Education Commons^™

Reduction Of Aggressive Behavior Of A Preschool Child Using Extinction And Teacher Attention Procedures, Greg Randle

Masters Theses

The subject was a 2 and a half-year-old male who engaged in a high rate of aggressive behavior that appeared to be maintained by teacher reprimands and physical contact. An extinction procedure in which all aggressive behavior directed toward peers was ignored was used in conjunction with teacher attention directed to the victim. Teacher attention was also used to positively reinforce the subject for interaction with peers. These procedures reduced the subject's aggressive behavior to a much lower rate. Although the subject's undesirable behavior was modified, a questionnaire responded to by the teachers indicated the need for open communication between …

Psychophysics Of Reinforcement Delay, Larry A. Morse

Dissertations

Various models have been used to describe the nature of the relation between reinforcement delay and relative response rate. Delay has been incorporated as one aspect of reinforcement within the matching law which states that the relative response rates in concurrent schedules will equal the relative immediacy of the reinforcement. A variation of matching applicable in concurrent-chain schedules states that the relative rates of responding in the initial links will match the relative reduction in the average delay to reinforcement correlated with the entry to each terminal link. The momentary maximizing position states that the molar matching relation is a …

Comparative Ratings Of Printed Nutrition Materials Developed By Industry And Government Producers, Cheryl L. Holmes

Dissertations

The question as to the appropriateness of using materials developed by industry in the nation's classrooms has been raised by educators for many years. Some educators have urged that the use of these sponsored materials be banned totally as teaching tools in the schools; others have indicated that these sponsored materials provide an excellent alternative to textbooks, and are often more current than textbooks when the content is controversial or the subject is one for which new information is often available.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of selected supplemental, printed nutrition education materials developed by …

An Experiential Project Examining The Realm Of The School Business Function, Robert J. Gabel

Masters Theses

The objective of this experiential project was to examine the role and functions of the school business manager and the school business office.

Major areas that were examined were budgeting procedures, investigation of school district insurance coverage, investigation of developing alternative revenue sources such as a preschool and day care center, and shared time programs.

Through the investigation of these areas it was found that budgeting is an ongoing, year around process. It was observed that the South Haven Public Schools use a form of the Planning Programming Budgeting System (PPBS) and zero-base budgeting as management tools. Further it was …

A Comparison Of Calculation Speed And Accuracy On Two Levels Of Problem Difficulty Using The Conventional And Hutchings’ "Low Stress" Subtraction Algorithms And The Pocket Calculator, Margaret T. Mcglinchey

Masters Theses

This study involved a comparison of three different calculation procedures for solving two different sizes of subtraction problems. A multi-element baseline design was used with three subjects: 2 females and 1 male, whose ages were 9.6, 24, and 8.1, respectively. The calculation procedures were varied randomly within, sessions, and the problem sizes varied randomly across sessions. Dependent measures included rate correct, rate incorrect, and percent accuracy. For all subjects, the conventional algorithm was the fastest calculation procedure. Accuracy data were not as consistent, since they varied across subjects and problem array sizes. Future research in this area might involve larger …

A Comparison Of Speed And Accuracy In Addition Calculation For High And Low Achieving Math Students Using The Calculator, Conventional Algorithm And The Hutchings' “Low Stress Algorithm”, Edward S. Drew

Masters Theses

This study was an attempt to compare the differential calculation power (speed plus accuracy) with addition for the conventional algorithm as compared with the Hutchings' low stress algorithm as compared to hand held calculators for high and low achievers with two levels of difficulty. Also, it is a systematic replication of Zoref's (1976) previous research. The subjects were eight third grade students, four male and four female, approximately nine years old. A multielement baseline design was used varying type calculation method within sessions and level of difficulty across sessions. The Hutchings' "low stress" algorithm produced markedly better results in correct …

A Peer-Managed Contract Study Program For High School Students, Jane F. Stinson

Masters Theses

A contract study center was implemented in a high school setting. The center employed peer-tutoring and behavioral contracting procedures. The program was designed to assist students with assigned tasks and to increase the efficiency with which in-school study periods were used. Students either were referred by teachers or volunteered to use the center. The project was implemented for ten weeks on a pilot basis. The results indicated that students used the center extensively and adequately adhered to behavior management requirements. A large proportion of contracts were completed demonstrating that the center procedures were effective in facilitating productivity. Staff evaluations showed …

Completing Long-Term Undergraduate Projects: Some Critical Variables, Timothy K. Zoia

Masters Theses

Completion of long-term academic projects involves large amounts of behavior over long periods of time. Steady rates of task completion may be difficult. This study is concerned with the completion of long-term projects by undergraduates who have received a prestigious university scholarship. Project completion and hours worked were correlated with the amount of supervision that the students received. The correlation between frequent supervisory meetings and completing project on time was significant (r=.70; df=1; P<.001). Suggestions for maintaining steady student performance are offered.

Improving Instructional Skills Of Special Education Teachers Using A Group Training Package, R. Thomas Arkwright

Masters Theses

The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate a training package which facilitates instructional skills of special education teachers in a practical, cost-efficient manner. After pretraining sessions of staggered baseline lengths, each teacher received sample program forms with written instructions and concise training on usage. As session performance stabilized, three teachers were taught specific performance feedback competencies and began giving verbal feedback during four other teachers' instructional sessions in a multiple-baseline across behaviors design. In addition to instructional competencies,generalization and maintenance effects were also assessed. Results indicate: 1) general training and program materials improved the instructional performance …

Business Office Internship, Kathryn S. Weeden

Masters Theses

Successful operation of a school district depends upon the functions of the business office. This internship at Grand Rapids Public Schools under the supervision of Dr. James Gallagher, Executive Deputy Superintendent of Business Affairs, involved experiences in the school business areas of accounting, data processing, investments, funding, payroll, and purchasing. Knowledge of school business functions will provide the author with the awareness she needs when she attains her career goal working in central office administration, preferably as a curriculum and instruction specialist.

In addition to an introduction this report is divided into four sections which discuss the site and the …

A Comparison Of Concurrent And Removed Component Procedures For Teaching Toothbrushing Skills To Preschoolers, Timothy Ian Mckinley

Masters Theses

The study compared the use of a removed component program to a concurrent training program in teaching toothbrushing skills to preschool children. The removed component program separated three response components from the terminal toothbrushing response and taught them separately out-of-the mouth before requiring them in the mouth. The concurrent training program required the three response components but did not train them separately in or out of the mouth. The removed component program taught the skills faster than or equal to the concurrent program, with a significantly higher percentage of correct responses.

A Confusion Matrix Intelligibility Testing Procedure For Preschool Children, Jane C. Coe-Kruse

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to develop and examine a procedure for testing and analyzing the speech intelligibility of preschool children through the use of a phonetically balanced pictured word list, confusion matrices, and computer analysis. Four subjects and 15 listeners were used to obtain data on perception of sound production. The results indicate that use of this procedure differentiates varying speech intelligibilities and allows for effective analysis of sound production parameters as they pertain to speech intelligibility.

Verbal And Non-Verbal Curricula For Teaching Color Names To Preschool Children, Cynthia A. Wagner

Masters Theses

This study examined the effects of curriculum type on the acquisition and retention of color names. Ten 2 to 3 year old subjects were divided into two experimental groups of five each; subjects were of both sexes and approximately equal language ability . In a modified multiple -baseline design, one experimental group received the verbal curriculum and the other experimental group received the non-verbal curriculum. Data were gathered through regular testing of all subjects. Results indicated that the curricula were equally efficient in teaching color names in their respective modalities; there was no significant difference in the mean number of …

A Comparison Of The Hutchings' “Low-Stress", Fulkerson "Full-Record" And Conventional Addition Algorithms For Speed, Accuracy And Preference With Regular Education Students, John Robert Vanhevel

Masters Theses

The differential calculation power (speed and accuracy) of three different addition procedures were investigated using the Hutchings " Low-stress", Fulkerson "Full-record" and conventional algorithms. The subjects were nine fourth grade students, five female and four male, approximately ten years of age. Elements of both multiple baseline and reversal designs were employed, varying the type of calculation method across phases. After exposure to each algorithm, students were given a choice of methods to use in solving a problem. Results indicated that both the Hutchings "Low-stress" and Fulkerson "Full-record" algorithms were generally superior in producing stable, accurate and efficient calculations. When given …

An Investigation Of The Relationships Between Various Institutional Variables And Compliance With Title Ix In Intercollegiate Athletics, Richard C. Cadigan

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Addressing Community Awareness Of Self-Help Groups, David Glenn Anderson

Masters Theses

A directory of self-help organizations in Vermilion County, Illinois, was developed as a project to complete the requirements of the Specialist in Education degree through the Department of Education Leadership at Western Michigan University. The intern's training placement was with the Vermilion County Community 708 Mental Health Board, a mental health funding agency.

It was determined that the majority of self-help groups in Vermilion County were not listed in any existing directory and that a directory of self-help groups was needed. A self-help group directory was completed and a spring conference co-sponsored by his Vermilion County Council of Social Agencies …

The Effects Of Hutchings’ Low Stress Addition And Subtraction Algorithms On The Accuracy And Rate Of Problem Solving With Low Performing Math Students, Stephen Edgar Hadden

Masters Theses

The accuracy and rate of problem solving using Hutchings' low stress addition and subtraction algorithms was investigated using four, fourth-grade low performers. Two multiple baseline designs were used, (one for addition and one for subtraction) where subjects were required to work addition and subtraction problems using the conventional method during Baseline. As Baseline for each subject stabilized, a brief training program was implemented using Hutchings' low stress addition or subtraction algorithm. Following training, subjects were required to work the addition and subtraction problems using the new algorithm. Probes were administered before and after training to measure knowledge of place value …

Component Analysis Of Hutchings' Low-Stress Addition Algorithm, Daniel V. Mccallum

Masters Theses

An A-B-A-C counterbalanced reversal design was used with two groups to analyze the two components of Hutching's Low-Stress addition algorithm. Fourth grade students achieving 96% accuracy on a pretest of basic math facts were subjects of this study. Subjects were taught two new methods of computation; Hutchings' Low-Stress and the Conventional algorithm with a written record, along with reviewing the Conventional algorithm. Students were given worksheets containing fixed size addition problems and asked to complete as many as possible with a five-minute times session. Accuracy and speed were monitored across the three methods of computation. The results showed superior performance …

Key Predictors Of Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes Among Clients With Psychiatric Disturbance, William Douglas Brooks

Dissertations

It was the purpose of this study to investigate demographic and treatment/training, services provided variables which predict rehabilitation outcomes among clients with psychiatric disturbance. A population of 166 clients representing a "Mental Health" caseload for Fiscal Years 1977, 1978, and 1979 from the Kalamazoo, Michigan Bureau of Rehabilitation District office were studied. The population consisted of three sub-groups of psychotic, neurotic, and character disordered subjects.

A total of twenty demographic and eleven treatment/training independent variables were subjected to correlational and Step-Wise Regression methods of analyses with closure status (Status 26 and Status 28) used as the criterion.

Three major research …

Goals And Objectives For Teaching Science In The Junior High Schools Of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Gary W. Wester

Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to determine the similarities and disparities among the expected learning outcomes of three sets of performance objectives for science education: (1) the teacher-written science objectives of the Goals-Objectives-Test (GOT) Program for the seventh, eight, and ninth grades in the Kalamazoo Public School System; (2) the objectives prepared by the Department of Research and Development of the Kalamazoo Public School System from test items on Test 8: Science of the Metropolitan Achievement Tests (MAT) - Advanced Forms; and (3) the science objectives of the Michigan Department of Education (MDOE) for grades 7-9.

The methodology …

The Relationship Between Interpersonal Perception And Locus Of Control, Richard G. Smith

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to clarify the relationship between interpersonal perception and locus of control. Interpersonal perception refers to the process of understanding internal states of other human beings. Locus of control refers to the belief in the nature of causality of reinforcement. Viewed theoretically as a continuum, individuals at one end, labeled internals, believe that the reinforcement they receive in life is the direct result of their own behavior. Conversely, individuals at the opposite end of the continuum, labeled externals, believe that the reinforcement they receive in life is the result of fate, luck, or powerful others. …

A Descriptive Study Of Special Programs For Minority Students In Public Four Year Higher Education Institutions Within The State Of Michigan, Richard Redden

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify problems and issues facing special programs specifically for minority students in public four year higher education institutions within the state of Michigan and to describe any relationships existing between the number of problems and issues they face and the variables of (1)recruitment ability, (2)admission ability, and (3)organizational position within the institutions.

A developmental purpose of this study was to propose an up-to-date compendium covering all of the special programs currently operating within public four year higher education institutions within Michigan. This by-product will be shared not only with study participants, but with …