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Full-Text Articles in Education

Childhood Family Factors That Influenced The Enrollment Of College Students With Learning Disabilities, Abigail Kirk Dec 2011

Childhood Family Factors That Influenced The Enrollment Of College Students With Learning Disabilities, Abigail Kirk

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to use qualitative measures to investigate the childhood family factors that influenced the enrollment of college students with learning disabilities. Six participants were interviewed, all of whom were registered through the University Accessibility Center at a four-year university and were served at some point during their school years for a learning disability. Interviews were held in a confidential location and lasted approximately thirty minutes. The interview protocol was constructed in a way that allowed participants to reflect on their experiences and tell their story in their own manner. Planned prompts were included to solicit …


Impact Of Indigenous Language On Achievement And Emotional Conditions: A Case Study Of East European Students In Utah, Natalya Georgiyeva Dec 2011

Impact Of Indigenous Language On Achievement And Emotional Conditions: A Case Study Of East European Students In Utah, Natalya Georgiyeva

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of using an indigenous language as a medium of school instruction has been discussed in world education for a long time. This study focuses on the influence of the presence of a native language in the learning process of the students and the impact on their academic achievement, emotional conditions, and post-school lives. A qualitative method of research was used in the study, comprising 12 interviews among Ukrainian/Russian adopted and nonadopted students who attended Utah schools. Information obtained through interviews presented language levels of students (both native and English), academic achievement, and emotional conditions of students during the …


The Relationship Between Elementary Principals' Conceptualizations Of Instructional Leadership And Their Perceived Use Of Time, Mardel S. Higginson Dec 2011

The Relationship Between Elementary Principals' Conceptualizations Of Instructional Leadership And Their Perceived Use Of Time, Mardel S. Higginson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to learn about how elementary principals conceptualized instructional leadership and whether the way they thought about leadership influenced their allotted use of time for instructional leadership. In order to answer this question, two sub-questions needed to be answered about how elementary principals conceptualized instructional leadership and how elementary principals perceived they used their time. This mixed-method study interviewed 30 principals in an urban-suburban school district in Utah to produce data. Each principal participated in a newly constructed survey of 84 questions. The survey consisted of four parts including demographics, open-ended questions about instructional leadership, …


A Qualitative Analysis Of A Junior High School Eating Disorder Prevention Program, Janine Ruth Stickney Dec 2011

A Qualitative Analysis Of A Junior High School Eating Disorder Prevention Program, Janine Ruth Stickney

Theses and Dissertations

Past research conducted in the areas of diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders have provided information in regards to understanding the epidemiology, base rates, damages and longitudinal course of eating disorders. Few studies, however, have focused on prevention, especially in adolescents. In this particular study, students in a Utah junior high school health class received preventative curriculum called, Eating Disorders: Physical, Social, and Emotional Consequences. Ten, female participants were then interviewed to explore their thoughts and feelings about their experiences and to qualitatively ascertain the success of the prevention program.


Examining Implementation Processes Of Positive Behavior Support, Julia Helzer Rollins Dec 2011

Examining Implementation Processes Of Positive Behavior Support, Julia Helzer Rollins

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a summary of themes found in the meeting notes of school teams implementing school-wide Positive Behavior Support. Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a systems change process of reorganizing a school's discipline structure to put in place a positive, teaching and reinforcing focus for the improvement of student behavior (Sugai & Horner, 2006). In recent years, education researchers have established that school-wide PBS is an effective way to deliver research- based interventions to improve student behavior (Colvin & Kameenui, 1993, Gottfredson, Gottfredson, & Hybl 1993; Taylor-Green & Kartub, 2000). This study focused on the implementation process in order …


A Conceptual Framework For Student Understanding Of Logarithms, Heather Rebecca Ambler Williams Dec 2011

A Conceptual Framework For Student Understanding Of Logarithms, Heather Rebecca Ambler Williams

Theses and Dissertations

In the past, frameworks for what it means for students to understand elementary mathematical concepts like addition have been well-researched. These frameworks are useful for identifying what students must understand to have a good grasp of the concept. Few such research-based frameworks exist for secondary mathematical topics. The intent of this study was to create such a framework for what it means for students to understand logarithms, a topic that has been under-researched up to this point. Four task-based interviews were conducted with each of four different preservice secondary mathematics teachers in order to test a preliminary framework I had …


Investigating How Equating Guidelines For Screening And Selecting Common Items Apply When Creating Vertically Scaled Elementary Mathematics Tests, Maria Assunta Hardy Dec 2011

Investigating How Equating Guidelines For Screening And Selecting Common Items Apply When Creating Vertically Scaled Elementary Mathematics Tests, Maria Assunta Hardy

Theses and Dissertations

Guidelines to screen and select common items for vertical scaling have been adopted from equating. Differences between vertical scaling and equating suggest that these guidelines may not apply to vertical scaling in the same way that they apply to equating. For example, in equating the examinee groups are assumed to be randomly equivalent, but in vertical scaling the examinee groups are assumed to possess different levels of proficiency. Equating studies that examined the characteristics of the common-item set stress the importance of careful item selection, particularly when groups differ in ability level. Since in vertical scaling cross-level ability differences are …


A Content Analysis Of Evaluation Instruments Used By Special Education Teacher Preparation Programs, Megan Sue Langford Dec 2011

A Content Analysis Of Evaluation Instruments Used By Special Education Teacher Preparation Programs, Megan Sue Langford

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to conduct a content and component analysis of evaluation instruments used to evaluate preservice teacher performance by special education teacher preparation programs. Direct observation (DO) and summative evaluation (SE) forms were collected from a random sample of Special Education teacher preparation programs that are recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). The forms were then coded for content and components based on predetermined categories to identify similarities and differences. Variances among the DO and SE forms indicated possible methods for evaluating preservice teacher knowledge, skills, and dispositions.


Using Design Layers Model To Develop Computer-Based Training For The Center For Teaching And Learning's Usability Center, Matthew B. Guinn Dec 2011

Using Design Layers Model To Develop Computer-Based Training For The Center For Teaching And Learning's Usability Center, Matthew B. Guinn

Theses and Dissertations

The Usability Center training course is an instructional resource for BYU faculty, employees, and students to prepare them to effectively use the BYU Usability Center. This document describes the process and results of analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the Usability Center training course. By taking this course, participants learn the basics of planning, piloting, executing, and reporting their usability activities and the skills prerequisite to using BYU's Usability Center.


A Model For Peer Mentor Learning: Designing For Skill-Acquisition Among Undergraduate Peer Mentors, Bryce D. Bunting Dec 2011

A Model For Peer Mentor Learning: Designing For Skill-Acquisition Among Undergraduate Peer Mentors, Bryce D. Bunting

Theses and Dissertations

This design report details the development of a summer training experience for peer mentors in the Freshman Mentoring program at Brigham Young University. The purpose of the project was to develop an extended training program which would assist peer mentors in developing core mentoring skills necessary for their work with first-year students. The design of the training was informed by a number of theoretical frameworks including experiential learning, reflective practice, and narrative design. The training was evaluated using a post-then survey instrument as well as analysis of qualitative data collected from learners throughout the training. Analyses of these data suggested …


The Redesign Of Mechanical Engineering 574: An Exploration In Deductive And Inductive Methods, Alyssa Janae Walker Dec 2011

The Redesign Of Mechanical Engineering 574: An Exploration In Deductive And Inductive Methods, Alyssa Janae Walker

Theses and Dissertations

Changes in the engineering industry have motivated the redesign of engineering curriculum in recent years. This report documents the redesign of Mechanical Engineering 574, a graduate course in engineering offered at Brigham Young University. The redesign was divided into four phases and used a design narrative to report the design process. Research conducted by the instructor and designer informed the main content of the course. Although the course originally used mainly deductive methods of instruction, by the final phase of the project, the instruction evolved to be primarily inductive in strategy.


An Evaluation Of The Christa Mcauliffe Space Education Center Programs, Shelley Diane Ellington Nov 2011

An Evaluation Of The Christa Mcauliffe Space Education Center Programs, Shelley Diane Ellington

Theses and Dissertations

Recent calls for better education have many teachers trying out new ways to engage their students and teach them required content. In the current educational atmosphere of accountability, many people are beginning to question the effectiveness and utility of their educational programs. The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center (CMSEC) is one such program. Key aspects addressed in this study included better understanding the essence of the CMSEC experience, whether it provides any beneficial impact to visitors, and how the CMSEC programs fit into the educational spectrum. An exploratory mixed-method design (utilizing focus groups, interviews, and surveys) was used to explore …


Teachers' Decisions To Use Student Input During Class Discussion, Heather Taylor Toponce Oct 2011

Teachers' Decisions To Use Student Input During Class Discussion, Heather Taylor Toponce

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most vital decisions that teachers make during classroom discussion is whether to and how to validate the thinking that students present to the class. In this thesis I describe a study that addressed the issues that are associated with the decisions that teachers make in regards to validating students' ideas. Through qualitative research I explored these issues through videotaping an expert teacher, taking field notes, and conducting interviews. I share a description of what it looks like for one middle school mathematics teacher to make different decisions to use student input during class. The expert teacher in …


Measuring Mathematics Instruction In Elementary Classrooms: Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction (Cmi) Observation Protocol Development And Validation, Sue Ann Womack Aug 2011

Measuring Mathematics Instruction In Elementary Classrooms: Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction (Cmi) Observation Protocol Development And Validation, Sue Ann Womack

Theses and Dissertations

Measuring Mathematics Instruction in Elementary Classrooms:Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction (CMI) Observation Protocol Development and Validation Sue A. Womack Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations Doctor of Philosophy despite the availability of reform standards in mathematics since 1989 (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), teachers have not yet aligned instruction with reform ideals on a widespread basis. (Cohen & Hill, 2000; Hiebert, et al., 2005; Spillane & Zeuli, 1999; J. W. Stigler & Hiebert, 1999). Consequently, mathematics education in elementary schools has not produced students with strong mathematical understanding (Hiebert & Grouws, 2007).


Effects Of Tiered Training On General Education Teachers' Use Of Specific Praise, Michele T. Thompson Aug 2011

Effects Of Tiered Training On General Education Teachers' Use Of Specific Praise, Michele T. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Research suggests a compelling correlation between teacher behavior and effective learning environments (Sutherland & Morgan, 2003; Brophy & Good, 1986). Focusing on the evidence-based teaching skill of offering behavior-specific praise (BSP), the researcher worked with 3 elementary-level general educators in a tiered model of instruction, commonly known as response to intervention (RtI). Although RtI commonly provides targeted instructional support to students, this study, a systematic replication of Myers, Simonsen and Sugai (2011), used the RtI framework to provide professional development to teachers. The researcher also tracked the behavior of 3 students, identified by the teachers as having behavioral difficulties, who …


Writing From Sources And Learners Of English For Academic Purposes: Insights From The Perspectives Of The Applied Linguistics Researcher, The Program Coordinator, And The Classroom Teacher, Robb Mark Mccollum Aug 2011

Writing From Sources And Learners Of English For Academic Purposes: Insights From The Perspectives Of The Applied Linguistics Researcher, The Program Coordinator, And The Classroom Teacher, Robb Mark Mccollum

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the challenges faced by learners of English for academic purposes (EAP) when required to complete writing assignments that use source texts. In order to address this problem, I explore the issue from the perspectives of applied linguistic researchers, writing program administrators, and classroom composition instructors. These three perspectives are highlighted in distinct articles that build on one another to create a more complete understanding of the challenges that EAP students face when writing from sources. The first article contains a literature review of relevant studies that explore the reading-to-write construct. Experts suggest that unintentional plagiarism, or patchwriting, …


Preservice Special Education Teachers' Beliefs About Effective Reading Instruction For Students With Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Nari Carter Aug 2011

Preservice Special Education Teachers' Beliefs About Effective Reading Instruction For Students With Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Nari Carter

Theses and Dissertations

No Child Left Behind (NCLB, 2002) mandated that all students learn to read and specified that instructional practice in schools be informed by scientifically-based research. NCLB specifically aimed to improve reading achievement among struggling readers, students with disabilities, and other marginalized students. The National Reading Panel and reading experts have identified instructional practices for teaching reading to struggling readers; and yet, teachers do not always implement effective practices in their classrooms. To identify factors that influence teachers’ practice, I conducted a literature review of teachers’ beliefs about reading instruction. The results of the review were mixed in terms of whether …


Paraeducators In Secondary Transitional Settings: Their Knowledge, Responsibilities, And Training Needs, Michelle Holbrook Jul 2011

Paraeducators In Secondary Transitional Settings: Their Knowledge, Responsibilities, And Training Needs, Michelle Holbrook

Theses and Dissertations

The authors queried 336 paraeducators working in 34 high schools or special programs offering transitional services for adult students with disabilities. The survey included (a) the contexts in which they support students with disabilities, (b) their knowledge about core competencies in educating these students, (c) the job-related tasks they perform most frequently, (d) their perceived ability to perform these tasks effectively, and (e) their need for further training across these knowledge and task areas. The study replicated a study conducted by Carter, O'Rourke, Sisco, and Pelsue (2009) surveying paraeducators working in K-12 settings. The authors found that paraeducators worked with …


Resolving Incidents Of Bullying Among High Functioning Adolescents With Asd: Parent Perspectives, Wan-Ting Chuang Jul 2011

Resolving Incidents Of Bullying Among High Functioning Adolescents With Asd: Parent Perspectives, Wan-Ting Chuang

Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative study was conducted investigating the perceptions of seven parents of high functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) regarding incidents of bullying in which the child was involved. Results of the study indicated that all of the children had been bullied at one time or another, and that the majority had difficulty in demonstrating appropriate social skills. The parents viewed supportive peers to be a positive factor, fostering the children's satisfactory social adjustment. Parent interventions for their child included social skills instruction and empathy training. Research implications for educators included the need to establish systemic organized school-wide support …


Two Marginalized Adolescents Using The Internet To Complete An Inquiry Project, Jennifer Thomas Jul 2011

Two Marginalized Adolescents Using The Internet To Complete An Inquiry Project, Jennifer Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study focused on the strategies that two marginalized seventh graders used as they completed an Internet inquiry project about survival. The participants spent time over a four-week period in three phases—selecting a topic, locating information, and presenting information. Participants completed journals and participated in interviews. The participants' online searches and how they organized their presentations were recorded. The researcher took field notes. These four data sources were used to determine subcategories in each phase to document the strategies they employed as they completed the project. Participants used phrases and questions as they decided on key words to locate …


Portrayal Of Characters With Disabilities In Newbery Books, Casey Lin Pehrson Jul 2011

Portrayal Of Characters With Disabilities In Newbery Books, Casey Lin Pehrson

Theses and Dissertations

Commonly practiced in school settings, bibliotherapy promotes healing and problem solving. In schools, bibliotherapy should be utilized to educate and empower students and to enhance the classroom experience. In order to achieve this purpose, teachers need a variety of books to specifically target students' unique needs. Award-winning books, such as those receiving the prestigious Newbery Medal, are important resources for teachers. This study examined the portrayal of characters with disabilities in 249 Newbery Medal and Honor books published between 1922 and 1974. From this sample, 20 books featured a combined total of 21 characters with a disability, as defined by …


Self-Advocacy Training In Secondary Schools For Students With Learning Disabilities, Ashleigh R. Smith Jul 2011

Self-Advocacy Training In Secondary Schools For Students With Learning Disabilities, Ashleigh R. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

To be successful in the general education students with disabilities may require accommodations. Students with disabilities need to develop self-advocating skills to be able to request the accommodations needed in the general education. This article describes a study in which six high school students with learning disabilities were explicitly taught to recognize when an accommodation was needed, select the appropriate accommodation, request the accommodation and then implement the accommodation in the general education classroom. The study indicated that students were able to advocate for themselves by requesting accommodations from their general education teacher. Based on data collected though this study, …


Utah Pacific Islander Former Gang Members: Meanings Of Everyday Lived Experiences, Natasha Leeann Afalava Jul 2011

Utah Pacific Islander Former Gang Members: Meanings Of Everyday Lived Experiences, Natasha Leeann Afalava

Theses and Dissertations

Gangs continue to extend a strong influence around the United States, impacting most urban areas and spreading into suburban and rural communities. With approximately one million members actively involved, gangs account for up to 80% of crimes in some communities. Amidst crime and antisocial activities associated with gangs, gangs continue to be a strong allure for youth. Much research has investigated reasons for youth joining gangs; however, there is a lack of research exploring the kinds of experiences youths receive while living the gang life. According to Utah statistics, Pacific Islander youth are at high risk of joining a gang: …


An Examination Of The Effects Of Using Systematic And Engaging Early Literacy To Teach Tier 3 Students To Read Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (Cvc) Words, Esther Marshall Jul 2011

An Examination Of The Effects Of Using Systematic And Engaging Early Literacy To Teach Tier 3 Students To Read Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (Cvc) Words, Esther Marshall

Theses and Dissertations

A single-subject-multiple-baseline-across-behaviors design was used to examine the effects of using Systematic and Engaging Early Literacy (SEEL) instruction to help Tier 3 kindergarten students learn to read CVC words. Four students designated as Tier 3 by their teachers participated in the study. They were grouped into two dyads and received SEEL instruction focusing on specific word reading targets for approximately 20 minutes four days per week over a seven-week time period. The instruction included meaningful, interactive activities and incorporated high levels of play, multiple exposures to the target, explicit instruction, and student-teacher conversational exchanges. Baseline assessment data were collected prior …


Impact Of Group Collaboration On The Improvement Of Individual Creative Thinking Ability, Isaku Tateishi Jul 2011

Impact Of Group Collaboration On The Improvement Of Individual Creative Thinking Ability, Isaku Tateishi

Theses and Dissertations

Creativity plays a crucial role in innovation, and innovation is essential for any organization's continuous success and survival. Past creativity research focused on the studies of individual creativity (West, 2009); however, in recent years there has been an increased emphasis on understanding how a group of people work together to produce creative ideas and products (Paulus & Nijstad, 2003). This collaborative creativity process is often referred to as group creativity. Despite the increased interest in group creativity, there is still a lack of empirical studies (Taggar, 2002). This study explored the impact of group collaboration on the improvement of individual …


Effects Of A Parent Training Workshop On Parent Perceptions Of Children With Developmental Disabilities, Stephanie Priscilla Call Jul 2011

Effects Of A Parent Training Workshop On Parent Perceptions Of Children With Developmental Disabilities, Stephanie Priscilla Call

Theses and Dissertations

Children with developmental disabilities often exhibit problem behaviors, such as physical aggression, tantrums, and self-injury. These behaviors can detrimentally affect the family's lifestyle. Research has shown that such families should take an active role in developing and implementing a behavior plan. However, families need support to promote effective changes in their child's behavior. This study investigated how a positive behavior support workshop that used the Family HOPE program affected behavior problems and parent/child relationships in families with children with developmental disabilities. Parents of eight children with disabilities and challenging behaviors participated in this research. A Project Director and Principal Investigator …


The Effects Of Video Self-Modeling On The Math Performance Of Adolescents With Developmental Disabilities, Cami Elizabeth Burton Jul 2011

The Effects Of Video Self-Modeling On The Math Performance Of Adolescents With Developmental Disabilities, Cami Elizabeth Burton

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the effects of video self-modeling (VSM) via an iPad on the mathematics performance of students with developmental disabilities. The learning task was presented from the consumers' point of view; students learned to estimate the amount of money they should use to pay for a given item and the amount they should receive back to help ensure that they are treated honestly by merchants. Through VSM, video clips showing the step-by-step problem solving process were synchronized onto an iPad. Students were shown how to use the iPad and access the video clips in order to watch themselves …


Reliability And A Measure Of Sexual Interest: Examining The Temporal Stability Of Scores On Affinity 2.5, Kristina S. Withers Hansen Jul 2011

Reliability And A Measure Of Sexual Interest: Examining The Temporal Stability Of Scores On Affinity 2.5, Kristina S. Withers Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

Affinity 2.5 is a computer-based instrument designed to measure sexual interest using viewing time of images depicting fully-clothed males and females of different ages. Participants are asked to rate the sexual attractiveness of the person in the image according to a 15-point scale while their viewing time of each image is surreptitiously monitored. The validity of viewing time as a measure of sexual interest is based on social cognition theory and is established in the review of literature. The number of images comprising Affinity 2.5 represents a 42.9% increase from the previous version of the assessment, Affinity 2.0. The purpose …


An Analysis Of Graduate School Recruitment Via Website Resources, Dylan K. Matsumori Jul 2011

An Analysis Of Graduate School Recruitment Via Website Resources, Dylan K. Matsumori

Theses and Dissertations

Institutions of higher learning are experiencing increased difficulty managing the quantity and quality of their graduate student populations (Kallio, 1995). Currently the most important informational resource for potential students engaged in the graduate school search process is the Web (Huddleston & Drexel, 2006). Previous research has focused on things such as website design and technological advances but has failed to address the core content needed by applicants (Huddleston & Drexel, 2006). Research has focused on website design from the perspective of administrators and web designers with little consideration of the individuals who are in the process of applying to or …


How Student Positioning Can Lead To Failure In Inquiry-Based Classrooms, Kelly Beatrice Campbell Jul 2011

How Student Positioning Can Lead To Failure In Inquiry-Based Classrooms, Kelly Beatrice Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to improve mathematics instruction, I studied how the positions students choose or are pressed to take on can lead to failure in an inquiry-based classroom. Positioning refers to the temporary roles that a student or a teacher can place each other in or take on in a given classroom environment. Since positions are constructed and maintained by language use, I drew from positioning theory and discourse theory for my theoretical framework. From analyzing transcripts of classroom episodes and interviews with the teacher and a student, I identified common positions that the teacher and the student took on. …