Florida State University College of Education

About: Florida State University College of Education is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Amateur sports & Basketball. The organization has 48 authors who have published 70 publications receiving 1925 citations.

Cultural Myths as Constraints to the Enacted Science Curriculum

Abstract: The common sense aspects of traditional practices promise to be a conservative force with respect to the efforts of policymakers to improve the quality of science learning in schools. This study of the teaching of grade I I chemistry indicates how an experi­ enced teacher made sense of his teaching roles in terms of four cultural myths related to the transmission of knowledge, being efficient, maintaining the rigor of the cur­ riculum, and preparing students to be successful on examinations. These cultural myths were supported in this study by the teacher and students and provided a strong rationale for maintaining the types of classroom practices that reformers are wanting to change. If teachers can be brought to a level of consciousness about myths such as these there is a chance that their viability can be addressed directly and alternative myths can be generated to propel reform in the direction advocated in the myriad re­ ports that presently exhort changes in policy and classroom practice. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The power of play

Abstract: In this study, we tested 77 undergraduates who were randomly assigned to play either a popular video game (Portal 2) or a popular brain training game (Lumosity) for 8?h. Before and after gameplay, participants completed a set of online tests related to problem solving, spatial skill, and persistence. Results revealed that participants who were assigned to play Portal 2 showed a statistically significant advantage over Lumosity on each of the three composite measures-problem solving, spatial skill, and persistence. Portal 2 players also showed significant increases from pretest to posttest on specific small- and large-scale spatial tests while those in the Lumosity condition did not show any pretest to posttest differences on any measure. Results are discussed in terms of the positive impact video games can have on cognitive and noncognitive skills. We tested subjects randomly assigned to play Portal 2 or Lumosity for 8?h.All were pre/post tested on problem solving, spatial skills, and persistence.Portal 2 players scored higher than Lumosity on all three constructs.Portal 2 players also showed significant gains on spatial tests.Lumosity subjects showed no gains on any measure.

Mix and Match: What Principals Really Look for When Hiring Teachers

Abstract: The vast majority of research and policy related to teacher quality focuses on the supply of teachers and ignores teacher demand. In particular, the important role of school principals in hiring teachers is rarely considered. Using interviews of school principals in a midsized Florida school district, we provide an exploratory mixed methods analysis of the teacher characteristics principals prefer. Our findings contradict the conventional wisdom that principals undervalue content knowledge and intelligence. Principals in our study ranked content knowledge third among a list of twelve characteristics. Intelligence does appear less important at first glance, but this is apparently because principals believe all applicants who meet certification requirements meet a minimum threshold on intelligence and because some intelligent teachers have difficulty connecting with students. More generally, we find that principals prefer an “individual mix” of personal and professional qualities. They also create ...