Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Connecting Confidence To College Mathematics And High School Ability Tracks, Kaleb Wourms

Honors Projects

Ability tracking within mathematics education is commonplace in American high schools. Some feel that students’ ability tracks act as a predictor for their success in university mathematics. Research has shown that many factors, such as socioeconomic status and more, have substantial effects on student success. The purpose of this study was to further investigate variables related to success in university mathematics. Confidence in mathematics is one factor in student performance that is particularly under-researched. This research investigated the relationship between ability tracking in high school mathematics, student confidence level, and performance in university mathematics. Data was gathered via a survey. …

Mathematics Is Art: The Impact Of A Non-Traditional Metaphor On Teacher Mindset And Instructional Practices In Mathematics, Karise Mace

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Many teachers hold the belief that one is either a “math person” or not, which impacts their mathematical mindset and instructional practices, and in turn impacts their students’ mindsets and learning experiences. Fostering the development of a mathematical mindset in teachers is critical to dispelling the “math person” myth. As we are metaphorical in nature (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), the metaphors that we use to conceptualize mathematics are born out of and impact our experiences in its study and provide a means for eliminating this myth. In this mixed-methods study I sought to understand the metaphors that in-service elementary teachers …

From The Editors..., Todd Pagano

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Ngss-Based Constructivist Pedagogies: One Secondary Education Teacher’S Approach To Developing Student’S Science Identities, Massa Mafi

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This practitioner action research study explored features of NGSS-based pedagogies to improve secondary education student engagement, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. It examined ways that constructivist pedagogies might encourage students to understand science by putting their skills and knowledge into practice as young engineers. The study involved 51 secondary education students from a large district in the southwest and focused on how NGSS inquiry-based learning can improve scientific understanding and skills within group work, the role that teacher support and modeling can play in learning, and how peer interactions can influence their scientific identities. Qualitative findings from teacher observations, classwork …

Understanding The Role Of Science-Specific Literacy Strategies In Supporting Science Teaching And Student Learning: A Case Study Of Preservice Elementary Teachers In A Science Methods Course That Integrated A Disciplinary Literacy Framework, Su Gao, Jonathan L. Hall, Vassiliki Zygouris-Coe, Rebecca A. Grysko

Teacher Education and Technology Faculty Publications

The shift to student engagement in scientific and engineering practices to learn science provides opportunities for science learning and language learning to occur in tandem. These opportunities also pose new challenges for elementary pre-service teachers (PSTs) since literacy methods courses have been presented separately from science methods courses. We integrated a disciplinary literacy framework in a science methods course to help elementary PSTs understand the synergistic connections between literacy and science teaching. The purpose of this study was to examine elementary PSTs’ understanding of the use of science-specific literacy strategies to support science teaching and learning through three points of …

Ua64/2 The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 52, Spring 2022), Western Kentucky University, Elizabeth Joyce Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

Magazine created by and about the WKU Center for Gifted Studies.

Examining Middle School Core Teacher Knowledge And Practices In Stem Education, Rachel Brill-Lee

All Theses And Dissertations

Many educational institutions reported challenges with achieving student success in STEM disciplines and attribute these challenges to the lack of knowledge and education among educators on how and what to teach regarding STEM education (Stehle & Peters-Burton, 2019). This qualitative case study explored how core subject teachers outside STEM/CTE education in one middle school in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States view, understand, and integrate STEM education and skills into their curriculum. The study used a combination of Likert surveys and semi-structured interviews to identify themes that may contribute to challenges many educational institutions are experiencing in regard to …

Reflection Types And Students’ Viewing Of Feedback In A First-Year Engineering Course Using Standards-Based Grading, Heidi A. Diefes-Dux, Laura M. Cruz Castro

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Background: Feedback is one of the most powerful and essential tools for learning and assessment, particularly when it provides the information necessary to close an existing gap between actual and reference levels of performance. The literature on feedback has primarily focused on addressing strategies for providing effective feedback rather than aspects of students’ readiness to engage with feedback. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study investigated whether reflection, as a routine pedagogical intervention grounded in self-regulated learning theory, promotes the frequency with which students view feedback. Design/Method: A quasi-experimental design was employed to examine the relationship between the use of four different reflection types, …

“I Can Math, Too!”: Reducing Math Anxiety In Stem-Related Courses Using A Combined Mindfulness And Growth Mindset Approach (Magma) In The Classroom, Tashana S. Samuel, Sebastien Buttet, Jared Warner

Publications and Research

Math anxiety has become an alarming social justice concern, as it results in negative academic consequences, contributes to disinterest and lack of persistence in STEM programs for underrepresented students, and limits their opportunities in STEM careers. According to research, this fear of math occurs long before students begin working on math problems. When high-math anxious students encounter math situations, anticipation anxiety consumes working memory capacity, inhibits learning, and causes them to severely underperform on mathematical tasks. However, very few studies have been conducted to embed psychological interventions in the classroom in an effort to mitigate both anticipation and execution anxiety. …

“A Tale Of Two Classrooms”: Designing Culturally-Relevant Hip Hop Curriculum To Support Stem Identity Of Underrepresented Students, Jessica Mcclain, Rebecca Colina Neri Ph.D

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This article explores how educators can contribute to the development of STEM identity in historically marginalized groups by using critical frameworks and pedagogies like Funds of Knowledge and Critical Hip-Hop Pedagogy as a curricular tool to counter traditional teaching practices. The authors amplify the importance of cultural spaces that support educators in examining aspects of power, access, and cultural awareness in STEM classrooms to increase student participation and acquisition of STEM knowledge. This article provides a guided activity named “A tale of two citiez” as an example of how educators can act towards (re)conceptualizing and (re)imagining STEM classrooms.

Flags Of Africa: Promoting Cultures & Connecting Math Concepts, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

Objectives

1. To share ideas for using flags of Africa and technology to engage students with math concepts: counting, fractions, percentage, aspect ratio, linear equations/inequalities, domain/range, angles/distances/slope, classifying triangles, area of polygons, slope, parallelograms, & coordinate geometry.
2. To highlight technology such as Google Slides, Google Sheets Pixel Art, GeoGebra, Desmos, and CNC Machines that help enrich the teaching of math concepts.
3. To provide ideas for promoting discussion of culture, history, & geography within the math classroom.

Teacher Enactment Of The Geospatial Inquiry Cycle In Classrooms Following Scaled Up Professional Learning And Development, Brooke A. Whitworth, Lori Rubino-Hare, Francis Boateng, Anne Hamlin, Nena E. Bloom, Eric Nolan

Publications

The current study examined the effects of a nationally scaled up Professional Learning and Development (PLD) model on teachers’ classroom implementation of the Geospatial Inquiry instructional framework. Geospatial Inquiry is defined as: asking and answering a research question through the analysis and communication of data that is linked to a geographic location on, above, or near Earth. These data are often represented visually via maps and explored with geospatial technologies. It also examined the relationships between Geospatial Inquiry Teacher Workshop (GITW) implementation and teacher implementation of the Geospatial Inquiry Cycle. Situated cognition provided a theoretical framework for the design, development, …

Playing With Code: Big Ideas For Early Learners, Lindsey Herlehy, Cassandra Armstrong

Publications & Research

For young children growing in today’s digital world, the acquisition of coding and computer programming skills has become a popular and appropriate focus in education. Beyond engaging in technology and coding applications as consumers – the passive act of sitting in front of a screen and merely pressing buttons without a high level of thought – early childhood students are capable of high-quality programming tasks through play-based learning experiences. As producers, our youngest students may explore the open-ended nature of computer programming and coding through design, art, and innovation. Engaging in coding builds valuable and transferable practices such as problem …

Kepemimpinan Pembelajaran Dalam Implementasi Kebijakan Digital School, Meila Hayudiyani, Ibrahim Bafadal, Raden Bambang Sumarsono

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The purpose of this study is to reveal the principal's learning leadership in implementing digital school policies. This study uses a qualitative approach with a constant comparative multi-site design to reveal the focus of the research at SMPN 1 Sumenep and SMPN 1 Ambunten. Data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, and documentation. The results show that the school principal is in the implementation of digital school policies at the planning, implementation, and evaluation stages. The orientation of the principal's behavior as a learning leader leads to technical, symbolic, human relations, and educational behavior. The principal's learning leadership is related …

Analisis Miskonsepsi Siswa Ma Menggunakan Metodethink Aloud Protocol (Tap), Erwinestri Hanidar Nur Afifi, Markus Diantoro, Wartono Wartono

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims to find out the misconceptions experienced by students during the learning process using think aloud protocol (TAP) and physics multiple choice tests (TPGF) on hydrostatic pressure materials. This research design uses mixed method design with embedded experimental design. Quantitative data is obtained through N-gain calculations that show a high category with a score of 0.7. This indicates that there is a significant change in the mastery of the student's hydrostatic pressure concept after learning activities. Qualitative data analysis based on the results of the think aloud protocol also shows how students experience misconceptions by pouring their thoughts …

Unpacking Efl Teachers’ Tpack Thru The Distance Education, Sofia Imania, Mirjam Anugerahwati, Sintha Tresnadewi

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The growth of distance education provides an accessibility of teaching-and-learning-process involving the use of ICT. Hence, teachers’ competencies regarding the integration of ICT also one of the key success of teaching. Through TPACK, this study aims at investigating EFL teachers’ skills on technology integration and their preferable ICT based learning system amidst distance education. Moreover, this study also intends to analyze whether EFL teachers’ TPACK are significantly different in terms of teaching categories and gender. This survey study implicated 139 in-service EFL teacher in the city of Malang, East Java, Indonesia. The data were collected through questionnaire and analyzed by …

Collaborative Project Based Learning Implementation During Covid-19 Outbreak, Soetam Rizky Wicaksono, Rudy Setiawan

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Covid-19 outbreak has already created such big changes in education all over the world. However, rapid response improvement is needed to overcome the reality. One of the improvements is using Project Based Learning (PBL) which ensured that students can still become active and enthusiastic during remote learning. PBL implementation can be done using collaborative technique, which empirically proven to have better result. This research took place in Information System Study Program at Universitas Ma Chung Malang, in course which includes laboratory activity (in this case is Programming Language course). This implementation then being measured using focus group discussion (FGD), which …

A Preliminary Study: The Urgency Of Stem-Based Science Practicum Book For Secondary School, Rahmah Evita Putri, Skunda Diliarosta, Monica Prima Sari

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The research purpose is to analyse the needs of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM)-based science practicum books for secondary school. This is descriptive qualitative research with questionnaire and interview methods. The sample of this research were secondary school science teacher and students. The data were analysed descriptively with the results of data processing in percent (%). The results showed that 98% of secondary school science teachers did not know that STEM-based practicum activities could train 21st century students' skills and 90% of secondary school students stated that they never carried out practicum activities other than laboratory activities. The results …

Incorporating Social Justice And Equity As Themes In Math Circles Online, Matthew Jones, Sharon Lanaghan, Carolyn Yarnall

Journal of Math Circles

The CSUDH Math Teachers' Circle chose a focus on equity and social justice in 2020. The national focus on social justice caused us to reflect on what we can do to affect change regarding issues of equity and social justice in our society. In addition, the global pandemic caused us to shift our circle online, which presented both obstacles and opportunities. In this paper, we expand upon how we addressed various challenges faced in facilitating an online Math Teachers’ Circle, focusing on our experience facilitating sessions focused on equity and social justice and participants' reactions to this experience.

Playing With Math And Science In The Early Childhood Classroom, Cassandra Armstrong, Lindsey Herlehy

Publications & Research

Young students are equipped with the curiosity and creativity to be successful scientists and mathematicians. In today’s classrooms, strong foundational skills in STEM promote success for years to come. Through play, young students can subitize, sort, draw, recognize patterns, and explore loose parts. Participants will actively take part in several activities highlighting each of these skills.

Teaching Preservice Teachers In The Time Of Covid: What’S Worth Keeping?, Kathy Liu Sun, Jennifer L. Ruef, Kathleen Jablon Stoehr, Madeline Ahearn

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

As we begin to transition from online instruction to in-person, we (four mathematics teacher educators) reflect on how COVID-19 impacted our instruction and address the question: what will we take back to in-person instruction? This article includes our individual reflections and an analytical synthesis of them. Findings reveal that there were unanticipated ways that human connection and consideration arose from teaching online, much of which we want to maintain in some form when returning to brick and mortar classrooms. We conclude by highlighting the value and importance of reflection for our own well-being.

Classroom Interaction In An Online Speaking Class, Rahma Vindyasari, Francisca Maria Ivone, Primardiana Hermilia Wijayati

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The qualitative study aims to look into the patterns and characteristics of interaction in an online speaking course. This research was conducted at Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Yogyakarta's Oral English for Daily Communication Class of the Applied English Study Program. The researcher observed the online learning sessions to learn about the online teaching and learning process synchronously on Google Meet. The findings revealed that the teacher and students produced various patterns of interaction involving teacher-class, teacher-student, student-teacher, studentstudent, and teacher-group interaction, as well as mixed interaction features such as confirmation check, code switching, self-repetition, clarification request, elicitation, completion, …

Secondary School Efl Teachers' Perceptions And Experiences Of Professional Development, Arif Rahman, Mirjam Anugerahwati, Sri Rachmajanti

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Professional development (PD) is not just a short involvement but a long Abstract: Professional development (PD) is not just a short involvement but a long process starting from teacher training at university and going on throughout the working life of the individuals. This study assessed the perceptions and experiences of upper secondary school EFL teachers. A semi-structured interview was used to gather the data from five teachers from different schools. The findings revealed that teachers were aware of the significance and necessity of PD and saw it as a process that helped them to be more knowledgeable and experienced teachers. …

The Integration Of 6cs Of The 21st Century Education Into English Skills: Teachers’ Challenges And Solutions, Adani Shabrina, Utari Praba Astuti

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

In the 21st Century education, the 6 competencies are necessarily integrated into the classroom remembering the importance to complete students with better competencies. In line with the 6Cs integration, teachers’ challenges and solutions also need to be known. This study investigates English teachers’ challenges in integrating 6Cs of the 21st Century education into English integrated skills, and their solutions to cope with the challenges. This qualitative study elicited data from 20 English teachers through a questionnaire and an interview. The findings showed that students’ low motivation and poor vocabulary, time management, the difficulty in integrating some competencies and designing lesson …

The Effects Of Using Varanus Salvator Wildlife Monographs On Urban Students' Concept Understanding, Siti Roudlotul Hikamah, Suhadi Suhadi, Facthur Rochman, Nia Kurniawan, Ibrohim Ibrohim

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims to reveal the effects of using the wildlife monograph Varanus salvator on the conceptual understanding of urban students. This type of research is a quasi-experimental, one-group pre-test, and post-test design. The sample of this study was students at private universities in the Jember Regency, Indonesia who took the Vertebrate Zoology course in the even semester of the 2019/2020 academic year with total of 27 students. This research was conducted because of the findings from previous research that in private universities, books from the research results are still needed, especially those that discuss examples of wildlife species as …

Strengthening Discipline Character And Student Learning Outcomes Through Implementation Of Portfolio Assignments In E-Learning, Edy Herianto

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Discipline character cannot be realized without continuous habituation. In portfolio assignment-based e-learning, students can practice habituation. If the habituation of discipline is continuously carried out through the portfolio lever, students will get a strengthening of the character of discipline and optimal learning outcomes. By using qualitative research type phenomenology on 42 students in the PIPPKn course, this research aims to answer how to implement e-learning based on portfolio assignments that have an impact on strengthening the character of discipline and student learning outcomes? Data were obtained through observations, interviews, questionnaires, and tests. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively with descriptive …

Navigating The “Covid Hangover” In Physiology Courses, Jennifer E. Schaefer

Biology Faculty Publications

Undergraduate educators and students must navigate lingering aftereffects of the COVID pandemic on education in the 2021–2022 academic year even as COVID continues to impact delivery of undergraduate science education. This article describes ongoing difficulties for undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students and educators and suggests strategies and easy-to-use resources that may help educators navigate the “COVID hangover” and ongoing COVID-related disruptions.

Secondary Science Teachers’ Curricular Use Of Ngss Engineering Practices, Elizabeth Hasseler, Amy Tankersley, Ana M. Rivero, Lyrica L. Lucas, Elizabeth B. Lewis

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

We investigated how often teachers integrated engineering into science lessons to address Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) performance expectations using data from a multi-year study of secondary science teachers. Only 7.14% of middle school (MS) lessons contained engineering practices. Engineering was included in lessons for students to apply or support the learning of scientific content.

Presider: Amy Tankersley

Conflict Of Allegiance: Professional Development Challenges In Transforming Science Teachers' Identities And Practices, Elizabeth B. Lewis

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

Case studies of two biology teachers, Cathy and David, from the same minority-majority, urban U.S. high school, provide insights into their instructional practices while they engaged in long-term professional development (PD). Findings suggest why science teachers engaged with PD may, or may not, adopt more adaptive pedagogical approaches in the service of reform-based teaching. Gee’s institution- and affinity-identity constructs were used as analytic lenses regarding teachers’ perceptions of teaching, learning, and agency in the dual contexts of their school’s institutional environment and PD community. Over time, Cathy adopted more inquiry-based instructional practices she learned through PD seminars in building a …

Building A Community Of Practice: A Case Study Of Introductory College Chemistry Students, Jonathan L. Hall, Katherine R. Whitaker, Samantha R. Seals, Pamela P. Benz

Teacher Education and Technology Faculty Publications

Engagement in active learning and learning communities is important for persistence of STEM students early in their academic programs. Colleges and universities have an ongoing call to facilitate active learning techniques, yet large group, lecture-based instruction is still the prominent method of instruction. This qualitative case study examines interviews and classroom observations of undergraduate chemistry students enrolled at a primarily undergraduate institution. Critical educational elements were identified for chemistry students participating in a redesigned, introductory course which included a collaborative peer-lead learning experience. The participants engaged in required, weekly sessions structured around community building and active learning. The data were …