Digital Commons Network^™

Professional Development : The Missing Component In Education, Brett C. Ernst

Graduate Research Papers

Professional development addresses student needs and is based on researched teaching strategies that are proven to assist both the teacher and the student in meeting high achievement standards. Other indicators of effective professional development, as described by NCLB, include: ongoing support; data-driven decision making; and effective evaluation of the professional development. It has the potential to improve educators' attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and skills, so it benefits student learning. High quality professional development, when explicit about the results it is seeking to achieve, can assist both teachers and students to meet or exceed the desired outcomes they are being asked to …

The Transformation Of A Middle School Industrial Shop To A Modular Industrial Technology Lab And Communicating This Transformation To The Local Community, Lynn Figg

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this graduate project was to describe the transformation of a middle school industrial arts shop to a modular industrial technology lab and the subsequent public relations effort to communicate this transformation to the local community. This project facilitated a better understanding of what a modular industrial technology lab is, what it looks like, and how it meets the needs of the industrial technology curriculum.

A PowerPoint presentation was created to explain to the diverse audiences how the change from a traditional industrial arts "shop" class to a modular industrial technology lab at an intermediate school took place, …

Integrating Technology To Facilitate Math Instruction In The Elementary Classroom, Terri Schmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Integrating technology throughout the elementary curriculum is a topic that concerns educators. This paper informs educators as to why they should explore the implementation of technology into the math curriculum in the elementary classroom. This paper discusses brain-based learning, how to use brain-based learning techniques as well as the computer to integrate math and the benefits of using the computer in the math classroom throughout the day in the elementary classroom.

Building Successful On-Line Learning Communities Across International Boundaries: A Case Study, Pat Jefferies, Frances Grodzinsky, Joe Griffin

School of Computer Science & Engineering Faculty Publications

The development of on-line learning communities across international boundaries is now a viable proposition using available asynchronous technologies. As has been reported in previous papers (Grodzinsky, Griffin & Jefferies, 2002; Griffin, Grodzinsky & Jefferies, 2002) such use has proved to be extremely valuable for supporting the teaching of computing and ethics. For example, not only does asynchronous computer conferencing offer new opportunities for students to gain valuable first-hand experience in using such technology to communicate with peers in other countries but it also facilitates them gaining a more direct appreciation of the cultural, legal and ethical differences that abound. However, …

2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog, Morehead State University

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2004-2005 undergraduate catalog for Morehead State University.

Synchronous Text-Based Chat Vis-À-Vis Asynchronous Threaded Discussion: An Instructional Strategy For Providing An Option In Two Course Delivery Schemes, Shin Yi Lin

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an instructional strategy of providing students an option of two types of online text-based discussion (chat vs. threaded discussion forum) had significant effects on student satisfaction, cognitive achievement, and self-efficacy. In an effort to identify any differential effects associated with student characteristics, students' age and learning preferences were used as blocking variables. The study sample was teacher education students. Statistical procedures employed were MANOVA; MANCOVA, regression analysis, chi-square, and correlation were employed. The findings show that such an instructional customization—providing the online discussion forum option—has positive impacts on student satisfaction and …

Effective School Characteristics And Student Achievement Correlates As, James Doran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between effective school characteristics and norm referenced standardized test scores in American-style international schools. In contrast to schools in traditional effective schools research, international schools typically have middle to high SES families, and display average to above average achievement. Eleven effective school characteristics were identified and correlated with standardized test scores for grades 4, 6, and 8 and high school SAT scores. Data was gathered from an online teacher questionnaire designed for this study. All eleven characteristics were present in high performing international schools while frequent analysis of student progress, …

Three-Year Longitudinal Service-Learning Research Study: Preliminary Findings, Frank D. Aquila, L. Richard Bradley, Jennifer Dodd, Charlotte Jones-Ward

Service Learning, General

Using an experimental design, this study examines the contributions of service-learning to decreased at-risk behaviors, student cognitive, social, and personal development, and academic achievement over a three-year period. During the pilot phase and Years One and Two, teachers and students from eleven different Ohio schools have been surveyed. Preliminary findings are presented.

Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers To Teach With Technology: Getting Past Go In Science And Mathematics, Julie Thomas, Sandi Cooper

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

We are teacher educators (in elementary science and mathematics) who are enthusiastic about technology as a teaching tool—though it is as new to us as it is to our university colleagues. We recently led a United States Department of Education Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) grant project entitled TechLinks. In an effort to encourage peer faculty members to connect methods instruction with current technology initiatives (namely the International Society for Technology Education [ISTE], 2000, and the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education [NCATE], 1997), TechLinks provided faculty fellowships–$1,000 for equipment and materials and a technology assistant who …

The Local Framing Of Latino Educational Policy, Edmund T. Hamann

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

In many parts of the country, Latino newcomers are encountering educational policies that were framed by non-Latino local leaders. This study, an ethnography of educational policy, depicts an unorthodox assemblage of policy framers from both the United States and Mexico who shaped the local education policies aimed at Latino newcomers in Dalton, GA, in the 1990s. The study considers the evolving underlying understandings of these framers and the strategies that resulted, considering also why a temporary consensus that launched an impressive initiative—the Georgia Project—ultimately

Perceived Professional Needs Of Korean Science Teachers Majoring In Chemical Education And Their Preferences For Online And On-Site Training, Taehee Noh, Jeongho Cha, Sukjin Kang, Lawrence C. Scharmann

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

In this study, we investigated the perceived professional needs of Korean science teachers majoring in chemical education, and examined their preferences for online and on-site inservice teacher training programs. The results were also compared with those of preservice teachers. Participants were 120 secondary school teachers and 67 preservice teachers, whose majors were either chemical education or science education with emphasis in chemistry. A questionnaire consisting of a modified Science Teacher Inventory of Need and a section concerning respondents’ demographic information and their use of the Internet was administered. In contrast to previous studies, the perceived needs of Korean inservice and …

The Sounds Of Silence : Music Education And Academic Achievement, Donny Brazile

Graduate Research Papers

This research began with the author's firsthand experience with regard to the value of music education. Very few deny the benefits of music education and its connection to academic achievement. In a recent poll administered by the Gallup Organization, 95 percent of Americans believe music to be a cornerstone of a quality education, and over 75 percent of those polled suggested that music education should be mandated by the schools. However, far too many music education programs are being cut, or are in grave danger of being cut, from the curriculum nationwide. Research clearly shows the importance of music education: …

Reconceptualizing Mathematics Education, Melinda Ann Smith

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

This dissertation is to explore theoretically mathematics education in the United States and the need for reconcepualizing mathematics education. Mathematics education needs reconceptualizing because students know very little mathematics by the time they graduate from high school. Mathematics has become a subject to be feared and dreaded for centuries. High school teachers blame middle school teachers, middle school teachers blame elementary teachers, and elementary teachers blame parents for their students' lack of preparedness in mathematics. Elementary teachers express frustration in teaching mathematics because of their own lack of content knowledge and lack of preparation for the mathematics component of their …

A Comparison Between First-Year Alternative Certified Teachers And First-Year Traditional Certified Teachers Based On Students' Academic Achievement: The Case Of A High-Need Urban Southeast District In Virginia, Abdou Maty Sene

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Studies

Debate about teacher supply and demand has been renewed in recent years by an increased concern about the reduced numbers of students entering teacher education programs and the resulting teacher shortages. Thus, American schools are experiencing teacher shortages, especially in low-income urban areas, because of increased school enrollment, teacher retirement, reduction of class size, teacher attrition, and turnover related to low salaries, job dissatisfaction, lack of administrative support and influence over decision-making. Recently, the increased interest in teacher quality has been the topic of debate for educational policy makers, and many researchers have focused on teacher certification.

The purpose of …

Triangulating Faculty Needs For The Assessment Of Student Learning, D. Lynn Sorenson, Timothy W. Bothell

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

To enhance assessment of student learning, the Brigham Young University (BYU) Faculty Center undertook a needs assessment to guide new initiatives. Researchers reviewed results from the National Survey of Student Engagement and an earlier BYU faculty survey. In addition, they conducted a qualitative study with faculty and administrators. The qualitative study can serve as a model for other faculty developers considering new initiatives. The findings raised thought-provoking issues for faculty development, particularly faculty readiness. As a result of this research, the center bolstered current services and developed new ones to support the assessment of student learning.

Effective Peer Evaluation In Learning Teams, Debbie Williams, Doug Foster, Bo Green, Paul Lakey, Raye Lakey

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

Evaluating student performance in learning teams is challenging. This chapter reviews the student learning team and peer evaluation literature. The authors share the results of their experience using four rubrics for peer evaluation in student learning teams. Student learning teams involve forming students into teams for the semester to enhance their active learning. A portion of the course grade is dedicated to team quizzes, activities, and projects. The authors conclude that peer evaluation data should be used both formatively and summatively to enhance team cohesion and accountability and provide their preferred rubric for the peer evaluation process. Usage of forced …

Is The Thrill Gone? An Investigation Of Faculty Vitality Within The Context Of The Community College, Cathie J. Peterson

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

This single institutional case study investigated faculty vitality within the context of the community college by answering the following research questions: What are the characteristics of vital faculty within the community college? What effect does the environment have on faculty vitality? What do the vital faculty do to maintain their vitality? Qualitative research methods were employed to study the lives of the faculty within their naturalistic setting, thereby giving voice to the vital community college faculty.

Junior Faculty Participation In Curricular Change, Judi Hetrick

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

Participation in curriculum change can be both a necessity and a professional landmine for junior faculty members. They do not, however, have to choose between sitting on the sidelines or sacrificing young careers by working for large-scale change. This chapter presents the elements of successful curriculum change, roles junior faculty can play, and roles they should avoid—or accept with caution.

Factors Forecasting The Effect Of Rapid Prototyping Technologies On Engineering Design Education., Jeffrey Dale Mather

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents information gathered and analyzed through an electronic internet-based Delphi Survey process. The purpose of this study is to identify a consensus of factors that might forecast the future effects of Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology on engineering design education when used for the purpose of overcoming the limitations of 2D representation of 3D space. The identification of consensus was developed from the collection of opinions from a panel of experts in RP technology.

Early adopters of emerging technologies can reduce risk through careful research, but decisions must often be made before significant quantitative data are available. Expert subjective …

An Interdisciplinary Approach To Teaching Contemporary U.S. History: Music As A Voice For Civil Rights Protest 1950-Present, Robert D. Kuban

Honors Theses

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching Contemporary U.S.History: Music as a Voice for Civil Rights Protest,1950-Present. This departmental honors project was created to take an in-depth look into popular music's voice as a medium for Civil Rights protest. This unit composed of eight lesson plans is to serve as a resource for teachers to create a real and tangible interdisciplinary approach to teaching contemporary U. S. history. The material covered is derived from popular music of its time, yet based strongly on research ofactual events. These lessons cover a narrow yet vital and significant scope of civil rights protest, action, and …

Where's (The) Computer Science In Service-Learning?, Pete Sanderson

Mathematics Faculty Scholarship

Service-learning is a form of experiential learning that integrates classroom concepts with related community service. Computer science faculty and students stand to reap great benefit from the integration of service-learning practice and philosophy into curricula. Many faculty are already doing so, yet computer science is not very visible in the service-learning community. Similarly, service-learning is not very visible in the computer science education community. It is imperative for those computer science faculty involved in service-learning to develop, apply and disseminate effective frameworks for integrating service learning into undergraduate computer science curricula so that its benefits may be more fully realized.

Catalog, 2003-2004, Anderson University - South Carolina

Catalogs

The 2003-2004 academic catalog and introduction to the college.

2003-2005 Otterbein College Master Of Business Administration Course Bulletin, Otterbein University

Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Unlv Magazine, Barbara Cloud, Jennifer Vaughan

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Action Items, Wku Graduate Council

Graduate School

Overview of action items handled by the Graduate Council.

Catalog, 2003-2004, Roger Williams University

Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Classwide Peer Tutoring With Or Without Competitive Reinforcement: Impact On Academic Growth And Intrinsic Interest, Dale R. De Weerd

Master of Education Program Theses

This study examined the effects of Classwide Peer Tutoring on students' academic gains and intrinsic interest in two fourth-grade math classes under two conditions-c-with competitive reinforcement (CWPT + CR) and without competitive reinforcement (CWPT - CR). Extending spelling CWPT research of C. C. Cheung and S. Winter (1999), this study utilized an adapted multiplication pretest and posttest and the Attitude Toward Mathematics Scale, developed by Peterson (1978). Study results showed a lack of statistical significance regarding group differences at posttest. However, due to traditional CWPT's impact on classroom atmosphere, peer perception, and learning focus, the investigator recommends eliminating competitive reinforcement …

Analysis Of Four Current Educational Philosophies And Their Impact On Science Education: Towards A Reformed Christian Philosophy Of Science Education, Kimberly J. Karhoff

Master of Education Program Theses

This thesis analyzes four current educational philosophies: perennialisrn, progressivism, existentialism, and constructivism. Particular attention is paid to their impact on science education. Each philosophy is examined for its philosophical roots, educational theory, science education goals, science education methodology, and science curriculum. It is then critiqued in light of a Reformed Christian perspective. In the discussion, I propose a Reformed philosophy of science education.

Problem-Based Learning In A Fourth Grade Gifted And Honors Mathematics Class, Barbara J. Barr

All Graduate Projects

Problem-based learning was used to deliver math instruction on three different occasions. Thirty-two fourth-grade students were involved in the project. The purpose was to investigate students' attitudes towards word problems and the development of their confidence with problem-solving skills by providing differentiation through Problem-based learning. The results showed that the majority of the students perceived themselves as good problem solvers and that math in school was related to real life.

The College Pedro Ii And The Modernization Of The Secondary School Curriculum In Imperial Brazil, Karl M. Lorenz

Education Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.