Education Commons^™

The Magnificent Cambry And The Not So Magnificent New School, Melanie Laughlin

Honors Projects

I have written and illustrated a children’s book and created a variety of lesson plans that can be used alongside my book. The book is titled The Magnificent Cambry And The Not So Magnificent New School. Children’s books are incredibly valuable in helping children develop and be an aid to their learning. The Magnificent Cambry And The Not So Magnificent New School centers on a young girl who deals with the struggles of having recently moved to a new place, is attending a new school, and is trying to adjust to these new changes in her life. This projects …

Reflection Through Revision: A Master's Portfolio, Laura Hoebing

Master of Arts in English Plan II Graduate Projects

This document is a compilation of four essays centered around a theme of reflection and teaching English at a high school level. The essays include pedagogical research on reflective writing, teaching grammar, and standards-based grading in a junior high curriculum, as well as an analytical research essay on the role of the police in two contemporary domestic noir novels.

The Globalized Classroom: Integrating Technology To Improve Communicative And Cultural Proficiency, Nicholas Frank

International ResearchScape Journal

The purpose of this project was to explore how the integration of technology affects students’ communicative and cultural proficiency in a second language when connecting two world language classrooms from across the globe. Through a series of weekly emails between partner schools, students practiced their interpretive reading and presentational writing skills while gaining knowledge of their partners’ cultures and colloquial language in a meaningful and individualized manner. The participants were U.S. high school students learning Spanish and Spanish high school students learning English. This created an authentic and organic environment for language acquisition, showing improvement in both communicative and cultural …

Cross-Curricular Teaching And Children's Literature: Dixie And Burt Hear A "Quack!", Brittany Skiba

Honors Projects

Motivated by research in the field and subject of elementary education, children’s literature, and cross-curricular teaching with the use of children’s literature, this project involved creating a children’s book with interrelated lesson plans in order to encourage teachers to use lessons that are more meaningful, to enhance learning experiences, and also to provide a quick-and-ready resource tool for teachers to use when preparing lessons. I conducted my research on elements that comprise a good children’s book, creating effective lesson plans, and the benefits of cross-curricular learning. According to an article, “Integrated Learning: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts,” by …

Group Encouragement: Action Research On Cooperative Learning, Sarah Miller

Honors Projects

Cooperative learning groups help students develop twenty-first century skills. Teachers may choose to constantly change the memberships of the cooperative learning groups so that students rarely work with the same people or teachers may choose to use a home group structure in that students always work with the same people. In this action research with two fifth grade math and science classes, it was found that most students enjoyed working with short-term groups and long-lasting home groups, but there was a large minority of students who did not enjoy working with their home groups following the three-month time period that …

Impact Of Kinesthetic Learning On Student Knowledge Retention And Attitudes Toward Mathematics, Alyssa Lustgarten

Honors Projects

This research study examines the impact of kinesthetic learning on student knowledge retention and attitudes toward mathematics. Specifically, this study focuses on teaching mathematics to secondary students through dance. Quantitative data was collected and analyzed regarding student mathematics knowledge retention and student attitudes towards mathematics. Although student mathematics knowledge retention increased for both the control and treatment groups, student attitudes toward mathematics decreased after the intervention for the treatment group.

Blended Learning Benefits Academic Growth, Lindsey Harris

WRIT: Journal of First-Year Writing

The research in this writing piece discusses the academic advantages of integrating technology into traditional learning through the platform of Blended Learning.

Final Ma Portfolio, Rebecca L. Sims

Master of Arts in English Plan II Graduate Projects

This portfolio consists of four projects I selected from various courses I took while completing my Master of Arts in the field of English. The first piece featured in my portfolio is titled “I’m Not Being “Short” With You: Providing Effective Feedback Efficiently Using a Computer Program.” I completed this piece in English 6200: Teaching Writing with Dr. Lee Nickoson. In this essay, I explore the role that feedback plays in the English classroom from both a student and faculty perspective. The second piece in my portfolio is a project I wrote for Teaching Grammar in the Context of Writing …

Online Training For Judicial Officers And Court Personnel, Morgan Patten

Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology Plan II Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create two online, asynchronous courses: one on domestic violence for judicial officers and one on community supervision of sex offenders for probation and parole officers. These courses will be offered to the court community through the Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College, which is responsible for providing education to judicial officers, court personnel, and others who serve the judiciary.

These courses were developed in consultation with Supreme Court of Ohio staff, judicial officers, and other subject matter experts. These experts evaluated the courses on at least three occasions and provided substantive feedback. Once …

The American Revolutionary War Through Differentiated Instruction: A Series Of 8th Grade Lesson Plans, Danya Crow

Honors Projects

Just like no two people are exactly alike, no two students learn in the same ways. While using traditional teaching strategies seems to have worked well through the years in today’s society, where children are surrounded by distractions, teachers are faced with the challenge of keeping their students’ attention. Making class interesting and different is a way to not only keep the students engaged with the material they are being taught, but can also be used as an effective tool to tailor lessons to the ways the students learn best. While one lesson structure could work very well for one …

Development Of An Associate Degree Level Course On Lean, Jeremy Espinoza

Master of Technology Management Plan II Graduate Projects

Lean training and education has become a focal point in both industry and the realm of academics; however, the need within the industry remains, and oftentimes companies must take on the additional and high expense of training new graduates once they enter the workforce. Often, the classes that students study in the lean methodology, if any are studied at all, are taught within other disciplines, and the instruction is in a general sense as opposed to in depth and hands on. Within the past eight years it has been referenced in different academic articles that students are not coming into …

Inclusive Settings: Rti In The General Education Classroom, Brittany Graves

Honors Projects

The premise of this study was derived upon seeing a severe need for professional development in my current field work experience. I set out to determine a possible solution to the lack of cohesion among general and special educators evident in my local school district. This small town rural school is looking to expand RTI, and intervention technique, to decrease gaps in education for at risk students. With issues of cohesion and professional development evident, I collected and analyzed data in order to determine a way the school district can still incorporate and expand their Response to Intervention (RTI) practices. …

Media Literacy Curriculum For The Adolescent Young Adult Classroom, Leah Oliver

Honors Projects

The American public education system has been lagging behind other developed nations in its implementation of media literacy curricula throughout all grade levels. As mass media outlets (including television, film, magazines, advertisements, and video games) become more prevalent in our society, the accompanying job market and the everyday use of electronic media platforms require high school and college graduates to have at least a basic understanding of how media can be used to disseminate information and to buy and sell products. Moreover, research studies in the field suggest that exposure to popular culture mass media can greatly influence teens’ self-esteem, …

We The People: A Simulation For Young Voters, Jessee Hankins

Honors Projects

This project discusses the evolution of my project from its inception through its completion. As a pre-service teacher in student teaching, my experiences directly influenced the development of this project. The project is one that discusses the use of simulations in a social studies classroom, and includes a lesson plan of the lesson that I used within my student teaching experience. The lesson plan also comes with materials that teachers may take advantage of the lesson plan, using it in their classroom to teach their students about the compromises that were created at the Constitutional Convention.

Today's Classroom Is Changing. The Living Classroom Concept, Alicia Springer

Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology Plan II Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to research, develop, deliver and evaluate a continuing education unit based on the concept of the living classroom. The unit was designed for Education Managers and other industry experts to present to Architects and Designers (A&D) who are associated with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

The trainees were both educated in the role of student and instructor. The overall project goal was to educate those associated with the educational industry and educate them about the learning revolution that is transforming the way we teach and learn …

Curriculum Redesign: The Use Of Learning Design Principles, Jaclyn Kinsey

Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology Plan II Graduate Projects

The Ohio Attorney General’s Center for the Future of Forensic Science at Bowling Green State University sought an opportunity to redesign the training curriculum for their researchers and scientists. The first training program to be developed was intended to be a 20-minute, individual e-learning experience, designed to be completed through a web browser. The overall goal of this project was to implement key learning design and user experience design principles to create a more engaging, motivating, and interactive form of training.

Integration Of Content In Early Childhood Education, Sara Rayburn

Honors Projects

In order to effectively engage students in today's society, teachers must be willing and prepared to be innovative in their methods. Integration of the content areas is one such way that teachers can build upon prior knowledge and develop meaningful learning experiences for young children. An event titled "Flight Partners for Life" was developed in order to practice integrating content, as well as to serve a need in the Sibs-n-Kids Weekend 2015 schedule at Bowling Green State University. In this specific example of content integration, Language Arts standards were taught in collaboration with Christian religious education curriculum.

A Resource Website For Game-Based Learning, Gerald Phillips

Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology Plan II Graduate Projects

Motivation is a huge factor in the success of students at all ages, especially in this fast paced technological world we live in. So - what motivates people to learn? Better yet, what, plain and simply, motivates people? Digital and non-digital games have a strong grasp on the attention of people across the world. They provide competition and mental stimulation that many people just cannot find in reality. Games engage players in unique problem solving situations, let them explore and satisfy curiosity, and connect players around the world who otherwise would never meet. Every achievement offers a reward and increase …

Comparing Contemporary Dystopian Novels With Canonical Classics In The Classroom, Elizabeth Moser

Honors Projects

This is a set of twenty lesson plans combining canonical classic dystopian novels and contemporary dystopian novels in the classroom. The first ten lesson plans involve teaching Divergent by Veronica Roth and 1984 by George Orwell together. The second ten days involve teaching The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and 1984 by George Orwell together. These sets of lessons are not necessarily meant to be taught together but each of the ten day sets were created to show the different possibilities for teaching these types of novels together.

Cognitive Styles Impact On Student Self-Efficacy, Ashten Graham

Honors Projects

This study will examine the impact the use differentiated instruction, based on cognitive styles, has on students’ self-efficacy. In order to accomplish this, students will be asked to explore what cognitive styles they ascribe to. Then after varied lessons attributing to different learning styles, students will complete a survey to gauge their level of self-efficacy. The goal of this sequence is to determine whether there is a relationship between cognitive styles and self-efficacy. It will also provide insight on how to create the best learning environment to promote academic success through the use of cognitive styles and attention to self-efficacy …

The Association Between Preschool Type And Children's Concentration Abilities, Jessica Jarvis

Honors Projects

The author of the study compared concentration abilities in 4-5 year-olds attending Montessori and traditional preschools in Bowling Green, Ohio. Number of errors and processing times on the Marburg concentration test were used to measure children's concentration abilities. No significant differences in concentration abilities were found for preschoolers attending Montessori and traditional schools.

My Classroom Management Plan: The First Two Weeks Of School, Hannah Burkhart

Honors Projects

As a pre-service teacher in one of the best teacher preparatory programs in the country, I learned many of the theories behind classroom management and discipline. After spending time during student teaching in my own classroom, however, I needed a more immediately useful solution than theory could provide. After investigating varied classroom management approaches and styles, I discovered the work of Harry and Rosemary Wong who inspired the creation of my own classroom management plan: a step-by-step guide of best practices and approaches to respond to daily issues and routines in the classroom. While I have heard that “the best …

Online Instructor Training For Canvas Learning Management System, Phillip Paskvan, Phillip Michael Paskvan

Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology Plan II Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to research, develop, deliver and evaluate a module-based training course that would be delivered online within a week’s timeframe to asynchronously train instructors in the use of Canvas learning management system (LMS) in the context of a campus environment with specific LMS use policies, versus the more comprehensive look provided by the Canvas help guides.

This course, Canvas 101 was delivered in the Canvas environment with the trainee in the role of both student and teacher. While the trainees worked in the course as students, they were required to perform ungraded tasks in an …

Improving Enrollment In The Construction Management Graduate Program Through Students’ Perspectives, Mouloud Messaoudi

Master of Technology Management Plan II Graduate Projects

Low enrollment and the decrease in graduation and retention rates are challenges facing the growth of the Master’s in Technology Management – Construction Management (MTM-CM) program at BGSU. In addition, the competition between the universities to enroll and retain more in-state, out-of-state, and international students is aggressive. There is a need for a revaluation for the MTM-CM program in order to attract more students in the future. This study is a necessary step to know what the MTM-CM students think about the product delivered to them at BGSU. There was no prior study investigating the satisfaction level of the construction …

The Benefits Of Music: An Exploration Of Music In Core-Curriculum Classrooms, Courtney Froehlich

Honors Projects

Inspired by research that establishes the benefits of using music in the teaching and learning of non-music subjects, this creative honors project provides sample lesson plans for music, math, and English teachers in grades K-8 that use musical activities to teach math and English concepts. Sample lesson plans are grouped by subject and grade levels, and underlying concepts of each plan are identified. Part One includes lesson plans that combine and draw connections between music and math concepts; Part Two includes lesson plans that combine and draw connections between music and English concepts. Within each part, plans are designed for …

Integrating Math And Language Arts In The Classroom, Emilee Blake

Honors Projects

This is a unit outline with detailed lesson plans and a reflection. It is a unit teaching about adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators for fourth grade students. The unit focuses on incorporating language arts in the math classroom focusing on reading, writing, and speaking.

The Impact Of Scaffolding Through The Use Of Board Games On Student Goal Orientation, Lyndsey Eicher

Honors Projects

American students have continuously performed lower than students from other countries on multiple different standardized tests. New methods of teaching students are needed in order to help American students to develop a deeper understanding of the math curriculum. This article focuses on the impact that using board games as scaffolds has on student goal orientation. It is proposed that implementing the use of board games as scaffolds appropriately, and according to effective scaffold design framework, the games will support mastery goal orientation and a deep understanding of the concepts. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory of cognitive development supports the research and findings …

The Power Of Parody And Satire In The 21st Century English Classroom, Ashley N. Shelton

Honors Projects

A frequent question in today’s high school English classroom is how "the classics" fit into our 21st century curriculum. Students ask, "How is this relevant to me?" and complain that the literature they are reading in class is outdated and difficult to understand. Therefore, my project embraces a few canonical texts that are most frequently used in America's schools and presents them in an innovative way that students will not only understand, but engage on a critical level. Based on emerging research in the education field, my project explains how modern technology and the techniques of parody and satire can …

Teaching Styles And Teacher Growth, Evan Spooner

Honors Projects

Through the use of empirical research and a personal reflection journal, this project examines how differing teaching styles between mentor and student teachers affect student learning and offers a chronicling of my experiences running a classroom for the first time. Several sources were utilized for this project including pre and post-assessment surveys to study the negative or positive impact my teaching had in the classroom, one video-recorded lesson, and a reflection journal covering my experiences each day in class. The results indicate that most students were able to adapt to the teaching style, and in some cases felt their learning …

Prelude - An Augmented Reality Ios Application For Music Education, Kristen Brown

Honors Projects

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology which serves to enhance the real world environment through the addition of relevant digital content, and has many potential applications within a variety of different fields, including, but not limited to, fields such as marketing, entertainment, medicine, and education. The purpose of this project is to develop an iOS augmented reality application for music educators that will serve as a tool in teaching students to recognize specific music notes and symbols.