Digital Commons Network^™

Professional Development: The Key To Better Instruction And Achievement Of English Learners, Christina Kline

Graduate Research Symposium

My research examines the negative impact of the lack of high-quality professional development on ELs. Previous studies have examined how PD can be effective in positively changing teachers’ methods. My proposal is to delve deeper by attempting to simulate a school-wide implementation of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model.

"Gotta Catch 'Em All": Selecting Instructional Approaches And Programs To Meet The Specific Reading Needs Of Struggling Middle Schoolers, Margaret H. Street Mrs.

Graduate Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Teaching Literacy To Individuals With Dyslexia: What Research Tells Us, Sarah Parker

Graduate Research Symposium

As educators, it is essential to identify and understand the underlying roots of learning challenges to integrate appropriate intervention practices for all students (Goswami, 2008; Hudson, High, & Al Otaiba, 2007). As educators, it is essential to recognize the early warning signs of learning challenges to provide students with the support they need to overcome the learning obstacles (Berninger, Lee, Abbott, & Breznitz, 2013; Gray, 2008; Hudson, High, & Al Otaiba, 2007). As educators, it is essential to use the right tools and assessments to know students are learning (Hudson, et al., 2007). Many diverse learning challenges with literacy have …

To Retain Or Not To Retain? Important Characteristics To Consider Before Making The Decision, Laura Efford

Graduate Research Symposium

Is retention really beneficial? Countless research studies have concluded that retention is not effective and should not be advised. Other research points to benefits for certain subsets of students. Under which circumstances can retention be suggested to lower elementary teachers as a reasonably good idea?

Educators looking to make responsible decisions regarding retention in grades K-3 should consider the circumstances presented here. Alternatives to retention are also proposed.

“Who Has Time For That?”: Effectively Integrating Disciplinary Literacy Practices, Kathryn S. Johnson 3056988

Graduate Research Symposium

Before they leave our classrooms, we want to ensure that all students can think critically, analyze complex information, work collaboratively, and seamlessly apply prior knowledge to new situations. All of these essential skills can be achieved by incorporating more literacy practices into content area classes (Aslan, 2016). Unfortunately, in many cases, effective literacy practices are either not being implemented or lack authentic integration with the content (Ness, 2016). With jam-packed curriculum, constant testing, overflowing classrooms, and lack of specialized training, content area teachers sometimes think that they do not have enough time for reading instruction. They can also feel “discredited” …

How To Overcome Challenging Learning Conditions: Lessons Learned From South Africa, Amanda Swafford 2394540

Graduate Research Symposium

In a world where one tenth of the population around you does not have a formal education (Statistics South Africa, 2006b) and the average yearly income for your family will be under $1,000 would literacy education be a part of your future? These are not the only hurdles that lie ahead of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Teachers have class sizes anywhere from 26-67 students (UNESCO 2011), children walk across desks due to overcrowding in classrooms, and 10% of the population will use a bucket for a toilet.These schools are referred to as “historically disadvantaged” (Prinsloo & Janks, 2002). How can …

The Effects Of Growth Mindset On Academic Achievement, Karen R. Mason

Graduate Research Symposium

The Effect of Growth Mindset on Academic Achievement

Author: Karen Mason

Our American education system has relied on high stakes testing since the induction of the federal program in 2001 of “No Child Left Behind” whose purpose was to ensure that 100% of all students in public schools met certain educational standards. The purpose of this quantitative study will be to research how growth mindset principles will affect students in an elementary school setting. Will students with a growth mindset learn enough effort strategies to increase their achievement? What characteristics will those who do not pass the testing method demonstrate? …

The Effect Of Regular Exercise On A Word Retrieval Memory Test In Habitual & Non-Habitual Exercisers, Jessica Davis-Lee, Meggan Williams, Tyler Harris

Graduate Research Symposium

The purpose of this study was to determine if exercise influences short term working memory in male college students aged 18-25 who are habitual exercisers (exercise 3 or more times per week) moreso than non-exercisers (do not exercise at all). Experimenters administered the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT).

The Relationship Among Speaking Fundamental Frequency, Vocal Part, & Vocal Range, Allison Nutting, Jessica Lanehart, Sally Wilson, Corrie Honaker

Graduate Research Symposium

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship among speaking fundamental frequency (SFF), vocal range, and vocal part. Researchers wanted to see if participants’ voice parts related to their SFF. Researchers measured SFF and highest/lowest singing pitch of Longwood music students using an analysis application.

Does A Mindfulness Activity Have An Immediate Effect On Working Memory Skills In Longwood University Students?, Kristen L. D. Taylor

Graduate Research Symposium

Mindfulness interventions have been proven effective in producing beneficial effects in psychological functioning including: memory, cognitive and executive functioning skills, and relaxing the human body. If a short-term effect is seen, then training college students to practice mindfulness may have a positive effect on short-term recall and enhance study skills.

Rate Of Consumption And Number Of Bites Versus Dining Environment, Kathleen M. Mullin, Alyssa M. Hudson, Marguerite R. Smith

Graduate Research Symposium

The purpose of the research study is to determine whether dining experience (solitary versus social) impacts an individual's rate of ingestion, number of bites taken, and chews per bite when consuming solid food. Fifteen female undergraduate and graduate participants were observed in two trials; solitary and social dining experiences. Researchers observed the total amount of time it took to consume a cheeseburger and recorded the start/end time, the total number of bites taken, and the number of chews per bite. The experimental design for this research study is quasi-experimental. Results of this experiment will allow for a better understanding of …

Effect Of Elementary School Library Checkout Policies On Student Access To Books, Megan A. Walker

Graduate Research Symposium

Many libraries institute policies barring students from checkout for weeks as a consequence for overdue books. This study proposes to investigate the checkout policies in suburban Title I elementary schools and track students who habitually have overdue books to identify how those policies impact their access to books.

African American Male Adolescent Aliteracy, Deirdre F. Bates

Graduate Research Symposium

The Nation’s Report Card is clear. We are failing our African American Adolescent learners. This study addresses the research questions: “How can I encourage the use of raw writing to promote the creation of literate identity in African American Adolescent secondary students?” and “How will authentic writing affect my students’ identities as literate citizens?”

Ipads And Language Arts Instruction In Early Education: Is It A Good Thing?, Burch Hazelgrove Pope

Graduate Research Symposium

Technology is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s world. It can be seen everywhere in the real world, so should it be used as a teaching tool with our young learners? When iPads are incorporated into language arts blocks in early education classrooms, students are more engaged in their learning and more motivated to succeed (Beam & Williams, 2015). Students are able to collaborate, interact and become more social in their learning with iPads (Beschorner & Hutchison, 2013). In order to make the most out of the technology as a valuable learning tool, teachers must model, scaffold, and help …

Upward And Onward: The Effects Of Early Literacy Access And Instruction Via Public Health Departments, Jennifer S. Elliott

Graduate Research Symposium

Ensuring that American children develop into successful adults is a daunting goal, one more daunting for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Low SES children must have access to and interaction with print. An emergent literacy program, via health departments, will assist children in starting school with emergent literacy skills, preparing them to be literate and successful.