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Science and Mathematics Education

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

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Full-Text Articles in Education

The Effect Of Extended Reality On The Science Achievement Gap Between Students With And Without Disabilities, Shalece Kohnke Aug 2023

The Effect Of Extended Reality On The Science Achievement Gap Between Students With And Without Disabilities, Shalece Kohnke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

A science achievement gap between students with disabilities (SWD) and students without disabilities continues to persist, impacting academic and occupational outcomes. Traditional science instruction and the abstract nature of science concepts are a barrier to science achievement for students with disabilities. The current research study examined the effect of extended reality (XR; Browser-based 360° virtual reality) on closing the science achievement gap between students with and without disabilities in inclusive biology classrooms using a one group pretest-posttest design. The researcher expands on existing research by utilizing a larger sample size, with free and easily accessible XR technology implemented in 9th …


Changes In Preservice Secondary Science Teachers' Views, Beliefs, And Their Nos Teaching During A Science Methods Course Guided By Rfn, Kelsey Beeghly Aug 2023

Changes In Preservice Secondary Science Teachers' Views, Beliefs, And Their Nos Teaching During A Science Methods Course Guided By Rfn, Kelsey Beeghly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This multiple-case study investigated the changes in three secondary science preservice teachers' views of the nature of science (NOS), their beliefs about the importance of NOS, as well as how these changes relate to their NOS teaching at the end of a science methods course guided by the reconceptualized family resemblance approach (RFN). RFN is a conceptual framework that visualizes science as a cognitive-epistemic and socioinstitutional system, and its educational applications have recently begun to be explored. Data sources included the pre and post course RFN Questionnaire (Kaya et al., 2019) and individual interviews, as well as each preservice teachers' …


A Phenomenological Inquiry On How Social Markers Inform Preservice Elementary Teachers Science Teacher Identity Through The Lens Of Positionality, Katherine Cruz-Deiter Aug 2023

A Phenomenological Inquiry On How Social Markers Inform Preservice Elementary Teachers Science Teacher Identity Through The Lens Of Positionality, Katherine Cruz-Deiter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of preservice elementary teachers (PSETs) in a teacher preparation course and the factors that informed their science teacher identity. The theoretical framework used was phenomenology, and the study addresses under researched undergraduate preservice elementary teachers within teacher preparation courses with no teaching experience. Methods included participant survey, semi structured interviews, and a card sort activity. Analysis was conducted with basic statistical methods for the quantitative data, and coding followed by creating themes for the qualitative data. Findings reveal that the responses (n=28) to an open question survey report 21 PSETs did not identify …


Exploring Preservice Teachers' Development Of Collective Mathematics Identity Through Community Building, Paula Santana De Tice Jan 2022

Exploring Preservice Teachers' Development Of Collective Mathematics Identity Through Community Building, Paula Santana De Tice

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

In recent years, attention to equity and inclusion has rightfully become an essential focus in mathematics education. Given the social nature of mathematics, collaborative learning is one of the instructional strategies with the greatest potential for developing conceptual learning and creative problem-solving, and when facilitated well, has the potential to minimize racial and social biases. However, although the expected outcome of student collaboration is a collective mathematical agency, studies show that for this to happen, it is first necessary to develop among students Collective Mathematics Identity, which are beliefs and dispositions developed by a group of students about their collective …


Impact Of Ethnomodeling Explorations On Secondary Mathematics Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions Of Teaching And Learning Geometry: A Multi-Case Study, Siddhi Desai Jan 2022

Impact Of Ethnomodeling Explorations On Secondary Mathematics Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions Of Teaching And Learning Geometry: A Multi-Case Study, Siddhi Desai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Through a focus on the intersection of mathematical modeling, ethnomathematics, and cultural and historical practices, this ethnomodeling research study intentionally connected efforts to engage and value each and every student's culture and identity while emphasizing essential geometry content. The data collection took place at a large Hispanic-serving public metropolitan research university in an undergraduate secondary mathematics education methods course intended for pre-service teachers (PSTs). Over the course of eight weeks PSTs completed a questionnaire and pre-/post-surveys, two individual assignments, three small-group tasks, three task reflections, and a group reflection which were then analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. In addition …


Supporting Secondary Teachers' Proof And Justification Of Calculus Concepts Through The Intentional Use Of Dynamic Technology, Shahabeddin Abbaspour Tazehkand Jan 2022

Supporting Secondary Teachers' Proof And Justification Of Calculus Concepts Through The Intentional Use Of Dynamic Technology, Shahabeddin Abbaspour Tazehkand

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Learning calculus concepts plays a huge role in understanding phenomena in STEM-related disciplines. Those concepts tend to be dynamic in nature, and the visual exploration and representation of calculus concepts using paper and pencil is limited compared to pedagogically and intentionally using dynamic geometry software. As such, a primary component of this dissertation study involves the integration of dynamic technology. Additionally, previous studies have shown that students have difficulties constructing proofs related to calculus concepts. Despite the existing body of research on students' comprehension of proof and justification, there has not been much focus on teachers' knowledge and perception of …


Investigating The Intersection Of Teachers' Mathematical Anxiety According To Experience And Instructional Grade Level, Molly Greer Jan 2022

Investigating The Intersection Of Teachers' Mathematical Anxiety According To Experience And Instructional Grade Level, Molly Greer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Teacher instruction in mathematics is a critical cornerstone for effective student learning (Aldrup et al., 2020). Teaching mathematics is essential for the development of student mathematical thinking; a foundational skill required for the majority of careers (Ramirez et al., 2016). Researchers have demonstrated that mathematical anxiety (MA) is prevalent among the general population and is estimated to impact 42% of teachers in elementary education (Aldrup et al., 2020). The impact of MA on teaching, student learning, and overall teacher performance is just beginning to emerge. Yet, researchers have shown MA has implications on the function (Pizzle et al., 2020) and …


How Does A Veteran Teacher Implement A Prekindergarten Math Curriculum?, Heidi Butterfield Dec 2021

How Does A Veteran Teacher Implement A Prekindergarten Math Curriculum?, Heidi Butterfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this study was to explore how a veteran teacher implemented a state-approved commercial math curriculum in a prekindergarten classroom. In this action research study, guided by ethnographic principles, I employed Spradley's (2016) developmental research sequence to study what resources from the curriculum the teacher used, how the teacher adapted the curriculum, and what influenced the decisions the teacher made while implementing the curriculum. Data collected for this study included: the teacher guide provided by the commercial curriculum; teacher lesson plans; photographs of student created artifacts; the teacher's reflection journal and notes; and videos of a teacher implementing …


Male Students Of Color In Stem Through The Lens Of Intersectionality: A Transformative Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Their Science Identities, Relevant Science Learning Experiences, And Decisions To Pursue Science Professions, Regina Mccurdy Jan 2021

Male Students Of Color In Stem Through The Lens Of Intersectionality: A Transformative Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Their Science Identities, Relevant Science Learning Experiences, And Decisions To Pursue Science Professions, Regina Mccurdy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this 3-phase transformative mixed-methods study was to use intersectionality theoretical framework to explore the science identities and relevant science learning experiences of male students of color (MSOCs) in STEM and their decisions to pursue science professions after college. Phase 1 utilized a researcher-developed survey to analyze differences in science identity scores (SIS), science relevancy scores (SRS), and decisions to pursue science professions of 702 diverse college students enrolled in STEM-related courses at a state college in Southeast United States. While there were no statistically significant differences in SIS and SRS scores regarding race/ethnicity or socioeconomic factors, statistical …


Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: Instructional Reasoning In High-Density Black Populations, Desheila Rumph Jan 2021

Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: Instructional Reasoning In High-Density Black Populations, Desheila Rumph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

To be economically competitive, U.S. citizens must be mathematically competent (Wang et al., 2010). However, students in the United States have consistently underperformed those in other industrialized nations in mathematics (Program for International Student Assessment [PISA], 2018), which threatens the economic health of the nation (Achieve, 2013; Auguste et al., 2009; Harbour et al., 2018; Mickelson et al., 2013). Federal education reform was implemented and failed to improve the mathematics achievement of U.S. pupils (Cheong Cheng, 2020). Researchers have found links between teacher knowledge and student achievement; however, factors mediate this relationship (Hatisauri & Erbas, 2017). As a result, non-significant …


A Causal Comparative Examination Of The Effects Of Tiered Interventions Within The Mtss Framework In One Intermediate Grade, Hope Strange Jan 2021

A Causal Comparative Examination Of The Effects Of Tiered Interventions Within The Mtss Framework In One Intermediate Grade, Hope Strange

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This post hoc quantitative research used a causal-comparative design to explore the relationship between tiered interventions as part of an MTSS intervention and student achievement. Data from the Florida Standards Assessment for English Language Arts (FSA ELA) and mathematics (FSA Mathematics) from 2018 and 2019 formed the basis of the study; student demographic data also identified each student's highest level of reading, mathematics, and behavior interventions during the 2018-2019 school year. Students who received interventions were coded into a separate higher tier. Percentile change was calculated and analyzed using an ANOVA to determine how percentile change differed by intervention tier. …


Evaluating Augmented Reality Tools For Physics Education, Corey Pittman Jan 2021

Evaluating Augmented Reality Tools For Physics Education, Corey Pittman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

While we are in the midst of a renaissance of interest in augmented reality (AR), there remain a small number of application domains that have seen significant development. One domain that often benefits from additional visualization capabilities is education, specifically physics and other sciences. This paper summarizes interviews with secondary school educators about their experience with AR and their most desired features. Three prototypes were created which were used to collect usability information from students and educators about their preferences for AR applications in their physics courses. Additionally, we introduce the concept of Environmental Integration, a novel method of defining …


Understanding Discourse Of Co-Teachers In Middle School Mathematics Inclusive Classrooms, Amanda Lannan Jan 2021

Understanding Discourse Of Co-Teachers In Middle School Mathematics Inclusive Classrooms, Amanda Lannan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The researcher in this study investigated the verbal discourse moves of co-teachers in middle school mathematics classrooms to solicit students' mathematical thinking with a specific focus on students with disabilities. In this examination of two classrooms, students received high-level mathematics instruction from expertly trained co-teachers. A quantitative analysis of the video transcripts using a validated tool for coding teacher behaviors was used to examine the content and context of mathematical discourse in each of the classrooms. The researcher examined qualitative data using a critical discourse framework. Three themes emerged from the discourse analysis: (a) empowerment of co-teachers, (b) strategic use …


The Relationship Between College Students' Level Of Alcohol Use And Their Grit, Personal Growth Initiatives, And Emotion Regulation Scores Using Structure Equation Modeling, Gelawdiyos Haile Jan 2021

The Relationship Between College Students' Level Of Alcohol Use And Their Grit, Personal Growth Initiatives, And Emotion Regulation Scores Using Structure Equation Modeling, Gelawdiyos Haile

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this study was to examine the directional relationship between college students' level of grit, personal growth initiative, cognitive reappraisal emotion regulation strategy, and their level of harmful alcohol consumption and related problems. This study tested the theoretical structure model that college students' (N = 356) level of grit (as measured by the Grit Short Scale [Grit-S; Duckworth & Quinn, 2009]), personal growth initiative (PGI; as measured by the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II [PGIS-II; Robitschek et al., 2012]), and cognitive reappraisal emotion regulation strategy (as measured by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire [ERQ; Gross & John, 2003]) contribute to …


Shared Responsibility Of Highly Effective Co-Teachers In Middle School Mathematics Classrooms, Ann Hembrook Jan 2020

Shared Responsibility Of Highly Effective Co-Teachers In Middle School Mathematics Classrooms, Ann Hembrook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Currently, most students with disabilities (SWDs) receive a majority of their education in the general education classroom (U.S. Department of Education, 2019). This inclusive practice reflects educational and accountability requirements described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015). To address these requirements, schools seek service delivery models that support SWDs and close achievement gaps (Murawski & Goodwin, 2014). In this study, the researcher investigated the lived experiences of highly effective middle school teachers using co-teaching as a service delivery model to support SWDs in the general education classroom. The researcher used …


Using Project-Based Learning As A Tool For Teaching Mathematics In Urban Elementary Schools, Bernadette Jaster Jan 2020

Using Project-Based Learning As A Tool For Teaching Mathematics In Urban Elementary Schools, Bernadette Jaster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the lived experiences and views of fourth- and fifth-grade math teachers who implemented project-based learning (PBL) addressed the needs of their at-risk students in urban schools. The researcher examined the use of PBL in mathematics-impacted instruction, seeking to understand teacher beliefs related to the influence of exposure to PBL experiences on students' academic outcomes. When deliberately planned and embedded into teaching, the implementation of PBL helps students retain content, improve attitudes about learning, and improve their ability to collaborate with others (Cervantes et al., 2015). A literature review was conducted to …


Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Pre-Algebra 1 Mini-Camp Summer Intervention Program For Rising Seventh-Grade Algebra 1 Honors Students, Deanna Haught Jan 2020

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Pre-Algebra 1 Mini-Camp Summer Intervention Program For Rising Seventh-Grade Algebra 1 Honors Students, Deanna Haught

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a summer intervention program for middle school Algebra 1 Honors students. The intervention program, Pre-Algebra 1 Mini-Camp, was offered for rising seventh grade students at a middle school prior to them entering Algebra 1 in the Fall semester. The literature review and analysis of data from school districts in Central Florida showed that the increase in middle grade students enrollment in Algebra 1 has coincided with a decrease in the passing rate among those students on the Florida Algebra 1 End of Course exam and the course. The intervention program and this study were …


Evidence Of Science Of Instruction Principles And Mathematics Teaching Practices In Undergraduate Elementary Education Mathematics Methods Courses' Coverage Of Geometry And Measurement In The State University System Of Florida, Rachel Adams Jan 2020

Evidence Of Science Of Instruction Principles And Mathematics Teaching Practices In Undergraduate Elementary Education Mathematics Methods Courses' Coverage Of Geometry And Measurement In The State University System Of Florida, Rachel Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This study investigated the extent to which elementary education mathematics methods courses exposed preservice teachers to research-based pedagogical practices grounded in cognitive science as well as best practices for mathematics instruction. A line-by-line content analysis of textbooks and course syllabi from ten teacher education programs within the State University System SUS) of Florida was completed. Evidence of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) eight high leverage Mathematics Teaching Practices (MTPs) was documented on the © Scoring Rubric for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Mathematics Teaching Practices (MTPs), and Mayer's (2009) Science of Instruction Principles (SOIPs) were …


Disability- And Mathematics-Related Outcomes Of Adolescents Born Late-Preterm: An Examination Of Eighth-Grade Ecls-K Participants, Annette Romualdo Jan 2020

Disability- And Mathematics-Related Outcomes Of Adolescents Born Late-Preterm: An Examination Of Eighth-Grade Ecls-K Participants, Annette Romualdo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

To capture a snapshot of the late-preterm academic phenotype in adolescence, and to address a research gap in empirical investigation, the researcher in the present study compared disability- and mathematics-related eighth-grade age outcomes of those born late-preterm (n = 330), to full-term (n = 5434) peers. Through an analysis of Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K) the researcher in the present study examined the impact of late-preterm birth on disability-related school outcomes in adolescent-age, as measured by (1) presence of special education services; (2) presence of learning disability or other disability; (3) and presence of increased behavioral …