Education Commons^™

Identifying Struggling Readers In Middle School With Orf, Maze And Prior Year Assessment Data, Jennifer R. Allison, Evelyn S. Johnson

Early and Special Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a framework with the primary purpose of early identification and prevention of learning problems. Screening procedures identify students in need of targeted intervention, but current screening research is limited to the elementary grades. This study explored the use of screening measures: prior year assessment data, oral reading fluency (ORF), and maze, to predict performance on Georgia’s Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT-8) for 236 eighth grade students from one district in Georgia. Logistic regression analyses compared the accuracy of the predictor variables. Overall classification accuracy was 96.6% for ORF and maze and 97.1% for CRCT-7; however, this …

Exploring Factors Of Media Characteristic Influencing Flow In Learning Through Virtual Worlds, Beomkyu Choi, Youngkyun Baek

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study aims to find out factors of media characteristic which are considered to influence flow in learning through virtual worlds. One hundred ninety eight elementary students who are eleven to twelve years old participated in this study. After the exploratory factor analysis, to extract media characteristics of virtual worlds, seventy-eight elementary students who are eleven years old were used in the analysis of exploring relationships between factors influencing flow.

The results of this study show that distinct media characteristics of virtual worlds affecting engagement were labeled 'interactivity', 'representational fidelity', 'immediacy of communication', 'consistency', and 'persistence' after the exploratory factor …

Microblogging For Strengthening A Virtual Learning Community In An Online Course, Yu-Chang Hsu, Yu-Hui Ching

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper examines how a microblogging tool (i.e., Twitter) can be effectively used to strengthen a virtual learning community (VLC) in the two sections of a fully online graduate course. Students in this course were consisted of K-12 teachers, school technology specialists, corporate trainers, and military personnel. The microblogging activities were designed to allow quick peer interaction to build the momentum of social learning in the VLC. In this study, we collected quantitative data on sense of community through a Likert scale survey, and rich qualitative data on students' perception about microblogging activities. It was found that students’ sense of …

Career Changers As First-Year Teachers In Rural Schools, Sara Winstead Fry, Holly Anderson

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

The challenges novice teachers face as they adjust to inservice teaching are well documented. However, relatively little attention has been given to beginning teachers in rural schools who have had previous careers in other professions. We used qualitative methods to examine the professional experiences and perceptions of four career-changing first-year teachers in rural schools, seeking to identify significant issues in their professional developmental processes. Three primary themes emerged: evidence of effectiveness as teachers; mentoring career changers, and; adjustment to rural school and community. We conclude with implications and recommendations for educators working to support this unique population of educators in …

Niños Cultural Y Lingüisticamente Diversos: Apuntes De Una Experiencia Docente, Claudia Peralta Nash

Literacy, Language, and Culture Faculty Publications and Presentations

He regresado a California después de ausentarme varios años (cinco para ser exacta) y tomo conciencia de que los requisitos académicos e institucionales, tanto para los alumnos como para los estudiantes en práctica docente, han cambiado tremendamente. Lo que en un principio eran "ideas" de requisitos, hoy se han convertido en "requisitos" que pueden impedir la obtención de un diploma o incluso frustrar la consecución de un título profesional, como por ejemplo el de educadora.

“That’S How You Know.”: Exploring Young Children’S Roles In Meaning Construction, Anne E. Gregory, Mary Ann Cahill

Literacy, Language, and Culture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Within the classroom, literacy learning plays a central role in what children are asked to adopt to be full functioning members of the culture. Children are asked to negotiate the signs of texts, as well as those of the classroom and larger society. The process of learning to read and write, needless to say, is a complex one. Research in reading has shown that to teach children how to participate in this culture successfully, teachers must build upon what children do well in a meaningful context (Calkins, 1980; Wray, 1997) as opposed to the teaching of skills and items in …

Situational Qualities Exhibited By Exceptional Presenters, Joanna Dunlap, Patrick Lowenthal

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bad presentations are commonplace, but rather than focus on what is wrong with bad presentations, the authors looked at what makes an exceptional presentation. They referenced recent work on the aesthetic qualities of learning experiences by Patrick Parrish and others, which describe aesthetic learning experiences as those that involve learners in the right level of challenge and heightened engagement. Aesthetic learning experiences are memorable and often transformative, leaving learners with enhanced confidence and capabilities—the very definition of exceptional. By attending to the situational qualities of aesthetic learning experiences, presenters are more likely to create exceptional presentations that establish relevance and …

Ict International: Developing An “International Issues In Ict” Course, Ross A. Perkins

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Given that educational or instructional technology graduate programs are preparing students to work in a highly connected, global society, faculty should seriously consider adding a course to their curriculum that specifically examines ICT integration in educational or training contexts outside of the nation in which the course is offered. Adding a course that examines international perspectives about ICT for teaching and learning would benefit all students no matter their career trajectory, as the issues to be addressed can provide them with critical perspectives within a comparative framework. This article provides a brief overview of a course that I designed for …

Design-Grounded Assessment: A Framework And A Case Study Of Web 2.0 Practices In Higher Education, Yu-Hui Ching, Yu-Chang Hsu

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper synthesises three theoretical perspectives, including sociocultural theory, distributed cognition, and situated cognition, into a framework to guide the design and assessment of Web 2.0 practices in higher education. In addition, this paper presents a case study of Web 2.0 practices. Thirty-seven online graduate students participated in a small-group collaborative concept mapping activity using Web 2.0 applications (e.g. Webspiration) to construct sophisticated understanding of instructional design processes. The analysis of this case focuses on different assessment strategies adopted to ensure students' successful participation in such technology-rich collaborative context. This case study concludes that a shared goal needs to …

Generating Keywords Improves Metacomprehension And Self-Regulation In Elementary And Middle School Children, Anique B. H. De Bruin, Keith Thiede, Gino Camp, Joshua Redford

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Metacomprehension accuracy is typically quite poor; however, recently interventions have been developed to improve accuracy. In two experiments, we evaluated whether generating delayed keywords prior to judging comprehension improved metacomprehension accuracy for children. For sixth and seventh graders, metacomprehension accuracy was greater for the delayed-keyword condition than for a control group. By contrast, for fourth graders, accuracy did not differ across conditions. Improved metacomprehension accuracy led to improved regulation of study.

Connecting Science With Engineering: Using Inquiry And Design In A Teacher Professional Development Course, Louis S. Nadelson, Patricia Pyke, Janet Callahan, Anne Hay, Joshua Pfiester, Mark A. Emmet

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

The engineering design process has evolved over time to be the central and effective framework that engineers use to conduct their work. Logically, K-12 STEM professional development efforts have then attempted to incorporate the design process into their work. There has been little in the STEM literature, though, of the explicit measurement of the growth in design process knowledge. Our study presents findings of significant improvements in knowledge of the design process that resulted over the course of a recent summer STEM institute and professional development program among K-5 teachers.

As more emphasis is placed on integrating STEM into the …

Enhancing Preservice Elementary Teachers’ 21st Century Information And Media Literacy Skills, Sara Fry, Sara Seely

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

This two-semester pedagogical study investigated the effectiveness of an approach to information and media literacy instruction for elementary preservice teachers. Participants were trained in and then used a systematic process of searching for, evaluating, and using journal articles and websites. Two-thirds of the Semester one participants were unsuccessful identifying relevant, high-quality journal articles and ½ inaccurately evaluated the quality of websites. After three opportunities for formative assessment were added to the instruction model in Semester two, participants proficiently evaluated websites and ¾ were able to find relevant journal articles. The results demonstrate the importance of formative assessment and the need …

Navigating The Terrain Of Third Space: Tensions With/In Relationships In School-University Partnerships, Susan D. Martin, Jennifer Snow, Cheryl A. Franklin Torrez

Literacy, Language, and Culture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Using theoretical conceptions of third space and hybrid teacher education, we engaged in a collaborative self-study of our practices as university-based teacher educators working in student teaching partnership settings. We sought to understand the ways in which the hybrid teacher educator fosters and mediates relationships to work towards a collective third space. In this article, we describe the nature of relationships in our work, the tensions wrought by complexities of these relationships, and ways we negotiated tensions in order to foster relationships that productively mediated processes of teacher education. In addition, we propose a framework for moving beyond traditional notions …

Using Research-Based Practices To Increase Response Rates Of Web-Based Surveys, Ross A. Perkins

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

An office of information technology at any institution of higher education must not only maintain and extend operations and services but also innovate. Under budgetary pressures current and future, goals for support and visioning face increased scrutiny and a demand for return on investment. Decisions, therefore, must be made based on a careful accounting of an organization’s needs — the gap between "what is" and "what is not." Because IT staff serve constituents with a wide range of needs, however, these needs are not always easily identified.

The 2008 IT budget of a midsize state university on the East Coast, …

Maximizing Accessibility In Online Courses, Linda Huglin, Shannon Rist, Bob Casper

Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning Faculty Publications and Presentations

In their creation of online courses, instructional designers may inadvertently overlook the needs of learners with disabilities. However, creating accessible online courses isn’t merely a "nice to do" activity; it is required by federal law. Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, for example, specifically prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by any federal agency receiving federal funds; this includes colleges and universities.

Graduate School Learning Curves: Mcnair Scholars' Postbaccalaureate Transitions, Scott Willison, Emily Gibson

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

The federally funded Ronald B. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Program) prepares first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented college undergraduates to pursue terminal graduate degrees. This study examines 22 McNair scholars’ transitions into graduate school in an attempt to identify factors that influence alumni persistence and matriculation. The participants in this study were alumni from a mid-sized, Northwestern university's McNair Program. During interviews, participants identified significant "learning curves" experienced in graduate school. Five themes, representing 14 learning curves, emerged: academic readiness, weaving a supportive web, managing the clock, being accepted, and staying financially fit. Researchers incorporated identified learning curves into an on-line …

Youtube Across The Disciplines: A Review Of The Literature, Chareen Snelson

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

YouTube has grown to become the largest and most highly visited online video-sharing service, and interest in the educational use of YouTube has become apparent. Paralleling the rise of academic interest in YouTube is the emergence of YouTube scholarship. This article presents the results of a review of 188 peer reviewed journal articles and conference papers with "YouTube" in the title that were published between 2006 and 2009. Four questions were answered through the review of YouTube literature: (1) What is the overall distribution of publication activity for refereed journal articles and conference papers with "YouTube" in the title? (2) …

The Development Of A Content Analysis Model For Assessing Students’ Cognitive Learning In Asynchronous Online Discussions, Dazhi Yang, Jennifer C. Richardson, Brian F. French, James D. Lehman

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a content analysis model for assessing students' cognitive learning in asynchronous online discussions. It adopted a fully mixed methods design, in which qualitative and quantitative methods were employed sequentially for data analysis and interpretation. Specifically, the design was a "sequential exploratory" (QUAL→ quan) design with priority given to qualitative data and methods. Qualitative data were 800 online postings collected in two online courses. Quantitative data were 803 online postings from the same two courses but from different discussion topics and different weeks. During the qualitative process, a grounded theory approach …

Enhancing Language Learning Opportunities In Family Contexts For Young Learners With Or At Risk For Communicative Developmental Delay: An Initial Investigation, Juli Lull Pool, Deborah Russell Carter, Jack J. Hourcade

Early and Special Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Though the early years of life are critical for any child, this period may be especially crucial for young children who are at risk for or presently evidencing developmental delays. Bruder (2001) offered several rationales for the provision of early intervention. First, the earlier that children with such issues are identified and provided services, the greater the likelihood that the child will benefit. Early intervention services can reduce or eliminate developmental delays, moving children out of a risk category (e.g., from “Delayed” to “Typically developing”) (Glascoe, 2005). In addition to these immediate effects, early intervention can have a significant impact …

Response To Intervention In Middle School: A Case Story, Evelyn S. Johnson, Lori A. Smith

Early and Special Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a framework that may lead to better teaching and learning through its integration of instruction, intervention, and assessment. An increasing number of states are moving forward with RTI initiatives across grades K-12. The research base for RTI, however, is currently limited to elementary settings. Although this research can inform implementation in the middle grades, the differences in school structure and operations at these levels mean RTI at the middle level will probably look different than it does at the elementary level. This article provides an overview of RTI, focusing, particularly, on how RTI is consistent …

Program-Wide Positive Behavior Support In Preschool: Lessons For Getting Started, Deborah R. Carter, Renee K. Van Norman, Claire Tredwell

Early and Special Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

There is growing concern over the number of young children who display challenging behavior and preschool teachers are reporting children’s challenging behavior as their greatest concern. Program-wide Positive Behavior Support (PWPBS) is a promising model for supporting appropriate behavior and decreasing challenging behavior in early childhood programs. Implementation in early childhood settings is relatively new and guidance on how to implement PWPBS in early childhood settings in growing. This article documents the implementation process for an early childhood program serving children from six weeks to five years of age, shares lessons learned and offers practical advice for getting started with …

A Comparison Of Two Engineering Outreach Programs For Adolescents, Louis S. Nadelson, Janet M. Callahan

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

There is continued growth and development of outreach programs designed to increase pre-college students’ awareness and understanding of engineering as a profession and as a career. These outreach programs vary in format and in the groups targeted for participation but maintain the same fundamental goal of increasing participant knowledge of engineering. Many of these outreach programs also maintain the implicit goal of increasing the participants' knowledge and attitudes toward college. The additional resources and funding that are commonly allocated to support outreach programs frequently involve documenting accountability which motivates evaluation of program impact. Therefore, many outreach events include program evaluation …

Multicultural Literature, Literally!, Stan Steiner, Maggie Chase, Eun Hye Son

Literacy, Language, and Culture Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article is titled multicultural literature literally because we wanted to focus on literature that reflects diversity in the pictures and story lines. We felt it was important to call librarians’ and teachers’ attention to some of these books because they reflect the natural interactions across race that occur with our children and adults. The books we refer to may have the ability to break down racial discrimination in their own subtle ways if we have them available in our libraries or classrooms and share them with our patrons.

Democratic Education Only For Some: Secondary Schooling In Northern Uganda, Philip Kelly, Stephen Odama

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article analyzes the effects of the political, social and cultural contexts of secondary education in northern Uganda. Specifically, the authors examine interactions between several factors with the schooling system, including

• post-colonial curriculum,
• centralized examination system,
• several decades of war and instability,
• poverty, and
• intra-national and inter-tribal prejudice and discrimination.

Informing the analysis is the fact that Uganda is a democracy and thus has certain democratic responsibilities to its children and students. To explore these issues, the lenses of democratic theory and critical theory are employed.