Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1980. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-123).

Contextual teaching is emerging as an important concept in education reform efforts. This field study attempts to clarify the concept of contextual teaching by defining and identifying characteristics found in the research literature, experienced teacher observations and practices, and students' views of contextual teaching. The foundation for this field study was developed out of a larger project funded by the U.S. Department of Education known as the Oregon State University Contextual Learning Institute and Consortium. The purpose of this project was to conduct research in contextual teaching and learning in five Portland, Oregon, high schools involving 32 teachers and 350 students. This field study involved three, of the five high schools (7 teachers and 11 students) and five experienced teacher/consultants. Those involved in this study define contextual teaching in varying ways, but there was unanimous agreement that the basis for contextual teaching is making the connections between what a student is trying to learn and some aspect of a real world experience. A consensus of teachers participating in this study define contextual teaching as school experiences that provide meaning, relevance, real life experiences, and connections. The key characteristics of contextual teaching as identified by this study included: 1) Students learn more by combining knowing and doing wherever possible. 2) Students see that learning expectations have some connection to everyday life. 3) Students draw connections between different subject-matter disciplines bringing together content and context of application. 4) Students and teachers use teamwork and collaboration to solve real-life problems. 5) Emphasizes that active and involved students learn more, while requiring creative ways of dealing with school structure and calendar. 6) Contextual pedagogy stresses teaching knowledge and skills differently, not teaching different knowledge and skills. 7) The role of the teacher changes from expert to that of coach. Based upon findings of this field study, contextual teaching can be defined as an educational and instructional strategy focusing on enabling students to see meaning and relevance in their education. Knowledge and application of knowledge are deliberately tied together in the teaching act. Contextual teaching aims at helping all students make connections between subject-matter content and context of application. / Graduation date: 1998

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 290-303).

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of English, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 157-162).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2000. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-138).

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University

The past thirty years has seen the middle school as an organization come of age and with it a renewed emphasis on meeting the needs of the early adolescent student. Although many current studies have addressed middle school issues, one of the most significant was the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development's Turning Points: Preparing Youth/or the 21st Century (1989). It claimed that the middle school is the "last best chance" to turn young lives toward a meaningful future and, in order to do so, schools must be staffed with "expert" teachers. Once one knows what an "expert" teacher is, the major question that is raised is what factors promote and maintain such "experts?" Paying attention to these factors should increase the numbers of effective middle school teachers and therefore help meet the challenge issued by Turning Points. The purpose of this study was to learn what these factors are by listening to the "experts." Knowing these factors, their hierarchy of importance, and their potential for replication have serious implications for pre-teacher and staff training programs, hiring practices, and district policy making. The subjects were teachers from 17 middle schools in an urban school district which started its conversion to middle schools in the 1970s. The study was conducted in two phases using a questionnaire and an interview. The questionnaire was based on the literature and developed to determine the respondent's knowledge, practices, attitudes, and beliefs about middle school teaching. The 19 top scoring teachers who agreed to follow-up interviews formed the subsequent interview group. The semi-structured one-on-one interviews elicited opinions from these self-reported "experts" regarding what they perceived to be the most significant personal and organizational factors which enable them to be effective in their teaching. The results of the 307 valid questionnaires were reported by scale score, mean, and range, and their validity and reliability tested by Spearman-Brown, Coefficient Alpha, correlation matrix, and factor analysis. The content of the interview data was analyzed by a frequency count of reported factors. Major findings were that "expert" teachers identified the following factors as most critical to promoting and maintaining effective middle school teaching: 1. Being able to balance academic and affective concerns; 2. Having a genuine liking, commitment, and empathy for the early adolescent; 3. Ability to use a broad repertoire of teaching and learning strategies; 4. A concerned, listening principal who knows how to take action; 5. Team compatibility and commitment and adequate team planning time; 6. A strong belief in the advisory concept and the ability to build trust; 7. Participatory choice and teacher involvement in staff development; 8. A thorough knowledge of early adolescent needs and development. 9. Multiple exposure to and extensive experience with early adolescents during pre-teacher training.

No description available.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 2006. / Title from title page screen, viewed on April 22, 2007. Dissertation Committee: Dent M. Rhodes, William J.F. Hunter (co-chairs), Thomas P. Crumpler. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 251-256) and abstract. Also available in print.