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The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

No abstract provided.

An Interdisciplinary, Teaming Approach To History And English Instruction At The Secondary Level, Miles J. Caples

All Graduate Projects

The relationship of integrating history and English objectives to enhance student achievement was studied. A model curriculum has been developed to connect U.S. History and American Literature content. Research has been obtained that indicates improved student learning when subjects are integrated in a relevant fashion. Secondary schools using interdisciplinary curriculum are showing improved GPA's, attendance and standardized test scores. Secondary teachers must align their daily lesson plans and assessments with the state essential learning's in both the history and language arts area.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Effect Of Year-Round Education On Student Achievement, Rebecca Okerlund

Graduate Research Papers

The year-round calendar has generated interest among many educators as a way to increase student achievement by reducing learning loss that often occurs during long summer vacations. This paper explores various assertions made about year-round education (YRE) as it compares with traditional-calendar education (TCE). Achievement results in the core subjects of math and reading are discussed and compared in school districts.that have utilized either a multi-track, a single-track, or a traditional 9-month calendar:

The outcome of this review indicates mixed results regarding YRE and student achievement.Because many of the studies contained incomplete data and confounding variables such as length of …

Grade Retention : Its Impact On Students, Teresa Ann Schneider

Graduate Research Papers

Grade retention has been a heated topic in education for a number of years. Research has shown there are a variety of factors that put students at greater risk for retention. While studies found some students who were retained showed academic improvement, others did not. Retention was also found to have a negative impact on social and emotional adjustments. Students were more successful when retention was paired with additional programs. Schools need to aggressively implement programs to eliminate the need for retention. Principals and teachers must connect research to classroom practice.

Using Computer Software To Enhance Instruction Of Early Literacy Skills In The Kindergarten Classroom, Janann Dostal

Graduate Research Papers

This review investigates skills vital to early literacy instruction, technology use in early childhood classrooms, and software available to enhance early literacy skills of kindergarten students. Letter naming, phonological awareness, concepts about print, and language development are early literacy skills vital to a student's future reading success. Studies have shown that technology has been used in early childhood classrooms as an effective teaching tool, to promote active student involvement, and as a tool for motivation, showing that computers can be utilized successfully with young students. Research indicates that early literacy software used to supplement teacher instruction has great potential to …

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.

Putting The Best Possible Teacher In The Classroom : Through Reflection And Self-Evaluation, Renee Fisher

Graduate Research Papers

Over the span of five months, an elementary school teacher uses reflection and self-evaluation methods to review her teaching. The process encourages improvement in areas concurrent with the Iowa Teaching Standards. Including a current portfolio, the teacher uses the medium of videotape to self-evaluate her teaching style and the evaluation by building administrator. Current research in teacher evaluation lends support to the need for self-evaluation. The completed portfolio becomes a working document chronicling the teacher's work in the classroom and career field. The results show the improvement that has occurred, along with areas to advance in.

Parents As Partners : The School-Home Connection, Jennifer Burkhart

Graduate Research Papers

Family literacy programs engage parents in small groups, help parents capitalize upon what they already do with literacy in the home while teaching new skills for parents to work with their children, and provide children with time to read together. Parents' attitudes have lifelong effects on a child's literacy (Morrow, 1995). Getting parents involved in emergent literacy activities has a positive effect on the child's own literacy and is associated with higher achievement and stronger cognitive skills (Anderson, 2000; de Jong and Leseman, 2001; Morrow, 2001 ). A family literacy program can better reinforce the internal motivation that parents and …

Developmental Spelling Instruction Through Word Study, Elizabeth Ann Overstake

Graduate Research Papers

This article is an overview of word sorts and word study that has evolved from research in developmental spelling. The five stages of developmental spelling are described. Analysis of four students' writing samples from a second grade classroom was utilized in this study. Spelling inventories from Words Their Way were used three times throughout the year to evaluate developmental stages of spelling. This alternative approach to spelling instruction, including word sorting, writing sorts, speed sorts, and word hunts is discussed in this article.

Communication Apprehension And Interpersonal Skills In Physical Therapy Students : A Comparative Study Of Problem-Based Learning And Traditional Curricula, Beverly D. Fein

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

Physical Therapy education has been challenged to prepare students to meet the increasing demands upon and changing needs of physical therapy practice in the evolving health delivery system. Today's practitioner needs strong interpersonal and collaborative skills for effective communication with patients, families, third party payers, community and other members of the health care team. The characteristics of problem-based learning (PBL) curricula appeared to offer greater potential for students to develop communication skills as compared to traditional curricula. Therefore, this study used available measures of communication apprehension and clinical performance of communication related behaviors to compare students educated in PBL curricula …

2003-2004 Graduate Catalog, Morehead State University

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2003-2004 graduate catalog for Morehead State University.

2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog, Morehead State University

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2003-2004 undergraduate catalog for Morehead State University.

Reading Between The "Signs", Sarah Durchenwald/Williamson

Graduate Research Papers

Teaching reading to hearing students, with the supplemental support of American Sign • Language, is a relatively new concept. Many components associated with sign language reinforce basic concepts of English. It teaches individual letter sounds, and names, and many of the signs for words emphasize beginning sounds, as well as meaning. Another important component of sign language is its bodily kinesthetic form of learning. Many students in public schools today are not learning through traditional teaching strategies. Incorporating sign language provides a multi-sensory approach to literal hands-on learning.

The following research outlines the principles behind teaching effectively using sign language …

The Motivating Aspects Of Technology, Mary Ascher

Graduate Research Papers

Motivation is the most challenging and complex issue facing educators today. There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. To foster life-long learning educators need to stimulate intrinsic motivation in their students. Three factors that stimulate and sustain intrinsic motivation include personal relationships, shared responsibility, and safety. The expectancy theory also identifies elements affecting motivation. Technology is a tool that fits into all of these factors to capture the students' motivation.

Females And Computer-Mediated Communication : New Technologies, New Challenges, Kelly Coleman

Graduate Research Papers

Advanced technologies are changing the face of higher learning by creating opportunities for those who wish to continue their education. On-line education, currently the most common mode of education delivery, has revolutionized the way in which learning takes place. Adult females appear to benefit greatly from computer-mediated communication distance learning due to its flexibility. However, there has been a general lack of research and focus on the females as distance learners and their success in on-line learning. This literature review examines the reasons why females comprise the majority of computer-mediated students and also looks at those barriers that keep women …

An Inquiry Into Gardner's Theory Of Multiple Intelligences And Strengths Of Students Placed In Special Education Under Mildly Disabled Categories, Kathryn Sandiford Harrell

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

This study explored the strengths displayed by 4th-5th grade students placed in special education under mildly disabled categories as compared to the intelligences defined by Howard Gardner in his Theory of Multiple Intelligences (Gardner, 1983, 1999). These categories consist of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) and Mildly Intellectually Disabled (MUD). Critics maintain that special education has been focused on the weaknesses of students while overlooking their strengths (Miller, 1993; Armstrong, 2000). Under new legislation and new performance goals for special education, the time has come to focus on students' strengths and equal opportunities for students to learn the curriculum mandated by …

Transforming Instructional Development: Online Workshops For Faculty, Laurie Bellows, Joseph R. Danos

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

Two vastly different institutions, the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and Delgado Community College, cooperated in the delivery of online faculty development workshops in syllabus construction. This chapter describes the experiences of a flagship university and an urban community college in employing electronic delivery of the same workshop content to their respective faculty members. It shares successful and unsuccessful strategies, nuts and bolts, and the discovery of an unexpected, pleasant irony: The technology that can separate and isolate us has the potential to bring us together, as though we were on electronic legs in a virtual Athenian agora.

Undergraduate Students As Collaborators In Building Student Learning Communities, Candyce Reynolds

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

Colleges and universities have recently used the concept of learning communities as a strategy to improve undergraduate student learning. This chapter describes a learning community approach where upper-division undergraduates serve as mentors for freshman and sophomore students and develop and sustain learning communities with faculty partners. The impact of this program is described and implications are discussed.

Bibliography, Volume 21 (2003)

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

Bibliography for volume 21 (2003) of To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development.

Teacher Discourse In A Culturally Diverse Classroom, Madalina Tanase

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes the process of language acquisition, the interaction between home and school languages, and also offers strategies teachers should follow to acknowledge the diversity represented in the classrooms. The paper further discusses some behaviors teachers should display in order to enhance discussion among students. The purpose of this paper is to investigate cultural differences as well as language differences in the classroom and the ways teachers address these differences, by allowing diverse children to have a voice and thus to express their culture. Students come to school already having an informational background acquired at home and teachers try …

Inside Unlv, Diane Russell, Gian Galassi, Richard Jensen

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of A Basal Reading Program To A Basal Reading Program With Supplemental Phonics Using Incremental Development And Continuous Distributed Review, Michelle C. Barry

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to determine whether students taught using the McGraw-Hill Reading program (non-supplemental group) and students taught using McGraw-Hill Reading supplemented with Saxon Phonics (supplemental group) demonstrated performance differences as measured by classroom-administered reading and spelling tests from the McGraw-Hill Reading Series. Overall, the results of this study revealed a limited number of differences between the supplemental and non-supplemental group. The supplemental group performed significantly better than the non-supplemental group on Unit 6 decoding. Higher-level readers in the supplemental group performed significantly better than higher-level readers in the non-supplemental group on Unit 4 spelling. The supplemental group performed …