How Does NCQuest Work?
The NC Quest Math and Science Professional Development Network
takes an innovative approach to supporting teachers and mentor
teachers through applied workshops, online collaboration and academic
coursework. Together, these components seek to create a cohort-based
community of learning that meets the professional development
needs of the participants, and follows national and state guidelines
for professional development for teachers.
Upon acceptance into NC Quest, participants meet with UNCW Watson
School of Education faculty to complete:
- A Plan of Study
- Necessary applications for admittance to UNCW
- Enrollment in courses as defined in Plan of Study (as needed)
Participants in the program are engaged in coursework at UNCW
as part of this professional development program:
NC Quest Course (EDN 495/595)
All NC Quest participants are required to complete this course
consisting of 45 hours of instruction delivered through face-to-face
workshops, online activities and collaborative group study. The
course begins with the 3-day NC Quest Winter Institute at UNCW.
After the Winter Institute, the NC Quest course continues through
online learning, group-based study and other activities to be
defined during the course. Participants in all three areas (math,
science, mentoring) will become competent in the use of technology
models and constructivist approaches to teaching and learning.
Mathematics Teachers
Middle grades mathematics teachers will be provided university
coursework and continuing professional development to ensure they
are skilled in fostering reasoning, concept development, and problem
solving across the four curriculum strands of numeration, geometry
and measurement, algebra, probability and data analysis. These
areas have been identified as crucial by the National Council
of Teachers of Mathematics and have direct correlation to the
success of students in mastering the curriculum of middle school
and beyond.
Specific UNCW courses will be defined in each participant’s
Plan of Study (as needed).
Science Teachers
Middle school science teachers will also be provided professional
development that is guided by professional standards. The National
Research Council in developing the National Education Standards
(NRC, 1996) has established priorities for professional development
of teachers of science which include understanding specific concepts
and developing abilities and application of inquiry as instructional
strategies that enable students to learn subject matter disciplines
in the context of inquiry. The focus will be on integrating all
aspects of science content while studying fundamental science
concepts versus many topics. The emphasis has shifted from memorization
of vocabulary, providing answers to questions about science content
to those of investigation, involving students in analyzing and
synthesizing data with conclusions defended.
Specific UNCW courses will be defined in each participant’s
Plan of Study (as needed).
Teacher Mentors (Not available this semester)
NC Quest seeks to increase the number and effectiveness of middle
school teacher mentors by providing them the knowledge and skills
necessary to support the retention of new teachers. New mentor
teachers will be provided two graduate level courses in Learning-Centered
Supervision. Existing mentors will also be provided support and
continued professional development through advanced training.
All of these professional development activities will focus on
working successfully with adult colleagues, communication strategies
for collaborative learning, content-specific mentoring, and improvement
of formative and summative assessment through mentoring.
Other specific UNCW courses, for each participant, will be:
EDN 567: Learning-Centered Supervision and
EDN 578: Practicum; Learning-Centered Supervision (unless completed
previously).
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