R Ruurd Taconis

The development of professional competencies by educational assistants in school‐based teacher education

Diese Studie beschreibt den Entwicklungsprozess der professionellen Fahigkeiten von 26 Studenten, die an einem sog. ‘Dualen’ Trainingsprogramm, zum Klassenassistenten teilnahmen. Die Analyse basiert sich auf:(a) Einen Kolbs LSI‐Fragebogen uber den Lernstil und das situationsspezifische Lernverhalten (α=.70), (b)Ein ‘Storyline Instrument’ als graphische Darstellung uber die Entwicklung der Kompetenzen im Trainingsprogramm; (c) Beurteilung der Fahigkeiten mit Noten. ‘Aktives Experimentieren’ in der Arbeitsumgebung hat zu guten Ergebnissen gefuhrt (r=.50 typisch). Die Auszubildenden erfahren, dass ‘Lernen durch Aktivitat’ und ‘Feedback oder Hinweise’ die besten Mittel sind, die deren eigenes Lernverhalten fordern. Viele Studenten durchlaufen eine ‘vorbereitende Lernzeit’, in der sie zwar Erfahrungen im Unterrichtswesen sammeln, wobei aber deren Fahigkeiten keinerlei Fortschritte zeigen. Vorbereitendes Lernen hangt positiv mit der Neigung nach reflexiver Observation und negativ mit der Neigung zu aktiven Expe...Diese Studie beschreibt den Entwicklungsprozess der professionellen Fähigkeiten von 26 Studenten, die an einem sog. ‘Dualen’ Trainingsprogramm, zum Klassenassistenten teilnahmen. Die Analyse basiert sich auf:(a) Einen Kolbs LSI‐Fragebogen über den Lernstil und das situationsspezifische Lernverhalten (α=.70), (b)Ein ‘Storyline Instrument’ als graphische Darstellung über die Entwicklung der Kompetenzen im Trainingsprogramm; (c) Beurteilung der Fähigkeiten mit Noten. ‘Aktives Experimentieren’ in der Arbeitsumgebung hat zu guten Ergebnissen geführt (r=.50 typisch). Die Auszubildenden erfahren, dass ‘Lernen durch Aktivität’ und ‘Feedback oder Hinweise’ die besten Mittel sind, die deren eigenes Lernverhalten fördern. Viele Studenten durchlaufen eine ‘vorbereitende Lernzeit’, in der sie zwar Erfahrungen im Unterrichtswesen sammeln, wobei aber deren Fähigkeiten keinerlei Fortschritte zeigen. Vorbereitendes Lernen hängt positiv mit der Neigung nach reflexiver Observation und negativ mit der Neigung zu aktiven Experimenten zusammen (r=.50 typisch) und korreliert auch negativ (r=−.55 typisch) zum letztendlichen Kompetenzniveau. Das Ergebnis dieser Studie betont die Anwendung des ‘aktiven Experimentierens’ der in‐service Studenten und weicht ab von der allgemeinen Annahme, dass Observation für die professionelle Entwicklung der dualen Lehrerbildung und den In‐Service Unterricht wichtig sei. Diese Studie ist zur Verbesserung aller Lehrerausbildungen in Europa relevant.

Teachers implementing context-based teaching materials: a framework for case-analysis in chemistry

We present a framework for analysing the interplay between context-based teaching material and teachers, and for evaluating the adequacy of the resulting implementation of context-based pedagogy in chemistry classroom practice. The development of the framework is described, including an account of its theoretical foundations. The framework needs to be sensitive to the problems specific to the implementation of new context-based science education and the professional development of teachers. An effective procedure is described for the collection and analysis of the data with subsequent focus on the designers’ intentions with the context-based teaching materials, the teachers’ perceptions of the materials and the resulting classroom practice. The framework’s use and value are shown in an empirical study. The framework proved to produce reliable and valid insight into the relations between teaching material and the teachers, and in the classroom implementation. Additionally, results on classroom implementation are presented to illustrate the kind of understanding can be expected when this framework is applied in more extensive multi-case studies.

Promoting science and technology in primary education: a review of integrated curricula

Integrated curricula seem promising for the increase of attention on science and technology in primary education. A clear picture of the advantages and disadvantages of integration efforts could help curriculum innovation. This review has focused on integrated curricula in primary education from 1994 to 2011. The integrated curricula were categorised according to a taxonomy of integration types synthesised from the literature. The characteristics that we deemed important were related to learning outcomes and success/fail factors. A focus group was formed to facilitate the process of analysis and to test tentative conclusions. We concluded that the levels in our taxonomy were linked to (a) student knowledge and skills, the enthusiasm generated among students and teachers, and the teacher commitment that was generated; and (b) the teacher commitment needed, the duration of the innovation effort, the volume and comprehensiveness of required teacher professional development, the necessary teacher support and the effort needed to overcome tensions with standard curricula. Almost all projects were effective in increasing the time spent on science at school. Our model resolves Czerniac’s definition problem of integrating curricula in a productive manner, and it forms a practical basis for decision-making by making clear what is needed and what output can be expected when plans are being formulated to implement integrated education.

Teachers Creating Context-Based Learning Environments in Science

Context-based science education has led to the transformation of science education in countries all over the world, with changes also visible in learning environments and how these are being shaped. These changes involve authentic problems on research and design, new types of interactions within communities of practice, new content areas and also new challenges for teachers in teaching, motivating, scaffolding and assessing their students, among other things.

An analysis of teaching competence in science teachers involved in the design of context-based curriculum materials

The committees for the current Dutch context-based innovation in secondary science education employed teachers to design context-based curriculum materials. A study on the learning of science teachers in design teams for context-based curriculum materials is presented in this paper. In a correlation study, teachers with (n = 25 and 840 students) and without (n = 8 and 184 students) context-based curriculum material design experience were compared on context-based competence. Context-based competence comprises context handling, regulation, emphasis, design, and school innovation. Context-based teaching competence was mapped using both qualitative and quantitative research methods in a composite instrument. Due to the differences in design team set-up for different science subjects, teachers with design experience from different science subjects were also compared on their context-based competence. It was found that teachers with design experience showed more context-based competence than their non-designing colleagues. Furthermore, teachers designing for biology showed more context-based competence than their peers from other science subjects.

Systematic comparison of solved problems as a cooperative learning task.

Problem-solving skills and understanding of domain, knowledge (e.g., fighting misconceptions) are important goals in both secondary and tertiary science education. A prototype of an instructional task is presented which aims at improved problem-solving skills based on understanding of domain knowledge. In this task, comparing carefully selected solved problems by groups of students is utilised as a learning activity for the acquisition of adequate problem schemata. The task is designed as a part of the so-called UBP-program (UBP=Understanding Based Problem solving) currently being developed, for education in science. The result of an evaluative study for the field of mechanics is presented. The UBP-task appears apt to improve problem-solving skills at a less advanced level of physics education (e.g., 10th grade), especially for students normally performing poorly—who are often girls.

Non satis scire : To know is not enough e-assessment of student-teachers' competence as new teachers

In teacher education programmes, text-based portfolios are generally used to assess student-teachers’ competence as new teachers. However, striking discrepancies are known to exist between the competencies reflected in a written portfolio and the competencies observed in actual classroom practice. Multiple assessments should be used to provide a more valid assessment of student-teachers’ competence as new teachers. Technology can support this kind of multiple and flexible ways of assessment. In a Research & Development project, four types of e-assessments were designed, implemented and evaluated in 27 interventions in 13 post-graduated teacher education programs in the Netherlands. Teacher educators reported positive outcomes of the interventions in terms of new procedures, materials and tools. No significant effects were found of the implementation of the four types of e-assessments on the evaluation by either teacher educators or studentteachers. A possible explanation for this absence of effects might be teething problems of the interventions implemented.

Do outreach activities in secondary STEM education motivate students and improve their attitudes towards STEM

ABSTRACT The present study investigated outreach activities, developed by STEM-based companies or universities in co-creation with secondary education with the aim to inform students about and motivate them for a career in STEM by connecting the work-context with school-science. Although many of such activities are being offered, little is known about their effects. We investigated students’ perceptions with the outreach learning environment, perceived need-fulfilment, self-reported motivation and attitudes towards STEM. Data were gathered from 729 high-school students engaged in 12 activities in the USA and the Netherlands. The students completed a questionnaire, which contained questions about four elements of our theoretical frame based on the Self-Determination-Theory (SDT). Perceived needs-fulfilment and motivation were measured using the basic-psychological-needs-scale and the self-regulation-questionnaire. Attitudes were measured using the test-of-science-related-attitudes. Learning environment perceptions were measured in a previous study using subscales of what-is-happing-in-this-classroom (WIHIC), constructivist-learning-environments-scale (CLES) and classroom-environment-scale (CES) and typified by activity characteristics. Multilevel analyses of variance were conducted for the two motivation scales (controlled and autonomous-motivation) and the two attitude scales (social-implication and career-interest). Activity characteristics explained almost all variance in these variables between activities. Specific characteristics of outreach activities that statistically significantly related to autonomous motivation and positive general attitudes towards STEM were: workshop-format, understanding science, an out-of-school component. The attitude towards a possible STEM-career was positively associated with autonomous-motivation and negatively associated with controlled-motivation. Thus, outreach learning environments indeed created opportunities to increase students’ motivation in STEM and attitude towards STEM, but the impact varied according to particular characteristics of the activities.

A tool for developing design-based learning activities for primary school teachers

The paper describes the iterative design process of a tool to support primary school teachers in creating Design-Based Learning (DBL) activities. DBL is a promising approach for teaching 21st Century skills. In developing DBL activities teachers face challenges such as determining the right level of openness of the challenge and mapping appropriate learning goals to activities. The DBL tool is being developed in collaboration with three primary schools. The process has led to user requirements for such a tool, and an understanding of how to map curriculum/learning design decisions on a design process.

Concluding Reflections on Context-Based Learning Environments in Science

In this final chapter we reflect on the papers presented in this book. As such, the different contributions provide a range and variety in Context-Based Learning Environments in Science (CBLES) and associated teaching strategies, as well as an outlook on how to assist and stimulate teachers to develop themselves for creating such environments. How to value and understand these different types of CBLES?