Redefining the meaning of teaching: A work in progress

Abstract

Particular elements of a new initial certification program are described. The use of inquiry, collaboration, and reflection as teaching strategies resulted in new learning for preservice teachers, experienced teachers, and university faculty involved in the program. Each partner in the endeavor indicated an increased understanding of these strategies as effective tools for teaching and learning at every level of the profession. Furthermore, a vision of professional development for experienced professionals in the context of their work with novice teachers emerged. Guidelines for the design and implementation of such programs are proposed.     

ENGAGING WITH FACULTY TO DEVELOP,IMPLEMENT, AND PILOT ELECTRONIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS OF STUDENT TEACHERS USING MOBILE DEVICES

This article discusses the development and implementation of a technology-supported student teacher performance assessment that supports integration with a larger electronic assessment system. The authors spearheaded a multidisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive performance assessment based on the Pathwise framework. The team collaborated with a third party vendor to implement and field test these assessments supported with mobile technologies in the field. Twenty supervisors completed the field test using 10 iPAQ PDAs and 10 laptops. Eighteen participated in a posttest survey and eight in a focus group debriefing session. Supervisors were overwhelmingly positive about the experience, the value of the updated assessments, and the ongoing plans to support field observations with mobile technologies. However, issues related to training, support, and trust loom largely for successful adoption, diffusion, and successful use of technology-supported assessments.     

Some problems in interracial communication: An interracial group case study

An interracial group case study has revealed that sensitization, lack of shared experience, stereotyping, racial intragroup pressures, and variables in physical environment all contribute in varying degrees to the problems arising in interracial interaction.     

The Future Distribution of Media

The extensive developments in electronics over the past few years will have significant consequences for education in general and for all institutions serving education in some degree.     

Relation and Interactions Among Reading Fluency and Competence for Adult Education Learners

Statistical analyses of data from an academically diverse sample of 276 adult basic and secondary education learners extends understanding of the relation of and interactions between oral reading fluency and reading competence indices. Significant interactions between total word rate and word error rate that differed in relation to two measures of reading competence suggest that adult literacy instructors should emphasize fluency instruction to a greater or lesser degree depending on whether the major goal of instruction is academic reading (e.g., being able to comprehend a textbook) or functional reading (e.g., being able to fill out a job application).     

Barriers to distance education: A factor‐analytic study

Abstract

This article reports on a large‐scale (n = 2,504), exploratory factor analysis that determined the underlying constructs that comprise barriers to distance education. The ten factors found were (1) administrative structure, (2) organizational change, (3) technical expertise, (4) social interaction and quality, (5) faculty compensation and time, (6) threat of technology, (7) legal issues, (8) evaluation/effectiveness, (9) access, and (10) student‐support services.     

The Florida teletraining project: Military training via two‐way compressed video

Abstract

The Florida Teletraining Project tested the feasibility of using community colleges as providers of various types of military training to personnel in the Reserve Components (RC). Training was delivered via the Army's TNET system, which employs two‐way interactive video. Five courses were produced, delivered, and evaluated during the project. Results showed that effective military course reconfiguration can be accomplished by civilian institutions, that the delivery system was technically reliable, that students performed well using specially reconfigured courseware, and that students rated the video teletraining approach as effective. The project demonstrated the potential of two‐way video teletraining for a variety of military training applications for several different levels of military personnel.     

Standards-to-Standards Linkage Under Title III: Exploring Common Language Demands in ELD and Science Standards

A great deal of measurement research is currently being utilized to improve instruction at the elementary and secondary levels, but many opportunities for improving utilization are still untapped. The author proposes specific approaches to increased collaboration between researchers and practitioners to meet the burgeoning research needs of the nations' schools and to assist in data-based decision-making efforts. Society's increasing demands for accurate, usable data have contributed to the urgent current need for viable, appropriate research. This need can be met only by reseachers and practitioners working together to provide answers to critical educational questions.