Mary Lundeberg

Noticing Noticing How Does Investigation of Video Records Change How Teachers Reflect on Their Experiences

This study investigated the following question: To what extent and in what ways might using video help interns reflect on their discussion-based teaching in a more complex manner than when they use memory-based written reflection? Three elementary interns participated in the study. Findings suggest that video-supported reflection enabled interns to write more specific (vs. general) comments about their teaching than writing from memory, shift the content of the reflections from a focus on classroom management in memory-based reflections to a focus on instruction when video was available, and focus less on themselves and more on children when they reflected on video clips of their teaching. The power of video-based reflection to help interns revisit, notice, and investigate how they facilitate classroom discussions is considered.

Do Laboratory Findings on Test Expectancy Generalize to Classroom Outcomes

We conducted a meta-analysis of both classroom and laboratory studies of the effects of expecting a recall, recognition, essay, multiple-choice or true-false test on students’ subsequent achievement. In laboratory studies, studying with a recall set produced strong positive effect sizes for both discrete and prose materials. However, studying with a recognition set produced no effects with discrete materials and small negative effects with prose materials. In contrast, results from classroom studies indicated that students achieved most when preparing for the type of test they received. These results run counter to standard wisdom in the college study skills area and lead us to challenge the assumption that laboratory studies on expecting tests of recall and recognition provide a useful analog to test expectancy effects involving essay and multiple-choice tests in the classroom.

Using Questioning to Facilitate Discussion of Science Teaching Problems in Teacher Professional Development

Previous research has shown that questioning is a key strategy that facilitators use to promote discussion in Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Yet, there is a lack of detailed understanding on what questions facilitators ask and how those questions affect discus sion. In this study we examined different types of questions that experienced facilitators asked to promote discussion of teaching problems in professional development for science teachers. We videotaped six PBL sessions facilitated by three pairs of experienced facilitators. Data analysis showed that facilitators asked a set of questions to initiate and advance PBL discourse, including questions to solicit ideas, to reframe ideas, to clarify ideas, to push for elaboration, to check for interpretation, and to connect to teachers’ classroom practice. This study has implications for the development of PBL facilitators.

Gender differences in student performance in large lecture classrooms using personal response systems (‘clickers’) with narrative case studies

This study investigated gender differences in science learning between two pedagogical approaches: traditional lecture and narrative case studies using personal response systems (‘clickers’). Thirteen instructors of introductory biology classes at 12 different institutions across the USA and Canada used two types of pedagogy (Clicker Cases and traditional lecture) to teach eight topic areas. Three different sets of multiple regression analysis were conducted for three separate dependent variables: posttest score, change in score from posttest to final, and transfer score. Interactions between gender and pedagogical approach were found across the three analyses. Women either performed better with Clicker Cases, or about the same with either instructional method, but men performed markedly better with lectures in most topic areas. Our results suggest that men and women experience two pedagogical approaches—Clicker Cases and lectures—differently, and that Clicker Cases are more favorable for women than for men.

Exploring Biotechnology Using Case-Based Multimedia

oday, teachers face more challenges than ever, and biology teachers face a special challenge. As technology continues to expand, biology teachers have a responsibility to keep students informed of technological and scientific advances. Biology teachers must also address ethical issues associated with these advances. Here we describe our experiences using case-based molecular biology simulations in high school and introductory college biology classes. This software enables teachers to meet several national science standards, such as connecting science to real-life situations and encouraging students to think about the relationships among science, technology and society. The realistic simulation also encourages students to explore careers in molecular biology and genetics, and gives students experience both in building Web pages and Internet conferencing.

Constructing videocases to help novices learn to facilitate discussions in science and English: how does subject matter matter?

Learning to conduct interactive classroom discussions is a high priority for becoming an effective teacher, and most teachers view conducting productive classroom discussions as a complex undertaking. Because the dynamics of facilitating classroom discussions are multifaceted and hard to analyze in real time, there is a growing interest in how video allows preservice teachers to examine records of their practice to promote further growth. What prospective teachers actually take away from analysis of video, however, needs further exploration. In this study, we explored five preservice student teachers’ beliefs about conducting discussions and probed the potential of videocase construction for supporting teacher learning by investigating the following question: ‘To what extent and how does making a videocase help preservice teachers investigate their facilitation of a subject‐specific discussion?’ Results revealed that by constructing and talking about their videocases, all five preservice teachers gained insights about how they lead discussions. Studying video excerpts and articulating what they saw in them provided a context for looking more closely at their own roles and student roles within their discussion. They also recognized the complexities of leading discussions and acknowledged particular areas that need improvement. The teachers used the metaphorical language of ‘guiding’ their students down a pathway when they talked about leading classroom discussions. There were similarities and differences among teachers’ conceptions of good discussions in English and science, and their notions of ‘guiding’ were related to their subject matter goals. The study suggests, however, several areas that may require further attention in preservice teachers’ preparation in leading discussions. Although the teachers expressed views of discussion that aligned broadly with disciplinary views in English or science, their language lacked specificity in what it means to develop varied interpretations of texts in English or consensus based on argument and evidence in science. More specific video analysis focused on subject matter goals and corresponding conversational elements may help preservice teachers develop more nuanced, sophisticated views of how particular types of social interaction have the potential to help their students reach specific subject matter goals. We conclude that investigation is needed on larger numbers of preservice teachers’ videocase construction processes, and further inquiry is needed into how working with video analysis affects their actual performance in future discussion facilitation.

Studying Teachers and Schools: Michael Pressley's Legacy and Directions for Future Research

Much of Michael Pressleys work during the past decade focused on the nature of highly effective, engaging literacy instruction. Michael Pressley believed that studying effective teachers and schools had the potential to influence more engaging and effective teaching, especially in underresourced schools. First, we describe the grounded psychological theories he developed on effective practices for teaching reading and writing, and the positive and motivating classroom environments in which this instruction occurred. His work evolved from a focus on excellent teachers to excellent schools, and he was particularly passionate about developing a theory of effective schools in urban contexts and in isolated rural contexts. Pressley has had major impact on the direction of classroom research with a psychological theoretical perspective, particularly the construction of qualitative case studies. After critiquing the methodology used in this research, we suggest directions for future research.

Seeing What You Normally Don't See.

Video can be a powerful tool to support teacher research, help teachers notice whats not readily visible in their daily teaching, transform their practice, and improve student learning.

“Science Talks” in Kindergarten Classrooms: Improving Classroom Practice Through Collaborative Action Research

In this study we described an action research project enacted by a veteran Kindergarten teacher (Sarah) in the context of a professional development program. Over the course of a year, Sarah collaborated with other teachers in a small group to investigate how to use “Science Talks” to promote student learning in Kindergarten classrooms. A Problem-Based Learning approach was adopted to guide the collaborative action research. Based on a rich set of data sources, we concluded that Sarah’s action research improved student learning and led to her own professional growth. We also identified important conditions in support of action research.

Work in progress - assessing the engineering curriculum through Bloom’s Taxonomy

This research project examines using a taxonomy-based survey to permit engineering programs to self-assess whether students are given a broad spectrum of learning opportunities. An engineering taxonomy, designed to be compact and simple, identifies seven key engineering ldquoskillsrdquo one conceptual, one factual, and five process oriented skills based on the engineering design cycle. Four levels of mastery are defined, compared to the six originally defined by Bloom. The taxonomy survey has been piloted in an electrical engineering program at a land-grant research university. This paper discusses the validation process and initial results.