Student Perceptions of Chemistry Laboratory Learning Environments, Student–Teacher Interactions and Attitudes in Secondary School Gifted Education Classes in Singapore

This study investigated the chemistry laboratory classroom environment, teacher–student interactions and student attitudes towards chemistry among 497 gifted and non-gifted secondary-school students in Singapore. The data were collected using the 35-item Chemistry Laboratory Environment Inventory (CLEI), the 48-item Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) and the 30-item Questionnaire on Chemistry-Related Attitudes (QOCRA). Results supported the validity and reliability of the CLEI and QTI for this sample. Stream (gifted versus non-gifted) and gender differences were found in actual and preferred chemistry laboratory classroom environments and teacher–student interactions. Some statistically significant associations of modest magnitude were found between students' attitudes towards chemistry and both the laboratory classroom environment and the interpersonal behaviour of chemistry teachers. Suggestions for improving chemistry laboratory classroom environments and the teacher–student interactions for gifted students are provided.     

Transitioning from practicing teacher to teacher leader: a case study

Given US students’ lack of international competitiveness in mathematics and science, many states have adopted the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). To help ensure that the Standards for Mathematical Practice within the CCSSM and effective teaching practices are implemented appropriately, many teachers are emerging as teacher leaders with the intent of supporting teachers with this implementation. Unfortunately, not all of these teachers are necessarily prepared in the field of teacher leadership. Recognizing the importance of having well-prepared teacher leaders, this article describes the case of Ms. Hodges, as she transitioned from mathematics teacher to teacher leader. Data revealed that several factors affected Ms. Hodges’ transition, some positively and others negatively. These results as well as implications for teacher leader development are provided.     

A conceptual change approach to staff development: A model for programme design

With the rapid expansion in tertiary education in the past decade, coupled with the rising emphasis on accountability, teaching quality has become an important issue in higher education worldwide. The increasing emphasis on quality has placed new demands on staff development, in particular to find promising models and methodologies that will guide development approaches. The paper describes an innovative approach to staff development that was synthesized from four theories about conceptual change or change in general. This conceptual change approach is based on the hypothesis that changing teachers' conceptions of teaching towards more elaborated levels will bring about improvement in their teaching practices. A short course derived from this model is outlined.     

WOMEN IN DISTANCE STUDY ‐ WOMEN STUDENTS AT THE FERNUNIVERSITAT IN HAGEN (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY)

The authors take up the hypothesis that distance education was also meant to facilitate the access of women to higher education. Recent studies carried out at the University for Distance Education at Hagen show that results do not always match expectations. By analysing in detail the causes for this partial failure, the authors come forward with some remedial proposals.

The authors are all members of the staff of Hagen University.     

The Early Childhood Teacher's Voice in the Research Community La Voix de l'Educateur des Jeunes Enfants dans le Monde de la Recherche La Voz del Profesor de la Primera Infancia en la Comuniad Investigadora

This paper focuses attention on the early childhood teacher's place in the research community. It provides a look at the teachers' perspectives of research and then points out ways and reasons for early childhood teachers to become more active as classroom researchers, research partners and consumers of research through pre-service and in-service opportunities. After providing a definition of teacher research as systematic inquiry into one's own classroom, it discusses the value of such research and identifies historical support for it. The paper presents examples of partnership research using a video camera as a tool for data collection and teachers' reactions to it. It also provides quotes of individual teacher's introduction to teacher research and some points to consider in embarking on classroom research. Cette conference traite de la place de l'enseignant de la petite enfance dans le monde de la recherche. Nous allons examiner les perspectives des enseignants en matiere de recherche, puis indiquer comment et pourquoi rendre les enseignants de la petite enfance plus actifs en tant que chercheurs dans le cadre de la classe, partenaires de recherche et consommateurs de recherche grace a des opportunites offertes avant et pendant leur enseignement. Apres avoir fourni une definition de la recherche des enseignants en tant qu'examen systematique de leur propre classe, nous examinerons la valeur de cette recherche a l'aide d'une camera video comme outil de collecte de donnees et les reactions des enseignants. Nous citerons egalement l'opinion d'enseignants formes a cette recherche et nous signalerons quelques aspects a considerer avant de lancer une recherche en classe. Esta charla centra su atencion en la posicion del profesor de pequenos en la comunidad investigadora. Ofrece un idea de las perspectivas de investigacion de los profesores y luego senala maneras y razones para que los profesores de ninos pequenos sean mas activos como investigadoes de clase, socios de investigacion y consumidoes de investigacion a traves de oporunidades de preservicio y en servicio. Despues de facilitar una definicion de la investigacion de profesores como encuesta sistematica del aula propia, se habla del valor de dicha investigacion y se identifica un apoyo historico para la misma. Esta charla presenta ejemplos de investigacion conjunta usando videocamara como herramienta para la recopilacion de datos y reacciones de los profesores. Tambien ofrece citas de introducciones individuales de profesores a la investigacion de profesores y algunos puntos a considerar al emprender la investigacion de una clase.