Education Commons^™

Final Report Unesco-Unevoc International Experts Seminar, Dublin, Aidan Kenny

Conference Papers

UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre and the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) UNEVOC National Centre Ireland jointly organised an International Expert’s Consultation seminar from 18 to 20 August, 2008 at DIT Aungier Street Campus, in Dublin, Ireland. Since DIT joined the UNEVOC Network in early 2007, Mr. Aidan Kenny, co-ordinator of the National UNEVOC Centre Ireland and Dr. L. Efison Munjanganja, Head, UNEVOC Networks had in conversations and in correspondence been keen about the idea of a consultative seminar on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and capacity building in the UNEVOC Network. Central to the idea was the stimulation of …

Setting Language Standards In Higher Education: Is Compromising A False Economy?, Sacha Develle

Dr Sacha DeVelle

No abstract provided.

Ielts: Validity, Reliability, Impact And Practicality., Sacha Develle, C Moulding

Dr Sacha DeVelle

No abstract provided.

Peer Effects And The Indigenous/ Non‐Indigenous Early Test‐Score Gap In Peru, Chris Sakellariou

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

This paper assesses the magnitude of the non-indigenous/indigenous test-score gap for third-year and fourth-year primary school pupils in Peru, in relation to the main family, school and peer inputs contributing to the test-score gap using the estimation method of feasible generalized least squares. The article then decomposes the gap into its constituent components using the traditional Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition method, as well as a modified decomposition method based on the estimation of a cognitive achievement production function. The decomposition results from both decomposition methods suggest that almost all of the test-score gap is explained by various peer, student, family and school …

Exploring Patterns In Teachers’ Conceptions Of Citizenship And Political Participation: A Survey Of Secondary School Teachers In Karachi, Pakistan, Karim Panah

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

This paper examines patterns in teachers’ understanding of conceptual and practical aspects of citizenship by analyzing survey data obtained from 320 teachers of public and private sector secondary schools in Karachi, Pakistan. The survey was conducted using a five-point-Likert scale ranging from ‘strongly disagree through ‘neutral’ to ‘strongly-agree’ and openended questions on citizen participation in politics. The survey questionnaire included 28 items that reflected various aspects of citizen rights and responsibilities. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)) showed several patterns in teacher’s conceptions of citizenship with reference to democratization. The analysis demonstrates that teachers’ conception of citizenship is shaped by confusions and …

Students’ Attitudes, Motivation And Anxiety Towards English Language Learning, Meenaz Shams Hashwani

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Motivational factors and experiences have the potential to influence students’ attitudes and anxiety levels towards English language learning. Recognizing the importance and multi-dimensional complexities of motivational attitudes and anxiety, this mini-research study attempts to investigate gender wise students’ attitudes, motivation and anxiety towards the learning of English as a second language in the multilingual context of Karachi, Pakistan. The study adapts a survey questionnaire from Gardner’s ‘Attitude Motivation Test Battery,’ to explore attitudes (English language and learning), motivations (intrinsic and extrinsic) and classroom anxiety of grade 8th students in a private secondary school. The survey findings of 77 students (40 …

The Effect Of A Yearlong One -To -One Laptop Computer Classroom Program On The 4th-Grade Achievement And Technology Outcomes Of Digital Divide Learners, Daniel H. Bird

Student Work

A yearlong one-to-one computer laptop classroom instruction intervention program used to prepare 4th-grade students for participation in computer learning activities was evaluated. Students used computers to complete daily reading, writing, and Internet search assignments. Students were divided into two groups according to past computer access; Digital Divide Learners (n = 10) who did not have computers and Internet access at home, and Digital Native Learners (n = 15) who did have computers and Internet access at home. Reading, writing, total technology skills domain scores, and keyboarding speed and accuracy outcomes were evaluated. Results indicate reading vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing …

The Effect Of Inquiry-Based, Hands-On Math Instruction Utilized In Combination With Web-Based, Computer-Assisted Math Instruction On 4th-Grade Students' Outcomes, Jason D. Plourde

Student Work

Results indicated that 4th-grade students ( n = 19) participating in the inquiry-based, hands-on math instruction used in combination with web-based, computer-assisted math instruction group and 4th-grade students ( n = 19) participating in the inquiry-based, hands-on math instruction alone group did not significantly improve their pretest-posttest Problem Solving/Data Analysis, Concepts/Estimation, Math Total, and Math Computation norm-referenced normal curve equivalent achievement test score results. However, 4th-grade students participating in the inquiry-based, hands-on math instruction alone group posttest-posttest scores were statistically significantly greater than students who participated in the combination instruction group across all four subtests. Moreover, all posttest norm-referenced, Normal …

Value Of Traditional Games, Saima Khalid

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion And The Battle For America’S Soul By Edward Humes, Wesley Hickey

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Monkey Girl reviews the intelligent design movement by reporting on the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial in which Judge John Jones ruled on both the religiosity and scientific merits of an adopted school policy promoting this hypothesis.

The Historical Development Of Private Education In Canada, Brenda B. Mackay, Michael W. Firmin

Education Faculty Publications

The Canadian educational system has been influenced by geography, population, and natural resources. In some provinces, denominational schools exist within the public school system. Although committed to a multiethnic society, private education also exists within the larger system, with religious or Christian schools considered a subset of private education. The early French and British immigrants to Canada shaped the educational system and their influence is still evident in the contemporary educational milieu, including the dual-language system and the adoption of a multicultural model. The Roman Catholic and Church of England influences were particularly strong since, unlike education in America, religion …

Centering Pregnancy And Traditional Prenatal Care: A Comparison Of Health Practices, Kaylynn Shakespear

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Centering Pregnancy is an alternative method of providing prenatal care with increased education and social support with health assessment in a group setting. This study, a cross-sectional, correlational, convenience-sample design, sought to determine the difference between women who receive prenatal care in Centering Pregnancy prenatal care and those in traditional prenatal care in regards to health behaviors. Adult pregnant women (n = 125) were surveyed from at least 28 weeks gestation. The sample comprised primarily White low-income women. Using multiple linear regression, it was determined that women in Centering Pregnancy had significantly lower index health behavior scores compared with the …

Animated Database Courseware: Using Animations To Extend Conceptual Understanding Of Database Concepts, Meg Murray, Mario Guimaraes

Faculty and Research Publications

Teaching abstract concepts can be best supported with supplemental instructional materials such as software animations. Visualization and animations have been shown to increase student motivation and help students develop deeper understandings. Through an NSF funded CCLI grant, a set of animations to support the teaching of database concepts is being developed and made freely available. Current modules available cover areas such as database design, interactive SQL, stored procedures and triggers, transactions and database security. In this paper, we provide an overview of the Animated Database Courseware (ADbC) as well as provide examples of how this software might be utilized in …

After-School Programs And Reading Achievement, Jamie M. Mack

All Graduate Projects

The relationship between participating in an after-school program and accelerating reading levels was studied. Seventy-three fifth-grade students were pre- and posttested using the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test to determine reading levels. Thirty-six of the 73 students participated in an on-going 21" Century Academic After-School Program. The other 37 did not. The results showed that there was no statistical difference between participating in an after-school program and accelerating reading levels. The study also broke down the data by gender. These results showed that there was no statistical difference between males who participated and males who did not; however, there was a significant …

Utah Middle-Level School Community Councils: An Evaluation Of Compliance, Processes, And Perceived Impact, Richard Jackson Nygaard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The historical perspective of schools in our democratic society provides a framework of tension between local parent and community control and professional and state control of public school decisions. Today, federal and state requirements demand increased student achievement. One school reform effort enlisted to help meet the challenges is the creation of site-based decision-making councils that involve school administrators, teachers and parents. The state of Utah requires each public school to have a School Community Council that is responsible for the development of plans for school improvement. Limited funds are provided to each School Community Council through the School LAND …

Understanding Children’S Play, Nilofar Vazir, Syeda Imrana Raza

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Utah Teachers' Developmentally Appropriate Beliefs And Practices As Related To Perceptions Of Kindergarteners' Successful School Entry, Mary Mceuen Darnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was an exploration of 450 Utah kindergarten teachers' perceptions of problems children face at the time of kindergarten entry, as well as an examination of the teachers' developmentally appropriate beliefs and practices. Consistent with previous research, teachers' beliefs were found to be more developmentally appropriate than their reported practices. This study also investigated the relationship between both teacher and classroom/school demographics and teachers' developmentally appropriate beliefs and practices. Further, the relationship between teachers' perceptions of children's transition to kindergarten and beliefs, practices, teacher demographics, and classroom/school demographics was studied.

Study findings indicated that teachers perceive 20% of kindergarten …

The Process Of Tracking In Mathematics In Box Elder School District, Megan Haramoto Bushnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Educational policymakers have used tracking to instruct students in a variety of subjects, including mathematics. Tracking, which has also been called ability grouping, is a process by which students in the same grade are placed into different classes based on academic ability. Few educators and sociologists have looked at the process by which students are placed in different mathematics tracks. The research design of this study focused on accumulating, evaluating, and reporting the understanding and observations of 12 teachers and 4 counselors as they discussed their knowledge and involvement in the mathematics placement procedures from the intermediate and middle school …

A Qualitative Study Of Seminary Principals For The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Eric W. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study investigates how leadership is embodied within the role of seminary principals in released-time seminaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This study utilized a grounded theory approach and constant comparative analysis while triangulating the data obtained from personal interviews, participant observations, and analysis of documents. The primary sources of data came from the personal experiences and perspectives of four principals, eight teachers, and one area administrator that are analyzed through biographical interviews.

Analyses of the data were completed to determine common themes of leadership that were embodied by principals in released-time seminaries for The …

The Effect Of Classroom Experiences On Future Success, Jennifer R. Presson

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis explores the impact that classroom experiences have upon students’ academic and future success. It begins by discussing Charles Dickens’ criticism of education in his works, specifically in the novel Hard Times. Next, the thesis examines a number of studies that have sought to identify the factors that determine students’ academic success. Finally, the careers of Erin Gruwell and Rafe Esquith are described as ‘real life’ examples of the way that teachers can impact students’ success.

Bethel College - Matriculation Records, 1854-1918 (Mss 182), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 182. Matriculation book (414 p.) for Bethel College, 1854-1918. Bethel, a Baptist school located in Russellville, Kentucky, started as a high school and evolved into a four-year college, and finally became a junior college.

Family Sources Of Educational Gender Inequality In Rural China: A Critical Assessment, Emily C. Hannum, Peggy A. Kong, Yuping Zhang

Gansu Survey of Children and Families Papers

In this paper, we investigate the gender gap in education in rural northwest China. We first discuss parental perceptions of abilities and appropriate roles for girls and boys; parental concerns about old-age support; and parental perceptions of different labor market outcomes for girls' and boys' education. We then investigate gender disparities in investments in children, children's performance at school, and children's subsequent attainment. We analyze a survey of nine to twelve year-old children and their families conducted in rural Gansu Province in the year 2000, along with follow-up information about subsequent educational attainment collected seven years later. We complement our …

Family Sources Of Educational Gender Inequality In Rural China: A Critical Assessment, Emily C. Hannum, Peggy A. Kong, Yuping Zhang

Emily C. Hannum

Simmons, Stella (Sc 1810), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1810. Paper: "Science Hill School: English and Classical School for Girls, Shelbyville, Kentucky" written by Stella Simmons for a Western Kentucky State Teachers College literature class. Includes requirements for admission and graduation taken from the school catalog.

An Examination Of The Discrepancy Between Teachers' And Students' Perceptions Of The Prevalence Of Bullying In An Australian Primary School, Christina Smith

Theses Bachelor Honours

The study identified and analysed the perceptions of students and teachers concerning the prevalence of bullying in one Australian primary school. Perceptions were identified utilising a mixed methods approach. Four teachers and 89 students completed questionnaires following which three teachers participated in focus group discussions. Findings established that a discrepancy existed between between the students and teachers perceptions of the exposure of 89 Year 3 and 4 students to peer victimisation. The identification of high levels of bullying in the school precinct was consistent with many other studies on this topic. This study supported the findings of a previous 2007 …

The Impact Of Speech -Language Pathologist Service Delivery Models For Concept Imagery Formation Instruction On Second Grade Students' Language Achievement Outcomes, Jennifer L. Allen

Student Work

Implementing effective strategies to meet the learning needs of an increasingly diverse student population, while balancing the demands of increasing caseloads, has become a challenge for Speech-Language Pathologists. The Visualizing & Verbalizing Program was implemented in this study as a way to incorporate concept imaging techniques. During the 2007-2008 school year, second grade students participated: 18 in the coteaching service delivery model, and 16 in the consultative. Classroom teachers and the Speech-Language Pathologists were trained and collaborated in the intervention and the service delivery models. Student achievement was measured with the Listening Comprehension Test-2 and the Twelve Structure Word Visualizing …

The Effect Of A Rural High School Combination Supplemental Literacy Program On Emerging Readers’ Achievement, Engagement, And Behavior Outcomes, Mark L. Adler

Student Work

No abstract provided.

Increasing The Social Involvement Of Withdrawn Adolescents: Effects Of Peer Praise Notes, Julie Nelson, Paul Caldarella, K. Richard Young

Faculty Publications

Research has shown that those students who are socially withdrawn or isolated have difficulty learning appropriate social conduct which places them at risk for difficulties later in life(Oden, 1980; Patterson, Reid, & Dishion,1992).

Perceptions Of Home Notes: Parental Involvement In Teaching Social Skills, Ryan H. Shatzer, Sue A. Womack, Paul Caldarella, Michael Adams

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of a Home Note program as a way to involve parents in teaching and reinforcing social skills as a universal level positive behavior support intervention, and to examine stakeholder perceptions of a Home Note program.

An Investigation Into The Spelling And Grammar Skills Of Students Who Use Individual Laptop Computers In A Year 6 Classroom, Aaron Johnston

Theses Bachelor Honours

This thesis constitutes a case study of a single Grammar School in the State of New South Wales, Australia during the year 2008. This particular study takes on a qualitative approach to research, adopting a case study methodology taking data from lesson observations, student and staff interviews and individual student testing. The case study seeks to investigate the long term effect (positive, neutral or negative) that individual laptop computer use has on the spelling and grammar skills of students in a Year 6 classroom. The results from the data gathered have identified several areas of concern regarding the effective development …