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1 – 4 of 4Shartriya Collier, Betty Burston and Aarika Rhodes
A review of current initiatives to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) achievement among American youth and young adults reveals the presence of…
Abstract
Purpose
A review of current initiatives to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) achievement among American youth and young adults reveals the presence of “IQism”. That is, whether such interventions are directed toward low-income minorities and/or the disproportionate number of higher-income youth who have selected liberal arts majors over an STEM major, the country has reserved STEM as a field for “the best and the brightest”. Utilizing the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, this article argues that STEM content is accessible to all students including those whose first language is informal rather than formal English. Based upon these premises, this conceptual paper aims to introduce the framework of Teaching STEM as a Second Language as a strategy for elevating STEM achievement among students who would otherwise be excluded from the STEM movement.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilizes a review of both classic and current literature on second language acquisition to identify strategies that can be adopted by STEM instructors to increase STEM achievement among youth and young adults who are viewed as “average” and/or “below-average” academic performers.
Findings
Using quotes that confirm the thesis that STEM subject matter has been historically viewed as the domain of those whose cognitive skills place them among the “best and the brightest”, the second language acquisition (SLA) strategy of “scaffolding” is introduced as a pedagogy for producing “comprehensible output” when STEM content is taught to students whose first language is informal English. Constructivism, a concept currently used to guide the teaching of STEM contents is introduced as a framework that merges best practices in STEM and SLA. Using Cummins’ (1991) Common Underlying Proficiency Model, other strategies are also proposed for exporting SLA pedagogies and approaches to elevate equity in the quest to improve STEM achievement levels among youth and adults in the USA.
Originality/value
SLA theories and concepts have not been applied as a potential tool for teaching STEM. This is a unique and powerful lens that can be used to more effectively support the needs of underrepresented populations.
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Shartriya Stewart, Letoynia Coombs and Betty Burston
This paper examines the experiences and outcomes of male teacher candidates in the College of Education at a large university in California.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the experiences and outcomes of male teacher candidates in the College of Education at a large university in California.
Design/methodology/approach
This mixed methods study highlights findings from the preliminary analysis of student records as well as qualitative observation notes from their university supervisors and master teachers during their student teaching placements. Comments from student teaching assistance plans and remediation tools from the College of Education, Field Placement Office were also used. It also included the quantitative analysis of enrollment data as well as mid- and final student teaching evaluations for one semester. This multiple data triangulation process was used to illuminate the unique challenges and successes of male teacher candidates and the variables that influence their outcomes.
Findings
There were significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) between the male and female teacher candidates across each key measure used. Male teacher candidates scored lower in the areas of mathematics, assessment, planning and student engagement during instruction.
Practical implications
This study offers strategies that teachers’ trainers may use to recruit, retain and more effectively support the needs of their male elementary teacher candidates.
Originality/value
Few studies have examined both qualitative and quantitative data to determine pedagogical factors that impact male teacher candidates’ challenges and/or successes during their student teaching experiences. Moreover, few studies have explored how teacher training programs can more effectively support the needs of this population. This study is designed to fill that void.
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Complex conflicts in elder abuse, its causes, typology, protection and prevention, suggest that co‐operation by multi‐disciplinary social services should be a major consideration…
Abstract
Complex conflicts in elder abuse, its causes, typology, protection and prevention, suggest that co‐operation by multi‐disciplinary social services should be a major consideration in policy decision‐making, planned intervention and support. Casework of the Elder Mediation Project (EMP for empowerment), and related agencies, provides some practical evidence for this view. There are shared casework values and similar as well as different skills. However, when service user interests are paramount, the professional concerns of service providers for defined roles and boundaries raise ethical issues. Are there conflicts between old people's needs for trusting, confidential relationships with one worker, and case co‐ordinators' promotion of varied specialist input? Could approaching elder abuse through a multi‐skilled key worker, as well as by multi‐disciplinary social service workers, offer complementary and co‐operative interventions? Brief anonymised case notes suggest that practitioners may face professional conflicts about social intervention as casework diversifies and service user involvement in decision‐making increases, but some guidelines to good practice are offered.
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This new measure of consumer law of some forty‐odd sections, a short Act by present standards but as far‐reaching as any legislation since the war, establishes a code of conduct…
Abstract
This new measure of consumer law of some forty‐odd sections, a short Act by present standards but as far‐reaching as any legislation since the war, establishes a code of conduct in commerce and trade which few will be able to ignore, from the manufacturer down to the counter‐hand. Operative from November 30th of this year, traders will require to urgently consider their sales practices, advertising, labelling and their trade descriptions; sales staff will need to be instructed in their new responsibilities. The new law is not just for consumer‐retailer transactions, but extends to trade between different branches of all trades, so that a retailer will be protected against misleading descriptions and misrepresentations by a manufacturer and the latter against misdescriptions of ingredients or components.