Education Commons^™

Preparing K-12 Teachers For Blended Teaching: An Exploration Of Peer-Reviewed Research, Important Practices, And Teacher Experiences, Cecil R. Short

Theses and Dissertations

This multiple-article dissertation explores K-12 blended teacher preparation. A literature review describes research trends from 88 articles published in peer-reviewed journals. It reports that current K-12 blended teacher preparation research focuses on explorations of blended teaching literature; professional development and coursework used for blended teacher preparation; defining, developing, and implementing blended teaching competencies; and measuring blended teaching readiness. The literature review suggests that additional work is needed to uncover specific practices that K-12 blended teachers are using across disciplines and grade levels, as well as whether there are specific pedagogies that seem to be effective within specific disciplines and grade …

In Search Of Hidden Talents : Stress-Adapted Students, Classroom Characteristics, And Academic Achievement, Jessica Lynn Murray

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Differentiated Instruction, an approach to teaching that encourages educators to adjust their content, pedagogy, and assessment based on the needs of individual students, lacks suggestions for how to target specific student groups, such as “high-risk” students. Researchers in the field of evolutionary developmental psychology have begun to focus on stress-adapted students (who are described in a similar way as “high risk” students) and has made suggestions about how to play to the strengths of the cognitive enhancements, or “hidden talents” of these students. When considered together, the work from both fields may provide a clear set of pedagogical recommendations for …

Beneficial Approaches To Working With Migrant Students, Pete Cade

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The migrant student population in the United States continues to rise. This increase in numbers places this unique group of students in thousands of classrooms across the country. Their mobility rates can significantly increase the number of classrooms affected and the number of teachers who must understand their plight. This single qualitative case study explored migrant students’ academic experience, for the purpose of establishing best practices for the educational system to best support them. Using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and multicultural education as the theoretical framework, the researcher analyzed the perceptions of effective practices from twelve college-educated professionals who were …

The Effect Of Guided Reading On Student’S Academic Achievement In First-Grade Classrooms, Mandy Sioringas, Nola Steier

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research study was to find out if Guided Reading plays an effect on student reading scores in a first grade classroom. Research was conducted by two teachers in two separate first grade classrooms and each teacher had four student participants. The teachers focused on three components of Guided Reading. These included group size, individualized instruction, and interruptions and absences. Data was collected through Fountas and Pinnell Pre and Post Assessment, Teacher Observation Journal, Student Self Assessments and Teacher Tally Form. The results showed that Guided Reading has a positive effect on student scores and an …

Technology With Differentiated Instruction For Advanced Middle School Students' Reading Achievement, Clarissa Haymon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educators offer rich learning experiences to all students, including advanced learners. A school district experienced a decrease in improvement percentiles on annual state reading achievement tests for advanced middle school students between 2012 and 2015. Guided by the theory of differentiated instruction, this quantitative study evaluated the effectiveness of Achieve 3000, a technology-enhanced program for differentiating reading instruction in a middle school that has a large percentage of advanced learners. The program was fully implemented for advanced 6th through 8th grade students beginning in the 2017-18 school year. Using a causal-comparative design, the archived reading scores of 120 advanced 6th …

Teacher Clarity Strategies Of Highly Effective Teachers, Megan Olivia Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher clarity supports both cognitive and affective learning for all learners. The scholarly literature lacks research related to teacher clarity in nonlecture learning environments. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover teacher clarity strategies that effectively promote student learning, particularly in nonlecture learning environments. The conceptual framework involved cognitive load theory and constructivism. The research questions explored how highly effective teachers experience clarity to promote student learning in nonlecture learning environments and what innovative strategies highly effective teachers practice to ensure clarity in nonlecture learning environments. For this in-depth qualitative interview study, data were collected through virtual synchronous …

Star: A Computerized Tutorial In General Psychology, Barbara S. Chaparro, Charles G. Halcomb

Barbara S. Chaparro

This study investigated the use of a computerized tutorial--Self-Test and Review (STAR)--in a computer-managed general psychology course. STAR consists of four major modules which provide the student with a variety of learning exercises, including practice quizzes, practice final exams, performance reviews, and structured study questions. The purpose of the study was to determine whether students would choose STAR as a study tool, the effect of lecture versus self-paced settings on the use of STAR, whether students who used STAR would perform better than those who did not, and the effect of the timing of feedback in STAR on performance. Students …

Middle School Teacher Beliefs About Classroom Diversity And Their Influence On Differentiated Instructional Practices, Marcus Fredrick-Lynn Wenzel

Dissertations and Theses

Diversity across U.S. classrooms is on the rise which is leading to renewed calls for teachers to meet individual learning needs. Studies indicate the failure to address individual learning needs can lead to higher rates of student disengagement, off-task behaviors, and diminished learning outcomes. Differentiated instruction is an approach to teaching that meets the growing diversity of individual learning needs by considering students' readiness, interest, and learning styles. Differentiated instructional approaches help teachers meet individual learning needs by allowing them to modify instruction as needed. However, despite the apparent benefits of differentiated instruction, teachers are hesitant to abandon other educational …

Success Through Intervention, Megan Tonderum

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Daily 5 And Cafe Literacy Framework On Reading Comprehension In Struggling Fourth Grade Readers: A Case Study, Sandra Lee Duty

Dissertations and Theses

For decades, struggling readers have been a central focus of American public schools. In the United States, many students who struggle with reading comprehension are not receiving high-quality instruction that ensures comprehension of text. Elementary teachers are faced with the challenge of how to structure and organize literacy instruction that ensures growth in reading comprehension for struggling students.

The purpose of this case study is to explore the impact of a reading framework on fourth grade struggling students’ reading comprehension, attitudes and engagement. This case study looks specifically at the impact of the Daily 5 and CAFÉ literacy framework that …

Elementary (K-5) Teachers' Perceptions Of Differentiated Instruction, Christopher Maddox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Differentiated instruction is a pedagogical method used by classroom teachers to enhance student learning. Researchers have described how students benefit from differentiated lessons, but have not explored the relationship between teachers' perceptions of differentiation and student success. This gap is problematic because teachers' instruction directly affects student achievement. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore how elementary (K-5) teachers define, familiarize, use, and perceive differentiation. The conceptual framework was rooted from a synthesis of ideas found in current refereed literature, and the educational concepts and constructionist theories of Piaget and Vygotsky. Purposeful sampling identified 12 participants for …

Assessing Intrinsic Values Of A Lecture-Free High School Science Education For Collegiate Science Work: A Case Study, Christopher Dorais

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study examined the efficacy of the individualized instruction teaching methodology as it was applied within high school science classes. Also examined was how individualized instruction at the high school level prepared students to do collegiate science level work.

Differentiated Instruction: One School’S Survey Analysis, Dianne James

The Corinthian

The purposes of this study are to investigate teachers’ perceptions of differentiated instruction and its implementation in day-to-day teaching within the classroom. A small sample of thirty-seven middle school teachers participated in this study. Thirty-three of them completed a fifty-item survey and four participated in a semi-structured individual interview. The findings support the premise that teachers know what differentiated instruction is theoretically or conceptually, but may not be implementing the corresponding strategies in their classrooms. One important implication of this study is that future staff development should continue to reinforce the necessity of differentiated instruction, correct the various misconceptions about …

Multiple Intelligences In The Classroom, Julia Marie Ramirez

Theses Digitization Project

This qualitative study was designed to examine teacher feedback concerning the application of multiple intelligence methods in their classroom. The study found the theory of multiple intelligences was being implemented throughout the curriculum and students were maintaining an evident level of engagement; in turn teachers found it to be a useful intructional method.

The Importance Of Differentiated Instruction To Student Involvement, Motivation, And Learning, Emily Christine Fandino

Theses Digitization Project

This study was focused on what differentiated instruction is, what it takes to have a differentiated classroom, and if differentiated instruction really helps increase student motivation, engagement, and learning. Two classes of eighth grade students were taken through the process of differentiating assignments using four ways differentiation can take place: variety, choice, relevance, and centers.

The Impact Of Care : Young African American Males' Perceptions Of In-Home, One-On-One Tutoring, Aaron Lamont Horn

Doctoral Dissertations

unavailable

Differentiated Instruction With Middle School Gifted Students, Marci Lynn Lee

Theses Digitization Project

The education of all students is important in the school system, however, all students learn differently and are at different levels. One strategy that is used to cope with this issue is differentiated instruction. Di fferentiated instruction is when you teach to the individual student's needs by pre-assessing and determining those needs. If the student already know the information you need to move onto something more challenging for them. Often these gifted students already know the information, since they do come into each grade knowing 50% of the curricula, but quite often they are taught it again.

A Survey Of Student Participation In The Iep Process, Elizabeth A. Edgemon

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this research was to investigate teachers' compliance with the portion of the IDEA '97 amendments that mandates participation in the IEP process by students 14 and older, or younger than transition is discussed. Researcher-developed surveys were sent to middle and high school special education throughout Virginia. The results of these surveys reflect teachers' compliance with this component of the IDEA Amendments of 1997. Nearly all of the teachers surveyed reported that at least some of their students were present at their most recent IEP meeting and though less than half of those students had any preparation for …

Bloom's Taxonomy Goes High Tech: A Software Review, Lisa Anne Thompson

Theses Digitization Project

The paper is a review and evaluation of software used for the purpose of its correlation to content standards, ease of classroom use, ability to keep the student on task, and student appeal. This project was to create a software review based on instructional standards and the principles of Bloom's taxonomy, which is a classification of levels of thinking.

Peer Perceptions Of Students Without Learning Disabilities Toward Students With Disabilities And A Self Perceptions Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Vernell Greene Scott

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of the nondisabled students toward students with learning disabilities and the self perceptions of learning disabled students. A survey research design was used for this study. Subjects were students in grades 6-8 with and without disabilities from a rural area in Virginia. The participants who were chosen were general and special education students at the middle school level.

The results from this study showed on most issues the two groups agreed, on such topics as friendship, social gathering, and favoritism. Findings indicated students without disabilities are accepting students with disabilities …

Perceptions And Knowledge Of The General Education Teacher's Role In The Iep Process, Sarah Jane Vandruff

Theses & Honors Papers

The perceptions and knowledge of general education teachers on their role in the IEP process were investigated. The literature suggests that the perceptions of teachers are influenced by many factors. The three main factors influencing teacher perceptions include: a) teacher training and staff support, b) the presence of an effective inclusion program, and c) the time available for the teacher to participate to his/her fullest potential. Teachers in Virginia have the training needed. However, teachers lack the presence of an effective inclusion program ad the time needed to collaborate and fully participate.

An Individualized Spelling Program, Rashelle Noreen Pratz

All Graduate Projects

Spelling is a subject taught in school that is often in debate about the most effective way to teach it. There has been vast research about the correct way to teach spelling. Traditionally, spelling has been taught with word lists compiled of isolated words that students don't often use in everyday writing. Advocates for new ways to teach spelling suggest the use of high frequency words and words students will most often use in their writing experiences. This project report provides an individualized spelling program to fit the needs of each student, in which learning to spell plays a significant …

Learning To Walk The Talk: Cognitive Models Improve Presentation Skills, Adrienne Lynne Carter

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Regular Education And Special Education Professionals Regarding Involvement In The Iep Process, Donna B. Howland

Theses & Honors Papers

Special education and regular education professionals in public high schools in Virginia were surveyed regarding their perceptions of student, parent, special and regular educator involvement in the IEP conference. The survey aimed to compare the teachers' perceptions on the ideal level of involvement with what actually occurs in the schools. Students and regular education teachers had lower levels of actual involvement in the IEP conference than the teachers believed it should be. Furthermore, both groups of teachers indicated that the primary responsibility for developing the IEP should fall to the special education professional.

Star: A Computerized Tutorial In General Psychology, Barbara S. Chaparro, Charles G. Halcomb

Publications

This study investigated the use of a computerized tutorial--Self-Test and Review (STAR)--in a computer-managed general psychology course. STAR consists of four major modules which provide the student with a variety of learning exercises, including practice quizzes, practice final exams, performance reviews, and structured study questions. The purpose of the study was to determine whether students would choose STAR as a study tool, the effect of lecture versus self-paced settings on the use of STAR, whether students who used STAR would perform better than those who did not, and the effect of the timing of feedback in STAR on performance. Students …

A Skill Based Approach To Organizing And Cataloguing Supplemental Reading Materials At The Elementary Level, Patricia E. Selby

All Graduate Projects

This project organized and catalogued all of the supplemental reading materials of an elementary reading room according to a reading skills code list. The code list was developed by consulting reading skills lists and the school district's student learning objectives. Fifteen major skill areas were included in the code list. Each was broken down into subskills which were assigned code numbers. Each supplemental material was examined and catalogued under the appropriate code number. A handbook was compiled which explained the system and listed all of the materials by skill area.

Study Requirements And Higher-Level Performance In A Psi Course, Esther Shafer

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This experiment investigated the effects of differential study guide assignments and testing. requirements on higher-level performance in a PSI course. Twenty-six students who were enrolled in an elective psychology course in self-control at the University of the Pacific served as subjects. The taxonomy of educational processes developed by Bloom (1956) served as a guide to writing course materials corresponding to six levels of learning.Two levels of study guide assignments and testing requirements were varied across four groups of students in a multilevel design. The first level was the simplest, in which students were required to complete written . exercises in …

The Effects Of Public Progress Charts Upon Self-Pacing In A Psi Course In Social Studies In A Traditional Middle School, Lynnette Hager-Godat

Dissertations and Theses

The present study investigated the effects of public progress charts on self-pacing in a social studies course taught by the PSI method in a middle school (grades 5-8). It was found that public progress charts significantly enhanced a student's rate of progress, t(45) = 5.06, p < .01. Student satisfaction with the PSI method was measured and it was found that students liked the PSI method.

Learning Centers For The Elementary Classroom, Annie P. Davis

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

A Six-Weeks Individualized Curriculum Guide In Construction Technology For Junior High School Students, Dan R. Deetz

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to develop a six-week self-contained module for teaching Construction Technology on residential house framing to junior high school students. The unit covered various areas of construction involving framing procedures. Three important areas of study have been developed. They include floor framing, wall framing and roof framing.