Teacher Preparation Research Articles

READINESS OF SCIENCE & MATH TEACHERS TO APPLY STEM TECHNOLOGIES IN PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES ACCORDING TO THE COGNITIVE CRITERION INDICATORS

The development of STEM education requires teachers to have knowledge in science and mathematics, comprehensive interdisciplinary knowledge, and the ability to integrate various fields of science, technology, and engineering into the educational process. That calls for new approaches to building teachers' readiness that involve the development of cognitive abilities, including the ability to analyze and critically think creativity, and the ability to innovate. In the article, we present a brief theoretical analysis of scientific sources of domestic and foreign scholars, which allowed us to clarify the concept of "readiness of teachers of natural and mathematical disciplines to use STEM technologies in their professional activities." Considering the approaches to determining the readiness criteria, the criteria are formulated, among which we single out the cognitive criterion, which characterizes the totality of knowledge and ideas about the nature of professional activity, professional knowledge, skills, and abilities to implement STEM in the educational process. The indicators of the cognitive criterion are highlighted: 1) "awareness in the field of STEM," which reflects the level of knowledge of the future teacher about current trends in the development of STEM education and technologies used in STEM projects; 2) "comprehensive interdisciplinary knowledge," which reflects knowledge of various disciplines of the natural and mathematical cycle, as well as an understanding of interdisciplinary connections within STEM and the ability of the future teacher to make connections. The methods of calculating indicators for determining the readiness levels of teachers of natural and mathematical disciplines to use STEM technologies in their professional activities are described. The results of the pedagogical experiment, which was processed according to the Student's criterion, are presented. It has been confirmed that the level of formation of the knowledge component of readiness according to the indicators of the cognitive criterion (awareness of STEM and the availability of comprehensive interdisciplinary knowledge) has positive dynamics in the experimental group.

PENGUATAN DIMENSI PROFIL PELAJAR PANCASILA BERIMAN, BERTAKWA KEPADA TUHAN YANG MAHA ESA DAN BERAKHLAK MULIA MELALUI PEMBELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN PANCASILA

This research aims to describe the process, supporting factors and inhibiting factors in the implementation of strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile dimensions of faith, devotion to God Almighty, and students' noble morals through learning Pancasila education. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method. The data analysis technique used is the Miles and Huberman model data analysis technique which consists of data collection, data reduction, data presentation and conclusions. The research results show that the process of strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile dimensions of faith, devotion to God Almighty, and noble character is integrated through Pancasila learning activities in preliminary activities, core activities and closing activities, apart from that the strengthening process is also carried out through habituation activities and school programs. The supporting factors in the process of strengthening the character of the Pancasila Student Profile at SDN Periuk 1 include the readiness of teachers to carry out learning that is integrated with strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile, the availability of school facilities and infrastructure, and the participation of parents and the surrounding community in organizing activities at school. Meanwhile, the inhibiting factors faced are inhibiting factors from outside the school which originate from students' social interactions which are less supervised by parents.

Signal Processing in the Digital Era: Educational Strategies for Developing Curriculum for Teacher’s Training at Secondary School A Need Assessment Analysis in District Kot addu South Pakistan

Due to the fast-growing technological expansion, signal processing has become one of the significant elements of learning, especially in a world where technology is rapidly growing. This study, titled “Signal Processing in the Digital Era: The research study titled “Educational Strategies for Developing Curriculum for Teachers’ Training at Secondary School: A Need Assessment Analysis in District Kot Addu, South Pakistan” will focus on the need to include signal processing concepts in the training curriculum of teachers in secondary schools. This study aims to find out existing level of awareness and existing knowledge of teachers so as to find out the gaps / areas where further curriculum development could be attempted based on the district Kot Addu, South, Pakistan. It will analyze the impact of digital tools and technologies in the improvement of teachers’ competencies in signal processing through an evaluation of them extensively. Particular emphasis will be made on the difficulties which teachers encounter when implementing these concepts and technologies, the necessary conditions in schools and the necessary preparation of educators for proper curriculum implementation. The result from this study will be important for its contribution toward informing the process of curriculum development for teacher training, the context of the digital age, in order to promote positive change in educational outcomes of secondary school. Keywords: Signal Processing, The Digital Age, Curriculum Development, Digital Technologies.

Building Emotional Intelligence among B. Ed Students through Family Activities and Social Adjustment

Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in education are prepared to work as teachers because they have received training in both pedagogy and academic areas. They gain experience in teaching strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. During their training, emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication are stressed as essential skills. B.Ed. students are able to create friendly and productive learning environments for all kinds of learners. For students to effectively regulate emotions, establish positive relationships, and establish positive learning environments, educators should have emotional intelligence (EI). The objective of this study is to determine how family activities and social adjustment affect the emotional intelligence of students pursuing a bachelor's degree in education. In this study 110 B.Ed. students (ages 20-25) studying in Chennai district were included who were split into control and experimental groups. Over the course of four weeks, the control group adhered to the standard curriculum, while the experimental group participated in family-based and social adjustment activities. Using a quasi-experimental methodology, this study collected quantitative data to assess how family activities and social adjustment affected B.Ed. students' emotional intelligence. The findings of pre- and post-tests on the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) showed that the experimental group's EI scores had significantly increased. This study emphasizes how crucial it is to include social and emotional learning experiences in teacher preparation programs in order to improve students' emotional intelligence and create more well-rounded teachers

Implementing Equitable Practice-Based Teacher Education to Advance Rural STEM Teacher Candidates’ Pedagogical and Content Knowledge

This longitudinal three-year study explored implementation of practice-based teacher preparation incorporating high-leverage teaching practices to advance PCK. Participants included teacher candidates (n = 45) who completed elementary science and mathematics methods courses at a rural Midwestern university. Students engaged in teaching rehearsals to explore STEM concepts and equitable teaching practices. Data from surveys and student reflections revealed an increase in teacher candidates' perceptions of their knowledge and competence of teaching science and math content equitably.

Implementing Equitable Practice-Based Teacher Education to Advance Rural STEM Teacher Candidates’ Pedagogical and Content Knowledge

This longitudinal three-year study explored implementation of practice-based teacher preparation incorporating high-leverage teaching practices to advance PCK. Participants included teacher candidates (n = 45) who completed elementary science and mathematics methods courses at a rural Midwestern university. Students engaged in teaching rehearsals to explore STEM concepts and equitable teaching practices. Data from surveys and student reflections revealed an increase in teacher candidates' perceptions of their knowledge and competence of teaching science and math content equitably.

Implementation of the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) Approach in Geometry Learning in Secondary Schools

This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach in geometry learning in secondary schools. Realistic Mathematics Education, which emphasizes mathematics learning through relevant contexts and students' real experiences, aims to improve students' understanding and skills in geometry. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the implementation of RME and identifies various challenges and potential solutions in its implementation. The method used is a literature review that includes studies related to the implementation of RME in geometry learning. The results of the analysis show that RME can improve students' understanding of geometric concepts by linking materials to everyday situations, thereby motivating and involving students more actively in the learning process. This approach helps students link theory to real practice, deepen their understanding, and develop problem-solving skills. There are challenges such as teacher readiness, limited resources, and limited time allocation, recommendations to improve teacher training, develop supportive policies, and provide adequate resources can help overcome these problems. With the right strategy and adequate support, RME has great potential to improve the quality of geometry learning in secondary schools and have a positive impact on student learning outcomes

STEM education: content integration in English classes (SCILLA project)

STEM education is a progressive trend in modern education. Its aim is to develop students’ critical thinking, research abilities, engineering thinking based on scientific methods, technical applications, mathematical modelling, etc. Implementation of STEM approach will expand the boundaries of students’ thinking, bring Kazakhstani education closer to the international standard, and open new opportunities for students. Statistics on the implementation of STEMeducation in the Kazakhstan education system shows that the transition in the pilot phase began in 2012, in the conditions of updated content in Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, Haileybury, Quantum School, etc. However, at the level of university education this topic is highly significant. The application of STEMeducation technologies in teaching foreign languages is of particular interest.The article presents an analysis of the results of the international project, which was funded under the grant program of the U.S. Mission in Kazakhstan. The article considers STEM education as a means of teaching a foreign language at the university, which allows to include students in the activities in the natural-scientific field, thus ensuring the success of future specialists in the world of constantlychanging information technologies. All this is possible due to the interdisciplinary applied nature of STEM education. In the course of the study, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the impact of STEM educational practices on student lear ning outcomes in teaching and learning process. The research makes an overview of universities in Kazakhstan in terms of students’ demographics, language level, etc. Then the context is provided on teacher training, teacher preparation, lesson planning, a model for planning and delivering instruction to university students. This context lays the foundation for the development of an integrated STEM learning module that utilizes STEM + Language learning approach.

Teacher preparedness and professional development needs for successful technology integration in teacher education

Teacher preparedness and professional development needs for successful technology integration in teacher education

Deepening awareness of inequities: investigating an advocacy project in early childhood teacher education

ABSTRACT An important goal for early childhood teacher education is to prepare teachers who advocate for policies leading to greater equity for families, young children, and the early childhood profession. This study investigated the extent to which an early childhood policy and advocacy course with an embedded advocacy project increased undergraduate students’ knowledge about inequities in early childhood as well as their attitudes toward adopting an active role in advocating for equitable child and family policies. Qualitative analysis of written reflections revealed that the project increased students’ knowledge about equity issues at a surface level and, for some students, more deeply, especially relating to specific topics of project focus. A few students even described new insights for equity-minded leadership. Several students also became more aware of inequities beyond their own project and articulated a commitment to recognize and address inequities through advocacy. Implications for early childhood teacher preparation are discussed.

THE CONTENT OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE EDUCATORS TO WORK IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the content of professional training for future educators preparing to work in preschool education institutions in the United States. It delves into various aspects of the curriculum, highlighting essential components such as child development theories, instructional strategies, assessment techniques, and classroom management practices that are crucial for fostering a conducive learning environment for young children. The study emphasizes the significance of integrating theory with practical experiences. It discusses how hands-on training, including internships and field placements, equips future educators with the skills needed to effectively engage with preschool children and adapt to diverse learning needs. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of culturally responsive teaching, advocating for a curriculum that reflects the varied backgrounds of children and their families. Additionally, the paper explores the role of collaboration with families and communities, recognizing that strong partnerships are vital for supporting children’s holistic development. It discusses strategies for effective communication with parents and caregivers, as well as the importance of involving them in the educational process. By analyzing current trends and standards in early childhood education, including accreditation requirements and professional competencies, the paper aims to identify best practices for developing skilled educators. It also addresses challenges faced by teacher preparation programs and suggests ways to enhance the quality and relevance of training. Ultimately, this study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the ongoing discourse about teacher preparation in early childhood education, advocating for a well-rounded approach that equips future educators to meet the diverse and dynamic needs of young learners in the United States.

PREPARATION OF TECHNOLOGY TEACHERS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETENT LEARNING IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OF THE NEW UKRAINIAN SCHOOL

The article discloses theoretical and methodological approaches in the preparation of technology teachers for the implementation of competence training as a leading approach in the organization of the educational process of the New Ukrainian School. A characterization of the methodical training of a technology teacher through the lens of the main concepts of the New Ukrainian School was carried out.The article defines the main directions (according to the main provisions of the National Academy of Sciences) in which it is necessary to change the methodological training of technology teachers for their professional activities in institutions of general secondary education. To do this, the essence of competency-based learning and the relevant professional skills and abilities that a future teacher of technology should master in order to implement this approach in the New Ukrainian School are revealed.The characterization of the methodical activity of a technology teacher in terms of the concepts of the New Ukrainian School conducted in the article allows to simulate the process of training such a teacher for the introduction of competence training in the educational process of a modern school. The presented model consists of three main levels, which are interconnected and are the basis for methodical training of a technology teacher for professional activities in a modern school.The basis of the proposed model are the concepts of the New Ukrainian School, which are described above, and which allow considering three conditional levels of technology teacher training.

TECHNOLOGY OF SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNINGIN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE OF FUTURE PRIMARY CLASS TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS EXTENDED DAY GROUPS

In the article, the author reveals the history of the emergence and development of social-emotional learning as a technology and approach to learning and upbringing in the United States of America. Among the research methods, the author used the analysis of scientific sources, the method of systematization and generalization of data in order to identify the state of the investigated problem. The idea of social-emotional learning appeared in the 1960s as a way to solve the American educational and moral crisis. Approbation of the first programs showed an increase in the academic performance of students and an improvement in their connections with the social environment, which was explained by the formation of social and emotional skills. The integration of the social-emotional learning model into the educational process has led to significant positive results, which has led to its support at the state level. The basis of the model is the theory of emotional intelligence. In Ukraine, the technology of socio-emotional learning has been implemented in educational institutions since 2019, gradually gaining more and more popularity. The main requirement is the readiness of teachers to use technology and the formation of their own social and emotional skills.It has been established that social-emotional learning contains significant potential for the development of emotional intelligence in future primary school teachers, therefore it should be used as its effective tool. The experience of integrating socio-emotional elements into the content of professional training of future primary school teachers and educators of the extended day group at Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University is described. Methodological peculiarities and approaches to the development of th eir emotional intelligence by means of educational and preventive and preventive international and state social-emotional training programs are revealed.

PRESCHOOL TEACHERS PREPARATION FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN CALIFORNIA

Following the realization of the importance of early development and the low quality of early childhood education programs in the United States the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) were established to develop professional standards for special educators. It was found that the most important factor in providing education for children with special needs is well-trained teaching staff. Principles for ensuring the existence of high-quality programs for kindergartens began to be developed. A new concept of “Developmentally Appropriate Practice” was formed by The National Association for Nursery Education (NANE and seven standards for the professional training of early childhood teachers were proposed. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed by the Congress in 1975. IDEA regulates how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and other services. The state has established grants to improve the quality of school education by attracting and retaining effective teachers. It was found that 7 million, or 14% of all public school received special education services. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is revising the Special Education Standards for Children with Disabilities. The commission developed draft teaching, administration, and preparation program guidelines in collaboration with a technical advisory group of early childhood education professionals. It was clarified that there are additional internship programs in California, Completion of the internship program leads to a Certificate of Eligibility to Teach, which is identical to completion of a traditional teacher preparation program. It was concluded that the policy of the Department of Education, the educational laws of the United States are aimed at encouraging participation in formal and informal professional learning, but it should be a continuous process, because adults providing care and education are responsible for the progress of children throughout their lives.

The readiness of physical education and sports professionals to participate in educational activities for sustainable development of society

Purpose. To demonstrate the influence of the author’s methodological system on the formation of future specialists in physical culture and sports and their readiness for educational activities for sustainable development of society. Material and methods. The study involved 390 students from the faculties of physical education of T. H. Shevchenko National University "Chernihiv Colehium", the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Sumy State University, and Sumy State Pedagogical University named after A.S. Makarenko, future specialists in physical culture and sports. Students were informed about the features of the study and voluntarily participated in the pedagogical experiment. The participants of the study are represented by both sexes of different courses, from which the control and experimental groups were formed. Methods used: pedagogical experiments, surveys, questionnaires, testing, analysis, synthesis and generalisation of information; methods of mathematical statistics. Results. At the ascertaining stage of the pedagogical experiment, the indicator of readiness for educational activities for sustainable development of society in the control and experimental groups was almost the same at all levels, with a significant predominance of low levels. 69.35% and 65.09% of respondents in the control and experimental groups had a low level of the studied indicator, 18.06% and 19.08% –satisfactory level, 9.81% and 10.44% – average level, and 2.78% and 5.42% – high level, respectively. At the end of the experiment, a positive impact of the methodological training system on the studied quality was observed. At the final stage of the study, Pearson's correlation coefficient was χ2empirical = 22.67, with a critical value χ2critical = 5.99 (p < 0.05). The most significant changes were observed in the cognitive and practical components of readiness. The number of students with low levels decreased by 2.8 times and almost 2 times, the number of students with satisfactory levels increased by 6.8 times and 2.8 times, and the number of students with average levels of cognitive and practical components increased by 14.8 and 6.5 times, respectively. The number of students with a high level of development in the practical component of readiness for educational activities for sustainable development of society increased by 2.5 times. In the control group, at the end of the pedagogical experiment, there were no significant changes in the indicators of any of the studied components of physical education and sports specialists’ readiness for educational activities for sustainable development. Conclusions. The experimental methodological system has a positive impact on the formation of future physical education and sport specialists’ readiness to participate in educational activities for sustainable development of society. At the beginning of the pedagogical experiment in both groups, on average, 68.56% respondents had a low, 19.49% satisfactory, 9.12% average, and 2.83% high level of readiness for educational activities for sustainable development. At the end of the pedagogical experiment, the indicators in the experimental group improved significantly: the number of students with a low level of the studied indicator (30.18%) decreased by 2.3 times; the number of students with a satisfactory level increased by 1.8 times (35.37%); and the number of students with medium (26.11%) and high (8.33%) levels of readiness for educational activities for sustainable development of society increased by 2.9 times.

Dance Teacher Education at Shiv Nadar Schools: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities

ABSTRACT With India’s long tradition of dance as a form of cultural preservation and current policy expectations, it is inevitable that dance practices in Indian K12 schools will experience growth. Given the status of dance teacher education in the country, it is unclear if current and future dance educators are prepared to meet this expansion. In this article, the authors report on a qualitative research project that, through semi-structured interviews with K12 dance teachers in the Delhi NCR region of India, sought to better understand teacher preparedness and to hear from the teachers themselves about what issues, challenges, and opportunities they face. The results are organized into the broad themes of a) navigating ourselves as dance teachers, b) navigating dance in schools, and c) navigating dance in India. Based on these results, suggestions are made for future professional development.

Practicum Training: The Readiness of Early Childhood Education Trainee Teachers in Malaysia for Teaching the English Communication Strands in Early Childhood Education

Practicum Training: The Readiness of Early Childhood Education Trainee Teachers in Malaysia for Teaching the English Communication Strands in Early Childhood Education

Inculcating IKS cultural practices into the pre-service science and mathematics teacher education curriculum at an Institution of Higher Education in Namibia

In this paper we interrogate the teachers training programme offered at an institution of higher learning in Namibia. We used Empiricism to explore the authentic practices used in the transformational processes exposed to 3rd and 4th year mathematics and science student teachers. We emphasized three important constructs that guide the scholarship of teaching, namely standards of excellence, virtues and values to guide IK integration in the curriculum. We conclude that student teachers understood the meaning and importance of IK. However, the teacher preparation curriculum did not include aspects related to IK, it was left at their own discretion to adopt. We recommend appropriate strategies for adoption to implement and guide the required standards and values for curriculum development.

Generative Artificial Intelligence on Mobile Devices in the University Preparation of Future Teachers of Mathematics

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of education. The possibilities of AI in education range from providing intelligent tutoring to facilitating computational thinking, a key skill in an AI-based society. As education systems around the world adapt to technological advances, the need for teachers to develop AI skills becomes crucial. This paper explores the use of AI on mobile devices to improve the preparation of future mathematics teachers. We acknowledge the need for teachers to be skilled in the use of AI tools to foster collaborative, effective, and ethical learning environments. We also provide a case study of our implementation of the generative AI ChatGPT in the preparation of future mathematics teachers at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science at Comenius University in Bratislava. After this implementation, we analyzed students’ opinions on the application of AI in selected areas. We present the results of this analysis and the implications for the practical use of AI in the university education of future mathematics teachers. Finally, based on our study results, we highlight the possibilities of the successful use of AI in different aspects of teaching and its temporary limitations, which are likely to be reduced by further technological developments.

Bridging the gap in early career teachers' STEM pedagogy: Exploring micro‐credentials as a possible creative solution

AbstractThis exploratory study sought to address the gap in strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teacher preparation in elementary and secondary teacher education programs. Integrated STEM education is attracting increased attention and gaining momentum from educators, politicians, STEM industries, and the media across the nation. Many state and national organizations have called for a new workforce of problem solvers, innovators, and inventors who are self‐reliant and able to think logically, also suggesting that creating such capacity is one of the critical foundations that drive innovative capacity in the nation. A key to developing these skills is STEM competencies and career goals in every K‐12 student. To do this, teachers must be educated on how to connect STEM careers and integrate STEM content into their curriculum. Providing integrated STEM micro‐credentials for preservice and in‐service teachers can be a flexible solution for providing teachers a method to learn how to improve their content knowledge and pedagogy (Digital Promise, 2019). Participants were a combination of undergraduate preservice teachers and graduate early‐career teachers who were asked about their STEM preparation. The majority of the participants received very little to no integrated STEM preparation. As a possible solution for this, participants were asked about their preferred type of professional development (PD) and if participating in a micro‐credential course would be a possibility. Nearly all of the participants agreed that a self‐paced micro‐credential that blended online and in‐person instruction would be something they would do to learn how to integrate STEM more effectively into their pedagogy. Micro‐credentials could be a successful solution for educator PD.