Education Commons^™

Eastview High School Media Center Web Page : A Graduate Project, Connie J. O'Sullivan

Graduate Research Papers

This creative project was undertaken for the purpose of constructing a web site for Eastview High School Media Center that would meet the needs of users while adhering to the highest qualities of web design. As creator of the web site, I started from the beginning. I had not designed a web page before undertaking this project. I researched the tenets of good web design, especially those particular to the field of library science. I identified my audiences and their needs. I identified and selected the best and most relevant content. I familiarized myself with Microsoft FrontPage, Eastview's standard Web …

Writing Portfolios In A First Grade Classroom, Mary J. Rezac

Graduate Research Papers

The portfolio is one of several authentic, qualitative assessment techniques used to describe children's involvement in the writing process. Portfolios provide opportunities for children to become active participants in their own learning and assessment. They can become partners with the teacher as together they assess progress and set goals for future learning.

This paper examines the implementation of writing portfolios in a first grade classroom. The focus is on two reluctant writers. Throughout the school year, they collaborated with the teacher in selecting exhibits for their portfolio collections. While engaging in the portfolio collection process, the children assessed progress and …

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 …

Is It Wise? : The Ursuline Studies Program Revisited, Connie S. Swift

Graduate Research Papers

Katherine Keough, chairwoman of the education department at Xavier University in Cincinnati is quoted in USA Today as saying, "It almost smacks of a Chinese mind, a black mind, a white mind, a female mind .... It suggests that brains are gender-specific or that knowledge is gender-specific" (Manning, 1992, p. 6A). Keough is referring to Ursuline College's use of Women's Ways of Knowing as the basis for its college core curriculum, fearing this may cause further division between men and women (Manning, 1992, p. 6A). Anne Marie Diedrich, O.S.U., Ph.D., president of Ursuline College, disagrees: We're not saying that ours …

The Civil War: An Online Unit, Liz Walgamuth

Graduate Research Papers

For my final project, I decided to do an online unit for middle school students on the Civil War (Appendix). My reasoning was twofold: I am very interested in online learning and the possibilities that it holds for students, and I saw a need for additional information on this particular subject matter in the middle school where I currently teach. In the social studies department at this particular school lecture and textbook readings are the predominate form of instruction. Because the Civil War is such an interesting topic and there is plenty of information available that includes music, poetry, diary …

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 …

Total Quality Management And Outsourcing : A New Partnership For Higher Education, Justin A. Weis

Graduate Research Papers

Colleges and universities are expected to satisfy many customers, including students, parents, communities, and employers. Institutions are being increasingly criticized for failing to produce a quality product for these customers; but for some reason, their customers continue to financially maintain the institutions. However, more than ever, many end-users (individuals who utilize an institution's services) suggest that the quality of the services offered and the graduates produced today are not meeting the minimum quality standards (Upcraft & Schuh, 1996).

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).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder : Developments In The Last Decade Concerning Causes And Treatments, Phyllis Damgaard

Graduate Research Papers

The last ten years have brought major advances in the fields of medicine and technology, advances that have illuminated many of the dark comers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This article seeks to pull together those illuminating advances, condensing the voluminous information available into comprehensive, but readable, pages. The causes of the disorder are discussed from both the scientific and psychological/social perspectives. The controversy resulting from medicating so many, so young is an integral part of this country's interest in ADHD, due largely to coverage by the popular media.

Research concerning successful treatment strategies is also discussed. Medication, behavior …

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.

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 …

Learning Technology Policies In Action : Where Do The States Stand?, Evie Charles Pugh

Graduate Research Papers

In states with technology plans, there is a common belief that technology has the power to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the learning environment of the classroom. Many states' technology policies and plans reflect a demand for information about student learning outcomes and the cost and benefits of education programs. The eight states in the North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium (NCRTEC) are: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The need for district spending in education technology, such as computer training, professional development, service/support networking, supplies, and hardware, has become a major issue …

Multicultural Counseling With Latino Youth, Amy S. Roling

Graduate Research Papers

The author of this paper examined current literature reviewing Latino youth issues and considerations in counseling this population. First, the author will discuss the importance of multicultural counseling education in counselor training programs. Considerations and factors will then be identified for working specifically with Latino youth. Next, the risk of low academic achievement for Latino youth will be discussed. Then, the author will explore assessing and diagnosing members of the Latino population. Finally, she will describe conclusions about current research and implications for future counselors.

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.

Reading Portfolios In A First Grade Classroom, Donna L. Lowe

Graduate Research Papers

The current move toward authentic assessment encourages teachers to use qualitative methods in evaluating children's reading. One such method is the use of portfolios. This method empowers children and teachers with control over goals and methods of instruction. Students take responsibility in collaboration with the teacher for establishing the goals for their own learning. Thus, portfolios can link instruction and assessment more closely.

The following discussion describes the implementation of reading portfolios in a first grade classroom. The portfolio development of two students was focused on in this implementation stage. The students were chosen because of their strong interest in …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Marla Marie Padget

Graduate Research Papers

The education system in the United States is changing rapidly. The role of teachers, administrators, parents and the community within this system should also change. This paper will examine my philosophy, experiences, preparation for leadership, and vision for creating a positive future for this nation through better education for our children.

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.

Creating A Web Page For Centerville High School, Catherine Lechtenberg

Graduate Research Papers

The paper discusses the process taken to create a web site for Centerville High School. The audience for this web site includes current students, community members, and prospective families and business people. Information was collected regarding the resources, content, environment, and learners. The Applied Communications students worked in pairs to create several pages which include high school information, current fads, an opinion page, calendar of events, sports page, student spotlights, and faculty with their teaching assignments. The students would collect the information during the week so every Friday, in class, the groups would work on their section of the web …

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!

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 …