Education Commons^™

Faculty Diversity, Kyle Scafide, Barbara Johnson

Kyle Scafide

This article presents a broad view of issues related to faculty diversity. Headings include Demographics, The Growth of Faculty Diversity as an Ideal, and Barriers in the Academic Workplace. Race, ethnicity, and gender are the most common characteristics that institutions observe in order to measure faculty diversity. An even broader approach to faculty diversity involves age, socioeconomic background, national origin, sexual orientation, and diverse learning styles and opinions. Until the latter part of the twentieth century, the professoriate in the western world was composed almost exclusively of privileged, heterosexual males of Caucasian descent. Higher education institutions are generally concerned with …

Special Education In Maine: Attaining Equity Through Program And Finance Reform, Walter J. Harris, Pushpan Jain

Maine Education Policy Research Institute

No abstract provided.

Teaching Economics In United States History: One Teacher Shares Some Lessons, Kathleen S. Bullock

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This paper addresses the value and benefits of teaching economics in U.S. History at the high school level. Some of the challenges it presents such as curriculum style, teacher qualifications, assessment and accountability, pacing, and developing thinking skills for a theory-based course are discussed. I also offer activities with accompanying worksheets and graphic organizers that may assist teachers in meeting these challenges. The activities include tariffs, a run on the bank, monopolies, and recessions as an introduction to basic economic principles that are important in teaching U.S. History. A set of graphic organizers on The Civil War demonstrates how economics …

Increasing Social Relationships Among Kindergartners Using Peer Reporting, Christine A. Gruenler

Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on increasing the social relationships of kindergarten students using peer reporting. This method encouraged children to use social skills on the playground. In addition, the students were encouraged to report the observed use of social skills to be recognized by their classmates. The subjects of the study included an experimental group of 20 kindergarten students and a control group of 21 kindergarten students, both located in an elementary school in a rural area of southern New Jersey. Social relationships were measured by the number of tattle tales on the playground, whereas tattletaling indicated that there were diminished …

The Effects Of Grouping In Social Studies On The Enjoyment, Motivation, And Successful Learning When Reading Informative Texts, Pamela D. Pitt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine whether grouping when reading informative texts during social studies lessons gave students enjoyment and motivation, which, in turn, would provide more success in learning for the students. It explored a method that is not whole class instruction, but is sometimes used in the classroom. The researcher of this study did not attempt to determine which method is better to use during social studies instruction, but rather how students perceive reading informative texts in social studies after being exposed to peer-assisted group instruction. The forty-eight participants of the study were taken from two …

Effect Of Whole Language Instruction In Reading Comprehension Scores Of First Grade Students, Jeffrey A. Shone

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether any significant difference in the reading comprehension scores of first grade students utilizing a whole language method of instruction as opposed to phonics-based method of instruction existed. An experimental and control group of first grade students, with 20 children in each group, were administered the Silver Burdett Ginn Reading Comprehension test. Both groups were pre-tested to ascertain their level of reading comprehension before a treatment was administered. Next, the experimental group received the whole language method of reading instruction. Through repeated readings, students were exposed to reading and phonics at the …

The Effects Of Character Education On Fourth Grade Students' Attitudes Toward In-School Behavior, Jenna S. Snyder

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to show that students would benefit from learning about character education in a classroom setting. This study used scores from a pre-test and post-test which was designed with character development scenarios taken by fourth grade students in a rural elementary school after they participated in a character education unit.

Eighteen (n = 18) participated in this quasi-experimental study. The results were analyzed to find the significance of the relationship between the students' scores on the pre-test and post-test. The Sign test indicated there was no significant change between the scores on the pre-test and …

An Integration Of Chemistry, Biology, And Physics: The Interdisciplinary Laboratory, Gerald R. Van Hecke, Kerry K. Karukstis, Richard C. Haskell, Catherine S. Mcfadden, F Sheldon Wettack

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

As a new venture to integrate research and education, a pilot section of a first-year laboratory sequence known as the Interdisciplinary Laboratory (ID Lab) was introduced on the Harvey Mudd campus during the 1999–2000 academic year and continues to be offered. The ID Lab attempts to bridge laboratory experiences from biology, chemistry, and physics for the first-year student. Taught by a team of faculty from these disciplines, the course seeks both to illustrate commonality of investigative methods and laboratory techniques in these sciences and to introduce discipline-specific principles. Experiments with a chemistry component include the Molecular Weight of Macromolecules, the …

Lessons Learned From The "It Takes A Valley" Program: Recruitng And Retaining Future Teachers To Serve High-Needs Schools, Amy Strage, Susan Meyers, Janet Norris

Faculty Publications

“It Takes a Valley” is a teacher preparation program that aims to recruit and retain teachers in schools that serve students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This program provides future teachers with extensive early teaching experience and chances to develop strategies for success in this type of educational context. The theoretical basis for this program's approach is examined, some key aspects of the program are considered, the initial evaluation of the program and the lessons learned to date are explored, the challenges and growing pains encountered by the program are examined, and the implications of the program for teacher education are …

“Been There---Ah, Haven’T Tried It That Way”: A Professional Effort To Differentiate Instruction, Donna M. Sobel

Essays in Education

It goes without saying that the most critical component of preparing educators lies in their ability to competently teach. Differentiation provides a framework to develop classrooms where realities of genuine student variance can be addressed with curricular realities. The author describes a professional development project that differentiated a series of teacher workshops that were designed to increase teachers’ perceived competency to differentiate instruction. The purpose here is to describe a collaboratively created and implemented professional development program designed to train staff in ways to differentiate instruction for all learners. Sample training activities, along with perceptions from participants and suggestions for …

Missing In Action: Research On The Accountability Of Multicultural, Inclusive Teacher Education, Sheryl V. Taylor, Donna M. Sobel

Essays in Education

While a substantial amount of research has been conducted on the effects of various teacher education programs to prepare teachers for multicultural, multilingual, inclusive classrooms, very little of it examines the impact of multicultural, inclusive teacher education on how pre- and inservice teachers actually teach children in the classroom. Few researchers have followed teachers into the classroom to find out if or what “carry over” exists from multicultural teacher education (Sleeter, 2001). Even if teachers show growth through their course work and learning experiences in multicultural education, what evidence is there that they are or are becoming strong teachers in …

The Effect Of Interactive Bulletin Boards On Mathematics Achievement In Fourth Grade, Kathleen M. Charlton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what effect the use of interactive bulletin boards, when used as manipulative learning tools which reinforce basic arithmetic through repetition on a daily basis, have on the final marking period grades of fourth grade students. It was hypothesized that fourth grade students who experience the daily use of interactive bulletin boards that contain manipulative parts to reinforce basic arithmetic skills as a part of their mathematics instruction will exhibit significantly higher marking period grades in mathematics than students who do not experience such bulletin boards on a daily basis.

The design of …

The Effect Of Color As A Visual Aid In Mathematics Instruction, Jennifer L. Valinote

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if fifth grade students who were exposed to colorful symbols and numbers during mathematics instruction would have significantly higher achievement than those students who were taught without the use of colorful symbols and numbers. The sample used in this investigation consisted of two heterogeneous fifth grade mathematics classes. Students in both groups were given pretests on the multiplication and division of fractions. After the pre-test the subjects that comprised the experimental group received a three week treatment. The subjects that comprised the control group were taught the same lessons, yet not exposed …

The Effects Of Cooperative Learning On Mathematics Achievement For Third Grade Students, Angelina M. Carione

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cooperative learning on mathematics achievement. It was hypothesized that students who worked cooperatively during mathematics practice would achieve a higher test score on the post-test than students who did not work together. The subjects of the study were forty third grade students form a southern New Jersey school district. The study consisted of an experimental and a control group. Both groups were administered a pre-test. The experimental group then participated in cooperative learning during mathematics practice for a seven-week period. Both groups were post-tested after seven weeks.

Calculations proved …

Decentralisation Of Professional Development: Teachers' Decisions And Dilemmas, Philip Kelly, Mcdiarmid Williamson

Philip P. Kelly

This study examines professional development activities under the omnibus Kentucky Education Reform Act and finds them lacking. It addresses three related questions. Are Kentucky teachers, in fact, in charge of their own professional development? What are the formats and foci of the professional development opportunities teachers are planning? How is professional development changing in the increasingly high–stakes environment created by the accountability movement? Analysis of professional development activities reveals systemic weaknesses that are counterproductive to improving teacher quality. Chief among these weaknesses are system–wide ignorance of alternative professional development activities and a failure to define professional development engagement beyond the …

Instituting Issue-Based Civics In The 11th Grade Classroom, Nicholas J. Diblasi, Carissa Larkin

Theses and Dissertations

There were several goals of this study. The first goal of this study was to identify if issue-based civics would produce any difference in a student's attitude for and appreciation in civics. The second goal was to identify if issue-based civics would produce any difference in a student's comprehension levels in civics. The last of these goals was to identify if the school a student attended had any impact on their attitude toward and appreciation of civics and comprehension levels in civics. The study was conducted on a sample of 70 11th grade students enrolled in American History II college …

Redefining High School American Literature In A Diverse Nation, Nancy M. Vasquez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate why high school students in America study American literature that includes a majority of writers of white western European descent and excludes writers of multicultural backgrounds. This study also analyzed if exposure to works by multicultural writers changes students' perceptions of what constitutes American literature. The participants included 3 classes of American literature students (N=44) and American literature teachers (N=6) in a predominantly white high school. The study included a combination of textbook content analysis, teacher interviews, and an intervention consisting of a Latino literature unit taught to student participants. Key …

The Effect Of Teacher Intervention, Role Modeling, And A Gender-Balanced Bulletin Board Design On 10th Grade Male Students' Writing Apprehension, Laurie Bartolomeo

Theses and Dissertations

The first goal of this study was to identify any preexisting differences in the levels of writing apprehension between males and females in a sample of 85 10th grade high school students enrolled in English classes available during a spring 2002 student teaching placement. An adapted form of John A. Daly and Michael D. Miller's (1975) Likert-scaled Writing Apprehension Measure was used to assess the participants' levels of apprehension. Results of the first survey revealed that male participants did display a higher level of writing apprehension but the difference did not reach a level of statistical significance (p < .05). The second phase of the study involved a 4-month treatment period that included teacher intervention, role modeling, and a gender-balanced bulletin board design in an attempt to make a positive change in the male students' levels of writing apprehension. The same survey was administered to 36 males and 36 females following treatment to determine if any change occurred. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed there was no statistically significant effect of treatment on either the male or female participants (p < .05); however, a decrease in the levels of writing apprehension was seen in the means of the scores across all groups.

Divisibility: A Problem Solving Approach Through Generalizing And Specializing, Rina Zazkis

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

This paper describes a divisibility rule for any prime number as an engaging problem-solving activity for preservice secondary school mathematics teachers.

Effective Technology Integration: A Plan For Professional Development, Craig G. Dunlap

Master of Education Research Theses

Is educational technology effective in increasing student learning? If technology is an effective tool in the classroom, how can teachers best be trained to use it appropriately? An experiment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a constructivist math class utilizing computer technology as well as other tools. The study occurred in a Christian school in Northern Kentucky using fifty-one sixth grade students. One class comprised the control group, with math instruction that differed little from the traditional background of the school. The other class was the experimental group, which used the Internet, spread sheets, word processors, and measuring devices …

Electronic Teacher Portfolio, Linda H. Drucker, Marguerite A. Paolone

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research project is to determine the value of using an electronic teacher portfolio to document instructional methods and strategies. Research suggested the possible use of electronic portfolios by teachers to compile genuine representations of their personal style, creativity, and methodology.

As models of electronic teacher portfolios were limited, we created a template using HyperStudio 4.0 and an accompanying guidebook, so teachers could easily create a personalized electronic teacher portfolio.

To evaluate the guidebook's ease of use, we disseminated the materials to one technologically experienced teacher and one with basic computer knowledge. While creating their own electronic …

Midi Sequencing In The Elementary Classroom, Jann M. Bradshaw

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to provide students and educators with an easy to follow manual that will help them learn and successfully participate in MIDI sequencing in an elementary educational and personal setting.

Research for the study involved the review of the New Jersey Core Standards and national standards for music and music technology in education. Music technology websites for educators were also reviewed. A case study group of seven fifth grade students was formed for the project. This group was known as the Music Technology Club. The purpose of the group was to learn MIDI sequencing through …

Directed Teaching And Constructivist Teaching And Technology, Brandy Patch

Theses and Dissertations

The utilization of the computer in the classroom as a tool to provide instruction and aid learning has had a profound impact on how educators deliver instruction. Computers have become such an important instructional tool that many educators have had to rethink and reevaluate their beliefs and ideas about the ways in which they instruct students and how students learn.

Most educators have encouraged and promoted the use of computers in the classroom to assist them in providing students with an efficient and up-to-date means of acquiring the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in learning. Because of its …

The Effect Of Male Timbre Vocal Modeling In Falsetto And Non-Falsetto On The Singing And Pitch Accuracy Of Second Grade Students, Douglas Adam Tranz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of male falsetto and non-falsetto vocal stimuli on the pitch-matching accuracy of second grade students. The investigator also investigated the following: (1) would there be a difference in pitch-matching accuracy to the two vocal stimuli based upon gender; and (2) would there be a difference in the pitch-matching accuracy of students receiving vocal modeling presented in non-falsetto.

The sample for this study included 90 students in four second-grade general music classes.

During the 12 week treatment period, students in the control and experimental groups received the same music instruction; however, …

Study Of The Use Of Telecommunications In The Classroom, Ed Ewing

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of integration of technology in the classroom. Specifically, the study was to look at computer software and related Internet and telecommunication usage.

The study took place in Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties in New Jersey. Teachers in four public school districts from each county were invited to participate. A letter was sent to the chief administrator of each selected school district, explaining the purpose and significance of the study. A packet was also sent to each teacher in the participating schools. The packet included an introductory letter and a …

Webquest Depository, Ella Lee

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to create a web site that teachers could use to assist them to integrate technology into their classroom and to create a constructivist learning environment that would be conducive to teaching and learning higher order thinking skills.

The federal government requires technology integration in academic institutions. As, a result, every classroom is to be equipped with five computers. Teachers must update their pedagogical proficiencies to include technology. In addition, teachers must adapt their curriculum to accommodate the use of technology. Research has shown that a constructivist teaching style is an excellent means for students …

The Effect Of Collaborative Teaching On The Academic Achievement, Incidence Of Discipline Referrals, And Attitudes Toward School Of Fourth, Fifth, And Sixth Grade Regular And Special Education Students, Kathleen N. Papa

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if collaborative teaching had a positive effect on the academic achievement, incidence of discipline referrals, and attitudes toward school of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade regular and special education elementary school students.

The report card grades and incidence of discipline referrals (demerits, detentions, and suspensions) from the first two marking periods of the 2000-2001 school year (prior to collaborative teaching) were averaged and compared to the report card grades and incidence of discipline referrals of the first two marking periods of the 2001-2002 school year of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students …

New Jersey Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (E.S.P.A) Mathematics Analysis: Open-Ended Questions, Scoring Rubrics, Developmental Activities And Manipulatives With Scope Of Skills For Grades K-4, Joyce Marian Scholz

Theses and Dissertations

This document provides a resource which may be used by elementary teachers to gain understanding of the State Standards, the construction and purpose of E.S.P.A., the scoring of open-ended questions and the scope of development of fourth grade skills through the elementary grades. There are three sections of this document, which include the following: the "Macro Development and Open-ended Listing For Grade 4", the Mathematics Skill Development For E.S.P.A.: Grades K - 4" and the "Mathematics Manipulatives Listing." Each section provides important information pertaining to appropriate teaching to prepare students for E.S.P.A.

This document may be used by teachers in …

The Association Between Learning Processes And Formal Music Electives Among Sixth Grade Music Students, Anthony C. Varga

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of learning process frequencies among sixth grade music students who elect to participate in musical ensembles. Is there an association between the student's choice of elective music ensemble and their learning process?

Forty-five sixth grade music students participated in the study with their parents' permission. Subjects were administered the Learning Combination Inventory during their scheduled music class. They were asked to first respond to 28 Likert-type statements rating their answers as best fitting their own individual learning. The second part of the instrument required the subjects to respond to three …

When Human Life Begins, Susan K.P. Das

Theses and Dissertations

The moment attributed to the beginning of human life is debated not only in religious and political communities, but within the scientific community as well. Particular attention is given to this issue as advances in science make it possible to manipulate the embryo and fetus at early stages of development. This study explores these issues as they are revealed in the literature. In particular, examination of the stages of human development associated with this issue and the correlation between these stages and their influence on ethical concerns in current scientific technologies such as abortion, cloning, and embryonic stem cell experimentation.