This study investigated the effect of training in equipment use on science teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) about the wave concept. The levels of teachers' reported PCK was explored before and after in-service training through interviews and Content Representations (CoRe). Furthermore, the study extended to investigating how the teachers enacted PCK when teaching the wave concept in their classrooms after the training. This qualitative research followed a case study method with three Grade 10 Physical Sciences teachers who were selected purposefully and pragmatically. Their pedagogical reasoning was elicited through a Video Stimulated Recall (VSR) interview and their general views about the training were obtained through a post-training interview. The framework was adapted from the Refined Consensus Model (RCM) and considered PCK at a topic and concept level, with each realm of PCK being underpinned by the Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK) components, namely, the learners’ prior knowledge, the curricular saliency, representations, what is difficult and/or easy to teach and understand, and the conceptual teaching strategies. However, all five TSPCK components were considered. The study was centred on three key ideas in the topic of waves, namely: wavelength; frequency; and superposition. The participants' reported PCK improved and the footprint of the training was visible in the enacted PCK of all of the participants. This study suggests that training on the use of equipment improves teachers’ enacted PCK and this may ultimately lead to improved learner performance. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / MEd / Unrestricted

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to identify the current perspective of grades three through twelve in-service teachers regarding mathematics anxiety, its causes, and its relation to gender stereotyping. A short online survey was conducted to gain insight into their classrooms and perspectives of the subject. The results showed that mathematics anxiety did exist in the classroom, and in-service teachers did report seeing a gender gap between the anxiety experienced by females and males. I believe that from these findings it is important to conduct further research on in-service teachers to see in depth what they think. This is important because their beliefs about the subject can have a lasting impact on their students and their feelings towards mathematics.

The EEdnaS study “Development and testing of digitally enriched science-related subject matter teaching in digital teaching-learning labs and university classrooms” aims to promote the professional competencies of prospective teachers that are needed for teaching science content in a world shaped by digitalization. To achieve this goal, university teaching units (seminars) that directly address cognitive components of a teacher’s professional competencies, which are important to teaching science content in primary school education, were developed. In addition, prospective teachers were asked to plan, implement, and evaluate primary school science education with a particular focus on digitization, as well as sharing the developed units as open-educational resources. This article reports on the impact of the first part of the seminar concept, in which the promotion of digitization-related, subject-specific teaching methodology, as well as content-related knowledge (TPaCK) was systematically promoted. In a standardized survey, it could be shown that the prospective teachers demonstrated positive developments, particularly in the components PCK, TCK, TPK, as well as TPaCK, regarding the self-efficacy in cognitive characteristics about one’s own ability within the reference frame of self. Furthermore, the development of knowledge, especially in the areas of TK, PCK, TCK, and TPK, could also be determined, but not in relation to TPaCK itself.

No description available.

This project addresses the critical issue of teacher attrition and retention by incorporating National Board standards into pre-service teacher preparation programs. Nationwide, school districts face significant shortages of qualified teachers, particularly in mathematics, science, and special education. Research reveals that the Southern region of the United States experiences the highest attrition rates (Ingersoll et al., 2018). An analysis of data indicates that the key issues contributing to teacher attrition and retention include stress from high-stakes testing, salary deficits, and inconsistent support. States have the autonomy to address teacher retention issues and allocate federal funds for these initiatives such as high-quality resources, reliable assessments, and comprehensive mentoring and induction programs (Goble, 2022; Mississippi Department of Education [MDE], 2022). Despite these efforts, the teacher shortage continues to grow annually. Research shows that National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) achieve better student outcomes in literacy and mathematics (Cowan & Goldhaber, 2016; National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center [NSPARC], 2021; Strategic Data Project [SDP], 2012a & 2012b) and are more likely to remain in their schools and become teacher mentors (Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement [CERRA], 2018; Cast, 2014). Most states recognize National Board certification by offering financial and licensure incentives to teachers who achieve certification (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards [NBPTS], n.d.). This project emphasizes the need for additional research into pre-service teacher preparation and the foundational aspects of teaching practice. By incorporating National Board standards into pre-service teacher preparation programs, the project aims to enhance student growth, future National Board certification, and teacher support within the first 5 years of service. This, in turn, would address teacher attrition and retention. This research has the potential to significantly impact schools across Mississippi, ultimately contributing to a stronger, more resilient education system.

Today's early childhood programs are required to have high-quality inclusive classrooms that serve preschool children with disabilities and diverse needs employed by highly-qualified early childhood teachers. The problem of this study was to describe the current status of pre-service teachers' perspectives of their own teacher self-efficacy, philosophical beliefs, and epistemological beliefs for inclusive practices in an early childhood classroom at the conclusion of an introductory early childhood education course. The study also looked at differences by certification track- EC-6 bilingual (n = 5), EC-6 generalist (n = 8), EC-6 ESL (n = 12), and all-level SpEd (n = 7). The participants (n = 32) were a convenient sample in an Introductory to Early Childhood Education course at a Texas university. Three post-course assignments (i.e. the final self-evaluation, the post-course philosophy of education, and the post-course successful early childhood inclusive teacher drawing) were given to students in an introductory early childhood course and were subjected to content analysis and thematic analysis. The TEIP survey was used as a framework for content analysis. The group-as-a-whole, the EC-6 bilingual, the EC-6 generalists, the all-level SpEd, and the EC-6 ESL certification track participants' teacher self-efficacy perspectives content showed high teacher self-efficacious comments in regards to "classroom environment and student expectations." The all-level SpEd certification track participants' data showed high high teacher self-efficacious comments similar to the group-as-a-whole, with additional comments focused on "providing an alternative explanation or example when students are confused," and "improving the learning of a student who is failing." The group-as-a-whole philosophical perspectives focused on "safety" (in the classroom), "parent involvement," "building relationships with students and parents," "student success," and "classroom environment." EC-6 bilingual certification participants' philosophical perspectives primarily focused on "student success" and "instructional strategies." All-level SpEd certification participants focused on "parent involvement" and "classroom environment." EC-6 generalists certification participants' philosophical perspectives focused on "classroom environment," "community of learners," "parent involvement," and "collaboration with other educators." EC-6 ESL certification track participants' philosophical perspectives focused on "parent communication/parent-teacher communication" and "student success." The group-as-a-whole and all certification track epistemological perspectives focused on (a) "monitor and adjust," (b) "know your students," (c) "awareness," (d) "caring" (about your students), and (e) "teacher character traits needed." The one exception was the EC-6 generalists and all-level SpEd certification track participants adding the focus of "teaching strategies/strategies" and "informal assessments" respectively. The findings revealed that the participants' own experiences, past and present teacher models, respected individuals, and enacted course curriculum(s) influenced their teacher self-efficacy, philosophical, and epistemological perspectives. Implications from this study include adding (a) a focus on education laws and policies to the introductory early childhood course to provide a broader understanding about inclusion, (b) more enacted curriculum to include application to theory to encourage research-based/best practices in future classrooms, and (c) using a mind shift from "what is the disability" to "what is the ability" in more wholistic teacher preparation courses versus silo-track teacher preparation courses.

The main theme of the study is exploring and understanding the impact of an innovative continuing professional development model for integrating ICT into classroom pedagogy. The focus is on the relationship between teachers’ beliefs, knowledge and pedagogic practice in the process of developing and adopting new knowledge and skills to cope with 21st century education. The study explores the 'future schools' primary teachers’ education, in-service training, status, beliefs, knowledge, and skills of using ICT in practice in the Kuwait context. The finding from the exploratory study shows that teachers’ lack of Technological, Pedagogical and Content knowledge TPACK and that this impacts on their capacity to improve their pedagogic practice. The study applied a social-constructivist approach to understand the process of change in the nine participants' teachers' beliefs, knowledge through an innovative continuing professional development model, and stimulating teachers to develop a reflective practice skills focusing on improving pedagogic practice and using ICT. A case study approach was used as the methodology of the study to develop an understanding of the process of change in the nine participant teachers' reflection on and experienced of the effects of adopting alternative pedagogic practice and integrating ICT. The numerous small findings from the quantitative and qualitative methods applied to the six months of continuing professional development involving nine primary teachers come under four main themes: 1) In-service teachers' beliefs and knowledge development, 2) Classroom pedagogy for autonomy with ICT integration, 3) Constraints affecting future schools’ teachers' integration of ICT, and 4) The key principles of an RP-BCPD model for teachers CPD in Kuwait. The understandings from the findings of the study show that the quality of the CPD for improving teachers' pedagogic practice is affected by the socio-cultural context of the 'future schools'. The study shows that the nine participant teachers can develop effective alternative pedagogic practice and successfully integrate ICT, when they are empowered to reflect, inquire into their practice, and learn from each other and from cross-cultural best practice. The unique finding of the study indicated that the nine participant teachers experiences some difficulties with engaging in the change process because of classroom cultural context such as: teachers' TPACK knowledge and competences, curriculum overload, and classroom size. Finally, the finding shows that providing the participant teachers with reflective practice as the base of CPD programme within schools context linked learning theory to improve pedagogic practice.