Teacher perceptions of professional development needs and the implementation of the K-6 science and technology syllabus

This study examines teacher perceptions regarding professional development practices used in a region of the NSW Department of School Education to support the implementation of the K-6 Science and Technology Syllabus. The findings from a survey of 97 teachers indicate that teachers have a preference for ‘traditional’ models of in-service which may not bring about significant changes. Teachers also perceive that change is brought about through the influence of external factors such as in-service and resources which are not directly the responsibillity of individual teachers. This contrasts with the perception that the inability to change is due to internal personal qualities. Specializations; K-6 teacher education in science and technology education, children's learning in science and technology.     

The use of video as a teaching resource in a new university

This paper reports on a survey of the use of video as a teaching resource within one British University, drawing on evidence gathered during 1995 from fourteen Schools within its four Faculties. It identifies the factors and issues which influence the use of video in teaching, including management of video resources within the Schools; how video is used to support teaching strategies; and its perceived usefulness as a teaching resource. Findings note the extent to which video is used across the University; the factors that support or discourage its use; and the awareness and expectations that teaching staff have of video as a teaching tool. The discussion offers some recommendations as to how video use may be supported and improved within the University. The research could form the basis for a larger study to establish whether the findings from this survey may be typical of the picture in higher education generally.     

ON THE RELATION BETWEEN DEGREE FUNCTION,COURSE STRUCTURE,AND ENTRANT QUALIFICATIONS IN ECONOMICS 1

The object of this paper is to examine the extent to which there is a coherent link between the functions of economics degrees as seen by their suppliers, their course structures, and the type of entry qualifications demanded of potential students. The paper will refer to the previous, rather scattered evidence on this topic, but will draw especially on a survey on the state of undergraduate economics In the United Kingdom, recently conducted by the author for the Royal Economic Society (Lawson, 1989).

     

英国开放学习基金会——高质量学习材料与支持的提供者

英国开放学习基金会成立于英国高等教育高速发展时期。当时，为使接受高等教育的人口比例从１０％上升到３０％，政府打算创办更多的大学。与此同时，英国的许多教育家也正在研究怎样利用学习技术改变教育模式，从而实现“以学生为中心，在实践中学习，鼓励教师从知识的传递者转变为课程的指导者”的教育改革。基于以上两方面原因，当时有２０所技术学校联合成立了“开放技术学校”，以开发灵活的学习材料。不久，这些技术学校升级为大学，“开放技术学校”也更名为“开放学习基金会”。虽然名称变了，但其使命未变：向各成员学校提供学习材…     

The Impact of a Course on Nature of Science Pedagogical Views and Rationales

This study explored changes in preservice teachers’ (PSTs) nature of science pedagogical (NOSP) views and nature of science (NOS) rationales using pre- and post-course written responses as well as interview data. Through systematic analysis, themes were generated and compared to the NOS literature. Comparisons between pre- and post-course data demonstrate improved and deepened NOS views, NOSP views that are more aligned with NOS literature, and a greater number of rationales for including NOS. All participants were enrolled in the “Inquiry and Natures of Science, Technology, and Engineering” (INSTE) course. However, six participants were enrolled in INSTE as their first course in which NOS and NOSP were addressed. The other six participants were enrolled in INSTE as their second course in which NOS and NOSP were addressed, with science methods as their first course in which NOS and NOSP were addressed. By comparing participants enrolled in INSTE as their first course to those enrolled in INSTE as their second course, we observed that NOS understanding seemed to develop in a first experience alongside some NOS rationales, but NOSP views lagged for participants in INSTE as their first course. Participants enrolled in INSTE as their second course developed more robust and literature-aligned NOSP views and more multifaceted NOS rationales. Therefore, this study bolsters arguments that teachers need to receive extended NOS and NOSP instruction.     

Explaining Student Achievement: the Influence of Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Statistics

Statistics is an increasingly important component of the mathematics curriculum. StatSmart was a project intended to influence middle-years students’ learning outcomes in statistics through the provision of appropriate professional learning opportunities and technology to teachers. Participating students in grade 5/6 to grade 9 undertook three tests, a pre-test, a post-test and a longitudinal retention test over a period of 2 years. Their teachers completed a survey that included items measuring pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for teaching statistics. Despite the development of valid instruments to measure both student and teacher content knowledge and teachers’ PCK, linking teachers’ knowledge directly to students’ learning outcomes has proved elusive. Multilevel modelling of results from 789 students for whom there were 3 completed tests and measures from their teachers indicated that students’ outcomes were influenced positively by their initial teacher’s PCK. Extended participation of teachers in the project also appeared to reduce negative effects of changing teachers.