A comparison of student perceptions of Dutch physics teachers' interpersonal behavior and their educational opinions in 1984 and 1993

According to the literature, in the 1980s the intended science curriculum exhibited a worldwide movement toward a curriculum for all, with a more contextually embedded approach. In writings about science teaching pedagogy, a trend can be observed to consider seriously students' conceptions, based on the premises of constructivism. This article examines consequences of these trends for teacher behavior and concludes that classes should become more student centered. In terms of the model for interpersonal teacher behavior (Wubbels & Levy, 1993), teachers must give their students more responsibility and act in a more understanding way. It is to be expected that teachers' beliefs and opinions have to change before this trend can be implemented in the classroom. We have therefore tested whether teachers' opinions about objectives and content of physics education, on the one hand, and the implemented curriculum, particularly teachers' interpersonal behavior, on the other, display the same trend observed in the intended curriculum. In 1984 and 1993, data on students' perceptions of their teachers' behavior were gathered from ninth-grade students of a random sample of Dutch physics teachers. Data on the teachers' self-perceptions of their behavior and their opinions about physics education also were included. The results show that teachers were more in favor of realistic teaching content in 1993 than in 1984, a shift that is in line with the trend in the intended curriculum. Students' perceptions indicated clearly that Dutch teachers behaved less dominantly and more cooperatively in 1993 than in 1984. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 34: 447–466, 1997.     

The interaction of learning environments and student discourse about knowing,learning, and the nature of science: Two longitudinal case studies

This is one of a series of studies conducted by a high school physics teacher, who used constructivist referents to plan and enact the curriculum, and to understand and improve the learning environment in his physics classes. Data were collected in the course of a two-year physics course including (a) repeated administrations of a classroom learning environment survey, (b) written essays on the topics of knowing, learning, and classroom learning environment, and (c) interviews. While there was a general trend for students to adopt more constructivist views of knowing and learning, there was also a small number who resisted to adapt to the constructivist learning environment in their physics course. Two case studies of individual students are used to illustrate the interactions of the learning environment, student understanding of scientific knowledge, and the nature of science, and students' views of their own learning.     

新课标视域下的高中物理课堂教学研究

随着新课程标准的实施,当前的中学正在进行着一场深刻的教育观念变革。在课程改革中,要把原来填鸭式教学、死记硬背、题海战术的做法摒弃,转变到改变教学观念,正确认识课标,倡导自主、合作、探究学习,让学生主动参与、乐于探究、勤于动手。通过对新课程教材、教法的分析,提出了对高中物理课堂有效教学的新思路,注重充分发挥教师的主导作用．调动学生的积极性。从而实现有效的物理教学。     

课堂合作研讨的有效策略探讨

在课堂上开展有效的合作研讨,需要注意运用各种策略。角色策略:教师转变角色,让学生成为课堂研讨学习的主体。目标策略:教师有明确的目标意识和目标管理能力。激发、诱导策略:教师善于激发、诱导学生进入合作研讨的学习场。调控策略:注意对全体学生进行全局性调控,注意调控目标方向、节奏和进度、课堂氛围等。创新策略:努力创新研讨内容和研讨形式。评价策略:发挥教学评价的功能,注意评价的及时性、正反评价的结合、评价的多元化等。     

Epistemological antecedents to culturally relevant and constructivist classroom curricula: A longitudinal study of teachers' contrasting world views

This study explored how teachers' prior experiences, beliefs about knowledge, and schooling contexts collectively influenced their ability to implement classroom curricula that were culturally relevant to their students and that were constructivist in orientation. Using a case study design, this paper presents a 4-year longitudinal study of Dan, a second-career teacher who entered teaching after being a field scientist for an international corporation for 6 years, and Amy, who became an English teacher after being a floral designer for 10 years. Using the theoretical perspective of world view as described by Shuell (1992) [Teaching and Teacher Education, 8(1), 83–90] and Cobern (1993) [The practice of constructivism in science education, Washington, DC: American Association for the Advancement of Science], I explored the professional development of Dan and Amy, who differed in their world views. Specifically, I examined how their world views gave shape to their classroom learning environments, including their classroom curricula and their interactions with students during their initial years of becoming teachers. Multiple sources of data were gathered throughout the 4 year study from formal and informal interviews, observations of classroom teaching, stimulated recall interviews, and biographical interviews. Using the constant comparative method of data analysis, salient themes emerged from the data, including beliefs about teaching content knowledge, beliefs about learners, and influences on classroom curriculum. Implications for creating constructivist and culturally relevant classroom curricula are discussed.     

基于Claroline的师范生网络学习平台构建与课程整合——以“课程与教学论（生物）”为例

Claroline是一款以建构主义学习环境设计理论为基础的学习管理系统（Learning Management System）,对Claroline系统做一定技术性改造使其适应师范类课程学习的需要,构建基于Claroline的师范生网络学习的平台。以师范生专业核心课程——课程与教学论为例,在网络平台与传统课堂混合学习的环境下设计课程,融合教学方式,整合课程资源,强化合作学习。利用网络学习平台提供的详尽数据分析学生的学习行为、学习特征,调整和优化课程安排,取得较为理想的效果。     

Contextualising practice: Hallmarks of effective teachers of writing

This study identifies practices of effective teachers of writing. Three schools with significantly higher achievement in an area that underperforms nationally were identified and within them teachers whose students exhibited superior progress were selected. Multiple data collection methods included lesson observation, analysis of the classroom environment, teacher and student interviews and teacher documentation. Common was a commitment to formative assessment practices and classroom environments supportive of student literacy learning. Hallmarks of teachers whose students showed a greater awareness of their learning were a sense of purpose and meaningfulness; of coherence or connectedness and of being consistent and systematic. This paper argues that student achievement in writing is likely to be higher when teachers exhibit strength s in these hallmarks.     

The Microcomputer and The Curriculum: A Critique

The classroom experience contains an infinite number of variables that cannot realistically be related to in any manageable teacher's manual. When manuals aim at being ‘practical’, what is produced is often something that looks like practicality, but is not. Curriculum‐writing needs a new approach, intended to educate teacher rather than students. Such curriculum‐writing can be described as ‘rehearsal curriculum’. A rehearsal curriculum allows the teacher to work through a process of learning, as a ‘rehearsal’ for directing his or her students through that same process. A rehearsal curriculum is written in a way that also motivates the teacher to learn.     

Variables affecting physics achievement

Much research has focused on student views about physics concepts, with an emphasis on the identification of alternative conceptions, and how curricula and professional development may ameliorate the situation. However, there has been little work on determining the extent of, and in separating, the student and teacher/classroom level variables that may impact student physics achievement. This study examined the effect of different student and teacher/classroom level variables on student understanding of physics concepts using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), a regression based technique. The data were collected from 68 different teachers and 3,119 students who were using a reform curriculum, Active Physics. Teachers and students completed surveys asking about their beliefs, their classes and their personal characteristics. Students also completed a physics achievement test. The data show that students of teachers who used Active Physics for a greater portion of the year scored higher on the achievement test than did students of teachers who did not use the curriculum as much. Furthermore, the data show that the achievement gap was narrowed between boys and girls and between students with different attitudes toward physics. Additionally teachers who received inservice instruction on how to implement Active Physics narrowed the gap between students with different views of their classroom involvement. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 961–976, 2009     

Teaching referents and the warrants used to test the viability of students' mental models: Is there a link?

From a constructivist perspective, learners construct viable knowledge rather than acquire representations of truth. The warrants of authority, coherence, and empirical evidence are identified as means by which the viability of knowledge claims can be established by learners. In this interpretive study, we examined which warrants were invoked by Grade 8 science classroom participants in their daily interactions, and whether these were linked to particular teaching referents. We found that when the teacher embraced a content exposure referent at the expense of constructivism, the warrant of authority dominated interactions. The students' alternative conceptions and mental models were not explored appropriately. Instead, students most frequently were expected to accept the voice of authority uncritically. By such actions students were restrained from meaningful learning. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 34: 223–238, 1997.     

Autonomy to Accountability: Changing Hegemonies in Australian Arts Education

This paper examines the changing role of Australian art teachers in the period 1966 to 1997. Four transition periods of change are identified beginning with 1966 to 1978 when, in the absence of any written state or national level curriculum documents, art teachers were autonomous professionals responsible for their own curriculum planning and classroom methodology. The second period 1978–1989 saw the writing of many state and national level documents which attempted to articulate clear goals and directions for art education, however due to lack of funding each of these had little far reaching impact. In the third period, 1989 to the present day, art teachers seem to see themselves as being totally accountable to ‘the system’. The increase in accountability measures relating to externally imposed learning outcomes for students, more systematic assessment procedures and changes to employment terms and conditions has meant that many teachers seem demoralised and disempowered rather than autonomous and empowered. The author adopts Michael Fullan’s view that the (art) teacher of the future must become a change agent with four particular skills: personal vision-building skills; a critical sense of inquiry; mastery of skills; and the ability to engage in collaboration.     

Promoting cognitive and social aspects of inquiry through classroom discourse

We investigated how Chinese physics teachers structured classroom discourse to support the cognitive and social aspects of inquiry-based science learning. Regarding the cognitive aspect, we examined to what extent the cognitive processes underlying the scientific skills and the disciplinary reasoning behind the content knowledge were taught. Regarding the social aspect, we examined how classroom discourse supported student learning in terms of students' opportunities to talk and interaction patterns. Our participants were 17 physics teachers who were actively engaged in teacher education programs in universities and professional development programs in local school districts. We analyzed one lesson video from each participating teacher. The results suggest both promises and challenges. Regarding the cognitive aspect of inquiry, the teachers in general recognized the importance of teaching the cognitive processes and disciplinary reasoning. However, they were less likely to address common intuitive ideas about science concepts and principles. Regarding the social aspect of inquiry, the teachers frequently interacted with students in class. However, it appeared that facilitating conversations among students and prompting students to talk about their own ideas are challenging. We discuss the implications of these findings for teacher education programs and professional development programs in China.     

试论课堂学习共同体的建构

随着新一轮基础教育课程改革的开展,为了使课堂成为学生乐学,教师乐教,时刻焕发出生命活力的课堂,把课堂建设成学习共同体这一新的教育理念日渐提上日程。在探讨课堂学习共同体内涵的基础上,提出课堂共同体的以下五个特征：充满和谐的互动;具有共同愿景;具有共同的课堂规范;具有异质性;具有宽松积极的课堂文化氛围。建构有效的课堂学习共同体的策略有：创建和谐的课堂学习共同体;确立共同愿景;制定课堂规范;安排多元化的学习任务;关注学习者的兴趣;创造快乐的课堂文化氛围。     

中学英语协商性教学策略的实践与探索

协商性教学策略是提高学生英语口语水平、激发学生学英语的兴趣、增强学生学英语的主动性与责任感的一条有效途径。教学实践证明,通过师生协商的方式进行英语教学符合新课程改革的方向,可以提高英语课堂教学质量。     

Developing Membership in the Education of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students in Inclusive Settings

This article discusses the importance of membership in the inclusive education of deaf/hard-of-hearing (D/HH) students. Membership refers to being an integral part of the classroom and school communities. Membership is a key philosophical concept in inclusion that may influence how classroom teachers and teachers of D/HH students share their expertise and how they work with students and each other. Membership can be contrasted with "visitorship." When programs treat D/HH students as visitors, these students face greater barriers to obtaining a quality education in classes with hearing students. A social constructivist perspective of learning and teaching that requires students in the classroom to interact with one another and the teacher may best promote learning and is consistent with a focus on membership. We suggest that inclusion is possible, but to sustain students as full members of their classes and school, programs must go beyond placement and communication access issues. To facilitate membership, inclusive programs must carefully address teacher attitudes, teacher roles and relationships, student knowledge and curriculum, structural barriers, extracurricular activities, community relationships, and parental support.     

The Impact of a Geospatial Technology-Supported Energy Curriculum on Middle School Students’ Science Achievement

Geospatial technologies are increasingly being integrated in science classrooms to foster learning. This study examined whether a Web-enhanced science inquiry curriculum supported by geospatial technologies promoted urban middle school students’ understanding of energy concepts. The participants included one science teacher and 108 eighth-grade students classified in three ability level tracks. Data were gathered through pre/posttest content knowledge assessments, daily classroom observations, and daily reflective meetings with the teacher. Findings indicated a significant increase in the energy content knowledge for all the students. Effect sizes were large for all three ability level tracks, with the middle and low track classes having larger effect sizes than the upper track class. Learners in all three tracks were highly engaged with the curriculum. Curriculum effectiveness and practical issues involved with using geospatial technologies to support science learning are discussed.     

REJOINDER

In this paper, we explore the influence of the teacher on the language games being played in a Grade 3 mathematics classroom. The kinds of listening strategies used by the teacher seemed to have an impact on the kind of language game being played as a small group of students engaged in a problem‐solving activity. Understanding classroom conversation from a language‐games perspective is used to explore the kinds of sense‐making, student engagement, and new understandings evolving through classroom discourse. Language games may also be important for encouraging students to extend and transform their understandings. We describe how learning to ‘teach etcetera’ as a way of helping students ‘see‐as’ and move beyond narrowly defined predetermined content may entail playing more open‐ended language games and learning how to ‘listen’.     

A Bibliography for Philosophy and Constructivism in Science Education

The research literature on educational constructivism is voluminous (see the Carmichael (1990) Pfundt & Duit (1994) and Driver et al. (1994b) bibliographies cited below). The research - in both the Piagetian and Alternative Conception traditions - covers children's learning, cognitive development, curriculum development, classroom practices, teacher education, and much else. There is a further enormous literature on constructivism in philosophy of science (see Leplin (1984) and Churchland & Hooker (1985)), and on constructivism in the sociology of science (see Brown (1984), McMullin (1988, 1992). In turn these latter literatures overlap with the ocean of writing on post-modernist theory of knowledge and cognition (see Gross & Levitt (1994)). The following references relate mostly to educational constructivism, and then, with some exceptions, to articles that address epistemological and philosophical matters in science education. Even so it is not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it will be useful for teachers and researchers in the field. The author welcomes additions or omissions being brought to his attention.     

Teachers’ views on effective classroom management: a mixed-methods investigation in Western Australian high schools

Teachers’ views about teaching, learning and school experiences are important considerations in education. As the central participants in classroom interactions, students and teachers naturally have strong views about what it takes to manage learning and surrounding behaviours effectively. With this in mind and because we believe that ignoring the thinking of either of these stakeholders would be to the detriment of teaching and teacher education, we focused on hearing and understanding teachers’ voices about teaching, learning and classroom management. Our aim was to further clarify teachers’ perspectives on how educators create quality learning environments as well as gathering their views of various disciplinary interventions, their perceptions of challenging students and their sense of efficacy for classroom management in order to inform both policy and practice in teacher education. A survey was conducted with 50 secondary school teachers to capture their views on their classroom experiences. Follow up interviews with teachers identified by students as effective in their classroom management provided consistent reports that effective classroom managers build positive relationships with their students, manage their classrooms by establishing clear boundaries and high expectations, and engage students in their learning.