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Full-Text Articles in Education
Role Drills In The Learning Of Mathmematical Concepts, Jessica Pang, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Role Drills In The Learning Of Mathmematical Concepts, Jessica Pang, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
The use of math drills is effective in the teaching of mathematical skills (Baroody. Bajwa. & Eiland. 2009; Bums, 2005; Cates, 2005; Gallagher, 2006; Hopkins & Egeberg, 2009; Kumar, 1971; McKenna, Hollingsworth, & Barnes, 2005; Toppino, Cohen, Davis, & Moors, 2009; Woodward, 2006). However, as Gallagher (2006) stated, "the perceived incompatibility with discovery learning, its mechanical features and making children like automatons" resulted in the use of drilling to be tossed aside in favor of more problem-based learning or the use of manipulatives in instruction. The purpose of this study is to see how math drills can be integrated into …
The Impact Of Motivation In The High School Spanish Classroom, Gina Manson, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
The Impact Of Motivation In The High School Spanish Classroom, Gina Manson, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
The motivation, or driving force, for which a student studies Spanish may vary greatly within high school Spanish students. Just as Domyei (2003) investigated how to initially motivate students, and then how to maintain student motivation for learning a foreign language, I studied how I could help motivate intrinsically unmotivated students. The purpose of this research is to identify students' various motivations for learning Spanish and the implications of these motivations on their learning and performance. This research was conducted in a Spanish 4 classroom setting in a local high school. Using a survey, I asked student participants to reflect …
Effective Questioning Techniques In The Mathematics Classroom, Amy Vandervoorn, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Effective Questioning Techniques In The Mathematics Classroom, Amy Vandervoorn, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
Teachers pose a variety of questions to their students every day. As teachers, we recognize that some questions promote deeper mathematical thinking than others (Herbal-Eisenmann & Breyfogle, 2005). My goal for this self-study was to develop my own questioning skills to promote deeper mathematical thinking as well as elicit classroom discussion with qualitative student responses. I conducted the research in a high school geometry class of thirty students. I found that discussion for qualitative responses is not typical in a mathematics classroom, and it is difficult to initiate, facilitate, and establish a classroom norm where students engage in qualitative discussion …
Beyond Dibels: Adding Comprehension Questions To A Fluency Based Reading Test, Cathy Gembara, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Beyond Dibels: Adding Comprehension Questions To A Fluency Based Reading Test, Cathy Gembara, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
DIBELS test is a widely used reading assessment in the elementary grades to determine students' reading ability; however, it does not include a reading comprehension component. According to Baumann, Hooten, and White (1999), students have a greater understanding of what they read when reading comprehension components are added to reading instruction. My goal for this research was to supplement DIBELS test, which solely measures fluency, by adding comprehension questions to assess students' reading ability. DIBELS test is used to determine the level of additional reading support each student needs. However, the test results do not give information on the type …
Supporting Native Language Literacy And Culture Among Hispanic High School Students, Kari Monegato, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Supporting Native Language Literacy And Culture Among Hispanic High School Students, Kari Monegato, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
The "English Only" sentiment of the recent past has had traumatic effects on the native language abilities of many Hispanic students in the American schooling system. While their Engfish comprehension continues improving, their Spanish comprehension continuously declines and leaves them unable to access a huge part of their identity (Potowski, et ai., 2009). I noticed this issue while teaching Spanish for Native Speakers (SNS) courses at an urban high school during the fall of 2009, which motivated me to engage in a self-study. This study was designed to implement various strategies, which worked with native language speakers' unique needs and …
Improving Writing Skills Of Low-Income High School Students, Andrew Tobin, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Improving Writing Skills Of Low-Income High School Students, Andrew Tobin, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
Students from low-income households are often the most at risk for failing or dropping out of high school and many of those students come from minority households (Johannessen, 2004). For example, the dropout rate in 2007 among Hispanic students was nearly three times the national average (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2007). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of strategies I used in writing instruction for students from low-income households. I conducted this self study research in a class of 30 high-school seniors in a racially and economically diverse school in Central Illinois. Through the use …
Methods To Engage Students In Their Mathematical Learning Experience, Mari Mermelstein, Elizabeth Sinclair, Leah Nillas, Faculty Advisor
Methods To Engage Students In Their Mathematical Learning Experience, Mari Mermelstein, Elizabeth Sinclair, Leah Nillas, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
In 2005 Park studied the effects of different classroom variables and engagement on students' achievement He found that there was a positive correlation between student engagement and student achievement We conducted our self study research in Geometry and Pre-Calculus classes with the goal of answering the question: what teaching methods can we use to engage students and facilitate their learning of thematical concepts? Our study required planning lessons that elicited student engagement and then evaluating the effectiveness of these lessons. This process included reflecting, learning, and extending our knowledge to make decisions about our future practice. We found the most …
Supporting Student's Success In Reading, Emily Haager, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
Supporting Student's Success In Reading, Emily Haager, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
This inquiry follows my growth as a teacher and my students' growth as readers and learners. I tell this story as I strive to answer the question, "How can I best support students' success in reading while motivating them to take responsibility for completing their school work?" Through reflection and collection of student work, lesson plans, and video, I examine how my practices as a teacher, the choice of text, and students' needs affect students' success and motivation. My examination of this material has led me to a more holistic view of reading instruction and will inform my future practices …
Adolescent Attitudes Toward Literature, Anne Marie Casa, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
Adolescent Attitudes Toward Literature, Anne Marie Casa, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
The purpose of this study was to gather information about what adolescent students like to read and why. Participants included grade nine students enrolled in a Literature and Composition course. Data collected included reading logs written by the students, notes about class discussions, and recorded conversations with students about reading and reading material. The results revealed students' interests regarding the books that they enjoy reading. Findings also revealed how students related to and understood texts required by the school. While most students enjoyed reading a book of their own choice, they indicated that they struggled with and did not particularly …
Integrating Cooperative Learning In The Classroom, Natalie Boesche, Chelsea Wallis, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
Integrating Cooperative Learning In The Classroom, Natalie Boesche, Chelsea Wallis, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
This inquiry is a collaborative study of the benefits of integrating cooperative learning into the classroom. Specifically, we attempt to answer the following questions: 1) How can we effectively integrate cooperative learning into the classroom? 2) In what ways will cooperative learning benefit the students in our classroom? In our inquiry, we discuss the three types of cooperative learning: partner work, group work, and whole class collaboration, which we implemented in the classroom. We used lesson, plans, field notes, reflections, photographs, student work, and literature to support our inquiry. We analyzed our data to determine the benefits as well as …
Ways To Integrate Science Into The Language Arts Curriculum, Jenny Zyks, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
Ways To Integrate Science Into The Language Arts Curriculum, Jenny Zyks, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
In this inquiry I sought to answer the question: How can I effectively integrate science into the language arts curriculum? I planned and implemented lessons that combined science, reading and writing while student teaching in a second grade classroom. I combined all three of those subjects through a variety of different activities and lessons. Data collection included lesson plans, writing activities that I created, and written reflections on the effectiveness of the lessons. In this final report, I analyze the extent to which the integrated instruction I implemented was effective, and the significant factors contributing to more or less effective …
The Art Of Integrating The Arts: An Examination Of Integrating The Fine Arts Into Reading And Writing Instruction, Christine Szukalla, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
The Art Of Integrating The Arts: An Examination Of Integrating The Fine Arts Into Reading And Writing Instruction, Christine Szukalla, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
This inquiry was motivated by my student teaching experiences during which I integrated the arts into the curriculum on a daily basis. The following questions were explored: 1) What does art integration look like in a third grade classroom? 2) How can I incorporate the arts into the teaching of all curricular areas? 3) How can the arts be used to promote literacy in the classroom? I adopted a self-study model of inquity, supplemented by lesson plans, student work, video tapes of my lessons, and field notes. My self-study involved developing and teaching a series of lessons focused on art …
Let's Talk Physics: Utilizing Language To Improve Understanding, Bobby Zoeller, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Let's Talk Physics: Utilizing Language To Improve Understanding, Bobby Zoeller, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
Einstein once stated that "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." This idea can be useful in the context of a physics classroom where students often struggle with conceptual and mathematical understanding. The purpose of this study is to analyze strategies to improve student comprehension using language based instruction and assessment techniques. This research was conducted in a public high school physics classroom consisting primarily of junior and senior level students. Students were provided with instruction that focused on discussion and conceptual understanding before any introduction to formulae. Furthermore, students were also asked to construct …
Facilitating Student's Math Understanding Through Small Group Work, Ellen Ho, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Facilitating Student's Math Understanding Through Small Group Work, Ellen Ho, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
Effective implementation of collaborative small group work in the high school classroom has the potential to enhance learning and understanding for all students (Webb, et al., 2009). My selfstudy focuses on how small group work can be implemented in a classroom so that all students are working together productively to understand math. During the fan of 2009, I developed and taught geometry lessons involving research-based group activities to approximately 70 students in a diverse high school in Central Illinois. I video-recorded and analyzed student interactions during small group activities. I documented my teaching experience and analyzed student responses on questions …
The Impacts Of Integrated Teaching In The Elementary Classroom, Carrie Williams, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
The Impacts Of Integrated Teaching In The Elementary Classroom, Carrie Williams, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
"The world in which our students live, and the one which they will inherit, is integrated and cross-disciplinary. In schools, we break the world down into fragments, but the preference is to consider phenomena coherently-to identify the pattern and structure with context as a clue." (Jones and Thomas, 2006, p. 64). Due to the current trends of standardized testing, non-testable subjects such as art and social studies have taken a backseat in the elementary classroom. The purpose of this research is to attempt to overcome these pressures through the approach of integrated, or multi-subject, teaching. My research was conducted in …
Effective Methods For Teaching Vocabulary In Geometry, Christy Engel, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Effective Methods For Teaching Vocabulary In Geometry, Christy Engel, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
Mathematics is sometimes thought as a language due to the large amount of vocabulary involve in learning this subject. An important element of understanding a language is the comprehension of the vocabulary words and the ability to use them in context. Prior research found that teaching methods which required a deeper level of processing and understanding led to better retention than methods that required basic comprehension (Sagarra, 2006). My self-study focuses on the effects of the use of different instructional methods in teaching mathematics vocabulary on students' understanding of geometry definitions and their meanings. I conducted the study in a …
Responding To The Challenges Of Teaching High School Journalism, Emily Houk, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
Responding To The Challenges Of Teaching High School Journalism, Emily Houk, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
In this inquiry, I address the challenges of teaching high school journalism classes in which the students vary in prior knowledge of and experience with journalism, as well as in age and academic ability. The heterogeneity of the students and the variety of tasks that are involved in publication create an environment that poses certain challenges for the teacher/adviser in terms of effectively individualizing instruction with the common class goal of producing the newspaper. During student teaching, I implemented and examined different pedagogical strategies in exploring how to help students meet learning goals specific to each level of the course. …
Aiding Students Understanding Of History Thourgh A Thematic Approach, Brian Schaeffer, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
Aiding Students Understanding Of History Thourgh A Thematic Approach, Brian Schaeffer, Leah Nillas, Facutly Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
The chronological teaching of history is historically the dominant form of history instruction in the United States. However, the inquiry into teaching history through the thematic approach has recently come to the forefront. Themes or patterns that are used to teach history act as the vehicle for organization that students use to understand historical concepts (Davies, 2001). The purpose of this study is to understand the effectiveness of teaching history thematically. I conducted my research in a freshman level high school classroom of twenty-seven students. I taught lessons using specific themes such as: breakout of war for the reasons of …
Real Life Connections: Integrating Social Justice Into The Elementary Mathematics Classroom, Caitlin Barnes, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
Real Life Connections: Integrating Social Justice Into The Elementary Mathematics Classroom, Caitlin Barnes, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
For this inquiry, I integrated social justice issues into the mathematics curriculum in a fourth grade classroom. My inquiry questions are: In what ways do children understand real life connections between math and social issues? How can I create meaningful learning experiences about specific social issues using mathematics? To answer these questions, I created lessons and held class discussions about three different social justice issues relevant to students' lives: money, equality, and sweatshops. The data I collected included student work, my own written reflections on lessons I taught, and field notes of child observations. Preliminary findings indicate that students understand …
The Impact Of Afterschool Programs In Low-Income Communities, Juliana Sainati, Leah Nillas, Faculty Advisor
The Impact Of Afterschool Programs In Low-Income Communities, Juliana Sainati, Leah Nillas, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
No abstract provided.
Motivating Effective Revision Through Teacher Feedback, Katie Utesch, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
Motivating Effective Revision Through Teacher Feedback, Katie Utesch, Robin Leavitt, Faculty Advisor
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
This is a study the effectiveness of teacher feedback throughout the writing process and its ability to stimulate student revision. My inquiry focuses on the following questions: 1. What types of written comments result in the most effective revision? 2. Do instructional strategies such as multiple drafting and individual conferencing increase effective revision? I examine ten students' writing folders, coding my feedback into five categories and assessing whether or not students made revisions based on comments. After looking at the percent of change for each category and overall, I then consider whether the revision was positive to determine what types …
Complete 2010 Program
John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference
No abstract provided.