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Pub Date: |
2011-08-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Negligence; Laboratory Safety; Chemistry; Court Litigation; Science Teachers; Science Instruction; Legal Responsibility; Teacher Responsibility; Science Laboratories; Secondary School Science; Elementary School Science; Misconceptions
Abstract:
The science education community promotes inquiry teaching and learning enhanced by the school laboratory experience, and this emphasis is reflected in state and national science education standards. However, science teachers, especially those in chemistry settings, have been known to avoid laboratory activities because of fear of legal liability that may occur in the event of a laboratory-related mishap. Incorrect or incomplete information relayed by sources within and outside the school intensifies teacher misapprehension. This article summarizes misinformation found in the literature and presents the contrasting, current, officially published pertinent case law. The discussion shows that the number of published court decisions specific to alleged district or teacher liability for negligence in the context of science teaching in public schools and their judicial outcomes are far different from the common conception. Implications and suggestions for science educators' action with respect to laboratory safety instruction are included.
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Pub Date: |
2011-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Mentors; Laboratory Safety; Teacher Persistence; Educational Change; Science Teachers; Faculty Mobility; Classroom Environment; Administrators; Teacher Motivation; Professional Development; Science Instruction; Chemistry; Physics; Earth Science; Biology; Grade 12
Abstract:
Chronically high rates of new and experienced science teacher attrition and the findings of new large-scale mentoring programs indicate that administrators should adopt new approaches. A science teacher's role encompasses demanding responsibilities, such as observing laboratory safety and OSHA mandates, as well as management of a business-like, yet engaging, hands-on classroom environment. When added to the challenges experienced by all new teachers, these science-specific challenges can contribute to a science teachers' decision to abandon teaching. This study summarizes data from reports of the US Department of Education, state, other federal, private and professional societies on teacher attrition and new mentoring models. It describes successful features of programs and recommends how they can be delivered economically. When senior-level science teachers are provided pay incentives and some release time, they can become discipline-specific mentors, helping to ensure successful retention of new teachers and providing motivation for experienced teacher to postpone leaving. Pairing experienced science teachers, using electronic media, providing recognition, providing additional time or assistance to gain control of the laboratory, and supporting new teachers in joining appropriate professional groups are strategies described in this paper. (Contains 1 figure.)
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Pub Date: |
2011-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Expertise; Delphi Technique; Teacher Effectiveness; Agricultural Education; Facilities Management; Measures (Individuals); Horticulture; Teaching Methods; Teacher Competencies; Questionnaires; Secondary School Teachers; Needs Assessment; Laboratory Procedures; Laboratory Safety; Laboratory Training; Educational Needs; Identification
Abstract:
In this study the Delphi technique has been used to develop a list of educational competencies for preparing secondary agricultural education instructors to effectively manage their school greenhouse facilities. The use of specialized facilities in agricultural education requires appropriate preparation of agricultural education teachers. The Delphi technique uses an anonymous panel of experts for suggestions and assessments aiming at consensus. Thirteen experts from multiple schools and universities took part in the investigation. The study used a series of three web-based questionnaires to determine competencies that teachers need to know, to be able to perform, and to identify effective teaching methods for teachers to obtain these competencies. The first round instrument consisted of three open-ended questions, and a series of questions to validate the background of the members of the panel. In the second round, respondents were asked to rate each competency and teaching method using a seven-point Likert-type scale. Median scores and interquartile values were calculated. Panel members were sent a copy of their individual responses as well as the group responses for review. In the third round, panel members were requested to indicate their level of agreement with each item using a five-point Likert-type scale. (Contains 3 tables.)
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Pub Date: |
2011-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Student Teachers; Needs Assessment; Agricultural Engineering; Agricultural Education; Laboratory Safety; Equipment Maintenance; Professional Development; Educational Needs; Teacher Competencies; Student Characteristics
Abstract:
Skills needed to manage a laboratory are essential knowledge for all school-based, agriculture teachers who instruct agricultural mechanics curriculum (Saucier, Terry, & Schumacher, 2009). This research investigated the professional development needs of Texas agricultural education student teachers regarding agricultural mechanics laboratory management. Data were collected with a mailed questionnaire to determine student teachers' perceptions of the importance of 70 agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies and their self-assessed ability to perform those competencies. The Borich (1980) Needs Assessment Model was used to assess and evaluate the professional development needs of these student teachers. The study found that these student teachers were in need of professional development in many areas of laboratory management, such as diagnosing malfunctioning laboratory equipment, repairing laboratory equipment, and administering first aid. (Contains 6 tables and 1 figure.)
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Pub Date: |
2011-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Agricultural Education; Secondary School Teachers; Agricultural Engineering; Laboratories; Laboratory Safety; Inservice Teacher Education; Educational Needs; Teacher Competencies; Teacher Attitudes; Teacher Characteristics; Faculty Development; Needs Assessment
Abstract:
Accidents happen; however, the likelihood of accidents occurring in the agricultural mechanics laboratory is greatly reduced when agricultural mechanics laboratory facilities are managed by secondary agriculture teachers who are competent and knowledgeable. This study investigated the agricultural mechanics laboratory management in-service needs of Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers who are responsible for managing agricultural mechanics laboratories. Data were collected with a Web-based questionnaire designed to determine teachers' perceptions of the importance of 70 selected agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies and their self-assessed ability to perform those competencies. The Borich (1980) needs assessment model was used to assess and evaluate the in-service needs of the teachers. This study found that Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers were in need of agricultural mechanics laboratory management in-service education in the areas of: first aid, correcting hazardous laboratory conditions, and general laboratory safety. Wyoming teacher educators, state agricultural education supervisory personnel, and local professional development coordinators should provide pertinent and continuous in-service education for Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers in the area of agricultural mechanics laboratory management through technical workshops, summer professional development conferences, and university instructed agricultural mechanics courses. (Contains 5 tables.)
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Author(s): |
Worley, Bob |
Source: |
School Science Review, v92 n340 p61-69 Mar 2011 |
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Pub Date: |
2011-03-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Chemistry; Science Instruction; Science Laboratories; Scientific Principles; Court Litigation; Science Experiments; Laboratory Safety; Teacher Responsibility
Abstract:
In 1984, a teacher was successfully prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive. The case centred around chemically prepared hydrogen that was dried by bubbling it through concentrated sulfuric(VI) acid and then passed over hot copper(II) oxide. The procedure was often carried out quantitatively to find the mass of copper in a sample of copper(II) oxide and the hydrogen acted as an inert atmosphere to avoid any re-oxidation of the copper. However, if the demonstrator tried to ignite the excess hydrogen before all the air was flushed out then the apparatus exploded. In this case, the bottles of concentrated sulfuric(VI) acid exploded, showering the watching pupils (not wearing eye protection) with acid. To avoid this, microscale techniques can assist chemists to carry out some experiments which on a large scale would be quite hazardous. Hydrogen-oxygen explosions, reducing metal oxides with hydrogen and working with toxic gases can all be carried out very quickly and safely once the techniques have been assimilated and practised. (Contains 13 figures, 1 table, 5 boxes, and 3 online resources.)
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