Teacher Education and Professional Development | Open Access Articles

Critical Pedagogy: Building Strong Learning Communities, Malayka Neith Cornejo

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

Strengthens instructor-student relationship; peer interactions; connection to course content, and sense of belonging. Shifts normative power structures and empowers students to co-construct the learning experience. Student voice matters.

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Effectiveness Of Project-Based Learning As An Instructional Method In Middle And High School Education, Charise Aeikens

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Based on the theoretical framework of experiential learning, this thesis focused on whether project-based learning (PBL) is an effective instructional method for middle and high school education. This review of the literature examined the difference between project-based learning and problem-based learning as well as the difference between project-based learning and a more traditional style of learning. It also investigated the various elements needed to have a successful PBL environment, the challenges/barriers to implement PBL, the instructional methods and support used, collaboration within PBL, and the significance of PBL. The main conclusion was that PBL is an effective instructional method that …

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Trauma Sensitive Schools, Maria Bowker

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Recent research has shown that an astounding number of children have faced adverse childhood experiences. Due to this fact, many of the students sitting in American classrooms have traumatic backgrounds that can cause a variety of side effects including a lack of academic focus, depression, PTSD, and low social-emotional abilities. Schools are the perfect place to implement trauma sensitive frameworks to provide these students an accessible education. Effective trauma sensitive schools are relational, empowering, and consistent. With these traits, research has shown that depression and PTSD symptoms can be reduced, behavior problems can be decreased, and attendance can increase.

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Technology In The Second Language Classroom, Sylvie Carrier

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This thesis explores the history and effectiveness of technological tools present in a second language classroom. Comparing research from the beginning of the 20th century to today’s research shows the progression and current use of technology used in the foreign language classroom. Results demonstrate that while several technological tools could improve the teaching and learning of a foreign language, other tools need more studies with measures of outcome data to prove their capability to increase students’ learning. This study found two factors required for a successful implementation of these tools in the foreign language classroom. First, professional technology training for …

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Art Education: How The Visual Arts Are Critical In Student Social-Emotional Development, Nicole Justine Dickenson

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This literature review explores the different components that make up art education and how they impact student social and emotional development and well-being. Social and emotional development is defined before going into detail about what the visual arts teach and how they can be an oasis for students that enjoy expressing themselves and have different ways of thinking, all while helping other students develop those skills. There is an overview of the Studio Habits of Mind: Develop Craft, Understand Art Worlds, Engage and Persist, Envision, Express, Observe, Reflect, and Stretch and Explore, and how these habits encourage social-emotional development in …

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What Impact Does Technology Integration Have On The K-12 Classroom?, Nicole Jean Elliott

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Technology use is part of our everyday lives and as technological advances continue at a rapid pace, school districts are integrating technology into the K-12 classroom. This paper explores how technology integration may impact four areas in the K-12 classroom. These four areas are: student achievement, student motivation and engagement, the ability to differentiate instruction, and the learning of, or enhancement of, 21st Century skills. Another concept explored in this paper is the need for professional development to correspond with technology initiatives. While several studies show a positive correlation by implementing technology initiatives, opposite findings are also identified and discussed …

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Determining The Optimal Amount Of Physical Activity For Promoting Academic Benefit Among School-Aged Children, Matthew Edwin Fiscus

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This paper explores the relationship between physical activity and academic performance, the optimal amount of physical activity to enjoy these benefits, and the best way to measure this optimal amount of activity. Research yielding positive associations between physical activity and academic performance has increased significantly over the past 20 years. Multiple articles reviewed in this paper support the following examples of academic benefits gained from participating in physical activity: improved standardized test scores, higher grade point average, enhanced cognitive skills, and improved academic behaviors. Parents, teachers, and administrators understand these relationships to some degree but often, the implementation of physical …

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Malts: Mucho Acquisition Of Language By Teaching With Songs, Matthew J. Hanson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fluency in a foreign language (FL) increases when curriculum concentrates on the most common and frequent vocabulary. The following research hypothesizes that songs in the FL can replace curriculum textbooks when combined with storytelling since they contain the most common vocabulary and grammatical structures required for FL communication. This research outlines studies documenting the use of songs in the FL classroom, and includes a 10-week curriculum demonstrating that songs have the potential to change FL curriculum when they are employed consistently and in partnership with storytelling.

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The Reform And Influence Of Standards-Based Grading In Secondary Schools, Leah K. Heck

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Standards-based grading is being utilized in many secondary schools across the United States. Research shows that there are many benefits that students are afforded, such as the ability to have a more personalized learning approach, be provided accommodations and modifications to show mastery within the standards, and have the ability to show more academic achievement in a rigorous environment. As educators make the change to standards-based grading they are also met with many challenges, which include ensuring parents and students are aware of why the change is necessary, as well as putting in the time, effort to train teachers accordingly …

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An Analysis On The Research In Relation To The Methodology Of Comprehensible Input, Brenna K. Hoeg

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The purpose of this thesis was threefold. First, it examined what research concludes concerning the best ways to use the Comprehensive Input (CI) methodology to teach grammar, vocabulary, literacy, and culture. Second, it explored and evaluated the five benefits to teaching with CI (increases vocabulary retention, increases cultural understanding, increases motivation, personalizes learning and uses multiple modalities). Finally, this thesis assesses what research has concluded to be the drawbacks of CI (lack of substantial sample size in research, lack of resources, misconceptions associated towards CI, and inconsistent data within CI research). In alignment with research, this thesis concludes that providing …

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School Start Times: Is Later Better For High School Students?, Rodney Paul Kimbler

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This thesis seeks to answer the question: School start times: Is later better for high school students? Research for this study focuses primarily on high school start times in the United States from 1988 to 2017. Factors include changes at puberty including melanin production, circadian rhythms and homeostatic systems. High school start times of 7:30 a.m. or earlier make it difficult for students to acquire 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep on school nights. Beyond teen biology, there are community factors to consider such as part-time jobs, athletic practices, child care, and school bus schedules. In summary, there is no …

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Failing Forward: How Student Failure Builds A Framework For Lifelong Learning, Andrew R. Kurkowski

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Humans have been dealing with the issue of failure since their existence. No matter the field, whether it be business, athletics, science, mathematics, etc., students and professionals are going to experience minor and major failures in their pursuits. Some may say that the main goal of the educator is to encourage students to pursue lifelong learning. With this being the case, one question that this paper aims to address is how to teach students use these inevitable life events as tools for growth in the academic environment and whether this mindset is effective in accomplishing the development of lifelong learning …

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Montessori Adolescent Program Design In A Non-Farm Environment, Rhonda Michelle Lovette

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This thesis explores the idea of constructing a Montessori adolescent program outside of the prescribed curriculum of living in a working farm environment. There is a focus on Maria Montessori’s life and influence. The Montessori Method is briefly explained. Early adolescents, ages 12-15, have different needs than elementary children do; therefore, this thesis strives to design an early adolescent program located in a non-farm setting. Montessori is based on three tenets: the prepared environment, developmentally appropriate materials and the prepared adult. This has been very well developed and applied for pre-school and elementary age children, however, not as well in …

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The Benefits Of Creative Abilities In Education For 21st Century Learners, Emily E. Natrop

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Creativity is defined as the use of imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. Creative abilities, while less defined, include abilities such as independent or divergent thinking, problem solving, curiosity, adaptability and self-awareness. Creativity has long been seen in education and learning as a skill linked to artistic endeavors. However, moving beyond this link, researchers have begun to pursue creativity’s role in academics outside of artistic content. It is this link and a lack of realization of the importance creativity plays in the overall success of students that calls to be looked at closely. This …

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Stimulating Creativity, Originality, & Divergent Thinking, Julia Ohmann

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This thesis explores research relating to the growth and promotion of creative uniqueness and original ideation in the visual arts classroom. The research reveals a number of strategies that teachers can put into practice to increase students’ creativity. These include: teaching skills in brainstorming and having original ideas through divergent thinking; using physical movement as a method of stimulating creative ideas; teaching metacognition of the creative thinking process; allowing freedom of exploration and experimentation with materials and concepts to promote discovery and trial-and-error; using copying- and imitation-based lessons as tools to teach basic skills; and others. The application materials include …

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Game-Based Learning’S Effectiveness In The Middle School, Bradly Gene Scherer

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project offers an overview of GBL and an example of GBL curriculum created for middle school math students. The study explores the question: What effects do GBL practices within curriculum have on middle school (grades 5-8) students to increase student motivation and academic success? The research suggests a positive correlation between GBL and motivation. Students who are allowed to participate in GBL are more excited and motivated to learn, as well as more confident in the skills they learn. GBL allows students to be more in control over their learning, creative, empowered, and describe learning as fun. Students also …

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Parental Involvement: Importance, Reality And Application, Paul Stiles

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Parents have always been actively involved in their child’s education. As researchers continue to explore factors that drive academic success, parental involvement has emerged as a factor that promotes positive outcomes. Just how they are involved and why they become involved is something that researchers continue to examine. However, regardless of the research conclusions on parental involvement, parental involvement initiatives continue to be implemented at a surprisingly low rate. This paper examines modes of parental involvement, barriers to parental involvement implementation and ways to minimize barriers while maximizing parental involvement effectiveness.

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A Framework For Improving Teacher Efficacy In High-Poverty Schools, Shelia D. Burnette

Education Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research study examined the change of teachers’ levels of poverty awareness and their sense of efficacy after being exposed to targeted research-based strategies and resources. The focus was on building leadership capacity; fostering safe, healthy learning environments; and focusing on students, professionals, and systems of learning to address turning high-poverty schools to high-performing schools. Eight high-poverty urban schools participated in the study with five focus schools analyzed throughout the study (sample=XX). Study participants completed pre- and post-assessment measures of poverty awareness and their sense of efficacy to impact achievement for high-poverty students. Participants were given access to resources, …

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A Mixed-Methods Study Of A Teacher Preparation Program: Preservice Teachers' Perceived Preparedness To Integrate Technology Effectively, Erin Banks Davis

Education Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which preservice teachers within a teacher preparation program perceived themselves to be prepared to integrate technology, specifically examining the level of confidence preservice teachers perceive themselves to have towards TPACK-related skills needed to integrate technology into their instruction. Participants in this research study were solicited based on their enrollment in the selected teacher preparation program within the last 5 years; also included were current seniors enrolled in their final semester before degree completion. This research study contains a sample size of 20 participants from a small, private university in …

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Employing Cueing Systems To Decode Text And Negotiate Text-Meaning In A Second Language, Timothy A. Rodriquez, Laureen Fregeau, Mary Kay Moskal, Robert Leier

ECTESOL Review

Many educators state that teaching English-Language Learners (ELLs) is just a matter of good teaching. While effective teaching is something that all children deserve, there are some differences between the approach a teacher may have to take with ELLs and with other students. One aspect of this difference is the fact that, while children go through the same stages of language development, ELLs may be at stages typically not found in other students. Based on a case study of an EL and his teacher, this article explains cueing systems and their role in literacy for ELs.

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Understanding Teacher Talking Time And Student Talking Time Practices Among Esl/Efl Teachers: A Practicum Design, Cesar R. Bazo Quintana

ECTESOL Review

This practicum design helps future ESL/EFL instructors gain practical understanding of Teacher Talking Time (TTT) and Student Talking Time (STT) practices in the classroom. It provides a deeper understanding of TTT vs. STT application within the Communicative Approach (CA) or Communicative Language Teaching (CLT).

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Understanding Saudi Student Integration In The U.S.: A Study On Saudi Students At A Southeastern Institution, Carrie Melius

ECTESOL Review

Over the past decade there has been an increase in the number of Saudi students studying in the United States. Most recently, Saudi Arabia moved from fourth to third in country ranking for student enrollment in the United States. This study focuses on the experiences of Saudi students at a Southeastern institution in the United States by examining the perspectives of Saudi students studying in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and undergraduate programs. In order to gain a deeper understanding of issues faced by Saudi students, domestic students as well as instructors were also included as participants in …

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From The Editor, Laureen Fregeau

ECTESOL Review

No abstract provided.

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English Language Competence: Why English Matters In Higher Education In Kenya, Ukaiko A. Bitrus-Ojiambo, Iddah Wayumba Mwaura, Annette Lutivini Majanja

ECTESOL Review

English is an international language, used in many countries for business, tourism, and education (Roy-Campbell, 2014; Crystal, 2003). In Kenya, it is the official language and language of instruction. The country boasts high youth literacy rates 93% (UNESCO, 2012). As university instructors, we have observed that although students have been in the formal educational system for a minimum of 9 years, their output does not match university expectations (KICD, 2016, p. 44; Jayasundara & Premarathna, 2011; Njoroge, 2008). This study assesses English language use in a Kenyan institution of higher education, identifies emergent linguistic patterns, and suggests some solutions to …

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Unprepared: Are Educator Preparation Programs Effectively Training Pre-Service Teachers To Teach English Learners?, Lorie Johnson

ECTESOL Review

All students deserve high-quality, strategic instruction, yet pre-service teachers are not always taught best practices for instructing English Learners (ELs), students for whom English is not their native language. Almost 10 percent of the students in American public schools are classified as ELs, yet research indicates most educator preparation programs across the country have not yet integrated best practices for teaching ELs into their pre-service programs in meaningful ways. It is important for educator preparation programs to provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to understand the unique needs of ELs and to learn effective teaching strategies to meet those needs. This …

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A Study Of Teacher Talking Time And Student Talking Time Practices Among Esl Instructors At An Intensive English Program, Cesar R. Bazo Quintana

ECTESOL Review

This study focuses on Teacher Talking Time (TTT) and Student Talking Time (STT) practices among ESL instructors at an Intensive English Program in a southeastern public research university. Based on a qualitative case study approach, the study demonstrates that participating ESL instructors were oriented more towards TTT practices while teaching their regular lessons. The study found disproportionate use of TTT. The study has helped participant ESL instructors become more aware of the behaviors that are conducive to both increased TTT and increased STT practices in their classes. This, in turn, can lead to improved teaching practices, which will benefit ESL …

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Teaching Race In Cyberspace: Reflections On The “Virtual Privilege Walk” Exercise, Kafi D. Kumasi

School of Information Sciences Faculty Research Publications

Teaching for Justice describes the efforts of LIS faculty and instructors who feature social justice theory and strategies in their courses and classroom practices

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Six Lesson Plan Formats, Andrew P. Johnson

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

Good lessons and effective learning experiences do not magically appear. They must be planned. This chapter describes how to design and plan six different types of lessons: basic lesson plan, concept lesson plan, skills lesson plan, writing lesson plan, reading lesson plan, and discovery learning lesson plan.

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Full Issue: Volume 1

The Touro Teacher

No abstract provided.

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Dit Programme Re-Design Initiatives In Case Studies Of Programme Of/For/As Learning Assessment Approaches., Roisin Donnelly, Jen Harvey, K.C. O'Rourke, Claire Mcavinia, Claire M. Mcdonnell, Orla Hanratty, Frances Boylan, Pauline Rooney

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The Programme Re-Design Initiative process differs from other team based methods in that it adopts an holistic approach to programme design. Initiatives aim to develop the practice of curriculum design and development in expanded, multi-disciplinary teams. This process is based on the Oxford Brookes University CDI Model and links to the Deakin University Live the Future: Course Intensives.

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Full-Text Articles in Teacher Education and Professional Development

Critical Pedagogy: Building Strong Learning Communities, Malayka Neith Cornejo

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

Effectiveness Of Project-Based Learning As An Instructional Method In Middle And High School Education, Charise Aeikens

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trauma Sensitive Schools, Maria Bowker

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Technology In The Second Language Classroom, Sylvie Carrier

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Art Education: How The Visual Arts Are Critical In Student Social-Emotional Development, Nicole Justine Dickenson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

What Impact Does Technology Integration Have On The K-12 Classroom?, Nicole Jean Elliott

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Determining The Optimal Amount Of Physical Activity For Promoting Academic Benefit Among School-Aged Children, Matthew Edwin Fiscus

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Malts: Mucho Acquisition Of Language By Teaching With Songs, Matthew J. Hanson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Reform And Influence Of Standards-Based Grading In Secondary Schools, Leah K. Heck

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An Analysis On The Research In Relation To The Methodology Of Comprehensible Input, Brenna K. Hoeg

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School Start Times: Is Later Better For High School Students?, Rodney Paul Kimbler

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Failing Forward: How Student Failure Builds A Framework For Lifelong Learning, Andrew R. Kurkowski

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Montessori Adolescent Program Design In A Non-Farm Environment, Rhonda Michelle Lovette

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Benefits Of Creative Abilities In Education For 21st Century Learners, Emily E. Natrop

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stimulating Creativity, Originality, & Divergent Thinking, Julia Ohmann

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Game-Based Learning’S Effectiveness In The Middle School, Bradly Gene Scherer

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parental Involvement: Importance, Reality And Application, Paul Stiles

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A Framework For Improving Teacher Efficacy In High-Poverty Schools, Shelia D. Burnette

Education Dissertations and Projects

A Mixed-Methods Study Of A Teacher Preparation Program: Preservice Teachers' Perceived Preparedness To Integrate Technology Effectively, Erin Banks Davis

Education Dissertations and Projects

Employing Cueing Systems To Decode Text And Negotiate Text-Meaning In A Second Language, Timothy A. Rodriquez, Laureen Fregeau, Mary Kay Moskal, Robert Leier

ECTESOL Review

Understanding Teacher Talking Time And Student Talking Time Practices Among Esl/Efl Teachers: A Practicum Design, Cesar R. Bazo Quintana

ECTESOL Review

Understanding Saudi Student Integration In The U.S.: A Study On Saudi Students At A Southeastern Institution, Carrie Melius

ECTESOL Review

From The Editor, Laureen Fregeau

ECTESOL Review

English Language Competence: Why English Matters In Higher Education In Kenya, Ukaiko A. Bitrus-Ojiambo, Iddah Wayumba Mwaura, Annette Lutivini Majanja

ECTESOL Review

Unprepared: Are Educator Preparation Programs Effectively Training Pre-Service Teachers To Teach English Learners?, Lorie Johnson

ECTESOL Review

A Study Of Teacher Talking Time And Student Talking Time Practices Among Esl Instructors At An Intensive English Program, Cesar R. Bazo Quintana

ECTESOL Review

Teaching Race In Cyberspace: Reflections On The “Virtual Privilege Walk” Exercise, Kafi D. Kumasi

School of Information Sciences Faculty Research Publications

Six Lesson Plan Formats, Andrew P. Johnson

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

Full Issue: Volume 1

The Touro Teacher

Dit Programme Re-Design Initiatives In Case Studies Of Programme Of/For/As Learning Assessment Approaches., Roisin Donnelly, Jen Harvey, K.C. O'Rourke, Claire Mcavinia, Claire M. Mcdonnell, Orla Hanratty, Frances Boylan, Pauline Rooney

Other resources