Turning Teacher-Candidates to Inquiry: Improving Preparation of Future K-12 Teachers in Mathematics and Science through Active Technology Engagement

TitleTurning Teacher-Candidates to Inquiry: Improving Preparation of Future K-12 Teachers in Mathematics and Science through Active Technology Engagement
Faculty/College/UnitEducation
StatusCompleted
Duration3 Years
Initiation04/01/2012
Completion08/31/2015
Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2012/2013
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorMarina Milner-Bolotin
Year 1: Funded Amount39,353
Year 1: Team Members

Marina Milner-Bolotin, Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education
Cynthia Nicol, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education
Elizabeth R. Love, Student, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education

Year 1: Summary

The project's goal is to enhance the preparation of future K-12 teachers in the areas of science and mathematics through the active use of modern technologies, such as electronic response systems (clickers) and Smart Boards. As these technologies become ubiquitous in K-12 classrooms, it is important that UBC 600+ teacher-candidates have experience using them both as students and as future educators. However, in our efforts to incorporate modern technologies into mathematics and science methodology courses, we have uncovered the scarcity of relevant educational materials that integrate technology to promote inquiry-based learning. The project will create opportunities for teacher-candidates to: (1) design and evaluate educational materials for teaching K-12 mathematics and science through the active use of modern technologies; (2) dIscover and devise strategies for integrating technology to promote inquiry-based teaching; (3) become the next generation of education leaders in the area of technology-enhanced science and mathematics inquiry-based teaching and learning.

Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2013/2014
Year 2: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorMarina Milner-Bolotin
Year 2: Funded Amount55,227
Year 2: Team Members

Marina Milner-Bolotin, Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education
Cynthia Nicol, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education
Alexandra MacDonald, Student, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education
Heather Fisher, Student, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education

Year 2: Summary

The project's goal is to enhance the preparation of future K-12 teachers in the areas of mathematics and science through the active use of modern technologies, such as electronic response systems (clickers) and SMART Boards. As these technologies become ubiquitous in K-12 classrooms, it is important that the 500+ teacher-candidates in the UBC Teacher Education Program have experience using them both as learners and as future teachers. In our efforts to incorporate modern technologies into mathematics and science methodology courses, we have uncovered the scarcity of relevant research-based K-12 educational materials that integrate technology to promote inquiry-based teaching and learning. The project has created much needed opportunities for teacher-candidates to: (1) design and evaluate educational materials for teaching K-12 mathematics and science through the active use of modern technologies; (2) discover and devise strategies for integrating technology to promote inquiry-based teaching; (3) become the next generation of leaders in the area of technology-enhanced mathematics and science inquiry-based education.

Year 3: Project YearYear 3
Year 3: Funding Year2014/2015
Year 3: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 3: Principal InvestigatorMarina Milner-Bolotin
Year 3: Funded Amount57,415
Year 3: Team Members

Marina Milner-Bolotin, Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education
Alexandra MacDonald, M.A. Student, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education
Heather Fisher, M.A. Student, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education

Year 3: Summary

Our goal is to enhance K-12 mathematics and science (M&S) teacher preparation through the use of electronic response systems (clickers), PeerWise, and SMART boards. As these technologies enter K-12 classrooms it is important that 500+ UBC teacher-candidates possess the pedagogical knowledge needed to utilize them to support inquiry. To address this challenge we created an online resource: M&S Teaching and Learning through Technology (MSTLTT) and used it in M&S methods courses. This has opened opportunities for teacher-candidates to: (1) use, design and evaluate technology-enhanced resources; (2) devise strategies for integrating technology to promote inquiry; (3) become the next generation of leaders in technology-enhanced education. This year's focus is on ensuring project's sustainability through (a) engaging faculty and students in a community of practice; (b) developing a research component through SSHRC funding; (c) collaborating with the UBC Teacher Education instructors (i.e EDCP 340/349, EPSE 310) in order to incorporate MSTLTT resource.

Project Report14-041-TLEF-Milner-Bolotin-Final-WEB.pdf