UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #835

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: ANA H. MARTY
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: she/her
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): amarty@fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): N/A
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/14801/PTRP%20in%20action.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): Kate Schell
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: Ms.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): k.schell@fsu.edu
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Improving training of beginning teachers in Rwanda 
Project Keywords: international education, pedagogy, teaching, literacy, primary schools
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all majors

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: {Empty}
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 5-7 
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
In the 2023-24 academic year, FSU faculty was part of a Consortium established by the Ministry of Education in Rwanda (MINEDUC) to design and pilot the Primary Teaching Residency Program (PTRP). The PTRP's purpose was to strengthen the pedagogical knowledge and skills of beginning teachers, provide extended teaching practice, and improve their English and ICT skills. One hundred beginning teachers participated in the PTRP. The purpose of the Improving Training of Beginning Teachers in Rwanda project is to deepen the understanding of the impact of the PTRP on beginning teachers education to better inform the future design of teaching residency programs in Rwanda and other low- and middle-income countries. Some of the research questions to answer are: (1) How do the aspects of the residency program contribute to the pedagogical knowledge of beginning teachers?, (2) How do beginning teachers integrate various pedagogical strategies into the planning and teaching practice?, (3) What pedagogical strategies do beginning teachers use in their classrooms?, (4) How do beginning teachers perceive the value of the residency program in their early experience as classroom teachers? To answer these questions, we will analyze qualitative data collected with Focus Group Discussions, Interviews, Journals, and other methods. Also, we will conduct follow-up interviews and administer follow-up electronic questionnaires to collect additional data.     

Research Tasks:
Some of the tasks that the research assistants will engage in are: data cleaning and preparation, identification of research articles, assisting with literature review, and data collection (i.e., online questionnaires and remote interviews).

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
The research assistants should have the following required skills: organization, attention to detail, adaptability, cross-cultural awareness and/or experience, and basic knowledge of Microsoft Office. Also, it is recommended that the research assistanats have some exposure to education, besides their own experience as undergraduate students.  

Mentoring Philosophy:
In our role as mentors of students in the UROP program, we seek to contribute to developing future researchers, particularly researchers with a better understanding of international education. For this, we will aim to get to know the student, understand their goals, and purposely plan for the attainment of those goals. We will also allow the students to get to know us. This two-way relationship will represent the stage for a successful experience as we conduct research together. We understand that the students may not have vast research experience. Hence, we will demonstrate the tasks, conduct the tasks together, and then allow the students to work independently. This gradual release of responsibility will reduce frustrations resulting from now knowing the task at hand. However, problems and challenges arise, even after the demonstrations and joint work. In this case, we will do our best to listen and identify mechanisms to resolve and move forward. Asking questions will always be welcome. Ultimately, we will prioritize the success of the students, no matter their personal strengths and weaknesses, or career goals.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://lsi.fsu.edu/primary-teaching-residency-program
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
(1) Tuesday, September 3, 2024, from 1:00 - 1:30 PM. https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98751380821
(2) Friday, September 6, 2024, from 3:00 - 3:30 PM. https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99689616423 

Roundtable Info:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2024
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