Teacher Education
H. Abedini Alavi; M. Nili AhmadAbadi; M. Neystani; M. Liaghatdar
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The purpose of architecture education is to prepare graduates for general proficiency in this field of study. However, many graduates of architecture who are employed at the job market observe a profound gap between what they have learned in college and what is being done in ...
Read More
Background and Objectives: The purpose of architecture education is to prepare graduates for general proficiency in this field of study. However, many graduates of architecture who are employed at the job market observe a profound gap between what they have learned in college and what is being done in professional work in architecture. This study -by examining the method of architecture education at undergraduate level and the job market situation in Iran- evaluates the relationship between the education and professional work in architecture to answer the following questions: "1. What are the problems of undergraduate architecture education in Iran that cause the inefficiency of architecture graduates in professional environment?", "2. Which features in the professional environment are necessary for a graduate of architecture?" and "3. How can we make a more effective connection between and the professional architectural environment?" Methods: The present study is an applied one and its method is field survey. In addition, the method of data analysis is analytical-descriptive. Data collection has been done through handing questionnaires and holding interviews with senior undergraduate architecture students as the statistical population who are supposed to enter the architectural job market soon, professors of architecture schools as individuals who are teaching students in this field, and professional architects as individuals who are professionally active in the field of architecture. The students and professors who were studied in this research were selected from 3 Iranian universities at the intermediate level, and professional architects were also selected from the managers of architectural companies. Being a veteran architect was the criterion for selecting professors and architects. The criteria for professors to be a veteran architect have been the experience and years of work, and the academic degree. The criteria for selecting architects have been experience and years of work, the significant number of the projects implemented, and winning awards. Findings: According to the common viewpoints of the three groups who were investigated in this research, the problems of the architecture educational environment that have created a gap between architecture education and architectural profession and the low efficiency of the architecture graduate in the professional environment have a wide range from the beginning of admission of architecture students up to after their graduation. The main problems are: 1. Method of student admission, 2. Admission of too many students, 3. Incompatibility of educational topics with the job market needs, 4. The separation of university from the society, 5. Lack of professional ethics training, 6. Lack of interactive skills training, 7. Lack of professional experience of professors, and 8. General problems of the society including economic issues. Therefore, the characteristics that are necessary for a graduate student of architecture in a professional environment are: 1. Familiarity with the topics required by the labor market, such as having a good command of various architectural software, familiarity with rules and regulations, and so on, 2. Having professional ethics, and 3. Having interactive skills. Conclusion: Based on the benefits of participatory education, it is proposed to turn architecture schools into "participatory education" environments in order to reduce the gap between education and professional work and decrease the low efficiency of architecture graduates in the professional environment. In this regard, it is possible to use the simultaneous training of students of different semesters in architecture courses and the presence of professional architects as expert individuals in some of the class sessions. In this way, students can benefit from each other's participation in design, critique of works, and improvement of skills related to the field of architecture, and the presence of professional architects in order to gradually acquire the skills required by the architectural job market. It is also possible to reduce the gap between education and professional work by establishing "NGOs" that are responsible for linking the university to architecture offices, job market and employers.
Teacher Education
N. Faramarzpoor; M.R. Fadaii
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Mathematics is one of the courses that is contained in the curriculum for students in all fields. One of the concerns of educators and math teachers is that middle school mathematics students have many problems when faced with algebraic topics. In Iran, all students need to ...
Read More
Background and Objectives: Mathematics is one of the courses that is contained in the curriculum for students in all fields. One of the concerns of educators and math teachers is that middle school mathematics students have many problems when faced with algebraic topics. In Iran, all students need to study algebra and teachers must help them build a deep and lasting understanding and skills for high school math. Hence, an important goal for teachers is to be aware of the mistakes in order to help students to understand concepts and procedures correctly. However, unfortunately, some teachers do not have enough knowledge to identify and correct the existing mistakes and their origin. So perhaps recognizing mistakes and their origins and informing teachers about these mistakes can help students succeed in learning algebra. Thus, the purpose of this research was to investigate the students' mistakes in simplifying the algebraic expressions and finding the origin of making such mistakes from the mathematics teachers’ viewpoint. Methods: This research is one of an “applied research” type and due to its purpose is considered as “qualitative research”. The research sample includes 14 math teachers of the middle school of Kerman province with teaching experience between 12 to 29 years who were selected by the targeted sampling method. Because teachers who had experience teaching algebra in middle school had to be selected. To collect the data, we first designed a test about simplifying algebraic expressions for eighth-grade students and extracting erroneous cases, through a semi-structured interview with math teachers. The qualitative content analysis method was used for data analysis. Findings: The findings of this research showed that from the viewpoint of mathematics teachers, 22 types of mistakes were made by students of middle school when simplifying algebraic expressions including exponentiation, positive and negative sign, addition, subtraction, multiplication of integers, conjoining, a variable related operating, use of brackets, similar terms, and the order of operations. The findings also showed that teachers believe that the causes of students' mistakes in simplifying algebraic expressions are as follows: The lack of understanding, misunderstanding or incomplete understanding of concepts such as variables, exponent, brackets, and similar terms; ignoring of algebraic symbols; students' self-made rules in dealing with exponent and brackets; interference of previously learned algebraic concepts with current learning and vice versa; and incorrect calculation of addition, subtraction, and multiplication of integers, causes making mistakes when simplifying algebraic expressions. Conclusion: Today, students are no longer isolated in a desert where the math teachers are the oasis of knowledge, but rather floating in an ocean of information. However, teachers are still needed to help them understand algebra in a meaningful way. In algebra, the concepts are formed hierarchically and the learning of each concept depends on the students' understanding of the prerequisite concepts, so, if teachers attend the algebra class fully aware of the reasons for students' mistakes, they attempt to make the prerequisite concepts understandable to the students correctly, and without any misunderstandings and errors. This helps students to make fewer mistakes in solving algebraic problems, increase their self-confidence, and ultimately, perform better.
Teacher Education
A. Hejazi; R. Saki; S. Hashemi; G. youselyani
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The important status of education in human life is undeniable. In this regard, academic life is one of the most important aspects of people’s life that has a great impact on other aspects of life. As a result, the academic achievement of students has always been the main ...
Read More
Background and Objectives: The important status of education in human life is undeniable. In this regard, academic life is one of the most important aspects of people’s life that has a great impact on other aspects of life. As a result, the academic achievement of students has always been the main concern of families and ,at the same time, the education system. Therefore, identifying the factors that may reduce the students’ academic failure and improve and increase their academic achievement is always of importance and emphasis. Based on the aforementioned issues, the main purpose of this research is studying personal and individual factors, features of learning and knowledge, skill features and personality traits related to teachers ' qualifications in the academic achievement of the third grade high school students (based on data collected from the national entrance exams in order to determine the teachers' share from the perspective of students, teachers, and principals. Moreover, based on the findings of this study, we are aimed at providing guidelines for teacher training at Farhangian University as well as empowering the teachers at the high schools. Methods: The research method was descriptive and causal-comparative. The statistical population of this study included the provinces with the highest and lowest academic achievement. In this study, sampling of students, teachers and school principals was based on the method of multistage cluster sampling. Descriptive statistics, t-test and analysis of variance were used for data analysis. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire to determine the teachers' contribution to students' academic achievement. Findings: The results showed that for the provinces with high academic achievement, the mean scores obtained for individual and occupational characteristics, the knowledge aspect, the skill aspect, and the personality aspect were 57.34 , 27.72 , 43.10 and 40.79, respectively. The mean scores obtained for the provinces with low academic achievement were 32.33 , 14.97, 23.57, and 20.86 for the aspects of personal and occupational characteristics, the knowledge aspect, the skill aspect, and the personality aspect, respectively. The results of the multivariate analysis of variance showed that there is a significant difference between the provinces with high and low academic achievement in terms of the personal characteristics, the knowledge aspect, the skill aspect and the personality characteristics of the teachers. Due to the adjusted averages, the teachers in the provinces with high academic achievement scored higher in these aspects. Therefore, there was a significant difference between the provinces with high and low academic achievement in terms of personal characteristics, the knowledge aspect, the skill aspect and the personality characteristics of teachers (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Individual characteristics and the aspects of knowledge, skill and personality of teachers has a sensible effect on improving the academic achievement of the third-year high school students. Applications of the findings of the present study are as follows: Determining the qualifications required for the teachers can be the guideline for identifying the direction and the strategy of the teacher training and the in-service teacher training programs. According to the research findings, it is recommended to the policy makers of education and teacher training that in reviewing the new program of the teacher training and the in-service training of teachers, special attention should be paid to the impact of personal, scientific, skill and personality qualifications of teachers and increasing their share in the programs for teachers’ professional improvement and development and strengthening the aspect of supervision. The limitations with which conducting this study was faced may have had an influence on the generalizability of its findings since it was not possible for the researchers to control disturbing variables such as intelligence and gender; These variables are likely to have some effect on the results. Also, due to time and place limitations and obtaining the necessary permits, this study was conducted only among the third-year high school students in provinces with high academic achievement, such as South Khorasan, Mazandaran, Yazd, Tehran, and Isfahan and some provinces which have the lowest academic achievement, including the provinces of Bushehr, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Lorestan and Sistan and Baluchestan. is Obviously, increasing the sample population will certainly lead to more accurate results.
Teacher Education
M. Alizadehjamal; A. Shahvarani; Ali Iranmanesh; A. Tehranian
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Teachers 'beliefs and ideological structures are one of the main axes of educational research in order to achieve reforms in teachers' teaching methods. There have been several experimental studies on the beliefs of math teachers that have helped to conceptualize and define ...
Read More
Background and Objectives: Teachers 'beliefs and ideological structures are one of the main axes of educational research in order to achieve reforms in teachers' teaching methods. There have been several experimental studies on the beliefs of math teachers that have helped to conceptualize and define beliefs and convictions. In a study titled "Developing Teachers 'Beliefs Through Online Education: A One-Year Experience of Teachers' and Scientific Teachers 'Beliefs in Learning and Teaching" by Wong, Wong showed that teachers' beliefs in using online education are influenced by the years of teaching. Skemp, In his study introduced two types of beliefs about mathematics: instrumental mathematics and relational mathematics. Mohammadi and Mosalaei, in a study entitled "Assessing the Beliefs of Selected Math Teachers in the Country Based on Their Demographic-Cognitive Characteristics" showed that teachers' beliefs about the process of updating their professional competencies in teaching increased; Their responsibility for their professional behavior increases. With the advent of new technologies, math teachers have also turned their attention to using a new framework to integrate technology knowledge with pedagogical knowledge and content knowledge. The main aim of the current study was examining the effect of mathematical education on the basis of the content-pedagogical and technological model (TPACK) on changing the beliefs of high school teachers regarding the rate of application of mathematical education software in the teaching process. Methods: The researcher used a semi-experimental two-way pre-test and post-test method to observe the changing beliefs of teachers before and after the implementation of a workshop training in software. The statistical population of this study is all high school math teachers of North Khorasan rovince. Based on Cochran's formula, 73 of them were selected by cluster sampling and were divided into two groups: control (n=33) and experiment (n=40). The standard questionnaire used in this research was made by Zambak (2014), based on the theoretical framework. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and covariance analysis was used to test the research hypothesis. Findings: The results of statistical analysis of this study showed that the holding of a mathematical training workshop using GeoGebra in the form of a "content-pedagogical and technological model (TPACK)" has had a positive impact on the beliefs of high school math teachers about using modern technologies in education. The study's findings also show that some math teachers, while adopting technology as a useful teaching tool for classrooms; But they are concerned about misplaced technology interference in the understanding of a mathematical subject and, therefore, are not encouraged to use technology in their classroom, and allow it only as an informal educational activity. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the development of knowledge and change of math teachers' beliefs about using up-to-date technologies in mathematics teaching based on school facilities and limitations of educational organizations in different provinces of the country is very important. It is suggested that the decision makers in this field, by discovering and identifying talented teachers in different parts of the country, offer short-term and long-term training to enhance their ability to improve the overall level of mathematics teachers in the country.
Teacher Education
Z. Abolhasani; M. Javadipour
Abstract
Background and Objective:Instructors are one of the main pillars of teaching-learning process that play an undeniable role in improving the quality or disqualifying the educational system. UNESCO sees education as the key to the development of societies and a path that empowers individuals to ...
Read More
Background and Objective:Instructors are one of the main pillars of teaching-learning process that play an undeniable role in improving the quality or disqualifying the educational system. UNESCO sees education as the key to the development of societies and a path that empowers individuals to realize competencies and increase control over the decisions that affect them. However, in order to teach and create sustainable learning, teachers in the education system must have a set of knowledge and skills that are called professional knowledge or professional competencies of the teacher (teacher competencies); at the same time, training capable students is one of the concerns of the education system. In order to have professional and entrepreneurial people, they must be properly and scientifically trained in schools so that they can play their role in the labor market and society properly. This requires improving teaching methods and increasing the skills of teachers. Given that countless people are studying and wanting to do a good job, governments and most likely the people hold the education system, especially teachers and administrators, directly responsible for their learning or non-learning. In this regard, one of the learning strategies in the national curriculum is to benefit more from active, creative and uplifting methods, by innovative and creative organization of the process of collecting and cumulating facts, to provide the basis for science and knowledge. The purpose of this article is study about the relationship between middle school teacher’s job satisfactory and their competency; also measuring the level and amount of this professional competency based on constructivism approach. Methods:The study type is applied research and descriptive (mean and frequency) and in inferential statistics part, mean, independent t-test, single t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient methods has been used. The competency for constructivism test was used by means of questionnaire. Reliability of the constructivism professional competency questionnaire based on Cronbach's alpha was 0.98 and for questionnaire of job satisfactory based on Cronbach's alpha was 0.81. Middle school teachers (164 male and 177 female teaching during 2016-2017) in Baharestan area were the participants. For sampling, Census method has been used. Findings: Results of independent t-test showed that teachers have an average amount of constructivism professional competency. Based on Pearson correlation coefficient between job satisfactory and constructivism professional competency is 0.37. In whole, results showed that teachers who have higher job satisfactory will have a higher amount of constructivism professional competency. Conclusion: Overall, this study showed that teachers have a moderate level of professional competence and in fact a constructive attitude, and this competence is related to teachers' job satisfaction. Therefore, it is suggested to the authorities that appropriate in-service courses be held to familiarize teachers more with the constructivist approach. Also, since job satisfaction is related to the competence of constructive professionals, to make this approach more effective they have to try to provide conditions for job satisfaction of teachers.
Teacher Education
M. Bahrami; Sh. Moradkhani
Abstract
Background and Objective:Job stress is one of the most important reasons that reduces the efficiency and quality of education. Job stress can also be the result of various factors such as lack of required resources, volatile job position, etc., which subsequently and gradually cause short-term or long-term ...
Read More
Background and Objective:Job stress is one of the most important reasons that reduces the efficiency and quality of education. Job stress can also be the result of various factors such as lack of required resources, volatile job position, etc., which subsequently and gradually cause short-term or long-term negative consequences with physiological characteristics. Burnout is also a consequence of job stress, which first appeared in the United States in the 1970s and then gradually in many other countries and different occupations. This study aimed to examine factors that may influence burnout among English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers of public schools and private language institutes in Iran. Methods: To address this objective, both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis procedures were applied. Quantitative data were collected from 180 teachers from both public schools and private institutes through Maslach Burnout Inventory. Also, qualitative data were gleaned through conducting individual, semi-structured interviews with 10 of the participants (5 teachers from public schools and 5 instructors from private institutes). Findings: The results of independent samples t-test showed that private institute teachers were in a significantly worse condition in terms of burnout in comparison with their public school counterparts. On the other hand, the results of analyzing the content of the interviews revealed that economic conditions, job security, social status, lack of motivation, and lack of serenity were the main factors contributing to burnout among EFL instructors in private institutes, while lack of motivation and variety in the education process were the only factors causing burnout among teachers in public schools. Conclusion:The results showed that environmental factors such as demand and job resources are very effective in reducing or increasing job burnout. Given the positive factors affecting the reduction of burnout in public schools, policy makers in language schools will also be able to design and implement remedial programs to reduce burnout in private school teachers. As a result, the difference between the two learning environments is greatly reduced and the quality of teaching is increased to an acceptable level. In addition, the results showed that teachers who are more successful in their emotional interactions and relationships with others in the workplace are more likely to manage their work stress. Staff at the Ministry of Education, while emphasizing the factors that reduce the risk of job burnout, should also try to address the few factors that cause this problem among English teachers in schools.
Teacher Education
E.A. Salimi; M.M. Safarzadeh
Abstract
Background and Objective:Globalization and moving towards an interconnected international community has been facilitated through major changes in the field of technology such as the advancement of digital communications and the continuous transfer of large volumes of data around the world and the advances ...
Read More
Background and Objective:Globalization and moving towards an interconnected international community has been facilitated through major changes in the field of technology such as the advancement of digital communications and the continuous transfer of large volumes of data around the world and the advances in the transportation industry for easy and fast transportation of passengers and goods. This globalization has created a level of interaction between people of different nationalities, cultures and ethnicities that is not comparable to the past. Although successful communication in the past has been one of the most important features of an effective social interaction, in recent years, this fruitful communication has become a vital feature. The present study, using a one-of-a-kind questionnaire, investigated Iranian English language teachers’ attitudes toward the phenomenon of language education glocalization for the first time. Methods: The participants of the study had different academic, age, teaching experience, and gender backgrounds. The study was conducted in two phases in the first of which a validated questionnaire was designed and developed. In the second phase, the questionnaire was employed to collect the information regarding the preferential attitudes of the teachers and descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. Findings: The results of the questionnaire data analysis revealed that the teachers believe that there is no more only American or British English. There are, however, also varieties of English which have their own independent growth and special features according to the needs of their users. Furthermore, they think that the glocal needs of the users must be met in the process of English language education glocalization. Likewise, the teachers are for the idea that language education should not only be at the service of reflecting the native speaker English variety and culture, but it should serve all cultures to play their equal role in intercultural communication. Conclusion: Helping teachers to find their real role in their profession, the findings of the study increases the perception of language education glocalization leading to a more appropriate education program planning. The results of these studies can inform educators of teachers about their individual abilities and help to design and implement educational programs as well as possible. Access to teachers' attitudes and abilities can also help policymakers and syllabus designers develop and implement instructional materials to better perform their tasks.
Teacher Education
A. Pourahmadali; A. Sheykhi Fini; H. Zainalipour; S. Izadi
Abstract
Background and Objective:The experience of some countries, including Japan, shows that opening the classroom and the whole educational process from design to evaluation to teachers and creating an educational group creates a cycle of gradual improvement of the educational process in the classroom and ...
Read More
Background and Objective:The experience of some countries, including Japan, shows that opening the classroom and the whole educational process from design to evaluation to teachers and creating an educational group creates a cycle of gradual improvement of the educational process in the classroom and it brings positive effects. One of these methods that has emerged from the heart of the school and the classroom in the Japanese education system is lesson study. Lesson study is the most important factor in educational performance to develop the teaching profession. Curriculum research is a research circle in which teachers research curriculum topics in groups. In this advanced model, teachers and professionals work together. The assessment team (teachers) focus all their efforts on educating students in the classroom to grow and refine the subject matter. Through lesson study, the teacher communicates with the practice of research to base the practice of teaching on thought and action. Thoughtful and research-based practice actually introduces a set of skills and abilities that put a person in a critical position to solve problems and issues. This study aimed to explain principles governing desirable lesson study practice in mathematics in Mazandaran Province’s Educational Office. Methods:The research method was qualitative and of phenomenological type. The statistical population of this study included all experts in lesson study. 16 participants were selected through Snowball sampling. The sample size was determined by theoretical saturation. The data collection instrument in this study was semi-structured interview and th validity of the data was assessed and verified by evaluating the participants. The data resulted from interviews were analyzed through categorization method. Findings: Totally, 5 major categories were extracted from the interviews, including human aspect (creativity, responsibility and being open to criticism), structural aspect (technological equipment, supervision, programs, load of teacher work, ratio of the number of teacher to the student and applying results), cultural aspect (teamwork, school culture, belief and commitment to impact of lesson study, family cooperation, Researchers' spirit of teacher and principlas, teacher cooperation place of competition), managerial aspect (support, scoring process, authorities’ support, provision of budget, support of other school factors and time) and pedagogical aspect (exchange of useful educational experiences, workshops, new teaching styles, provincial team of lesson study, educational content, conversion of quantitative evaluation to descriptive and educational design). Conclusion: This study was conducted with the aim of explaining the principles governing the optimal implementation of mathematics studies in primary schools of education in Mazandaran province. The categories extracted from the interviews include the human aspect, the structural aspect, the cultural aspect, the managerial aspect and the teaching-learning aspect. The human aspect includes the variables of creativity, responsibility and criticism. The structural aspect includes the variables of technological equipment, supervision, programs, teacher workload, teacher to student ratio and application of results. The cultural aspects include the variables of teamwork, school culture, belief and commitment to the impact of study, family cooperation, research spirit of teachers and principals, teacher cooperation instead of competition. The managerial aspect includes support, scoring process, official support, funding, support of other school and time executives. The teaching-learning aspect includes variables of conversion of useful educational experiences, workshops, new teaching styles, provincial study team, educational content, conversion of quantitative evaluation into descriptive and educational desig
Teacher Education
H. Vahedi Kojanagh; N. Karimi; R. Rezaei; A. Esmail Pour
Abstract
Background and Objectives:In the ideals proposed by experts for education systems in the twenty-first century, the teacher is mentioned as the fulcrum of any change. Competence is a set of knowledge, skills and abilities of a particular job that makes a person successful in performing tasks. In recent ...
Read More
Background and Objectives:In the ideals proposed by experts for education systems in the twenty-first century, the teacher is mentioned as the fulcrum of any change. Competence is a set of knowledge, skills and abilities of a particular job that makes a person successful in performing tasks. In recent educational research, the term professional competence is used to describe the specific prerequisites that teachers need to succeed in their work. It is assumed that this professional competence can be learned and taught. Professional competence includes having professional knowledge as well as motivational and emotional aspects. Professional knowledge is divided into different types such as content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and pedagogical-psychological knowledge. A teacher's competence refers to his or her ability to adequately meet the demands and requirements of the teaching profession, using an integrated set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that manifest in the teacher's performance and response. Based on the growth model of teachers' professional competence, the psychological characteristics of the teacher seem to play an important role in gaining learning opportunities. In addition, it has been suggested that beyond specific subject knowledge, more aspects of the teacher, such as teachers' beliefs and motivational and emotional characteristics, are important prerequisites for educating and motivating students. The aim of this study is to investigate professional qualifications among teachers graduated from Farhangian University, former Teacher Education Centers and other universities. Methods: The method of the study is causal-comparative. The sample was comprised of 210 teachers in three groups that graduated from Farhangian University, former Teacher Education Centers and other universities such that the groups were similar in demographic factors. All subjects assessed by teacher professional qualifications questionnaire. The results of two-way analysis of variance show that teachers’ professional qualifications in three groups are different. Findings: The results of the cognitive qualification show that Farhangian University’s graduates have the best state. In management qualification, the difference between Farhangian University’s graduates and former Teacher Education Centers’ graduates is not significant but this difference is significant when other universities’ graduates are considered. Attitude qualification difference is not significant between the groups. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the professional competence of teachers is significantly different. The cognitive competence of Farhangian University graduates is higher than other graduates. Graduates of teacher training centers also have higher cognitive competencies compared to graduates of other universities. In terms of managerial competence, the graduates of Farhangian University have not shown a significant difference with the graduates of teacher training centers, but they are in a better position compared to the group of graduates of other universities. In this case, the difference between former teacher training graduates and other universities is not significant. In attitudinal competence, the difference between groups of teachers is not significant, meaning that these three categories have equally developed attitudinal competence in their graduates.
