Selma Koç – författare

STEM project-based instruction is a pedagogical approach that is gaining popularity across the USA. However, there are very few teacher education programs that focus specifically on preparing graduates to teach in project-based environments. This book is focused on the UTeach program, a STEM teacher education model that is being implemented across the USA in 46 universities. Originally focused only on mathematics and science, many UTeach programs are now offering engineering and computer science licensure programs as well.This book provides a forum to disseminate how different institutions have implemented the UTeach model in their local context. Topics discussed will include sustainability features of the model, and how program assessment, innovative instructional programming, classroom research and effectiveness research have contributed to its success. The objectives of the book are:• To help educators gain insight into a teacher education organizational model focused on STEM and how and why it was developed• To present the theoretical underpinnings of a STEM education model, i.e. deep learning, conceptual understanding• To present innovative instructional programming in teacher education, i.e. projectbased instruction, functions and modeling, research methods• To present research and practice in classroom and field implementation and future research recommendations• To disseminate program assessments and improvement efforts

STEM project-based instruction is a pedagogical approach that is gaining popularity across the USA. However, there are very few teacher education programs that focus specifically on preparing graduates to teach in project-based environments. This book is focused on the UTeach program, a STEM teacher education model that is being implemented across the USA in 46 universities. Originally focused only on mathematics and science, many UTeach programs are now offering engineering and computer science licensure programs as well.This book provides a forum to disseminate how different institutions have implemented the UTeach model in their local context. Topics discussed will include sustainability features of the model, and how program assessment, innovative instructional programming, classroom research and effectiveness research have contributed to its success. The objectives of the book are:• To help educators gain insight into a teacher education organizational model focused on STEM and how and why it was developed• To present the theoretical underpinnings of a STEM education model, i.e. deep learning, conceptual understanding• To present innovative instructional programming in teacher education, i.e. projectbased instruction, functions and modeling, research methods• To present research and practice in classroom and field implementation and future research recommendations• To disseminate program assessments and improvement efforts

As the demand for online learning grows, designing and managing large classes in online and blended learning environments can be challenging for faculty. This book aims to provide practical assistance to higher education faculty who teach large online or blended classes. The authors who contributed to the book include higher education faculty, instructional designers, facilitators in providing faculty development and researchers with years of experience and understanding as well as interest in improving the effectiveness of large online classes. They share their experiences in designing and delivering active, engaging, collaborative teaching and learning by using innovative technology tools and instructional strategies.We hope that this book adds to the relevant literature by continuing conversations started before the COVID-19 pandemic but brought to the fore by it. Moving forward, it is our intent to provide readers with examples of how instructors around the world adapted to the new reality of teaching online since early 2020. Distilling what has worked and why from areas that require further analysis would benefit us all by identifying strategies, structures, support services, and policies that could augment online education, with a particular focus on large virtual classes.

As the demand for online learning grows, designing and managing large classes in online and blended learning environments can be challenging for faculty. This book aims to provide practical assistance to higher education faculty who teach large online or blended classes. The authors who contributed to the book include higher education faculty, instructional designers, facilitators in providing faculty development and researchers with years of experience and understanding as well as interest in improving the effectiveness of large online classes. They share their experiences in designing and delivering active, engaging, collaborative teaching and learning by using innovative technology tools and instructional strategies.We hope that this book adds to the relevant literature by continuing conversations started before the COVID-19 pandemic but brought to the fore by it. Moving forward, it is our intent to provide readers with examples of how instructors around the world adapted to the new reality of teaching online since early 2020. Distilling what has worked and why from areas that require further analysis would benefit us all by identifying strategies, structures, support services, and policies that could augment online education, with a particular focus on large virtual classes.

Online and blended learning requires the reconstruction of instructor and learner roles, relations, and practices in many aspects. Assessment becomes an important issue in non-traditional learning environments. Assessment literacy, i.e., understanding assessment and assessment strategies, is critical for both instructors and students in creating online and blended environments that are effective for teaching and learning. Instructors need to identify and implement assessment strategies and methods appropriate to online or blended learning. This includes an understanding of the potential of a variety of technology tools for monitoring student learning and improving their teaching effectiveness. From the students’ perspective, good assessment practices can show them what is important to learn and how they should approach learning; hence, engaging them in goal-oriented and self-regulatory cognitions and behaviors.The book targets instructors, instructional designers, and educational leaders who are interested in understanding and implementing either summative or formative assessment in online and blended learning environments. This book will assist the relevant audience in the theory and practice of assessment in online and blended learning environments. Providing both a research and practice perspective, this book can help instructors make the connection between pedagogy and technology tools to maximize their teaching and student learning. Among the questions addressed in this book are:• What assessment strategies can be used in online or blended learning?• How can instructors design effective assessment strategies?• What methods or technology tools can be used for assessment in online or blended learning?• How does peer-assessment work in online or blended learning environments?

Online and blended learning requires the reconstruction of instructor and learner roles, relations, and practices in many aspects. Assessment becomes an important issue in non-traditional learning environments. Assessment literacy, i.e., understanding assessment and assessment strategies, is critical for both instructors and students in creating online and blended environments that are effective for teaching and learning. Instructors need to identify and implement assessment strategies and methods appropriate to online or blended learning. This includes an understanding of the potential of a variety of technology tools for monitoring student learning and improving their teaching effectiveness. From the students’ perspective, good assessment practices can show them what is important to learn and how they should approach learning; hence, engaging them in goal-oriented and self-regulatory cognitions and behaviors.The book targets instructors, instructional designers, and educational leaders who are interested in understanding and implementing either summative or formative assessment in online and blended learning environments. This book will assist the relevant audience in the theory and practice of assessment in online and blended learning environments. Providing both a research and practice perspective, this book can help instructors make the connection between pedagogy and technology tools to maximize their teaching and student learning. Among the questions addressed in this book are:• What assessment strategies can be used in online or blended learning?• How can instructors design effective assessment strategies?• What methods or technology tools can be used for assessment in online or blended learning?• How does peer-assessment work in online or blended learning environments?