their families by distance, migration and family breakdown and, more recently, by COVID-19. Additionally, with the increasing attendance at age-segregated services, including preschools and care homes, traditional places and opportunities for age groups …

Empowering Diverse Learners: A Comprehensive Approach To Differentiated Instruction (Di) And Culturally Responsive Teaching (Crt), Sujeong Lee

Education | Graduate Culminating Projects

Empowering Diverse Learners: A Comprehensive Approach to Differentiated Instruction (DI) and Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) explores the integration of DI and CRT to create inclusive and equitable educational environments. This project aims to transform classrooms into spaces celebrating students' cultural heritage and addressing diverse learning needs. The primary objectives are to develop inclusive classroom activities, curate practical resources, and design professional development modules. A central feature of this project is the interactive Padlet, "Teacher's Hub: Effective Teaching Resources", which provides a dynamic platform for educators to access and share valuable resources, lesson plans, and strategies for implementing DI …

Preservice Preparation Practices To Increase Family-Professional Collaboration: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review, Chelsea Pansé-Barone, Janet Vanlone, Annie George-Puskar, Lisa Ziegler

Faculty Journal Articles

Due to the important impact family-professional collaboration has on child outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and students with disabilities, research in special education preservice personnel preparation has evaluated the impact of higher education programs and curricula geared towards improving preservice educators’ knowledge and practices regarding family-professional collaboration in inclusive settings. The resulting qualitative and quantitative literature has provided the field with insights as to instructional strategies faculty have implemented to better prepare preservice special educators to collaborate with families. The purpose of this mixed-methods systematic review was to identify and synthesize the current state of knowledge behind these instructional strategies …

Teaching And Generative Ai: Pedagogical Possibilities And Productive Tensions, Beth Buyserie, Travis N. Thurston, Adena Rivera-Dundas, Ali Söken, Belinda 'Ofakihevahanoa Fotu, Breanne K. Litts, Catherine J. Denial, Chris Mayer, Clancy Ratliff, Cora Alward, Daniel Frank, Daniel Hutchinson, Dory Rosenberg, Emma Mecham, Erin Jensen, Franziska Tsufim, Ha Nguyen, J. Kaleo Alladin, Jacob Morris, Jacob Taylor, Jenna Green, Jennifer Grewe, Jennifer K. Johnson, John Paul Tassoni, Josh Vogeler, Julia M. Gossard, Kolby Sanders, Kysa Nygreen, Lainie Pomerleau, Laura Dumin, Lillian Campbell, Lydia Peach, Lydia Wilkes, Maha Bali, Marc Watkins, Mary Lourdes Silva, Megan Hamilton, Melissa Tehee, Michael A. Christiansen, Mudasir Mustafa, Nicole Bungert, Parker Routt, Reba Wissner, Reed Hepler, Ritamarie Hensley, Rogelio E. Cardona-Rivera, Rosa Thornley, Ruth Li, Samantha K. Yoder, Susan Codone, Veronica Pulley, Walker P. Smith, Tazin Daniels

Teaching and Generative AI: Pedagogical Possibilities and Productive Tensions

With the rapid development of generative AI, teachers are experiencing a new pedagogical challenge, one that promises to forever change the way we approach teaching and learning. As a response to this unprecedented teaching context, this collection—Teaching and Generative AI: Pedagogical Possibilities and Productive Tensions—provides interdisciplinary teachers, librarians, and instructional designers with practical and thoughtful pedagogical resources for navigating the possibilities and challenges of teaching in an AI era. Because our goal with this edited collection is to present nuanced discussions of AI technologies across disciplines, the chapters collectively acknowledge or explore both possibilities and tensions—including the strengths, …

Towards A Pedagogy Of Human Connection : Understanding Teachers’ Experiences Of Connection During A Pandemic, Michael Diamond

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools shuttered quickly and re-opened slowly. These decisions impacted the well-being of teachers and students. Upon re-opening, schools in New Jersey adopted a range of instructional approaches—including virtual and hybrid models—that prioritized safety and diminished human connections. This came at a time when rates of isolation and loneliness were increasing and the US was already experiencing a crisis of connection. To understand teachers’ experiences with human connection during the winter and second spring of the COVID-19 pandemic, this dissertation study recruited nine high school teachers from one school in New Jersey who …

Critical Thinking Skills In Pre-Service Teachers And Their Coursework: Investigating The Preparation Of Teachers In The Rural Midwest With Humans, Ai, And Cyborg Researchers, Tiffany Shonerd

Dissertations and Theses

Despite the plethora of research and literature regarding the relationship of critical thinking and its key role in promoting learning, little research investigated the teaching of critical thinking to pre-service teachers in their coursework along with how they facilitate it in their students. As future teachers worked towards completing their teaching degrees, student teaching permitted them to work in live classroom settings with veteran teachers as mentors. Markedly, scholars argued that future teacher programs needed to understand the importance of critical thinking and utilize facilitation strategies in classroom settings. In this way, the live classroom setting could then create students …

Pennsylvania K-8 General Education Teachers’ Perceptions Of Preparedness For The Inclusion Of Students With Autism: A Mixed Methods Study, Erica Tate

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Abstract

This convergent mixed-methods study gathered insights from Pennsylvania kindergarten through eighth-grade general education teachers regarding their perceptions of preparedness for including students with autism. Utilizing Bandura's theory of self-efficacy (1962), which underscores the importance of continual opportunities for individuals to build confidence in their abilities, the study sought to understand teachers' viewpoints on their readiness for inclusion. To achieve educator insight, a combination of surveys and interviews was employed to understand better what preservice and in-service educators learned in their pre-professional and professional experiences. In the survey phase, (n=51) general educators responded to questions covering demographics, teacher education programming, …

Engaging Multilingual Learners In Mathematics Learning, Parastoo Zareie

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

As the number of Multilingual Learner (ML) students attending public schools rises, so does the demand for those who can teach them. Research shows that due to the existence of gaps between different types of knowledge, theory, and practice, the results of teacher preparation programs are often fragmented and do not fully benefit participating teachers (Ball, 2000). To address these gaps, a Professional Development (PD) framework, called PrimeD (Professional Development, Research, IMplementation, and Evaluation) has been proposed. It organizes PD for preservice teachers into four phases of Design, Implementation, Evaluation, and Research, and works in a cyclic nature to provide …

Pk-12 Faculty And Staff Capacity To Support Student Mental Health, Chin-Chih Chen, David B. Naff, Xun Liu, Jennifer Murphy, Margaret Wallace, Sunny Shin, Kade Goldin, Shenita Williams, Caleb Armwood, Riley Jenkins, Marlene Gooding

MERC Publications

This report from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) depicts findings from a regional survey of PK-12 faculty and staff exploring their professional capacity to meet the mental health needs of their students. Based on responses from approximately 1,000 educators in the MERC region, there were six dimensions of capacity: mental health knowledge, mental health training and confidence, multi-tiered systems of support, positive mental health culture, supportive policies and practices, and responsibility and impact. Findings in the report include position comparisons along these six dimensions as well as an exploration of how capacity varies by school size and demographic composition. …

Enhancing Organizational Capacity In Teachers Training Colleges: Leadership Implications, Erick Katana Karisa

Master of Education

This study investigates how Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) in Kenya employ Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) to enhance leadership capabilities and narrow the divide between existing situations and envisioned goals. Using a mixed-methods approach through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, the study assesses the practical implementation of OCA and its implications for TTC leaders, faculty, and staff.

Previous studies explore OCA frameworks, leadership styles, and potential outcomes, but often depict broad pictures without illuminating practical implementation strategies. The analysis reveals that while TTC leaders primarily focus on leadership structures, human resources, curriculum, and community engagement, neglecting other crucial dimensions of organizational …

The Manifestation Of Elementary Teachers’ Mathematical Identities: An Explanatory Mixed Methods Study, Kyle Brun

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

In the most simplistic form, mathematical identities manifest in the statements, “I am good at math” or “I am not good at math”. Once established, individuals’ identities influence how they interact and approach mathematical problem-solving (Bishop, 2012; Boaler, 2013; Boaler & Selling, 2017). The purpose of this mixed-method explanatory sequential study is to explore a deeper understanding of how elementary teachers’ mathematical identities influence their beliefs about effective math instruction. Utilizing an explanatory sequential mixed-method design, a questionnaire was used for the initial quantitative analysis of teachers' mathematical identities. Analysis of survey submissions identified three unique mathematical identity profiles. Two …

Exploring The Experiences Of Faculty Learning To Teach Online: A Case Study, Peyton P. Burgess Jr

Theses and Dissertations

Through an examination of literature, interviews and focus groups with participants of a faculty development program on online teaching and learning at a large Public Mid-Atlantic Urban University (PMUU), this research aimed to uncover the elements of a faculty development course or other impacts that contributed to the success or hindrance of faculty in their online course delivery. This qualitative study aimed to foster collaborative relationships with participants and resulted in data that might inform the development of faculty and their online courses in similarly situated contexts.

Critical Thinking Development Of Foreign Language Teachers Through Digital Literacy Training, Zhang Lin, Bermet A. Ryskulova, Cheng Xi, Ren Shanshan, Sofia Kh. Apaeva

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Digitalization and global technology use have increased expectations for language teachers, making digital literacy and adaptability crucial for their competence in education. Based on this, the research aims to investigate ways of using digital literacy as a tool for improving the critical thinking skills of foreign language teachers. The analysis, synthesis, comparison, deduction, and generalisation methods were used. The professional development of foreign language teachers was found to involve the improvement of their competence and individual skills, in particular critical thinking. The importance of digital literacy for a teacher in the modern teaching process was revealed in the paper. The …

Innovative Technologies In Teaching Art Disciplines In Educational Institutions, Natalia Ursu, Ivan Hutsul, Serhii Luts, Iryna Paur, Timur Takirov

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study concerns the urgent need for adaptation and introduction of innovative technologies for the education of creative personality, development of skills, and a deeper understanding of art forms in educational institutions in Ukraine. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of novel technologies in increasing student engagement, acquiring skills, and artistic expression in various art disciplines in educational establishments. The study applied analysis and synthesis, comparison, generalization of philosophical, psychological, and pedagogical methods, art history sources, and Internet resources to the problems under study. It was proven that the integration of innovative technologies in teaching …

Humanitarian Disciplines In The Conditions Of Distance Learning At The Stage Of Higher Education Transformation In Ukraine, Kostiantyn Bohomaz, Liudmyla Sorokina, Zoia Voronova, Nataliia Valuieva, Natalia Kuzmenko

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Humanities play a vital role in shaping intellectual, social, and emotional aspects in children. The COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of distance learning have transformed humanities education in Ukrainian universities. It is essential to examine the specific changes brought about by distance learning and their impact on humanities education in the country. The main research methods used were analysis, abstraction, and forecasting. The study reviewed the challenges faced by teachers and students in Ukraine regarding the introduction of digital technologies in education, particularly in the humanities. Furthermore, the role and possibilities of using technology in distance learning were described, as …

Winter Vacation Activity Manual, Aisha Naz Ansari, Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta, Zarfin Saleem

Institute for Educational Development Pakistan (IED-PK) Archives

This resource is a compilation of activities to help parents and caregivers boost the holistic development of children during and beyond winter vacations.