Digital Commons Network^™

A Media Literacy Curriculum For The Adolescent Learner, Chris Lopez

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a media literacy curriculum for teachers of young adolescents. Media literacy is a new, evolving field of study that teaches students to become critical consumers of today's media. Media have often been blamed for the ills of student learning, critical thinking, performance and/or behavior skills. In the review ofliterature, the author investigated media's impact on the adolescent learner, the need to teach media literacy, and recommended curriculum that would benefit the adolescent learner. The curriculum unit is designed to be a useful teaching tool for teachers of adolescent and preadolescent learners who …

Inservice Workships: Freshman Focus Curriculum Implementation, Rachel Elizabeth Rief

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create workshops to help teachers implement an existing Freshman Focus Curriculum. It was specifically intended for use at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, Washington. The workshops include ways to help teachers organize, prepare for and teach the curriculum which was written to help freshmen transition into high school. The workshops include lesson plans as well as supplemental materials needed to effectively teach the curriculum.

Expressivist Pedagogy In The High School English Classroom: A Handbook For Curricular Integration, Michel Beth Pola

All Graduate Projects

Research in the area of written composition concludes that individuals learn about themselves, about their subject matter, and about their community through the process of writing. Expressivist pedagogy encourages writing as a process and utilizes writing as a way to shape meaning. It places high value to the writer's sense of self and the writer's ability to create change in the community. A review of related research and survey of current best practices in the secondary language arts setting led to the development of an expressivist-based resource toolbook. This resource book was designed for teachers to help integrate expressivist pedagogy …

Guidelines For The Development Of Computer-Based Instruction Modules For Science And Engineering, Jessica R. Lux, Barry D. Davidson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - All Scholarship

The design and development of a prototype computer-based instruction (CBI) module is described. The module covers introductory structural analysis techniques and demonstrates the practicality of CBI for undergraduate engineering education. The module’s generic learning objectives are used to develop a set of guiding principles for CBI development. Choice of authoring software and the module architecture are presented, followed by the details of the user interface, logic, and screen layout. The module design and software development process outlined here are easily extended to computer-based tutorials that present problem solving methods for engineering, mathematics, and the natural sciences.

Cesar Chaves: Can't We All Get Along?: A Peer Mediation And Awareness Campaign Project For Middle School Students, Rmc Research Corporation, Cesar Chavez Foundation

Curriculum

The “Can’t We All Get Along? A Peer Mediation and Awareness Campaign Project for Middle School Students” provides a multi-faceted service-learning experience that will give students an understanding of César E. Chávez’s core values, specifically service to others, determination, the use of nonviolence as a tool for achieving justice, acceptance of all people, community building, problem solving knowledge, and innovation. The unit is tied directly to the California State Curriculum Standards for Middle School and provides young adolescents with the opportunity to gain conflict resolution skills while providing service to their peers. Whether used to celebrate César E. Chávez Day …

Cesar Chavez: Who Are Today's Heroes?, Rmc Research Corporation, Cesar Chavez Foundation

Curriculum

This project will help young people to understand the characteristics that make individuals “heroes.” In learning about César E. Chávez’s life and values, students will learn about history, self determination, help for the needy, and actions that promote equity and justice. They will develop a sense of what it means to contribute to society and how they may make a difference. Students will also identify ways in which they can incorporate these characteristics into their own lives and recognize heroes in their community. Participation in the Chávez inspired service-learning project will promote academic learning, civic responsibility, and personal/social development.

Cesar Chavez: Service Fair Of Values, Cesar Chavez Foundation

Curriculum

Cesar E. Chavez was one of the most significant and influential civil rights leaders of our time. Chavez devoted himself to social justice and improving the lives of the impoverished and oppressed. His name, like the name of Martin Luther King, Jr., speaks of character and commitment. This project is in honor of the life and work of Cesar E. Chavez.

The Cesar E. Chavez "Service Fair of Values" project is a multi-faceted experience that will provide your students with a vehicle for service learning that embodies Cesar Chavez' values. Whether used to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day (March 31, 2003) …

Health Issues Of Migrant Workers: An Awareness Campaign Project For Middle School Students, Go Serv, Rmc Research Corporation, Cesar Chavez Foundation

Curriculum

César E. Chávez was one of the most significant and influential civil rights leaders of our time. Chávez devoted himself to social justice and improving the lives of the impoverished and oppressed. His name, like that of Martin Luther King, Jr., symbolizes character and commitment. This project, part of the “Educating the Heart” series, has been developed to honor of the life and work of César E. Chávez.

The César E. Chávez “Health Issues of Migrant Workers” project provides a multi-faceted service-learning experience that will give high school students an understanding of César E. Chávez’s core values, specifically service to …

Making Change: Promoting Character Education Through Philanthropic Service-Learning Projects, Kathia Monard-Weissman

Curriculum

The New York State Department of Education in its efforts to foster moral principles in students is sponsoring programs that integrate a component of character education in the course of instruction in grades kindergarten through twelve. Creating and sustaining a meaningful approach to character education requires partnerships between school personnel, students and the broader community. The NYS Department of Education recognizes that programs that integrate community-based activities in the school curricula can help nurture important values such as honesty, tolerance to diversity, respect towards others, fairness, caring, and trustworthiness. These values will likely enhance the students' interactions with the community …

The Great American Bake Sale: A Program Of Share Our Strength, Cathryn Berger Kaye

Curriculum

Service Learning Curriculum to Address Childhood Hunger

Using Parent-Student Pairs For Internet Instruction, Micki M. Caskey

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

Explored student and parent attitudes toward school-based Internet use using an intergenerational approach that positioned 54 pairs of young adolescents and their parents as co-learners for simultaneous Internet instruction while another 51pairs were given separate Internet instruction. Highlights include reliability measures, factor analysis, analysis of variance, and interview analyses.

Nsu Fischler Graduate School Of Education And Human Services 2003, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Writing In A Second Grade Math Class, Tammy Bakken

Graduate Research Papers

Writing in math has given me a much better benchmark-driven curriculum. I know more clearly how to help students accomplish math benchmarks. I used to have a separate time for the students in my classroom to write and a separate time for my students to do math. Nearly two years ago, I had the idea of writing in math. I read what other teachers had tried and I tried to include more writing in math. The results have confirmed my belief that writing in math is a worthwhile practice. Writing in math gave my students a greater understanding of math. …

The Role Educational Technology Plays In Student Achievement And Teacher Preparation, Overton Howard Bean

Graduate Research Papers

The role of technology in the classroom, as a tool for improving student achievement, has received much attention in education today. Teacher preparation programs are making efforts to produce computer literate and competent users of educational technology. This author focuses on the role of educational technology, including the Internet. Consideration is also given to changes in teacher preparation that integrate new technologies into methods courses, as areas that could potentially lead to improved achievement levels for all students.

Designing Online Courses : Reflections From The Cyber Trenches, Cherie Post Dargan

Graduate Research Papers

This paper reviews research on the use of instructional design in developing course websites; it then describes the writer's experience creating a supplemental website using Blackboard, contrasting the project with the previous experience of creating an online course using WebCT. The writer analyzes problems with early online courses, reflects on the challenges of becoming an online teacher, documents her methodology, shares the results of the project, and makes recommendations for the design of effective web-based courses. Online teachers incorporate instructional design in many ways: they rethink their courses, analyze learners and content, design on paper first, structure the physical layout …

The Fundamentals Of A School Web Site, Jabari Cain

Graduate Research Papers

This review of literature is geared towards the creator and viewer of a school web site. Many developers may or may not have the proper training, equipment or time to create a school web site. Presently, schools are creating web sites that may lack some of the key components addressed in this article. The focus of this review is based on Lamb's six phases of designing an effective school web page. The six phases in creating an educational web site include exploration, planning, designing, creating, revising, and maintaining. The primary functions of a school web site must not be overlooked. …

The Use Of Electronic Portfolios For Preservice Teachers, Kimberly Gobble-Sengstock

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will discuss the results found in support of this CD-ROM project: The Use of Electronic Portfolios for Preservice Teachers, through the infusion of standards in the teaching and learning process and the competent use of technology as a tool for reflective practice, assessment and hiring purposes. This project provides best practices in portfolio development, tutorial guides, and student examples in developing their own electronic portfolios.

The Digital Media Lab At Bainbridge College, Neil L. Griffin

Graduate Research Papers

This project describes the development of an audio and video production facility at Bainbridge College, a small community college in Bainbridge, Georgia. The Digital Media Lab provides faculty, staff, and students with the ability to create audio and video resources for classroom use, research, training, and outreach.

The principal steps of this project were a literature review, a needs analysis, the equipment selection process, and implementation. The literature review included examples of how video is used in higher education, information about current trends in technology, and faculty development strategies. The needs analysis determined that the facility should support both analog …

The Introduction Of Interactive Multimedia Dvd To The Electronic Media Studies, Randal L. Lau

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project is to show how technology is able to improve student achievement and increase student productivity. Finding new and exciting ways to integrate technology into today's classrooms is a challenge. The use of an interactive DVD will be introduced to the students in the Electronic Media Studies classes in the fall of 2003. The project was based upon the research reviewed and documented within this literature review. Students will no longer be listening to the instructor lecturing in front of the classroom, they will be actively involved in an interactive multimedia presentation, where they are free …

Differentiated Instruction : Does It Work?, Michelle Maher

Graduate Research Papers

The fact that every child is unique poses a dilemma for educators. The model for differentiated instruction requires teachers to be flexible in their approach to adjusting the curriculum and presentation of information to learners. Noting that there is no recipe for differentiation, this paper discusses the broad principles and characteristics that are useful in establishing a differentiated classroom. Studies explore the impact differentiated instruction has on students, and research highlights what must be done to transition beliefs about differentiated instruction into action. The outcome of this review indicates mixed results regarding differentiated instruction and implementation. Further research is suggested …

Universal Design For Learning, Cindy Mudroch

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review identifies the Universal Design for Learning or UDL method, which consists of educators representing information in multiple formats while providing numerous pathways for students' expression and several ways to engage students' interest and motivation. UDL is one way to address the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) act with a solution that will not only benefit the special needs children, but all children.

With UDL, student curriculum focuses on every child during the design phase. Graphic organizers are a part of every textbook and aide to understand the main topics. Assistive technology devices are available to all children, …

Using Wordless Picture Books To Stimulate Fictional Writing In First-Grade Students, Kathryn Nicol Morris

Graduate Research Papers

The use of wordless picture books was a successful strategy as an adult intervention for helping students at different levels in their writing ability to produce a story that followed a logical progression of events; that had a clear beginning, middle and end; and that described a character's experiences to a point of conclusion. This was accomplished with varying degrees of teacher assistance required. The stories from these students showed some similarities, but each student brought some unique element to the writing. The stories were distinguishable, even though the text in each story was inspired by the same set of …

Using Computer-Based Instruction To Strengthen Student Achievement In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom, Anne Nedved

Graduate Research Papers

According to the National Research Council (2001), students in mathematics should be able to understand mathematics, compute fluently, apply concepts in a problem-solving manner, reason logically, and engage with mathematics in a sensible, doable, and useful manner.

The goal of this project is to develop a curriculum guide for the implementation of the Computer Assisted Instruction program PLATO into the current curriculum of the Council Bluffs Community School District. Students are more immersed in technology than ever before and teachers need to embrace the challenge to create an environment with ample technological materials to actively involve and retain student's interests …

Enhancing Student Achievement In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom Using Computer-Based Instruction, Anne Nedved

Graduate Research Papers

Computer-based instruction (CBI) is one tool that has enhanced curriculum to meet individual learning needs and enable students to succeed in the mathematics classroom. CBI creates an environment centered on individualized, flexible learning where students can be more self-directed and independent.

The importance of this review is to cite specific research and studies to determine the effectiveness of such computer-based applications in the mathematics classroom in relation to student achievement and professional development. The most productive and positive integration of CBI in terms of student achievement and motivation in the classroom was due to the professional development and training of …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Technology On Learning In K-12 Education, M. Ann Nicholson

Graduate Research Papers

Demonstrating an impact on student learning due to technology innovations is extremely important in K-12 education. Billions of dollars have been spent on technology in education in the past several years. Stakeholders are demanding to know if this investment is impacting student learning and achievement. However, the assessment of technology in K-12 education is complicated due to the changing nature of technology and all of the variables involved in education. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the rationale for evaluating technology.in education, analyze the issues involved in evaluation, review current research on the impact of technology on student …

Teachers And Technology : Encouraging Teachers To Integrate Technology Into The Curriculum, Diane Roethler

Graduate Research Papers

Technology is one path in preparing students to enter the working world. In response to this important role, the International Society for Technology in Education has created technology standards for students and teachers to promote change in teaching and learning practices. A study done by Apple Computer identifies how far teachers are in the integration of technology to meet these standards.

When teachers' levels and concerns are identified, programs help teachers overcome their computer concerns, such as not having enough time, right equipment, or knowledge. Teachers also need to frequently practice what they have learned. In this time period, follow-up …

Best Practices In Teaching Reading Fluency In The Elementary Classroom, Tina Schneider

Graduate Research Papers

The focus of this review of literature was Best Practices for teaching reading fluency in the elementary classroom. Research shows that students' reading fluency rates need improvement. Teachers must create a classroom environment that fosters reading fluency and use research based teaching practices to improve students' reading fluency. Journal articles were selected that addressed best practices in teaching reading fluency in the elementary classroom. Reading fluency influences the academic success students attain at school and therefore it is a skill which must be taught. Because best practices have a positive impact on students' reading fluency rates, it is recommended that …

Utilizing Online Literature Circles To Improve Reading Comprehension, Mark Schuldt

Graduate Research Papers

Literature circles are an important part of a balanced reading program. They require students to work with others to become independent problem solvers. With the introduction of online literature circles, students get the added experience of using technology in an authentic learning situation. As a result of this technology integration, students' reading comprehension and proficiency with computers will improve.

The importance of this project is to provide teachers with curriculum that is supported by technology. Specific research and practice is sited to support the rationale of combining technology and reading. The most significant findings include the development of the lower …

Using Technology To Encourage Critical Thinking, Tracy Wilkins

Graduate Research Papers

As technology continues to change educators must be willing to make adjustments in their teaching strategies and make an effort to make technology a permanent part of the curriculum. Critical thinking consists of organizing knowledge in a meaningful manner so it can easily be used by the learner. Those applying critical thinking are more motivated and perform at a higher level of performance than students using lower level thinking skills. Technology continues to become a bigger part of education and teachers need to use databases, spreadsheets, and concept maps as tools to facilitate critical thinking. Educators need to be aware …

Enhancing Student Learning Styles Through The Use Of Technology, Mark A. Dugger

Graduate Research Papers

The multiple learning styles of students have in the last few years become a major topic of concern for all educators. Experience and time are valuable learning tools assisting teachers in developing an understanding of these learning styles. This review pursues the importance of considering student learning styles when incorporating technology within an existing curriculum. Research studies provide supporting evidence that a technology-rich environment promotes collaborative, project-based learning, which in tum has a positive effect on learning styles.