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Online Communities Of Practice And Teachers Perceived Sense Of Efficacy: A Mixed Methods Study Of National Association Of Agricultural Educators Communities Of Practice Users, Robin Mclean
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this convergent design mixed methods study was to assess the perceived sense of efficacy of teachers who use the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Communities of Practice, an online community for pre-service teachers, secondary educators, and university professors in agricultural education. The convergent design used the quantitative Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale and a qualitative case study with the data collected in parallel, analyzed separately and then merged at the end of the study for comparisons. Significant differences in perceived self-efficacy were not noted between mentor and neighbor users within the community. Communities of Practice content …
Arts And Education: An Investigation Into The Impact Of The Arts Academy On High School Students, Nigel Sangster
Arts And Education: An Investigation Into The Impact Of The Arts Academy On High School Students, Nigel Sangster
Theses and Dissertations
The broad topical area of my research study involved an investigation of the impact of the arts academy on the students of Cooper Ruth Performing and Fine Arts Middle-High School (pseudonym), using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Being a proponent of the arts, one of the premises of my research was to bring about a greater sense of awareness in my school and school district, that the arts were not "frills" in the educational processes of children (Perrin, 1994). Focus was given to various strands of the arts disciplines in my efforts to substantiate the significance of the overarching question …
Registration, Attendance, And Reality: African-Americans Engaged In Sat Preparation, Don Coleman
Registration, Attendance, And Reality: African-Americans Engaged In Sat Preparation, Don Coleman
Theses and Dissertations
There is limited research into the persistence, participation, and efforts of African American students in their preparation for college admission exams (SAT, ACT). Registration, attendance, and the experienced reality of African American students who voluntarily enrolled in an SAT prep program as well as perceptions of African American instructors were the foci of this mixed methods action research. This study examined the development of a Saturday SAT preparation program over an 18 month period. Theoretical frameworks of Stereotype Threat (STT) (Steele, 1992; Steele & Aronson, 1995) and schooling effects (Diamond, 2007; Kao & Thompson, 2003; Ladson-Billings 1995, 1997; Starratt, 2003; …
A Comparison Study On Teacher-Centered And Inquiry-Based Instruction In Science Education Of Middle School Students With Learning Disabilities: What Is Effective?, Jessica Yorke-Servis
A Comparison Study On Teacher-Centered And Inquiry-Based Instruction In Science Education Of Middle School Students With Learning Disabilities: What Is Effective?, Jessica Yorke-Servis
Theses and Dissertations
The purposes of the study are to examine the effects of inquiry-based and teacher-centered instruction methods when teaching science for middle school students with learning disabilities. These two instructional methods were provided to 81 students in two middle schools located in southern New Jersey. Of those, 30 students with learning disabilities, 15 in each school participated in the study. Both groups were given a pre and post test prior to and after the three weeks of science instruction to evaluate student performance. In addition, a student and teacher survey was provided to examine their satisfaction. The results show that students …
An Autoethnographic Analysis Of School Leadership In An Alternative Education Environment, Leroi Jones
An Autoethnographic Analysis Of School Leadership In An Alternative Education Environment, Leroi Jones
Theses and Dissertations
This research represents an extremely personalized account of the complicated field of educational leadership and analysis of my journey through two very different alternative education environments. I documented my leadership experience for this self study to further understand how my leadership impacted two alternative educational settings. Through the vantage point of my lens, I documented and recorded my experiences through artifacts, a digital journal, and personal documentation as an administrator using the qualitative method of autoethnography. This type of qualitative research brings the reader inside of my personal experiences as an administrator. Every school district has its own climate and …
Effects Of A Response To Intervention Program For Middle School Students With Reading And Math Difficulties, Jeri Hendrickson
Effects Of A Response To Intervention Program For Middle School Students With Reading And Math Difficulties, Jeri Hendrickson
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine whether a response to intervention program (RTI) would be beneficial to students in the middle school population. Classes in two urban schools were observed and data were collected to decide the effectiveness of the RTI strategies and interventions which were given to the students. The first class was a language arts class and the second class was a math class. The students in the language arts class responded very well to the interventions the teacher taught them and all but one in this class were able to earn the grades that …
Differences In Life Satisfaction Among Young Adults In Different Living Situations, Jennifer Roake
Differences In Life Satisfaction Among Young Adults In Different Living Situations, Jennifer Roake
Theses and Dissertations
Differences in life satisfaction among young adults in different living situations were evaluated. The aims of this study were to use the Satisfaction with Life Scale to examine the differences in life satisfaction. Levels of depression as well as purpose in life were also evaluated using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Purpose in Life Scale. A total of 91 participants responses were included in the study, with 58 participants reporting living independently and 33 participants reporting living with parents. Independent t-tests found that individuals living at home report lower levels of life satisfaction compared to participants …
A Student Satisfaction Study Of The Chamberlain Student Center, Kaitlyn Howarth
A Student Satisfaction Study Of The Chamberlain Student Center, Kaitlyn Howarth
Theses and Dissertations
The primary purpose of this study was to explore whether students at Rowan University were satisfied with the services offered by the Chamberlain Student Center in February 2012. Satisfaction data were collected by means of a 42-item survey using Likert-scale items. The survey was distributed to 500 students identified as SGA club/organization leaders and senators and general users of the facility. Data analysis suggest that a majority of the study body at Rowan University are satisfied with the level of customer service, meeting rooms and spaces, student activities, and other services provided at the Chamberlain Student Center. The findings also …
The External And Internal Educational Factors That Contribute To Student Achievement And Self-Perceptions Of Urban Middle School Title I Students, Ja'shanna Jones
The External And Internal Educational Factors That Contribute To Student Achievement And Self-Perceptions Of Urban Middle School Title I Students, Ja'shanna Jones
Theses and Dissertations
This study was conducted in order to explore the depths of internal and external factors within the urban school community that effect student self-perceptions and academic achievement, so that programs/interventions are developed to meet the needs of urban students. The internal and external factors identified for the purpose of this study were parental achievement, parental and community involvement, school morale, teacher quality, students peer groups, and resources among internal and external educational factors. The researcher examined test scores and survey data of the entire middle school in the first phase of the study. During the second phase of the study, …
Higher Education: Understanding The Identity And Retention Of Latino(A) Students, Nelcy Jimenez
Higher Education: Understanding The Identity And Retention Of Latino(A) Students, Nelcy Jimenez
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of the undergraduate Latino(a) students currently enrolled at Rowan University during the 2012 spring semester. More specifically, the two-part study focused on how they identify as Latino(a), their experiences at Rowan as Latinos, their views on Latino(a) role models, the influences that encouraged/motivated them to continue their college journey and their views of the services and programming that can help them graduate. Student attitudes were gathered through a mixed method, a survey administered to 437 undergraduate Latino(a) students and individual interviews were administered to six Latino(a) students from the United …
No Nursing Student Left Behind: Non-Cognitive Screening, Letty Piper
No Nursing Student Left Behind: Non-Cognitive Screening, Letty Piper
Theses and Dissertations
With the growing shortage of nurses, the continuing flow of an adequate number of nursing students is important to the healthcare system. In an attempt to identify the noncognitive factors, which influence attrition, a mixed-method, cross-sectional study was conducted. Students who had dropped out of a BSN program and those still enrolled were given a survey containing scales of self-efficacy, nursing professional alignment and Margin in Life. The students then participated in focus groups. The attritional students were found to have a significantly lower Margin-in Life score than those who had succeeded, and there was a correlation between the Margin …
Evaluation Of An Early Intervention Program Using Eligibility Criteria, Emily Kurlansik
Evaluation Of An Early Intervention Program Using Eligibility Criteria, Emily Kurlansik
Theses and Dissertations
Early Intervention programs are state and federally funded programs that are available in virtually every state that provide support to children birth to three who have developmental delays. Eligibility into the program varies by state and determining eligibility for a child is a complex task that has tremendous implications on both the program and its children. A program evaluation was conducted on a branch of an early intervention program located in New Jersey to determine whether service providers were correctly identifying children who were eligible for services. Results indicated that four of out the 112 children in the program were …
Ankle Prophylactic Interventions In Division Iii Male And Female Basketball Athletes, David Seeberger
Ankle Prophylactic Interventions In Division Iii Male And Female Basketball Athletes, David Seeberger
Theses and Dissertations
Prophylactic ankle taping has been considered the basis of lateral ankle injury prevention and has been used at all levels of sport competition. An alternative to ankle taping is a semirigid reusable ankle brace. This study compared the incidence of ankle sprains in Division III collegiate basketball players during a 4 week period. Each subject was randomly selected to one of four groups which include a taping group, bracing group, PowerTape® group, and rehabilitation group. The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare ankle taping, bracing, PowerTaping, and rehabilitation for the prevention of ankle sprains. A total of 25 …
Faculty And Facebook: Attitudes Of Selected Faculty Toward Utilizing Facebook To Connect With Students, Janet Schmeelk
Faculty And Facebook: Attitudes Of Selected Faculty Toward Utilizing Facebook To Connect With Students, Janet Schmeelk
Theses and Dissertations
The primary purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes of selected faculty toward utilizing Facebook in their collegiate responsibilities, in February, 2012. This study also looked at how familiar selected faculty are with Facebook and its uses. Subjects included assistant, associate, and full professors in the College of Education, the College of Fine and Performing Arts, and the College of Communication at Rowan University. Data on attitudes were collected through means of a survey using 20 Yes/No, Likert-type items, and one open ended response item. Data analysis of quantitative data suggest that these selected faculty generally have a …
Advisory Programs: Evaluation Of The Planning For Implementation In An Urban High School, Laura Martin
Advisory Programs: Evaluation Of The Planning For Implementation In An Urban High School, Laura Martin
Theses and Dissertations
A major component of high school reform has been to support small, more personalized school structures, along with other complimentary strategies that enhance teaching and learning as being more likely to produce beneficial results. The major purpose of the small schools movement is to convert failing, comprehensive high schools, into smaller, personalized settings in order to increase positive school relationships, student engagement, and higher student achievement. The addition of advisory programs in high schools is at the heart of small schools' efforts to develop more personalization within small schools; especially those that contain small learning communities. Advisory programs are intended …
In-Text And Out-Of-Text Engagement: Interactional Features In Students' Academic Writing And Academic Engagement, Florette Press
In-Text And Out-Of-Text Engagement: Interactional Features In Students' Academic Writing And Academic Engagement, Florette Press
Theses and Dissertations
While student engagement theory recognizes writing as an engaging activity, there have been few studies that explore the levels of engagement within college students' academic writing. Analyses of in-text interactions between writers and their imagined reader(s) can uncover writers' attitudes about themselves as writers and as participants in the academic community. This study looked specifically at students' in-text interaction in the context of overall student engagement. Making a connection between interactional features in writing and overall student engagement provided a new perspective by which professors and administrators can evaluate students' academic integration. This study combined text analysis and interviews with …
The Role Of School Psychologists Regarding The Implementation Of The Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights Act, John Kowalcyk
The Role Of School Psychologists Regarding The Implementation Of The Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights Act, John Kowalcyk
Theses and Dissertations
Current school psychologists in New Jersey were contacted in order to determine the attitudes, roles, and approaches of different school psychologists in relation to the new HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying) legislation for all New Jersey Public Schools. This study gauged school psychologists' level of involvement in implementing the new legislation and their overall roles with regard to maintaining a safe and positive school climate. The survey, which was sent via email to school psychologists across the state, asked questions about their perceived roles in schools, the time they spent on various obligations during the workday, their involvement with the …
The Effect Of Direct Instruction And Self-Management Strategies On Writing Fluency Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Shawna Richetti
The Effect Of Direct Instruction And Self-Management Strategies On Writing Fluency Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Shawna Richetti
Theses and Dissertations
The purposes of this investigation were to evaluate the use of the Reasoning & Writing Direct Instruction program, examine the curriculum-based measurement tools for writing fluency of Total Words Written and Correct Word Sequence, examine the impact of teaching students with disabilities self-management techniques, including self-monitoring, self-graphing, and self-reflecting, and review how self-reflections toward writing and writing performances change through the process. Three fifth grade students, all receiving replacement writing instruction via a resource room, participated in this study. Two of the participants were classified as having a Specific Learning Disability, and one as Other Health Impaired. A single subject …
Coupling Academia And Civic Responsibility: Impact Of Incorporating Service-Learning Into Selected Courses, Cheri James
Coupling Academia And Civic Responsibility: Impact Of Incorporating Service-Learning Into Selected Courses, Cheri James
Theses and Dissertations
The demand on universities across America to produce civic-minded students is ever increasing. These demands are necessary to answer the constantly evolving needs of society due to advancing technology, the economy, war, politics, and social media. Volunteerism and community engagement can offer students the opportunity for connecting to their university and the surrounding community by presenting a reciprocal approach to meeting students' needs for involvement, fulfilling the university mission statement, and providing valuable service to the local community. This study investigated the service-learning practices at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ. The findings suggest there is a strong level of agreement between …
Using Facebook To Improve Social Communication Skills Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Genna Graham
Using Facebook To Improve Social Communication Skills Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Genna Graham
Theses and Dissertations
Facebook is a popular social media website that allows people to interact with friends and loved ones from far away and around the world. With its growing popularity, this study was conducted to examine if Facebook would improve social communication skills of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A total of nine students with ASD on two school campuses participated in the study. A multiple baseline single subject design across settings was used. During the baseline, students were observed and their initiation and reciprocation in communication with peers and teachers were recorded. During the intervention, students were instructed to use Facebook …
Student Involvement Theory: Patterns Of Sport Club Participation At Rowan University, Brian Stelzer
Student Involvement Theory: Patterns Of Sport Club Participation At Rowan University, Brian Stelzer
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of the study was to examine patterns of involvement relating to the sport club student athletes during the 2011/12 academic year at Rowan University. The study also sought to examine how this involvement affected attitudes of students toward various aspects of campus. Survey responses were analyzed to determine frequency, mean, standard deviation, percentages and correlations between demographics and reported involvement activities. The study examined the similarities between club sports, varsity athletics, and student government involvement at Rowan University. The findings suggested that students involved in sport clubs chose other physical activities, such as exercising and intramural athletics, as …
Using Student Response System (Srs) To Reduce Off-Task Behavior Of Students With Behavior Problems, Mary Johnson
Using Student Response System (Srs) To Reduce Off-Task Behavior Of Students With Behavior Problems, Mary Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of clickers on decreasing off-task behavior of students with behavior problems in Language and math classes. A total of five students and one special education teacher in a self-contained classroom participated in the study. A single-subject research design with ABAB phases was used. An online program called "Class Dojo" was used to record study behavior with a chart immediately to show their on-task and off-task behavior. During the baseline, student behavior was recorded in both Language and math classes for 5 days. During the intervention phase, each participating student …
Racial And Socioeconomic Differences In Special Education Students Returning To General Education, Katie Aspinwall
Racial And Socioeconomic Differences In Special Education Students Returning To General Education, Katie Aspinwall
Theses and Dissertations
Education's history has been shadowed by disparities in the quality of education delivered universally. Particularly highlighted are the disparities between the cases of socioeconomic status and racial background. Special education has been identified for decades as containing an overrepresentation of minorities classified. This study has analyzed retrospective data from the New Jersey Department of Special Education public website to examine if this pattern of overrepresentation of minorities continues to be represented in the population that returns to general education. The current study also analyzed the District Factor Grouping to investigate the implications of the school district's socioeconomic status in relation …
Using Computer-Assisted Graphic Organizers In Algebra Instruction To Support High School Students With Learning Disabilities, Katherine Rimby
Using Computer-Assisted Graphic Organizers In Algebra Instruction To Support High School Students With Learning Disabilities, Katherine Rimby
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was: 1) to examine the effect of the use of graphic organizers in high school algebra instruction; 2) to compare the difference of student performance when hand-written and computer-assisted graphic organizers were used, and 3) to evaluate student attitude towards learning algebra when hand-written and computer-assisted graphic organizers were used. A total of eight high school students with LD in two classes, with four in each class, participated in this study. A single subject design with AB and ABC phases was used in this study for 10 weeks, during which eight Algebraic math skills were …
Engineering Residential Learning Communities: Evaluating The Impact On Freshmen Engineering Students, Margaret Flynn
Engineering Residential Learning Communities: Evaluating The Impact On Freshmen Engineering Students, Margaret Flynn
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an engineering living-learning community (ELLC) on freshmen enginering students. A control group of non-ELLC participants was used to compare the experiences of the ELLC students. Data were collected using Likert scale survey items and open-ended questions. Analysis of the survey data showed that there were significant differences between the ELLC students and non-ELLC students in how they responded to questions regarding social support, academic support, connectedness to campus, and satisfaction with the college of engineering and Rowan University. A focus group of ELLC participants was also conducted to get …
Suicide Prevention / Postvention: A Student, Parent, Teacher, And Other Educational Professionals Perspective, Heather Leech
Suicide Prevention / Postvention: A Student, Parent, Teacher, And Other Educational Professionals Perspective, Heather Leech
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to: (1) determine the extent to which local schools are providing suicide prevention programs; (2) determine the effectiveness of suicide presentation programs; (3) examine the attitudes of teachers, parents, students, and other educational professionals regarding suicide prevention programs and; (4) determine the need for suicide prevention programs in a southern, New Jersey special services school district. A survey was distributed to 20 people in each of the following categories: teacher, parent, student, and other educational professionals. The four categories mentioned above were analyzed in the surveys. The results indicated that the participants feel that …
The Effect Of Collaborative Strategic Reading For 4th Graders With Learning Disabilities, Kathy Seacrist
The Effect Of Collaborative Strategic Reading For 4th Graders With Learning Disabilities, Kathy Seacrist
Theses and Dissertations
This study aimed at evaluating a sample of six fourth graders with learning disabilities as they were taught Collaborative Strategic Reading. The program was taught by a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom over a period of 5 weeks. Mean comprehension scores increased slightly over the course of the study while their vocabulary scores remained relatively consistent. Student average scores in vocabulary understanding were slightly higher than their comprehension scores. Although average scores increased, individual student performance was inconsistent. These results suggest that students with learning disabilities require more time to learn and develop strategies in comprehension. The findings …
Gender Differences Associated To Style And Type Of Bullying, Elizabeth Benckert
Gender Differences Associated To Style And Type Of Bullying, Elizabeth Benckert
Theses and Dissertations
Research shows that girls show more indirect and relational aggression bullying behavior, while boys will show more direct and physically aggressive bullying behavior (Bjorkqvist, Lagerspetz, & Kaukiainen, 1992). Girls prefer indirect aggression because they can manipulate others; while boys prefer direct aggression against others because it shows dominance and strength (Crick, Casas, & Mosher, 1997). The study was done to show a difference in gender and the style of aggressive bullying behavior they will act out in. Crick et al. (1997) explain that children tend to bully in ways that they know will inflict harm on others and damage their …
The Use Of Direct Instruction To Improve Reading Comprehension For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emily Sierra
The Use Of Direct Instruction To Improve Reading Comprehension For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emily Sierra
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Direct Instruction (DI) for teaching oral comprehension to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A total of eight students, ages six through eight in a special education classroom participated in the study. They were taught lessons from a scripted DI program 10-15 minutes daily for 10 weeks. Students completed daily oral lessons followed by a worksheet to check for their understanding. A single subject design with AB phases was used and student performance was evaluated by completing a daily worksheet and oral responses to questions. The results showed students' …
Transforming Regular Classroom Instruction To Differentiate For Gifted And Highly Capable Learners, Stephanie Brown
Transforming Regular Classroom Instruction To Differentiate For Gifted And Highly Capable Learners, Stephanie Brown
Theses and Dissertations
This qualitative action research study documented the transformation of a small suburban school district from an educational culture focused on minimal levels of achievement reflective of No Child Left Behind to one valuing the continuous progress of all levels of learners. The participant-researcher led teachers in third through seventh grades with instructional program changes in social studies and science that implemented advanced differentiation using a curriculum compacting model. The two-fold purpose of the study explored how teacher engagement in an effective professional development program impacted their practice and disposition toward meeting the needs of gifted learners, while seeking information regarding …