"Flexibility, Compassion, and Support" -- A Study on Multilayer Mitigation Effects on Pedagogy and Resilience in Thai Classroom, June-September 2022

This qualitative study analyzed pedagogical effects of multilayer mitigation in a Thai classroom. The triangulated data set were confidential, comprising teachers' voluntary anonymous information, pedagogical views and opinions, respectively. First, pupils' low absence rates enabled pedagogical focus on learning losses, which were mainly skills. The second effect was related to assessment. None of the teachers mentioned test results as learning loss indicators but regarded learning and qualified assessment as dynamic processes. An interesting dilemma was the learning loss measurements by non-pedagogical experts. Mostly those were presented as test scores, working hour counts, or annual formalities. However, optimized learning strategies' research had existed for decades, being responded better by these pupils. The third effect was the improved resilience of pupils and caretakers. Initially worried parents turned relieved. Resilience fostered the intrinsic motivation of all. When compared to some countries, firmer resilience made the difference in learning loss endurance for this group. "All-inclusive" mitigation had given families meaningful support. They shared visions of community roles, mediated by teachers and school management. The latter were backed by epidemiologists and medical experts. Further studies should discuss schools in a longer timeframe. External, quantified test scores without in-depth pedagogical analyses seem outdated by the early fourth pandemic year.

Perspectives on the use of the Fraction Strips application in teaching fractions

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the digital divide and the limited tech-nopedagogical proficiency of teachers. To improve the teaching of fractions, thirty elementary school teachers were trained in the use of the Fraction Strips virtual manipulative. Phenomenology was used to assess their learning experiences and the dynamics of technological appropriation were recorded. The results showed a significant appropriation of the manipulative, the importance of multiple representations in the conceptual understanding of fractions and the promotion of meaningful and discovery learning. In conclusion, the training improved the teach-ers' digital competencies and pedagogical practices. © GKA Ediciones, authors. Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada.

Living and learning through lockdown: a fictionalisation of the challenges and opportunities of homeschooling during a global pandemic

This article reports on research which investigated the lived experiences of primary school headteachers, teachers and parents during the first lockdown in England between March and July 2020. The study aimed to understand how homeschooling was approached and the challenges and opportunities it afforded. Individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken with participants and the findings are presented in the article in three episodes using fictionalised scenarios. The episodes created are the initial approach to homeschooling, coping with uncertainty and realignment. The themes emerging from each episode are pragmatic decision-making, change and the impact upon welfare and well-being, and shifting priorities. The article illustrates the struggles of homeschooling in lockdown and some surprising outcomes, and also points to future possibilities for education.

COVID-19 and Distance Education: Evaluation in the Context of Twenty-First Century Skills

In this study, we aimed to investigate the prospective primary school teachers' opinions about their experiences in distance education within the scope of twenty-first century skills during COVID-19 pandemic. The phenomenological research method was used for the purpose of enlightening this specific context. The study group involved 16 prospective primary school teachers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The credibility of the data were provided by obtaining the consent of the participants and by comparing the consistency of codes and themes created by experts in accordance with the twenty-first century skills. The key findings were: (1) no opinion is expressed on information and media literacy;also, participants were not aware of the importance of technology literacy. (2) Emergency remote education cannot provide effective learning and teaching. Participants' awareness of collaboration and communication skills was insufficient. (3) There were positive and negative aspects of emergency distance education towards face-to-face one. The educational environment, which has become digitalized with distance education, shows that there are changes in the views of the participants about the technology competence that they should have in their careers. As a result, remote education does not cause a significant difference in 21st century skills of participants. But the importance and need of twenty-first century skills in the distance education process become more apparent.

The spectrum of the journey: Narrating identities during professional learning in pivotal response treatment for novice elementary teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder

In Ontario, Policy/Program Memoranda No. 140 (PPM 140) authorizes educators to utilize Applied Behavioural Analysis methods to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the classroom. Although typically favoured, inclusive policies are difficult to translate into practice without training (Lindsay et al., 2013). Novice educators (i.e., first five years of their career) are at the cusp of developing a teacher identity as they are shifting roles from that of a teacher candidate to what it means to be a professional teacher.Symbolic interactionism (SI) is one theory deemed useful for narrating and investigating identity. According to Blumer (1986), SI is a theory which investigates how individuals develop subjective meanings and how those meanings are reformed during an interpretive process producing different behavioural responses. Within the teaching profession, physical objects refer to space or material. Social objects refer to the interactions with individuals. objects are beliefs about professional development (PD) and identity (Blumer, 1986).Current studies do not address how teachers with larger classes may implement evidence-based practices, such as Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT). Even when general education teachers do receive training in PRT, an investigation into identity is missing. This doctoral dissertation investigates how a professional learning in PRT in Ontario may influence novice (i.e., first five years of their career) elementary educators' (i.e., JK-Grade three) identity as a teacher from a qualitative (i.e., narrative inquiry) design. Results from interviews, journals, and focus groups revealed themes. Physical objects included (1) accessibility to tangible resources and in-class trainings, (2) motivation/accountability, (3) barrier of time, (4) barrier of COVID-19, (5) barrier of staffing, and (6) barrier of size/needs of a classroom. Analyzing social objects revealed (7) student relationship building, (8) classroom staff communication, (9) low parental communication, and (10) distance support from administrators. Conversations around identity detailed how (11) early educational experiences and (12) previous characteristics associated with a teacher impacted a present (13) definition of teacher identity as the philosophy of teaching. This exposed themes such as (14) advocating for accommodations, (15) life-long learner, (16) self-reflective, (17) connection between personal/social self, and (18) a generalist role. (19) Micro-level solutions such as obtaining more strategies for themselves, and (20) macro-level solutions such as dedicating more time within teacher education programs and in-person training were also discoursed.Physical and social objects had a direct impact on objects. The first premise of symbolic interactionism, meaning, delved deep into how novice educators acted towards objects based on the meanings assigned to them throughout the study. Through social interactions (i.e., premise two - language) with myself as the researcher, the research study, the other participants, and stakeholders in their school climate, an investigation into the interpretation process (i.e., premise three - thought) revealed the above themes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Novice kindergarten and elementary teachers' lived experience with math content and instruction

Math proficiency in the elementary grades is one component to ensuring a highly qualified science, math, engineering, and technology workforce. The literature indicates that teachers of those early years greatly impact their students' future attitudes and abilities in the STEM fields. Therefore, it is critical that administrators, teacher education programs, and policymakers implement procedures to prepare and empower preservice teachers. This hermeneutic phenomenology focused on novice teachers' impressions of their preparedness regarding kindergarten and elementary math content and pedagogy. Ten teachers answered questions about their past educational experiences, their current teaching position, and strategies for addressing challenges. Unfamiliar curriculum and gaps in basic student knowledge were two of the difficulties that the teachers mentioned. They faced these issues through differentiation, collaboration, and self-reflection. Collaborating with a mentor or colleagues allowed these novice teachers to glean resources and strategies that helped them navigate elementary math content and pedagogy. In addition, this study revealed the influence that the teachers' resilience had on their ability to maneuver the difficulties inherent in the first two years as a classroom teacher. The impact of attending a faith-based university, the influence of middle-school math teachers, resilience in kindergarten through elementary teachers, and managing the consequences of Covid-19 restrictions in schools warrant further study as they relate to math content and instruction in kindergarten through fifth-grade mathematics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Exploring motivating factors of traditionally trained first-year teachers: A qualitative study

The problem among teacher retention is an issue as the annual teacher turnover rate in several countries is between 13-15%. With the increase in teachers selecting alternative paths or emergency permits, this study aimed to explore the motivational factors of traditionally trained, first-year, full-time, K-12 public teachers. The education motivational research specifically focused on preservice experience, early teacher experience, teacher motivation approaches, and recruitment and retention motivation. Although there is a lot of research on motivation, the research gap did not provide motivational factors specifically aimed at the traditionally trained, first-year, full-time, K-12 public teachers. The study contributed to the field of education by providing the motivational factors from the teachers' own experiences through a basic qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the motivational factors traditionally trained, first-year, full-time, K-12 public school teachers. The theoretical framework for the study was Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory. The population for this study consisted of 10 traditionally trained, full-time K-12 public school teachers. Using thematic analysis, four motivational factor themes emerged: affirmation, support, job selection, and pandemic impact. The teachers were motivated by affirmation, acknowledgement of their conscientious application to the profession and knowing they were making a difference among their students. The teachers were motivated by support through having balance and opportunities for professional growth. The teachers were motivated by the ability to select the position and school district. On the opposite spectrum, the pandemic impact motivated teachers in making the decision to return to the classroom the following year. The study includes the COVID-19 restrictions, specifically the interviews being conducted virtually. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Examining teachers 'attitudes and practices of special education in Kansas during COVID-19

Prior to COVID-19, elementary and secondary education teachers worked with an ever-changing education program developed to meet the educational needs of students with disabilities. COVID-19 has created an environment of uncertainty in teaching students with masks with special needs in either face to face, or remote learners or a hybrid of the two methodologies. The study measured the attitudes and practices of the elementary and secondary special education teachers toward teaching students with disabilities during COVID-19 in Kansas. The elementary or secondary special education teacher has a complex and tumultuous set of unknown undertakings toward adequate preparation to provide the legally stated goals in an Individual Education Program and inclusion required for the Least Restrictive Environment. The COVID-19 pandemic also presented special conditions that varied from the national leadership, state to state, and to the specific local district superintendents and local building principals. Ultimately, this study researched what attitudes and practices towards special education have special education teachers in Kansas been experiencing during COVID-19. Also, the study addressed what modalities were used to meet IEP goals during COVID-19. . This document examines the attitudes and practices that the special education teachers experienced during COVID. It quantifies the use of the three main methods of instruction for students with special needs during COVID: face-to-face, remote or a hybrid of the two methods. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Exclusionary discipline: Urban elementary school teachers' perceptions of African American students' behaviors

School suspension and expulsion are not limited to middle and high school students;these exclusionary approaches to discipline begin in early childhood settings such as elementary schools. Most studies regarding exclusionary discipline have been conducted on the middle and high school level, but there are very limited studies regarding exclusionary discipline in early childhood or elementary school level. African American elementary school students are disproportionately represented in multiple school suspensions. Although the majority of school suspensions were not due to violent school crimes, but for discretionary offenses, zero tolerance policies have substantially contributed to students being suspended or expelled for trivial infractions. The purpose of this study was to use qualitative research to investigate New York City's public elementary school teachers' perceptions of African American students' behaviors, and how teachers would describe effective behavior intervention approaches for African American students. Data were collected through the use of interviews and journal prompts completed by teachers during the fall of 2021. Results from this study showed that African American students were perceived by the teacher participants as having similar behaviors to other children of various racial and ethnic groups, and needed effective behavior intervention approaches that addressed mental health counseling, extra-curricular and movement activities, preventative measures to discipline, and culturally responsive education. The results obtained from this study may inform educators and policymakers of social justice alternatives to exclusionary discipline. Further studies are needed to examine the "sit still culture" and the role of movement activities and kinesthetic learning modalities as behavioral intervention approaches to lessen disruptive behaviors and curb punitive exclusionary practices, as well as the effects of social justice alternatives to exclusionary discipline as a support system for black students post COVID-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Exploring Bhutanese Primary School Teachers' Technological Knowledge

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the normal functions of schools globally. Online learning is a new concept in Bhutan. Nonetheless, classes have begun using various online learning platforms to continue their operations during the pandemic. This study examined primary school teachers' perceived information technology knowledge and proficiency. The participants of this study consisted of 124 primary teachers from two western districts of Bhutan. Data were collected using an online survey. The study's findings suggested that although the majority of participants (98.2%) had access to personal digital devices, slow internet connection and high internet data subscription charges (60.7%) were cited as significant challenges. Findings also revealed that a small percentage of the participants, less than 12 (9.7%) teachers in this study preferred to teach entirely in an online learning environment. The results of multiple linear regression suggested that only technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK) [t = 2.68, p = 0.008, [beta] = 0.236] and perceived information technology proficiency of teachers (PITP) [t = 3.55, p = 0.001, [beta] = 0.306] were statistically significant predictors of technological knowledge (TK).

The lived experiences of elementary school teachers' implementation of social-emotional learning: transitions from in-person and remote settings

This qualitative study examined elementary school teachers' transitions from in-person to remote social-emotional learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in a northeastern US public school district. This study addressed the following central research question using Bandura's (1977) self-efficacy theory and CASEL's Framework (2021) for social and emotional learning: What were teachers' lived experiences while teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) during both remote and in-person instruction in elementary school throughout the Covid-19 pandemic? Eight teachers from one suburban elementary school shared their experiences meeting students' social-emotional needs during the pandemic. This study examined teacher perspectives on social-emotional learning in in-person and remote settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview questions provided narrative inquiry study answers. According to interviews, teachers implemented social and emotional learning with uncertainty, anxiety, and fear. Teachers believed they could teach social and emotional learning remotely and in person despite the pandemic because of their perseverance, awareness, and social interactions. They did this by relying on their colleagues for support and encouragement, realizing the importance of their work with students, and allowing students to express their emotions and feelings while learning remotely and in person. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Emergency remote education and mental health of elementary school teachers

The objective was to understand the perception of teachers in the early years of elementary school about their own mental health in the context of remote teaching in the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty professors participated, 19 female and 1 male. For data collection, an online questionnaire was used, with open and closed questions. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The results obtained in the research showed that, although emergency remote teaching has been important for the maintenance of school activities and even for expanding students' autonomy, the mental health of teachers was negatively affected, among other factors, by the overload of work. work, lack of training and institutional support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Portuguese) Objetivou-se compreender a percepcao dos professores dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental sobre a propria saude mental no contexto do ensino remoto na pandemia COVID-19. Participaram 20 docentes, 19 do sexo feminino e 1 do sexo masculino. Na coleta de dados, utilizou-se um questionario on-line, com perguntas abertas e fechadas. Os dados foram analisados por meio da analise de conteudo. Os resultados obtidos na pesquisa mostraram que, embora o ensino remoto emergencial tenha sido importante para a manutencao das atividades escolares e, ate mesmo, para ampliar a autonomia dos estudantes, a saude mental dos professores foi afetada negativamente, entre outros fatores, pela sobrecarga de trabalho, falta de capacitacao e de apoio institucional. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Competence of the distance-learning portal 'Darsak' with Jordan's K-12 curriculum/university education

Curriculum development is the fundamental component of high-quality education, particularly in primary and secondary school education during Covid-19, which requires modern researchers' attention. Thus, the current research explores the impact of distance learning, student interest, and teachers' abilities on curriculum creation in Jordanian elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, the present study examines the moderating effect of institutional support on the relationship between remote learning, student interest, teacher abilities, and curriculum development in Jordanian K-12 schools. The researchers gathered primary data via surveys and evaluated it with smart-PLS. The findings established a positive correlation between distance learning, student interest, teachers' abilities, and curriculum development. The results also reveal that institutional support considerably modifies the relationship between distance learning, student interest, teacher abilities, and curriculum development in Jordanian K-12 schools. This research serves as a guide for legislators as they draught regulations governing curricular development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Social emotional learning practices during a global pandemic: A mixed-methods study of the experiences of sixth grade teachers

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand the experiences of sixth-grade teachers in two suburban Philadelphia counties while teaching social and emotional learning (SEL) practices during the 2020-2021 school year amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. In this study, sixth-grade teachers were surveyed on their use of ten SEL teaching practices. They were asked to compare their pandemic teaching experience to years prior to the pandemic. Follow up interviews provided greater detail on the impact the pandemic had on school climate and teaching SEL practices, and the perceived challenges and triumphs teachers reported.By synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data, the researcher gained a broader understanding of teachers' experiences teaching during a global pandemic and identified factors that affected their perceived abilities to teach SEL practices. All children attending school during the COVID-19 pandemic felt the disruption to their learning environments. School leaders at all levels have an opportunity to learn from and support teachers' experiences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Perceived job satisfaction among teachers pre-covid-19 and second year COVID-19: A qualitative analysis

Teacher attrition is a problem. A high level of teacher attrition contributes to the teacher shortages across the United States. Teachers leaving the teaching profession and the growing demand for more teachers in the workforce necessitates research regarding job satisfaction among teachers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the commonalities and differences among perceptions of elementary, middle school, and high school teachers in southern Illinois. Internal and external factors behind job satisfaction in the teaching profession prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Dr. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory was the theoretical framework. Seven research questions examined job satisfaction among seven elementary teachers, nine middle school teachers, and five high school teachers. Open-ended interview questions were used to collect participants' perceptions of their job satisfaction prior to COVID-19 and year two of COVID-19. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Findings from the thematic analysis indicate the importance of retaining factors that increase teachers' job satisfaction. Changes in the teaching profession may include understanding from administration and the public as to what teachers go through socially and mentally. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Elementary teacher self-efficacy after a year of teaching during covid-19

This study aimed to explore teacher self-efficacy after a year of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this study looked to replicate and extend previous research that explored teacher self-efficacy during COVID-19. The current study included 316 participants from the United States who completed the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale. The results found that teachers who had previously won Teacher of the Year (TOY) awards was a significant predictor of total, instructional, and classroom management self-efficacy. Additionally, emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment significantly predicted all four self-efficacy scales. Finally, administrative support significantly predicted engagement and classroom management self-efficacy. The current study provides suggestions of variables that influenced teacher self-efficacy at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, which was impacted by COVID-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Impact of COVID-19: Case study on teachers' technology use in virtual learning

The COVID-19 global pandemic caused a sudden shift from in-person instruction to virtual learning for fifth-grade teachers and students in Title 1 elementary schools. Through professional development opportunities, fifth-grade teachers had to adjust instructional practices to facilitate virtual learning and adopt and embrace new teaching methods including technology. The most significant gap in the literature was student participation, preparedness, curriculum design, instruction, and the effectiveness of virtual learning were not fully understood. The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of fifth-grade teachers with virtual learning and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily instruction for students situated in Title 1 elementary schools in a large urban school district in North Carolina. In this qualitative case study, the target population was 135 fifth-grade teachers, from which 15 fifth-grade teachers were selected through purposive sampling. The data collection methods were a questionnaire and one-on-one in-depth interviews. Thematic coding was used for data analysis. Fifth-grade teachers transitioned from classroom instruction to virtual learning using technology and developed technical knowledge through professional development opportunities. Factors in the home environment and engagements in learning management systems (LMSs) influenced fifth-grade teachers' perceptions of student performance, behavior, and attitudes. A comparative study in non-Title 1 schools and professional development opportunities on best practices in virtual learning is recommended for future research. Education leaders and policymakers can benefit from this research study as they learn about the potential risk of widening achievement gaps among students from high and low-performing groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The Dynamics of Learning Loss for Elementary Students Jakarta in the New Normal

This study aims to determine the occurrence of learning loss in the new normal era due to sudden changes in the online learning process for elementary school students in Jakarta. This study uses a case study qualitative research method to analyse the causes of learning loss in elementary school students. There are five research stages: test questions, observation, questionnaires, interviews, and documentation. The research subjects were 30 grade IV elementary school students in Jakarta and one grade IV teacher. The results of this study stated that as many as 33.33% ofelementary school students did not experience learning loss, and as many as 66.67% of students experienced learning loss.

Educational leadership support for work transitions during COVID-19: Perceptions of K-12 teachers in United States and China

The purpose of this study was to explore the educational leadership support as perceived by K-12 teachers and leadership effectiveness in addressing the work transition during the COVID-19 pandemic in two countries: China and the U.S. In this exploratory study, sixteen K-12 teachers from China and the U.S. were interviewed. Our findings indicated that participants received educational leadership support in daily tasks, well-being, and training and development. Participants also indicated that their leaders helped them cope with the work transition by empowering and inspiring them. However, the leaders also faced challenges including limited resources and lack of authorization from upper-level administration. Differences in educational leadership were identified between China and the U.S. in terms of communication and trust-building, work-life/family balance, and safety. This study provides insights for educational leaders and HRD professionals on strategies to support teachers in a crisis such as the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Investigating the impacts of participating in a virtual literacy clinic: A case study exploring self-efficacy in pre-service teachers

This study describes how participation in a university literacy clinic impacts self-efficacy in pre-service teacher candidates. This study was conducted one and a half years into the global COVID-19 pandemic, creating the need for the clinic's program, Literacy Camp, to be completed through fully virtual means. Thus, ways in which the pre-service teachers' experience was impacted by the method of instructional delivery was also detailed. Despite the body of growing research related to virtual learning and efficacy outcomes, there was a gap in the literature related to pre-service teachers' participation in a fully virtual university literacy clinic and its impacts on their self-efficacy. This study was designed with a need to fill this hole in mind. The unique and personal experiences of 23 elementary pre-service teacher candidates completing a yearlong internship and participating in a university literacy clinic were explored in this qualitative case study, framed through a social constructivist lens (Creswell, 2013;Vygotsky, 1978) so that the voice of the individual was elevated and carefully considered. A convenience sampling scheme was utilized to collect and analyze data compiled from three main data sources provided by pre-service teacher candidate participants: an efficacy pre-survey, an efficacy post-survey, and ten daily debrief forms. Four original themes emerged from the data: Building a Learning Culture, Tutor as the Learner, Student First Approach to Intervention, and The Virtual Environment. Findings from this study indicate that participation in the virtual literacy clinic allowed pre-service teachers to successfully plan and implement a full, individualized intervention related to literacy learning for one elementary or middle school student. Participants were able to reflect on their experience to grow as a learner and recognize the impacts they made on their Literacy Camp students. Despite the challenges faced through a fully virtual learning setting, pre-service teachers were able to overcome obstacles and complete their practicum experience, gaining self-efficacy throughout the process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)