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Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Theses/Dissertations

2007

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Articles 31 - 60 of 80

Full-Text Articles in Education

Effects Of Advance Organizers On Learning And Retention From A Fully Web-Based Class, Baiyun Chen Jan 2007

Effects Of Advance Organizers On Learning And Retention From A Fully Web-Based Class, Baiyun Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of two kinds of advance organizers (AOs), a visual concept map and a text outline. The AOs were administered in a fully Web-based course in health care ethics. The outcome measures are students' knowledge acquisition and application in two posttests. This study was conducted through a post-test only control group design with a random assignment. The population of the study involved 166 college students who participated in this online class in their junior or senior year. The voluntary research participants were randomly assigned into the two treatment …


Characteristics Of Academic Writing In Education, Andrew Kemp Jan 2007

Characteristics Of Academic Writing In Education, Andrew Kemp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

According to Stangl (1994), Jalongo (2002), Richards and Miller (2005) and a host of other authors regarding publishing in educational journals, understanding the audience for an article is of utmost importance. Huff (1999) notes that an author must understand the audience for whom s/he writes. While much of this understanding of audience comes down to suitable topics (Silverman, 1982), articles must also fit the style of the journal to which it is being presented (Olsen, 1997). With this in mind, the purpose of this study is to characterize the writing style of academic writing in education. This research will involve …


The Impact Of Co-Teaching On Student Learning Outcomes In Secondary Social Studies Classrooms Implementing Content Enhancement R, Kimberly Zgonc Jan 2007

The Impact Of Co-Teaching On Student Learning Outcomes In Secondary Social Studies Classrooms Implementing Content Enhancement R, Kimberly Zgonc

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if differences exist in student learning outcomes between students who are instructed in a co-taught or non co-taught environment in secondary social studies classrooms implementing Content Enhancement Routines (CER). This study examined student and teacher data from seventeen matched pairs of co-taught and non co-taught middle and high school general education social studies teachers who participated in professional development in CER and professional development in co-teaching if applicable. Of the 34 participating teachers, 23 were visited by school district personnel to verify implementation of CER. Five co-teaching teams, each consisting of a …


A Study Of Gender Equality At Private And Public Two-Year And Four-Year Florida Institutions, Stacey Lazenby Malaret Jan 2007

A Study Of Gender Equality At Private And Public Two-Year And Four-Year Florida Institutions, Stacey Lazenby Malaret

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to examine the perception of gender equality from the viewpoint of women administrators at Florida public and private two- and four-year institutions. Potential respondents were chosen from American College Personnel Association and/or National Association of Student Personnel Administrators databases. The data used for this study were obtained from 32 female administrators (50% response rate) who completed a self-administered online questionnaire, distributed to potential respondents in August and September, 2007. Collected data were entered into an SPSS database. Through data analysis, confidence intervals were reported for each survey item. Comparable means were studied for each of the six …


Direct And Indirect Effects Of Selected Factors On School Grades In Public High Schools In The State Of Florida, Joseph Miller Jan 2007

Direct And Indirect Effects Of Selected Factors On School Grades In Public High Schools In The State Of Florida, Joseph Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the direct and indirect effects of selected factors on school grades in public high schools in the state of Florida. A sample of 316 public high schools was created using data obtained from the Florida Education and the Florida High School Athletic Association. The selected factors that were chosen to be measured in the study were: minority percentage as measured by the proportion of minority students in relation to the total student body at a given school, socio economic status percentage (SES) as measured by the proportion of students participating in the …


Cooperative Education As A Predictor Of Baccalaureate Degree Completion, Amanda Celeste Pacheco Jan 2007

Cooperative Education As A Predictor Of Baccalaureate Degree Completion, Amanda Celeste Pacheco

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Baccalaureate degree completion statistics are surprisingly low. National four-year graduation rates hover around 38%, and six-year graduation rates have remained steady at approximately 63% (Berkner, He, & Cataldi, 2002). At the University of Central Florida, as at many public research institutions, the numbers are even lower. Literature has emerged, however, which suggests that students who participate in cooperative education programs may experience increased motivation to continue the formal education process (Avenoso & Totoro, 1994; Schambach & Dirks, 2002; Somers, 1986). This study investigated the effect of co-op participation on undergraduate degree completion in the context of several risk factors for …


An Analysis Of Improving Student Performance Through The Use Of Registered Therapy Dogs Serving As Motivators For Reluctant Read, Julie Paradise Jan 2007

An Analysis Of Improving Student Performance Through The Use Of Registered Therapy Dogs Serving As Motivators For Reluctant Read, Julie Paradise

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This investigation studied the impact of registered therapy dogs assigned to students in order to improve reading skills. The purpose of this study was to determine if children assigned to registered therapy dogs improve significantly in reading achievement and related school performance such as attendance and discipline when compared to students of similar characteristics not assigned to registered therapy dogs. Specifically, the study used data to ascertain whether students assigned to registered therapy dogs improved their reading skills and if these students demonstrated more or less growth than students of similar characteristics not assigned to registered therapy dogs. This study …


An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Graduate Counseling Students' Perceptions Of Spirituality And Counselor Self-Ef, Sandra Pollock Jan 2007

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Graduate Counseling Students' Perceptions Of Spirituality And Counselor Self-Ef, Sandra Pollock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Counseling and psychology have experienced a conflicted relationship with the issue of spirituality over the last century. Spirituality is a construct that has been receiving more attention in counseling over the last fifteen to twenty years. More counselors and educators are affirming its place and value in the counseling relationship. Yet, there is a disparity between this and what counselors-in-training are being taught regarding spirituality, its value to clients and counselors, and its role in the counseling relationship. Very little research has been done examining spirituality and its relationship to counseling students level of confidence and competence in their work--their …


A Case Study Of The Effects Of Inquiry Based Professional Development Through The Use Of A Mentor On An Alternatively Certified, Michelle Thrift Jan 2007

A Case Study Of The Effects Of Inquiry Based Professional Development Through The Use Of A Mentor On An Alternatively Certified, Michelle Thrift

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One alternatively certified elementary teacher was the subject of this sixteen week research study on science teaching self-efficacy. The researcher taught inquiry based student level science lessons to the fourth grade teacher. The teacher participant, in turn, taught those same lessons to her class while the researcher observed and took field notes. The participant responded to specific open ended questions in a journal after each science experience and also completed three interviews with the researcher. Each sequential lesson from the researcher was then modified based on participant needs. The participant completed the STEBI (Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument) as a …


Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Counseling: The Role Of Outcome Expectations And Emotional Openness In English-Speaking C, Wendy-Lou Greenidge Jan 2007

Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Counseling: The Role Of Outcome Expectations And Emotional Openness In English-Speaking C, Wendy-Lou Greenidge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The college environment is documented as a universally stressful period where students face many challenges (Baysden, 2002; Pandit, 2003). In addition to these potential stressors, international students face other unique challenges such as loss of support network, feelings of isolation, economic hardship, coping with oftentimes competing cultures, and anxiety which emanates from unfamiliarity (Kim & Omizo, 2003; Rounds & Kline, 2005). Unsuccessful resolution of these challenges can negatively impact the acculturation process, their mental health, and their academic programs (Roysircar, 2002). Despite these many challenges, research consistently shows that international students are less likely than their US counterparts to …


Retaining Qualified Teachers Through School-Based Induction: A Study Of Elementary Schools In Two Public School Districts In Flo, Junella Handley Jan 2007

Retaining Qualified Teachers Through School-Based Induction: A Study Of Elementary Schools In Two Public School Districts In Flo, Junella Handley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine teacher induction strategies and effectiveness at the school level, specifically focusing on how the principal designed and implemented induction activities. It also investigated if the following factors influenced teacher retention: (a) number of instructional staff members, (b) number of first-year teachers, (c) number of second-year teachers, (d) number of third-year teachers, (e) principal's gender, (f) principal's age, (g) principal's highest degree earned, (h) principal's total years in education, (i) principal's years in an instructional position, (j) principal's administrative experience, (k) year the school opened, (l) student enrollment, and (m) free and reduced …


Historical Comparison Of Florida And National Title Ix Compliance Trends In High School Sports From 1985-2005, Coury Matthew Knowles Jan 2007

Historical Comparison Of Florida And National Title Ix Compliance Trends In High School Sports From 1985-2005, Coury Matthew Knowles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the Title IX compliance trends of high school sports in Florida over the past two decades (1985-2005) against national trends. The literature review discusses: the historical events leading to Title IX, the administrative implementation of Title IX, the legal perspective of Title IX, and the impact of Title IX on gender equity in sports. The study was conducted between January and June, 2007. The data focused on: male and female participants in high school sports in Florida, the numbers of male and female participants in high school sports across the nation, and …


The Effects Of Increasing Family Involvement On Student Achievement In Scientific Inquiry, Patricia Denoon Jan 2007

The Effects Of Increasing Family Involvement On Student Achievement In Scientific Inquiry, Patricia Denoon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that there is a positive correlation with student performance when there are members of the family, primarily a parent, who are actively involved with the student and their education. The following action research plan was designed to determine how increasing parental involvement affected student performance in a scientific inquiry program. This was done by offering "parenting a middle school student" workshops, encouraging family run practices at home, and inviting parents to attend a class with their student. This research was conducted in a large middle school in a central Florida school district with two 7th grade classrooms. …


Faculty Perceptions Of Alignment Ofadministrative Practices With A University Missionutilizing A Hospitality Model, Duncan Dickson Jan 2007

Faculty Perceptions Of Alignment Ofadministrative Practices With A University Missionutilizing A Hospitality Model, Duncan Dickson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of a university's faculty as to how the strategies, staffing policies, and systems procedures were aligned with the mission statement. Differences in perceptions were examined by college affiliation, rank, primary teaching assignment and gender. Data were analyzed to determine if there were correlations between faculty members' perceptions of alignment of the university's mission statement with administration's actions, policies, and procedures and their level of organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and overall satisfaction with their job and the organization The population for this study was comprised initially of 1363 teaching faculty members …


Central Florida High School Principals' Perceptions Of The Florida School Indicators Report, William Gaught Jan 2007

Central Florida High School Principals' Perceptions Of The Florida School Indicators Report, William Gaught

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions that central Florida public high school principals had regarding the Florida School Indicators Report (FSIR) and its usefulness. The FSIR, published by the Florida Education, was designed to be a comprehensive, single source document for parents, lawmakers, and school administrators to compare key performance indicators to similar schools or districts state wide. It provided information on 74 different indicators of school or district performance. A total of 70 public high school principals from 13 central Florida school districts responded to a postal survey and provided their perceptions regarding the importance …


The Effect Of An Inquiry-Based Science Curriculum On Student Attitudes And Participation, James Perlmutter Jan 2007

The Effect Of An Inquiry-Based Science Curriculum On Student Attitudes And Participation, James Perlmutter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed as a collaborative action research study and focused on the use of an inquiry-based unit in an eighth grade honors science class at a middle school with a diverse population in the southeastern portion of the United States in the Spring of 2005. The inquiry-based unit was taught through the use of the electronics unit in Full Option Science System (FOSS). The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of an inquiry based curriculum on the level of participation in, attitudes of, and academic performance of students towards science. This collaborative action research study …


The Relationship Between The Basic Skills Proficiency Of Counselor Education Master's Level Students And Client Outcome, Lorie Welsh Jan 2007

The Relationship Between The Basic Skills Proficiency Of Counselor Education Master's Level Students And Client Outcome, Lorie Welsh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A review of literature on the history of psychology and counseling revealed a limited amount of research on counselor education training programs, specifically basic skills versus client outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between counselor educator student's basic skills and the effects these skills had on client outcome. By way of a multiple regression, two independent variables, the Global Scale for Rating Helper Responses (GSRR) and the Counselor Skills and Professional Behavior Scale (CSPBS) were analyzed in relation to the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45.2). Results indicated that there was no statistical significance between basic skills and …


The Effects Of A Structured Lifestyle Intervention Program In Conjunction With Dietary Supplementation On Weight Loss And Risk F, Linda Zukley Jan 2007

The Effects Of A Structured Lifestyle Intervention Program In Conjunction With Dietary Supplementation On Weight Loss And Risk F, Linda Zukley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a structured weight loss program that included hypocaloric diet, exercise and dietary supplementation, on weight loss, metabolic syndrome risk factors and antioxidant levels in healthy overweight and obese females. Thirty-seven healthy overweight and obese women (BMI 29.5 ± 2.3 kg/m2, 41.1 ± 7.1 yrs) participated in this study. The subjects were randomized into one of two groups: an exercise, hypocaloric diet and antioxidant supplement (LifePak®; LSANT group, n=20) or an exercise, hypocaloric diet and appetite suppression supplement (HTP Complex® and TēGreen®; LSAS group, n=17). A significant weight loss occurred …


Students' Epistemological Beliefs Of Mathematics When Taught Using Traditional Versus Reform Curricula In Rural Maine High Schools, Glenn T. Colby Jan 2007

Students' Epistemological Beliefs Of Mathematics When Taught Using Traditional Versus Reform Curricula In Rural Maine High Schools, Glenn T. Colby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study compared students’ epistemological beliefs of mathematics after completing 3 years of a reform-oriented curriculum developed by the Core-Plus Mathematics Project (CPMP) versus a more traditional curriculum developed by Glencoe Mathematics. The Conceptions of Mathematics Inventory (CMI; Grouws, Howald, & Colangelo, 1996) was administered to 11th-grade students in four rural Maine high schools (n=102) to measure student beliefs of mathematics. CPMP was used as the primary textbook series in 2 of the schools, while the other 2 schools used Glencoe Mathematics. A variation of the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP; Piburn & Sawada, 2000) and teacher questionnaires were used …


Florida First Year Teachers' Perceptions Of Preparedness To Meet National Educational Technology Standards For Teachers (Net, Larry Bedenbaugh Jan 2007

Florida First Year Teachers' Perceptions Of Preparedness To Meet National Educational Technology Standards For Teachers (Net, Larry Bedenbaugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if first year teachers in Florida perceived they were adequately prepared by their preservice education programs to meet the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). The study was designed to gather data about first year teacher perceptions of personal technology proficiency and self-reported technology integration practices. The data were measured using the First Year Teacher Perceptions Related to Preparedness to Meet National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) survey instrument. The sample (N=257) for this study was drawn from the population of Florida first year PreK-12 public classroom teachers from the …


The Effects Of Prior Knowledge Activation On Learner Retention Of New Concepts In Learning Objects, Kelsey Henderson Jan 2007

The Effects Of Prior Knowledge Activation On Learner Retention Of New Concepts In Learning Objects, Kelsey Henderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Establishing relationships between a learner's prior knowledge and any new concepts he or she will be expected to learn is an important instructional activity. Learning objects are often devoid of such activities in an attempt to maintain their conciseness and reusability in a variety of instructional contexts. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of using questioning as a prior knowledge activation strategy in learning objects. Previous research on the use prior knowledge activation strategies supports their effectiveness in helping to improve learner retention. Approaches such as questioning, advance organizers, and group discussions are examples of techniques …


Online Fundraising Trends Among Selected Business Schools In The United States, Joanne Chive Jan 2007

Online Fundraising Trends Among Selected Business Schools In The United States, Joanne Chive

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many business schools in the United States have experienced a decrease in funding. To compensate for the reduced revenue and remain competitive, a number of these institutions have discovered new and creative ways to raise money, such as using the Internet. This study examined the impact that the Internet has on business school philanthropy and identified online giving trends among randomly selected AACSB International accredited institutions in the United States. A 20-item questionnaire was used to measure the results. Of the 107 business schools that participated in this study, 36.4% (n=39) raised money online. Data also revealed that 66.7% of …


The Use Of Science Reform Instructional Methods And Their Effect On 3rd Grade Students' Participation And Attitude Towards S, Heather Robinson Jan 2007

The Use Of Science Reform Instructional Methods And Their Effect On 3rd Grade Students' Participation And Attitude Towards S, Heather Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to determine whether the use of science reform instructional methods had an effect on student participation in and attitudes towards science education. The participants in this 12 week study were third grade students. Data were collected using a pre and post attitudinal survey, student journals, a participation log, and a researcher reflection journal. Several conclusions were made. The use of science reform instructional methods did affect student participation and attitudes towards science. Student journals indicated that students enjoyed the use of technology, hands-on science equipment, working in pairs or small groups and the …


A Relationship Between Career Decision And Motivation To Persist, Patricia Ann Ferguson Jan 2007

A Relationship Between Career Decision And Motivation To Persist, Patricia Ann Ferguson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During the past few decades, research on student retention has been primarily focused on the constructs of social integration, lack of financial support and academic under-preparedness (Astin, 1975; Bean & Metzner, 1985; Cabrera, 1993; Pascarella,1982; Tinto, 1975). This study examined the phenomenal occurrence of low retention due to "lack of major and career direction." The Career Decision Scale and the Achievement Motivation Profile assessments were administered to 105 students at a comprehensive community college. Six linear regressions were conducted to determine if there were statistical relationships between:(a) career decision and the motivation to persist and; (b) career indecision and the …


A Cultural Contingency Leadership Model For A Multinational Higher Education Joint Venture, Frankie Albritton Jan 2007

A Cultural Contingency Leadership Model For A Multinational Higher Education Joint Venture, Frankie Albritton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addressed the need for empirical research on the leadership of multinational virtual teams (Davis & Bryant, 2003; Early & Gibson, 2002; Ilgen, Lepine, and Hollenbeck, 1997; Prieto & Arias, 1997), particularly in the field of educational leadership (Cheng, 1995). This was accomplished through the development of a model based upon the cultural values discovered through the use of Hofstede's (1980, 2001) Values Survey Module 94 (VSM 94). As workers will bring values from their own cultures to the multinational workplace (Bochner & Hesketh, 1994), research was conducted to determine the cultural values of economics professors in the United …


The Relationship Between Admission Credentials And The Success Of Students Admitted To A Physics Doctoral Program, Teresa Wilkerson Jan 2007

The Relationship Between Admission Credentials And The Success Of Students Admitted To A Physics Doctoral Program, Teresa Wilkerson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher developed this study based on the Hardgrave, et al. (1993)statement that for a doctoral student, it was "more than just standardized scores, previous academic performance, and past work experience ultimately affects whether the candidate will be successful in the program" (p. 261). This study examined both the subjective and quantifiable aspects of application materials to a physics doctoral program to explore potential relationships between the credentials presented in the application and the ultimate success of the admitted students. The researcher developed questions with the goals of addressing the problem of attrition in doctoral programs and gaining a better …


Senior's Health Information Website: Technology Acceptance Related To Information Retention, Jane Madsen Jan 2007

Senior's Health Information Website: Technology Acceptance Related To Information Retention, Jane Madsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The formative study investigated health information for seniors on the Internet with consideration of usability of the selected system, user's perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, system use, and performance, i.e. information retention. A theoretical model was developed by the researcher, i.e. JAM's Senior Health Information Technology Acceptance Model, as an enhanced version of the traditional Davis Technology Acceptance Model. The new model provided the critical relationship between the senior health information system and other technology acceptance components. Computer self-efficacy was added to the hypothetical model to better explain the seniors' technology usage and performance. The hypotheses and the research …


The Effect Of Technology Acceptance On Undergraduate Students' Usage Of Webct As A Collaborative Tool, Huei-Hsuan Yang Jan 2007

The Effect Of Technology Acceptance On Undergraduate Students' Usage Of Webct As A Collaborative Tool, Huei-Hsuan Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to use the Technology Acceptance Model (Pan, 2003) for re-examination of the relationships between students' attitude toward the use of WebCT and the relevance of the actual usage in light of social presence and sociability. By using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by F. Davis (1989), this study focused on variables such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, computer self-efficacy, subjective norms, attitude and actual use of WebCT to account for the effect towards the achievement in the exam which is an outcome variable. The data were collected over three different time …


The Relationship Between Master's Level Counseling Practicum Students' Wellness And Client Outcomes, Elizabeth O'Brien Jan 2007

The Relationship Between Master's Level Counseling Practicum Students' Wellness And Client Outcomes, Elizabeth O'Brien

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Client outcome research focuses primarily on three specific aspects of therapy: therapist technique, client behaviors and therapeutic interaction. The term "therapeutic interaction" focuses on the relationship between the counselor and the client, and is often ignored in client outcome research. Counselor specific contributions to the therapeutic process are called therapist characteristics may be an innovative way to assess how counselors' impact clients' outcomes in counseling. For the purposes of this study administering the Five Factor Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle and the Outcome Questionnaire to master's level student counselors assessed therapist characteristics. The Outcome Questionnaire was administered to clients at a …


Marvin S. Pittman: A Historical Inquiry Of His Life, Legacy And Leadership, Pamela Frost Altman Jan 2007

Marvin S. Pittman: A Historical Inquiry Of His Life, Legacy And Leadership, Pamela Frost Altman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an inquiry into the educational leadership style of Marvin Summers Pittman, April 12, 1882-February 27, 1954. Pittman was a transformational leader with a vision to set goals that sometimes appeared to be outside the box during his time as an educational leader. Pittman introduced new and innovative programs in education, including his zone plan for teacher training, and theories for the consolidation of schools. Pittman understood that education was the tool needed to give power back to the people, and to enable them to be productive citizens. Education was Pittman's tool to bring the poor farm boy …