Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Educational Administration and Supervision (28)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development (21)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (13)
- Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration (12)
- Science and Mathematics Education (9)
-
- Curriculum and Instruction (6)
- Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education (6)
- Instructional Media Design (5)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (4)
- Arts and Humanities (3)
- Education Policy (3)
- Elementary Education (3)
- Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration (3)
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (2)
- Adult and Continuing Education Administration (1)
- Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching (1)
- African American Studies (1)
- Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education (1)
- Counseling Psychology (1)
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (1)
- Educational Methods (1)
- Educational Psychology (1)
- Environmental Sciences (1)
- Higher Education Administration (1)
- Higher Education and Teaching (1)
- Liberal Studies (1)
- Life Sciences (1)
- Music (1)
- Other Education (1)
- Publication Year
- Publication
- Publication Type
Articles 31 - 55 of 55
Full-Text Articles in Education
Using Focus Groups To Explore Sources Of Self-Efficacy In Puerto Rican Preservice Teachers, Yitza A. Arcelay-Rojas
Using Focus Groups To Explore Sources Of Self-Efficacy In Puerto Rican Preservice Teachers, Yitza A. Arcelay-Rojas
Journal of Educational Research and Practice
This article used focus groups to explore Puerto Rican preservice teachers' perceptions of sources of self-efficacy. The present study allowed, through a qualitative design, examination of the experiences of preservice teachers at the end of their student teaching practicum. The qualitative design and the use of the focus group technique provided insight into the main sources of their perceived self-efficacy through the self-assessment of their field experience. The beginning of the student teaching practicum provoked an intense process of emotions in which the preservice teachers needed support and guidance, particularly in aspects of planning, differentiation, and classroom management. The participants …
Public Elementary School Teachers' Experiences With Implementing Outdoor Classrooms, Lori Schultz Goff
Public Elementary School Teachers' Experiences With Implementing Outdoor Classrooms, Lori Schultz Goff
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Children experience limited time outdoors and have few opportunities for outdoor learning in schools, putting them at risk for being unprepared to engage in solving environmental and societal problems. Researchers have examined outdoor learning at the preschool and high school levels; elementary school experiences have been explored less frequently. Guided by a conceptual framework informed by social emotional learning (SEL), ecological literacy, and teacher self-efficacy, this study investigated public school elementary teachers' experiences with outdoor classrooms including barriers and supports to creating and using outdoor classrooms. A qualitative design using in-depth interviews with interpretive phenomenological analysis techniques was conducted with …
Elementary Teachers' Self Efficacy For Improving Student Achievement, Regina Ann Epps
Elementary Teachers' Self Efficacy For Improving Student Achievement, Regina Ann Epps
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The local problem that prompted this study was declining student achievement scores in the 4th and 5th grades at a Title 1 elementary school in the southeastern U.S. As a result, school administrators initiated an environmental change from a self-contained classroom structure to departmentalization and team teaching for 4th and 5th grades. The purpose of the study was to investigate perspectives of teachers and administrators regarding their needs to address their own self-efficacy for improving student learning, and their perspectives of the team teaching and departmentalization processes in enhancing student achievement. The conceptual framework for this study was Bandura's theory …
Elementary Teachers' Experiences Integrating Technology With Literacy Instruction, Valerie Coward-Vaughn
Elementary Teachers' Experiences Integrating Technology With Literacy Instruction, Valerie Coward-Vaughn
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Elementary educators at the urban elementary school in this study struggled with technology-enhanced literacy pedagogy to increase student success. The purpose of this case study was to examine the extent to which educators built relationships between technology and teaching to improve student success. The study was guided by Venkatesh's unified theory of acceptance which was used to examine how educators accept and use technology in literacy instruction. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions of how they can build better relationships with technology and teaching to enhance student literacy success and their perceptions of administrative and district support services to enhance …
Examining The Intersection Of Teachers' Expectations, African American Males, And Equitable Strategies, Adell Cothorne
Examining The Intersection Of Teachers' Expectations, African American Males, And Equitable Strategies, Adell Cothorne
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Elementary African American males achieve proficiency at a lower rate than their peers in both reading and math. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how elementary school teachers described their use of equitable strategies in teaching elementary African American male students, how these teachers described the experience of teaching African American male students, and how they used equitable strategies to shape the classroom environment to engage African American male students. Two theories provided the conceptual framework for this study-human development theory and critical race theory in education. Seven participants were selected through convenience sampling. Semistructured interviews …
A Service-Learning Project And Civic Engagement For At-Risk Elementary Students, Jennifer Flores
A Service-Learning Project And Civic Engagement For At-Risk Elementary Students, Jennifer Flores
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
An urban elementary school in the city of Phoenix showed little evidence of using active learning even though active learning is a best practice to create engaged citizens. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether participating in a 3-week service-learning project improved civic engagement among at-risk elementary students. The theoretical foundation for this study was the constructivist learning theory, which states that students learn and create meaning by being active participants in their own learning. The research questions asked if completing a 3-week service-learning project showed a statistically significant difference in civic engagement for at-risk tutorial students at …
Descriptions Of Differentiated Instruction In Mathematics In A Title 1 School District, Sheril Bulley-Simpson
Descriptions Of Differentiated Instruction In Mathematics In A Title 1 School District, Sheril Bulley-Simpson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In an urban Title 1 school district, the average number of Grade 3-5 students who scored proficient or advanced on the state standardized assessment was 37.3% below Grade 3-5 students countywide and 19.4% below Grade 3-5 students statewide. Low mathematics scores may indicate a gap in practice that affects student achievement. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to examine teachers' descriptions of instructional strategies implemented to mediate instruction for students who struggle in mathematics. This study was based on the conceptual framework of Tomlinson's differentiated instruction (DI), a means of accommodating the varied ways that students learn. The …
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Data Decision-Making For Instructional Practice, Joy Simon Swain
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Data Decision-Making For Instructional Practice, Joy Simon Swain
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
At an elementary school in the northeastern region of the United States elementary teachers struggled with using data to make instructional decisions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore elementary teachers' perceptions about how their teaching experiences prepared them to use data to make lesson decisions. The theoretical-conceptual frameworks of this study were Bandura's self-efficacy, a theoretical framework of data use at the building level, and organizational routines framework. The data collected from interviewing eight elementary teachers revealed their perceptions of having to use data to make lesson decisions and how these perceptions influence their teaching practices. The …
Elementary Teachers' Affective Relationship With Mathematics And Its Influence On Mathematics Instruction, Kelly Kreitzer Sutton
Elementary Teachers' Affective Relationship With Mathematics And Its Influence On Mathematics Instruction, Kelly Kreitzer Sutton
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In a South Carolina school district, approximately 45% of 3rd-5th grade students performed poorly on the state mathematics test. K-5 teachers attended district training to improve mathematics instruction and content mastery, but the training omitted teachers' affective domain in teaching. Teachers' affective relationships with mathematics (ARM) affects content delivery, instructional decisions, and teachers' confidence levels and motivation. The purpose of this sequential mixed methods study was to investigate whether teachers' years of experience, grade levels taught, or past mathematics experiences influenced K-5 teachers' ARM, as measured by the ARM survey, and to explore teachers' perceptions of their ARM in instruction. …
An Elementary Perspective Of The Value-Added Model, Pat Mccoy
An Elementary Perspective Of The Value-Added Model, Pat Mccoy
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In a small, rural school district in the southeastern United States, elementary school teachers were receiving positive evaluation ratings while student proficiency on state assessments was below the state average. Due to changes in federal and state laws, school personnel evaluate methods have undergone significant reform. The purpose of this study was to answer the guiding research questions of teachers and administrators perceptions toward the value-added model (VAM) of evaluation and how those perceptions affect teacher performance. Taylor's scientific management theory, which suggests examining human productivity through the lens of applied science served as the conceptual framework. Data were collected …
Elementary Literacy Coaching In A Florida School District, Crystal Jacqueline Tessmann
Elementary Literacy Coaching In A Florida School District, Crystal Jacqueline Tessmann
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Literacy coaching is a widely implemented method for increasing teacher effectiveness and student learning. However, literacy coaches, teachers, and administrators from various countries have expressed confusion and concerns regarding this method. In the current research setting, literacy coaching was implemented to improve reading test scores with inconsistent results. Cultural historical activity theory was used as the theoretical framework for this sequential explanatory mixed-methods research that explored literacy coaching relationships in the research site from the teachers' perspectives. Phase 1 research questions examined (a) differences between the amount of time coaches spent with teachers, (b) components of coaching teachers found most/least …
An Analysis Of Teachers' Perceptions Of Bullying At The Elementary School Level, Tiffany Wilson Thomas
An Analysis Of Teachers' Perceptions Of Bullying At The Elementary School Level, Tiffany Wilson Thomas
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Teachers in elementary schools are often faced with countless disruptive bullying behaviors, which cause them to lose valuable classroom instruction time. In addition, bullying victims have shown a decline in academic success as compared to students who are not bullied. The purpose of this qualitative bounded case study was to explore teachers' understanding and awareness of bullying behaviors and policies at the elementary school level, particularly in an elementary school in a southeastern state that has experienced large increases in student disruptive behavior over the past 2 school years. Bandura's social cognitive theory served as the conceptual framework. Semi-structured interview …
Implementing Elementary School Next Generation Science Standards, Kathy Kennedy
Implementing Elementary School Next Generation Science Standards, Kathy Kennedy
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards requires developing elementary teacher content and pedagogical content knowledge of science and engineering concepts. Teacher preparation for this undertaking appears inadequate with little known about how in-service Mid-Atlantic urban elementary science teachers approach this task. The purpose of this basic qualitative interview study was to explore the research questions related to perceived learning needs of 8 elementary science teachers and 5 of their administrators serving as instructional leaders. Strategies needed for professional growth to support learning and barriers that hamper it at both building and district levels were included. These questions were considered …
Elementary Teacher Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Kinesthetic Learning Strategies, Heidi Erickson Erickson
Elementary Teacher Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Kinesthetic Learning Strategies, Heidi Erickson Erickson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Researchers have shown that movement increases brain function, improves mental health, supports cognitive development for students, and reduces sedentary time, all which can influence overall health. Research concerning learning with intentional movement is limited. In the United States, Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are being mandated, and teachers are challenged to teach the standards creatively and to maximize time used for instruction. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of elementary general education (GE) teachers who taught CCSS using a kinesthetic learning plan (KLP). Bandura's self-reinforcement and social learning theories provided the conceptual …
Technology Integration By General Education Teachers Of English Language Learners, Marie Simone Anglin
Technology Integration By General Education Teachers Of English Language Learners, Marie Simone Anglin
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
There is a growing population of English language learners (ELLs) in elementary schools across the United States, and a current academic achievement gap between ELLs and non-ELLs. Researchers have found that integration of Web 2.0 tools has benefitted ELLs in language learning settings, outside of the general classroom. The research problem addressed in this study, based on TPACK, explored general education teachers' experiences with integrating Web 2.0 technology to support academic language acquisition by ELLs and revealed the successes and challenges the teachers encountered. The 6 female participants in this qualitative interview study were required to have experience (a) as …
A Study Of Instructional Methods On Fourth Grade Reading Achievement, Benita Jessup
A Study Of Instructional Methods On Fourth Grade Reading Achievement, Benita Jessup
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a significant percent of 4th grade students read below the basic level. In one elementary school students participated in additional reading instruction as intervention for students scoring basic and below basic on the state standardized test. The purpose of this ex post facto non-experimental quantitative study was to determine the effectiveness of direct instruction versus fluency (repeated reading) instruction on the reading achievement of 4th grade students. This study is based on the theory of automatic information processing in reading and the theory of prosody. The overarching research question for this study …
Primary Teachers' Perspectives On Ipad Integration: Barriers, Challenges, And Successes, Richard Cory Campbell
Primary Teachers' Perspectives On Ipad Integration: Barriers, Challenges, And Successes, Richard Cory Campbell
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Despite the rapid expansion of mobile technologies in K-12 schools, recent research has shown that many teachers are ill prepared to take advantage of these new tools. This study was designed to address the problem of lack of effective iPad integration in primary classrooms at an international school in South Korea. The purpose of this case study was to examine primary teachers' perceptions of the implementation of an iPad initiative begun in 2012. Framed by Koehler and Mishra's technological pedagogical content knowledge model (TPACK), the study was guided by research questions that involved teachers' perceptions of the barriers, challenges, and …
Teacher Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Inclusion In Elementary Classroom Settings, Delicia Peacock Peacock
Teacher Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Inclusion In Elementary Classroom Settings, Delicia Peacock Peacock
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Inclusion classrooms were introduced in the United States in 1990 when the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act required that special education students be instructed in a general education setting. Ensuing changes in instructional formats have caused role confusion for special and general education teachers, resulted in mixed attitudes toward teacher responsibilities, and lowered teachers' sense of efficacy about being able to teach their students. Guided by Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory, this bounded case study design in a rural elementary school in a southeastern state was used to understand the perceptions of general and special educators regarding their work in …
Parent And Principals' Perceptions Of Cyberbullying In 21st Century Rural Elementary Schools, Kathleen Virginia Hosterman
Parent And Principals' Perceptions Of Cyberbullying In 21st Century Rural Elementary Schools, Kathleen Virginia Hosterman
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Cyberbullying is a common form of harassment and aggression engaged in by today's youth. This phenomenon is affecting primary-school-aged children as technology devices are now made available to elementary school students in rural settings. Based on the framework of Bandura's social cognitive theory, this mixed methods project study included a survey to quantitatively investigate the associations between parental knowledge of the phenomenon of cyberbullying and children's grade levels, and a focus group to gather qualitative data from school principals regarding their perceptions of the extent and impact of cyberbullying in 4 rural elementary schools in Massachusetts. Due to highly skewed …
Teachers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Professional Development On Music Integration, Marcy Thurmond Simmons
Teachers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Professional Development On Music Integration, Marcy Thurmond Simmons
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
International Baccalaureate (IB) schools are focused on a school-wide approach to developing inquiring students who are motivated to succeed. The problem explored in this case study was based on a local IB elementary school's response to a reform model to integrate music into other content areas. The curriculum lacked an interdisciplinary approach to music education even though teachers had participated in some professional development (PD) to help them integrate music into content areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of elementary teachers regarding the influence of professional development on music integration at the IB elementary school. …
Parent Involvement Practices Of High Achieving Elementary Science Students, Samara Susan Waller
Parent Involvement Practices Of High Achieving Elementary Science Students, Samara Susan Waller
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
This study addressed a prevalence of low achievement in science courses in an urban school district in Georgia. National leaders and educators have identified the improvement of science proficiency as critical to the future of American industry. The purpose of this study was to examine parent involvement in this school district and its contribution to the academic achievement of successful science students. Social capital theory guided this study by suggesting that students achieve best when investments are made into their academic and social development. A collective case study qualitative research design was used to interview 9 parent participants at 2 …
Instructional Writing Practices In Grade Five, Susan Elaine Newberry
Instructional Writing Practices In Grade Five, Susan Elaine Newberry
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Nationally and locally, a paucity of students are effective writers. The purpose of this exploratory, sequential mixed methods study was to explore effective research-based writing strategies and influences on writing skills of 5th grade students. Guided by Vygotsky's zone of proximal development theory, the research questions investigated teachers' perceptions of the best instructional writing practices, the effect of writing practices on students' state writing scores, the relationship between student attendance and performance on the state writing test, and the amount of instructional planning dedicated to best writing practices. Data were collected from interviews with 5th grade teachers (N = 5), …
Supporting Elementary Teachers In Effective Writing Instruction Through Professional Development, Whitney Nash Young
Supporting Elementary Teachers In Effective Writing Instruction Through Professional Development, Whitney Nash Young
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for writing have created a challenge for teachers at an urban elementary school as they struggled to provide effective writing instruction to support the rigorous expectations of the standards. The purpose of this study was to explore elementary teachers' lived experiences of instruction and better understand instructional writing procedures and strategies. The conceptual framework of this study was based on Dennick's work for incorporating educational theory into teaching practices, which combined elements of constructivist, experiential, and humanist learning theories. Research questions investigated how teachers perceived the impact of the CCSS writing standards on their practice …
Improving Instruction For English Language Learners Through The Development Of Coteaching, Anna Parrish
Improving Instruction For English Language Learners Through The Development Of Coteaching, Anna Parrish
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Researchers have described how a missing element in instructional services for English language learners is effective collaboration between general education and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teachers. This collaboration is vital to the success of English language learners. This multisite case study was designed to gain insight into current practices and how to improve collaboration between educators in a way that improves instructional services for English language learners. Knowles' theory of andragogy, the transfer of learning theory, and constructivism were used as a basis for analyzing educators' perspectives and instructional practices. Two sites were selected for the study-one …
The Relationship Between Family, Personal, And School Variables And The Math Achievement Of Elementary Students, Regina Wicker Kerr
The Relationship Between Family, Personal, And School Variables And The Math Achievement Of Elementary Students, Regina Wicker Kerr
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
School administrators and teachers must determine the factors most associated with academic success in order to meet the academic needs of all students. Researchers have identified general risk factors such as student socioeconomic status (SES), but there may be additional unidentified factors correlated to student achievement. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between a set of school, family, and personal demographic variables and students' math achievement. Bandura's social learning theory, Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, and Feurestein's mediated learning experience served as the guiding frameworks for this study. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine …