The relationship of instructor technical literacy to the academic performance of students in career academies

Career Academy instructors' technical literacy is vital to the academic success of students. This nonexperimental ex post facto study examined the relationships between the level of technical literacy of instructors in career academies and student academic performance. It was also undertaken to explore the relationship between the pedagogical training of instructors and the academic performance of students. ^ Out of a heterogeneous population of 564 teachers in six targeted schools, 136 teachers (26.0 %) responded to an online survey. The survey was designed to gather demographic and teaching experience data. Each demographic item was linked by researchers to teachers' technology use in the classroom. Student achievement was measured by student learning gains as assessed by the reading section of the FCAT from the previous to the present school year. ^ Linear and hierarchical regressions were conducted to examine the research questions. To clarify the possibility of teacher gender and teacher race/ethnic group differences by research variable, a series of one-way ANOVAs were conducted. As revealed by the ANOVA results, there were not statistically significant group differences in any of the research variables by teacher gender or teacher race/ethnicity. Greater student learning gains were associated with greater teacher technical expertise integrating computers and technology into the classroom, even after controlling for teacher attitude towards computers. Neither teacher attitude toward technology integration nor years of experience in integrating computers into the curriculum significantly predicted student learning gains in the regression models. ^ Implications for HRD theory, research, and practice suggest that identifying teacher levels of technical literacy may help improve student academic performance by facilitating professional development strategies and new parameters for defining highly qualified instructors with 21st century skills. District professional development programs can benefit by increasing their offerings to include more computer and information communication technology courses. Teacher preparation programs can benefit by including technical literacy as part of their curriculum. State certification requirements could be expanded to include formal surveys to assess teacher use of technology.^

Relationship between a middle school band director's attire and incidences of student off-task behaviors in the classroom

The purpose of this study was to examine whether a middle school band director's attire had an effect on off-task student behaviors in his classroom. One male middle school band director participated and three of his classes were observed. The study lasted twenty days and consisted of three treatments (casual attire, business casual attire, and formal business attire). A tally sheet was used to determine the number of off-task behaviors per student per minute. The results indicated that in this classroom, the students (of all three classes) were off-task less often when the band director wore business casual attire. This was the clothing that he wore consistently from the beginning of the school year. Straying from this consistency made off-task behaviors in the classroom rise. The most off-task behaviors occurred when the band director wore casual clothing. Off-task behaviors also rose when the band director wore business formal attire.

Phonic skills mediate improved literacy outcomes in at-risk primary school children: results from the Ready-to-Learn Programme

Background
Learning to read is a key goal during primary school: reading difficulties may curtail children’s learning trajectories. Controversy remains regarding what types of interventions are effective for children at risk for academic failure, such as children in disadvantaged areas. We present data from a complex intervention to test the hypothesis that phonic skills and word recognition abilities are a pivotal and specific causal mechanism for the development of reading skills in children at risk for poorer literacy outcomes.
Method
Over 500 pupils across 16 primary schools took part in a Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial from school year 1 to year 3. Schools were randomly allocated to the intervention or the control arm. The intervention involved a literacy-rich after-school programme. Children attending schools in the control arm of the study received the curriculum normally provided. Children in both arms completed batteries of language, phonic skills, and reading tests every year. We used multilevel mediation models to investigate mediating processes between intervention and outcomes.
Findings
Children who took part in the intervention displayed improvements in reading skills compared to those in the control arm. Results indicated a significant indirect effect of the intervention via phonics encoding.
Discussion
The results suggest that the intervention was effective in improving reading abilities of children at risk, and this effect was mediated by improving children’s phonic skills. This has relevance for designing interventions aimed at improving literacy skills of children exposed to socio-economic disadvantage. Results also highlight the importance of methods to investigate causal pathways from intervention to outcomes.

Relação Entre Motivação e Desempenho Escolar em Alunos do 1º Ciclo

O presente estudo teve como objectivo analisar a existência de uma possível relação entre motivação (intrínseca ou extrínseca) e o desempenho escolar em alunos do 1º ciclo que frequentam o 4º ano. A amostra foi constituída por 62 alunos, com idades compreendidas entre os 9 e 10 anos, 15 que frequentavam a Escola Básica do 1º Ciclo de Brancas e 47 a Escola Básica da Batalha (24 alunos da Turma A e 23 da Turma B). Considerando a possível existência de variáveis sociodemográficas associadas ao desempenho, no processo de recolha de dados foi aplicado um questionário sóciodemográfico, que pela sua potencial natureza descritiva, interpretativa e reflexiva, constituiu uma importante ferramenta na análise e avaliação dos resultados obtidos. Com o objectivo de avaliar a motivação (intrínseca e extrínseca) foi administrada uma escala de motivação escolar, aferida para a população portuguesa contendo 18 questões. Cada uma destas questões contém 4 possibilidades de resposta (duas referentes à motivação intrínseca e outras duas referentes à motivação extrínseca). Quanto ao desempenho escolar, este foi avaliado através das notas que os alunos obtiveram no final do ano lectivo e que foram facultadas pelas professoras dos mesmos. A análise dos resultados evidenciou que existe uma relação entre a motivação e o desempenho escolar, concluindo-se que os alunos intrinsecamente motivados apresentam melhor desempenho do que os alunos extrinsecamente motivados. Consideramos deste modo, que a implementação de estratégias na sala de aula que promovam a motivação intrÍnseca será mais benéfico para o sucesso escolar dos alunos. / The objective of this study, is to analyze the possible relation between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and the educational achievement in students in the fourth grade of grade school. The sample was composed by 62 students, with a ages between 9 and 10 years of age. 15 students of this sample attended the grade school of Brancas, 47 attended the grade school of Batalha ( 24 of the students are from class A and 23 are from class B). Considering a possible existence of sociodemographic variables related to achievement, in the process of data collecting, a sociodemographic questionnaire was used, considering its great potential to describe, interpret analyze and evaluate the results obtained. To evaluate intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, a scale of school motivation adapted for Portuguese population with eighteen questions was applied. Each of these questions has 4 possibilities of response (two referring to intrinsic motivation and two referring to extrinsic motivation). In what concerns to school achievement, this was evaluated trough school grades obtained at the end of the school year given by the teachers. The analyses of the results demonstrated that there are differences between motivation and school achievement, concluding that the students with intrinsic motivation present better achievement then the students with extrinsic motivation. The implementation of strategies in the classroom, will promote intrinsic motivation and bring more success to students.

Understanding Teacher and Student Learning Situated in a School-wide Implementation of Fractions Instruction

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Diseño de un modelo de situación problema, con la unidad facilitadora solidaria llamada Belisol, para fortalecer el pensamiento numérico y variacional, en los estudiantes de la Institución Educativa Rural Benigno Mena González

Al analizar los resultados deficientes de las Pruebas Saber, del PTA ( Programa Todos a Aprender del MEN), y la participación en las Olimpiadas del Conocimiento, de los estudiantes de la Institución Educativa Rural Benigno Mena González del municipio de San Jerónimo, se consideró implementar un proyecto pedagógico, como plan de mejoramiento para la enseñanza y aprendizaje de las matemáticas, que sirviera como una iniciativa para fortalecer los pensamientos numérico y variacional en los estudiantes de secundaria de la Institución; se buscaba, con la implementación de esta propuesta, desarrollar habilidades en dominio, comprensión y solución de situaciones problemas cotidianas dentro del contexto escolar y desde la innovación de nuevas prácticas metodológicas en los procesos educativos. Desde esta perspectiva, nace el interrogante: ¿Cómo modelar una situación problema, teniendo como motivo la unidad facilitadora solidaria denominada Belisol, para fortalecer el pensamiento numérico y variacional, en los estudiantes de la Institución Educativa Rural Benigno Mena González del municipio de San Jerónimo?, para dar tránsito a una propuesta de investigación innovadora. Ahora bien, para intervenir y reflexionar sobre este interrogante, se propuso el método de Investigación Acción Participación (IAP), el cual se aplica a estudios que se interesan sobre realidades humanas y problemáticas cotidianas o sociales, que además, sean reales, de la acción, y de constante participación de los sujetos, entidades o comunidades involucradas; aquí cabe la posibilidad de un aprendizaje cooperativo, colectivo, y por supuesto, colaborativo donde se ha planteado como motivo de la situación problema planteada la unidad financiera llamada Belisol con el fin de exteriorizar los fundamentos de una acción formativa, orientada a la incursión en el ámbito de la educación matemática económica financiera, a través del ejercicio del ahorro escolar y el trueque, promoviendo de esta manera el espíritu solidario en la comunidad Benigniana.

Straddling The Gap: A MIddle School Teacher's Journey Towards Good Geography

Research points to a gap between academic or disciplinary based geography and what is taught in secondary classes across the nation. This study documents a teacher’s journey and efforts to bring a more disciplinary approach to two suburban heterogeneous sixth grade geography classrooms. The researcher traces student perspectives on geography and facility with geographic reasoning as well as his own perspectives and pedagogy with respect to student data. The study attempts to map the space where school geography meets and interacts with disciplinary oriented geography based upon the Geography for Life National Geography Standards. Participants completed two sets of baseline assessments and two sets of end of year assessments as well as an initial intake survey. The seven primary participants were interviewed five times each throughout the academic school year and data were openly coded. The data suggest that students can learn geography and geographic reasoning from a disciplinary perspective. Students sharpened their geographic skills through deeper subject matter knowledge and developing spatial and ecological perspectives. The data also indicate that the teacher researcher faced considerable challenges in implementing a disciplinary approach to teaching geography. The coverage demands of a crowded history-centric curriculum together with ill-fitting resources required a labor-intensive effort to put together and execute this study. Study findings indicate that the path to good geography pedagogy can be impeded by a host of external and internal challenges. However, to forward thinking practitioners, the effort to straddle the gap between school geography and disciplinary-based geography may be well worth it.

2015-2016 ACCOUNTABILITY MANUAL : The Annual School and District Report Card System for South Carolina Public Schools and School Districts

State law requires that for school years 2014-15 and 2015-16 the EOC will not rate schools or districts but will instead report on student academic performance. The Education Oversight Committee must use the results of these assessments in school years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 to report on student academic performance in each school and district pursuant to Section 59-18-900. The state report card for school year 2015-16 will include assessment information and measurements that address the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.

Cooperar com os PAIS, um sinal da mudança dos tempos

Relatório de Estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação de Paula Frassinetti para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Educação Pré- Escolar.RENATES TID 201004437

Como promover o desenvolvimento moral através da literatura infantil, em contexto de sala de aula?

Relatório de Estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Educação Pré-Escolar e Ensino do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico.

Projeto de Investigação-Ação : Vozes tocadas ... bandas cantadas

O presente documento reflete o trabalho desenvolvido no âmbito da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada (PES), realizada no Agrupamento de Escolas D. Filipa de Lencastre, em Lisboa, durante o ano letivo de 2014-2015 sob a orientação da Professora Micaela Patrício. Os relatos, e respetivas reflexões críticas são referentes à observação das aulas lecionadas pela professora Micaela Patrício ao longo do ano letivo, e à prática em onze aulas (90 minutos cada) lecionadas - 5 aulas na turma 5ºF e 6 aulas na turma 6ºD. A organização do documento consiste em quatro Capítulos: no Capítulo 1 é feito o enquadramento do ensino da música em Portugal no contexto vocacional e genérico; no Capítulo 2 é caracterizada a escola onde decorreu a PES; no Capítulo 3 são referidas as aulas observadas, lecionadas, atividades desenvolvidas fora da sala de aula e as reuniões assistidas ao longo do ano letivo; no Capítulo 4 é descrito o projeto de Investigação-ação: “Vozes Tocadas…Bandas Cantadas”. Esta temática justifica-se pela necessidade de proporcionar aos alunos aprendizagens ativas, significativas, diversificadas, integradas e socializadoras no âmbito da música. Por fim e em jeito de conclusão, apresenta-se uma reflexão englobante da aprendizagem direta e indireta no decurso da PES.

Editorial

Se inicia el curso lectivo de 1995 con la charla de la Máster Rita Jiménez, quien compartió su experiencia como bibliotecóloga en la Biblioteca del Congreso de los Estados Unidos. Se refirió a la sobrecarga de información que deben afrontar los bibliotecólogos, porque cada mes deben aprender el manejo de una nueva base de datos.

Discurso pronunciado en la inauguración de los cursos del Bachillerato en Bibliotecología y Documentación en la Escuela de Bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional 4 de marzo de 1991

Estimados compañeros:Reciban en nombre propio y de la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras un afectuoso saludo de inicio de curso lectivo. Por razones fortuitas, he solicitado a la Decana sustituta de esta Facultad, la M.L.S. Alice Miranda, Directora de vuestra Escuela, que represente a la Facultad en este acto de inicio del curso lectivo.No solamente le he pedido que transmita mis saludos, sino que los inste a hacer propósitos de mejoramiento académico durante este período que inicia. La crisis universitaria forma parte de nuestra institucionalidad. La Universidad desde su nacimiento ha vivido constantemente en crisis. No obstante, como toda crisis, éstas pueden resultar fértiles en realizaciones, si las aprovechamos para el mejoramiento. En este momento nos encontramos reflexionando sobre el carácter mismo de nuestra institucionalidad. Estamos en Congreso Universitario, realizaremos próximamente la Segunda Etapa del Segundo Congreso Universitario. Son momentos de reflexión, son momentos de lucidez, de hacer examen de conciencia, de pensar lo que hemos sido para lanzarnos al porvenir.

Discurso pronunciado en la inauguración de los cursos del Bachillerato en Bibliotecología y Documentación en la Escuela de Bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional

En este día, se me ha concedido el honor de dirigirme a ustedes, con unas palabras de recibimiento al inicio de este curso lectivo. Pero más que eso, desearía que ocupáramos este tiempo, en hacer una reflexión acerca del reto que nos presenta un nuevo año lectivo. Reto que está sin lugar a dudas, lleno de expectativas y grandes deseos de alcanzar objetivos que nos hemos propuesto, para el beneficio de nuestra vida personal y profesional. Reto que se presenta, tanto para el Docente el cual está llamado a cumplir con su misión de educador, como para el estudiante, quien decidió voluntariamente acercarse a las aulas universitarias, a cultivar su intelecto y a perfeccionar su desarrollo integral como individuo.

Perceived learning environments and metacognitive strategy knowledge at the upper secondary school level

There is evidence that students benefit from teachers’ explicit fostering of metacognitive strategy knowledge (MSK). However, there is insufficient understanding about the effect of implicit promotion of MSK in regular school instruction. This study investigates the relationship between perceived characteristics of learning environments (social climate, support, autonomy, self-reflection) and students’ MSK. A representative cohort of students (Nt1 = 1,272/Nt2 = 1,126) in Grades 10 and 11 at schools at the upper secondary education level (ISCED Level 3A) in Switzerland participated in this two-wave longitudinal study. Multilevel analysis showed effects on both the individual and the class level. Students who experienced higher social integration showed a higher extent of MSK at the beginning of the school year than students who experienced less social integration. Perceived autonomy was also positively related to students’ MSK on the individual level. In contrast, the results showed a negative relationship between perceived self-reflection and students’ MSK. On the class level, there was a negative relationship between self-reflection and students’ MSK. Teachers’ support did not correlate with students’ MSK on either the individual or the class level. Implications of these results for education and further studies are discussed. (DIPF/Orig.)