Education Commons^™

Ability Of The Urban Teacher Selection Interview To Identify Teachers Who Are Likely To Be Retained In The Buffalo Public Schools, Patricia Frey

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The rate of teacher turnover appears to be higher than employee turnover in many other occupations. What is currently perceived as a teacher shortage may in reality be a problem of teacher retention. This study examined the use of the Urban Teacher Selection Interview, developed by Martin Haberman, Ph.D., as a tool for choosing teachers for urban districts. Almost 36% of those teachers eligible for employment in Buffalo refused employment. This compares favorably with a national average of 40% of teachers who choose not to teach. In general, the higher the interview scores the longer a teacher was retained in …

Glimpses Of The Impact Of Pdts In The Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan, Sadyk Ysmaiylov, Rahat Joldoshalieva, Gulnara Abdieva

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

This an interactive poster that presents findings of the Professional Development Teachers (PDTs) from Osh, Kyrgyzstan, in the field of teaching and learning English, as well as professional development of teachers that was carried out by them since they graduated from Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED). This presentation will consist of three parts. The first part will describe findings from the professional development programme, which has been carried out by the English Language Programme (ELP) at the faculty of World Languages at Osh State University. The second part will reveal changes that have been made in the …

The Status Of Female Education In Rural Balochistan, Samina Naz

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

Balochistan is the largest province in Pakistan, occupying almost 43% of the country’s land area and is approximately the size of France. It is also the least populated province with only about 5% of the population residing there, 80% of whom are scattered in small villages. These villages have remained largely untouched by the advances of the modern age, and largely ignored by the central authorities. Very few resources have been made available to these rural areas with the unfortunate result that education for all is extremely under-funded, and the most seriously affected by this neglect are the women and …

Learning To Teach Science Using A New Strategy: A Case Study Of A Primary Science Teacher, Nelofer Halai

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

Constructivism has emerged as the dominant learning model in science educational reform. Despite this, there is a paucity of research studies on instructional strategies that might help the construction of knowledge that is in consonance with the established body of science. The use of activities based on discrepant events in teaching science at the primary level is seen as one way of encouraging this construction. Hence, Science Teachers enrolled in science methods courses / programmes at AKU-IED are exposed to this instructional strategy. The four-member team of science teacher educators, teaching on an eight-week in-service programme, chose to look at …

An Integrated Approach To School Development In Northern Areas Of Pakistan, Mola Dad Shafa

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

I started my career as a primary school teacher working for the Aga Khan Education Service in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. I was one of AKU-IED’s first-cohort Professional Development Teachers (PDTs), and was the only course participant from the Northern Areas of Pakistan in the first MEd course. Having completed the MEd degree from AKU-IED, I went back to my parent institution and was assigned the management of 30 schools. My post-MEd work, which reflects an integrated approach to school development, ranges from conducting professional development programmes for teachers and head teachers, increasing students’ voice in school improvement-related decisions, …

Achievements And Challenges In Chitral, Zulfiqar Ali, Jalal Wali, Mohammad Ismail, Muhammad Khan, Zubaida Khanum

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

So far eight teachers of Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan (AKES,P), Chitral, have graduated from the AKU-IED and are performing different roles under various capacities. The AKES,P runs 51 schools for girls and provides technical support to more than 30 community-based schools in District Chitral. It has one Regional Education Office and four field offices to facilitate educational activities. Professional Development Teachers (PDTs) play diverse roles such as training officer, education officer, field operations officer, and head teacher and teacher educator. The management of the AKES,P determines roles for the PDTs according to the needs of the system. Their roles …

Hands-On Manipulative Use In Science Instruction, Bianca Lee Domenico

Theses and Dissertations

This study tested the use of physical manipulatives during science instruction – in conjunction with the traditional, textbook-oriented approach – and determines whether manipulatives create more significant learning experiences than text generates alone. The subject sample consisted of 20 third-grade students from a suburban New Jersey elementary school classroom. All subjects functioned at least on a third-grade level in all subjects with the exception of three students, who participated in the Talented and Gifted Program. Subjects from the experimental group and the control group completed a science content pretest of thirteen open-ended cognition questions. Both groups completed assigned activities, and …

The Effects Of Grouping Fourth Grade Students Into Cooperative Learning Groups By Learning Patterns, Kelly A. Hamlet

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of fourth grade students working in cooperative learning groups. Students worked in three cooperative learning groups in order to determine whether grouping students heterogeneously into cooperative learning groups based on individual students' learning pattern would have a positive correlation with group and individual success. First students were grouped randomly and then homogeneously by learning pattern, and lastly heterogeneously by learning pattern. During each cooperative learning experience groups were expected to complete in-class group work. Students were then given a quiz and a test on the material covered during their cooperative …

Elementary School Meets University, Rachel M. B. Collopy, Patsy Bowman

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

When school districts and universities combine their strengths, both benefit. Like teaching hospitals associated with medical schools, professional development schools (PDSs) train future practitioners, develop state-of-the-art practices, and nurture professional growth. Schools benefit from sustained professional development focused on their unique needs. Teacher preparation programs benefit from exemplary placements for student teachers and the wisdom of current practitioners. Both gain from joint research into innovative practices and the cross-fertilization of ideas.

The Effect Of Cooperative Learning And Traditional Instruction On The Spelling Performance Of Third Grade Students, Tracey Patella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of cooperative learning and traditional instruction on the spelling test performance of twenty-six third grade students from a southern New Jersey school district. It was hypothesized that students who were taught using cooperative learning strategies during spelling instruction would score significantly higher on their weekly spelling post-tests than students who were taught using traditional spelling instruction.

A one group, pretest/posttest, pre-experimental design was utilized to determine whether students who are randomly grouped in cooperative learning pairs will have higher achievement levels in spelling than students who are taught using traditional …

The Effect Of Character Education On Student Behavior, Cindy Patella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if character education addressed directly through lesson plans would have an effect on behavior of students when they are not under supervision of the classroom teacher. The researcher observed the students' social interactions in the experimental group and the control group in various settings in a pre and post observation period. Behavior was recorded on a behavior chart listing both positive and negative behaviors. There were 19 students in the experimental group and 22 students in the control group. The study found a slight positive change in behavior for those students in …

The Effect Of Rubrics On Second Grade Students' Abilities To Write A Personal Story, Ann Marie Germani

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) evaluate the effects of a student-generated instructional rubric on second grade students' (n = 21) abilities to write personal stories and their understanding of the qualities of good writing; and (b) assess student metacognitive behavior resulting from the use of a rubric. Student writing assignments prior to and after rubric instruction were assessed in order to determine the effects of rubrics in improving writing skills. Student interactions and behaviors were observed and noted in order to determine metacognitive performance. A questionnaire gauged student impressions, management, and application of a rubric while …

The Effect Of Manipulative Materials On Student Motivation, Deirdre Morrissey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of manipulative materials on student motivation in the subject area of social studies. The students who participated in the project were divided into control and experimental groups. Each group was comprised of twenty-one third grade students living in rural southern New Jersey. Both groups completed pre and post surveys that focused on student motivation towards social studies. The experimental group students were instructed using manipulative materials after the completion of the initial survey and in conjunction with a unit on "Community Government." The control group students received no such intervention. …

Cooperative Learning And Its Effects On Social Interactions In The Third Grade, Robin A. Keller-Vicino

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research project was to determine whether social interactions would improve when utilizing cooperative learning techniques. The social interactions observed included listening and speaking, courtesy, peaceful conflict resolution, leadership, and cooperative behaviors such as keeping one's hands to themselves.

The targeted population for this study was a class of fifteen third grade students. The researcher submitted pre- and post-treatment surveys to the students which measured the students' sense of classroom responsibility and their sense of personal responsibility within the class. The researcher also utilized journals and cooperative behavior checklists in order to compare student surveys with …

The Effect Of Cooperative Learning On The Mathematical Achievement Of Fifth Grade Students, Stefanie A. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of cooperative learning on mathematical academic achievement in fifth grade students. The design of this research also studied the extent cooperative learning has on reducing mathematics anxiety and generating mathematical interest. The sample involved one group of students (n = 21), which were drawn from a class of ten and eleven year old students. This study utilized a pretest - posttest, one group design. The subjects were exposed to two treatments, traditional instructional methods and cooperative learning instructional methods. A mean difference comparison found a significant difference in the …

The Effects Of Word Study: A Developmental And Discovery Based Approach To Spelling, Jessica Wright

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this academic investigation was to find the effect of Word Study on the spelling abilities of third grade students; and to determine if the change in spelling abilities is greater in those third graders who receive the treatment of guided on-level instruction and interactive word activities than those third grade students who participated in a traditional spelling program. Orthographic knowledge of the treatment and control groups were measured through a series of pretests and then posttested after treatment was received. The treatment involved a variety of interactive activities that were discovery based. The positive change in the …

The Comparison Of Two Rhythm Syllable Systems On The Meter Recognition Abilities Of Second And Third Grade Students, Richard D. Beckman Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of rhythm syllable systems in developing students' aural discrimination abilities. The problem was to examine the effect of rhythm syllable systems on students' abilities to aurally identify the meter of rhythm patterns. A secondary problem was to examine the interaction effects of music aptitude and rhythm syllable systems.

The sample for this study included 107 students in second and third grade general music classes. Classes remained intact and were randomly assigned to the control group, the time-based syllable group, and the function-based syllable group.

Subjects were administered the Intermediate Measures …

A Comparison Of Students' Anxiety Levels While Taking Computer Versus Paper And Pencil Timed Math Tests, Angela S. Jungerman

McCabe Thesis Collection

The purpose of this research is to compare and contrast the anxiety levels of students before and after taking the computerized timed math test with the levels before and after taking the paper-and-pencil timed math test. Two second-grade classes were used in this research with each student taking each test once. The computer test, found at www .saxonpublishers.com/activities/basic fact_ sheets/, consisted of 50 addition questions to be completed in 30 seconds, and the paper-and-pencil version, adapted by the researcher from a Saxon created test, consisted of 100 addition questions to be completed in 60 seconds. The students' blood pressures and …

Prospects And Challenges Of School Leadership In Pakistan, Muhammad Memon

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Kindergartners Perception Of The Classroom Computer, Kathleen Strub-Richards

Kathleen A Strub-Richards

Computers have an overwhelming influence in the school and home environment. Computers are available in many early childhood classrooms and young children have easy access to them. This case study examined the youngest members of the elementary school’s perception of the classroom computer. A seven-week research study explored the role of the computer in a kindergarten classroom. Sixteen kindergartners were interviewed and observed. The children’s perceptions of the computer were recorded through conversations, interactions with the computer, classroom observations and computer lab observations. Computer programs, computer integration and the role of the teacher were examined. Results from the interpretation of …

An Experimental Study Of Tonal Pattern Training And Learning Modalities On The Pitch Accuracy Of First Grade Students, Melissa C. Strong

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of the body scale in the tonal pattern training of first grade students. The problem of this study was to determine the comparative effects of tonal pattern instruction with and without the use of the body scale on the singing accuracy of first-grade students among auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners.

Sixty-seven first grade students in four intact classes were used as the sample in this study. Two of the classes were randomly assigned to serve as the control group and two classes were assigned to serve as the experimental group. …

Measuring The Environmental Attitudes Of Children In Grade 4: A Study In Clark County, Amir Khawaja

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is an increased positive effect on children's attitude when they are taught about the environment in an outdoor/hands-on setting versus an indoor traditional classroom setting. The study focused on grade four students in the Clark County School District. Half of the group was comprised of students that were taught about the environment using traditional classroom learning materials while the other half consisted of students that were taught using the outdoor/hands-on approach. In order to test the results, the students were given a survey. The questionnaire created by Malkus and Musser …

Off The Shelf And Into The Classroom: Working With K-12 Teachers To Integrate Digitized Collections Into Classroom Instruction, Tara Zachary Laver

The Southeastern Librarian

Thanks to a grant funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Special Collections Department of LSU Libraries and the LSU digital library have been digitizing, cataloging, and making available via the World Wide Web selected documents and publications from the era of the Louisiana Purchase held by LSU and the New Orleans City Archives. A goal of the grant was to enhance K-12 teaching and learning by working with Louisiana teachers to integrate the use of the digital collection into their classroom activities. The digital collection’s availability on the web would also give access to any teacher, …

Curriculum Materials As A Professional Development Tool: How A Mathematics Textbook Affected Two Teachers' Learning, Rachel M. B. Collopy

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

This study reports on 2 upper-elementary teachers' learning through their use of potentially educative mathematics curriculum materials without additional professional development. 41 observations of the teachers' mathematics lessons and 28 interviews of the teachers were collected from October to May of an academic year. The case study analyses indicated that curriculum materials can be an effective professional development tool, but perhaps not for all teachers. 1 teacher's instructional focus and rationale for instructional practices remained stable throughout the school year, whereas the other's changed dramatically. The cases illustrated the teachers' dynamic and divergent nature of opportunities to learn through reading …

School Leadership In Pakistan: Exploring The Headteacher’S Role, Tim Simkins, Charles Sisum, Muhammad Memon

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

There is a good deal of consensus in the literature about the key role of leadership – especially that of the headteacher – in facilitating school improvement. Yet much of the research in this area has taken place in Western industrialised countries. This article explores the issue of headship in the context of schools in a specific developing country context, that of Pakistan. Drawing on 2 studies of the experience of headteachers in Karachi, the article identifies and explores the key variables that may contribute to a sense of personal efficacy for these heads, namely the expectations generated by the …

Effectiveness Of Educator-Oriented Content Courses, Joslyn K. Burt

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The idea of teaching science strikes fear into the hearts and minds of many elementary teachers; however, as a core piece of the overall curriculum, they cannot escape teaching science. The courses taken at the university and the professional development classes taken on the job play a critical role in helping educators feel comfortable teaching science. Such courses also impact how the content is taught by introducing the best practices used in science teaching.

As a Basic Science Minor in the College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa, I have taken many science content courses and several courses …

Putting The Best Possible Teacher In The Classroom : Through Reflection And Self-Evaluation, Renee Fisher

Graduate Research Papers

Over the span of five months, an elementary school teacher uses reflection and self-evaluation methods to review her teaching. The process encourages improvement in areas concurrent with the Iowa Teaching Standards. Including a current portfolio, the teacher uses the medium of videotape to self-evaluate her teaching style and the evaluation by building administrator. Current research in teacher evaluation lends support to the need for self-evaluation. The completed portfolio becomes a working document chronicling the teacher's work in the classroom and career field. The results show the improvement that has occurred, along with areas to advance in.

A Case Study Analysis Of The Writers' Room Writing Process As An Effective Elementary Program In An Elementary School, Joan H. Moriarty

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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A Study Of Elementary School Teachers' Perceptions Regarding The Match Between Teachers' Teaching Styles And Students' Learning Styles, Sandra Eileen Sutton

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Impact Of Classroom Organization In Grade 4 On Student Achievement In Science, Edward Duncanson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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