Education Commons^™

Fifth Grade Website: Improving Leaming Through The Use Of The Web, Brent Thiessen

Graduate Research Papers

The Internet has improved the way that information can be presented to students in an educational setting. Teachers have taken advantage of improving education through the Internet by creating their own websites. However, some of these websites are not created in a way that allows them to be used effectively by students .. The author of this paper has created a website that will be used with his fifth grade students entitled The Fifth Grade Website (http://homepage.mac.com/brthiessen). The goal of the website is to enhance the educational experience of the students who use it. The website was designed in a …

Second Language Learning With Computer Software, Sonia Uppal

Graduate Research Papers

This article addresses diversity in the classrooms and the need for technology for English language learners. Language acquisition and English language learning are overviewed with highlights of the different stages in language learning and various methods used for language. Integrating the role of technology in learning English as a second language is presented as a practical way in which to instruct English language learners. However, selection of software is seen as a critical aspect of effectively using technology for English language instruction. Various important aspects for evaluating a software program for English language learners are presented. A software evaluation form …

Best Practices In Social Skills Training With Preschool Children, Kathleen M. Twohig

Graduate Research Papers

This review of literature focuses on several aspects of social skills training with preschool children. The importance of positive social skills is discussed. Numerous definitions are offered, and a clarification is made between social skills and social competence. The review highlights how social skills deficits may be classified and common dimensions of social skills. Issues and methods in assessment are explained. Finally, effective interventions that have received empirical research support are described as well as issues in generalization. Further research should address the following questions: What specific social skills are appropriate for certain ages? How do boys and girls differ …

Play Therapy For Victims Of Abuse In The School Setting, Jennifer J. Turner-Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

As a form of therapy, play enhances the developmentally progressive and adaptive nature of children and adults. Play helps children who have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse display and deal with traumatizing thoughts they may be experiencing. When used correctly, the play therapy process can be an excellent tool in helping children who may be suffering from abuse. This paper will describe how school counselors can effectively employ play therapy in a school setting with children who are victims of abuse. The author of this paper will address components of the play therapy process, play behaviors of abused children, …

Fat Is Not A Four-Letter Word : Examining The Factors That Contribute To Eating Disorders In Adolescent Females And The Role Of School Counselors In Prevention And Treatment, Megan B. Tressel

Graduate Research Papers

An eating disorder is an obsession with food, weight, and body image that can lead to both physical and emotional problems (Mickley, 2001). The rate of eating disorders among girls between the ages of 9-13 is steadily rising (Herzog & Delinsky, 2001). It is estimated that approximately eight million girls and women in America have symptoms of some type of eating disorder, and this is a conservative number because many girls go undiagnosed (Meehan, 1990). Recently Schur, Sanders, and Steiner (2000) showed that 41 % of girls ages 9-10 desired a thinner body shape, which indicates that children are developing …

Factors That Contribute To Increases In Human Performance And Employee Morale, Chandra Washington

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper focuses on training and other factors that increase employee morale and performance. In regards to training, this researcher focuses on its benefits and its place within the corporate organization, while offering suggestive methods such as motivation, employee recognition and succession planning, for increases in employee performance. The purpose of this paper is to show how organizations do not have to increase overhead in order to reach their goals with every employee. Employees do not always need to sit in a training class to correct a problem that can be resolved by motivating the employees, recognizing and rewarding …

The Importance Of Behavioral Interventions And Stimulant Medication Effects On Reducing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Elizabeth Alvarez

Graduate Research Papers

Overall, various avenues of research state that ADHD is a complex disorder that requires treatment by multiple modalities. Most research states that a combination of medication and behavior therapy is necessary to resolve the symptoms. It should be noted that the dose of stimulant medication prescribed to a child with ADHD should be adjusted based on the child's response to a behavioral intervention, as well as the combination of the behavioral and pharmacological treatments. Rapport et al. (1982), as well as others, have found that medication alone will not "cure" ADHD. But with multiple methods of treatment the symptoms will …

Meeting The Needs Of Gifted Primary Readers, Lori K. Deboer

Graduate Research Papers

Today's classrooms consist of students with a diverse range of social, emotional, and academic abilities. There are young children who enter school already knowing how to read or who learn quickly after they begin their education. Current literature seems to indicate that primary reading curricula in schools are not meeting these students' needs. This project was developed as one method to meet the needs of gifted primary readers.

The project consists of 10 books that were selected to challenge and address the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of gifted primary readers. For each book a series of discussion questions and …

Teaching Nctm Standards Through Subject Areas In The Kindergarten Classroom, Elizabeth Tata O'Neil

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers are being expected to provide a full range of experiences for their students. But in reality, many early childhood programs have reading readiness and literacy as the only focus. In many situations, mathematics instruction is an afterthought. Many students are not given quality instruction because little time in the school day is left, once language arts instruction is completed. This is even more true for students in half-day programs.

One way to alleviate this disparity is to incorporate math instruction within other subject areas. This can be achieved if teachers are educated in the National Council of Teachers of …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Lynne E. Wallace

Graduate Research Papers

Historically, schools have been viewed as an integral part of the problem and solution for our nation's social, political, and economic problems. Americans generally believe that the public schools should address the ever-changing needs of our society. I agree with this belief, even though school systems sometimes are ill-equipped to handle this responsibility. Schools have the best opportunity to reach students to make the needed changes. Schools have the opportunity to pass on to students prevailing ideas and values to help them adjust to present society and be able to transform future society. The ideal school in the 21st Century …

Specific Problem Solution And Distant Learning, David L. Kastler

Graduate Research Papers

This document is an overview of a project to identify the cause of a coolant overheating complaint on a diesel engine that powers a mechanical lift machine, implement a short-term solution and place into action a long-term solution. The short-term correction was to make necessary repairs in the field, long-term solution includes distant training of the mechanical lift machine assembly line and training on the proper assembly procedure of assembling the alternator pulley to the alternator shaft.

The project utilized problem evaluation (Root Cause Analysis), implementing corrective action (short term and long term), and training through distant communication via Internet …

Vocabulary : A Building Block In Reading, Lisa L. Capper

Graduate Research Papers

From all of my reading and research, I learned that vocabulary is an essential part of teaching. In all of the curriculum areas, knowledge of vocabulary is important. With word understanding, comprehension grows and so does the student's knowledge.

Vocabulary development activities not only include many opportunities for students to be actively involved with reading a variety of books, but, through vocabulary instruction, the teacher directly teaches important words and strategies to help students understand what they are reading. Through the use of a variety of strategies I observed how different strategies can help students learn and grow in their …

Gifted Underachievers : A Review Of The Past And Present With Implications For The Future, Angela R. Fry

Graduate Research Papers

The academic underachievement of gifted students has perplexed educators, parents, and researchers for over half a century. With such a controversial background, gifted underachievers have become a topic of increased interest in the last few decades. A large body of quantitative research has attempted to fill this void. Numerous personality and environmental factors such as lack of effort, learning styles, family dynamics, and peer relationships have been linked to underachievement.

A plethora of inadequate and unsuccessful interventions have been implemented, researched, and scrutinized. With such an increased awareness, why do potentially gifted students continue to fail and what can we …

Helping Families To Capitalize On Literacy In Their Homes, Paula K. Azinger

Graduate Research Papers

Literacy events of some sort occur most everyday in every home. Most schools have not considered some children's homes to be a source of rich literacy experiences, yet literacy practices are embedded within the daily routines of almost every family (McCarthey, 1997). The opportunities provided for children's participation in literacy practices in the home environment are closely related to parents' own literacy use at home. This article presents case studies of four families that each had a child involved in America Reads, a federally funded after-school program. The case studies are the result of an ongoing investigation of families' perceptions …

Best Teaching Practices In Reading Methods Courses, Stacey Ruff

Graduate Research Papers

Recently, I made an occupational change to instructing at the college level while still completing work on my Masters in Reading Education. My journey has led me to this research project, a search for the best practices in teaching reading methods courses.

The questions guiding my research were: 1) What do the Higher Education professors of reading methods courses in a mid-sized Midwestern city's three colleges think are the most effective teaching practices being utilized in their reading methods courses to prepare pre-service teachers to be successful teachers? 2) How do these methods compare to research on the most effective …

Ywca Family Literacy Program, Adam Severson

Graduate Research Papers

According to the federal government (2002), family literacy programs are defined as services provided to participants on a voluntary basis. The programs should be of sufficient energy in terms of hours and duration. Such programs should make lasting changes in a family that include the following activities: (a) interactive literacy activities between parents and children, (b) training for parents regarding how to teach their children and be a partner in education, (c) parent literacy training that leads to economic independence, and (d) an age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences.

The Family Literacy Program at …

Raising Cultural Awareness In The Elementary Classroom Through African-American Children's Literature, Kirsten Seebeck

Graduate Research Papers

This research project topic was selected because of the need for raised cultural awareness in elementary classrooms, as indicated in current research findings. I chose African-American literature because in this region of the United States, Iowa in particular, the classrooms tend to be largely homogenous. Children who are from African-American descent find themselves to be in the minority in their classroom settings.

These children are not seeing many other children like themselves in their school community. It is therefore important that they see themselves in the literature shared within this community, in order to help them to relate to their …

School Readiness: Characteristics, Viewpoints, And Guidelines For Developing An Effective Kindergarten Program, Vicki A. Zweibohmer

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the recent literature on the subject of school readiness. Positive viewpoints, as well as negative viewpoints, associated with school readiness were discussed. Guidelines were presented for developing an effective kindergarten program with regard to school readiness. Also, conclusions were drawn from the current literature and recommendations were made for future kindergarten programs

The Production Of A School District Video For Promotional Purposes, Rodney R. Zehr

Graduate Research Papers

Video production for educational purposes is becoming more popular in American schools today because of the advancement of technology. With the development of digital cameras, digital video, and various forms of digital-editing software for the computer, American schools can now tap into a new and growing form of media that will continue to grow in popularity as technology continues to advance in the future. 1 The video project for the Mason City Community School District in Mason City, Iowa was initiated as a graduate project through the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This project was started because …

Motivation And Mandatory Standardized Testing: Utilizing The School Counselor As Consultant, Liaison, Trainer, And Advocate, Trent Taylor

Graduate Research Papers

Since the publication of "A Nation at Risk" in 1983, the emphasis on using standardized testing has dramatically increased (Burke & Lombardi, 1998). Political candidates at all levels are using the issues of accountability and testing in campaign advertisements and as focal points to attack opponents. Today, hundreds of thousands of achievement and aptitude tests are administered each year in educational settings (Hood & Johnson, 1997).

A Preferred Vision For Administering High Schools, Corey Tafoya

Graduate Research Papers

Few people believe I grew up in Wyoming. It must seem far away, foreign and different from the Midwestern way of life. The rugged individualism that pervades Wyoming's culture is evident in the character of most Wyoming natives. We are raised to be independent and confident. Wyoming is a place where actions are valued above talking. People show their beliefs through their actions. When a neighbor needs help, help until the work is done, there is no need to form a "neighborhood association." Common social catch phrases and trendy social activities have a very short shelf life in Wyoming. What …

Family Literacy Programs, Julie Van Meeteren

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the effects of family literacy programs on increasing literacy behaviors in young children and adults. Benefits and various approaches of effective family literacy programs were discussed, as well as concerns associated with implementation, funding, and cultural and linguistic differences concerning these programs. Guiding principles were presented for family literacy instructors to facilitate. literacy behaviors in young children and adults. Conclusions were drawn from reviewing the literature, and recommendations were made for the future implementation of family literacy programs.

Bullying In Schools : Understanding And Interventions, Donkar Wangmo

Graduate Research Papers

Bullying in schools is a worldwide problem that can have negative consequences for the general school climate and for the right of the students to learn in a safe environment without fear (Banks, 1997). Bullying can also have negative lifelong consequences, both for students who bully and for their victims. Although much of the formal research on bullying has taken place in the Scandinavian countries, Great Britain, and Japan, the problems associated with bullying have been noted and discussed wherever formal schooling environments exist (Banks, 1997). Olweus (1993) reported that one child out of every seven is either a bully …

Home-School Collaboration : An Effective Intervention For Facilitating Homework Completion?, John D. Warrington

Graduate Research Papers

This paper contains a review of literature on the utilization of home school collaboration as an intervention tool to improve the existing low homework completion rates of many students in our school systems. Due to the fact that homework is one of the most longstanding educational traditions, provides a natural link between the home and the school, and has been implicated as a tool for increasing overall rates of academic achievement, it is important to investigate past and present instruments and modes of assistance that involve both the home and school contexts in a shared partnership. There are a large …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Audrey Wallican-Green

Graduate Research Papers

All eyes are watching school leaders every day. According to Betty Hollas (2001) in Keeping Your StaffMotivated, administrators are the "CEO's (Chief Example for Others)" (p. 7). Staff, students, parents and the school community are examining and interpreting everything principals do and don't do, say, wear, and our overall behavior. Since administrators are under watchful eyes, we have to be positive, energetic, fair, and confident. My life experiences, including the education I received in the principalship program at the University of Northern Iowa and my goals as a future administrator based on the Iowa Standards for School Leaders have influenced …

Picture Books About Korea And Korean Americans, Jongsun Wee

Graduate Research Papers

Multicultural literature is beneficial to children to understand different cultures diversity in the global world. Koreans started to immigrate to the United States beginning in 1902. In spite of a lengthy Korean American immigration history, few children· s books portray Korea and Korean Americans. This study overviewed picture books about Korea and Korean Americans available in local libraries and universities and identified cultural values and themes in the Korean American picture books. This study also examined authenticity and stereotyping in the Korean American picture books. Few pictures books about Korea and Korean American have been published over the past 40 …

The Quality Of Child Care, Toranna Wermes

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the effects of child care environments on children. Benefits, as well as problems, were discussed and were associated with how children are affected by the quality of child care environments. Guidelines were presented for establishing quality child care environments for children. Also, conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for the future of child care in our state and nation.

Employee Assistance Programs And Mental Health Counselors, Paul H. Wehrman

Graduate Research Papers

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are services to help employees, and often their dependents, in finding assistance for substance abuse, mental, emotional, family, health, legal, or other personal problems (Balzer & Pargament, 1987; Masi, 1997; Spicer, 1987). For counselors who may not be familiar with EAPs, a brief history is presented. There are four models of EAPs and these are described along with the advantages and disadvantages of each model. Details of how to start an EAP are given coupled with facts about which population may utilize the EAP services. A report on the training, responsibilities, and tasks of EAP counselors …

Effectively Treating Conduct Disorder Through Therapy, Angie Wittstock

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper examined four types of treatment. Functional Family Therapy, Multisystemic, Parent Management Training and Problem-Solving Skill Training, for youth with Conduct Disorder. It looked at the core of how each treatment was facilitated along with some of the strengths and weakness of the different therapies. This paper also explored the cost-effectiveness rate for the different therapies. It suggested that less severe cases might benefit from some fom1 of Parent Management Training or Functional Family Therapy. Cases that are more difficult may require Multisystemic Therapy (Brosnan & Carr, 2000). Problem-Solving Skills Training should be used with Parent Management Training …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Steven A. Winters

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will examine how the role of the administration, teachers, community, and students, communication, staff development, and safety all affect the school's climate and culture. As Lyman (2000) found, the "culture of a school has important and far-reaching effects on the thinking and actions of students and teachers" (p. 145).