The problem addressed in this study was that students who use passive study techniques when learning medical terminology are less likely to perform well on exams and retain course content in long-term memory. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to explore the perceptions of college faculty regarding the…

"Academic language" is a term that is thrown around frequently in educational circles, particularly in recent years. As a part of a larger study investigating trends in practitioners' efficacy in teaching, using, and supporting academic language in classrooms, the authors honed in on teachers' definitions and corresponding understandings…

The current study examined elementary school teachers' acceptability of a positive behavioral intervention based on the use of jargon and non jargon language during behavioral consultation. One-hundred and one kindergarten through grade six teachers responded to the Usage Rating Profile-Intervention Revised (URP-IR) after reviewing a vignette…

The edTPA Teacher Performance Assessment was implemented at a regional public university to replace the previous paper-and-pencil assessment of teacher candidates' teaching effectiveness. To determine the teacher educators' impressions of using the edTPA as an assessment of readiness to teach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17…

Given the well-documented pervasiveness of high-stakes assessment in preK--12 schools, many researchers have investigated how testing affects students. In this article, Sarah Byrne Bausell and Jocelyn A. Glazier explore the ways that high-stakes testing influences beginning teacher socialization and the ways that teacher colleagues shape one…

Although the importance of language in science learning has been widely recognized by researchers, there is limited research on how science teachers perceive the roles that language plays in science classrooms. As part of an intervention design project that aimed to enhance teachers' capacity to address the language demands of science, interview…

The process of identifying threshold concepts invites experts to reflect on their discipline in a new way with the ultimate goal of improving learning and teaching. During a workshop to identify threshold concepts in biochemistry, we asked a group of natural scientists to explore "signification," a threshold concept from the humanities,…

The purpose of this study was to examine Australian learning difficulties specialists' knowledge about, and the use of, the term dyslexia. An online survey was constructed based on a current definition of, and evidence about, dyslexia and distributed to members of relevant professional associations. A total of 179 participants responded to the…

One of the problematic features of the "skills discourse" is the view that skills are decontextualized bits of knowledge and disposition. Instead, how skills such as communication are defined and used are shaped by cultural, political, and situational factors. In this article, we integrate theory from communication studies, critical…

This chapter provides an analysis of a set of conditions that transfer students will most likely face in their transition to a new institution. The specific focus is on transfer from two-year to four-year institutions. This chapter will identify many of the common challenges transfer students face simply because they are entering a new learning…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the connotation of performance labels used in standard setting. For example, do the performance labels "basic," "proficient," and "advanced" hold different connotations than "limited knowledge," "satisfactory," and "distinguished"? If these…

Examined influence of behavioral jargon on elementary school teachers' (n=94) acceptance of two behavioral interventions, one reinforcement-based (DRI) and one punishment-based (time-out) within context of consultation analogue. Overall, DRI received significantly higher acceptability ratings from teachers than did time-out, although ratings of…

Explored dimensions of behavioral consultation that can potentially influence teachers' reactions to consultation process. Elementary school teachers (n=60) were randomly assigned to view and rate one of four scenarios which varied by consultee involvement and consultant language. Subjects reported high ratings for technical language when…

In response to the need for attention and support perceived by participants in a summer institute for building equity in early literacy, this booklet offers 12 pieces of advice for teachers and administrators trying to implement school literacy improvement plans. The advice presented in the booklet is: (1) do not be intimidated by other people's…

Although "climate" has become a part of teachers' everyday language, it is a devious metaphor. An interactive model of school culture (with both covert and overt dimensions) is a more useful concept that could help teachers develop a deeper understanding of school context while reducing their manipulation by researchers. (30 references) (MLH)