DOCSLIB.ORG

Education Technology for Effective Teachers Public Disclosure Authorized David K

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Education Technology for Effective Teachers Public Disclosure Authorized David K Education Technology for Effective Teachers Public Disclosure Authorized David K. Evans (Center for Global Development) Teachers Thematic Group, World Bank, February 20211 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Education systems around the world are investing in technology to help teachers be more effective. In some cases, the results are exciting. In others, the impact of technology falls short of expectations or remains unevaluated. The closing of schools worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic has high- lighted the importance of understanding how to leverage technology well. Public Disclosure Authorized This note lays out four principles for investing in technology for effective teachers and six aspects of teaching where technology can boost teacher performance, together with examples of tested, promising, and cautionary experiences with teacher technologies. The Principles » Make sure it is used. An intervention that provid- Principle 1: Technology is not the solution ed computers to classrooms in Colombia man- to the learning crisis. But technology can aged to get the computers there, but teachers be the solution to specific micro-problems largely ignored them because the technology was within the education system. not integrated with the curriculum.4 If teachers do not see the value of a technology, do not know When considering technology investments, the key how to use it, or are not comfortable using it, it is to begin with a specific problem and ask, What’s won’t deliver results. The goal is not to maximize the best way to solve this problem? And then to the amount of time the technology is used, but ask, can technology help in this case? Approached rather to ensure that it is used at the right times. problem-by-problem, education systems can have realistic expectations of the promise of technology » Make sure it increases learning. Even if the tech- and ensure that they help teachers to help their nology works and teachers use it, there is no guar- students. antee that it will increase learning. In Kenya, a pro- gram provided tablets to teachers. The tablets had teacher guides, audio and visual aids, and assess- Principle 2: If you’re going to invest in ments. Although many teachers used the tablets, technology, invest in the training, support, the impact on student learning was no greater than monitoring, and maintenance to make it for teachers who received printed teacher guides, work. despite a much higher price tag.5 Technology investments often come with a signifi- cant up-front investment. But it doesn’t make sense Principle 4: Technology to monitor and to invest in the hardware or the software without manage teachers will only work with budgeting for all the supplemental services re- political buy-in. quired to make the technology work. Systems of- ten underestimate the degree of sensitization and Monitoring technology cannot outdo collusion by training required for teachers—along with others in teachers, school principals, and education officials. the education system, like principals and ministry Teacher allocation systems only work if teachers staff—to buy into a new technology and then to use participate in them. Many technocratically informed it effectively. technology programs have failed even to get off the ground because of political opposition. Gov- ernments need consultation and communication Principle 3: Test the technology. strategies that ensure that all participants – from administrators to teachers – see value in new in- terventions. » Make sure it works. In an effort to use smart phones to monitor teachers in Haiti, the technol- Technology, when wisely ogy ultimately failed.2 Government officials and deployed, can provide partners alike have entered classrooms to see technology that may have worked once but was benefits to teachers and to not in a place to be maintained. If the technology their students, but success is beyond the infrastructure capacity of the weak- est schools in the system, it won’t deliver results.3 is unlikely if teachers aren’t partners in the process. 1 Education Technology for Effective Teachers Applying the Principles Technology has the potential to help teachers to In a pilot in South Africa, one set of teachers re- be more effective in reaching every student. Keep- ceived in-person visits from a coach three times a ing the principles in mind, here are six promising term, whereas another set received coaching virtu- avenues for teacher-technology partnerships. ally with weekly interactions via tablet. Every cou- ple of weeks the “virtual coach” would check in to 1. Coach and mentor teachers discuss instructional practice and check progress on the curriculum, and she would send a weekly A growing collection of evidence motivational message to all teachers participat- demonstrates the power of coach- ing in the virtual coaching. Both kinds of coaching ing and mentoring teachers. In improved student learning equally at the end of a South Africa, in-class coaching year. The real gain was that the virtual coach could was twice as effective at boosting student reading reach far more teachers since she didn’t have to ability as a traditional professional development travel.8 Unfortunately, after two more years of the training at a centralized location.6 Why? Teachers program, teachers with virtual coaches still deliv- who received coaching implemented better teach- ered better student results than teachers without ing practices in their classrooms. But in many set- coaches, but in-person coaches delivered far bet- tings ― both high- and low-income ― implementing ter results on a wider range of skills.9 a coaching system at scale proves challenging. The main reason is that for an effective coaching For virtual coaching to deliver sustained benefits, system, you need coaches with content knowl- a blended approach may be needed, building rap- edge, pedagogical knowledge, and who have the port between teachers and coaches with at least skill to mentor other teachers effectively. In many some in-person visits and then complementing education systems, either there aren’t enough ex- those with virtual contact. While web-based or tab- cellent teachers to serve as coaches or there is a let-based virtual coaches do not observe teachers trade-off in removing those teachers from the firsthand to give feedback, they can answer ques- classroom to serve as coaches. If they’re coaching tions and give advice more frequently at lower teachers, they’re not teaching students. cost. For some teachers, a virtual coach may feel more respectful of the autonomy of their class- Technology can make it room. On net, virtual coaching may be an effective tool to strengthen teachers. In addition to helping easier to coach many more education systems with the challenge of scaling, tablets can help coaches provide better feedback teachers than traditionally to teachers: In Uganda, tablets that coaches could possible. In South Africa, the use to input their classroom observations would then generate feedback which coaches could use United States and Uganda, to guide their discussions with teachers. After the introduction of tablets, coaches gave more specif- virtual coaches could provide ic guidance to help teachers with reading instruc- essential support to more tion.10 teachers. 2. Complement teacher content knowl- Technology may be able to help. In the United edge and pedagogical skills States, there was no clear difference in effective- Evidence from many countries ness between a dozen virtual coaching programs demonstrates that teachers often tested in different states and a host of in-person 7 lack mastery of the content they coaching programs. are supposed to teach.11 These Education Technology for Effective Teachers 2 shortfalls in teacher knowledge may explain up to 3. Create virtual communities of prac- one-third of students’ failure to keep up with the tice for teachers curriculum.12 Technology presents opportunities for teachers to increase their content knowledge, to- One motivator for professionals is gether with their pedagogical skills. For example, the opportunity to collaborate with the Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa initia- other experts. Despite being in a tive provides locally adapted resources used by room filled with people, teaching teachers in several countries, and it gave rise to its can feel like a solitary profession, as teachers often own massive open online course (MOOC).13 Like- have sole charge of students for several hours. Es- wise, systems may experiment with teachers using pecially in smaller or rural schools, a teacher may global tools like Khan Academy, Coursera, Wikiver- be the only one in her discipline, lacking opportuni- sity, or others to improve their mastery of math, sci- ties to compare notes on how to improve. Virtual ence, or other topics. Some of those tools give the platforms can help teachers learn from peers, added value of demonstrating how to explain chal- share lesson plans, and engage in a professional lenging concepts in those subjects. In addition to community. These communities of practice are fea- making sure that teachers are aware of these re- sible even in low-income countries: in Tanzania, a sources, education systems may consider formaliz- survey of secondary school teachers showed that ing their use within programs of continuing profes- three-quarters had smartphones, nearly two-thirds sional development and accreditation. Although used WhatsApp regularly and one-third used Face- not yet formally evaluated, some U.S. states have book regularly.19 used online platforms for “micro-credentialing,” in which teachers can learn and gain mastery in indi- In Kenya, teachers of English vidual topics and receive professional recognition for it.14 use Facebook groups both In schools where teachers have limited pedagog- to ask each other content ical knowledge and content mastery, providing them with detailed lesson guides – sometimes questions and to create social known as scripted lessons – has proven useful relationships.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Educating Preschool Teachers: Mapping the Teacher Preparation And
    EDUCATING PRESCHOOL TEACHERS: MAPPING THE TEACHER PREPARATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM IN NEW JERSEY Carrie Lobman, Sharon Ryan, Jill McLaughlin, & Debra J. Ackerman Graduate School of Education Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 10 Seminary Place New Brunswick, New Jersey 080901 732-932-7496 ext 8116 Financial support for this study was provided by the Foundation for Child Development New York City. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors greatly acknowledge the participation of the representatives from the agencies surveyed for this study. This report would also not be possible without the research assistance of Joanne Curcio, Laura Weinstein and the statistical expertise of Hao Song, Wei Shao, and Mei Guo. The authors also wish to thank the following individuals: Elissa Lombardo, New Jersey City University Art Marshall, Brookdale Community College Florence Nelson, New Jersey Professional Development Center Karen Nemeth, New Jersey Association of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies Mary O’Connell, Childcare Services of Monmouth County Kathy Priestley, New Jersey Department of Education Muriel Rand, New Jersey City University Cynthia Rice, Association for Children of New Jersey Fasaha Traylor, Foundation for Child Development 2 CONTENTS Executive Summary ……………………………………………………………………………..4 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………..8 Background ……………………………………………………………………………………10 Methodology ……………………………………………………………………………………12 Sample ……………………………………………………………………………12 Data Collection ……………………………………………………………………13 Data Analysis
    [Show full text]
  • Utah Kindergarten Teachers' Challenges and Concerns About Teaching Kindergarten
    Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 12-2010 Utah Kindergarten Teachers' Challenges and Concerns About Teaching Kindergarten Ruth Jane Liebschutz Moore Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education Commons Recommended Citation Moore, Ruth Jane Liebschutz, "Utah Kindergarten Teachers' Challenges and Concerns About Teaching Kindergarten" (2010). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 790. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/790 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UTAH KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS’ CHALLENGES AND CONCERNS ABOUT TEACHING KINDERGARTEN by Ruth Jane Liebschutz Moore A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Family, Consumer, and Human Development Approved: _______________________ _______________________ Shelley L. Knudsen Lindauer, Ph.D. Linda Skogrand, Ph.D. Major Professor Committee Member _______________________ _______________________ Kaelin M. Olsen, M.S. Byron R. Burnham, Ed.D. Committee Member Dean of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2010 11 Copyright © Ruth Jane Liebschutz Moore 2010 All Rights Reserved III ABSTRACT Utah Kindergarten Teachers' Challenges and Concerns about Teaching Kindergarten by Ruth Jane Liebschutz Moore, Master of Science Utah State University, 2010 Major Professor: Dr. Shelley L. Knudsen Lindauer Department: Family, Consumer, and Human Development This qualitative study was an exploration of 55 Utah kindergarten teachers' perceptions of challenges in teaching.
    [Show full text]
  • Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators
    Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators Effective early childhood educators are critical for realizing the early childhood profession’s vision that each and every young child, birth through age 8, have equitable access to high-quality learning and care environments. As such, there is a core body of knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions early childhood educators must demonstrate to effectively promote the development, learning, and well-being of all young children. Disponible en Español: NAEYC.org/competencias A Position Statement Held on Behalf of the Early Childhood Education Profession Adopted by the NAEYC National Governing Board November 2019 Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators 3 Introduction 4 Relationship of Five Foundational Position Statements 6 Purpose 6 The Position 7 Design and Structure 8 Professional Standards and Competencies 9 Summary 11 STANDARD 1: Child Development and Learning in Context 13 STANDARD 2: Family–Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections 15 STANDARD 3: Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment 17 STANDARD 4: Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices 20 STANDARD 5: Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum 24 STANDARD 6: Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators Copyright © 2020 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. All rights reserved. Permissions
    [Show full text]
  • Teacher Education Handbook
    1 Teacher Education Handbook Becoming teachers who teach boldly in a changing world through an ethic of care and critical reflection Education Department Eastern Mennonite University 2017-2018 www.emu.edu/education Updated August 1, 2017 2 Welcome to Teacher Education At Eastern Mennonite University The teacher education department subscribes to a Reflective Teaching Model informed by constructivist and critical reflective theorists. You will approach your studies through active learning as you reflect upon your beliefs, knowledge, thought, and actions. You will be challenged to examine your assumptions about teaching and learning as you participate in an environment of inquiry and collaboration. Teachers touch and help shape the future. They serve as models of life itself. For this reason each teacher needs a positive self-concept, needs to think well of others, and needs to believe in persons' mutual dependence. Faith commitment to Christ makes possible this wholeness in outlook and in relationships. Teacher education at Eastern Mennonite University offers you the opportunity to change and grow. The education faculty members believe that the person you are becoming is the key to your effectiveness as a prospective teacher. Preparation for teaching is dynamic and life-long. As your teachers, we are seeking to model this pilgrimage of openness and continuous growth both personally and professionally. We welcome you to walk with us on this journey. As you have questions and concerns, many of which will not be addressed in this handbook, please feel free to stop by the education department office. We anticipate a rewarding journey ahead! Sincerely, Cathy Smeltzer Erb, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Evolution of Instructional Technology in Teacher Education Programs
    Historical Evolution of Instructional Technology in Teacher Education Programs by Anthony K. Betrus and Michael Molenda ontrary to popular perception, EARLY VISUAL INSTRUCTION the present status of the visual instruc- C technology is not new to COURSES:1920S AND 1930s tion courses in the United States [as] teacher education programs in the While it is not clear when the first the instructors in these courses have U.S. Skills in using technological course that focused on the use of little to guide them in preparing their media in teaching have been in- technology to support instruction was syllabi" (p. 315). cluded since the early 1900s. We will taught to pre-service teachers, "Prob- After conducting a survey of the in- review the evolving content and ably the first official credit course in structors who taught visual instruction methods of technology training in visual instruction was given at the courses, Starnes made recommenda- American teacher education, tracing University of Minnesota in 1918 by tions for the course content based on the changes from the 1920s to the Albert M. Field" (Saettler, 1990, p. the most frequently taught topics, in- early 2000s. We will show that this 149). In the 1920s, Anna V. Dorris cluding a sample course outline. In this evolutionary process was dramatically analyzed survey results from 30 nor- course outline, the first topic he pro- affected by the popularization of com- mal schools and 37 universities re- posed was "a brief history of visual in- puter technology in the 1980s, leading garding their provisions for teaching struction," followed by "the to a situation in which we now have visual instruction.
    [Show full text]
  • Teacher Education and Development Study in Mathematics (TEDS-M) Policy, Practice, and Readiness to Teach Primary and Secondary Mathematics Conceptual Framework
    TEACHER TEACHER TEACHER E DUCA EDUCATION This document outlines the framework and a comprehensive plan for a cross- national study of primary and secondary mathematics teacher education (TEDS-M) T ION AND AND sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). DEVELOPMENT TEDS-M 2008, which builds on the results of IEA student achievement studies, D focuses on how teachers are prepared to teach mathematics in primary and lower EVELOPMEN STUDY IN secondary schools. TEDS-M is a study of the variation in the nature and impact of teacher education MATHEMATICS programs within and across countries. The study collects and analyzes nationally representative data from participating countries to address contested issues and T improve policy and practice in teacher education. This document lays out the goals S (TEDS-M) T and justification for this study as well as its design and methodology. IN UDY The overall study has three overlapping components: • COMPONENT I: Studies of teacher education policy, schooling, and social contexts M TEDS at the national level. A T • COMPONENT II: Studies of primary and lower secondary mathematics teacher HEMA Policy, Practice, and education routes, institutions, programs, standards, and expectations for teacher Readiness to Teach learning. T IC • COMPONENT III: Studies of the mathematics and related teaching knowledge of S Primary and Secondary (TED future primary and lower secondary school mathematics teachers. Mathematics The key research questions for the study focus on the relationships between these S - components, such as relationships between teacher education policies, institutional M practices, and future teacher outcomes. ) Conceptual Framework Maria Teresa Tatto Lawrence Ingvarson John Schwille Ray Peck Sharon L.
    [Show full text]
  • Prekindergarten Teacher Qualification Guidance
    Prekindergarten Teacher Qualifications Guidance In implementing Rider 78, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools should employ prekindergarten teachers who are appropriately certified to teach early childhood (as per Subchapter B, Chapter 21) and meet one of the following qualification options: a) A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or another early childhood education credential approved by the agency; b) A certification offered through a training center accredited by Association Montessori Internationale or through the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education; c) At least eight years of experience teaching in a nationally-accredited child care program; d) Be employed as a prekindergarten teacher in a school district that has received approval from the commissioner for the district’s prekindergarten-specific instructional training plan that the teacher uses in the teacher’s prekindergarten classroom; or e) An equivalent certification. TEA Guidance for d) and e) above: The following provisions, as provided in statute, satisfy qualification d) above: a) Employment as a prekindergarten teacher in a school district or charter that has ensured that: a. Prior to assignment in a prekindergarten class, teachers who provide prekindergarten instruction have completed at least 150 cumulative hours of documented professional development addressing the 2015 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines in addition to other relevant topics related to high-quality prekindergarten over a consecutive five-year-period; b. Teachers who have not completed training required in subparagraph a of this paragraph prior to assignment in a prekindergarten class shall complete: i. The first 30 hours of 150 cumulative hours of documented professional development before the end of the school year.
    [Show full text]
  • (Ed.S.) in Curriculum & Instruction Major in Mathematics
    Florida State University School of Teacher Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum & Instruction Major in Mathematics Education The Ed.S. is intended to provide advance studies with more in-depth opportunities to further knowledge and practice in the areas of mathematics teaching and learning. Applicants for this program should have substantial teaching experience. There are two specific profiles of applicants that the program is designed to serve: Secondary Mathematics Education The applicant is certified to teach high school mathematics and may have experience teaching middle or high school mathematics as a full-time classroom teacher. The applicant also has substantial coursework in undergraduate mathematics, having successfully completed at least 12 units of mathematics beyond Calculus III with grades of “B” or better. Coursework will include graduate courses in mathematics, as well as advanced courses in Mathematics Education. Middle Grades Mathematics Education The applicant is certified to teach middle grades mathematics and may have experience teaching K-12 mathematics. The applicant must have completed substantial coursework in undergraduate mathematics and has completed at least Calculus II with a grade of “B” or better. Coursework may include graduate mathematics content courses designed especially for teachers, as well as courses in advance studies of Mathematics Education. Florida State University School of Teacher Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum & Instruction Major in Mathematics Education Program Element Credits Element Description Interdepartmental Core (see advisor for list 9 This element represents an opportunity to gain of specific courses) insights from faculty external to the School of Curriculum Theory (3) Teacher Education, as well as departmental faculty Learning Theory (3) outside of the Mathematics Education major.
    [Show full text]
  • Teacher Education Matters: a Study of Middle School Mathematics Teacher Preparation in Six Countries
    Teacher Education Matters: A Study of Middle School Mathematics Teacher Preparation in Six Countries Authors: William Schmidt, Sigrid Blömeke, Maria Teresa Tatto, Feng-Jui Hsieh, Leland S. Cogan, Richard T. Houang, Kiril Bankov, Marcela Santillan, Tenoch Cedillo, Shin-Il Han, Martin Carnoy, Lynn Paine, and John Schwille. Book available January 1, 2011 from Teachers College Press http://www.TeacherEducationMatters.com Executive Summary Adults often mention a particular teacher who inspired them as a student to persevere and thus fulfill their personal potential and dreams, providing support for the popular idea that “Teachers make a difference” (p. 1, National Research Council). At the same time, appreciation expressed for individual teachers does not always generalize to the teaching profession as a whole. Teacher preparation programs do not always share the respect afforded to other professional preparation or their economic rewards. Indeed, across the six countries involved in this study these varied considerably. Insights from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) curriculum analyses highlighted the important role teachers have with respect to differences in student achievement (Schmidt, McKnight, Houang, Wang, Wiley, & Cogan, 2001). Given the important role that teachers have in selecting topics for classroom instruction, organizing and providing classroom learning opportunities, and the great range of student achievement differences observed in international comparative studies, a critical question arises: how are teachers prepared in each country to teach the curriculum they will be required to teach? This question led to the present study with its focus on middle school – lower secondary, internationally – mathematics and explains the set of countries that participated: Bulgaria, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico, and the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Pedagogy, Curriculum, Teaching Practices and Teacher Education in Developing Countries
    Education Rigorous Literature Review Pedagogy, Curriculum, Teaching Practices and Teacher Education in Developing Countries Dr Jo Westbrook Dr Naureen Durrani Rhona Brown Dr David Orr Dr John Pryor Dr Janet Boddy Francesca Salvi December 2013 This material has been funded by the Department for International Development. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department for International Development. The authors are part of the Centre for International Education, University of Sussex. This paper can be found on the DFID Research for Development website: http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/ and the EPPI-Centre website: http://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/ The EPPI-Centre reference number for this report is 2110. Westbrook J, Durrani N, Brown R, Orr D, Pryor J, Boddy J, Salvi F (2013) Pedagogy, Curriculum, Teaching Practices and Teacher Education in Developing Countries. Final Report. Education Rigorous Literature Review. Department for International Development. © Copyright Authors of the review hold the copyright for the text of the review. The authors give permission to display and print the contents of the review for their own non-commercial use, providing that the materials are not modified, copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the materials are retained, and the source of the material is cited clearly following the citation details provided. Otherwise users are not permitted to duplicate, reproduce, re-publish, distribute, or store material from this review without express written permission. Contents Abbreviations ..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Integrating Instructional Technology Into a Teacher Education Program: a Three-Tiered Approach
    Dominican Scholar Collected Faculty and Staff Scholarship Faculty and Staff Scholarship Fall 2013 Integrating Instructional Technology into a Teacher Education Program: A Three-Tiered Approach Elizabeth Truesdell Department of Education, Dominican University of California, [email protected] Rebecca Birch Department of Education, Dominican University of California, [email protected] Survey: Let us know how this paper benefits you. Recommended Citation Truesdell, Elizabeth and Birch, Rebecca, "Integrating Instructional Technology into a Teacher Education Program: A Three-Tiered Approach" (2013). Collected Faculty and Staff Scholarship. 53. https://scholar.dominican.edu/all-faculty/53 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty and Staff Scholarship at Dominican Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Collected Faculty and Staff Scholarship by an authorized administrator of Dominican Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Integrating Instructional Technology into a Teacher Education Program: A Three-Tiered Approach Running Head: Integrating Instructional Technology Elizabeth Truesdell, Ph.D. Rebecca Birch, Ed.D. Dominican University of California Abstract This project description examines how a teacher education program integrated new instructional technology through the creation of a Technology Facilitator position in the department. The project proceeded through a three-tiered system of learning literacy to establish a knowledge base amongst faculty members, augmenting required courses to model the use of instructional technology, and finally the transformation of the credential program where the activity of learning can only be accomplished through leveraging technology. As a professional program housed in a liberal arts institution, this project combines aspects of the essential learning outcomes of the 21st century with the professional skills required of K-12 teachers.
    [Show full text]
  • Problems of Prekindergarten Teachers: a Basis for Examining Teacher Education Practices
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 235 911 PS 013 923 AUTHOR Johnston, John M. TITLE Problems of Prekindergarten Teachers: A Basis for Examining Teacher Education Practices. PUB DATE [82] NOTE 31p. PUB TYPE Raports Research/Technical (143) EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Check Lists; Comparative Analysis; *Educational Environment; *Elementary School Teachers; Elementary. Secondary Education; *Employment Problems; National Surveys; Preschool Education; *Preschool Teachers; *Secondary School Teachers; State Surveys IDENTIFIERS *Prekindergarten Teacher Problems Checklist ABSTRACT A study was conducted to enable a comparison to be made of prekindergarten and kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers' perceptions of work-related problems. In the first phase of the study, copies of an inventory entitled "My Biggest Problem Today" were sent to both national and state (Wisconsin) samples of prekindergarten programs. The problem inventory asked personnel to describe, on each of 10 working days, the problem that caused them the most concern or difficulty. Synthesis of the problem accounts resulted in 102 unique problem statements, which were subsequently used to construct a Prekindergarten Teacher Problems Checklist. In the seond phase of the study, checklists were sent to other Wisconsin and national samples. Factor analysis of checklist responses identified seven.problem areas: subordinate staff relations, control and nurturance of children, remediation, relations with supervisors, parent cooperation, management of time, and management of routine. Comparison of findings with research on kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers' problems suggested four areas of difference: Prekindergarten teachers express important unmet needs with respect to (1) supervision of subordinate staff,(2) relations with parents regarding compliance with program policies and procedures, (3) relations with supervisors, and (4) management of routines.
    [Show full text]