Improve Teaching Practices Research Articles

Rethinking the Factor of Duration for Professional Development: A Workshop-Seminar-Demonstration Class Model for Science Teachers

Participating in effective professional development (PD) activities is crucial for helping teachers improve the quality of pedagogy and students’ learning results. Numerous factors influence the design of effective PD, one of which is duration. However, many teachers do not find much time to participate in long-term concentrated and continuous PD due to their heavy workloads. Based on this consideration, this paper presents the Workshop-Seminar-Demonstration Class PD (WSD-PD) model, which addresses the factor of duration by shortening the hours of contact, lengthening the total span of time required, and integrating elements such as active learning and expert follow-up to improve teachers’ practical teaching methods. With “Teaching for Conceptual Change” as the theme and junior high school science teachers as participants, the results of the study show that WSD-PD can serve teachers by generating willingness to improve teaching practices for and influence teaching behaviors in them. The settings of different activities in this model are also considered to play distinct and indispensable roles in the program.

Discrimination and social bias towards disabled STEM military-veteran secondary teachers: how do disabled veteran STEM secondary teachers make sense of their teaching career

ABSTRACT Special and disabled services are important issues for improving teaching practices and the provision of facilities for disabled people. Disabilities among military-veteran teaching staff are not widely discussed, despite the importance of the experiences that veteran STEM teachers can bring to the classroom. The purpose of this study is to explore why veteran STEM secondary teachers decide to switch their career to teaching, and how these stories influence the workforce shortage of teachers. Twenty-five American veteran STEM secondary teachers shared their stories and the decisions they had made. Among the motivations that they reported were a desire to impart scientific knowledge to young people, a sense that STEM subjects were at risk, the enthusiasm for ‘field and science knowledge beyond textbooks’, and the possibility for transferring field and military practices into the classrooms. The results of this study provide an understanding of how disabled veteran teachers see their difficulties, workforce management, and outline possible improvements that could be made to policies that affect disabled people in society.

Facilitating health professional education research development; an action research approach.

Educational research and scholarship can advance teaching knowledge and practices. In the Westmead health precinct, Australia, education research has occurred in isolated pockets, with little professional development support. We developed a course to introduce the practice of educational research to multidisciplinary health professional educators in 2019. We explored how we, as multidisciplinary teacher educators, could enable educators to undertake education research while improving our practice. The course was developed based on Social Development Theory and applied to peer teaching to develop our teacher education capacity. Using action research, we worked together and with learners through repeated planning, observing, reflecting and engaging. We conducted facilitator/learner pre-/post-course and post-workshop surveys, and mid-course facilitator focus group. Data were analysed through theoretical thematic analysis using Guba and Lincoln's evaluation framework and Social Development Theory. Facilitators expected the course would enable novice participants to initiate research. Facilitators and learners reported course content, structure and approach were relevant, accessible and effective; however, limited times and irregular attendance challenged knowledge and skills development, and individual research engagement. Mid-course improvements increased time for application to authentic, collaborative research activities. Facilitators enhanced their teaching through jointly developing the course, reflection and responding to feedback. Through peer teaching, reflection and discussion, we collaboratively created, then improved, a health professional education research course, and developed our capacity as teacher educators. Our need to overcome challenges forced us to reconsider and adjust our approach. Action research benefits learners and teachers by improving teaching practice through a dynamic, cyclical, responsive approach.

Cultivating a Culture of Bilingualism: Evaluating a Home Language Arts Curriculum for SIFE

This study is a mixed-methods exploratory study of a Spanish Home Language Arts (HLA) pilot curriculum designed for Students with Interrupted Education (SIFE) as it was implemented across six different schools in New York State during the 2019–2020 school year before the onset of COVID-19. The focus of the study was to observe whether the HLA curriculum improved teacher practice in the increased use of the gradual release of responsibility and the curriculum-prescribed protocols. Another goal was to examine whether the use of the curriculum helped to improve student writing and bilingual literacy. A final goal of the study was to survey teachers on their perceptions of the curriculum, especially in how the lesson design fostered student engagement and collaboration with others. The results of the internal evaluation showed that the teachers improved in their practice, especially in the areas of gradual release and increased student time on task. The students were able to develop specific text analysis and writing skills using instructional protocols used in the home language and in English that were transferable across classroom contexts. In addition, the lessons encouraged students to leverage literacy skills and background knowledge in Spanish as a way to support learning new skills in both Spanish and English. Finally, the study showed that the use of the curriculum increased student engagement and collaboration in the classroom.

Perceptions of Pre-service Teachers toward Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Bhutan

This study was carried out to investigate the perceptions of teaching and learning Mathematics by the pre-service Mathematics teachers in Bhutan. The research has employed quantitative methods. A five-point Likert scale survey questionnaire was administered to collect the data. The participants included both male and female pre-service Mathematics teachers from 2 colleges of education in Bhutan aged 18-29 (N = 261). In order to examine the perceptions of Mathematics, the mean interpretation developed by Roble and Bacabac (2016) was used and found that perceptions of pre-service teachers teaching and learning Mathematics were high indicating they enjoy teaching and learning Mathematics. The analysis also showed that there was no significant difference between male and female pre-service teachers perceptions toward teaching and learning Mathematics in Bhutan. Further, the findings also indicated there was no significant difference in perceptions of teaching and learning Mathematics between pre-service teachers at College A and College B. The College of Education might consider devoting additional attention to improving teaching practices in order to experience the real classroom scenario.

Using Reciprocal Teaching for Improving Students’ Skills in Mathematical Word Problem Solving - A Project of Participatory Action Research

<p style="text-align:justify">This study aims to present the potential of Participatory Action Research (PAR) to bring together the experiences of teachers and researchers with the intention of improving teaching practices and students’ learning outcomes. Participants in the study were 7 teachers, their 160 fifths grade students, and researchers (authors). Teachers and researchers participated as partners in all collaborative activities during the period of 12 weeks. All teachers assisted by the researcher (first author) who serves as a teacher at the same school, were involved in implementing the reciprocal teaching method (RTM) in math classes. They examined each step of the implementation of this method in order to investigate whether it has an impact on student achievement in solving mathematical word problems. Teachers observed the work of students in their classes, whereas in the joint meetings they discussed occasional ambiguities as well as issues that were most challenging for them and their students. The results showed that there was a significant improvement of the students’ results in the post-test of the mathematical word problems. The analysis of teachers' reflections highlights the benefits of collaboration within the PAR project, both for students and teachers. The study suggests that the PAR model can be used effectively within school settings as a research model, and as a pedagogical practice.</p>

An Analysis of Students’ Mathematical Competencies: The Relationship between Units

This study aimed to investigate students’ mathematical competence in learning relationships between units according to the students’ performance in a SUKEN test of Level 6. A total of 139 students were selected as our target group and involved as examinees. Research instruments include students’ answer sheets, test item analyses, and textbook analysis. SUKEN test is a mathematical proficiency test used to identify related issues to improve teaching practices. The results from the first phase showed that there were 24 examinees or 17.27 percent of them had been successfully passed the passing criterion as 70 percent of the total marks 100. However, there was a lowest percentage (33.21%) of examinees showed that they were able to answer correctly in the questions related to the content domain of Quantities and Measurement compared to other content domains. On top of that, only 38.49 percent and 31.09 percent of the examinees possessed their competencies in content knowledge and the method of application respectively while they answered the Quantities and Measurement questions. Besides, the results of in-depth analyses from students’ answer sheets revealed that there were seven different groups of answers by analyzing examinees' responses in terms of their reasoning skills to support their responses. Examinees were found to have problems finding the relationship between cm3 and m3, whenever they have to use a relationship in three dimensions. Therefore, teachers are suggested to use the geometry model to assist students in understanding the relationships between the units.

The implementation of Al-Quran and Fardhu Ain (KAFA) class teacher teaching practices in teaching Tajweed Al-Quran in Kedah

This study was conducted to identify the Implementation of Al-Quran and Fardhu Ain (KAFA) Class Teacher Teaching Practices in Teaching Tajweed Al-Quran in Kedah as prescribed by the Malaysian Teacher Standards (SGM). In general, the design of this study is a quantitative study and the research instrument used is in the form of a set of questionnaires. Also, the number of study samples taken is a total of 210 respondents consisting of male and female KAFA teachers in the state of Kedah. These quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially through SPSS software, version 22 to obtain frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test. Findings of the study showed that the implementation of KAFA teachers' teaching practices in teaching tajwid al-Quran in Kedah based on the components of the beginning of the teaching, development of teaching, and closing of teaching was at a moderate and high level (M=3.81, SD =1.02). While the inferential analysis found that there were no significant differences for teachers' teaching practices on gender, place of residence, and course attendance. The implications of this study can be a guide to other teachers to improve teaching practices, especially in the field of tajwid Al-Quran that can produce effective and quality teaching. In essence, the quality of implementation of KAFA teachers' teaching practices in teaching tajwid al-Quran in the state of Kedah needs to be improved so that the excellence of KAFA education can be competitive on the international stage.

Using a school-wide coaching framework to create safe and inclusive spaces for students who identify as LGBTQ

Students identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning/queer (LGBTQ) often face bullying and inequity in classrooms and schools across the United States. This article outlines a school-wide coaching framework to create safe spaces at elementary and secondary levels for students who identify as LGBTQ. Although well-intentioned, some teachers may not feel equipped to implement strategies specifically aimed at including youth who identify as LGBTQ. School-wide coaching has shown positive results for improved teacher practice and subsequent student outcomes. The authors propose using a scaled-up version of the Classroom Checkup (CCU), an evidence-based coaching model, to assist teachers in implementing strategies aimed at creating safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, thereby raising academic and mental health outcomes of LGBTQ youth.

Online Continuous Professional Learning: A Model for Improving Reading Outcomes in Regional and Remote Schools?

Professional learning provides the opportunity to improve teacher practice and student outcomes; however, challenges exist in ensuring that teachers can access quality professional learning. Teachers in regional and remote schools may have even more limited access to the expertise required to support changes in practice than their peers in metropolitan centers. This article reports on a continuing professional learning program designed to support teachers in two regional schools to implement a new approach to teaching reading in their schools. The findings from this research suggest that existing online learning platforms can be used to deliver targeted instructional coaching for teachers and support in-school coaches to improve their knowledge of reading instruction and their instructional coaching skills.

Assessment of Higher Order Thinking Skills Through Stem Integration Project-Based Learning for Elementary Level

Purpose of the Study- The purpose of this study was to assess the level of HOTS among students through STEM integration in Project-Based Learning (PBP) by using the conceptual framework and development modules of HOTS. Design/methodology/approach-A total of 4 teachers and 12Year 6 students from SK Methodist, Kapit were selected to participate in this study. Research data were collected through Action Research method using structured interview instrument, questionnaire form, also via pre and post test. Findings- The findings of needs analysis for the module have shown that the teachers thought that the HOTS development module should be developed by taking into account various learning strategies and using learning methods through STEM in Project Based Learning. Descriptive findings indicated that the need for students to use modules to improve HOTS is high. The t-test done to compare students’ achievement from pre- and post-test has shown significant differences in pre-test scores. The post-test scores have proven that STEM integration learning methods through Project-Based Learning can improve students’ HOTS. Authenticity/value- The results of this study are expected to help Science teachers to improve teaching practices to improve students' HOTS by using STEM integration learning methods in project-based learning. In addition, through the HOTS module developed, it is hoped to help students to improve HOTS in Science subjects and also to increase the knowledge of Science teachers in integrating STEM in project -based learning to improve students' HOTS in Science subjects. The results of this study can also be used as a guide by the MOE in designing a curriculum that can improve students' HOTS through the integration of STEM in Project- Based Learning.

Improving Teaching Practices and Repertoire using the Cognitive Coaching Approach for 21st Century Teachers: A Call for Action

The teaching and learning enterprise require several inputs and a framework upon which the teacher’s practice and repertoires are put into action and one such input is cognitive coaching. It is important to note that schools that are known to be successful have a distinction and ability to enhance teaching practices, where teachers can collaborate among themselves in designing subject materials and other professional undertakings .Additionally, the ability to inform and critique each other in an honest way has a long lasting feature to ensure growth and improvement in the individual teacher and also in the ability to sustain an effective organization. This paper provides a platform upon which the construct of cognitive coaching can be examined. The paper embodies a critical analysis of chapters two, five and seven of Newell-McLymont (2015). In Chapter two, Collaboration in the classroom context is seen as a critical component in the teaching/learning environment, bringing benefits to both teachers and the students at their disposal. Collaboration has been proven to be the panacea for eliminating teacher isolation and encourages problem solving approaches. An analytic perspective on generating the cognitive coaching approach, while bearing in mind, the power of teacher networks, is the thrust of chapter five. Chapter seven in examining the cognitive approach through application presents several studies that looked at the environment and culture as essential consideration for collaborative learning. Given the benefits of cognitive coaching, the reviewers have sounded the call for this to be fully embraced especially during the COVID 19 period of crisis.

Applying Computer Graphic Design Software in a Computer-Assisted Instruction Teaching Model of Makeup Design

Methods for teaching contemporary makeup design involve drawing on paper, which requires considerable time and is difficult to edit. To change the makeup color, one must redraw their entire makeup design again, which is both inefficient and not environmentally friendly. Furthermore, design drawings are difficult to preserve. However, computer graphic design has not been used in the teaching of makeup design drawing; instead, learners rely on knowledge from professors and the experience they accumulate through practicing drawing on paper. Computer graphic design software allows users to experiment with various color designs, lines, and shading options before finalizing their makeup design. Thus, this study sought to employ such technology to improve upon conventional hand drawing practice techniques. The experiment was divided into a preliminary experiment and main experiment, where a two-stage questionnaire was conducted. In the preliminary experiment, the researchers compared the time required to complete the hand-drawn and computer-drawn makeup designs. The results revealed that the hand-drawn designs required almost double time than computer-drawn designs to complete. Additionally, time-lapse photography was taken during the computer drawing process; the photos were used to explain—to participants in a digital drawing group in the main experiment—the digital drawing makeup design procedures and the required operation time. The first stage of the main experiment comprised a brush selection experiment. The participants, 39 students from a cosmetology department, completed a Likert-scale questionnaire. They also performed item analysis to discuss and select drawing tools from a graphic design software, which met the requirements for makeup design pertaining to the eyebrow, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, nose contour, and lips. The software allowed the students to experiment with different colors in their design and immediately displays the results. In the second stage, an experiment on optimizing brush arrangements was performed by 10 experts, all of whom were teachers from the department of cosmetology, had at least 5 years of teaching experience, and had obtained a Level B (advanced level) Beauty Technician Certificate. Data from a Likert-scale questionnaire were analyzed and narrative analysis was conducted to determine the rating and evaluation priorities for standards pertaining to the eyebrows, eyeshadow, eyeliners, blush, nose contour, and lips. The requirement for design symmetry was achieved by using the mirror function of the software. This function was useful: it enabled students to complete their makeup design in approximately half the time. This study transformed the conventional learning method through interdisciplinary integration, established novel and innovative teaching models, and provides crucial insights into future research on improving teaching practice.

The Initial Education of the Pedagogue and the Technologies in the Theoretical Perspective of the TPACK Model

Abstract: This qualitative and bibliographic study offers a discussion based on some of the work on teacher training and ICT developed in Brazil. The results of this research suggest the importance of understanding and the pedagogical use of technology in the formation of mathematics teachers in the early years, warning that the use of technology in teaching practice is walking in a Risk Zone, with all the issues involved, but recognizing that there is a great potential for improving teaching practice” (OLIVEIRA, 2008, p. 82). In this theoretical direction, Mishra and Koehler (2006) observe several types of knowledge that are important for the teacher in order to increase the climate of learning permeable to ICT (RICHIT, 2015).
 Keywords: Professional development; TPACK model; Mathematical knowledge.

The effectiveness of a training program based on international standards of instructional technology in improving teaching practices and professional leadership skills among Arabic language teachers at the secondary level: فاعلية برنامج تدريبي قائم على المعايير العالمية لتكنولوجيا التّعليم في تحسين الممارسات التّدريسية ومهارات القيادة المهنية لدى معلمي اللغة العربية بالمرحلة الثانوية

The current study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a training program based on international standards of instructional technology in improving teaching practices and professional leadership skills of Arabic language teachers at the secondary level in the State of Kuwait, and to achieve the study objectives, the semi-experimental approach based on one group was used with pre-post measurement. Of (30) teachers of the Arabic language at the secondary stage in the Hawalli Educational Zone in the State of Kuwait, and a note card for teaching practices and a measure of professional leadership skills were prepared, and their validity and reliability were confirmed. The results showed a statistically significant difference at the level of significance (α ≤ 0.05) between the average scores of the pre and post application of the observation card related to the teaching practices of teachers attributed to the benefit of the training program, and the program has achieved effectiveness in improving the teaching practices of teachers amounting to (0.95) according to ETA. A statistically significant difference was found at the level of significance (α ≤ 0.05) between the average scores of pre and post application in the professional leadership skills scale for teachers attributed to the benefit of the training program. The program also achieved effectiveness in improving teachers' professional leadership skills, reaching (0.94), according to the ETA factor. The study recommended the adoption of the training program used by the study, as it was based on international standards for educational technology, working to spread it and circulating it within the training programs for Arabic language teachers, and paying attention to holding training courses for teachers during service to familiarize them with international standards for educational technology.

Dirección y Profesorado: Factores Clave para el Liderazgo e Innovación en Tiempos de Pandemia

Innovar como proceso complejo de construcción, demandó el cumplimiento de algunos factores para ser alcanzada. El objetivo fue mejorar prácticas de enseñanza adaptadas a una nueva normalidad nunca antes experimentada, acciones que fueron lideradas por el profesor desde el medio virtual, también nuevas formas de aprendizaje de los estudiantes surgieron en entornos digitales como medios significativos para los intereses del estudiante en momentos de crisis sanitaria nacional e internacional; el proceso de mejora implementado pretende también ser sostenible en el tiempo. Exigió de un equipo directivo con aptitudes, actitudes para generar cambios necesarios conducentes a ejecutar acciones de mejora, requirió también de profesores comprometidos, capaces de adaptarse al cambio inmediato asumiendo nuevas formas de enseñanza virtual, se aprovechó experticias propias de cada docente para aunar esfuerzo a través del trabajo colaborativo entre todos los actores educativos. El medio para conjugar gestión directiva con compromiso docente fue, el liderazgo distribuido, cuya determinación permitió asumir responsablemente actividades desde cada una de las funciones específicas, administrativas, pedagógicas sin descuidar el acompañamiento, motivación permanente a quienes son el eje fundamental del proceso innovador. El objetivo de este caso fue analizar acciones de mejora realizadas desde el nivel de gestión directiva, participación del profesorado, para lo cual se revisó bibliografía especializada sobre este caso, el mecanismo de búsqueda fue a través de repositorios de revistas científicas.

Assessment for Student Success: Delivering High-Quality Modules and Improving Educational Methods in Civil Engineering Program

There are many internal and external factors influence student success such as optimization of student support services, campus resources, teaching methods and learning outcomes achievement, and many others. Understanding student success due to the global declining quality of undergraduate engineering students is very demanding. Post training or re-educating graduates is expensive and time consuming and can be prevented by if structured educational process took a place. The aims of this study were to identify student’s success related factors and assess how a new teaching method will impact student success. Assessment of student success within civil engineering major was analyzed. After conducting the teaching method, a structured reflective questionnaire was carried out among 50 students targeting two modules namely traffic and transportation engineering from level three, and introduction to structural analysis and design from level two. Students’ satisfaction and teaching method effectiveness emerged as significant indictors of student success. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate student responses. Person correlation and Multiple Linear Regression were used to test and predict the relationships between the variables mainly gender, teaching method effectiveness, and overall evaluation. Gender plays a moderate to strong role in the response for method effectiveness indicator and overall evaluation indicators. The performance of Multiple Linear Regression was exceptionally well with very low average relative error (5%). Students are more likely to be engaged onsite rather than online to adjust their need and trigger academic support. Improving student support services, student’s engagement, and update module materials to be more problem based are recommended to ensure students success. In addition, proper student’s feedback analysis, formative and summative assessments were primary tools to improve teaching practices.
 
 Received: 26 November 2020 / Accepted: 27 January 2021 / Published: 5 March 2021

The Level of University of Tabuk Faculty Members' Practice of Participatory Action Research Skills to Improve Teaching Practices

The study aimed to identify the level of applying participatory action research (PAR) skills by a sample of faculty members at Tabuk University to improve teaching practices (TP), and to find out whether there were statistically differences at significance level (α ≤ 0.05) between the mean scores of the study sample assessment attributable to the variables: (Gender, academic level, qualification type, years of experience). To achieve this, the descriptive analytical method was used, whereby a questionnaire was administered to a sample consisting of (114) FMs at UT in the academic year 1440/1441 AH. The questionnaire consisting of (40) items, covering seven key skills. The results showed that the total assessment level of the practice of PAR skills to improve TP from the viewpoint of FMs showed a 'high' level of significance with a mean of about (3.78). Those skills were arranged according to the assessment level in a descending order as follows: (setting the PAR goal, reviewing the literature on research focus area, drawing results and conclusions, implementing the action plan (AP), designing the AP, defining the PAR focus area, and designing a future procedural AP). Also, there were no statistically differences at significance level (α ≤ 0.05) between the mean scores of participants' assessment attributable to: (gender, educational level, qualification type, years of experience). The study recommended supporting the development of AR skills among the FMs and motivating them to conduct this kind of studies along with academic studies. It was also recommended to conduct studies on the effectiveness of practicing PAR skills to improve the university education and learning process at the level of academic programs or study courses level, taking into account other variables.
 Keywords: participatory action research skills, teaching practices, faculty members.

The Level of University of Tabuk Faculty Members' Practice of Participatory Action Research Skills to Improve Teaching Practices

The study aimed to identify the level of applying participatory action research (PAR) skills by a sample of faculty members at Tabuk University to improve teaching practices (TP), and to find out whether there were statistically differences at significance level (α ≤ 0.05) between the mean scores of the study sample assessment attributable to the variables: (Gender, academic level, qualification type, years of experience). To achieve this, the descriptive analytical method was used, whereby a questionnaire was administered to a sample consisting of (114) FMs at UT in the academic year 1440/1441 AH. The questionnaire consisting of (40) items, covering seven key skills. The results showed that the total assessment level of the practice of PAR skills to improve TP from the viewpoint of FMs showed a 'high' level of significance with a mean of about (3.78). Those skills were arranged according to the assessment level in a descending order as follows: (setting the PAR goal, reviewing the literature on research focus area, drawing results and conclusions, implementing the action plan (AP), designing the AP, defining the PAR focus area, and designing a future procedural AP). Also, there were no statistically differences at significance level (α ≤ 0.05) between the mean scores of participants' assessment attributable to: (gender, educational level, qualification type, years of experience). The study recommended supporting the development of AR skills among the FMs and motivating them to conduct this kind of studies along with academic studies. It was also recommended to conduct studies on the effectiveness of practicing PAR skills to improve the university education and learning process at the level of academic programs or study courses level, taking into account other variables.
 Keywords: participatory action research skills, teaching practices, faculty members.

Professional learning communities at a primary and secondary school network in India

Schools in India typically provide teachers with professional development in the form of workshops with a one-size-fits-all approach. However, a large body of international studies show this to be ineffective in transforming classroom practice, and the draft National Education Policy of India released in 2020 lists several shortcomings of current in-service professional development practices across the country. On the other hand, a large body of international research has emerged to show that professional learning communities (PLCs) are one of the most effective means to improving teacher practice and student learning. Yet, the National Education Policy does not make any explicit mention of PLCs. This study shows that the benefits of PLCs researched in international contexts may apply to the Indian context too because it was found that participation in PLCs might have supported increased collaboration among teachers, improved classroom teaching, and increased unity and consistency in practice across classrooms, at two schools in India. Also, this paper presents important findings related to the successful planning and operationalization of PLCs in the context of Indian schooling. It is hoped that with the publication of this study, public and private schools in India will be encouraged and better prepared to take steps towards the establishment of PLCs in their institutions as a key lever for school improvement.