Showing papers in "School Science and Mathematics in 2017"

Developing a Conceptual Model of STEAM Teaching Practices

Abstract: STEAM, where the “A” represents arts and humanities, is considered a transdisciplinary learning process that has the potential to increase diverse participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. However, a well-defined conceptual model that clearly articulates essential components of the STEAM approach is needed to conduct empirical research on STEAM's efficacy–in particular, the teaching content that should be considered when enacting STEAM teaching practices. This paper proposes a conceptual model of STEAM, providing educators with the opportunity to teach effectively using transdisciplinary inquiry. The instructional content domain of the model includes problem-based delivery, discipline integration, and problem-solving skills.

Examining Elementary Teachers’ Engineering Self-Efficacy and Engineering Teacher Efficacy

Abstract: Research indicates that teacher efficacy influences student achievement and is situation specific. With the Next Generation Science Standards calling for the incorporation of engineering practices into K–12 classrooms, it is important to identify teachers’ engineering teaching efficacy. A study of K–5 teachers’ engineering self-efficacy and engineering teaching efficacy revealed that that they have low engineering self-efficacy and low teacher efficacy related to engineering pedagogical content knowledge. Additionally, significant differences existed in self-efficacy levels based on gender, ethnicity, Title I school status, and grade level taught.

Parents’ Attitudes Toward Mathematics and the Influence on Their Students’ Attitudes toward Mathematics: A Quantitative Study

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate parents’ attitudes toward mathematics, their students' attitude toward mathematics, and the influence of the parents’ attitude on the students' attitude toward mathematics. Data analyses revealed statistically significant positive correlations between parents’ and students’ attitudes toward mathematics. Additionally, parents’ mathematics attitude significantly predicted students’ attitudes toward mathematics (n=146). By understanding the influence of parents’ attitudes on students’ attitudes toward mathematics, school efforts can be geared toward fostering favorable attitudes toward mathematics among parents.

Toward Meaningful Interdisciplinary Education: High School Teachers’ Views of Mathematics and Science Integration

Abstract: Numerous national initiatives call for interdisciplinary mathematics and science education, but few empirical studies have examined practical considerations for integrated instruction in high school settings The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold First, the study sought to describe how and to what extent teachers integrate mathematics and science curricula in their classrooms after having participated in an intervention to promote and support mathematics and science integration Second, the study was intended to expand our understanding of the barriers to and factors that enable integrated approaches in high school classrooms The theoretical component of this study builds on and adapts previous models of science and mathematics integration to introduce the Intradisciplinary, Cross-disciplinary, Mutlidisciplinary, Interdisciplinary (ICMI) framework for identifying and defining classroom integration strategies Findings include a description of several distinct practices high school teachers related to integrated instruction as well as the trade-offs teachers considered when making decisions related to integrated curricula The implications of the findings for researchers and practitioners are discussed Finally, we propose the conceptualization of “interdisciplinary pedagogical content knowledge” in mathematics and science as an area of focus that will enable teachers to successfully move toward interdisciplinary instruction

An Examination of Teacher Understanding of Project Based Science as a Result of Participating in an Extended Professional Development Program: Implications for Implementation.

Abstract: Project-based science (PBS) aligns with national standards that assert children should learn science by actively engaging in the practices of science. Understanding and implementing PBS requires a shift in teaching practices away from one that covers primarily content to one that prompts children to conduct investigations. A common challenge to PBS implementation is a misunderstanding of the elements of PBS. Identification of these misunderstandings as well as implementation challenges could inform professional development. This case study examined 24 teachers’ understanding and implementation of PBS during participation in a consecutive three-year, comprehensive professional development program. Results provide insight as to the process they followed in the transition to implementing PBS. Measures included classroom observations, reflective interviews, and attitudinal surveys. Results showed that teachers developed the knowledge, confidence, and understanding to implement PBS but in most cases it took at least two to three years for positive results to become evident. Teachers struggled to develop adequate driving questions that provided projectfocused lessons. Other obstacles included teacher resistance to student-directed instruction, confusing inquiry-based instruction with hands-on activities, and inability to motivate students to work in collaborative teams. While challenging, over time the teachers developed the knowledge, desire, and skills to implement PBS.

Geometry-Related Children's Literature Improves the Geometry Achievement and Attitudes of Second-Grade Students

Abstract: Use of mathematics-related literature can engage students' interest and increase their understanding of mathematical concepts. A quasi-experimental study of two second-grade classrooms assessed whether daily inclusion of geometry-related literature in the classroom improved attitudes toward geometry and achievement in geometry. Consistent with the hypothesis, only the students in the classroom with a strong emphasis on geometry-related children's literature showed a significant improvement in their attitudes about geometry over time. While both classes improved their geometry performance over the 4 weeks of the study, the class with a strong emphasis on geometry-related literature improved significantly more (51.2%) than the control class (33.47%). Children's literature can provide a useful and interesting context in which students can develop their understanding of geometry.

Slope and Line of Best Fit: A Transfer of Knowledge Case Study.

Abstract: This paper brings together research on slope from mathematics education and research on line of best fit from statistics education by considering what knowledge of slope students transfer to a novel task involving determining the placement of an informal line of best fit. This study focuses on two students who transitioned from placing inaccurate to accurate lines of best fit during a task-based interview. The analysis focuses on describing shifts in slope reasoning that accompanied the change to accurately placed lines, and investigates factors that may have influenced the shift in reasoning. The results have implications for the teaching of both slope and the line of best fit.

Middle School Mathematics Teachers’ Perceptions of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and Its Impact on the Instructional Environment

Abstract: This study examines Middle School Mathematics Teachers’ (MSMTs') (N = 1,241) perceptions of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) and its impact on the instructional environment. A total of eight factors appear in the data. These factors include professional support, teachers’ use of district-adopted and non-district-adopted curricular resources, influence of CCSSM assessment and teacher evaluation on the instructional environment, influence of the CCSSM on classroom instruction, teachers’ planning practices, and perceived rigor of the CCSSM. The data suggest that teachers’ use of digital resources located online was disconnected from their district-adopted resources suggesting a lack of curricular coherence. MSMTs note that the CCSSM had caused them to incorporate more reform-oriented practices such as exploration and productive struggle into their daily instruction. MSMTs also perceive that the CCSSM includes new content that is more rigorous than previous state standards. Sampled MSMTs state that while state assessments will measure CCSSM content, they are less likely to include more complex problems or the standards for mathematical practice. Teachers are more likely to read teacher resources than student textbook activities online and to use digital resources for remediation instead of inquiry activities. Over one-third of MSMTs wanted more CCSSM professional development.

Finding Alignment: The Perceptions and Integration of the Next Generation Science Standards Practices by Elementary Teachers

Abstract: Preparing elementary-level teachers to teach in alignment with the eight Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) practices could prove to be a daunting endeavor. However, the process may be catalyzed by leveraging elements of teacher science instruction that inherently attend to the practice standards. In this study, we investigated the science instruction of three grade 3–5 elementary-level teachers. We used observation, interviews, and surveys to determine the level to which the teachers perceived they taught and engaged in teaching science aligned with the eight NGSS practices. We found that the teachers were partially, and intrinsically implementing several of these practices in their instruction, and at the same time could not articulate the eight NGSS practices. Our results suggest there may be ample opportunity to build on the current science instruction of elementary-level teachers to bring their instruction into alignment with the NGSS. We found that teachers’ perceive professional development, school culture, and access to additional instructional resources to be essential to their adoption of the NGSS practices.

Students’ and Teachers’ Conceptual Metaphors for Mathematical Problem Solving

Abstract: Metaphors are regularly used by mathematics teachers to relate difficult or complex concepts in classrooms. A complex topic of concern in mathematics education, and most STEM-based education classes, is problem solving. This study identified how students and teachers contextualize mathematical problem solving through their choice of metaphors. Twenty-two high-school student and six teacher interviews demonstrated a rich foundation for these shared experiences by identifying the conceptual metaphors. This mixed-methods approach qualitatively identified conceptual metaphors via interpretive phenomenology and then quantitatively analyzed the frequency and popularity of the metaphors to explore whether a coherent metaphorical system exists with teachers and students. This study identified the existence of a set of metaphors that describe how multiple classrooms of geometry students and teachers make sense of mathematical problem solving. Moreover, this study determined that the most popular metaphors for problem solving were shared by both students and teachers. The existence of a coherent set of metaphors for problem solving creates a discursive space for teachers to converse with students about problem solving concretely. Moreover, the methodology provides a means to address other complex concepts in STEM education fields that revolve around experiential understanding.

How Picture Books on the National Science Teacher's Association Recommend List Portray Scientists.

Abstract: This study utilized the Draw-A-Scientist Test Checklist (DAST-C) to assess the illustrations of scientists in the most recent three years of NSTA Recommends book lists. A total of 15,778 images were contained in the 148 books from those lists, of which 1,676 were of scientists. ANOVA procedures revealed no significant differences in stereotypical elements across the three years of books. However, three notable stereotypical elements were present in large percentages in books from all years: predominance of male images, non-minority scientists, and scientists who were not youthful.

Exploring How Families Do Science Together: Adult-Child Interactions at Community Science Events.

Abstract: Promoting family learning around science represents an important opportunity to reinforce science learning during out-of-school time. Evidence suggests that parent-child discourse around science can promote inferential thinking by children and help solidify their understanding of science concepts. While teacher professional development that promotes the type of discourse that encourages student inquiry is trending, interventions that assist parents in developing the same types of learning talk skills are scarce. In this descriptive study, family discourse was observed at a series of events at community centers that promote science learning, such as the zoo and the library. These events were part of a large-scale professional development program designed to transform teaching and learning around PK–3 science. Families were scored on their interaction, discourse, and use of “talk moves” using the Discourse, Interaction, and Inquiry in Family Science rubric. The results demonstrate that the events promoted family discourse and interaction in a manner dependent on the activity context. Implications for teachers and design of family science learning activities are discussed.

Service Learning Within a Secondary Math and Science Teacher Education Program: Preservice MAT Teachers’ Perspectives

Abstract: Previous literature suggests that service learning may offer new opportunities to support the development of preservice science and math teachers, but few studies examine service learning beyond isolated teaching events. In this qualitative study, we attempt to improve upon this literature by following Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) students’ views of their service learning experiences throughout their MAT program and first two years teaching. Data sources included audiotaped individual interviews, focus group field notes, and surveys with seven preservice teachers over a three-year period. Three major findings emerged from the data analysis. First, participants identified characteristics of service learning teaching events that made them particularly useful, and these included the timing of events, targeted grade level, exposure to high-needs contexts, and opportunities to practice pedagogical skills. Second, participation in the service learning events improved preservice teachers’ confidence and comfort teaching in high-needs contexts, but several concerns and deficit perspectives about teaching in high-needs contexts remained. Third, participants indicated specific ways that the service learning teaching events impacted their readiness to teach in high-needs contexts. These findings may inform other science and math teacher educators seeking to embed service learning opportunities into their programs.

A Districtwide Study of Automaticity When Included in Concept‐Based Elementary School Mathematics Instruction

Abstract: While conceptual understanding of properties, operations, and the base-ten number system is certainly associated with the ability to access math facts fluently, the role of math fact memorization to promote conceptual understanding remains contested. In order to gain insight into this question, this study looks at the results when one of three elementary schools in a school district implements mandatory automaticity drills for 10 minutes each day while the remaining two elementary schools, with the same curriculum and very similar demographics, do not. This study looks at (a) the impact that schoolwide implementation of automaticity drills has on schoolwide computational math skills as measured by the ITBS and (b) the relationship between automaticity and conceptual understanding as measured by statewide standardized testing. The results suggest that while there may be an association between automaticity and higher performance on standardized tests, caution should be taken before assuming there are benefits to promoting automaticity drills. These results are consistent with those that support a process-driven approach to automaticity based on familiarity with properties and strategies associated with the base-ten number system; they are not consistent with those that support an answer-driven approach to automaticity based on memorization of answers.

An Exploration of a Quantitative Reasoning Instructional Approach to Linear Equations in Two Variables with Community College Students

Abstract: In this exploratory study, we examined the effects of a quantitative reasoning instructional approach to linear equations in two variables on community college students’ conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and reasoning ability This was done in comparison to the use of a traditional procedural approach for instruction on the same topic Data were gathered from a common unit assessment that included procedural and conceptual questions Results demonstrate that small changes in instruction focused on quantitative reasoning can lead to significant differences in students’ ability to demonstrate conceptual understanding compared to a procedural approach The results also indicate that a quantitative reasoning approach does not appear to diminish students’ procedural skills, but that additional work is needed to understand how to best support students’ understanding of linear relationships

Peruvian Food Chain Jenga: Learning Ecosystems with an Interactive Model

Abstract: A pilot study was conducted on a multimodal educational tool, Peruvian Food Chain Jenga (PFCJ), with 5th-grade students (N = 54) at a public charter school. The goal was to compare the effectiveness of the multimodal tool to a more traditional presentation of the same materials (food chain) using an experimental/control design. Data collection included a pretest/posttest and a “What I Did/What I Learned” response sheet. Quantitative analysis of pretest/posttest results showed both groups improved from pretest to posttest; however, there was no statistically significant difference between posttest results of experimental and control groups. Qualitative analysis of student open-ended responses indicated a difference between students who used the PFCJ and students in the control. The most striking difference occurred in how the students perceived the connectedness of species and the awareness of human impact. Our findings suggest that using a model such as PFCJ as a means of teaching and connecting scientific content with practices related to ecosystems is an effective method of engaging students in intelligent discussions about these topics.