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Full-Text Articles in Education
Challenging Standard Grading Practices: A Qualitative Action Research Study, Brian Andrew Timmons
Challenging Standard Grading Practices: A Qualitative Action Research Study, Brian Andrew Timmons
Theses and Dissertations
The present qualitative Action Research study was conducted to determine students’ perceptions of current teacher grading practices and how a standards-based grading (SBG) report card affected secondary students’ perceptions and understanding of grade fairness and accuracy compared to a standard report card, which reports a single grade that often combines academic achievement with behaviors, attendance, homework completion, deadlines and the like. At the end of the first four-and-a-half week grading period of the fall 2016 semester, a group of tenth-grade English II Honors students were presented with two different report cards, one that utilized a single numerical average and one …
Formative Assessment Strategies For Mathematical Thinking: A Qualitative Action Research Study, Benjamin J. Sinwell
Formative Assessment Strategies For Mathematical Thinking: A Qualitative Action Research Study, Benjamin J. Sinwell
Theses and Dissertations
Developing Formative Assessment Strategies for Mathematical Thinking is a qualitative action research study that investigates how one mathematics teacher implements formative assessment strategies aimed at impacting students’ mathematical thinking in two geometry classes a southern Title I public high school. This study is predicated on the notion that when students share their mathematical thinking in class, it stimulates classroom discussion and discourse and provides evidence vis-à-vis formative assessments that the teacher can use to improve mathematics curriculum and instruction. The study is theoretically grounded in Wiliam and Thompson’s (2007) Five Key Formative Assessment Strategies that include: 1. Clarifying and Sharing; …
The Effects Of A Summer Reading Program On Reading Achievement And Reading Motivation, Marcia Seawright
The Effects Of A Summer Reading Program On Reading Achievement And Reading Motivation, Marcia Seawright
Theses and Dissertations
Research shows that children who read books often, both in and out of school, are likely to develop better reading skills than children who have fewer opportunities to read. (Allington, 2012). While many school districts are successfully implementing various opportunities to support students’ reading development during the academic year, problems arise when students are away from school during the summer months. Studies also show that students who read below grade level at the end of third grade are six times more likely to eventually leave school without a high school diploma (National Research Council, 1998). The purpose of this combined …
Pedagogical Practices In Homogeneous And Heterogeneous Ability Grouped Classrooms, Theresa Marie Kinsey
Pedagogical Practices In Homogeneous And Heterogeneous Ability Grouped Classrooms, Theresa Marie Kinsey
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to describe one sixth grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher’s pedagogical practices in her heterogeneous grouped classroom and her homogeneous grouped classroom. The focus of this study was on instructional practices in two classes, one homogeneously grouped based on high English Language Arts ability; the other heterogeneously grouped. Through the data generated, the participant-researcher reflected upon the English Language Arts instruction in both classes and described the teacher’s instructional practices in this middle school. Semi-structured interviews, a questionnaire, field observations, videotapes and lesson plans provided the qualitative research data for this …
Impact Of Standards-Based Instruction On Achievement Levels Of Students With Moderate To Severe Intellectual Disabilities: An Action Research Study, Amy White Condon
Impact Of Standards-Based Instruction On Achievement Levels Of Students With Moderate To Severe Intellectual Disabilities: An Action Research Study, Amy White Condon
Theses and Dissertations
The primary purpose of this qualitative research study was to describe the perceptions of middle school special education teachers in regards to the implementation of Unique Learning Systems (ULS) curriculum, a standards-based curriculum and assessment system designed to be used with students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. The secondary purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of the special needs students’ parents. The tertiary purpose was to design an action plan that will enable Ocean Front School District (OFSD) special education administrators and teachers to better determine if ULS’ content, instructional strategies, accommodations and modifications are effective. …
The Effects Of Arts Integration On Literacy Comprehension Achievement, Sara D. Tucker
The Effects Of Arts Integration On Literacy Comprehension Achievement, Sara D. Tucker
Theses and Dissertations
This study focused on the effects of arts-based instruction on student literacy achievement. The study sought to identify how incorporating arts into the reading classroom through arts-based interventions affected the literacy achievement of fifth-grade students who attended a school for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) located in South Carolina. One group of fifth-grade student-participants, consisting of 10 students, received arts-based interventions, focusing on literacy skills. Students met with the researcher three times a week to receive arts-based literacy interventions. Data collection included a pre assessment and post assessment of literacy skills, along with surveys of student-participants’ attitudes about …
The Impact Of One-To-One Ipad Instruction On Student Engagement, Sherri Herbst
The Impact Of One-To-One Ipad Instruction On Student Engagement, Sherri Herbst
Theses and Dissertations
The action research study describes the experiences of 14 elementary students using one-to-one (1:1) iPad instruction to engage in learning Spanish as a second language (L2). The student-participants used 1:1 iPads to learn Spanish over an 8 week unit of study. Data was comprised of scores from a student-participant engagement rubric scored by the teacher-participant before and after the study as well as summative structured surveys with student-participants to determine their perceptions of the iPad unit. Data were also collected in participant-researcher’s daily field notes and journal entries. Formative self-reflective journals were also kept by student-participants. Summative artifacts were collected …
The Impact Of Technology Integration On The Engagement Levels Of Ten Second Grade Students In An English Language Arts Classroom, Octavia J. Hamilton-Hankins
The Impact Of Technology Integration On The Engagement Levels Of Ten Second Grade Students In An English Language Arts Classroom, Octavia J. Hamilton-Hankins
Theses and Dissertations
This action research study examined the way in which integrating technology into a second grade ELA classroom impacted levels of student engagement. Research investigated utilizing various technological tools to meet learning goals and objectives in the classroom, and determined the impact on student engagement as perceived by the students and classroom teacher. The study employed a mixed-methods approach of data collecting. The researcher collected and recorded data twice a week for six weeks. In order to identify and validate the study‘s findings, the researcher used field notes, interviews, questionnaires, and checklists as the data collection sources to measure student engagement. …
Exploring Changes In Computer Self-Efficacy During Graphics Skills Acquisition, Michele Dames
Exploring Changes In Computer Self-Efficacy During Graphics Skills Acquisition, Michele Dames
Theses and Dissertations
The present action research study involved a participant-researcher and her undergraduate students enrolled in the Course: Visual Arts Computing, at the University of South Carolina from 2012 to 2013. This research examined six sections of the course with an average of 20 students in each section, totaling 120 participants. The overarching Research Question for the present study was: What factors from social cognitive theory (cognitive, environmental, behavior) influenced students’ self-efficacy with computer technology in an undergraduate graphic arts course? To answer this question the participant-researcher administered a pretest and posttest of the computer self-efficacy scale by Compeau and Higgins (1995b). …
Teacher Use O One-To-One Ipads In The Classroom: Technology Integration, School Level Support, And Teacher Beliefs, Patricia Barfield Boatwright
Teacher Use O One-To-One Ipads In The Classroom: Technology Integration, School Level Support, And Teacher Beliefs, Patricia Barfield Boatwright
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of the study was to investigate teacher perceptions of the implementation of one-to-one iPad use in the classroom to include technology integration, school level support, and teacher beliefs. The study explored the beliefs, attitudes and perspectives of eight elementary school teachers. Focus group interviews, single interviews, and classroom observations were utilized to gather qualitative data for this study. In the research findings, I presented participant descriptions and analyzed the data. The major findings that emerged from this study are organized according to the themes: technology integration, school level support, and teacher beliefs. Within technology integration, the categories that …
Teacher Perceptions Of Fostering Student Engagement Through The Use Of The Tprs World Language Instructional Method, Cederia Campbell
Teacher Perceptions Of Fostering Student Engagement Through The Use Of The Tprs World Language Instructional Method, Cederia Campbell
Theses and Dissertations
Student engagement among male students in the elementary setting is vital to academic achievement. In the world language classroom, the TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) method’s visual and bodily kinesthetic nature have the potential to appeal to the natural learning styles of elementary male students therefore increasing student engagement. In this qualitative study, I construct and analyze teacher surveys in regards to their perceptions of student engagement among elementary male students when the TPRS method is implemented. I identify common themes in the survey results and analyzed surveys for saturation. Identifying the common themes provided valuable insight in …
Teachers’ Influence On Black/White Biracial Student Identity Development, Dawn M. Campbell
Teachers’ Influence On Black/White Biracial Student Identity Development, Dawn M. Campbell
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to report on what teachers and parents see as significant factors affecting Black-White biracial student identity development. Through a qualitative case study using individual interviews with parents and grandparents of a Black/White biracial child and the child’s teachers, various factors affecting Black/White biracial identity development emerged. Historical laws, court cases, U.S. Census reports, theoretical data, and identity models were examined and explored to provide a clear argument that Black/White biracial individuals have historically been marginalized and that this marginalization within society has carried over into our current curricular and instructional practices within schools. This …
A Phenomenological Analysis Of Social Justice/Injustice On The Lives Of African-American High School Males, Michael R. Harris
A Phenomenological Analysis Of Social Justice/Injustice On The Lives Of African-American High School Males, Michael R. Harris
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to analyze what high school African-American males perceive as significant influences that directly impact their academic achievement while attending a predominantly White suburban high school. This qualitative research study will utilize semi-structured case interviews to collect and analyze data gathered from among a criteria-based subgroup of African-American high school males. An examination of archival data such as student course selections, a review of high school Carnegie units earned and attempted, the availability of support resources and interventions, as well discipline and attendance reports will each provide evidence of the probable obstacles impacting the achievement …
Teacher Perception Of Promoting Student Engagement Among Culturally Diverse Students Through The Use Of Culturally Relevant Strategies, Ivey Pearl Addison
Teacher Perception Of Promoting Student Engagement Among Culturally Diverse Students Through The Use Of Culturally Relevant Strategies, Ivey Pearl Addison
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of the study was to investigate teacher perceptions of the impact culturally relevant pedagogy has on student engagement. The study explored the beliefs, attitudes and perspectives of four elementary school teachers. Observations and interviews were utilized to gather qualitative data for this study. Teacher lessons were used to achieve triangulation. The findings will provide teachers with a conceptual framework that can be adapted to improve academic achievement.