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Full-Text Articles in Education

Learning From The Past To Educate The Future: An Analysis Of The Modern Classical School, Miranda Boljat Dec 2019

Learning From The Past To Educate The Future: An Analysis Of The Modern Classical School, Miranda Boljat

Senior Honors Theses

Classical schooling combines the wisdom of thousands of years of learning with the knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s world. Despite the antiquity of some of these ideas, the movement has continued to grow in both number of schools and also number of students attending, measuring almost 100 new schools each decade since 1993. One of the motives for this growth is how Classical schools utilize a curriculum which includes the trivium, Latin, and the Great Books of Western Civilization. Together, these elements of the curriculum lead to improved test scores and general college readiness.


Teacher Perceptions Of Assessments In Character Education: A Case Study, Sarah Hickman Nov 2019

Teacher Perceptions Of Assessments In Character Education: A Case Study, Sarah Hickman

Senior Honors Theses

Since the time of Aristotle, educators have emphasized character as a necessary part of a student’s education, and currently, many states mandate character education by law. Because of this historical and legal emphasis, there is a growing discussion on the necessity of assessments in character education to ensure that character education programs are effective. While there is research on the large-scale effectiveness of programs with different assessments, there is little research about how teachers perceive assessments and measurements in character education. This study was conducted to begin to address this gap in the research. Through the research design of an …


The Relationship Between Teachers’ Understanding And Implementation Of Differentiated Reading Instruction And Third-Graders’ Reading Achievement Scores, Diedre L. Capers Nov 2019

The Relationship Between Teachers’ Understanding And Implementation Of Differentiated Reading Instruction And Third-Graders’ Reading Achievement Scores, Diedre L. Capers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this correlational study was to determine whether the predictor variables, teachers’ perceived understanding and implementation of differentiated instruction, as measured by the Understanding and Implementation of Differentiated Instruction survey, had a relationship to the criterion variable, third-grade students’ reading achievement, as measured by the mClass: Reading 3D Text Reading and Comprehension Test. Using convenience sampling, third grade teachers from six rural North Carolina counties were invited to participate in the study. Data from 54 third grade teachers who consented to participate were analyzed using a Pearson product moment correlation. The results of this study indicated that a …


Mathematical Dispositions Of Novice Upper-Elementary Teachers: A Phenomenological Study, Leslie Anne Soltis Nov 2019

Mathematical Dispositions Of Novice Upper-Elementary Teachers: A Phenomenological Study, Leslie Anne Soltis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the mathematical dispositions of novice upper-elementary teachers by exploring their experiences as teachers of mathematics in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Ball’s theory of mathematical knowledge for teaching and Bandura’s self-efficacy theory guided this study. The research project sought to answer the central research question: How do novice upper-elementary teachers perceive and describe their experiences teaching mathematics? Data, in the forms of audio diaries, individual interviews, and online focus groups were collected from a purposeful sample of 10 novice upper-elementary teachers. Data analysis followed a systematic procedure …


A Case Study On The Implementation Of Additional Daily Physical Activity Beyond The State-Required Guidelines, Frances Eugenia Phipps Aug 2019

A Case Study On The Implementation Of Additional Daily Physical Activity Beyond The State-Required Guidelines, Frances Eugenia Phipps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to provide an in-depth understanding of teachers’, principals’ and educational stakeholders’ viewpoints of students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades pertaining to the incorporation of additional daily physical activity into the school day above the state-mandated 30 minutes in an elementary school in rural Western North Carolina. Research questions included: How does additional daily physical activity implemented in the school day influence student cognitive development? Why has additional daily physical activity time been incorporated into the school day? How does extended play benefit students beyond cognitive impact? Personal semi-constructed interviews with 11 …


Relating Millennial Teachers' Age To Frequency And Variety Of Instructional Technology Use In Elementary Math, Ladonna Marie Tate Aug 2019

Relating Millennial Teachers' Age To Frequency And Variety Of Instructional Technology Use In Elementary Math, Ladonna Marie Tate

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mathematics instruction continues to be of immediate concern in the United States. The availability of technology has become commonplace in today’s classrooms. However, the integration of technology-assisted instruction involves a paradigmatic shift in traditional mathematical practices. Instructional technology, such as interactive whiteboards, handheld tablets, laptops, software, and desktop-based devices, serves as a tool to aid students in communicating mathematically and conceptualizing mathematical reasoning. Research posits that when teachers can personally adapt to the use of innovation, instructional technology in the classroom can be a rigorous tool used for the development of individualized, student-centered learning. As generational shifts of power take …


A Case Study Of Home Visits Conducted By Kindergarten Teachers In A Low-Income Elementary School, Sheena Brannock Green Aug 2019

A Case Study Of Home Visits Conducted By Kindergarten Teachers In A Low-Income Elementary School, Sheena Brannock Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single case study was to develop an in-depth description of the practice of home visits conducted by kindergarten teachers with students at the beginning of the school year in a suburban, low-income elementary school in North Carolina. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory of human development, as it states that important child development occurs in all environments where children interact. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews, mock letters of advice, and a focus group. The purposive sample included kindergarten teachers who conducted home visits, parents of kindergarteners who had a home …


The Effects Of Digital Storytelling On Astronomy Misconceptions Held By Fourth Grade Students, Pamela Adell Hadaway Wimpey Jul 2019

The Effects Of Digital Storytelling On Astronomy Misconceptions Held By Fourth Grade Students, Pamela Adell Hadaway Wimpey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For students to be successful in the Knowledge Age, they need a deep understanding of subject area content. When students develop misconceptions of science concepts, it limits their ability to progress in this area. Misconceptions are very resistant to change and interfere with student mastery of accepted science theory (Stamp & O'Brien, 2005; Wendt & Rockinson-Szapkiw, 2014). The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of student-produced digital stories in reducing the number of misconceptions held by students. This quasi-experimental study involved 118 fourth grade students in a small elementary school in the southeastern United States. The MOSART …


A Phenomenological Examination Of Teaching "Bubble Students" From The Perspective Of Rural General Education Teachers In South-Central Virginia, Wanda Price Carter May 2019

A Phenomenological Examination Of Teaching "Bubble Students" From The Perspective Of Rural General Education Teachers In South-Central Virginia, Wanda Price Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe 10 rural third- through fifth-grade general education teachers’ experiences with teaching “bubble students” in south-central Virginia. Bubble students were defined as those students who were projected to come close to achieving test cut scores. The theories guiding this study were Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and the self-determination theory as they provided an understanding of how attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs could impact the self-efficacy and experiences of teachers. The following research questions framed the study: How do rural third- through fifth-grade general education teachers in Virginia describe their experiences with teaching bubble …


A Case Study Of Elementary Education In Burkina Faso: What's Working, What Isn't, And Why It Matters, Georgia Gerard-Reed Apr 2019

A Case Study Of Elementary Education In Burkina Faso: What's Working, What Isn't, And Why It Matters, Georgia Gerard-Reed

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the education system of Burkina Faso to better understand how it impacts the lives of the people who live there. The study examined possible reasons of under-education in Burkina Faso and the impact of poverty on the Burkinabé people as it is related to education. The research questions are (1) what are the barriers to education, (2) how does under-education impact the ability of the Burkinabé to earn an income that is sufficient to meet basic human needs such as adequate food, clothing, and medical care, and (3) what are …


The Utilization Of Music To Teach Phonics In Kindergarten: A Multiple Case Study, Cherie D. Hocanson Apr 2019

The Utilization Of Music To Teach Phonics In Kindergarten: A Multiple Case Study, Cherie D. Hocanson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, multiple case study was to explore the utilization of music to teach phonics in kindergarten at four elementary schools in northwest Ohio. The theory guiding this study was the schema theory as it explains how individuals are able to recognize patterns previously learned, organize those patterns, and then use those patterns to perceive new information (Green, 2010). This research sought to answer the central research question, “How do kindergarten teachers utilize music to teach phonics within the classroom?” The study included 10 cases within four different school districts. The participants were kindergarten teachers in Northwest …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Elementary Title I Teachers' Use Of Digital Technology In The Classroom, Rebecca S. Acosta Apr 2019

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Elementary Title I Teachers' Use Of Digital Technology In The Classroom, Rebecca S. Acosta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

If Title I elementary students are not given opportunities to learn how to utilize digital technology in their classrooms, a whole segment of the population will lack the knowledge and skills to become successful upon graduation and contribute to the betterment of society. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of Central Texas elementary teachers’ use of digital technology in their Title I classrooms. The central research question in this study was: how do Title I elementary teachers in Central Texas describe their experiences using digital technology in the classroom? Two theories framed this investigation. …


Gifted Education: A Multi-Case Study On The Identification Process Of Historically Underrepresented Students In Gifted Programs In North Carolina, Michael David Acosta Apr 2019

Gifted Education: A Multi-Case Study On The Identification Process Of Historically Underrepresented Students In Gifted Programs In North Carolina, Michael David Acosta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore how Newland, Big Hills, and Edison Elementary, which are public elementary schools in North Carolina, identify gifted students who are historically underrepresented for placement in academically gifted classes. Based on statistical data from the Department of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, there is a disparity between the identification of Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics, especially in impoverished communities. The study sought to understand the process of identification of gifted students and how it contributes to under-representation of Black, Hispanic, and impoverished students. The study revealed what social …


Impact Of Flexible Seating On First Grade Reading Progression, Stephana M. Logue Apr 2019

Impact Of Flexible Seating On First Grade Reading Progression, Stephana M. Logue

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Proponents of flexible seating options within the classroom claim this simple change will transform education, improve children's engagement and learning, and renew classroom teaching. Opponents argue that such benefits are overstated because, currently, little evidence exists that eliminating desks and chairs improves learning and student engagement. In this study, the impact of flexible seating on first grade reading scores was examined and how it is implemented when teaching reading at the primary level. This quantitative research plan used the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmarking Kit to determine if students who chose the option of flexible seating during the reading block had …


A Phenomenology Of Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of Alternative Classroom And Behavior Management Strategies To Support Students Impacted By Parental Substance Abuse, Heidi M. Hickman Mar 2019

A Phenomenology Of Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of Alternative Classroom And Behavior Management Strategies To Support Students Impacted By Parental Substance Abuse, Heidi M. Hickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand how elementary (PreK-3) teachers in rural southern Ohio alter their classroom management strategies to offer behavioral support to students impacted by parental substance abuse. The theories that guided this study were: (a) Operant Conditioning (Skinner, 1938), (b) Family Stress Theory (Hill, 1958), (c) Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977), and (d) Social Development Theory (Vygotsky, 1978). The central question for this study was what are elementary teachers’ perceptions of how they alter their classroom management strategies to offer behavior support to students impacted by parental substance abuse? A purposeful sampling of …


Implementation Of Read To Be Ready Instructional Practices: A Case Study, Jessica Danielle Bigham Mar 2019

Implementation Of Read To Be Ready Instructional Practices: A Case Study, Jessica Danielle Bigham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this embedded case study was to describe the implementation of Read to Be Ready instructional practices by elementary grades teachers. The issue this study investigated were the factors that affected the transfer of the Read to Be Ready practices, first used in a summer literacy camp environment, to the general classroom environment for 12 elementary teachers in southeast Tennessee. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory, which explains the relationship between behaviors and reinforcements and describes what influences human behavior. The research answered the question of what are the experiences teachers have …


Elementary Teachers' And Administrators' Perceptions Of Teacher Motivation, Jody Mac Foreman Mar 2019

Elementary Teachers' And Administrators' Perceptions Of Teacher Motivation, Jody Mac Foreman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the study was to compare elementary teachers’ and elementary administrators’ perceptions of teacher motivation. By identifying that differences exist between elementary teachers’ and elementary administrators’ perceptions of what motivates teachers, it allows for administrators to gain a better understanding and possibly design more effective strategies for enhancing teacher motivation. Additionally, it opens the door for further studies, not only with elementary teachers and administrators, but at the middle and high school levels as well. This study used a quantitative methodology with a causal comparative design. The sample population came from two school districts in South Carolina, the …


The Impact Of Using Elementary Science Specialists On 5th Grade Science Achievement Scores, Wesley Armstrong Roach Jan 2019

The Impact Of Using Elementary Science Specialists On 5th Grade Science Achievement Scores, Wesley Armstrong Roach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

American students score significantly below several other countries in the area of science achievement. With threats such as epidemics and cyber terrorism facing modern society, it is important for schools to prepare students to succeed in science. Research has shown, however, that substandard science instruction at the elementary level leaves students ill-prepared for future success in science. And, even worse, low quality science instruction in elementary school is, for some students, correlated to the loss of interest in science altogether. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to examine the effect of using science specialists in elementary schools on science …