This exploratory study of a Title II grant funded project analyzed the design and delivery of online professional learning communities (PLC) for rural STEM teachers. This research identified the frequency a video posting, the type of videos posted, and the style of reflection questions, as critical aspects to the engagement to participating teachers. Additionally, teachers showed an increase in teacher efficacy as a result of being part of the online PLCs and they indicated strong enjoyment and value in participation of the program.
A recurring problem in university teacher education programs is the lack of connection between what teacher candidates do in coursework and what they practice in classroom field placements. This article describes the efforts of the secondary teacher education program (STEP) faculty in the College of Education and Human Sciences at South Dakota State University to redesign their coursework and field experiences into a residency program to better address the development of teacher candidates and needs of school districts. The authors reflect upon their efforts using a Communities of Practice framework. There are implications in the redesign process for teacher education programs hoping to address similar situations for the benefit of the teacher candidate, the universities, and the school districts.
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