Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Math Teaching Strategies On Math Achievement, Patty Jenkins

Graduate Research Papers

The following study will highlight student achievement analysis of selected portions of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills of fourth grade students at Lincoln Elementary School. Teacher interviews about planning for teaching math, teaching strategies used, and outcomes are the second part of this research. A student survey about strategies teachers use and attitudes toward math is included along with the results of classroom action research. These data will be will be utilized to answer the question: Has the implementation of math teaching strategies had a positive impact on student math achievement at Lincoln Elementary School?

The Implementation Of Reciprocal Teaching At Central Middle School, Audrey Kimball

Graduate Research Papers

This study was designed to evaluate the implementation of Reciprocal Teaching at Central Middle School. The purpose of Reciprocal Teaching is to improve reading comprehension through the use of student/teacher collaboration. It involves teaching students strategies that help them monitor their own learning and thinking.· Reciprocal Teaching moves reading from whole class instruction to individuals. Strategies can be used at any grade level, with fiction or expository text.

Implementation Of Cooperative Groups And Single Gender Classrooms, Kara Haugen

Graduate Research Papers

The Dr. Walter Cunningham School for Excellence has three single-sex classrooms in place today. It has one all girls classroom at the second grade level, one all boys classroom at the second grade level, and one very unique all boys classroom at the first grade level. This classroom is unique because the teacher and the students will follow with each other all the way through fifth grade.

Since this is the first year of implementing single-sex classrooms there are many educators who need more clarification on this approach to education. In the following pages the researcher focuses on how the …

A Distributed Strategies Approach To Teaching Multiplication And Problem Solving, Holly K. Ritter

Graduate Research Papers

Multiplication and problem solving are two fundamental math topics in third grade. The expectation is that students will enter fourth grade with a strong foundation in multiplication and problem solving, which was established in third grade. This research project implements a variety of multiplication and problem solving strategies, in conjunction with a "distributed" or "spaced" curriculum style. Distributed teaching means multiplication is introduced and practiced on a regular basis. This project addresses the question; . Does a distributed curriculum in multiplication and problem solving improve students' understanding of multiplication and problem solving and improve students' assessment results?

Cooperative Learning In The Middle School : Is It A Developmentally Appropriate Strategy?, Laura C. Guilford

Graduate Research Papers

"Cooperative learning is the instructional use of small groups so that students work together to maximize their own and each other's learning" (Holt, 1993, p. 5). The strategy sounds simple, and it has existed throughout history in some format, but there are many aspects.that come into play when cooperative learning is used. This review of literature examines what cooperative learning is, what the benefits of using cooperative learning strategies are, what problems can occur, and whether cooperative learning is an appropriate strategy for middle level students.· The author discusses recommendations for resolving some of the problems that teachers have with …

Laptop Computers In The K-12 Setting : The Effect On Instructional Strategies And Student Learning, Sarah Merriam

Graduate Research Papers

Research has shown the benefits of computers. But mobile computing by the use of laptop computers has only recently been studied in K-12 classrooms. This review paper discusses various research studies that focus on how laptop computers affect student learning, how laptops affect instruction, teachers' perceptions about using laptop computers, and specific school districts that have implemented laptop computers into their curriculum. Overall, the research shows that laptops are more convenient and meet educational objectives once teachers and students adapt to the new technological way of learning.

The Benefits And Liabilities Of Ability Grouping In Elementary School Classrooms, Jill Miller

Graduate Research Papers

Ability grouping, the practice of homogeneously grouping students for instruction, is topic of much debate in education. The purpose of this paper is to identify advantages and disadvantages of ability grouping for students as well as for teachers in the elementary school setting through research of literature available. Further, implications of ability grouping as a method of instruction are discussed.

Active Learning Techniques To Teach Spanish Vocabulary, Sara E. Janssen

Graduate Research Papers

The journal article, "Pictures, John Travolta moves, and Sign Language: Active Learning Techniques to Teach Spanish Vocabulary," discusses the experiences 8th grade Spanish students had while using three instructional practices for learning vocabulary. Active learning strategies are a popular method for educators, especially those at the middle level. Educators can get their students active in learning by doing many different things. Pictures, "silly signs," and sign language were used to engage my students in learning fourteen Spanish vocabulary words.

Three groups of Spanish exploratory classes were the subjects in this study. Each of the three groups received instruction using one …

Differentiated Instruction : Does It Work?, Michelle Maher

Graduate Research Papers

The fact that every child is unique poses a dilemma for educators. The model for differentiated instruction requires teachers to be flexible in their approach to adjusting the curriculum and presentation of information to learners. Noting that there is no recipe for differentiation, this paper discusses the broad principles and characteristics that are useful in establishing a differentiated classroom. Studies explore the impact differentiated instruction has on students, and research highlights what must be done to transition beliefs about differentiated instruction into action. The outcome of this review indicates mixed results regarding differentiated instruction and implementation. Further research is suggested …

The Role Educational Technology Plays In Student Achievement And Teacher Preparation, Overton Howard Bean

Graduate Research Papers

The role of technology in the classroom, as a tool for improving student achievement, has received much attention in education today. Teacher preparation programs are making efforts to produce computer literate and competent users of educational technology. This author focuses on the role of educational technology, including the Internet. Consideration is also given to changes in teacher preparation that integrate new technologies into methods courses, as areas that could potentially lead to improved achievement levels for all students.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Team-Teaching Involving General And Special Education Teachers In Early Childhood Programs, Lesley Janelle Ehlers

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examined the effects of team teaching in early childhood programs. Variations of team teaching were described. Benefits, as well as problems, associated with team teaching were also discussed. Guidelines were presented for educators concerning the successful implementation of team teaching. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for educators interested in team teaching.

The Constructivist-Based Approach : The Better Choice For Learning, Consuella Eugene

Graduate Research Papers

With the integration of technology in the classroom, the constructivist-based approach encourages students to utilize their minds in a scholastic and a creative manner. Students are encouraged to learn via creativity, experience, experimentation, and teamwork. Teachers are able to organize information around conceptual clusters of problems and questions as opposed to learning facts in isolation. This approach is based upon the idea that students construct their own knowledge, rather than reproducing someone else's knowledge.

The advantages of the constructivist-based approach will be clearly noted and described by this researcher exploring the learning environments for students, students learning, student involvement, evaluation …

Establishing Literature Circles In One Middle School Teacher's Classroom, Kristin M. Englert Gehrke

Graduate Research Papers

Literature circles are a popular method of reading instruction in middle school classrooms. Literature circles are when small groups of students choose one book to read and then meet to discuss it. Students are taught how to discuss a book and use response journals. Implementing literature circles into a reading curriculum requires a great deal of planning. A teacher must make decisions about structure, themes, response journals, discussion groups, assessment and final projects.

Literature circles are an evolving teaching method and will not always work the same way each time they are used. I found literature circles to be a …

Middle School Art And The Internet, John F. Bueltel

Graduate Research Papers

This graduate project focuses on the efforts of one middle school art teacher to integrate the Internet into the middle school art curriculum at one middle school in Iowa. Classrooms with Internet access increased to 63 percent in 2000 (National Center for Education Statistics, 2000) with similar numbers of school age children ( 65 percent) having Internet access in their homes (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). Art teachers have been reluctant to embrace this technology (Matthews, 1997) even though many art education resources exist on the Internet. The Internet can provide a vast resource of artwork from web sites published by …

Using Authentic Learning To Teach Basic Technology Skills, Steven Burken

Graduate Research Papers

During the past decade, most school districts have been required to write technology plans that have included the goal that students will become technologically literate. Teachers and administrators have been challenged to teach technology skills that will help student solve problems in the work place. What has been commonplace is for schools to offer courses or units in which students acquire skills without applying them to real world problems. This paper takes a look at the literature and research surrounding the use of technology, and the learning of technology skills, in the framework of authentic learning.

Constructivist Education : Developing A Constructivist Kindergarten Program, Carol J. Menefee

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of literature relative to the importance of using constructivist approaches in the kindergarten program. The primary focus of this paper was to look at the features of a constructivist approach. Advantages and criticisms of constructivism are included. This study also provides guidelines designed to help educators, specifically kindergarten teachers, implement constructivist approaches in their classrooms. The conclusion of this paper offers suggestions and cautions to educators on implementing these guidelines. Recommendations for further research in the area are stated.

Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge And New Structures For Subject Matter Content, Corina S. Cimpoeru

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the concept of pedagogical content knowledge and its implications for teacher preparation and student's learning. The main part of this paper will focus on the necessity of structuring the subject matter in such a way that the content becomes teachable to students. Studies will be presented to analyze different subject matter structures that can be used to make the content accessible to students.

Using Lightspan Technology To Build School To Home Connections, Frances J. Birks

Graduate Research Papers

Family involvement in children's emerging literacy is critical to their school success. School personnel can support family literacy by becoming acquainted with families and providing home strategies and materials. Teachers can guide caregivers to the resources of the school and public libraries for books and software. Schools can off er caregivers instruction on computers as a learning tool for children.

The implementation of school computer lab sessions scheduled at night for families is described. This project was designed to 1) discover the ways families interact while using computers, 2) determine if families enjoyed using the lab together, and 3) document …

The Evolving Child: Theories Of Human Development In Waldorf Education, Sara Wright

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Due to its strong emphasis on spiritual development in conjunction with physical and cognitive development, Rudolf Steiner's educational philosophy and its role in Waldorf schools have been relegated to relative obscurity within the educational establishment. Steiner's theories have been perceived as too radical and unusual for incorporation into traditional educational practices. However, upon closer examination, the organizational structure of Steiner's developmental theory bears significant similarities to better-known models of human development. For example, the division of children's cognitive growth into a hierarchical series of stages is also found in Piaget's celebrated model of human development. Furthermore, parallel revelations concerning children's …

Effective Multidisciplinary Team Problem Solving : A Review Of Literature, Debra S. Meyer

Graduate Research Papers

The historical legislation mandating multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in schools is well known, yet relatively little attention has been directed toward either evaluating systematic processes that would lead to the desired outcome of better services to all students or educating team members in problem solving content and process. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that influence problem solving outcomes and other aspects of service delivery in MDT settings, including the changing role of school psychologists.

Results indicated much variability and little consensus in several areas: clarity of role expectations, family involvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, continuing educational training, and …

A Literature-Based Thematic Unit For A Multi-Age Classroom : Friendship, Leslie Baxter

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based thematic unit, friendship, has been developed for a multi-age classroom (grades three and four). This thematic unit can contribute to a major goal of a multi-age classroom: to provide students with a learning community in which they can find meaningful learning experiences, thus strengthening their personal-social and thinking-language abilities. The strands for the unit not only included friendship among peers, but also they extended the horizons of friendship to young children through mentoring, to peers at a distance through pen pals, and to the elderly through visitations to a retirement home.

In developing a print-rich learning environment for …

Portfolios As An Alternative Assessment Strategy In Second Language Instruction, Rhonda M. Borcherding

Graduate Research Papers

With the advent of research on multiple intelligences and individual differences, alternative methods of assessing individual strengths in content areas are needed. An integral part of the process of acquiring a second language involves these alternative methods of evaluating individual strengths. Portfolio assessment offers an alternative to conventional testing strategies for evaluating progress in second language learning. Portfolios provide meaningful methods to actively engage language students in the basic four modalities of literacy: listening, reading, speaking and writing a second language. Portfolios also can help promote and document the five standards of foreign language instruction: culture, communication, connection, comparisons and …

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 …

Looping : An Old Idea Revisited, Steven J. Koester

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to examine the existing literature and research available on the topic of looping, and to synthesize the information into a comprehensive report. This paper includes the historical background of looping, an explanation of the basics of looping, the examination of the teacher-student relationship, and the advantages and disadvantages of looping.

Exploring The Lewis And Clark Expedition In An Eighth Grade Social Studies Class Using Multiple Intelligences, Scott Bockelmann

Graduate Research Papers

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences (Armstrong, 1994) has created many new ideas about how people think and learn, as well as how instructors should deliver activities and lessons to students. In this paper Gardner's theory and his seven intelligences are defined.Then a discussion of the five basic formats for teaching, and implementation strategies using multiple intelligences, are shared. An eighth grade social studies unit on the Lewis and Clark Expedition using multiple intelligences is examined by comparing student turn-in rate and motivation in comparison to other assignments given in the class. Project ideas, presentation rubrics, student conference sheets, as …

Authentic Instruction And Assessment : The Revision Of A Unit Of Study In Social Studies, Katherin Koranda

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to research authentic instruction and assessment. After analyzing the results of a literature review, a unit on the United States Constitution was rewritten to include these two concepts. Current literature confirms that students are better prepared for life if teachers use techniques that bring the subject to life for the student. In order for teachers to successfully use authentic instruction, the focus needs to be on the assessment component.

This paper includes discussion of the different types of authentic assessment and the different ways to perform the assessments. The advantages and disadvantages of each …

Developing And Assessing Integrated Technology Curriculum, Kelly Baier

Graduate Research Papers

This project is a technology curriculum development plan for 2nd graders for the Johnston Community School District. It involves the development of district standards and benchmarks, lesson plans integrating technology into other curricular areas, and assessments. This curriculum plan was developed at each grade level and used to improve teacher accountability, enhance students' problem-solving skills, keep consistency across the grade levels, and to have a district-wide technology plan for our students. The paper, which accompanies the project, includes an introduction to the project, its methodology, a description of the project in full detail, and conclusions and recommendations for future work.

Ability Grouping In The Elementary School, Ellen M. Azinger

Graduate Research Papers

Ability grouping has been used in schools for many years in an attempt to meet children's instructional needs. Is this type of grouping nurturing for children? The purpose of this paper is to examine ability grouping and then to offer the alternative of flexible grouping to extend the instructional program at the elementary level. Flexible grouping allows students to more readily pursue meaningful learning, thus extending their abilities.

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 …

Looping : An Alternative To Grade Level Promotions, Michelle Block

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper is a study of looping. The purpose of this study was to conduct a review and an analysis of the literature concerning looping. Three questions were asked in the study: 1. What is looping and how does looping differ from multi-age grouping? 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages in looping? 3. What are the guidelines for an effective looping arrangement? The definition of looping was discussed as well as the advantages and disadvantages of looping. Guidelines for an effective looping arrangement were presented. Summary, conclusions, and recommendations were shared with readers.