Teachers' implementation of a game-based biotechnology curriculum

Research in education suggests that computer games can serve as powerful learning environments, however, teachers perceive many obstacles to using games as teaching tools. In this study, we examine three science teachers' implementation and perceptions of a curriculum unit incorporating the game, Mission Biotech (MBt) and a set of supporting curriculum materials. The curriculum unit was designed to provide multiple avenues for teachers to adjust and modify materials and implementation plans based on their unique classroom goals and environments. To understand how individual teachers use, conceptualize, and reflect upon the MBt unit and its implementation, we conducted three case studies, including classroom observations and teacher interviews. Findings include many similarities among teachers including adaptation of activities to classroom norms and practices, high value placed on quality curricular resources and support, advantage of the game to provide experiences that are normally out of reach for students, and concerns about effective use of time. Unique features of different teachers revealed implications for design and professional development for game-based curricula. For example, the study revealed that teachers need support to integrate and make explicit connections between the game and supporting curriculum materials.     

Multimodal teaching analytics: Automated extraction of orchestration graphs from wearable sensor data

The pedagogical modelling of everyday classroom practice is an interesting kind of evidence, both for educational research and teachers' own professional development. This paper explores the usage of wearable sensors and machine learning techniques to automatically extract orchestration graphs (teaching activities and their social plane over time) on a dataset of 12 classroom sessions enacted by two different teachers in different classroom settings. The dataset included mobile eye‐tracking as well as audiovisual and accelerometry data from sensors worn by the teacher. We evaluated both time‐independent and time‐aware models, achieving median F1 scores of about 0.7–0.8 on leave‐one‐session‐out k‐fold cross‐validation. Although these results show the feasibility of this approach, they also highlight the need for larger datasets, recorded in a wider variety of classroom settings, to provide automated tagging of classroom practice that can be used in everyday practice across multiple teachers.     

Recurrent routines: Analyzing and supporting orchestration in technology-enhanced primary classrooms

The increasing presence of multiple Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the classroom does not guarantee an improvement of the learning experiences of students, unless it is also accompanied by pedagogically effective orchestration of those technologies. In order to help teachers in this endeavour, it can be useful to understand how this orchestration takes place in real-world classrooms, and to provide teachers with professional development opportunities that can be easily applied to their everyday classroom practice. This paper describes a qualitative field study conducted in five primary school classrooms where a new collaborative software was introduced alongside existing classroom technology. For six months, teachers designed and orchestrated classroom activities in these authentic, technologically-rich settings. The analysis of the resulting activity designs and enactments uncovered a limited set of recurrent elements of teacher practice, or routines. These routines and their graphical representation are posited as a useful analysis tool for researchers in understanding complex teacher practices with ICT. Moreover, the authors propose that these routines offer new opportunities for professional development of teachers in effectively using ICT in their classrooms. Initial uses of these routines in teacher workshops, with encouraging results, are also presented.     

Using multimedia to teach inservice teachers: Impacts on learning, application, and retention

This study investigated teachers’ ability to learn, apply in lesson plans, and retain knowledge of classroom discourse from a single module of a multimedia professional development program, used with 39 K-12 teachers enrolled in two graduate courses. Data collection and analysis included: (a) teacher development of – and panel review of – lesson plans integrating discourse, and (b) follow-up teacher interviews one year later. The study found: (a) the video modeling in the module was effective in helping teachers learn, and (b) discourse strategies were learned, applied, and retained. Implications for professional development with multimedia to teach classroom discourse include: (a) recursive use, (b) reflection, (c) multiple examples, (d) counter examples, and (e) prompts for observation.     

Educating online student teachers to master professional digital competence: The TPACK-framework goes online

In this article we study how online teacher education programmes may enhance innovative ways of teaching and learning with Information and Communication Technology (ICT). We explore how online teachers are practising professional digital competence, in general and within subject areas, and to what extent they encourage student teachers to develop their own professional digital competence. Based on online teacher education programmes at two distinct higher education institutions (HEIs), we applied mixed method design including quantitative and qualitative approaches to illuminate the aims and the scope. Our study revealed that even if online teacher education programmes represent good avenues for stimulating teachers and student teachers to develop digital competence for pedagogical purposes, this aspect is poorly integrated within the actual programmes, although some interesting examples were demonstrated. By looking at the origins of the discourses on online education and on digital competence, we found that they derive from different stakeholders: while the discourse on online education originated from the management side at both HEIs, the discourse on digital competence derived from certain teaching staff at the two HEIs. Our study indicated that there is still some way to go to innovative solutions and to develop the potential of professional digital competence in online teacher education programmes.     

基于在线评判系统的程序设计教学

本文介绍了以在线评判系统为平台的程序设计教学模式,这一教学模式将教师与学生、课堂教学与实验教学、课内学习与课外学习融为一体,既减轻了教师低层次重复性工作量,又能吸引学生主动学习、主动实验,从而切实提高学生的程序设计能力。     

A ‘blended’ in-service arrangement for classroom technology integration: impacts on teachers and students

Many studies report that the implementation of technology in education is a complex innovation. Particularly teachers lack skills to integrate technology in their instructional processes. Therefore the potential of technology in the classroom is hardly realized. Teacher learning on classroom use of technology is considered important. In this contribution a ‘blended’ in-service arrangement to support secondary school teachers in the integration of technology in their classroom is presented. The arrangement consisted of workshops, exemplary curriculum materials and computer mediated communication. The article describes and discusses two studies that applied and evaluated the ‘blended’ approach to teacher professional development. The results of both studies show that this seems a promising arrangement for supporting the integration of technology in education. However, realizing the potential of technology to create ‘communities of practice’ remains difficult because for most teachers this use of technology is yet not congruent with their daily routines.     

Teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and their use of digital media in classrooms: Sharpening the focus of the ‘will, skill, tool’ model and integrating teachers’ constructivist orientations

The ‘will, skill, tool’ model is a well-established theoretical framework that elucidates the conditions under which teachers are most likely to employ information and communication technologies (ICT) in the classroom. Past studies have shown that these three factors explain a very high degree of variance in the frequency of classroom ICT use. The present study replicates past findings using a different set of measures and hones in on possible subfactors. Furthermore, the study examines teacher affiliation for constructivist-style teaching, which is often considered to facilitate the pedagogical use of digital media. The study’s survey of 357 Swiss secondary school teachers reveals significant positive correlations between will, skill, and tool variables and the combined frequency and diversity of technology use in teaching. A multiple linear regression model was used to identify relevant subfactors. Five factors account for a total of 60% of the explained variance in the intensity of classroom ICT use. Computer and Internet applications are more often used by teachers in the classroom when: (1) teachers consider themselves to be more competent in using ICT for teaching; (2) more computers are readily available; (3) the teacher is a form teacher and responsible for the class; (4) the teacher is more convinced that computers improve student learning; and (5) the teacher more often employs constructivist forms of teaching and learning. The impact of constructivist teaching was small, however.     

Using a web-enabled video system to support student–teachers’ self-reflection in teaching practice

With the goal of promoting student–teachers to reflect on their teaching performance, a web-enabled video system was developed to permit them to record their classroom performance and then retrieve online videos of their teaching for self-reflection. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of online videos in facilitating self-reflection amongst student–teachers. Eight student–teachers from four disciplines were invited to use the video system to reflect on their teaching in two lessons. A content analysis was conducted to compare the reflective notes made by the student–teachers before and after browsing the videos of their teaching. The results indicated that video browsing prompted student–teachers to generate an additional 50 per cent of reflective notes and stimulated them to significantly increase the depth of their reflective thoughts in the areas of discipline and classroom management, and professional knowledge on teaching. Building on the gains achieved in this way, student–teachers can subsequently engage in in-depth professional dialogue with their teacher supervisors.     

Interactive video technology: Enhancing professional learning in initial teacher education

The University of Sussex In-School Teacher Education Project (InSTEP) uses interactive video technologies to enhance initial teacher education programmes for science trainee teachers. With four Internet Protocol cameras and mounted microphones in both school laboratories and the university teaching room, trainees and their tutors have access to live interaction with schools. This paper presents some of the findings of a 2 year evaluation of InSTEP aimed at identifying the benefits for trainee teachers. There has been an increase in the use of video material for teacher training purposes, however, trainee teachers are often intimidated by carefully selected extracts featuring experienced teachers. InSTEP activities are live and capitalise on all the opportunities associated with normal classroom practice. Literature points to InSTEP-type activities having the potential to enhance the development of trainees’ observation skills, develop reflective thinking, to provide authentic illustrations of classroom practice, enable remote observation and facilitate the coaching of trainees by mentors. A fourth generation model of evaluation was undertaken with data generated by semi-structured interviews with university tutors and mentors supported by a questionnaire and group interviews with the trainees. Our main findings point to InSTEP enhancing and accelerating the growth of trainee teachers’ professional knowledge through enabling reflective practice, facilitating collaborative learning and supporting the development of the language of pedagogy.     

Teacher value beliefs associated with using technology: Addressing professional and student needs

Studies have indicated that when teachers believe technology uses are valuable, they are more likely to incorporate those uses into their practices. This hermeneutical phenomenology study investigated the value beliefs that underlie teachers’ uses of technology. To measure value beliefs, teachers’ uses (and reasons for those uses) of technology for teaching and learning were examined. Data were collected from eight award-winning teachers through an interview, observation, and electronic portfolio. Findings indicated that teachers used technology to address professional (e.g., creating customized classroom materials, improving classroom management by engaging students) and student needs (e.g., enhancing student comprehension, equipping students with technology skills), all of which related to the underlying value belief of promoting student learning. Based on these findings, professional development activities should emphasize the potential impact of specific technology uses on student learning.     

Bridging the app gap: An examination of a professional development initiative on mobile learning in urban schools

In this study we present a professional development initiative aimed at helping urban teachers in low-income underserved schools in the U.S. learn how to utilize iPads (a representative mobile device) and educational apps (software programs that run on mobile devices) to support teaching and learning. Subsequently, we examine the ways in which four case study teachers utilized iPads and educational apps in their classrooms to support their students' learning experiences. Data included observations of professional development activities, classroom observations, teacher interviews, and student focus groups. Findings revealed that students used iPads and educational apps to (a) access online content, (b) create learning artifacts, and (c) reinforce content learning through personalized instruction. Findings also indicated that use of iPads and educational apps supported student academic growth and empowerment. Results have implications for mobile learning researchers, practitioners, and policy makers, particularly those charged with the design and implementation of professional development programs.     

Impact of an Integrated Methods Course on Preservice Teachers’ Perspectives of Curriculum Integration and Faculty Instructors’ Professional Growth

Abstract

Many of today's educators support integrated curriculum. To prepare preservice teachers to teach an integrated curriculum in elementary schools, a methods course that covered multiple disciplines was offered to preservice teachers registered in the teacher education program of a public university in the city of New York. Through observations and reflective journals, this study investigated how this course influenced preservice teachers’ perspectives on teaching science, mathematics, and music in an integrated way. Results indicate that preservice teachers’ understandings of curriculum integration were enhanced by the course. They also demonstrated high enthusiasm for curriculum integration during their teaching practice. Faculty instructors’ professional growth in the process of the planning and teaching of this course is also highlighted.     

Preparation versus practice: How do teacher education programs and practicing teachers align in their use of technology to support teaching and learning?

Researchers have called for renewed efforts in exploring both what knowledge should be taught in preservice teacher education programs with regard to technology, and how to best prepare teachers to effectively use that knowledge to support teaching and learning. This study compared the importance of technology topics from teacher educators and teachers’ perspectives. A two-phase mixed-methods research design utilized surveys and multiple case studies (interviews, documents) to collect data from both teacher educators and practicing teachers. Findings indicate that teachers and teacher educators demonstrated similarities in their views regarding the use of technology for personal productivity, information presentation, and the access and use of electronic resources to support teaching and learning. Teacher educators and teachers differed with regard to their use of technology for communication, analysis of student data, documenting professional growth, and facilitating higher-order thinking skills. Recommendations for how teacher education programs can incorporate and address technology topics in order to increase relevance for teachers are discussed.     

Teachers’ and tutors’ social reflection around SenseCam images

As photographic technologies continue to develop, so too do the social practices surrounding their use. The focus of this paper is on the social practices surrounding images captured from a new photographic device—SenseCam—which, rather than capturing individual images when triggered by the user, automatically captures a series of images. This paper is concerned with the use of SenseCam digital images in social contexts where there is a professional purpose—supporting the collaborative reflective practices of school teachers and university tutors as part of their professional development. Analysis of video data collected from 16 in-situ case studies of reflective discussions shows evidence that reflection took place as defined in the literature. Further the phototalk around SenseCam images was found to benefit reflection in these social situations through promotion of a rich shared understanding of the lesson context: supporting return to the experience, sharing of background context, grounding conversations, illustrating and providing evidence, and allowing people to see more. The paper concludes with a discussion on how different features of SenseCam images, such as variable quality, lack of audio and incompleteness, helped in this reflection or not. Finally implications from this work and participant's comments are used to suggest ways in which SenseCam may be used in the future in teachers’ and tutors’ social reflection.     

School knowledge management framework and strategies: The new perspective on teacher professional development

During the epoch of knowledge-based economy and knowledge management, teachers must learn in order to improve professional development. The paper discusses on the problems of teacher professional development in China, and analyze on the relationship among teacher learning, teacher professional development and school knowledge management. From the perspective of schools, this study develops school knowledge management framework to facilitate teacher learning and improve teacher professional development, in the basis of this framework, schools’ knowledge management strategies are presented, and provide references for administrators of schools. The result reveals the knowledge management strategies to improve teacher professional development, including school organizational reforger and knowledge leaders, constructing learning school and organization learning culture, establishing teacher knowledge management system of teacher professional development, encouraging team learning, teaching cooperation and knowledge sharing, establishing performance assessment mechanism of knowledge applications and development.     

What added value does a 1:1 student to laptop ratio bring to technology‐supported teaching and learning?

Abstract   The purpose of this study was to document typical use and configuration of 1:1 computing in two schools focusing on the added value and unique challenges these uses present. A qualitative case study design was used in two middle schools (sixth, seventh and eighth grade) in the south-eastern United States purposefully selected for their 1:1 computing programmes. Data were collected through formal and informal interviews, direct observations and site documents. Results indicated that online research, productivity tools, drill and practice, and eCommunications were the most frequent uses of computers in the 1:1 classroom. Moreover, the 1:1 classroom provided potentially transformative added value to these uses while simultaneously presenting unique management challenges to the teacher. In addition, the presence of 1:1 laptops did not automatically add value and their high financial costs underscore the need to provide teachers with high-quality professional development to ensure effective teaching. In order to create effective learning environments, teachers need opportunities to learn what instruction and assessment practices, curricular resources and classroom management skills work best in a 1:1 student to networked laptop classroom setting. Finally, researchers documented wide variation in fidelity to 1:1 computing, which suggests the need for further research exploring the conditions under which this variation exists.     

大学教师信息化教学能力结构探究

随着大数据时代的到来,一场以数据化带动教育的变革已经愈演愈烈,现已成为全球教育发展的必然趋势,大学教师信息化教学水平的优劣将直接影响大学课堂教学效果与教学质量。那么,在这场教育改革中,大学教师必然是需要快速调整或是革新其教学行为的群体。这就要求大学教师务必采用现代化信息技术,通过信息技术寻求面向教育信息化的专业发展机会。目前,在大学教育,教学中,信息化教学已成新型教育观念。信息化教学对大学教育的影响至关重要,若大学教师拥有较强的信息化教学能力势必会激起大学生的学习兴趣,从而提高教学质量,教学效率。所以,文章从大学教师信息化教学能力的现状,培养途径等诸多层面展开细化分析,以促使大学教师的信息化教学能力与时俱进。     

Identifying discriminating variables between teachers who fully integrate computers and teachers with limited integration

Given the prevalence of computers in education today, it is critical to understand teachers’ perspectives regarding computer integration in their classrooms. The current study surveyed a random sample of a heterogeneous group of 185 elementary and 204 secondary teachers in order to provide a comprehensive summary of teacher characteristics and variables that best discriminate between teachers who integrate computers and those who do not. Discriminant Function Analysis indicated seven variables for elementary teachers and six for secondary teachers (accounting for 74% and 68% of the variance, respectively) that discriminated between high and low integrators. Variables included positive teaching experiences with computers; teacher’s comfort with computers; beliefs supporting the use of computers as an instructional tool; training; motivation; support; and teaching efficacy. Implications for support of computer integration in the classroom are discussed.