Education Commons^™

Social Work Education During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned For Programming And Practice, Dana Alonzo, Pinar Zubaroglu-Ioannides, Gulcan Urhan, Mashura Akilova

International Journal of School Social Work

Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning was rapidly implemented across schools of social work. This study examines the student perspective of online learning during the pandemic including the challenges faced from the unanticipated switch to remote learning and any benefits gleaned from remote learning.

Method: We conducted an online survey of social work students using Qualtrics. Surveys were delivered electronically to schools of social work in Turkey using convenience sampling. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS.

Results: The majority of the participants in our study (76.5 %) ranked their …

A Psychometric Analysis Of The School Success Profile 2020 Microthreat Scale Using Modern Measurement Theory Methods, Gerald J. Bean, Natasha K. Bowen

International Journal of School Social Work

Objective: Microthreatening behaviors are often prevalent in school settings and can accumulate to create an array of negative impacts on students and staff. There is a substantive need for a scale that can help to measure student perceived microthreats. The primary aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of one such scale—the SSP 2020 Microthreat Scale—using modern measurement theory methods. Method: Data used in this study were collected from sixth through ninth grade students in three schools in in the southeastern region of the United States. Schools were using the SSP 2020 compendium to gain a better …

A Book Review On Research Methods In Education (8th Edition), Yen Thi Tran

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Research Methods in Education should be no stranger to educational and social researchers. The book was first published in 1980, and since then it has been widely recommended by scholars worldwide as an excellent manual for researchers to plan, conduct, report and evaluate research projects. Like former editions, this updated, expanded, and revised 8th edition, published in 2017, continues to be favorably received worldwide as it covers a wide range of topics discussed in great detail, focusing on current educational issues and controversies.

Building Classroom Community Using A Whole-Child Approach, Jennifer Wells

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Trauma, including abandonment, neglect, poverty, or abuse, affects students. Because of this, a classroom community is vulnerable to the sheer unpredictability of behaviors. Students who have experienced trauma need support in order to create a classroom community where they can thrive and learn. This study examines a Whole-Child Approach purposely used in a sixth-grade classroom. A whole-child observation checklist was used to provide pre- and post- data in four areas: Relationship Building; Restorative Practices; Behavioral Recognition, Reminders, and Redirects; and Social-Emotional Skill Building. A teacher journal and mindfulness lessons were also used to triangulate data. This study shows that building …

The Role Of Teacher Education In Improving Digital Literacy: A Pre-Service Teacher Case Study, Rana Taheri, Sarah E. Pennington

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Technology is crucial for teaching and learning in the 21st century. However, many pre-service teachers (PSTs) feel unprepared to utilize digital literacy (DL) in their future classes. This study explored PST’s perceptions of their DL knowledge and the perceived impact of their teacher education programs through a qualitative bounded case study method. Participants for this study were three PSTs engaged in a technology integration course at a land grant university in the northwestern US. Participants engaged in recorded one-on-one semi-structured interviews to learn about their perceptions and readiness for DL. The findings indicate that while PSTs were aware of DL, …

Using Technology-Supported Mindfulness Tools To Alleviate Test Anxiety In The Elementary Classroom, Adriana Quattrini, Gina L. Solano

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Childhood anxiety has been an increasing focus of classroom teachers in recent years. It creates an excess of problems, which can lead to other health-related issues. Long-term effects may include mental health problems, such as depression and isolation, due to becoming accustomed to coping with anxiety daily. This curriculum project designed a series of lessons that were delivered on a weekly basis to a class of second-grade students. Once the pandemic forced schools to move online, these mindfulness activities were delivered through remote instruction which greatly benefitted the young students during this difficult time. The purpose of this action research …

Movement In Math: A Look At Integrating Movement-Based Activities Into A Kindergarten Math Classroom, Katelyn R. Gonzales

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The purpose of this study was to examine what happens when movement-based mathematical activities are introduced into a kindergarten math curriculum and its implications on how kindergarteners engage during math time. Using surveys, observational and reflective data, and semi-structured interviews of students and my cooperating teacher, this study aimed to examine student and teacher perceptions of incorporating movement-activities. The movement activities served as form of play-based learning and relied on thorough planning and preparation. Through the constant-comparative method, I generated 12 level 1 and three level 2 codes from key themes and analyzed descriptive statistics for numerical data from my …

Mindfulness Is When “You Don’T Think At All, You Just Do Whatever You Want Without Thinking Of The Consequences”: Reframing Mindfulness In A Third-Grade Classroom, Emily Colwell

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This study explored the influences that five minutes of daily mindfulness activities had on third-grade students in a math and science classroom, as well as both student and teacher perceptions of the mindfulness activities. The researcher implemented five minutes of a mindfulness activity daily during a three-week period. Data collection methods included pre-and-post surveys, observations with field notes, student artifacts, and student and teacher interviews. Four major themes emerged including better understanding of what mindfulness is, the role school and home play, provided structure and quiet calmness, and behaviors stayed consistent. While behaviors stayed consistent, students left the intervention with …

Teaching Math To Newcomer Multilingual Learners: The Case For Teaching Diverse Math Practices, Elena Andrei, Melissa Daley

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Multilingual learners (MLs), also referred to as English learners (ELs) in US K-12 public schools, and specifically newcomer MLs who have been in US schools for 2 years or less, are expected to learn the English language and reach grade level standards in the as their monolingual English-speaking peers. Mathematics education in the US has struggled over the years to achieve higher levels of math achievement for all students and for MLs. In this innovation in practice, we present how Ms. Shelley (pseudonym), a math high school teacher incorporated her newcomer MLs diverse math practices in her teaching.

Editorial Introduction: Fostering Holistic Learning Environments, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The collection of articles for this issue explores holistic education practices, focusing on trauma-informed teaching, mindfulness, and community building to support students' emotional, social, and academic needs. Emphasizing teacher resilience and inclusive strategies, the articles highlight how fostering well-being in classrooms enhances student engagement, behavior, and overall academic success.

Authors, Burgon Society Shop, Editorial Board

Transactions of the Burgon Society

No abstract provided.

Reframing And Advancing Academic Mentorship To Support New And Early Career Faculty Members, Juanita-Dawne R. Bacsu, Patricia C. Heyn, Steffi Kim, Zahra Rahemi, Monique J. Brown, Darina V. Petrovsky, Justine S. Sefcik, Jodi L. Southerland, Jeremy Holloway, Elyse Couch, Ayse Malatyali, Matthew L. Smith

Health Behavior Research

Mentorship is critical to fostering professional growth and career development in academia. However, academic mentorship is often an informal activity that is overlooked and under researched. There is much ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding mentorship roles and strategies in academia. This paper provides recommendations and strategies to reframe and advance academic mentorship to support new and early career faculty.

A Tribute To Nicholas Groves, Philip Goff

Transactions of the Burgon Society

A tribute on the death of Nicholas Groves, a founder of the Burgon Society, scholar of academic dress, and frequent contributor to Transactions of the Burgon Society.

A Scoping Review Of International Experiences By U.S. Extension Professionals: Lessons And Opportunities, Benjamin B. Grove, Sarah A. Bush, Jeremy Elliott-Engel

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

The U.S. Cooperative Extension System (CES) faculty and administrators have contemplated internationalization for decades. A proposed way to support internationalization of CES is international extension experiences. This scoping review assessed the literature from 1980-2020 on direct international extension experiences of Extension professionals. Nineteen articles were included in the study after careful screening. We coded for the benefits that resulted from each article: (a) global/international perspectives, (b) personal belief in the value of international experiences, (c) learning/knowledge gains/skills building, (d) appreciation for diversity, (e) increased perceived value of Extension, (f) self-esteem/reinvigoration, and (g) benefits to domestic clientele. Emergent themes were found …

Gender, Access To Agricultural Extension, And Seed Sourcing Among Small-Scale Farmers In Uganda, Helaina M. Curtin, Travis Reynolds, Daniel Tobin

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Agricultural extension services have been vital for the development of the agricultural sector across the globe, providing information and support for farmers to improve their productivity and economic livelihoods. However, studies have shown that access to extension services may not be equitable, mediated by factors such as gender, remoteness, and type of production system. In Uganda, resource constraints and gender shape which small-scale farmers access extension services. This study uses data from two waves of the Ugandan National Panel Survey (collected with support from the World Bank through the Living Standards Measurement Study – Integrated Surveys on Agriculture) to investigate …

Using The Ranked Discrepancy Model To Identify Priority Topics For Professional Development For Agricultural Extension, Lendel K. Narine

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

In an ever-changing agricultural context, extension agents are expected to possess the competencies to provide relevant non-formal education to their clientele on persistent and emerging issues. This research note applies the Ranked Discrepancy Model (RDM) to assess priority topic areas for professional development activities in agricultural extension. The study followed a correlation design and gathered survey data from a sample of agricultural extension agents at [University] (n = 42). Results indicated the high priority areas for professional development irrigation technologies, weed control, post-farm activities (e.g., value-added products and marketing), and GPS technologies and drones for real-time monitoring. The study …

Fight, Flight, Freeze: The Impact Of A Dyslexia Simulation On Preservice Teachers, Carolyn Carlson

The Advocate

Teachers must have an understanding of dyslexia, including characteristics, assessments, and interventions, but also an understanding of the reactions the students may display when faced with these learning difficulties. In addition, teachers need to be aware of how their typical classroom practices may cause even further disruptions and challenges to the student rather than supporting them in their learning. This study asked preservice teachers to participate in the Experience Dyslexia simulation to gain new insight into not only the challenges faced by students with dyslexia regarding brain-based processing issues, but also how the classroom environment contributes to those difficulties. By …

Nurturing A Culture Of Change In K-12 Schools, Howard Pitler

The Advocate

Abstract

Title: Nurturing a Culture of Change in K-12 Schools

As K-12 education undergoes rapid evolution to meet the demands of a changing world, educational leaders must navigate complex challenges to drive meaningful transformation. This article delves into the imperative for change in educational systems globally and explores tailored strategies for fostering a culture of change within K-12 schools.

Visionary leadership emerges as a cornerstone for guiding schools through periods of change, emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and student-centered approaches. Cultivating a change-ready school culture involves nurturing an environment that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and continuous learning. Effective communication and collaboration, both internally …

A Practitioner's Conceptualization Of Student Engagement, Alan English

The Advocate

Student engagement is one of the most promising concepts in educational research today, as it has been positively correlated to a host of desirable outcomes and negatively correlated to a variety of undesirable outcomes. While there has been tremendous progress in advancing our understanding of student engagement including the developing of student engagement models in recent years, most of that work has been focused on advancing educational research rather than disseminating best practices to P-12 practitioners. The aim here is to provide practitioners a brief coverage on the current literature on student engagement, a concise, practical model of engagement, and …

The Advocate

The Advocate

Information related to ATE-K and The Advocate, the peer-reviewed journal of the Association of Teacher Educators in Kansas

A Letter From The Ate-K President

The Advocate

A letter from ATE-K President, Dr. Alan English

50 Years Of Publication: A Document Analysis Of Social Justice In The Educational Considerations Corpus, Tracey Conway, Nelofar Khamisani, Vajiheh Shahsavari, Ernestina Wiafe

Educational Considerations

The purpose of this research article is to explore how social justice in education has evolved over the past 50 years of peer-reviewed article publications in Kansas State University College of Education’s academic journal, Educational Considerations. The research sought to unveil how social justice in education has evolved over the past 50 years based on publications in Educational Considerations. The study utilized a qualitative research approach, specifically adopting a document analysis methodology. This research drew its data from peer-reviewed articles published in Educational Considerations spanning from 1973 to 2023. Literature not originally found in Educational Considerations—but relevant …

A Retrospective Of Educational Considerations And The Evolving Nature Of School Partnerships, Eileen Wertzberger

Educational Considerations

Over its 50-year journey, Educational Considerations has been a platform embracing diverse voices in education, aiming to stimulate critical thinking on educational matters. From its inception, it invited input from educators and stakeholders, fostering a broad discourse on educational concerns. This inclusivity attracted contributions from various quarters often overlooked by mainstream academic journals: administrators, teachers, non-profit leaders, etc. Their insights have chronicled important shifts in public education, including the evolving nature of school partnerships. These intentional relationships between K-12 institutions and various stakeholders have become pivotal in shaping educational practice and supporting student success. This article explores how Educational Considerations …

Reminiscing African Presence In Text: A Content Analysis Of 50 Years Of Published Works In Educational Considerations, Ernestina Wiafe

Educational Considerations

In an era characterized by evolving perspectives on diversity, inclusion, and decolonization within the domain of education, the exploration of African presence in educational literature emerges as an important endeavor. This study delved into a half-century of published works in Educational Considerations, with a particular focus on texts about and from Africa. Employing a qualitative content analysis methodology, the research traversed a vast corpus of published works spanning five decades. The analysis showed a progressive transition from underrepresentation to an emerging exploration of Africa in Educational Considerations, which signifies the growing acknowledgment of Africa’s invaluable contribution to shaping academia, …

Postsecondary Teachers’ Perspectives On Effectively Engaging Learners In Today’S Post "Pandemic Pedagogy" Era, Deepak P. Subramony

Educational Considerations

This article presents the findings of a recent study surveying and interviewing post-secondary teachers within a college of education at a large, Carnegie "R1" public university in the Midwestern United States to unearth their perspectives of how to better engage their learners within the hybrid/multiple-modality instructional contexts that represent the new normal in today’s post "pandemic pedagogy" era. Within the current context of potentially emerging new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and/or other pathogens, it also discusses key findings related to the teachers’ views regarding the current levels of institutional support they receive to this end, and their perspectives regarding …

Examination Of Ugandan Educators’ Cultural Preferences When Teaching Agriculture: A Q Methodological Study, Rebekah Mccarty, Shannon Norris-Parish, Don Edgar, Lacey Roberts-Hill, Jeff Witte

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Increasing human capital is a critical challenge of developmental aid. Secondary education is known to be the single greatest contributor to agricultural productivity in developing countries. Ultimately, as technology advances, researchers and curriculum designers must investigate variables influencing the successful transmission of agricultural information or the gap will widen. We used framing theory to examine the impact of culture on the adoption of educational resources in a developing nation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cultural preferences of educators in Uganda when engaging with educational materials created by individuals from a developed nation. We used Q methodology …

Moving Beyond Trauma: Activating Resilience To Support Our Most Vulnerable Youth, Joanne Malloy, Sara Manisco-Chapo

International Journal of School Social Work

It is well-documented that exposure to toxic stress in childhood is associated with impaired social, emotional, behavioral, and neuro-biological development that often results in an inability to develop healthy relationships, learning difficulties, poor emotional regulation, and impaired problem-solving skills. Further, youth who grow up in unsafe environments or are subjected to structural inequality are faced with challenges over which they have no control. Using a positive, future-oriented, and trauma-responsive perspective while intentionally building resilience can effectively engage and support youth who have experienced toxic stress to overcome feelings of hopelessness and achieve positive outcomes. This paper includes a thematic analysis …

Using Data To Make Evidence Informed Decisions In School Social Work, Robert Lucio, Michael Campbell, Tiffany Nelson, Courtney Wiest

International Journal of School Social Work

Effectively supporting school social workers (SSW) in using data to make evidence informed decisions can be challenging for many reasons. This study examines how SSW utilize data across each step of the data engagement framework and, explores the confidence level of SSW in identifying data as well as specific types of data being utilized in the school setting. Data were collected though mixed-methods survey items with social workers in one district in central Florida asking about the different ways in which SSW were engaged with data usage. Results from the study indicate that SSW felt more comfortable in identifying interventions …

Examining School Social Work Certifications Across The Midwest States, Robert Lucio, Emilie Souhrada, Julie Inciti, Brandon Mitchell

International Journal of School Social Work

School social workers are increasingly being recognized and employed in schools across the country to promote critical avenues of system-wide school-based support. However, limited research has explored state certification standards of school social workers to understand the implications on practice efficacy and roles to improve the overall capacity of practitioners. In this study, we examine licensing standards and practice across 13 Midwest states, leveraging key partners in each state of interest. Findings reveal a large variation in SSW preparation, certification, and licensing standards. Aspects discussed in the results include, degree requirements, preparation programs, state endorsement, pathways to licensure, evaluation components, …

Under Their Wing: A Case Study Of Caring Adults Who Support Homeless Youth, Christina L. Helfrick

International Journal of School Social Work

Despite many risk factors, few interventions exist to support youth who are homeless. Theories of resilience and social capital offer support for the development of a school-appointed, homeless, student advocate program. However, these theories do not offer a process or description of activities or qualities of an advocate. This case study is used as an initial step in intervention development. A one-time, focus-group was utilized as a purposeful sample of individuals experienced with supporting homeless youth will be used to create a framework for practice. This study asked the following questions: What is a programmatic framework for a school-appointed homeless …