Writing and iPads in the Early Years

The aims of this small scale study on writing and iPads in the early years were: To ascertain the views of teachers who are using iPads in the classroom for writing, on how the iPad changes children’s engagement in and enjoyment of the writing process. To investigate teachers’ views on the benefits and challenges of …
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Teacher Education Tutors’ Practice in ICT

The overall aim of this project is to investigate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) tutors’ perceptions of purpose and practice in the use of ICT. Two key research questions will be the focus of this study: • What are the models of practice utilised in the ITE provision? • What challenges are faced by ITE tutors …
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Pre-service Teachers’ Understanding of Information and Digital Literacy

This study focused on students undertaking teacher training courses and aimed to examine preservice teachers’ knowledge and awareness of IL and the presence of these skills on their initial teacher education (ITE) courses. The views of the teacher educators were also explored. Data was collected using two online surveys which were distributed to students and …
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Pupil Interest and Enjoyment of Mathematics

The results of international large-scale assessments have revealed the emergence of gender disparities in attitudes to mathematics, with girls generally demonstrating lower levels of interest in and enjoyment of mathematics than boys. Given that attitudes to mathematics are key determinants of future STEM participation, collaborative cognitive-activation teaching strategies, which harmonise with the core tenets of …
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Pupil Interest and Enjoyment of Mathematics

The results of international large-scale assessments have revealed the emergence of gender disparities in attitudes to mathematics, with girls generally demonstrating lower levels of interest in and enjoyment of mathematics than boys. Given that attitudes to mathematics are key determinants of future STEM participation, collaborative cognitive-activation teaching strategies, which harmonise with the core tenets of …
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Early Number Concepts

The aim of this research project was to develop a resource of key vocabulary and terminology for teachers in supporting their planning and teaching in early number. It will also provide teachers with a variety of teaching and learning strategies to complement the development of the key vocabulary. The project relates to the development of …
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Video in Stem Teacher Assessment

Project aims to explore the affordances provided by the use of video and in particular, re-evaluate the value of micro-teaching as a valuable form of pedagogy within initial teacher education. VISTA Narrative Report  


The Programming Studio (TPS)

Project Aims The Programming Studio, a virtual learning environment hosted by QUB will offer a pilot group of post-primary school ICT teachers an opportunity to experience programming as a ‘digital literacy’ by mastering the programming language(s) identified above through games-based learning.  The wider skill of ‘computational thinking’ at the heart of computer programming will be …
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An evaluation of the implementation of realistic mathematics education (RME)

An evaluation of the implementation of realistic mathematics education (RME) within primary schools in the north and south of Ireland Since 1971, the Freudenthal Institute (FI) in the Netherlands has developed a theoretical approach towards the teaching and learning of mathematics known as Realistic Mathematics Education (RME). In practice, the Dutch reform of mathematics education …
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A Cross-border comparison of Student Teachers’ Identities relating to Mathematics

The Project Aim is to ascertain and compare the mathematical identities of primary school student teachers. Project Objectives: To briefly compare the mathematics curricula (4-17) north and south and provide a comparison of mathematics in initial teacher education To determine the mathematical identity of selected student teachers using a range of tools including the use …
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