Building Together: Problem Solving for Sustainability Consciousness

BUILDING TOGETHER: PROBLEM SOLVING FOR SUSTAINABILITY CONSCIOUSNESS FEBRUARY 2022 PAUL M. BOCKO, B.A., UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE M.S., ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY NEW ENGLAND M.Ed. ANITOCH UNIVERSITY NEW ENGLAND Ph.D., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Linda Griffin This case study examined the relationship of problem-based learning (PBL) and sustainability education in a combined fifth and sixth grade classroom in the northeast U.S. Research questions focused on PBL instructional strategies that promote sustainability education, skills and understandings promoted by PBL, and the extent that PBL affects students’ sustainability consciousness. One teacher and eleven students participated. Problem-posing, reconstructionist, and sociocultural theories framed the study. Relevant themes were identified in a review of sustainability consciousness (SC) and PreK-12 PBL research reports. The themes revealed that SC is a growing framework with which to assess sustainability education and PBL research has strong links with sustainability education learning outcomes. Survey, interview, artifact, and observational data were analyzed to understand the fifth and sixth grade class as a case study in sustainability education. Results include a learning environment that emphasizes a pedagogy of sustainable thinking, student exhibition of sustainability education skills and understandings, and a lack of quantitative evidence of growth in students’ SC contrasted with evidence of SC in students’ written work. Findings affirmed prior PBL research focused on group collaboration, interdependency, and reflection. The study identified the need to study PBL in real-world contexts rather than only through problem scenarios. Contributions to knowledge include adding to PBL research literature, highlighting the importance of learning experiences designed to meet a school’s mission, and increasing the use of a new survey instrument. Keywords: Sociocultural, reconstructionism, problem-based learning, wicked problems, sustainability education, scaffolding, collaboration, interdependency

Using Collaborative self-study to support professional learning in initial teacher education: developing pedagogy through Meaningful Physical Education

Collaborative self-study provides teacher educators with opportunities to enhance professional learning. This paper explores how three teacher educators used this approach to support their learning while introducing the pedagogy of Meaningful Physical Education (MPE) to pre-service teachers (PSTs). Thematic analysis of reflections, critical friend feedback and online conversations were used to generate three themes: Collaborative Self-study helped us to learn about our practice; learn how to support student learning; and learn how to introduce pedagogical innovation. Collaboration reinforced resolve and sustained change through sharing experiences, content, resources, and outcomes. While the context for this study was PE, we believe the findings are relevant for all initial teacher educators seeking to develop their practice. Further research into collaborative self-study practice of pedagogical innovation across varied curricular areas could enhance teacher and student learning

Google Sites como ferramenta de ensino de Educação Física a distância em tempos de Covid-19: pedagogia, estratégias, reflexões e barreiras de um professor

Covid-19 has resulted in the implementation of social distancing measures and school closures worldwide. This study explores some of the impacts, such as pedagogies, teaching strategies, reflections, and barriers of the teacher as he suddenly moved to an online teaching environment and taught PE lessons with the use of technology (Google Sites). A self-study methodology with thematic analysis was used to investigate the lead author’s experiences. Findings and discussions highlight how the teacher had to find new forms of teaching online, ways of making the students not be exclusively in front of the screen, and simultaneously be concordant with the social and dynamic characteristics of PE. Ultimately, the experiences and the process of reflection demonstrated the need to be coherent with teaching beliefs, assumptions, theoretical approaches and practices as a teacher. This article foregrounds and contributes to future ways of teaching PE online by understanding one teacher’s praxis.El Covid-19 ha llevado a la implementación de medidas de distancia social y al cierre de escuelas en todo el mundo. Este estudio explora algunos de los impactos, como opciones pedagógicas, reflexiones y barreras del profesor cuando este cambia repentinamente a un entorno de enseñanza online, con el uso de la tecnología (Google Sites). La metodología de self-study con análisis temático se utilizó para investigar las experiencias del autor principal. Los resultados destacan que el profesor tuvo que encontrar nuevas formas de enseñanza online, logrando que los alumnos no estuvieran exclusivamente frente a la pantalla, y cumplir con las características sociales y dinámicas de la Educación Física. Finalmente, las experiencias y la reflexión demostraron la necesidad de ser coherente, como profesor, con las elecciones pedagógicas y los enfoques teóricos y prácticos. Este artículo contribuye con las futuras formas de enseñanza de la Educación Física online mediante la comprensión de la praxis de un profesor.A covid-19 resultou na implementação de medidas de distanciamento social e fechamento de escolas no mundo. Este estudo explora alguns dos impactos, tais como escolhas pedagógicas, reflexões e barreiras do professor quando ele repentinamente mudou para um ambiente de ensino online e teve que ministrar aulas de Educação Física (EF) com o uso da tecnologia (Google Sites). A metodologia do autoestudo com análise temática foi utilizada para investigar as experiências do autor principal. Achados destacam como o professor teve que encontrar novas formas de ensino online, fazendo com que os alunos não estivessem exclusivamente em frente à tela, e atendesse as características sociais e dinâmicas da EF. Finalmente, as experiências e o processo de reflexão demonstraram a necessidade de ser coerente com as escolhas pedagógicas e abordagens teóricas e práticas como professor. Este artigo contribui para futuras formas de ensino de EF online, ao compreender a práxis de um professor

Kertarajasa Buddhist College Inter-religious Learning from the Perspective of Self-Study of Teaching Practice

Using the self-study of teaching practice (S-STP), this research examines the process of inter-religious learning at Kertarajasa Buddhist College. The S-STP applied to this study is a potential alternative to answer many teaching challenges that were left out by other educational research approaches. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the courses of inter-religious learning were offered online. These courses were designed and taught by the first author who is a non-Buddhist teacher-educator works in a Buddhist teaching institution.  The courses were delivered using various online learning tools, assisted with scaffold learning, and included guest lectures. In the learning process, students were given opportunity to interact with the instructor and guest lectures. The guest lectures are liyan (the others) and subject-matter experts. The interactions mean to develop students’ awareness of other religious communities and the room for them to experience the religious moderation. This study reveals that the S-STP provides scientific method for the instructor to study own teaching practices. The S-STP as a research approach enables the course instructor to reflect on opportunities and challenges on teaching.  The research approach also enables the instructor to self-assess the professional development as a teacher-educator. Moreover, feedback from the critical friend unveiled strengths and weaknesses of the teaching that were possible unseen by the instructor

Narratives of Learning from Co-editing, Writing and Presenting Stories of Experience in Self-Study

In this self-study, we look at the contribution made towards our professional learning through an aspect of teacher education work that is not commonly featured in the research literature: exploring the implications of our work as co-editors of an international collection about teacher educators’ journeys of professional becoming. Through this self-study, we argue that this type of work is valuable to individuals and institutions in relation to its impact on the professional learning and career development of teacher educators. Adopting a narrative approach, we examined our experiences of co-editing the book and the associated activities such as conference presentations, to understand how this influenced our professional learning and identity as teacher educators. Findings include having a stronger sense of the evolution of our professional selves over time and greater insight and awareness of our strengths and uncertainties. A clearer perspective on our own career development and professional becoming was evident, and many parallels could be drawn between our experiences of professional becoming and those of the chapter authors in the edited book. We conclude that while activities such as book editing do not usually count in institutional metrics as outputs, they are nonetheless a significant opportunity for professional learning and make a contribution to knowledge and to teacher education practice, and should be recognised as such by institutions and colleagues

Building Bridges in Anthropology: Understanding, Acting, Teaching, and Theorizing

Selected Papers from the Annual Meeting of the Southern Anthropological Society, Savannah, Georgia, February, 2010https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_sasproceed/1003/thumbnail.jp

The Effects of a Discourse Community Model on Promoting Intentional Conceptual Change to Increase Understanding of School Climate and Its Importance

Framed within intentional conceptual change theory, this study looked at the effects of a discourse community model on promoting intentional conceptual change to increase understanding of school climate and its importance. A highly-motivated group of 11 teachers from one elementary school participated in this discourse community designed to promote an intentional conceptual change regarding school climate. Initial interviews, artifact collection, and journal responses were the methods of data collection. Within the discourse community setting, the teachers interacted with a series of activities and discussions to construct new knowledge pertaining to school climate. Themes and patterns of climate understanding emerged and presented evidence of an increase in the teachers\u27 understanding of school climate and its importance from their initially-stated understanding

Conceptualising social justice and sociocultural issues within physical education teacher education: international perspectives

Background: Physical education (PE) and physical education teacher education (PETE) have a substantial literature base that advocates for students to develop a critical consciousness, appreciate multiple perspectives, and engage in actions to enhance social justice (Tinning 2016). Analysing sociocultural issues, critically reflecting on beliefs, knowledge, biography and values, and developing a sense of agency to enact change, have been recognised as an integral part of the PETE knowledge base for some time (Fernández-Balboa 1997). However, there remain differences in how social justice itself is conceptualised and enacted. Social justice is aligned heavily with critical and ‘post’ theories where taking action for justice, democracy and power are central; but social justice is also found in humanist beliefs in student-centredness and equality and has been co-opted by neoliberal forces that promote individual responsibility. While a lack of consensus is not in itself a problem (Bialystok 2014), diverse definitions might contribute to confusion (Randall and Robinson 2016) and lead to uncertainty over what and how to teach for social justice. Purpose: In order to work towards greater certainty around concepts of social justice in the PETE community, this project sought to map variations in definition and conceptualisation of social justice and sociocultural issues among physical education teacher educators (PETEs) and physical education and sport pedagogy (PESP) educators, as part of a wider project on social justice and sociocultural perspectives and practices in PETE. Methods: PETE and PESP faculty (n=72) in North America, Europe, and Australasia engaged in an in-depth interview, during which they were asked how they define social justice and sociocultural issues. Additional information about participants’ social identity was collected. A constant comparative method of analysing participants’ definitions mapped a range of concepts building on the theoretical framework of neoliberal, humanist, critical and ‘post’ approaches to social justice. Findings: The data demonstrate that there are a range of understandings about sociocultural issues and social justice. Most commonly, some participants articulated a humanist approach to social justice by encouraging their pre-service teachers (PSTs) to have awareness of equality of opportunity in relation to gender, sexuality and/or racism. Less prevalent, but strongly stated by those who conceptualised social justice in these terms, was the importance to take action for democracy, empowerment or critical reflection. The terms diversity and equality, framed in neoliberal and humanist discourses, were most commonly used within the United States (US), while critical pedagogy and alignment with critical and ‘post’ theories were more prevalent in Australia and New Zealand. Conclusion: Differences exist in the ways social justice is conceptualised in PETE. While this can be attributed to the influence of local issues, it is also reflective of what intellectual tools, such as humanism or critical theory, are available for problematising social issues. The range of non-critical concepts found raises concern that PSTs are not getting the tools to enact social justice or tackle sociocultural issues.

“I no longer agree with Hitler to exterminate them…”. Teaching The Holocaust to Malaysian BA German-Students Through Selected History Films

The article describes experiences in teaching the sensitive topic of the industrial extermination of European Jews during World War II (the Holocaust) in the BA German programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The topic was covered in a history course and supported by the use of international feature films. Based on a summary of Malaysia-Israel relations, the relevance of the topic in the teaching of German as a foreign language is highlighted, and the teaching objectives, pedagogical approach and results of a film project are presented. The article aims to answer the questions of how Malaysian students perceived history films on the Holocaust and whether it was possible to achieve a more differentiated view of the Holocaust, at least among some students. As part of a comprehensive history film project on the Second World War, three history films dealing with the persecution and extermination of European Jews were screened and analysed in class. The film 'The Grey Zone' (USA, 2001) was selected for this article and students' responses and attitudes to challenging questions, provided as qualitative data, are discussed. Three historical literacies – Content Knowledge, Historical Empathy/Perspective Recognition and Narrative Analysis (Metzger 2007) – provided the theoretical framework for the history film project.The article describes experiences in teaching the sensitive topic of the industrial extermination of European Jews during World War II (the Holocaust) in the BA German programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The topic was covered in a history course and supported by the use of international feature films. Based on a summary of Malaysia-Israel relations, the relevance of the topic in the teaching of German as a foreign language is highlighted, and the teaching objectives, pedagogical approach and results of a film project are presented. The article aims to answer the questions of how Malaysian students perceived history films on the Holocaust and whether it was possible to achieve a more differentiated view of the Holocaust, at least among some students. As part of a comprehensive history film project on the Second World War, three history films dealing with the persecution and extermination of European Jews were screened and analysed in class. The film 'The Grey Zone' (USA, 2001) was selected for this article and students' responses and attitudes to challenging questions, provided as qualitative data, are discussed. Three historical literacies – Content Knowledge, Historical Empathy/Perspective Recognition and Narrative Analysis (Metzger 2007) – provided the theoretical framework for the history film project.The article describes experiences in teaching the sensitive topic of the industrial extermination of European Jews during World War II (the Holocaust) in the BA German programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The topic was covered in a history course and supported by the use of international feature films. Based on a summary of Malaysia-Israel relations, the relevance of the topic in the teaching of German as a foreign language is highlighted, and the teaching objectives, pedagogical approach and results of a film project are presented. The article aims to answer the questions of how Malaysian students perceived history films on the Holocaust and whether it was possible to achieve a more differentiated view of the Holocaust, at least among some students. As part of a comprehensive history film project on the Second World War, three history films dealing with the persecution and extermination of European Jews were screened and analysed in class. The film 'The Grey Zone' (USA, 2001) was selected for this article and students' responses and attitudes to challenging questions, provided as qualitative data, are discussed. Three historical literacies – Content Knowledge, Historical Empathy/Perspective Recognition and Narrative Analysis (Metzger 2007) – provided the theoretical framework for the history film project.The article describes experiences in teaching the sensitive topic of the industrial extermination of European Jews during World War II (the Holocaust) in the BA German programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The topic was covered in a history course and supported by the use of international feature films. Based on a summary of Malaysia-Israel relations, the relevance of the topic in the teaching of German as a foreign language is highlighted, and the teaching objectives, pedagogical approach and results of a film project are presented. The article aims to answer the questions of how Malaysian students perceived history films on the Holocaust and whether it was possible to achieve a more differentiated view of the Holocaust, at least among some students. As part of a comprehensive history film project on the Second World War, three history films dealing with the persecution and extermination of European Jews were screened and analysed in class. The film 'The Grey Zone' (USA, 2001) was selected for this article and students' responses and attitudes to challenging questions, provided as qualitative data, are discussed. Three historical literacies – Content Knowledge, Historical Empathy/Perspective Recognition and Narrative Analysis (Metzger 2007) – provided the theoretical framework for the history film project