The Influence of Gender and Interest on the Use of Learning Strategies in Biology Lessons

<p style="text-align: justify;">For biology students, the diversity, complexity, and abundance of content in this field yield a heavy study load. Hence, appropriate learning strategies are key in supporting learners’ academic success. In biology, the factors gender and interest hold a unique position within the natural sciences, as there is an academic imbalance to the disadvantage of male students. In the present study, we examined the influence of gender and interest as well as its interdependences on the students’ use of learning strategies for biology learning. A total of 180 seventh through tenth grade students (Mage=14.47; SD=1.35; 60% female) from four general-track secondary schools located in Germany participated in this study. Data on the students’ level of interest and the use of learning strategies in biology lessons were collected. We used multivariate analysis of covariance with the students’ age as the covariate to analyse our data. Results revealed a significant effect of gender on the students’ use of the learning strategies rehearsal, organisation, effort, and time management. With regard to elaboration and effort, the effects of interest were found to be significant. The gender gap regarding learning strategy use was narrower for students with high levels of interest. These findings might have implications for beneficial teacher behaviour in biology.</p>

Enhancing teachers’ classroom communication skills – Measuring the effect of a continued professional development programme for mainstream school teachers

Continued professional development (CPD), tailored to teachers’ needs and expectations, is required for updated skills and knowledge. In this study, twenty-five teachers working with first and second grade students participated in an 11-week programme focusing on enhancing classroom communication. The participating teachers were randomly assigned to either a direct intervention track (intervention) or a delayed intervention track (waiting control). Teachers’ perceptions of activities and interactions in the classroom and self-efficacy were assessed on three occasions: T1, T2, and T3. The direct intervention track received intervention between T1 and T2, while the delayed intervention track received intervention between T2 and T3. A percentage change score for changes between T1 and T2 was calculated, to compare the direct and delayed intervention tracks and assess any intervention effect. Results revealed no significant difference between the groups, i.e., the intervention had no effect on teacher self-reports. The teachers gave an overall positive evaluation of the CPD. Thematic analyses revealed continued need for professional development and insights into the reciprocal influence of student and teacher behaviour. The quantitative and qualitative results paint somewhat different pictures showing the need of mixed methods when analysing these kinds of data.

An exploration of ako-rich teaching practices in an English-medium mathematics classroom drawing from the voices of Year 9 and 10 students, and their parents

<p>Ako is a traditional Māori concept underpinned by the notion of reciprocity. Ako-rich teacher practices are considered important for creating culturally responsive classroom learning environments, particularly for Indigenous Māori students. The confident implementation of teacher practices that reflect ako, gleaned from information provided in policy documents and professional development programmes, has proven challenging for many English-medium teachers. To help assist adoption of teaching practices consistent with ako, this study explored ways a Pakeha teacher could demonstrate ako-rich teacher behaviour indicator elements within student–teacher and parent–teacher interactions. A mixed method ethnographic approach underpinned by sociocultural and kaupapa Māori theories was selected for this research carried out in a multiethnic junior secondary school mathematics classroom (Māori, New Zealand European/Pākehā, Asian). The sample comprised of the study teacher from a large, urban, English-medium school, one of the researcher’s Year 9 mathematics class, one of the researcher’s Year 10 mathematics class, and some students’ parents. Two data collection periods were used: the second of four 10-week school terms, over two consecutive years. Each data collection period included classroom observations, student surveys, student and parent interviews, teacher reflection, and cultural advice. Within a holistic context of ako in mathematics, characteristics of ako-rich interactions were found to fit within three aspects of teacher practice where the teacher positioned themselves as a learner who gained knowledge by researching on their own, interacting with students, and interacting with students’ parents. The notion of reciprocity within ako was realised in this model when participants were recognised as individuals who have valuable knowledge to share, contributing to the collective knowledge generated in the classroom. There is evidence that, for many students, mathematics teachers can enhance students’ engagement and enjoyment of mathematics by explicitly using ako-rich practices in the classroom. Evidence also indicates that positive parent–teacher partnerships were encouraged by ako-rich teacher practices, inside and outside of the classroom. This research has shown that by explicitly practicing ako-rich behaviours in early secondary mathematics classrooms, shared understandings developed between students and teachers facilitated positive student experiences, which were accompanied by increased student engagement and achievement. Moreover, this research has also shown that shared understandings that developed between the students’ parents and the teacher through ako-rich teacher behaviours encouraged positive and reciprocal partnerships that facilitated parents’ involvement in their children’s mathematics learning. The ako in mathematics model can be used by teachers, school leaders, and teacher educators to increase their confidence in understanding how to more authentically bring life to the rich Māori concept of ako in mathematics classrooms.</p>

An exploration of ako-rich teaching practices in an English-medium mathematics classroom drawing from the voices of Year 9 and 10 students, and their parents

<p>Ako is a traditional Māori concept underpinned by the notion of reciprocity. Ako-rich teacher practices are considered important for creating culturally responsive classroom learning environments, particularly for Indigenous Māori students. The confident implementation of teacher practices that reflect ako, gleaned from information provided in policy documents and professional development programmes, has proven challenging for many English-medium teachers. To help assist adoption of teaching practices consistent with ako, this study explored ways a Pakeha teacher could demonstrate ako-rich teacher behaviour indicator elements within student–teacher and parent–teacher interactions. A mixed method ethnographic approach underpinned by sociocultural and kaupapa Māori theories was selected for this research carried out in a multiethnic junior secondary school mathematics classroom (Māori, New Zealand European/Pākehā, Asian). The sample comprised of the study teacher from a large, urban, English-medium school, one of the researcher’s Year 9 mathematics class, one of the researcher’s Year 10 mathematics class, and some students’ parents. Two data collection periods were used: the second of four 10-week school terms, over two consecutive years. Each data collection period included classroom observations, student surveys, student and parent interviews, teacher reflection, and cultural advice. Within a holistic context of ako in mathematics, characteristics of ako-rich interactions were found to fit within three aspects of teacher practice where the teacher positioned themselves as a learner who gained knowledge by researching on their own, interacting with students, and interacting with students’ parents. The notion of reciprocity within ako was realised in this model when participants were recognised as individuals who have valuable knowledge to share, contributing to the collective knowledge generated in the classroom. There is evidence that, for many students, mathematics teachers can enhance students’ engagement and enjoyment of mathematics by explicitly using ako-rich practices in the classroom. Evidence also indicates that positive parent–teacher partnerships were encouraged by ako-rich teacher practices, inside and outside of the classroom. This research has shown that by explicitly practicing ako-rich behaviours in early secondary mathematics classrooms, shared understandings developed between students and teachers facilitated positive student experiences, which were accompanied by increased student engagement and achievement. Moreover, this research has also shown that shared understandings that developed between the students’ parents and the teacher through ako-rich teacher behaviours encouraged positive and reciprocal partnerships that facilitated parents’ involvement in their children’s mathematics learning. The ako in mathematics model can be used by teachers, school leaders, and teacher educators to increase their confidence in understanding how to more authentically bring life to the rich Māori concept of ako in mathematics classrooms.</p>

Innovative Work Management of Teachers of SMA Negeri 1 South Halmahera and SMA AL-Khairaat of Labuha in South Halmahera District (Multi Site Study)

This study aims to find out 1). Innovative work planning for teachers of SMA Negeri 1 of South Halmahera and SMA AL-Khairaat Labuha, 2). The implementation of innovative work of teachers of SMA Negeri 1 Halmahera and SMA Al-Khairaat Labuha, 3). Supervision of innovative work of teachers of SMA Negeri 1 Halmahera and SMA Al-Khairaat Labuha, and 4). The assessment of innovative work of teachers of SMA Negeri 1 Halmahera and SMA Al-Khairaat Labuha. This study used qualitative approach with narrative research method and the research design used was a multi-site study, where first site is SMA Negeri 1 south Halmahera and second site is SMA AL-Khairaat Labuha where the locus located in south Halmahera district. The results showed that 1). The teachers innovative work planning at the two research sites was compiled through a process consisting of two stages, problem identification and alternative problem-solving option. Establishing teachers’ innovative work development plan and applying the principles of deliberation and consensus, 2). The implementation of innovative work of teachers at the two research sites based on the predetermined work plan and is supported by managerial behaviour in the form of providing motivation, communicating face to face and through the electronic medium such as smartphone and supported by teacher behaviour in the form of being committed to achieving innovative work development goal, 3). Supervision of teacher innovative work consists of three types of supervision which include before, during, and after the implementation of the teachers’ innovative work development plan, 4). The assessment of teachers’ innovative work is carried out through an assessment process consisting of three stages of measuring, comparing, and taking managerial action.

Towards the development of teachers for the future

The purpose of this research was to examine student teachers’ views on the kind of teachers they would like to be. The participants were 51 student teachers at the primary education department of a state university. The views of these student teachers were collected from unstructured reports that they submitted following a one-semester classroom management course in the 5th semester. The qualitative data gained from the reports, specifically the attributes that the student teachers associated with themselves, were analysed in terms of classroom management according to Korthegan’s Onion Model using a qualitative content analysis method. The data demonstrate that the participants expressed their opinions mostly regarding classroom environment, behaviour and competency. The reports also present their views about the kind of teachers they would grow into and the teacher behaviour they would like to adopt. The results of the study reveal that the student teacher participants were at the levels of interventionist and interventionist/interactionist control; 2 different approaches to dynamic assessment and classroom management styles. They also used authoritative, educational, behaviour-based, and democratic approaches. The study suggests that, in order for the student teachers to express themselves about their teaching in the layers of belief, identity and mission (inner layers) of the Onion Model, they must be provided with opportunities and experiences.