The Abacus: Teachers' Preparation and Beliefs about Their Abacus Preservice Preparation

Autor/inn/en	Rosenblum, L. Penny; Hong, Sunggye; Amato, Sheila
Titel	The Abacus: Teachers' Preparation and Beliefs about Their Abacus Preservice Preparation
Quelle	In: Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 107 (2013) 4, S.274-285 (12 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0145-482X
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Manipulative Materials; Teacher Education; Blindness; Partial Vision; Teaching Methods; Measures (Individuals); Teacher Surveys; Demography; Mathematics Skills; Teacher Attitudes; Mathematics Teachers; Canada; United States + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Hilfsmittel; Lehrerausbildung; Lehrerbildung; Blindheit; Sehbehinderung; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Messdaten; Demografie; Mathmatics achievement; Mathematics ability; Mathematische Kompetenz; Lehrerverhalten; Mathematics; Teacher; Teachers; Mathematik; Lehrer; Lehrerin; Lehrende; Kanada; USA
Abstract	Introduction: This article reports on a study of 196 teachers who shared their experiences and opinions related to how they were taught to use the Cranmer abacus. Methods: In February and March 2012, the participants completed an online survey to gather information about their preparation in using and beliefs about computation with the Cranmer abacus. Results: The participants resided in both the United States and Canada and had various years of experience. The majority ("n" = 112) reported learning computation with an abacus in their personnel preparation programs. The participants rated their level of agreement with belief statements. Statements with the highest level of agreement included one that indicated that when sighted individuals use pencil and paper for computation, an individual with a visual impairment should be allowed to use an abacus, and another that an abacus is an accessible and inexpensive tool. Discussion: The self-report data from 196 participants indicated that computation with an abacus is taught in university programs, although there is variability in what computational skills are taught and what methods are used. There was a higher level of agreement with statements that implied the positive attributes of using an abacus for computation than with those that implied negative attributes (for example, the abacus is obsolete). Implications for practitioners: University preparation programs are continuing to teach some level of abacus computation skills to their students. It is not clear if the level of instruction is adequate. Further studies are warranted that examine what pre- and in-service teachers of students with visual impairments are learning and how they are learning in their university preparation programs and through other methods. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Foundation for the Blind. 11 Penn Plaza Suite 300, New York, NY 10001. Tel: 800-232-5463; Tel: 212-502-7600; e-mail: afbinfo@afb.net; Web site: http://www.afb.org/store
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10