Abstract An overview of what is needed in educational reform at the state and national levels are... more Abstract An overview of what is needed in educational reform at the state and national levels are examined. Seven types of globalization needed for students’ success are reviewed, with ongoing change efforts in South Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, England, and the United States being highlighted. The United States’ educational restructuring efforts at the state level and policies surrounding them are discussed. Next, examples of state and national level educational improvement projects are presented. The chapter ends by showcasing examples of organizations and schools that have made significant progress in educating students for a global 21st century.
An overview of the need for change in higher education programs of teacher preparation is present... more An overview of the need for change in higher education programs of teacher preparation is presented. The authors summarize what needs to change based on the research of educational leaders, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and leading educational organizations. They address what it means to be highly qualified, a model for teacher preparation, and needed policy changes in the
Until recently, the terms teacher and leadership were not often mentioned in the same sentence.Ed... more Until recently, the terms teacher and leadership were not often mentioned in the same sentence.Educational leadership was synonymous with school administration, and teachers viewed themselvesas followers rather than leaders. Over the past fifteen years, this perception has changed. Due tofederal mandates such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Response to Intervention (RtI), teacherroles and responsibilities have expanded (Le Cornu, 1999) and distributed school leadership hasbecome the norm (Danielson, 2006; Harrison & Killion, 2007).
This study assessed the delivery effectiveness of a communication workshop for teachers, "Ho... more This study assessed the delivery effectiveness of a communication workshop for teachers, "How To Talk So Kids Will Listen. " The workshop included presentations and opportunities to take part in role plays, simulations, reflection activities, and group discussions. Teachers completed a survey rating the presentation in four areas (organization and structure, delivery and communication, audiovisual displays, and usefulness of information) and responded to open-ended questions about positive aspects of the session and how to improve the presentation. Presenters kept journal notes, completed a self-report using the same four categories as the participants, and elaborated on the same open ended-questions as participants. Results indicated that participants were positive about the workshops. They felt the material delivered was practical, they valued the way the information was delivered, and they considered the presenters knowledgeable. Respondents noted that the sessions coul...
As classrooms change and become more student-centered, it is essential to provide preservice teac... more As classrooms change and become more student-centered, it is essential to provide preservice teachers with opportunities that enhance their learning of different strategies. One strategy commonly seen in student-centered cla8'srooms is the use of learning centers. This study began when three primary teachers (two third grade teachers and one special education teacher) and their principal expressed interest in collaborating with a university teacher education professor. The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of learning centers designed by preservice teachers and student learning in those centers through the use of survey information from third grade students. Forty-six third grade students and nine preservice teachers participated in the study. Special education services in the school followed an inclusion model, with students placed in the regular classroom with their same age peers. Preservice teacher reflections and the third graders ' responses on surveys d...
To find ways to reduce, violence in schools, the subtle environmental aspects in a school that ha... more To find ways to reduce, violence in schools, the subtle environmental aspects in a school that had integrated peace activities in the curriculum as a means of promoting positive changes in behavior were investigated. The results are presented here. At Peaceable Magnet School 42 kindergarten through eighth grade teachers were trained in peer mediation, and peace activities were initiated in the school. Afterwards, a task group was formed to immerse the whole school in violence prevention by integrating peace activities as a part of the ongoing curriculum. Researchers then compared what the teachers believed were vital factors in developing a peaceful school environment to the school environment in which they actually taught. Although the school had been focusing on peace for a year and teachers and students reported improved behavior, the teachers perceived a lack of support, and they believed that serious concerns still existed. Teacher were reluctant to involve parents as partners ...
Influenced by Carnegie Academy Campus Program conversations, faculty (n=71) advising responsibili... more Influenced by Carnegie Academy Campus Program conversations, faculty (n=71) advising responsibilities and attitudes were explored at a midsize, comprehensive, private university. As part of an effort to improve student learning, the primarily quantitative Student Advising Survey was used to establish advising patterns. The survey found that faculty spent an average of 36.71 hours each semester advising an average of 29.14 students. A significant number of students do not seek out advising from their assigned advisers, and the majority of respondents advised students not assigned to them. Faculty indicated advising primarily involved advising about courses, followed by career advising. Computer access to student registration records was the most helpful service, and referral to the career center was the resource used most frequently. Respondents rated their advising effectiveness as high, although slightly less than half of the faculty (42.7W) received training in advising and 46.7 %...
This case study of a preschool boy with Asperger’s syndrome focuses on the use of video instructi... more This case study of a preschool boy with Asperger’s syndrome focuses on the use of video instruction for the purpose of teaching skills required for participation in classroom activities. After the classroom teacher identified four skill areas needing improvement (circle time, sharing, choosing centers, and singing), short video clips of instructions and role plays were created using a digital camera. The clips were viewed by the subject on a daily basis for eight weeks prior to selected activities. To document the effect of using the video instruction, observation notes were collected and a teacher survey was completed. Information gleaned from the observations and the survey revealed that the student responded positively to the video instruction, increasing the variety of activities he participated in.
This qualitative study examined a preschool classroom serving a child considered to be at-risk (i... more This qualitative study examined a preschool classroom serving a child considered to be at-risk (i.e., with indications of prenatal drug exposure). For a period of one semester, the investigator collected field notes through observations and taped sessions with little direct interaction with the children. Taped discussions and interviews with the teacher and assistant were a part of the data collection, as were photographs of the physical environment. Data were analyzed and recommendations were made based on established research findings that support specific physical changes in the environment, as well as changes in teacher-child interactions. The purpose of the recommended adaptations was to create a more conducive learning environment for children exhibiting characteristics of drug exposure or who are easily over-stimulated. (Contains 17 references.) (Author/EV) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. CHANGING THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONM...
Abstract An overview of what is needed in educational reform at the state and national levels are... more Abstract An overview of what is needed in educational reform at the state and national levels are examined. Seven types of globalization needed for students’ success are reviewed, with ongoing change efforts in South Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, England, and the United States being highlighted. The United States’ educational restructuring efforts at the state level and policies surrounding them are discussed. Next, examples of state and national level educational improvement projects are presented. The chapter ends by showcasing examples of organizations and schools that have made significant progress in educating students for a global 21st century.
An overview of the need for change in higher education programs of teacher preparation is present... more An overview of the need for change in higher education programs of teacher preparation is presented. The authors summarize what needs to change based on the research of educational leaders, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and leading educational organizations. They address what it means to be highly qualified, a model for teacher preparation, and needed policy changes in the
Until recently, the terms teacher and leadership were not often mentioned in the same sentence.Ed... more Until recently, the terms teacher and leadership were not often mentioned in the same sentence.Educational leadership was synonymous with school administration, and teachers viewed themselvesas followers rather than leaders. Over the past fifteen years, this perception has changed. Due tofederal mandates such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Response to Intervention (RtI), teacherroles and responsibilities have expanded (Le Cornu, 1999) and distributed school leadership hasbecome the norm (Danielson, 2006; Harrison & Killion, 2007).
This study assessed the delivery effectiveness of a communication workshop for teachers, "Ho... more This study assessed the delivery effectiveness of a communication workshop for teachers, "How To Talk So Kids Will Listen. " The workshop included presentations and opportunities to take part in role plays, simulations, reflection activities, and group discussions. Teachers completed a survey rating the presentation in four areas (organization and structure, delivery and communication, audiovisual displays, and usefulness of information) and responded to open-ended questions about positive aspects of the session and how to improve the presentation. Presenters kept journal notes, completed a self-report using the same four categories as the participants, and elaborated on the same open ended-questions as participants. Results indicated that participants were positive about the workshops. They felt the material delivered was practical, they valued the way the information was delivered, and they considered the presenters knowledgeable. Respondents noted that the sessions coul...
As classrooms change and become more student-centered, it is essential to provide preservice teac... more As classrooms change and become more student-centered, it is essential to provide preservice teachers with opportunities that enhance their learning of different strategies. One strategy commonly seen in student-centered cla8'srooms is the use of learning centers. This study began when three primary teachers (two third grade teachers and one special education teacher) and their principal expressed interest in collaborating with a university teacher education professor. The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of learning centers designed by preservice teachers and student learning in those centers through the use of survey information from third grade students. Forty-six third grade students and nine preservice teachers participated in the study. Special education services in the school followed an inclusion model, with students placed in the regular classroom with their same age peers. Preservice teacher reflections and the third graders ' responses on surveys d...
To find ways to reduce, violence in schools, the subtle environmental aspects in a school that ha... more To find ways to reduce, violence in schools, the subtle environmental aspects in a school that had integrated peace activities in the curriculum as a means of promoting positive changes in behavior were investigated. The results are presented here. At Peaceable Magnet School 42 kindergarten through eighth grade teachers were trained in peer mediation, and peace activities were initiated in the school. Afterwards, a task group was formed to immerse the whole school in violence prevention by integrating peace activities as a part of the ongoing curriculum. Researchers then compared what the teachers believed were vital factors in developing a peaceful school environment to the school environment in which they actually taught. Although the school had been focusing on peace for a year and teachers and students reported improved behavior, the teachers perceived a lack of support, and they believed that serious concerns still existed. Teacher were reluctant to involve parents as partners ...
Influenced by Carnegie Academy Campus Program conversations, faculty (n=71) advising responsibili... more Influenced by Carnegie Academy Campus Program conversations, faculty (n=71) advising responsibilities and attitudes were explored at a midsize, comprehensive, private university. As part of an effort to improve student learning, the primarily quantitative Student Advising Survey was used to establish advising patterns. The survey found that faculty spent an average of 36.71 hours each semester advising an average of 29.14 students. A significant number of students do not seek out advising from their assigned advisers, and the majority of respondents advised students not assigned to them. Faculty indicated advising primarily involved advising about courses, followed by career advising. Computer access to student registration records was the most helpful service, and referral to the career center was the resource used most frequently. Respondents rated their advising effectiveness as high, although slightly less than half of the faculty (42.7W) received training in advising and 46.7 %...
This case study of a preschool boy with Asperger’s syndrome focuses on the use of video instructi... more This case study of a preschool boy with Asperger’s syndrome focuses on the use of video instruction for the purpose of teaching skills required for participation in classroom activities. After the classroom teacher identified four skill areas needing improvement (circle time, sharing, choosing centers, and singing), short video clips of instructions and role plays were created using a digital camera. The clips were viewed by the subject on a daily basis for eight weeks prior to selected activities. To document the effect of using the video instruction, observation notes were collected and a teacher survey was completed. Information gleaned from the observations and the survey revealed that the student responded positively to the video instruction, increasing the variety of activities he participated in.
This qualitative study examined a preschool classroom serving a child considered to be at-risk (i... more This qualitative study examined a preschool classroom serving a child considered to be at-risk (i.e., with indications of prenatal drug exposure). For a period of one semester, the investigator collected field notes through observations and taped sessions with little direct interaction with the children. Taped discussions and interviews with the teacher and assistant were a part of the data collection, as were photographs of the physical environment. Data were analyzed and recommendations were made based on established research findings that support specific physical changes in the environment, as well as changes in teacher-child interactions. The purpose of the recommended adaptations was to create a more conducive learning environment for children exhibiting characteristics of drug exposure or who are easily over-stimulated. (Contains 17 references.) (Author/EV) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. CHANGING THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONM...
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