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Disordered Eating Behaviors Amongst Student Athletes, Sarah Wensink
Disordered Eating Behaviors Amongst Student Athletes, Sarah Wensink
Master of Education Program Theses
This research study investigated the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors amongst collegiate athletes as well as factors that increase one’s susceptibility to partake in disordered eating behaviors. The participants were 380 collegiate athletes from a small midwestern university. The participants were student athletes from a variety of different sports. Athletes were requested to complete a 26-item questionnaire that assessed their eating behaviors, perfectionist tendencies, health knowledge, and feelings surrounding body image and satisfaction. This research study explored the relationship between these factors. The results of this study found that female athletes may be more prone to report disordered eating behavior …
Peer Coaching At An Independent School, Lindsay Anderson
Peer Coaching At An Independent School, Lindsay Anderson
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated the effects of peer coaching on an independent school’s culture, professional development, and growth mindset. The participants were eight middle scholar teachers, including the researcher. Each participant volunteered to be a part of a peer coaching pilot team in the spring semester of the 2018-2019 school year. Throughout the course of the pilot program, the participants were surveyed and interviewed independently on the topics of school culture, professional development, and growth mindset. As a team, the participants engaged in pre-observation, observation, and post-observation meetings as well as a final interview to debrief the pilot peer …
Technology Use In The Classroom, Danny Mooers
Technology Use In The Classroom, Danny Mooers
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated students’ perceptions about the use the use of technology in the classroom. The participants were English Language Arts students at a high school in Iowa. The participants included 33 freshman, 28 juniors and 15 seniors. Students were given a survey to gauge their perceptions of how the use of technology in the classroom impacted their engagement and allowed them to meet learning targets. Additionally, the survey examined students’ perceptions regarding the benefits and limitations of technology in the classroom. The results of this study suggest that students perceived the use of technology to be more …
The Classroom Environment: Effects On Learning, Motivation, And Behavior, Angela Pierotti
The Classroom Environment: Effects On Learning, Motivation, And Behavior, Angela Pierotti
Master of Education Program Theses
This research study examined the effects of flexible seating on student learning, motivation, and behavior. Two classes of fifth graders participated in the study, so that there was an experimental group and a control group. Each group consisted of 23 fifth graders. The experimental group had flexible seating in their classroom for a period of three weeks. The options included bean bag chairs, floor cushions, exercise balls, and patio chairs with cushions. The control group had desks and chairs for their seating. Both groups took pre- and post-tests to determine student knowledge in the areas of reading and math. The …
Brain Breaks And Engagement, Joe'l Vander Waal
Brain Breaks And Engagement, Joe'l Vander Waal
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research project explored the effects of brain breaks on student engagement. The participants in this study were 22 eighth-grade students in a language arts classroom at a public middle school in Northwest Iowa. Students were observed to determine engagement for the last 18 minutes of class. A no-treatment period was observed in order to create a baseline, followed by a treatment period to demonstrate any increase or decrease in overall student engagement. The treatment consisted of a three-minute brain break implemented half-way through the class period. These breaks included two minutes of physical activity followed by one minute …
Academic Stress And Honors Students: A Phenomenological Study Of Christian High School Students’ Perceptions And Experiences, James Uitermarkt
Academic Stress And Honors Students: A Phenomenological Study Of Christian High School Students’ Perceptions And Experiences, James Uitermarkt
Master of Education Program Theses
This research study sought to explore high school students’ perceptions and experiences with academic stress related to advanced/honors courses. The participants were 115 advanced/honors students in a private Christian high school in New Jersey, who responded to an anonymous survey about their perceived stressors and the impact of academic-related stress on their lives. In the second phase of the study, eight students participated in interviews in which they responded to questions related to the causes and impact of academic stress on their overall physical and social-emotional well-being. The results of the survey and interviews clearly showed the pervasive academic pressures …
Place-Based Education And Reconciliation, Jonathan Boone
Place-Based Education And Reconciliation, Jonathan Boone
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research project examined the impact of a place-based learning opportunity on Haida Gwaii for Christian educators. Two separate groups participated. The first group of 10 participants came to Haida Gwaii in the summer of 2017. The second group of 10 participants came to Haida Gwaii in the summer of 2018. Both groups were given the same opportunity to take part in various events, visit locations, and meet Haida people. All but one participant from both groups were interviewed separately in the spring of 2019 to collect data on each’s experience. One participant did not respond to requests for …
Technology: Engagement And Motivation In The Elementary Classroom, David Nieuwsma
Technology: Engagement And Motivation In The Elementary Classroom, David Nieuwsma
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study examined how increased levels of technology use in the elementary classroom affected student engagement and motivation. Fifth grade students were observed using minimal levels of technology in math and reading lessons for three weeks, then using high levels of technology for three additional weeks. In addition to data collected by observations, students answered a survey about their views of technology in the subjects of math and reading before and after the study was performed. The results of the study suggest that one positive benefit of implementing technology in lessons in the elementary classroom may be increased …
A Case Study For Improving Reading Comprehension In Third Grade Using Literature Circles, Joy Hinds
A Case Study For Improving Reading Comprehension In Third Grade Using Literature Circles, Joy Hinds
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated whether or not literature circles help increase reading comprehension, especially for young readers who are relatively new to interacting with chapter books. The participants were ten third grade students in a general education classroom. All students completed a Differentiated Reading Assessment (DRA) before beginning literature circles. These groups were created with three or four students each, according to their interest and book choice. With the teacher helping to facilitate group discussion, these literature circles met regularly during class. After about four weeks, all students were again assessed using the DRA benchmark assessment to compare comprehension …
Self-Assessment And The Growth Mindset Of Middle School Students, Julie Gross
Self-Assessment And The Growth Mindset Of Middle School Students, Julie Gross
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated the effects of self-assessment on the growth and fixed mindsets of students. Twenty-six 6th grade students in a private school in northwest Iowa participated in the study. Each student took a pre-survey at the beginning of the study to determine whether they had a strong growth mindset, moderate growth mindset, moderate fixed mindset, or strong fixed mindset. Following the pre-survey, students participated in self-assessment experiences for nine weeks and an identical post-survey was given to determine if changes in mindset had occurred. In addition, nine students were interviewed at the conclusion of the study. Quantitative …
Growing Motivation And Learning For The Middle School Student Through Reassessment Practices, Payton Ponstein
Growing Motivation And Learning For The Middle School Student Through Reassessment Practices, Payton Ponstein
Master of Education Program Theses
The purpose of this study was to explore the best reassessment practices, in a middle school setting, that would nurture a learning and motivating classroom environment. The research questions sought to discover the best reassessment practices in middle school and how do these practices increase a middle school student’s ability and motivation to re-learn. Forty-eight middle school students in the 7th and 8th grade were surveyed to assess the effectiveness of each reassessment practice. Furthermore, interviews with four students were conducted for a more in-depth exploration of student learning and motivation. Statistical significance was found in the quantitative data indicating …
Amateur Sport Participation And The Development Of Athletes, Mycah Hulst
Amateur Sport Participation And The Development Of Athletes, Mycah Hulst
Master of Education Program Theses
This research study sought to determine the impact amateur sport has on the development of adolescents. The development areas that were found critical for exploration include: physical, social, cognitive, and emotional. Thirty-five adolescent athletes who are currently participating in amateur sport were surveyed about their personal experiences in this competitive arena. The results confirmed that amateur sport is impacting the explored areas of adolescent development; however, the study was inconclusive on whether or not this impact was positive. The results presented numerous variables that promoted adolescent participation in amateur sport, and also exposed a variety of concerns that should be …
Writing Self-Efficacy And Student Ownership: Exploring Middle School Writing Perceptions Through Increased Ownership In The Classroom, Ruth Clark
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study explored whether increased student ownership in writing influenced student self-efficacy in writing tasks. Previous literature shows that student engagement often decreases during middle school years when students desire to have more ownership over their learning. Forty-six students participated in this six-week study in a seventh grade writing and language arts class. For this study, students were surveyed regarding their self-efficacy towards writing tasks before and after a series of interventions related to student ownership. The results revealed a measurable decrease in writing self-efficacy within the intervention group of students.
Effect Of Formational Learning Experiences On Student Attitudes, Pamela Zuidhof
Effect Of Formational Learning Experiences On Student Attitudes, Pamela Zuidhof
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research project explored the impact of formational learning experiences with refugees on student attitudes. One grade five class from an independent school in British Columbia interacted with, learned the stories from, and built relationships with refugees. All students in the class completed the same survey both prior to beginning the unit and after the unit was concluded about their attitudes toward both immigrants and refugees. Following the formational learning experiences with refugees, eight students participated in interviews where they responded to questions about how their own attitudes and understandings changed over the course of the unit. The results …
Smartphones And Schoolwork: Determining The Relationship Between Students’ Beliefs And Habits Regarding Phones, Luke Breems
Smartphones And Schoolwork: Determining The Relationship Between Students’ Beliefs And Habits Regarding Phones, Luke Breems
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research project investigated the relationship between students’ beliefs about the effects of using phones concurrently with schoolwork and the extent to which they engage in that behavior. Forty-five students from an independent school in southwestern Ontario participated in a study to determine their beliefs about phones’ effects on their schoolwork, and their responses were compared to observational data regarding how frequently they checked their phones during class. The results of the study indicate that, on average, students believe phones have little effect on their schoolwork, in contrast to current academic literature, which suggests an overall negative effect. This …
The Impact Of Faith-Based Programs On Christian High School Students In A Rural Christian Independent School, Mike Cumiskey
The Impact Of Faith-Based Programs On Christian High School Students In A Rural Christian Independent School, Mike Cumiskey
Master of Education Program Theses
Christian schools have a long history of offering programs that contribute to the spiritual nurturing of adolescents. Many students participate in Bible classes, morning devotions, prayer groups, mission trips, service projects and chapels during their time in a Christian school. Yet, there is very little research on the effect that these faith-based programs have on a student’s spiritual maturity. Despite this lack of research, Christian schools continue to work tirelessly to create, manage, maintain and sustain faith-based programs. To determine whether faith-based programs have a lasting impact on an individual’s spiritual maturity, the researcher conducted a survey with youth and …
Understanding Teacher Shortages In Christian Schools, Ralph Medema
Understanding Teacher Shortages In Christian Schools, Ralph Medema
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research project investigated the reasons for the current teacher shortage in the Federation of Protestant Reformed Christian Schools. The research was a descriptive survey study with parents, teachers, and students serving as respondents. Three surveys were designed to measure perspectives about teaching and motivations for both becoming and remaining teachers among members of Christian schools from a Reformed Christian background. The survey results indicated some correlation with previous research, especially concerning the financial aspects of teaching. The survey results also demonstrated some aspects that make the perspectives and motivations of Reformed Christians unique. Suggestions for strengthening the ability …
Map To Khan Academy Connection: Analyzing The Potential Role Of Using Khan Mappers To Boost Map Scores, Glenda Elgersma
Map To Khan Academy Connection: Analyzing The Potential Role Of Using Khan Mappers To Boost Map Scores, Glenda Elgersma
Master of Education Program Theses
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Khan Academy when utilized as a supplement to core math curriculum and tailored according to scores initially received by students on their MAP test. Through the use of the Khan Academy Mappers site and the alignment of tasks to individual scores, this study compared growth rates for students with access to online practice through Khan and those without access to online practice through Khan. Results indicated a greater increase in MAP scores for students who coupled their core math curriculum with Khan Academy as a supplement.
Is A Flipped Classroom In A High School Geometry Class Effective?, Charles Dirks
Is A Flipped Classroom In A High School Geometry Class Effective?, Charles Dirks
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated the effects of the flipped classroom on a high school geometry class in a rural setting. Thirty-nine high school students ranging from ninth to the eleventh grade participated in the study. These students were already divided into three separate classes. Two of the geometry classes became the experimental group and received a new flipped model of teaching. The control group was one geometry class and was given the same lecture style of teaching that the teacher had used for the past three years. Students were given a pre- and post-test to determine if after receiving …
Authentic Learning Experiences: Investigating How Teachers Can Lead Their Students To Intrinsic Motivation In Meaningful Work, Rhonda Van Donge
Authentic Learning Experiences: Investigating How Teachers Can Lead Their Students To Intrinsic Motivation In Meaningful Work, Rhonda Van Donge
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated how an authentic learning experience impacted the motivation and engagement of students toward finding intrinsic value in meaningful work in a sophomore English classroom at a private Christian high school in the Midwest. The participants were 57 sophomores at the high school taking required English 10. The students participated in an authentic learning experience (ALE) designed by their teacher in which they were split into 10 teams, each team writing and designing one issue the sophomore class’s newspaper. The 57 students completed an anonymous survey at the conclusion of the authentic learning experience. Eight students …
Do Kindergarten Readiness Screenings Predict Academic And Social Success?, Lori Schaap
Do Kindergarten Readiness Screenings Predict Academic And Social Success?, Lori Schaap
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated the correlations between kindergarten readiness screening scores and kindergarten academic success, kindergarten social success, and third grade academic success. The participants included eighteen students who were given a readiness screening prior to kindergarten entry. These participants continued to be enrolled in the same school and were given a standardized academic test at the end of third grade. Additionally, kindergarten screening scores were compared to teacher surveys rating the participants’ academic and social ability in kindergarten. The screening scores were also compared to find if a correlation existed between the kindergarten screening scores and the third …
Student Ownership, Engagement, And The Love Of Learning: Investigating The Correlation Of Student Ownership To Student Engagement, Kevin Koeman
Master of Education Program Theses
This research study sought to determine whether providing students with increased student ownership opportunities leads to increased student engagement. Previous literature showed that when teachers allow increased student ownership, the engagement of students in class increased. One hundred and five students participated in this three-week study in an upper level English composition and literature class. For this study, students were surveyed to identify the correlation between student ownership of learning and their overall levels of student engagement in learning. The results, as a whole, confirmed that students are more engaged in learning when given more ownership opportunities.
Flipped Classrooms And The Video Creator’S Impact On Achievement, Kailee Davelaar
Flipped Classrooms And The Video Creator’S Impact On Achievement, Kailee Davelaar
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated the correlation between the creator of a flipped instructional video and the math achievement of the students. The researcher designed a study to examine the pre- and post-test math scores of 19 7th grade participants who viewed instructional math videos created by their classroom teacher and instructional math videos available via YouTube. After students completed one math unit with each video type, they also completed a voluntary survey investigating their video preference. Quantitative data collected from the pre- and post-tests were analyzed and the researcher found the results to be inconclusive for student achievement. The …
Formative Feedback And Student Attitudes: Investigating The Impact Of Teacher Feedback On Student Attitudes In The Classroom, Aaron Vedder
Formative Feedback And Student Attitudes: Investigating The Impact Of Teacher Feedback On Student Attitudes In The Classroom, Aaron Vedder
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study explored the impact of formative feedback on student attitudes in the classroom. Four Grade 12 college-stream English students from an independent school in southwestern Ontario participated in semi-structured interviews where they responded to questions surrounding their attitudes towards their own self-efficacy, towards the English course content, and towards English instructors. Responses reflected on experiences in English courses throughout their high school career. The results of this study suggested that formative feedback has a strong impact on student self-efficacy and their relationship with the instructor, but minimal effect on student attitudes towards English course content.
Feedback And Growth Mindset: Nurturing A Growth Mindset Through Feedback With Middle School Students, Lori Carpenter
Feedback And Growth Mindset: Nurturing A Growth Mindset Through Feedback With Middle School Students, Lori Carpenter
Master of Education Program Theses
The purpose of this research study was to explore how a teacher can nurture a growth mindset in students using feedback and assessment, inviting them to take initiative and responsibility in their learning process. The research questions sought to answer how a teacher’s beliefs about the malleability of intelligence and ability impacts students’ beliefs and mindset as well as to explore the practices used by teachers in giving feedback to students that nurture a growth mindset. Five teachers, along with their classes of middle school students, were surveyed to assess mindset towards learning. To dig deeper into the questions of …
The Effects Of Reading Fluency Interventions On Different Populations Of Students Repeated Readings Vs. Lexia Core 5, Matt Den Hartog
The Effects Of Reading Fluency Interventions On Different Populations Of Students Repeated Readings Vs. Lexia Core 5, Matt Den Hartog
Master of Education Program Theses
Much research has been conducted on the importance of reading fluency. Researchers nearly all conclude that reading fluency greatly affects a student’s overall ability to read. However, often times reading fluency is not given the same importance in intermediate and upper elementary grades. This study was conducted to determine whether Lexia Core 5 or repeated reading interventions had a greater effect on reading fluency gains for third through fifth grade students in one rural, public school. Forty-two students participated in the twelve week study. Various different subgroups of students were looked at and monitored. The final results, as a whole, …
Blended Learning And Math Growth: Investigating The Role Of Ixl Math In The Growth Of 5th Grade Students’ Math Fluency Scores, Dan Van Ruler
Blended Learning And Math Growth: Investigating The Role Of Ixl Math In The Growth Of 5th Grade Students’ Math Fluency Scores, Dan Van Ruler
Master of Education Program Theses
Because of an increase in usage of online adaptive technology in the classroom replacing much of the paper and pencil work previously given as math homework, this study was designed to compare the growth rates in MAPS (Measurement of Academic Progress) math scores between a control group of 5th grade students who did not have access to online practice and a treatment group of students who were assigned online practice throughout the school year. If growth rates were greater in the treatment group, this study could support the movement of decreasing the amount of traditional homework and implementing more online …
Effect Of Extra-Curricular Activities On Students' Spiritual Growth, Alexa Groen
Effect Of Extra-Curricular Activities On Students' Spiritual Growth, Alexa Groen
Master of Education Program Theses
The primary purpose of Christian schooling is to teach Biblical principles to our youth as we prepare them to live and serve in God’s kingdom. Even though over three quarters of our youth in America participate in extra-curricular activities, little to no research has been done on the effect of extra-curricular activities on a child’s spiritual development. Yet, Christian schools continue to put time, money, and energy into extra-curricular programing. To determine whether academic, personal, and athletic extra-curricular activities have kingdom implication, this study collected qualitative data from twelve students, 8th Grade to junior year of high school. Coding the …
Teaching Kindergarten Reading Comprehension Using Transactional Strategy Instruction, Heather Schultz
Teaching Kindergarten Reading Comprehension Using Transactional Strategy Instruction, Heather Schultz
Master of Education Program Theses
This action research study investigated the improvement of reading comprehension by implementing two strategies: question generation and think aloud in the context of transactional instruction. A kindergarten class of 28 students at a charter school in east Michigan was used as an experimental group. The control group was made up of 27 kindergarteners from another class. All students, both in the experimental and control groups, were given a pre-test to track the application of all strategies before teaching began. The experimental group was taught two strategies: how to generate questions and how to observe and think aloud about what they …
Meaningful Instruction Of Basic Multiplication Facts: Applying Constructivist Concepts To Basic Fact Acquisition, Donna Stille
Meaningful Instruction Of Basic Multiplication Facts: Applying Constructivist Concepts To Basic Fact Acquisition, Donna Stille
Master of Education Program Theses
In the United States, third grade students are expected to be fluent in the 100 basic math multiplication facts by the end of the school year. This action research project investigated the correlation between the use of constructivist principles for learning the 100 basic math multiplication facts and its impact on student understanding of mathematical reasoning concepts. The study involved twenty-two students in a midwest suburban third grade Christian school classroom for a 30-day period. An average of one hour a day was spent in math class with varied use of individual, partner, small group and large group work and …