Education Commons^™

Academic Advising : Description And Analysis Of Types And Delivery Systems, Janet A. Wood

Graduate Research Papers

Research indicates that academic advising can provide valuable interaction among students, faculty, and student affairs professionals. Academic advisors are among the first people seen by students on college campuses. The relationship between an academic advisor and a student can provide a first step in what the American College Personnel Association (ACP A) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) ( 1998) recommend: "Good practice in student affairs forges educational partnerships that advance student learning" (p. 3).

A Preferred Vision For Administering High Schools : A Reflective Essay, James E. Zajicek

Graduate Research Papers

Whether it be efforts to develop state and local standards, new forms of assessment, innovations in technology, or application of new approaches to teaching and learning, changes must occur in the place our society calls school. The complex nature of our education system requires courageous and responsible action on the part of individuals who believe in preparing our children for life in the 21st century. This is both a national priority as well as a moral responsibility. Business at school as usual is no longer an option. Change in the culture and instructional practices of today's school requires the dedication …

Writing Opportunities To Extend Literacy For At-Risk Children In Grade One, Judy K. Torrens

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of writing on the early literacy learning of students who were performing below grade level in reading. Professional literature supports the theoretical formulation that writing nurtures young children's emerging literacy. For a first-grade classroom, a print-rich environment was created that provided daily opportunities for the students to experiment with writing. The children were able to construct their knowledge of the world through the writing process and to refine their knowledge of written language abilities in purposeful situations. They had many opportunities to connect reading and writing.

Case Study : The Kjef Student Video News, John Kennedy Wickham

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact and effectiveness of a student video news project that was initiated in the fall of 1998 as the result of receiving a McElroy Trust Fund grant. A secondary purpose was to determine whether the student video news production was more effective than the traditional approach where the principal used the public address system. Three questionnaires were used to solicit input from school staff and students. The staff was surveyed in the spring of 1999 and 2000 whereas students were surveyed in December 1999 after one year of production. Results were …

The Reasons Why Many African-American And Hispanic Women Do Not Choose Careers In Technology, Kathryn Elizabeth Guzman

Graduate Research Papers

There have been numerous statistics showing that minorities including women, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, are least likely to choose careers in the science and technology field. Along with those studies have been possible reasons why they choose not to enter into the field. Reasons have ranged from lack of encouragement to people just telling them flat out that there is no possible way that they can succeed in the field.

This study found that African-American and Hispanic women do not choose careers in technology for many of the same reasons. As young children, some factors are the way teachers …

Preservice Teachers' Beliefs About Teaching And Learning, Helga M. Gudenschwager

Graduate Research Papers

Research shows that knowing what preservice teachers believe about teaching and learning helps their instructors to reinforce those beliefs that are compatible with current approaches in education and challenge those that promote the perpetuation of antiquated and ineffective teaching practices.

Four main research questions guided this study: 1. To what extent the beliefs expressed by participants aligned with traditional or constructivist perspectives? 2. Do elementary and secondary majors differ in terms of their preference for practices aligned with these perspectives? 3. Do elementary and secondary majors differ in terms of their beliefs about the goals of education and effective strategies …

How Telecommunications Is Assisting The United States In Adult Educational Distance Learning Programs, Telemedicine, And Future Applications, Minna Ann Harrison

Graduate Research Papers

The future of telecommunications becomes more unpredictable every passing day. Products and services that were just dreamed of in the past, only six months to a year ago, are here and ready to be used in everyday life. Wireless service has been affected by PCS providers who are offering services to customers that are considerably cheaper. Voice recognition programs/applications were only being bounced around in 1997, but currently are being used at work places and homes. At the 1998 Comdex technology trade show six major software companies were promoting their voice recognition programs.

There are some glitches still. But as …

Teacher-Controlled Web Pages And Their Impact On Home/School Communication, Colleen S. Hobus

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to examine teacher-controlled Web pages and how they can impact school/home communication. Thirty-three eighth grade parents voluntarily responded to a survey about the communication practices between the eighth grade teachers and eighth grade parents in the Avoca-Hancock-Shelby-Tennant School District.A teacher-controlled Web page was set up and put into practice for a one and one-half month period. Parents and students were encouraged to access the Web page for daily assignment updates and special announcements.

At the end of the one and one-half month period, the parents were surveyed again and the results indicated …

Implementing A Reading Recovery Shared Classroom : Good First-Grade Reading Instruction For All, Bonnie L. Hoewing

Graduate Research Papers

Reading Recovery is an early intervention designed by Marie Clay (1985) to be implemented in an educational system for the purpose of providing a second chance for success for first grade children who are at risk of failing to learn to read. Reading Recovery is preventive rather than a remedial intervention. Early intervention to deal with reading difficulties is much more powerful than remediation at a later time. Good teaching of reading skills, early in a child's formal education, will help create the foundation needed for continued learning throughout their lives.

Home Visits : Building A Team Approach With Families With Children With Special Needs, Linda S. Jacoby

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of the literature concerning home visits as a means of team building with families with children who have special needs. The primary focus is to consider the needs, problems, and guidelines for conducting home visits. Home visits have a lengthy history in early childhood education. They offer some unique insights and opportunities for educators and families. Careful planning and follow-up is necessary for a successful program.

Criticisms of home visits concern primarily the issues of limited financial resources and time constraints. Planning, scheduling, and conducting the visit are discussed in this paper; also, a discussion …

School-Based Intervention Programs For Dropouts, Mmamiki Gaolatlhe Kamanakao

Graduate Research Papers

The primary purpose of this paper is to provide an extensive review of the literature and research related to the dropout problem in the United States. It discusses some of the intervention programs in school settings that have been evaluated to date. The role of school psychologists in planning and implementing the components that make those intervention programs successful are highlighted. Chapter two describes the nature and extent of the dropout problem, and how the lack of a uniform definition and good data aggravates this problem.

Causes of dropping out and its consequences to the individuals and the society at …

Portfolios As An Alternative Assessment Strategy In Second Language Instruction, Rhonda M. Borcherding

Graduate Research Papers

With the advent of research on multiple intelligences and individual differences, alternative methods of assessing individual strengths in content areas are needed. An integral part of the process of acquiring a second language involves these alternative methods of evaluating individual strengths. Portfolio assessment offers an alternative to conventional testing strategies for evaluating progress in second language learning. Portfolios provide meaningful methods to actively engage language students in the basic four modalities of literacy: listening, reading, speaking and writing a second language. Portfolios also can help promote and document the five standards of foreign language instruction: culture, communication, connection, comparisons and …

Technology Education : Is There A Need?, David Bonde

Graduate Research Papers

Presents an overview of the need and purpose for the implementation and teaching of technology education. Key points of the successful integration of technology education programs are addressed along with the key components of a successful technology education program. The pros and cons of the modular approach of teaching technology education are also examined. The conclusions are there is a lot of evidence that supports a real need for the teaching of technology education to all students, and modular programs are an integral part of a complete program. The research concludes that a strong creed and vision are crucial to …

Curricular And Instructional Adaptations For Special Needs Students In The General Education Setting, Kelly Bohning

Graduate Research Papers

The primary focus of this article is to address when regular education teachers should make adaptations for students in the general education setting and to determine the kinds of adaptations that general education teachers can make for their students. This article also links curricular and instructional adaptations to the research on effective schools. Steps for setting up an inclusive science classroom are presented. Various adaptations in the science classroom are discussed. The findings of this research report indicate that there are a variety of instances where it is appropriate for teachers to make adaptations for students in the general education …

Exploring The Lewis And Clark Expedition In An Eighth Grade Social Studies Class Using Multiple Intelligences, Scott Bockelmann

Graduate Research Papers

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences (Armstrong, 1994) has created many new ideas about how people think and learn, as well as how instructors should deliver activities and lessons to students. In this paper Gardner's theory and his seven intelligences are defined.Then a discussion of the five basic formats for teaching, and implementation strategies using multiple intelligences, are shared. An eighth grade social studies unit on the Lewis and Clark Expedition using multiple intelligences is examined by comparing student turn-in rate and motivation in comparison to other assignments given in the class. Project ideas, presentation rubrics, student conference sheets, as …

Writers Workshops In A Second Grade Classroom, Marilyn M. Brown

Graduate Research Papers

A writers workshop is a community of writers who work together to promote the thinking, language, and specifically writing abilities of its members. Writers are encouraged to take risks and engage in print in purposeful ways. The emphasis of writers workshop is creating meaning. When writers realize that they are in charge of their writing, it becomes meaningful and authentic.

This discussion describes the implementation of writers workshops in a second grade classroom. The writing development of three students was focused on in this implementation stage. The students chosen represented a range of abilities and backgrounds.

Differentiating The Curriculum For Gifted Young Adolescents In The Middle School Classroom, Eileen M. Boggess

Graduate Research Papers

Academically gifted students exist in every classroom and in all segments of the population. Rather than ignore their gifts and assume that a pull-out program for gifted students will satisfy their educational needs, schools need to accept the fact that gifted students are gifted all day, every day. Intellectually gifted young adolescents are prisoners of time in the classroom. Most of the material covered in a regular classroom is review or aimed at lower cognitive ability students. This leaves gifted young adolescents bored, restless, or hostile to their education. By differentiating the content, process, products, or learning environment of the …

Reading/Writing Connection, Sandra J. Carpenter

Graduate Research Papers

Reading and writing have many common tasks. Children's language abilities are nurtured through instructional practices that connect these commonalities. In a second-grade language arts program, tasks presented through reading instruction were related to children's writing experiences. To support the reading-writing connection, a strong literature base was created. This base offered models of language and focuses for discussions to relate the commonalities of the processes. The teacher traced the transfer of reading instruction to the children's writing through a collection of their writing pieces.

Parents And Literacy : The Importance Of Reading Aloud To Children, Phyllis A. Christiansen

Graduate Research Papers

Parents are vital to their children's emerging literacy. Reading aloud to children offers parents opportunities to extend their child's knowledge about reading. A review of professional literature suggests that reading aloud provides children with reading role models, positive attitudes towards reading, a sense of story, improved listening abilities, exposure to different language patterns, concepts and related vocabulary, exposure to the rhythm and sound of language, book handling abilities, and knowledge about print format.

The Take Me Home project provides parents with access to quality literature and related activities to enhance the family's read aloud experience. Packets have been developed with …

The Effects Of Computers And The Internet On Small Town America, Judith L. Clefisch

Graduate Research Papers

Computers and the Internet have changed the way small town America operates. The infusion of technology has allowed rural areas to be competitive with residents in urban areas in education, business, and personal fulfillment. Computerized systems have made the workplace more efficient and effective. The Internet connects rural areas to the rest of the country, even the world. Just because a small town atmosphere appears to be in a different era with its quiet streets and friendly people, this does not necessarily indicate that the small town has not kept up with the technology era. A small town can have …

Does Peer Technology Training Work?, Kim Foley-Sharp

Graduate Research Papers

This research project contains lessons that were developed as a staff development tool for North High School in the Davenport Community School District. The goal of this project was to implement the use of new technology into the school building by providing the staff of the building with immediate access to trainers who would help if there were a problem or to answer questions. The other responsibilities of the trainers were to facilitate staff development sessions during the school day and on in-service days. The ultimate goal of the project was to make staff comfortable in the use of technology …

Invented Spelling : The Role Of Developmental Spelling In Early Childhood Classrooms, Cynthia L. Ford

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of literature relative to the importance of Invented Spelling in early childhood classrooms. The primary focus of this paper was to develop guidelines which should be used to implement a model program. The literature examined included the features of Invented Spelling and the stages of Invented Spelling. Also, the advantage and disadvantages of Invented Spelling were discussed.

The conclusion of this paper offers suggestions to educators on how to implement a model Invented Spelling program. Recommendations for further research in the area are stated.