Education Commons^™

Executive Function Development And Early Mathematics: Examination Of Dual Language Learners, Hattie A. Harvey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the convergent validity between a third-party rating scale of executive function (EF) and a task-performance measurement of EF; examined the effects of age, gender, and dual language experience on preschool children‘s EF skills (inhibition, working memory (WM), and shifting) and on early mathematical skills; and investigated the contributions of inhibition, WM, and shifting to early mathematical skills. Ninety-two children attending Head Start were assessed. Correlation analyses revealed a number of relationships between the EF rating scale and the EF taskperformance measure. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed a main effect of age on all EF measures and …

An Analysis Of Mathematics Interventions: Increased Time-On-Task Compared With Computer-Assisted Mathematics Instruction, James M. Calhoun Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student achievement is not progressing on mathematics as measured by state, national, and international assessments. Much of the research points to mathematics curriculum and instruction as the root cause of student failure to achieve at levels comparable to other nations. Since mathematics is regarded as a gate keeper to many educational opportunities as well as, eventually, potential job prospects, critics are asking schools to fix the problem.

This research project is a comparison of two different interventions used to improve student performance as tested on the Colorado State Assessment Program (CSAP). The first intervention, increased time-on-task, was used at Freedom …

Influence Of Using Context Supportive Of The Area Model On Sixth Grade Students' Performance When Writing Word Problems For Fraction Subtraction And Multiplication, Monica L. Friske

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to evaluate my own practice of teaching writing word problems with fraction subtraction and fraction multiplication using appropriate context. I wanted to see how focusing my instruction on the use of the area model and manipulatives could develop students’ understanding of fractions when writing word problems. I chose this topic because Florida has adopted the Common Core State Standards and will be implementing them in the coming years. These standards encourage the development of deeper understanding of mathematics, including fractions. I hoped this research would give my students the opportunity to make …

An Investigation In Journal Writing And Cooperative Learning With 8th Grade Geometry Students In The Construction Of Proof, Paul Wojcik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This action research study summarizes the investigation of journal writing and cooperative grouping with 8th grade geometry students in the construction of proof. Students written responses to prompts in journals were analyzed over the course of twelve weeks. Case studies of four students were developed from the researchers’ three geometry classes. All four students in the study participated in an academic program called Pre International Baccalaureate Preparation. Standardized test scores and an attitude scale categorized the four students. The ATMAT survey (Appendix A) measured each student’s attitude toward mathematics. Writing prompts focused on the students’ perceptions of the group process …

The Influence Of Virtual Manipulatives On Second Grader's Acquisition Of Place Value Concepts, Kay Jolicoeur

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine my own practice of teaching place value and the influence virtual manipulatives had, in addition to physical manipulatives, on place value understanding of my second grade students. I wanted to see how adding a base-ten computer applet might better meet the needs of all learners while also meeting the needs of today’s technological classroom. Through this study, I found that both physical and virtual manipulatives helped students acquire place value concepts. I found that virtual manipulatives had features that engaged students in a way that increased their mathematical language, increased students’ ability …

An Examination Of The Impact Of Smart Pen Technology On Mathematics Achievement And Attitudes Of Community College Students, Amy Marie Marolt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to examine the impact of instructional use of smart pen technology on the mathematics achievement and attitudes of community college students enrolled in a College Algebra course. This quasi-experimental, mixed-methods study utilized a nonequivalent control-group design. In this study, two sections of College Algebra were analyzed with one section serving as a treatment group which had access to an online archival of smart pen documents. The other section served as a control group which had access to an online archival of digital documents which did not have smart pen capabilities. The first hypothesis sought to analyze the …

An Examination Of Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching In Professional Development Settings, Shannon Harmon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have laid the foundation for what mathematics teachers need to know, a construct referred to as Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (Ball, Thames, & Phelps, 2008). There is, however, a lack of robust research regarding how Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) is developed within professional development settings. The purpose of this qualitative research study, therefore, was to examine how different foci of professional development revealed different domains of MKT. In the immersion setting, the professional development focused on engaging teachers in discourse surrounding teachers' completion of mathematical tasks. In the practice-based setting, the professional development focused on engaging teachers in …

Secondary Mathematics' Teachers Perceptions Of Their Integration Of Instructional Technologies, Jessica Taylor Ivy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study explored the beliefs and practices regarding integrations of instructional technologies by seven secondary mathematics teachers. The researcher conducted an initial interview, a classroom observation, and a follow-up interview with each participant. Participants also submitted sample lessons and completed a TPACK Development Model Self-Report Survey. The interviews and observations were analyzed using deductive analysis, using the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) Development Model to assess technology-related practices. Through responses to the TPACK Development Model Self-Report Survey, the participants revealed their perceptions of their practices and beliefs regarding technology integration. These perceptions were compared to the researcher's analysis …

An Examination Of Secondary Mathematics Teachers' Tpack Development Through Participation In A Technology-Based Lesson Study, Julie Whitten Riales

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study used a layered case study (Patton, 2002) to examine the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) of a group of inservice secondary mathematics teachers as they participated in a technology-based lesson study. Using the TPACK Development Model (Niess, 2009) as a lens, this dissertation examines interactions of the group members during lesson study meetings as well as individual case studies of four of the six participants. Data were gathered from initial surveys, initial and post-interviews, initial and post-classroom observations, writing prompts, and transcriptions of lesson study group meetings. Data were analyzed to determine the TPACK development …