Education Commons^™

Cooperative Learning And Academically Gifted Students, John Joynt

Graduate Research Papers

This article examines the complexity of cooperative learning as an instructional strategy and discusses its positive effects for all students. The writer then defends cooperative learning as a classroom strategy for the academically gifted, even though gifted education practitioners frequently criticize it. He cites current research that identifies cooperative learning as an appropriate general education classroom strategy for all learners, as well as studies that criticize its effectiveness. After reviewing both positive and negative research related to cooperative learning and academically gifted students, the writer concludes that cooperative learning can be a positive instructional strategy if implemented according to the …

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.

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.

Case Study : The Kjef Student Video News, John Kennedy Wickham

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact and effectiveness of a student video news project that was initiated in the fall of 1998 as the result of receiving a McElroy Trust Fund grant. A secondary purpose was to determine whether the student video news production was more effective than the traditional approach where the principal used the public address system. Three questionnaires were used to solicit input from school staff and students. The staff was surveyed in the spring of 1999 and 2000 whereas students were surveyed in December 1999 after one year of production. Results were …

Creating A Web Page For Centerville High School, Catherine Lechtenberg

Graduate Research Papers

The paper discusses the process taken to create a web site for Centerville High School. The audience for this web site includes current students, community members, and prospective families and business people. Information was collected regarding the resources, content, environment, and learners. The Applied Communications students worked in pairs to create several pages which include high school information, current fads, an opinion page, calendar of events, sports page, student spotlights, and faculty with their teaching assignments. The students would collect the information during the week so every Friday, in class, the groups would work on their section of the web …

Using Technology To Support The Implementation Of Vocabulary And Comprehension Strategies, Lisa Beames

Graduate Research Papers

This project is a workshop intended to enhance teacher knowledge of assisting students in comprehending informational text. It is supported by research and maintains the instructional goals of providing participants with not only knowledge of current research, but also provides for the development of age and content appropriate hands-on graphic organizers. Graphic organizers are a strategy that have been documented to hold great potential in improving reading comprehension.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder : Developments In The Last Decade Concerning Causes And Treatments, Phyllis Damgaard

Graduate Research Papers

The last ten years have brought major advances in the fields of medicine and technology, advances that have illuminated many of the dark comers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This article seeks to pull together those illuminating advances, condensing the voluminous information available into comprehensive, but readable, pages. The causes of the disorder are discussed from both the scientific and psychological/social perspectives. The controversy resulting from medicating so many, so young is an integral part of this country's interest in ADHD, due largely to coverage by the popular media.

Research concerning successful treatment strategies is also discussed. Medication, behavior …

Diversity In The College Curriculum : Overview Of The Literature, Ruben J. Carrion

Graduate Research Papers

The colleges and universities in the United States that have adopted a proactive commitment to diversity in the curriculum have done so because they understand how their central mission is linked with the future of a diverse society. They are aware that, in the new millennium, most new jobs in the economy require a postsecondary education, and women and racial/ethnic minorities compose a majority of the workforce. One result of this awareness is the transformation taking place at many institutions that links diversity in the curriculum with the development of new teaching practices and learning practices.

This review of the …

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 …

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 …

Television Violence : The Impact And Influence On Children And Adolescents, Preston B. Hoskins

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will look at the history of violent youth, and the unique development of youth violence in our country. The author will examine the unique characteristics that make media such a powerful communicative source. The author will show how living in a media culture affects the way youth behave, and will explore the extent to which media messages have power over their lives. Information on the significance of television violence on the behaviors of youth will be included.

What About Me? : The Final Question Of A Suicidal Teen, Peggy Ann Kleve

Graduate Research Papers

Adolescents need access to vital information on how to help a friend who is contemplating suicide. They need to be able to identify the signs and seek assistance from an understanding adult.

This research project, What About Me? The final question of a suicidal teen, was designed to determine whether reading an adolescent novel can educate teens about depression and suicide awareness. I wrote the adolescent novel so young adolescents would be able to relate to the main character and learn from her mistakes.

Curricular And Instructional Adaptations For Special Needs Students In The General Education Setting, Kelly Bohning

Graduate Research Papers

The primary focus of this article is to address when regular education teachers should make adaptations for students in the general education setting and to determine the kinds of adaptations that general education teachers can make for their students. This article also links curricular and instructional adaptations to the research on effective schools. Steps for setting up an inclusive science classroom are presented. Various adaptations in the science classroom are discussed. The findings of this research report indicate that there are a variety of instances where it is appropriate for teachers to make adaptations for students in the general education …

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 …

Elements Of Writers Workshops In A Third Grade Classroom, Gale L. Nagunst

Graduate Research Papers

The act of writing is a natural process and should be treated as such. For children seven years and older, writing usually is not a linear act that follows a prescribed set of steps in a particular order, but a recursive process in which writers move forward and back through the different components of writing to make meaning. A classroom that includes writers workshops, or groups of children working together to interact about writing, must incorporate several important elements to allow this recursive, natural process to happen. These elements include classroom organization, ample writing time, models of writing, teacher instruction …

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 …

Portfolios--From Traditional To Digital : Research For Understanding And Implementation In The Art Classroom, Deb Ann Richmann

Graduate Research Papers

Portfolios are a method in which educators assess student work. The traditional portfolio is generally a collection of papers stored for an intended purpose. There are many types and purposes for portfolios. Technology, however, has yielded some inventive methods for managing the many papers in the portfolio in a digital format. This term, digital portfolio, represents a technological presentation of student work. The differences in hardware, software, and peripherals have been investigated in this review. Along with the tools for management, the implementation in an art classroom is explored. The sustaining impact of the digital portfolio in the art classroom …

Mentoring To Foster Children's Emerging Literacy, Janet K. Archer

Graduate Research Papers

Many children benefit from additional association with supportive adults at school. Mentoring programs are one way of providing support. Mentors can assist in fostering children's personal-social and thinking-language abilities.

A brochure with basic guidelines for mentors has been developed. It is intended as a reference source with suggestions for mentoring procedures and language activities.

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 …

Development Of Writing Through Journaling With Senior Educable Mentally Handicapped, Bonita M. Custer

Graduate Research Papers

Recognizing that many senior high school students who are labeled Educable Mentally Handicapped (the term used in Nebraska) have had few opportunities to have fulfilling experiences in school, a rich literature-based language arts program was developed for a class. This group had many opportunities to respond with their ideas and feelings, one of which was journaling.

As the school year progressed, I, as their teacher, found that I was modifying and changing my daily instructional plans because their reading and writing generated ideas and instructional needs. In their journals, they began to write more freely with more skill and creativity. …

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 …

Differentiating The Curriculum For Gifted Young Adolescents In The Middle School Classroom, Eileen M. Boggess

Graduate Research Papers

Academically gifted students exist in every classroom and in all segments of the population. Rather than ignore their gifts and assume that a pull-out program for gifted students will satisfy their educational needs, schools need to accept the fact that gifted students are gifted all day, every day. Intellectually gifted young adolescents are prisoners of time in the classroom. Most of the material covered in a regular classroom is review or aimed at lower cognitive ability students. This leaves gifted young adolescents bored, restless, or hostile to their education. By differentiating the content, process, products, or learning environment of the …

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.

Learning Technology Policies In Action : Where Do The States Stand?, Evie Charles Pugh

Graduate Research Papers

In states with technology plans, there is a common belief that technology has the power to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the learning environment of the classroom. Many states' technology policies and plans reflect a demand for information about student learning outcomes and the cost and benefits of education programs. The eight states in the North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium (NCRTEC) are: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The need for district spending in education technology, such as computer training, professional development, service/support networking, supplies, and hardware, has become a major issue …

Writing Portfolios In A First Grade Classroom, Mary J. Rezac

Graduate Research Papers

The portfolio is one of several authentic, qualitative assessment techniques used to describe children's involvement in the writing process. Portfolios provide opportunities for children to become active participants in their own learning and assessment. They can become partners with the teacher as together they assess progress and set goals for future learning.

This paper examines the implementation of writing portfolios in a first grade classroom. The focus is on two reluctant writers. Throughout the school year, they collaborated with the teacher in selecting exhibits for their portfolio collections. While engaging in the portfolio collection process, the children assessed progress and …

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 …

Middle School Intramural/Co-Curricular Programs, Andrew W. Strottman

Graduate Research Papers

Schools that have used an intramural program find students benefit socially, academically, and physically from these activities. Some schools have even seen a drop in teens getting into trouble in their communities with the implementation of an intramural program. The first portion of this project was to review the literature to find out: (1) what the benefits of an intramural program are at the middle school level, (2) what grade level or levels would benefit most from a program that involves many students in activities, and (3) what students are interested in doing after school as opposed to being unsupervised …

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 …

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.

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, …