Preparing Special Education Preservice Teachers to Teach Computational Thinking and Computer Science in Mathematics

2021 ◽  
pp. 088840642199237
Author(s):  
Emily C. Bouck ◽  
Phil Sands ◽  
Holly Long ◽  
Aman Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Lesson Plans ◽  
Methods Course ◽  
Mathematics Methods ◽  
K 12

Increasingly in K–12 schools, students are gaining access to computational thinking (CT) and computer science (CS). This access, however, is not always extended to students with disabilities. One way to increase CT and CS (CT/CS) exposure for students with disabilities is through preparing special education teachers to do so. In this study, researchers explore exposing special education preservice teachers to the ideas of CT/CS in the context of a mathematics methods course for students with disabilities or those at risk of disability. Through analyzing lesson plans and reflections from 31 preservice special education teachers, the researchers learned that overall emerging promise exists with regard to the limited exposure of preservice special education teachers to CT/CS in mathematics. Specifically, preservice teachers demonstrated the ability to include CT/CS in math lesson plans and showed understanding of how CT/CS might enhance instruction with students with disabilities via reflections on these lessons. The researchers, however, also found a need for increased experiences and opportunities for preservice special education teachers with CT/CS to more positively impact access for students with disabilities.

scholarly journals Developing Preservice Teachers’ Expertise in Evaluating and Adapting Mathematics Lesson Plans

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-46
Author(s):  
Stephanie Morano ◽  
Paul J. Riccomini
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Explicit Instruction ◽  
Lesson Plans ◽  
Methods Course ◽  
Opportunities To Learn ◽  
Mathematics Lesson ◽  
Instructional Supports ◽  
Support Students

To provide appropriate and effective instructional supports to students with disabilities, special education preservice teachers require development of expertise in the design and delivery of specially designed lessons. It is critical that special education preservice education programs provide students ample opportunities to learn how to evaluate and adapt lesson plans through the application of the elements of explicit instruction. In this article, we explain how to develop preservice teachers’ expertise in the evaluation and adaptation of mathematics lesson plans with the elements of explicitness to better support students with disabilities. The example activity and assignments provided are anchored in the context of a university math methods course and include all necessary materials.

Visual Representation in Mathematics: Special Education Teachers’ Knowledge and Emphasis for Instruction

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delinda van Garderen ◽  
Amy Scheuermann ◽  
Apryl Poch ◽  
Mary M. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Visual Representations ◽  
K 12

The use of visual representations (VRs) in mathematics is a strongly recommended practice in special education. Although recommended, little is known about special educators’ knowledge of and instructional emphasis about VRs. Therefore, in this study, the authors examined special educators’ own knowledge of and their instructional emphasis with VRs in mathematics for students with disabilities (SWDs) in Grades K-12. A total of 146 teachers (pre- and in-service) responded to an online survey. A mixed methods triangulation research design was utilized. Findings include the following: (a) teachers hold conceptions about VRs and the roles they serve in problem solving; their ideas, however, lack depth and are narrow in perspective; (b) what teachers emphasize about VRs to SWDs tends to match their own conceptions, but the explanations they provide for SWDs need expanding and refinement; and (c) given their narrow conceptions, VRs may be limited to a peripheral role in special educators’ instruction.

Mentoring Dispositions for Pre-Service and Early Career Special Educators Through Service Learning

2018 ◽  
pp. 37-76
Author(s):  
Michelle Chamblin ◽  
Audra Cerruto ◽  
Rickey Moroney ◽  
Patricia Mason
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Community Schools ◽  
Inclusive Settings ◽  
Service Learning Projects ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Learning Projects

Service learning projects were created and implemented by faculty in the special education unit at Molloy College for pre-service and early career special education teachers. The service learning projects provided an opportunity for faculty to mentor participants in the area of dispositions for teaching through a shared experience outside of the higher education classroom. The projects were conducted in/or with community schools serving the K-12 population and students with disabilities in inclusive settings. It was hypothesized that service learning opportunities would serve as a platform for participants to reflect and to evaluate their dispositions as they act and interact in environments which were multidimensional. The results indicated that this was the case and that participants gained insights into their dispositions when the statements of dispositions were related to an experience. Faculty concluded that a variety of service learning projects provided varied opportunities for participants to exercise beliefs and bring clarity to the term “dispositions for teaching.”

Mentoring Dispositions for Pre-Service and Early Career Special Educators Through Service Learning

2022 ◽  
pp. 933-971
Author(s):  
Michelle Chamblin ◽  
Audra Cerruto ◽  
Rickey Moroney ◽  
Patricia Mason
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Community Schools ◽  
Inclusive Settings ◽  
Service Learning Projects ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Learning Projects

Service learning projects were created and implemented by faculty in the special education unit at Molloy College for pre-service and early career special education teachers. The service learning projects provided an opportunity for faculty to mentor participants in the area of dispositions for teaching through a shared experience outside of the higher education classroom. The projects were conducted in/or with community schools serving the K-12 population and students with disabilities in inclusive settings. It was hypothesized that service learning opportunities would serve as a platform for participants to reflect and to evaluate their dispositions as they act and interact in environments which were multidimensional. The results indicated that this was the case and that participants gained insights into their dispositions when the statements of dispositions were related to an experience. Faculty concluded that a variety of service learning projects provided varied opportunities for participants to exercise beliefs and bring clarity to the term “dispositions for teaching.”

Providing Access and Opportunity for Computational Thinking and Computer Science to Support Mathematics for Students With Disabilities

2020 ◽  
pp. 016264342097856
Author(s):  
Emily C. Bouck ◽  
Aman Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Computer Science ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Mathematics Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Insufficient Attention ◽  
Mathematics Teaching And Learning ◽  
K 12

The ideas of computational thinking (CT) and computer science (CS) are increasingly being integrated into K-12 education. Yet, insufficient attention exists regarding access and exposure of CT and CS for students with disabilities. In this Technology in Action, the authors sought to present an argument—as well as actual activities—for teachers to start to expose and engage students with disabilities in CT and CS. Through the presentation of case studies as well as other non-case situated activities, practical ideas, and steps for integrating CT and CS in mathematics teaching and learning for students with disabilities are presented.

scholarly journals The Role of Performance Feedback and Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices for Preservice Special Education Teachers and Student Outcomes: A Review of the Literature

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Anne Schles ◽  
Rachel E. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Performance Feedback ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Evidence Based Practices

Given the importance of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for improving outcomes for students with disabilities, it is key that preservice special education teachers have the opportunity to implement EBPs with high levels of fidelity during their teacher preparation program. For this reason, the authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to answer the question: Does providing performance feedback improve preservice special education teachers’ fidelity of implementation of EBPs and outcomes for students with disabilities? Five studies were found which met inclusion criteria. These studies demonstrated a clear functional relationship between performance feedback and preservice teachers’ increased fidelity to the EBP(s). Across studies, there were mixed effects in student outcomes when preservice teachers increased their fidelity to EBPs. Limitations of the current analysis and the included studies are discussed along with future implications for researchers and practitioners.

Including Students With Disabilities in the Coding Classroom

2021 ◽  
pp. 236-248
Author(s):  
Tess Levinson ◽  
Libby Hunt ◽  
Ziva Reimer Hassenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Science Education ◽  
General Education ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Computer Science Education ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Mild Disability ◽  
Low Incidence

This chapter discusses understandings of coding and computational thinking education for students with disabilities. The chapter describes the special education system in the United States, including limitations in how computer science education is made available to students receiving special education services. The chapter then provides a summary of research in computer science education for students with disabilities, including both high-incidence and low-incidence disabilities. A case study of a young student with a mild disability learning in a general education computational thinking program is then presented, and the implications of the case study for future research directions are discussed.

scholarly journals Computational Thinking, Between Papert and Wing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lodi ◽  
Simone Martini
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Computer Science Education ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Common Theme ◽  
Technical Content ◽  
Technical Competencies ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Affective Involvement

AbstractThe pervasiveness of Computer Science (CS) in today’s digital society and the extensive use of computational methods in other sciences call for its introduction in the school curriculum. Hence, Computer Science Education is becoming more and more relevant. In CS K-12 education, computational thinking (CT) is one of the abused buzzwords: different stakeholders (media, educators, politicians) give it different meanings, some more oriented to CS, others more linked to its interdisciplinary value. The expression was introduced by two leading researchers, Jeannette Wing (in 2006) and Seymour Papert (much early, in 1980), each of them stressing different aspects of a common theme. This paper will use a historical approach to review, discuss, and put in context these first two educational and epistemological approaches to CT. We will relate them to today’s context and evaluate what aspects are still relevant for CS K-12 education. Of the two, particular interest is devoted to “Papert’s CT,” which is the lesser-known and the lesser-studied. We will conclude that “Wing’s CT” and “Papert’s CT,” when correctly understood, are both relevant to today’s computer science education. From Wing, we should retain computer science’s centrality, CT being the (scientific and cultural) substratum of the technical competencies. Under this interpretation, CT is a lens and a set of categories for understanding the algorithmic fabric of today’s world. From Papert, we should retain the constructionist idea that only a social and affective involvement of students into the technical content will make programming an interdisciplinary tool for learning (also) other disciplines. We will also discuss the often quoted (and often unverified) claim that CT automatically “transfers” to other broad 21st century skills. Our analysis will be relevant for educators and scholars to recognize and avoid misconceptions and build on the two core roots of CT.

A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses in Special Education: Exploring the Evidence Base for High-Leverage Practices

2021 ◽  
pp. 074193252110634
Author(s):  
Gena Nelson ◽  
Sara Cothren Cook ◽  
Kary Zarate ◽  
Sarah R. Powell ◽  
Daniel M. Maggin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Intensive Instruction ◽  
Disability Categories ◽  
Meta Analyses

It is crucial that special education teachers are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Despite federal legislation and efforts of the field to identify and disseminate evidence-based practices for students with disabilities, it is uncertain whether all special education teachers provide instruction based on the best available research. To better prepare special education teachers, McLeskey et al. proposed 22 high-leverage practices (HLPs). We conducted this systematic review of meta-analyses to provide an initial investigation of the experimental evidence reporting on the effectiveness of the HLPs for students with, or at risk for, a disability. Results indicated the largest amount of evidence from meta-analyses related to intensive instruction, explicit instruction, and social skills, with few meta-analyses reporting on collaboration and assessment. The results highlighted disproportional evidence according to disability categories. Implications for future research, practice, and teacher education are discussed.

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