Lectures are a commonly used teaching method in higher education, but there is significant debate about the relative merits of different classroom practices. Various classroom observation tools have been developed to try to give insight into these practices, beyond the simple dichotomy of "traditional lecturing versus active learning".…

To investigate the variation in active learning used in college science courses, the authors analyzed 57 comparison studies published in three prominent science education journals. Focusing on three sources of variation--(a) the active learning activities, (b) other pedagogical features, and (c) course structure/design--they found that most…

Teacher evaluation practices are often "pro forma" processes that offer those evaluated little opportunity for professional growth and development. Using a participatory action research (PAR) design, I engaged teachers and instructional leaders in a process to revamp evaluation procedures for English language teachers in an international…

This article uses new survey data to examine student preferences and experiences with active learning among a graduate student cohort across two key identity markers: international student status and gender. Our survey of students enrolled in a Master of International Relations program suggests that most view active learning favorably and believe…

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact, and students' and teachers' perceptions, of using smartphones as clickers during formal lectures. This was an observational study based on a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews. Forty French dental students received conventional lectures, and 40 additionally used the Socrative®…

The most effective way to increase students' academic performance is to improve the instructional practices of their teachers. Effective, research-based instruction responsive to individual students' unique needs is imperative for quality outcomes, particularly for students with disabilities. The high-leverage practices (HLPs; Collaboration,…

This study constructs a competence framework that covers the most popular interpreting technologies. It adopts an empirical design and uses mainly quantitative methods based on a large-scale survey, comprising 647 questionnaires and 10 interviews. According to the analysis of questionnaire and interview data, the authors identify the main types of…

A significant issue in the teaching, learning and summative assessment of practical science is that the underpinning model of scientific methods is based on a fairly simplistic and linear account that does not represent how scientists actually do practical work. In this paper, we examine how science teachers in England and Wales view scientific…

The purpose of this study is to examine pre-service chemistry teachers' orientations towards chemistry teaching during chemistry teaching method courses. This study was conducted with ten pre-service chemistry teachers for 28 weeks. The Draw-A-Science-Teacher-Test Checklist (DASTT-C), card-sorting activity, interviews, observations, and reflection…

Sustainability is one of the most important challenges for present and future societies, which needs to be urgently and adequately addressed from Education. This study qualitatively analyses the curricula of primary and secondary education in Spain and Portugal, with the objective of assessing how sustainability is addressed across compulsory…

Digital literacy skills could make important contributions to teachers' learning and teaching process and professional skills. The purpose of this article is to examine the level of science teachers' digital literacy skills in terms of gender and the duration of professional experience. The sample of the study consisted of 88 science teachers…

Evolve your craft while staying grounded in best teaching practices. Alex Kajitani offers readers a fun and meaningful resource packed with practical tips for making the most of an online classroom environment. From sign-on to sign-off, use these strategies to ensure your students feel welcomed, engaged, and empowered to own their learning. In…

This qualitative study explored the experience of third through fifth grade teachers that use kinesthetic learning strategies (KLS) in the classroom and their perception of the student learning process. Most studies on kinesthetic learning have been student-centered, and research to examine the perspective of teachers expands our understanding of…

In their popular book "Made to Stick," Heath and Heath (2007) examined characteristics that make an idea sticky, that is, "understood and remembered, and have a lasting impact--they change your audience's opinions or behavior" (p. 8). Lecture-based instruction is a common but debated pedagogical approach in higher education,…

Discrete trial training is a popular teaching method for individuals with autism, but is not easily implemented with fidelity due to its complexity. This is the first meta-analysis of single-case experimental design studies to quantify the impact of behavioral skills training on individuals' ability to implement discrete trials with fidelity.…