MAT Colloquium for Classroom Inquiry highlights student teaching experiences with distance learning

In 2015, instructors in UCI’S Master of Arts in Teaching + Credential program (MAT) decided that action research should be part of the program’s teacher training curriculum.

Over three quarters, candidates identify a teaching dilemma, design and implement an intervention, and observe the results during their student teaching experience. Candidates present their research findings during a culminating colloquium upon completion of the program.

​This year, K-12 school closures in March provided an opportunity for candidates to research both their own reactions and student responses to changes in the instruction process.

Screen shot from Single Subject Zoom presentation "Agency"

The UCI Master of Arts in Teaching + Credential held the program’s 2020 culminating activity, Colloquium for Classroom Inquiry, on July 27, via Zoom.

Organized by teams of MAT candidates, the Multiple Subject and Single Subject zoom presentations featured candidates’ experiences with distance learning, issues of equity, and newly acquired knowledge they will take with them in their teaching career.

​“During these presentations, it became clear to me that our student teacher candidates realized that they were living through an unprecedented experience with their students and mentor teachers, and that they had decided to embrace the opportunity to explore unique inquiries related to remote teaching and learning,” said Virginia Panish, director of teacher education (right). “I was particularly impressed by how many MAT candidates understood the importance of considering the impact of trauma and other social and emotional factors that were potentially impacting their students’ learning and well-being during this time of national upheaval.”

Multiple Subject Presentations

Over the course of two sessions, MAT Multiple Subject candidates addressed the theme “Understanding Teacher Agency,” which was the last strand in their program of instruction. Presenters discussed the impact distance learning had on their student teaching, the learning experiences of their students, and how they had adjusted to unexpected conditions. Candidates also shared advice with members of the incoming class for successfully progressing through the program and maximizing their student teaching experience.
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“The colloquium provided our graduating MAT candidates an opportunity to share what they learned while participating in emergency distance learning and teaching as a student teacher,” said Susan Toma-Berge, multiple subject coordinator (right). “The MAT Class of 2020 showed great resilience and flexibility throughout this experience, and it was gratifying to hear their stories.” 

Single Subject Presentations

​Two Single Subject sessions focused on four topics: agency, knowing your students, rigor, and trauma.

The first session centered on secondary instruction in the areas of English Language Arts and Social Sciences. Topics included Developing Student Action and Autonomy in the Era of Remote Learning; Pedagogical Accommodations to Enhance Student Voice; Building Relationships and Knowing Your Students; Rigorous Instruction is the Building Blocks Toward Deep Learning; and Recognizing and Healing School-Inflicted Racial Trauma.

​The second session focused on Math, Sciences, World Language, and Art subject areas. Topics included Student Agency, Identity, and Ownership; Fostering Student-Teacher Relationships in Distance Learning; Rigor Through a Classroom-Focused Lens; and Utilizing Multiple Lenses to Understand and Address Trauma in the Secondary Classroom.

​"The MAT Class of 2020 demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and grit during an unprecedented year in education,” said Acacia Warren, single subject coordinator (right). “The panel topics offered an eclectic range of knowledge and expertise within each discipline. We are proud of the efforts made by each candidate to focus and finish their teacher preparation journey with informative and thought-provoking research presentations."  ​

​About the School of Education’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
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​The MAT program enables students to receive their master's in teaching degree and a single or multiple subject teacher credential in 14 months. Candidates experience a yearlong school site apprenticeship where they can apply the content-specific teaching practices and theories studied in their coursework.