Analysis of ill-structured problem solving, mentoring functions, and perceptions of practicum teachers and mentors toward online mentoring in a field-based practicum

Instructional Science - Tập 35 - Trang 1-40 - 2006
Khe Foon Hew1, Dennis Knapczyk2
1Department of Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Bloomington, USA
2Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Indiana University, Bloomington, Bloomington, USA

Tóm tắt

This article describes an exploratory study of question prompts and online mentoring (specifically a lateral or peer mentoring experience) in a field-based practicum that focused on teaching ill-structured problem solving of classroom discipline. Data were gathered on 26 in-service practicum teachers through online observations, online journal reports, questionnaires, and reflection logs. Results showed that the practicum teachers were successful in using the approach to plan and implement effective interventions for their students and that they perceived the online mentoring approach as being very beneficial in supporting their learning. A more detail analysis of seven practicum teachers and their mentors indicated that their mentors engaged in eight types of online mentoring functions; the most frequently used were asking practicum teachers to elaborate, and valuing the practicum teachers’ contributions. The influence of the mentoring functions on the seven practicum teachers’ ill-structured problem solving is also discussed. The study offers evidence that asynchronous online mentoring and question prompts can enhance the professional development of both practicum teachers and mentors by helping them learn about and apply intervention strategies in solving real-world teaching problems.

Tài liệu tham khảo

Brescia W.F. (2002). Using a Telementoring Taxonomy in a World Wide Web Instructional Environment: A Case Study. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Indiana University, Bloomington Denzin N. (1999). Cybertalk and the method of instances. In Jones S. (ed): Doing Internet Research: Critical Issues and Methods for Examining the Net. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp 107–125 Duck S. (1994). Strategems, spoils, and a serpent’s tooth: On the delights and dilemmas of personal relationships. In Cupach W.R., Spitzberg B.H. (eds), The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp 3–24 Eby L.T. (1997). Alternative forms of mentoring in changing organization environments: A conceptual extension of the mentoring literature. Journal of Vocational Behavior 51(1): 125–144 Eby L.T., McManus S.E., Simon S.A., Russell J.E.A. (2000). The protégé’s perspective regarding negative mentoring experiences: The development of a taxonomy. Journal of Vocational Behavior 57(1): 1–21 Ensher E.A., Heun C., Blanchard A. (2003). Online mentoring and computer-mediated communication: New directions in research. Journal of Vocational Behavior 63(2): 264–288 Ensher E., Thomas C., Murphy S.E. (2001). Comparison of traditional, step-ahead, and peer mentoring on proteges’ support, satisfaction and perception of career success: A social exchange perspective. Journal of Business and Psychology 15(3): 419–438 Foster P. (1996). Observational research. In Sapsford R., Jupp V. (eds), Data Collection and Analysis. Sage, London and Thousand Oaks, CA Ge X., Land S.M. (2003). Scaffolding students’ problem solving processes in an ill-structured task using question prompts and peer interactions. Educational Technology Research and Development 51(1): 21–38 Ge X., Land S.M. (2004). A conceptual framework for scaffolding ill-structured problem-solving processes using question prompts and peer interactions. Educational Technology Research and Development 52(2): 5–22 Glaser B., Strauss A. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Aldine, Chicago Grabinger S., Dunlap J.C. (1996). Encourage student responsibility. In Kommers P.A., Grabinger S., Dunlap J.C. (eds), Hypermedia Learning Environments: Instructional Design and Integration. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ, pp 211–225 Honebein P.C. (1996). Seven goals for the design of constructivist learning environments. In Wilson B. (ed), Constructivist Learning Environments: Case Studies in Instructional Design. Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, pp 11–24 Hunt D.M., Michael C. (1983). Mentorship: A career training and development tool. Academy of Management Review 8(3): 475–485 Jonassen D.H. (1997). Instructional design models for well-structured and ill-structured problem solving learning outcomes. Educational Technology, Research & Development 45(1): 65–94 Jonassen D.H., Hernandez-Serrano J. (2002). Case-based reasoning and instructional design: Using stories to support problem solving. Educational Technology Research and Development.50(2): 65–77 King A., Rosenshine B. (1993). Effect of guided cooperative questioning on children’s knowledge construction. Journal of Experimental Education 61(2): 127–148 Kitchner K.S. (1983). Cognition, metacognition, and epistemic cognition: A three-level model of cognitive processing. Human Development 26: 222–232 Kitchner K.S., King P.M. (1981). Reflective judgment: Concepts of justification and their relationship to age and education. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 2: 89–116 Knapczyk D.R., Hew K. Frey T., Wall-Marencik W. (2005), Evaluation of online mentoring of practicum for limited licensed teachers. Teacher Education and Special Education 28(3/4): 207–220 Knouse S.B. (2001). Virtual mentors: Mentoring on the Internet. Journal of Employment Counseling 38(4): 162–169 Kram K.E. (1985). Mentoring at Work. Scott, Foresman, Glenview, IL Kram K.E., Isabella L.A. (1985). Mentoring alternatives: The role of peer relationships in career development. Academy of Management Journal 28(1): 110–132 Langdon C.A. (1999). The fifth Phi Delta Kappa poll of teachers’ attitudes toward the public schools. Phi Delta Kappan 80(8): 611–618 Lincoln Y.S., Guba E.G. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA Lopez-Real F., Kwan T. (2005). Mentors’ perceptions of their own professional development during mentoring. Journal of Education for Teaching 31(1): 15–24 Mann C., Stewart F. (2000). Internet Communication and Qualitative Research: A Handbook for Researching Online. Sage, London Meacham J.A., Emont N.C. (1989). The interpersonal basis of everyday problem solving. In Sinnott J.D. (ed), Everyday Problem Solving: Theory and Applications. Praeger, New York, pp 7–23 Merriam S.B. (2001). Qualitative Research and Case Study Applications in Education. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco Murphy E. (2004). Identifying and measuring ill-structured problem formulation and resolution in online asynchronous discussions. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology 30(1): 5–20 O’Neill D.K., Wagner R., Gomez L.M. (1996). Online mentors: Experimenting in science class. Educational Leadership 54(3): 39–42 Relan A., Gillani B.B. (1997). Web-based instruction and the traditional classroom: Similarities and differences. In Khan B.H. (ed), Web-based Instruction. Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, pp 41–46 Sharf B.F. (1999). Beyond netiquette. The ethics of doing naturalistic discourse research on the Internet. In Jones S. (ed), Doing Internet Research: Critical Issues and Methods for Examining the Net. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp 243–256 Shin N., Jonassen D.H., McGee S. (2003). Predictors of well-structured and ill-structured problem solving in an astronomy simulation. Journal of Research in Science Teaching 40(1): 6–33 Sinnott J.D. (1989). A model for solution of ill-structured problems: Implications for everyday and abstract problem solving. In Sinnott J.D. (ed), Everyday Problem Solving: Theory and Applications. Praeger, New York, pp 72–99 Voss J.F. (1988). Learning and transfer in subject-matter learning: A problem solving model. International Journal of Educational Research 11: 607–622 Voss J.F., Means M.L. (1989). Toward a model of creativity based upon problem solving in the social sciences. In Glover J.A., Ronning R.R., Reynolds C.R. (eds), Handbook of Creativity. Plenum, New York, pp 399–410 Voss J.F., Post T.A. (1988). On the solving of ill-structured problems. In Chi M.H., Glaser R., Farr M.J. (eds), The Nature of Expertise. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ, pp 261–285 Wade S., Niederhauser D.S., Cannon M., Long T. (2001). Electronic discussions in an issue course: Expanding the boundaries of the classroom. Journal of Computing in Teacher Education 17: 4–9 Walther J.B. (1992). Interpersonal effects in computer-mediated interaction: A relational perspective. Communication Research 19: 52–90 Wolery M., Werts M., Caldwell M., Snyder N., Lisowski L. (1995) Experienced teachers’ perceptions of resources and supports for inclusion. Education and Training in Mental retardation and Developmental Disabilities 30: 15–26 Wood J.T., Duck S. (1995). Off the beaten track: New shores for relationship research. In Wood J.T., Duck S. (ed). Under-studied Relationships: Off the Beaten Track. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp 1–21