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University of Central Florida

2015

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Toward A More Scientifically Literate Public, Michael Bass Dec 2015

Toward A More Scientifically Literate Public, Michael Bass

UCF Forum

As a society we do a terrible job of educating our children to become scientifically literate. Sure, we have STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs throughout the country, and with some justification we can brag about the successes of students that are in or who have graduated from such learning experiences.


An Examination Of The Factors That Impact Elementary School Principal's Perceptions Of Their Leadership Role, Kathryn M. Kish Dec 2015

An Examination Of The Factors That Impact Elementary School Principal's Perceptions Of Their Leadership Role, Kathryn M. Kish

HIM 1990-2015

A growing body of research supports the idea that large-scale school reform efforts often fail to create sustained change within the public school sector. When implementing deep organizational change, both novice and veteran educators are challenged to learn new skills, reexamine their instructional practice and content knowledge, and re-shape their underlying beliefs and values about schools. This qualitative study explored principals’ perceptions of their leadership roles in the school system. Data collection was done through a series of three interviews with three elementary school principals in Central Florida. In addition to their perceptions, it also studied factors that may influence …


Exploring The Differences Between Pre-Service Teachers' Analyses Of Various Informal Reading Inventory Results In The Elementary Grades, Tara A. Miller Dec 2015

Exploring The Differences Between Pre-Service Teachers' Analyses Of Various Informal Reading Inventory Results In The Elementary Grades, Tara A. Miller

HIM 1990-2015

Reading is a fundamental skill in our modern society; being able to read with comprehension and fluency is an important skill in all core academic subjects. Reading teachers are charged with the task to analyze student data in order to drive their instructional decisions. Informal Reading Inventories (IRIs) are one type of an informal reading assessment that teachers can use in the classroom to learn about student reading behaviors and drive instruction. Informal Reading Inventories assess fluency and comprehension. Research suggests that fluency and comprehension have a reciprocal relationship; meaning, if you improve one skill, you improve the other skill …


The Impact Of Meditation And Mindfulness In The Elementary Classroom: A Review Of Research Literature Across Five Disciplines, Kayli Routhier-Martin Dec 2015

The Impact Of Meditation And Mindfulness In The Elementary Classroom: A Review Of Research Literature Across Five Disciplines, Kayli Routhier-Martin

HIM 1990-2015

Mindfulness meditation programs, benefits, and outcomes were examined through research previously conducted and published by professionals within five differing disciplines: health and wellness, psychology, elementary education, exceptional education, and medicine. The goal was to find common themes within the differing disciplines in order to gather information about the effectiveness of a mindfulness meditation program to be used in an elementary classroom. In this thesis, the chapter of Health and Wellness is a review of literature that tells the benefits found within meditators, which are not found within non-meditators. The chapter of Psychology explains the social-emotional needs of students, the causes …


Criticism – The Thing We Hate The Most Makes Us The Strongest, Michael Preston Nov 2015

Criticism – The Thing We Hate The Most Makes Us The Strongest, Michael Preston

UCF Forum

I’m not much of a crier, but when a colleague critiqued a draft of my dissertation years ago, I cried like a baby.


The Next Time Someone Has Something Bad To Say About Your Work..., Heather Gibson Oct 2015

The Next Time Someone Has Something Bad To Say About Your Work..., Heather Gibson

UCF Forum

A theatre student recently came to my office a little on the glum side. He was an actor in a production that had received a less-than-favorable review and he wasn’t taking it well. He had taken the writer’s words to heart and it was affecting his performance.


Fgcuscholars: Using Undergraduate Research As A Tool To Enhance Student Writing, Critical Thinking, And Information Literacy, Mary Crone-Romanovski, Hulya Julie Yazici, Rita Rubin, Charles W. Gunnels Oct 2015

Fgcuscholars: Using Undergraduate Research As A Tool To Enhance Student Writing, Critical Thinking, And Information Literacy, Mary Crone-Romanovski, Hulya Julie Yazici, Rita Rubin, Charles W. Gunnels

Florida Statewide Symposium: Best Practices in Undergraduate Research

This presentation will overview FGCUScholars, a university-wide program at Florida Gulf Coast University that integrates undergraduate research across the university as a means of teaching and assessing writing, critical thinking, and information literacy. We will overview the development and learning outcomes of FGCUScholars and the implementation across the campus, highlighting examples of curricular changes in engineering that engage students throughout their career at FGCU, the role of problem/project-based learning (PBL) in business classes, the development of research assignments that use digital media in literature courses, and the creation of disciplinary-specific sections of Composition II.


Don't Just Blindly Follow All 'Green' Trends -- Do Your Research First, Michael Bass Sep 2015

Don't Just Blindly Follow All 'Green' Trends -- Do Your Research First, Michael Bass

UCF Forum

Nowadays it is politically correct to be “green” – to say and do things that seem to minimize one’s impact on the environment and to preach to others to do the same.


Want To Make It In This World? Better Learn To Collaborate, Michael Preston Sep 2015

Want To Make It In This World? Better Learn To Collaborate, Michael Preston

UCF Forum

Is there any greater struggle between instructor and student than the dreaded “group assignment”?


Medulla: A 2d Sidescrolling Platformer Game That Teaches Basic Brain Structure And Function, Joey R. Fanfarelli, Stephanie Vie Sep 2015

Medulla: A 2d Sidescrolling Platformer Game That Teaches Basic Brain Structure And Function, Joey R. Fanfarelli, Stephanie Vie

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This article explores the design and instructional effectiveness of Medulla, an educational game meant to teach brain structure and function to undergraduate psychology students. Developed in the retro-style platformer genre, Medulla uses two-dimensional gameplay with pixel-based graphics to engage students in learning content related to the brain, information which is often pre-requisite to more rigorous psychological study. A pretest posttest design was used in an experiment assessing Medulla’s ability to teach psychology content. Results indicated content knowledge was significantly higher on the posttest than the pretest, with a large effect size. Medulla appears to be an effective learning tool. These …


Exploring The Perceptions And Motivations Of Pre-Service Elementary Teachers Towards Aesthetic Reading In An Undergraduate Course In Literature For Children, Anne Williams Aug 2015

Exploring The Perceptions And Motivations Of Pre-Service Elementary Teachers Towards Aesthetic Reading In An Undergraduate Course In Literature For Children, Anne Williams

HIM 1990-2015

Past research shows that feelings toward aesthetic reading, or reading for enjoyment, are down across the nation, even in those pursuing a degree in elementary education (Applegate & Applegate, 2004; National Endowment for the Arts , 2004). As reading rates drop, it becomes even more imperative that our future educators have a passion for reading, and are able to intrinsically motivate their students (McKool & Gespass, 2009; Nathanson, Pruslow & Levitt, 2008). The recommended practices for breaking the cycle of aliteracy are to deemphasize textbook driven lectures (Krashen, 1993; Nathanson et al., 2008; Sardo-Brown & Beeghly, 1996), enable text self-selection …


A Toast! To The International Year Of Light, Michael Bass Jul 2015

A Toast! To The International Year Of Light, Michael Bass

UCF Forum

December 2013, at the United Nations’ 68th General Assembly meeting, the assembled countries could not as usual solve the problems of world conflicts, human slavery, wide-spread famine and the Israeli-Palestinian question. So, it decided to do something it could: It declared that 2015 would be the International Year of Light.


When You Have A Chance To Influence The Universe..., Todd Dagenais Jun 2015

When You Have A Chance To Influence The Universe..., Todd Dagenais

UCF Forum

It’s incredibly ironic to me that the University of Central Florida was started in 1963 near the nation’s spaceport to help support the exploration of the universe – and now we find ourselves in a position as the nation’s second-largest university to exert a great deal of influence on our own little piece of that universe.


Individual Differences In Digital Badging: Do Learner Characteristics Matter?, Joey R. Fanfarelli, Thomas Rudy Mcdaniel Jun 2015

Individual Differences In Digital Badging: Do Learner Characteristics Matter?, Joey R. Fanfarelli, Thomas Rudy Mcdaniel

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Badge use has rapidly expanded in recent years and has benefited a variety of applications. However, a large portion of the research has applied a binary useful or not useful approach to badging. Few studies examine the characteristics of the user and the impact of those characteristics on the effectiveness of the badging system. This study takes preliminary steps toward that cause, examining the effectiveness of a badging system across two web-based university courses in relation to the individual differences of the learners. Individual differences are examined through the lens of Long-Dziuban reactive behavior types and traits. Results revealed differences …


An Exploration Of Teacher Perspectives Of Mathematics Anxiety And Gender Stereotyping, Jessica Browning May 2015

An Exploration Of Teacher Perspectives Of Mathematics Anxiety And Gender Stereotyping, Jessica Browning

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this study was to identify the current perspective of grades three through twelve in-service teachers regarding mathematics anxiety, its causes, and its relation to gender stereotyping. A short online survey was conducted to gain insight into their classrooms and perspectives of the subject. The results showed that mathematics anxiety did exist in the classroom, and in-service teachers did report seeing a gender gap between the anxiety experienced by females and males. I believe that from these findings it is important to conduct further research on in-service teachers to see in depth what they think. This is important …


Examining The Current Perceptions Of K-3 Elementary School Teachers, And Their Students, In Regard To Handwriting Instruction In The Modern Day Classroom, Kimberly Kolb May 2015

Examining The Current Perceptions Of K-3 Elementary School Teachers, And Their Students, In Regard To Handwriting Instruction In The Modern Day Classroom, Kimberly Kolb

HIM 1990-2015

The intent of this thesis is to explore the current views and opinions that elementary school teachers, particularly Kindergarten through third grade teachers, have on the topic of handwriting instruction in their classrooms. Apart from the teachers, the views and opinions of selected Kindergarten through third grade students are also taken into consideration. Due to the advancement of technology and its prevalence in modern day classrooms, many consider handwriting, particularly cursive, a dying art, with keyboarding taking its place. However, research has proven that handwriting provides students with developmental benefits and helps to refine certain motor skills that keyboarding does …


An Exploration Of Text And Illustrations For Implicit And Explicit Gender Bias And Stereotypes In Caldecott Award And Honor Books From 2001-2014, Jessica Kunkel May 2015

An Exploration Of Text And Illustrations For Implicit And Explicit Gender Bias And Stereotypes In Caldecott Award And Honor Books From 2001-2014, Jessica Kunkel

HIM 1990-2015

Children’s literature is a critical aspect during a child’s development; the messages portrayed in children’s books can affect the development of gender identity in young children and can affect how a child with act and perceive the world around them in the future (Tsao, 2008). Expanding on this research this study aimed to determine if award winning children’s literature contained implicit and explicit gender stereotypes and biases in the illustrations and text. The sample examined was Caldecott Award and Honor books from 2001 through 2014; the sample size was did not include biographies, autobiographies, informational books, concept books, poetry, and …


The Role Of Child Life Specialists In Meeting The Needs Of Children With Chronically Ill Siblings, Jenna Mathis May 2015

The Role Of Child Life Specialists In Meeting The Needs Of Children With Chronically Ill Siblings, Jenna Mathis

HIM 1990-2015

The purposes of this study were to explore the needs and concerns of the siblings of children hospitalized with a chronic illness and to explore the role that Child Life Specialists play in the lives of siblings. Face-to-face and telephone interviews with Child Life Specialists from three central Florida pediatric hospitals were conducted and analyzed. Through these interviews, I gained the perspective of the Child Life Specialist’s role concerning the needs and concerns of siblings as well as their role in meeting those needs. The interviews were tape-recorded and later transcribed and analyzed with a qualitative approach. I predicted that …


An Exploration Of The Implementation Of Music Integration In The Middle School Social Studies Classrooms, Nicole Skeen May 2015

An Exploration Of The Implementation Of Music Integration In The Middle School Social Studies Classrooms, Nicole Skeen

HIM 1990-2015

“Music is the biggest tool of revolution – the best way to reach out [to] the youth and involve them…” (Kher, n.d.). Music has the ability to impact so many areas of life. Music is universal, and regardless of language, meaning and emotions can be conveyed. Imagine if this was harnessed and utilized as an effective teaching tool for students? Music has played a significant role in history, but is often overlooked when history is taught. Utilization of music in the social studies classroom can take the form of time period pieces, cultural music, mnemonics for memorization, films, and much …


University Of Central Florida Graduate Catalog, 2015 - 2016, University Of Central Florida May 2015

University Of Central Florida Graduate Catalog, 2015 - 2016, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.


University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 2015 - 2016, University Of Central Florida May 2015

University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 2015 - 2016, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.


Get To Know The Custodians, Todd Dagenais Apr 2015

Get To Know The Custodians, Todd Dagenais

UCF Forum

In 1996, I was fresh out of college living in Bay City, Michigan, and about to begin my first year as a paid volleyball coach. As many people in my situation, I was scared to death about my lack of experience and my potential inability to shape the hearts and minds of 15- to 18-year-old volleyball players. I began the process of asking experienced coaches for advice on how to approach my new endeavor.


Don't Be A Leader Who Turns Around To Look – And Nobody Is Following, Todd Dagenais Feb 2015

Don't Be A Leader Who Turns Around To Look – And Nobody Is Following, Todd Dagenais

UCF Forum

From time to time I am invited to speak at gatherings of various groups and organizations. Corporations are often intrigued by the inner workings of an athletic team that has demonstrated success on the field of play.


Systems Design: Academic Advising System Implementation, A Case Study Of User Centered System Design At The University Of Central Florida, Tracy Jones Jan 2015

Systems Design: Academic Advising System Implementation, A Case Study Of User Centered System Design At The University Of Central Florida, Tracy Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a case study in user-centered design completed at the University of Central Florida. Leadership in the College of Graduate Studies at UCF realized the need for an advisement tool to assist advisors in the academic colleges to track the success of their students. After an advisement product was selected, the user-centered design approach started to be implemented. End-users were shown the basic functionality and known benefits of the product. Then they were asked how they could make it standardized across programs. The users selected the order in which information and degree requirements should display. The users asked …


Principals' Lived Experiences In Childhood Poverty Impacting Resiliency Of Students In Poverty, Jonathan Rasmussen Jan 2015

Principals' Lived Experiences In Childhood Poverty Impacting Resiliency Of Students In Poverty, Jonathan Rasmussen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The number of children living in poverty within the United States is on the rise, which translates to more public school students experiencing those risk factors associated with poverty. Given the severity of the negative effect living in poverty has on the likelihood of academic success, paired with the current climate of accountability in U.S. public schools, it is imperative that educational leaders understand how to create a school culture that fosters resilience in students from poverty. The purpose of this study was to examine principals' lived experiences in childhood poverty impacts the decisions they make. More precisely, it examines …


Policy Implications Of A Teacher Evaluation System: The Relationship Of Classroom Observations, Levels Of Feedback, And Students Achievement Outcomes, Shana H. Rafalski Jan 2015

Policy Implications Of A Teacher Evaluation System: The Relationship Of Classroom Observations, Levels Of Feedback, And Students Achievement Outcomes, Shana H. Rafalski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was two-fold: (a) to determine the relationship between the number of classroom observations and teacher VAM scores and (b) to identify the relationship between the types of feedback provided to teachers and student achievement outcomes as measured by VAM scores. De-identified data for the sample set of teachers in a large urban school district was gathered for the 2013-2014 year from iObservation by administrators observing teachers using the domains of the Marzano instructional model. The number of observations were compared to VAM scores to determine if teachers with a greater number of observations received higher …


Central Florida Educational Leaders' Professional Perceptions Of Race To The Top Components Concerning Teacher Evaluation And Compensation, Orin Smith Jan 2015

Central Florida Educational Leaders' Professional Perceptions Of Race To The Top Components Concerning Teacher Evaluation And Compensation, Orin Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods replication study was conducted to develop further understanding of the professional perceptions of educational leaders as to the fairness and impact of Race to the Top reforms concerning teacher evaluation and compensation on student achievement and growth. Graduate students in education and educational leadership from a target university were selected to complete an electronic survey to collect quantitative and qualitative data for analysis. Quantitative results from the electronic survey revealed limited diversity in professional perceptions of the five identified components of RTTT based upon professional classification or percentage free and reduced lunch population at the school sites where …


Acute Pro-Inflammatory Immune Response Following Different Resistance Exercise Protocols In Trained Men, Adam Wells Jan 2015

Acute Pro-Inflammatory Immune Response Following Different Resistance Exercise Protocols In Trained Men, Adam Wells

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The successful regeneration of muscle tissue is dependent upon the infiltration of phagocytic CD14++CD16- monocytes that support the proliferation and differentiation of myogenic precursor cells. Physiologically, the magnitude of the cellular response following resistance exercise is dictated by the level of receptor expression on the plasma membrane of the monocyte, as well as the secretion of their cognate ligands from tissue resident cells. However, it remains unclear whether the innate pro-inflammatory immune response varies with different resistance training protocols, and how it may impact recovery and the muscle remodeling process. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine temporal …


The Effects Of The Marzano Observation System Training On The Self-Efficacy Of Teacher Observers, Samuel Ashley Jan 2015

The Effects Of The Marzano Observation System Training On The Self-Efficacy Of Teacher Observers, Samuel Ashley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzed the effects of the Marzano Teacher Observation training on the self-efficacy of teacher observers. In this study, seventy-four teacher observers reported their self-efficacy in the areas of evaluating student engagement, evaluating classroom management, and evaluating instructional strategies in pre and post surveys. The results of the surveys were analyzed with a paired samples t-test. This study found that the Marzano Teacher Observation system increases the self-efficacy of teacher observers. This study was delimited to participants of a Marzano Teacher Observation training conducted in the fall of 2014. The findings of this study will inform executive school leaders …


A Design And Implementation Plan For Professional Development And Curriculum Modules Of Historical Literacy In The Social Studies Classroom, Daniel Cowgill Jan 2015

A Design And Implementation Plan For Professional Development And Curriculum Modules Of Historical Literacy In The Social Studies Classroom, Daniel Cowgill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation in practice was to create professional development and curriculum modules focused on historical literacy in order to help teachers fully engage students in learning historical literacy skills. Historical literacy is the ability to understand the importance of the source of a document, being able to close read a text, to place a source within its proper context, and to corroborate the information from one source to another. The implementation of a program of this nature is designed to help teachers and students develop these skills with the hope that it positively impacts not only student …