It is abundantly clear that increasingly complex, diverse, technological middle level schools require educators to take on new roles. Change is the only constant, and as a result there is a huge chasm between what middle level teachers experienced as students themselves and as preservice teachers and the exigencies and realities of middle level…

From the time that computer technology became part of the school environment, teachers have been encouraged to integrate technology into their instructional practices. Why not use such valuable tools to extend professional development practices as well? This is a question that the authors raised while working together on digital video staff…

Faculty development research historically reported details on the types of programming available and the format of delivery. This research instead sought to uncover the underpinnings of the goals behind development efforts at community colleges. Findings indicate that teaching and learning issues remain central, with faculty interests serving as…

This article describes a learning community for early-career faculty in the sciences aimed at course redesign and active-learning. Through findings from surveys, interviews, and observations, program outcomes regarding faculty teaching skills and confidence, understanding of how students learn, and use of assessment are explored. Finally, the…

What is the role of early education programs in bridging the digital divide-helping all children become skilled technology users? Blagojevic addresses three issues: access, literacy/learning, and content. She discusses finding or funding computers for the classroom (access) and professional development to support teachers' computer skills…

This research was designed to assess whether teachers and trainers of vocational learners noted and valued differences in individual learning preferences and, if so, how those differences were observed in natural classroom, workshop or other formal learning settings. Data were collected from six vocational education and training (VET) learning…

This paper takes up two important issues in the professional development of university teachers: the controversy surrounding reflective inquiry and its purported benefits for professional development and the lack of research on what teachers learn from reflective inquiry and how that affects and/or changes their professional practice.…

This paper offers an analysis of how six experienced teachers, and two in particular, used portfolios to aid and chart steps in their own professional development. The key finding of the study was that the pattern of growth of professional knowledge conformed strikingly to the central features of the model proposed by the philosopher of science,…

Historically, elementary science teacher inservice has not been an effective means of improving science teaching for most elementary teachers. "Guidelines for Effective Elementary Science Teacher Inservice Education" were developed by Klein (2001) to address this need. This paper illustrates, through a review of program evaluation documentation,…

This study examined the impact of different student academic profiles on students' perceptions of school functioning within a modified alternating day, block-8 (A/B) schedule. Five academic profiles of students were identified using reports of their grades, satisfaction with their achievement, attributions of success to effort or ability,…

Colleges and universities are adopting learning communities to increase student learning and build cohesion. As learning communities grow in popularity, institutions need to invest in faculty development (Oates, 2001) and understand faculty experiences (Mullen, 2001). The University of Hartford created a program that prepared faculty for…

With a move away from rotational chairs and a reluctance to tackle the conflicting responsibilities inherent in the lower levels of academic leadership, how can those at the top of the pipeline identify faculty who have the ability and desire to move through the ranks? What characteristics will increase the probability of willingness, commitment,…

Over the years, teachers and school leaders have engaged in some form of training beyond their formal preservice, university preparation programs. Whether referred to as in-service training, professional day, or staff or professional development, this activity normally had one purpose: to improve participant's knowledge or skills. With limited…

This article presents a framework for planning professional development opportunities to increase teachers' confidence and competence in supporting young children's social-emotional development and addressing challenging behaviors. The framework makes use of a comprehensive collection of training materials developed by the Center on the Social and…

This article examines and compares teachers in a national sample of middle level schools to those in a selected group of highly successful middle level schools. The context within which they work, their preparation, their level of implementation of middle level best practices, and their involvement as teacher leaders are discussed. Results show…