Active learning

My research measured completion and retention of procedural learning tasks, and
declarative and procedural components of engagement in indoor and outdoor settings.
Instructor-assisted Self-Directed Learning and Non-instructor-assisted Self-Directed
Learning were implemented in the context of an Experiential Learning approach.
Experimental covariates included student-specific variables such as background and
experience, and environment-specific variables such as temperature, and humidity. AIC
model averaging was used to identify the best-fitting mixed GLM models.
Neither location, nor pedagogic method, proved to be a significant predictor of the
probability that a student would complete the most complex of the procedural learning
tasks, and the percent of students completing this task was not significantly higher in
outdoor groups than in indoor groups. Neither location nor pedagogic method was a
significant predictor of retention of procedural knowledge or engagement with learning
materials. The level of voluntary collaboration was higher in outdoor groups than in indoor groups.

This mixed methods study investigated second through fifth grade teachers’
perceptions of Curriculum-Based Readers Theatre (CBRT) as a relevant approach for
teaching English Language Learners (ELLs). Quantitative survey data were collected
from 18 teachers who worked at the school with the largest population of ELLs in a large South Florida school district. The surveys investigated teachers’ current use of ESOL instructional strategies prior to participating in a CBRT professional development session as well as their ability to identify ESOL instructional strategies embedded within the approach after professional development and classroom implementation. Qualitative data were collected in the form of interviews and discussion board transcripts from eight
participants, who were also members of a school-based Readers Theatre Professional
Learning Community (PLC). Transcripts were used to investigate how participants
implemented CBRT in their classrooms as well as how they described their identification
and application of ESOL instructional strategies during implementation. The impact of PLC participation on CBRT implementation and identification of ESOL instructional
strategies was also investigated. The findings indicated that participants recognized various ESOL instructional strategies embedded in the CBRT approach. In addition, data indicated that participants viewed CBRT as an effective means for delivering various ESOL instructional strategies. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis led to similar conclusions and revealed that CBRT incorporates various ESOL instructional strategies that are recognized as effective for teaching ELLs. Teachers reported using CBRT at various points during instructional units and across all content areas. Implications and suggestions for future research are offered for the instruction of ELLs, the benefits of CBRT and other similar approaches, the design of school-based professional development, and the infusion of ESOL instructional strategies within teacher education and inservice professional learning experiences.

This mixed methods study investigated 5th-grade teachers' reported use of computer technology and variables that have been identified by researchers as affecting teachers' use of technology, including professional development activities, physical access to computer technology, and technical and instructional support provided for teachers. Quantitative data were collected from 80 5th-grade teachers from a Florida public school district through an online survey in which teachers reported how frequently they used and had their students use computer technology for 27 different purposes. The teachers also reported the amount of emphasis those 27 different topics received during their technology-related professional development experiences, the number of hours they participated in technology-related professional development, the number of months they participating in a technology coaching/mentoring program, the access their students had to computers in the classroom and in a one-to-one co mputing environment, and the frequency that they received technical and instructional support. Information from the school district's technology plan provided a context for the study. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with seven of the survey participants. The findings indicated that for 18 different purposes of technology, there was a significant correlation between how frequently teachers used and had their students use technology and the teacher-reported emphasis those topics received during technology related professional development. Self-reported frequency of support, student-to-computer ratio in the classroom, hours of professional development, and months of mentoring did not moderate the relationship between frequency of technology use and the content of professional development.