Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Learning Through Play-Based Education, Tina Wilson-Cook

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This paper explores the importance and benefits of Play-Based Learning (PBL) in early childhood education, with a focus on West Elementary School. It highlights the current problems, like less playtime in kindergarten, which has caused behavior issues and missed growth opportunities. The study stresses the need for a balanced curriculum that includes PBL to help children grow cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically. Key findings show that adding PBL can improve academic results, reduce behavior problems, and boost overall student development. The proposed plan includes strategies for increasing playtime, creating play-based activities, and providing teacher training. Involving parents and the community …

Uni Schedule Of Classes: Policies And Procedures, Summer 2024, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Schedule of Classes

A listing and schedule of the courses being taught as well as policies and procedures concerning attending classes at the University of Northern Iowa.

Teaching Learning Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 1, Sastra Deemed To Be University

TLC Newsletter

No abstract provided.

The Greenbook, Faculty Handbook, 2024-2025, Marshall University Academic Affairs

The Greenbook

This book has been published for the faculty of Marshall University for the specified period of time. This book was created by Academic Affairs and is for the period of 2024-2025.

Preparing Teachers For The Rise Of Challenging Behaviors, Abbie Chesling

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Previous research indicates the increase of challenging behaviors observed and how those behaviors impact the classroom. Findings from the research show the lifelong effects of adverse childhood experiences, trauma manifestations, and educational impacts. Other studies acknowledged educators and their experiences with negative behaviors in the classroom. Those same studies recognized a lack of teacher readiness to manage challenging behaviors in the classroom. A school improvement plan was designed to provide all school staff with targeted professional development to help mitigate challenging behaviors and the lasting impact in the school setting.

Crosssections, Summer 2024, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Physics.

CrossSections

Contents:

A Message from the Department Head, Dr. Paul Shand --- 01
New Secretary --- 02
Homecoming Picnic --- 03
Visits to the Department --- 04
Awards Banquet --- 05
Begeman Lecture --- 05
Physics Competition --- 06
Holiday Colloquium --- 06
Tim Kidd Lecture --- 07
Faculty Profile - Larry Escalada --- 07
Student Profile - Ashley Harrington --- 08
Student Research - Haley Harms --- 10
Physics Scholarships and Awards --- 12
Teacher Education Transformation --- 13
Alumni Profile - Justin Bohnet --- 14
Alumni News - Corey Cooling --- 15
Alumni News - John Bolte --- 16 …

Increasing Diversity In Advanced Placement Classrooms Through Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Megan Volgren

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This thesis has been designed around the question: How can AP literature teachers use culturally relevant pedagogy to make changes to their curriculum to increase diversity in their classes? Most schools offer advanced classes for students, many of which offer opportunities for them to gain college credit while in school. Yet, these opportunities are not equitably distributed. Students of color are often absent from Advanced Placement (AP) classes. This thesis explores the reasons behind this inequality and considers some changes that can be made to promote equality in schools. The focus of the accompanying project is to create a unit …

Guide To Establishing A Classroom Library - With Racially Representative Considerations, Julie Sieben

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The capstone project came from the educational space of equity in literature. Within the scope of using a new English Language Arts curriculum and a growing classroom diversity, the research question sought was: How can teachers establish a classroom library representative of a racially diverse student population? In order to locate research and educator journal articles within the literature review portion of the capstone, three main topic areas were explored: racial representation, multicultural education, and social justice. Diving deeper into racial representation, these themes emerged: misrepresentation, under-represented and selective inclusion. Considering the research question, the exploration continued with multiculturalism often …

Healing Students’ Collective Trauma And Growing With School Gardens, Will Ashwood

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This paper examines the potential of school garden projects as a therapeutic intervention for addressing collective trauma among students. It investigates how such gardens can help students recognize, work through, and heal from trauma or PTSD, and explores the benefits of using a therapeutic garden as a setting for learning, healing, and personal growth. The significance of this work lies in its demonstration of how building, implementing, and maintaining a school garden can benefit educational institutions, families, and the broader community. It highlights how school gardens can integrate with existing curricula and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to enhance …

Integrating Language And Content Learning For Ells: The Role Of Functional Grammar, Anna Harding

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

With the ever growing population of English language learners (ELLs) in today’s schools, the implementation of effective instruction to meet their needs is paramount. This capstone explores the promise functional grammar has as a tool to support this instruction, while addressing the following research question: How can functional grammar be incorporated into English language development instruction in the mainstream elementary school classroom in order to meet ELD standards and develop students’ English language proficiency? Within this capstone paper, a literature review outlines what functional grammar is and how it has been shown to benefit ELLs in both their content and …

Using Zombie Literature To Build Skills In Responding To Real Events For High School Students, Sarah Olson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project seeks to enhance student engagement in English language arts through zombie literature, bridging fiction and reality by exploring the question How can zombie literature be used in high school language arts curriculum to discuss and process real-world issues and events? It examines research on fiction's societal impact and horror's ability to boost student interest. The curriculum, adaptable for all high school levels, guides students in connecting fictional narratives to real-life experiences. By exploring the intersection of zombies, literature, and society, the project aims to create a more engaging and relatable learning experience for students.

Translanguaging In The Multilingual Learning And Mainstream Classrooms: A Unit Of Study Designed For Elementary Multilingual Newcomers, Elizabeth Moklestad

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project aims to find answers to the research question, How can translanguaging be strategically utilized in elementary instruction for multilingual newcomers as they move between language and mainstream classrooms? The question stems from an increased number of multilingual newcomers entering schools in the U.S. This project offers a way to meet the needs of these students through an integration of language learning and content learning that values students’ home languages as a foundation for their learning. In this capstone, the author presents a review of literature on multilingual newcomers, multilingual learning program models, the theory and practice of …

Putting Play In The Elementary School Classroom, Robert Mchugh

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Elementary school is a major setting for children’s development and the beginning of their academic journey learning language arts, math, and more. One of the primary ways that children learn and develop is through play. This capstone addresses the research question: How can organized play opportunities in elementary schools be leveraged to help nurture students’ development and strengthen their academic learning outcomes? This capstone report delves into the author's personal and professional connections to the topic of children’s play. Through the process of literature review, evidence is compiled to show that play opportunities strengthen the development of children’s physical health, …

Engaging Multilingual Learners Through Discussions And Writing Using Interactive Read Alouds In Early Elementary Education, Karen Manthe-Hogan

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The project aims to answer how English language teachers can support writing using a multicultural text set to engage early elementary Multilingual Learners. The research focuses on the needs of Multilingual Learners, the benefits of engaging students in discussion and writing, and the positive impacts of sharing multicultural literature. Using culturally responsive literature, the project builds engagement in conversations and writing. The curriculum project is designed as a supplementary writing unit for Multilingual Learners. The project may foster relationships with the students and create a sense of belonging, with discussion points and writing prompts built into the 12-book text set …

Stories Elicit Feelings Of Kinship And Inspire Pro-Environmental Behavior, Ellen Shaw

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Humans pass down stories to transmit ways of knowing and ways of interacting within their culture. For Indigenous humans, stories give outsiders insight into a deeply intertwined connection with the environment. As a woman of European descent teaching Environmental Education classes, my lack of awareness inspired the question, How can a story lead to adolescents developing a kinship with the more-than-human elements of a place and lead to pro-environmental behavior grounded in reciprocity? The literature review focused on elevating Indigenous authors such as; Robin Wall Kimmerer, Gregory Cajete, Jessica Hernadez, Albert Wiggan, Masanobu Fukuoka. Traditional Ecological Knowledge is the current …

How Can Urban Nature-Based Preschools Partner With Churches To Support Each Other?, Sarah Sinclair

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Nature-based preschools are increasing exponentially across the United States. These preschools combine best practices in early childhood education with place-based environmental education. Nature is the unifying theme of nature-based preschools, with programs spending a significant amount of time outdoors learning in, with, and about the natural world. Many nature-based early childhood educators are seeking to create urban nature-based preschools to reach children and communities with little access to green spaces or natural habitats. Urban nature-based preschools thus require locations that have attached green space or can access public green space easily. In most states of the U.S., these preschools must …

Ocean Literacy: Understanding The Importance Of Sharks In Marine Ecosystems, Nicole Mueller Januário

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The ocean covers about 71% of our planet’s surface and provides us with food and marine resources. It regulates global climate and weather patterns, and acts as a climate change carbon sink yet remains largely unprotected. A restorative human-ocean relationship is urgently needed to combat the negative impacts of humanity and climate change and support marine biodiversity. Sharks, one of the oldest fish species and apex predators, play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced marine ecosystem and healthy ocean. However, sharks are threatened by climate change and illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing and finning. A radical behavior change is also …

Integrating Environmental Education Into The 4th-Grade Classroom, Brandi Mckenna

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The growing awareness of the effects of climate change on our planet and the need for solutions that slow, stop, or potentially reverse these effects have led to the desire to increase environmental education in our youth. Research shows that building environmental literacy and stewardship helps create citizens with pro-environmental behaviors. Since the Tbilisi Declaration in 1977, there has been significant growth in environmental education programs in non-traditional education settings. However, despite the need for environmental education, it struggles to gain a strong footing in the traditional classroom. This is due to multiple reasons, with educator preparedness and resources being …

Creating A Community Garden To Enhance Environmental Education And Action In 10th-12th Grade Boys, Tess Ingebrigtsen

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone is to understand how making community connections through the creation of a community garden will emphasize environmental education and action from students. The guiding question of this project is: How can creating a community garden enhance environmental education and action for 10th-12th grade boys in a science elective? Throughout this project, I explore how 10th-12th grade boys' perceptions and feelings on environmental education and action develop and change through the process of creating, designing, and maintaining a community garden and making community connections through their school. Throughout this project, a multitude of major learnings occurred …

Using Geography To Spark Curiosity In Students, Stephen Schmitz

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project explores geography and student curiosity, designed to answer the research question: How can teachers use geography to spark curiosity in their students? Geography has been an often overlooked and diminished subject, yet it has great potential to engage students. As student apathy and disengagement continue to be an issue within the contemporary school system, this capstone advocates for using geography as a way to spark interest in the subject, and learning altogether. The research undertaken in this capstone has yielded a unit curriculum designed for fifth grade students that weaves important geographic concepts with strategies to spark …

Identifying And Removing Barriers To Accessibility In Environmental Education And Outdoor Recreation, Patricia Bonnin

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

There are numerous mental, physical, and socio-emotional health benefits to spending time outdoors, and this is especially true for people with disabilities. However, outdoor spaces such as park systems, nature centers, and other natural places are typically not accessible for people with disabilities. Research shows there are numerous barriers they encounter when trying to attend outdoor areas. The capstone project, titled Nature Adapted: Guidebook for evaluating and modifying current programs and practices to increase outdoor accessibility, was created to assist environmental education centers and outdoor recreation organizations in becoming more inclusive. It includes information sections, pre-assessements, reflections, and places to …

A National Perspective Of Mental Health Awareness Among Agricultural Workers, Anna Gilliam, Ethan Gilliam

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The knowledge and perceptions of mental health resources for agricultural workers were explored at the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) National Conference. Data were gathered via a voluntary survey conducted at the event. With 137 completed surveys, the study revealed that the participants desired more information regarding agricultural mental health resources and revealed their preferences for receiving this information. These findings will lead USU Extension to create impactful educational resources to better address mental health awareness and education needs in agricultural workers.

Sacred Heart University Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 2, Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Netiquette For Upper Elementary Multilingual Learners: A Curriculum Resource, Denise Price

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone paper explores the research question: When teaching computer-mediated communication (CMC) skills to upper elementary students, how can teachers include politeness (netiquette) instruction tailored to meet the needs of multilingual learners (MLs)? After reflecting on her own previous difficulties trying to learn the netiquette rules of another language, the author conducted a literature review that revealed an important gap: despite the increasing prevalence of CMC at the elementary level, little research currently exists on how best to teach netiquette skills to this age group. In the accompanying project, the author wove together ideas from traditional linguistic theories about polite …

Complete Handbook, Saint Mary's College Of California

Faculty Handbook

No abstract provided.

1. Mission, History, General Organization And Governance Of Saint Mary’S College, Saint Mary's College Of California

Faculty Handbook

No abstract provided.

Improving Students’ Sense Of Belonging At School: A School Improvement Plan, Madison Alvarado

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Robust research proves the importance of students' sense of belonging at school and its correlation to academic achievement, positive behavior choices, and a student's overall well-being. This school improvement plan was created to implement strategies that will lead to a significant increase in students' sense of belonging at school. The plan includes incorporating professional development that provides educators with a well-rounded understanding of what a sense of belonging entails, along with structures to help increase it in the students they support. The plan also introduces a student program designed to boost students' positive interactions and, thus, increase their sense of …

Meta-Narrative Review Of Gender Portrayal In Disney Movies For Young Children And Its Pedagogical Implications, Xuan Jiang, Linlin Zhang, Diana Rivero, Brittany Torres

Journal of Global Education and Research

Many of Disney movies have been criticized for perpetuating traditional gender stereotypes which constrain opportunities for children at large. Its recent characters have also incurred heated discussions on gender portrayal. Moreover, stereotypes of gender roles, developed early on, can exert an immediate impact on individuals’ behaviors and utterances and a long-term impact on individuals’ perceived options academically, professionally, personally, and socially. Recognizing the significance of this matter, this paper employed a meta-narrative review to collect and conceptually and empirically synthesize previous literature on the impact of Disney movies on young children’s gender awareness. Through an academic database search, 49 articles …

Medical Graphic Novels: Comic Art And Medicine, Leesha Coleman

University Faculty and Staff Publications

Leesha Coleman, USA Biomedical Librarian, gave a presentation at the West Regional Library of the Mobile Public Library. She discussed the use of medical graphic novels and the incorporation of art in science degrees.

An Exploratory Study On E-Learning Software Utilization Among Professional Instructional Designers In Virginia, Mark Richard Parsons

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This master's thesis aims to explore the diverse landscape of e-learning software employed by professional instructional designers in Virginia to develop educational content. The study investigated the learning management systems and rapid authoring software, their utilization, the challenges and benefits associated with their usage, and future trends. By gaining insights into the preferences and practices of instructional designers, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic field of e-learning software in the context of Virginia's educational landscape.