3,967 research outputs found
21st Century Learning: Professional Development in Practice
This study examined a school-based teacher professional development program as it was being conceptualized, designed, and put into practice. This article addresses four distinct, but interrelated components of the study. The first section presents a broad overview of literature situating 21st century learning. This examination specifically focuses on how this construct is conceptualized and defined by a variety of influential organizations as well as the various competencies often associated with this pedagogical perspective. The review concludes with a brief critique of this construct. The second section addresses the program areas under evaluation as well as the nature of the program and both its goals and context. The third section discusses the research questions, findings, and recommendations for action. The article concludes with comments for K-12 schools planning to implement teacher-centered professional development
Navigating a Life of Theory: An Autobiography of Privilege, Place and Teaching
Experiences that influence and shape an individual’s pedagogical commitments serve as a unique lens to conceptualize professional transformation. This narrative provides an autobiographical account of the author’s journey from student to teacher. The article, which is divided into two distinct, but tightly connected narratives, draws on this tradition to examine and develop a more nuanced understanding of those life experiences influencing the author’s complex journey as an educator. Each narrative begins with a short autobiographical reflection highlighting significant life moments and histories. Second, critical and post-structuralist theory is interwoven to examine ways the author conceptualizes the significance of the experiences captured in each reflection. Finally, each narrative concludes with discussion focused on how these experiences currently shape the author’s work as an educator
Teacher Decision-Making: Using Hypothetical Vignettes to Examine the Course Recommendation Process
Academic tracking is common in American schools. While the impact of this practice on students is well documented, few studies closely examine the influence of teacher decision-making on students’ academic trajectories. This article discusses a study examining how teachers recommend students for high- and low-track academic classes. Specific attention is paid to data collected through participant analysis of hypothetical vignettes. This unique methodology was specifically designed to illuminate the dynamics shaping participants’ decision-making process. The key finding of this study is that participants experienced high levels of autonomy when making recommendations. This autonomy, however, did not emanate from recognition of their expertise or familiarity with students’ academic capabilities; rather, it resulted from ill-defined expectations, poor communication among teachers, and a lack of clear administrative policies. The analysis of data led to findings that are divided into five distinct but interrelated themes
Mentoring the Mentors: Supporting Clinical Educators through Professional Development
The purpose of this study is to examine the outcomes of a professional development program focused on developing teachers currently working in Denver-Metro area schools to become effective mentors of MSU Denver pre-service teachers. This program, developed and facilitated by MSU Denver teacher education faculty, aims to not only provide cooperating teachers with quality professional development to support their work as mentors, but to also ensure these practitioners understand how to prepare perspective teachers with the skills and dispositions needed to consistently support student learning and development. Practitioners charged with mentoring the next generation of teachers need access to this type of professional support
Development of a Coding Instrument to Assess the Quality and Content of Anti-Tobacco Video Games
Previous research has shown the use of electronic video games as an effective method for increasing content knowledge about the risks of drugs and alcohol use for adolescents. Although best practice suggests that theory, health communication strategies, and game appeal are important characteristics for developing games, no instruments are currently available to examine the quality and content of tobacco prevention and cessation electronic games. This study presents the systematic development of a coding instrument to measure the quality, use of theory, and health communication strategies of tobacco cessation and prevention electronic games. Using previous research and expert review, a content analysis coding instrument measuring 67 characteristics was developed with three overarching categories: type and quality of games, theory and approach, and type and format of messages. Two trained coders applied the instrument to 88 games on four platforms (personal computer, Nintendo DS, iPhone, and Android phone) to field test the instrument. Cohen's kappa for each item ranged from 0.66 to 1.00, with an average kappa value of 0.97. Future research can adapt this coding instrument to games addressing other health issues. In addition, the instrument questions can serve as a useful guide for evidence-based game development.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco ProductsNational Cancer Institute (NCI) Office of Communication and EducationCommunication Studie
When Genetic Screening is Useful, but not Used
In families with genetic disorders due to a known genetic mutation, presymptomatic genetic testing can lead to early detection and treatment of inherited disorders that may manifest later in life. The health benefits for family members at increased risk, however, is limited by the predictive value of the genetic test, the availability of effective treatments, and individuals’ and families’ willingness to undergo genetic testing in the first place. This Issue Brief describes the case of a genetic condition for which genetic screening of family members is clearly useful, and just as clearly underused. It explores the barriers to the use of genetic screening and has implications for the future as genetic technologies become more complex and produce more uncertainty
NF-ÎşB and IRF7 Pathway Activation by Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1
The principal Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) oncoprotein, Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1), is expressed in most EBV-associated human malignancies. LMP1 mimics CD40 receptor signaling to provide infected cells with constitutive NF-ÎşB, MAP kinase, IRF7, and PI3 kinase pathway stimulation. EBV-transformed B-cells are particularly dependent on constitutive NF-ÎşB activity, and rapidly undergo apoptosis upon NF-ÎşB blockade. Here, we review LMP1 function, with special attention to current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of LMP1-mediated NF-ÎşB and IRF7 pathway activation. Recent advances include the elucidation of transmembrane motifs important for LMP1 trafficking and ligand-independent signaling, analysis of genome-wide LMP1 gene targets, and the identification of novel cell proteins that mediate LMP1 NF-ÎşB and IRF7 pathway activation
Enhancing the Performance of the T-Peel Test for Thin and Flexible Adhered Laminates
Symmetrically bonded thin and flexible T-peel specimens, when tested on
vertical travel machines, can be subject to significant gravitational loading;
with the associated asymmetry and mixed-mode failure during peeling. This can
cause erroneously high experimental peel forces to be recorded which leads to
uncertainty in estimating interfacial fracture toughness and failure mode. To
overcome these issues, a mechanical test fixture has been designed for use with
vertical test machines, that supports the unpeeled portion of the test specimen
and suppresses parasitic loads due to gravity from affecting the peel test. The
mechanism, driven by the test machine cross-head, moves at one-half of the
velocity of the cross-head such that the unpeeled portion always lies in the
plane of the instantaneous center of motion. Several specimens such as bonded
polymeric films, laminates, and commercial tapes were tested with and without
the fixture, and the importance of the proposed T-peel procedure has been
demonstrated
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