Upcoming Talks
UKanTeach
A Focus on Math and Science Faculty Involvement in Teacher Education.
Dr. Joseph Heppert
Professor of Chemistry
Associate Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies
University of Kansas
Tuesday, October 13
548 Hamilton Hall
Reception: 3pm - 4pm
Colloquium: 4pm - 5pm
The supply of secondary math and science teachers has become a critical concern in most states around the nation. In part, a high attrition rate among early career teachers contributes to the magnitude of this problem. However, this factor aside, there is now evidence that some states are no longer producing sufficient numbers of new secondary licenses in math and science to sustain quality secondary offerings in these areas. This is particularly true in the physical sciences (chemistry, geology and physics), where the modest numbers of bachelors degree majors produced annually results in the production of a commensurately small number of secondary teachers. The UKanTeach program, designed as a replication of the UTeach program developed at the University of Texas at Austin, represents a model that could help to address this shortage of secondary teachers. UKanTeach allows students to pursue a B.A. or B.S. major in any area of science or mathematics while completing the coursework required for teacher licensure. This entire program is designed to be completed in four years. Now at the beginning of its third year of implementation, the program has more than doubled the size of cohorts of preservice secondary math and science teachers at the University of Kansas. The program combines an innovative education curriculum, intensive recruitment, early and frequent teaching experiences, involvement of faculty from math and science departments and a cohort of highly qualified former secondary teacher mentors with an individualized program of study that fits the degree plans of individual students. The talk will outline the nature of the program, the current status of and trends in enrollment, and the practical challenges encountered in implementing this new type of teacher education effort.
Past Colloquia
Are You Really Teaching If No One Is Listening?
How proper implementation of interactive-lecture methods can increase student understanding.
Dr. Ed Prather
Executive Director
Center for Astronomy Education
University of Arizona
September 25, 2009
This professional development seminar will provide results from research into how the successful implementation of active engagement instructional strategies can improve students understanding beyond what is achieved by traditional instructional methods, even when used in the lecture portion of the science classroom.
