Investigating the relationship between pre-service physics teachers' professional knowledge,self-concept,and interest

This study investigates the relationships between professional knowledge, self-concept, and interest of pre-service physics teachers. In order to support student learning and interest development alike, teachers need a profound professional knowledge and respective motivational orientations. Developing both professional knowledge and motivational orientations in teachers is therefore a key challenge of teacher education. Prior research has focused on the development of content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) within teacher education, but the role of motivational orientations such as self-concept and interest have mostly been neglected areas of study. As individuals develop domain-specific motivational orientations, they compare their achievement in an external frame to the achievement of their peers, and they compare their achievements in an internal frame across domains. The effects of these psychological processes on domain-specific motivational orientations are described by the generalized internal/external frame of reference model (GI/E model). We assessed the professional knowledge (CK and PCK) and motivational orientations (self-concept and interest) of N = 200 pre-service physics teachers from 12 teacher education institutes in Germany. To investigate the predictions of the GI/E model, we utilized structural equation modeling. In line with the GI/E model, the analysis revealed that pre-service teachers use social comparisons. Pre-service teachers with a higher CK/PCK also showed a higher CK/PCK self-concept. We also identified instances of internal comparisons as we found that a high level of CK corresponds with a lower PCK self-concept. While we could not identify the same effects from professional knowledge on interest, self-concept mediated the effects from professional knowledge on interest. The results suggest that interdependencies between professional knowledge and motivational orientation should be given more consideration in teacher education research and should also be addressed more explicitly in teacher education.     

Examining features of how professional development and enactment of educative curricula influences elementary science teacher learning

This research examines factors influencing elementary science teacher learning as they participate in professional development with and enactment of educative curricula in comparison with learning following limited professional development and enactment of traditional curricula. Using a randomized cluster design (125 teachers and 2,694 students in 4th—5th grades) that met the What Works Clearinghouse standards without reservations, teacher learning was conceptualized using four outcomes. Data were analyzed using standard single-level multiple regression models and possible mediation models for the teacher outcomes were considered using piecewise multiple regression and path analytic approaches. Treatment group teachers experienced greater increases in content knowledge, views of science inquiry, beliefs about reform-based teaching, and teaching self-efficacy than comparison group teachers. The findings indicate that what teachers learn from the combination of professional development and teaching with educative curriculum varies according to what their knowledge and beliefs are on entering the experience. Surprisingly, high entry-level self-efficacy was associated not only with lower learning gains for the teachers, but also for their students. Finally, teachers' space science learning and that of their students are implicated as mediators of the positive effect of the professional development and educative curriculum enactment on teacher beliefs about reform science teaching. This work refines and extends a theoretical framework of teachers' participatory relationship with curricula.     

Teachers’ role and attitudes concerning ADHD medication: A qualitative analysis

The increased use of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication by children has led to growing concerns. In a previous study, we found that many of the teachers that were interviewed about ADHD spontaneously associated ADHD with medication. The present study is a qualitative reanalysis of what precisely these 30 primary school teachers had spontaneously said about medication in our previous semi‐structured interviews on ADHD. Almost all respondents had experience with pupils taking ADHD medication. The majority of spontaneously mentions medication as the treatment of ADHD. Attitudes towards ADHD medication use by pupils are mainly ambivalent, but more positive than negative effects of medication are reported. However, what teachers say about ADHD medication is often not based on sound information; their attitudes tend to be formed by personal experiences rather than founded on professional and scientific sources. We conclude from our analysis that it will be in the interest of reducing the number of children on ADHD medication that teachers have good access to verified and up‐to‐date information on ADHD and medication so that they are better supported in making evidence‐based pedagogical judgments.     

对高师开设现代教育技术课程的新思索

针对现代教育技术课程特点及教学中所存在的问题,就如何达到更好的教学效果、如何培养师范专业学生教育技术能力等,探讨了对该课程的改革,即将教学内容划分成模块,不同模块采用不同的教学策略、充分利用专题学习网站开展研究性学习、改革考核方式等。     

网络环境下自主学习方式构建的研究

针对当前网络环境下自主学习存在的主要问题,我们利用校园网和现有教育资源构建适合自主学习的平台,结合实践对如何依托此平台建立自主学习方式进行了分析和探讨。     

基于企业家精神的大学生创业能力培养研究

就业是民生之本,创业是经济发展的活力之源,把创业教育纳入高等学校的教育教学体系,培养一大批具有创新、创业精神的企业家,是建设创新型国家的需要,是发展创新型经济的必然要求。研究了企业家及企业家精神的内涵,总结了国内外创业教育的理论和实践,探讨了基于企业家精神的大学生创业能力的培养途径,对高等学校建立创业教育体系,实现国家以创业带动就业的政策具有重要的现实意义。     

EDA技术与电子类专业课程的融合教学

针对电子类课程体系中的不足,提出了EDA技术与专业课程融合教学的思想。EDA技术以Multisim,MaxplusII,Protus和Protel为核心,实现了与理论课、课程实训和综合实训的有机融合,既发挥了EDA技术的新颖性、实用性和可操作性的优点,又弥补了专业课程中教师教和学生学都困难的不足。     

PLC应用技术课程教学改革探讨

根据高职专业人才培养的目标与要求,对PLC应用技术课程进行改革。在培养学生学习兴趣;引入＂项目导入,现场教学＂的方法;选用教学软件;改进实验、实训方式等方面作了积极探索,力争在教学过程中培养学生的实践动手能力和工程实际应用能力。     

基于Web2.0的大学生创新训练模式研究

分析了基于Web2.0网络应用和服务的平台特征对构建大学生创新训练计划交流模式的必要性和可能性,提出了基于Web2.0的大学生创新训练模式,并结合具体实例应用进行了分析。     

在书法教育中培养大学生的创新能力

从开设大学书法教育的重要性,在书法教育中培养大学生创新能力所遇到的问题和如何在书法教育中培养大学生的创新能力三个方面介绍在书法教育中培养大学生创新思维的重要性,不仅可以让学生掌握必要的书法技巧,同时还能深入推进素质教育,提高大学生的综合素质,有利于为社会的发展培养高素质的创新型人才。