Development and validation of a measure of elementary teachers' science content knowledge in two multiyear teacher professional development intervention projects

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Lynn Maerten-Rivera ◽  
Anne Corinne Huggins-Manley ◽  
Karen Adamson ◽  
Okhee Lee ◽  
Lorena Llosa
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Elementary Teachers ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Science Content ◽  
Science Content Knowledge ◽  
Development Intervention ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Development And Validation

Teacher Change in Elementary Science Instruction with English Language Learners: Results of a Multiyear Professional Development Intervention across Multiple Grades

2012 ◽  
Vol 114 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okhee Lee ◽  
Jaime Maerten-Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
English Language ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Development Intervention ◽  
Accountability Policy ◽  
Teacher Professional

Background Current classroom practices have largely been shaped by changing student demographics, including English language learners (ELLs), and evolving accountability policies. The teacher professional development intervention in this study takes place against this backdrop. Research Questions This study examined change in teachers’ knowledge and practices while they participated in a 5-year teacher professional development intervention designed to improve science instruction while supporting literacy development of ELLs in the context of accountability policy in science. The study also examined whether teacher change was associated with predictor variables. Setting and Participants The study involved all science teachers (a total of 198 teachers) in Grades 3–5 from six urban elementary schools in a large school district. Over the 5-year period of the study, each teacher could participate in the intervention for 3 years, although there were high rates of teacher mobility. Intervention A series of curriculum units was developed that constituted the entire science curriculum for Grades 3–5 and replaced the district-adopted curriculum in the six participating schools. Over their 3-year participation in the intervention, teachers could attend a total of 14 full-day workshops during the summers and throughout the school years. Research Design The study used a longitudinal design over the 5-year intervention with a treatment group consisting of six elementary schools. Data Collection and Analysis Both questionnaire and classroom observations were used to measure reform-oriented practices in science and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)/bilingual education in the following areas: (a) teacher knowledge of science content, (b) teaching practices to promote scientific understanding, (c) teaching practices to promote scientific inquiry, and (d) teaching practices to support English language development. During the 3-year period of their participation, teachers completed the questionnaire prior to beginning the intervention and at the end of each school year and were observed once in the fall and once in the spring each year. A series of multilevel models was used to examine change in the questionnaire and observation scales. Conclusions The results from the questionnaire (what teachers reported) and classroom observations (what teachers were observed doing) indicated some improvements in teachers’ knowledge and practices in teaching science to ELLs over the intervention. Grade taught was the most pronounced predictor variable and distinguished the fifth grade, the grade at which science counted toward the state accountability policy. Despite improvements, teachers’ knowledge and practices generally did not meet the goal of reform-oriented practices.

scholarly journals Problem-Based Learning for Responsive and Transformative Teacher Professional Development

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-25
Author(s):  
Tom J. McConnell ◽  
Joyce M. Parker ◽  
Jan Eberhardt
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Pedagogical Practice ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Teacher Professional

Educational reform should include teacher professional development (PD) to help educators learn how to implement new programs. This article shares a research-tested model of PD that uses the analytic framework of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to support professional learning. Evidence suggests that PBL is effective in changing content knowledge and pedagogical practice. To teach content, facilitators engage teachers in learning activities designed using common PBL structures. Stories about authentic phenomena present problems associated with specific concepts. Learners work in groups to analyze problems, seek additional information, and construct plausible solutions. This same approach can support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to help teachers examine and revise their own teaching. In this model, teachers collaborate to identify “problems of teaching.” The group uses PBL to analyze information and solutions. Teachers research teaching strategies, test a proposed strategy, and analyze evidence to build new understandings of teaching.

Visiting Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK)

2018 ◽  
pp. 1091-1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien Yu ◽  
Dana Pomykal Franz
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Development ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Content Areas ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Professional Development For Teachers ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Quality Professional Development

The TPACK framework has been widely discussed for effective technology integration, and the literature has also indicated TPACK has significant implications for teacher education and professional development. The purpose of this chapter is to examine interconnectedness of TPACK and teacher professional development. This chapter reviews the research on TPACK and the extensive literature on quality professional development for teachers. In addition, the chapter highlights how various content areas have addressed pedagogical content knowledge and implications for practice in technology and teacher development. The chapter seeks to contribute knowledge about the structure of professional development initiatives that involve instructional technology and integration into various content knowledge disciplines.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document