University of Virginia | Curry School of Education

Mable Kinzie, the principle investigator and lead researcher, describes My Teaching Partner: Mathematics and Science in this five-minute podcast. The project will emphasize integration with children’s existing informal math and science knowledge with formal understandings, via authentic activities with an inquiry focus relevant to diverse children. Professor Kinzie describes some of the challenges as well as initial outcomes of the program.

Research indicates children possess an intrinsic interest in many areas of mathematics and science by age five. However, many early childhood teachers are not well-prepared to facilitate developmentally appropriate mathematics and science inquiry, and to guide development of skills and concept knowledge. A research team in the University of Virginia’s Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) is developing a program to address this need. The initiative will build upon CASTL’s successful MyTeachingPartner program, to provide an integratevd, inquiry-based math and science curriculum and set of teacher supports for Pre-Kindergarten.

Audio (4.5MB mp3) | Article (1.9MB pdf)

In this five-minute podcast, Joe Garofalo describes efforts in the Curry Center for Technology and Teacher Education at the University of Virginia to prepare secondary teachers to use technology to enhance and extend their students' learning of mathematics.

The Principles and Standards of School Mathematics adopted by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) state that "technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics; it influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances students' learning." Preparing teachers to use technology appropriately is a complex task for teacher educators. Adoption of technology by teachers requires professional development that focuses on both conceptual and pedagogical issues.

Audio (4.6MB mp3) | Article

Audio (8.9MB mp3)| Article 1 | Article 2

Sara Dexter describes technology leadership, particularly as a school-level characteristic, in this five minute podcast. Typically a function of a team, technology leadership should focus on creating effective learning environments for teachers so they may develop their technology-enhanced instructional skills.

Technology leadership is a school level characteristic. It is carried out by a team, that typically includes the principal, technology coordinator, and teacher leaders. Technology leadership is a significant predictor of teachers' use of IT (information technology) in the classroom. IT leadership should focus on creating effective learning environments for teachers so they may develop their technology-enhanced instructional skills. Such an environment would support individual and collective learning of the school's teachers and be learner-centered, knowledge-centered, assessment-centered, and community-centered.

Audio (4.7MB mp3) | Article (300k pdf) | Handout (30k pdf)

Article (280k pdf)

Article

Ruth Ferree and IT doctoral student Brendan Downey introduced an SLA (Second Language Acquisition) and Digital Storytelling project taking place at Northern Virginia Community College. Their presentation covered language acquisition theories, the role of performance (output), and the power of storytelling. The key concepts were abbreviated in this five-minute podcast.

Audio (5.8MB mp3) | Article 1 (146k pdf) | Article 2 (270k pdf)

In this five minute podcast, Randy Bell describes guidelines for science teachers integrating technology and pedagogy. He specifically discusses ways in which technology can support inquiry in science courses.

Audio (5.7MB mp3) | Article 1 (1.4MB pdf) | Article 2

Article

Discussed in her 5-minute podcast, Dr. Cohoon's nation-wide research reveals many facts about the current situation of women's representation in computer science and engineering departments. She also suggests multiple approaches for effectively attracting and retaining women students.

Audio (5.3MB mp3) | Presentation (900k pdf) | Article (250k pdf)

Article

Bill Ferster describes factors contributing to the diffusion and adoption process of technology innovation in the K-12 classroom environment. His research shows that the primary predictors for success in the K-12 classroom are the same five Rogers identified. The overview of his study is provided in this five-minute podcast.

Audio (4.8MB mp3) | Article (115k pdf)