Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 31 - 60 of 61
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
How Mindsets Matter: Second Grade, English Language Learners’ Reportings Of Their Experiences With A Growth Mindset Curriculum In Colombia, Amanda Brooks
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This qualitative, classroom action research was conducted in a private bilingual school in Colombia with seventeen participants. The research questions were: 1) How do second-grade Colombian English language learners report changes to their Growth Mindset qualities following a six-week Growth Mindset intervention? and 2) How do second-grade Colombian English language learners perceive their language learning ability following a self-evaluation of Growth Mindset qualities? The research fills a gap in existing literature on three similar topics: Growth Mindset and academic achievement for adolescents and adults, conditional self-worth for children six and younger, and attribution theory and language learning for adolescents. One …
Motivation For Learning English At A Theological Seminary In Ukraine, Joshua Tokar
Motivation For Learning English At A Theological Seminary In Ukraine, Joshua Tokar
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study was designed to determine what factors motivate students to learn English at an evangelical seminary in Ukraine. After the fall of communism, English was mainly taught at newly formed evangelical seminaries in Ukraine to enable students to access theological resources in English that were not available in Russian or Ukrainian. A mixed-method approach involving a written attitudinal questionnaire and follow-up focus group interviews was employed to collect data. Participants in this study were second- year music ministry and first- to third-year theology students enrolled in English courses.The results of this study revealed that twenty-five years later seminary students …
Impact Of Mindset Interventions During Morning Meeting On Student Motivation And Classroom Community, Megan Schoaf
Impact Of Mindset Interventions During Morning Meeting On Student Motivation And Classroom Community, Megan Schoaf
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The(research(question(addressed(is what impact do mindset interventions during Morning Meeting have on students’ motivation and building community in a kindergarten classroom? It studies the work of Carol Dweck and other researchers who have theorized that the human mindset can play a pivotal role in motivation to learn and persevere past challenges. It also examines the effects of teaching about the brain and how the brain can grow and change with effort and persistence. The author used a qualitative method of study using interviews, anecdotal notes, and classroom observations to obtain perspective of preliminary mindsets and mindsets at the end of the …
How Does Goal Setting Impact Intrinsic Motivation And Does It Help Lead To Enhanced Learning At The Kindergarten Level?, Melissa A. Beal
How Does Goal Setting Impact Intrinsic Motivation And Does It Help Lead To Enhanced Learning At The Kindergarten Level?, Melissa A. Beal
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how does goal setting impact intrinsic motivation and does it help lead to enhanced learning at the kindergarten level? It documents one teacher’s creation of letter identification pre and post-tests along with check points in between the pre and post-tests. She utilized student graphing charts to document student progress. It integrates Frank’s seven-step process on how to set a goal for yourself. It also discusses Locke’s theories for goal setting and Deci & Ryan’s SelfDetermination Theory. The author documents results collected based on the different tests to help validate the study. She …
Motivations Of Low-Income Students To Enroll In Selective Colleges, Kimberly Denise Hildahl
Motivations Of Low-Income Students To Enroll In Selective Colleges, Kimberly Denise Hildahl
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was: What motivates low-income students to attend selective colleges? A mixed-method approach of online surveys and formal interviews were employed to better understand low-income students’ thoughts, motivations and experiences while applying to college and selecting a post-secondary institution. The author presents the related research literature on the challenges facing low-income students in post-secondary matriculation, explains the benefits low-income students can reap by attending selective institutions, and interprets survey and interview data to determine where and why low-income students apply to college. Findings suggest that low-income students need better access to financial aid literacy …
An Analysis Of Critical Thinking And Motivation In A Korean University Efl Classroom, Andrew Steven Parker
An Analysis Of Critical Thinking And Motivation In A Korean University Efl Classroom, Andrew Steven Parker
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study was designed to determine what kinds of motivation students at a Korean university had for learning English, how the students would respond to intervention lessons with strong critical thinking components, and to what extent, if any, did those students feel that critical thinking would be advantageous to the study of English. It utilized a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data was collected in the form of Likert questionnaire items and analyzed in terms of Dörnyei’s L2 Motivational Self System. Qualitative data was collected using open-ended questionnaire items. The findings were that the students’ strongest source of motivation was their Ideal …
How Can Science And Literacy Be Integrated In A Fifth Grade Cirriculum [Sic]?, Kathryn J. Hellen
How Can Science And Literacy Be Integrated In A Fifth Grade Cirriculum [Sic]?, Kathryn J. Hellen
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was, How can science and literacy be integrated in a fifth grade curriculum? This capstone describes current research in science education, reading motivation and engagement, and the science and literacy connection. The goal of this capstone was to create a unit that would captivate students’ interests in science and use that interest as a catalyst to grow their literacy skills. This unit is designed to be used in a 5th grade Spanish immersion classroom centered on the themes of life science and non-fiction reading. The accompanying curriculum utilizes the Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction (CORI) …
How Can Teachers Motivate Struggling Middle School Readers In An Intervention Classroom?, Heather Young
How Can Teachers Motivate Struggling Middle School Readers In An Intervention Classroom?, Heather Young
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this curriculum was: how can teachers motivate struggling middle school readers in an intervention classroom? The author focused her research in the areas of struggling readers, middle school intervention classrooms, and motivation. The research was expanded to include influences on motivation, authentic instruction, and the role of relationships. The goal was to create a curriculum that could be easily implemented and adapted to fit the needs of teachers. A curriculum was created surrounding three main subjects: student choice, building relationships and sustained student reading.
Increasing Joy And Motivation Through Experiential Art Curriculum, Rachel Mejdrich Edstrom
Increasing Joy And Motivation Through Experiential Art Curriculum, Rachel Mejdrich Edstrom
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This Capstone is a collection of visual art lessons for elementary students aged kindergarten through 5th grade. These lessons explore the question, In what ways can experiential learning methods increase joy and motivation in art education? This curriculum provides students the opportunity to explore the human experience through art with joy. By utilizing experiential techniques, these lessons focus on increasing motivation and joy in students. The curriculum is supported by research which draws on theories in art education, motivation, and experiential learning, along with brainbased research on the correlation between happiness and success. Additional ideas explored include the connections between …
The Effects Of Individualized Teacher Meetings On Struggling High School Students, Travis Woulfe Macleod
The Effects Of Individualized Teacher Meetings On Struggling High School Students, Travis Woulfe Macleod
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how does having regularly scheduled one on one meetings between an academically struggling student and one of their teachers effect their success in school? It used a mixed-methods approach to gather data that included interviews, surveys, and academic data collected from students, their teachers, and their parents. The author documents the details of the meetings with the five selected students and uses related research literature to add meaning to and to validate the study. He describes both the successes and weaknesses of the meetings and the study. Conclusions include that these meetings …
Effects Of Incorporating Multiculturalism In A High School Civics Classroom For Increased Student Interest And Engagement, Alison Beatt Ellertson
Effects Of Incorporating Multiculturalism In A High School Civics Classroom For Increased Student Interest And Engagement, Alison Beatt Ellertson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this study is, what are the effects of incorporating multiculturalism in a high school civics classroom for increased student interest and engagement? This action research study was conducted in a ninth grade civics classroom over the course of three weeks and in three separate class periods. There were 85 students included in the research. Students were observed, interviewed and participated in a survey. The research compared a unit that had limited multicultural elements to a unit that fit a multicultural framework and curriculum. Findings suggest that relevancy is key to keeping students interest and introducing …
The Impact Of Environmental Education On Environmental Literacy And Motivation In Urban Communities, Amber Huston
The Impact Of Environmental Education On Environmental Literacy And Motivation In Urban Communities, Amber Huston
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed is does environmental education increase environmental literacy and motivation in urban communities in the United States? The motivating factor for this capstone was from evidence that environmental education can not only improve motivation and literacy, but also help improve academic achievement. This capstone details both historical and current data to support full integration of structured environmental education programs into urban academics. The author documents the results of a survey based on observations made by various academic instructors of both their personal experiences, as well as their view of their students’ experiences, both inside and outside the …
The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Reading Test Score Improvement In Elementary English Learners, Daniel Patrick Sefkow
The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Reading Test Score Improvement In Elementary English Learners, Daniel Patrick Sefkow
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Despite funding from multiple sources, many upper elementary English Learners (ELs) in Minnesota struggle to reach grade level reading proficiency. This study examined the relationship between academic reading self-efficacy and improvement on two reading standardized tests taken annually at the school. Participants were 21 fourth and fifth grade intermediate or advanced ELs in a Midwestern town. Participants’ responses to a sixquestion Likert-style self-efficacy and reading survey were compared to two years’ worth of WIDA ACCESS and NWEA MAP reading data. Results indicated that students with lower reading proficiency had a greater standard deviation between their reading test score improvement and …
How Does Learning About Affixes (Prefixes And Suffixes) Help English Language Learners (Ells) Understand The Meaning And Use Of Affixes?, Melissa Jean Cook
How Does Learning About Affixes (Prefixes And Suffixes) Help English Language Learners (Ells) Understand The Meaning And Use Of Affixes?, Melissa Jean Cook
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this paper is: How does learning about affixes (prefixes and suffixes) through games and songs help English Language Learners (ELLs) understand the meaning and function of affixes? It documents one teacher’s teaching of common prefixes and suffixes to 3rd grade ELLs with the use of games and songs in the classroom to increase student learning and engagement. The data includes pretests, posttests and a survey. The findings of this study include, 1) some students were secure before the lessons in their knowledge of prefixes re- and mis- and suffix -er ; 2) the data was …
Factors Influencing The Persistence Of Ged Students, David Foster Wilson
Factors Influencing The Persistence Of Ged Students, David Foster Wilson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this study was, What factors influence the persistence of GED students? The motivation for this project was the author’s involvement as a teacher in an Adult Education Program. Eighteen students were briefly surveyed and 3 students were interviewed at length to find out more about positive and negative factors that influenced their academic path. The results, particularly from the interviews, provided the key findings that students benefit from a strong team of support, a positive, determined attitude and mindset, and the motivation of working toward a better future.
How Digital Formative Assessment Increases Student Achievement And Motivation, Jillian G. Morreim
How Digital Formative Assessment Increases Student Achievement And Motivation, Jillian G. Morreim
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Technology in the classroom has changed the way teachers teach and students learn. In this everchanging field, a continual examination of the most effective methods to use technology to benefit student learning is essential. The research question addressed in this project was: what is the impact of formative assessment using iPads on student achievement and motivation? The review of the literature explored formative assessment, motivation, and technology in the classroom. In this study, qualitative and quantitative data was collected using pre and posttests, student surveys, and field notes over two curriculum units; in one unit, exclusively traditional formative assessment was …
What Makes An Effective Bullying Prevention Program In Urban Middle Schools?, Diane Louise Durnick
What Makes An Effective Bullying Prevention Program In Urban Middle Schools?, Diane Louise Durnick
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate anti-bullying curriculums and programs available for middle schools to reduce bullying behaviors among students. Research involved identifying what has been proven to reduce bullying behaviors in schools, as well as, what students say best reduces bully behaviors at school. The curriculums were then evaluated against proven best practices, and a whole-school plan was created to apply at an urban middle school incorporating the best strategies to be most effective in reducing bullying behaviors.
How Student-Led Goal Setting And Self-Monitoring Of Progress Impacts Self-Efficacy Among Third Graders At An International School In Eastern Europe, Jessica Rose Stoll
How Student-Led Goal Setting And Self-Monitoring Of Progress Impacts Self-Efficacy Among Third Graders At An International School In Eastern Europe, Jessica Rose Stoll
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone explored how student goal setting and self-monitoring of progress impacted the self-efficacy of twenty third-grade students at an international school in Eastern Europe. Pre- and post-study data included an attitudinal survey to document levels of self-efficacy, student-created goals, and one-on-one interviews with six students. For a ten-week period, the participants monitored their academic progress towards meeting their goals on a biweekly basis. The findings suggested that student-led goal setting improved students’ overall levels of self-efficacy, as the students were better able to identify positive academic behaviors, address academic concerns, create plans to resolve specific challenges, and identify new …
Motivating First Grade Struggling Readers Through Comprehension Strategy Instruction, Jessica Annmarie Nivala
Motivating First Grade Struggling Readers Through Comprehension Strategy Instruction, Jessica Annmarie Nivala
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was, how does the explicit teaching of comprehension strategies to first grade struggling readers increase their motivation to read? It documents one teacher’s experience of implementing explicit comprehension strategy instruction during reading workshop through the use of the gradual release of responsibility model and examines its effect on motivation of struggling readers. The project integrates whole group and small group instruction and motivational practices for three first grade struggling readers. The author details the comprehension lessons that were taught, and documents observations of the participants’ engagement. She describes her successes and concludes that …
Increasing Autonomous Academic Motivation In Intermediate Elementary Students By Reducing Fear Of Failure, Whitney Schill Ramirez
Increasing Autonomous Academic Motivation In Intermediate Elementary Students By Reducing Fear Of Failure, Whitney Schill Ramirez
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how does a combined approach of attribution retraining and incremental theory of intelligence intervention affect levels of autonomous academic motivation in intermediate elementary students? It documents the effects on autonomous academic motivation of an adapted intervention that taught fifth graders in an inner city, dual immersion program about making controllable attributions and having an incremental theory of intelligence. The intervention was part of a preexperiment that was based on the attribution retraining work of Haynes, Ruthig, Perry, Stupnisky, and Hall (2006), as well as the incremental theory of intelligence work of Blackwell, …
How Hope And Motivation Lead To Self-Regulation Middle School Students, Jessica Marie Winter
How Hope And Motivation Lead To Self-Regulation Middle School Students, Jessica Marie Winter
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The goal of the study was to determine how hope, motivation and goal setting led to selfregulation in middle school students. The research methods used in the study were mixed methods, which enabled students to give voice to the provided data. On the basis of the research, it was concluded there was a relationship between goal setting and selfregulation in middle school students.
Student Self-Regulated Learning Through Use Of The Linguafolio® Online In A Beginning Middle School El Class, Melissa Rose Davey
Student Self-Regulated Learning Through Use Of The Linguafolio® Online In A Beginning Middle School El Class, Melissa Rose Davey
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This qualitative mixed methods case study explores how LinguaFolio® Online is an appropriate strategy for increasing self-regulated learning in a beginning ESL class. Five participants in a middle school beginning ESL class used LinguaFolio® Online over eight weeks in order to report on learning and submit evidence exemplars. All participants used LinguaFolio® Online for various user interactions concerning self-regulation and self-assessment. Participants completed a pre- and post-survey so that perceptions could be compared before and after use of LinguaFolio® Online. The results of this study specify two important trends; first, regular use of the selfassessment lists contained within LinguaFolio® Online …
How Attachment Style Correlates To Symptoms Of Burnout For Direct Care Staff In A Company That Serves People With Developmental And/Or Intellectual Disabilities, Shantel Lee Pickar
How Attachment Style Correlates To Symptoms Of Burnout For Direct Care Staff In A Company That Serves People With Developmental And/Or Intellectual Disabilities, Shantel Lee Pickar
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to find if adult attachment style is correlated to depersonalization, lowered sense of accomplishment, and/or emotional exhaustion for direct-care employees and supervisors in one company that serves people with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. A thorough review of literature was completed on this topic as well as a voluntary, unpaid employee survey which determined propensity for burnout as well as attachment style. Data was gathered and analyzed and results are shared in the context of this study.
Successful Characteristics And Motivations For Farmers To Participate In A Small Farmers’ Market: A Case Study Of A Small Minnesota Farmers Market., Josephine Marie Wood
Successful Characteristics And Motivations For Farmers To Participate In A Small Farmers’ Market: A Case Study Of A Small Minnesota Farmers Market., Josephine Marie Wood
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone is characteristics that make a farmers’ market successful from the perspective of vendors who participate in a case study market. Other information is also obtained to learn more about the vendor’s background, reason for selling at the case study market, as well as disadvantages to the case study market. The methodology to answer the question included both questionnaire surveys and face-to-face interviews. Literature supporting the increase in farmers’ markets across the United States as well as information on how to begin a farmers’ market was included in this study. The study concluded that …
Units Of Study: A Curriculum Supplemented With Problem-Based Learning And Technology, Jami Kristina Vandenberg
Units Of Study: A Curriculum Supplemented With Problem-Based Learning And Technology, Jami Kristina Vandenberg
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, How can I provide 5th grade students with opportunities to engage in reading, writing, and talking about texts and ideas across different instructional contexts using technology and problem-based learning? The motivating factor for this capstone was the struggle with providing students dynamic learning opportunities that teach academic content as well as 21st century skills and relevant technology integration. This capstone details problem-based learning as an opportunity to assuage this struggle. The capstone reviews the components of problem-based learning and outlines the research on successful implementation. The capstone goes on to describe the …
The Effect Of The Mastery Learning Approach On Student Motivation In Middle Level Science, Phillip Jeffrey Hutcheson
The Effect Of The Mastery Learning Approach On Student Motivation In Middle Level Science, Phillip Jeffrey Hutcheson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed was, How does mastery learning approach affect the motivation of students in a middle level science classroom? The project studied a group of 7th grade students' motivation as they completed a science unit using the mastery learning approach. Data were collected through pre- and post-surveys, observation, and assessment of benchmarks. The collected data showed that students had an increase in motivation after the mastery learning approach. Students' self reported motivation increased. The observed behaviors indicating motivation occurred more frequently. In the assessments, over seventy percent of all students showed mastery of the benchmarks. This paper provides …
The Correlation Between Athletic Intrinsic Motivation And Academic Intrinsic Motivation Of Student Athletes At The Secondary Level, Rebecca Lee Jelenc
The Correlation Between Athletic Intrinsic Motivation And Academic Intrinsic Motivation Of Student Athletes At The Secondary Level, Rebecca Lee Jelenc
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project is: Is there a correlation between athletic and academic intrinsic motivation secondary students ? The motivating factor for this capstone was the study of high academic success by highly successful student athletes in high school. This capstone was designed to investigate if intrinsic motivation attributes of athletics are transferred to the academic focus of the athletes. This capstone details related literature on intrinsic motivation in both the athletic and academic setting, the use of the Academic and Sports Motivation Surveys, and results of the surveys. The study of Marionville High School student athlete’s …
Food Waste And Behavior Change Through Project-Based Learning, Patrick Cary Crawford
Food Waste And Behavior Change Through Project-Based Learning, Patrick Cary Crawford
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study aims to find if food waste behavior can be changed through project-based learning. Food is a valuable resource that is being thrown into landfills; I question how we can change that? After compiling research on food waste, pro-environmental behavioral psychology, and project based learning I have constructed a theoretical framework that can be used to teach behavior change through project-based learning. The following were created to attain this goal: (a) a project unit plan, (b) assessments designed to evaluate students content knowledge on food waste, and (c) assessments designed to evaluate students pro-environmental behavior based on Blake, 1999. …
Encouraging Student-Generated Critical Questions Through Literature Circles In A Tenth-Grade Classroom, Damon Reuben Brook
Encouraging Student-Generated Critical Questions Through Literature Circles In A Tenth-Grade Classroom, Damon Reuben Brook
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study explored how literature circles were used to encourage 32 tenthgrade students enrolled in an English 10 class to generate critical questions about memoirs. The literature review overviewed the philosophy of studentcentered classrooms as well as the specific benefits of using literature circles and questionanswer relationship (QAR) reading strategies. This study covered a fourweek unit where teams of students were observed in interestbased literature circles. Students discussed the texts and recorded questions that they used for discussions. Other data included analysis of teachergenerated reflection journals. The results of the study revealed that the students overall responded positively to the …
How Does The Current Educational Climate Impact The Teacher’S Ability To Build And Maintain Quality Teacher Student Relationships?, Kymberly Nicole Saba
How Does The Current Educational Climate Impact The Teacher’S Ability To Build And Maintain Quality Teacher Student Relationships?, Kymberly Nicole Saba
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this study was, how does the current educational climate impact the teacher’s ability to build and maintain quality teacher student relationships? The motivating factor for this capstone was that while research has shown that the teacher student relationship has a positive impact on student achievement the current trend is to focus on assessments. This study looked at the student teacher relationship from the perspective of the teacher. The author surveyed teachers from a k-6 elementary school and found while teachers do feel that the teacher student relationship is important they felt that there is limited …