published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

This study focused on the mathematical content knowledge of prospective teachers in Iceland. The sample was 38 students in the School of Education at the University of Iceland, both graduate and undergraduate students. All of the participants in the study completed a questionnaire survey and 10 were interviewed. The choice of ways to measure the mathematical content knowledge of prospective teachers was grounded in the work of Ball and the research team at the University of Michigan (Delaney, Ball, Hill, Schilling, and Zopf, 2008; Hill, Ball, and Schilling, 2008; Hill, Schilling, and Ball, 2004), and their definition of common content knowledge (knowledge held by people outside the teaching profession) and specialized content knowledge (knowledge used in teaching) (Ball, Thames, and Phelps, 2008). This study employed a mixed methods approach, including both a questionnaire survey and interviews to assess prospective teachers' mathematical knowledge on the mathematical topics numbers and operations and patterns, functions, and algebra. Findings, both from the questionnaire survey and the interviews, indicated that prospective teachers' knowledge was procedural and related to the "standard algorithms" they had learned in elementary school. Also, findings indicated that prospective teachers had difficulties evaluating alternative solution methods, and a common denominator for a difficult topic within both knowledge domains, common content knowledge and specialized content knowledge, was fractions. During the interviews, the most common answer for why a certain way was chosen to solve a problem or a certain step was taken in the solution process, was "because that is the way I learned to do it." Prospective teachers' age did neither significantly influence their test scores, nor their approach to solving problems during the interviews. Supplementary analysis revealed that number of mathematics courses completed prior to entering the teacher education program significantly predicted prospective teachers' outcome on the questionnaire survey.Comparison of the findings from this study to findings from similar studies carried out in the US indicated that there was a wide gap in prospective teachers' ability in mathematics in both countries, and that they struggled with similar topics within mathematics. In general, the results from this study were in line with prior findings, showing, that prospective elementary teachers relied on memory for particular rules in mathematics, their knowledge was procedural and they did not have an underlying understanding of mathematical concepts or procedures (Ball, 1990; Tirosh and Graeber, 1989; Tirosh and Graeber, 1990; Simon, 1993; Mewborn, 2003; Hill, Sleep, Lewis, and Ball, 2007). The findings of this study highlight the need for a more in-depth mathematics education for prospective teachers in the School of Education at the University of Iceland. It is not enough to offer a variety of courses to those specializing in the field of mathematics education. It is also important to offer in-depth mathematics education for those prospective teachers focusing on general education. If those prospective teachers teach mathematics, they will do so in elementary school where students are forming their identity as mathematics students.

This dissertation explored how a professional developer, using the Center’s Professional Development Model for Innovating Instruction, supported two teachers’ acquisition of the knowledge needed for their mathematics instruction. Through analysis of detailed field notes and semi-structured interviews of two experienced elementary school teachers working in an urban, high-need school, this dissertation studied how the design and situate components of the Center’s Professional Development Model for Innovating Instruction can lead to multiple ways of supporting teachers’ instruction depending on the teachers’ needs and interests. Findings from these two case studies suggest that there is a need for teacher education mathematics programs—In-service and pre-service—to provide teachers with the knowledge for innovative mathematics instruction needed to create demanding learning experiences in their classrooms. This dissertation elaborates on these results, discusses connections with other research, and ends with implications of these results, in terms of their immediate application and the need for future research.

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D.Phil. (Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. / This study is designed around the hypothesis that a modular approach in teacher education, within an educationally sound curriculum framework, could indicate an appropriate route towards the possible implementation of several training models. Teacher education for the pre-primary school phase, as well as other differientiated training programmes, may be accommodated within this flexible approach. Viewed together with the implementation of a modular system is the implicit need for centralised administrative machinery. Associated fieldwork included the following: * Three focused study visits abroad (1982 - 1989) * A . literature search and survey of research projects followed by a systematic s tudy of relevant publications, documents relating to education policy issues and selected legislation * Close involvement with a local pre-primary teacher training project * Consultation along structured lines with academics, educational experts and individuals engaged at policy level. The most significant findings were: a) Both in the RSA and overseas teacher education programmes are currently under review. b) Teacher education models incorporating flexibility are being developed. This element of flexibility introduces, in addition to 'traditional admission requirements attached to a specific course, exit points with a carry-forward of credits already acquired. c) A modular approach to teacher education programmes is gaining favour rapidly within educational circles, and also in the sphere of manpower planning. Based on the findings,. several recommendations were made with regard to a modular curriculum for teacher education and more specifically with reference to the pre-primary school phase in the RSA.

D.Ed.

This is a study of teachers transition after a professional development (PD). The purpose was to document and characterize the teachers’ experiences as they transitioned toward use of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and more learner-centered teacher practices. The teachers participated in a PD workshop that provided information on the use of the NGSS (NGSS Lead States, 2013). Following the PD workshop, the teachers’ experiences as they transitioned in their classroom teaching practices were documented and analyzed. This study used a mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative evidence) design and emphasized two of the eight science practices: Asking questions and Engaging in argument from evidence. To examine the teachers’ transition to learner-centeredness, Webb’s depth of knowledge chart and learner-centered rubric and the Survey of Science Instructional Practices were used. Four high school science teachers volunteered to participate in this study and were observed, audio-recorded, and interviewed over 9 weeks to document and analyze their transition toward a more learner-centered classroom. Classroom observations started after the teachers participated in a full-day PD workshop. Classroom observations, recordings, and interviews were used to note the frequency with which the participants and their students engaged in the target science practices over the 9 weeks of the study and to identify factors that facilitated or inhibited the teachers’ transition toward learner-centered instruction. The teachers demonstrated a mostly transitional approach over the 9-week observational period. The results showed that during the first through the final classroom observation, the teachers’ practices became more learner centered, but the pattern of progress varied. There was no linear progression from the first through the last observation. The teachers provided a rich and informative narrative about the factors that facilitated or inhibited their transition from a traditional- to a student-centered learning environment. For example, all of the participants stated that the PD was integral in helping them implement the target practices but that they did not receive enough support from colleagues and administrators to fully transition to learner-centered instruction. In addition, the New York State Regents Examinations in June 2019 seemed incompatible with the new science and engineering practices of the NGSS. This study provides insight into teachers’ challenges as they adopt the NGSS and implement the NGSS science and engineering practices in their classrooms. The research is particularly beneficial to teachers who have been textbook-oriented and seek a shift to a learner-centered classroom using the science practices of Asking questions and Engaging in argument from evidence.

No description available.