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The mixed method sequential nested study examines whether and how the cognitive type of teachers' content knowledge is associated with student achievement, and correlated with teaching practice. In the context of this study, the cognitive type refers to the kind of teacher content knowledge and thinking processes required to accomplish a task successfully, in terms of knowledge of facts and procedures (Type 1), knowledge of concepts and connections (Type 2), and/or knowledge of models and generalizations (Type 3). A sample of 102 middle school mathematics teachers (grades 6-8) was assigned to the study from a number of school districts in an urban area in the Southwestern US. Teachers were tested using the Teacher Content Knowledge Survey. Student level data of about 2,400 middle grades students' standardized test passing rates including percentage of students meeting the state standards by objectives were collected. The type of teachers' content knowledge was assessed and tested for association with student achievement on the statemandated standardized test using multivariate methods including tests for variance and independence. The nested research consisted of three phases. Substudy-1 focused on quantitative analysis of the association between cognitive type of teacher content knowledge and student achievement. Substudy-2 aimed at the correlation between cognitive type of teacher content knowledge and teaching practice. Finally, substudy-3 was a case study on examining middle grades mathematics teachers' knowledge and understanding of fraction division.

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There is an on-going debate in the literature on theoretical underpinnings of distance learning. Scholars consider different theoretical perspectives including but not limited to theory of independence and autonomy, theory of industrialization, and theory of interaction and communication through the lens of a traditional Learning Theory approach. There is a lack of discussion on a potential role of a newly emerging field of Learning Sciences in framing the theory of distance learning. Thus, in this paper we provide a theoretical analysis of the Learning Sciences as a new approach to understand distance learning in the era of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Learning sciences is an interdisciplinary field that studies teaching and learning. This emerging innovative field includes but is not limited to multiple disciplines such as cognitive science, educational psychology, anthropology, computer science, to name a few. The Learning Sciences’ major objective is to understand and design effective learning environments, including distance learning, based on the latest findings about the processes involved in human learning.

This interpretive cross-case study examined the U.S. and Russian teachers' topic-specific knowledge of lower secondary mathematics. In total, N=16 teachers (8 from the U.S., and 8 from Russia) were selected for the study using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Teachers completed the Teacher Content Knowledge Survey (TCKS) as part of the purposive selection. The survey consisted of multiple-choice items measuring teachers' content knowledge at the cognitive levels of knowing, applying, and reasoning. Teachers were also interviewed on the topic of fraction division using questions addressing their content and pedagogical content knowledge. In order to analyze the qualitative data, we conducted meaning coding and linguistic analysis of teacher narratives as primary methods of analysis. The study revealed that there are explicit similarities and differences in teachers' content knowledge as well as its cognitive types. The results are reflected in meanings expressed and language used by teachers while responding to topic-specific questions on the division of fractions. The results of the study suggest that in the cross-national context teachers' knowledge could vary depending on curricular as well as socio-cultural priorities placed on teaching and learning of mathematics. The study's main findings contribute to the body of literature in the field of cross-national research on teacher knowledge with a narrow focus on a topic-specific knowledge. It suggests close comparison and learning about issues related to teacher knowledge in the U.S. and Russia with a potential focus on reexamining practices in teacher preparation and professional development.

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