Projects

 

Insights from practice: Reflections on Linked Learning implementation in secondary schools, Dr. Corinne Martinez and Dr. Betina Hsieh, Editors
 

This guidebook recognizes the unique expertise and experience of faculty and educational master candidates who have committed to the hard work of transforming the high school experience for students using the Linked Learning approach. By contextualizing the work within specific problems of practice, we are able to illustrate how practitioners’ approach curricular demands, work-based learning opportunities and specialized student supports related to Linked Learning.  The chapters in this guidebook provide a variety of insights from secondary and post-secondary educators involved in work associated with Linked Learning implementation. While some of the educators in the volume engaged in more formalized action research or research studies related to work in Linked Learning contexts, many undertook this opportunity as a chance to reflect on core elements of their practice in relation to supporting students and educators in Linked Learning contexts. Each chapter begins with a core problem of practice which the authors used to frame their reflection. These problems of practice range from preparing middle school students to enter Linked Learning pathways, to supporting students after they transition into pathways, to supporting educators engaging with the work of Linked Learning through more cohesive pathway visions, administrative leadership and professional learning opportunities.  Each chapter incorporates perspectives from the viewpoint of the authors, as they engaged in the work of supporting students, counselors, educators and/or administrators in Linked Learning contexts. The authors in the guidebook offer reflections on their experiences and recommendations for others interested in similar problems of practice in their own contexts. 

 

Teachers’ Learning in Courses in a New Curriculum Pathway

This research has two strands, corresponding to ETEC 523 and EDCI 625. One strand, corresponding to ETEC 523, assesses teachers’ knowledge about technology, pedagogy, and content in a course Stephen Adams is teaching in Spring, 2017, ETEC 523 Information and Digital Literacies. The persons taking the course are all teachers at K-12 schools. It is hypothesized that the teachers will have well-developed ideas about pedagogy, but, as a group, their knowledge of educational technologies and how to use them in teaching will be an area for further development.  The research will analyze teachers’ knowledge in these areas via assignments throughout the course.  It is anticipated that this analysis will contribute to better understanding how course activities contributed, or did not contribute, to the development of their knowledge about technology and using it in teaching.The other strand of research concerns EDCI 625, taught by Dr. Corinne Martinez.

This research concerns how, via this course, teachers developed their knowledge of developing and assessing curricula for using in Linked Learning. The course includes helping teachers learn about project-based learning teaching methods. Research will assess teachers ‘knowledge of these methods and their ability to apply them.

Lead Faculty: Dr. Stephen Adams and Dr. Corinne Martinez.
Research Assistant: Fabian Rojas-Ramirez

 

Beyond General Hospital: Engaging High School Students Through a Hospital-Based Mentoring and Simulation Program 

In July 2014, Long Beach Memorial/Miller Children’s Hospital (LBM/MCH) was awarded a grant from the James Irvine Foundation to begin a Linked Learning project aimed at preparing high school students from the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) for careers in health care. Students selected for the program are paired with health professionals from LBM/ MCH in various health disciplines (e.g., nursing, medicine, social work, respiratory therapy). The aforementioned program has not yet undergone a formal evaluation. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the high school simulations mentorship program. Study aims are as follows:

1. To determine the relationship of student engagement to ideal career characteristics

2. To evaluate the effect of the high school simulation mentorship program is associated with a significant change in the health career selection

The results of this study might inform future pedagogy in nursing and educator preparation in the CSUs by examining a local model of career preparation at the secondary level, helping CSU candidates to get a better sense of Linked Learning in practice. 

Lead Faculty: Dr. Melissa Dyo and Dr. Betina Hsieh, California State University, Long Beach