Use of Print Media in Teacher Training 1

Abstract

Primary Education is seen as a critical element for general improvement of the economic and social future of Honduras and the most significant action currently underway is the work being done through the Primary Education Efficiency Project which is financed by a major grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Project has as its major objective the improvement of the quality of educational services at the primary level through the development of new textbooks for grades one through six and extensive in‐service teacher training which is described here. This article presents the three essential elements of a specific training implemented; the contents, the media to be used and the methodology for its delivery. The medium chosen for the training was a printed document in a newspaper format which was given the name Accion Educativa. The general reaction from the teachers to this form of presentation was highly positive and the success of the use of the print medium led to the conclusion that the project should continue using similar publications, and should study the possibility of establishing Accion Educativa as a monthly periodical for primary school teachers.

     

Community College Faculty Motivation for Basic Research,Teaching Research,and Professional Development

Community college faculty members often find themselves divided between what they want to do and what they can do. Knowing what motivates faculty to engage in professional development and scholarly productive activities provides critical information for administrators. The present study explored the motivational characteristics of community college faculty and the contextual factors that support or thwart their engagement and productivity. It focused on three key professional activities: (a) basic or applied research, (b) classroom action/teaching research, and (c) faculty professional development. Findings indicate that community college faculty are motivated for all three activities primarily by intrinsic and value-related factors rather than by extrinsic or contextual factors. Further, faculty members present somewhat different motivational profiles for the three work activities. Their motivations also demonstrate responsiveness to workplace characteristics as faculty perceive and interpret them.

These findings provide implications to help college administrators make policy decisions to support the work of faculty and align with institutional mission and goals.     

A Class-Wide Intervention for Improving Homework Performance

Homework completion has an important impact on the overall academic functioning of students. Consultation requests often center on identifying efficient interventions so that teachers may facilitate the homework process and enhance students' academic achievement. This investigation employed a randomized interdependent group contingency and randomized reinforcers to improve homework completion and accuracy of spelling performance in 21 elementary school students. An ABAB reversal design across all students was employed. Results showed this intervention to have a positive impact on both spelling homework completion and accuracy rates. Limitations, future research, and contributions are addressed.