The purpose of this study was to examine the design, implementation, and initial outcomes of a collaborative professional development program intended to prepare middle and high school educators to implement effectively the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in classrooms with diverse learners. The professional development program discussed herein was designed by a university in partnership with a local school district and incorporated key principles of effective professional development associated with promoting substantial changes in teacher knowledge and practice recommended in the research literature (Darling-Hammond et al., 2009;Guskey, 2002;Reiser, 2013). Topics covered in the professional development included NGSS practices and crosscutting concepts, Universal Design for Learning, and disciplinary literacy. Results suggest that the impact of this professional development program was positive. Feedback from participants was favorable and will be shared as well.
The authors investigated the impact of exposure to computational thinking activities and professional development on inservice teachers' perceptions and teaching practices in elementary and secondary school education. The participants of this 2017/2018 research study were STEM teachers from the Baltimore County (Maryland) Public Schools in the United States of America. The major focus of this study was on the impact of professional development activities on the inclusion of computational thinking activities in the k-12 mathematics and science classrooms. The analysis of the data indicated that most of the participating teachers felt that the professional development activities were valuable and made a positive impact on the quality and quantity of computational thinking activities they implemented in their classrooms. Most of these teachers stated that they would implement computational thinking activities on a weekly or monthly basis. Based on the analysis of the data and the results of this study, a list of future research questions is included.
Purpose
In higher education, the authors serve multiple stakeholders with varying perspectives on the institution’s learning analytic system. The purpose of this paper is to highlight dual perspectives within the learning analytics (LA) system in one institution: that of an administrator responsible for college-wide improvement, and a faculty member responsible for programmatic improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
This manuscript provides a critical perspective with dual sets of experiences and viewpoints. This approach allows close examination of each perspective within the context of the existing literature, as the authors examine transitions in the use of LA.
Findings
These viewpoints offer insight into the interpretation of LA through the lens of various roles. In examining these viewpoints, the authors offer three actionable steps for other institutions who seek to implement.
Practical implications
These actionable steps offer a starting point for other institutions to engage in conversations related to the adoption of LA for continuous improvement across levels and roles. Relevant implications for various parties are discussed, with an emphasis on how administrators within the university system may support faculty to incorporate LA as part of their scholarly and teaching responsibilities.
Originality/value
Few studies have examined the perspectives of multiple stakeholders within an institution. Here the authors have presented these dual perspectives in order to further the dialogue between university administration and faculty as analytic systems become more widespread. Through this dialogue, the authors see increased opportunities for all stakeholders to better understand their role in LA.
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