The Development and Initial Validation of an Assessment of Algebraic Thinking for Students in the Elementary Grades

Elementary school students often exhibit a variety of conceptions associated with algebraic thinking that their teachers fail to recognize or understand. It is crucial that elementary school teachers possess knowledge of the variety of student conceptions and also have abilities to address varying states of conceptions. Otherwise, students who are not provided with opportunities to think algebraically may continue to struggle with algebra throughout school. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to develop and provide initial validity evidence for an assessment tool of algebraic thinking for the elementary grades. In the development of the tool, validation efforts were pursued, including multiple rounds of pilot-testing and think aloud interviews. Evidence for reliability of scores and validity of score interpretations of the overall score were collected. Results suggest that the assessment is a potentially valuable tool for teachers to elicit and learn about students’ algebraic thinking knowledge.     

The impact of tracking by attainment on pupil self-confidence over time: demonstrating the accumulative impact of self-fulfilling prophecy

Abstract

The impact of self-fulfilling prophecy in education, and of attainment grouping on pupil self-perception, remain topics of longstanding debate, with important consequences for social in/justice. Focusing on self-confidence, this article draws on survey responses from 9,059 12-13 year olds who were tracked by subject (‘setting’). They provided survey responses when placed in ‘ability’ sets at the start of their secondary schooling, and again late the following year; enabling analysis of impact over time. After controlling for prior attainment, the gap in general self-confidence between students in the top and bottom sets for mathematics is shown to widen over time, and high set students’ self-confidence in English had also grown significantly; although there was not further widening in the cases of self-confidence in mathematics or in general self-confidence between students in the top and bottom sets for English. Implications of these findings for interventions directed at addressing educational disadvantage are discussed.     

Investigating teacher presence in courses using synchronous videoconferencing

This research examines teacher presence in high school distance courses that are delivered by synchronous videoconference. In rural and remote areas, many school districts are using videoconferencing as way to reach dispersed students. This collective case study uses mixed methods to unpack the notion of presence from the perspective of teachers and their students. This study reports four key findings which have implications for building presence in a videoconference course: teachers’ confidence and experience aligned with higher presence; teaching videoconference and face-to-face classes simultaneously led to challenges with developing presence; immediacy behaviors correlated with higher presence; and, students’ learning preference related to perceived teacher presence. These findings confirm many of the issues raised in the literature about technology integration but also contribute new perspectives on teaching presence in a videoconference.     

The Challenges Experienced by Pretenured Faculty Members in Counselor Education: A Wellness Perspective

Pretenured faculty members experience unique challenges as they respond to the demands and opportunities of an academic appointment (A. E. Austin & R. E. Rice, 1998; M. D. Sorcinelli, 1994). Given the emphasis on wellness within the counseling framework, it is imperative to identify and address the experiences of pretenured counselor educators. This article offers an overview of some of the challenges that pretenured faculty members encounter and provides recommendations for promoting their wellness and success in academia.     

Why not Intercultural Education?

Now more than ever teachers and those in teacher training positions are being confronted with the prevalence of multicultural and multilingual classroom environments. Along with this presence, they also face international and national policies which call for effective and successful strategy building for coping with diverse settings. This appeal often manifests with an inability on the teacher＇s part to effectively facilitate these multicultural classrooms, as well as an inability on the students＇ part to interact and finally contribute to a larger national and global goal of intercultural cooperation. A growing body of research suggests that as those in the field of teaching and teacher education seek to improve classroom techniques, curricula, and teaching practice in the area of diversity they continue to face disparaging and almost disillusioning results. What were traditionally seen as venues in dealing with issues in multiculturalism and diversity through multicultural education have been left unanswered？ The purpose of this article thus seeks to explore the pedagogical concept of intercultural education as a way to suggest discourse of dealing with the challenges to diversity in the classroom.     

A Model for Creating Engaged Land-Grant Universities: Penn State’s Engagement Ladder Model

The original mission of the state and land-grant university was to engage with communities to solve problems and improve the quality of life for the citizenry. Today most state and land-grant universities have moved far away from their original mission and are struggling to become engaged with the communities they serve. In this case study, we highlight some of the steady progress toward engagement that has recently occurred at The Pennsylvania State University. We catalogue how strong vision and leadership; infrastructure reorganization; and the active involvement of faculty, students, and community partners have revitalized the land-grant mission at Penn State. Keith R. Aronson is the Assistant Director of the Social Science Research Institute and the Children, Youth, and Families Consortium, The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Aronson received his B.A. from Rutgers University, M.A. from Ball State University, and Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University. He is a clinical psychologist with a specialization in biobehavioral health and is interested in understanding how research conducted at universities and colleges can better impact communities. Nicole Webster is Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education, The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Webster received her B.A. from the University of Florida and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Her special interest is in service-learning research, particularly among minority youth.     

Component analysis and evidentiary basis of coping skills content on Pinterest

The present study seeks to understand the evidence base of coping‐related content (pins) shared by followers of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) on Pinterest. NASP's Pinterest followers are pinning professionally, but the efficacy of the content being shared is largely unknown. Using a component analysis approach, the present study links pins to common components of evidence‐based coping skills interventions. The results suggest followers of NASP on Pinterest are pinning common coping intervention components. In general, more pins are limited in evidence base, but this varies by component. Certain components are more likely to be evidence‐based, while others are more likely to have limited efficacy. The results of the present study are consistent with previous Pinterest research; however, more information is needed to best understand efficacy and implementation patterns. By looking into pin use, future researchers will determine how followers of NASP on Pinterest choose and implement pins, thus providing a means to leverage Pinterest for dissemination of evidence‐based content.     

What difference do role models make? Investigating outcomes at a residential environmental education center

Role models may be essential in helping students develop environmental literacy and characteristics associated with positive youth development (PYD). We examine the identities of middle school students’ self-reported role models before, immediately after, and three months following an immersive 5-day residential environmental education (EE) experience that targets environmental responsibility, character development and leadership, and attitudes toward school as programmatic outcomes. We explore whether students who identified different types of role models score differently on these factors. Students who identified parents, teachers, and pastors as role models scored higher on each of these outcomes. Moreover, who students identified as role models changed significantly after the EE program. We discuss the potential influence of the program on role model development and implications for EE and PYD programs.