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Eric.ed.gov – Independence and Interdependence: An Analysis of Pre-Service Candidates’ Use of Focused Assignments on an Electronic Discussion Forum during the Initial Field Experience

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This article describes a case study using an electronic learning platform for creating an interactive learning community through asynchronous discussion to enhance the initial field experience of secondary math and English teacher candidates enrolled in Field Experience. We identified three problems with the field experience course–lack of structure, isolation of the candidates in the field, and passivity of the candidates. To address these problems, we established three goals–to create a way for candidates to structure their reflections in the field, to create a learning community of pre-professionals, and to foster independence and assertiveness in our candidates. With these goals in mind, focused assignments were developed and implemented in an interactive online discussion forum. The results of this study have two important implications for teacher preparation. First, the… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Math “Hotline” and Other Activities: Assessment of Project Intervention at Dorr St. School. Teacher Corps Program ’79. The University of Toledo/Springfield Local Schools.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: An intervention project by Teacher Corps interns in an elementary school was designed to improve student performance in mathematics. Activities carried out by the interns included: (1) construction of a school facade replica reflecting student achievement of identified math curriculum objectives, kindergarten through sixth grade; (2) preparation and presentation of a mathematics unit and study involving use of calculators by fifth-grade students and provision of special mathematics activities for accelerated sixth-grade students; (3) operation of a “Math Hotline” one evening per week to assist students and parents with homework; (4) preparation of mathematics activities and materials for interested students during lunch periods; and (5) planning and conducting a week of special events designed to enhance school spirit, in general, and student and staff motivation in math, in… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Employer-Sponsored Teacher Internships in Science and Math: A Part of Education Reform Strategy.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: In 1981, an estimated 25% of the nation’s secondary school teachers had summer jobs outside education. This report on the current status and future directions of employer-sponsored teacher internship programs has an underlying theme: that such programs can make a serious contribution to the career and professional development needs of teachers and to the quality of instruction. Chapter 1 considers how employer-sponsored teacher internships are connected to educational reform. The second chapter discusses the purposes of teacher internships. Eleven pioneer teacher internship programs are briefly described in chapter 3. Many of these programs focus on improving mathematics and science instruction; many also place a strong emphasis on communication skills. All rely heavily on the leadership and motivation of employers to improve scientific and mathematical understanding and competence.… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – From ‘Training Wheels for Teaching’ to ‘Cooking in Your Mother-in-Law’s Kitchen’: Highlights and Challenges of Co-Teaching among Math, Science, and Special Education Teacher Candidates and Mentors in an Urban Teacher Residency Program

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Urban teacher residencies (UTRs) have emerged as an innovative alternative to recruiting and preparing high quality teachers for traditionally underserved, urban schools. UTRs offer opportunities for teacher candidates and mentors to use co-teaching models to differentiate instruction, particularly as schools adopt more inclusive practices emphasizing collaboration and co-teaching among educators. Co-teaching in residencies is an area that remains largely unexplored. This study describes experiences of 37 residents and 35 mentors in three cohorts of a yearlong urban residency program as they engaged in co-teaching together in secondary math, science, and special education classrooms. Data included surveys on co-teaching and collaboration from residents and mentors, along with reflections on highlights and challenges of their co-teaching in the residency. Findings indicate that both residents and mentors had positive perceptions… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Revisiting the Influence of Math Links: Building Learning Communities in Urban Settings

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: It has been a decade since the article “Math Links: Building Learning Communities in Urban Settings” (referenced throughout as Math Links) was published in the inaugural issue of the “Journal of Urban Mathematics Education” (“JUME”; Leonard & Evans, 2008). The Math Links study, as reported in that article, investigated teacher interns’ attitudes and beliefs about their interactions with urban students in a community-based setting. In that article, it was acknowledged that changing teacher attitudes and beliefs can be challenging, but nonetheless accomplished. The goal for the teacher interns was to transform attitudes and beliefs about teaching mathematics to urban students from routine and decontextualized ways to classroom practices in which culturally based and social justice oriented methods framed instruction. Here, we reflect on that work for the… Continue Reading