Education Commons^™

Does Peer Technology Training Work?, Kim Foley-Sharp

Graduate Research Papers

This research project contains lessons that were developed as a staff development tool for North High School in the Davenport Community School District. The goal of this project was to implement the use of new technology into the school building by providing the staff of the building with immediate access to trainers who would help if there were a problem or to answer questions. The other responsibilities of the trainers were to facilitate staff development sessions during the school day and on in-service days. The ultimate goal of the project was to make staff comfortable in the use of technology …

Invented Spelling : The Role Of Developmental Spelling In Early Childhood Classrooms, Cynthia L. Ford

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of literature relative to the importance of Invented Spelling in early childhood classrooms. The primary focus of this paper was to develop guidelines which should be used to implement a model program. The literature examined included the features of Invented Spelling and the stages of Invented Spelling. Also, the advantage and disadvantages of Invented Spelling were discussed.

The conclusion of this paper offers suggestions to educators on how to implement a model Invented Spelling program. Recommendations for further research in the area are stated.

The Reasons Why Many African-American And Hispanic Women Do Not Choose Careers In Technology, Kathryn Elizabeth Guzman

Graduate Research Papers

There have been numerous statistics showing that minorities including women, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, are least likely to choose careers in the science and technology field. Along with those studies have been possible reasons why they choose not to enter into the field. Reasons have ranged from lack of encouragement to people just telling them flat out that there is no possible way that they can succeed in the field.

This study found that African-American and Hispanic women do not choose careers in technology for many of the same reasons. As young children, some factors are the way teachers …

The Impact Of Technology Integration On The Elementary Classroom With Reading Disabled Students, Donna Heying

Graduate Research Papers

The content of this paper will discuss and review the current literature in the area of technology integration in the elementary classroom, especially those classrooms with learning disabled students. The areas to be covered in this paper include technology's impact on student learning, legal reasons to use technology in the classroom, effective integration principles for technology integration, software and equipment for learning disabled students, Internet integration, and web-based instruction. All of these areas have an influence on how technology is integrated into the elementary classrooms and how effective that technology can be.

Implementing A Reading Recovery Shared Classroom : Good First-Grade Reading Instruction For All, Bonnie L. Hoewing

Graduate Research Papers

Reading Recovery is an early intervention designed by Marie Clay (1985) to be implemented in an educational system for the purpose of providing a second chance for success for first grade children who are at risk of failing to learn to read. Reading Recovery is preventive rather than a remedial intervention. Early intervention to deal with reading difficulties is much more powerful than remediation at a later time. Good teaching of reading skills, early in a child's formal education, will help create the foundation needed for continued learning throughout their lives.

Implementing A Writing Program In Grade Two, Denise A. Sasse

Graduate Research Papers

Writing is a process to create meaning. This process consists of many components: prewriting, drafting, redrafting, editing, and publishing. Children need the following support measures: oral storytelling, genuine audiences, teacher modeling, literature experiences, the reading-writing connection, time to write, and emphasis on the use of one's own voice. The connection of instruction and assessment is another important aspect of a children's writing program. The following qualitative assessment techniques provide this connection: journaling, student-teacher conferences, checklists, and portfolios.

Eastview High School Media Center Web Page : A Graduate Project, Connie J. O'Sullivan

Graduate Research Papers

This creative project was undertaken for the purpose of constructing a web site for Eastview High School Media Center that would meet the needs of users while adhering to the highest qualities of web design. As creator of the web site, I started from the beginning. I had not designed a web page before undertaking this project. I researched the tenets of good web design, especially those particular to the field of library science. I identified my audiences and their needs. I identified and selected the best and most relevant content. I familiarized myself with Microsoft FrontPage, Eastview's standard Web …

What Is The Significance Of Online Technology As A Training Tool, Thomas Clifton Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the current directions and future trends of using online sources and activities as a tool for learning. It concentrates on the developmental progress of the most powerful force shaping the evolution of this technology: the Internet. As we enter the 21st Century, online training is becoming the dominant educational technology. The Internet has succeeded in removing the time and space barriers to online multimedia instruction.

Two Units Of Instruction For The Spanish Language : Basic Vocabulary Development In Grades Four Through Seven, Megan Becker

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research project was to develop two units of instruction for use with Spanish classes in grades four through seven. The research begins by exploring the different types of elementary and middle level foreign language programs. The research also investigates the different types of thematic units and what they should include. Finally, two units are developed for use in grades four through seven: a project-based unit built around Eric Carle's book, La Oruga Muy Hambrienta (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), and a knowledge-based unit built around classroom vocabulary. Both units include a wide variety of activities that …

Researching The Internet : A Student Tutorial, Roger S. Davis

Graduate Research Papers

This project involves the development of a series of web pages that serve as a tutorial students use for Internet searching. Students in the Computer Concepts and Applications class at Hawkeye Community College use the Internet to find information for use in an oral report or written assignment. A limited amount of general information about the mechanics of working with a web browser and a brief introduction to search engines is presented to the students in class. The tutorial will assist students by providing links to search engines, ideas in formulating a search strategy, additional more detailed information on working …

Portfolios As An Alternative Assessment, Carmine Z. Draude

Graduate Research Papers

During the past decade, there has been a shift in paradigms by educational reformers to provide a more authentic means of student assessment in our schools. These assessments need to be multidimensional and provide a more accurate picture of students' abilities. The portfolio is one type of alternative assessment that has proven to do this.

This paper discusses the use of portfolios with a group of ninth grade students enrolled in an English course. These portfolios were a systematic collection of the students' work to demonstrate how (1) they have developed and grown academically and (2) how their attitudes and …

Technology In Education : Is It Working?, Daryl Hartwig

Graduate Research Papers

Presents an overview of determining if implementation of technology into classrooms of schools is a significant factor in the increase in student learning. Results in technology assessments as well as the comparing and contrasting of traditional learning versus constructivist learning by ways of technology are closely examined. Successful guidelines for the implementation of technology into classrooms are also discussed in showing their important relationship in the enhancement of student learning. The end results are that there is much evidence which proves that the integration of technology into the classroom of schools is advantageous and therefore draws upon the conclusion that …

How Telecommunications Is Assisting The United States In Adult Educational Distance Learning Programs, Telemedicine, And Future Applications, Minna Ann Harrison

Graduate Research Papers

The future of telecommunications becomes more unpredictable every passing day. Products and services that were just dreamed of in the past, only six months to a year ago, are here and ready to be used in everyday life. Wireless service has been affected by PCS providers who are offering services to customers that are considerably cheaper. Voice recognition programs/applications were only being bounced around in 1997, but currently are being used at work places and homes. At the 1998 Comdex technology trade show six major software companies were promoting their voice recognition programs.

There are some glitches still. But as …

Home Visits : Building A Team Approach With Families With Children With Special Needs, Linda S. Jacoby

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of the literature concerning home visits as a means of team building with families with children who have special needs. The primary focus is to consider the needs, problems, and guidelines for conducting home visits. Home visits have a lengthy history in early childhood education. They offer some unique insights and opportunities for educators and families. Careful planning and follow-up is necessary for a successful program.

Criticisms of home visits concern primarily the issues of limited financial resources and time constraints. Planning, scheduling, and conducting the visit are discussed in this paper; also, a discussion …

Portfolios As A Qualitative Writing Assessment Technique In A First Grade Classroom, Nancy F. Miller

Graduate Research Papers

Writing is a process. To assess involvement in a process, it needs to be described. Therefore, qualitative assessment needs to be applied. Portfolios, supported by other descriptive techniques, can be used not only to assess children's writing progress and instructional needs but to connect instruction and assessment. A collection of writing exhibits in a portfolio collected over time can show children, their teachers, and their caregivers progress and can assist them in setting goals for language activity and instruction in the future. Use of qualitative assessment rubrics, surveys, and parental involvement in the process of self-assessing are techniques from which …

Discussion To Promote Inference Making, Leah J. Muxfeldt

Graduate Research Papers

Using discussion as an integral part of the reading program is a natural outgrowth of real literature in the classroom. Children need opportunities to engage in conversations about their literature experiences in order to enrich and refine their understanding of them. Teachers can facilitate discussions that promote in-depth understandings of reading experiences by providing children with opportunities to make inferences. As a result, children become accustomed to bringing their prior knowledge to reading experiences to discover inferred meanings, thus extending their thinking-language abilities.

Integrated Science Unit : Small Creatures : Spiders And Crickets, Pamela S. Olsen

Graduate Research Papers

This instructional development project integrates the language arts and the science areas. The science content is small creatures, specifically, spiders and crickets, from the first grade curriculum. A rich learning environment is provided through a literature base, representing the different genres and related expressive activity. The unit is presented through teacher-directed activities and learning centers that off er many options from which children could select experiences.

The goals of the program are to give children more control over their learning and to extend children's thinking-language abilities by capitalizing on the common processes of the language arts and science areas and …

Student-Led Conferences : A Better Way, Beverly A. Maronn

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this journal article is to inform teachers and administrators of a better way to conduct student-led conferences. The typical format is to hold these conferences in a small, advisory setting. This paper describes an alternative format, a "homeroom" arrangement, in which one teacher is available to facilitate the conferences of 12-20 students. The staff at Harlan Community Middle School has found that a large group, everybody together-type setting works better. The gym/commons/media center location alleviates many of the problems associated with the small group setting.

From Idol To Add-On To Indispensable Tool : Iowa's One-Computer Classroom, Laura M. Mcdermott

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers who ponder over past experiences can examine the revisions made in order to offer the best possible education to the children entrusted to their care. With the advent of computers in the classrooms, undeniable problems arise and further revisions must be made. When both the teacher and students share one computer, issues that must be addressed include time management, curriculum integration, and effective use of the computer.

With everyday demands of the classroom, it is difficult for teachers to spend time adding to a curriculum already filled to the brim. Time is needed for the teacher to understand how …

Improved Literacy In The Content Areas, Mauri Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

Many sixth graders struggle with the reading process. As they progress through middle school, they need to learn to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills while learning content material. This project considered the best practices for strengthening reading skills described in current literary sources. The purpose of this project was to provide middle level teachers instructional ideas designed to strengthen reading skills in the content area of social studies.

Technology Education : Is There A Need?, David Bonde

Graduate Research Papers

Presents an overview of the need and purpose for the implementation and teaching of technology education. Key points of the successful integration of technology education programs are addressed along with the key components of a successful technology education program. The pros and cons of the modular approach of teaching technology education are also examined. The conclusions are there is a lot of evidence that supports a real need for the teaching of technology education to all students, and modular programs are an integral part of a complete program. The research concludes that a strong creed and vision are crucial to …

Parents And Literacy : The Importance Of Reading Aloud To Children, Phyllis A. Christiansen

Graduate Research Papers

Parents are vital to their children's emerging literacy. Reading aloud to children offers parents opportunities to extend their child's knowledge about reading. A review of professional literature suggests that reading aloud provides children with reading role models, positive attitudes towards reading, a sense of story, improved listening abilities, exposure to different language patterns, concepts and related vocabulary, exposure to the rhythm and sound of language, book handling abilities, and knowledge about print format.

The Take Me Home project provides parents with access to quality literature and related activities to enhance the family's read aloud experience. Packets have been developed with …

Writers Workshop In A Second Grade Classroom, Julie Ryan

Graduate Research Papers

A writers workshop consists of peer and teacher interaction in assigned small groups. For this project, a writers workshop was implemented in a second grade classroom. A print-rich environment and a careful introduction to the components of the writing process were the basis of the program. Students were offered a continuous and predictable workshop schedule. Guidance was given in the form of student-teacher conferences, mini-lessons and the introduction of many genres of writing.

Authentic Instruction And Assessment : The Revision Of A Unit Of Study In Social Studies, Katherin Koranda

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to research authentic instruction and assessment. After analyzing the results of a literature review, a unit on the United States Constitution was rewritten to include these two concepts. Current literature confirms that students are better prepared for life if teachers use techniques that bring the subject to life for the student. In order for teachers to successfully use authentic instruction, the focus needs to be on the assessment component.

This paper includes discussion of the different types of authentic assessment and the different ways to perform the assessments. The advantages and disadvantages of each …

A Literature Base To Promote Peer Discussion Groups In A Third-Grade Reading Program, Angela L. Seifert

Graduate Research Papers

A decided trend in the literature-based reading program movement in the elementary school is the discussion of ideas that have been generated during the reading process. These interactions with peers and teachers can assist children in constructing meaning from the text and in considering alternative interpretations of the text, thus extending their thinking-language abilities.

To extend discussion in a third-grade classroom, an annotated list of picture books to accompany some of the designated themes of the reading program have been developed. An example teacher-directed lesson to promote inference-making through discussion is also included.

Building An Instructional Model For The High School Of The 21st Century, Cindy Winckler

Graduate Research Papers

High schools are the last frontier of change in the K-12 educational setting. In order to meet the needs of today's students, teachers must create systemic change. This research studied ways to build an instructional model for high schools of the 21 st century. The sources were selected from published literature about brain research, lesson design. school reform and studies of education systems between countries. The design of an instructional model for high schools was developed, using the research from literature reviews. Teaching methods, not teachers are at the heart of this reform.

Writing Opportunities To Extend Literacy For At-Risk Children In Grade One, Judy K. Torrens

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of writing on the early literacy learning of students who were performing below grade level in reading. Professional literature supports the theoretical formulation that writing nurtures young children's emerging literacy. For a first-grade classroom, a print-rich environment was created that provided daily opportunities for the students to experiment with writing. The children were able to construct their knowledge of the world through the writing process and to refine their knowledge of written language abilities in purposeful situations. They had many opportunities to connect reading and writing.

Literacy In The Multiage Classroom : A Review Of The Research, Barbara Avaux Messer

Graduate Research Papers

Multi-age grouping has a long history and is once again being studied as a viable alternative to the age-graded education model. Research indicates that multi-age programs are academically effective as well as being beneficial in promoting feelings of self-efficacy in students. Our society has changed since the inception of the age-graded model and teachers today are looking at multi-age education as a way to meet the diverse needs of their students. Successful multi-age programs have similar characteristics, but each program needs to be designed to meet the needs of the community it serves. Specific teaching strategies, materials, and assessment methods, …

Oral History In A Kindergarten Classroom, Marilyn J. Shanks

Graduate Research Papers

Oral history offers elementary teachers an exciting way to get students actively involved. It allows them to deal directly with people and places in the real world. It involves students in the decision-making process and allows them to feel ownership in a part of history. Oral history combines process and product into a real-life experience. It is an excellent teaching tool that fosters excitement about heritage, tradition, and family and helps promote respect and appreciation for the older generation.

Writing Portfolios In Grades Three And Four, Debra A. Carlson

Graduate Research Papers

The concept of assessment is broadening in some exciting ways. Assessment may include descriptive or qualitative techniques, such as portfolios. Portfolios have the potential to relate instruction and assessment more closely.

Writing portfolio implementation in a third and fourth grade classroom is discussed.Three children with different abilities were focused on as they. developed their portfolios with the support of their teacher. Through conferences with their teacher, the students selected writing exhibits for their portfolios, discussed their progress and instructional needs, and then set future goals for writing.