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Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science Task Force Report: Preface

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Teaching About Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science: Toward A More Complete View Of Science

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Scientific Argumentation As A Foundation For The Design Of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction, A. Falk, L. Brodsky

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Despite the attention that inquiry has received in science education research and policy, a coherent means for implementing inquiry in the classroom has been missing [1]. In recent research, scientific argumentation has received increasing attention for its role in science and in science education [2]. In this article, we propose that organizing a unit of instruction around building a scientific argument can bring inquiry practices together in the classroom in a coherent way. We outline a framework for argumentation, focusing on arguments that are central to science—arguments for the best explanation. We then use this framework as the basis for …

Infusing Problem-Based Learning (Pbl) Into Science Methods Courses Across Virginia, K. R. Thomas, P. L. Horne, S. M. Donnelly, C. T. Berube

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article outlines the results of a collaborative study of the effects of infusing problem-based learning (PBL) into K-12 science methods courses across four universities in Virginia. Changes in pre-service teachers' attitudes surrounding science teaching were measured before and after completing a science methods course in which they experienced PBL first-hand as participants, and then practiced designing their own PBL units for use in their future classrooms. The results indicate that exposure to PBL enhances pre-service teachers' knowledge of inquiry methods and self-efficacy in teaching science.

Inquiry Teaching: It Is Easier Than You Think!, S. Key, D. Owens

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article is a survey of the literature on inquiry teaching. Many teachers do not participate in inquiry teaching for various reasons. The following are the main reasons: it takes too much time; students do not learn what they need for the state test; and, the teachers do not know how to grade projects and presentations. These reasons sound like rhetoric from long ago, but it is very current. In this article, research is used to show that students who participate in inquiry learning or any type of problem-based education do much better than students who do not have that …

Building A Case For Mathematics Specialist Programs, D. Blount, J. Singleton

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Right Triangles Of Gian Francesco Malfatti, J. Boyd

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Reform Teaching In Mathematics And Science Courses — A Follow-Up Evaluation, G. M. Bass Jr.

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Strong Support For Mathematics Specialists In Virginia, J. Singleton, D. Blount

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Pilot Inventory Of Community Partnerships, Valerie Holton

Division of Community Engagement Resources

Partnerships with community organizations create increased opportunities for universities to promote community-engaged research, teaching, and service. Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) mission states that the university is committed to "sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic, and cultural vitality of the communities VCU serves." In recognition of its efforts, VCU is among a small number of institutions to be designated as very high research activity and community-engaged by the Carnegie Foundation. It is also a recipient of a NIH-funded Center for Translational and Sciences Award, which promotes community-engaged research.

In pursuit of the university’s goal to become a national model …

2013 Service-Learning Faculty Survey Results Report, Office Of Service-Learning, Division Of Community Engagement, Virginia Commonwealth University

Division of Community Engagement Resources

Service-learning is an important teaching pedagogy that has been proven effective in enhancing student learning and promoting both academic and civic engagement. As civic engagement continues to gain prominence as an integral aspect of higher education, it is increasingly important that engagement metrics are consistently measured to demonstrate outcomes. This is especially true of service-learning as it strongly correlates with student learning, academic performance, and retention rates. Feedback and suggestions from service-learning faculty members are useful for gaining insights into how service-learning quality can be enhanced at the classroom level and understanding the resource needs of faculty members.

The purpose …

Community Engagement Living-Learning Programs: Build It Well And They Will Come, Lynn Pelco, Mary Slade

Division of Community Engagement Resources

Objectives for this presentation were: (1) overview the literature on benefits and models of living-learning programs; (2) describe the components of VCU's new community-engagement living-learning program, VCU ASPiRE; (3) introduce a theoretical model for building high-quality community-engagement living-learning programs; (4) facilitate discussion amongst participants to exchange ideas and to begin strategic problem-solving that will create high-quality community engagement, living-learning programs; and (5) provide living-learning program online resources.

Impact Of Community Engagement Grants (2007-2012): A Preliminary Report, Valerie Holton, Catherine Howard, Jennifer Jettner

Division of Community Engagement Resources

As Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) takes its place among the nation‟s top 50 public research universities, our guiding principles have been an abiding focus on student success at all levels, unparalleled innovation through research, and a university-wide commitment to human health, and engagement and empowerment in our communities. To that end, VCU has named community engagement as a key focus area in its strategic plan with the aim of developing collaborative university-community partnerships that yield creative and relevant solutions for community-identified needs. These mutually-beneficial partnerships not only support the public good, but they also support our mission to advance knowledge …

Irb-Approved Community-Engaged Research At Vcu: Analysis Of Baseline Data And Overview Of New Data System, Valerie Holton

Community-Engaged Research Resources

Within the academy and across VCU there is growing recognition that community-engaged research (CEnR) is a valuable framework that enables researchers to conduct research and produce results that can be directly translated into improvements in human health, education, sustainability, and economic development. One example of VCU’s institutional commitment to community engagement is that a description of CEnR has been added to the revised university promotion and tenure guidelines. Additionally, it is included as a key strategy in advancing the discovery of new knowledge, creative expression, and innovation by increasing and diversifying sponsored research and promoting translational research and scholarship that …

Executive Summary — Teaching About Scientific Inquiry And The Nature Of Science

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Grappling With Issues Of Learning Science From Everyday Experiences: An Illustrative Case Study, A.-L. Tan, M. Kim, F. Talaue

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

There are different perceptions among researchers with regard to the infusion of everyday experience in the teaching of science: 1) it hinders the learning of science concepts; or, 2) it increases the participation and motivation of students in science learning. This article attempts to contemplate those different perspectives of everyday knowledge in science classrooms by using everyday contexts to teach grade 3 science in Singapore. In this study, two groups of grade 3 students were presented with a scenario that required them to apply the concept of properties of materials to design a shoe. Subsequently, the transcripts of classroom discussions …

Community-Engagement Grants: Fostering Partnerships And Advancing Scholarship And Human Well-Being, Valerie Holton, Catherine Howard, Jennifer Jettner

Division of Community Engagement Resources

This preliminary report presents how Virginia Commonwealth University creates a culture of community engagement, facilitates university-community partnerships and how seed grant money can be a catalyst for long-term partnerships.

The Impact Of Service-Learning On Degree Completion, Kelly Lockeman, Lynn Pelco

Division of Community Engagement Resources

No abstract provided.

Pilot Inventory Of Community Partnerships: Iarslce Conference 2013, Valerie Holton, Kate Agnelli

Division of Community Engagement Resources

Partnerships with community organizations create increased opportunities for universities to promote community-engaged research, teaching, and service. Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) mission states that the university is committed to "sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic, and cultural vitality of the communities VCU serves." In recognition of its efforts, VCU is among a small number of institutions to be designated as very high research activity and community-engaged by the Carnegie Foundation. It is also a recipient of a NIH-funded Center for Translational and Sciences Award, which promotes community-engaged research.

In pursuit of the university’s goal to become a national model …

Vcu's Faculty Status Report - December 2013, Vcu Office Of Faculty Recruitment And Retention

VCU's Faculty Status Report was presented to Faculty Senate on December 3, 2013.

Vcu's Faculty Status Report - January 2013, Vcu Office Of Faculty Recruitment And Retention

VCU's Faculty Status Report was presented to Faculty Senate on January 22, 2013.

Contents

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Title Page, Coordinating Editor's Remarks

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Challenging Pre-Service Students' Teaching Perspectives In An Inquiry-Focused Program, J. L. Pecore, A. Shelton

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Inquiry teaching based on constructivist learning theory has been an emphasis in pre-service education for over a decade. In general, a developmental teaching perspective supports inquiry-based instruction where teachers view learners as constructors of knowledge and teaching as providing questions, problems, and challenges that form a bridge from the learners' prior knowledge to a new, more sophisticated form of reasoning. Since teaching perspectives influence student learning, teacher effectiveness, and teacher attrition, challenging pre-service teachers to overcome experience-based convictions of a transmission perspective is necessary in teacher education. In this study, we examined the teaching perspectives of secondary, pre-service methods students …

How Does Leadership Matter? Developing And Teaching A Definition Of Hands-On Science, A Prerequisite For Effective Inquiry Teaching, D. R. Sterling

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This descriptive case study describes leadership skills and planning for setting clear directions by program leaders for a statewide professional development initiative to extend improvement in science teaching and learning. For science teachers and leaders in Virginia, a critical part of setting clear goals that everyone can understand is defining key science terms. One of the four key terms, "hands-on science," is defined here. Materials to develop teachers' understanding of the term for effective implementation of classroom inquiry activities are shared, along with a rubric for evaluation by and for teachers. Understanding of the term "hands-on science" is necessary before …

Understanding Mathematics And Science Advice Networks Of Middle School Teachers, D. White, A. Ruff

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

We report findings from a research project designed to examine the mathematics and science advice networks of teachers who participated in professional development under the auspices of the NSF-funded Rocky Mountain-Middle School Math and Science Partnership. We provide descriptive statistics of results. Additionally, we reflect on the research process and discuss some of the practical challenges involved.

A Lesson Plan With An Arc Midpoint, G. V. Akulov, O. G. Akulov

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The article introduces an explicit way of locating the arc midpoint in the Cartesian plane, which is consistent for both x- and y-coordinates and is technically accessible for students starting as young as fifteen. The authors give the proof of the statement using two trigonometry identities, and discuss some materials for innovative lessons on the arc midpoint computation that could enrich and enhance curriculum.

Unlocking Undergraduate Problem Solving, D. Cline, K. Peterson

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

It is difficult to find good problems for undergraduates. In this article, we explore an interesting problem that can be used in virtually any mathematics course. We then offer natural generalizations, state and prove some related results, and ultimately end with several open problems suitable for undergraduate research. Finally, we attempt to shed some light on what makes a problem interesting.

Aims & Scope

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.