Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Unlocking Understanding About Giftedness, David Wolff

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

The goal of undergraduate teacher preparation programs is to prepare future teachers to work with all learners. Gifted and talented learners are likely found in every classroom regardless of where they reside, however, according to Rinn et al. (2022), Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Nebraska do not require undergraduate teacher candidates to take university coursework on gifted education. The goal of this presentation is to provide a general overview of gifted education specific to Kansas. This presentation aims to address myths and misconceptions about gifted education and gifted learners, characteristics of gifted learners, a basic overview of a general identification …

Language Learning Simulation Using Duolingo Assignment Description, David Wolff

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

It is likely that preservice teachers will work with students learning English as their second (third, fourth, etc.) language. For preservice teachers to better understand the language learning process, Duolingo was used to simulate the learning experience. The assignment description outlines how preservice teachers can reflection pre-simulation and post-simulation about what they learned about language learning.

Diminishing The Researcher Imposter Syndrome Among Teacher Education Faculty, David Wolff, Donna Zerr, Carissa Gober

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

We will share our journey of moving beyond our one-hit wonder of the dissertation and the imposter syndrome of being academic researchers. We developed a professional learning community to collaborate, support, lament, and celebrate scholarship. Attendees will learn our intentional processes and resources to progress in your writing journey.

Moving Through: Supporting Preservice Teachers’ Transition Through College To The Profession Using Homerooms, David Wolff, Mark Diacopoulos, Alexis Durman, Alexis Monks, Madison Adamson, Kim Ballew

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

Preservice Teachers at Pitt State undergo a significant transition from student to professional. Faculty in the College of Education created a weekly Homeroom to support this shift, covering topics like goal setting, power dynamics, generational differences, self-care, identity charts, and time management. Preservice Teachers’ experiences will be shared.

Living Library Assignment Description, David Wolff, Hannah Andrews, Kim Ballew, Alexis Durman, Macayla Mcclure, Lexi Nowlin, Rachel Pace, Brecca Peter, Lauren Shinn

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

The goal of this assignment is for preservice teachers to articulate their WHY. Having a strong ‘why’ can help you figure out ‘how’. In the case of resilience, if one knows why they are doing what they are doing, why they want or desire something, or why they are on this planet at this given time, they are likely to feel more confident about their purpose as well as have a core belief to rely on to overcome adversity and move towards their goals. We all have a story. Our stories are valuable and worthy to be heard. This assignment …

The Apprenticeship Of Observation In Gifted Education, David Wolff

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

The ‘Apprenticeship of Observation’ is described as one’s perception of ‘good teaching’ as informed by our own experiences as a student observing teaching for thirteen years in a K-12 school system. Perception of gifted education is susceptible of the ‘apprenticeship of observation’ and often influencing teachers’ actions and beliefs about the needs of gifted learners.

Postgraduate Supervision In A Chatgpt World: What’S Next?, Angela Wright

Conference Materials

This study explores the considerable challenges for research supervisors of postgraduate students in Higher Education. For experienced academics, the responsibility of assessing theses and dissertations has never been more critical. With the advent of ample search engine opportunities, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technology, and adhering to proper academic integrity processes, how can supervisors navigate these complexities, unsupported by solid procedures, due to the rapidly changing nature of AI? If a supervisor is concerned as to the integrity of the presented work during the supervisory process, what options are available to the supervisor to address concerns with the student in an …

Designing Authentic Assessment To Improve Academic Integrity, Sharon Lehane, Angela Wright

Conference Materials

The use of AI chatbots has sparked worldwide debate regarding assessment practices in higher education. Early indications on the use of AI chatbots, signal significant disruption to the higher education system in relation to academic misconduct concern. In terms of the research approach, initially, a systematic literature review was conducted to examine the association between academic integrity and authentic assessment with 32 focused publications from 2019 to 2023 analysed. This led to the development of a robust ‘Model for Practice’ to guide the implementation of authentic assessment in a way that simultaneously improved academic integrity. This paper presents the main …

Reflecting On Addressing Academic Integrity Through Authentic Assessment, Sharon Lehane, Angela Wright

Conference Materials

With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence and chatbot technologies such as ChatGPT, little else is discussed currently by colleagues in Higher Education. Why? – because their potential disruption for assessment practices in higher education are so uncertain. Advances in these artificial intelligence technologies threaten the legitimacy of assessment and academic integrity, calling conventional assessment methods into question. The widespread utilisation of ChatGPT emphasizes the need for sustainable educational practices such as authentic assessments that focus on higher-order critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In terms of the methodology for this study, a critical examination of the association between authentic assessment design …

“A Real Man . . .”: Deconstructing Machismo Heteronormative Standards With K–12 Latino Male Educators Through Dialogic Spaces, Mario Echeverria

Dissertations

In a K–12 educational landscape where 75% of educators are white women, recruitment of Latino male educators is crucial for diversification, yet these educators represent just 2% of the teaching workforce in the United States (NCES, 2020). These educators grapple with a layered sense of identity as they navigate expectations of hegemonic masculinity and machismo norms that dictate their roles as disciplinarians and saviors, especially for young boys of color (Brockenbrough, 2018; Lara & Fránquiz, 2015; Martino & Kehler, 2006; Mills et al., 2004; Singh, 2021). Unfortunately, Latino male educators leave the profession at twice the rate of their Latina …

Ethics In Literature: A Case Study Of Hades And Persephone, Mckenzie A. Howard

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The increased ethical scrutiny on art in the modern era places an emphasis on how those art forms are being taught in the classroom. This thesis seeks to answer the question: how do we teach ethics, if we should at all, when we teach literature to a modern audience? This thesis explores this question by looking at how modern adaptations of an ancient text, the “Hymn to Demeter,” change the ethical issues in the original text, to show the relevance of these issues in the source text and the modern adaptations. Through an argument that the ethical concerns are often …

Letters To Myself ~ Reflections Of A New Teacher ~ A Curriculum Of Self, Sarah Brittany S. Greneker

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This is a nontraditional, very creative approach to dissertation writing. Using reflective poetic inquiry, I reflect on my experiences transitioning from pre-service to in-service teacher in the early childhood classroom. I taught for 7 years and encountered many situations that would have been beneficial to know prior to becoming a certified teacher. I explore overarching themes of coworker relationships, undergraduate program preparation, the various responsibilities, classroom environment, teacher evaluation, teacher perspective, and teacher mental health and well-being and how they each impact a teacher’s experience in the classroom. This is accomplished through the epistolary genre and letters to myself as …

Considering Personal And Professional Identities: The Collaborative Experiences Of School Speech-Language Pathologists, Imani Evans

Theses and Dissertations

My three-paper dissertation explored the interrelatedness between two critical issues in special education: interdisciplinary collaboration and sociocultural identity. I examined both through the perspectives of one discipline of specialized instructional support personnel (SISP). In the first paper, I conducted a systematic literature review examining the current empirical evidence on speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) collaboration in schools. A key takeaway from the literature review was the need for qualitative research to better understand the depth and breadth of collaborative experiences. In the second paper, I utilized an exploratory qualitative design and pilot data to discuss school-based SLPs’ shared collaborative experiences, identifying common …

Exploring The Experiences Of Refugee Youth In Public Schools: An Ethical Phenomenological Inquiry, Hilary T. Stim

Theses and Dissertations

The study outlined in this dissertation focuses on the intersection between refugee youth between the ages of 13-18 and the United States public school, specifically the manner in which refugee youth experience institutionalized education. It utilizes ethical phenomenology as a means to amplify the voices of refugee students and to centralize the students' experiences, thoughts, and ideas related to education The study was framed by one research question that is addressed to the participants: “What is it like being a student in a public school?” Seven students took part in the study. Collaborative dialogues took place with the participants across …

That’S Not In My Position Description: A Discourse Analysis Of Sbae Migratory Context, Becky Haddad, Jonathan Velez, Josh Stewart, Haden Botkin

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

While the choice to move to a new school is personal, many play a role in justifying that choice for the mobile teacher. These justifiers—or influencers—make up the socializing network for teachers (in this case, SBAE teachers) in new settings. Our study outlined how mobile SBAE teachers rationalize the choice to change schools and validate career moves. We used a positioning theory approach to discourse to give migrators (teachers who change schools) and influencers a voice. Positioning theory allowed us to situate migrators as they reflected on their choice to change school districts, and influencers as they recounted their …

Exposing The Camera: The Pedagogical Possibilities Of Critical Camera-Based Arts Curriculum, Oscar Keyes

Theses and Dissertations

Cameras are a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives, especially in schools, found in students’ smartphones and state-of-the-art surveillance systems. This research project emerged from an iterative redesign process of a Photography for Art Education course, structured around the camera’s dual nature as a tool for creative expression and social control. While cameras have long been used to address social issues through documentary techniques; this critical eye can be turned onto the apparatus itself. This study drew heavily upon the historical work of Allan Sekula (1986), who observed how easier access to cameras resulted in both democratization (for the People) …

Student Perceptions Of Inclusive And Culturally Responsive Teaching In The Elementary Classroom, Emma Larson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research is to explore student perspectives, as it relates to inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices. In order to uplift student voices in the elementary classroom, observations and interviews were conducted to collect data on student perceptions. This study found that students believe the teacher’s job is to help everyone, students want a sense of belonging, and students love when their teacher celebrates them. As this research followed students in a bilingual kindergarten classroom, further research is needed in order to grasp a deeper understanding of students, their view, and perception of inclusive and culturally responsive …

Attitudes, Perceptions, And Quality Of Learning Experience Design In Head-Mounted Virtual Reality For Preservice Educators, Jonathan Steven Spike

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

As more and more students seek out online educational opportunities, emerging technology and platforms must provide the most effective experience for learners to expand their knowledge and skill sets. The research study aimed to investigate social presence, collaboration, and design opportunities in head-mounted, virtual reality as compared to the more common synchronous video communication. A convergent mixed methods study was conducted using participant quantitative questionnaires regarding social presence and collaboration in both head-mounted virtual reality and synchronous video communication, expert scores of learning experiences designed by groups in each group, as well as qualitative interviews of the head-mounted virtual reality …

Virtual Reality In Art Appreciation Education: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Jingyi Zhao, Lili Zhang

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study is a systematic review of 23 years of research on virtual reality (VR) usage in art appreciation education. A total of 34 articles were selected from 2 major academic databases using search strings and manual screening protocols. The literature analysis emphasized four aspects of VR-based art appreciation education: research methodologies, instructional design, technological affordances, and assessment. The results show the trends in the VR literature regarding the forms of application in different knowledge types, interaction design specific to art appreciation, and the solutions to the cognitive load imposed by the technology. Finally, practical implications and a future research …

English 890: Advanced Research Methods, A First Benchmark Portfolio, Janel Simons

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

In this benchmark portfolio, I reflect on course design and student learning in a course I teach for incoming Master's students in the English department, ENGL 890: Advanced Research Methods. ENGL 890 is a mini-session course intended to introduce students to various aspects of managing graduate-level research within the discipline of English studies. In this portfolio, I discuss the learning outcomes and goals for the course, highlight some of the assessments I use, reflect on student learning throughout the course, and articulate changes that might improve student learning in future iterations of the course. Given the overarching goals of this …

First Course Portfolio For Tmfd 213: Merchandising I: Textile And Apparel Industry, Na Young Jung

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio presents a comprehensive overview of TMFD 213: Merchandising I, a foundational course in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The course is designed to equip students with critical thinking, analytical skills, and industry-specific knowledge necessary for professional success in the textile and apparel industry. The portfolio outlines the course’s objectives, teaching methodologies, and the impact of instructional strategies on student learning outcomes. It includes detailed analyses of quantitative and qualitative data collected through pre- and post-test surveys, assignments, and reflections. Quantitative results demonstrate significant improvements in key areas such as familiarity …

A Reflexive Interrogation Of Teaching A Course On Administrative Theory To First-Semester Ma Students, Milad Mohebali

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio captures the product of a year-long reflexive process on the teaching of a course on administrative theory in educational organizations (EDAD 830) to first year MA students. This class is offered Online and is delivered asynchronously, to students who are largely full-time professionals. Section one focuses on the use of backward design strategy for designing this course, while also highlighting the tensions and dilemmas for designing the course, particularly around theory and context, as well as the need to teach students how to engage in class. Section two highlights the pedagogical, instructional, and evaluative design of the course. …

A Family Perspective On Family Involvement Strategies In A Local Urban Elementary School, Barbara Ann Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe active engagement of parents in the educational experiences of their children has been suggested to support high academic achievement for the children. In the project setting, an urban elementary school, educators were struggling to find effective strategies to promote family involvement in their children’s education. The purpose of this qualitative project study was to investigate family perspectives on family involvement strategies and potential barriers at the project setting and to determine new effective strategies to help them become more involved in their children’s education. The conceptual framework for the project is Epstein’s (2009) framework for parental involvement which explains …

Initial Growth Of Inclusive Knowledge And Leadership Practices By Science Education Teacher-Leaders, Elizabeth B. Lewis, Elizabeth Hasseler, Rachel Benzoni, Gina S. Matkin

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

Introduction & Rationale for Study

● Science teachers are integral to the success of science education reform. ● Science education needs leaders from all parts of the field and system. ● However, science teachers have not been well-positioned for leadership.

Grant-funded Project & Study Focus

Project Phases, Objectives, & Timeline

Conceptual Framework

ACESSE Framework for Equitable Science Learning

Literature Review

Methodology: Approach, Research Question, & Participants, Data Sources & Analytic Methods

Noyce MTFs’ Science Teaching Experience & Certifications

MTFs’ School and District Demographics

Summary of MTFs’ Most Common Leadership Activities

Research Instrument and Analytic Lens

Cohort 1 & 2 Baseline …

A Meta-Synthesis Of The Literature On Science And Engineering Teaching Self-Efficacy: Current Gaps And Future Research Directions, Deepika Menon, Jeanna R. Wieselmann, Sarah Haines, Sumreen Asim

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

Self-efficacy is a topic of great interest in elementary preservice and inservice teacher education given that elementary teachers often have low self-efficacy for STEM teaching. In this article, we synthesize the existing literature on science and engineering teaching self-efficacy to (1) explore trends in science and engineering teaching self-efficacy research, (2) identify current gaps that exist in the literature, and (3) propose a visual model to provide future direction in research. Utilizing a qualitative meta-synthesis, we analyzed 88 articles focused on science and engineering teaching self-efficacy. Of these articles, 66 studied preservice teachers, 21 studied inservice teachers, and one included …

Science Teachers’ Initial Use Of Ngss Science Practices In Diverse Classrooms, Amy Tankersley, Elizabeth Hasseler, Elizabeth B. Lewis, Lyrica Lucas, Brandon Helding

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

In the landscape of U.S. education, the widespread adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) offers a unique vantage point for researchers to better understand teacher-, school- and classroom-level factors that advance reform initiatives in science classrooms. Addressing a gap in current knowledge, our study probes how secondary science teachers implement one dimension of NGSS - the science practices (SPs). Our data collection encompasses teacher interviews and meticulous observations of science lessons, coded for NGSS science practices (SPs) and inquiry-based teaching. Embracing a methodologically rich approach, our study employs both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Quantitatively, we …

Success Of Achieving Student Learning Objectives: Compressed Vs. Traditional Courses, Irene Miller, Timm Bliss

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Institutions of higher learning are offering varying course modalities to accommodate the changing needs of students. Notably, institutions of higher learning are offering an increasing number of compressed courses to meet student demand and remain competitive in higher education. The increase in the number of compressed classes presents the challenge of ensuring that similar academic rigor and breadth of knowledge are maintained in comparison to the traditional 16-week semester. The purpose of this research study was to determine if students enrolled in off-campus classes with compressed schedules are receiving a similar quality of instruction and achieving the equivalent student learning …

Paschal Space Of Healing And Community: An Affinity Group For Catholic School Teachers Of Color, John L. Beltramo, Lisa Archuleta

Journal of Catholic Education

As Catholic schools seek to recruit and retain more ethnoracially diverse faculties, we examine one site of potential support for Catholic school teachers of color – a racial affinity group. Using critical research methodology with qualitative data collection, we studied five teachers of color who engaged in weekly affinity group meetings, which were structured as Freirian culture circles and ran over a period of five months. Using a Catholic, critical framework on teacher education, we analyzed the data (culture circle recordings, written reflections, baseline and comparative interviews, along with classroom observations and debriefs) to examine how teachers’ participation impacted their …

Teacher Faith Formation As Response To An “Existential Crisis” In Catholic Schools: Western Canadian Superintendents’ Perspectives, Matt Hoven, Dean Sarnecki, Eugenia Pagotta-Kowalczyk

Journal of Catholic Education

The shortage of teachers who can strongly identify with the religious mission of Catholic schools is at the point of an “existential crisis,” according to a system leader in Catholic schools in Western Canada. Drawing upon exploratory interviews completed with ten chief superintendents (who oversee large school districts), this paper reveals that while school districts offer various forms of faith formation regulating the personal lives of teachers amidst divergences between Church doctrines and social trends is complicated. Because the complexity of teacher faith formation is incredibly difficult to address, we discuss three key areas to renew the state of affairs: …

Australian Pre-Service Teachers’ Beliefs About Educational Disadvantage And Socially Just Teaching: Beyond A Neoliberal Imaginary?, Claire E. Charles, Lynette Longaretti, Matthew K.E Thomas

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Neoliberal education reforms have altered the way social justice is imagined in relation to schooling. These reforms reframe social justice as ‘equity’ through conceptions of standards, evidence and teacher quality, while detracting attention from the moral and political dispositions required for socially-just teaching. Knowing more about how this context may be shaping the beliefs of pre-service teachers (PSTs) is important. This paper reports on beliefs about educational disadvantage of a group of PSTs about to embark on a specialised program in Australia designed to promote socially just schooling outcomes. 24 PSTs across two cohorts completed a survey prior to entering …