Exploring Co-planning Conversations as a Professional Development Activity for Mentors and Mentees at the Beginning of a Yearlong Teacher Residency

In order to prepare pre-service teachers for their roles in the classroom, it is important to examine the rigor and purpose of the mentoring experience. This study explored the aspects of co-planning conversations that helped experienced and novice teachers expand their expertise and develop a mutually beneficial mentoring relationship at the beginning of a yearlong teacher residency model. While research on co-planning during the student teaching/residency experience exists, this research illuminated the importance of mentoring conversations early on in the teacher residency experience. Using a single case study design, observations, one-on-one interviews, and artifacts from four mentor-mentee dyads, data were examined to gain the essence of a mentoring relationship that utilized co-planning at the beginning of a yearlong teacher residency. Results from this study indicated that co-planning conversations yielded professional development opportunities for both mentors and mentees. Three major themes emerged from data analysis: candid collaboration, dispositional capacities, and ongoing work. These findings further suggest that co-planning can disrupt the norms of the traditional mentor-mentee apprenticeship model. This study can be used to inform teacher preparation programs and school districts about the supports necessary for novice and experienced teachers who participate in yearlong teacher residency programs

Fairness Testing: A Comprehensive Survey and Analysis of Trends

Unfair behaviors of Machine Learning (ML) software have garnered increasing attention and concern among software engineers. To tackle this issue, extensive research has been dedicated to conducting fairness testing of ML software, and this paper offers a comprehensive survey of existing studies in this field. We collect 100 papers and organize them based on the testing workflow (i.e., how to test) and testing components (i.e., what to test). Furthermore, we analyze the research focus, trends, and promising directions in the realm of fairness testing. We also identify widely-adopted datasets and open-source tools for fairness testing

Evaluating the Dissemination of the iCook 4-H Program Using Outcome, Process, and Fidelity Measures.

The iCook 4-H Dissemination Study, conducted in five states, was a control-treatment design to test whether a newly developed program for obesity prevention for youth could be successfully implemented by community leaders with minimal researcher involvement. Community leaders were primarily Cooperative Extension educators. A dyad model was used for youth (control=9.6±0.9 years of age; treatment=9.9±0.6 years of age) and their adult main food preparers (control=38.8±5.7 years of age; treatment=39.4±7.8 years of age). A three-pronged approach to evaluation developed previously for the program was used to measure outcomes, process, and fidelity of the program. The control group, youth (n=63) and adults (n=71), and treatment group youth (n=76) and adults (n=75) completed pre- and post-program surveys. Treatment dyads completed the intervention, eight bi-weekly sessions on program focal areas of cooking, eating, and playing together. Treatment youth significantly increased outcome subscales of cooking skills (

Nutrition and Self-Sufficiency of Adults with Disabilities through a Mentoring Program Curriculum (Complete)

https://digital.library.ncat.edu/ncatbooks/1002/thumbnail.jp

Circles of Connection: Finding Social Connectedness and Meaning within Group Process

Social participation is an area of occupation that can increase and enhance an individual’s participation in life. This is particularly true in senior housing communities where common issues of aging and adjustment can be addressed while reducing feelings of social isolation. The purpose of this demonstration project was to provide a venue where older adults living at The Redwoods, a senior housing community in Mill Valley, California, could share and develop meaningful strategies for living, and ultimately foster a sense of connectedness, which would affect quality of life. The project’s goals were to create and implement a series of process groups to benefit the well-being of the residents of The Redwoods, and to produce a resource manual for Dominican University occupational therapy graduate students in co-facilitating the process groups. The project and manual were used as the basis for a Community Practice Lab during which the students were able to gain experience in the psychosocial occupational therapy skills for which they had been trained, while simultaneously providing the residents with an opportunity for social engagement and meaningful activity. Within the scope of occupational therapy practice, therapists can develop and facilitate psychosocial process groups that promote connectedness and well-being among residents of senior housing communities

Framework and Rationale for Developing a Single Language Exploratory Program For Students in Grades 1 – 3

This materials development project provides middle and high school language teachers, in a public school setting, the rationale and curriculum for implementing an introductory language program to elementary aged children in their school. This paper explores the author’s school community and the interest in providing an introductory language program for elementary aged students in the school district. The author, a second language teacher in the school, is also an advocate for introducing this type of programming, with the hopes that it will create enthusiasm and motivation for further language study in the students’ middle and high school years. The project begins with an introduction of the author’s philosophies and attitudes towards teaching and learning a second language. The author provides the reader with the necessary materials that she used to teach a four week French exploratory course and then provides her own personal reflections regarding the materials that she developed and implemented

Healthy, Fit, & Strong: A parent-child physical activity program for families with obese and overweight adolescents

Over 20% of Kentucky children between the ages of 10-17 are obese, the third highest prevalence in the nation. The Healthy, Fit, & Strong Program works with children with a BMI above the 85th percentile and their parents to improve behaviors related to physical activity (PA) and nutrition. The intervention is a 12-week program which features tri-weekly physical activity sessions and nutrition classes. Both children and parents participate in activities in order to build knowledge and confidence related to healthy behaviors. The goal of this intervention is to improve upon baseline physical activity levels and diet as well as to improve self-efficacy related to making healthy choices in both children and parents