Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing An Environmental Education Program, Gregory Schraw, Lori Olafson, Jeanne A. Klockow

Presentations (DM)

We developed a comprehensive assessment plan and tested the curriculum to determine whether hands-on outdoor recreation events promote knowledge, attitudes, and performance among at-risk urban children. Knowledge, attitude, and performance assessments were developed, refined and implemented with a variety of age groups participating within the events. Findings revealed that knowledge, attitudes, and performance increased substantially as a result of participating in the outdoor recreation events.

Change Bell Ringing And Mathematics: A High School Student Excursion Into Graph Theory And Group Theory, Kristi Carlson

Honors Theses

This unit was created as a way to introduce higher level mathematics concepts to advanced high school students. All five of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Process Standards are found in this unit. For most of the unit, students work within small groups

21st Century Literacies: Transforming Education For Next Generation Learners, Patricia A. Iannuzzi

Library Faculty Presentations

- 21st Century Literacies

- Millennials as Learners

- Engaging the Digital Native

- A Vegas Perspective

What Is Comprehensive Sexuality Education Really All About? Perceptions Of Students Enrolled In An Undergraduate Human Sexuality Course, Eva Goldfarb

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

The purpose of this study was to use qualitative evaluation techniques to explore the perceptions of students enrolled in undergraduate human sexuality classes regarding their expectations for the course as well as outcomes. One hundred forty-eight students were surveyed at the beginning and again at the end of the semester-long course. While pregnancy and STI prevention were considered important components of their courses, other outcomes associated with positive, healthy sexuality were given greater emphasis. Results suggest that while primary and secondary level sexuality education have been increasingly focused on abstinence-only education with a focus on pregnancy and STI reduction, this …

Republican Values, Arthur Lang

Arthur Lang

No abstract provided.

Looking Beyond The Curriculum In Jamaica, Jon T. Jacobsen, Michael E. Orrison Jr.

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

In August 2004, we had the opportunity to travel to Jamaica to lead a pilot workshop for Jamaican high school math teachers. The workshop focused on the importance of mathematical context in the teaching of mathematics. It was sponsored by the Gibraltar Institute, a Jamaica-based nongovernmental organization led by Trevor Campbell (Pomona College) and Reginald Nugent (Cal State Pomona), Jamaica’s College of Agriculture, Science and Education, and Harvey Mudd College.

Kindergarten Readiness: Using Age Or Skills In Assessing A Child’S Readiness, Leslie Barden Smith

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Currently, age is the primary indicator of kindergarten readiness. A concise list of readiness skills to guide parents and teachers when deciding if a child is ready for kindergarten is lacking. The literature reveals that older age kindergarten entrance is not a predictor of academic success, nor is age an accurate indicator of readiness. In this study, responses from approximately 22 kindergarten teachers to a readiness questionnaire identify and develop a succinct list of the skills these professionals view as most significant for kindergarten readiness. According to the teachers in this study, the ability to sit and listen for approximately …

Exploring Animal-Assisted Therapy As A Reading Intervention Strategy, Maria S. Kaymen

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

This study is an examination of animal-assisted therapy in an attempt to explore the ways it may serve as reading intervention program for struggling readers. Due to the low rate of literacy in the U.S., children are often put into reading intervention programs where they are required to read to an adult; potentially creating anxiety that may act as a deterrent to reading regularly, and thus contributing to the condition of aliteracy, that is, possessing the basic skills to read yet having no desire to do so. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the ways in which …

A Model Leadership Curriculum For Managers Of An Eden Alternative Nursing Home, Jennifer A. Horton

Master's Theses and Capstones

A nursing home is a difficult environment for staff as well as residents. As a result, some nursing homes are moving toward a more holistic, person-centered approach to care. The Eden Alternative is one of those organizations. Empowerment of direct caregivers and the flattening of the hierarchical structure of the traditional nursing home are two important components of the culture change process known as the Eden Alternative. As a result, management within an Eden environment requires skills different from those in the traditional top-down organizational structure. A model curriculum is outlined to help managers of an Eden Alternative nursing home …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending November 30, 2005, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three-months, the focus of the university’s efforts has included the following highlights:

• Forever Earth was scheduled 15 times in the past quarter.
• Twelve Discover Mojave Outdoor World events were completed; a draft Year 2 schedule was completed.
• An Outdoor World assessment report compiled and results were presented at a professional academic conference.
• The Phase I Education in the Environment Strategy document was completed.
• A Phase II action plan is underway by the Environmental Education Committee.
• A place-based education conference, “Our Places Tell Stories,” will be held in January 2006.
• Survey data is being collected from Clark County …

Teaching Today's Diverse Student Population In Schools, Elizabeth F. Hurdle

Theses & Honors Papers

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate teacher candidates' attitude and knowledge level toward the adequacy of their teacher training for meeting the needs of a diversified school population and to make recommendations for any restructuring in a University teacher training program. A survey research method using a convenience sample size of (N = 240) was used to collect data for this study. The sample of 240 participants included graduate and undergraduate teacher candidates who had completed student teaching and alumni from the last five years. A self-developed questionnaire with 35 Likert-type questions and four open-ended questions was …

Assessing “Discover Mojave” Instrument Development And Analysis: Final Report, Lori Olafson, Gregory Schraw, Michelle L. Weibel

Reports (DM)

We developed curriculum and a comprehensive assessment plan to determine whether hands-on outdoor recreation events promote knowledge, attitudes, and performance among at-risk urban children. Knowledge, attitude, and performance assessments were developed, refined and conducted through various stages based on cultural and language barriers as well a variety of age groups participating within the events. Findings revealed that knowledge, attitudes, and performance increased substantially as a result of participating in the outdoor recreation events. We conclude that the implementation and assessment of the program is strong. We also make several recommendations for future programs.

Faculty-Librarian Collaboration To Teach Research Skills: Electronic Symbiosis, Navaz P. Bhavnagri, Veronica Bielat

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

This article discusses faculty-librarian collaboration to integrate technology in a course that focuses on teaching empirical research methodologies and library research skills to elementary and early childhood education graduate students. Vygotsky’s theory, standards in teacher education, and information literacy standards form the conceptual framework that supports this collaboration. The purpose and procedures of this collaboration, as well as student, faculty, and librarian outcomes, are discussed. This present collaboration on bibliographic instruction and the use of Blackboard courseware is framed within the context of past history of collaboration and future plans to expand this collaboration.

Unlv Magazine, Erin O'Donnell, Gillian Silver, Lori Bachand, Regina Barcolas, Tony Allen, Gian Galassi, Suzan Dibella, Diane Russell, Doug Mcinnis, Cate Weeks, Jennifer Robison, Holly Ivy De Vore

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Volume 17, Number 01, G. William Hill Editor, Linda M. Noble Editor

Reaching Through Teaching

Full text of Volume 17, Number 01 of Reaching Through Teaching.

Review Of After Education: Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, And Psychoanalytic Histories Of Learning By Deborah Britzman, Marla Morris

Department of Curriculum, Foundations, & Reading Faculty Publications

This review was published in the Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies.

2005-2006 Academic Catalog, Cedarville University

Undergraduate Academic Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Department-Integrated Information Literacy: A Middle Ground, William Joseph Thomas

The Southeastern Librarian

Much of the current literature on information literacy on college and university campuses encourages instructional services librarians and departments to pursue one of two options: either integrate information literacy into the curriculum as a campus-wide initiative, or establish a forcredit information literacy course taught by librarians. For a variety of reasons, instructional programs may not be able to accomplish either of these goals immediately. Perhaps the library does not have the institutional influence to mount a campus-wide program, or maybe the library lacks the needed resources in terms of personnel or instructional facilities. Tackling the planning required for a program …

Teaching Lessons Learned: The Exceed Teaching Model, Allen C. Estes, Ronald W. Welch, Stephen J. Ressler

Architectural Engineering

While the first five articles in this Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice (JPI) series covered a variety of teaching tools and techniques such as the chalkboard, questioning, drama, board notes, physical models, and demonstrations, the previous issue took a broader view and introduced a model instructional strategy. This strategy provides a conceptual framework that an instructor can use to develop classroom instruction in an organized and coherent manner. The strategy reflects the way that students actually learn and prompts the instructor to make conscious decisions about allocating responsibility for student learning and sequencing the contributing activities. …

Inside Unlv, Diane Russell, Cate Weeks, Carol C. Harter, Mamie Peers

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

The Continuing Challenges Of Technology Integration For Teachers, Pamela Morehead, Barbara Labeau

Essays in Education

Technology development in the beginning of 21st century has changed not only the way classrooms appear, but also necessitates a change in how students in the classrooms learn. However, a problem continues to exist related to teachers using technology in meaningful ways for instruction. . In this article, we suggest that school districts use a curriculum mapping process to help teachers initially understand their curriculum more deeply. We posit that once teachers have an understanding of curriculum and learning processes, technology integration is possible. Once linkages form between what students need to know and teachers’ knowledge of how technology is …

Assessing The Quality And Quantity Of Student Discourse In Mathematics Classrooms, Dave Weaver, Tom Dick, Nicole R. Rigelman

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper will discuss the study design, observation protocol, efforts to increase inter-rater reliability, challenges to data collection, and findings from baseline data collection efforts. The paper will also summarize the types of analyses that will be performed with the data and will present other research questions that can be addressed through these analyses.

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending August 31, 2005, Environmental Education Strategy For Nevada

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three-months, the focus of the university’s efforts has included the following highlights:

• Data compiled, summarized, and analyzed from survey of existing environmental education programs in Southern Nevada.
• Planning underway for place-based education conference to be held in January 2006.
• Survey of Southern Nevada teachers developed and ready to be administered in October 2005.
• Vision, mission, and goals set for area-wide Environmental Education Committee.
• Planning for pre-service teacher training in environmental education and master’s degree environmental education program initiated.
• Coordination efforts underway between the Interagency Environmental Education Team and other interagency teams that have identified education components within …

Equity And Technology, Jamel K. Donnor

School of Education Book Chapters

"Technology has always occupied an important space within the American education system. Serving mainly as an instructional aid for the teacher, technology has varied in form beginning with the blackboard (and textbook) to more advance devices such as the radio, film, television, and videotape recorder (VCR). The introduction of technology to schools in many ways is part of the discussion on the purpose of education. Debates on the purpose of education have varied from socializing students to the cultural values of American society by emphasizing the precepts of democracy (e.g., citizenship); preparation for the workforce; to the development of a …

Technology Professional Development For Principals : Impact On The Integration Of Technology In Elementary Schools, Tarek Chebbi

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of technology in schools is no longer the topic of educational debates, but how to ensure that technology is used effectively continues to be the focal point of discussions. The role of the principal in facilitating the successful integration of technology in the school is well established. To that end, the Florida Department of Education implemented the FloridaLeaders.net: a three-year professional development project in technology for school administrators. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of this professional development project on integrating technology in elementary schools.

The study compared a group of schools whose principals …

A Social Cognitive Perspective Of Physical-Activity-Related Behavior In Physical Education, Jeffrey J. Martin, Pamela Hodges Kulinna

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

The purpose of the current study was to examine student and teacher physical-activity-related behavior using the theory of planned behavior and self-efficacy theory. Although teachers reported an overwhelmingly positive attitude toward teaching physical activity lessons to promote fitness development, they only devoted 4% of their class time to actually demonstrating and promoting fitness. Students were quite sedentary during class spending 61% of class time sitting, standing, or lying down. Using hierarchical regression analyses, teachers' attitudes toward teaching physically active physical education classes accounted for 50% of the variance in teachers' intention. Teachers who demonstrated/promoted fitness and who limited their general …

Implications Of Differentiated Instruction On Student Attitudes, Valorie L. Zonnefeld

Master of Education Program Theses

This research examines the implications of a differentiated curriculum on four general factors of student attitudes: motivation, enjoyment of mathematics, value of mathematics, and self-confidence. It is quasi-experimental by design. The sample included the 73 students enrolled in the Algebra I course at Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. During the third quarter of the school year, students with eligible grades were allowed to contract out of portions of the regular assignment. Attitudes were measured before and after the quarter using the Attitudes Towards Mathematics Inventory (Tapia, 1996). A t-test was used to compare student attitudes. There were significant …

Inside Unlv, Cate Weeks, Diane Russell, Erin O'Donnell, Carol C. Harter, Mark Wallington

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Cross-Disciplinary Prospecting: Educational Technology Offers Up Gold For Library And Information Science Curricula, Michael J. Miller

Publications and Research

This article provides an overview of the current trends in information and communication technology affecting library services and recommends how, because of these trends, library and information science (LIS) curricula should turn an inquisitive, interdisciplinary eye toward the field of educational technology. Gaps in current LIS professional training and practice are cited, curriculum standards in LIS and educational technology programs are described and compared, and examples are presented to demonstrate how educational technology pedagogy and practice help to successfully augment library skills, service, and practice.

"Varying Realities Of The Human Experience": University Studies Program At Portland State University, Charles Ryan Brown, Grace L. Dillon, Celine Fitzmaurice, Greg Jacob, Yves P. Labissiere, Antonia Levi, Cherry Muhanji, Candyce Reynolds, Jack C. Straton

University Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Like many institutions of higher education, Portland State University (PSU) has engaged in initiatives to promote a more equitable and democratic society, from curricular changes to institutional policy implementation. In the late 1980s, PSU required students to complete a certain number of “diversity” credits as part of its general education requirements. During the 1990s, PSU radically revised its approach to general education, creating the University Studies Program that places diversity awareness among its core goals. Most recently, current President Daniel O. Bernstine has instituted a comprehensive “Diversity Initiative” as part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the quality …