Model Science Teacher Preparation Programs

Model Science Teacher Preparation Programs

Author: Jon Pedersen

Publisher: IAP

Published: 2017-02-01

Total Pages: 339

ISBN-13: 1681238020

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This volume will focus on a much need comparison of science teacher preparation from around the world. In recent times (last 5 years) much has been written and communicated both in the popular press and within the annals of research oriented publications about the performance of students international in math and science. Although not a new discussion or debate, many countries are held as exemplars in how they educate their youth and subsequently how they educate their teachers. Given this situation and given the fact that there is ample evidence to show that some countries youth perform better on tests such as the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) and we know that teacher significantly contribute to the performance of students, it is time that we look at the specific attributes of teacher preparation worldwide. Although this volume will not look at every country that is in the comparator group for PISA and other measures, we have contacted over 18 potential authors in the same number of countries in which there is ample evidence to show successes regarding student performance and quality teacher preparation programs. The intent of the book is not just to report on the “success” of each nation. Rather the intent is to ask authors to take a critical look at the process by which science teachers are educated and share with the reader both the positive and negative aspects of such preparation programs. For all 15 contributed chapters, the editors have analyzed each and from this constructed from the “data” an analysis and report in a final chapter on the exemplary qualities from various nations and make specific recommendations regarding science teacher preparation for the global community.


Science Teachers' Learning

Science Teachers' Learning

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2016-01-15

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 0309380189

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Currently, many states are adopting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) or are revising their own state standards in ways that reflect the NGSS. For students and schools, the implementation of any science standards rests with teachers. For those teachers, an evolving understanding about how best to teach science represents a significant transition in the way science is currently taught in most classrooms and it will require most science teachers to change how they teach. That change will require learning opportunities for teachers that reinforce and expand their knowledge of the major ideas and concepts in science, their familiarity with a range of instructional strategies, and the skills to implement those strategies in the classroom. Providing these kinds of learning opportunities in turn will require profound changes to current approaches to supporting teachers' learning across their careers, from their initial training to continuing professional development. A teacher's capability to improve students' scientific understanding is heavily influenced by the school and district in which they work, the community in which the school is located, and the larger professional communities to which they belong. Science Teachers' Learning provides guidance for schools and districts on how best to support teachers' learning and how to implement successful programs for professional development. This report makes actionable recommendations for science teachers' learning that take a broad view of what is known about science education, how and when teachers learn, and education policies that directly and indirectly shape what teachers are able to learn and teach. The challenge of developing the expertise teachers need to implement the NGSS presents an opportunity to rethink professional learning for science teachers. Science Teachers' Learning will be a valuable resource for classrooms, departments, schools, districts, and professional organizations as they move to new ways to teach science.


Preparing STEM Teachers

Preparing STEM Teachers

Author: Joanne E. Goodell

Publisher: IAP

Published: 2020-09-01

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 1648021689

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STEM project-based instruction is a pedagogical approach that is gaining popularity across the USA. However, there are very few teacher education programs that focus specifically on preparing graduates to teach in project-based environments. This book is focused on the UTeach program, a STEM teacher education model that is being implemented across the USA in 46 universities. Originally focused only on mathematics and science, many UTeach programs are now offering engineering and computer science licensure programs as well. This book provides a forum to disseminate how different institutions have implemented the UTeach model in their local context. Topics discussed will include sustainability features of the model, and how program assessment, innovative instructional programming, classroom research and effectiveness research have contributed to its success. The objectives of the book are: • To help educators gain insight into a teacher education organizational model focused on STEM and how and why it was developed • To present the theoretical underpinnings of a STEM education model, i.e. deep learning, conceptual understanding • To present innovative instructional programming in teacher education, i.e. projectbased instruction, functions and modeling, research methods • To present research and practice in classroom and field implementation and future research recommendations • To disseminate program assessments and improvement efforts


Preparing Teachers

Preparing Teachers

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-07-25

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 0309128056

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Teachers make a difference. The success of any plan for improving educational outcomes depends on the teachers who carry it out and thus on the abilities of those attracted to the field and their preparation. Yet there are many questions about how teachers are being prepared and how they ought to be prepared. Yet, teacher preparation is often treated as an afterthought in discussions of improving the public education system. Preparing Teachers addresses the issue of teacher preparation with specific attention to reading, mathematics, and science. The book evaluates the characteristics of the candidates who enter teacher preparation programs, the sorts of instruction and experiences teacher candidates receive in preparation programs, and the extent that the required instruction and experiences are consistent with converging scientific evidence. Preparing Teachers also identifies a need for a data collection model to provide valid and reliable information about the content knowledge, pedagogical competence, and effectiveness of graduates from the various kinds of teacher preparation programs. Federal and state policy makers need reliable, outcomes-based information to make sound decisions, and teacher educators need to know how best to contribute to the development of effective teachers. Clearer understanding of the content and character of effective teacher preparation is critical to improving it and to ensuring that the same critiques and questions are not being repeated 10 years from now.


Ambitious Science Teaching

Ambitious Science Teaching

Author: Mark Windschitl

Publisher: Harvard Education Press

Published: 2020-08-05

Total Pages: 455

ISBN-13: 1682531643

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2018 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice Ambitious Science Teaching outlines a powerful framework for science teaching to ensure that instruction is rigorous and equitable for students from all backgrounds. The practices presented in the book are being used in schools and districts that seek to improve science teaching at scale, and a wide range of science subjects and grade levels are represented. The book is organized around four sets of core teaching practices: planning for engagement with big ideas; eliciting student thinking; supporting changes in students’ thinking; and drawing together evidence-based explanations. Discussion of each practice includes tools and routines that teachers can use to support students’ participation, transcripts of actual student-teacher dialogue and descriptions of teachers’ thinking as it unfolds, and examples of student work. The book also provides explicit guidance for “opportunity to learn” strategies that can help scaffold the participation of diverse students. Since the success of these practices depends so heavily on discourse among students, Ambitious Science Teaching includes chapters on productive classroom talk. Science-specific skills such as modeling and scientific argument are also covered. Drawing on the emerging research on core teaching practices and their extensive work with preservice and in-service teachers, Ambitious Science Teaching presents a coherent and aligned set of resources for educators striving to meet the considerable challenges that have been set for them.


Models of Science Teacher Preparation

Models of Science Teacher Preparation

Author: D.R. Lavoie

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2005-12-29

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 0306472309

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This unique, edited book is a must for science educators who desire to improve upon traditional methods for science teaching and learning. It provides background, theoretical research-based frameworks, guidelines, and concrete examples for the implementation and assessment of innovative models of science learning, teaching, and professional preparation.


Preparing Pre-Service Teachers to Teach Computer Science

Preparing Pre-Service Teachers to Teach Computer Science

Author: Chrystalla Mouza

Publisher:

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 282

ISBN-13: 9781648024573

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"Computer science has emerged as a key driver of innovation in the 21st century. Preparing teachers to teach computer science, however, remains an enormous challenge as there are few highly qualified teachers who can teach computer science or integrate computer science content into K-12 curricula. To address this challenge, NSF established the CS10K program with the aim of preparing 10,000 teachers in 10,000 high schools teaching computer science curricula. While this effort is still under-way, there has not been a systematic attempt to capture the work done in this area. In order to prepare a generation of teachers who are capable of delivering computer science content to students, we must identify research-based examples, pedagogical strategies and policies that can facilitate changes in teacher knowledge and practices. The purpose of this project is to provide examples that could help guide the design and delivery of effective teacher preparation on the teaching of computer science concepts. This book identifies promising pathways, pedagogical strategies and policies that help pre-service and in-service teachers infuse computing ideas in their curricula as well as teach stand-alone computing courses. The book focuses on pedagogical practices for developing and assessing pre-service teacher knowledge of computer science, course design models for pre-service teachers, and discussion of policies that can support the teaching of computer science. The primary audience of the book will be students and faculty in educational technology, educational or cognitive psychology, learning theory, curriculum and instruction, computer science, instructional systems and learning sciences"--


Exploring the Intersection of Science Education and 21st Century Skills

Exploring the Intersection of Science Education and 21st Century Skills

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-02-26

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 030914518X

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An emerging body of research suggests that a set of broad "21st century skills"-such as adaptability, complex communication skills, and the ability to solve non-routine problems-are valuable across a wide range of jobs in the national economy. However, the role of K-12 education in helping students learn these skills is a subject of current debate. Some business and education groups have advocated infusing 21st century skills into the school curriculum, and several states have launched such efforts. Other observers argue that focusing on skills detracts attention from learning of important content knowledge. To explore these issues, the National Research Council conducted a workshop, summarized in this volume, on science education as a context for development of 21st century skills. Science is seen as a promising context because it is not only a body of accepted knowledge, but also involves processes that lead to this knowledge. Engaging students in scientific processes-including talk and argument, modeling and representation, and learning from investigations-builds science proficiency. At the same time, this engagement may develop 21st century skills. Exploring the Intersection of Science Education and 21st Century Skills addresses key questions about the overlap between 21st century skills and scientific content and knowledge; explores promising models or approaches for teaching these abilities; and reviews the evidence about the transferability of these skills to real workplace applications.


Redefining Teacher Education and Teacher Preparation Programs in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Redefining Teacher Education and Teacher Preparation Programs in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Author: Bull, Prince Hycy

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2021-12-17

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 1799883000

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teacher preparation programs modified their practices to fit the delivery modes of school districts while developing new ways to prepare candidates. Governmental agencies established new guidelines to fit the drastic shift in education caused by the pandemic, and P-12 school systems made accommodations to support teacher education candidates. The pandemic disrupted all established systems and norms; however, many practices and strategies emerged in educator preparation programs that will have a lasting positive impact on P-20 education and teacher education practices. Such practices include the reevaluation of schooling practices with shifts in engagement strategies, instructional approaches, technology utilization, and supporting students and their families. Redefining Teacher Education and Teacher Preparation Programs in the Post-COVID-19 Era provides relevant, innovative practices implemented across teacher education programs and P-20 settings, including delivery models; training procedures; theoretical frameworks; district policies and guidelines; state, national, and international standards; digital design and delivery of content; and the latest empirical research findings on the state of teacher education preparation. The book showcases best practices used to shape and redefine teacher education through the COVID-19 pandemic. Covering topics such as online teaching practices, simulated teaching experiences, and emotional learning, this text is essential for preservice professionals, paraprofessionals, administrators, P-12 faculty, education preparation program designers, principals, superintendents, researchers, students, and academicians.


Improving Teacher Preparation and Credentialing Consistent with the National Science Education Standards

Improving Teacher Preparation and Credentialing Consistent with the National Science Education Standards

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1997-03-24

Total Pages: 94

ISBN-13: 9780309056922

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In February, 1996, representatives of departments of education and major teacher education colleges in 39 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Department of Defense met at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. to identify and discuss issues surrounding the preparation and credentialing of science teachers. Central to this symposium were the criteria identified by the National Science Education Standards for effective science teaching and effective professional development for science teachers. This synopsis is intended to encourage reflection by participants and their colleagues at the state level on the issues identified, reactions to those issues from a variety of perspectives, and strategies for addressing those issues as outlined by others. Responses include: (1) "The Need for Scientifically Literate Teachers" (Bruce Alberts); (2) "The Need for Reform in State Policy" (William Randall); (3) "The Need for Reform in Teacher Preparation Programs" (Robert Watson); (4) "Implications of the Standards for Teacher Preparation and Certification" (Pascal Forgione); (4) "Response to Dr. Forgione" (Angelo Collins); (5) "The Standards: A Guide for Systemic Reform" (Rodger Bybee); (6) "The Standards: A Guide for Professional Development" (Susan Loucks-Horsley); (7) "The Montana Systemic Teacher Education Preparation Project" (Robert Briggs and Elizabeth Charron); (8) "The Louisiana Collaborative for Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers" (Kerry Davidson, William Deese, Linda Ramsey, and Carolyn Talton); (9) "The Connecticut Science Education Assessment Program" (Michal Lomask and Raymond Pecheone); (10) "Reflections on Pre-service Education and Teachers' Needs" (William Badders and Celeste Pea); (11) "Response to the Teachers' Comments" (Arthur Wise); (12) "A Science Educator's Perspective on Teacher Education" (Paul Kuerbis); (13) "The Role of Undergraduate Science Courses in Teacher Preparation" (Patricia Simpson); (14) "A Principal's Perspective on the K-12 School's Role in Preparing Teachers" (Mary Ann Chung); (15) "A Perspective on the State's Role: Motivation and Policy" (William Randall); (16) "Concern, Collaboration, Coordination, and Communication" (Jane Butler Kahle); (17) "Response to Dr. Butler Kahle from the State Perspective" (Terry Janicki); and (18) "Closing Remarks and Challenge for Next Steps" (Virginia Pilato). (ASK)