Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 30 of 67

Full-Text Articles in Education

Beliefs Of Graduate Students About Unstructured Computer Use In Face-To-Face Classes With Internet Access And Its Influence On Student Recall, Gregory Johnson Jan 2009

Beliefs Of Graduate Students About Unstructured Computer Use In Face-To-Face Classes With Internet Access And Its Influence On Student Recall, Gregory Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of computers equipped with Internet access by students during face-toface (F2F) class sessions is perceived as academically beneficial by a growing number of students and faculty members in universities across the United States. Nevertheless, some researchers suggest unstructured computer use detached from the immediate class content may negatively influence student participation, increase distraction levels, minimize recall of recently presented information, and decrease student engagement. This study investigates graduate students’ beliefs about computer use with Internet access during graduate face-to-face lecture classes in which computer use is neither mandated nor integrated in the class and the effect of such …


Teaching As A Moral Act: Simone Weil's Liminality As An Addition To The Moral Conversation In Education, Maryzoe Bowden Jan 2009

Teaching As A Moral Act: Simone Weil's Liminality As An Addition To The Moral Conversation In Education, Maryzoe Bowden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We are facing a crisis in education: there is a vacuum where there once was an exhortation in terms of how teachers serve as moral models for their students. This reality becomes even more complex when the particular educator facing the dilemma has a specific religious perspective herself. The problem confronted in this philosophical study is how does today's educator, working in the public sector and having a particular religious background, best serve her students in her role as a moral agent, given an environment that is either vacuous of or even hostile toward the moral vector implicit in education. …


Guidelines For Twenty-First Century Instructional Design And Technology Use: Technologies' Influence On The Brain, Jennifer Gabriel Jan 2009

Guidelines For Twenty-First Century Instructional Design And Technology Use: Technologies' Influence On The Brain, Jennifer Gabriel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The increasingly global environment has spurred the economy in the United States as well as the economies in nearly every other nation. Although the U.S. remains the world leader in the global economy, research shows that the United States is at risk of losing its place as the world leader in science and innovation. Policymakers have recognized the need for research addressing global competitiveness. President Bush signed the America Competes Act, which calls for increased investment in innovation and education to improve U.S. competitiveness and President Barack Obama has named a platform, "Science, Technology and Innovation for a New Generation" …


The Effectiveness Of Post-Secondary Web Based Communication In The University Of Central Florida's Online Educational Settin, Brandon Hinchman Jan 2009

The Effectiveness Of Post-Secondary Web Based Communication In The University Of Central Florida's Online Educational Settin, Brandon Hinchman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While technology continues to advance, so do methods of learning. In post-secondary education during the twentieth century, the traditional classroom setting was geared toward auditory instruction and face-to-face peer interaction. Not only was this the most efficient means of instruction for the time period but the only means. Along with the advent of communication technology came the concept of Web courses. Web courses have expanded the means by which students can experience course lectures and have beckoned the use of updated media by which such lectures can take place. Such media include threaded discussions, chat rooms and e-mail. At the …


Fostering Teacher's Conceptual Understanding Of Ordering, Adding, And Subtracting Fractions Through School-Based Professional Development, Jessica Maguhn Jan 2009

Fostering Teacher's Conceptual Understanding Of Ordering, Adding, And Subtracting Fractions Through School-Based Professional Development, Jessica Maguhn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to examine my practice of providing conceptually-based professional development on fractions to fifth grade teachers, I conducted a series of four one hour professional development workshops. I focused on the conceptual understanding of ordering, adding, and subtracting fractions. I examined the solution process that teachers used to solve fraction problems and their abilities to explain and justify their solutions in an attempt to interpret their understanding. My data showed the effects of this workshop series. The study helped determine the effects of conceptually-based professional development on fractions as demonstrated in the teachers' discussions, participation, and written explanations.


Science Inquiry Kits And Teacher Preparedness To Teach Science As Inquiry In Elementary Classrooms, Angela Clayton Jan 2009

Science Inquiry Kits And Teacher Preparedness To Teach Science As Inquiry In Elementary Classrooms, Angela Clayton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The National Science Education Standards (1996) indicate that science education should include inquiry instruction. Many teachers still struggle with how to implement inquiry in their classrooms and a lack of high quality inquiry-based instructional materials has been posited as a hindrance. The purpose of this qualitative study was to observe the instructional practices of three elementary teachers when using an inquiry-based science kit program in their fourth grade classrooms. Teacher practices and their attitudes towards their preparedness to teach science with the support of the curricular program were examined. Data were collected through pre/post survey comparisons, observations, and a focus …


The Influence Of Graphic Organizers On Students' Ability To Summarize And Comprehend Science Content Regarding The Earth's Changing Surface, Patricia Goss Jan 2009

The Influence Of Graphic Organizers On Students' Ability To Summarize And Comprehend Science Content Regarding The Earth's Changing Surface, Patricia Goss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research project was to determine how my practice of using graphic organizers during instruction influenced my students' ability to summarize and comprehend significant fifth grade Earth Science content regarding the Earth's changing surface. A secondary purpose was to determine the students' perceptions of how concept mapping assisted in making connections to understand the fifth grade Earth Science content regarding the Earth's changing surface. The three processes used to collect data for this research were concept maps, focus groups and the pre- and post-test results. The themes that emerged were the ability to describe, categorize and …


Can Guided Inquiry Based Labs Improve Performance In Data Analysis And Conclusion Synthesis In Sixth Grade Life Science?, Melonie Moore Jan 2009

Can Guided Inquiry Based Labs Improve Performance In Data Analysis And Conclusion Synthesis In Sixth Grade Life Science?, Melonie Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Desiring to examine the performance of science process skills such as data analysis and conclusion synthesis in sixth grade Life Science students, I used an inquiry strategy called "guided inquiry" in a series of six laboratory assignments during the normal county-mandated order of instruction for Life Science. I based my analysis upon these laboratory exercises, a survey of student attitudes towards science done before the study began and after the study completed, an assessment of inquiry understanding done before and after the study was finished, routine material tests, and a science final class evaluation done after the study was finished. …


Roses Are Red, Violets Are Bluehow Poetry In Science Can Help Students Learn Something New, Kimberly Casselman Jan 2009

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Bluehow Poetry In Science Can Help Students Learn Something New, Kimberly Casselman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was an attempt to examine how poetry integrated with science could assist eighth graders in the memorization of key science vocabulary words. Furthermore, it would investigate if student attitude, interest, and motivation would improve with the use of the poetry. Instruction was adjusted to implement poetry into astronomy lessons. Memorization activities such as poems, chanting, and repetition were used to help students remember the vocabulary and the definitions. Pre/post tests were used to interpret if the poetry did assist in the memorization of the astronomy vocabulary. Science interest surveys and science attitude surveys were used to interpret if …


The Effects Of Computer-Assisted Repeated Readings On The Reading Performance Of Middle School Students With Mild Intellectual Disabilities, Mark Cerasale Jan 2009

The Effects Of Computer-Assisted Repeated Readings On The Reading Performance Of Middle School Students With Mild Intellectual Disabilities, Mark Cerasale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 has mandated that all public school students will be reading at grade level by the 2013-2014 school year. Florida has embarked on an agenda to ensure that the kindergarten through high school student population is reading at or above grade level by 2014. Many of Florida's low-performing student population, including middle school students with high incidence disabilities, are reading below grade level. Using a multiple baseline across subjects design, this study examined the impact of computer-assisted repeated readings on the reading performance of three middle school students with mild intellectual disabilities over …


Marital Satisfaction: Factors For Black Jamaicans And African Americansx Living In The United States, Nvischi Edwards Jan 2009

Marital Satisfaction: Factors For Black Jamaicans And African Americansx Living In The United States, Nvischi Edwards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Marital satisfaction is the strongest predictor for happiness in many areas of life (Russel & Wells, 1994). A satisfying marriage is associated with better general adjustment and fewer health problems (Bray & Jouriles, 1995). Factors that contribute to marital satisfaction reported by researchers include religion and spirituality (Anthony, 1993; Marks et al., 2008; Shehas, Boch & Lee, 1990), family of origin dynamics (Cohn, Silver, Cowan, Cowan, & Pearson, 1992; Webster, Orbuch, & House, 1995), and quality of family relationships (Timer, Veroff, & Hatchett, 1996). Additionally, satisfying marriages are beneficial to couples and children of these marriages. The purpose of this …


Ucanfnsh: A Virtual Learning Environment Created To Engage And Inspire Self-Determination In Middle School Students With Learnin, Kara Rosenblatt Jan 2009

Ucanfnsh: A Virtual Learning Environment Created To Engage And Inspire Self-Determination In Middle School Students With Learnin, Kara Rosenblatt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the efficacy of using a virtual college campus to teach self-determination skills to middle school students with learning disabilities. Teaching self-determination skills is considered best practice for students with disabilities as they transition into adulthood. Three measures, a self-determination knowledge measurement scale, a behavior rubric, and 15 multiple choice questions measured self-determination knowledge and skill application ability with 71 middle school students with learning disabilities. The measures were used to determine whether the students who learned about self-determination skills in the virtual college setting during one training session displayed more knowledge and application of these skills than …


Examining The General Quality Of Early Childhood Education And Structural Variables In Support Of Early Childhood Inclusion In Beijing, China, Bi Ying Hu Jan 2009

Examining The General Quality Of Early Childhood Education And Structural Variables In Support Of Early Childhood Inclusion In Beijing, China, Bi Ying Hu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to (a) explore the global quality of early childhood programs within the Chinese socio-cultural context, and (b) examine the effects of teachers' years of experience, degree, major, and class size on teachers' perceptions of developmentally appropriate practices, inclusion, and training needs in order to provide services for children with disabilities in regular classrooms. The researcher completed observations in 40 early childhood classrooms using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale- Revised (ECERS-R). Results from classroom observations revealed that the global quality of the early childhood learning environment was between minimum and good. Areas that …


Videotaped Oral Reading Fluency Lab: An Alternative Approach To One-On-One Interventions For Intermediate Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities, Beth Christner Jan 2009

Videotaped Oral Reading Fluency Lab: An Alternative Approach To One-On-One Interventions For Intermediate Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities, Beth Christner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ability to read aloud fluently is a reflection of one's ability to automatically decode words and comprehend text at the same time (Samuels, 2006), a task which may be difficult for many intermediate elementary students with learning disabilities (LD) (Ferrara, 2005). Previous research shows that audio-assisted repeated readings and goal-setting with feedback are effective methods of improving oral reading fluency (ORF) (Chard, Vaughn, & Tyler, 2002; Morgan & Sideridis, 2006; Therrien, 2004) but implementing these interventions may be time-consuming for teachers and tedious for students. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of including repeated reading …


The Effects Of A Modified Learning Strategy On The Multiple Step Mathematical Word Problem Solving Ability Of Middle School Students With High-Functioning Autism Or Asperger's Syndrome, Peggy Schaefer Whitby Jan 2009

The Effects Of A Modified Learning Strategy On The Multiple Step Mathematical Word Problem Solving Ability Of Middle School Students With High-Functioning Autism Or Asperger's Syndrome, Peggy Schaefer Whitby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with HFA/AS present with a unique set of cognitive deficits that may prevent achievement in the mathematics curriculum, even though they present with average mathematical skills. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of a modified learning strategy to increase the mathematical word problem solving ability of children with high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome; determine if the use of Solve It! increases the self-perceptions of mathematical ability, attitudes towards mathematics and attitudes towards solving mathematical word problems; and, determine if Solve It! cue cards or a Solve It! multimedia academic …


The Relationship Between Research Self-Efficacy, Perceptions Of The Research Training Environment And Interest In Research In Co, Nicole Vaccaro Jan 2009

The Relationship Between Research Self-Efficacy, Perceptions Of The Research Training Environment And Interest In Research In Co, Nicole Vaccaro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between research self-efficacy (as measured by the Research Self-Efficacy Scale [Greeley et al., 1989]), perceptions of the research training environment (as measured by the Research Training Environment Scale --Revised [Gelso et al., 1996]), and interest in research (as measured by the Interest in Research Questionnaire [Bieschke & Bishop, 1994]) within a national sample of doctoral counselor education students (N = 89). Additionally, the study investigated whether there were differences between levels of research self-efficacy, perceptions of the research training environment, and interest in research in relation to the demographic characteristics …


The Contributions Of Professional School Counselors' Values And Leadership Practices To Their Programmatic Service Delivery, Margaret Shillingford Jan 2009

The Contributions Of Professional School Counselors' Values And Leadership Practices To Their Programmatic Service Delivery, Margaret Shillingford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Professional School Counselors (PSCs) have been called to be leaders for educational reform to support the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students through the coordination and facilitation of their comprehensive, developmental school counseling program (American School Counselor Association , 2005; National Model). The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of PSCs' values and leadership practices to their programmatic service delivery (counseling, coordinating, consulting, and curriculum). The three constructs and instruments investigated in this study were: (a) Schwartz Value Theory (the Schwartz Value Survey ; Schwartz, 1992), (b) the Leadership Challenge Theory (the Leadership Practices …


Integrating Universal Design For Learning Through Content Video With Preservice Teachers, Sara Aronin Jan 2009

Integrating Universal Design For Learning Through Content Video With Preservice Teachers, Sara Aronin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Given current legislation to ensure education for students with disabilities and that institutions of higher education are required to use universal design for learning (UDL) principles, the purpose of this study was to explore the impact of video modeling on preservice teachers' knowledge, understanding and application of the three principles of UDL. Preservice teachers were randomly assigned to control or experimental groups to determine if video embedded with UDL principles impacted their thinking. Specifically, pre and posttest information of knowledge and understanding as well as self-perceived ability to teach students with disabilities using UDL was analyzed. In addition preservice teacher …


Exploring The Relationship Between Marital Expectations And Marital Satisfaction Between Married African Immigrant Couples And U, Evadne Ngazimbi Jan 2009

Exploring The Relationship Between Marital Expectations And Marital Satisfaction Between Married African Immigrant Couples And U, Evadne Ngazimbi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Marriage is still considered a universal institution in many countries worldwide. Marriage provides benefits for wives, husbands, children, families, and communities. Why Marriage Matters (Wilcox et al., 2005), outlined the benefits of marriage, including improved physical and mental health, biological and social benefits for husbands, wives, children and families in America. In sub-Saharan Africa benefits emanating from marriage included increased survival rates for young children (Omariba & Boyle, 2007); reduced maternal morbidity and mortality rates for women due to reduced risks from self-inflicted abortions (Garenne, Tollman, Kahn, Collins, & Ngwenya, 2001); and improved economic management in homes due to exchanging …


Performance Appraisal Systems In Higher Education: An Exploration Of Christian Institutions, Forrest Flaniken Jan 2009

Performance Appraisal Systems In Higher Education: An Exploration Of Christian Institutions, Forrest Flaniken

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although there is substantial literature on the use of performance appraisal in the for-profit world, there is little literature available concerning the appraisal of staff positions in higher education. More knowledge is needed in this area since there is considerable research indicating that performance appraisal creates benefits to an organization and its employees. This study provides a comprehensive review of the development and use of performance appraisal in the United States, and a detailed look at the purposes, benefits, and challenges of performance appraisal. The study found a very high usage of staff performance appraisal in its population of 108 …


Mystery Shopper Motivations And The Presence Of Motivation Crowding, Pamela Allison Jan 2009

Mystery Shopper Motivations And The Presence Of Motivation Crowding, Pamela Allison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mystery shopping is used in a variety of service industries to measure service performance, as a training tool for employees, and to ensure the safety and security of the product offered. The persons performing this activity, mystery shoppers, experience various motivations, some of which are similar to employees and/or volunteers. These motivations can be intrinsic, where the performance of the activity is a reward itself, or extrinsic, meaning performance of the activity is a method for attaining a reward. The dominance of intrinsic or extrinsic motivation can shift within the individual, which is termed motivation crowding. Individuals can crowd in …


Go With The Flow: Examining The Effects Of Engagement Using Flow Theory And It's Relationship To Achievement And Performance, Karen Cooper Jan 2009

Go With The Flow: Examining The Effects Of Engagement Using Flow Theory And It's Relationship To Achievement And Performance, Karen Cooper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Virtual Worlds have become an attractive platform for work, play, and learning. Businesses, including the public sector and academia, are increasingly investing their time, money, and attention to understanding the value of virtual worlds as a productivity tool. For example, educators are leading the way with research in Second Life, one of the more popular virtual worlds, as a potentially powerful medium for creating and delivering instruction. Still, little is empirically known about the value of virtual worlds as viable learning platforms. This study examined the instructional potential of Second Life for creating engaging activities, and to investigate the relationship …


A Study Of The Relationship Between Second-Order Change Leadership Behaviors Of Principals And School Grades Of Florida Title I Elementary Schools, Gonzalo La Cava Jan 2009

A Study Of The Relationship Between Second-Order Change Leadership Behaviors Of Principals And School Grades Of Florida Title I Elementary Schools, Gonzalo La Cava

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between second-order change leadership behaviors and the grade assigned to schools in large urban districts by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). A total of 101 Title I elementary school principals from large urban school districts with 60+% students on Free and Reduced School Lunch participated in the study. Specifically, this study analyzed 7 of the 21 second-order change factor responsibilities. They include (a) knowledge of curriculum, instruction, assessment, (b) optimizer, (c) intellectual stimulation, (d) change agent, (e) monitoring/evaluating, (f) flexibility, and (g) ideals/beliefs. The findings of this study were …


Examining Factors Taht Affect Knowledge Sharing And Students' Attitude Toward Their Learning Experience Within Virtual Teams, Jinxia He Jan 2009

Examining Factors Taht Affect Knowledge Sharing And Students' Attitude Toward Their Learning Experience Within Virtual Teams, Jinxia He

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined factors that might impact student knowledge sharing within virtual teams through online discussion boards. These factors included: trust, mutual influence, conflict, leadership, and cohesion. A path model was developed to determine whether relationships exist among knowledge sharing from asynchronous group discussion and the above five factors. In addition, this study examined if there are any relationships between quality and quantity of knowledge sharing and students' grades. A correlation design was conducted to discover if there are any relationships among these five factors and knowledge sharing within virtual teams. Participants in this study were 148 undergraduate students from …


Beliefs Of Graduate Students About Unstructured Computer Use In Face-To-Face Classes With Internet Access And Its Influence On Student Recall, Gregory Johnson Jan 2009

Beliefs Of Graduate Students About Unstructured Computer Use In Face-To-Face Classes With Internet Access And Its Influence On Student Recall, Gregory Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of computers equipped with Internet access by students during face-to-face (F2F) class sessions is perceived as academically beneficial by a growing number of students and faculty members in universities across the United States. Nevertheless, some researchers suggest unstructured computer use detached from the immediate class content may negatively influence student participation, increase distraction levels, minimize recall of recently presented information, and decrease student engagement. This study investigates graduate students' beliefs about computer use with Internet access during graduate face-to-face lecture classes in which computer use is neither mandated nor integrated in the class and the effect of such …


Extending The Technology Acceptance Model Using Perceived User Resources In Higher Education Web-Based Online Learning Courses, Cheng-Hsin Ku Jan 2009

Extending The Technology Acceptance Model Using Perceived User Resources In Higher Education Web-Based Online Learning Courses, Cheng-Hsin Ku

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to examine students' acceptance of the World Wide Web Course Tools (WebCT) online learning system. The Perceived Resources and Technology Acceptance Model (PRATAM) was created based on previous research to address the factors of perceived resources, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward using, behavioral intention to use and actual system use. The aim for this research was to investigate the critical determinants and provide the causal relationships regarding students' acceptance behaviors when using WebCT. While institutions are expecting to adopt online learning to reach more students, there are still many challenges for …


The Relationship Between Motivation And Online Social Presence In An Online Class, Yedong Tao Jan 2009

The Relationship Between Motivation And Online Social Presence In An Online Class, Yedong Tao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the level of student motivation and perceived online social presence in an online course. Better understanding of the relationship between online social presence and motivation would assist researchers to identify and develop effective instructional strategies for the success of students' online learning experience. This study was conducted during the Fall 2007 semester at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, Florida. Data for this study were collected from participating students enrolled in three online sections of EME 2040, Introduction of Educational Technology. In this course, pre-service teachers learn …


An Investigation Of Linguistic, Cognitive, And Affective Factors That Impact English Language Learners' Performance On A State Standardized Reading Achievement Test, Carine Strebel Halpern Jan 2009

An Investigation Of Linguistic, Cognitive, And Affective Factors That Impact English Language Learners' Performance On A State Standardized Reading Achievement Test, Carine Strebel Halpern

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The explicit teaching of reading comprehension strategies has been proposed as a means to better prepare secondary school-aged students for today's information-dense, fast-paced, fast-changing global society, and to improve the academic performance of struggling adolescent readers. This proposition of a direct and positive impact of reading comprehension strategies on reading achievement for all students has not been investigated with English language learners (ELLs) who, by definition, do not possess the same level of English language skills as their native-English speaking peers. This mixed-method study investigated linguistic, cognitive, as well as affective factors that impact adolescent ELLs' performance on a standardized …


The Impact Of Advanced Placement (Ap) Participation And Success On School-Wide Student Achievement, David Christiansen Jan 2009

The Impact Of Advanced Placement (Ap) Participation And Success On School-Wide Student Achievement, David Christiansen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate two research questions concerning: (a) the relationship between the percentage of students within a high school who participated in the Advanced Placement program and the school-wide student achievement of a high school and (b) the relationship between the percentage of students within a high school who successfully performed in the Advanced Placement program and the school-wide student achievement of the high school. It was determined in this study that there was a statistically significant relationship between Advanced Placement (AP) student participation and school-wide student achievement and there was a statistically significant relationship …


A Confirmation Factor Analysis Of Teaching Presence Within The Florida Online Reading Professional Development Program, Melinda Stevison Jan 2009

A Confirmation Factor Analysis Of Teaching Presence Within The Florida Online Reading Professional Development Program, Melinda Stevison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Community of Inquiry model provides a framework for recognizing and evaluating interpersonal behaviors in online educational settings. One of its three components, teaching presence (TP), describes those behaviors that are under the auspices of the online instructor. By examining these interactions and behaviors through the theoretical lens provided by teaching presence, and by measuring them with the Teaching Presence Scale (TPS), it may be possible to gain greater understanding of the practices employed most effectively by online instructors. This dissertation describes the background, theoretical and empirical foundations, methods, and results of a study on TP. The purpose of the …