Education Commons^™

Adjustment And Developmental Outcomes Of Students Engaged In Service Learning, Michelle R. Dunlap

Human Development Faculty Publications

In an effort to better understand the psychosocial and adjustment processes experienced by college students engaged in service learning, 22 randomly selected reflection journals were content-analyzed from a class of 44 child development students who had been engaged in service learning in a variety settings. Three of the themes that emerged in the journals involved students: feeling awkward during the first visits; feeling uncertain about redirecting children's misbehavior; and having ambivalent feelings when bringing their service learning experiences to an end. The coping mechanisms and resources upon which students draw to successfully grow beyond these initial challenges are discussed, as …

Catholic Schools And Multicultural Education: A Good Match, Charles J. Russo, Shauna M. Adams, Mary Ellen Seery

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

This article reflects on the place of multicultural education in Catholic schools. The authors review the history and development of Catholic schools in order to set a context for examination of the appropriateness of multicultural education.

Nebraska Internet Evaluation Report, Year 5, Neal Topp, Neal Grandgenett, Elliott Ostler, Robert Mortenson

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

his final report of a comprehensive five-year evaluation process focused on examining the progress of the statewide implementation of Internet technology, as well as the general impact on teachers, students, and schools of statewide connectivity and training efforts in K-12 schools in Nebraska. The evaluation process was based on three primary types of data--teacher/principal survey data, machine-based Educational Service Unit (ESU) support data, and observed classroom uses and projects. Results are reported in the following areas: teacher use of the Internet; principal use of the Internet; student use of the Internet; the impact of Internet on classroom settings; example teacher …

Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back: The Stormy History Of Reading Comprehension Assessment, Loukia K. Sarroub, P. David Pearson

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

After closely examining the recent history of reading comprehension assessment in the United States, we have concluded that although both the forms of assessment and the key players in the assessment process have changed in significant ways, the functions of assessment have remained relatively constant. In terms of function, we have always used, and continue to use, assessment tools to evaluate programs, to hold particular groups accountable for some specified set of outcomes (though it may seem that that is all we do these days), to inform instruction, either for individuals or whole classes, and finally, to determine who gains …

Assessment In Literature-Based Reading Programs: Have We Kept Our Promises?, Tanja Bisesi, Devon Brenner, Mary Mcvee, P. David Pearson, Loukia K. Sarroub

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

We have made incredible progress, both conceptually and practically, in the development of literacy assessment tools that appropriately reflect the goals and activities of literature-based reading programs. This progress, however, has not come without obstacles, many of which have not yet been (and may never be) fully negotiated. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the "promises" we as a literacy assessment community have made to ourselves, as we implement new forms of assessment for new purposes, and to critically evaluate our progress toward keeping those promises. We begin by briefly describing recent shifts in literacy …

Reflection On School Visit, Qamar Safdar

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Headteachers As School Leaders In Pakistan, Muhammad Memon, Fauzia Reza

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Turned On Teachers Help Students Tune In To Geography, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"If you hear your youngster just home from school talking about some local issues related to transportation, land use, natural resources, air quality, water pollution, zoning, population growth or economic development, you can bet that she has been turned on by her geography teacher."

New England College Pre-Service Teacher Service Learning Guidebook, Debra Nitschke-Shaw

Guides

In a democratic classroom, teacher and students strive to create a participatory learning community (Wade, 1997), a community where the voices and needs of all are respected and valued by the members of that community. Democratic education involves connecting with the larger community through meaningful, hands-on involvement. According to John Dewey, "schools should be democratic laboratories of learning closely linked to community need" (National Youth Leadership Council, 1991, p. 4). Therefore, the focus of a democratic classroom should be on responsible participation from all members of the classroom community.

Model Limitations, Randy Yerrick, Linda James, Jon E. Pedersen

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

SPACE EXPLORATION HAS SPAWNED MORE interest in science among teachers and students than any other topic in recent science education history, and teachers can use space science as an opportunity to encourage students to observe and make new discoveries for themselves. Many times, however, we run into obstacles. One trend we have noticed is that students can form misunderstandings based on simplistic explanations such as catchy astronomy activities on the back of cereal boxes, cartoon renderings of life on the Moon, or linear models in textbooks depicting the Solar System. These misrepresentations of science present problems for instructors.

Teachers Make Marks In, Out Of Classroom, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Doing field work on the Northern Fur Seals of Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska; laboring in the lab at the University of Texas; examining gender and geography at Trinity College in Hartford; finding out about China at Yale; doing surveys on tourism and sustainability at the University of Maine; studying with the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. and teaching and working with other teachers at Roger Williams University and Rhode Island College, 20 Teacher Consultants (TCs) of the Rhode Island Geography Education Alliance had themselves a busy and productive summer."

Behavior Management Training Issues In Kentucky Classrooms, Karin Holland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Classroom discipline is often a primary concern of teachers. Little is known, however, about the extent of teachers' knowledge, training, and skills with behavior management issues. This study was conducted to examine teachers' training with specific behavioral strategies, their personal level of proficiency in resolving these problems, and to determine if teachers consider the function of aberrant behaviors when deciding upon treatment interventions. A survey was developed to address these issues. The survey was distributed to teachers in four south-central Kentucky counties and two western Kentucky counties. Of the 350 surveys distributed, 209 were returned for a 59.7% return rate. …

Educational Specialist Programs In School Psychology: Trends In Training Emphasis, Shawna Kennedy

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A survey was conducted to examine current training practices of NASP accredited specialist programs. Information was gathered through a mailed survey to NASP accredited school psychology Ed.S. training programs across the United States. Of the 97 training programs to whom surveys were sent, 56 surveys were returned and 51 were considered usable (53% return rate). The survey respondents were divided into groups according to self-reported program emphasis. Thirty-one programs reported emphasizing traditional assessment (Traditional Programs), while 20 programs reported other areas of emphasis (Other Programs). An independent t-test indicated that Traditional Programs offer significantly higher amounts of training in traditional …

Program Evaluation Of Project Team And Project Prep, Preservice Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Training Programs, Sarah Whittaker

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A survey of graduates who participated in Project TEAM (School Psychology, Social Work, and Speech/Language Pathology) and Project PREP (Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education) is presented. Graduates completed coursework, seminars and practica that emphasized knowledge and skills related to working with children in the birth through 5 age group and their families. The survey determined in which competencies graduates indicated they were best and least prepared by the program and which competencies were most and least applicable to their present careers. The survey also determined what teaming models the graduates are currently using and would prefer to use in their careers. …

Regional Disparities In Kentucky Academic Index Scores, Edward B. Reeves, Harold Harty

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

Recent newspaper articles by columnist Bill Bishop in the Lexington Herald-Leader point to persistent regional disparities in achievement in Kentucky public schools. In spite of a mandate to create educational equality, the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) has not eliminated inequalities in school performance scores and the problem may even be getting worse according to Mr. Bishop. The objective of the present study is to determine what disparities exist among Kentucky’s eight Service Center Regions. The analysis uses school Academic Index scores, from 1992-93 to 1996-97, averaged by region. The regional averages (or means) are compared descriptively along with the …

The Connections Project: Year 2 Annual Report, Neal Topp, Neal Grandgenett, Elliott Ostler, Bob Pawloski, Lawrence S. Bundy, Seward School District

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

This annual report for budget year October 1, 1997-September 30, 1998 describes year 2 of the Connections Project within the Seward, Nebraska public schools. This project (a technology challenge grant) provided four major activities to help Nebraska middle and high school teachers, mentors, and community members enhance student learning through integrated curricula supported by technology. The activities included professional development for teachers to support their use of integrated curriculum and technology, curriculum development activities, community connections programs, and statewide and national dissemination of 400 project curriculum models and resources through a website and CD-ROM. The project was intended to increase …

Recruitment Of High School Minority Students Into Engineering, Math, Science And Technology Futures On Predominantly White Campuses, Franklin Titus Thompson, Tome Sires, Carol Batt

Teacher Education Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

“This session is for college administrators who wish to make traditionally elitist program more inclusive. Its is also helpful to community and school district personnel who wish to investigate how to set up a similar program in their community.”

Forget Those Seminars--Go On A Trip!, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"To those Rhode Island teachers out there who feel frustrated because they do not get the opportunity to study appropriate material for their work in the classroom, we have an offer that they will find difficult to refuse."

The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 1, Spring 1998)), Center For Gifted Studies, Tracy Inman Editor, Marcus Duke, Designer

Gifted Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

Promoting Science Teacher Education Through Dissonance And Discrepancy, Nelofer Halai, Alan E. Wheeler

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

While inquiry in science teaching has found a great deal of acceptance (Colletet and Chiapetta, 1989), there is a growing recognition that educators need a wider repertoire of inquiry strategies applicable to various situations. One promising approach is through the use of so-called ‘dissonant’ or ‘discrepant events’. This concept of discrepancy can be traced to the early work of Festinger (1975) and his Theory of Cognitive Dissonance in which he stated that the creation of dissonance is psychologically very uncomfortable and motivates individuals to actively reduce the level of dissonance and thereby return to a state of greater equilibrium or …

Symphonic Band Conducting Practicum, Allison Schmidtke

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Most music education majors take a year-long sequence of conducting classes in their junior year, about two years before we student teach. Unfortunately, of necessity, these conducting classes are rather contrived. Over the period of each quarter, we conducted our ensemble of cooperative, musically mature peers through about five eight- measure exercises focusing on a specific skill. Of course, since actual technique is only one (small) aspect of work on a podium, we were also introduced to the process of score study with its multitude of layers such as consideration of harmonic structure, stylistic elements, orchestration, context (historical influences, information …

Do Contextual Effects Bias Kentucky School District Accountability Index Scores?, Edward B. Reeves

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

Kentucky’s system of high-stakes accountability raises the question: Should teachers and school administrators be held accountable for student test results if the scores are influenced by external factors over which these educators have no control? The goal of the present study is to investigate if such external factors, or “contextual effects,” bias the accountability index scores. The issue is important because school districts, schools, and educators should be assessed in a fair manner. The focus of the study is on the Kentucky school district accountability index scores for the 1992-94 and 1994-96 biennia. District scores, rather than school scores, were …

Book Review - Moving Beyond Dichotomies To Outline Discourse Strategies In A Transnational Community, Edmund T. Hamann

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

Intended both for ethnographers and for scholars of literacy and rhetorical studies, Juan C. Guerra’s Close to Home: Oral and Literate Practices in a Transnational Mexicano Community is at once groundbreaking and important, though because of the sophistication and detail of its reasoning, it may not be accessible to a broad audience. The book—the fortieth title in the Teachers College Press Language and Literacy Series—is pioneering in a number of ways. Most notable is Guerra’s refusal to fit the group he is focusing on—the multigenerational social network of an extended Mexican-origin family—into a single geographic frame of reference. Guerra explains …

Testimony To President William Clinton's Advisory Committee On Public Interest Obligations Of Digital Television Providers, Janet K. Poley

IACE Hall of Fame Repository

The third meeting of the Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters was held on January 16, 1998 at the Hotel Madison in Washington, DC.

• Agenda
• Summary minutes
• Transcript
  • Morning session
  • Afternoon session

Teachers Becoming Action-Researchers: Developing A Teacher-Training Module For Increasing Girls' Participation In Primary Schools, Urvashi Sahni

Strengthening the Education of Girls in India

A participatory action research project was launched in July 1996 and operationalised a year later in July 1997 in district RaeBareilly in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The guiding objective of the project is to strengthen the education of girls in India, by increasing their participation in primary education. This involves broadly an increase in enrollment, attendance, retention and achievement of girls in primary schools, i.e., classes 1 - 5. While there is a clear understanding and acceptance of the fact that there are several societal reasons for unequal participation of boys and girls in primary education, all …

Developing A Teacher-Training Module For Increasing Girls' Participation In Primary Schools: Action Research Phase - A Report, Urvashi Sahni

Strengthening the Education of Girls in India

No abstract provided.

Annual Report, Morton Sternheim

STEMTEC

No abstract provided.

Challenges And Strategies For Success With Service-Learning In Preservice Teacher Education, Jeffrey B. Anderson, Terry Pickeral

Service Learning, General

This study examined challenges to the use of service-learning in preservice teacher education and also strategies used to overcome those challenges. We surveyed 123 teacher educators, education deans, and state department of education service-learning coordinators to gain their perspective regarding challenges most critical to the use of service-learning in teacher education. We then interviewed 42 of the survey respondents to obtain detailed descriptions of specific strategies used to overcome challenges. Results indicate the most critical challenges relate to lack of time for teacher educators to plan and implement service-learning, an already overcrowded curriculum, and a lack of alignment of service-learning …

Taking Instruction Online: The Art Of Delivery, Donna R. Everett

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

The notion that people seek to make meaning out of their world, whether it is the classroom or the living room, is not a new one. Educational philosophers and learning theorists have attempted to explain how learners learn and construct meaning from instruction or the classroom. Stimulus-response theorists (Thorndike, Guthrie, Pavlov—as cited in Hilgard & Bower, 1966; Watson, 1960; and Skinner, 1960) view learners as reactive, passive robots only responding when stimulated by something outside of themselves. Reese & Overton (1970) propose to call this the mechanistic world view—any change in the learners comes from outside of themselves. Organismic theorists …

On Becoming A Greek Poet, Charles Hartman

English Faculty Publications

Presents the essay `On Becoming a Greek Poet,' which deals with experiences in teaching poetry in Athens, Greece.