ERIC Number: EJ1351212
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2158-2440
Available Date: N/A
Confusion over Models: Exploring Discourse in a STEM Professional Development
Reynolds, Todd; Burrows, Andrea C.; Borowczak, Mike
SAGE Open, v12 n2 Apr-Jun 2022
For 2 weeks in the summer of 2018, K-12 STEM teachers (n = 40) attended a professional development (PD) that included four sessions focused on computer science modeling with follow-up academic year sessions; however, overall, the teachers did not meet expectations about what modeling means or how to utilize it. To examine why, the authors looked at the teachers' discourse. Using three theories to connect to the practice (terministic screens, schema theory, and concepts of capital) the authors analyzed the surveys, interviews, and email reflections to explore participants' concept of models and the potential difficulties of implementing computer modeling in their classrooms. Five general concepts of models are presented. Findings show that the term model was interpreted differently by the PD's faculty team and participants. Further, the authors found that the majority of presenters held differing theories of models than the participants. Participant concepts of models did improve slightly. Implications are provided showcasing articulated keys for delivering PD that assists in eliminating discursive and theoretical issues. Included are considerations for STEM teacher educators, PD providers, and K-12 teachers.
Descriptors: Elementary Secondary Education, Teachers, STEM Education, Faculty Development, Discourse Analysis, Models, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Computer Science Education, Language Usage
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE); National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1339853; 1923542
Author Affiliations: N/A