Instructional Coaching Cycles and Career and Technical Educators’ TPACK

Most professional development occurs in a large group format. In most cases, there is little to no application or continued support for teachers. All teachers, particularly those in career and technical schools, struggle to implement newly learned strategies related to technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge (TPACK) with this type of support. A review of the literature proves that through the support of instructional coaches, teachers can improve their practice through sustained professional learning with a coaching peer. The study followed six, secondary teachers from a comprehensive career and technical school who participated in instructional coaching cycles to improve technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge (TPACK) in their classrooms. Results from the study suggest the utility of instructional coaching as a means of helping educators develop enhanced TPACK.

Promoting Team Learning in the Classroom

The new workplace is a key arena for learning in today’s society. The spiraling demand for knowledge in the workplace has increased interest in learning, especially team learning. Team learning can be viewed from multiple perspectives, making it difficult for career and technical educators (CTEs) to know how to prepare students for a team-based work environment, especially one that includes virtual teams. In addition, emerging technology adds to the confusion about how to provide effective learning experiences that mirror what is occurring in the workplace. To prepare the workforce of tomorrow, CTE instructors can become facilitators of team learning by providing ample opportunity for learners to practice team skills in a low-risk learning environment. By providing the exposure and practice to team learning skills and technology tools, CTEs may help equip students with added skills in entering a global workplace.

Promoting Team Learning in the Classroom

The new workplace is a key arena for learning in today’s society. The spiraling demand for knowledge in the workplace has increased interest in learning, especially team learning. Team learning can be viewed from multiple perspectives, making it difficult for career and technical educators (CTEs) to know how to prepare students for a team-based work environment, especially one that includes virtual teams. In addition, emerging technology adds to the confusion about how to provide effective learning experiences that mirror what is occurring in the workplace. To prepare the workforce of tomorrow, CTE instructors can become facilitators of team learning by providing ample opportunity for learners to practice team skills in a low-risk learning environment. By providing the exposure and practice to team learning skills and technology tools, CTEs may help equip students with added skills in entering a global workplace.

The Effects of Disability Awareness Trainings with Career and Technical Educators Teaching in High Need Rural Schools

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a series of disability awareness workshops and their effects on rural career and technical education teachers who have students with disabilities in their classrooms. Two research questions were posed: (a) Will career and technical education teachers who receive a disability awareness workshop demonstrate a greater knowledge base in disability issues and legislation? and (b) Will employees who receive a disability awareness workshop alter their attitudes toward students with disabilities? Sixteen career and technical education teachers from the Genesee Valley Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) participated in this study. The teachers attended four disability awareness workshops over the span of one school year. The Facts on Disabilities Scale (FAD) and the Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale (IDP) were used as pretest/posttest measurements of knowledge about disabilities and attitudes towards students with disabilities. Results indicated an increase in degree of knowledge of issues pertinent to people with disabilities and an increase in positive attitudes toward a person with a disability.