How an Engineering Research Experience for Teachers Promotes Integration of Joint Activity Systems in Curricular Design

• In Event: Novel Approaches to Professional Learning for STEM Teachers

Abstract

Teaching practices that support Next Generation Science Standards-inspired shifts require purposefully designed professional development. NSF supports Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) as a viable option for professional development. However, RET programs range in design. The RET in this study intends for teachers to participate in both an engineering research experience and a curriculum design experience simultaneously. Through Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) analysis, we examine the influence of these joint activity systems on teacher designed NGSS lessons. Although the intended outcome was integration, teachers exhibited differing degrees of integration of the joint systems in their final lesson plan.  We report here the specific aspects of both activity systems and employ an exemplar case to demonstrate integration of activity systems.  

Authors

• Wendy Wakefield, Arizona State University - Tempe

• Nicole Bowers, Arizona State University - Tempe

• Christiana Bruchok, Arizona State University

• Michelle Jordan, Arizona State University

• Stuart Bowden, Arizona State University - Tempe