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Theses/Dissertations

2004

Education

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Cultural Awareness Levels Of Professionals And Students At Mississippi State University: International Education's Challenge, William Edward Stephen Cottrell Dec 2004

Cultural Awareness Levels Of Professionals And Students At Mississippi State University: International Education's Challenge, William Edward Stephen Cottrell

Theses and Dissertations

The literature indicates that America's demographic transformation is becoming a priority issue for higher education. Consequently, progressive educational leadership has a stake in international education development. Since enhanced cultural awareness is essential to this process, its scarcity in terms of measurable evidence has given rise to this study. Research questions included: (1) What is the level of cultural awareness among professional employees and students at Mississippi State University as measured by the Culture Shock Inventory Measurement Table? (2) Do demographic factors relate to cultural awareness levels of professional employees and students at Mississippi State University? (3) What role does international …

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The Effect Of A Family Literacy Parental Involvement Intervention On Oral Language Development, Azucena C. Escobar Dec 2004

The Effect Of A Family Literacy Parental Involvement Intervention On Oral Language Development, Azucena C. Escobar

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The subjects that participated in this study were 36 Hispanic children who attended Head Start Programs. The participants were 4 and 5 year olds from four classrooms. An intervention, training of parents regarding literacy activities was implemented in the study to determine the outcome of parental involvement on oral language development. This researcher implemented parental training prior to the treatment. Parents were to provide their children with oral language intervention for fifteen to twenty minutes, three times a week. These activities took place at the children's home from March through June of 2004. Children's oral language development was determined using …

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Analysis Of English And Spanish Academic Proficiency Of Pre-Service Bilingual Teachers At A University In South Texas, Matthew E. Meyers Dec 2004

Analysis Of English And Spanish Academic Proficiency Of Pre-Service Bilingual Teachers At A University In South Texas, Matthew E. Meyers

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this research was to examine the English and Spanish academic writing proficiency of pre-service bilingual teachers at a university in south Texas and attempt to establish factors that have influenced that proficiency or lack of proficiency. Ninety-four participants who volunteered to take part in the study completed a 50-question survey that solicited demographic information and perceived proficiencies in English and Spanish. After collecting the data from the survey, participants wrote essays on four separate themes. Two of the essays were written in Spanish, and two were written in English. The compositions purported to elicit the participants' written …

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Reading Instruction Practices By Teachers Of Hispanic Elementary Students: A Teacher Survey Of Classroom Time Spent In 25 Reading Instructional Activities, Richard A. Steele Dec 2004

Reading Instruction Practices By Teachers Of Hispanic Elementary Students: A Teacher Survey Of Classroom Time Spent In 25 Reading Instructional Activities, Richard A. Steele

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study was conducted in order to measure the amount of time spent among Hispanic elementary students in each of the most commonly used reading instruction methodologies. A survey was conducted among 500 randomly selected pre-kindergarten through fifth grade teachers instructing students who are 95% Hispanic and 63.4% English-as-a-second-language (ESL). Twenty of the 221 elementary campuses within a two-county area were randomly selected, representing ten school districts. All teachers at selected campuses were asked to estimate the amount of weekly class time spent in 25 reading and reading-readiness activities and methods of instruction. In addition, teachers provided various demographic data. …

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A Study Of Education Reform In Texas: State Mandated Testing Results, Effects, And The University Of Texas-Pan American, Monica M. Trevino Dec 2004

A Study Of Education Reform In Texas: State Mandated Testing Results, Effects, And The University Of Texas-Pan American, Monica M. Trevino

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The study will use scores on TASP, and ACT as predictors of first year college success. First year college success will be measured by first-year year college grade point average and number of class hours dropped. We expect to find a high correlation between standardized test scores and college success. In order to continue yearly state test administration efforts, data needs to be found supporting that these efforts are sufficient. If this evidence is not present, then state mandated achievement testing needs to be reconsidered for use as a requirement for receipt of a high school diploma, school accountability, and …

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The Effect Of Scaffolding On Children's Oral Language Development, Ana Villaurrutia Dec 2004

The Effect Of Scaffolding On Children's Oral Language Development, Ana Villaurrutia

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This was a quasi experimental nonequivalent control group design used with 71 subjects in two Head Start center settings. LAP-D assessment results were also taken in account for the purpose of comparison regarding the dependent variable. The subjects were children 4 and 5 years old who were attending classes in two different Head Start centers. These subjects were students from 2 classrooms from Center One and 2 classrooms from Center Two. In Center One, teachers were trained in the use of scaffolding techniques, whereas in Center Two teachers had no training on scaffolding techniques. An analysis of variance procedure was …

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The Effects Of Militant Press On Nigeria's Democratic Evolution, Oluwaniran Malaolu Nov 2004

The Effects Of Militant Press On Nigeria's Democratic Evolution, Oluwaniran Malaolu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This is an in-depth study of the Nigerian press, the ubiquitous behemoth which called itself the "defender" of Nigeria's national independence and the last "hope" of the common man. It's a bold attempt to critically examine its antecedents, its evolution or development especially the historical, political, technological and socio-economic events that had impacted its growth, its world views and ideologies. It's a thorough assessment of the press' influence on Nigeria's socio-economic and political development, as well as the suitability of its tactics and posturing toward attaining its set goals of economic and political emancipation of Nigerians. Most importantly, this study …

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The Effects Of Graphic Display And Training In Visual Inspection On Teachers' Detection Of Behavior Change, Allana Duncan Luquette Nov 2004

The Effects Of Graphic Display And Training In Visual Inspection On Teachers' Detection Of Behavior Change, Allana Duncan Luquette

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although a number of researchers have attempted to evaluate the variables that affect teacher's acceptability of behavioral interventions, few have examined the influence of treatment effectiveness on teacher decision making. Interestingly, effectiveness information in the form of graphic feedback has been shown to improve treatment integrity, however little has been done to assess the effects of graphic feedback on teacher's ability to accurately recognize behavior change. This study assessed the effects of graphic display and training in visual inspection of graphed data on the ability of teachers to accurately recognize and report changes in student behavior. In addition, the researcher …

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Improving Instructional Practice: The Value Of Classroom Goal Teams As Measured By Elementary Teachers' Perceptions, Debra J.Easton Rodenburg Nov 2004

Improving Instructional Practice: The Value Of Classroom Goal Teams As Measured By Elementary Teachers' Perceptions, Debra J.Easton Rodenburg

Student Work

Student achievement is in the forefront of education as never before. Educators, parents, business leaders, community members, and politicians are all actively watching reports of student achievement. Wong (2003) found in more than 200 studies, the only way to improve student achievement is with a knowledgeable and skillful teacher. The expertise of a teacher is a critical variable in effecting student achievement (Marzano, 2003). In this study, Classroom Goals Team Project (CGTP) was utilized as a professional development program to bring about improvements in teaching and learning in an effort to positively impact student achievement. The CGTP, implemented in a …

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Instructional Methods And Efficacy Of Teachers Trained In Differentiated Instruction, Patricia A. Crum Nov 2004

Instructional Methods And Efficacy Of Teachers Trained In Differentiated Instruction, Patricia A. Crum

Student Work

This study examined the instructional methods and efficacy of teachers involved in a two-part district staff development project in differentiated instruction. Responses from 194 kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers on a self-perception survey were collected after an initial district staff training and implementation and again after involvement in a second teacher centered district staff development plan in differentiated instruction with implementation time. The data collected were analyzed to determine what instructional methods and efficacy the staff displayed and to determine whether a change in teachers' perceptions occurred during the 9-month period following the second district plan.

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Benefits Of A Postgraduate Education: The Physician Assistants' Perspective, Jamie Cotter Oct 2004

Benefits Of A Postgraduate Education: The Physician Assistants' Perspective, Jamie Cotter

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: This study was completed to better understand the use of postgraduate education in the physician assistant profession. This research project gathered information to better understand how physician assistants have utilized postgraduate education in their careers. The potential benefits of a postgraduate education were also examined from the perspective of the physician assistant. The overall goal was to determine the benefits of a PA postgraduate education. Methods: For this research project, a survey was completed by practicing physician assistants who attended the Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA) Conference/North Central Regional Meeting that was held on March 27-29, 2003. This …

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Omaha Business Support For Work -Based Learning, Keith E. Bigsby Oct 2004

Omaha Business Support For Work -Based Learning, Keith E. Bigsby

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to examine the demographics of Omaha area employers that participate in and do not participate in work-based learning, to determine the reasons why Omaha area businesses participate in work-based learning and to identify the reasons why or why not companies participate in work-based learning.

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Job Satisfaction And Organizational Commitment Among Faculty At Taiwan's Higher Education Institutions, Yu-Ching Huang Sep 2004

Job Satisfaction And Organizational Commitment Among Faculty At Taiwan's Higher Education Institutions, Yu-Ching Huang

Student Work

The purpose of the study was to determine faculty members' level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment and to determine the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Two types of satisfaction were surveyed: intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Three types of commitment were surveyed: affective, normative, and continuance commitment. This study was delimited to faculty members at five institutes of technology in the Mid-Taiwan area.

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Comparisons Of Rural And Urban School Psychologists In Nebraska, Erin Marie Boldt Reiff Sep 2004

Comparisons Of Rural And Urban School Psychologists In Nebraska, Erin Marie Boldt Reiff

Student Work

Prior to World War II, there were no formal training programs in Nebraska for school psychologists. Instead, itinerant psychologists such as George Kelly and T. Ernest Newland traveled the rural areas of the country providing psychological services, educational evaluations, and professional consultation to schools, children, and parents (Helge, 1985).

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Learning To Lead And To Serve On Their Own Terms As A Means Of Transforming The Reservation : Female American Indians At Hampton Institute, 1878-1923, Elaine Tzu-Hsing Chou Aug 2004

Learning To Lead And To Serve On Their Own Terms As A Means Of Transforming The Reservation : Female American Indians At Hampton Institute, 1878-1923, Elaine Tzu-Hsing Chou

Master's Theses

Female American Indian students who attended Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute defined their level of empowerment, playing pertinent roles within tribal communities during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While the Institute left an important legacy in the cause for federally-funded American Indian education, student behavior further determined the lasting effects of vocational training and socializing efforts. Organized topically, Chapter One summarizes the Indian Program's philosophy. Chapters Two through Four investigate the academic curriculum and vocational training, while exploring the ways in which the youth experienced and interpreted extracurricular and personal relationships. Chapter Five analyzes activities of Hampton alumnae …

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Teachers' Handbook For Using Picture Books To Promote/Reinforce Mathematical Concepts In The Early Primary Grades, Andrea Lynn Bannister Aug 2004

Teachers' Handbook For Using Picture Books To Promote/Reinforce Mathematical Concepts In The Early Primary Grades, Andrea Lynn Bannister

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper was to design a handbook for early primary grade teachers interested in using picture books to promote/reinforce mathematics. The handbook includes ten lessons based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards, 2000.

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Language Interactions Between Reading Recovery Teachers And Their English-Language Learners, Leslie Yerington Edd Aug 2004

Language Interactions Between Reading Recovery Teachers And Their English-Language Learners, Leslie Yerington Edd

Dissertations

This qualitative study investigated characteristics of student-teacher interactions during the new book introduction portion of Reading Recovery lessons. The new book introduction provides the student with background knowledge and story plot sufficient to render a successful first attempt reading the book that takes place directly after the introduction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of student-teacher interactions during the new book introduction portion of Reading Recovery lessons in order to describe the nature of these interactions and discover the relationships, if any exist, between the interactions and student performance. The study also searched for common themes …

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School-Wide Positive Behavior Support: A Proactive Approach, Marisa Garcia Aug 2004

School-Wide Positive Behavior Support: A Proactive Approach, Marisa Garcia

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study explores what an effective School-wide Positive Behavior Support program looks like, how Positive Behavior Support programs have impacted school districts and what is needed in an educational organization to implement such a program. The study also provides an overview of different strategies that have been utilized for the effective implementation of interventions at the different levels of a PBS program. Different models and projects that have been created based on this theory are also discussed through this study. In addition to this, the study will include the results of observations and interviews conducted by the researcher at X …

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The Effects Of Using An Off-Task Paper As A Nonverbal Intervention For Inappropriate Disruptive Behavior, Pamela R. Vancleef Aug 2004

The Effects Of Using An Off-Task Paper As A Nonverbal Intervention For Inappropriate Disruptive Behavior, Pamela R. Vancleef

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The following study took place within the Academic Compliance Training program at Cathey Middle School in McAllen, Texas. Off-task papers were implemented as a nonverbal intervention during inappropriate behavior occurring after students were given directions for independent assignments. An A-B design was utilized to demonstrate a functional relationship between the independent variable, off-task papers administered as a nonverbal intervention, and dependent variable, operationally defined as all academically off-task behavior. The results of this study suggest that using off-task papers as a nonverbal intervention effectively reduces academically off-task behavior during independent seatwork.

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Efficacy Of A Social Skills Training Procedure Used On A Child Having Moderate Mental Retardation, Anestacio Quintana Jr. Aug 2004

Efficacy Of A Social Skills Training Procedure Used On A Child Having Moderate Mental Retardation, Anestacio Quintana Jr.

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This single subject multiple baseline study tested the efficacy of a social skills training procedure. The subject for this study was an eight-year-old female having Down Syndrome. The subject was diagnosed as having moderate mental retardation. Using an A-B-A-B design, the investigator and two observers collected data on off task behavior, during baseline phases. During intervention phases, the Subject was introduced to a social skills training program addressing the off-task inappropriate behaviors. The results of the study illustrated a positive effect of the social skills training procedure on the Subject. There was an established relationship between the implementation of the …

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The Importance Of Program-Delivered Differential Reinforcement In The Development Of Classical Music Auditory Discrimination, Gudmundur Torfi Heimisson Jul 2004

The Importance Of Program-Delivered Differential Reinforcement In The Development Of Classical Music Auditory Discrimination, Gudmundur Torfi Heimisson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Posttest performances after two forms of Web-based tutorial instruction were compared. Both forms were designed to teach students to identify musical compositions that typify Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century music. The first treatment condition was a series of Web pages with text and accompanying hyperlinks to musical selections matched to the text. In this condition, students read and listened at their own discretion -- without Web software program restrictions. The second treatment contained exactly the same text and musical selections, but students in this condition read the text in small portions while being required to fill in missing …

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Academic Remediation Of Non-Disability, Middle School Students, Merilee Ann Redberg Jul 2004

Academic Remediation Of Non-Disability, Middle School Students, Merilee Ann Redberg

All Graduate Projects

Strategies were developed to address perceived teacher practitioner concerns regarding three areas considered to be negatively impacting student academic performance and three skills perceived to be crucial to student academic success. The six categories addressed were identified through the author's development and implementation of a survey used among middle school teachers.

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Academic Remediation Of Non-Disability, Middle School Students, Merilee Ann Redberg Jul 2004

Academic Remediation Of Non-Disability, Middle School Students, Merilee Ann Redberg

All Graduate Projects

Strategies were developed to address perceived teacher practitioner concerns regarding three areas considered to be negatively impacting student academic performance and three skills perceived to be crucial to student academic success. The six categories addressed were identified through the author's development and implementation of a survey used among middle school teachers.

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Differentiation Of The Causal Characteristics And Influences Of Virtual Reality And The Effects On Learning At A Science Exhibit, Arlene De Strulle Edd Jul 2004

Differentiation Of The Causal Characteristics And Influences Of Virtual Reality And The Effects On Learning At A Science Exhibit, Arlene De Strulle Edd

Dissertations

Within the context of the informal science center, exhibits are the main interface for public learning. Essential to the success of a science center is how well exhibits model effective strategies for learning. Virtual Reality (VR) technology with its flexible, adaptive, multimedia, and immersive-learning capabilities is emerging for use by science centers in exhibits; however, research on learning in virtual environments at exhibits is scarce. To support the future development of VR science exhibits it is critical to investigate VR's pedagogical value and effects on science learning. Research investigated the Smoke & Mirrors VR exhibit at the Reuben H. Fleet …

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The Effect Of Force Feedback On Student Reasoning About Gravity, Mass, Force And Motion, Linda Bussell Edd May 2004

The Effect Of Force Feedback On Student Reasoning About Gravity, Mass, Force And Motion, Linda Bussell Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether force feedback within a computer simulation had an effect on reasoning by fifth grade students about gravity, mass, force, and motion, concepts which can be difficult for learners to grasp. Few studies have been done on cognitive learning and haptic feedback, particularly with young learners, but there is an extensive base of literature on children's conceptions of science and a number of studies focus specifically on children's conceptions of force and motion. This case study used a computer-based paddleball simulation with guided inquiry as the primary stimulus. Within the simulation, the …

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An Examination Of Teachers’ Beliefs About Critical Reading And Academic Writing, Cindi Davis Harris Edd May 2004

An Examination Of Teachers’ Beliefs About Critical Reading And Academic Writing, Cindi Davis Harris Edd

Dissertations

The ability to compose a well-written research paper is evidence o f a student's ability to read critically and write academically. However, evidence suggests that many college-bound high school graduates have not learned these skills. While the research literature overwhelmingly supports the notion that teachers are an important factor in students’ academic success, and that in order to be academically successful, students need to have critical reading and writing skills, there has been little research about how teachers' beliefs and knowledge about critical reading and academic writing influence instruction with regard to these skills. This naturalistic case study employed in-depth …

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Factors That Predict Underachievement In Hispanic Gifted Students, Sandy Salinas Olivarez May 2004

Factors That Predict Underachievement In Hispanic Gifted Students, Sandy Salinas Olivarez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that predict underachieving gifted students. The participants were 44 Hispanic gifted students enrolled in the 8 th grade from 3 different junior high and middle schools in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. The following were used as independent variables: parental influence, motivation, self-concept, attitude, self-perceptions, and goal motivation. The dependent variable was dichotomous, achiever or underachiever. The School Attitude Assessment Survey-Revised and the Parent Influence Survey were the instruments used to collect the data. Analysis was done using the logistic regression model. The results show that attitude towards school …

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Attitudes Of Mexican Nationals Toward The Use Of Code Switching In The Rio Grande Valley, Jennifer M. Vojtko May 2004

Attitudes Of Mexican Nationals Toward The Use Of Code Switching In The Rio Grande Valley, Jennifer M. Vojtko

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study is to establish the beliefs and attitudes of Mexican Nationals living in the Rio Grande Valley toward the use of code switching, or the use of two or more languages during a speech act. Because of the high influence of the Spanish language in the Rio Grande Valley, code switching is more commonly referred to as Spanglish. Researchers have been studying code switching since the early fifties; however, limited research has been conducted on attitudes toward code switching. The goal of this study is to offer a comprehensive look at the attitudes demonstrated by Mexican …

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Cultural Relevance In The Lep-Ld Classroom, Blanca Estella Rojas May 2004

Cultural Relevance In The Lep-Ld Classroom, Blanca Estella Rojas

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This investigation considered Mexican-American students classified as Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Special Education Learning Disabled (LD) on achievement in and attitudes toward reading. Two students used culturally matched materials and two students used non-culturally matched, grade appropriate materials. The individuals who received treatment were paired with those who did not receive treatment on key variables as closely as possible. Qualitative descriptive information answered the following questions: (1) Will the use of a culturally matched novel have the same learning effects as use of a non-culturally matched novel? (2) Will the use of the culturally matched novel lower the affective …

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Acquiring North Of The Border Culture Through The Teaching /Learning Process In Spanish -Speaking Adults Along The South Texas-Mexico Border, Manuel J. Gutierrez May 2004

Acquiring North Of The Border Culture Through The Teaching /Learning Process In Spanish -Speaking Adults Along The South Texas-Mexico Border, Manuel J. Gutierrez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the ways in which a second culture is being communicated to Spanish-speaking adult second language learners enrolled in selected English language acquisition programs along the South Texas-Mexico border. This study focused on adult populations in need of receiving instruction in the English language and in the north of the border American culture in southern Texas. The research questions explored in this study sought to define north of the border culture as perceived by adult students; to determine if the language programs are preparing the students culturally; and to investigate how the …

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