Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Writing To Learn: Benefits And Limitations, Sara Winstead Fry, Amanda Villagomez

Sara Winstead Fry

Writing to learn (WTL) is the act of making a subject or topic clear to oneself by reasoning through it in writing; it is a pedagogical approach that uses writing to facilitate learning (Zinsser 1988). Some researchers have reported favorable results associated with the approach (Balgopal and Wallace 2009; Bullock 2006; Hand, Hand, Gunel, and Ulu 2009). However, others have indicated that studies supporting WTL pedagogy tend to lack comparison groups, pre/posttest data, or the rich description that contributes to a rigorous qualitative study (Hübner, Nückles, and Renkl 2010; Kieft, Rijlaarsdam, and van den Bergh 2006; Klein 1999). Thus, existing …

Civic Education Training Promotes Active Learning With Real-World Outcomes, Becci Burchett Gauna, Michelle Paul

SPACE: Student Perspectives About Civic Engagement

The teaching of history is moving away from the rote memorization of textbooks and toward the development of civic skills. Illinois’ recent decision to require all students to complete a semester-long civics course brings us a step closer to measuring active citizenship. Typically harbored under the social studies umbrella, civics is now a stand-alone course. The state mandates that each civics course include service learning, controversial conversation, instruction regarding government institutions and procedures, and simulations.

A Letter To Future Educators: Making The Case For Progressive Education, Melissa C. Barone

SPACE: Student Perspectives About Civic Engagement

Northeastern Illinois University requires pre-service teachers to take EDFN 313: Problems, Issues and Practices in Education, to receive a middle school endorsement. The course was offered in the summer of 2016 over a six-week period. The main objective of the course was to discuss the issues in education related to the middle school curriculum philosophy while introducing ideals of progressive education. This is a daunting task in a short period of time. This is especially true when most students have not been exposed to the historical, philosophical, and sociopolitical aspects of middle level education in the context of progressive education. …

Learning Form And Function By Dance-Dramatizing Cultural Legends To Drum Rhythms Wearing Student-Made Animal Masks, Phyllis Gray, Audrey C. Rule, Gloria Kirkland Holmes, Stephanie R. Logan, Andrea L. Alert, Cynthia A. Mason

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This study examined the self-efficacy in science, art, dance, and music; attitudes concerning contributions of people of various ethnic/cultural groups; and science learning of students involved in an after-school arts-integrated science enrichment project. Students dramatized three traditional animal legends from African, Native American, and Mexican cultures to drum beats while wearing student-made papier-mâché helmet crest masks of the animal characters. They learned the structure and functions of the featured animals through slide shows, embedded explanations in the play scripts, and hands-on form and function analogy materials that related the form and function of animal body parts to manufactured items. Although …

Third Graders Explore Sound Concepts Through Online Research Compared To Making Musical Instruments, Kyrie D. Borsay, Page Foss

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This study is an exploration of several lessons on sound taught to third grade students using one of the Next Generation Science Standards (3-5-ETS1) and arts integration. A counterbalanced, pretest- posttest- distal posttest design experiment was conducted to compare student knowledge and attitudes between the control and experimental conditions. Control activities included learning about either stringed or percussion instruments (whichever not addressed in the experimental condition) through online searches for information and writing a factual paragraph; experimental activities included creating a percussion or stringed instrument using classroom art materials purchased with an imaginary budget. One group experienced the experimental condition …

Shadow Puppet Plays In Elementary Science Methods Class Help Preservice Teachers Learn About Minority Scientists, Phyllis Gray, Audrey C. Rule, Anneliese Gentzsch, Denise Tallakson

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical article describes an arts-integrated project with engineering design and science concepts from the Next Generation Science Standards, art principles from the National Arts Standards, as well as ideas under the theme of “Culture” from the National Council for the Social Studies Standards. Preservice teachers in an undergraduate science methods class researched the background, life, and accomplishments of a minority scientist by reading books and articles about the person. They created a script to present the experiences and contributions of the scientist to other preservice teachers and, eventually, elementary students. Shadow puppets were constructed out of cardboard to portray …

Preschoolers Explore Greenhouses By Visiting A Greenhouse, Making A Model, And Growing Plants, Leann M. Perkins, Dessy Stoycheva

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical lesson on greenhouses implements standards of the Next Generation Science Standards (K-2 ETS I-2; K-LS1-1) and the preschool objectives from the Teaching Strategies GOLD. Teaching Strategies GOLD is an assessment tool available online and in print that can be used with any developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum. The lesson structure follows the 5E’s Learning Cycle Constructivist Model for teaching and the project-based, hands-on approach to learning. The preschool-aged children went on a field trip to a working greenhouse and then collaborated in groups to produce a three-dimensional model of a greenhouse as arts integration into this science project. …

Designing An Earthquake-Proof Art Museum: An Arts-And Engineering-Integrated Science Lesson, Anastasia Carignan, Mahjabeen Hussain

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

In this practical arts-integrated science and engineering lesson, an inquiry-based approach was adopted to teach a class of fourth graders in a Midwest elementary school about the scientific concepts of plate tectonics and earthquakes. Lessons were prepared following the 5 E instructional model. Next Generation Science Standards (4-ESS3-2) and the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards for fourth grade (Visual Arts: Creating 1.14a, Visual Arts: Creating 2.1.4a, and Visual Arts: Creating 3.1.4a) were addressed challenging students to create an earthquake-resistant structure to support a clay sculpture in a model of an art gallery for an earthquake-prone area. First, content knowledge …

Editorial: Welcome To The Journal Of Stem Arts, Crafts, And Constructions, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

The Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions is a scholarly journal that seeks to engage professionals, including preK-12 teachers, in a conversation about the benefits of arts integration; the ways that the STEM subjects can be integrated with the arts to produce effective teaching (STEAM Education); and how the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), can be effectively implemented with integrated arts, crafts, or constructions. Manuscripts, including guest editorials, are blind peer-reviewed by usually two reviewers and an associate editor or by three reviewers. This editorial explains the Journal’s origin in a faculty professional learning community. The Journal has a …

Applying Andragogical Principles To Enhance Corporate Functioning, John A. Henschke Edd

IACE Hall of Fame Repository

No abstract provided.

Making Meaning With Friends: Exploring The Function, Direction And Tone Of Small Group Discussions Of Literature In Elementary School Classrooms, Katie Peterson

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

The merits of decentralized small groups has been questioned in literature and by practicing teachers; thus this study shows the academic and identity work children do as they attempt to make meaning in these spaces.This study explores the affordances and drawbacks of decentralized small group discussion contexts in a multiage (3rd/ 4th) grade classroom. Practical and theoretical implications from the data suggest that decentralized small groups are valuable in a variety of ways, but children need to be guided in developing effective interactional styles. Data were analyzed using a combination of constant comparative methods and a micro analysis of talk …

Fictional Narratives About Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus Group Analysis And Insight, Teresa Cardon, Jane E. Kelley

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Given the CDC’s report of a 30% increase in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses over the past two years, it is important to increase awareness and educate teachers and students in both general and special education classrooms. One way to bridge the gap between students with and without ASD is to use authentic narrative fiction as a teaching tool. The goal of this study was to identify aspects of stories with characters with ASD that contribute to authentic and accurate depictions. Insights were elicited from focus groups that included insiders, individuals or family members with ASD, and educators who work …

The Common Core Writing Standards: A Descriptive Study Of Content And Alignment With A Sample Of Former State Standards, Gary A. Troia, Natalie G. Olinghouse, Joshua Wilson, Kelly A. Stewart, Ya Mo, Lisa Hawkins, Rachel A. Kopke

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Many students do not meet expected standards of writing performance, despite the need for writing competence in and out of school. As policy instruments, writing content standards have an impact on what is taught and how students perform. This study reports findings from an evaluation of the content of a sample of seven diverse states’ current writing standards compared to content of the Common Core State Standards for writing and language (CCSS-WL). Standards were evaluated for breadth of content coverage (range), how often content was referenced (frequency), the degree of emphasis placed on varied content elements (balance), and the degree …

Reducing Disparities By Way Of A Cancer Disparities Research Training Program, Lee S. Caplan, Tabia H. Akintobi, Tandeca K. Gordon, Tiffany Zellner, Selina A. Smith, Daniel S. Blumenthal

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: For minority populations, there is a continuing disparity in the burden of death and illness from cancer. Research to address this disparity should be conducted by investigators who can best understand and address the needs of culturally diverse communities. However, minorities are under-represented in health-related research. The goal of this project was to develop and evaluate an approach to motivating and preparing master’s degree students for careers dedicated to cancer disparities research.

Method: A Cancer Disparities Research Training Program (CDRTP) was initiated in 2010. The program consists of coursework, practicum experiences, and research opportunities. Assessment of the curriculum is …

I'M Engaged! Maximizing The Online Learning Experience, Joanna Williamson, Matthew Barclay, Jacinta Banks

Learning Showcase 2016: A Celebration of Discovery, Transformation and Success

How do we engage learners online? In this poster, we present design and teaching solutions to help engage students in online learning.

Capital University Law Mock Trial: Mock Trial Provides Law Students Real World Challenges, Zachary B. Pyers, Keona Padgett

Learning Showcase 2016: A Celebration of Discovery, Transformation and Success

Capital University Law School's Mock Trial program provides students practical training, which is difficult to receive as a student outside of an academic setting. The Mock Trial program offers students the opportunity to compete on an inter-school basis, utilizing neutral fact patterns in a variety of practice areas to test the students' advocacy skills. The Mock Trial program concludes with a trial competition, where students participate in every aspect of a civil jury trial before judges and litigators. In recent years, there has been an increased call by clients, employers, and the American Bar Association to increase experiential learning. The …

Building Interdisciplinary Learning Partnerships, Zachary B. Pyers, Kevin P. Foley, Rachel M. Janutis, Sarah L. Sams

Learning Showcase 2016: A Celebration of Discovery, Transformation and Success

Capital University Law School & Grant Medical Center partnered to provide training on medical malpractice to law students and medical residents. The course utilized a unique, interdisciplinary approach to skills training & professional development. The course attempts to meet several needs: (1) Increase experiential learning opportunities to develop professional skills and judgment; (2) Provide authentic, experiential learning that is cost-effective and accessible to all law students, including non-traditional and part­time students; and (3) Promote interdisciplinary education.

Teaching And Research In Scil 101: Science And Decision-Making For A Complex World, Jenny Dauer

DBER Speaker Series

SCIL 101 “Science and decision-making for a complex world” is the new introductory core class for all of the students in CASNR. The learning objectives are targeted toward developing students’ science literacy skills. The course will be described, as well as findings from on-going science literacy research that investigates indicators of formal and informal decision-making in the course.

The Effects Of Orton Gillingham Instructional Techniques During Small Group Instruction, Kathleen Tiver

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of leveled literacy through guiding reading and leveled literacy reading in conjunction with supplemental small group instruction utilizing Orton Gillingham techniques. This study was completed in a first grade inclusive classroom. This study was created by results from beginning of the year (September) independent reading assessments. Students who were incorporated into this study as part of the instructional group read at least three grade below excepted level, and were not classified students. Students were monitored and formally assessed at each marking period of the school year to measure successes. Students …

Teaching Security Of Internet Of Things In Using Raspberrypi, Oliver Nichols, Li Yang, Xiaohong Yuan

KSU Proceedings on Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The Internet of Things (IoTs) is becoming a reality in today’s society. The IoTs can find its application in multiple domains including healthcare, critical infrastructure, transportation, and home and personal use. It is important to teach students importance and techniques that are essential in protecting IoTs. We design a series of hands-on labs in a smart home setting, which can exercise attack and protection of IoTs. Our hands-on labs use a Raspberry Pi and several diverse smart things that communicate through Z-Wave technology. Using this environment, students can operate a home automation system and learn security concepts by performing these …