Education Commons^™

Research In The Use Of State Diagramming As A Communication, Diagnostic, And Descriptive Tool In Applied Educational Programs, Roger S. Coates

Masters Theses

State diagramming is a schematic communication tool used to present experimental designs or educationally-significant conditions in applied settings. In applied situations, public school teachers and students, and college students used state diagramming as an effective communication and diagnostic tool for educational programming. Four of five teachers showed rapid comprehension of classroom programs when the use of diagramming was compared to written narratives. College students described antecedent events present in familiar educational systems at a higher percentage of accuracy and total information presented almost doubled when diagrams were utilized. Training public school students in drawing state diagrams was initially successful. This …

Problem Solving Strategies Of Selected Managers, Carl James Ihlenfeld

Masters Theses

The purposes of this study were (1) to describe the problem-solving steps followed by selected managers; (2) to examine the reasons supporting problem solving behavior; and (3) to compare the managers' problem-solving processes with selected models of problem solving. Managers from metropolitan Knoxville and Johnson City, Tennessee, were chosen using non-random methods of selection. Twelve individuals were selected for study. Criteria for selection were based on job title and job description.

Personal interviews by the researcher were the primary means of data collection. The interviews were tape recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were then submitted to a method of …

Increasing The Work Rates Of Visually-Impaired, Mentally Retarded Adults Through The Treatment And Prevention Of Overselectivity (Overshadowing) And Masking, John Schwade

Masters Theses

In Experiment 1, three legally-blind, mentally retarded adults were given 10 to 12 applications of discrimination training between pairs of sequential compound stimuli with immediate tactile and delayed (3- 3.5 sec) visual elements. Sorting responses were brought under the control of these stimuli. In 29 of 33 applications, discrimination training resulted in reduced sorting rates concommittant to overselectivity (overshadowing), such that stimulus control was acquired by only delayed visual elements. Single-stimulus discrimination training (SSDT) between the previously-overshadowed immediate tactile elements produced expression of stimulus control by those elements of compound stimuli in 5 of 6 cases. SSDT with novel stimuli …

A Survey Of Graduates Of A One-Year Clerical Office Block Class —1976-1981— With Recommendations For Curriculum And Course Content Revision, Audrey Lee Watson

Masters Theses

Data were collected by means of a questionnaire sent to 92 Maple Valley Office Block students who graduated in the years 1976-1981 to determine if students are adequately prepared to acquire entry-level clerical/secretarial positions and to adjust to positions in business. Sixty-five questionnaires were returned for a 70% return.

Over 70% of the respondents were employed at the time the survey was conducted. Over 90% indicated the use of keyboarding equipment on the job. Almost 60% of the respondents used shorthand or machine transcription on the job. Frequent job responsibilities included filing, business machine usaqe, telephone usage, receiving visitors, and …

The Effects Of A Cumulative Review Procedure Upon The Acquisition And Retention Of Basic Addition Facts Under Mastery Learning Conditions, Michael Jeffrey Harshman

Masters Theses

The effects of cumulative review upon the acquisition and retention of basic addition facts were examined within a modified multielement baseline design. Subjects were two second graders enrolled in a tutorial program. After training (memorization to specific criteria) involving drill with flashcards, facts were practiced according to one of two procedures. One procedure (Interspersal Only) involved practice of newly trained facts mixed with facts known on a pretest. The other procedure (Cumulative Review) involved practice of newly trained facts mixed with facts learned during prior training sessions. The Cumulative Review condition was found to be more effective in terms of …

The Development Of A Curriculum Model For Undergraduate Education Of Manufacturing Engineers, Mark Allen Curtis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to identify course work that could be used to develop a specific unified undergraduate curriculum in manufacturing engineering technology, that both satisfies existing academic constraints and thinking, as well as industry's desire for a practical, yet highly qualified engineer.

The population surveyed was a combination of educators and industrial people with a vested interest in manufacturing engineering, from across the United States. The survey results, rating the relative importance of ninety seven different courses, were used to develop a model undergraduate curriculum in manufacturing engineering.

The findings supported the original hypothesis by showing that …

The Support And Maintenance Of A Behavioral Teaching Methodology In The Public Schools, Sheryl M. Rippee

Masters Theses

A contract study center was the site for two experiments involving the modification of teacher behavior. The Center was located in a rural high school of 300 students and 15 staff members. The Center was school-wide and utilized contingency contracting and peer tutoring in order to help students on individual academic assignments. Experiment I was conducted to examine the effects of using teachers to support and maintain the behavioral teaching methodology used in the Center. Results of Experiment I indicated that teachers were not as effective in supporting and maintaining the Center on a half time basis as University Personnel. …

Effects Of Contingency Contracting On The Academic Performance Of Special Education Students, Carolyn Marie Nock

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of contingency contracting between parent and child on improving the academic performance of three special education students, ages 14-16, enrolled in a mainstream English class. Two of the subjects had been certified as emotionally impaired, the third as learning disabled. A multiple baseline across-subjects experimental design was employed. The completion of three academic contracts per week entitled the subjects to receive a contract consequence which the parents delivered. The parents determined contract completion based on specified criteria. Academic performance was measured by grades the subjects received on homework, tests, and …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Two Different Respiratory Valves On Maximal Oxygen Uptake And Heart Rate Response Of Selected Distance Runners, Jeffry Phillip Morgan

Masters Theses

This study compared selected cardiorespiratory responses obtained from two different respiratory valves, the Modified Otis-McKerrow and the Speak Easy, a mask-type valve, during maximal graded exercise testing of eleven distance runners. The results indicated that both maximal oxygen uptake and minute ventilation were significantly different. Values for maximal VO₂ and V_E were lower with the Speak Easy by 24 and 19 percent, respectively. Further analysis revealed that those differences were significant at submaximal levels as well. The trends in those responses show that the differences increase with increasing workload. However, maximal and submaximal heart rates were not significantly …

A Report Of An Internship In The St. Joseph Public Schools St. Joseph, Michigan, Dennis David Lundgren

Masters Theses

The purpose of this report is to describe a six week internship completed in the St. Joseph Public School System. The intern worked in the area of curriculum and personnel and became familiar with the role of Director of Curriculum and Personnel. Several major tasks related to that role were completed during the internship.

Chapter I contains a brief description of St. Joseph Public Schools. The chapter includes the intern's prospectus, including a description of the internship. The chapter also contains the intern's projected nature of internship experience.

Chapter II describes the experiences and major tasks completed during the internship. …

Teaching Behavior Management Skills And Assessing Generalization To The Classroom Setting, Kathleen A. Ratchford

Masters Theses

The present study investigated the effects of written rules and videotape discrimination training on the acquisition, generalization and maintenance of behavior management skills. Three classroom aides and one special education teacher in a classroom for severely mentally impaired students were required to attain 90% mastery on a set of written rules and videotape training episodes. Data on percent correct application of behavior management techniques in the classroom setting were collected prior to and immediately following videotape discrimination training. Results indicated an increase over pretraining levels in all subjects' correct application of behavior management techniques immediately following videotape discrimination training. A …

Community Education, A Cooperative Effort, Mary Tracey

Masters Theses

The summer of 1981 was the period of an internship with the community education programs of Grandville, Jenison, and Hudsonville. It offered the opportunity to work closely with the directors of the three programs and to become actively involved in these programs. Special projects to work on were assigned in addition to the regular duties of the community education directors. One new program was introduced and put into operation during the internship; another was proposed but not accepted and referred back to a citizens ’ advisory committee. This paper will show how the three communities work together to share materials, …

A Comparison Of Hutchings' Low Stress Algorithm And Three Other Methods In Multidigit Multiplication For Calculation Speed And Accuracy, John Byron Connors

Masters Theses

High achieving fifth grade students were taught three alternate multiplication algorithms: Hutchings low stress, Gelocian lattice, and partial products (distributive algorithm using indentation). The two independent variables were the four algorithms (three alternate plus traditional) and three problem array sizes (3 x 2, 3, and 4 factors). The three dependent variables were percent accuracy, rate correct, and rate incorrect. A multi-element manipulation design across phases was used varying type of calculation procedure within sessions and type of problem array across sessions. Results showed that all three alternate algorithms were superior to the traditional algorithm on most dependent variable measures. Pre …

A Report Of An Internship In The Admissions And Counseling Office At Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Constance M. Speers

Masters Theses

This paper describes an internship which was completed in the Admissions office of a community college in Michigan. A rationale for the internship is presented in Chapter I. An outline of the prospectus objectives is also included in the first chapter. Chapter II describes the experiences encountered during the internship. Administrative experiences with the associate dean of students are related, as are those involved in the accomplishment of two special projects. These projects were: To develop a career guidance program for the college, and to investigate special characteristics of applicants who never matriculated. The third chapter analyzes the internship experience …

A Review Of An Internship With The Educational Services Department Of Bronson Methodist Hospital Kalamazoo, Michigan, Krista T. Mckay

Masters Theses

An internship is reported and analyzed with regard to the consulting skills used by the intern during her work with the personnel of a hospital training and development department.

When the intern saw problems of an educational nature in department programs, she attempted to intervene to help department personnel solve these problems. Specific incidents are reported.

The reported incidents are then analyzed in terms of the consulting stages and modes used by the intern during her interventions. The intern's problems with setting the terms of the consulting contract and selecting the appropriate consulting modes are discussed. Alternative consulting behaviors are …

The Effects Of In-School And Out-Of-School Contracting On Academic Performance, Kelly Lynn Kent

Masters Theses

While in-school contracting has repeatedly been shown to be useful in improving academic achievement and social conduct, out-of-school contracting also holds promise in the area of student behavior change. The purpose of the present study was to transfer the control of an in-school contracting procedure outside the school and into the home with low achieving middle school students. The experimenter added an out-of-school contracting procedure to an in-school contracting program already in operation. The effect of the intervention was assessed in terms of weekly grades, six-week grades, the percent of weekly assignments completed, and the percent of contracts completed per …

Design And Implementation Of Computer Assisted Instruction In Money Concepts For Elementary Students, Jack H. Bender

Masters Theses

The internship with Hartley Courseware, Inc. culminated with the creation of nine money concept programs. The programs were designed for a 48K Apple II microcomputer (trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.) with Applesoft in ROM and one disk drive. Text size was expanded through use of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium's high resolution text subroutines.

A placement program tests students' abilities and recommends the appropriate starting point. Six programs introduce information on coin values and numerous money concepts. The later programs develop sequences of actions in the purchasing process. The practice test and test programs progress through the complete purchase procedure. …

A Component Analysis Of Hutchings' Low-Stress Subtraction Algorithm With Third Grade Students, Karen J. Lascurettes

Masters Theses

This study measured the effects of what was hypothesized to be the major functional component difference between the Hutchings' low-stress subtraction algorithm and the traditional algorithm: the non-alternation of regrouping and subtraction steps. A multiple baseline design was used with two groups of third grade students. Dependent measures included rate correct, rate incorrect, percent accuracy, and types of errors made. Statistical analysis of the data failed to support the position that the non-alternation of regrouping and subtracting steps in subtraction yielded superior performances with these students. Future research in this area might investigate the inclusion of zeroes in the minuends …

The Effects Of Contracting And Self-Monitoring On The Academic Performance Of Middle School Students, Carol Elaine Parker

Masters Theses

The Guided Study Center (GSC), a contractual study center for middle school students, was described as a potential cost-effective method of individualizing education. The effects of attending the GSC, self-monitoring, and GSC attendance in conjunction with self-monitoring were examined in a multiple baseline design across seven fifth and sixth grade students. Of five subjects who participated in the contracting and self-monitoring phases of the study, three showed increases in average percent correct performance of 10 to 15 percent during contracting, one showed an increase of 8 percent during contracting in conjunction with self-monitoring, and one showed no changes in performance. …

A Comparison Of The Hutchings "Low-Stress”, Fulkerson Tens Method, And Conventional Addition Algorithms For Speed, Accuracy And Preference With Regular Education Students, Gregory N. Vaughan

Masters Theses

The differential calculation power (rate and accuracy) of three separate procedures for addition was investigated. The Hutchings' "low-stress", Fulkerson tens method. and conventional algorithms were compared on 5x7 array addition problems. The subjects were six male first semester third grade students approximately eight and one half years of age. A multielement design was used in which the three algorithms composed the multiple elements. During the last three daily sessions the students were given free choice of algorithms to use. The results indicated that the Hutchings "Low-stress" algorithm was superior to the Fulkerson tens method, which in turn was superior to …

A Planning-Budgeting System For The South Eastern Special Education Joint Agreement, George C. Dudley

Masters Theses

Special education cost studies since the mid-nineteen fifties report problems in obtaining accurate financial information relative to programs and pupils. The author addresses similiar difficulties encountered when restrictive sources of revenue are maintained as separate from the special education joint agreement budget.

This study was conducted for two purposes: (1) To develop a planning-budgeting system which would organize multi-sources of revenue into one joint agreement financial plan; and (2) To develop a planning-budgeting chart of accounts.

Five criteria were applied to the development of the planning-budgeting system: (1) It must allow for planning the total scope of joint agreement operations; …

The Effects Of Total Communication On The Expressive Language Behavior Of Individuals Labeled Trainable Mentally Retarded, Lenore Aebischer

Masters Theses

The practice of total communication in language training for non-deaf individuals labeled mentally retarded has been guided by very little empirical evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of a total communication approach facilitates an increase in the frequency of expressive language behavior in children labeled trainable mentally handicapped. The three subjects studied, one male and two females, were selected on the basis of age and I.Q. They were enrolled in a self-contained, public school which was located in a rural area of Illinois. A multi-element baseline procedure was used. Stimuli were presented using …

An Elementary Special Education Program, Community Unit District #3, Georgetown, Illinois, Nancy B. Thompson

Masters Theses

In February, 1977 Supportive Services (SS) was designed as a special education program for the elementary schools in Community Unit District #3, Georgetown, Illinois. Georgetown has 900 students in grades kindergarten through eight.

Three special education teachers developed the supportive services program with input from other district specialists who work with exceptional children. Following study sessions and writing the program, approval was sought from the director of the special education district, the school principal, and the school district superintendent. Upon request of the superintendent, the teachers presented the program to the school board for approval. After approval was received from …

An Examination Of The Verbal-Performance Differences And The Bannatyne Pattern Of The Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children-Revised, Susan Hanft Bowyer

Masters Theses

Many psychologists use the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R) in the diagnosis of learning disabilities. They often place the results of the WISC-R into either the Bannatyne pattern or use the difference between the Verbal IQ and Performance IQ to help determine whether the child is learning disabled or non-learning disabled. This paper examined the feasibility of using either of these methods in determining learning disabilities. The case files of 300 children (211 males and 89 females) between the ages of 5 years, 10 months and 17 years, 3 months (X CA = 10.73 years, SD = …

Preschoolers' Dessert Preferences And The Effects Of A Nutrition Lesson On Them, Colleen Ann Ruebke

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Proposal For The Development Of A Program Of The Use Of Microcomputers In The Red Hill School District, Paul William Tougaw

Masters Theses

In this study the current uses of microcomputers in the classroom were explored through a review of the literature and personal interviews with educators, businessmen, and computer specialists. The current innovations are examined in an effort to anticipate the technical world that students will face in the future. One must anticipate what the future needs will be to develop a program that will help the students to become contributing members of society. This study was specifically conducted to make recommendations for the uses of microcomputers in the Red Hill school district.

The report focuses on the different areas of the …

Determination Of Shorthand Enrollments And Homework Procedures In East-Central Illinois High Schools, Nancy Louise Rippy

Masters Theses

This study was an attempt to determine shorthand enrollment trends and homework procedures being utilized in secondary schools in the East-Central Illinois area. The study was conducted through a questionnaire at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, during the fall semester, 1981.

The survey instrument was given to a shorthand instructor in each high school in the East-Central Illinois area and consisted of five sections. The first section pertained to the instructors' teaching experience. The second section included information about each school's shorthand program. The third section requested information about current shorthand enrollments while the fourth section was centered around teaching …

Proposal Of Development Of A Gifted Program To Be Implemented By South Eastern Special Education, Brenda Kaye Palmer Allen

Masters Theses

Since a major purpose of American education is to meet each child's individual needs, then the intellectually gifted children require the same consideration as those who are slow learners, handicapped, economically disadvantaged, or emotionally disturbed. Research reveals that there are approximately one and one-half to two million gifted children in the United States which means that between two and three percent of the students in any given classroom fall into this category. It is an alrming fact that between ten and twenty percent of the gifted students become high school dropouts and a much larger number never attend college. Presently, …

A Community Climate Survey Of The Mattoon Community Unit #2 School District, Doug Craig

Masters Theses

School district boards of education and administrators need to constantly gather information about the attitudes and opinions of the community they serve if the true educational needs of the community are to be served. Total community consensus or opinion is preferable, but often impractical. Casual information gathered from self-selected individuals from the community is readily available, but unrepresentative and often misleading. Surveys of a selected sample of the school community can be inexpensive, practical and accurate depending on the method of information collection, the nature of the questions and the manner in which the sample is selected.

A Community Climate …

Administrative Internship In An Elementary School, Cean Kimball Cartwright

Masters Theses

Between April 23, 1980, and May 30, 1980, the writer served as intern to the principal of Mt. Zion Grade School in Mt. Zion, Illinois. The purpose of the internship was to gain a better understanding of elementary school administration and gain experiences as a building level administrator in an elementary school. During this period of time, a detailed daily log was maintained by the writer. Also, the writer was involved in the vast majority of activities of the supervising principal during this period as well as completing specific assignments as delegated by the principal.

During the field experience, the …