Education Commons^™

West Delaware County Community School District Talented And Gifted Program Handbook, Mary Quinlan-Kelley

Graduate Research Papers

Every district should have a program handbook that describes its talented and gifted program. The West Delaware School District especially needed such a document because of the many requests for information from faculty, administration, and parents concerning such areas as identification, organization, and purpose of the talented and gifted program that arise year after year.

Program handbook development began by sending out a needs assessment to parents, teachers, administration, and students. Based on the discovery of the needs of our district, a new philosophy, format, and identification process were constructed. In addition, the development of written goals and a yearly …

Borderline Personality Disorder : Instilling Hope May Reduce Suicide, Kerry R. Sullivan

Graduate Research Papers

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric diagnosis associated with extreme behaviors including repeated suicide attempts, emotional instability, distorted thinking, and difficulty controlling impulses (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). In addition, a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse is commonly associated with BPD (Murray, 1993). This history of abuse and rigid thinking are characteristics of this disorder associated with suicide attempts (Brown & Anderson, 1991). As a result, suicidal crises are common with BPD patients. Although traditional treatment methods decrease the number of suicidal attempts, they are moderately effective in decreasing suicidal ideation (McGlashan, 1986). Suicidality is characterized by a …

Alternate Curriculum In Reading For Grade 4, Carolyn M. Wiezorek

Graduate Research Papers

Academically gifted students are in every classroom. They have a right to be challenged all day, every day. Most curriculum is aimed at the average student, leaving gifted students bored and unchallenged. It is the school's responsibility to meet the needs of these academically gifted students. By differentiating content, process, product and learning environment, teachers can enrich, challenge and better meet the needs of all students. Our district is in the process of creating alternate units for our elementary language arts program. The sixth grade is complete and a team is working on the fifth grade units. Two other teachers …

Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge And New Structures For Subject Matter Content, Corina S. Cimpoeru

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the concept of pedagogical content knowledge and its implications for teacher preparation and student's learning. The main part of this paper will focus on the necessity of structuring the subject matter in such a way that the content becomes teachable to students. Studies will be presented to analyze different subject matter structures that can be used to make the content accessible to students.

Howard Gardner's Theory Of Multiple Intelligence And The Implications For Gifted Education, Cynthia Fell

Graduate Research Papers

This article, to be submitted to the national journal, Gifted Child Today, explores how Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory (MI) specifically affects the development and delivery of gifted education. Included are discussions of the definitions on MI and giftedness programming and how each approach identification, curriculum and instruction. Three popular gifted education models are viewed through the lens of MI are Autonomous Learner Model (ALM), Talent Identification and Development in Education (TIDE) and Three Ring Conception of Giftedness.

Piaget's Sensorimotor Stage: Activities To Enhance The Cognitive Development Of Infants And Toddlers, Candice York

Graduate Research Papers

Sensory play is an effective way to encourage experimentation, even with children as young as infants and toddlers. Early childhood is the developmentally appropriate age for acquiring sensory awareness. One of the leading theorists on infant cognitive development is Jean Piaget. He referred to the first two years of life as the sensorimotor stage because at that age infants are primarily involved in explorations involving their movements and senses. Early childhood educators should analyze Piaget's work when designing a stimulating environment containing sensory-rich materials to enhance cognitive development consistent with developmental stages. This article addresses the six sub-stages of sensorimotor …

An Overview Of The Nature Of Science For K-12 Science Teachers, William J. Soesbe Iii

Graduate Research Papers

Recent publicity has emphasized the concern of American citizens over student performance in the sciences. In an effort to evaluate one aspect of kindergarten through twelfth grade curricula that may have contributed to this situation, a comprehensive review of the literature concerning the nature of science was developed into a philosophical paper. The findings are synthesized into an analysis of the nature of science that provides a broad outline of the subject and related issues. The nature of science is a way of knowing that when balanced with scientific content and processes aids in the development of scientific literacy. Nonetheless, …

Fundamental Design Considerations For Creating Web Pages, Damon Staker

Graduate Research Papers

Fundamental Design Considerations for Creating Web Pages is a graduate review paper that was written to increase awareness of the proper use of design principles and web page layout in designing school web sites. This was written in response to the increase of poorly designed web sites that are difficult to read and understand because of the use of improper text and text size, distracting backgrounds, and color combinations that do not match. Information is given as to what design considerations and background information is needed to create a web site. The use of tables and frames is compared along …

Meeting The Social And Emotional Needs Of Gifted And Talented Students, Angela Germaine

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review ofliterature was to identify the major problems gifted and talented children may face in social and emotional adjustments and how to cope with these adjustments. It also sought to document strategies by which the social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students may be met in the classroom and to delineate possible interventions that can improve their academic achievement. The review and analysis of literature revealed that two major social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students are self-discovery and an assurance that they are understood and accepted. Suggested interventions focused on the …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Elizabeth A. Wagner

Graduate Research Papers

The principalship is a collection of contradictory roles and responsibilities that requires knowledge and skills in many diverse areas. Paul Houston's (2001) description of society's expectations for a superintendent applies to the expectations for a principal as well: "The job is impossible because the expectations are unrealistic. We want one individual to be all and know all in a complex system" (p. 432). Today's principal is expected to effectively assume the roles of leader, educator, and manager (Speck, 1999), while creating "conditions that elicit the best from most students, teachers, and parents most of the time" (Barth, 1990, p. 64).

Addressing Peer Mediation : Conflict Resolution In Schools, Amy Junkermeier

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to review existing literature and research on peer mediation ip schools. A critical review is necessary due to the increasing popularity of peer mediation programs despite limited empirical evidence to support their usage. Examining the strengths and weaknesses of previous research is an important part of establishing program effectiveness and overcoming barriers to successful implementation. A critique of the research and implications for future research are also provided.

Make-It–Take-It Professional Development Training At Tri-County Child And Family Development Council, Inc., Joyce Gallentine-Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

Staff development training was integrated with peer sharing and professional renewal during the 1999-2000 school year at Tri-County Child and Family Development Council, Inc. in Waterloo, Iowa. In this training program, at each monthly meeting teaching teams made presentations on educational topics. A learning material was constructed during the workshop; the game or toy could be used in the teacher's classroom. While literacy activities for young children was a suggested theme, presenters were allowed to present on a topic of personal interest or commitment. All teachers and assistant teachers in the program were encouraged to attend the sessions. Credit for …

Parenting Styles In Society Today, Julie Hammond

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of parenting styles relative to the importance of childrearing practices. Its primary focus is to identify and examine parenting styles, which impacts childrearing methods. The authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative methods were identified with strengths and weaknesses compared.

From the comparison, it was determined that the authoritative parenting style provides the most success for childrearing in today's changing American society. The conclusion of the paper offers guidelines and suggestions to parents on establishing this childrearing method.

Non-Technical Issues Involved In Moving A College Course From The Traditional Classroom To Cyberspace, Dixie L. Mercer

Graduate Research Papers

Advances in communication technologies have rapidly led to interest in the development of online learning programs. The value of these programs is beginning to be accepted as a way of providing an alternative delivery system to students in higher education whose work schedules, family issues, or geographical location make it impractical to attend regularly scheduled classes on a college campus.

Despite the potential of online learning, online instruction is not simply a traditional class gone digital. The teaching and learning processes of traditional classes needs to be reexamined for online classes, as the technology becomes more widespread. Educators need to …

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To Science, Jennifer Bruce

Graduate Research Papers

The development of a print-rich learning environment can facilitate the integration of the curriculum. A literature base representative of the different genres can contribute to the dimensions of learning. A literature-based unit on apples provided kindergarten children with quality literature experiences and many expressive activities that extended the students' understanding of the concept of apples. The unit was presented through teacher presentations and learning centers.

Utilizing The Classroom Computer In A Special Education Setting To Facilitate Cooperative Learning: A Case Study Using Kidpix, Audrey Dieken

Graduate Research Papers

Collaboration and cooperative teaching methods have been researched since the late 70's. The research indicates students will learn from each other given the proper environment and tools. In this study, six elementary students were evaluated to examine the effects of teaching individual tasks to students and observing the students for collaboration between partners. Two students were placed side-by-side at one computer and observed by an undergraduate researcher.

The results of the observations report the students were engaged in the activity of KidPix 60-l 00% of the time. All of the students were able to complete the tasks over 95% of …

Teacher Change In Math Education, Jamie Folkers

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review addresses the process teachers go through in order to change their instructional practices in math. The purpose of this review is to compare traditional math practices with practices being advocated by reform initiatives, to look at hurdles preventing teachers from adapting these reforms, and share suggestions for removing these hurdles to allow a smoother change process for teachers.

The sources referenced come from research studies involving classroom practices and professional development programs, journal articles related to the math reform movement, and books on the same topic. They date from 1989 to 2000.

The main recommendations are as …

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To Science, Brandee M. Alexander

Graduate Research Papers

Literature can link all areas of the curriculum. Extending a literature-based language arts program to the science area can provide a rich learning environment supported by many different genres of literature and related expressive activities that contribute to the dimensions of learning.

A science unit of study on the five senses, with special emphasis on touch, for kindergarten children, was expanded through literature experiences and related expressive activities. The literature presented offered much content on the senses and models of language to nurture the children's emerging literacy. During the one-week of study, learner enthusiasm and peer interaction for reading and …

Religion And Spirituality In Counseling : A Multicultural Perspective, Linda G. Culbertson

Graduate Research Papers

As the counseling profession moves into the 21st Century a greater emphasis is being placed on multicultural and spiritual issues. It is difficult to see how the two entities can be separated. When counselors ignore that a client is Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, or Christian with the unspoken assumption that religion is irrelevant .to their issues, this may jeopardize the forming of an effective therapeutic relationship (Burke, et al., 1999). Knowledge of religion and spiritual beliefs of ethnic groups can help professionals provide care that is culturally specific and sensitive to the beliefs of the individual (Bibbins, 2000).

Using Lightspan Technology To Build School To Home Connections, Frances J. Birks

Graduate Research Papers

Family involvement in children's emerging literacy is critical to their school success. School personnel can support family literacy by becoming acquainted with families and providing home strategies and materials. Teachers can guide caregivers to the resources of the school and public libraries for books and software. Schools can off er caregivers instruction on computers as a learning tool for children.

The implementation of school computer lab sessions scheduled at night for families is described. This project was designed to 1) discover the ways families interact while using computers, 2) determine if families enjoyed using the lab together, and 3) document …

Distance Learning : Is It Worth The Investment?, S. Michelle Degabriele

Graduate Research Papers

As human knowledge expands at an exponential rate, learning is increasingly becoming a lifelong endeavor. Careers and lives in the twenty-first century require constant learning, new education, and retraining. Thus, the nontraditional adult population in universities is increasing. Institutions pondering how to cope with an increasing student population and an ever shrinking budget can examine distance learning as a possible solution. Costs and benefits must be carefully considered in the areas of institution finances, the learning process, students, and instructors.

Although many instructors gladly accept opportunities to teach in the distance learning environment, the majority of instructors still have concerns …