Educational Psychology


Book Description

"I applaud the vision the authors had in synthesizing this information in a way that makes the reader more confident in their application of these theories and principles to their own classrooms. The authors have wonderfully succeeded in their attempt to integrate this material, in a manner quite different from other texts I've read or reviewed." Jim Persinger, "Emporia State University" "Any textbook that overemphasizes theory, neglects the real-world; any textbook that overemphasizes practice, neglects the underlying foundation of theory. This book strikes a careful balance between theory and practice by explicitly linking the two." Gregory Cutler, "Bay de Noc Community College" "By far, this is the best educational psychology text I have read because it integrates and applies major learning theories to many of the daily issues future teachers will face." Krista Robertson, "Rhode Island College" "I see this textbook as well written, informative, clearly and logically organized, and a very useful component for a course in Educational Psychology. I like it!" Raymond E. Webster, "East Carolina University" "The authors have done an excellent job in producing an easy-to-follow format and style." Paula Holmes Miller, "Crichton College" "The authors' writing style and presentation level are clear and easy to read, along with tables, figures, concept maps, and other visual aids." Yuliang Liu, Ph.D, "Southern Illinois University" "The text is well written and some very difficult topics such as Attribution Theory and Constructivism (to name just two) are easy to understand, when compared to similar books. I think this is some of the clearest writing I have read in a long time." Michael P. Verdi, "California State University San Bernadino" "I really enjoyed reading this text, and I found its comprehensive nature to be a strength." Linda W. Morse, "Mississippi State University" "The authors' writing style is clear, simple, and direct. It speaks directly to the reader . . . the examples are concrete and related to education." John Isch, "Martin Luther College"




Integrated Approaches to STEM Education


Book Description

This book provides a platform for international scholars to share evidence for effective practices in integrated STEM education and contributes to the theoretical and practical knowledge gained from the diversity of approaches. Many publications on STEM education focus on one or two of the separate STEM disciplines without considering the potential for delivering STEM curriculum as an integrated approach.This publication analyzes the efficacy of an integrated STEM curriculum and instruction, providing evidence to examine and support various integrations. The volume focuses on the problems seen by academics working in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and provides valuable, high quality research outcomes and a set of valued practices which have demonstrated their use and viability to improve the quality of integrated STEM education.







Health and Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers


Book Description

"This reference text is based on national standards for health and physical education. It provides elementary school teachers with information they can use to integrate health and PE subjects into their classroom curriculum"--




Integrative and Interdisciplinary Curriculum in the Middle School


Book Description

Originally published as a special issue of the Middle School Journal, this book presents integrative curriculum as a foundational element of the middle school. By addressing the current gap in literature on curriculum integration in the middle grades, this text explores how learning can be organized around authentic concepts or questions which cut across disciplines and speak to young adolescents. Providing a current, nuanced, and comprehensive review of what it means to embrace and implement an interdisciplinary and integrative curriculum, the volume considers how educators can create and deliver a high-quality integrative curriculum which is enjoyable, challenging, and inclusive. Examples of implementation in teacher preparation programs and middle grade classrooms showcase integrative approaches and illustrate how curricula have been key in tackling social inequities, increasing engagement with STEM, and supporting collaboration. This text will be of great interest to graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, academics and libraries in the field of Middle School Education, Curriculum Studies, Teacher Education, Theories of Learning, and STEM Education.




The Integrated Approach to Arabic Instruction


Book Description

Leading teacher of Arabic, Munther Younes, explores the realities of teaching Arabic as a foreign language (AFL) and outlines his groundbreaking approach to instruction, tried and tested over many years at Cornell University. The Integrated Approach to Arabic Instruction introduces teachers to the features of an integrated Arabic program—one that simultaneously teaches the two varieties of the language, Modern Standard Written Arabic, fuṣḥā, and the dialect, āmmiyya, in a way that reflects the authentic practice of native Arabic speakers. This pedagogy, Younes argues, is the most logical, effective and economical method of instruction as it prepares students fully for the realities of the Arabic diglossic situation. Younes takes teachers through the following ground: Consideration of the current Arabic sociolinguistic situation and key debates in the field Outline of changing student goals and the needs of the modern AFL learner Overview of the Integrated Approach covering its rationale, features, implementation methods and usage of instructional materials in the classroom Response to objections to the Integrated Approach, outlining its advantages over alternative practices and clarifying crucial issues in practice The Integrated Approach to Arabic Instruction addresses a pressing issue deeply relevant to the world of Arabic language instruction, placed in the practical context of shifting attitudes among students and educators. It will be an essential resource for all teachers of Arabic as a Foreign Language.




Creating Significant Learning Experiences


Book Description

Dee Fink poses a fundamental question for all teachers: "How can I create courses that will provide significant learning experiences for my students?" In the process of addressing this question, he urges teachers to shift from a content-centered approach to a learning-centered approach that asks "What kinds of learning will be significant for students, and how can I create a course that will result in that kind of learning?" Fink provides several conceptual and procedural tools that will be invaluable for all teachers when designing instruction. He takes important existing ideas in the literature on college teaching (active learning, educative assessment), adds some new ideas (a taxonomy of significant learning, the concept of a teaching strategy), and shows how to systematically combine these in a way that results in powerful learning experiences for students. Acquiring a deeper understanding of the design process will empower teachers to creatively design courses for significant learning in a variety of situations.




Novel Engineering, K-8


Book Description

"Picture your students designing a hearing aid for the main character in El Deafo-and then disguising it as a fashion accessory. Or imagine them helping the shipwrecked Swiss Family Robinson build a structure to keep them cool under the hot sun. Novel Engineering shows how your students can use anything from a picture book to a novel to a historical text as the basis for an engineering design challenge. This innovative resource will have your students pulling information from literature to identify a problem. Then, using details from the story, they'll apply the engineering design process to develop functional solutions for their "clients"-the book's characters. Novel Engineering provides you with plenty of practical guidance for integrating engineering and English language arts (ELA), including a thorough introduction to the concept and detailed implementation advice. But the book comes to life through five in-depth case studies featuring the use of novels, a biography, and a nonfiction historical text. In addition to demonstrating Novel Engineering projects in the classroom, the case studies let you practice thinking about what your own students' work could look like and how you would respond. You'll see that this approach doesn't require books outside your existing ELA or social studies curriculum or a specific building-materials kit. You'll also see that Novel Engineering can help you engage students in a powerful new way. As the authors write, "We have been encouraged by the excitement that students and teachers have shown for their work during Novel Engineering units. ... Students have taken ownership of their learning and are able to navigate the steps of the engineering design process, creating functional solutions to problems they have identified in texts.""--







The Integration of the Humanities and Arts with Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Higher Education


Book Description

In the United States, broad study in an array of different disciplines â€"arts, humanities, science, mathematics, engineeringâ€" as well as an in-depth study within a special area of interest, have been defining characteristics of a higher education. But over time, in-depth study in a major discipline has come to dominate the curricula at many institutions. This evolution of the curriculum has been driven, in part, by increasing specialization in the academic disciplines. There is little doubt that disciplinary specialization has helped produce many of the achievement of the past century. Researchers in all academic disciplines have been able to delve more deeply into their areas of expertise, grappling with ever more specialized and fundamental problems. Yet today, many leaders, scholars, parents, and students are asking whether higher education has moved too far from its integrative tradition towards an approach heavily rooted in disciplinary "silos". These "silos" represent what many see as an artificial separation of academic disciplines. This study reflects a growing concern that the approach to higher education that favors disciplinary specialization is poorly calibrated to the challenges and opportunities of our time. The Integration of the Humanities and Arts with Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Higher Education examines the evidence behind the assertion that educational programs that mutually integrate learning experiences in the humanities and arts with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) lead to improved educational and career outcomes for undergraduate and graduate students. It explores evidence regarding the value of integrating more STEMM curricula and labs into the academic programs of students majoring in the humanities and arts and evidence regarding the value of integrating curricula and experiences in the arts and humanities into college and university STEMM education programs.