Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Using Technology To Support Student Learning In An Integrated Stem Learning Environment, Dazhi Yang, Sally J. Baldwin

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper provides the first review and illustration of technology-use strategies for supporting student learning in different integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning environments. An integrated STEM learning environment may focus on integrating and learning science and mathematics or integrating and learning engineering and technology simultaneously for multiple levels of learners. An integrated STEM learning environment breaks down disciplinary boundaries and allows students to apply multidisciplinary knowledge in solving problems. This study illustrates four technology-use strategies to support student learning in an integrated STEM learning environment: a) providing authentic learning contexts, b) offering web-based inquiry environments, c) expanding …

Phase Ii Spacescape Mobile Game For Learning Space Science 2020 Report, Sa Liu, Mina Gabriel, Brian Grey

Harrisburg University Presidential Research Grants

This project is the phase II of the awarded 2019 Presidential Research Grant Project SpacEscape (PRG 2020-07; https://www.harrisburgu.edu/spacescape/). By working with teachers and students from Mechanicsburg School District, Susquehanna Township Middle school, Crossroads Middle School, and Pequea Valley High school, the research team published the mobile science learning game SpacEscape to Google Play Store, introduced the game to more than 1,000 middle school students even during the pandemic, collected more data to understand how learner conduct problem-solving using mobile games, and presented the research at the Games for Change 2020 Virtual Conference to more than 500 attendees. In this report, …

การพัฒนาสื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ชีววิทยาผสมผสานความเป็นจริงเสริมเรื่องเทคโนโลยีทางดีเอ็นเอ เพื่อส่งเสริมมโนทัศน์ทางชีววิทยาของนักเรียนมัธยมศึกษาตอนปลาย, รัชชานนท์ ดิษเจริญ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การวิจัยเป็นการวิจัยและพัฒนา มีวัตถุประสงค์หลักเพื่อพัฒนาสื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ชีววิทยาเรื่อง เทคโนโลยีทางดีเอ็นเอ ที่ส่งเสริมมโนทัศน์ทางชีววิทยา สำหรับนักเรียนมัธยมศึกษาตอนปลาย ขั้นตอนการดำเนินการวิจัยแบ่งออกเป็น 4 ขั้นตอน คือ ขั้นตอนที่ 1 ศึกษาข้อมูลพื้นฐานเกี่ยวกับลักษณะของสื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ชีววิทยาเรื่อง เทคโนโลยีทางดีเอ็นเอ กลุ่มเป้าหมาย ได้แก่ ครูชีววิทยา จำนวน 5 ท่าน และผู้ออกแบบหลักสูตรวิชาชีววิทยาในสถานศึกษา จำนวน 5 ท่าน เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการวิจัย คือ แบบบันทึกการสนทนากลุ่มออนไลน์แบบมีโครงสร้างเรื่อง ข้อมูลพื้นฐานเกี่ยวกับลักษณะของสื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ ขั้นตอนที่ 2 ออกแบบ สร้าง และประเมินสื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ กลุ่มเป้าหมาย ได้แก่ ผู้เชี่ยวชาญด้านเนื้อหา จำนวน 3 ท่าน ผู้เชี่ยวชาญด้านเทคนิคการผลิตสื่อการเรียนรู้ จำนวน 3 ท่าน และนักเรียนมัธยมศึกษาปีที่ 5 ที่มีประสบการณ์เรียนเรื่อง เทคโนโลยีทางดีเอ็นเอ จำนวน 15 คน เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการวิจัย คือ 1) สื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ชีววิทยาต้นแบบ เรื่องเทคโนโลยีทางดีเอ็นเอ ประกอบด้วย 4 หัวเรื่อง และ 2) แบบประเมินความเหมาะสมและสอดคล้องของสื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ ซึ่งเป็นแบบมาตราส่วนประมาณค่า 5 ระดับ ขั้นตอนที่ 3 นำสื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ไปทดลองใช้ กลุ่มเป้าหมาย ได้แก่ ครูชีววิทยา จำนวน 1 ท่าน และนักเรียนมัธยมศึกษาปีที่ 4 ที่ยังไม่มีประสบการณ์เรียนเรื่อง เทคโนโลยีทางดีเอ็นเอ จำนวน 11 คน เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการวิจัย คือ 1) สื่อนวัตกรรมการเรียนรู้ชีววิทยาเรื่อง เทคโนโลยีทางดีเอ็นเอ ที่ปรับปรุงแก้ไขจากขั้นตอนที่ 2 และ 2) แบบวัดมโนทัศน์ทางชีววิทยาเรื่อง เทคโนโลยีทางดีเอ็นเอ จำนวน 20 ข้อ ในรูปแบบของแบบทดสอบแบบเลือกตอบสองระดับ มีค่าความยากอยู่ในช่วง 0.36-0.79 ค่าอำนาจจำแนกอยู่ในช่วง 0.43-0.71 และค่าความเที่ยงทั้งฉบับเท่ากับ 0.77 …

Technology-Based Culturally Relevant Chemistry Education (Crce), Mercy Adoma Fosu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relevance of chemistry concepts and principles remains a challenge for most students enrolled in college chemistry courses. Part of this problem is the disconnect with what students experience in their every-day lives, and how the material, specifically chemistry content is presented via textbooks, lectures, and laboratory teaching. Moreover, the teaching of general chemistry has traditionally focused on traditional, instructor-centric expository delivery of course materials, that treats students as empty vessels devoid of prior knowledge. Students prior knowledge and experiences are crucial in shaping their understanding of scientific concepts and principles. Even students with relatively low expectations for success in …

Teacher Perception Of Inquiry-Based Teaching In Mathematics In Early Childhood, Nadim Farooqi

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Inquiry-based instruction has been pivotal in transforming classrooms into engaging student-centered learning environments. Utilizing inquiry-based instruction in mathematics in early childhood can help build a strong foundation in mathematics. This qualitative study examined the perceptions of teachers and administrators on inquiry-based instruction in early childhood mathematics. This study was guided by three research questions. This study took place at two public schools in NYC. Data was collected through a preinterview survey and interviews. The participants included nine teachers and three administrators. During the analysis process five themes were revealed: professional development, planning and preparation, student engagement, building foundational skills, and …

The Importance Of Interdisciplinary Education, Jennifer Liegeot

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis work explores the concept of Interdisciplinary Education and how it can improve the educational experience for students while also creating citizens more capable of participating in a democratic society. In order to create more well-rounded citizens, schools should provide an interdisciplinary approach to education that centers the perspectives of the those who are traditionally excluded. Much of the education curriculum today is based on a system that favors the majority leaving out entire groups of students from minority populations. As a result, schooling overwhelmingly does not help oppressed students become critically conscious citizens who are equipped to participate …

Managing Science Teachers’ Adoption Of The 2005 Tanzanian Inquiry And Student-Centred Curriculum: Revealing Schoolbased Leaders’ Practices And Achievements, Noel Mark Makwinya

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Many countries have made considerable changes to their education systems in response to the forces of globalisation. Tanzania is no exception. The most recent educational change attempt in Tanzania relates to the introduction of the 2005 Tanzanian Inquiry and Student- Centred Curriculum.

Sound change-leadership is a necessary condition for the realisation of change, particularly in influencing its adoption. Within the descriptive qualitative research paradigm, this study employed a Type IV (embedded and multiple) case-study design to examine and describe science teachers’ lived experiences in dealing with this latest Tanzanian curriculum and the role played by school-based leaders in influencing such …

Self-Efficacy Of Endorsed And Nonendorsed Elementary Teachers Of Gifted Students In Stem Education, Lianna L. Moss-Everhart

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared elementary endorsed and nonendorsed teachers of gifted students in science, mathematics, and STEM self-efficacy as well as self-reported use of STEM instructional strategies in central Virginia. The survey, adapted from the T-STEM survey by the Friday Institute at NC State University, focused on self-efficacy and use of STEM instructional strategies. ANOVAs, univariate linear analyses, were conducted on 39 responses to compare teachers’ self-efficacy and use of STEM instructional strategies. ANCOVA and moderated regressions were used to compare the groups of teachers while controlling for the variables of grade level, years of experience, and recent STEM training. Multiple …

Factors That Influence Persistence Of Biology Majors At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Shetay Ashford-Hanserd, Kristy Daniel, Dana M. García, Jenn L. Idema

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

To promote diversity within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce, we must identify factors that influence or hinder historically underrepresented minority (URM) students’ persistence to degrees in STEM. We documented potential factors that influence students’ persistence in an undergraduate biology program and created a 14-item, Likert-scale instrument. We recruited 137 undergraduate biology majors at a Hispanic-serving institution in Texas to report which factors they found influential in their decision to remain enrolled in their degree programs. We used a modified social cognitive career theory model of career choice to guide interpretation of the reported influences and identify patterns …

The Roles And Benefits Of Using Undergraduate Student Leaders To Support The Work Of Summit-P, Janet Bowers, Bryan D. Poole, Caroline Maher-Boulis, Ashley Schwartz, Angelica Bloomquist, Erica Slate Young

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The article by Poole, Turner, and Maher-Boulis (2020) describes one way in which undergraduates have been used to support the SUMMIT-P goal of investigating examples of how mathematics and statistics are applied in partner discipline courses. Two other universities in the SUMMIT-P consortium, San Diego State University and Oregon State University, also use undergraduates in different ways to support the work of integrating science applications into math classes. In this article, we compare and contrast these three uses to further highlight this somewhat untapped resource.

Transformational Teaching In A Culturally Passive Environment In Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study Of Stem Professors, Julie M. Kjeer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in this country has come under increasing scrutiny as employers, government agencies, and postsecondary institutions point to the lack of prepared students in STEM-related fields. Evidence compels higher education institutions to improve the quality of teaching to better prepare students for lives of productive service. While such evidence has spurred multiple reform movements, little substantive change has actually occurred. Despite a culture of passive and transmissive learning in higher education STEM disciplines, inspirational STEM professors exist who dramatically impact students in positive and meaningful ways. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was …

An Initial Look Into The Computer Science And Cybersecurity Pathways Project For Career And Technical Education Curricula, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Murat Kuzlu, Otilia Popescu, Abdul Rahman Badawi, Deborah Kay Marshall, Salih Sarp, Spyridoula Tsouganatou, Petros J. Katsioloudis, Linda Vahala, Hongyi Wu

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Computer science and cybersecurity have gained the attention of various stakeholders, industry representatives, educators, parents and students who are thinking about their future careers. Teaching computer science courses has moved into K-12 education, no longer introduced in the college classroom. There are various reasons for this trend. One is that in this way more children have access to the curriculum that integrates computer science principles, not just those undergraduate students in specific STEM majors. Other industries need different levels of computer science and cybersecurity education. There are various programs across the nation that are focusing on introducing these topics as …

Gateway Scholarships In Biological Sciences: Year 3 Annual Report, Vicki Stieha, Julia Oxford, Amy Ulappa, Brittnee Earl, Jennifer Forbey, Laura Bond, Kevin Feris, Jocelyn Cullers

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This report summarizes grant activities, progress toward goals, and broader impacts of the Gateway Scholars Program in the Boise State Department of Biological Sciences during the 2019-20 academic year.

Obituary: Thomas Henry Kunz (1938–2020), Allen Kurta, Winifred F. Frick, M. Brock Fenton, Polly Campbell, Gary F. Mccracken, Robert M. Timm, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Dr. Thomas Henry Kunz, an internationally recognized expert on the ecology and behavior of bats and Professor at Boston University, passed away on April 13, 2020 in Dedham, Massachusetts, at the age of 81 as the result of complications from COVID-19. “Tom,” to his many friends and colleagues, was born on June 11, 1938 in Independence, Missouri, to William H. and Edna F. (Dornfeld) Kunz. He married Margaret Louise Brown on December 27, 1962 in Faucett, Missouri, Margaret’s hometown. Two children were born to Margaret and Tom—Pamela Kunz (Jeffrey Kwan) and David Kunz (Nicole, née D’Angelo), and five grandchildren.

As …

Strategies For Improving Remedial Mathematics Performance Among Community College Students, Lateria S. Joiner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Increasing numbers of underprepared students throughout the United States must enroll in college remedial math courses, which delays students’ graduation and increases withdrawal rates. Two-thirds of first-year college students at a rural community college in the southeastern United States were required to enroll in remedial mathematics. Only 65% completed the course. Guided by Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, which maintains that belief in one’s ability improves success, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of instructors, administrators, and students to explain the gap in performance in remedial mathematics and to use the results of this study to …

Middle-School Mathematics Teachers' Use Of Formative Assessment Data, Shawana T. Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A school district located in the southeastern United States uses benchmark tests as formative assessment to provide teachers with data to differentiate their instruction to meet the individual needs of students in their classrooms. Despite this effort, student achievement in mathematics in this school district has not improved. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how middle-grade mathematics teachers used the benchmark results as formative data to guide instruction and meet student needs. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was the model of formative assessment developed by Black and Wiliam. For this basic qualitative study, …

Preparing New Jersey Community College Students For The Mathematics Placement Tests, Charles Edward Haas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although most new college students had to demonstrate algebraic and basic mathematics mastery to earn a high school diploma or the equivalent, the majority of incoming New Jersey community college students are not showing this knowledge on the mathematics placement tests, thus placing into developmental courses, which must be successfully completed before students can attempt any college-level mathematics courses. Guided by Knowles’ theory of andragogy and developmental mathematics as a core concept, the purpose of this study was to determine ways to help incoming New Jersey community college students prepare for the ACCUPLACER mathematics tests. The research questions addressed testing …

Perceptions Of Home-Based Parental Involvement And Middle School Students' Science Outcomes, Staicy Anthony

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A low-income, urban school district has consistently failed to achieve the state’s target science performance index for several years at the middle school level. Studies have suggested that parental involvement affects student achievement. Middle school administrators and science teachers lack an understanding of home-based parental involvement behaviors regarding students’ science outcomes. There is a need for increased home-based parental involvement to enhance science outcomes among middle school students. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to fill the gap in practice by exploring administrators’ and science teachers’ perceptions of home-based parental involvement behaviors regarding middle school students’ science outcomes. …

Elementary Principals’ Constraints And Considerations When Hiring And Assigning Mathematics Teachers, Kathleen Schofield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Quality issues existed in mathematics instruction in elementary classrooms in a region in Florida. As a possible contributor to that problem, principals were hiring and assigning mathematics teachers who may have possessed insufficient content knowledge. Elementary teachers are frequently teamed in the region, with 1 teacher assigned to provide instruction in mathematics and the other to provide literacy instruction. The purpose of this study was to understand factors elementary school principals considered when hiring and assigning mathematics teachers as well as possible budgetary and other constraints that may have affected the depth of the applicant pool and related staffing decisions. …

An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Adult Students’ Subjective Theories Of Critical Thinking In Anatomy And Physiology, Elizabeth Anne Dubofsky-Porter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Critical thinking is a vital skill for the success of recent graduates, both to increase academic success and improve employability after graduation, especially in health science fields. However, many adult students fail to engage in critical thinking, especially in core courses such as anatomy and physiology (A&P). The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological qualitative study was to better understand adult students’ subjective theories regarding critical thinking and how adult students perceive the use of and any barriers or challenges to critical thinking in A&P while enrolled at Technical University. The theoretical framework that grounded this study was the Paul-Elder theory …