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Full-Text Articles in Education

Constructs Unique To Two Volusia County Elementary Writing Programs, Kathleen Holt Jan 2006

Constructs Unique To Two Volusia County Elementary Writing Programs, Kathleen Holt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study sought to examine constructs of two fourth-grade elementary writing programs in Volusia County, Florida. With only the Sunshine State Standards as a guide, each district, school, or teacher must design a writing curriculum that addresses those standards, develops writers, and provides accountability. Fourth-grade classrooms were selected because students at that grade level are required to participate in the FCAT Writing +, a two-day state assessemnt that requires students to compose an essay on a designated topic within a 45-minute period. A second part of the assessment consists of multiple-choice items covering editing and revising, graphic organizers, and …


Science Self-Efficacy In Tenth Grade Hispanic Female High School Students, Maria Miller Jan 2006

Science Self-Efficacy In Tenth Grade Hispanic Female High School Students, Maria Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historical data have demonstrated an underrepresentation of females and minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions. The purpose of the study considered the variables of gender and ethnicity collectively in relationship to tenth grade Hispanic females' perception of their self-efficacy in science. The correlation of science self-efficacy to science academic achievement was also studied. Possible interventions for use with female Hispanic minority populations might help increase participation in STEM field preparation during the high school career. A population of 272 students was chosen through convenience sampling methods, including 80 Hispanic females. Students were administered a 27-item questionnaire taken …


A Correlational Study About Coaching And Teachers' Attitudes, Perceptions, And Practices In Reading Instruction, Joan Conway Jan 2006

A Correlational Study About Coaching And Teachers' Attitudes, Perceptions, And Practices In Reading Instruction, Joan Conway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore elementary teachers' self-reporting of: a) work with a reading coach and b) attitudes, perceptions, and practices in teaching reading. The five point ratings and open-ended responses on the survey were the sources of data. Surveys were returned by 85% of teachers in five elementary schools in Collier County, Florida. Correlations of survey items were analyzed on the basis of the aggregated data and the following subgroups: certification, years of experience, school demographics, and grade levels. The survey in this study was excerpted and adapted from a survey, which was tested for validity …


Health Attitudes, Knowledge And Literacy Of Primary Caregivers With Elementary School Children, Susan Stuib Jan 2006

Health Attitudes, Knowledge And Literacy Of Primary Caregivers With Elementary School Children, Susan Stuib

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has indicated that physical activity and healthy eating in elementary school children are the exception rather than the norm. Increased attention to the rising rates of childhood obesity, coupled with the recognition that changes in the school environment are critical to reducing this trend, has intensified the need to adopt better practices in school nutrition, physical activity and physical education. Apart from being physically active, children need to learn fundamental motor skills and develop health related physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition). Primary caregivers play an important part in developing and teaching …


A Relational Diffusion Network Study Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Internet-Based Faculty's Personal Network Exposure Models Related To Discussions About Teaching Online, Dorothy Pick Jan 2006

A Relational Diffusion Network Study Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Internet-Based Faculty's Personal Network Exposure Models Related To Discussions About Teaching Online, Dorothy Pick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For many faculty, teaching online represents a new instructional delivery method, requiring the development of new teaching skills. This exploratory investigation builds upon Rogers' (2003) Diffusion of Innovations theory and communication channels to describe the influence of faculty discussions on their perceptions and decisions about teaching and learning. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design, using both sociometric and phenomenological methodologies, guided the exploration of faculty personal network exposure models and social learning opportunities. The study utilized online survey and open-ended interview instruments for the investigation. Faculty from several colleges at the University of Central Florida voluntarily completed the survey instrument …


A Focus Group Of Adolescent Haitian Immigrants: Factors Affecting Their Perceptions Of Academic Success In A Florida Public High School, Mercedes Pichard Jan 2006

A Focus Group Of Adolescent Haitian Immigrants: Factors Affecting Their Perceptions Of Academic Success In A Florida Public High School, Mercedes Pichard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this ethnographic research was to examine the perceptions of academic success of adolescent Haitian immigrant students who have arrived in the United States within the last five years and attend a public high school in Florida. The Haitian students were asked to explain the tensions they perceive between Haitian societal and educational norms and beliefs and American ones, and explain their perceptions and concerns regarding success. The importance of their perceptions as influences on their behavior was related to Bandura's Social Cognitive Learning Theory. The relevance of certain questions concerning academic success for Haitian students was investigated …


A Study Of Southwest Florida High School Reading Teachers And The Implmentation Of Scientifically Based Reading Research Instruction, Virginia Harper Jan 2006

A Study Of Southwest Florida High School Reading Teachers And The Implmentation Of Scientifically Based Reading Research Instruction, Virginia Harper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The literacy mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act (2001) swiftly and directly have an impact on reading teachers. The literacy directives of the act constitute a paradigm shift in reading reform, especially at the secondary level. Literacy directives require state and district level administrator's to focus on secondary reading teacher pre and in service training. Effecive secondary reading teachers must be well versed in the foundation sof Scientifically Based Reading Research. Florida is among the first states to implement six comptencies of professional development that leads to endorsement in the teaching of reading. Florida teachers of secondary reading …


An Examinition Of Competencies, Roles, And Professional Development Needs Of Community College Distance Educators Who Teach Mathematics, Falecia Williams Jan 2006

An Examinition Of Competencies, Roles, And Professional Development Needs Of Community College Distance Educators Who Teach Mathematics, Falecia Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study describes the perceptions of both distance education administrators and faculty who teach mathematics online in a Florida community college setting with regard to the relative importance of core competencies and roles in teaching online courses and the need for professional development that is supportive of these competencies and roles. The perceptions of administrators and online faculty for level of importance indicated for core competencies and skill area needs for faculty development when teaching an online course were examined. Results of these perceptions by group were re-examined in relation to gender, age, ethnicity, years of community college teaching experience, …


Class Size Reduction: Is It Worth The Cost?A Meta-Analysis Of The Research, Christopher Camacho Jan 2006

Class Size Reduction: Is It Worth The Cost?A Meta-Analysis Of The Research, Christopher Camacho

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ethnicity, gender, grade level and content area mediate the relationship between class size and student achievement. Twenty six educational research studies were collected for this meta-analysis. A meta-analytical approach using like data sets were used to report the most accurate information. Fixed and random effect models were used to ensure the distribution across different studies. A total of three studies were meta-analyzed for this research. The studies included in this research examined class size and student achievement for students in grades K-7. This research examined whether there was a mediating effect …


A Study Of Millenial Students And Their Reactive Behavior Patterns In The Online Environment, Francisca Yonekura Jan 2006

A Study Of Millenial Students And Their Reactive Behavior Patterns In The Online Environment, Francisca Yonekura

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to identify patterns or characteristics unique to online millennial students in higher education from two perspectives: the generational traits for an understanding of millennial students as a cohort, and the Long reactive behavior patterns and traits for an understanding of millennials as individuals. Based on the identified patterns and characteristics of these millennial students, the researcher highlighted instructional and curricular implications for online learning. A profile depicting online millennial students based on the demographic data and their overall satisfaction levels with online learning is provided. For a holistic understanding, the study included an inquiry …


Parental Involvement: Teachers' And Parents' Voices, Karen Shearer Jan 2006

Parental Involvement: Teachers' And Parents' Voices, Karen Shearer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parents have been involved in the education of their children since the early days of our nation. Their roles have evolved from teaching the basics of reading writing and arithmetic in Colonial times to overseeing the selection of teachers and designing the curriculum during the early 1800s to providing academic support in the home up through the present time. Although educators are generally viewed as professionals and in charge of their students' education, the importance of parental involvement is readily acknowledged. Confusing to both parents and educators is what constitutes parental involvement. The research revealed numerous definitions for the term, …


The Impact Of Online Education On Academic Performance For Ladies Professional Golf Association Teaching And Club Professionals, Jill Fjelstul Jan 2006

The Impact Of Online Education On Academic Performance For Ladies Professional Golf Association Teaching And Club Professionals, Jill Fjelstul

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ladies Professional Golf Association Teaching Professionals are scattered throughout the country, many of whom are self-employed. There was not a review session for Class A written test preparation prior to this study. The focus of this research, thus, was to assist first time test takers in their preparation of the LPGA Class A written evaluation through an online medium. The study was conducted between July and November, 2005, and was offered to LPGA T & CP Class B first-time test takers. Components of the online review session included self-evaluations, discussion postings involving test-related content, and practice quizzes. The study compared …


The Effect Of School Culture On Science Education At An Elementary School: An Ethnographic Case Study, Lori Meier Jan 2006

The Effect Of School Culture On Science Education At An Elementary School: An Ethnographic Case Study, Lori Meier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This ethnographic case study investigated one elementary school to understand how the school's culture influenced its science curriculum design and instruction. The main data was formal and informal semi-structured interviews with key teachers to understand their values, beliefs, practices, materials, and problems with science instruction. To triangulate these data, the researcher observed classroom practice, school-wide activities, and collected artifacts and documents. Data were analyzed using a theoretical framework that emphasizes that culture cannot be reduced to beliefs, values, practices, materials or problems, but rather each aspect of culture is interdependent and mutually reinforcing. The main finding suggests that the school's …


Metacognitive Self-Regulation, Self-Efficacy For Learning And Performance, And Critical Thinking As Predictors Of Academic Succe, Edie Gaythwaite Jan 2006

Metacognitive Self-Regulation, Self-Efficacy For Learning And Performance, And Critical Thinking As Predictors Of Academic Succe, Edie Gaythwaite

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and critical thinking could be identified as predictors of student academic success and course retention among community college students enrolled in online, telecourses, and traditional Fundamentals of Speech (public speaking) courses. The study was conducted during the Fall 2005 semester at Valencia Community College (VCC). Data for this study were collected from participating students enrolled in either one of the two online, two telecourse, and two traditional face-to-face public speaking courses chosen for analysis. Fifty-seven participants answered Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, and McKeachie (1991) Motivated …