Education Commons^™

Promoting Inference-Making In A First Grade Classroom, Susan E. Flater

Graduate Research Papers

School-age children throughout their life experiences make inferences. Teachers can offer instruction and modeling in inference-making and opportunities for children to make inferences. As a result, children can become accustomed to bringing their prior knowledge to reading experiences, thus extending their thinking-language abilities.

Barriers To Effective Programming Of Rural Gifted And Talented Students, Linda K. Moehring

Graduate Research Papers

Gifted and talented students in rural areas have barriers that are specific to them. Through a review of literature on gifted and talented students in rural schools this writer has determined five barriers to effective educational programming: (1) Anti-intellectualism as a societal attitude; (2) isolation of rural gifted students; (3) the all-encompassing role of the gifted and talented teacher; (4) inadequate curricular or programming opportunities; and (5) lack of funding.

The review and analysis of literature on the rural gifted and talented include the recommendation that much more research needs to be conducted in the area of service to rural …

Success At Last : One Teacher's Growth In Understanding Of Writer's Workshop, Cindy L. Davis

Graduate Research Papers

Writer's workshop is an approach to teaching writing that corresponds to the whole language philosophy. Much of the literature published on the topic of whole language, and specifically writer's workshop, describes the ideal classroom environment. However, "whole language in the intermediate classroom is often given less attention in professional books and journals than the primary classroom receives" (Gannon-Smith, 1991). As a reading and language arts teacher of sixth grade students, I have been interested in teaching writing through the use of writer's workshop. There are some general whole language themes which can be used to build a motivating writing environment …

Reading Workshop And Vocabulary Knowledge : Allies In Comprehension, Ellen Cutting

Graduate Research Papers

The Reading Workshop develops a purpose for reading, gives students a greater sense of their own efficacy, broadens understanding of reading strategies, provides a context that supports the student choice of what is read, and allows integration of prior knowledge in what is read (Kletzien & Hushion, 1992). Students are able to construct and direct their own learning in the Reading Workshop by reading books of their independent choice, respond to what is read, and receive mini-skill instruction on reading strategies. Students are invited to be actively involved in a process that is consistent with whole language philosophy (Atwell, 1987). …

Nurturing Reading Comprehension Of Attention Deficit Students By Improving Their Inferential Skills, Paula Decker

Graduate Research Papers

Inference-making is a necessary component of reading comprehension. Many attention deficit students have shown some degree of reading comprehension deficiencies. Due to the nature of their disability – staying focused, sticking to a task, and noticing details – inference-making may be difficult for them.

This article suggests that by modifying and enhancing existing teaching methods and strategies, the instructional needs of ADD/ADHD students would be met. It offers some lesson and teaching modifications that have shown to be helpful in this author's experience.

When teachers are aware of the characteristics and limitations of students with an attention deficiency, they can …

The Movement Toward Authentic Assessment And The Role Of Technology, Brenda L. Clark

Graduate Research Papers

Assessment can be defined as the process of collecting evidence of what a student knows and is able to do. There are several types of assessment available for use. The list includes, but is not limited to, standardized tests, performance based assessment and portfolios. All of these have both positive and negative aspects to evaluating student learning.

Integrating Children's Literature And Mathematics In The Early Childhood Classroom, Jamie M. Christensen

Graduate Research Papers

"Historically there have been three reasons for groups to formally adopt a set of standards: (1) to ensure quality, (2) to indicate goals, and (3) to promote change. For NCTM, all three reasons are of equal importance" (The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1989, p. 2).

Now, more than any other time in history, mathematical reform is essential in our school systems. The traditional mathematics curriculum was designed to prepare shopkeepers, farmers, and factory workers for occupations in the early 1900s. Some of those skills are still useful in today's society. However, as the new millennium approaches, our future …

The Integration Of Call In Efl/Esl Learning Environment, Kuei-Chin Huang

Graduate Research Papers

A number of studies have shown that learning through the use of computers is more efficient than traditional methods and arouse students motivation (Johnson & Osguthorpe, 1986; Jung, 1992 ). The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI), to investigate the immense potential of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), and then to identify ways in which computers can be used to enhance foreign language learning.

A Project Approach Using Integration And Collaboration To Study Ancient Civilizatons In Sixth Grade, Kim Marie Nadermann Kerian

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this article is to describe a 6th grade project intended to build responsibility in students for their own learning and develop an integration of curriculum areas through the study of Ancient Civilizations. Within this project, 6th grade students were involved in a research project with the final production of an ancient civilizations museum where they shared their knowledge and taught other students about their chosen civilization.

Extended Learning Program Evaluation, Linda S. Keegan

Graduate Research Papers

The rationale for the development of this project is to improve the quality of education for the gifted education program at the Marion Independent School District. The project was based upon the evaluation instruments employed to parents, students, and teachers effected by the ELP in the grades kindergarten through third grade. Parents were given a survey regarding the ELP program goals and objectives, communication, and satisfaction of the program. Students were given surveys regarding their learning and feelings about the program. Teachers were given surveys discussing a variety of topics dealing with parents, students, and services provided in the program.

Differentiated Educational Programming And Educational Strategies For The Highly Gifted In The Elementary Schools Of Malaysia, Norridah Katun

Graduate Research Papers

Highly gifted children, due.to their unique attributes, need a differentiated program and educational strategies that are commensurate with their abilities. As a part of the educational reform movement, the country of Malaysia has committed itself to the implementation of innovative strategies for developing the potential of its children and youth. This review of literature focused on that commitment.

First of all, the need for differentiated programming and educational strategies for the highly gifted was reaffirmed. Then, from the reviewed literature, the qualities of successful differentiated programming/strategies were established for highly gifted children in the elementary schools of Malaysia. Third, six …

Effective Uses Of Technology In The Classroom, Sherrie Kopecky

Graduate Research Papers

Research Questions: How is technology being effectively used in the elementary, middle, and high schools both by the teachers and the students? What are some effective pieces of software students are utilizing in their learning? What is the best way to integrate technology into the curriculum?

What Does Educational Technology Mean In The Promotion Of Student Achievement : A Literature Review, Fongching Lee

Graduate Research Papers

Research indicates that educational technology has a valued status, especially in the promotion of student learning. The theory behind the study of educational technology includes the four paradigms defined by Saettler (1990): the media view, the communications and systems view, the behavioral sciences view, and the cognitive science concept. This theory serves as the basis for the implementation of educational technology by the teachers.

Implementing educational technology, in special education and regular education (k-12), has indicated positive influences on student achievement. Greater student achievement would translate to better worker-citizens for the United States, thereby allowing the country to be competitive …

Designing And Implementing Successful Staff Development, Peggy A. Sheetz

Graduate Research Papers

What staff development factors are vital to ensure successful staff training for the integration of technology into the curriculum? What variability factors must be taken into account when planning and implementing staff development?

In theory, staff development should not take very long, and educators should be able to ascertain the meaning and directions that are given related to technology quite easily. However, the staff development that is thought out and executed well is the staff development opportunity that is effective. Effective staff development requires five factors: time, access, collaboration, training and implementation. Without these factors being considered, success will be …

Androgogy And K-12 Technology Staff Development : Towards Effective Practice, Craig Barnum

Graduate Research Papers

Many K-12 technology staff development programs are based upon pedagogical models. Adult learners require a different set of design and facilitation skills referred to as andragogy. The primary goal of adult education in any arena is to produce independent life long learners. This is particularly valuable in the ever changing realm of technology. To engage this task Knowles and Brookfield each identify six guiding principles that construct a framework for designers and facilitators of adult education programs to follow. The process of meaningfully integrating technology into the schools requires substantial change to current instructional methods. K-12 technology staff development designers …

Portfolios : An Implementation Report, Anna Burnham

Graduate Research Papers

Today's educators are acquiring a clearer picture of student learning and growth. To achieve a more comprehensive assessment of student growth, teachers are turning to alternative assessment tools. One such tool is a portfolio. What is a portfolio? What is the purpose of a portfolio? How does one design and implement portfolios? The purpose of this article is to answer these questions and to study, first hand, how elementary teachers in Charles City, Iowa are designing and implementing portfolios.

After reviewing published literature and research, a survey instrument was created to answer questions concerning design, implementation, and other elements of …

Developing Industrial Suppliers In Mexico, Abe Camacho

Graduate Research Papers

Research Questions:

1. Will cultural differences influence the effectiveness of developing Mexican industrial suppliers for U.S. international companies? 2. Will understanding the Mexican culture reduce time developing industrial suppliers for U.S. international companies? 3. Will developing Mexican industrial suppliers increase markets for U.S. international companies?

Literacy Tutoring: A Qualitative Study On Tutor And Tutee Interactions, Kimberly R. Staebell

Graduate Research Papers

One-to-one literacy tutoring has been promoted as a solution for an increasing number of children who are struggling with reading in the regular classroom. This tutoring refers to an individual tutor working with a single child on literacy activities (Wasik & Slavin, 1993). This type of tutoring is said to be effective (Wasik & Slavin, 1993). One-to-one tutoring, for example, allows for supplemental reading time and the chance for more reading to occur. Morris (1990), notes that "an opportunity to learn to read is of critical importance" (p. 134 ). This opportunity is reflected in an individual tutoring situation which …

Integration Of Technology Into Science Education, Paul Zahner

Graduate Research Papers

In this paper, the importance of integrating technology into science education is discussed. The correlation between technology and science is noted and national science standards are examined. The evolution of today's learners requires a change in science education, and technology can serve as a vehicle for meaningful reform. The starting point for any change in science education lies with the teacher, who must adopt new strategies to meet the needs of all types of learners. Various examples of these teaching plans are discussed within this paper. Other important components of the change process include school administration support, especially financial. These …

Experiencing Poetry Daily In The Classroom: Listening, Reading, And Writing, Carol Wenger

Graduate Research Papers

A second grade teacher provides students with daily poetry experiences based on research of the benefits of using poetry in the classroom. Poems were read for the enjoyment of the words, to further develop topics of study, to notice the use of writing conventions, to improve students' reading skills, and to improve the writing skills of students.

Cluster Grouping Elementary Gifted Students In The Regular Classroom: A Teacher's Perspective, Kevin Michael Teno

Graduate Research Papers

Cluster grouping is a programming option that is receiving increased attention as a method of serving gifted students in regular heterogeneously grouped classrooms. This article provides an overview of the literature on cluster grouping and also examines the advantages and disadvantages of clustering from the perspective of conclusions obtained through actual implementation in an elementary school district. The conclusions indicate that clustering, if carefully planned and implemented, provides a viable option in meeting the needs of gifted students and improves the education of all students in the regular classroom.

Computer-Based Training And Its Impact On Training And Education, Carla Gahwiler

Graduate Research Papers

Computer-based training is an area of training that is growing at a rapid pace. Although it is becoming more and more popular, we must determine the actual impact it has on training in order to assess its usefulness and relevance. This study was developed by researching and compiling available data on the subject of computer based training, and then forming an assessment of this type of training based on that information. It was found that computer based training offers many positive features as well as advantages and appropriate applications, but it does have its limitations, and is not the answer …

Class Size In The Primary School Years (Kindergarten - Grade Three), Tracy L. Goebel-Kelley

Graduate Research Papers

Studies of the effects of class size on children's learning have been conducted throughout the twentieth century involving nearly a million students. This article summarizes the professional literature on the effects of class size on primary grade children's learning and how it corresponds to the NAEYC's developmentally appropriate guidelines. Then, class size reduction policies such as hiring an additional teacher, implementing tutoring programs, or grouping students differently throughout the day to reduce class size during reading and math classes are presented. This article was written to help those who are involved in early childhood programs understand the many benefits that …

Developing More Efficient Readers : A Guided Reading, Making Words, And Sentence Writing Practice, Nancy Hohanshelt

Graduate Research Papers

Inefficient reading of text by poor readers has always been a concern of reading teachers. This paper demonstrates an approach that increases vocabulary, aids comprehension, and improves writing. It incorporates three processes: guided reading, making words, and sentence writing.

The guided reading segment is where the text is introduced and then read by the students. Difficult words are studied and mini-lessons may be initiated at this time or a later time. The second portion of the lesson is for making words. A word is chosen from the guided reading text and becomes the target word for this portion of the …

Electronic Job Searching : Suggestions For Educators, Jan Andreesen

Graduate Research Papers

The Internet offers an abundance of resources and information to the job seeker. Because of this great wealth of data, it is important educators are able to assist students in developing a path to take when utilizing the Internet as a job searching tool. When job searching using the Internet, students can go online to determine their interests, research various careers, research various companies, and research general and specific job listings using online job boards and online newspaper classifieds. The Internet also offers information on the various resume formats needed by today's job seeker. These resume formats include those that …

Looking At Children Looking At Art : Teacher Response To Aesthetic Journals In Art, Julie A. Alden

Graduate Research Papers

Although recent trends in art education emphasize a discipline based approach to instruction, the elementary art experience often focuses on the process components of art production, overlooking other significant areas of study (Adams, 1992; Garoian, 1988; Hickman, 1994 ). One way in which educators can help make art experiences more meaningful to students is to use response journals for viewing artwork. Educators have established the use of response journals as a worthy practice by providing students with opportunities to develop greater understanding of content material and by providing teachers with valuable insight into students thinking through shared dialogue (Hall, Crawford …

Bringing Schools Closer Through Distance Learning, Shawna Paskert

Graduate Research Papers

Distance education takes place when a teacher and student are separated by physical distance, and technology is used to bridge the instructional gap. It is definitely a plus in a world that is constantly changing. For those who have lifestyles different than the average traditional student, distance education is the way to go. It is the more time-efficient way to handle a post-secondary education. Currently, and in the future, more students in secondary and elementary schools will be using the distance education settings than using the traditional classroom.

Integrating Writing Across The Curriculum Enables Special Needs Students To Become Writers, Gretchen Peterson-Kobriger

Graduate Research Papers

Elementary students with language and learning disabilities became independent writers and readers after the classroom instruction changed from a teacher directed, segmented, skill deficit approach which is typically found in special education classrooms to a classroom which embraced whole language philosophies and provided students with the necessary conditions for learning written language. This paper describes the specific changes in teaching philosophy, instructional practices, methods, and strategies which were implemented in my classroom. It demonstrates how individual student challenges were met which enabled the students to increase their self-esteem and awareness of themselves as writers.

Coordinating General Classroom Reading Instruction With Reading Recovery Instruction, Jane E. Bentley-Gadow

Graduate Research Papers

"Our Nation is at risk. Our once unchallenged preeminence in commerce, industry, science, and technological innovation is being overtaken by competitors throughout the world" (The National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983, p. 5). 3 These were the opening words published in a 1983 letter to the people of the United States entitled, A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform. In 1981, the National Commission on Excellence in Education was created under the direction of the Secretary of Education, T. H. Bell. Its purpose was to investigate issues in America's education, define problems and identify solutions (The National …

A Phenomenological Analysis Of An Instructional Systems Design Creative Project, Daniel M. Benson

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper is a phenomenological analysis of a creative project involving University of Northern Iowa undergraduate art students in the planning and creation of visual illustrations, graphic design concepts, .html documents, and imagery for a world wide web intranet/lnternet virtual space.

This analysis looks at instructional design as a creative process and the phenomenology of the UNI Art/Cat (Art Resources Technology/Computer Assisted Training) computer laboratory. The mission, goals, and objectives of the creative project, experiential and experimental philosophies of education, and the phenomenologies of the instructional design process are the main considerations. The methodology of this thesis is primarily …