Whatever Works: Teaching Adults With Learning Difficulties In Adult Basic Education Programs: A Dissertation,
2011
Lesley University
Whatever Works: Teaching Adults With Learning Difficulties In Adult Basic Education Programs: A Dissertation, Susan Noyes Spear
Educational Studies Dissertations
Research indicates that significant numbers of adult learners who attend adult basic education (ABE) programs have learning difficulties and/or learning disabilities. However, most ABE teachers have not been trained to teach students with these complex learning needs. This qualitative study, conducted through an interpretivist/constructivist lens, used in-depth individual interviews to garner the voices and experiences of ten ABE teachers as they described how they identify and manage the learning needs of their students. Results showed that ABE teachers described their practice in terms of how they identified their students' learning difficulties; their perceptions of their identity and role as an …
Testing A Tpack-Based Technology Integration Observation Instrument,
2011
College of William and Mary
Testing A Tpack-Based Technology Integration Observation Instrument, Mark Hofer, Neal Grandgenett, Judith B. Harris, Kathy Swan
Teacher Education Faculty Proceedings & Presentations
Teachers’ knowledge for technology integration – conceptualized as technological pedagogical content knowledge, or TPACK (Mishra & Koehler 2006) – is difficult to discern, much less assess. Given the complexity, situatedness and interdependence of the types of knowledge represented by the TPACK construct, well-triangulated ways to assess demonstrated technology integration knowledge are needed. In 2009, three of the authors created and tested a rubric that was found to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess the TPACK evident in teachers’ written lesson plans (Harris, Grandgenett & Hofer 2010). We have now also developed a TPACK-based observation rubric that testing has …
The Impact Of Revisionist History On Pre-Service And In-Service Teacher Worldviews,
2011
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The Impact Of Revisionist History On Pre-Service And In-Service Teacher Worldviews, Franklin Titus Thompson, William P. Austin
Teacher Education Faculty Publications
Students sometimes find the study of history to be boring and irrelevant. Many question the accuracy of accounts given. The introduction of revisionist history to a convenience sample of students (A^ =164) from a college of education program located at a Midwestern university made a positive difference in historical learner perspective. Students gained a greater appreciation for the study of the past, as well as a better understanding of how the melodramatic hyping of events and heroes discourages the formulation of a balanced and accurate view of history and its leaders. Pretest-to-posttest changes in mean scores were found to be …
Solo But Not Separate: Preparing 21st-Century School Library Professionals Who Can "Go It Alone",
2011
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Solo But Not Separate: Preparing 21st-Century School Library Professionals Who Can "Go It Alone", Becky Pasco
Teacher Education Faculty Publications
Preparing school librarians for a diverse array of 21st-century educational environments is a daunting task. Faculty in school library preparation programs send candidates out into sparsely populated rural areas, dense urban settings, and everything in between. Some candidates will provide services and resources in updated, modern facilities, while others will operate in tiny, tattered little corners. Some new professionals will ply their trade in technically rich arenas, while others will work in technically starved settings. Regardless of place and space, resources and services must be developed and delivered in a proactive and productive manner for the P—12 community. School library …
Nurturing Urban Native American Families Through Preschool Family Literacy Celebrations,
2011
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Nurturing Urban Native American Families Through Preschool Family Literacy Celebrations, M. Susan Mcwilliams, Tami Maldonado, Paula Szczepaniak
Teacher Education Faculty Publications
Most Native Americans (NAs ) live in urban settings [1]. Only half of indigenous ninth-grade students graduate with their non-native, same-age peers [2]. New and innovative approaches to teaching urban NAs to increase their graduation rates are urgently needed. One such innovative approach infuses cultural education into curriculum: young children from diverse Native Nations, many of whom have additional non-Native heritage, attend an experimental, urban Native Indian Centered Education (NICE) preschool in the Midwest. The preschool focuses on building and strengthening family literacy resources and developing family-school-community partnerships to strengthen literacy.
Compartiendo Nuestras Historias: Five Testimonios Of Schooling And Survival,
2011
University of California - Berkeley
Compartiendo Nuestras Historias: Five Testimonios Of Schooling And Survival, Wanda Alarcón, Cindy Cruz, Linda Guardia Jackson, Linda Prieto, Sandra Rodriguez-Arroyo
Teacher Education Faculty Publications
This storytelling begins with a positioning of why and how we use testimonio as part of a larger project of social justice and transformative pedagogies. In this collective testimonio, 5 working-class Latina scholars tell the stories of their struggles to overcome the challenges of language and assimilation, of gender discrimination and racism, of the violence of patriarchy, and of the experience of being treated as an “alien” in one's own country.
Parental Influence On Adolescent’S Academic Performance,
2011
South Dakota State University
Parental Influence On Adolescent’S Academic Performance, Jessica Schmuck
The Journal of Undergraduate Research
The purpose of this survey research was to uncover how the relationship of parental involvement and parenting styles influence their adolescent’s academic performance and success. Parents need to be actively involved in their adolescent’s life, support and provide assistance with school and help instill motivation and confidence. This research was conducted by personally distributing surveys to a class of students at the Brookings High School in October 2010. The survey found that half of the participating adolescent’s stated that their parents had a strong influence on their academic performance. This was critical information because it supported previous research conducted regarding …
A Psychological Investigation Of The Expressed Attitudes Of Middle School Aged Adolescents Toward School Bullying,
2011
Walden University
A Psychological Investigation Of The Expressed Attitudes Of Middle School Aged Adolescents Toward School Bullying, Jodi Marie Daly
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
International research on bullying suggests that bullying is pervasive in schools and the workplace. Most researchers concur that bullying behavior is a disruptive factor to the social and educational well-being of students. Previous research, grounded in social and family systems theory, has indicated those who bully tend to be involved in self-destructive and delinquent behaviors. Additionally, in the only-large scale study on bullying behaviors, 29% of the 10th-grade student body admitted to being bullied that school year. Further, in a new study conducted by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, half of all high school students reported that they have bullied …
Teachers' Perception Of Handheld Response Systems As A Tool For Formative Assessment In High School Classrooms,
2011
Walden University
Teachers' Perception Of Handheld Response Systems As A Tool For Formative Assessment In High School Classrooms, Jon Chevalier
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
While research supports that formative assessment can improve student learning, it is rarely used and difficult to implement. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the use of student handheld response systems (SRS) as a tool for formative assessment in high school classes as well as teachers' attitudes towards this emerging technology. Self-efficacy and motivation theories provide the theoretical framework for this study. To explore this phenomenon, data were collected via an online interview from high school teachers (n=11) and were analyzed using inductive coding. Three themes emerged from this analysis and served as a basis for …
Preschoolers' Use Of Technology In The Classroom,
2011
Walden University
Preschoolers' Use Of Technology In The Classroom, Re, Darlene M. Estes-Del Re
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Almost from birth, children are immersed in a technologically rich world yet they often enter preschools that offer little to no use of technology. Preschool learning is tied to more traditional forms of reading and writing; this may be inconsistent with the ways children are learning at home and will learn in elementary school. Despite growing interest in creating learning environments that better mirror the technological experiences of the home, there is a significant gap in current research about how learning is affected in preschool environments designed with multiple forms of technology. This qualitative single case study was designed to …
Assessment Of Admission Criteria And Selection Process For Nurse Education Programs,
2011
Walden University
Assessment Of Admission Criteria And Selection Process For Nurse Education Programs, Mary Ann Jarmulowicz
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Qualified student enrollment to nurse education program is limited by admission criteria predetermined by faculty; however, little is known regarding the development and consistency of selection criteria. The purpose of this study was to examine the admission requirements of nursing programs to better understand the philosophical underpinnings and complexity of selection criteria. The conceptual frameworks of teaching philosophy, complexity, and gatekeeping guided this research. This descriptive correlational study used a cross-sectional design to survey a purposeful sample of full-time faculty teaching in nurse education programs in a southeastern state. Descriptive analyses, independent t test, and a Lambda analyses were employed …
A Quantitative Assessment Of Skills And Competencies In Graduates Of At-Risk High Schools,
2011
Walden University
A Quantitative Assessment Of Skills And Competencies In Graduates Of At-Risk High Schools, Charles Jerry Williams Jr.
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The willingness to work and a high school diploma were once all that was needed to start one's career. The problem is that on the twentieth anniversary of the reports by the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS), high school graduates may still lack what business and education leaders require for success in entry-level employment or post-secondary studies. The research question included understanding how prepared graduates from at-risk high schools are for post-secondary work or study. The study used a Likert-scaled survey to assess participant work readiness in 36 skill or competency areas. The sample consisted of recent graduates …
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of The Effects Of High-Stakes Testing,
2011
Walden University
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of The Effects Of High-Stakes Testing, Amy Pavia
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
High-stakes testing has increased since the passage of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. Many teachers are using teacher-centered activities with memorization and testing coach books instead of creating student-centered higher-order thinking activities. Some school districts are eliminating subjects that are not tested on state assessments. The purpose of this study was to collect information regarding the teaching experiences of 9 elementary teachers from the same school within one public school district. Teacher interviews were utilized in this case study to explore the perceived effects of high-stakes tests on elementary curriculum and instruction. The theoretical foundation …
Middle School Educators' Perceptions Of Online Professional Development,
2011
Walden University
Middle School Educators' Perceptions Of Online Professional Development, Kelley E. Theodocion
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Numerous researchers have investigated distance education in postsecondary settings, but there is a paucity of research regarding the design and delivery of online professional development for K-12 educators. The goal of this mixed methods sequential exploratory study was to examine attitudes of middle grades educators toward an online professional development course held for teachers employed by one suburban school district in the southeast region of the United States. The theoretical framework is Knowles's theory of adult education (andragogy). The research questions addressed perceptions of connectedness and learning in an online professional development course. A structured interview protocol was used to …
Comparison Of Principals' Leadership Practices By Methods Of Professional Development,
2011
Walden University
Comparison Of Principals' Leadership Practices By Methods Of Professional Development, Marcia J. Grande
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Although the roles of instructional leader and lead learner have become central in the work of 21st century principals, their professional development has garnered little attention. This quantitative, non-experimental, comparative survey study investigated differences in the self-reported leadership behaviors of principals who identified themselves as using either supported or unsupported professional development. Brain based learning, constructivist learning, and adult learning theories, together with professional development standards, created the conceptual framework for this study. Participants were obtained through a purposive national sampling of 7,000 of 230,600 U.S. principals, delimited to leaders in their school for 2 years or more. The voluntary, …
Exploring The Meaning And Use Of Science Content Integration,
2011
Walden University
Exploring The Meaning And Use Of Science Content Integration, Jason L. Garner
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Science content integration, or the simultaneous teaching of science with other subjects during learning activities, has been explored by multiple studies. However, due to a lack of consensus on its definition, it was difficult for educators in a local school district to discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of this instructional technique. This qualitative collective case study, based on a constructivist theoretical foundation, centered on the questions of how teachers defined and used science content integration, and perceptions of impediments to its use. Participants were five teachers in a suburban elementary school. The sources of data for this study were interviews, …
First-Year Teachers' Perceptions Of Effective Induction Program Components,
2011
Walden University
First-Year Teachers' Perceptions Of Effective Induction Program Components, Kathyleen Bliss
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Educational literature has established that over half of all teachers leave the profession within 3 years. Exploring the 1st-year teacher transition and its inherent challenges has been necessary to educational stakeholders seeking to achieve national standards and improve the educational environment, student achievement, and teacher retention. This study's purpose was to investigate 1st-year teacher induction programs; determine the type of support components included, whether from administrators, mentors, or colleagues; and identify which components 1st-year teachers perceived as most effective. The professional development models of Wong, of Johnson and Kardos, and of Curran and Goldrick provided the conceptual framework. The guiding …
The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Literacy Achievement Of Secondary Students,
2011
Walden University
The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Literacy Achievement Of Secondary Students, David P. Jones
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Proficiency in language arts and communication skills is essential to success in the global workforce. Most states assess students in language arts literacy (LAL) through standardized tests that assess a student's ability to read, interpret literature, and write expressively. Although educational reformers strive to improve the foundations that prepare students in literacy, reforms have not fully incorporated the theory of emotional intelligence (EI), which explains a student's ability to use, understand, perceive, and manage their emotions in order to think critically, make decisions, and solve problems. Although it is not known whether EI directly correlates to literacy, emotional skills are …
Induction Of Special Education Teachers In Self-Contained Classrooms For Students With Autism,
2011
Walden University
Induction Of Special Education Teachers In Self-Contained Classrooms For Students With Autism, Nelly A. Dixon
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Over the past decade, the number of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in public schools in a northeastern US state has almost tripled in number. Given a lack of preservice training on autism topics, many beginning special education teachers are ill prepared to meet the challenges of working in classrooms for students with ASD and current induction practices do not specifically support special education teachers. The perceived effectiveness of induction programs for beginning teachers in self-contained classrooms for students with ASD were examined in this phenomonological inquiry grounded in theories of adult learning. Through semi structured interviews that were …
The Relationship Between Professional Learning And Middle School Teachers' Knowledge And Use Of Differentiated Instruction,
2011
Walden University
The Relationship Between Professional Learning And Middle School Teachers' Knowledge And Use Of Differentiated Instruction, Andrea Mcmillan
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Self-efficacy beliefs, a component of Bandura's social cognition theory, provided the basis for this study of teachers' participation in professional learning. Training and positive experiences increase teacher efficacy, or the level of effort and persistence educators are willing to exert as they teach. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between teachers' participation in differentiated instruction (DI) in-service opportunities and teachers' knowledge and frequency of use of DI. It was hypothesized that middle school teachers' levels of DI training would be related to teachers' knowledge and use of DI in the classroom. An anonymous survey was …
