Increasing Content Knowledge and Self‐Efficacy of High School Educators through an Online Course in Food Science

Purdue Univ.'s College of Agriculture developed an Advanced Life Sciences (ALS) program in partnership with several high schools across Indiana. As part of ALS, secondary educators take an introductory food science (FS) course (ALS‐Foods) and teach it at their high school. High school students taking the ALS‐Foods receive dual credit for an introductory course required for all FS majors at Purdue. The goal of this project was to develop an online course to improve content knowledge and self‐efficacy of secondary educators in the field of FS. The course was offered over a 3‐wk period and consisted of 3 learning modules focused on food chemistry, food microbiology, and food processing. Modules included class activities, videos, study questions, and teaching tools. Participants were assessed on content knowledge through written assignments, quizzes, and a final examination. Twenty secondary educators from several states were enrolled. Overall, content knowledge increased significantly (P < 0.05) across all 3 modules after completing the course. Highest scores were in food microbiology/safety (84%), followed by food processing (76%) and food chemistry (70%). A precourse survey indicated that the majority (>80%) of participants felt they had “no‐confidence” to “little‐confidence” in teaching FS concepts related to the 3 modules. Upon completing the course, the confidence level of all participants increased to “some‐confidence” or “complete confidence.” By strengthening the knowledge level of secondary educators, they will be better prepared to teach FS and subsequently, more high school students could be exposed to FS and consider it as a career.     

Development and evaluation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) best care practices in long-term care online training program

ABSTRACT

We developed online training modules focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) designed to improve best care practices in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, as a part of a federal grant focused on improving geriatric education for interprofessional (collaboration among different professions providing patient care) team members working in primary care settings. Faculty and clinicians with ADRD-expertise created and implemented an online asynchronous “ADRD Best Care Practices in Long-Term Care” program that includes audio-visual recorded presentations, a threaded case study, and supplemental information. Prior to enrolling in the course, participants complete a demographic survey and a modified 15-item version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale. After completing the modules, participants complete a satisfaction survey and the ADKS. A total of 94 participants completed both the pre- and post-surveys. Satisfaction evaluation data showed that the majority of participants reported that the information presented was very clear (74.5%), was useful for their work (88.3%), and would improve the care that they provide to their geriatric patients (93.6%). Out of 15 possible.     

Critical friendship as a contribution to master’s‐level work in an international programme of study

This article reports on an action research project in which the value of critical friendship for students doing research and writing their dissertations within an international master’s course has been explored. This course is run jointly by Roehampton University (London, UK), Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic) together with Fontys OSO (Tilburg, the Netherlands). It describes the process and the results of working with the concept of critical friendship in this master’s course since its start in 2005. Data were collected by means of various qualitative instruments and data sources: evaluation forms after tutorial sessions, reflective logs and focus interviews. The results show that the process of engaging with the research they did was enhanced and supported by the development of critical friendship groups. A number of recommendations have been formulated, such as the importance of discussing the concept of critical friend and its philosophy with the participants and of defining roles and tasks as clearly as possible.     

Girls,boys and conceptual physics: How senior secondary students have responded to a conceptual physics course

This paper presents an evaluation of the Physics course at Dickson College (ACT). It highlights students' expectations before the course, and their impressions and feelings during the course. This is the second evaluation carried out as part of a long term study of student attitudes before and after the introduction of a more ‘conceptual’ approach to the teaching of physics at this college. Overall, this approach has produced a more positive attitude in all students, but more significantly in girls. Specializations: senior physics, chemistry and biology.     

高校教师教学培训的效果研究： 概念变化的视角

本研究从“概念变化”的视角，探讨高校教师教学培训项目的效果评估以及培训存在的问题。研究对象是“FD-QM高等教育混合在线课程质量标准”教师培训项目，一项有关课程设计的全国性高校教师培训项目。通过定量分析学员提交的300份课程评审作业，考察他们对标准背后的“一致性建构”课程设计原理是否准确理解。研究发现，教师在课程评审中出现了不稳定、前后矛盾的结果，表现出有悖于“一致性建构”原理的、失衡的评审图式，这从深层次说明教师在转向“以学生为中心”的教学观，实现“概念变化”上存在困难。研究还探讨了从促进教师“概念变化”的高度创新教师教学培训模式的必要性，并揭示了本土情境下丰富“概念变化”理论的未来课题，以更有效地引导教师教学发展的实践。     

Assumptions that devalue university teaching

Abstract

Singapore's Temasek Polytechnic recently recruited a large number of lecturers who are required to undertake an accredited part‐time 1.5 year award course titled Teaching in Higher Education Certificate (THEC). The THEC programme is delivered in‐house and assessed externally. Graduates acquire basic teaching skills and demonstrate reflective practice. As part of an ongoing study into the effectiveness of the course, a series of discussion groups was conducted with 13 randomly selected participants and graduates. The qualitative data were analysed and gave eight general perceptions that participants have of the course. The perceptions indicate the course is well regarded because it is relevant by enabling theory to be put into practice and prompts participants to be reflective practitioners.     

Exploring alternative approaches to methodology in educational research

The objective of this study is to provide in-service teachers an opportunity to become familiar with the controversial nature of progress in science (growth of knowledge) and its implications for research methodology in education. The study is based on 41 participants who had registered for a nine-week course on Methodology of Investigation in Education, as part of their Master’s degree program. The course is based on 20 readings drawing upon a history and philosophy of science perspective (positivism, constructivism, Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos) and its implications for educational research. Course activities included written reports, class room discussions based on participants’ presentations, and written exams. Based on the results obtained it was concluded that: (a) participants were able to understand the basic ideas of constructivist philosophy and its pedagogical implications; (b) the role of behavioural objectives in actual educational practice was questioned; (c) integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods was considered to be an alternative to the current debate about the replacement of one method by the other; (d) participants considered the dilemma of evaluating students based on what they have learned or what they should have learned, within the social constructivist framework and generally favoured the former; and (e) most of the participants were reluctant to accept constructivism as a form of positivism, a controversial thesis that is gaining support in the research literature. Given the importance of alternative approaches to growth and meaning of knowledge, it is important that teachers be aware of conflicting situations in the classroom that refer to: objectivity, scientific method, qualitative-quantitative methods, relationship between method and problem, evaluation, and a critical appreciation of constructivism.     

Implications of the New Common Assessment Framework and Lead Professional Working for Pastoral Care Staff in Schools

The common assessment framework (CAF) and lead professional (LP) working are being introduced into all local authorities in the next 2 years as part of the Every Child Matters agenda. This article describes some elements of an evaluation of 12 pilot trials. It was found that schools and pastoral staff in particular played a major part in the trials. The majority of the research participants thought that this was a worthwhile initiative and examples were collected of successful implementation of the scheme. However, issues of missing skills, lack of time and limited practical support for staff in schools were highlighted. It is suggested that these issues may be magnified in the full-scale implementation of CAF and LP work. Considerable effort by pastoral staff and education managers will be required if this 'good idea' is to deliver improved outcomes for children in need.     

A responsive evaluation of a graduate seminar

It was in the late sixties when the formal evaluation of teachers and their courses by students in their classes first became routinized at the University of Illinois at Urbana. Students and teachers alike were told that the purpose of the evaluations was to improve college teaching. The instruments were advocated on the basis of being vehicles for student expression in the higher education process and as part of the whole move towards accountability. In practice, however, the evaluations were used by department heads or chairpersons as part of the basis for decisions about salary, retention, promotion, and tenure. Thus, the need for a new approach to course evaluation, concentrating on improving instruction was recognized. This paper is an account of a course evaluation using the responsive approach.     

Neuroanatomy education: The impact on perceptions,attitudes, and knowledge of an intensive course on general practice residents

General practitioners are responsible for the management of an increasing number of patients with neurological illness, and thus a solid education in neurosciences is a necessary component of their training. This study examines the effects of an intensive clinical neuroanatomy course on twenty general practice residents’ perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge. A knowledge test was completed by the participants and by a control group at four different time points. The participants were asked to answer a questionnaire about their reasons for signing up for the course and their attitudes and perceptions toward the course experience. Experimental and control groups demonstrated identical mean baseline test scores. The experimental group significantly increased its test scores (plus 49.0% correct answers, a mean improvement of 120%) relative to controls after the educational intervention. There were no differences among scores from the evaluated time points after the educational intervention in the experimental group. In the control group, there were likewise no significant differences between the four evaluated time points. Most participants indicated that they signed up for the course to update/acquire knowledge and skills in the field of neurosciences, and also because they had difficulty in diagnosing and managing patients with neurological diseases. Participants’ attitudes and perceptions toward the course experience were very positive. Most of the participants (n = 17; 85%) rated the course as “extremely useful,” and 3 (15%) rated it as “very useful.” This study provides evidence demonstrating the potential positive effect of neurosciences education to general practice residents. Anat Sci Educ 10: 465–474. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.     

Pre-service teachers’ assessment literacy and its implementation into practice

This research study was conducted to address pre-service physics teachers’ assessment literacy and its implementation into practice. The research was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. For the quantitative aspect of the study, the researchers determined the participants’ assessment literacy after their enrolment with the assessment course. Intentions of the qualitative part were to validate the results drawn from the quantitative research and to examine the participants’ assessment literacy in the practical realm. Data were collected by using a valid and reliable instrument developed by the first author, a questionnaire and the participants’ project assignment including implementation of assessment. According to the quantitative results, the pre-service physics teachers’ assessment literacy was quite high. Findings obtained from the qualitative analyses were compatible with the quantitative results. However, the study revealed gaps between assessment literacy in theory and practice. This study suggests that teacher education programmes should highlight theories of assessment as well as types of evaluation, stress validity and reliability of assessment enabling students to engage in both traditional and performance-based assessment methods, and provide opportunities for students to reflect, practice, and revise these methods.     

Keep Your Brain Fit! A Psychoeducational Training Program for Healthy Cognitive Aging: A Feasibility Study

A psychoeducational face-to-face training program (Keep Your Brain Fit!) was developed to support the working population in coping with age-related cognitive changes and taking proactive preventive measures to maintain cognitive health. A feasibility study was conducted to test the training program presented in a workshop format. Participants completed an online questionnaire immediately after the workshop and three weeks later. The questionnaire assessed participants’ appreciation of the workshop and evaluation of subjective cognitive functioning. 155 men and women between 40 and 65 years old (mean age: 53.8) participated in the workshops. The results showed the participants’ appreciation of the knowledge they gained by participating in the workshop. Participation reduced negative emotions toward cognitive functioning in 69% of the participants, and almost 50% indicated that they were better able to cope with cognitive challenges. This psychoeducational program may offer a valuable contribution to the coping strategies of the aging workforce. Adjustments were made based on participants’ evaluations, and the program was made suitable for online use in order to reach a broader audience.     

Helping Your Local Amphibians (HYLA): An Internet-Based Amphibian Course for Educators

A pilot on-line course on amphibians was offered free to 20 educators around the United States in 1999. This course, called Helping Your Local Amphibians (HYLA), was the first of its kind on-line course for educators dealing with amphibian issues. It also used these animals as a focus to teach about the environment. The course lasted 9 weeks with some additional time for continued discussions and used various aspects of Internet technology (including a virtual conference center), media, and traditional paper-based products to complete the learning process. Five teachers were selected to attend a national amphibian summit hosted by the Center for Global Environmental Education, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN. The course was aimed primarily at upper elementary and middle school teachers, but participants included formal and nonformal educators. For the most part, educators expressed satisfaction with the course and the content, as well as the structure of the web site. For 80% of the group, this was their first Internet-based course. In addition, as part of the course, the educators were expected to take some action with their primary audiences to help local amphibian populations. This mainly took the form of surveys or habitat clean-ups. The development of the course was underwritten by grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Best Buy Children's Foundation, and Hamline University.     

Metaphors and maps in evaluation

This paper considers efforts made in evaluating a distance‐learning course, which was intended to prepare students for working on an undergraduate dissertation in business and economic areas. Course delivery had stressed a tutorial approach with an emphasis on individual mentor–student exchanges. Given the nature of the learning approach and the backgrounds of the students, an attempt was made to open the evaluation process to participants and allow them to articulate their learning experiences. In seeking this end, the evaluation employed both metaphor and mapping techniques to chart the experiences that had been provoked by the learning encounters.     

Evolution of the personal teaching models of prospective secondary school science teachers as expressed through metaphors

This study analyses the evolution of the personal metaphors of 31 science graduates enrolled in a Master’s degree course in Secondary Education Teaching during the 2012–13 academic year. The instrument used was an open questionnaire that included asking the participants to make drawings representing the roles of the teacher. Four categories of metaphor were considered: behaviourist/transmissive, cognitivist/constructivist, situative/socio-historical, and self-referential. It was found that most of the prospective teachers were indeed able to conceptualize their roles in the form of metaphors. Comparison of the results before and after the teaching practicum revealed no changes in most of the participants’ metaphors and associated models. Instead, these appeared to be firmly set already at the beginning of the Master’s course, and remained uninfluenced by either the course or the practicum. Only a minority of the participants showed changes in their metaphors—5 with progressive changes, and 5 with regressive changes.     

Utilizing formative evaluation to enhance the understanding of chemistry and the methods and procedures of science

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not formative evaluation could facilitate goal attainment in a biochemistry course and produce desired learning outcomes consistently by altering course materials and/or instruction. Formative evaluation procedures included the administration of the Inorganic-Organic-Biological Chemistry Test Form 1974 and the Methods and Procedures of Science test to course participants over three consecutive years. A one group pretest-post-test design was used. The statistical analysis involved the use of the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test. The study involved 64 participants. The findings indicate that the use of formative evaluation can be effective in producing desired learning outcomes to facilitate goal attainment.     

Lessons learned from two years of K-MOOC experience

In October 2015, Korea launched its first massive open online course (MOOC) program entitled K-MOOC. This study analyzes the K-MOOC learner data provided by the National Lifelong Learning Agency. The data include the 272 courses implemented between 26 October 2015, and 31 August 2017 and the participants who took the said courses. The number of participants in the K-MOOC courses in the same period stands at 289,163. The average completion rate of K-MOOC was 9.3%. It is not far below the average completion rate of MOOCs in general, which is known to be 10% or lower. A comparison between Korea’s K-MOOC and the United States’ edX, which consists of similar courses to the former, shows that the most visible difference between the two lies in the average number of participants per course. An average K-MOOC course is taken by 1,063.1 participants, whereas an average edX course serves 15,341.5 participants. Moreover, there were 91% of participants who accessed the K-MOOC courses from their host country, whereas it was 29% for edX.     

Using a student‐centred learning approach to teach a discrete information technology course: the effects on Malaysian pre‐service teachers’ attitudes toward information technology

The purpose of this study was to measure pre‐service teachers’ attitudes toward information technology (IT) after completing a discrete IT course taught in a student centred‐learning (SCL) environment during laboratory sessions. Evidence from this study suggests that there was a positive shift in the participants’ attitudes toward IT. Pre‐test results showed that IT‐competent participants who regarded IT as useful had more confidence and less aversion toward IT. Post‐test results showed increased mean scores on all three dependent variables with no differences between IT‐competent and low IT‐competent participants. The results were supported by interviews which indicate that after completing the IT course, participants were more independent, more creative and possessed collaborative learning skills. The results suggest that infusing SCL into a discrete IT course can help promote and enhance positive attitudes toward IT and enable students to be active participants in their own learning process.     

An example of evaluation in the development of a tertiary physics programme

Conclusion As stated in the introduction, an integral part of the philosophy of school or institutional based curriculum development is that staff involvement in ongoing evaluation will lead to programme improvement. In this case, the results outlined above were used by the staff as a basis for discussing the future structure of first year Physics courses at MSC. The outcome was that the rationale, design and implementation of the new course was adopted for the entire first year course. Development of the course continues.     

Development and evaluation of an adult literacy program in Turkey

In this paper, we discuss the Functional Adult Literacy Program (FALP) that we have developed in Turkey. FALP, which is taught by volunteer instructors, focuses on individuals who have had very little or no schooling. The two evaluation studies of the first three cohorts of the program indicate that FALP is significantly more effective than the existing programs in developing word recognition and reading comprehension. However, the longevity of the gains depended on the initial levels of the participants and the extent of literacy use after the course was over. On the basis of the evaluation data and our observations, we discuss the implications for adult literacy programs in general.