A Shift in Role: The Perspectives of Ontario Secondary Principals Working in Data-Driven Environments

This study occurred in 2009 and questioned how Ontario secondary school principals perceived their role had changed, over a 7 year period, in response to the increased demands of data-driven school environments. Specifically, it sought to identify principals' perceptions on how high-stakes testing and data-driven environments had affected their role, tasks, and accountability responsibilities. This study contextualized the emergence of the Education Quality and Accountability Offices (EQAO) as a central influence in the creation of data-driven school environments, and conceptualized the role of the principal as using data to inform and persuade a shift in thinking about the use of data to improve instruction and student achievement. The findings of the study suggest that data-driven environments had helped principals reclaim their positional power as instructional leaders, using data as an avenue back into the classroom. The use of data shifted the responsibilities of the principal to persuade teachers to work collaboratively to improve classroom instruction in order to demonstrate accountability.

Investigating Multiple-Choice Assessment: Secondary School Teachers' Perceptions and Practices

Multiple-choice assessment is used within nearly all levels of education and is often heavily relied upon within both secondary and postsecondary institutions in determining a student’s present and future success. Understanding why it is effective or ineffective, how it is developed, and when it is or is not used by teachers can further inform teachers’ assessment practices, and subsequently, improve opportunities for student success. Twenty-eight teachers from 3 secondary schools in southern Ontario were interviewed about their perceptions and use of multiple-choice assessment and participated in a single-session introductory workshop on this topic. Perceptions and practices were revealed, discussed, and challenged through the use of a qualitative research method and examined alongside existing multiple-choice research. Discussion centered upon participants’ perspectives prior to and following their participation in the workshop. Implications related to future assessment practices and research in this field of assessment were presented. Findings indicated that many teachers utilized the multiple-choice form of assessment having had very little teacher education coursework or inservice professional development in the use of this format. The findings also revealed that teachers were receptive to training in this area but simply had not been exposed to or been given the opportunity to further develop their understanding. Participants generally agreed on its strengths (e.g., objectivity) and weaknesses (e.g., development difficulty). Participants were particularly interested in the potential for this assessment format to assess different levels of cognitive difficulty (i.e., levels beyond remembering of Bloom’s revised taxonomy), in addition to its potential to perhaps provide equitable means for assessing students of varying cultures, disabilities, and academic streams.

Peer-Led Team Learning as an Instructional Strategy for Secondary School Science

This study investigated the impact of an instructional learning strategy, peer-led team learning (PLTL), on secondary school students' conceptual understanding of biology concepts related to the topic of evolution. Using a mixed methods approach, data were gathered quantitatively through pre/posttesting using a repeated measures design and qualitatively through observations, questionnaires, and interviews. A repeated measures design was implemented to explore the impact of PLTL on students' understanding of concepts related to evolution and students' attitudes towards PLTL implementation. Results from quantitative data comparing pre/posttesting were not able to be compared through inferential statistics as a result of inconsistencies in the data due to a small sample size and design limitations; however, qualitative data identified positive attitudes towards the implementation of PLTL, with students reporting gains in conceptual understanding, academic achievement, and interdependent work ethic. Implications of these findings for learning, teaching, and the educational literature include understanding of student attitudes towards PLTL and insight into the role PLTL plays in improving conceptual understanding of biology concepts. Strategies are suggested to continue further research in the area of PLTL.

Aboriginal Parental Involvement/Engagement for Student Success

An increasing body of knowledge links parental involvement with student success but few studies address Aboriginal parental involvement in urban settings. While some critics argue traditional Aboriginal knowledge is best delivered at home, Aboriginal children who share parents’ stories in the classroom benefit other children who draw connections to these stories. Moreover, Aboriginal learners need to function in mainstream Western society and in public school settings in which educators often have a difficult time engaging Aboriginal parents. Consequently, this research sought to explore the perceptions and sense of engagement of parents/caregivers in the Aboriginal Student Program (ASP) in a publicly funded secondary school in Ontario. The study was an extension of the researcher’s existing work and focused specifically on a sample of parents/caregivers taking part in an Aboriginal feast at an Ontario secondary school. Nine individuals accepted an invitation to participate in a Talking Circle and shared perceptions of their children’s educational experiences. Data were collected and coded, and findings indicated that parental involvement in children’s educational journeys contributed significantly to a sense of parental engagement in the school and in Aboriginal programs. Results also suggest that Eurocentric pedagogy can be modified in mainstream secondary schools to directly involve Aboriginal parents/caregivers. Although many participants’ stories revealed they experienced racism during their own schooling, study findings demonstrate that the parents/caregivers want to be involved in their children’s education nonetheless. This thesis discusses the data that were grounded in the participants’ voices that in turn led to several key recommendations.

An Exploration of the Impact of Ontario Integrated Secondary Programs Through the Perceptions of their Graduates

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of participating in an integrated program at the secondary level on students’ lives based on their postsecondary perceptions. A basic interpretive qualitative design was employed in this study. Ten semistructured interviews were conducted with graduates of integrated program as the means of data collection. It was found that the integrated programs accomplished objectives in close alignment with the mandated curriculum expectations regarding integrated programs. Some of the most powerful impacts related to students' learning skills, such as collaboration and social skills, and how to create as well as participate in community. A strong connection between participating in integrated programs and vocational guidance was also identified. The results led to the recommendation that integrated programs be explored as a platform for delivering 21st century education as they closely paralleled the objectives prescribed by a number of authors who detailed the role of education in the 21st century.

Edexcel GCSE Geography A geographical foundations. Student book.

Proporciona los contenidos y prácticas necesarios para el examen de General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE) realizado por el organismo Edexcel para el año 2009. Permite a los alumnos conocer y comprender el mundo en el que viven, realizar trabajos prácticos fuera del aula y desarrollar habilidades geográficas, aprender a trabajar en equipo y aprender mediante la investigación. Tiene como material de apoyo el recurso para el profesor.

Oxford international student's atlas.

Es un recurso para los alumnos de secundaria, que ha sido aprobado para los exámenes internacionales de la Universidad de Cambridge para los planes de estudio de Geografía, y también para el título del International General Certificate Secondary Education (IGCSE). Incluye mapas temáticos del mundo y por continentes y mapas topográficos de todos los países, además de una sección para estadísticas y otra para banderas. Se acompaña de un cuaderno de ejercicios.

Edexcel IGCSE Physic. Student Book.

Recurso que ofrece una cobertura completa de las especificaciones de Edexcel International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Física. Está estructurado en siete secciones temáticas, cada una con diferentes números de capítulos, y cuatro apéndices finales. Cada capítulo tiene una breve introducción que permite saber su contenido, preguntas para poner a prueba la comprensión de la materia y secciones de revisión. Al final de cada sección hay preguntas tipo examen que cubren todos los temas de sus capítulos.

Edexcel GCSE Geography B : evolving planet. Student book.

Es un recurso para la preparación de los exámenes del General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE) dividido en cuatro unidades. Las dos primeras unidades tratan los temas de geografía física y geografía humana; la unidad tres consiste en enseñar a los alumnos a aplicar decisiones sobre un tema específico que afecta a nuestro planeta. Por último, la unidad cuatro es la evaluación de control, en la que se completa el trabajo de campo y la recogida de datos, su análisis, y la redacción de un informe con los resultados, todo ello bajo la supervisión del profesor.

Edexcel GCSE history A : the making of the modern world. Unit 2A : Germany 1918-39. Student book.

Es una de las cuatro unidades del curso de preparación para los exámenes del General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE). Estos temas explican los acontecimientos históricos sucedidos en los últimos cien años y ayudan a entender los problemas del mundo actual. Esta unidad se centra en el estudio de la República de Weimar, el asombroso ascenso de Hitler al poder y la creación de un estado policial en la Alemania nazi. Una parte del libro se dedica al repaso y la preparación del examen.

Edexcel GCSE history A : the making of the modern world. Unit 2B : Russia 1917-39. Student book.

Es una de las cuatro unidades del curso de preparación para los exámenes del General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE). Estos temas explican los acontecimientos históricos sucedidos en los últimos cien años y ayudan a entender los problemas del mundo actual. Esta unidad estudia los cambios producidos en Rusia entre la revolución de 1917 y el comienzo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, así como los cambios económicos y sociales derivados de la victoria del gobierno comunista y la dictadura de Stalin. Una parte del libro se dedica al repaso y la preparación del examen.

Edexcel GCSE history A : the making of the modern world. Unit 2C : the USA 1919-41. Student book.

Es una de las cuatro unidades del curso de preparación para los exámenes del General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE). Estos temas explican los acontecimientos históricos sucedidos en los últimos cien años y ayudan a entender los problemas del mundo actual. Esta unidad trata los cambios ocurridos Estados Unidos en el período comprendido entre el final de la Primera Guerra Mundial y el principio de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, caracterizado por un boom económico seguido de una depresión y la elección de un nuevo presidente con nuevas políticas para resolver la crisis. Una parte del libro se dedica al repaso y la preparación del examen.

Edexcel GCSE history A : the making of the modern world. Unit 3A : war and the transformation of british society c. 1903-28. Student book.

Es una de las cuatro unidades del curso de preparación para los exámenes del General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE). Esta unidad 3 es diferente de las dos unidades anteriores pues sus temas se basan en comprender la importancia de las fuentes en el estudio de la historia y como pueden ser interpretadas de varias maneras, lo que lleva a los historiadores a emitir juicios sobre la utilidad y fiabilidad de la información que proporcionan. Asimismo, se explica que en esta parte del examen del GCSE se conjugan los conocimientos y la información sobre los hechos con los juicios sobre las fuentes históricas.

Edexcel GCSE history A : the making of the modern world. Unit 3B : war and the transformation of british society c. 1931-51. Student book.

Es una de las cuatro unidades del curso de preparación para los exámenes del General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE). Esta unidad 3 es diferente de las dos unidades anteriores pues sus temas se basan en comprender la importancia de las fuentes en el estudio de la historia y como pueden ser interpretadas de varias maneras, lo que lleva a los historiadores a emitir juicios sobre la utilidad y fiabilidad de la información que proporcionan. Asimismo, se explica que en esta parte del examen del GCSE se conjugan los conocimientos y la información sobre los hechos con los juicios sobre las fuentes históricas.

Edexcel GCSE history A : the making of the modern world. Unit 3C : a divided union? : the USA 1945-70. Student book.

Es una de las cuatro unidades del curso de preparación para los exámenes del General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE). Esta unidad 3 es diferente de las dos unidades anteriores pues sus temas se basan en comprender la importancia de las fuentes en el estudio de la historia y como pueden ser interpretadas de varias maneras, lo que lleva a los historiadores a emitir juicios sobre la utilidad y fiabilidad de la información que proporcionan. Asimismo, se explica que en esta parte del examen del GCSE se conjugan los conocimientos y la información sobre los hechos con los juicios sobre las fuentes históricas.