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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 – Writing and Learning across Disciplinary Boundaries in College Math and Science Courses.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: In six parts, this research panel report focuses on numerous aspects of an institutionally-supported project in Writing and Problem Solving across Disciplines conducted by four teachers at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon. The report’s first section, “Introduction,” is descriptive and gives some background on the research project. The report’s second section, “Final Report,” describes project activities completed, outlines project research questions, and summarizes findings. In the third section, 10 recommendations based on project findings are discussed. The fourth section presents materials from a presentation, including excerpts from “Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics” and from “Everybody Counts,” and a list of common faculty questions and responses. This section offers 12 writing and group learning assignments used effectively in Contemporary Mathematics for liberal arts students and Calculus… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Writing Is Learning: Strategies for Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Writing activities can be used to cultivate students’ enthusiasm for learning. This book shows teachers how to introduce their students to the benefits of writing in a variety of subjects including math, language arts, science, social studies, and art. Each chapter in the book includes an observation that allows readers to enter a classroom and see how the teacher uses specific writing assignments to sustain and deepen students’ interaction with subject matter. Each chapter also includes examples of student writing that resulted from each activity; detailed discussion showing how the writing exercises benefited students and teachers; writing prompts; and strategies to evaluate and comment on student writing. Chapters in the book are: (1) Getting Started: Journals and Learning Logs; (2) Putting Ideas in Order: Narratives and Problem… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Using Writing in Mathematics to Deepen Student Learning

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Writing is the ability to compose text effectively for different purposes and audiences. When many of us reflect on our own school experiences, we recall writing in English and history classes, but not in mathematics. Math classes previously relied on skill-building and conceptual understanding activities. Today, teachers are realizing that writing during a math lesson is more than just a way to document information; it is a way to deepen student learning and a tool for helping students gain new perspectives. They realize, too, that students whose strengths are language-based–and many are–use writing as the key to understanding other disciplines, especially mathematics. Like most things, learning to write well requires instruction and practice. In this booklet, the author aims to nudge secondary math teachers who are thinking… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Using Writing to Encourage PSMTS’ Reflections on Ambiguity in Mathematical Language

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Literature suggests that the mathematical language of teachers impacts a student’s understanding of math concepts. When teachers unintentionally use ambiguous language, students’ understanding of a subject can be negatively affected. We share background on specific instances in which teachers can create confusion with the language they use, and we investigate both pre-service teachers’ and college algebra students’ concepts of three common terms in mathematics: Solve, Evaluate, and Simplify by asking both groups to unpack their understanding of these terms through a writing prompt. We compare the language used by both groups in their definitions. Preservice teachers’ reflections on their experience with the writing prompt are also examined to identify ways that such a task can help them identify gaps in their own understanding and in their thinking… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Fences and Families: A University Project Providing Rural Field Experiences for Pre-Service Teachers

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Rural schools are in a precarious time currently facing funding issues, decreasing resources, dwindling populations, and difficulties hiring candidates for existing vacancies. As a result, a Midwestern university’s College of Education sought to help alleviate some of those issues by exposing its pre-service teachers to the benefits of teaching in the college’s extensive rural footprint, while emphasizing a connection between school and community. Rural Arts Day (RAD) was designed to address the critical issues facing rural schools by making pre-service teachers more aware of what rural schools can offer, through an alternative field experience in a K-12 school building. With positive results, this pilot project has become the impetus for an ongoing program to be implemented on a regular basis at sites across the state. This university/school… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – “Change My Thinking Patterns towards Maths”: A Bibliotherapy Workshop for Pre-Service Teachers’ Mathematics Anxiety

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: In small-group workshops, a joint initiative of the researcher and the student counsellor, primary (elementary) pre-service teachers (PSTs) wrote about critical incidents in their mathematics learning, and shared them with the group. Then, PSTs read extracts about mathematics anxiety (maths anxiety), and wrote and shared their reflections (bibliotherapy). Their experiences illuminated factors in their maths anxiety and helped them identify alternative conceptions. The discussion highlights the need for teacher educators’ awareness of perspectives of PSTs, verbalisation and sharing of emotions, and includes recommendations for further research. Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – Is There Room in Math Reform for Preservice Teachers to Use Reading Strategies? National Implications

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Background: Research is proposed for preservice secondary mathematics teachers to develop and use reading strategies in math classrooms. Purpose: to determine if increased instruction on using specific reading strategies in secondary mathematics classrooms significantly impacts a) the type of reading-specific instructional strategies used, b) awareness of preservice math teachers of their roles as content reading teachers and understanding of reading issues as related to mathematics. Setting: University undergraduate content area reading course for preservice teachers; university undergraduate mathematics methods course for preservice secondary math teachers. Study Sample: all secondary preservice teachers enrolled in each course will participate. Intervention: The treatment course students will receive intensified reading training in the content area reading course as relates to mathematics. Additionally, specific reading strategies will be discussed in the math… Continue Reading