Peer Review

Pedagogy in Practice: Video Case Studies of Teaching Science; Pedagogy in Practice: Video Case Studies of Teaching Math; Strategies in Practice Resource Guide

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Reviewed:: Jul 11, 2005 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: The conceptual framework of the site centers around the teaching cycle; Plan >
Teach/Act > Reflect. The Teaching and Learning Exchange site offers several
video case studies of science and math teachers addressing specific teaching
strategies within their discipline. Teaching strategies include; classroom
managment, literacy building, assessment, and meeting student needs. The site
also has sample lesson plans, PDF files on specific teaching strategies such as,
hand signals, assessment, how to plan for the year or day.
Type of Material:: Video case studies are interwoven with PDF and Flash files illustrating or
expanding the content of the videos. The use of these materials is enhanced
through the inclusion of content standards, subject matter prerequisites, and
teacher education standards.
Recommended Uses:: The materials at this site could be incorporated into face to face or distance
courses for preservice teachers or could be used for independent study and
professional development by preservice, beginning, or experienced teachers.
Technical Requirements:: Macromedia Flash must be installed. Pop-up windows must be enabled. A sound
card and speakers are required. Materials are accessible to both dial up and
high speed connections.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Through the use of video case studies of National Board Certified teachers this
site aims to create a community of practices through the development of subject
matter knowledge, pedadogy, and classroom management.
Target Student Population:: Prospective science and math teachers would benefit greatly from the pedagogical
examples and the specific information on how these science and math teachers
plan their content for the day, week,semester, and year. Detailed lesson plans
are shown that would assist secondary pre-service science and math teachers.

The site could also be used as a resource to education majors (primarily middle
level and secondary teachers) on how to incorporate best teaching practices into
their teaching of content.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Background in math and science content would be needed to benefit from content
information in the site - however, this is not needed if it is used to show how
to implement effective teaching strategies.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The content is well organized. Both the science and math examples include a
range of topics; biology, chemistry, genrral science, geometry, and algebra; 9
teachers and their classrooms are on video clips. The lesson plans are thorough
and connect the state (California)content standards with the lesson.

The teaching strategies consistently include ideas for differentiating
instruction and teaching students who use English as their second language
(English learner strategies).

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The video clips are especially effective in showing a 'real' classroom teacher
using effective teaching strategies in secondary science and math classrooms.
Providing PDF files that can be downlaoded on specific strategies such as using
hand signals, differentiating instruction, and English learner strategies is
very beneficial.

A very effective teaching tool, this site responds to a variety of learning
modalities and models excellent teaching through its content and design.
Captioning is easily available for the videos and the inclusion of reflections,
teaching tips, and standards allow this resource to be used in a multiplicity of
settings.

The information is presented in an organized and clear manner; printed
information is short, to the point, and contains the key points.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The site is easy to navigate around in - a navigation bar is available on a pull
down menu in order to go directly to a specific area or one may go sequentially
by using arrows. You can always return 'Home' and select another teacher and
classroom to enter.

You do have to register intially - but his is a painless process that goes
rather quickly.

Because of the multiple paths of use and exploration of this site, individuals
can approach the same topic through multiple paths.
Concerns:: The ability to use multiple paths to access the content of this site presents
some problems in navigation-the back button on my browser did not always take me
to the location I anticipatd.

To use this sight individuals must register and log in-this may increase the
time required to use this site within a classroom context. The requirement that
pop ups be enabled will create a problem where school machines are locked down
to prevent popups

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