Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of A Selected Remedial Mathematics Course On Accuplacer Re-Test Results, Denise Chalow Case

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a selected remedial mathematics course offered at a selected community college. Initial placement test scores were compared with scores resulting from a placement retest after completion of the remedial course. While the majority of students placed higher on the retest, the most significant increases were achieved by students who earned an A for the remedial course. This study also analyzed the level of education and degree major of the instructors of the remedial courses. The results indicate that instructors holding master's degrees may be slightly more effective than those …

An Investigation Of The Lasting Impact The C.H.A.M.P/Gear-Up Program At Rowan University Has On Selected Alumni, Jamar Morton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to determine the lasting impact of the C.H.A.M.P./GEAR-Up program alumni before the fall of 2004. The study involved 78 subjects, divided into two groups. Group one consisted of 70 subjects who participated in a survey. Group two consisted of eight subjects who participated in an interview.

The data collection instruments included a 30-item survey using the Likert scale format. The questions were arranged in a five factor grouping consisting of postsecondary exposure, identity development, social development, academic enrichment, motivational aspect, and program impact. The interview consisted of 12 questions ranging from general demographics, …

The Learning Curve: The Thinking And Learning Styles Of Selected Student Athletes At Rowan University And The Impact On Academic Achievement, Robert Bullard

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to determine if thinking and learning styles of selected student-athletes at Rowan University impact academic achievement. Ninety-six undergraduate student-athletes from Rowan University participated in the study completing both the Inquiry Mode Questionnaire (InQ) and the Learning Connections Inventory (LCI) to measure thinking and learning styles. The InQ consists of 18 statements which are followed by five possible endings in which respondents indicate the degree to which each statement is most like you (5) or least like you (1). The LCI is a 28 Likert item self-reporting instrument that allows the respondent to learn of their learning …

A Longitudinal Study Of The Educational Advancement Alliance, Inc. Afterschool And Summer Enrichment Programs, Karen E. Nicholas

Theses and Dissertations

By all accounts there is a crisis in the American educational system. From government officials at all levels to educators, both practitioners and researchers, the question of how to reconnect with America's youth is debated on a daily basis. Solutions to the problems are suggested, debated, and sometimes tested. One of the topics that is often deliberated is the impact of supplemental educational programs. In an effort to address issues of academic skill deficiencies and college preparedness, the Educational Advancement Alliance (EAA) was founded in 1990.

The intent of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the impact of the Educational …

The Presence Of Tranquil Sounds In Relation To Augmented Focus And Concentration, Jennifer L. West

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the presence of tranquil sounds created augmented focus and concentration among undergraduate college students, who prefer silent learning environments. Participants were randomly selected from an undergraduate pool of students from a northeastern college in the United States. Student's focus and concentration was assessed using the Personal Emotion Survey and Personal Habits Survey. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the scores of those who prefer silent or prefer sounds in the environment to their scores on the Personal Emotional Survey. As we have found from past studies, music plays an important …

A Longitudinal Study Of The Enrollment Patterns Of Fulltime, First-Time Degree-Seeking Recent High School Graduates At A Community College, Ramsaran Ramoutar

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the enrollment patterns of first-time, full time recent high school graduates enrolled a community college. This longitudinal study focused on students who were enrolled at Cumberland County College in the fall of 2002 through the fall of 2008. Enrollment and transfer patterns and graduation rates were explored for the sample population of 209 students who came from all ethnic background. The databases of the Cumberland County College and the New Jersey Higher Education Clearing House were examined in order to retrieve the relevant information. The study revealed that although financial concerns impacted the educational outcomes, there was …

Using Multicultural Literature Across Curriculum To Foster An Understanding And Acceptance Of Diversity, Nina Stubblebine

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this teacher research was to (a) use multicultural literature across curriculum to foster an understanding and acceptance of diversity and (b) examine more deeply how using multicultural literature in this manner might impact student learning, teacher-student relationships, student-student relationships and the overall environment of an elementary school classroom. In response to a cross-curricular multicultural literature unit, the four first grade self-contained participants of this study demonstrated progression from a recognition of physical differences to an acceptance of diversity. My methods for data collection were: keeping a teacher journal, conducting teacher interviews, informal student interviews, read-alouds, audio recordings …

The Effectiveness Of Incident Command Systems Training For Residential Learning Personnel At Rowan University, Lori Ann Troise

Theses and Dissertations

Emergency Response is a topic addressed by colleges and universities across the country. Adequate training for response personnel is encouraged by the institutions and, in some cases, enforced by state and federal governments. On college campuses, emergencies occur at all areas and can occur at any given time, which includes residential areas. At Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, these residential areas are staffed by undergraduate and graduate students.

This study analyzed the effectiveness of Incident Command Systems training for personnel hired to work within the residential areas at Rowan University. Incident Command Systems is a national emergency management structure adopted …

What Happens When Students Learn A Step-By-Step Approach To Solving Math Word Problems?, Lindsay Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract available.

Effective Strategies For Creating Socially Developing And Accepting Inclusion Classrooms, Kristin Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate and determine the most effective strategies for creating a socially developing and accepting inclusion classroom. The study was conducted as teacher research and uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The population used in the study was that of a first grade inclusion classroom. All students who were given parental consent participated. A classroom observation rubric, student surveys, and student interviews were completed pre-implementation. Strategies for creating a socially developing and accepting inclusion classroom were implemented; reading pertinent literature, discussions, and lunch conversations. During this time student artifacts were collected. After the …

Infusing Music In An Academic Curriculum, Katelyn E. Frevert

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this teacher research was to examine the effects of music on student comprehension, cooperative learning and the surrounding learning community. This study was conducted within a third grade inclusion classroom. The students were exposed to educational songs in mathematics, writing and science. The students were also provided with the opportunity to create their own songs about matter and showcase them through their production of music videos. Data for this study was collected through video recordings, student interviews, teacher interviews, and teacher/researcher observations and journal. This study demonstrated that music has a positive effect on the learning environment …

Using Literature And Role-Playing To Teach Social Skills To Students In Self-Contained Classrooms, Lauren M. Massa

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the role of educators in teach social skills to self-contained students. Bibliotherapy, which utilizes books to help people solve their problems and role-playing were the two methods used to teach social skills. For this study, five data collection instruments were utilized: audio taped class discussions, video recordings of role-playing sessions, a teacher research journal, an instructional unit, and student projects and artifacts. For the sake of privacy and confidentiality, the names of people and places were altered. The qualitative research study was conducted in a Kindergarten self-contained classroom, located in …

The Impact Of Injuries On Division Iii Student-Athletes, Danielle Lodics

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to examine emotions and processes of 21 Rowan University student athletes that experienced a minor or major injury during the fall and spring semester of the 2008/2009 academic year. A minor injury is defined as an injury that keeps the student athlete out of competition for 7 to 10 days. A major injury is defined in this study as an injury that is season-ending or surgical. Of the 21 student athletes 13, experienced a minor injury and eight student athletes experienced a major injury. The major injuries in this study were: a torn …

Facilitating Communication In A Developmentally Delayed Child, Ryan Finlay

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was an attempt to facilitate the communicative capabilities of a developmentally delayed child. Specifically, the target goal was to have the student mand (request) the word "juice." Aspects of four intervention techniques were implemented. The four techniques included; Easy Does it for Articulation : An Oral Motor Approach, Total Communication (TC), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and Verbal Behavior Analysis (VBA). The participant was a 7 year old developmentally delayed female student at a small school for special services in southern New Jersey. The study was conducted in five phases. Data was collected during the …

Building School Connections Through Integrating Extracurricular Programs, Grete E. Gerber

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated extracurricular program and evaluate its effectiveness on improving middle school students' emotional connectedness to the school. The integrated extracurricular program provided an opportunity for a diverse group of students to work cooperatively as a team toward a common goal.

The program's first extracurricular activity was a Haunted House event which was utilized for this study. Participants in the study included 232 students and 21 staff members. Two separate surveys were administered to the student and staff participants. Each survey resulted in general opinions about the effectiveness of the integrated extracurricular …

Assessing Undergraduate Student Involvement: A Closer Look At The African American Pattern, Adam M. Jordan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement patterns of selected African American undergraduate students and explore the reasoning as to why they choose to participate in certain groups and abstain from others. Data were collected through a three part survey with 60 Likert-type items used, and through a series of interviews. The population used was a convenience sample of 178 students at Rowan University's main campus in Glassboro, NJ. Eight students of that sample were purposely selected to participate in interviews. Data analysis of the surveys showed positive relationships between students who worked with classmates outside of …

Motivations For Participation In Adult Education Of Predominately African Americans In A Religious Organization, Shirley S. Farrar

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to research (a) the participation patterns of selected predominately African American adults in a religious-based educational program (n=225), (b) determine relative motivational patterns, (c) to compare the 'most' and 'least' of importance of motivations, and to identify if the samples' demographics are related to these motivations. This study was administered in a selected church in Deptford, New Jersey in March 2009. The African American adult population with an average age of 42 demonstrated similarities of participation to a previous study. To measure motivations to participate and patterns of participation in African American adults, data …

A Study Of The Impact Rowan University's Alcohol & Other Drug Program Has On Behaviors, Dispositions & Attitudes Among Students, Jessica P. Havery

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the impact that Rowan University's Alcohol & Other Drug program had on the behaviors, dispositions and attitudes of students responsible for violating the institution's alcohol policy. The study focused on the changes among students that attended the new program, instituted in the Spring 2008 semester, during the 2008-2009 academic year. Data on the behaviors, dispositions and attitudes were collected using a pre and post-test instrument, which consisted of 53 questions composed in both close-ended and Likert form. Data analysis suggests that the most significant changes among students were behavioral in nature. …

Student Leadership: The Influence Of Television And Film On Today's Student Leaders, Alissa Krutoff

Theses and Dissertations

The primary focus of this study was to explore the role the media has on undergraduate student leadership. The study investigated traditional undergraduate student's understanding of leadership, personal leadership identities, perceptions of the media, and media viewing habits. Data about student views were collected by means of a survey using a series of Likert-style questions on a 5-point scale. Data were also collected with a two-part focus group series, investigating student's opinions on television, film, and leadership. Students reported the importance of leadership for undergraduate students, while identifying themselves with many of the characteristics of a leader. Students reported watching …

The Impact Of Student Employment On Student Involvement, Stefanie Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of student employment on student involvement. The study also assessed the difference in levels of involvement between those students who worked on-campus verse off-campus and assessed the impact of demographic factors on levels of student engagement. The subjects in this study were 223 students at Rowan University during the 2008-2009 academic year. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and information from the 2008 fall semester, such as GPA and number of credits taken. The survey also provided information on participation in activities at Rowan University and data concerning …

An Exploration Of Obesity: Childhood Onset Obesity And Adult Onset Obesity, S. Shahed Hasheminejad

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of obesity in the United States can be considered alarming, given its dramatic increase over the past twenty years. A large percentage of the obese population suffers from both medical and psychological side effects. This study focused on how non-obese and obese individuals perceive one's own body. Based on research, it was hypothesized that obese individuals are more likely than non-obese individuals to perceive one's body negatively. It was also hypothesized that obese individuals who suffer from childhood onset obesity as opposed to adult onset obesity are more likely to perceive one's body negatively. Participants were recruited from …

Impact Of New Financial Aid Trend: Attitudes And Opinions, Rihab Ezzat Saadeddine

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of administrators towards the new financial aid trend that was initiated by some well-endowed private universities, and its impact on colleges and universities. The study also explored personal attitudes towards need and merit based aid, and recommendations to improve students' accessibility and affordability in higher education.

Data analysis suggests that the majority of administrators have a positive attitude towards the general principle behind the new financial aid trend. However, they stated that this new trend is not broad and that it does not address the financial aid need of most …

The Influence Of Career-Related Motivation On Academic Success, Freda Yeh

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between career-related motivation, defined by the constructs of career insight, identity, and resilience, and academic success of undergraduate students at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ. Influences on the development of these career and academic motivations were also studied. Furthermore, the study assessed the relationship between career-related motivation and academic success for students when grouped by academic years and major colleges.

A survey with eight demographic questions, including self-reported GPA, and 21 Likert-style items on a five-point scale was used to gather data on students' career and academic goals. For undergraduate students …

Student-Athletes At Rowan University: Assessing Involvement Factors And Opportunities Provided Through Athletic Participation, Mark Fusiak

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the attitudes of student-athletes toward their involvement in intercollegiate athletics. Student-athletes were surveyed from all sports sponsored by Rowan University. The survey included several measures to determine hours spent on academic and athletic pursuits, academic support and success, missed opportunities, and factors relating to personal development. Data analysis suggests that student-athletes spend equal amounts of time on academic and athletic pursuits. The study showed that female student-athletes reported missing out on opportunities because of their participation in athletics more than male student-athletes. The data also indicate that coaches, athletic administrators, and other …

An Investigation Of Teachers' Perceptions Of School Psychologists, Noelle Bisinger

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate public school teachers' general knowledge and perceptions of school psychologists. This research examined 144 Kindergarten to 12th grade teachers' familiarity and interaction with school psychologists. Self-reported measures of school psychologists' helpfulness, performance, and general knowledge of school psychologists' duties and responsibilities were evaluated. Information pertaining to teachers' specialization, employment history, student population characteristics, and school size were also considered. It was hypothesized that years of teaching experience, teacher type (whether special or general education), and school population size would effect the ratings of school psychologists on all three subscales. A few significant …

Determining Whether The Age Children Enter Kindergarten Affects Academic And Social Development, Adrienne Sarosky

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the age children enter kindergarten has an effect on their behavior and academic and social development. This study examined age eligible children with summer birthdays who delayed kindergarten entry by one year and age eligible children with summer birthdays who started kindergarten on-time. It was hypothesized that the older kindergarten students or age eligible children who delayed kindergarten entry would perform better academically, have better social skills, and have less problem behaviors. The Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) Rating Scale was used for this study. The SSIS assessed academic competence, social …

The Effects Of Supplemental Educational Services On Student Achievement, Regina F. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Supplemental educational services (SES) are a core component of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) that provide free academic assistance in reading, language arts and mathematics for eligible students. Supplemental educational services include tutoring and other educational interventions that align with the state's academic content standards provided outside of the regular school day. Despite four years of supplemental services educational and millions of dollars spent, little is known about the effects of SES on student achievement. This study hypothesized that after the sixth month of SES tutoring, students in the experimental group would achieve higher scores on …

Exploring Play Attention, Brett Hoyt

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined the Play Attention neurofeedback computer program to determine its efficacy in the classroom. A program that would increase students' ability to pay better attention in the classroom would vastly improve our entire educational system. The two areas that were used to determine the effectiveness of the program were improved task performance and the ability to follow directions the first time they are given. Daily progress reports of twenty different students were compared to each other over a six month period. There were ten students in the experimental group and ten students in the control group. There …

Using Art To Teach Problem-Solving And Other Social Skills: The Effectiveness Of The Rate Program, Jessica Anne Masino Drass

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of an after-school art program for at risk adolescents. The RATE Program is designed to give at-risk students a place where they can express their emotions in a positive way. Through various art activities, such as working together to design and paint a mural for the school, the students will learn problem solving and social skills. All of the adolescents who participated in the RATE Program were students at a rural regional high school in Southern New Jersey. Five students total attended the RATE Program regularly, ranging in age from …

Differences In The Effects Of Social Stories In Children With Autism And Asperger's Syndrome, Stephanie S. Mead

Theses and Dissertations

The differences in effects of a Social Story intervention were measured between children with Autism and children with Asperger's Syndrome. Social initiation was the dependent variable that was measured during an ABA reversal research design. The overall effect of the Social Story intervention of the whole group was analyzed by a one sample t-test. A t-test of two independent samples was used to evaluate whether or not a significant difference existed between the Autism group and the Asperger's Syndrome group in all three conditions. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in social initiation for the whole group or …