Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 24 of 24

Full-Text Articles in Education

Digital Finger Painting: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Tablet Computer And Its Artistic Implications In An Early Childhood Setting, Sarah Nicole Ackermann Dec 2014

Digital Finger Painting: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Tablet Computer And Its Artistic Implications In An Early Childhood Setting, Sarah Nicole Ackermann

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to better understand the implications of the tablet computer for learning and, specifically, in the art classroom. A qualitative study was designed following grounded theory measures for data analysis in order to explore timely questions regarding the tablet computer and how young children react to such technology as a drawing tool. An early childhood center was accessed for this research, and 30 children between the ages of three and five years old consented to participate. Four educators and 35 parents were also enlisted in an effort to elicit substantive perspectives regarding the tablet and …


District Within A District: De Facto Segregation And White Flight Into And Out Of The School District Of University City (1967-1991), Carlos Javier Diaz-Granados Dec 2014

District Within A District: De Facto Segregation And White Flight Into And Out Of The School District Of University City (1967-1991), Carlos Javier Diaz-Granados

Dissertations

This auto-ethnographic study explores the impetus behind racial transition in the school district of University City between 1967 and 1991. Factors contributing to the exodus of White families and the influx of Black families are examined through a lens of Critical Race Theory. Exclusively White through the mid 1960’s, The School District of University City was nearly 80% Black by the mid 1980’s. A great deal of this transition was related directly to neighborhood patterns occurring in and around the community. Extensive research for this study utilized the oral histories of former students, parents, staff members, board members, and community …


Schisms In Schooling: Domains Of Power As Seen From Our Students, Kristen Michelle Taylor Dec 2014

Schisms In Schooling: Domains Of Power As Seen From Our Students, Kristen Michelle Taylor

Dissertations

This study investigated the dynamics of power available to students who are assigned to participate in small group instruction as an intervention to low academic scores. It proposes that student experiences of the phenomenon of small group instruction are not currently present in the research literature concerning low student performance in public education, and therefore the research literature is incomplete. A case study was conducted at a public school in St. Louis, Missouri, which resulted in a case of two teachers and five students recruited to participate. Through document analysis, classroom observations, and participant interviews, the participants provided data from …


Proprioception And Developmental Motor Training: A New Treatment For Chronic-Phase Stroke Patients Dec 2014

Proprioception And Developmental Motor Training: A New Treatment For Chronic-Phase Stroke Patients

Dissertations

With stroke occurrence increasing, along with survival rate, it is imperative to find ways of treating the chronic-phase of stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine if either or both of two interventions, or their combination, could improve functional performance in patients at least four years post-stroke. One intervention was resistance strength training while the other consisted of neurodevelopmental activities that parallel those used with developing children. Six participants, four male and two female, ranging in age from 23 to 60 (M age 44.5), were randomly assigned to one of the interventions. Participants ranged in stroke types and …


Family-Of-Origin Characteristics Of Men Who Engage Regularly In Sexually Addictive Behavior, Mark Stephen Pfuetze Dec 2014

Family-Of-Origin Characteristics Of Men Who Engage Regularly In Sexually Addictive Behavior, Mark Stephen Pfuetze

Dissertations

The present study surveyed men to assess whether any correlations existed between a man’s sexually addictive behavior and how his family-of-origin addressed sexuality along with demographic factors. A total of 374 male participants (18 years or older) provided complete data sets via the online survey located on SurveyMonkey. The main research question for this study was as follows: Is there a relationship between demographic variables or family factors: (a) negative attitudes and communication about sexuality in one’s family-of-origin, (b) exposure to sexual stimuli in one’s family-of-origin, and (c) open sexual discussion in one’s family-of-origin, and sexual addiction. All three of …


Retired African American Female Urban Middle Schoolscience Teachers Beliefs And Practices, Frances Mary Whitney Dec 2014

Retired African American Female Urban Middle Schoolscience Teachers Beliefs And Practices, Frances Mary Whitney

Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to give a voice to a dedicated group of professionals who unselfishly labored twenty-five plus years educating the children of America’s poorest taxpaying citizens. These retired African American female urban middle schools sciences teachers’ (RAAFUMSST) explain the experiences that gave them the fortitude to stay in the urban school systems until their retirement. The goal is to give you a glimpse into the distractions, challenges, and victories they encountered as they strove to teach science in an overcrowded, underserviced, and depressed urban school district of a major city. Most times sacrificing self for service, …


The Impact Of A School-To-Work Transition Program On Self-Determination Of Young Adults With A Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ambumulire Nellie Phiri Oct 2014

The Impact Of A School-To-Work Transition Program On Self-Determination Of Young Adults With A Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ambumulire Nellie Phiri

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of participation in a school-to-work transition program on self-determination of young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Five young adults between the ages of 18 and 22 with a diagnosis of ASD were the focus of the study. The young adults participated in a university-based Project SEARCH (PS) school-to-work transition program. The program provided the students with internship opportunities in custodial service, food service, laundry service, computer and technology lab, and office administration. A basic qualitative research design was used to examine the experiences of the five students in …


Stories Of African American Male Principals Following The Intra District Desegregation Plan, Candice Chere Carter-Oliver Aug 2014

Stories Of African American Male Principals Following The Intra District Desegregation Plan, Candice Chere Carter-Oliver

Dissertations

Consequences of school desegregation on African American families, educators, and communities in the United States are well documented in education research today. The State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-St. Louis located at the University of Missouri-St. Louis encompasses multiple records of school desegregation. The symbolic 1954 Brown v Board of Education decision which determined the dual education system of St. Louis City illegal had a lasting impact upon the students, teachers, and principals it served. The work of this dissertation is to tell of the stories in writing of specific African American men who served as principals during the …


Black Teachers And St. Louis Public School Teacher Strikes Of 1973 And 1979, Sharleta L-Shae Williams Aug 2014

Black Teachers And St. Louis Public School Teacher Strikes Of 1973 And 1979, Sharleta L-Shae Williams

Dissertations

Within St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS), Black teachers taught on the north side of the city, while the White teachers taught on the south side. Because of the divide within teaching locations, there followed a larger rift between teacher organizations. The National Education Association (NEA) before the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling (1954) did not affiliate themselves with Black teachers whereas the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) was supportive of the integration of civil rights from the beginning. In the years from the Brown ruling until 1980, St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) had two teacher organizations the St. Louis …


Training Teaching Assistants Across The Curriculum: A Study Of The Certificate In University Teaching (Cut) Program, Carolyn I. Brown Aug 2014

Training Teaching Assistants Across The Curriculum: A Study Of The Certificate In University Teaching (Cut) Program, Carolyn I. Brown

Dissertations

This action research dissertation examines the development over nine semesters of a 15-hour certificate in higher education teaching that is geared toward developing Teaching Assistants (TAs) across disciplines. The dissertation builds on the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) models. This research is informed by both social constructivist theory and social cognitive theory, and consists of personal narratives from my multiple roles within the Certificate in University Teaching (CUT) program as well as voices of CUT participants from interviews and reflective journals. Data sources also include teaching and program observations, curriculum documents, and teaching syllabi. I locate myself as both insider and …


An Analysis Of The Educational Experiences Of African American Male Prison Inmates Enrolled In A Voluntary College Vocational Program: Variables That Encourage Or Preclude Postsecondary Degree Attainment, Kenton Rondelle Mershon Jul 2014

An Analysis Of The Educational Experiences Of African American Male Prison Inmates Enrolled In A Voluntary College Vocational Program: Variables That Encourage Or Preclude Postsecondary Degree Attainment, Kenton Rondelle Mershon

Dissertations

There are approximately one-third more African American men who are incarcerated than those who are enrolled in postsecondary education. While in prison, African American male inmates are exposed to a variety of experiences such as mental illness and depression. Despite their impaired judgment and reasoning skills, there are some African American male prison inmates who have an avid interest in obtaining an education and completing a college program while incarcerated. Therefore, I documented their experiences in their college vocational programs. The value of a college education in prison is significant for inmate development. It affords inmates the opportunity and ability …


“What I Care Bout Dogs?” How The Hegemony Of The English Language Colonizes Marginalized Groups, Richard Eric Andrews Jul 2014

“What I Care Bout Dogs?” How The Hegemony Of The English Language Colonizes Marginalized Groups, Richard Eric Andrews

Dissertations

Language has always seemed to play a pivotal role in the identity of individuals and groups who are relegated to the status of other by members of the dominant group. The misshapen identities of the others are further exacerbated by systems and structures in place, like education, which ensure the continued hegemonic status of dominant groups. Not being a part of the dominant group, and yet being required to conform to their standards, can be confusing for those on the outside. The character Celie, expressed this confusion, “Whitefolks all over them, talking bout apples and dogs. What I care bout …


Collaborating On Web 2.0 Technologies: The Best-Fit Model For The Behavioral Intentions Of Preservice Teachers, Lisa Jane Amundson Jul 2014

Collaborating On Web 2.0 Technologies: The Best-Fit Model For The Behavioral Intentions Of Preservice Teachers, Lisa Jane Amundson

Dissertations

Professional collaborative partnerships among teachers are essential in delivering appropriate services, in an inclusive classroom for students with disabilities. Web 2.0 technologies are new, yet largely unexamined, tools that may be used to facilitate collaborative partnerships. Teacher preparation programs are currently attempting to understand the behavioral intention of preservice teachers on these new technologies. A total of 590 preservice teachers participated in this study and reported their current use, perceived benefits, and behavioral intentions on Web 2.0 technologies. The Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB) was used as a theoretical framework to help guide the study and identify possible behavior …


An Examination Of Factors Influencing The Implementation Of Student-Led Iep Meetings In Secondary Schools, Marilyn Louise Smith Jul 2014

An Examination Of Factors Influencing The Implementation Of Student-Led Iep Meetings In Secondary Schools, Marilyn Louise Smith

Dissertations

Many parents/caregivers and teachers believe that students with disabilities acquire self-advocacy skills and benefit from leading their IEP meetings, yet it is unknown which teacher preparation factors have the greatest influence on implementation that will most likely increase the number of students leading their meetings. Some hypothesized teacher preparation factors affecting consistent implementation of student-led IEP meetings include; professional development, curricula and materials, administrative support, and scheduling instruction during the day. The purpose of this mixed method study was to analyze survey data from 88 special education professionals in a large Midwestern school district, and to compare differences between groups …


Community College Student Engagement At Extended Campus Sites: A Mixed Methods Study, Deborah Diane Degan-Dixon Jul 2014

Community College Student Engagement At Extended Campus Sites: A Mixed Methods Study, Deborah Diane Degan-Dixon

Dissertations

Much community college research suggests that student engagement enhances academic performance and persistence, yet there has been little research that has focused on the impact of student engagement in the growing area of extended campus sites. The purpose of this mixed method study was to compare student engagement levels between the main campus and the extended site of three community colleges. The quantitative portion of this study explored significant differences between the sites based on variables in the 2011 Community College Survey for Student Engagement (CCSSE) survey. Then, through 13 semi-structured interviews, the qualitative portion examined the perceptions of extended …


Strategic Managment Of Human Capital: A Crtique Of Urban Education Human Resources Policies And Procedures, Sharonica Latrease Hardin-Bartley Jun 2014

Strategic Managment Of Human Capital: A Crtique Of Urban Education Human Resources Policies And Procedures, Sharonica Latrease Hardin-Bartley

Dissertations

Utilizing a critical race theory lens, this qualitative study employs a semi-structured interview and focus group interview design to explore the perspectives of individuals who interact with human resources structures, policies, or procedures in a formal or informal way in the context of an urban school district. To provide a foundational perspective, this study first reviews relevant literature related to human capital, teacher quality, and performance management. The overarching purpose of this research study is to explore ways that research participants perceive the effective management of human capital and ultimately, how the management of human capital impacts the educational experiences …


The Impact Of Special Education Transition Services On The Post-Secondary Education Preparedness Of Students With Emotional Disturbance: A Study Of Student Perceptions, Cyrhonda Denise Hill-Shavers Jun 2014

The Impact Of Special Education Transition Services On The Post-Secondary Education Preparedness Of Students With Emotional Disturbance: A Study Of Student Perceptions, Cyrhonda Denise Hill-Shavers

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the post-secondary special education transition planning experiences of currently enrolled college students with emotional disturbance (ED). In addition to exploring students’ perceptions of their experiences, understanding, through the narrative analysis of semi-structured interviews, the role special education transition planning played in their perceived level of post-secondary education preparedness upon high school graduation was sought. The research revealed students with ED are most likely to participate in career-based special education post-secondary transition planning. In addition four overarching themes were revealed which included defined by my disability, invisibility, employment vs. post-secondary education, and college …


Moral Foundations Of Academic Freedom In The Community College: Professional Right Or Public Benefit?, Paul David Long May 2014

Moral Foundations Of Academic Freedom In The Community College: Professional Right Or Public Benefit?, Paul David Long

Dissertations

Abstract Academic freedom, broadly understood as the right of faculty members and researchers to appropriately investigate fields of knowledge and express views without fear of restraint or reprisals (Brown, 2006) is a traditional and cherished moral value to faculty and instructional administrators in American institutions of higher education. Historical challenges to academic freedom, both external and internal, continue today. This study worked from the premise that academic freedom is an important moral principle to higher education. The ultimate objective was to determine the moral justification for academic freedom. The two primary theories of ethics, a rights-based, and consequentialist paradigms, were …


A Study Of Missouri's Educator Evaluation System And Its Efforts To Increase Teacher And Leader Effectiveness, Paul J. Katnik May 2014

A Study Of Missouri's Educator Evaluation System And Its Efforts To Increase Teacher And Leader Effectiveness, Paul J. Katnik

Dissertations

This pilot project study explored the relationship between the newly created Educator Evaluation System by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Missouri and a change in the professional performance of teachers and leaders. In particular, it addressed whether the process articulated in the state’s new model resulted in a positive change in an educator’s performance ultimately leading to improvements in student learning. A detailed review of the state’s model is provided along with the research that supports the need for each step in the process. The pilot project conducted is described and data are reviewed from the participating …


Teacher Perceptions And Implementation Of Positive Behavior Support In Urban Language Immersion Schools, Jeffrey Joseph Pauls May 2014

Teacher Perceptions And Implementation Of Positive Behavior Support In Urban Language Immersion Schools, Jeffrey Joseph Pauls

Dissertations

Teachers at every level of schooling recognize the need for establishing a positive learning environment. Creating this type of classroom is a worthwhile but elusive goal due to ineffective approaches to managing student behavior. This is a common challenge for teachers and schools of every kind and every level but may be magnified for schools with specialized missions, such as language immersion schools. This dissertation examines teacher perceptions of a classroom management and behavior support system called Positive Behavior Support, or PBS, specifically within urban language immersion schools. Research questions explored include: 1) In what ways do teachers at urban, …


Researching The Real: Transforming The Science Fair Through Relevant And Authentic Research, Rosemary Mcbryan Davidson May 2014

Researching The Real: Transforming The Science Fair Through Relevant And Authentic Research, Rosemary Mcbryan Davidson

Dissertations

This teacher research study documents the processes used to help students in an all-female, religious-based high school create science fair projects that are personally meaningful, scientifically sophisticated and up-to date in terms of science content. One-hundred sixteen young women in an honors chemistry class were introduced by their teacher to the methods used by science journalists when researching and crafting articles. The students then integrated these strategies into their science fair research through collaborative classroom activities designed by their teacher. Data collected during the process included audio and video tapes of classroom activities, student interviews, process work, finished projects, email …


School Climate And Building Highly Effective Schools: How Student Perception Of School Structure And Supportive Learning Environments Affect Their Enjoyment Of School, Amber D'Nay Simpson May 2014

School Climate And Building Highly Effective Schools: How Student Perception Of School Structure And Supportive Learning Environments Affect Their Enjoyment Of School, Amber D'Nay Simpson

Dissertations

Education reformers have long sought to apply scientific framework analysis to engineer the ideal system in which both students and teachers are highly successful. Grounded in the evidence based theoretical framework of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), many academicians and practitioners are now focusing on determinants of school structure and supportive learning environments to bolster students’ enjoyment of school, which supports increased positive outcomes. The Abbreviated School Climate Survey (Student Version) (Ding, Liu and Berkowitz, 2011) instrument was designed to explore student perspective of school climate as an indicator of student outcomes based on seven variables. The purpose of this …


Informally Educating The Community: St. Louis Phyllis Wheatley’S Ywca Committee On Administration Speaks On The Decline Of The Organization Through Historical Narratives, Cheryl Denise Osby May 2014

Informally Educating The Community: St. Louis Phyllis Wheatley’S Ywca Committee On Administration Speaks On The Decline Of The Organization Through Historical Narratives, Cheryl Denise Osby

Dissertations

Immediately following the end of the Reconstruction period, Negro Americans were forced to live in the second wave of racial bondage resulting from the institutionalization of Jim Crow Laws. For Black females, this bondage carried a double-edged sword, as the weight of this oppression encompassed every aspect of their lives. Unfortunately, many viewed that there was no outlet from this misery. Even before the official end of slavery, free Black women that rose to the middle-class economic status had begun club work and established clubs in their communities. These organizations not only provided a social outlet for these privileged women, …


Advocating For Educational Equity: African American Citizens' Councils In St. Louis, Missouri, From 1864 To 1927, Melanie Alicia Adams Apr 2014

Advocating For Educational Equity: African American Citizens' Councils In St. Louis, Missouri, From 1864 To 1927, Melanie Alicia Adams

Dissertations

Whether in slavery or in freedom, African Americans understood the important role education played in their quest towards citizenship. As enslaved people, they risked their lives to learn to read and write so they would be prepared when freedom came their way. As free people, they continued to strive for an education that would move them beyond their prescribed station in life. Throughout the history of African Americans, they actively pursued their educational aspirations instead of patiently waiting for them to be granted. The research associated with educational agency before and after the Civil War provides some insight into the …