Co-operative group learning is known to be an effective instructional practice, especially for mathematics. While group work can be incorporated into the classroom in multiple ways, not every group is a co-operative learning community. In the current study, class observations and preservice teacher interviews were used to compare experiences during formal and informal group work. The findings indicate that formal co-operative learning groups, or prolonged interaction with the same group of people, develops a sense of strong community within the classroom, thereby providing a safe space and facilitating discussions. Preservice teachers involved in formal co-operative learning reported they learned better, gained confidence in the subject, and associated positively to using group work in their future classroom. However, preservice teachers involved in informal co-operative learning had neutral perceptions about group work. We suggest that prolonged interactions among the group members is required to establish effective co-operative learning groups.
Inclusive STEM high schools (ISHSs) are increasingly emerging in the research literature and have yielded promising effects on students' science and mathematics achievement [1; 2; 3]. ISHSs emphasized STEM preparation for underrepresented subpopulations and offered open enrollment.In the present study, we selected 17 ISHSs in Texas and divided those schools into two groups. Of these schools, seven (n=1,682) implemented Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum and 10 (n=3,070) did not implement the PLTW curriculum. PLTW was an engineering curriculum and professional development program intended to increase K-12 students' interest in the fields of science and engineering [4]. Results from the present study showed that students who attended ISHSs increased their mathematics score regardless of the curriculum used. Results also showed that the mathematics achievement of students over time did not differ (p>.05) between STEM schools that implemented PLTW and those that did not. In fact, given the effect sizes, it is arguable that schools in which PLTW was not implemented had greater gains in mathematics.
Classroom dynamics including interactions among peers and with teachers is a key component of students' STEM experiences, strongly influencing students' motivation to engage in the learning activities. Classroom dynamics and dialogue have been predominantly studied through longitudinal ethnographic observations of the classroom while the perspective of the students who are undergoing these experiences is largely unaccounted for. This research article showcases an empirical study that used student drawings to explore STEM classroom dynamics. In contrast with interviews, drawing allows the participant to illuminate their tacit knowledge and communicate ideas without interference from the researcher. The participants (n=32), 9th grade students from 16 public schools in Northern India, were asked to create a poster with drawings and words to show their experiences and feelings in mathematics and science classrooms. A thematic analysis of students' work was performed to draw inferences about the classroom dynamics. The posters provided an opportunity for students to authentically express themselves and represent the social and emotional consequences of teacher behaviour in STEM classrooms. Concurring with previous classroom dynamics research, findings identified a strong need to reassess teaching practices in rural Indian context.
There is general recognition that ‘Education has the power to transform the world' and equip young people to build a sustainable and peaceful world. As a step towards understanding the current state of education and collectively reimagining the future of education, a series of focus group discussions were conducted with students, teachers, and parents from all over the world. Eight prominent themes emerged from the participant discussion as follows: (1) education as a means to an end, (2) external influences on education system, (3) test centric system of education, (4) constrained curriculum and teaching practices, (5) education as a social and emotional activity, (6) school climate and power dynamics in the classroom, (7) educational infrastructure, and (8) technology and remote learning. Based on participant insights, the major issues in education, emerging innovative solutions, and recommendations for the future are discussed.
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