Professional Development Opportunity in Science

General Overview

We are looking for teachers to participate in a research study examining how online professional development in high school biology supports teachers' understanding of concepts and practice in the classroom, as well as their students' achievement.

Who can participate?

• New York State public high school 9 th or 10 th grade biology teachers whose students are eligible to take the Living Environment Regents Examination

What do teachers receive?

• A free online professional development course from PBS TeacherLine New York in high school biology that helps teachers develop inquiry-based approaches to teaching genetics and evolution
• A stipend ranging from $200 to $600, based on yearly tasks, for each year of participation in the study

What will participating in this 2-3 year study involve?

• Teachers will be offered an online professional development course in either summer 2008 or summer 2009. The course will take up to 45 hours over 7 weeks.
  • The course will focus on teaching genetics and evolution using inquiry-based approaches. Some teachers will receive additional modules on teaching science.
  • For the purposes of this study, the additional modules as well as which summer teachers take the course will be assigned by lottery.
  • Teachers will have a choice of two start dates for the course.
• Teachers will take two assessments, one before and one after the course.
• In the academic year following the course, teachers' Living Environment students will take two brief assessments, one at the beginning and one at the end of the school year. The assessments will consist of questions like those on the Living Environment Regents Examination and will cover genetics and evolution concepts.
• Teachers will complete a survey at the beginning and end of each school year.
• Teachers will work with the research team to obtain appropriate consent from students' parents/guardians.
• The research team will help teachers obtain the necessary administrative approval to participate.

Who is supporting this study?

• This study is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Education Development Center 's Center for Children & Technology is working in partnership with PBS TeacherLine New York and the Buffalo PBS affiliate WNED to conduct the study.

What is this study about?

• The goal of this research study is to learn more about what teachers gain from online professional development and whether it impacts student learning.

Click to download a General Overview pdf.

Click to download an ABE-NY tri-fold brochure pdf.

Click to download an ABE-NY Teacher Consent Form pdf.

Click to download an ABE-NY Principal Agreement Form pdf.

For more information, please contact:

Alice Anderson

ABE-NY Study Coordinator

EDC/Center for Children and Technology

ABE-NY@edc.org