Education Commons^™

Parent Involvement And Student Achievement: Effects Of Indirect Parent Involvement On Student Achievement In Mathematics, Sarah Ann Myers

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Parents are often seen through a deficit lens despite all that they do for their children. Parents want to do all they can to help their children be successful in school and in math specifically. This can be challenging due to the increasing pressure for students to perform well in math, the current methods for teaching math, and the math work students bring home. This quantitative study investigates how home-based parent involvement strategies predict student's math grade point average (GPA). The data in this study was derived from 23,503 participants within the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09). With …

The Effects Of Project Lead The Way Launch Curriculum On Elementary Girls’ Perception And Career Interests In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics, Mina Blazy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The United States has examined the quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education since before the turn of the century. STEM educators are still having the conversation around why more women are not joining STEM pathways. Girls and boys as early as birth are curious about the world; through their own lens they learn about gravity from dropping spaghetti on the floor or seeing a small insect on the wall. As children get older they are influenced by the perceptions of their parents and peers.

This study looked at the perception and career interests of girls in STEM …

The Effectiveness Of Dynamic Mathematical Software In The Instruction Of The Unit Circle, Edward Simons

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study is attempting to test the effectiveness of dynamic computer models such as GeoGebra and Desmos on high school students’ ability to understand key concepts with regards to the introduction of unit circle and the graphing of the sine and cosine functions.

Algebra two high school students of varying ages were chosen and randomly placed into two groups. Both groups were given the same pre-assessment and an identical lesson. The two groups’ only difference occurred with the individual student practice portion of the lesson where one group did ‘traditional’ paper and pencil practice for graphing and solving while the …

Indicators Of Future Mathematics Proficiency: Literature Review & Synthesis, Claudia Preciado

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The beauty of mathematics can arguably be found in the way in which all concepts are interrelated and interwoven to create a massive web of knowledge and in the ways this can be applied to all aspects of life and technology. Given this inextricable interrelationship amongst several mathematical topics, many students encounter issues in learning mathematics due to gaps in their understanding of previously taught material. As a result, mathematics education in the K-12 setting has emphasized the need for interventions in order to help students grasp the progressively complex concepts that are required by our current society and education …

Community College And High School Partnership: College Math Readiness Program, Ernesto Oscar Reyes

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study describes the partnership between an urban community college and seven high schools from its inception. The purpose of the partnership was to increase the number of high school seniors transitioning into college-level math courses through the college math readiness program, an existing community college intermediate algebra course. In addition to archival records and documents, college math faculty, high school math teachers, administrators and staff, and college students were interviewed for this study. Four major challenges were identified in the following areas: student recruitment process, data management, lack of information to students, and collaboration among math faculty and math …

Adult Education In A Museum Setting Requires Reinforcement, Judy Ann Lowman

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This thesis addresses adult education in a museum setting and measures adult learning during and after a museum visit. While a number of studies have investigated the impact of museum visits on children’s learning, there are few studies on adult learners. This thesis is an initial effort to fill that gap. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews with 24 adult visitors at the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley, California. The objective was to determine which exhibits were found to be of greatest interest to the visitor. Follow-up interviews were conducted four weeks later to measure retention. The qualitative data …

Discovering And Applying Geometric Transformations: Transformations To Show Congruence And Similarity, Tamara V. Bonn

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The use and application of geometric transformations is a fundamental standard for the Common Core State Standards. This study was developed to determine current high school teachers’ prior mathematical content knowledge and develop their content knowledge of transformations and their applications. The design of this study was guided by the questions: “Why is there a level of reluctance amongst secondary teachers when it comes to teaching geometric transformations?” and “How can their content knowledge become deepened to apply geometric transformations to prove that two figures are congruent?” The study provided teachers a chance to gain experience with transformations and use …

Algebra 1 Students’ Ability To Relate The Definition Of A Function To Its Representations, Sarah A. Thomson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

One hundred high school Algebra students from a southern California school participated in this study to provide information on students’ ability to relate the definition of function to its representations. The goals of the study were (1) to explore the extent to which students are able to distinguish between representations of functions/non-functions; (2) to compare students’ ability to distinguish between familiar/unfamiliar representations of functions/non-functions; (3) to explore the extent to which students are able to apply the definition of function to verify function representations; and (4) to explore the extent to which students are able to provide an adequate definition …

Planting, Learning, Growing: Utilizing Service-Learning In Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics Among Urban Middle School Students, Carly Jessica Chavez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is meant to work as a descriptive analysis of service-learning pedagogy and outcomes, through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning opportunities. One of the many challenges facing public education is how to actively incorporate elements of STEM into the classroom curriculum and school-wide.

Is Problem-Solving An Effective College Mathematics Teaching Strategy?, Tommie Hugh Denson

Theses Digitization Project

This study will provide instructors with more data on which method of teaching is best for students' success in a remedial college mathematics course by directly comparing problem-based learning to traditional instruction. Assessment scores and positive change in students' attitude toward mathematics will determine student success.

Using Cornell Notes To Teach Rational Expressions, Tammy Sue Young

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of the project was to determine whether or not students who learn how to take structured notes using the Cornell Notes format will develop a deeper conceptual understanding and an increased comprehension of concepts involving rational expressions as evidenced on their performance on a multiple choice and free response test.

Teaching Mathematics In The Classroom With Powerpoint Software, Robert Ward Kopp

Theses Digitization Project

This study will look at at how to better student achievement in an Algebra II course. Specifically this study examines two different modifications made during the second semester of an Algebra II course taught at a high school in Riverside County. The modifications that were made were based on a detailed literature review that suggested looking at how students learn while using PowerPoint software as an instructional tool and at the same time investigate the consequence of rearranging a fairly common and predetermined curriculum pattern.

Effects Of Mathematics Professional Development On Growth In Teacher Mathematical Content Knowledge, Carol Elizabeth Cronk

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to determine if there was a correlation between teachers' scores on fractions items on project assessments and the percentage of participation time in professional development activities.

A Learning Progression For Identifying And Placing Fractions On A Number Line, Corinne Dorothy Marshall

Theses Digitization Project

This project provides a learning progression for identifying and placing fractions on a number line that teachers can consider when introducing fractions on number lines. The number line is one of the most useful ways to represent all real numbers in relation to each other. It allows students to experience the density of the number system since all real numbers, natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers and irrational numbers have an exact and unique location on the number line.

Eco-Math: Creating A Model Curriculum For Teaching Mathematics In The Context Of Environmental Education, Christina Joy Merz

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of developing this project was to show teachers that environmental education themes and activities can be effectively integrated with mathematics concepts in upper elementary and middle school classroom settings. Teachers are expected to meet with increased demands, state and national standards, and raise the levels of student achievement, yet they are given few resources with which to do so.

Use Of The Multiplication Chart In Solving Problems With Fractions, Adan Espinosa

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether or not using the Multiplication Table when teaching fractions will improve student's problem-solving skills with accuracy. The major goal of this project is to explore whether students will become more effective mathematical problem solvers with fractions if they use the multiplication table method or box method. The participants in this study are 93 students in a public high school in a large urban area of the southeast area of California. This study was conducted at Bear High School during the 2007-2008 school year because of the high number of students taking …

The Effectiveness Of Computer Games On Mathematics Learning In Elementary School, Sarah Michelle Lakamp

Theses Digitization Project

This study examined the use of mathematics computer games on math achievement as assessed by teachers, tests taken by students and students' attitudes. Students who played recreational games at home and used the computer game at school improved more on the math achievement measure compared to students who only played at home, who only played at school, and who played at neither home nor school, indicating that recreational game playing can prime children to gain more benefits from educational software.

The Extent Of Gender Gaps In Mathematics, Jesus Nolasco

Theses Digitization Project

This is a study on the extent of the gender gap in course taking patterns among secondary students in mathematics and what factors contribute to the gender gap.

Assessing The Three-Squares Model For Teaching Algebra, Stephen Guy Richardson

Theses Digitization Project

In an effort to improve the effectiveness of teaching algebra to adult students at Platt College, a model for designing activities and presenting lessons was developed; the model is called three-squares. The model is designed around three teaching elements: algebra habits of mind, proof of justification, and active learning.

A Comparison Of Student Learning Using Two Teaching Methods: Case Study And Direct Instruction, Laura Elaine Elmer

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using case studies as an instructional method.

Bebop To Hiphop: Music Creation For Science Content Retention, Christopher Claud Markermorse

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project is to develop a way of combining Visual and Performing Arts instructional standards and methods, instructional technology, and science instruction to maximize science content retention through song creation.

Can Use Of Technology In A Science Classroom Help Improve Reading Comprehension?, Michael Lawrence Carlin

Theses Digitization Project

This study will show that by using technology to spark an interest in science curriculum and providing subsequent reading material related to that curriculum, educators will notice an improvement in their students' reading comprehension skills. Two classes from a high school in the Phoenix school district of comparable reading comprehension abilities were given two inquiry-based lesson plans to execute.

Student Understanding Of Scale And Structure In Astronomy: What Classroom Strategies Are Effective?, Peter Charles A'Hearn

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to investigate what strategies are used by classroom teachers to teach 8th grade students about scale in astronomy and whether instruction is effective or not.

A Play On Touching, Lindsay Marie Hobbs-Rodriguez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of the present study is to examine what type of mathematic program best teaches students with mental retardation how to compute basic addition facts. It was hypothesized that the Touch Math program would be used as a strategy more effectively and with greater speed by students with mental retardation when solving addition problems, than other non-Touch Math strategies. Participants include one child with the secondary diagnosis of mental retardation, as determined by her latest Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

The Efficacy Of The Use Of Inquiry Computer Simulation To Generate Understanding And A Positive Attitude Toward The Nature Of Science In Seventh Grade Students, Eleanor Maria Ruiz

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of two different modes of instruction, standardized versus computer simulation on the understanding of the nature of science and attitudes toward science in seventh grade students.

Assessing Online Assessments: A Comparison Study Of Math Assessment Tools For Third-Grade Students, Tina Kim Chan

Theses Digitization Project

The study reported here examined the move towards online assessments and addressed the question of whether or not different assessment tools affect student scores and student learning. The research activities covered a three-week period, from June 5, 2006 to June 23, 2006. During this time, seventeen third grade students served as their own control group by taking several math tests online and several math tests with paper and pencil. Results were compared to see if performance on computer-based tests would be more successful than pencil-and-paper tests. A follow-up survey to evaluate and interpret the quantitative results was also used. Findings …

A Comparison Of Traditional Animal Dissection And Computer Simulation Dissection, Debra Elisabeth Kiehl

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to compare instructional effectiveness of traditional animal dissections and computer simulation dissections related to student achievement and attitudes.

Using The Concrete-Representation-Abstract Instruction To Teach Algebra To Students With Learning Disabilities, Edward William Sung

Theses Digitization Project

This project explored the Concrete to Representational to Abstract instruction (CRA instruction) as a strategy to teach abstract math concepts for secondary students with learning disabilities. Through the review of literature, multiple researchers suggested that students with learning disabilities need to be exposed to a variety of instructional strategies to develop problem solving skills in algebra concepts.

Teaching And Learning The Concept Of Area And Perimeter Of Polygons Without The Use Of Formulas, Jamie Robin Anderson Mickens

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to increase the student's understanding of the measures of area and perimeter of polygons. The goal of the project was to create a supplemental geometry unit to develop the concept of the area and perimeter of a polygon without the use of formulas and numbers and to measure the effectiveness of this unit on student understanding. Two high school geometry classes with under 28 students each participated in this study.

A Model For Incrementally Transforming The Science Classroom From Traditional Instruction To Inquiry, Tana Michelle Jerome

Theses Digitization Project

Explores the implementation of inquiry into the science classroom and presents a model for incrementally changing the traditional (behavioralist) instruction found in the science class to inquiry-based (constructivist) instructional strategies.