Education Commons^™

Me, Myself, And I: The Impact Of Metacognitive Strategies On Student Locus Of Control And Critical Thinking Skills, Danielle Kuchler

All Master's Theses

We live in an era when a college degree is essentially required for entry into good-paying careers, and yet achievement of a college degree is unacceptably low. Only 60% of students who enroll go on to graduate from 4-year colleges and universities in 6 years or fewer (National Center for Higher Education 2018). Why is this happening? What are the long-term intellectual and economic implications of ill-prepared students? We must ask ourselves if students are really prepared with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be successful in college and whether those attributes are developed while in college. Two of the …

The Challenges For A Closed-To-The-Public Animal Sanctuary: Prioritizing Animal Welfare While Engaging In Educational Community Outreach, Lisa Tweed

All Master's Theses

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest is a small primate sanctuary in Cle Elum, Washington, and is presently home to seven chimpanzees who were retired from biomedical research. I used this sanctuary as a case study to find out how a closed-to-the-public sanctuary can engage in educational outreach without compromising the welfare of the residents. I employed a combination of semi-structured interviews of sanctuary personnel, ethnographic participant-observation as a volunteer caregiver, and an online survey offered to the local community to help me understand the goals and limitations of sanctuaries. I also designed and conducted two educational programs for local area schools as …

Do Homework Trackers Affect Students’ Academic Performance?, Luisdaniel Barrera

All Master's Theses

With new state assessment requirements for high school graduation, teachers are focusing on different strategies to assist students to achieve those goals. Many teachers state that students who complete homework perform better academically. The current study analyzed whether homework planners (trackers) had any positive effect on the academic performance of 16 seventh grade students in a very small and rural school district. This was a mixed study (quantitative and qualitative). Students’ grades, district assessments, state assessments, and teacher surveys were analyzed. The results showed that students improved their math and English Language Arts (ELA) district assessment scores when compared from …

Teachers' Handbook For Using Picture Books To Promote/Reinforce Mathematical Concepts In The Early Primary Grades, Andrea Lynn Bannister

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper was to design a handbook for early primary grade teachers interested in using picture books to promote/reinforce mathematics. The handbook includes ten lessons based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards, 2000.

Energy Education Materials For Elementary School, Marcia Keizer Fraser

All Master's Theses

The materials created introduce intermediate elementary level children to a selected basic energy vocabulary and to concepts of energy-environment inter-relations. The approach is multi-dimensional, employing a slide tape presentation, posters, charts, and vocabulary cards. Energy concepts and vocabulary are repeated through the various media forms as a means to reinforce learning. The content tone is deliberately positive so that in the process of gaining knowledge about energy issues, children will feel successful, encouraging further achievement in the area of energy education.

Community And School Involvement In Model Rocketry Instruction Including Suggestions For Efficient Model Rocket Construction, Helen Joyce Frizzell

All Master's Theses

This paper presents the pilot-study of conducting model rocketry classes for parents and youth leaders as well as students and teachers to broaden involvement in aerospace education. Ideas gleaned from questionnaires, surveys, observations, and the review of literature were used to compile A Handbook of Tins for the Efficient Construction and Use of Model Rockets.

A slide presentation illustrating school and community involvement in model rocketry was also developed.

Recommendations included more model rocketry classes involving students and adults be offered and suggested that an appropriate organization publish and distribute the handbook and slide presentation.

Traditional Vs. Individualized Fifth And Sixth Grade Arithmetic Program, Donald Paul Giaudrone

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparative study involving two methods of arithmetic instruction for fifth and sixth grade students. Thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using a traditional approach and thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using an individualized approach. Each group was divided into high, average, and low ability students and between group achievements compared at the end of an eight month period with encouraging results. Evaluation and statistical analysis followed. The findings were discussed and recommendations offered for further study.

A Comparative Investigation Of The Effects Of Frequent Testing Upon Achievement In Secondary Advanced Algebra, John Thomas Fullerton

All Master's Theses

Relatively speaking, few studies have concerned themselves with the problem of frequent testing, and as Keys pointed out, empirical evidence, uncomplicated by differences in the amount of testing material employed, on the effects of frequent testing is, at best, scarce (14:427). Also many studies used tests and test results for direct instruction, thus introducing additional variables. Furthermore, the choice of subjects and disciplines has been limited, the better part being taken from college psychology and sociology classes or high school science classes. This investigation was not an attempt to modify previous experiments, nor was it an attempt to identify which …

Production Of A Video Tape Recorded Supplement For Use In Teaching Electrical Tuned Circuit Theory, William A. Carlson

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a sample of the proceedures utilized to produce a video tape recorded suppliment for use in teaching electrical tuned circuit theory. It is designed so that it could be used as a ready reference for anyone desiring to make a video tape recorded teaching aid. A recomendation is that, with the advent of the simplified video tape recorder, every teacher should become as practiced in its operation and utilization as he now is with the film projector.

A Comparative Investigation Of Understanding Of Ecological Content Between Eighth And Tenth Grade Pupils, David Lee Herbenson

All Master's Theses

The study had two major purposes. One purpose was to determine if Covington Junior High School eighth grade pupils understood the basic ecological ideas and facts presented to them in a teacher-designed one semester course entitled Environmental Concepts Orientation (ECO). The second purpose was to find out the degree of competence attained by the eighth grade pupils as compared to tenth grade pupils taking a one year ecologically oriented course in the nationally developed Green Version BSCS biology series at Camas, Washington.

An Evaluation Of An Early Introduction Of Algebra I To Junior High School Students On An Extended Basis, Ralph H. Peterson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the program of mathematics for eighth grade students that provides for an early introduction to Algebra I. The study will (1) gather evidence needed upon which to base a decision to continue the type of grouping described above, and (2) gather evidence to determine changes in the students' attitudes and interest concerning mathematics in general.

Final Examination Scores In Algebra As A Function Of Retesting, Otto Francis Ruud

All Master's Theses

Many teachers as well as students feel that our system of evaluation is far from perfect, but these same people have offered no alternative workable plan which would in whole or in part relieve the objections. Hopefully this study will demonstrate a philosophy of the teaching of mathematics in conjunction with a companion plan of evaluation which will relieve many of the basic objections while at the same time produce more learning. The philosophy that a more cooperative attitude in regard to assignments, testing, and make-up work are more conducive to learning is the basic aspect of this study. It …

The Development And Implementation Of An Auto-Tutorial Approach To Trade Mathematics, Warren Dwight Monroe

All Master's Theses

The problem of this thesis deals with the instruction of trade mathematics. The major problem involves teaching trade mathematics to a heterogeneous group of technical students. The final outcome must be students mathematically competent to function in their chosen technical area. The method of instruction must be flexible enough to allow for individual differences. The mode of instruction must be able to accept the student where he is mathematically and take him to where he needs to go. The procedure used to solve this thesis problem is the auto-tutorial method of instruction. The solution involved the development of performance objectives, …

The Level Of Mathematical Understanding Possessed By Prospective Elementary Teachers, William Dean Vodarski

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to determine the level of mathematical understanding possessed by prospective elementary teachers graduating from Central Washington State College. It was also the purpose to determine if the measured level of mathematical understanding is related to such factors as sex, education classes completed, mathematics classes completed, and grade level of student teaching.

An Evaluation Of Three Techniques For The Quantitative Sampling Of Marsh Invertebrates, John T. Falkenbury

All Master's Theses

The present study was designed to develop, compare, and evaluate three methods for quantitatively sampling the invertebrate standing crop on the water surface of dense cattail (Typha latifolia) marshes at 19 sites around the periphery of Caliche Lake in Grant County, Washington.

Cauchy Extensions Of Integrals, Donald Wayne Carlton

All Master's Theses

This paper presents some ideas on a different approach to the teaching of integral calculus. The method presented here, though simple in nature, requires little alteration when new topics such as probability and series are developed.

A Survey Of Aerospace Education In Grades Nine Through Twelve In The State Of Washington, Judith Ann Isaac

All Master's Theses

The purposes of this study were: (1) to survey the incidence of aerospace education in grades nine through twelve of Washington State schools, (2) to discover what courses and units include such education in the curriculum, (3) to determine who the teachers are, and the nature of their preparation, (4) to gain a description of what kind of education is attempted under this heading, and (5) to discover what the opportunities are for expanded aerospace education within the schools surveyed.

A Readability Survey Of The Science Textbooks Used In University Place Elementary School, District No. 83, Melvin Hans Jangard

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) the readability of an intermediate series of science textbooks, Concepts in Science, published by Harcourt, Brace and World; 2) if the text was readable for the students at University Place Elementary School near Tacoma, Washington; 3) whether the gradation or slope of difficulty rises progressively from the beginning of the book to the ending of the book.

A Survey Of Changing Of Units Of Measure In First Grade Through Eighth Grade Mathematics Materials, Thomas E. Anderson

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study (1) to compare the ability of eighth grade students to change units of measure in the English system and in a fictional system of measurement; (2) to survey four mathematics textbook series, grades one through six, and four series, grades seven and eight, on changing of units of measure; and (3) to survey three college level textbooks, which could possibly be utilized in an arithmetic methods course, to see how changing of units of measure is suggested to be taught to children.

A Comparison Of The Iowa Tests Of Educational Development With Student Achievement As Predictors Of Future Student Success In Mathematics, William Henry Patrick

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study (1) to compare ninth grade algebra grades with grades achieved in future mathematics courses; (2) to compare scores achieved on the ITED with grades achieved in future mathematics courses; and (J) to determine whether the ITED or past student achievement was the better predictor of future student success in mathematics.

An Analysis Of The Modern Mathematics Program In Grades Four Through Eight Of The Cashmere School System, Janice Ferrill Irle

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze the modern mathematics program of the fourth through eighth grades of the Cashmere School District, Cashmere, Washington.

A Comparative Investigation Of The Effects Of Precision Of Response In Two Ninth Grade Algebra Classes, James Henry Krack

All Master's Theses

One of the areas of concern in mathematics education is that of communication of ideas and procedures. Since language plays the key role in the communication process, it is of value to examine its effect in the mathematics learning situation. The particular topic discussed in this paper concerned itself with various levels of precision in language usage in the mathematics classroom.

A Comparison Of The Mathematical Achievement Attained Using Two Methods Of Teaching First Year Algebra To Alaskan Native High School Students, Jerry E. Burgett

All Master's Theses

The major purpose of the study was to compare two different methods of teaching first year algebra to Alaskan Native high school students. The basis for comparison was their effect on mathematical achievement.

An Experimental Study Of Two Methods Of Teaching Mathematics In Second Grade, Nina Aldridge Thomas

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to compare two methods of teaching arithmetic in the second grade, an individualized method and a one group method, to determine if there were any differences in the achievement made by the two groups.

An Experiment In Improving The Attitude And Achievement Of Students In Mathematics By Using Behavioral Objectives, Joseph Bruce Fleming

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to test whether behaviorally stated objectives would effect a change of attitude toward mathematics while improving students' achievement in mathematics. The investigation was conducted by means of a comparison of an experimental group that received individually written behavioral objectives in mathematics and a control group.

An Investigation Of Mikusinski’S Operational Calculus, Darwin Chester Hahn

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was development of a field of Mikusinski operators in calculus.

Mathematics Text Evaluation For The Intermediate Grades, Frank R. Naasz

All Master's Theses

It was felt that the present means for selecting mathematics textbooks for use in the classroom at the intermediate level were inadequate. Therefore, the development of a mathematics textbook evaluation device might benefit those responsible for assisting in the evaluation and selection of mathematics textbooks.

A Study Comparing The Understanding Of Selected Principles Of College Chemistry By Intermediate Grade Pupils In Ellensburg And Mercer Island, Washington, Geoffrey Wallace Mills

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study (1) to teach the content as identified in the Ellensburg Study to fifth and sixth grade pupils in West Mercer Elementary School; (2) to determine if differences or similarities existed between the Mercer Island and Ellensburg groups; and (3) to develop an attitude scale to reflect pupils' concerns about science.

A Comparison Of Two Methods Of Teaching Place Value, Bruce Alan Pennington

All Master's Theses

It is the purpose of this study to determine how children who have been taught place value of number by number base systems on the fifth grade level achieve on two standardized achievement tests and a teacher-made test as compared to those children who have been taught using several ideas and techniques of the traditional approach.

Window Condensation: The Apparent Causes And Remedies, Roy Lester Simmons

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this research problem was to determine how the contributing factors can be altered or varied to limit or eliminate the formation of condensation on windows, both glass and frame, and to obtain information from industry and available literature on the factors of window condensation.