Digital Commons Network^™

Fundamentals For Student Success In The Middle Grades, Mike Muir, Vincent A. Anfara Jr., P. Gayle Andrews, Micki M. Caskey, Steven B. Mertens, David Hough

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

Determining how to provide the best education possible for young adolescents begins with the answers to three essential questions: Who are young adolescents? What do we know about them, their abilities, interests and strengths? Based on what we know about young adolescents, what should schools do to provide a quality education for each and every student? And finally, is there evidence that these recommended practices improve student achievement? How do we know programs and practices designed specifically with young adolescents in mind make a difference? To answer these questions, we will first outline some of the developmental characteristics of young …

A Relational Diffusion Network Study Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Internet-Based Faculty's Personal Network Exposure Models Related To Discussions About Teaching Online, Dorothy Pick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For many faculty, teaching online represents a new instructional delivery method, requiring the development of new teaching skills. This exploratory investigation builds upon Rogers' (2003) Diffusion of Innovations theory and communication channels to describe the influence of faculty discussions on their perceptions and decisions about teaching and learning. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design, using both sociometric and phenomenological methodologies, guided the exploration of faculty personal network exposure models and social learning opportunities. The study utilized online survey and open-ended interview instruments for the investigation. Faculty from several colleges at the University of Central Florida voluntarily completed the survey instrument …

A Study Of Southwest Florida High School Reading Teachers And The Implmentation Of Scientifically Based Reading Research Instruction, Virginia Harper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The literacy mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act (2001) swiftly and directly have an impact on reading teachers. The literacy directives of the act constitute a paradigm shift in reading reform, especially at the secondary level. Literacy directives require state and district level administrator's to focus on secondary reading teacher pre and in service training. Effecive secondary reading teachers must be well versed in the foundation sof Scientifically Based Reading Research. Florida is among the first states to implement six comptencies of professional development that leads to endorsement in the teaching of reading. Florida teachers of secondary reading …

The Design Of An Undergraduate Degree Program In Computer & Digital Forensics, Gary C. Kessler, Michael E. Schirling

Security Studies & International Affairs - Daytona Beach

"Champlain College formally started an undergraduate degree program in Computer & Digital Forensics in 2003. The underlying goals were that the program be multidisciplinary, bringing together the law, computer technology, and the basics of digital investigations; would be available as on online and oncampus offering; and would have a process-oriented focus. Success of this program has largely been due to working closely with practitioners, maintaining activity in events related to both industry and academia, and flexibility to respond to ever-changing needs. This paper provides an overview of how this program was conceived, developed, and implemented; its evolution over time; and …

Mentoring Student Teachers From A Distance: An Action Research Project, Michael K. Barbour, Anthony Thomas, Jason Ritter

Education Faculty Publications

At a large public university in the south eastern United States, prospective middle and high school social studies teachers complete a four semester undergraduate program that prepares them for the classrooms of America. Like many programs, this one begins with an introductory course that provides students an opportunity to explore questions about the nature, purpose, and practices of social studies in the modern school curriculum. As a part of this course, students also develop a rationale for teaching social studies which is used as a part of admission into the Social Studies Education program. Once they have been admitted to …

Daily Drawing And Writing Activities In A Preschool Classroom, Lynn Glaser

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examined the effect of providing daily drawing and writing activities in a preschool classroom. Benefits, as well as concerns, were discussed. Guidelines were presented to help with establishing a classroom environment that would provide daily drawing and writing activities for children in a preschool classroom. Conclusions were also drawn from the literature and recommendations were made to assist administers and teachers with establishing a program that supports daily drawing and writing activities.

The Factors Preventing The Successful Implementation Of A Middle Level Advisory Program At One Middle School, Gina Grasso Leonard

Graduate Research Papers

This study investigated the feelings and conceptualizations about Advisory Programs of the teachers at one middle school in Southeast Iowa. Interviews were conducted to uncover the teachers' thoughts and perceptions on Advisory Programs at their middle school. The collected data was then evaluated and recommendations were made.

Character Education, Kim Slater

Graduate Research Papers

Character education has been a topic that has been heavily talked about in many schools across the United States. This article presents the purpose and goals of character education in our school systems. Many issues and concerns are brought to educators' attentions when discussing the role character education plays. Issues and concerns such as teacher time and responsibility, proper way to teach Character Education, parents as partners, and religion and cultural differences are discussed in this article as well as the importance Character Education has on the lives of all students.

The Effects Of Including Peers In Social Skills Training For Students With Autism, Cortney Boulden

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examined the effects of including autistic children with typically developing peers in social skills training programs. The benefits and limitations of the study were discussed concerning how peer models affected the performance of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Guidelines were presented to implement a social skills program. Also, conclusions and recommendations were drawn from the literature to improve social skills in autistic children by including them with typically developing children in a learning setting.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Recess, Nicole Sullivan

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the topic of recess in our schools. Recess is an important part of the early childhood curriculum for all children. It should be given some ' thoughtful attention that other aspects of the curriculum receive. This literature study focused on the benefits, and the problems, associated with recess. Guidelines were presented for developing an effective recess program. Also, conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for the implementation of recess in our schools.

Can Blending Face-To-Face Teaching With E-Learning Support The Development Of Phase 4 Apprentices In Mathematics? A Formative Evaluation Research Study., Peter Hinch

Theses

This thesis is a formative evaluation research study. Its purpose is to establish if blending face-to-face and e-learning delivery methods can support the development of Phase 4 apprentice plumbers in mathematics in the Department of Construction Skills in the Technologicl University Dublin. The study also included the design, development and evaluation of a mathematics web site called Plumatics 4 U which is grounded in established theoretical criteria for effective blended delivery within third level education. This web site is currently in use by Phase 4 apprentice plumbers and is delivered through WebCT. The CD accompanying this thesis contains a short …

Fostering Teacher Learning Through Dialogue In Training Sessions, Salli Forbes, Connie Briggs

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

In Reading Recovery, teachers learn through their experiences observing and teaching students and through dialogue with other teachers in their training class in a community of practice (Schwartz, 1998). Teachers, teacher leaders, and trainers have all engaged in this training model and often praise the importance of the training (Jones, 1991; Lyons, Pinnell, & DeFord, 1993). External observers have also acknowledged the excellent professional development that Reading Recovery provides.

Problem Based Learning In Spatial Information Sciences: A Case Study, Audrey Martin, Eugene Mcgovern, Kevin Mooney

Conference papers

This paper describes the introduction, implementation and evaluation of a Problem Based Learning component in the Geodetic Surveying syllabus of the fourth / final year of the honours degree programme in Geomatics at the Department of Spatial Information Sciences, Technological University of Dublin,Ireland. The reasons behind adopting this constructivist educational approach as opposed to traditional instructivist methods more commonly employed are addressed, together with an evaluation of the process from both the educator (academic) and student (learners) perspective. The results of this case study are considered in the context of a number of interconnected pedagogical issues including (a) enhancement of …

The Experience Of E-Learning: Progress Towards A New Learning Paradigm, Audrey Martin, Eugene Mcgovern, Kevin Mooney

Conference papers

This paper reviews the use of E-Learning in the spatial information science programmes of the Technological University of Dublin (DIT).

The spatial information science programmes are placed within the context of the use of E-Learning across the Institute and this paper draws on the experiences of the DIT Learning Technology Team (LTT). The LTT has just completed the initial brief given to it by the DIT strategic planning group charged with ensuring the implementation of E-Learning as a resource in support of the change from a teacher-centred to a learner-centred paradigm.

E-Learning was first introduced in the Department of Spatial …

Monster At The Foot Of The Bed: Surviving The Challenge Of Marketplace Forces On Higher Education, Raoul A. Arreola

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

The impact of technology on society has caused a paradigm shift in the basic support for higher education. Where higher education was traditionally supported as a function of government, the knowledge explosion and global economy resulting from the impact of computer and other technologies is moving the underlying support of higher education to the marketplace. There is evidence that traditional academic strategies and practices that were successful under the old paradigm may no longer be working. Twelve suggestions are offered for revolutionary changes that the academy must make in order to survive, even thrive, in the new paradigm.

A Different Way To Approach The Future: Using Chaos Theory To Improve Planning, Marc Cutright

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

Strategic planning is a good idea that gets a bad name from dubious efforts carrying the title. Much of this rap comes from half-hearted exercises, but some of it comes from efforts that founder due to faulty or limited conceptions of how the future “works.” Chaos theory is an alternative approach and metaphor with potential to let us see the future and its dynamics in new ways. Cognizance of chaos’s nature and underlying structure might help us do planning in new, nonintuitive, and more successful ways.

Preparing Faculty For Pedagogical Change: Helping Faculty Deal With Fear, Linda C. Hodges

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

How receptive faculty are to changing their pedagogical approach is a complex issue, but one factor that impedes change is the fear of taking a risk. Underlying this fear may be the fear of loss, fear of embarrassment, or fear of failure. Addressing these issues can empower faculty to be more innovative in their teaching. Drawing on research literature, personal teaching narratives, and my own work in faculty development, I discuss some of these underlying fears. I then offer concrete strategies for working with faculty to enable them to overcome these emotional barriers and embrace change.

An Electronic Advice Column To Foster Teaching Culture Change, Donna M. Qualters, Thomas C. Sheahan, Jacqueline A. Isaacs

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

First-year engineering students receive most of their teaching from instructors outside of engineering. As a result, these instructors are typically not a teaching community with a shared commitment to engineering student learning. Retention of engineering students is strongly tied to the quality of teaching, thus addressing collective teaching quality is important. This chapter describes the development of a carefully crafted, electronically distributed advice column on teaching developed by an interdisciplinary editorial team, written under the pseudonym Jonas Chalk. Surveys of Chalk Talk readers indicate that this is an effective means to promote teaching culture change.

Faculty Competency By Design: A Model For Institutional Transformation, Helen M. Clarke, Philip E. Bishop

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

For a decade, Valencia Community College has striven for a faculty development program with direct impact on student learning. The college succeeded by designing faculty learning with the same logic we apply to student learning. Valencia’s program for new tenure-track faculty focuses on significant faculty learning outcomes, a learning-centered pedagogy, high standards of scholarship, and continuous program assessment. The college’s Teaching/Learning Academy and a coordinated tenure process have cultivated new learning leaders and created a fresh partnership among deans and faculty members. This developing process of new-hire faculty development has been pivotal to Valencia’s learning-centered transformation.

Sending Children Who Are Medically Fragile To School, Aulanda L. Zenner

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the decisions to send children who are medically fragile to school-based programming. A case study including parent interviews, as well as pediatrician surveys regarding the education of children who are medically fragile. Benefits, as well as problems, were discussed and were associated with children who are medically fragile attending school. Guidelines were presented for decisions to send children who are medically fragile to school. Also, conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for the future of schooling for children who are medically fragile.

2006-2007 Graduate Catalog, Morehead State University

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2006-2007 graduate catalog for Morehead State University.

2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog, Morehead State University

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2006-2007 undergraduate catalog for Morehead State University.

Improving Group Work: Voices Of Students, Brian K. Payne, Elizabeth Monk-Turner, Donald Smith, Melvina Sumter

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Group work is increasingly being used in a variety of college courses. A number of strengths have driven the increase in the use of this form of collaborative learning. Still, a number of problems potentially limit the use of group projects. In this study, we report on research in which we examined how students recommended changing group projects. Results are categorized into student-centered themes and faculty-centered themes. Implications are provided.

Reforming Legal Education In Bangladesh, Mohammad Monirul Azam

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

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

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …