Examining Laboratory Investigations in Advanced Placement Biology: Teachers' Perceived Challenges and Their Classroom Practice (Poster 4)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Division C Section 1D: Science Poster Session 2 (San Diego)

Abstract

Educational reforms in the sciences emphasize the importance of laboratory investigations and inquiry learning. As important change agents, teachers are responsible for enacting the new curriculum. This study uses data from 416 Biology teachers in the first three years of the Advanced Placement (AP) reform. Applying latent growth curve modelling, we examined changes in teachers’ perceived challenges with laboratory investigations, and the number of laboratory investigations implemented in their classroom practice. We found that the challenges decreased over time, while the number of laboratory investigations increased. Moreover, participation in professional development activities might have helped teachers to integrate more laboratory investigations during the initial year of the AP redesign.

Authors

• Fitore Morina, University of Tübingen

• Nicolas Huebner

• Arthur Eisenkraft, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Christian Fischer, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen