HR: 10:50h
AN: ED12A-02
TI: Teacher Research Experiences: What We Have Learned and What We Need to Know
AU: * Scowcroft, G A
EM: gailscow@gso.uri.edu
AF: Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island, South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882 United States
AU: Knowlton, C W
EM: cknowlto@gso.uri.edu
AF: Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island, South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882 United States
AB: The immersion of teachers in scientific research is an effective model for science teacher professional development that builds the capacity of teachers to engage students in scientific inquiry. Most science teachers have had little opportunity to "practice" science. Yet national and state science education standards expect teachers to provide these kinds of experiences for their students. Through the renewal and enhancement that a teacher research experience (TRE) offers, teachers become more capable and motivated to challenge their classes through inquiry-based activities. Although TREs are believed to be successful, there is little published research on their impacts to teaching practice and student science competencies. Research shows that teacher expertise can account for approximately 40 percent of the variance in student learning in reading and mathematics achievement Ð more than any other single factor including student background. Other studies show a similar correlation between teacher expertise and student achievement across the subject areas. There is a critical need for empirical research on the impacts of TREs on science education. Future research could guide funding agencies in setting priorities for the professional development of science teachers as it fine tunes the TRE model to achieve the maximum impact. This presentation will review some of the available literature on TREs and accepted best practices. It will also point to future directions that the TRE community can take to optimize these worthwhile opportunities for teachers.
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0810 Post-secondary education
DE: 0815 Informal education
DE: 0825 Teaching methods
DE: 0830 Teacher training
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2006 Fall Meeting