Reflection in alignment to professional standards: What did the student teachers highlight?

This study investigates the professional development of elementary student teachers in a teacher education program. Student teaching is a process for pre-service teachers to apply learning in an authentic school context, and one critical aspect of professional development is through reflection. The participants were primarily examined through their weekly reflections on teaching and learning experiences over an eight-week period. Using the state Standards for the Teaching Profession as a framework, the student teachers chose to reflect on topics they were most interested in exploring. Results indicated that the participants gave predominant attention to classroom management; the standards that received the least reflection were organizing curriculum and planning instruction. Analysis of the reflection journals also revealed how the student teachers grew as individuals and in interaction with others in a learning community. Based on the results, implications for teacher education are proposed. Limitations are also discussed.

Completing Student-Teaching Internships Online

Distance-based learning has become one of the common alternative learning options. Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many academic programmes, including programmes with internship requirements, have switched their teaching and learning strategies from on-campus learning to online platforms. This study aims to understand the experiences and sense-making processes of student-teachers who have completed their student-teaching internships online during the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand the feedback, experiences, and sense-making processes of this group of student-teachers, it is important to collect first-hand sharing. More importantly, the trend of distance learning-based student-teaching internships will be developed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study will serve as one of the first reports about student-teachers' experiences.

SCIENTIFIC AND METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF USING THE PROJECT METHOD AT TEACHING “BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY” IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND “BASICS OF HEALTH” IN SECONDARY SCHOOL

The article researched the importance of using the project method in teaching “Biology and Ecology” in high (senior) school and “Basics of Health” in secondary school, as a method of content integration of the natural education and the conditions of effective student teaching. The relevance of this topic is that there is an observation of multi-vector using the “project method” in school today. New developments for the application of project-based teaching are conducted. The organization of project activities in the teaching process involves a specially organized by the teacher process, which is performed by students independently based on their subjective definition of the goal, while the project focuses on a set of actions that makes students independent. The result of the project activity can be any product of the student’s activity, for example, presentation, essay, and model. The method of projects is based on creativity, the skills of orientating in the information space and independently designing their knowledge. In the process of project activity, there is a metamorphosis of the teacher’s position in the educational process (the teacher organizes the students’ activities). For the organization of teacher's activity, it is necessary to master the methods and techniques of preparing students for the work on the project and its development. Teaching “Biology and Ecology” and “Basics of Health” is successful only if the teacher’s work with students in all its forms is a purposeful system of teaching and education that develops in unity biological concepts, dialectical-materialist worldview, thinking, and independent practical work skills, the project’s method helps in this the most. At the modern stage of development of school education, the problem of student's cognitive activity becomes especially important meaning due to the high rate of development and improvement the science and technology, society need for educated people and free from stereotypes, will be able to quickly orientate in the situation, thinking independently. Implementation of such tasks becomes possible only in the conditions of the project teaching stimulating the mental activity of students. Keywords: method of projects; design activity; integration; biology; ecology; natural science education; natural science competence; creative health.

THEORETICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF PREPARATION OF MASTER’S STUDENTS FOR TEACHING PROFESSIONAL METHODS OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

The article highlights the theoretical principles of training master’s students majoring in 012 “Preschool Education” on teaching professional methods; legislative and normative documents on the peculiarities of training specialists in higher education institutions are considered. The purpose of the article is to characterize the content component of the preparation of master’s students for teaching in the field of preschool education, in particular professional methods. It is emphasized that the quality of professional activity of all categories of specialists working in the system of preschool education depends on the system of training future teachers in the field of preschool education. The study provides a thorough analysis of the initial discipline “Technologies for teaching professional methods of preschool education”. The working program of the discipline is analysed and the list of topics of lectures is given. The article reveals the content, methods, technologies and forms of work with master’s students at lectures, seminars and practical classes. The concept of “professional competence”, “methodological competence” is defined. In the course of the research, some difficulties encountered by master’s students during the performance of practical tasks are presented; means of increase of methodical competence and levels of its formation at students are defined. It is noted that the effectiveness of training future teachers of preschool education depends on a number of factors, including the use of innovative forms of the educational process, the introduction of modern training technologies, educational programs, research, improvement of practical skills by modelling professional situations, self-education and self-development student. Teaching the discipline “Technologies of teaching professional methods of preschool education” is aimed at forming the readiness of graduate students to teach in higher education. Keywords: professional competence; methodical competence; master’s students; modern information technologies; teaching activity; professional methods; work program; preschool education.

Study Benefits of Smartphones: Perceptions of Female Emirati Pre-Service Teacher Undergraduates

Smartphones are becoming ubiquitous and can be very useful study tools. We explored female Emirati undergraduates’ perceptions of smartphone use in the classroom. Furthermore, we investigated the age at which participants received their first smartphones, the number of smartphones to which they had access at the time of the study, and the influence of these aspects on the use of smartphones as a learning tool. An online survey of 189 participants revealed that the age of receiving their first smartphone, combined with the number of smartphones they owned or had access to at the time of the study, did not correlate with their perceptions of the usefulness of smartphones as a learning tool in a statistically significant manner. However, participants in their first year of study had fewer positive perceptions about the use of smartphones in the classroom than participants in subsequent study years. We surmise that this might be attributable, in part, to the further experiences older students have had or classes they have taken or to student teaching experiences in which they might have firsthand observed the benefits of phone use in the classroom as a learning tool.

EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND STUDENT TEACHING PERFORMANCE OF COED SENIORS

The study was conducted at the Eastern Samar State University Main Campus during the second semester of the school year 2018 to 2019. It aimed to determine the employment readiness of the respondents in terms of their personal skills; instructional skills; and management skills. It also intended to describe their student teaching performance in terms of their average grade in Student Teaching in the Elem/Sec Schools subject; and to determine whether there is significant relationship between these variables.. Likert-type questionnaire was used to gather data as well as secondary data and employed both Descriptive and Inferential statistics for the analysis of the gathered data.. The findings of the study revealed that the respondents’ employment readiness were interpreted as “Much Skilled”. It also reflected that 95.6% or majority of the senior students were excellent in their teaching performance. Further results reflected that there was no significant relationship between employment readiness in terms of personality skills and instructional skills components of the respondents and their student teaching performance but a significant relationship between employment readiness of the respondents in terms of management skills and their student teaching performance. The results of the study implied that COED senior students are ready for employment and that they have developed the necessary skills for teaching and can excellently practice the techniques , skills, and positive attitudes in teaching in preparation for the real world of teaching profession as reflected in their student teaching performance. These findings also implies that student teachers’ skills in managing classroom activities, efficient planning and organizing can highly influence their outlook and preparedness towards the teaching profession .Hence, student teaching curriculum must be enhanced towards improving the management skills of students.

SELF-IMAGE AND STUDENT TEACHING PERFORMANCE OF COED SENIORS

The study was conducted at the Eastern Samar State University Main Campus during the second semester of the school year 2018 to 2019. It aimed to determine the self-image of the respondents in terms of their positive self-image and negative self-image . It also intended to describe their student teaching performance in terms of their average grade in Student Teaching in the Elem/Sec Schools subject; and to determine whether there is significant relationship between these variables.. Likert-type questionnaire was used to gather data as well as secondary data and employed both Descriptive and Inferential statistics for the analysis of the gathered data.. The findings of the study revealed that the respondents’ perception of their level of positive self-image result to an aggregate mode of 13 which is interpreted as ‘high level’ while their level of negative self-image resulted to an aggregate mode of 14 which is interpreted as ‘ low level’ It also reflected that 95.6% or majority of the senior students were excellent in their teaching performance. Further results reflected that there was no significant relationship between the respondents’ level of positive and negative self-image and their student teaching performance . Hence the null hypothesis was accepted. The results of the study implied that the respondents’ total level of positive subjective perception of themselves, including the image of their body and impression of their own personality and capabilities are high and that they have developed the necessary skills for teaching as reflected in their student teaching performance. These findings also imply that although the respondents’ level of positive self-image is high, it does not influence their student teaching performance and outlook and preparedness towards the teaching profession. KEYWORDS: self-image, student teaching performance

Aerothermodynamics and Jet Propulsion

Get up to speed with this robust introduction to the aerothermodynamics principles underpinning jet propulsion, and learn how to apply these principles to jet engine components. Suitable for undergraduate students in aerospace and mechanical engineering, and for professional engineers working in jet propulsion, this textbook includes consistent emphasis on fundamental phenomena and key governing equations, providing students with a solid theoretical grounding on which to build practical understanding; clear derivations from first principles, enabling students to follow the reasoning behind key assumptions and decisions, and successfully apply these approaches to new problems; practical examples grounded in real-world jet propulsion scenarios illustrate new concepts throughout the book, giving students an early introduction to jet and rocket engine considerations; and online materials for course instructors, including solutions, figures, and software resources, to enhance student teaching.

Mixed Method Evaluation of a Graduate Student Teaching and Learning Internship Program

In recognition of the need to better prepare doctoral candidates with teaching and learning competencies, we devised an innovative internship program in the form of a structured apprenticeship and trialed it in public health higher education. The paid internship was comprised of: (i) Mentoring from an experienced educator, (ii) Structured program of education in pedagogy and curriculum design, and (iii) Opportunities for applied experience. Eleven interns completed the apprenticeship in its first 2 years. The mixed method evaluation assessed the impact of the internship on knowledge, skills, and confidence of interns throughout the internship, and included a cost-consequence analysis. Data collection included surveys and face-to-face interviews with interns and mentors. Changes in intern knowledge and skills were analyzed by intern self-ratings pre- and post-internship on 11 performance descriptors. All interns indicated improvement in at least one area of teaching. Interviews indicated general satisfaction, however raised incompatibilities between the unstructured nature of mentoring and intern expectations and preferences. The economic analysis calculated a cost-offset associated with intern-delivered teaching activities of $58,820 (AUD, 2019). The total cost of the program was calculated to be $70,561 (comprising mentor investment AUD$20,436, intern investment AUD$15,126, scholarship “top-up” payment of $5,000 paid to each of the 7 interns AUD $35,000). This Internship is associated with positive impacts for interns across a range of domains at a net total investment of $11,741.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE USAGE OF WHATSAPP AS A LEARNING APPLICATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a very significant change in student teaching and learning methods.The government policy requires that almost all activities including learning activities at school be eliminated and replaced with online schools. One of the most used applications for learning in this pandemic era is WhatsApp. The general objective of this research is to conduct a comparative study on the use of the WhatsApp application as a learning application during the Covid-19 pandemic in elementary and junior high school students in English. While the specific purpose of this research is to find out the strengths and weaknesses as well as the constraints of using WhatsApp as a learning application. The research method used is through field observations using qualitative descriptive methods and also interview techniques to several elementary and junior high school students in the research environment. This is interesting to research further based on direct observations of researchers on the use of WhatsApp on school students directly. This study assumes that the advantages and disadvantages of the learning process using WhatsApp will be found for both elementary school students and junior high school students. That elementary school finds difficulty in using WhatsApp for learning. Because some of the elementary students are still not fluent in reading. Junior high school learners assume that learning by WhatsApp is efficient but still not comparable to face-to-face meetings. The research implications are as follows: that the students would be able to learn easily by using WhatsApp as a learning application. The teacher Would find another method that enhances the understanding of the students besides using WhatsApp by necessity.