Activating Social Resources for Ambitious Instruction That Engages Culturally Relevant Teaching in a Science Class (Poster 1)

• In Event: Intersections Across STEM Learning Environments

Abstract

Studies reveal challenges persist when teachers incorporate Ambitious Instruction (AI), including insufficient access to expertise and collaborative opportunities for preparing lessons. Using the resource activation framework by Rivera Maulucci (2010), this research presents a case study of a science teacher, Tracy, activating social resources while adapting and teaching a bioinformatics problem-based learning unit. We analyzed classroom observation notes, recordings of the professional development workshop sessions, and conducted a post-implementation interview. Our findings suggest that access to social resources during implementation of AI is vital for co-constructing curricula, sharing instructional tasks, and offering ongoing support. Consequently, it is crucial to provide more opportunities for teachers to activate social resources to open up opportunities to activate other resources for AI implementation.

Authors

• Jooeun Shim, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Susan A. Yoon, University of Pennsylvania