Teaching Practices Research Articles

Primary School Students’ Relations to Physical Education in Northern Norway: Why Do Some Find the Subject Problematic?

A global discourse surrounding physical education (PE) is shifting towards a stronger emphasis on inclusive practises, but research shows that some students still find the subject problematic. This study explores the relationship between students’ dread of physical education (PE) and overall school satisfaction among sixth graders in Tromsø Municipality, Norway, and identifies factors that might explain this relationship. Data were collected from 338 sixth-grade students, with an 85.5% response rate. In this study, we investigate through quantitative analyses whether there is a correlation between students dreading PE and their overall school satisfaction. We find a relatively low correlation between these factors, indicating that dreading PE may be related to factors beyond general school satisfaction. Three significant predictors of students’ apprehension towards PE were identified: self-confidence and self-esteem, discomfort in changing into gym clothes in communal locker rooms, and reluctance to collaborate indiscriminately with peers. These factors could indicate a performance-oriented climate, which contrasts with the mastery-oriented approach emphasised in the national curriculum. The findings highlight the need for PE to be taught in a way that aligns more closely with the curriculum. This study suggests that addressing these issues requires educators who are formally trained to foster a supportive and motivating environment and calls for further research into the translation of curriculum objectives into teaching practises.

Essential Characteristics for School Administrators in the Digital Age for Thailand

Introduction: It is well known that education and teaching practices are affected by technological developments. The ubiquitous spread of information and communication technologies in recent years has forced educational institutions to undergo a digital transformation so as to keep up with the today’s technological age. Educational activities have become sustainable in virtually all environments and under virtually all conditions, with interactive whiteboards having long since replaced the traditional blackboard in most schools. Changes emerging today include revised job definitions, changing patterns of daily life, and the desire for economic value; together they represent the primary results of this digital transformation. Objective: This study aims to explore the essential characteristic for school administrators in the digital age. Method: This is quantitative approach. The population was educational administrators in Thailand who are responsible for management in educational institutions. This Quantitative Research analyzed the data using Descriptive Statistics, Inference Statistic and Multivariate by IBM SPSS and Structural Equations Modeling (SEM) was analyzed by IBM SPSS AMOS. Results: 1) Government Policy (GP) 2) Performance Attribute (PA) and 3) Competent Innovation directly influence on Perceived Value. Moreover, Perceived Value directly influences on Performance Identification. Analysis of the SEM model was found to be accurate because the model is consistent with empirical data, harmonization index passed all criteria, Chi-Square = 173.53, df = 88 RMSEA = 0.04 and RMR = 0.03, index GIF = 0.96 and AGIF = 0.94 and R2/ df = 1.97. Conclusion: These findings can be used to develop academic fields such as research and strategic planning effectively and can be applied in educational industry as well, so making the product feature that meets the needs of the customer will result in the perception of the value of the product and making a purchase decision. This finding has benefits on human resources development and school management and school administrators as well.

Unraveling University EFL Teachers’ Feedback Beliefs in Teaching English Argumentative Writing

ABSTRACTTeachers’ beliefs about feedback can affect both the way they provide feedback and its effectiveness in improving students’ writing proficiency. However, research remains scant on belief–practice relationships. This study attempted to fill the gap by investigating such relationships with a sample of 112 Chinese university EFL teachers in teaching argumentative writing. Data were collected through a writing feedback beliefs and practices questionnaire, an argumentative writing teaching beliefs questionnaire, and semi‐structured interviews. The participants were selected using convenience sampling from six universities in Northern China. Quantitative data were analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis, multiple regression, and repeated measures ANOVA to examine the characteristics of these teachers’ writing feedback beliefs and the relationships between the beliefs and relevant practices. Qualitative data from the interviews were analyzed thematically to gain deeper insights into the belief–practice relationships. Results indicated that most teachers believed their feedback was crucial for improving students' argumentative writing, particularly regarding communicative purposes, discourse organization, linguistic expressions, argument construction, and rhetorical techniques. However, a discrepancy was noted between teachers' feedback beliefs and their practices, especially concerning linguistic expressions. These findings highlight the need for targeted support to better align teachers' feedback beliefs with their practices for more effective teaching of EFL writing.

THE BENEFITS OF THE PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS IN THE LETTERS COURSE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

This article presents the benefits of the participation of undergraduate students in Letters in interdisciplinary programs related to the insertion and instrumentalization of technology in the context of the Federal University of the Southern Border. The work presents definitions of interdisciplinarity and reflections on multidisciplinary practices and technology in the context of higher education based on the work of Literature students in an interdisciplinary program of technology in education. It also presents reflections on the postulates in official documents such as the National Curricular Parameters (PCNs), the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC), the National Common Base for the initial training of basic education teachers (BNC-Formação) and the National Curricular Guidelines for the Literature course in order to understand what these guiding documents bring to the thematic cores of this work. The initial training of teachers in the area of ​​Literature was related to the technological transformation experienced by society in the 21st century, specifically in the school context, and reflected on ways to prepare future teachers for professional practice in the face of this reality.

Delving into the Critical Thinking Skills of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers with Their Metacognitive Awareness

Metacognitive awareness (MA) and critical thinking (CT) are crucial higher-order thinking skills in mathematics education. MA and CT skills of pre-service teachers are considered important predictors of their future teaching practices in the teaching and learning of mathematics. In this context, the study examines the potential effects of socio-demographic (e.g., gender) and academic variables (e.g., academic year and academic achievement) on MA and CT skills of pre-service mathematics teachers (PSTs). Additionally, the aim of this study is to explore the relationship between the MA and CT skills of PSTs. Employing a quantitative research methodology, the study was structured around a correlational model. It involved 218 PSTs, using the “MA Inventory” and “CT Standards Scale” for data collection. The data were analyzed through independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis. The findings indicate that PSTs possess a high level of MA and CT skills. Significant differences in MAs of PSTs were observed with respect to academic year and academic achievement, while the CT skills of PSTs showed significant differences concerning gender and academic achievement. A strong, positive, and significant correlation was found between MA and CT skills of PSTs. Furthermore, the MAs of PSTs were identified as a significant predictor of their CT skills, explaining 38% of the variance in CT skills.

Exploring the Influencing Factors of the Syntactic Priming Effect in French Learners

Abstract: The syntactic priming effect, a prevalent and common linguistic phenomenon, has captured the keen interest of scholars within the realm of second language acquisition, leading to a wealth of insightful research findings. This study focuses on the syntactic priming effect specifically observed in learners of French as a second language. It meticulously reviews the research paradigms frequently adopted in prior experiments and consolidates the influencing factors of the French syntactic priming effect into two primary categories: internal learner factors and external linguistic factors. By scrutinizing these factors, the study uncovers the intricacies that shape the priming effect in French language learning. Furthermore, it pinpoints the limitations inherent in current research endeavors and proposes avenues for future investigations. The ultimate goal of this study is to offer some valuable insights that can help teachers to adapt their teaching methods and enhance French language teaching practices, fostering more effective learning outcomes for students.

La relación con el saber en docentes de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Una aproximación desde la clínica

The general objective of this research, which is part of the Master’s thesis in University Teaching, was to investigate the relationship between the knowledge of teachers of Psychology at the University of Buenos Aires and its possible connection to teaching practices. The specific objectives were: to describe the teaching methods of teachers as they describe them and as they can be interpreted from the analysis of their proposals; to describe and characterize the teachers’ conceptions of knowledge; to describe and characterize their way of emotional connection with knowledge; and to establish possible meaningful connections between teaching modalities, and in particular the forms that knowledge takes within them, and the emotional connections of the teachers with knowledge. Through the analysis of interviews, projective techniques and classroom observations, a series of subjective features of the teachers’ relationship with knowledge were identified, which were related to certain forms related to knowledge transmission in the classroom. We understand this relationship as a recursive one, in which the way of relating to knowledge is transformed with each experience, just as each experience produces updates in the way in which each teacher relates to knowledge. This article will present one of the cases analyzed.

The enactment of critical digital pedagogical (CDP) practices through pedagogical reasoning.

Abstract This study examines the influence of educator beliefs and pedagogic awareness apropos of their teaching practices due to the invisible nature of pedagogical reasoning especially when facilitating in online teaching environments. The research question focuses on the role of pedagogical reasoning in the enactment of critical digital pedagogy (CDP) at a Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) mandated to support academics. A transformative learning theory lens and the model for pedagogical reasoning and action was employed as the theoretical analytical framework. This study aligns with the qualitative paradigm and considers pedagogical reasoning in CDP practices through a reflective journal as a research instrument and data source. Thematic analysis was engaged in to identify underlying themes. The study foregrounds the importance of reflection through pedagogical reasoning thereby showing how critical practice in CDP endorses the outline and enactment of inclusive teaching settings in blended learning (BL) environments.

Current practice, barriers and drivers to embedding environmental sustainability in undergraduate dental schools in the UK and Ireland

Aims This study aimed to: i) identify current teaching practice and approaches to embedding environmental sustainability (ES) in the undergraduate dental curriculum in the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI); and ii) uncover existing barriers and drivers to incorporating ES in dental education.Methods A questionnaire was developed and distributed to all dental schools in the UK and ROI in the form of an online survey. The intended respondents were deans, heads of schools, directors of education, or senior academics of all dental schools in the UK and ROI that deliver undergraduate dentistry/dental surgery programmes.Results In total, 18 dental schools responded to the survey, representing a response rate of 100% from the intended respondents. Note 56% of dental schools do not currently teach ES. Time constraints and a lack of knowledge and learning resources were the most reported barriers.Conclusion Currently, ES is not taught in most dental schools in the UK and ROI. Many schools face challenges in finalising the delivery modalities of ES teaching, particularly in clinical environments. Numerous barriers have been identified that complicate embedding this topic in the curriculum. Positively, universities, staff, students and the recently published learning outcomes are driving impactful change across the sector.

Beyond 'spray on' professional development: Enhancing supervision in a tertiary teaching hospital.

Short 'programmes' of professional development can have limited impact on clinical supervisors' practices. This paper reports on an innovative programme of professional development, implemented in a tertiary teaching hospital, that was designed to build clinical supervision capacity, improve the educational practice of frontline clinical supervisors and cultivate future educational leaders. The programme was a partnership venture between St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and the University of Melbourne. It has a three-tiered tapered design: a foundational self-paced online course; online, interprofessional learning communities; and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Education. Participants progressed from one tier to the next, with the largest number of employees participating in the primary tier (N = 112). We adopted a utilisation-focused approach to evaluation, collecting multiple data sets across the tiers. Participants reported greater consciousness of their teaching practices, made changes to their practice, and the interprofessional learning communities allowed better integration of practical knowledge with the formal knowledge from the foundational course. Systemic outcomes included the creation of informal educator networks and the diffusion of ideas and practices within the hospital. Managers and clinical education leaders at the hospital concluded that funding this programme of professional development provided significant benefits, with a high return on investment, which may be transferable to other health care settings that place value on clinical education. For the outcomes to be sustainable, an ongoing programme of professional development needs to be built into the institution's fabric so that the resultant supervisory practices become strongly embedded in the organisational culture.

Analyzing The Problems of Chatgpt in Chinese International Education Based on The Classification of Educational Objectives

With the continuous development of generative artificial intelligence technology, ChatGPT has also had a significant impact on the education sector. ChatGPT can assist in the teaching practice of Chinese international education and has shown positive effects in empirical research. However, there is still insufficient research on the challenges and response measures of ChatGPT for the formation of international Chinese language education. Therefore, based on the teaching practice cases of ChatGPT in Chinese international education, this article selects qualitative research methods in methodology, summarizes the current application status and existing problems of ChatGPT in Chinese international education, and provides targeted suggestions in combination with Bloom's educational goal classification method. Research has found that, In the process of assisting Chinese international education, ChatGPT may lead to the subversion of ethical relationships between teachers and students, difficulty in ensuring the accuracy of generative artificial intelligence, or inability to meet the requirements of the artificial intelligence era. Teachers need to further improve their professional qualities, actively promote changes in educational concepts, and avoid technological dependence.

Effect of Teachers Attitudes towards Teaching on Students’ Performance in Mathematics Subject in Public Day Secondary Schools in Rwanda: A Case of Huye District

The study investigated how teachers' attitudes toward teaching influenced students' academic progress in mathematics in a public secondary school in Huye District. Specifically, the research identifies the teachers' attitudes toward teaching that could influence the achievement of pupils in Mathematics-related subjects in public day secondary schools in Huye district. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study used a combined method approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data to examine how teachers' attitudes influence their teaching practices in Mathematics. Purposive and random sampling were applied to select sectors, schools, and participants, allowing for systematic data collection and analysis on teachers' attitudes and their influence on students’ performance. The target population for this study was 200, including 3 sector educational officers, 5 head teachers, 25 mathematics teachers and 167 Mathematics students; and the Yamane method was used to calculate a sample size of 134 respondents including 2 sector educational officers, 3 Head teachers, 15 teachers and 114 students. Primary data sources included surveys, while secondary data came from observation and interview methods. This study used purposive, stratified and simple random sampling procedures to create a sample group of respondents. The research collected and analyzed data using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Content analysis helped with qualitative data analysis, while quantitative data was presented in SPSS Version 21.0 utilizing statistical methods such as descriptive (frequency, percentage, imply and deviation from the mean) and inferential statistics (correlational and regression analysis). For the study objective, the results show that 76.3% strongly agreed that teachers' communication skills, 69.3% strongly agreed that effective goal-setting, 64.9% strongly agreed that lesson preparation, 61.4% strongly agreed that lesson preparation, 78.1% strongly accepted that professional commitment, and 68.0% highly agreed that adaptability and flexibility reflect my teachers' attitudes toward teaching. 64.9% strongly agreed that early arrival in class during the teaching lesson reflects the teachers' attitudes toward teaching. The study found a strong positive correlation between exams, test results, and factors like interpersonal skills, goal-setting, lesson preparation, and professional commitment, which all contributed to improved student performance. The researcher concluded that early attendance and communication skills of teachers were also linked to positive educational outcomes, with tests enhancing performance across subjects. With a p-value below 0.05, the study showed that active class participation boosts effectiveness. Recommendations included improving teacher attitudes towards math, enhancing confidence, making Math enjoyable, investing in teacher training, providing resources and encouraging community involvement in Math careers. Regular follow-ups and ongoing professional development for teachers were also advised.

Creativity Cultivation in Primary School Drama Courses: An Exploratory Case Study

This study delves into the symbiotic relationship between drama education and the cultivation of creativity. By integrating insights from teaching practices and educational trends, it proposes novel teaching methodologies for drama courses to enhance creativity development. These courses emerge as potent tools for nurturing students' creative potential, employing professional and standardized guidance methodologies. Rooted in principles like drama element training, core literacy-focused teaching, thematic instruction, and organic integration, these methods collectively form a comprehensive framework for enriching drama education. Drama courses not only provide an effective educational avenue for fostering creativity but also offer aesthetic solutions that counteract the limitations of exam-centric education. By incorporating creativity-driven teaching practices inspired by national educational initiatives, these approaches aim to instill holistic and lifelong learning outcomes. This research underscores the transformative power of drama education in fostering creativity and enhancing educational practices, ultimately preparing students for the challenges of a dynamic and evolving world.

Operational Competence of the Visual Arts Teacher in Art Practice: Interrogating the Underlying Factors

This study is on operational competence of Visual Arts teachers’ art practice, focusing on the factors influencing their competence and its relevance in contemporary contexts of arts education. Drawing upon literature from education, art pedagogy, and teacher training, this study identifies key factors that contribute to the operational competence of Visual Arts practice, including artistic skill, proficiency and reflective practice. Through an analysis of empirical studies and practical insights, the study highlights the visual arts teachers’ own art practice factors. It also underscores the significance of research informed policies and curriculum frameworks that support the holistic development of Visual Arts education and the cultivation of a vibrant artistic community within schools and society at large. It engages qualitative research design. A sample of twelve (12) Visual Arts students and one (1) Visual Arts teacher each from eleven (11) schools within the six Education Districts of Lagos State were purposively selected. Data was obtained using Portfolio Review Rubrics. Thematic Analysis was employed in analysing data gathered. Findings revealed that Visual Arts teachers’ competence in art practice differs in nuances of scope. It also revealed that teachers’ competence in art practice is a determinant of students’ learning outcome in art practice. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that workshops and conferences on art practice and pedagogy be organised for Visual Arts teachers to improve their operational competence in art practice. It further recommended that art teachers’ training curriculum be re-packaged to include more art practice activities than pedagogy so as to adequately build their art practice competence in scope and strength for prospective art teaching career.

The promise and process of adaptive teacher empathy to support equity in diverse classrooms

Multiple empirical studies suggest teacher empathy supports improved educational outcomes for all students, particularly in diverse settings; however, recent research shows such results to be inconsistent. These mixed findings have been explained as the result of inconsistent measurement practices as well as overly generalized conceptualizations of teacher empathy. Moreover, some educational researchers have cautioned against misapplications of empathy that may harm historically minoritized students. In this manuscript, we offer the conceptual framework of adaptive teacher empathy in response to these concerns. Adaptive teacher empathy is situated in the classroom context and centers the students’ perspective. We identify its three core phases: prioritizing cognitive empathic processes, cultivating beliefs and emotions that support teacher motivation to empathize, and implementing behaviors that support improved educational outcomes for students. Additionally, we articulate our understanding of equitable teaching practices and illustrate how adaptive teacher empathy can support equitable instruction, particularly in diverse classrooms. Further, adaptive teacher empathy is compared to similar classroom constructs and examples of each phase are applied to promote equitable teaching. We close with implications for research and teaching.

The Case for Compulsory Music Education in U.S. K-12 Schools: A Path to Fostering Cultural Identity and Inclusivity

This paper investigates the possible advantages of having music education as a required part of the U.S. K-12 curricula, particularly relating to how it can help develop cultural identities and encourage social cohesion. Music education helps develop cultural identity in that it creates shared experiences, preserves heritage, and encourages intercultural understanding. Questions of practical implementation—equity disparities, curricular prejudices, and lack of finances—fall into place as some of these challenges. It is contended in the paper that compulsory music education, far from these challenges, has rich cultural and educational rewards and for that matter prescribes remediating through legislative advocacy and public-private partnerships, and culturally responsive teaching practices.

Effectiveness of AR-Based Formative Peer Assessment on Chinese Writing Performance of Students with Different Cognitive Styles

The ability to communicate effectively in writing and produce clear and cohesive text is a necessary skill in both educational settings and the workplace, yet many young students struggle to organize their thoughts and engage in deep thinking. To address these challenges, an augmented reality (AR) application titled “Explore Wild Animals” has been used to help students organize information; however, it may not accommodate different cognitive styles. Integrating formative peer assessment (FPA) strategy into AR-based instruction can enhance knowledge construction and address diverse cognitive needs. This study, conducted from May to June 2023, empirically investigates the effects of FPA in an AR environment on the writing performance of learners with field-independent (FI) and field-dependent (FD) cognitive styles. A total of 89 fifth-grade pupils from China were randomly assigned to two groups: one group adopting FPA in an AR environment (AR-FPA), and the other group adopting FPA in a conventional PowerPoint (PPT) version 2410 environment (FPA). The results of a two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicate that the AR-FPA group outperformed the FPA group in writing performance. Specifically, FI learners benefitted more from the AR-FPA approach, while FD learners performed better with the FPA approach. However, multiple linear regression analysis reveals that the peer feedback quality and features showed little to no significant correlation with feedback providers’ writing performance, regardless of cognitive style. These results highlight the effectiveness of integrating AR and FPA in enhancing educational outcomes, providing practical insights for promoting the sustainability of technology-enhanced learning and teaching practices.

Learning in motion! Design of an evidence-based professional development programme to empower teacher educators to adopt play-based, gender-responsive pedagogies

ABSTRACT The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for action to achieve global goals relating to quality education and gender equality. Teacher education is a setting where novel pedagogical practices can be introduced and mainstreamed, ultimately influencing the educational experience at the school level. This study aimed to design a professional development programme to support teacher educators at Palestinian universities to adopt gender-responsive and play-based learning practices. The researchers used the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to develop an evidence-based intervention, resulting in the selection of six intervention functions (education, persuasion, training, environmental restructuring, modelling, and enablement) and 16 behaviour change techniques from the following taxonomy categories: natural consequences, feedback and monitoring, comparison of outcomes, comparison of behaviour, shaping knowledge, repetition and substitution, antecedents, social support, and goals and planning. Mode of delivery primarily involved face-to-face group-based facilitation. Using the BCW to guide the intervention development process allowed for a comprehensive review of teacher educators existing perspectives and the design of programme content to support them to change their teaching practices. The resulting novel professional development programme for teacher educators will be further researched to confirm relevance and impact.

Application of Small Field Practice in Tennis Teaching in Colleges and Universities

At present, the requirements of quality education are constantly improving, and more attention should be paid to the cultivation of students comprehensive quality. As an important quality training course, physical education can not only strengthen students physical quality to some extent, but also exercise their minds. As a kind of sports, tennis is very popular among college students. However, the training conditions of tennis are harsh and difficult, and some colleges and universities are unable to do their best in tennis teaching. Under this background, the small field practice method has certain advantages, which can enable students to practice independently. Starting from the main content of small field practice, this paper analyzes the application of this practice in college teaching, aiming at strengthening students physique and promoting tennis level.

“I don’t have an answer for you. I need to hear your thoughts”: a teacher’s deliberate mentoring practice in coplanning with student teachers

ABSTRACT Using educative mentoring as a framework, the study explored in-depth the beliefs and mentoring practices of a master teacher and his three student teachers’ (PSTs) perceptions and responses to the practice in a weekly one-hour coplanning meeting for a semester. Data sources included observations and video recordings of coplanning meetings, field notes, individual interviews with participants, PSTs’ journal entries, and documents such as weekly lesson plans. All video recordings and interviews were transcribed verbatim. The results showed that both intellectually and emotionally secure learning foundations are essential for learning, mentoring, and collaboration; deliberate mentoring practices such as challenging questions, exploratory thinking, modeling, and guiding reflection help PSTs shift their way of thinking and promote an inquiry mind-set; empowering PSTs in decision-making leads to genuine collaboration and creates learning opportunities. Through intentional mentoring, PSTs become confident, experimental, and creative change agents. The complexities of mentoring practice are then discussed. To support mentors in their preparation, a comprehensive and holistic approach to mentoring practice is proposed.