Education Commons^™

A Leader's Vision Of Building A Learning Community, Richard D. Wettengel

Graduate Research Papers

As I prepared my first memo to our high school staff about the weeks activities, an idea about my role as Activities Director came to light. It is the idea of service. Snyder, Dowd, and Houghton (1994) state that the notion of service is central to any administrative post. The root word in administration is minister, meaning, "to serve." That is exactly how I see my role at school. Service is the heart of my work. My ministry extends to students, parents, fellow staff members, administration, the Board of Education, and others in the school community. My personal mission statement …

Book Clubs And Their Effect On Mother-Daughter Relationships, Kimberly Wise

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research paper was to examine book clubs and how they affect the mother/daughter relationship. Thirteen seventh grade girls and their mothers began participating in the book club. The members were surveyed during the initial organizational meeting as to their conversational habits with one another as well as their perceptions of the quality of their mother/daughter relationship. The members then participated in several book club meetings. During the meetings discussions were held which included topics such as characterization, plot, theme, climate, tone, and voice. Mothers and daughters were asked to reflect upon their own life experiences in …

Building An Instructional Model For The High School Of The 21st Century, Cindy Winckler

Graduate Research Papers

High schools are the last frontier of change in the K-12 educational setting. In order to meet the needs of today's students, teachers must create systemic change. This research studied ways to build an instructional model for high schools of the 21 st century. The sources were selected from published literature about brain research, lesson design. school reform and studies of education systems between countries. The design of an instructional model for high schools was developed, using the research from literature reviews. Teaching methods, not teachers are at the heart of this reform.

Motivating Students With Accelerated Reader, Kirsten J. Wrieden

Graduate Research Papers

Excitement was obvious at Wells-Carey Elementary that day. If you did not know better, you might think it was picture day, the day of a field trip or maybe even the day of the Halloween parties. The students were busy as bees going about their daily morning routines. Smiles proliferated and nary a squabble could be seen. What was happening? What could be the reason for the excitement and unusually well-behaved students? Why, it was the opening day for the Accelerated Reader incentive store!

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 …

Writing Portfolios In Grades Three And Four, Debra A. Carlson

Graduate Research Papers

The concept of assessment is broadening in some exciting ways. Assessment may include descriptive or qualitative techniques, such as portfolios. Portfolios have the potential to relate instruction and assessment more closely.

Writing portfolio implementation in a third and fourth grade classroom is discussed.Three children with different abilities were focused on as they. developed their portfolios with the support of their teacher. Through conferences with their teacher, the students selected writing exhibits for their portfolios, discussed their progress and instructional needs, and then set future goals for writing.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Constance L. Weber

Graduate Research Papers

As I began reflecting on education and leadership in the school setting, I realized that I have been involved in formal education in one form or another for the past forty-three years. I began kindergarten in a one-room rural school, with one instructor for nine grades. The teacher picked me up and transported me to school each day. I'm not sure what role the principal had in that school at that time. I don't actually remember a principal. The next year I began first grade in a Catholic school in a small town, and I continued in this school through …

Using Literacy Booster Lessons To Maintain And Extend Reading Recovery Success In The Primary Grades, Karla K. Kittelson-Mackenzie

Graduate Research Papers

This manuscript focuses on using small group literacy booster lessons to provide former Reading Recovery students with opportunities to apply effective literacy strategies in instructional-level text. The goals of these group lessons are encouraging students to independently process increasingly difficult texts and providing a smooth transition from individual Reading Recovery lessons to classroom learning.

Literacy In The Multiage Classroom : A Review Of The Research, Barbara Avaux Messer

Graduate Research Papers

Multi-age grouping has a long history and is once again being studied as a viable alternative to the age-graded education model. Research indicates that multi-age programs are academically effective as well as being beneficial in promoting feelings of self-efficacy in students. Our society has changed since the inception of the age-graded model and teachers today are looking at multi-age education as a way to meet the diverse needs of their students. Successful multi-age programs have similar characteristics, but each program needs to be designed to meet the needs of the community it serves. Specific teaching strategies, materials, and assessment methods, …

Reading Comprehension Through Technology : The Accelerated Reader Program, Janette Schmidt

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to research the Accelerated Reader program, a computerized reading program, to see if it did improve reading skills. The Accelerated Reader program has received a lot of attention because of the belief that students are not learning to read. This is a program that has been marketed well and promises to produce results in reading skill performance. Some educators have questioned the Accelerated Reader program because of the expense and the method of motivation. Both sides of this issue will be discussed in this paper.

Oral History In A Kindergarten Classroom, Marilyn J. Shanks

Graduate Research Papers

Oral history offers elementary teachers an exciting way to get students actively involved. It allows them to deal directly with people and places in the real world. It involves students in the decision-making process and allows them to feel ownership in a part of history. Oral history combines process and product into a real-life experience. It is an excellent teaching tool that fosters excitement about heritage, tradition, and family and helps promote respect and appreciation for the older generation.

A Review Of Empirically Based Preference Assessments' Ability To Identify Reinforcers For Individuals With Disabilities, Jennifer A. Sellers

Graduate Research Papers

Research on empirically based preference assessments has been conducted to determine their effectiveness in identifying reinforcers. This paper reviews the effectiveness of five empirically based preference assessment procedures in identifying reinforcers for individuals with disabilities. The procedures are discussed in relationship to reinforcer-based treatments. The five preference assessment procedures reviewed are: 1) single stimulus, 2) paired choice, 3) multiple stimulus, 4) triad, and 5) verbal. The preference assessments differed in the number of highly reinforcing stimuli they identified, whether or not they provided rank orders of reinforcers, and the amount of time it took to conduct them. All of the …

Technology Integration : Comparing Technology Integration Kofu Middle School To Des Moines Public School, Catie Seeley

Graduate Research Papers

Based on two years of experience teaching in the Kofu middle schools and ten years teaching in Des Moines Public Schools, this paper compares technology integration between Kofu, Japan middle schools and Des Moines, Iowa middle schools. For over twenty years the two cities have enjoyed a strong sister city relationship, participating in many annual cultural exchanges including a teacher exchange. Five Des Moines educators teach English in all the Kofu middle schools for one school year. Over the years attempts to create web based or electronic cultural exchanges have met with limited success.

This paper examines the current technology …

Connecting The Writing Process In The Science Program Through Learning Logs, Franda M. Shorey

Graduate Research Papers

Writing across the curriculum is an important trend in language programs. As children engage in the language processes within the functions of the content areas, they not only create meaning but extend their thinking-language abilities and their knowledge of science.

The writer as a third grade teacher used her students' learning logs in science as one guide to their writing instruction. This qualitative means gave much insight into students' application of writing tasks.

Interactive Health Information Web Services For Business Settings, Nadezhda Soloukhina

Graduate Research Papers

With the increase in the cost of healthcare many business in the United States are becoming self-insured or relying on managed healthcare organizations to provide healthcare. Employee wellness programs are playing a more pivotal role in the healthcare strategies of medium size to large size business. On average, according to the surveys, these companies spend $40 per employee per year on wellness programs. This research summarizes the needs to provide interactive health information services to complement employee wellness program of business in the US, and describes the procedures of developing health information kiosks.

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 Portfolios In A Second Grade English As A Second Language Classroom, Adriana Vargas

Graduate Research Papers

Student reflection in collaboration with the teacher is an important element in the describing children's involvement in the writing process and their instructional needs. Such description, or qualitative assessment, is necessary as language is a process. Several qualitative assessment techniques that support each other can further children's self-reflection, or self-evaluation, such as journaling, conferencing, and portfolio construction. These techniques can closely relate instruction and assessment. This article describes the implementation of portfolios in a second grade classroom in which English is a second language. Two students, each with different English language abilities, were selected to focus in this implementation stage.

Middle School Intramural/Co-Curricular Programs, Andrew W. Strottman

Graduate Research Papers

Schools that have used an intramural program find students benefit socially, academically, and physically from these activities. Some schools have even seen a drop in teens getting into trouble in their communities with the implementation of an intramural program. The first portion of this project was to review the literature to find out: (1) what the benefits of an intramural program are at the middle school level, (2) what grade level or levels would benefit most from a program that involves many students in activities, and (3) what students are interested in doing after school as opposed to being unsupervised …

The Administrative Role: A Reflective Essay, Donald R. Taylor

Graduate Research Papers

Like everyone, my experiences, values, and goals are the basis of what has become my philosophy of education. My philosophy of education, in turn, determines my teaching style and together they define what I believe to be the purpose of education. Knowing that philosophies tend toward the idealistic by nature, my idealistic vision is not intimidated by the challenge of administration. The purpose of this reflective paper is to identify characteristics that are essential for a successful principalship. I will also articulate what I believe about each characteristic, provide research findings to support my perspective, and discuss how I might …

The Impact Of Laptop Learning, Curt J. Valentine

Graduate Research Papers

Computers and technology are becoming more commonly used and integrated in the educational environment every day. The problem that school districts are having is providing enough computers for students and staff to use on a regular basis. Trying to give students equal access to computers is what school districts are trying to accomplish. In 1996 Microsoft launched the Anytime, Anywhere Learning program that helped students to gain equal access to computers. This program, as well as others, gave students an opportunity to take their learning to other places. Instead of just learning at school, and keeping the learning inside the …

A Learning Disabled Student's Guide To College, Julie R. Welter

Graduate Research Papers

The learning-disabled college student is a relatively recent topic in the history of postsecondary education. The passing of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 gives these students the opportunity to attend college and allows for the necessary accommodations needed to succeed. Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-112) requires that colleges make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities so that they will not be discriminated against. "The accommodations are of three general types (1) the ways in which specific courses are taught, (2) use of auxiliary aids, and (3) modifications in program requirements" (Hallahan & …

Adolescent Depression : An Overview Of The Symptoms, Causes, Assessments, And Treatment, Joanne C. Wickham

Graduate Research Papers

Adolescence is said to be the most stressful time in a person's life (Greenberg, 1989). Although the majority of adolescents adapt without much trouble, there are those who do not accept the changes as successfully as others (Greenberg, 1989). The pressures from parents, peers, school, and society can often lead to temporary periods of depression. In the 1960s, adolescent depression was unusual. However, depression in the 1990s has become the 'common cold' of mental illness (Seligman, 1995).

Improved Literacy In The Content Areas, Mauri Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

Many sixth graders struggle with the reading process. As they progress through middle school, they need to learn to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills while learning content material. This project considered the best practices for strengthening reading skills described in current literary sources. The purpose of this project was to provide middle level teachers instructional ideas designed to strengthen reading skills in the content area of social studies.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, David Kalkhoff

Graduate Research Papers

This reflective paper will address four areas, which are important components of a learning community. First, the importance of a positive school climate, and how this plays an integral part in the creation of the learning community. Second, to look at character education and a shift in discipline policies to help prepare students for our changing society. Third, a paradigm shift from extra curricular to co-curricular educational opportunities for our student body. Fourth, a look at educational leadership in developing the learning community.

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 …

Preservice Teacher Technology Competencies : Investigating Levels Of Technology Use By Preservice Teachers, Allison Y. Kenkel

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to assess and determine the current level of technology competencies in preservice teachers at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). The Teacher Education Faculty at UNI developed and adopted the Preservice Teacher Technology Competencies (Appendix A), performance-based competencies modeled on several national standards documents. Preservice teachers at three different levels in the college of education program participated in this study.

This research was conducted to measure the proficiency of preservice teachers at UNI in their use of technology, specifically the educational and classroom use of technology. Measuring preservice teachers' ability to connect their knowledge …

Implementing Response Journals In A Reading Workshop : One Teacher's Study Of The Effectiveness Of Reader Response Journals In Evaluating Individual Progress, Molly A. Knipper

Graduate Research Papers

This article reports on the development and implementation of reader response journals in a Reading Workshop. It is based on observations related to the effectiveness of response journals and self-evaluation in literacy instruction. Included in this article are descriptions of one teacher's previous reading practices, her desire for change, and the decisions she made regarding literacy instruction. The author guides readers through the steps involved in implementing a Reading Workshop, and also details the impact journaling and self-evaluation had on her literacy program.

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.

Developing A Web-Based Assessment Instrument, Robin L. Galloway

Graduate Research Papers

Public demand for affordable and quality higher education continues to pressure institutions to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning experiences. Traditional paper surveys have been utilized to gather data in the past. The World Wide Web can provide many of the same benefits in delivering a survey instrument while offering more convenience, lower costs, and a more flexible data set.

This report of the graduate project documents the process employed when developing a web-based assessment instrument. It outlines a method and procedure for connecting a web site with a FileMaker Pro database. In addition, it provides documentation for the implementation …