Teachers' Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Transition Classes

Teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of transition classes and the potential relationships between these perceptions and demographic variables were investigated. Seventy-eight first grade teachers from the six New England states completed questionnaires that asked them (a) to rate how children who have participated in transition classes compared in academic achievement, social- emotional development, and attitudes toward school with similar "unready" children who did not participate; (b) to indicate if they would recommend a transition program for their best friends' children; (c) to indicate how they would vote if asked whether their school should continue transition classes; and (d) to supply demographic information. The results clearly indicated that this sample of first grade teachers overwhelmingly supported transition classes and perceived them as beneficial despite the lack of empirical evidence to support these beliefs. No relationships between various background or demographic variables (e.g., certification, degree, membership in professional organizations) and perceptions of effectiveness were found, as evidenced by the support of all types of teachers for transition programs. The findings are attributed to a lack of communication between the primary school practitioners and the early childhood research community.     

Student Teachers' Perceptions of the Effectiveness of their Initial Preparation

What influences how well-prepared student teachers feel towards working in schools upon completion of their initial teacher preparation (ITP)? In order to investigate this question, we used a path analysis using data from a longitudinal study investigating the experiences of trainee and early career phase teachers in England. The data were generated via self-complete questionnaires and follow-up telephone interviews with 1,322 trainees. Those on undergraduate or school-based programmes felt better prepared to work as teachers than one-year postgraduate trainees, perhaps because the former give higher ratings of the quality of assessment of, and feedback received on, teaching practice, and because of the clarity of theory-practice links in programmes. Across different kinds of ITP programme, good relationships with school-based mentors significantly boosted trainees' confidence that their ITP had effectively prepared them for teaching. Trainees' motives for entering the profession and their initial concerns about and expectations of ITP also affected their perceptions of its effectiveness, by shaping the way they experienced aspects of their courses. Implications of these findings for policy and practice in teacher preparation are discussed.     

Looking at Teachers' Perceptions

An example of teacher-based research in an ESN(S) school which could encourage other teachers to plan small scale research projects, is given by Dr Ann Hackney, research officer, Department of Educational Studies, Oxford University     

骨干教师领导角色的认知研究

提倡赋权教师参与学校运作和治理的教师领导力理论自上世纪80年代在美国提出后得到了迅速发展和广泛认同。该理论引入国内后,较普遍的认知是我国的骨干教师在事实上充当了该理论所定义的教师领导角色,但相关的实证研究尚付阙如。本研究通过实证调研尝试揭示一线教师对骨干教师领导角色的认知情况。本研究发现,从骨干教师扮演应然和实然的角度来看,他们和美国"教师领导"是类似的,但教师对骨干教师领导角色的认定也深受校长领导力和学校氛围的影响。另外,一线教师对于"教师领导"这个称谓并不满意,故本研究提出用"领导型教师"作为具有领导力的教师在国内的对应表述,以期引起大家对骨干教师领导力的关注。     

Perceptions of Teaching Effectiveness

Faculty members at a research extensive university who had been recognized as outstanding teachers stated that they enjoyed teaching and expressed a strong preference for actively engaging students in the learning process and placing a high degree of importance on receiving student feedback. They stressed the importance of setting clear expectations and goals, providing timely feedback, and using a variety of presentation and instructional approaches and emphasized that their teaching and research were interconnected and synergistic.     

Teachers' Perceptions of Their Students' Gender Roles

Abstract

Attitudes and perceptions of teacher behavior regarding students' gender roles were investigated. A questionnaire was administered to 221 Israeli teachers and responses were analyzed according to gender and education setting. Results indicate no extreme egalitarian or chauvinistic responses. In general, elementary school and female teachers gave more gender egalitarian responses to questionnaire items in comparison with male and secondary school teachers. Only 15% of teachers in this sample had attended courses on gender equality. Over 50% of teachers did not respond to the question concerning their school's gender policy. Those findings may reflect a relative lack of teacher awareness concerning the in-depth nature of gender stereotypes and their overall influences. Results may indicate compulsory courses and seminars on gender self-awareness during teacher training.     

Institutional Researchers' Perceptions of Effectiveness

This article presents the results of a research study that investigated institutional researchers' perceptions regarding their effectiveness in influencing policy changes at their institution. Data were obtained from a mailed survey sent to 304 researchers in the Northeast; a response rate of 73 percent was achieved. Results revealed that those whose work is used in executive decision making, who include policy recommendations in reports, conduct follow-up studies on the impact of their work, have a doctorate, are part of a strong, professional network, and describe their positions as challenging perceive themselves as more effective. The discriminant function including these variables explained 48 percent of the variance and accurately predicted the perceived policy effectiveness for 84 percent of the participants.     

Preservice Science Teachers' Perceptions of Their Practicum Classrooms

Practicum experiences in schools are highly valued in science teacher education programs. Yet, there are few studies examining secondary preservice science teachers' practicum classrooms. This mixed-methods study explored secondary preservice science teachers' perceptions of their practicum classroom learning environments, interpreted from an open-ended survey questionnaire, as well as from an adapted version of the Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES; Taylor, Fraser, & Fisher, 1997). Twenty-two preservice teachers within secondary science methods courses volunteered to complete the survey. Qualitative survey findings were corroborated by quantitative results from the CLES survey. Overall, the preservice teachers perceived their practicum classrooms to incorporate some constructivist learning environment factors, but the critical constructivist perspective underpinning the survey was not found. Additionally, innovative practices cogent with these practices were not supported by most of their co-operating teachers. Implications of how preservice education programs can better support prospective science teachers' views and practices during practicum are discussed.     

Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of a Reformed Teacher-Evaluation System

This qualitative case study focused on 13 elementary teachers' perceptions of their evaluations. Using multiple schools (5) and teachers (13) we explored the impact of evaluations on instruction. Informed by Pekrun's control-value theory, our analysis focused on teachers' motivations and emotions. Teachers did not value or feel in control of their Value-Added Model (VAM) scores and still needed information regarding VAM. This led to feelings of hopelessness regarding future VAM scores. Teachers reported making mandated changes by the district or to help students' demonstrate learning on state exams. Teachers with mandated changes felt frustration, while teachers making their own changes felt hopeful for high student test scores. The presence of administrators also influenced changes in instruction during observations. Teachers shared feeling hopeful of observation scores, but were annoyed by the observation system. Our findings support the notion that teachers are not making meaningful changes based on VAM.     

Teachers' Perceptions of a Learner-Centered Teacher Evaluation System

Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability - Promoting success for all students is the driving force to develop and implement sound teacher evaluation systems. As Stronge suggests,...     

项目制背景下教师培训实效提升的途径

项目制是我省推进中小学教师培训制度改革的一项新举措。项目制背景下教师培训首先要调研把握教师需求,其次要善于整合利用本地培训资源,第三要设计科学合理的培训方案,第四要用心用情地组织实施。在这些基础上,就会形成一个"以效促效"的良性循环的教师培训长效机制。     

论美国师范教育的转型

师范教育理念的转变是导致美国师范教育机构转型的重要起因。美国师范教育体制形成于19世纪上半叶,其历经了从师范学校到师范学院层次提高性质的转型,又从师范学院到综合性大学教育学院师范教育机构的整体转型。从某种意义上说,美国师范教育理念的变迁反映了美国师范教育机构两次转型的历史轨迹。     

论有效课堂教学的教师基础

在当前全面实施素质教育与推进新课程改革的进程中,课堂教学改革已成为一个攻坚阵地,课堂教学的有效性亟待提高.有效课堂教学的达成需要多种力量的汇合和诸多条件的支撑,而教师的专业素养是其中的决定性因素.从教师的角度来说,转变教学观念,生成教学智慧,走向教学幸福是有效课堂教学实现的应然路径.     

Teachers' Prior Experiences and Actual Perceptions of Professional Identity

Abstract

After a review of literature, 14 items were generated which represent teachers' professional identity. The participating teachers (n = 28) were requested to express and clarify their actual perception for each item. In addition they were asked to draw so‐called story‐lines from the present to the past and to clarify the highest and lowest points in these lines. The respondents were secondary school teachers with an average teaching experience of 21 years. All of them perceived their actual professional identity as positive. The teachers' stories of their experiences demonstrate so‐called progressive rather than regressive lines in their careers. Some teachers also demonstrate so‐called stability story‐lines, i.e. lines without high(est) and low(est) points. It is argued that—in the long term—these and other research findings can be relevant to those who are responsible in schools for the further development of teachers' careers.