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Full-Text Articles in Education

Teacher Efficacy And Its Impact On Student Achievement, Carissa Freeman Dec 2008

Teacher Efficacy And Its Impact On Student Achievement, Carissa Freeman

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

It is apparent that student achievement is of great concern to the stakeholders of the U.S. educational system. School reform not only heavily depends on teachers, but their belief in their own ability to impact student achievement, otherwise known as teacher efficacy. Teacher leaders, administrators, and policy makers have examined various philosophies, methodologies and strategies to support efficacious teachers so that their talent and skills are retained within the classroom, and thereby positively impact student achievement.


A Competition Module For A Small Business Management Class, Thomas C. Moore Dec 2008

A Competition Module For A Small Business Management Class, Thomas C. Moore

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

In this study, the author evaluates a condition that exists among many college students, the lack of either willingness or ability to compete with one another in order to achieve objectives. The review of literature indicates that students' inability to compete was predicated by a trend, in recent decades, among educators to focus on students' self image and self esteem rather than on one's accomplishments relative to one's peers. This educational focus has yielded a preoccupation with a concern that no student should ever experience losing. However, with this trend, something was lost, students' capacity to realistically assess their skills …


The Importance Of Integrating Curriculum Disciplines In Middle School Classrooms, Amanda Vanni Oct 2008

The Importance Of Integrating Curriculum Disciplines In Middle School Classrooms, Amanda Vanni

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Integrated curriculum has been a method of teaching towards student interest and success for over 50 years (Beane, 1992). Research has shown that integrated curriculum positively effects students' test scores and content area grades, and for this reason has become a widely promoted curriculum reform strategy. Parker (2007) observes that the real world does not fragment problems into specifically designated content areas, yet students are taught to engage in their "math brain or social studies brain" (p. 1) for fragmented periods of time and then switch their thinking skills in jolted one hour blocks of time. Instead, Parker (2007) addresses …


The Effects Of Participation In Extracurricular Activities On Academic Performance In Secondary School Students, Elizabeth G. Rees Sep 2008

The Effects Of Participation In Extracurricular Activities On Academic Performance In Secondary School Students, Elizabeth G. Rees

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Various studies show that participation in extracurricular activities lead to success both academically and professionally. However, the general public has limited access to this research, and therefore many students are not benefiting from these programs. In this paper, the author reviews the published research of how participation in extracurricular activities affects academic success. She then uses this research to develop a promotional campaign that school administrators may use to educate parents, students, and teachers of the benefits of extracurricular activity participation. The projects are oriented toward presentations at school events and online access to school administrators and parents.


A Guide For Best Practices In English 9 Essentials: Literature Strand, Marlene Y. Daly Aug 2008

A Guide For Best Practices In English 9 Essentials: Literature Strand, Marlene Y. Daly

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This project provides an overview of the English 9 Essentials program and examines that program through the lens of best practices for each strand of the curriculum. Once the English 9 Essentials program was reviewed, it was determined that the curriculum should be enhanced by the addition of a literature strand using the principles of The Parallel Curriculum Model (Tomlinson et al., 2002) [PMC] and Understanding by Design (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005) [UbD]. The tenants of PMC and UbD were explained and evaluated. These two design methodologies were then applied to creating an overview for the literature strand of English …


Strategies To Help Subject Matter Experts Become Master Trainers, Molly Everman Aug 2008

Strategies To Help Subject Matter Experts Become Master Trainers, Molly Everman

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Subject matter experts (SMEs) are often called on in the modern workplace to train other employees in their area of expertise. SMEs often do not have the training or teaching skills needed to perform this task successfully. As a result, SMEs often fall into training traps. In this project, the author attempted to solve this problem by designing a PowerPoint presentation of strategies SMEs can use. This presentation addressed the areas of greatest importance to SMEs who are in a training role. The areas this presentation addresses are adult learning, the role SMEs play, and training solutions.


Identification Of Hispanic American Students And Students Of Poverty For Gifted And Talented Programs, Katherine E. Hageman Jun 2008

Identification Of Hispanic American Students And Students Of Poverty For Gifted And Talented Programs, Katherine E. Hageman

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

For decades, experts have discussed an educational gap between Anglo Americans and Culturally Diverse Americans. While this gap is apparent in scores on standardized tests, it is also observed in the underrepresentation of culturally different students identified for gifted and talented programs. A PowerPoint presentation was developed to inform both novice and experienced educators of: (a) current means of identification of gifted and talented students, (b) demographics that indicate change is needed, and (c) changes that may reduce the underrepresentation of Hispanic American and impoverished students in gifted and talented programs. It is the belief of this researcher that, with …


The Importance Of Professional Development For Secondary Content Area Classroom Teachers, Kelle N. May-Garst May 2008

The Importance Of Professional Development For Secondary Content Area Classroom Teachers, Kelle N. May-Garst

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

In this applied project the focus is on the importance of professional development for secondary classroom teachers. The author first reviews some of the issues involved with educating English as a second language (ESL) students in public education. Then the importance of professional development for secondary content area teachers is addressed. Finally, a presentation, along with handouts, is presented about how a year of guided professional development can be used to help secondary content area teachers improve their instruction.


Planning Effective School Field Trips For Elementary Students, Marcella Sidars Apr 2008

Planning Effective School Field Trips For Elementary Students, Marcella Sidars

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Field trips for elementary school students are valuable contributors towards improved learning, motivation, and student social interactions. Unfortunately, they are often underutilized in the support of student learning due to several factors: often teachers do not know how to use field trips to their best advantage, often planning field trips is time consuming and difficult, teachers are pressured to justify field trips in terms of links to measurable educational standards, and preservice teachers seldom are instructed in their effective use. To address these concerns, a guidebook for preservice and current teachers has been developed. In it, research based teaching strategies …


Classroom Management: Strategies For First Year Middle School Teachers, Joy Easter Jan 2008

Classroom Management: Strategies For First Year Middle School Teachers, Joy Easter

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Classroom Management: Strategies for First Year Middle School Teachers This project is presented in the form of a guidebook, which is indented to assist first year teachers with tools to help them develop effective classroom management techniques. The author reviews the relevant history and theories in the educational literature so that teachers are better able to make conscious and educated decisions on how to most effectively reach their students. The author also addresses specific benefits, strategies, and techniques for establishing a well-managed classroom. The main goal of this project is to lay a foundation for years of potential career satisfaction …


Homework In Elementary School: A Guide For Educators, Deann Hoffman Jan 2008

Homework In Elementary School: A Guide For Educators, Deann Hoffman

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Homework in elementary school has been the subject of much research and controversy. In this project, the author created an in-service designed with the intention of discussing both the positive and negative effects of homework in elementary school. The target audience was parents, elementary teachers and administrators. The presentation provided a brief history of homework, a synthesis of the theories of both the proponents and opponents of homework, best practices for the assigning of homework and examples of school districts' homework guidelines and policies.


Technology Integration Professional Development For Teachers: Strategies For Action, Henry E. Hedberg Jan 2008

Technology Integration Professional Development For Teachers: Strategies For Action, Henry E. Hedberg

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The purpose of this project was to present a comprehensive set of strategies for principals and school administrators to utilize for the management of professional development related to technology integration. The ability to effectively use educational technologies in teaching is becoming an increasingly important skill for teachers to possess. Through a presentation of the current research, this researcher has built a case for technology related professional development using the available technology integration data, teacher opinions and the commentary of other educational research professionals. To further support this subject as a topic for professional development, this researcher has presented a sample …


Self-Determination Theory: Increasing Motivation In Middle School Students, Mary I. Morrow Jan 2008

Self-Determination Theory: Increasing Motivation In Middle School Students, Mary I. Morrow

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Self-Determination Theory: Increasing Motivation in Middle School Students Research shows that motivation declines when students enter middle school. Because of this, middle school teachers face the difficult challenge of motivating their students to learn. Although intrinsic motivation results in higher conceptual learning, not all activities in a classroom are intrinsically motivated. Self-Determination Theorists propose that through the process of internalization, students' motivation towards extrinsically motivated activities could reach levels in which the behavioral qualities are comparable to those of intrinsic motivation. The internalization process is dependent on environmental supports for autonomy, competence, relatedness, and task relevance. A handbook based on …


First Grade Fairy Tale Thematic Unit: Improving Writing, Chelsi Gross Jan 2008

First Grade Fairy Tale Thematic Unit: Improving Writing, Chelsi Gross

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This project integrated writing and literature to better teach first grade students how to write. The thematic unit utilizes a variety of learning styles and ties varying schools of thought together into one succinct unit through 14 lessons, one being a celebration. Each lesson is designed to incorporate Colorado State Writing Standards, Step Up to Writing, 6 Trait Writing, and the Writing Process. Upon review, this project was found to be well laid out, successful in addressing a range of learning styles, and easy to implement. However, the project may be at times too difficult for struggling writers and may …


The Folk Arts Of Oaxaca: Integrating The Pre-Columbian Roots Of The Traditional Folk Arts Of Oaxaca, Mexico Into The Middle School Art Curriculum, Amanda Archer Jan 2008

The Folk Arts Of Oaxaca: Integrating The Pre-Columbian Roots Of The Traditional Folk Arts Of Oaxaca, Mexico Into The Middle School Art Curriculum, Amanda Archer

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Arts of Oaxaca, Mexico into the Middle School Art Curriculum Multicultural education needs continue to grow, as students must learn about the sociocultural contexts of the modern world. Therefore, educators must find ways to develop competencies in students to be able to function in this environment. These include the ability to think analytically and to relate to the world with an understanding of nonwestern perspectives. Therefore, this researcher designed an art curriculum to serve these purposes, based on the folk arts of Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxacan folk arts are neither isolated from communal identity, nor the pre-Columbian roots from which they …


Classroom Management Preparation And New Teacher Retention, Michele Deats Jan 2008

Classroom Management Preparation And New Teacher Retention, Michele Deats

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Many factors affect student achievement, however, an effective teacher has been found to be the most influential. A prerequisite of an effective teacher is the ability to manage his or her classroom. However, due to the high rate of attrition of teachers within the first five years of service, coupled with the paucity of the training, and time it takes to learn to effectively manage a classroom, often student achievement suffers. Because authors of many studies have found that new teachers cite student discipline problems and lack of classroom management preparation as major factors for their attrition, this author created …


Art Integration In The Classroom, Cindra L. Ross Jan 2008

Art Integration In The Classroom, Cindra L. Ross

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Over 70 years of research has shown clear evidence that exposure to the arts benefits students. When the arts are part of the curriculum, student achievement improves, engagement levels are higher, behavior problems are fewer, and student's attitudes about school, and about themselves, improve. When the arts are integrated into core subject classrooms, teachers can present complex lessons that bridge multiple subject areas and encourage critical thinking skills. Integrated lessons provide students with a variety of learning styles the opportunity to utilize their strengths and demonstrate knowledge in many different ways. The incorporation of drawing, music, technology, and drama can …


The Importance Of Science In The Classroom And Implications For Teaching Science Effectively, Jaime Elizabeth Hallez Jan 2008

The Importance Of Science In The Classroom And Implications For Teaching Science Effectively, Jaime Elizabeth Hallez

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Science Weather Unit Past research has shown that the U.S. is in need for a reform of the science curricula. This project was designed to demonstrate an exemplar science unit that contains all the elements needed for students to learn science effectively and build their scientific literacy. Theories have been applied such as Piaget's Theory of Developmental Processes and Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences to tackle ways to increase scientific literacy of elementary students. In addition, scientific inquiry and inquiry process skills are referenced in great detail to provide teachers who lack scientific background knowledge, some ideas of what makes …


Technology In Mathematics Education And Ti-Navigator In The Mathematics Classroom, Kymn M. Van Dyken Jan 2008

Technology In Mathematics Education And Ti-Navigator In The Mathematics Classroom, Kymn M. Van Dyken

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Over the past couple of decades, several studies have shown that mathematics achievement in the U.S. is either stagnate or declining while achievement in mathematics education in other countries has been improving. The current state of mathematics achievement on our nation is particularly daunting at a time when knowledge of mathematics is becoming increasingly important to acquire quality jobs. Some researchers believe that the lack of mathematics achievement may negatively affect technological developments and the standard of living in the U.S. One particularly promising technique may be the infusion of technology into mathematics classrooms. The proper use of technology may …


A Resource Guide For Designing And Facilitating Computer Classes For Older Adults, Joan Fields Jan 2008

A Resource Guide For Designing And Facilitating Computer Classes For Older Adults, Joan Fields

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Many older adults are motivated to learn about computers and other new technology; however, they do face obstacles that can prevent or discourage them from pursuing this endeavor. They are just as capable of learning about computers as younger people; they just need encouragement, resources, and programs that are designed and facilitated to meet their needs. The reason these programs are needed and should be available is because they can be very beneficial to their mental health and their community involvement. This resource guide provides information on: (a) benefits of technology, (b) addressing obstacles, (c) motivating factors, (d) tips for …


Teacher Preparation To Support An Inclusive Environment: An Elementary Teacher Inservice, Heather Kelly Jan 2008

Teacher Preparation To Support An Inclusive Environment: An Elementary Teacher Inservice, Heather Kelly

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Since the movement to educate students with disabilities in an inclusive classroom environment has become prevalent, so has the need for additional teacher training. This paper addressed the vital importance of teacher preparation associated with the inclusive classroom by using a teacher in-service training program this author has created. This in-service addressed several factors, for educators, which are critical to the academic success of students with disabilities in a general education classroom. The areas addressed in this in-service are; (a) available resources, (b) instructional techniques and (c) the development of at home activities. All of these areas can be used …


At-Risk In The Virtual Classroom: A Handbook For Student Success, Scott F. Peth Jan 2008

At-Risk In The Virtual Classroom: A Handbook For Student Success, Scott F. Peth

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Online education, also known as"the virtual classroom", has proliferated in the United States, as well as in much of the world, in the last few years. Indeed, virtual schooling is one of the fastest-growing areas in K-12 education."In its 2005 report, the National Center for Education Statistics found that 36% of all school districts had students participating in virtual courses, for a total of 300,000 students, and this number is projected to explode in the next decade." (Roblyer, 2006, p. 32). Many students who are considered"at-risk" are looking to the virtual classroom as an alternative to the traditional classroom where …


Reading Comprehension Strategies For Students With Autism: A Guide And Social Skills Unit Plan, Sarah Gostenik Cass Jan 2008

Reading Comprehension Strategies For Students With Autism: A Guide And Social Skills Unit Plan, Sarah Gostenik Cass

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This project was initiated in order to help general and special education teachers in elementary classrooms with successful strategies, to assess and teach students with autism how to better comprehend text. The unit developed does two things: one, it educates teachers and students on a number of strategies to use in reading comprehension, and two, it helps students with autism gain important social skills. Each lesson is designed to incorporate Colorado Content Reading and Writing Standards, with aligned Social and Access skills.