A comparison of the teacher efficacy and performance of traditionally and alternatively certified first -year teachers

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and performance evaluations of alternatively certified first-year teachers to traditionally certified first-year teachers. The participants were 25 first-year teachers in the Broward County Public School District (FL) who completed the Transition to Teaching alternative certification program and a comparison group of 32 first-year teachers in the same school district who completed a traditional university teacher preparation program. ^ The study was a mixed methods design (Creswell, 2003; Tashakkori & Teddlie, 1998). The quantitative data were collected during the 2002–2003 school year using the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran & Hoy, 2001) and the Florida Performance Measurement System formative and summative instruments. The qualitative data consisted of focus group interviews that were conducted at the end of the 2002–2003 school year. ^ Data were analyzed using independent samples t tests to compare the means of the two populations on their efficacy scores and performance evaluations. Paired samples t tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare the efficacy scores for each certification type at the beginning of the school year to the efficacy scores at the end of the school year. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the change in the efficacy scores of the teachers from the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year. Focus group interviews were conducted and transcribed, and the content was analyzed and categorized based on the four sources of self-efficacy described by Bandura (1986, 1997). ^ The results of this study revealed that no statistically significant differences existed between the two groups of teachers in their teacher efficacy or performance evaluations and that they reported similar sources of their efficacy. These findings add to the research base that supports alternative certification as a viable and effective pathway into teaching. ^

The relationship between the teacher's experience, the teacher's college major, and the teacher's level of education in predicting classroom attitudes in high school science students

A review of the literature reveals few research has attempted to demonstrate if a relationship exists between the type of teacher training a science teacher has received and the perceived attitudes of his/her students. Considering that a great deal of time and energy has been devoted by university colleges, school districts, and educators towards refining the teacher education process, it would be more efficient for all parties involved, if research were available that could discern if certain pathways in achieving that education, would promote the tendency towards certain teacher behaviors occurring in the classroom, while other pathways would lead towards different behaviors. Some of the teacher preparation factors examined in this study include the college major chosen by the science teacher, the highest degree earned, the number of years of teaching experience, the type of science course taught, and the grade level taught by the teacher. This study examined how the various factors mentioned, could influence the behaviors which are characteristic of the teacher, and how these behaviors could be reflective in the classroom environment experienced by the students. The instrument used in the study was the Classroom Environment Scale (CES), Real Form. The measured classroom environment was broken down into three separate dimensions, with three components within each dimension in the CES. Multiple Regression statistical analyses examined how components of the teachers' education influenced the perceived dimensions of the classroom environment from the students. The study occurred in Miami-Dade County Florida, with a predominantly urban high school student population. There were 40 secondary science teachers involved, each with an average of 30 students. The total number of students sampled in the study was 1200. The teachers who participated in the study taught the entire range of secondary science courses offered at this large school district. All teachers were selected by the researcher so that a balance would occur in the sample between teachers who were education major versus science major. Additionally, the researcher selected teachers so that a balance occurred in regards to the different levels of college degrees earned among those involved in the study. Several research questions sought to determine if there was significant difference between the type of the educational background obtained by secondary science teachers and the students' perception of the classroom environment. Other research questions sought to determine if there were significant differences in the students' perceptions of the classroom environment for secondary science teachers who taught biological content, or non-biological content sciences. An additional research question sought to evaluate if the grade level taught would affect the students' perception of the classroom environment. Analysis of the multiple regression were run for each of four scores from the CES, Real Form. For score 1, involvement of students, the results showed that teachers with the highest number of years of experience, with masters or masters plus degrees, who were education majors, and who taught twelfth grade students, had greater amounts of students being attentive and interested in class activities, participating in discussions, and doing additional work on their own, as compared with teachers who had lower experience, a bachelors degree, were science majors, and who taught a grade lower than twelfth. For score 2, task orientation, which emphasized completing the required activities and staying on-task, the results showed that teachers with the highest and intermediate experience, a science major, and with the highest college degree, showed higher scores as compared with the teachers indicating lower experiences, education major and a bachelors degree. For Score 3, competition, which indicated how difficult it was to achieve high grades in the class, the results showed that teachers who taught non-biology content subjects had the greatest effect on the regression. Teachers with a masters degree, low levels of experience, and who taught twelfth grade students were also factored into the regression equation. For Score 4, innovation, which indicated the extent in which the teachers used new and innovative techniques to encourage diverse and creative thinking included teachers with an education major as the first entry into the regression equation. Teachers with the least experience (0 to 3 years), and teachers who taught twelfth and eleventh grade students were also included into the regression equation.

A docência na educação infantil: representações sociais dos professores cursistas do proinfantil do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte sobre o trabalho docente

The overall objective of this research is to identify and analyze social representations of (the) teachers(the) Ranciere the Initial Training Program for Teachers in Office in Early Childhood Education - PROINFANTIL - UFRN/MEC on the teaching work, seeking to identify their constituent elements and understand the dynamics of your organization. We assume that these teachers work fundamentally, in the institutions of Early Childhood Education, with knowledge of common sense and related cultural inherent to be/do professor in the design of education guardian/giving handouts to ensure the physical integrity of children, causing a rift between the caring and educating. From this general objective, we elected as specific objectives: identify the social, economic and cultural backgrounds of these (the) teachers (sa); identify what is teaching work for them (the) as well as identify which the psychosocial implications driven by RS on teaching work that point to tensions between the training and the exercise teacher as activity profissional.Como theoretical foundation we opted for Social Representations Theory of Moscovici (2003), Jodelet (2001); Specificities of the teaching Work in Early Childhood Education: Kramer (2002; 2006); OliveiraFormosinho (2007); Zilma de Oliveira (2007), Teacher Training: Ramalho, Nunez and Galthier (2003) and Tardif and Lessard (2008), content Analysis: Bardin (2004). As methodological procedure, we chose the Central Nucleus theory, developed by Jean Claude Abric (2000). Contributed to the scope of this objective the 171 teachers (the) that concluded the Proinfantil NBs to participate of TALP with justifications. The corpus arising from evocations around the words suggested by Carlos Chagas Foundation: give classrooms, teacher, pupil and added the word Child Education, were subjected to a treatment with the aid of the EVOC software (2000), identifying the central nucleus. The results indicate the words more evoked and significant: Planning, child care, educating, and play. Indicating that for these (the) teachers (the) the teaching work in Early Childhood Education must have a systematic pedagogical to educate children. These words correspond to the specificity of being/doing teaching in Early Childhood Education. However, the data shows that it is a job with different characteristics of the teaching work in other stages of education

O laboratório de ensino de matemática temático centrado nos instrumentos de navegação: uma proposta para o IFRN de Mossoró-RN

This work presents a proposal to build a Mathematics Teaching Laboratory (MTL) whose main theme is the study, construction and use of instruments for navigation and location of mathematical content in an interdisciplinary way approach, and develop a notebook of activities focused on navigational instruments. For this it was necessary a literature review to understand the different conceptions of MTL and its pedagogical implications. The methodology used was literature research, construction and handling of instruments, and pedagogical experimentation. Lorenzato (2006) highlights the importance of an environment and suitable for a professional who can do a good job instruments. The implementation of an LEM can find some obstacles. The lack of support from other teachers or the management, the lack of a suitable place to store the materials produced, the lack of time in the workload of the teacher to prepare the lab activity, etc. Even in unfavorable or adverse conditions, according Lorenzato (2006), its implementation will benefit teachers and students. The lack of teacher training in their initial and continuing education, to use materials, and the lack of manuals with lab activities are also mentioned as factors that keep teachers from MTL. With propóposito assist the teacher of elementary or middle school in building a theme MTL prepared and we are providing a notebook of activities that provides a didactic sequence involving History and Mathematics. The book consists of four accompanied by suggestions for teachers activities, however the teacher has full autonomy to adapt the activities to the reality of your school. Among the instruments of navigation presented in this study chose to build the quadrant due to its simplicity, low cost of material and great teaching potential that this instrument has. But a theme lab is always being built and rebuilt as it is a research environment

Conceptions and expectations of mentoring relationships in a teacher education reform context

Peer reviewed

Conceptions and expectations of mentoring relationships in a teacher education reform context

Peer reviewed

The importance of environment for teacher professional learning in Malta and Scotland

Peer reviewed

O programa institucional de bolsa de iniciação à docência PIBID na formação inicial de professores de matemática

This research sought to understand the space training provided by Institutional Scholarship Program Initiation of Teaching to a group of students of Degree in Mathematics that had activities developed in the same public school. The goal is to qualify them for teaching practice for these basic institutions. We decided to conduct a qualitative study of type ethnographic case study. For a year and a half while we were at the meetings and activities of the Group, we did what we call as a participant observation. To obtain the data, we used different survey instruments: the researcher\'s field notes through his observation of everyday life of the group, photographs and filming of the activities, document analysis and database produced, physically and digitally, in addition to questionnaires and interviews with records written, which complemented each other and helped establish a triangulation of information collected. We analyze the trajectory of the group on three axes: on the first, we present and understand the paths taken by the Group in the process of setting up training spaces, and production of their professional training, in the second, we analyze how the space of PIBID is being integrated with others spaces of formations in the educational institution of the degree course in mathematics and, in the third axis, we understand the process of knowledge production of that group. The trajectory taken by the group was marked by a process of reflection and discussion systematic and collective, which favored the pursuit for be a better professional and also confirmed a possible path to be followed in initial teacher education.

Necessidades formativas em Matemática representadas nas vozes de um grupo de professoras dos anos iniciais da rede pública de ensino

Teacher training processes, initial and continuing, and professional practice of teachers who teach Mathematics in the early years are highlighted in the literature as complex, but also are regarded as the way to overcome many difficulties in teaching this component curriculum in the school stage in question. The aim of the study was to investigate how the training needs in Mathematics are represented by a group of teachers in the early years of elementary school of public health system of the city of Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais. The research, qualitative approach, had as object of study the training needs, in Mathematics, of teachers in the early years. The research involved 16 teachers from two schools in the municipal public schools of that city. Data were collected through questionnaires, non-participant observations, semi-structured interviews followed by group and individual. Analyses were performed by means of thematic categories, founded by content analysis. Data interpretation allowed to understand training needs in mathematics that are presented to the collaborating group from their professional practice, considering the knowledge and skills necessary to teaching. It is understood that the teachers of the study group have major limitations in relation to the specific content and didactic knowledge of Mathematics content, however, the concern is that demonstrated not always being aware of it. Moreover, the difficulties experienced in teaching practice proven to be overcome by sources and non-formal training activities, primarily through more experienced colleagues in the profession. Thus, it becomes difficult to think the initial and continuing training courses for teachers without the training needs of the teaching practice is appreciated as an object of study.

O desenvolvimento profissional docente em discussão

This collection is the result of theoretical considerations made in the education field with emphasis on the teacher’s professional development. The diversity of authors, which came from distinctive higher education institutions located in Brazil and some arising from international context, reveals a multiplicity of relations between the themes that blend the centrality of “Rede de Aprendizado em Foco”. The studies and researches are organized around three themes: teacher’s learning in initial training and professional integration; teacher learning’s evaluations process and policies; and teacher’s professional development. The professionality’s formation in a period of deep and complex transformations in the social and educational scenarios is projected as a big challenge, especially when it is understood that a person is not born as a teacher, but it is constituted as such by processes that occur over a long period. The contact with the professional practice stands as an essential element in the context of teacher training, which in the course of professional learning experience different stages of training. The one that should be highlighted would be the learning moments that involve teaching’s practices. Thus, the main point of this work was based on the reflection of the teacher’s formative processes from the initial training to the professional development going through the teaching practice, which is considered as the beginning of the relationship between theoretical and practical knowledge in the context of educational reality and reporting formative experiences that have contributed to this training.

Relação universidade-escola: o PIBID como instrumento de intervenção sobre o real da formação de professores

The theme of teacher education has always been rich in discussion and presents an abundant literature on the subject. Historically this topic has generated concerns in both development bodies and universities / schools where these people learn or are engaged in professional work. Training teachers is complex and these elements of complexity make necessary a review of paradigms of initial and continuing education. Despite the efforts of the past decades, the lack of teachers in some areas of knowledge is still a big concern, and it can become even worse in the future, what reinforces the importance of new decisions and new directions in order to change this situation. Therefore, the university-school relationship is of fundamental importance, linking and articulating theory and school practice, contextualizing knowledge, renewing and adapting curricula to current times and spaces in order to be able to improve and recover the social and professional value of teachers. From this perspective the education public policies should turn to the encouragement and the rescue of values and principles in quality teacher training. In the course comes the Institutional Teaching Initiation Scholarships Program - PIBID as an innovative program of teacher education working and adding essential factors to the university-school to reinforce good teaching practices taking up the role of co-developer schools. This research is aimed at analyzing the factors that PIBID inserts in the university-school relationship within IFPR Campus Palmas. The theoretical route was marked by authors as Edgar Morin (2003, 2010a, 2010b, 2012), Enrique Leff (2002a, 2002b, 2003, 2010), Boaventura Sousa Santos (1988, 2010a, 2010b, 2013) Menga Lüdke (2005, 2013), Demerval Saviani (2000, 2013), Paulo Freire (2011), among others, among them official documents of PIBID were used in this research too. The methodological approach with exploratory approach, descriptive explanatory was of fundamental importance through data collected by the documentary analysis (BRAZIL, 2007, 2009, 2013) and in the focus groups activities (GATTI, 2012). The focus groups interlocutors constituted of three groups: Area Coordinators, supervisors and teaching initiation scholarships. The categories were defined a priori from the Programme's objectives and emerging categories identified from the analysis process. After both documentary and interlocutors analysis, it was possible to identify that PIBID inserts the following factors in the university-school relationship: the Recognition of the Profession; Innovative Program and Dialogues of Knowledge. For the recognition of the profession mainly because it is an initial and continuing education program; it approximates theory and practice; upgrades the role of the teacher at school and motivates methodological innovations. This Innovative Program promotes the role of co-educational school and it also approximates knowledge of the school reality and promotes the continuous training. The third emerging category university-school relationship promotes dialogs of knowledge; bringing together theory and practice; it allows information exchange and opens new perspectives for teacher training. Finally, it is possible to realize that besides being a new program, PIBID has promoted visible changes through the actions carried out by all subprojects in partnerships between universities and schools, restoring and giving new meanings to the pedagogical practices.

The effects of emotional awareness training on teachers' ability to manage the emotions of preschool children: an experimental study

This article describes the process and results of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) on teachers' ability to manage the emotions of preschool children during a constrained play activity. Thirty early childhood education teachers participated in the study. Half of the participants were taught strategies to enhance their own emotional competence. The control group was provided with standard information on child development. The experimental group was trained in active strategies on emotion coaching, emotional schemas, reflective practice focused on emotions, and mindfulness training. The teachers' outcomes were assessed in situ during a pretend play session with small groups of preschoolers. The dependent variables were observed occurrences of different components of emotional competence in teachers. Significant statistical differences were found between the two groups across the three different emotional competence skills (regulation, expression, and knowledge) demonstrated by the early childhood teachers during a game situation. This experimental study highlights the processes through which teachers support the emotional competence of young children, and the importance of the role of early childhood teachers' own emotional competence on the socialisation of children's emotions. Most importantly, it provides evidence, based on the influence of emotion-focused teacher-training and reflective practices, that teachers' emotional skills should be supported such that they can optimally meet the emotional needs of young children.

Relatório de Estágio

O presente relatório de estágio insere-se na unidade curricular de Integração Curricular: Prática Educativa e Relatório de Estágio, relativa ao segundo ano do mestrado em Ensino do 1.º e 2.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico (CEB). Deste modo, tem como objetivo divulgar de uma forma refletida e alicerçada, todo um caminho percorrido pela mestranda na prática e todas as opções tomadas relativamente à intervenção educativa no contexto de prática de ensino no 1.º e 2.º CEB. Num primeiro momento é evidenciado um enquadramento académico e profissional, tendo em conta os pressupostos legais, a nível académico, e os pressupostos teóricos e práticos a nível da formação profissional, que sustentaram e orientaram toda a prática educativa supervisionada da professora estagiária. Além da componente teórica, num segundo momento, procede-se à descrição dos contextos educativos do Agrupamento de Escolas PVC, nomeadamente o 2.º Ano A da EB1/JI dos M, o 5.º A e o 6.º D da EB2/3 PVC, em que a professora estagiária se inseriu e onde desenvolveu a sua prática pedagógica. De seguida, é realizada uma narração e de reflexão fundamentada de todas as práticas educativas e experiências vividas em ambos os contextos. Sendo a componente investigativa extremamente importante para a formação docente é retratada também a realização de um projeto investigativo, implementado em contexto de 1.º ciclo, seguindo as especificidades da investigação-ação, que permite ao professor averiguar acerca das suas práticas, no sentido de as aperfeiçoar e renovar. Neste sentido, este documento finaliza um primeiro momento da formação docente, sendo que aqui se inicia um percurso de aprendizagens e desafios que serão o mote para a constante formação e procura da identidade.

Partnerships in teacher education - going beyond the rhetoric, with reference to the Norwegian context

Teacher education plays a central role in education and relates to various stakeholders of education. Currently, teacher education is not perceived as the sole responsibility of higher education institutions, and they are expected to work closely together with other partners. In this paper, the concept of ‘partnership’ is defined and mutual benefits and challenges in partnerships with disciplines and institutions beyond teacher education programs are briefly discussed. Issues related to partnerships with students are addressed, and the last part of the paper discusses the partnership between teacher education and the practice field with examples from Norway. Three models illustrating such partnerships are described. The central argument of the paper is that partnerships in teacher education need to go beyond rhetoric. (DIPF/Orig.)

Scenarios of mentor education in Romania - towards improving teacher induction

The aim of this paper is to examine the induction programme for newly qualified teachers and mentor education in Estonia, providing a comparative analysis of existing Estonian and possible Romanian models of mentoring. While the Estonian induction programme has been in place for more than ten years, induction in Romania is a relatively new and has only been mandatory since 2011 (National Law of Education 1/2011). The specifics of mentor professional development within the Romanian induction framework have yet to be explicated. This paper proposes two possible scenarios suitable for the Romanian system :1) long-term regulated academic education (part of master or doctoral level studies), and 2) flexible short-term in-service education. The advantages and disadvantages of both models are examined and ways to overcome some of the disadvantages are identified. Ultimately, the paper proposes that a flexible, needsdriven system which encompasses a degree of choice will best fulfil the professional development needs of teachers who wish to become mentors. (DIPF/Orig.)