Education Commons^™

Using Podcasts To Support Distance Education For Adult Learners, David Graw

Graduate Research Papers

Podcasting is one of several emerging Web 2.0 technologies that are becoming important to the future of distance education for adult learners. This investigation examines the influence of podcasting in support of distance education programming for adult students. An overview of student perspectives, instructional support systems, and technological trends is presented to readers interested in using podcasts to support adult learners enrolled in distance education programs.

The literature review provides information that will help readers understand the complexities of integrating podcast technology into adult distance education programs. This review of the literature concludes that an understanding of student perspectives, podcast …

Interactive Writing In A Kindergarten Classroom, Amy Henze

Graduate Research Papers

This research study focused on the use of interactive writing as the primary method of writing instruction in a kindergarten classroom. The purpose of the study was to find out the extent to which and in what ways interactive writing supports the needs of all students at various emergent writing stages. The study also examined students' writing samples to see if there was carryover of skills from the interactive writing lessons to the students' independent writing. Results indicate a variety of skills were taught during the interactive writing lessons, and all of the students showed growth in the use of …

Reading Instruction At The Secondary Level, Justified Or Unjustified? : Real Strategies For Content Area Reading Instruction With Applications For Social Studies, Bridgette Pohlman Andersen

Graduate Research Papers

Reading research conclusively asserts that reading is developmental in nature and requires explicit instruction beyond the elementary years. However, secondary education is dominated by content area curricula, leaving little instructional time for literacy. Standardized assessments reveal that middle and high school students' reading comprehension scores remain stagnant, yet society's literacy demands have increased. In order for students to become independent learners and productive citizens, reading comprehension strategies need to be embedded in existing classroom practices. Research-based practices for comprehension that can be used before, during and after reading are presented. A professional development session, covering two years, is included that …

The Effect Of Technology On Primary Students' Phonemic Awareness Achievement, Joy Marie Schirmer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose for this project was to research current software programs focused on phonemic awareness and, through a process of evaluation of selected programs, determine a software program with phonemic awareness activities that would be suitable for teachers to integrate into K-2 reading instruction. Phonemic awareness is a strong indicator of future reading success (Stahl & Murrary, 1994 ). Students that used technology that incorporates phonemic awareness activities have shown an increase in reading achievement. Three software programs were picked for evaluation using Sherman, Kleiman, and Peterson's (2004) criteria. Through an evaluation process this project concludes with recommendations for the …

"I Can Do It" And You Can, Too : Toddlers And Autonomy In A Multicultural Classroom, Chelssi Lynn Michelle Parrott

Graduate Research Papers

This article will define autonomy and its relationship to learning and development in an infant or toddler classroom. It will discuss the differing cultural views concerning autonomy and the challenges this can bring to a culturally diverse classroom. It will give examples of what the development of autonomy looks like in my own classroom, and I will also share the guidelines that I keep in mind when encouraging autonomy with infants and toddlers.

Reading Intervention Support For The Older Struggling Reader : A Desk-Reference For Reading Interventions, April L. Kleinschmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Reading interventions for the older student are a topic of discussion in school districts, especially when an increasing number of middle schools and high schools are in need of improvement in the area of reading. Because of this increase in literacy concern in the middle and high schools, there is a need to better understand areas of reading that would assist struggling adolescent readers. Research affirms the importance of including intervention assistance in the upper grades. Research indicates key areas to target: structures and features of text, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, writing and technology, as well as the incorporation of …

Class Size : Appropriate Student-Teacher Ratios In Early Childhood Classrooms In Relation To Student Achievement, Brian D. Kingrey

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the effects of reduced class sizes in early childhood classrooms in relation to student achievement, and to present guidelines for implementing class-size reduction programs and practices in K-3 classrooms. Average- and actual-class size, student-teacher ratios, per-pupil expenditures, student achievement, health and well-being, curricula, and cost-effectiveness were discussed.

In researching recent literature for this review, multiple searches were conducted including searches for class-size reduction, student-teacher ratios, cost-effectiveness, and districts that implemented class-size reduction programs. Gilman (1988) conducted research on Tennessee's Project STAR which served as a basis for continued research. Summative findings …

Cooking : Mixing And Measuring With Young Children, Aimee Marie Klostermann

Graduate Research Papers

Cooking with young children is a rewarding experience as an educator. Not only are the children enjoying themselves, but you are too. Cooking allows children to be in touch with their senses, and is a hands-on approach to learning. Of course cooking can be messy, which is what young children love most. Incorporating science, math, literacy, and social studies into one activity is easily done through cooking.

Whether you are a novice or a veteran when it comes to cooking, the skills children gain are immense when you incorporate cooking into the early childhood curriculum. I believe there are some …

Meeting Academic Needs Through Explicit Vocabulary Insturction, Ann D. M. Langenfeld

Graduate Research Papers

This project focused on meeting the academic needs of students through explicit vocabulary instruction. The project consisted of nine professional development sessions delivered over one academic year and targeted reading teachers and Language Arts Resource Specialists (LARS) in a Midwestern suburban school district. Participants engaged in collaborative and interactive sessions that included colleague visits to aide in implementation of at least one method of explicit vocabulary instruction. Through a series of two different questionnaires, participant responses were used to assess background knowledge, teacher beliefs and practices, teacher perceptions, implementation, and relevance regarding explicit vocabulary instruction.

Digital Storytelling, Erin Alynn Miller

Graduate Research Papers

The need for students to use effective written communication and to be technologically literate · remains strong. Meanwhile, educators charged with developing these skills are searching for ways to engage students in the writing process and integrate technology into daily learning activities. Digital storytelling aligns with both of these objectives. This strategy invites students into the writing process on a personal level and integrates several technologies into the final product.

This paper describes the digital storytelling process, including the benefits students attain from storytelling and technology integration as well as suggestions for classroom implementation. Additionally, research-based conclusions and recommendations for …

Strategies To Improve The Comprehension Of Struggling Readers And The Elementary Level, Melissa Mueller

Graduate Research Papers

Comprehension occurs when a reader constructs meaning from the text. Each reader must use a strategy to best suit their interaction with the text. By internalizing reading strategies, students will become successful readers. Education is part of a research based instructional practice movement. This paper describes five instructional methods used to teach comprehension strategies to elementary students and the research that supports them. The paper closes with conclusions and recommendations for teaching comprehension strategies.

Preschool Spanish Speakers Who Are Learning English : Factors Related To Later Reading Success, Debra S. Negley

Graduate Research Papers

The rapid rate of increasing numbers of Hispanics in the United States, along with the reading achievement gap between Whites and Hispanics, highlights the need to examine the factors that affect young Hispanics' literacy success. This literature review examined the specific factors that might predict Spanish-speaking Hispanic preschoolers' later reading accomplishments. Studies were categorized by child, family, and school factors that are related to prediction of future literacy attainment.

Analysis of the assorted papers and articles demonstrated that a combination of the following factors would most affect Hispanic preschoolers' future reading abilities in English: high quality early childhood education programs …

The Impact Of Oral Language Activities In Preschool On Reading Competence In Kindergarten And Beyond, Melissa Sifert

Graduate Research Papers

The following literature review examined the impact of oral language activities in preschool concerning literacy competence in kindergarten and beyond. Four questions were addressed: (1) What is the role of oral language on reading achievement? (2) What instructional activities are important in promoting oral language skills crucial for later reading development? (3) What challenges do educators face when incorporating oral language activities in the preschool classroom? and (4) What are guidelines for integrating oral language activities in preschool? Recommendations for the advancement of oral language instruction in the education system were presented.

Children With Cleft Lips And/Or Palates In Early Childhood Classrooms : Overcoming Obstacles And Misconceptions, Angel Simons

Graduate Research Papers

One in 750 live births results in a baby born with a cleft lip and/or palate (CLP), making it the second most common birth impairment in the United States (Speltz, Endrig, Fisher, & Mason, 1997). Being born with a cleft lip and/or palate brings on many obstacles in a child's life.

Educators can help children born with cleft lip and/or palate by knowing: are there any correlations between how a child born with a cleft is treated by teachers and parents when it comes to teacher and/or parent expectations and perceptions; do children with clefts have distinct common personality or …