Education Commons^™

Play In Public Schools, Casey Yanella

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This is a research paper and literature review on the issue of play and developmentally appropriate practice in the public schools of New York City during the era of No Child Left Behind. It begins with an examination of the theory surrounding play in the primary grades, along with the discussion of studies dealing with play in today's public schools. The work includes school visits and an ethnographic description of the models of play environments in these schools. Finally, it also includes recommendations for programmatic actions to be taken in order to reinstate play in public schools.

The Samurai In Medieval Japan: A Teacher Resource & Curriculum Companion Based On The Japanese Collection At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Barbara Anderson

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This resource guide utilizes the fascination with the samurai and their honor code system, known as bushido, to examine the eastern feudal system, and the artistic and cultural traditions of Medieval Japan. The six provided lessons in this resource support a museum visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Mary Griggs Burke Collection of Japanese Art and the Arms and Armor Collection. They are directed to build upon each other to provide students with a meaningful sequence of experiences and attempts to address a diverse body of learners through variance of activities and the integration of academic areas such as …

Art Speaks! Connecting Visual Arts And Language Arts A Program For Fourth-Grade Students In The School District Of Philadelphia, James Stein

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) received a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support a partnership among PMA, Pennsylyania Academy of the Fine Arts, The Barnes Foundation, The Fabric Workshop and Museum, and Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania. These five art institutions collaborated with each other, and with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), to develop a literacy-based museum visit program called Art Speaks! that is open to all 13,500 fourth-grade students in SDP public schools. The program features a museum visit to one of the five collaborating institutions …

Educational Games Increase Learning Effectiveness: A Case Study, Shonda R. Hoyt

All Graduate Projects

Educators of all age groups-whether they be elementary, secondary, or postsecondary- have long recognized and known that there is a strong connection between student engagement in the learning process and student success. Given the environment in which we teach in today, with its growing diversity, larger class sizes, increased focus on high-stakes testing, and ever- expanding poverty levels, it is essential that teachers incorporate new teaching techniques into their classrooms as a tool for better engaging students in their own learning. To that end, this paper reviews the purported benefits of educational games in the classroom setting as a tool …

What Funding Resources Are Available To School Libraries And How To Best Access Them, Yvonne Marie Hughes

All Graduate Projects

This project is intended to substantiate the need for school libraries. A great deal of research is presented which links the quality of school libraries to their students' academic success. The serious decline in the current level of funding for school libraries is discussed. The goal is to provide librarians with funding resource options to pursue, which can be used to supplement any district or other funding that they do receive.

Critical Components To Improve Literacy Learning For All Students, Marcia Harriet Kaye

Dissertations

The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand the critical components to improve literacy learning for all students. The central focus of the study involved looking at principles for classroom instruction in reading and writing that are essential for students to become good readers and writers. According to Allington and Cunningham, the following principles are critical: (a) the amount of time students spend on reading and writing each day, (b) the explicit teaching of comprehension strategies, (c) modeling writing and reading daily, (d) student engagement in thoughtful literacy learning, and (e) literate rich classroom environments.

Six classrooms were …

Student Government: Developing A Student Government In An Urban Elementary School, Nicole Lenee Sykes

All Graduate Projects

School community is critically important for healthy adolescent development. School connectedness has been found to be even more powerful than family connectedness in terms of protection against acting out behaviors in adolescence (Harrison & Narayan, 2003 ). Increasing student involvement in urban elementary settings through student government would unify students, communities, parents and staff. Establishing a student government in an urban school setting promotes student voice, student interest and helps tie community and staff together. The importance of belonging is essential in providing a safe and productive educational environment.

“Starting Off On The Right Foot” A Guide For Elementary Physical Education Teachers To Assist Them In Successfully Beginning The School Year, Carrie Boers

All Graduate Projects

This guide was created to assist new elementary physical education teachers in successfully beginning the school year. The Federal Way School District currently has no guide or established procedure readily available to assist with the transition of teachers into elementary physical education programs. This project examines the necessary components of a successfully managed elementary physical education program. The author chose to create this guide after the difficulties she encountered transitioning from the junior high school physical education (P.E.) program to an elementary level P.E. program. Physical education teachers are often placed in environments that are unfamiliar to them; therefore, this …

Motivating Students: Identifying And Motivating Reluctant Learners To Reach Their Academic Potential, Kim Yeager

All Graduate Projects

Motivation plays an important role in determining how well a child will perform in school (Philips & Lindsay, 2006). Regardless of how intelligent or capable a student may be if the student is not motivated to do well then their academic performance will be less than it could have been with some motivation. Teachers need to understand why some students are motivated to try hard in school and why some students are not. This understanding will lead teachers to understand why their students are not reaching their academic potential. The purpose of this project was to design a guide that …

Staff Perceptions Of Structure, Process, And School Readiness Outcomes In Private South Florida Child Care Centers, Deborah Mazzeo

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The quality of child care centers and school readiness outcomes continue to be important topics in the State of Florida since policymakers, school districts, and child care centers, in August 2005, began to implement the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program. The problem area of child care is whether various characteristics of child care center programs result in different outcomes for children's development.

Qualities of child care centers can be attributed to structure and process variables. A theoretical framework that is grounded in Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory is discussed. The structure-process-outcome model of quality and Spady's outcome-based education model were combined to explain the …

Promoting Higher Academic Achievement Among Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Students, Edna Morris

All Graduate Projects

Designing a multicultural literature based library for use in the classroom setting to promote higher academic achievement among culturally and linguistically diverse students was the purpose of this project. Studies supporting the connection between culturally relevant literature and its use in the classroom with academic achievement among culturally and linguistically diverse students were summarized. The result of this research analysis supports the use of culturally relevant literature and activities with young children. The project provides brochures, resources and guides for use of culturally relevant literature with young children.

Instructional Models And Strategies For Language Acquisition And Literacy, Sheri Ann Ruiz

All Graduate Projects

This study introduces research that shows the most effective teaching models and strategies for language acquisition for students whose primary language is not English in the United States; although most of the research and suggestions presented are also effective for teaching all students, regardless of the student's language level. First, a short background of the history of bilingual education is reviewed. Then, the language domains and various stages oflanguage acquisition are explained. Later, an overview of the research of the most effective teaching models and strategies are provided to inform preschool through 12th grade classroom teachers, Para educators (teaching assistants), …

Real Work: A Museum Studies Curriculum For Early Adolescent Learners, M. Lucinda B. Furlong

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A museum studies curriculum for seventh and eighth graders. This curriculum is in the form of a case study and was conducted over a three year period at Montclair Cooperative School with Montclair Art Museum. Through regular visits to the museum students explored the roles of artist, docent, and curator. Students did the following tasks: discussed and made art, created exhibits, wrote interpretive wall labels for exhibitions, and became docents for younger students.

Results Of The Accreditation Process To Guide Postsecondary Certificate-Granting Institution Improvement, Sherri E. Nash

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Research gaps exist in knowledge about postsecondary certificate-granting institutions, as well as results of accreditation processes. This qualitative study focuses on national accreditation results that can: 1) define strengths and improvement areas in these institutions; 2) determine why action is taken or not taken on accreditation recommendations; and 3) identify results, strengths, and challenges of accreditation. This research base can guide improvements in these institutions and the North Central Association – Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) process. The population was 125 accredited schools in ten states, representing 96% of all NCA CASI accredited public, postsecondary institutions. Methods …

A Study Of West Virginia Teachers: Using 21st Century Tools To Teach In A 21st Century Context, Deborah D. Clark

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Technology integration is reinforced not only by the National Educational Technology Standards but also the West Virginia Technology Standards, making teachers more accountable to use technology in their daily teaching practice. Because West Virginia has established a partnership with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, West Virginia teachers are being encouraged to change instruction to meet the needs of 21st century learners. This includes being more student-centered by integrating instructional technologies to more actively engage students. By determining the frequency of integration of 21st century technology tools to create a 21st century context for learning and the factors that influence …

Prospective English-As-A-Second-Language Educators' Use Of Vygotskian Scaffolding In Mentoring Academic Writing, Ixchell Alejandra Keller

Theses Digitization Project

This study focuses on two prospective teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) who were enrolled in a master's program and were being tutored as they prepared to write a scholarly review of literature. The methodology involved videotaping four tutoring sessions, each tutor was assigned to participate in two tutoring sessions each with the same participant. The videotaped data was then transcribed and analyzed for significant scaffolding occurrences that may have promoted successful transfer of responsibility facilitating autonomy for the learner. The goal of this project was to promote autonomous learning and to help find ways for students …

Effects Of Problem Solving Team Processes On Student Outcomes, Brooke A. Dahl

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Systematic data collection and case documentation are vital components in the consultative problem solving process. Carefully documented and easily understood data allow problem solving teams to make informed decisions about intervention development and implementation, as well as future programming for struggling students. The Instructional Consultation (IC) Team Model was developed as an organized and efficient process for conducting pre-referral problem solving (Rosenfield, 1987). The present research explores the relationship between processes and/or procedures as prescribed by the IC Team Model and student outcomes. Processes utilized by problem solving teams following the IC Team Model and other models of problem solving …

The Use And Interpretation Of The Batería Iii With U.S. Bilinguals, Julie Esparza Brown

Dissertations and Theses

Within each classroom, many children excel academically while others struggle. Some students' difficulties are such that they require placement into educational programs different from grade level core and perhaps delivered outside of general education classrooms. For many, special education programs are the lifeline to reach their innate potential. For others misplaced into special education, their opportunities may be truncated. For the past 40 years (Dunn, 1968), disproportionate representation of minority children in some disability categories has been a problem. Educators commonly ask "Is a child's difficulties due to language differences or a learning disability?" One key area of confusion relates …

Research, Writing, And Computer Technology: A Reconsideration Of Invention And Process, Donna Price Seckrater

Theses Digitization Project

This thesis argues for a more open and active research process and approach toward the teaching of researched writing. A hypertext-based research environment may enrich student learning and writing by reinforcing recursivity throughout the writing process, at the same time as it encourages reflection on both cognitive and social processes of knowledge construction. Further argument is for a more vigorous student engagement in knowledge-making activities by encouraging active research further along the writing process.

Effective Teaching & Teaching Evaluation Practices: Canadian University Geography Departments, Susan Vajoczki

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In this thesis teaching evaluation practices in Canadian university geography departments are examined. The objective of this research is to identify good practices for teaching evaluation that can be applied within geography departments at Canadian universities and may be applicable to other departments and within other countries. In order to meet this goal a number of research questions were identified. These include:

1. What is effective teaching in higher education?;
2. What is effective teaching within the discipline of geography in higher education?;
3. How and why is teaching evaluated in higher education?;
4. What is the breadth of teaching evaluation practices currently used …

No Child Left Behind: A Historical Perspective Of Its Influence On Student Testing And High School Dropout Rates In Erie County, New York (2001-2006), Mary Jo Dudek

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Effects Of Extrinsic Rewards On Student Achievement In Grades Three Through Six In The Coshocton City Schools, Wade E. Lucas

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Infusion Of Theater Arts In The Teaching Of Language Arts: Its Impact On The Academic Achievement Of Fifth Grade Students, Margaret P. Campbell

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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A Mixed-Method Study Of The Environmental And Personal Factors That Influence Faculty Research Productivity At Small-Medium, Private, Doctorate-Granting Universities, Gustavo Gregorutti

Dissertations

Problem. This study sought to determine what organizational factors and personal characteristics of faculty members most relate to research productivity at small- to medium-sized not-for-profit, private, doctorate-granting universities.

Method. A mixed methodology was used that included an online survey, follow-up email surveys, and two face-to-face interviews. The main statistical tools used were multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and regression. The final sample came from 12 small- to medium-size, private, not-for-profit doctorate-granting American universities. A group of 277 professors responded to the online survey. An online follow-up qualitative survey was conducted with 34 replies. Two additional face-to-face interviews were …

Searching For Meaning: A Personal And Historical Exploration Of Progressive Education, Molly M. Lippman

Graduate Student Independent Studies

In this study the author seeks to better understand the meaning of progressive education. This study does not attempt to answer the question What is progressive education?, but rather it seeks to bring the question to the forefront of the minds of fellow thoughtful, reflective, progressive educators who, like the author, struggle with the contradictions and discrepancies present among progressive educators, both historically and contemporarily. Utilizing Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot's style of portraiture (1997, with J. H. Davis), the author writes in the narrative style, sharing with the reader three conversations with progressive educators whose work has informed her own educational philosophy. …

Computerized Adaptive Testing In Mathematics For Primary Schools In Thailand, Chaowprapha Chuesathuchon

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A new system-wide educational change has been introduced in Thailand requiring, amongst other things, that technologies for education be utilized in all levels of education. This study focuses on Mathematics Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) designed to provide Thai primary school teachers with an innovative method of assessment, one of the effective tools of new technology to be used in Thai primary schools. This study aims to: (1) construct multiple-choice test items for a Mathematics course on the topic of Equations for Year 6 (Prathom Suksa 6) students in Thailand; (2) calibrate the test items using a Rasch Measurement Model, investigate …