Mentoring Teacher Assistants to Use Online Tools

2017 ◽  
pp. 245-260
Author(s):  
Grisel M. Garcia Perez
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Training ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Teaching Assistants ◽  
Practice Theory ◽  
First Year ◽  
Reflective Inquiry ◽  
Teacher Assistants ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Reflection On Action

This chapter indicates how a group of Teaching Assistants (TAs) was trained in the use of technology to help students enrolled in large first year Spanish classes excel in learning of Spanish as a foreign language. Framed by the Communities of Practice theory proposed by Wenger (1998), this study supports the theory that by examining their practices, trainees may become more effective in what they learn. Six TAs participated in the study and their reflection-on-action logs were examined and compared to the trainer's personal observations. Interpretation of the results was then carried out by comparing parallel and dissimilar ideas which were then used as focus for discussion. Outcomes support the theory that communities of practice and reflective inquiry are valuable teacher training tools.

Mentoring Teacher Assistants to Use Online Tools

2020 ◽  
pp. 701-715
Author(s):  
Grisel M. Garcia Perez
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Training ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Teaching Assistants ◽  
Practice Theory ◽  
First Year ◽  
Reflective Inquiry ◽  
Teacher Assistants ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Reflection On Action

This chapter indicates how a group of Teaching Assistants (TAs) was trained in the use of technology to help students enrolled in large first year Spanish classes excel in learning of Spanish as a foreign language. Framed by the Communities of Practice theory proposed by Wenger (1998), this study supports the theory that by examining their practices, trainees may become more effective in what they learn. Six TAs participated in the study and their reflection-on-action logs were examined and compared to the trainer's personal observations. Interpretation of the results was then carried out by comparing parallel and dissimilar ideas which were then used as focus for discussion. Outcomes support the theory that communities of practice and reflective inquiry are valuable teacher training tools.

An exploration of the factors that contribute to learning satisfaction of first-year anatomy and physiology students

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saramarie Eagleton
Keyword(s):  
Learning Community ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Community Support ◽  
First Year ◽  
Learning Effectiveness ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Learning Satisfaction ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Teaching Anatomy ◽  
Physiology Students

Lecturers have reverted to using a “blended” approach when teaching anatomy and physiology. Student responses as to how this contributes to their learning satisfaction were investigated using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of closed- and open-ended questions that were based on three determinants of learning satisfaction: perceived course learnability, learning community support, and perceived learning effectiveness. Regarding course learnability, students responded positively on questions regarding the relevance of the subject for their future careers. However, students identified a number of distractions that prevented them from paying full attention to their studies. As far as learning community support was concerned, respondents indicated that they were more comfortable asking a peer for support if they were unsure of concepts than approaching the lecturing staff. Most of the students study in their second language, and this was identified as a stumbling block for success. There was a difference in opinion among students regarding the use of technology for teaching and learning of anatomy and physiology. From students' perceptions regarding learning effectiveness, it became clear that students' expectations of anatomy and physiology were unrealistic; they did not expect the module to be so comprehensive. Many of the students were also “grade oriented” rather than “learning oriented” as they indicated that they were more concerned about results than “owning” the content of the module. Asking students to evaluate aspects of the teaching and learning process have provided valuable information to improve future offerings of anatomy and physiology.

Creating communities: the use of technology in craft and DIY communities of practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Holmes ◽  
Anita Greenhill ◽  
Rachel McLean
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to gain insight into craft and do-it-yourself (DIY) communities of practice (COPs) and how the use of technology provides ways for participants to connect, share and create. Gaining deeper insights into the practices of these communities may provide new opportunities to utilise within this flourishing domain. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative methods were adopted to collect data and analysed through an interpretivist lens. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of craft and DIY COPs to gain a deep understanding of the broader ethnographic study. Existing theoretical perspectives surrounding COPs have been applied to further current perspectives. Findings – Findings from this study suggest that being part of a COP allows participants to connect to others, build creative enterprise and learn or enhance skills. Insights gained from this study indicate some of the detailed ways in which the application of technology redefines craft and DIY COPs. Research limitations/implications – This study provides a succinct exploration of a vast and fluid domain; if presented with more time and wider resources, the research would include further exploration of virtual COPs. Originality/value – The investigation provides a rich insight into the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) within craft and DIY COPs. The application of theoretical perspectives from the area of Information Systems (IS) and Technology Management to this domain is regarded as an original research and furthers knowledge in these areas. Originality/value – The investigation provides a rich insight into the use of ICTs within craft and DIY COPs. The application of theoretical perspectives from the area of IS to the domain of craft and DIY culture is original research and extends existing concepts to include skills sharing as a previously unexplored domain.

scholarly journals A Reflective View of the Introduction of Technologies in Social Work Fieldwork Modules within the South African Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-73
Author(s):  
Marichen van der Westhuizen ◽  
◽  
Sibulelo Gawulayo ◽  
Nomvuyo Lukelelo ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
First Year ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Role Players ◽  
African Context ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to prepare students for emergency online learning and teaching. The blended-learning approach that includes online learning and teaching options in social work theoretical modules has been described as valuable in providing students with a variety of modes of learning and teaching. However, its use in fieldwork modules requires further research. This article aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of undergraduate student social workers and their supervisors regarding the inclusion of technologies in the first-year fieldwork module, and how this affected their online experiences during the pandemic. The activity theory served as a theoretical framework. A qualitative approach was followed with an explorative-descriptive research design. Participants were selected through purposive non-probability sampling. Data was collected through written reflection sheets that were analysed through thematic content analysis. Ethics included voluntary participation, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality and anonymity. The findings indicate that all the components of the activity theory were present, while challenges experienced prior and during the pandemic were identified as a lack of previous exposure to the use of technology and of access to technological resources, socioeconomic challenges, the need to become skilled in becoming independent scholars, a need for direct interaction among students and between students and supervisors/lectures, and the importance of a variety of role-players to support learning. The findings provided a foundation to draw conclusions and make recommendations regarding what is needed to effectively use the activity theory’s components in fieldwork modules and to prepare students for technology-based learning and teaching in higher education settings.

scholarly journals Primary Education Teacher Training: an exploratory study from the lockdown towards the post Covid period

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-164
Author(s):  
Eugenia Di Barbora ◽  
Lucia Bragatto ◽  
Lucia Locuoco ◽  
Daniela Paci ◽  
Maura Tavano
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Training ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Virtual Learning Environment ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Formed Part ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

This exploratory study, conducted during the first Covid-19 lockdown, formed part of the practical module of the Teacher Training in Primary Education course at the University of Udine, and was carried out on a sample of trainees enrolled on the course. The research had the following objectives: to understand the effects of the Covid-19 lockdown on trainees and to reflect on the impact on planning of teaching in a traditional classroom environment or in VLE, Virtual Learning Environment. In order to improve the practical components of the course, observations focused on organizational, methodological and pedagogical aspects. The data, gathered in an online questionnaire, provided a comparison of teacher training delivered in person in the pre-Covid period and in later training online. The data also provided information on the strengths and weaknesses of classroom and distance learning, on the use of technology and on the professional development of teachers in the future. The study found a multitude of issues that will need to be further explored in the post Covid period, including rethinking models and approaches in initial teacher training.    Tirocinio di Scienze della Formazione Primaria: uno studio esplorativo nel primo lockdown per Covid.   Il presente studio esplorativo è stato promosso, durante il primo lockdown per Covid-19, all’interno del Tirocinio del Corso di Studi in Scienze della Formazione Primaria dell’Università di Udine su un campione di studenti iscritti al tirocinio. La ricerca esplorativa ha avuto come obiettivi: comprendere le ricadute nei tirocinanti conseguenti allo stato di emergenza e riflettere sulla didattica in presenza e a distanza sui piani organizzativo, metodologico e pedagogico per potenziare l’offerta formativa del tirocinio. I dati, desunti da un questionario online, hanno permesso un confronto sul tirocinio in presenza nel periodo pre-Covid e successivamente svolto in DaD. I dati hanno fornito anche risultati su punti di forza e criticità della didattica in presenza e a distanza, sull’uso delle tecnologie e sulla professionalità docente futura. Lo studio ha inoltre rilevato una molteplicità di aspetti che andranno ulteriormente approfonditi per il periodo post Covid-19, tra cui il ripensamento di modelli ed approcci nella formazione iniziale degli insegnanti.

scholarly journals Native or Novice?

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Donna M. Velliaris ◽  
Paul Breen
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Digital Natives ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
First Year ◽  
Lifelong Learners ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Return Home ◽  
Information Landscape

Access to and use of technology by students deemed to be ‘Digital Natives' studying in the Higher Education (HE) sector has been an area of much interest, speculation and publication. This chapter reports on a small-scale exploratory study that aimed to uncover the digital technology access and practices in both everyday life and academic study of ‘new' international first-year ‘pathway' students at the Eynesbury Institute of Business and Technology (EIBT). The purpose of this study was to contribute to the debate on digital natives by providing a ‘piece of evidence' on the access to and use of digital technologies by a group of pre-university pathway students. This exploratory study stemmed from the realisation that EIBT lecturers could better meet the needs of the current generation and cohort of 20+ ethnically diverse students, and help them acculturate and transition as lifelong learners who are able to adapt to an evolving information landscape in Australian HE and upon their return home.

scholarly journals Developing Faculty Communities of Practice to Expand the Use of Effective Pedagogical Techniques

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Hoyert ◽  
Cynthia O'Dell
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
First Year ◽  
Scholarship Of Teaching ◽  
Pedagogical Techniques ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Faculty Group

The scholarship of teaching and learning literature is replete with examples of pedagogical techniques that have been demonstrated to be effective in improving learning, motivation, and student success. The extension of these techniques beyond the original context has tended to be slow, difficult, and incomplete. The following paper examines an intervention designed to encourage the exploration and use of a variety of pedagogical techniques by faculty in a traditional, four-year college faculty within the context of the AASCU Re-imagining the First Year Initiative. Small groups of six to eight faculty, joined and created communities of practice. The groups were known as Pedagogical Interest Groups, or PIGs for short. The faculty read about and analyzed a series of pedagogical techniques and committed to introducing at least one technique into their courses to further explore the techniques. When the techniques were successful, the faculty members redesigned entire classes to expand the impact. The communities of practice were successful in encouraging faculty to explore a wide variety of techniques. The average faculty group explored eight different pedagogical techniques. Faculty were able to use the opportunity to experiment with techniques with the support from their colleagues in their PIG. A dozen techniques were explored across the PIGs and dozens of class sections have been completely redesigned. To date, over 2000 students have experienced redesigned courses. Measures of student success, satisfaction, and interest in those sections have increased. The effort has been accompanied by a robust increase in the campus-wide retention rates. ​

Online Communities of Practice and Web 2.0

2016 ◽  
pp. 265-292
Author(s):  
Amir Manzoor
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Management Communication ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
The People ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Online Communities Of Practice

In contemporary Knowledge Management, communication and collaboration play very significant role. Knowledge exists within the stakeholders of an organization. Such knowledge, when extracted and harnessed effectively, can become an extremely valuable asset to achieve organizational goals and objectives. This knowledge, embedded in the people, must be properly released through an appropriate channel to make it usable. Through dialogue and discussions, using online tools, this release and reuses of knowledge can be made possible. The Community of Practice (CoP) is a useful organizing concept for enhancing collaboration, sharing knowledge, and disseminating best practices among researchers and practitioners. This chapter explores the concept of Communities of Practice and how Web 2.0 technologies can facilitate the transformation from a conventional community of practice to online community of practice for better and effective online communities of practices.

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