Jamaica Teachers’ Association International Best Practices in Education Conference 2014

1. Jamaica Teachers’ AssociationInternational Best Practices in Education Conference 2014 Hilton Rose Hall, Montego Bay Wednesday April 23,2014 DR Knola Oliphant, PhD. Best practices in Teacher Education Dr.Knola Oliphant

2. Topic Integrating Microsoft Word Advanced Formatting Features with APA to Prepare Academic Papers at the Tertiary Level Dr. Knola Oliphant

3. Definition of Terms APA: APA is the publication manual by the American Psychological Association that provides style rules, guidelines, and new standards in publishing ,and new practices in information dissemination. (APA,2000). Dr. Knola Oliphant

4. Microsoft Word Microsoft Word: Microsoft Word is a full-featured word processing programme for Windows that contains desktop publishing capabilities. Word files are used as the format for sending text documents. (PC Enclopedia 2000). Dr. Knola Oliphant

5. APA style APA style: APA style is a documentary style for research papers and all aspects of scholarly writings.(ERIC 2012) Dr. Knola Oliphant

6. Background to the Study 1. The year three student teachers under study were introduced to APA style during their second year. 2. The duration of the period of training for student teachers is four years. 3. Information technology is currently not a compulsory subject in most high schools. Dr. Knola Oliphant

7. Background to the Study 4.There is the generational differences in the tertiary classrooms. 5. Lecturers assume that student teachers entering tertiary institutions have experience with computer technology. 6. Student teachers experience challenges mastering routine exercises involving APA style. Dr. Knola Oliphant

8. Statement of the Problem 1. Curricula of Teachers Colleges of Jamaica lacks explicit teaching of APA style. 2. Student teachers experience problem determining how to translate APA style into the commands necessary to format word processing documents. 3. Student teachers are not able to ‘make” the computer format pages in APA style. Dr. Knola Oliphant

9. Triangulation Matrix Research Questions 1.To what extent do Data Source 1 Data source 2 Data source 3 the Teachers’ Colleges of Jamaica curricula include Documents Interviews with explicit teaching of APA? IT teachers 2. How do student teachers perceive and understand Focus group Journaling Open the reasons for poor citation Interview Questionnaire style and inattention to accuracy ? 3. What would a curriculum Lecture programme for student Demonstration Question and teachers that include Answer Worksheets Microsoft Word Advanced Session formatting features look like? Dr. Knola Oliphant

10. Review of Literature:Theoretical 1. Constructivism (Brookfield, 1995) 2. Symbolic Interaction (Blumer,1969), Denzin (1987),and Prus (1969). 3. American Pragmatism (Brookfield (1997) Dr.Knola Oliphant

11. Review of Literature: Empirical Criteria for selecting participants 1. Participation in year group sessions on APA conducted during year 1 and year 2. 2. Presently pursuing the course Introduction to Educational Research Methods, in year3 semester1. 3. Differences in specialization and gender. Dr. Knola Oliphant

12. Review of Literature: Empirical 1. Chism and Shrinika (2012):Task performance analysis 2. Gelfand and Walker (1990) :Workbooks and guides to simplify the Publication Manual. 3.Smith (1992):Guide to use with Microsoft Word. 4. Niles and Associates (1988): Computer programme EndNote to create computer formatted references in word perfect. Dr. Knola Oliphant

13. Methodology Research Tradition: Qualitative Research Type: Qualitative Interpretive Research Sampling: Purposeful

14. Methodology Sample 5 students teachers A. Enrolled at a teacher training institution. B. All are in their third year of training. C. Currently pursing The Introduction to Educational Research Methods course. Study site: A teacher training institution in Central Jamaica Dr. Knola Oliphant

15. Analysis of Data Procedure 1. Read and reread the interview transcripts and notes. 2. Identified patterns in the data 3. Use participants words to develop themes Dr. Knola Oliphant

16. Analysis of Data 4. Choose themes that answered research questions 5. Examined themes for relationships and patterns 6. Reviewed database to organize information in study Dr. Knola Oliphant

17. Findings Research Question 1 1. The Teachers Colleges of Jamaica curricula reflected a lack in the explicit teaching of APA in all its courses. 2. There is no Student Handbook stipulating guidelines and mechanics of APA format for writing academic papers. Dr. Knola Oliphant

18. Findings: Research question 2 1. Student teachers perceptions of APA –advanced formatting features revealed 1. personal views 2. critical questioning 2. Their understanding of the mechanics of APA format was provided through opportunities to practice page formatting mechanics Dr. Knola Oliphant

19. Findings: Research Question 3 Model for Learning APA Advanced Formatting Features 1. Curriculum Guide 2. Handbook 3. Student Workbook and Training Guide 4. Training Model 5. Video reviews of training episodes 6 Performance results Dr. Knola Oliphant

20. Recommendations 1. Teachers Colleges of Jamaica training institutions should make explicit in their curricula a one (1) Credit course to undertaken by all year 1 students during Orientation week. Dr. Knola Oliphant

21. Recommendations 2. College administrators as instructional leaders should facilitate the process by planning staff development workshops and seminars on APA standards. Dr. Knola Oliphant

22. Recommendations for Further Research 1. Colleges should do Content Analysis of student teachers reflective journals about their APA style experiences. 2. Another study could examine the learning patterns of students as they use worksheets. Dr. Knola Oliphant

23. Research Presentation Jamaica Teachers’ Association International Education Conference 2014 Hilton Rose Hall, Montego Bay,St. James Wednesday April 23,2014 Dr. Knola Oliphant, PhD. Presenter Dr. Knola Oliphant