A comparative examination of Canadian and American pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs for literacy instruction

This study explored Canadian and American pre-service elementary teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs for literacy instruction, as well as the contextual factors (i.e., course and field experiences) that contribute to these self-efficacy beliefs. Survey data were collected over a two-year period at the beginning and end of a required elementary literacy methods course that assessed pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy for literacy instruction. A content analysis of the American and Canadian literacy methods course syllabi was also conducted. Paired t test results showed no significant difference in pre-service teachers’ literacy teaching self-efficacy scores from pre-test to post-test; however, there was a significant difference in the pre-service teachers’ literacy efficacy beliefs related to oral reading from the beginning to the end of the course. A weak negative correlation was found between the Canadian pre-service teachers’ total Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy for Literacy Instruction (TSELI; Tschannen-Moran & Hoy, 2011) scores and their teaching experience specific to literacy instruction, r = ? .1, p = .04. There was a positive correlation between Canadian pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy scores related to engagement and differentiated instruction and their volunteer and work experiences. A positive correlation existed between Canadian and American pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy for reading/writing connections and university coursework related to literacy instruction. Implications for literacy teacher educators and recommendations for literacy instruction are discussed.     

Science and Language Integration in Elementary Classrooms: Instructional Enactments and Student Learning Outcomes

Research in Science Education - While some students will pursue careers in science, all will engage with multimodal science-based texts. The effective use of language skills is essential to support...     

Trump TV: The Trump Campaign's Real News Update as Competitor to Cable News

With social media, presidential figures can communicate directly with citizens without filter, and the self-selecting nature of social media ensures that supporters will comprise the majority of that figure's social media following. This project examines an example of visual content aimed at a president's supporters: the Real News Update. Produced by the Trump reelection campaign, the Real News Update mimics the color designs and structures of cable news and uses female anchors to soften messages while emphasizing conflict with the press. In a polarized climate aided by the popularization of outlets like Fox News, the Real News Update apes the style of the press to offer an in-house digitally distributed alternative.     

THE HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM CRISIS

After presenting data collected from national random samples of administrators and data collected from faculty members in a few selected junior colleges and universities, the authors contend that critics of the undergraduate curriculum may indeed have a basis for their indictments. A set of policy proposals are then presented for consideration.