Rural science teachers and national conventions: A missing opportunity for professional development and educational enhancement?
- North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, ND (United States)
Rural educators experience unique difficulties in attending national conventions. A program developed at North Dakota State University (NDSU) encourages rural participation. Program goals, participation levels and benefits are examined. On the basis of program evaluations and 1994 program participation levels, the NDSU program appears to stimulate the personal and professional development of elementary and secondary science teachers. Participants were asked to respond to a Likert scale survey instrument with a maximum positive value of 5.0. Survey respondents indicated that elementary and secondary students would benefit (5.0) and that their professional skills had improved (4.7). Respondents also indicated that the 1993 NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) Convention was a positive experience (5.0). Survey respondents also indicated that this program served a group of educators who were not attending national conventions. Demographic data analysis revealed that nineteen of twenty-five persons responding claimed to have never attended a national convention before. The data analysis also revealed that nineteen of nineteen respondents indicated that the NDSU program enabled them to attend the 1993 NSTA National Convention.
- Research Organization:
- Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 111146
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9404192--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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