Dear teachers of science and/or mathematics,
I am a Canadian teacher and current doctoral student at the University of Oxford, and I am conducting research on the self-efficacy of high school science and mathematics teachers in western Canada. As this difficult school year comes to a close, I am writing to ask if you would be willing to take a few minutes to reflect on your teaching by filling out the survey for my study, available here:
https://oxford.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/cnd-teaching-survey
As a teacher myself, I have designed the study to center teachers’ voices about their own experiences and self-efficacy in the classroom. Teachers in the pilot study that helped design the survey found it to be a valuable way to reflect on their teaching practice amidst all the difficulties of this year. With the knowledge gained through this study, I will provide new insights about teaching across different math and science specialities in Canada, including both the benefits and challenges that teaching in different areas can pose.
A few things you might like to know about the study:
- it is an anonymous online survey
- takes about 15 minutes to complete
- does not require any personal or sensitive data
- participation is voluntary and optional
- has been granted ethical approval by the University of Oxford
- open to anyone teaching one or more science or mathematics course (including biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, etc.) this school year (2020/21) at the grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 level in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba
If you have any questions about the study, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Feel free to share this information with other math and science teachers at your school, or more widely within the western provinces. I truly appreciate your time and your support of this research, and I hope you are staying well!
Best wishes,
Kyla
Kyla Smith
PhD Student and Doctoral Teaching Fellow
Department of Education, University of Oxford