Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
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Item Effect of professional development on teachers' understanding of interdisciplinary earth science concepts(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2023) Huffman, Sue Ellen; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. John GravesThe Critical Zone describes the interactions that support life on Earth among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. To truly understand the complex processes, scientists must look outside their immediate focus: geologists, biologists, hydrologists, and physicists collaborate to see how their research fits together. Teachers can do the same and use critical zone concepts to bridge across subjects and from the classroom to the real world. Unfortunately, K12 teachers may not have the requisite knowledge or research experience to feel confident in incorporating critical zone topics into their classes, and professional development services provided by scientists may not properly meet those needs. A three-day professional development program, the result of a collaboration between a research group, Critical Zone Network Drylands Hub, and a non-profit science center, Insights Science Discovery, was developed to support teachers with including place-based, cross-curricular instruction. This mixed-methods study aimed to measure the impact on teachers' knowledge of the related concepts and their confidence in teaching it. Teachers were assessed, surveyed, and asked to draw an image or mental representation of the critical zone model and identify related academic disciplines. Both teachers and contributing scientists were surveyed to learn how their motivations for participating in professional development compared to one another. Mental models increased in their complexity and accuracy of CZ components. This result, combined with a modest improvement in their performance on assessments and a substantial increase in confidence towards including CZ concepts in their curriculum, could indicate that the PD successfully impacted teachers and actions in the classroom. Surveys also revealed that teachers and researchers share many of the same motivations for participating in PD. Ultimately, both groups shared that contributing scientists could be better informed about the teachers' context and needs, making PD content more relevant and applicable to better support student motivation and learning.Item Continued professional development among secondary agricultural education teachers in Uganda, a case study(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2023) Kibirige, Brian; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dustin PerryThe purpose of study was to identify the existing professional needs among Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers. This was investigated using the following research objectives: 1. Profile the educational background of Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers. 2. Identify the kind of continuous professional development activities that Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers participate in. 3. Assess the perceptions of Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers towards the available CPD programs. 4. Establish the level of subject content knowledge among majority of Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers. 5. Determine if pedagogical gaps exist among Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers.Item Investigating the efficacy of a collaborative evaluation model using visual research methods and concept mapping strategies to evaluate a professional learning program for teachers building competency in media literacy(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2021) Vradenburg, Nicole Angeline; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sarah PenningtonThe purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of collaborative evaluation as a method for understanding and describing how a collaborative professional learning program for educators will improve their self-reported skills in media literacy while engendering them to deliberately employ media literacy practices in their lesson plans. The model investigated for this study had six phases and employed the use of surveys, collaborative discussion, and the creation of visual artifacts to gather descriptive data to answer research questions. This participatory approach to evaluation gave participating teachers the opportunity to evaluate the data alongside the researcher. The role of the researcher as the program evaluator and facilitator leveraged the collegiality and strong relationships developed over time to gather detailed data about the professional learning program and the self-reported growth in media literacy competency of the teachers. Facilitators of professional learning for teachers can employ a collaborative evaluation model to gather testimony form participants describing their experiences that will inform the design of future programs for teachers. Findings suggest that including teachers in the evaluation of the programs in which they participate is an effective evaluation strategy that increases the chances that the data collected will inform the future professional learning programs for teachers. This model is recommended for programs that are meant to support teachers in building their competency in a specific content area, such as media literacy, over time through collaboration with peers.Item An exploration of the relationship between resilience and commitment to teaching across Montana agricultural educator career stages(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2021) Toft, Joshua Thomas; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dustin PerryThe purpose of this study was to fill an identified research gap between resilience and commitment to teaching and establish whether a relationship between these two factors exists across educator career stages. This study used a mixed methods research design, beginning with a quantitative survey instrument examining resilience and commitment to teaching. The survey was delivered to all Montana agricultural educators in each defined career stage (pre-service, early, mid, and late). All quantitative data was analyzed using Excel. A purposive sample of participants was selected for further qualitative analysis via semi-structured interviews. Interviews were delivered face-to-face and over the phone, with audio recordings and field notes used for data collection. Data analysis was completed for quantitative and qualitative data separately, with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analyses used for quantitative data and thematic analysis used for qualitative data. The two analyses were integrated, with the qualitative analysis used to help explain and support the results of the quantitative data analysis. Results from the survey revealed no statistically significant differences in mean resilience scores; however, a significant mean difference was identified between the commitment to teaching scores of pre-service and early-career educators. Subsequent interviews revealed four prevalent themes: (1) distinct purpose, (2) lifelong learners, (3) focusing on the good, and (4) strong support systems. A statistically significant difference in commitment to teaching scores between pre-service and early-career educators was discovered and linked, using interview data, to the presence or absence of strong support systems. A significant correlation between resilience and commitment to teaching was also observed, though the low strength of the correlation was suggestive of the complexity of both concepts. Interviews revealed noticeable discrepancies in perceived resilience between quantitative and qualitative measures, leading to a recommendation for an updated and educator specific instrument for evaluating resilience. Lastly, a suggested relationship, particularly among experienced educators, between prior successes and their resilience and commitment to teaching was discovered. It was therefore recommended teacher educators design programs to help pre-service and early-career educators develop a bank of successes to draw on as they begin their teaching career.Item Phenomenon-driven inquiry and science teacher professional development(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2020) Mindelzun, Ariana Rachael; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisThe purpose of this Capstone Project was to understand how phenomenon-based inquiry affects teachers' practices. The study investigated if the use of phenomenon-based inquiry positively or negatively affected teachers' practices. It also asked how teachers feel about using phenomenon-based inquiry. The research followed three groups of online courses that consisted of educators learning more about the phenomenon-driven inquiry approach. The first study group consisted of students in a voluntary outreach course with Montana State University. The second and third study groups included graduate-level students in the MSSE course 501. The research compared the teachers' perceptions and experiences with phenomenon-driven inquiry and examined the effects this educational model had on their teaching and their students. The results indicated that teachers found the phenomenon-driven inquiry model helpful and effective in increasing student engagement.Item Examining the experiences of teachers in online professional development: a teacher education twitter-based professional learning network(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2020) Nusbaum, Rebecca Mae; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Carrie B. Myers and Nick Lux (co-chair)Teacher Education Twitter-based Professional Learning Networks, commonly referred to as 'EdChats,' have increased rampantly in number and in reach over the past decade. Global, national, and local reforms tout EdChats as an effective learning platform and an innovative form of Professional Development, yet the EdChat trend is new enough that it has not developed research depth. EdChats provide a supplementary solution to traditional district-mandated auditorium Professional Development models. EdChat models often leverage social constructionist and constructivist learning paradigms in a highly accessible ubiquitous environment. Uniquely, EdChats seemingly highlight educators as self-directed learners who are seeking to curate their own learning trajectory to ultimately improve their practice. This qualitative study was framed from Garrison, Anderson and Archer's (2000) Community of Inquiry, as it sought to examine reported experiences through social presence, teacher presence, and cognitive presence. Intersection of these three areas provides relevant criteria for online learning analysis, and heavily aligns with educational experience at the crux of the model. This study served to examine reported overall learning experience of #MTEdChat participants through three guided research questions: learning experience, assumed learning roles, and how they learned from varied perspectives. The participants included 10 educators who met the following criteria: (1) being an in-service or pre-service K-12 educator: teacher, principal, coach, or school administrator, and (2) having participated in #MTEDCHAT one time or more. Participants were interviewed through secure video conference, their interviews were transcribed and analyzed, and emergent categories were developed. The data was analyzed using open codes and further analyzed through categories and emergent themes. Key findings revealed that learning experiences were comprised of three recursive buckets of learning, as described through: interpersonal, intrapersonal, and social capital. Participants revealed how these three primary areas helped to construct their reported learning experiences. Findings illustrate the value of learning reciprocally in a group, and how social capital can effectively facilitate learning. Also telling was the identifiable connection between a geographically boundless environment and the varied perspectives that it yields. Reported learning experiences provide relevance and prompt future use and recommended improvements.Item The impact of a middle grade professional development school on teacher training and retention(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2020) Stierman, Catherine Rowan; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael BrodyTeacher preparation and retention are in a state of crisis. Just under 20% of all pre-service teachers will still be in the classroom four years after graduation (AACTE, 2018; Cowen, Goldhaber, Hayes & Theobald, 2016; Darling-Hammond, 2003; Ingersoll, Merrill & Stuckey, 2018; Latham & Vogt, 2007; NCES, 2016; NCTAF, 2003). The quality of training and the sense of self have been identified as the determining factors for persistence in the education profession. The research is very clear that professional development school (PDS) prepared teachers are significantly more likely to enter and to persist in the field. This case study focused on ten undergraduate education majors in a middle grade professional development school with a significantly higher than average retention in the field. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected simultaneously. Sources included five inventories, twelve sets of interviews, and eleven reflections. It was determined that governance at both the university and middle school sites allowed the classroom teachers and professors to provide a curriculum that centered on the identification, practice, and internalization of effective educators through active learning and student-centered pedagogy. Three curricular practices were identified by the participants as being significant influences on their development and success as teachers: opportunities to see classroom teachers and professors model best practice, substantial time to practice their own skills, and a structure for reflection and processing of learning events.Item Classroom climate in a rural school context: reflection, modification, and improvement in the science classroom(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Kessler, Aaron William; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisWhen the tardy bell rings and the door closes behind the last student, a very peculiar thing happens. In an age that promotes complete and total connectivity, classrooms are very often being ran in isolation. Only during passing periods or time outside of the teacher/students class periods do conversations regarding student behavior, best practices and classroom climate take place amongst the teachers. This study was an attempt to modify this common occurrence and challenge teachers to learn from their peers during the most critical part of the school day, the time teachers and students were interacting during class time. Instructors observed their own students in different settings, commonly exhibiting different strengths and weaknesses academically, socially and behaviorally. Observing teachers learned from other teacher's good instructional strategies as well as learned from watching poor teaching strategies. Professional conversations regarding what happened during each aspect of the class period were held. Teachers collaboratively identified what works and what needs to be modified to work better. The results of the surveys that were given to the participating teachers indicated that for the first time in many of their careers, they feel that they had an honest assessment of their classroom climate as well as new strategies and teaching methods that could transform their teaching.Item Shifting to science and engineering practices through instructional coaching(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Kremer, Jessica Lynn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisAs Iowa continues forward with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), many teachers have little knowledge about how best to teach this new shift. This study looked at what how instructional coaching practices helped facilitate growth for NGSS in science classrooms. Many teachers do not have the knowledge, confidence and resources to shift to the new science thinking of NGSS. This action research paper looked at instructional coaching and its impact for teacher efficacy in the area of the eight Science and Engineering practices (S&E). Teachers were coached through a 4-week coaching cycle to learn, plan, and implement the eight S&E practices. Teachers were given pre- and post- surveys as well as interviews. Classroom observations were also done. Students also received pre-and post- surveys along with interviews to gauge their understanding of the S&E practices. The results indicated that instructional coaching had a positive impact on teachers' knowledge and efficacy of the practices. Post classroom observations done one month after coaching also showed a continuation of the use and implementation of the S&E practices. Surveys given to students also indicated a positive shift to understanding the S&E practices. However, interviews given to students were inconclusive.Item How does developing an online field ecology course to support high school students impact my growth as a teacher?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2017) Gottlieb, Liz; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter WoolbaughThe purpose of this project was to investigate how developing an online field ecology course for high school students impacted my growth as a teacher. I teach at an independent high school (N=410) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Three years ago my school joined a BlendEd online consortium. I was asked to teach an online field ecology course for the program. I had no experience with virtual learning as a teacher or student at the time. Data collection for this project not only included teacher journaling and reflection, but also course and teacher surveys from my online and traditional classes, a catalogue of teaching practices, and a trans-classroom teacher survey to compare my experience and growth with other trans-teachers. (Trans-classroom teachers are teachers who teach in both online and traditional classrooms.) The results indicate that I have made changes to teaching practices since teaching online. For example, results of my gall lessons with my online and traditional groups illuminate how online teaching has inspired me to employ multiple new practices like the use of homework kits and science notebooks in my traditional classes. Additionally, developing an online ecology course required me to participate in a wide range of professional development opportunities that all of my students were able to benefit from. Finally, the results of my trans-classroom teacher survey confirm that my experiences are not unlike other trans-teachers; 88% of teachers that I surveyed indicate that their traditional teaching was somewhat or very impacted by their online teaching. After 17 years traditional teaching, I have found online teaching to be invigorating and an opportunity for reinvention.
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