<p> Peer mentoring is a topic that has been prevalent in the literature for the past several decades and plays a significant role in the learning experiences of many students. This study investigated the experiences of peer mentors in one specific mentoring project, in order to learn how the mentors describe and understand those experiences.</p><p> Eighteen mentors participated in this qualitative study, which examined mentoring-influenced-by-relational-learning in pre-service teachers through in-depth, phenomenological interviews. These interviews were supplemented by photo elicitation and reflecting processes. These mentors defined mentoring as a multifaceted endeavor, which exhibits, among others, traits of teaching, friendship, learning, building relationships, and communication. They defined relational learning both in terms of the course they took, and as a construct which revolves around working together, talking through experiences, being open to new possibilities and ideas, and, through these, being in relationship with one another. Four themes were identified: (a) Mentors experienced relational learning; (b) Mentors experienced investment; (c) Mentors experienced challenges; and (d) Mentors identified ways mentoring can be different. An overarching theme was, mentors and the mentoring project experienced a process of becoming. Mentors also described their overall experiences, explained the ways in which they feel they benefitted from the project, and discussed why they believe this project has been successful. Implications of these findings are also discussed, as they relate to both research and practice.</p>

<p> This qualitative case study is an investigation of the role of race, school context, and personal and professional experiences in the formation of an early childhood teacher's professional identity. Data sources included interviews, observations, conversations, field notes, and school artifacts. Member checking, triangulation, and extended observation supported the trustworthiness of the results. The findings of the research indicate that major themes related to identity formation included family influence, teaching values and beliefs, and identity shift. Main themes related to the minority status of the participant were emotions and feeling of alienation. Finally, major themes related to school context and personal and professional experiences included relationships with children and parents, relationships with teachers and staff members at the school, early learning experiences, and images of a good teacher. The study concludes with suggestions for early childhood education programs and future researchers.</p>

<p> The purpose of this feminist case study was two-fold: (1) to describe the ways that Collaborative Inquiry (CI) can be proposed as a counter-discourse of professional development that acknowledges the multiple forms of personal and professional knowledge among five women preschool practitioners, and (2) to explore alternative constructs of the preschool practitioner that seek to disrupt the preschool teacher/child care worker dichotomy. Data were collected through transcripts of CI group meetings, semi-structured participant interviews, selected researcher field notes, and participant observations during select classroom visits and meetings with participants. Feminist and poststructural perspectives set forth by Butler (1990), Osgood (2010), and Foucault (1977), among others, were utilized to interpret the data. Findings from the CI process included the importance of conversation and 'small talk' informal and shared readings, the use of student documentation and artifacts, and collaboration as important tools and processes of the group. Findings from the case included the positioning of the Center and its staff within a business discourse. Data revealed how these preschool practitioners complied with and/or negotiated the discursive practices of power relations, regulation, normalization, and surveillance, as the Center participated in the voluntary <i>Step Up to Quality</i> accreditation process to increase Center funding. </p>

The study aimed at providing scientific answers to two questions namely what the nature and extent of communication apprehension are among HED-students and whether the students’ level of communication apprehension changes during the course of their professional training. In order to answer these questions, communication, as typically human behavior, was studied and contextualised to the school classroom situation. Relationships between communication, classroom communication and teaching were indicated. The conclusion was reached that a very close relationship exists between communication and teaching. In fact, teaching was found to be a particular kind of communication which is qualified by the aim of enabling the learner(s) to perform certain learning tasks. Communication apprehension not only influences communication, but also teaching negatively. This negative relationship was researched further by studying the causes and effects of communication apprehension. The detrimental effects that high levels of communication apprehension (of both learners and teachers) have on the teaching learning situation were given particular attention and suggestions were offered for preventing and/or surmounting communication apprehension in the classroom. The empirical investigation entailed the completion of the PRCA (Personal Report on Communication Apprehension) by all fourth year HED-students studying at the PU for CHE between 1990 and 1994. This investigation led to the following findings: • 15,4% of the students experienced high levels of communication apprehension; • during the first measurements students from HED (Secondary)-diploma course manifested the highest level of communication apprehension (54,1%) and students from the post-graduate HED course who specialised in the Human Sciences the lowest (49,7%); • during the course of the professional training a reduction in the level of general communication apprehension was noticeable but of no practical significance: when placed in a teaching situation, students initially experienced relatively high levels of communication apprehension, which, however, decreased to such an extent during their training, that the decrease was of practical significance. The role of micro- and practical teaching played in decreasing communication apprehension should not be underestimated. Research dealing with communication apprehension should be broadened to include students training to become primary school teachers. Communication apprehension should also be investigated within a multicultural context. The causes of high levels of communication apprehension should be examined further and programmes which should be developed. / Skripsie (MEd (Didaktiese Opvoedkunde))--PU vir CHO, 1996

The objective of this study was to evaluate learner ships as possible model for the in-service training of Technology teachers and teachers involved in technology - related subjects within the field of learning: Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology. This research was based on a literature study and an empirical investigation. The curriculum changes in South Africa concerning Outcomes-Based Education, the introduction of the new learning area, Technology, and the rapidly changing nature of technical knowledge require continuous in-service training and development of the teachers who are involved in technology related subjects. This training of teachers forms a part of the new resource development strategy for the economical, social and cultural development of every person in South Africa. The National Qualification Framework serves as reference for all new programmes in the existing training system and divides teaching and training into 8 levels. For the Intermediary Levels (Levels 4-6) of training which teachers must now undergo as in-service training, Learner ships were created as method of training. This research brought to light that existing in-service training programmes do not comply with the requirements which technology and Technology teaching enforce on the training of teachers. A continuous Professional Development process was investigated as alternative and the study revealed that learner ships are a possible alternative for the in-service training of Technology teachers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

The objective of this study was to evaluate learner ships as possible model for the in-service training of Technology teachers and teachers involved in technology - related subjects within the field of learning: Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology. This research was based on a literature study and an empirical investigation. The curriculum changes in South Africa concerning Outcomes-Based Education, the introduction of the new learning area, Technology, and the rapidly changing nature of technical knowledge require continuous in-service training and development of the teachers who are involved in technology related subjects. This training of teachers forms a part of the new resource development strategy for the economical, social and cultural development of every person in South Africa. The National Qualification Framework serves as reference for all new programmes in the existing training system and divides teaching and training into 8 levels. For the Intermediary Levels (Levels 4-6) of training which teachers must now undergo as in-service training, Learner ships were created as method of training. This research brought to light that existing in-service training programmes do not comply with the requirements which technology and Technology teaching enforce on the training of teachers. A continuous Professional Development process was investigated as alternative and the study revealed that learner ships are a possible alternative for the in-service training of Technology teachers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

<p> An issue faced by educators throughout the United States is how to successfully educate preservice teachers on various laws, cultural differences, attitudes, and current teaching strategies affecting English Language Learners (ELL) and their educators. Western Illinois University (WIU) implemented an online ELL Module in 2009 that all preservice teachers were required to successfully complete in order to finish their degree programs. This research was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of online features and ELL content from the perspective of current students, graduates and faculty. </p><p> An online data gathering process surveyed each target group regarding their experience with the ELL Module. Faculty and students were surveyed and historical data from the content management system was retrieved to assess instructional strategies, assessment success, focus of content and applicability to actual classroom instruction of ELL learners. Findings included that the ELL Module topics were worthwhile and educational. Students reported their use of the videos and web-based materials provided, and they indicated that 24/7 availability was important. The actual integration of the module into a class demonstrated an effective strategy for implementation. Students who spent more time exploring the module content showed more frequent first attempt success with the module lessons' assessment. </p><p> Conclusions included the importance of web-based resources with round the clock availability. Faculty clearly desired face-to-face opportunities with students even though the ELL Module was designed for online delivery. Lesson content focus did affect the amount of time students spent in the lesson even though the lessons were weighted equally. </p><p> The recommendations resulting from this program evaluation include adding strategy specific videos and encouraging students to spend more time exploring the material currently available to them through the ELL Module to facilitate success in the lesson assessment. Also offering the ELL Module as an integrated portion of a preexisting course or creating an ELL blended course for all education majors provides faculty with their preference for having direct contact with students to promote lively discussions. Finally, actively sharing material from the ELL Module, on the College of Education and Human Service's website supports the preparation of preservice teachers for future experiences</p>

<p> Middle school professionals are confronted with the inability to effectively intervene during acts of bullying affecting LGBT youth. Research supports the need to provide educational training for middle school staff, in order to eliminate this form of victimization and create a safe learning environment for these students. The purpose of this grant-writing project was to seek funding for the existing Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) program titled <i>Safe Space Kit (SSK),</i> which had never before been implemented in a middle school in the Long Beach Unified School District. Washington Middle School (WMS) was the selected agency to implement this intervention along with the support from the Center of Long Beach (CLB). A review of literature and interviews with key members from both agencies involved, helped identify the need to educate these professionals. Neither the actual submission and/or funding of this grant project were required for the completion of this project.</p>

<p> This study was a program evaluation on the co-teaching model within the Smallville School District (a pseudonym) measuring its effectiveness defined by the perceptions of leaders in the field of special education. This study filled the gap of previous co-teaching studies by investigating a rural school district, across all buildings. The researcher selected the tools of classroom observations; convenience sample interviews; administrator, teacher, student, and parent surveys; and secondary data from High Quality Professional Development (HQPD) and the school budget. </p><p> The researcher collected data with surveys, observations, and interviews to determine the perceptions of all stakeholders involved in the co-teaching experiences in the Smallville School District. Results included four essential emerging themes compiled from all interviews and surveys noted by the researcher. These themes were a lack of professional development, lack of common plan time, lack of consistent collaboration, and lack of emphasis on co-teaching due to extensive curriculum writing, during the 2013-2014 school year. When taking the MAP data and applying it to a t-test by two unequal samples at each level, the researcher found significant differences in the general education and special education scores at the elementary Communication Arts 2013 data, secondary Mathematics 2013 data, and the secondary Communication Arts 2013 data. Special education students in the co-teaching setting showed an overall increase in tests scores than their counterparts in the special education setting. The general education students in a co-teaching classroom, maintained or their scores decreased on the MAP and EOC.</p>

<p> Researchers and practitioners have indicated that current teacher evaluation systems do not distinguish differences between teachers. In an attempt to redesign the current system and create a more effective system, legislative mandates required the use of multiple measures in the teacher evaluation systems of states receiving federal money. As a result student perception surveys became one of the multiple measures being considered for use in the teacher evaluation process. In this study, student perception survey results and certified evaluator observation results were analyzed to determine if there was a significant linear relationship between students' and evaluators' perceptions of effective teaching. Central tendencies, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation were calculated using the scores of both variables for each indicator to find the variability within the data sets. Additionally, a Pearson r was used to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between the two variables using six teaching indicators designed through the Network for Educator Effectiveness teacher evaluation program. The Pearson r revealed a significant linear relationship between the two variables for two of the six indicators and a weak to moderate positive relationship for the remaining four. Finally, quartiles of students' and evaluators' scores were calculated and analyzed to further explore potential relationships between the variables. Quartile patterns indicated a potential positive relationship for all six indicators. The results from this study can be used to help local, regional, and state decision-makers better understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various measures commonly used to evaluate teaching personnel.</p>