Insight for Teacher Preparation Program Administrators: Enhancing Pre-service Educators’ Intercultural Sensitivity and Deep Proficiency in Culturally Responsive Teaching through Short-term Study Abroad

Teacher preparation program administrators face the issue of expanding curricula to prepare teacher candidates for the diverse population of students they will encounter (Trent, Kea, Oh, 2008). Globalization demands that teacher candidates grasp how to function in a more integrated and interdependent society (McGrew, 2005). According to Smith-Davis (2004) students from non-English speaking countries compose the fastest growing United States K-12 student population, and those identified as limited English proficient were over 10 million in 2004. The United States Census reported in the \u27\u27New Census Bureau Report the number of individuals five and older who speak languages other than English at home more than doubled in the past three decades (2010). If teacher preparation program leaders fail to prepare future educators with the dispositions, knowledge, and skills necessary to meet the needs of the nation\u27s school population, the national security and economic development may be hindered, and the position of the United States in the world community may be challenged (Zanh, 2011). Teacher preparation program leaders are faced with how to strengthen teacher candidates\u27 level of intercultural sensitivity and to prepare them to implement culturally responsive pedagogy through course content and other activities (Lin, Lake, & Rice, 2008, p. 188). Integrating multicultural education throughout all courses instead of adding a stand-alone course dedicated to cultural awareness and instruction is one manner to enhance candidates\u27 level of intercultural sensitivity, and this means is supported by many researchers (Cochran-Smith, Davis, & Fries, 2004). Another way to heighten intercultural sensitivity and gain skill in delivering culturally-responsive teaching strategies is through cross-cultural experiences (Foster, 1995; Gay, 2000; McAllister & Irving, 2002; Nieto, 2006). One such cross-cultural experience that deans, department heads, and faculty may explore is short-term study abroad. Short-term study abroad is more affordable and attractive to university students who cannot or will not commit to a semester or yearlong study abroad experience (Donnelly-Smith, 2009). As defined by Donnelly-Smith (2009), short-term study abroad experiences are those where students participate for fewer than eight weeks. These experiences have the potential of positively impacting teacher candidates\u27 intercultural sensitivity (Lawton et al., 2006). DonnellySmith stated that little formal research was displayed in the literature that described study abroad outcomes (2009). The purpose of this paper is to reveal how a short-term study abroad experience affected teacher candidates from a Texas regional university, and thus enhanced their intercultural sensitivity and deepened their knowledge and skill in culturally-responsive teaching strategies. This study was unique from other studies presented in the literature because the focus was how another country implements early childhood education and prepares future teachers. Teacher candidates were afforded an opportunity to compare Italy\u27s early childhood education system to the system they were more familiar with in the United States

Insight for Teacher Preparation Program Administrators: Enhancing Pre-service Educators\u27 lntercultural Sensitivity and Deep Proficiency in Culturally Responsive Teaching through Short-Term Study Abroad

Teacher preparation program administrators face the issue of expanding curricula to prepare teacher candidates for the diverse population of students they will encounter {Trent, Kea, Oh, 2008). Globalization demands that teacher candidates grasp how to function in a more integrated and interdependent society (McGrew, 2005). According to Smith-Davis (2004) students from non-English speaking countries compose the fastest growing United States K-12 student population, and those identified as limited English proficient were over 10 million in 2004. The United States Census reported in the New Census Bureau Report the number of individuals five and older who speak languages other than English at home more than doubled in the past three decades (2010). If teacher preparation program leaders fail to prepare future educators with the dispositions, knowledge, and skills necessary to meet the needs of the nation\u27s school population, the national security and economic development may be hindered, and the position of the United States in the world community may be challenged (Zanh, 2011)

Adult Learners and the Dialectical Process: A Validating Constructivist Approach to Learning Tranfer and Application

This article will address the theoretical, conceptual, and the consequent application strategies involved in operationalizing dialectical curricular designs appropriate for adult learners. In particular, the concepts of constructivism, andragogy, experiential learning, and transformational learning will serve as the foundational philosophical and theoretical concepts that can inform and complement a dialectical learning framework. The article will assert that dialectical discourse methods can serve as validating mechanisms for the exchange of ideas and concepts, to use and affirm students’ personal and professional experiences, to create a community of learners, and to fulfill the need of continual change in adult learners’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes

Developing and Validating Critical-Heutagogy Learning (CHL) to Enhance Lifelong Learning: A Rasch Analysis Approach

This research is dedicated to the development and validation of Critical-Heutagogy Learning (CHL), an innovative pedagogical approach designed to foster lifelong learning among university students. In an era characterized by rapid changes, the imperative for lifelong learning is paramount, necessitating individuals to continually update their knowledge and skills to remain adaptable and successful in diverse environments. To evaluate the validity and reliability of CHL, this study employs Rasch analysis. The development phase of CHL encompassed an exhaustive review of relevant literature, consultations with subject matter experts, and an iterative design methodology. This process was critical to ensure that CHL adhered to established principles of lifelong learning while promoting critical thinking and heutagogical practices. For the validation phase, CHL tools were administered to a heterogeneous group of students across multiple educational contexts. The gathered data underwent rigorous Rasch analysis to ascertain the framework's reliability, evaluate item fit, and pinpoint areas necessitating enhancements. The findings indicate that CHL is both a valid and reliable approach, with a high percentage (89.5%) of student respondents affirming its effectiveness in fostering engagement in learning and enhancing autonomous learning competencies. Additionally, this study delves into the interactions between bias and differential item functioning. The outcomes of this research offer a valuable contribution to the field of education, presenting a rigorously validated framework that supports lifelong learning. This is achieved through the promotion of critical thinking and the facilitation of independent learning skills, thus aligning with contemporary educational objectives and needs

Updating the art history curriculum: incorporating virtual and augmented reality technologies to improve interactivity and engagement

Master's Project (M.Ed.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017This project investigates how the art history curricula in higher education can borrow from and incorporate emerging technologies currently being used in art museums. Many art museums are using augmented reality and virtual reality technologies to transform their visitors' experiences into experiences that are interactive and engaging. Art museums have historically offered static visitor experiences, which have been mirrored in the study of art. This project explores the current state of the art history classroom in higher education, which is historically a teacher-centered learning environment and the learning effects of that environment. The project then looks at how art museums are creating visitor-centered learning environments; specifically looking at how they are using reality technologies (virtual and augmented) to transition into digitally interactive learning environments that support various learning theories. Lastly, the project examines the learning benefits of such tools to see what could (and should) be implemented into the art history curricula at the higher education level and provides a sample section of a curriculum demonstrating what that implementation could look like. Art and art history are a crucial part of our culture and being able to successfully engage with it and learn from it enables the spread of our culture through digital means and of digital culture

Using Individual and Group Multiple-Choice Quizzes to Deepen Students\u27 Learning

For years, I was highly skeptical about using multiple-choice questions to assess law students\u27 learning.\u27 Clients, after all, do not ask lawyers to solve multiple-choice problems. I have realized, however, that multiple-choice quizzes can be a highly effective technique to include in any doctrinal class. Well-designed multiple-choice quizzes can help students in any size class learn foundational doctrine, provide feedback to teachers and students, develop students\u27 interpersonal skills, and prepare students for the bar exam. Having used multiple-choice quizzes in first year and upper-level courses for several years, I now value multiple-choice quizzes as an effective first step in preparing students to engage in solving complex legal problems. When used with other assessments\u27 as part of a comprehensive, coherent, and intentional overall course design, multiple-choice quizzes are effective in preparing law students for the deep learning necessary to practice law effectively. This Article focuses on a particular approach to using multiple choice quizzes. In this approach, a one-semester course is broken into five to seven modules, and students individually complete a scheduled, closed-book, multiple-choice quiz toward the beginning of each new course module, before the material is formally covered in class but after students have completed reading on the topic. Each quiz primarily tests students on foundational doctrine for the new module and incorporates previous course material. After taking the multiple choice quiz individually, students immediately retake the same quiz in small groups, earning grades for both their individual and group quiz scores. Following the group quiz, students can appeal the answers their group got wrong. At the end of the multiple-choice quiz process, the teacher provides a mini-lecture, focusing on those multiple-choice questions and topics that were most challenging. This Article first shows why using this method of multiple-choice quizzes is effective and appropriate in law school doctrinal classes. The remainder of the Article suggests how to design and use these quizzes to maximize their effectiveness

Reaffirming the Teacher Role within the Context of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: A Case Study and Relevant Issues

The issue of quality teaching has been the subject of educational research, but there is not much empirical support noted in research findings on the connection of quality teaching and the teachers' abilities. Quality teaching is also discussed in terms of culturally responsive pedagogy indicating that this teaching approach underscores the learner-centered approach. The main argument of this article is that emphasis is placed on the role of the teacher as a facilitator in the learning process, suggesting that the Greek teacher role is reaffirmed within the context of culturally responsive pedagogy. In addition, the article describes and explains how cultural variables are determining factors in designing appropriate syllabi for Greek university students and in choosing appropriate teaching methodology techniques for effective teaching in university settings. Specifically, the reason why the dimension of instructional clarity is important in relation to teaching any Greek national cohort is illustrated. Some examples of lesson plans are also presented explaining in detail the materials used, the learning environment and classroom management in relation to a course on English for General Academic Purposes ( EGAP) taught in the first term. A number of activities done in class during this course are described offering some key pedagogical implications

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING SUBJECT MODULE INFORMATION-TECHNOLOGY (IT) BASED

Public speaking is one of subjects must be attended by students of English Education Study Program. Several constrains were faced by students in performing public speaking. They were related to the limited learning tools and media, teaching methodology, and learning module. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of public speaking subject module based on IT (Information Technology) applied in public speaking class of students of English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, PGRI University of Yogyakarta. The module which was applied in public speaking subject used a media learning based on IT.This quantitative research consisted of four procedures. The procedures done were defining, designing, developing, and disseminating. The participants were the students of English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, PGRI University of Yogyakarta. The data were collected through questionnaires to validate the module, to measure the practicability of the module, and to measure the effectiveness of the module. The module validity and practicability were analyzed qualitatively. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the module was represented quantitatively.The research has been done. Module of public speaking subject is written well. The media for public speaking activity is represented into three themes. Each theme consists of four main activities. The first is listening activity. The second is giving opinion followed by comprehension task. The last activity is pronunciation task. The research test shows that the enthusiasm mean of using non based-IT media is 22, 33. The enthusiasm mean of using based-IT media is 27, 07. Based on the result of the test it can be concluded that using media based on IT is more valid, effective, and practical than using non-based IT media. It is because using media based on IT can fulfill students’ needs and can enhance students’ interest through learning material

Maximizing Competency Education and Blended Learning: Insights from Experts

In May 2014, CompetencyWorks brought together twenty-three technical assistance providers to examine their catalytic role in implementing next generation learning models, share each other's knowledge and expertise about blended learning and competency education, and discuss next steps to move the field forward with a focus on equity and quality. Our strategy maintains that by building the knowledge and networks of technical assistance providers, these groups can play an even more catalytic role in advancing the field. The objective of the convening was to help educate and level set the understanding of competency education and its design elements, as well as to build knowledge about using blended learning modalities within competency-based environments. This paper attempts to draw together the wide-ranging conversations from the convening to provide background knowledge for educators to understand what it will take to transform from traditional to personalized, competency-based systems that take full advantage of blended learning