Education Commons^™

High School Students' Perceptions Of Banned Books, Carissa Hennen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research study consisted of interviews with twelve students ages 14-18 at a Northeastern Ohio high school to determine their opinions regarding banned books and content restrictions in schools. With book bans increasing and becoming a divisive topic, many adult figures such as parents, politicians, educators, and school administrators have made their opinions known, but student perspectives are often disregarded. This study seeks to further the research on opinions of book bans by extending these questions to students to fill this gap in research and gain deeper insight into the perception of high school students in regard to school curriculum. …

Culturally Responsive Teaching And Music Education, Katie Johnson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The United States’ music culture is predominantly focused on the Western music tradition. Yet, the population in the United States is wildly diverse and continues to become even more so at a rapid rate. Because of this, culturally relevant teaching has become an increasingly discussed topic in music education. Why do some music educators feel out of place with music outside of the classical tradition? It can be traced backed to the Eurocentrism of music schools in the United States. Music schools focus primarily on the classical Western music realm, including topics such as music theory, socially accepted ensembles and …

The Impact Of Remote Learning In The Wake Of Covid19, Dominique Richards

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

With COVID19, the University of Akron and many other universities had to adjust how they taught students. They went from primarily in-person classes to primarily remote classes as well as hybrid classes. This project is meant to determine how students at the university were affected by this change regarding their overall satisfaction with remote learning. Students at the University of Akron were surveyed in September 2023. The questions regarded demographics, location during the semesters (from spring 2020 to current), impact on study habits, impact on grades, impact on social life, satisfaction with courses, and general thoughts on online learning. Questions …

Differences In Education In Urban And Rural Areas, Jacob Shreve

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research project examines the educational differences and disparities of urban and rural schools in Ohio. The focus school districts are Switzerland of Ohio Local and Akron Public Schools. Demographic information from each of the focus school districts is examined and compared to the outcomes of the schools to determine if factors such as poverty inhibit student learning. Data and statistics, published research, and personal experience will be used to make connections between the school districts, their students, their environment, and their learning. Differences in educational quality, opportunities, and funding will also be discussed.

Natural User Interface Based American Sign Language Tutoring Program, Bryce J. Allen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a substantial shortcoming in the modern American educational system: there is a sufficient need for our educators to be trained in the practices required to provide an educational experience for their students that is as effective as in-person instruction. There exist already systems of online instruction for various academic subjects, such as math and the sciences. In the subject of linguistic studies, educational programs have been developed to evaluate student proficiency in both the written and spoken forms of the language in which they are studying. However, there exist few programs that can effectively provide …

Adolescent Identity Development In An Art Classroom, Katherine Mcgormley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Identity is an important construct in adolescent development. Adolescence can be a time for students to find the best versions of themselves or to get stuck and confused on who they truly are. This honors project paper explores how art education can be a positive influence in the development of adolescents and their journey to finding their identities. It discusses the psychology behind adolescent development; how identities form, the chances for identity confusion or negative identity formation, and the physical stressors present in an individual that age that may also affect how they develop mentally and emotionally. It also explores …

Honors Research Project: A Textbook Analysis, Nathan Barto

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper attempts to look at the use of The Human Odyssey: Volume Three not only as a potential educator, but as a historian as well. This paper examines the book for inaccuracies, American and European bias, as well as potential usability for educators

Test Anxiety And Mathematics Teaching Strategies In Youth Mathematics, Daniel Linder

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This literature review analyzes the power of a math aversion, as well as the test anxiety that often coexists. Through the psychology of motivation, researchers have been able to establish correlation between motivation and test anxiety. In addition, research highlights the way in which instruction impacts students perception of mathematics. The review analyzes instructional techniques and how changing of instructional techniques can improve perception of mathematics.

Fcs: The Living Curriculum, Sydni Brown

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

My honors project will be a literary review arguing why schools should be promoting Family and Consumer Sciences courses for their students. My project will cover the foundation of learning through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) that sets the tone for lifelong health for both the mind and body. The questions I will be asking in my honors proposal will include How Family and Consumer Sciences is a living curriculum. What is the body of knowledge and how does that relate to FCS? My goal is to show how the Family and Consumer Sciences body of knowledge is ever-changing and …

Factors Influencing Teacher Burnout And Retention Strategies, Sean Brady Scott

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Teacher attrition has become a significant problem within the field of education. Despite research reporting retention strategies and programs that can decrease this trend, teachers continue to burnout of the workforce due to stress and an inability to cope with teaching conditions. This research article explores the underlying problem of burnout, including the symptoms and extent in which they manifest, as well as possible strategies to decrease attrition and keep teachers in the classroom. By compiling research that suggests tested programs and supports that help retain teachers, both individuals and schools can explore these avenues further in hopes of combatting …

The Assessment And Evaluation Process In Third Grade, Cassandra Amato

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

For my honors research project, I will be focusing on the process of Early Childhood Education assessment and evaluation. To so, I will conduct a series of literacy-based assessments to 3^rdgrade students at Woodridge Elementary School. In a group of three to four students, I will assess various literacy skills such as fluency, comprehension, word recognition, sight words, letter recognition, phonics, vocabulary, and affective surveys. I will present each student with the varying assessments, recording anecdotal notes as they complete the assessments. Will gather the data found in each assessment and use it to find each student’s instructional …

Why We Teach Mathematics To Every Student: Determining Impact Of Mathematics On Problem Solving And Logical Reasoning Skills, Megan Marie Harris

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this paper is to dissect why it is important to teach mathematics to every student, even if the student does not plan on pursuing mathematics in his or her career. This paper will describe and test various reasons why mathematics is taught to every student but it will focus on math as a way to help develop and improve problem-solving and logical reasoning skills. An experiment was conducted on a random sample of fourteen University of Akron students who were measured on their problem-solving abilities and critical thinking through playing two games. These students were then compared …

Teaching Science Through Active Learning: Sports, Alexis Ropchock

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Students have a variety of different learning styles and cognitive abilities, so when teaching abstract concepts in areas like physical science it is often hard to engage and develop all of the students in a class. This project focuses on middle school students and more specifically how they learn physical science. The case study and research included examines the effectiveness of teaching science through sports as a best teaching practice. The study involves a group of 8th grade learners engaging in a physics lesson using gymnastics to explain forces and motion, the results from their assessments, and the impact the …

Cyberbullying In Education: A Literature Review, Harvey Kenworthy

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will analyze different pieces of literature on the topic of Cyberbullying and how it affects education. The project will outline the differences between traditional bullying and cyberbullying. The various psychological, social, and academic outcomes of cyberbullying. Some of the current intervention strategies used in schools to combat cyberbullying. This project will also include interviews from administrators and educators from Summit County Schools about anti-cyberbullying programs that are implemented in their schools and analyze whether or not these programs are consistent with what the literature suggests.

Financial Literacy Seminar: An Exploration Of Financial Literacy Education In Ohio, Marysarah Menkhaus

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this study we sought to review financial literacy education in the state of Ohio, particularly for students in Akron City School District. We did this by hosting a day-long financial literacy seminar for high school students in partnership with community financial professionals. I used a pre and post survey to measure the change in student comfortability with financial topics from the beginning of the day to the end. I found that with exposure students become more comfortable with critical financial topics.

Traditional Grammar For A Modern Classroom, Madison Jones

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project explores the different methods currently being used to teach grammar in a secondary Language Arts classroom. Additionally, the research identifies the relevance of sentence parsing, a traditional grammar method. Finally, the project offers a set of materials that would tangibly allow readers to take the results of the research and apply traditional grammar practices into a modern-day classroom. While there are many different current methods being used to teach grammar, this paper ultimately makes an argument that traditional grammar still can play a powerful role in the classrooms of tomorrow.

How Dyslexia Affects Our Students, Kara Burton

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The intention of this project was to research articles that explain what dyslexia is and how students are affected by this disability. As a teacher, it is important to address this topic since dyslexia is the leading disability that occurs in classrooms. The eight major subtopics primarily focused on include: what is dyslexia; how dyslexia affects students; and how teachers and parents can help students in their classroom preference. This can be done by using proper teaching techniques, including appropriate accommodations, and by meeting the academic needs of their students and including activities that are proven to help dyslexic students …

Education In Haiti And The Caribbean: A Literature Review, Rebekah Rose

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

How we educate our youth is something that is constantly changed and altered in order to achieve greatness. Throughout the Caribbean there are countries with significantly lower educational "greatness", leading to significantly high poverty and illiteracy rates. This literature review seeks to compare and contrast three countries in the Caribbean -- Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic -- and analyze how they educate their youth both with and without disabilities. It is found that Haiti is both the poorest, and has the least educated population. Haiti also has the fewest number of government funded and regulated schools (Dupoux, Wolman, & …

Mathematics And Music: A Search For Correlation, Isaac Sarver

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Several studies have been conducted, which have shown connections between content in music and mathematics. Concepts such as fractions, ratios, etc. are mathematical concepts that also can be found or expressed through music. Although these connections have been made, they primarily address connections within the subject matter of music and math. This study attempts to find a correlation between a high school student participating in a school sponsored music program and receiving a higher average math grade. In the study, two school districts provided anonymous student math score data, while also showing which students participated in a music program. From …

Creating Confident Writers: Implementing Writing Portfolios In A Secondary-Level Language Arts Classroom, Julia Smagacz

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper explores the implementation of a writing portfolio project in secondary-level English Language Arts classrooms. In addition to defining the project and describing its potential parameters, this paper describes goals and strategies that educators may use to implement this project, using research from multiple school district curricula and reputable state education resources. The paper includes testimonies from four current high school English teachers, in which each teacher details his or her experience with the writing portfolio. The teachers also provided feedback on the importance of writing and the writing process in general. Also included in this paper is a …

Best Practices In Museum Education, William W. Fleming Jr.

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Museums are visited more often than ever before, and as a result, are offering far more educational and interactive experiences to draw in a greater audience. As such, it is important to define how learning takes place in the museum setting, and also, how the museum experience can be refined in order to better accommodate visitor learning and their experience. The problem is, however, the museum setting is a nontraditional and unstructured environment, far different than the classroom, and museum staff, usually reserved to maintaining the collection and nothing else, are now being forced to build the museum experience around …

“Everybody’S Homeschooled Differently” - A Pilot Qualitative Study Of The Lived Experience Of Homeschooled College Students, Hannah J. Bullock, Maria P. Alexander, Irene L. Penkalsky

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

There are preconceived notions that homeschooled students suffer both academically and socially, especially in the college setting. The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experience of academic and social transition from homeschooling to a public university in homeschooled students. A phenomenological approach is used, which addresses individuals’ unique experiences and interpretations of those experiences based on their upbringing. A qualitative design is used in this study with semi-structured interviews in which participants were asked to talk about their social and academic transition experiences. The sample group includes previously homeschooled students that currently or previously attended a …

Using Mathematical Research Methods To Solve A Problem In Music Theory Instruction, Specifically, The Teaching Of Secondary Dominant Chords, Angela Ulrich

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The mathematical method for research is used to find a solution to a problem in music theory: understanding and identifying secondary dominant chords. By reviewing and assessing the teaching methods of university professors and theory textbooks, and comparing those findings with student reviews, a new method for teaching the concept is developed. The proposed system incorporates aural, visual, and kinetic exercises to serve every learner. The literature review and sample unit plan are followed by a possible procedure for testing the effectiveness of the new method.

The Takeover Of Standardized Tests, Karlie M. Lieberth

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Diane Ravitch once said, “Sometimes the most brilliant and intelligent students do not shine in standardized tests because they do not have standardized minds”. Standardized testing is a very controversial issue occurring in our school systems today. Standards hold schools and teachers accountable for properly progressing our youth through school. However, is administering the same exact test to every child in every school district the best way to measure growth? There are many factors that makes up a school and student body such as poverty, cultural beliefs etc. These factors are not addressed in the standardized tests that our students …

Engaging Adolescent To Young Adult Females In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics Fields, Grace Hutcherson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Over the years women have made significant advances in the workforce and in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, but there are still disparities that exist and are yet to be overcome. Women are still underrepresented in many STEM fields and progress still needs to be made. There is significant research backing this up and trying to explain why these issues still exist. In June 2015, The University of Akron put on a See UA! Women in Engineering Camp that allowed high school females interested in engineering the opportunity to learn more about engineering, the different possible fields within …

Creative Writing Programs As Supplement To The Common Core Standards To Support Literacy Among Inner-City High School Students, Chelsi L. King

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The adoption of the Common Core State Standards by Ohio in 2010 created a path of tightly organized learning targets that educators would take to ensure that students graduated with the literacy skills necessary to succeed in college and the workforce. The focus of these standards rests largely on the use of informational and nonfiction texts to supplement critical thinking and analysis. What may be lacking is an emphasis on the arts and creative writing as valuable assets to strengthening complex literacy and emotional and social development. Since creative writing is not heavily present in the Common Core, schools may …

Exploring The Benefits Of Embedded And Sustained Field Placements For Pre-Service Teachers And Students Through Research Of The F.A.C.E Collaboration, Marie Corrigan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of District Goals Across Cultures, Brad J. Gasser

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

School districts strive for success for their students. Success can be measured in a variety of ways, such as school projects and test scores. However, the most accurate way to define success would be through the accomplishment of a specific goal. This study explores the nature of goals across three Ohio school districts, as well as a school in the Dominican Republic. The methodologies of the project were to interview one administrator and two teachers from each of the school districts, and then observe each of the teachers that were interviewed. After the interviews and observations were conducted and examined, …

Mandarin Chinese As A Second Language: A Review Of Literature, Wesley A. Spencer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Mandarin Chinese has become increasing prevalent in the modern world. Accordingly, research of Chinese as a second language has developed greatly over the past few decades. This paper reviews research on the difficulties of acquiring a second language in general and research that specifically details the difficulty of acquiring Chinese as a second language. Based on this research, the author also reveals some areas that should be researched further in order to advance the field.