Education Commons^™

Readiness To Teach Secondary Mathematics: A Study Of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers’ Self-Perceptions, Gregory S. C. Hine, Thuan Thai

Gregory S.C. Hine

Wellbeing Education For Educators, Jason Hinze, Darren Morton

Darren Morton

This study examined the impact of a 10-week multimodal wellbeing intervention (The Lift Project) on pre-service teachers’ personal wellbeing and their perceptions of the value of the intervention when embedded into their course of study. Ninety-two percent of the 103 students (20.1±3.0 yrs, 29 males/74 females) indicated that the intervention positively influenced their wellbeing. Significant improvements were observed in all domains of wellbeing measured, including: perceived physical health (5.1%, p<0.001), physical health behaviours (7.4%, p<0.001), mental health (16.3%, p<0.001), vitality (18.9%, p<0.001), spirituality (4.4%, p<0.01), and life satisfaction (7.1%, p<0.001). Further, significant reductions were recorded in symptoms of depression (-30.6%, p<0.001), anxiety (-34.9%, p<0.001) and stress (-23.3%, p<0.001). The pre-service teachers indicated that the intervention would equip them to support the wellbeing of their future students. The findings of the study suggest that meaningful improvements can be achieved in the wellbeing of pre-service teachers by embedding experiential studies of wellbeing into pre-service teacher education.

Pre-Service Teachers Using The Le@Rning Federation's Digital Resources., Chris Campbell, Jean Macnish

Jean MacNish

This work in progress paper describes research that is investigating the use of learning objects, created by, and digital resources, negotiated by The Le@rning Federation and their use in a technology unit in pre-service teacher education as well as investigating how these learning objects are being used by the pre-service students while out in schools during their practicum. This study will have data collection in 2010 which will involve approximately 700 students across two campuses of the university which are located in Sydney and Fremantle. The study uses a qualitative research methodology and involves questionnaires as the primary data collection …

Using Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning (Sotl) To Inquire Into Pre-Service Teachers’ Science Lesson Planning Considerations, Geeta Verma

Geeta Verma

This paper shares my experiences with the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) framework in my university science methods course. Incorporating SoTL not only enabled me to inquire into my own teaching as a scholarly activity but also engaged my students in critical reflections. I used the principles and characteristics of SoTL to design this inquiry by a) creating a new instructional framework for lesson planning; b) facilitating students’ reflections on their experiences with the new framework; and c) documenting and presenting this inquiry as a scholarly activity. Forty-eight pre service teachers (N = 48), 43 women and 5 men …

Virtual Worlds In Pre-Service Teacher Education : The Introduction Of Virtual Worlds In Pre-Service Teacher Education To Foster Innovative Teaching-Learning Processes, Lisa Jacka

Dr Lisa Jacka

Few pre-service teacher education programs have integrated virtual worlds despite their capacity to provide a platform upon which new forms of teaching and learning can be explored. This research identified factors that influence the level of readiness of pre-service teacher educators and students to introduce, develop and support innovative teaching-learning processes using Virtual Worlds. Over three years Second Life and Sim-on-a-Stick were introduced in a School of Education and the perceptions, experiences, motivations and barriers of the participants were documented. A model was developed to assist pre-service teacher educators in the integration of virtual worlds in higher education.

Creative Arts: An Essential Element In The Teacher’S Toolkit When Developing Critical Thinking In Children, Caroline Nilson, Catherine M. Fetherston, Anne Mcmurray, Tony Fetherston

Tony Fetherston

This paper is a position paper, which argues the position that critical thinking is a crucial skill, which needs to be developed in the school curriculum and that the creative arts can do this. The paper explores the states of the Arts in the present curriculum and goes on to argue that knowing how to develop critical thinking is an important pedagogical skill that needs to be developed in our pre-service teachers. This position is supported through data gathered from an innovative project that explored teachers’ and mothers’ perceptions of children’s critical thinking.

Overcoming Computer Anxiety Through Reflection On Attribution, Renata Phelps, Allan Ellis

Dr Renata Phelps

Computer anxiety continues to be a significant issue for many students. While ever learners experience such anxiety, the use of computers in tertiary education will continue to present significant issues for students and teachers alike. A proliferation of adult education and training initiatives have emerged to assist computer novices to gain the skills needed to operate in the computer domain. However, studies have highlighted that increased exposure can exacerbate rather than ‘cure’ the problem of computer anxiety, potentially strengthening negative affective reactions and promoting further computer avoidance. One approach to countering computer anxiety is to involve learners themselves in confronting …