Svenja Rieser

Bio: Svenja Rieser is an academic researcher from University of Wuppertal. The author has contributed to research in topics: Classroom management & Teaching method. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 11 publications receiving 440 citations. Previous affiliations of Svenja Rieser include Goethe University Frankfurt & Technical University of Dortmund.

Embedded Formative Assessment and Classroom Process Quality: How Do They Interact in Promoting Science Understanding?

Abstract: In this study we examine the interplay between curriculum-embedded formative assessment—a well-known teaching practice—and general features of classroom process quality (i.e., cognitive activation, supportive climate, classroom management) and their combined effect on elementary school students’ understanding of the scientific concepts of floating and sinking. We used data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial and compared curriculum-embedded formative assessment (17 classes) with a control group (11 classes). Curriculum-embedded formative assessment and classroom process quality promoted students’ learning. Moreover, classroom process quality and embedded formative assessment interacted in promoting student learning. To ensure effective instruction and consequently satisfactory learning outcomes, teachers need to combine specific teaching practices with high classroom process quality.

Grundschulunterricht aus Schüler-, Lehrer- und Beobachterperspektive: Zusammenhänge und Vorhersage von Lernerfolg*

Abstract: Unterrichtsqualitat kann mit drei Basisdimensionen beschrieben werden: strukturierte Klassenfuhrung, kognitive Aktivierung und unterstutzendes Klima. Untersuchungen aus dem Sekundarbereich finden oftmals nur geringe Ubereinstimmungen zwischen Urteilen zur Unterrichtsqualitat von Schulerinnen und Schulern, Lehrpersonen und externen Beobachtern. Es stellt sich damit die Frage, ob aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven dieselben Konstrukte erfasst werden und wie diese mit dem Lernerfolg der Schulerinnen und Schuler zusammenhangen. Fur die Grundschule wurden in der vorliegenden Studie substanzielle Zusammenhange zwischen Urteilen zur strukturierten Klassenfuhrung aus allen drei Perspektiven gefunden. Zudem zeigten sich hier in Mehrebenen-Regressionsanalysen Effekte aller drei Urteilerperspektiven auf die Leistungsentwicklung. Keine Zusammenhange zwischen den Perspektiven zeigten sich im Bereich kognitive Aktivierung. Beim unterstutzenden Klima bestanden Zusammenhange nur zwischen Schuler- und Lehrerurteilen. Bei ...

The connection between teaching and learning: Linking teaching quality and metacognitive strategy use in primary school.

Abstract: Background In order for teaching to be successful, students need to be actively involved in learning. However, research on teaching effectiveness often neglects students’ learning activities. Although it is assumed that effective teaching promotes the use of beneficial learning activities, empirical evidence for this connection is still limited. Aims This study aimed to investigate the connection between effective teaching and reported learning activities. We hypothesize specific relations between a three-dimensional model of teaching quality (i.e., cognitive activation, supportive climate, and classroom management) and students’ reported use of metacognitive strategies. Students’ intrinsic motivation is considered as a mediator and a moderator of this connection. Sample N = 1,052 students from 53 German primary school classes and their science teachers participated. Methods Data were collected through classroom or video observation and questionnaires over a period of approximately 2 months. Multilevel analysis was utilized to test our hypotheses. Results Each dimension of teaching quality positively predicted students’ reported use of metacognitive strategies. For supportive climate, this connection was mediated by students’ intrinsic motivation. Cognitive activation negatively predicted the slopes between students’ reported metacognitive strategy use and motivation. Conclusions The results support the notion that effective teaching is connected to learning activities and stress the importance of students’ learning motivation. Results from the cross-level interaction could indicate that especially less motivated students’ reported metacognitive strategy use might be supported by cognitively activating teaching.

The Connection Between Primary School Students' Self-Regulation in Learning and Perceived Teaching Quality

Abstract: Effective self-regulation is needed to foster student learning. A meta-analysis has shown that even primary school children benefit from training in self-regulated learning. However, there is a lack of research considering the connection between key aspects of regular classroom instruction and students’ self-regulated learning. This study investigates the hypothesis that in primary school, self-regulated learning is systematically related to the quality of teaching. Teaching quality is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct comprising classroom management, supportive climate, and cognitive activation. All three dimensions of teaching quality, as well as metacognitive strategy use and volitional control, were reliably assessed for 996 third graders from 54 classes in German primary schools via questionnaire. Because of the clustered data structure, we used multilevel regression analyses for identifying the assumed connections. Most notably, at the classroom level, metacognitive strategy use was significantly predicted by cognitive activation, whereas volitional control was predicted by a supportive climate.

Assessing the Impact

Abstract: This section offers suggestions related to helping a student deal with bullying in schools, as well as creating an environment where that individual can easily return to the school community. It also mentions the significance of the method 'Shared Responsibility' in dealing with the situation.

Enhancing the quality of argument in school science: developing teachers' practice

Abstract: This article makes a case for why teaching about ‘ideas and evidence’ requires more attention t o the teaching of argument in school science. Based on research work at Kings’ College London conducted with local teachers, it outline s various practical methods and strategies b y which this might be achieved. The difficulties and obstacles are also explored. Why argument ? Contemporary science impinges directly upon man y aspects of people’s lives. Individuals and societies have to make personal and ethical decisions about a range of s ocio-scientific issues, such as genetic engineering, reproductive technologies and food safety, based on information available through the press and other media. Often accounts of ne w developments in s cience report contested claims. Evaluating such reports is not straightforward as it requires, for instance, the ability to assess whether the evidence is valid and reliable, to distinguis h correlations from causes or hypotheses from observations (Millar and Osborne, 1998). Within the context of a s ociety where scientific issues increasingly dominate the contemporary landscape (Beck, 1992; Giddens, 1999), there is an urgent need to improve the quality of y oung people’s understanding of the nature of scientific ‘argument’. Consequently, an important task for science education is to develop children’s ability to understand and practise valid ways of arguing in a s cientific context. They need to be able to recognise not onl y the strengths but also the limitations of s uc h arguments. In our work, then, we have sought to stud y whether the quality of y oung people’s ‘argument’ about scientific issues, and their critical capabilities, can be enhanced in science lessons. For instance, ca n the abilities to r eason, use and criticise argument within a scientific context be taught? And, perhaps more importantly, can these abilities be improved? This is what we are attempting to do in our project ‘Enhancing the Quality of Argument in School Science’ (EQuASS), funded by the Economic and Social Science Research Council. First, it is important to point out that by ‘argument’ we do not mean the pejorative use of the word wit h its confrontational connotations. We mean the putting forward of r easons where claims are justified b y relating them to the dat a on which they are based. Evidence for any claim consists of at least tw o components – dat a and warrants. Warrants are essentially the means by which the data are related t o claims providing the justification for belief. Thus the claim that diversity of species is a product of random variation and selection by the environment was supported originally by Darwin’s data on the variety of finches’ beaks found in the Galapagos. The warrant was that each adaptation gave each species a competitive advantage that ensured their survival on a particular island. A s imple representation of a n argument is provided by Toulmin (1958) (Figure 1).

Affective Teacher–Student Relationships and Students' Engagement and Achievement: A Meta-Analytic Update and Test of the Mediating Role of Engagement

Abstract: The present study took a meta-analytic approach to investigate whether students' engagement acts as a mediator in the association between affective teacher–student relationships and students' achievement. Furthermore, we examined whether results differed for primary and secondary school and whether similar results were found in a longitudinal subsample. Our sample consisted of 189 studies (249,198 students in total) that included students from preschool to high school. A distinction was made between positive relationship aspects (e.g., closeness) and negative relationship aspects (e.g., conflict). Meta-analytic structural equation modeling showed that, overall, the associations between both positive relationships and achievement and negative relationships and achievement were partially mediated by student engagement. Subsequent analyses revealed that mediation is applicable to both primary and secondary school. Only the direct association between positive relationships and engagement was stronger...