Computational Thinking and Social Studies Teacher Education

Computational thinking is highly applicable to social studies education, particularly decision-focused social studies. To better fit the disciplinary needs of social studies and align with social studies standards, we adapt and group computational thinking skills into a heuristic of data, patterns, rules, and questions (DPR-Q). We then propose a four-step model for social studies teachers to follow when planning lessons that integrate computational thinking within their curricular instruction. Both the DPR-Q heuristic and the instructional planning model are explained with worked examples from social studies classrooms. Successful integration of computational thinking into decision-focused social studies can both enrich the social studies curriculum and provide a curricular home for teaching computational thinking, bearing out Wing's claim that computational thinking is ‘everywhere' and ‘for everyone.'

Instructionally Embedded Assessment: Theory of Action for an Innovative System

Policy shifts in the United States are beginning to reduce the emphasis on using statewide assessment results primarily for accountability and teacher evaluation. Increasingly, there are calls for and interest in innovative and flexible assessments that shift the purposes of assessment and use of results toward instructional planning and student learning. Under the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority, some states are exploring options for replacing traditional large-scale summative assessments with innovative measures. However, many of these programs are still in early phases of planning and research and have not yet fully articulated how the innovative system achieves desired outcomes. This conceptual paper presents an argument in the form of a theory of action for a flexible and innovative assessment system already in operational use. The system replaces traditional summative assessments with large-scale through-year Instructionally Embedded assessments. We describe the components of the theory of action, detailing the theoretical model and supporting literature that illustrate how system design, delivery, and scoring contribute to the intended outcomes of teachers using assessment results to inform instruction and having higher expectations for student achievement, in addition to accountability uses. We share considerations for others developing innovative assessment systems to meet stakeholders’ needs.

Analysis of Teachers Instructional Planning and Developing Skills of Social Responsibility at FGP Secondary Schools Level in KP Pakistan

Purpose: The study was conducted to analyze the methods adopted by teachers towards instructional planning and to analyze the mechanism used by teachers to develop sense of social responsibility among students. Methodology: For this purpose data was collected from the respondents regarding Instructional Planning; majority of the respondents opinioned that Lesson plan was written occasionally with specific and clear objectives. Data was collected regarding social responsibility, majority of the respondents were always aware about Self hygiene, cleanliness through lectures and activities. Recommendations are stated that teachers must write lesson plans and it must be ensured by school administration. Community service programs must be integral part of the curriculum. Moreover, different clubs at school and seminars aid in socially grooming of students. Findings: Conclusion of the lesson, home assignment was included considering organizing the lesson according to learner`s needs, evaluation, time specification, flexibility of the planner considering outcome of pupils, visualizing with classroom reality, group discussion, pupil`s group work, presentations and encouraged students’ relevant questions. Moreover, the instructional planning was significant. Implications: Teachers must guide the pupils in Community Service and create awareness in pupils for its importance not only in their career but also in providing community services, developing sense of responsibility, morality, skills development and citizenship. Parents’ cooperation is also prerequisite in motivating the pupils towards Community services

A close look at change: the role of an instructional-team community on an Instructor’s evolution during instructional reform

In transforming undergraduate STEM education, it is important to understand the personal and contextual factors that impact instructors’ reform efforts. In this study we explored an instructor’s drivers and motivators for change in perspectives and practice, with an emphasis on the impact of an internal community (her ‘instructional team’) comprised of a co-instructor, graduate teaching assistants, and several undergraduate learning assistants (LAs). Data were collected over two semesters through classroom observations, interviews, faculty learning community discussion recordings, and team email communications. We identified pedagogical discontentment as a primary initial trigger for the instructor’s engagement in instructional reform, guided by personal values and beliefs about student learning and the nature of her discipline. The instructional-team community, which was established during a period of instructional distress, provided 1) consistent support in instructional planning, implementation, assessment, and reflection processes, 2) unique access to different perspectives on the nuances of the teaching environment and student challenges, 3) increased space, time, and motivation for the instructor to more critically reflect on her teaching and engage in creative instructional design. This case illustrates the potential effects of instructional team-based communities on instructors as they work to improve their practice and reform their courses.

Analysis of Speaking Ability of Students of English Education Study Program of UMN Al Washliyah through Vlog on Instructional Planning and Media Course

The objective of this research was to determine how students’ speaking skill of UMN Al Washliyah English Education Study Program through vlogs on Instructional Planning and Media course was. This research used a descriptive qualitative research design, in which the researcher described and analysed speaking skill. The population in the research was 10 students of UMN Al Washliyah English Education Study Program in semester III-V in Academic Year 2020/2021, totalling 10 people. Based on the study results, it can be concluded that the students’ speaking skill was between the levels “Above Average” and “Excellent.” In other phrases, it may be concluded that vlog media may be an interesting alternative media that may be used to improve college students’ speaking skill. Keywords: speaking skill, media, vlog.

PERFORMANCE BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF IN-SERVICE TEACHERS

Developing countries all over the world are struggling to improve their education system to achieve sustainable development standards. Pakistan being a developing country is no different; the two major issues related to education are quality and quantity and both are imperative in our current situation where we are up against the challenges of low literacy and poor quality of education. The government has taken up the challenge of low quality of education by investing in teacher education in the form of various reforms which are designed to enhance the teaching quality and provide standards of acceptability across the country. In this regard professional standards in 2009 were launched across the country for teachers. The latest concept of teaching is no more transfer of knowledge rather it is the transformation of knowledge in an organized manner. This organized knowledge transformation requires detailed planning and multiple strategies of delivery; this concept took the fourth place in the professional standards as “Instructional Planning and Strategies”. This standard has three dimensions one of which is “Performance” with eight indicators that can be used to measure this dimension. This article focuses on the performance of in-service teachers teaching at secondary level gauged on the defined indicators of performance in instructional planning & strategies stated in the professional standards. The population was teachers already teaching at secondary level from all the four provinces and Islamabad, according to multistage sampling technique 400 teachers were selected and further their 80 head teachers were also included for the purpose of triangulation. The findings showed that currently in-service teachers required training at varying degree on all the indicators of performance which provided the basis for priority wise training recommendations according to the defined indicators. The challenge of quality teaching in the country can be addressed if the teachers perform according to the prescribed standards.

Developing an Asset-Based View of Students’ Mathematical Competencies Through Learning Trajectory-Based Lesson Study

This article details the design and implementation of a professional development model called Learning Trajectory-Based Lesson Study focused on issues of equity, identity, and agency. We developed the Vertical Articulation to Unpack the Learning Trajectory (VAULT) tool to orient teachers’ instructional planning toward an asset-based view of students’ mathematics competencies. We examined teachers’ use of the VAULT to plan, implement, and debrief on student strategies for one spatial reasoning task in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. The VAULT facilitated intentional planning for a progression of anticipated strategies and equitable access to instruction. Teachers demonstrated an asset-based view of all student thinking independent of grade-level expectations.

A New Definition of Music Literacy: What, Why, and How?

The purpose of this article is to articulate clear definitions of music literacy and text, explain what impact they may have on music education generally, and describe their application to day-to-day teaching. The broadened definitions are intended to unite music professionals’ understanding of music literacy and help them more clearly approach music literacy instruction while simultaneously fulfilling curricular expectations of administrators and other stakeholders. Specific benefits of the new definitions include (1) aiding conversations between music teachers and literacy administrators, (2) providing clarity in the examination of broad issues and general approaches in music education, and (3) enhancing clarity and effectiveness in day-to-day instructional planning and delivery.

Students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) in Texas and New Mexico: An In-Depth Profile of Their Backgrounds, Commitments, and Perspectives

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) educate nearly two-thirds of the Hispanic/Latinx students who attend college. Yet little is known about the student populations they serve. Findings from two NSF-funded surveys completed with students at 14 HSIs in Texas and New Mexico in 2018 and four HSIs in TX in 2019 are presented. The combined sample was 1,293 students. A description of the backgrounds, commitments, experiences, and preferences of students at HSIs and differences found between responses from Hispanic/Latinx and non-Hispanic students are discussed. Primary topic areas are demographics, first-generation student standing, cultural orientation, primary language and fluency in Spanish, family and work commitments, relationship status, family support, living arrangements, means of financing college, course load, STEM identity, annual income of household of origin and of personal household, locus of control orientation, familism, and experience in college. The result is a thorough and up-to-date profile of the HSI student population in TX and NM. Statistical analysis revealed multiple significant differences between Hispanic/Latinx and non-Hispanic students attending the HSIs and the presence of several significant predictors for forms of activity and patterns of commitment. The findings are immediately applicable to process, program, student support, and instructional planning, implementation, and evaluation for over 120 HSIs in the region and, by extension, to hundreds more across the United States.