Session Title: Aspiring Teachers’ Attitudes Towards an Open Education Model of Teacher Preparation
Presenter: Jupian J. Leung, Professor, University of Wisconsin
Time & Date: 2:30 P.M. - 3:15 P.M., Thursday, August 13, 2009
Location: Rm. C150
Session Description: This proposed study is an attempt to examine aspiring teachers’ attitudes towards an open education model of teacher preparation. Approximately 100 college students will be asked to read a description of an open education model of teacher training. They will then be asked to anonymously respond to a set of statements measuring their attitudes toward the model using a scale from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). They also will be asked to indicate their gender, class standing/year in college, age, overall GPA, and if they intend to become teachers. Frequency counts and comparisons of responses by gender, age, class standing and cumulative GPA will be conducted to analyze the data.
The Model
As described here, the Open Education Model of Teacher Preparation (oe) is an alternative form of education that relies mainly on on-line delivery of instruction. It provides a university-level teacher-preparation program of study for those wishing to pursue higher education on a part-time or full-time basis.
The model has an open entry policy, that is, students’ previous academic achievements are not taken into account for entry to any of the courses.
Students will complete all course requirements on-line and, upon graduation, will be awarded a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a teacher license granted by the state.With full-time study, students can expect to complete all program requirements and graduate in four years with a teaching license.
The instructional staff will be highly qualified professionals with terminal/doctoral degrees from recognized universities in their respective academic fields.
The oe model will use course materials authored by in-house faculty or external academic contributors as well as third-party materials licensed for use by students in the program. Support for students is available through the Internet, by telephone, or face-to-face.
Assessment of student achievement will take the form of writing assignments (e.g., papers), objective tests (multiple choice, true false, fill-in-the blank; matching), projects, and portfolios.
The cost of enrolling in this model can be expected to be substantially lower than the cost of attending a traditional university.
The Statements
In the sample statements below, oe means the Open Education Model of Teacher Preparation, as described above, and tre means the Traditional Education Model of Teacher Preparation. Oe will be more successful for students who are highly motivated; Oe will enhance the educational attainment of students from lower social class homes; Overall, I like the idea of oe; Oe will help individuals to become better life-long learners; If I have a choice between oe and tre, I will choose oe; Individuals with a college degree from oe will be less well received by potential employers than those with a college degree from tre; One will need to work harder in oe than in tre in order to do well; Oe requires more self-discipline on the part of students than tre; Oe has great appeal to many people; I will learn just as much in oe as in tre; I will learn better in oe than in tre.
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is open education teacher-centered, community centered, content-centered, or student-centered?
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