Classroom Implementation of the Practices Learned in the Master of Chemistry Education Program by the School District of Philadelphia's High School Chemistry Teachers

Classroom Implementation of the Practices Learned in the Master of Chemistry Education Program by the School District of Philadelphia's High School Chemistry Teachers
Author: Uma Devi Jayaraman
Publisher:
Total Pages: 473
Release: 2009
Genre:
ISBN:

This dissertation reports the results of an exploratory case study utilizing quantitative and qualitative methodologies intended to ascertain the extent and differences of implementation of research-based instructional practices, learned in an intensive 26-month professional development, in their urban classrooms. Both the extent and differences in the implementation of practices were investigated in relation to the lesson design and implementation, content, and classroom culture aspects of research-based practices. Additionally, this research includes the concerns of the teachers regarding the factors that helped or hindered the implementation of research-based practices in their classrooms. Six graduates of the Master of Chemistry Education Program who were teaching a chemistry course in a high school in the School District of Philadelphia at the time of the study (2006-8), were the case. The teachers completed a concerns questionnaire with closed and open-ended items, and rated their perceptions of the extent of implementation of the practices in their urban classrooms. Additionally, the teachers were observed and rated by the researcher using a reform-teaching observation protocol and were interviewed individually. Also, the teachers submitted their lesson plans for the days they were observed. Data from these sources were analyzed to arrive at the findings for this study. The research findings suggest that the group of teachers in the study implemented the research-based practices in their classrooms to a low extent when compared to the recommended practices inherent to the MCE Program. The extents of implementation of the practices differed widely among the teachers, from being absent to being implemented at a high level, with inconsistent levels of implementation from various data sources. Further, the teachers expressed the depth of knowledge (gained in the MCE Program), formal laboratory exercises and reports, administrative support, self-motivated students, and group/collaborative work as several factors that enabled or would have enabled the implementation of practices. Among the many factors that hindered the implementation of the practices in their urban classrooms were, the core curriculum and pacing schedule, followed by test preparation, administrative paper-work, large class-size, students not prepared for student-centered work, poor math and reading skills of students, students' lack of motivation, unsupportive department head, unresponsive administration, and lack of resources.

The Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument, 2013 Edition

The Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument, 2013 Edition
Author: Charlotte Danielson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 109
Release: 2013
Genre: Classroom environment
ISBN: 9780615747002

The framework for teaching document is an evolving instrument, but the core concepts and architecture (domains, components, and elements) have remained the same.Major concepts of the Common Core State Standards are included. For example, deep conceptual understanding, the importance of student intellectual engagement, and the precise use of language have always been at the foundation of the Framework for Teaching, but are more clearly articulated in this edition.The language has been tightened to increase ease of use and accuracy in assessment.Many of the enhancements to the Framework are located in the possible examples, rather than in the rubric language or critical attributes for each level of performance.

Chemists' Guide to Effective Teaching

Chemists' Guide to Effective Teaching
Author: Norbert J. Pienta
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2005
Genre: Chemistry
ISBN:

For courses in Methods of Teaching Chemistry. Useful for new professors, chemical educators or students learning to teach chemistry. Intended for anyone who teaches chemistry or is learning to teach it, this book examines applications of learning theories presenting actual techniques and practices that respected professors have used to implement and achieve their goals. Each chapter is written by a chemist who has expertise in the area and who has experience in applying those ideas in their classrooms. This book is a part of the Prentice Hall Series in Educational Innovation for Chemistry.

Teacher Practices and Strategies to Aid the Implementation of Inquiry in the Chemistry Classroom

Teacher Practices and Strategies to Aid the Implementation of Inquiry in the Chemistry Classroom
Author: Christine S. Schmidt
Publisher:
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2009
Genre: Chemistry
ISBN:

"The goal of this research was to determine the effect of inquiry-based teaching and learning on student learning in the chemistry classroom, in terms of gains in both content knowledge and inquiry skills. Another objective was to identify what teacher practices and strategies strengthen inquiry-based instruction. Findings in the research demonstrate that various forms of scaffolding, whether explicit teaching of basic inquiry, the use of a Science Writing Heuristic, support during pre-experimental stages of inquiry, metacognitive guidance, and networked technology, aid student learning most effectively in chemisty classrooms."--leaf 4.

School, Family, and Community Partnerships

School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Author: Joyce L. Epstein
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 508
Release: 2018-07-19
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1483320014

Strengthen programs of family and community engagement to promote equity and increase student success! When schools, families, and communities collaborate and share responsibility for students′ education, more students succeed in school. Based on 30 years of research and fieldwork, the fourth edition of the bestseller School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action, presents tools and guidelines to help develop more effective and more equitable programs of family and community engagement. Written by a team of well-known experts, it provides a theory and framework of six types of involvement for action; up-to-date research on school, family, and community collaboration; and new materials for professional development and on-going technical assistance. Readers also will find: Examples of best practices on the six types of involvement from preschools, and elementary, middle, and high schools Checklists, templates, and evaluations to plan goal-linked partnership programs and assess progress CD-ROM with slides and notes for two presentations: A new awareness session to orient colleagues on the major components of a research-based partnership program, and a full One-Day Team Training Workshop to prepare school teams to develop their partnership programs. As a foundational text, this handbook demonstrates a proven approach to implement and sustain inclusive, goal-linked programs of partnership. It shows how a good partnership program is an essential component of good school organization and school improvement for student success. This book will help every district and all schools strengthen and continually improve their programs of family and community engagement.

Grading for Equity

Grading for Equity
Author: Joe Feldman
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2018-09-25
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1506391605

“Joe Feldman shows us how we can use grading to help students become the leaders of their own learning and lift the veil on how to succeed. . . . This must-have book will help teachers learn to implement improved, equity-focused grading for impact.” --Zaretta Hammond, Author of Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain Crack open the grading conversation Here at last—and none too soon—is a resource that delivers the research base, tools, and courage to tackle one of the most challenging and emotionally charged conversations in today’s schools: our inconsistent grading practices and the ways they can inadvertently perpetuate the achievement and opportunity gaps among our students. With Grading for Equity, Joe Feldman cuts to the core of the conversation, revealing how grading practices that are accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational will improve learning, minimize grade inflation, reduce failure rates, and become a lever for creating stronger teacher-student relationships and more caring classrooms. Essential reading for schoolwide and individual book study or for student advocates, Grading for Equity provides A critical historical backdrop, describing how our inherited system of grading was originally set up as a sorting mechanism to provide or deny opportunity, control students, and endorse a “fixed mindset” about students’ academic potential—practices that are still in place a century later A summary of the research on motivation and equitable teaching and learning, establishing a rock-solid foundation and a “true north” orientation toward equitable grading practices Specific grading practices that are more equitable, along with teacher examples, strategies to solve common hiccups and concerns, and evidence of effectiveness Reflection tools for facilitating individual or group engagement and understanding As Joe writes, “Grading practices are a mirror not just for students, but for us as their teachers.” Each one of us should start by asking, “What do my grading practices say about who I am and what I believe?” Then, let’s make the choice to do things differently . . . with Grading for Equity as a dog-eared reference.