Back-to-School Experts Guide
July 6, 2007
Story Contact: Jennifer Faddis, 573-882-6217, FaddisJ@missouri.edu
The beginning of school is just around the corner and the University of Missouri-Columbia is offering a number of experts who recently completed studies in education, or who developed unique educational programs.
Included in this experts guide:
- Teachers Should Embrace Technology and Incorporate it into the Classroom
- States Need to Collaborate to Create Math Curriculum Standards
- Gender and Race Still an Issue for School Leaders
- Success in College Depends on Motivation and Skill
- Young Children at Risk for Failure in School Need Early Intervention
- New Rules Allow Public Schools to Create Same-Sex Classes
- New Interactive Teaching Methods Are Needed in Elementary Schools
Teachers Should Embrace Technology and Incorporate it into the Classroom
Instead of thinking of iPods and laptops as distractions, teachers should embrace the digital age and use technology as a classroom tool, according to a University of Missouri-Columbia education professor. However, many teachers just aren't sure exactly how to do that. A new book from the professor outlines technology based social studies lesson plans for grades kindergarten to 12. The book covers everything from podcasting in the classroom to using digital movies to study history. Full press release...
States Need to Collaborate to Create Math Curriculum Standards
After studying mathematics curriculum across the states, The Center for the Study of Mathematics Curriculum (CSMC) at the University of Missouri-Columbia issued a report that concludes there is more confusion than consensus regarding what students should learn and when they should learn it. Some states expect students to start adding multi-digit numbers as early as kindergarten, while in other states this work begins in the third grade. This study shows a lack of national consensus regarding common learning goals in mathematics at specific grade levels.
Gender and Race Still an Issue for School Leaders
Women fill the vast majority of classrooms as teachers, but check the administration office, and most of the school leaders are men. A new book details a national survey that reveals a gender gap in America's school systems. Full press release...
Success in College Depends on Motivation and Skill
Many high school seniors put all their energy into getting accepted into a college or university, but sometimes don't focus on how they can successfully make it through once they get there. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, students may enroll in a class specifically designed to help them learn what they need to know to be successful in higher education.
Young Children at Risk for Failure in School Need Early Intervention
School reforms and the No Child Left Behind Act have made it more important than ever to take a preventative approach to young children at risk for failure, according to a new book by a researcher at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
New Rules Allow Public Schools to Create Same-Sex Classes
The Bush administration announced that public schools may teach boys and girls separately. This is considered the biggest change to coed classrooms in more than three decades, according to the National Center for Policy Analysis. A University of Missouri-Columbia researcher agrees with the decision and says this is good news for girls, although both genders can benefit from the arrangement. Full press release...
New Interactive Teaching Methods Are Needed in Elementary Schools
A study published in Science shows that elementary teachers spend too much time delivering basic information and are not providing a rich, interactive learning environment. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, found that children spend more than 90 percent of their school days sitting at a desk listening to the teacher or working alone. Barbara Reys, who is the Lois Knowles Distinguished Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia and director for the Center for the Study of Mathematics Curriculum, calls the study an affirmation that changes in mathematics curriculum and instruction are needed. Full press release...