Fidelity of Implementation and Instructional Alignment in Response to Intervention Research

In this review, we explore the extent to which researchers evaluating the efficacy of Tier 2 elementary reading interventions within the framework of Response to Intervention reported on fidelity of implementation and alignment of instruction between tiers. A literature search identified 22 empirical studies from which conclusions were drawn. Results suggest that fidelity of implementation is typically monitored at Tier 2 and that alignment between tiers of intervention is often apparent yet not explicitly stated. However, researchers frequently neglect to report on fidelity of intervention in Tier 1, potentially limiting claims that can be made about the efficacy of subsequent Tier 2 intervention. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.     

Instructional Design and the Importance of Instructional Alignment

This paper highlights the instructional design process followed by the Maricopa Community College faculty in the creation of instructional modules in Digital Visual Literacy. The paper categorizes 10 tasks that an instructional designer, a teacher, or a trainer performs during the design phase of the instructional design process. The importance of alignment between each of these 10 instructional elements is stressed in the paper. Also described are two different design models (top-down model and the matrix model) that were used by the faculty in the design of instructional materials. The matrix model has been found to be more effective in aligning the 10 instructional elements. Also included are survey results on the importance of the instructional design elements and if instructors include these elements in their lesson design in a community college setting.     

Learning to Value Mathematics and Reading: Relations to Mastery and Performance-Oriented Instructional Practices

Changes in students' achievement values in mathematics and reading were examined in a sample of children and early adolescents. Hierarchical linear modeling techniques were used to account for both classroom- and student-level effects. At the student level, positive changes in students' achievement values were associated positively with self-concept of ability and the previous year's achievement values in both reading and math. Measures of teachers' mastery- and performance-oriented instructional practices were included in the full HLM model. Students experienced decrements in achievement values, after controlling for other student and classroom-level variables, in classrooms where performance-oriented instructional practices were used. In the full model, self-concept of ability was related positively to increases in achievement values, whereas gender was unrelated to changes in achievement values. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Examining Effective Intervention Practices for Communication Impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorder

This article describes effective communication-related practices by reviewing specific evidence-based techniques, sharing how these techniques have been used in various treatment approaches, and discussing a constellation of general principles vital to treatment success. A comprehensive model of service delivery is provided to illustrate these key features of effective practice within the ecological and cultural contexts of families and their everyday lives.     

The Learning Intensive: Examining the Counseling Skills Acquisition between Hybrid Instructional Formats

International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling - Traditionally, counselor education instruction has taken place in the face-to-face format. However, with the shift toward online learning,...     

Impacts of an Early Childhood Mathematics and Science Intervention on Teaching Practices and Child Outcomes

abstract

This randomized controlled trial examined effects of the MyTeachingPartner-Math/Science intervention on the quality and quantity of teachers’ mathematics and science instruction, and children’s mathematics and science outcomes in 140 pre-kindergarten classrooms. Teachers participated in the intervention for two years with consecutive cohorts of children. Results from Year 1 are considered experimental, however due to high levels of attrition, results from Year 2 are considered quasi-experimental. Across both years, intervention teachers exhibited higher quality and quantity of instruction. In Year 1, there were no significant effects of the intervention on children’s outcomes. In Year 2, children in intervention classrooms made greater gains in teachers’ ratings of mathematics and science skills and performed better on a spring assessment of science skills. These results have implications for designing and evaluating professional development aimed at supporting children’s mathematics and science knowledge and skills.     

Reconsidering the Study of Mathematics Instructional Practices: The Importance of Curricular Context in Understanding Local and Global Teacher Change

This paper discusses the case of one teacher, Jackie, whose instructional practices illuminate the importance of textbooks and student/parent expectations in shaping pedagogy. Jackie teaches in the Plainview district, which offers parents and students a choice between a reform-oriented, integrated curriculum (Core Plus) and a more conventional algebra sequence (the University of Chicago series). Each day, Jackie teaches two very different sections of accelerated eighth-grade mathematics using each of these curricular materials. Drawing from students’ survey responses, classroom observations, and teacher interview data, we show ways in which Jackie’s pedagogy differs considerably between the two courses and we shed light on reasons underlying this variation.By examining one teacher who enacts different practices in each of the two curricular contexts, this paper highlights factors that contribute to teachers’ enacted curricula – factors that have been understated in previous mathematics education research on teacher development. The study establishes the importance of distinguishing between global and local teacher change, and suggests implications for future studies of teaching and reform.     

A Cognitive Model for Examining Teachers' Instructional Practice in Mathematics: A Guide for Facilitating Teacher Reflection

The purpose of this exploratory study was to develop a model to examine teachers' instructional practice in secondary school mathematics in relationship to their underlying cognitions. The instructional practice and cognitions of seven experienced and seven beginning teachers of secondary school mathematics were examined as a basis for the creation of the model. To examine instructional practice a Phase-Dimension Framework for the Examination of Mathematics Teaching was developed. Data were obtained through observations, lesson plans, videotapes and audiotapes of structured interviews during the course of one semester. The value of the model lies in its usefulness as a guide for enabling teachers to reflect on their instructional practice and underlying cognitions in a structured, comprehensive manner.This revised version was published online in September 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing Instructional Games in Mathematics Classrooms: Examining the Quality of Teacher-Student Interactions During the Cover-up and Un-cover Games

This study explored the design and implementation of the Cover-up and Un-cover games, two manipulative-based fraction games, in 14 fifth-grade classrooms. We examined how the fraction concepts were integrated into the game design and explored the nature of teacher-student interactions during games using lesson videos. Our examination showed that interactions focused on game progress, rules, and turn taking with little exploration of strategies or the underlying mathematics. To compare the quality of teacher-student interactions during games with interaction quality during other instructional activities, we coded 5 videotaped lessons from each of the 14 classrooms. Statistical results from a dependent t test indicated that teacher-student interactions were of statistically significant lower quality during games than during non-game segments with similar instructional purpose. Teachers might benefit from additional curriculum support and training to implement games as rich mathematical learning opportunities.     

新加坡与中国数学教材的特色比较

以2007年出版的新加坡数学教材(第二版)(第3册)(以下简称<新数学>)中"一元二次方程"为载体,比较由浙江教育出版社出版的<义务教育课程标准实验教科书·数学>(八年级下册)(以下简称<浙数学>)发现:<新数学>和<浙数学>在单元结构的设置安排和知识点的处理上各具特色,<新教学>相比<浙数学>更为注重数学知识回顾和问题解决的"过程".两套教材均力求通过多样化的栏目设置,对教师的教学活动、学生的自主学习和学习评价进行引导,力图实现以教师为本向以学生为本的转变.在比较与分析<新数学>相比<浙数学>的独特之处后得出了对我国的数学课程与教学改革的启示:重视"问题解决"和"思考技能"能力的培养;坚持巩固"双基",保持传统优势;强调信息技术与数学课程的整合.     

审题--学好数学的关键

审题,首先要充分地获取题目信息,其次要转化信息,善于联想,巧妙取舍,再善于挖掘隐含条件,最后要注意启动逆向与创新思维.     

Transfer of Instructional Practices from Freedom Schools to the Classroom

The instructional practices of three current classroom teachers who formerly served as Servant Leader Interns (SLIs) in the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools (CDFFS) Program were examined. Haskell (Transfer of learning: cognition, instruction, and reasoning. Academic Press, San Diego, 2001) outlined eleven principles of transfer of learning, which were used to survey the levels of transfer established from service in Freedom Schools to practice in the traditional classroom. Individual surveys, The Freedom School Pedagogies Teacher Observation Record along with interviews of each participant was used for data collection; all three components were used to triangulate the findings. The findings from this study verified that low transfer was observed when minimal application of the principles of learning were applied. This study revealed that for transfer to occur at high levels, it is imperative that adherence to all 11 principals is made and the understanding of transfer, the application of transfer, and reflection on transfer are implemented. If transfer of instructional practices is a goal of CDFFS for SLIs, the CDFFS program should consider implementing transfer of learning theory in future SLI training.     

Alignment of Human Resource Practices and Teacher Performance Competency

In this article, we argue that human resource (HR) management practices are important components of strategies for improving student achievement in an accountability environment. We present a framework illustrating the alignment of educational HR management practices to a teacher performance competency model, which in turn is aligned with student achievement goals. We identify and illustrate the various HR practices that could be aligned to the performance competency model and to each other. These HR practices include recruitment, selection, induction, mentoring, professional development, compensation, performance management, and instructional leadership. We then describe HR practices in 2 districts where empirical links between teacher competency and student achievement were shown (Cincinnati and Washoe County) and evaluate how much alignment was in place. We discuss the importance of HR alignment analysis for diagnosing districts' teacher quality improvement efforts, and we present suggestions for future research on the strategic use of HR management in K-12 educational organizations.     

Racial Implications for the Design of Instructional Materials

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to investigate the influence that selected ethnic variables of an information source have on selected black and white pupils of the sixth grade. The research was focused on the auditory and visual channels of the information source (tape-slide presentations) and their effects on the intended audience. Results indicated that black and white voices are accepted by both white and black pupils. However, white pupils rated visuals representing only black people lower than visuals representing only white people.     

《台球桌上的数学》教学设计

通过再创造获得的知识与能力要比以被动方式获得理解的更好,也更容易保持。因而数学教学应是学生在老师的指导下学习前人的数学思维活动,即数学教学应该是数学活动的过程教学。基于以上观点,我们在Z Z教育平台的支持下,注重引导学生主动探究,取得了一定的进展。本文以一个教学实例阐述了上述观点。     

Alignment of Content and Effectiveness of Mathematics Assessment Items

Alignment has taken on increased importance given the current high-stakes nature of assessment. To make well-informed decisions about student learning on the basis of test results, assessment items need to be well aligned with standards. Project 2061 of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has developed a procedure for analyzing the content and quality of assessment items. The authors of this study used this alignment procedure to closely examine 2 mathematics assessment items. Student work on these 2 items was analyzed to determine whether the conclusions reached through the use of the alignment procedure could be validated. It was found that the Project 2061 alignment procedure was effective in providing a tool for in-depth analysis of the mathematical content of the item and a set of standards and in identifying 1 particular content standard that was most closely aligned with the standard. Through analyzing student work samples and student interviews, it was also found that students' thinking may not correspond to the standard identified as best aligned with the learning goals of the item. This finding highlights the potential usefulness of analyzing student work to clarify any additional deficiencies of an assessment item not revealed by an alignment procedure.