Education Commons^™

Parental Involvement In Education, Linda Louise Fletke

Masters Theses

Research has shown that parental involvement is essential to a child’s educational success. This thesis document addresses the important role that parents play in their child’s educational experience.

This paper includes a thorough review of the existing literature regarding parental involvement in education as well as original research conducted by the author. Three questionnaires - one for parents, one for teachers, and one for students - were created and then an average of 100 parents, teachers, and students responded to each respective survey. All of the data were then analyzed and recommendations were made.

There are numerous strategies for teachers …

Reading Comprehension Needs Of Students With Learning Disabilities In An Inclusion Setting: Class-Wide Peer Tutoring With A Summarization Strategy, Jeffrey A. Vandyke

Masters Theses

Many challenges face educators as they attempt to meet the needs of increasingly diverse students in general education settings. Students with learning disabilities are among them. Meeting the specific reading needs of such students within general education settings is one such challenge. This study reviews the literature on summarization and class-wide peer tutoring as they effect students with learning disabilities. This study also examines the strategy of summarization coupled with class-wide peer tutoring as a program to address reading comprehension needs of upper elementary learning disabled and non-disabled students in an inclusion setting. An experiment is performed and results are …

Inclusion: An Overview Of Working Models, Robertta Ruth Devries

Masters Theses

Increasingly, students with disabilities are being placed in general education classroom; defined as inclusion, to be educated with students without disabilities. Proponents such as parents, professionals, economists, researchers, and the general public are recommending a change in the continuum of services and a move toward a more integrated setting. Supporters proclaim: (a) special education is discriminating because it segregates students, (b) combining special education with general education will decrease the ever expanding budget, and (c) the American educational system is lacking and a “higher quality” education is essential. But, current research is not proving inclusion is a positive move forward …

Effects Of Auditory Oral Patterns As An Intervention For Expressive Language With Students With Disabilities, Scott Riley Swinehart

Masters Theses

The effects of using Auditory Oral Patterns to remediate expressive language in students with learning disabilities w as examined in a cross categorical classroom. Ten students with special education needs were in the study. Six of the students were labeled a s learning disabled, three of the students were labeled as educable mentally impaired, one student was labeled as emotionally impaired, and one student was labeled as autistically impaired. Four of the students in the study also had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Quantitative results of the study showed an increase in average words per sentence in oral expressive language for …

The Effects Of Teaching Two Syllable Types And One Syllabication Rule On The Spelling Achievement Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Tracey Ellen Taylor

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether teaching two syllable types and one syllabication rule in a reading program would affect the spelling achievement of students with learning disabilities. Seven fifth-grade students with learning disabilities from western-lower Michigan participated in this study. The intervention involved teaching the closed syllable and silent-e syllable in conjunction with the VC/CV syllabication rule. During the closed syllable phase and the silent-e phase, the students were given a ten word spelling test on Monday of each week. To determine spelling achievement, the students were evaluated for both word accuracy and syllable accuracy. The …

Is The Educational Level Of Technology Coordinators Aligned With International Standards?, Keith Alan Platte

Masters Theses

School districts that employ technology coordinators have not fully implemented standards set by the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) for technology coordinators. This research examines the role of the technology coordinator, the ISTE standards for technology coordinators, graduate programs available to technology coordinators, and job descriptions of technology coordinators. This research also includes the results of a self-assessment survey of technology coordinators in southwest Michigan. The average proficiency of technology coordinators on select ISTE benchmarks is 2.54 on a 3.0 scale (3.0 is proficient). However, their proficiency level is considerably lower when most of their skills are attained …

An Examination Of Students' Beliefs About Intelligence And Self-Talk Patterns, Mary Musto

Masters Theses

The relationship between students’ beliefs about intelligence and the type of self-talk used was examined among two students with learning disabilities who were identified as having a helplessness profile. Both students viewed intelligence as a static entity and demonstrated a lack of will to learn. Additionally, these students practiced the most negative type of self-talk about their ability when undertaking difficult learning tasks. The students were taught about theories of intelligence and the effects of negative self-talk on their classroom behavior. The results indicated that teaching students about the incremental view of intelligence and the self-talk model may enhance their …

Geographic Information Systems In High School Geography Education: A Feasibility Study, C. Sonia Wardley

Masters Theses

This research focused on three aspects of the integration of GIS into the high school curriculum. Firstly, the investigation strove to demonstrate how GIS could enrich the high school geography curriculum in Michigan. Secondly, GIS software programs were evaluated for suitability using three techniques, and thirdly, the study area high schools were assessed for their technological capabilities relative to GIS.

The pedagogical and cognitive benefits of using GIS as a tool were established _ from the pertinent literature and the feasibility of incorporating GIS into the curriculum was examined with the reference to the Michigan geography content standards and benchmarks. …

Flying Universities: Educational Movements In Poland 1882-1905 And 1977-1981, A Socio-Historical Analysis, Gregory A. Lukasik

Masters Theses

In Poland in 1977, a group of intellectuals formed an independent educational enterprise under the name "Flying University." Interestingly, the original "Flying University" was organized by a group of radical professors nearly a century earlier, at a time when the Polish state disappeared from the political map of Europe. I was interested in seeing whether the two were the same, as their common name would suggest, or if they differed in any respect. I attempted to answer this question by focusing on the so-called universities' memberships, ideologies, and objectives.

I have followed the method of interpretive historical sociology (Skocpol, 1979) …

From Socrates To Leonardo: Integrating Education In The European Union, Kara P. Wegener

Masters Theses

This thesis examines French education policy in response to European Union (EU) initiatives since the 1970's. It demonstrates that policy-making at the EU and national level have both supported decentralization, i.e. supranational and national policies encourage more regional development and local decision-making. A new model, termed "Europeanization," accounts for the new regionalism and multi-level governance in the EU. The three hypotheses tested in this thesis claim that if French higher education is becoming europeanized, then the number of actors involved in policy-making will increase, funding for higher education will become more diversified, and participation rates of regional universities will grow. …

The Implications Of Mastery Learning For Special Education Learning Disabled And Emotionally Impaired Students And Teachers, Debra S. Brink

Masters Theses

This study was done to investigate an approach to teaching and learning that would provide more appropriate instruction for teachers and individualized help for learning disabled and emotionally impaired students. Mastery Learning has been implemented in many programs for a number of years. It has proven to be an effective approach used in general education . Our curriculum committee wanted to investigate the possibility of implementing Mastery Learning into our special education school program. Staff members overwhelmingly agreed that Mastery Learning should be a challenge to pursue beginning in the summer of 1997. Guidelines as to background information, the components …

Comparative Analysis Of Walking Patterns With Flip-Flops Between American And Japanese Males, Ko Tada

Masters Theses

The problem was to compare the kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographical (EMG) aspects of walking gait while wearing flip-flops and barefoot between American and Japanese males, aged 20 to 25 years. Results indicated: (a) American stride lengths were greater than Japanese, although the results were not statistically significant; (b) Japanese ankle angle was smaller than Americans' for toe-off for barefoot, and foot strike for flip-flops; (c) the Japanese decreased the ankle angle from foot strike to toe-off, the Americans increased; (d) the Americans' foot angle was significantly different between barefoot and flip-flops; (e) the biceps femoris showed a significant difference in …

The Effect Of Step Height And Upper Body Involvement On Oxygen Consumption And Energy Expenditure During Step Aerobics, Heidi A. Riker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of step height and arm involvement on oxygen consumption (VO2), VO2 as a percentage of VO2max, and energy cost during step aerobics. VO2 and Respiratory Exchange Ratio were measured as 12 subjects completed 6 experimental conditions, which consisted of 3 step heights, 4, 6, and 8 in., and 2 arm conditions, with and without arms. Measured VO2 values were also analyzed as a percentage of maximal oxygen consumption to determine if subjects were within the ACSM recommended range of 50% to 85% of VO2max. ANOVAs revealed significant differences in each …

An Emg Analysis Of Five Abdominal Exercises, Teresa E. Brady

Masters Theses

The problem of this study was to compare the basic crunch, Ab Roller Plus, EZ-Krunch, and Resist-A-Ball abdominal exercises. For the Resist-A-Ball, a beginner and advanced abdominal exercise were measured. Subjects performed 5 repetitions of each of the 5 exercises and the 4th repetition of each exercise was analyzed. The dependent variables were peak EMG and time to peak EMG of the rectus abdominis; time spent in the concentric, coupling, and eccentric phases; range of motion for the low back, hip, and trunk; and EMG activity of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and biceps brachii. The results indicated …

The Effect Of The Hapad Longitudinal Metatarsal Arch Pad On Ground Reaction Forces And Rear Foot Angle, William F. Rocker

Masters Theses

The effectiveness of the Hapad Longitudinal Metatarsal Arch Pad (HLMAP) to correct for pronation was investigated using 30 female volunteer student subjects. The investigation consisted of measuring ground reaction forces measured by a force plate and rear foot angle (RFA) measured by video digitization. The repeated measures design consisted of l grouping variable with 3 levels, supinators, mildpronators, and over pronators, and 2 research variables, 10 trials, and pad/no-pad. The results indicated (a) no significant difference for medial or lateral force, propulsive force, vertic al thrust, negative torque among groups, or between pad/no-pad; (b) a significant difference was found for …

Implementation Of A Middle School Team Model: A Case Study, Deborah S. Lehmann

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that a paradigm shift from a junior high departmental model to a middle school team model had in one rural mid-western school district. The relationship between professional development in collaborative teaming and teaching, and the effective use of these skills, was studied. The researcher took the role of participant observer in order to obtain an inside view of the school for this case study. Participants were observed during team meetings and completed a questionnaire that addressed the identified variables related to interdisciplinary teaming, collaborative teaching, professional development, and administrative support. …

Automated Accounting: Are Computers Being Used In Accounting I?, Janet G. Johnson

Masters Theses

Continuous improvement in the accounting curriculum is needed to prepare students for the technology-based workplace of today's business world. Literature available indicated that using computers in the accounting curriculum, is one essential tool available to students. This study examined the professional opinions and teaching practices of community college and secondary educators in Illinois. A survey was used as the research instrument. There were 148 participants in the study. The purpose of the study was to determine if computers were being used by accounting instructors in Accounting I and when they felt computers should be integrated into their accounting curricula. The …

A Study Of The Perceptions Of School Administrators Regarding The Current Condition Of Public Schools In Illinois South Of I-80, Myrtle A. Carey

Masters Theses

The intent of the study was to collect data concerning the perceptions of Illinois public school administrators in districts south of Interstate 80 in the following areas:

1. Current condition of educational facilities.

2. Funding sources available for renovation of facilities.

3. Strategies of the district to address deterioration of school buildings.

4. The impact of the current building conditions on the educational process.

Results were obtained through the use of a questionnaire sent to 170 administrators who were responsible for educational structures. One hundred and twenty-one administrators returned the questionnaire for a response rate of 71%. Respondents indicated that …

Asynchronous Distance Learning Technology: The Instructor's Perspective, Earl Alexander Evans

Masters Theses

"Advances in communications, computer technology and human-computer interfaces have enabled concurrent advances in Web-based education. A number of case studies concerning applications of Web-based education for both distance learning and on-campus programs have been published. Primarily, these studies have focused on individual assessments of the Web-based technologies. In addition, these published studies have generally highlighted the successes while little discussion about failed attempts has been presented in the literature.

In contrast, this thesis provides a broad-based assessment of applied Web technology for higher education. This research was conducted via a survey completed by twenty five university and college faculty from …

The Perceptions Students Have About Transitioning From A Small Rural K-8 School District (Tamaroa) To A Larger Community High School (Pinckneyville) In Southern Illinois, Robert J. Hamerski

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study was to ascertain the perceptions of former Tamaroa, Illinois, Grade School students regarding their transition to Pinckneyville High School. The research questions were:

1. How successful were former Tamaroa Grade School eighth graders at Pinckneyville High School as evidenced by perceived high school academic standing?

2. What are the perceptions of former Tamaroa Grade School students regarding issues related to the importance of completing high school?

3. What are the perceptions of former Tamaroa Grade School students attending Pinckneyville High School regarding adjustments needed to perform well academically in high school and graduating?

4. …

Perceptions Of Parents Of Elementary Students In Paris Union School District #95, Paris, Illinois, Regarding Curriculum Trends, Instructional Techniques, And Support Services, Lorraine A. Bailey

Masters Theses

The purpose of the field study was to ascertain the perceptions of parents of elementary students in grades K-5 in Paris Union School District #95, Paris, Illinois, regarding curriculum areas, instructional techniques, and support services. Addressing these areas was believed to be one important component in the process of determining the extent of the need for new or remodeled facilities at the elementary level in the district.

The researcher believed facilities of the future may be significantly different from their predecessors depending upon the nature and extent of curriculum changes. Before new facilities were proposed for Paris Union School District …

Referral Biases In The Schools, Camela P. Hayes

Masters Theses

Biases influencing teachers' referral decisions for special education services were examined. Specific biases identified and addressed pertained to students' type of problem behavior, gender and socio-economic status (SES). Subjects included 120 regular elementary school teachers from the western Chicagoland area. A total of 8 vignettes describing a child with varying behavior difficulties, gender and SES, along with 2 questionnaires were utilized. An Analysis of Variance revealed that teachers are less tolerant of students who are disruptive and are more apt to refer them than students with emotional difficulties less overt in their manifestation. The effects of SES on referral decisions …

A Study Of The Potential Need, Location, And Cost Of An Addition To St. Joseph-Ogden High School, James M. Acklin

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to address the problem of the growing student population and potential overcrowding of St. Joseph-Ogden High School. It examined the extent of need, best location, and estimated cost of an addition to the high school. The extent of need was established by determining the assignable space percentage, the functional capacity, and the future enrollment of the high school. The best location was established by determining educational, classroom, and square footage needs and then determining what available property would satisfy those needs. The construction cost was established by multiplying the total square footage of the proposed addition …

Perceived Effectiveness Of Audiographic Distance Education In Three Central Illinois High Schools, Kenneth R. Reed

Masters Theses

Audiographic conferencing is a distance education practice being used in schools. Audiographic conferencing utilizes hardware and software to provide interactive audio and data transmission between locations. This study was conducted to assess the perceived effectiveness of the components of audiographic distance education by teachers and students in three Central Illinois High Schools involved in utilizing audiographics as a delivery system in terms of hardware, software, teaching techniques, appropriateness of course content, delivery system, and student achievement.

The study took place during the 1994-95, 1995-96 and 1996-97 school years utilizing a survey of a population of teachers and students involved in …

Differential Perceptions Of A Midwestern University Counseling Center, Michele A. Melvin

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine how the role of a Midwestern university Counseling Center is perceived by select university populations. The null hypothesis stated that no significant differences would exist among groups in their perceptions of the appropriateness of various student concerns for discussion at the Counseling Center. Responses were gathered through a written survey, which was a version of the Counseling Appropriateness Checklist (CACL). The instrument consisted of 60 items related to student issues and one item regarding familiarity with Counseling Center services. It was revised by this writer and three university professors of a graduate …

Ready Or Not? A Qualitative Study Of The Perceived Effects Of Training On A Residence Hall Director's Job Satisfaction, Confidence Level, And Social Connectedness, Linda R. Kenyon

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to demonstrate the need for quality training in the Residence Life setting at Eastern Illinois University. The study was also intended to assess the effects of training on a new Residence Hall Director's (RHD) job satisfaction, social connectedness, and confidence level. Personal interviews were conducted with two different groups of new staff members who participated in the Residence Hall Director training program at Eastern Illinois University.

The 1995 cohort of interviewees (n=5) participated in the Fall, 1995 RHD training program. Interviews were designed to elicit feedback from trainees about their perception of the …

A Resource Document For The Development Of An Alternative Education Program For Disruptive Youth, Deborah Claunch

Masters Theses

This qualitative study developed a model for an alternative education program for disruptive students in grades 6 through 8 in Franklin and Williamson Counties in Southern Illinois. It was facilitated by the issuance of grant funds to the Regional Offices of Education by the Illinois State Board of Education under the Safe Schools Act of 1995.

The desire of the researcher was to develop a program that would lead to changes in behaviors, promote academic achievement, and return students to the regular school environment with fewer incidents of misbehavior. The outcomes of this qualitative study resulted in a comprehensive resource …

Integrating Student Expectations Into Writing Center Theory And Practice, Mary J. Bonevelle

Masters Theses

When students go to a writing center to be tutored, they expect a certain type of instruction based on their prior experiences. Many students are perplexed to find that the parameters of writing center instruction are quite different than they anticipated. The resulting conflict between student expectations and actual center methods often induces tensions which can impede the effectiveness tutorial instruction. This thesis explores the basis of student expectations, strategies for addressing student expectations in practice, and the importance of acknowledging these expectations in writing center theory.

Chapter 1 discusses the incongruous relationship between writing center theory and practice and …

Florence Mcafee: Her Life And Professional Contributions To Physical Education At Eastern Illinois University, Julie Irene Smith

Masters Theses

This study reflects on the life and professional contributions of Florence Geikler McAfee. The study explores the impact Miss McAfee had on the development of the Physical Education curriculum and the department at Eastern Illinois University. Finally, this study comments on the effect Florence McAfee had on the Physical Education students and staff. Miss Florence McAfee came to Eastern, then known as Eastern Illinois Teachers College, in 1924 and was a member of its faculty until her retirement in 1962. She was the Head of the Women's Physical Education Department for twenty-seven years. Miss McAfee served as the only women's …

An Investigation Of Block Scheduling In Illinois High Schools, Bruce Owen

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.