Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Effective Classroom Management Techniques In A 1:1 Classroom Setting, Kenton Engels

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to explore effective management techniques in a 1:1 classroom by seeking solutions to the problem of students being distracted on their devices during class. I conducted this action research in my classroom, with twelve participants in the 8th grade at Moses Junior High School (pseudonym) in Cedar Falls, Iowa for thirty days. After implementing three different management techniques, I collected and triangulated the data including: surveys, observations, interviews, assignments, and reflective journals. The major findings indicate that after participants raised their awareness about their Chromebook use during class, they increased their proficiency level …

The Need For A Teacher Librarian To Take A Leadership Role In The Implementation Of Supplemental Reading Program Initiatives To Achieve Desired Student Outcomes, Mindy M. Reimer

Graduate Research Papers

Education stakeholders recognize the importance of establishing a culture of reading within a school. Many schools are using supplemental reading programs, like Accelerated Reader (AR), to support reading instruction and to encourage independent reading opportunities with their students (What Works Clearinghouse, 2010). These programs offer schools a system to manage, monitor and measure students’ independent reading. The high percentage of schools in the nation implementing supplemental reading programs necessitates that school librarians serve a leadership role in the implementation of such reading programs. Although these programs often entail controversy, proper implementation of these reading programs requires structure and support best …

Fogging Practices Of Iowa Counties For Mosquito Abatement, Alex Jay Davey

Graduate Research Papers

Global warming has been associated with an increase of mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases currently have no prescription remedies. The counties across the state of Iowa will increase their fogging procedure, to supplement the increase in mosquitos and mosquito-borne diseases. This study examined which chemicals each county uses for mosquito abatement, the patterns and frequency of spraying, and what patterns of human exposure may be occurring. The county auditor was identified and recruited via email. The county auditors across the state forwarded the email message to the Environmental Health Director, in each county. At county level, they are not in control …

Make It So: Employing A Multi-Player Starship Bridge Simulator In A Military-Based Leadership Course, Robert Green

Graduate Research Papers

The Make It So Leadership Training Program employs the multiplayer PC-based Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator game as the capstone exercise in a thirty-hour leadership program. I sought to replicate the leadership training I received as a seagoing military officer, in order to provide students with a valuable and memorable leadership experience in a novel setting. Guided by the Understanding by Design® (UbD) (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005) framework, I designed this course to develop students’ transfer and understanding capacities in leadership principles. I received feedback and guidance from alpha and beta testers throughout the design and development phase. As a work …

The Use Of Meditation And Yoga As A Treatment Tool For Juvenile Offenders In Residential Treatment Centers For Relapse Prevention, Danielle K. W. Ballard-Green

Graduate Research Papers

Although crime has continued to decline over the last decade, the incarceration of minority youth happens at higher rates compared to their white counterparts. Incarcerated youth face trauma at high rates. Trauma can impact an individual's behavior and response to stress. Many incarcerated youth have substance use disorders (SUDs) and a relapse of substance use can result in a relapse of criminal behavior. When a youth is heavily immersed within the juvenile justice system, they are often placed within residential treatment centers (RTC). There are minimal treatment approaches that are successful within RTCs; they do not address the difficulty the …

The Transition Of Flipped Instruction : From Professional Development To Classroom, Alison J. Sauter

Graduate Research Papers

This action research study was designed to implement flipped classroom professional development for high school teachers, and investigate whether the flipped professional development could be transferred from the teacher learning into student learning. Over three months the teachers' flipped professional development covered the flipped classroom model, differentiated group work, and the technologies needed to flip a lesson. Each of the seven participants created and delivered three flipped lessons in their classrooms. The major findings suggest that the flipped learning skills were transferred from professional development to practice (with the aid of instructional coaching.) Recommendations for further professional development on classroom …

Self-Study Of One To One Reading Conferences In A Third Grade Setting, Angel Munson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a study of my teaching while conducting one to one reading conferences in a third grade classroom. The reading conference consists of the teacher and student meeting to discuss the text the student is currently reading. After engaging m discussion, usually prompted by the teacher, the teacher shares a teaching point with the student. The student is then asked to focus on this teaching point during independent reading. The paper focuses on discovering how the teacher makes instructional decisions during these one to one conferences. Data sources include conference notes, audio recorded sessions between the literacy coach …

A Professional Development Plan To Increase Student Motivation Through The Analysis Of Three Motivational Components : Student, Teacher, And Accountability Measures, Ashley Ann Oleson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper contains professional development plan and instructions to be used to train educators about student motivation. While the plan was created to be implemented as a year-long professional development, it could be used in smaller increments focusing on one or two of the three total components that influence student motivation. The three components include: student, teacher, and accountability measures. The final plan, Student Motivation Professional Development Plan, SMPDP, was formulated from research referenced within this paper. SMPDP agendas, plans, and all necessary materials needed for implementation are also included.

How Can A Child's Fluency Be Improved And Provide Support For Comprehension?, Sharon Marie Collins

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the literature that addresses ways to improve fluency and to provide support for fluency development and comprehension. The culmination of this literature review results in the creation of a project addressing the question, How can I encourage the families of my students to be more involved in their child's reading? This project uses the structure of a family literacy night to focus upon fluency development and literature engagement between children and their families.

A Picture Book Biography Of Jessie Field Shambaugh, Kimberly Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research project was to create a picture book biography of Jessie Field Shambaugh, an influential woman during the beginning of the 4-H movement. The book provides an additional resource in satisfying the Iowa Common Core social studies standard addressing the role of individuals within a society as promoters of change and another emphasizing women and minorities.

The intent of this project was to determine the best information to include in the story of Jessie Field Shambaugh and her contributions to the4-H movement while applying research-based characteristics of high quality picture books that would connect the narrative …

Extending Mathematic Learning Beyond The Classroom Through Online Discussion And Reflection, Linsey Zimmerman

Graduate Research Papers

This review explores the research (2002-2015) focusing on the use of writing in the high school mathematics classroom incorporating blogs and online discussion. Thirty articles were identified and analyzed which provided information on how writing in the math classroom was developed and carried out. The research found that extending the mathematical learning through writing creates a sense of community among students, allows student reflection and application, and helps students gain a deeper understanding of a mathematical concept. Implications of the research and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Using Interactive Read-Alouds To Support Students' Comprehension, Emily D. Chaffin

Graduate Research Papers

This research project reviews literature on the impact interactive read-alouds have on lower elementary students' comprehension. The studies that were researched focused on how students benefited from interactive read-alouds and how teachers prepared and conducted interactive read-alouds. The project focused on providing model lessons to be used in an interactive read-aloud. Each model lesson consists of introduction to the comprehension strategy being taught, teacher dialogue with students participating in tum and talks throughout the interactive read-aloud and a reflection time for the teacher and students to reflect on the story and how applying the comprehension strategy helped them.

Using Digital Writing Tools In Supporting Student Writing, Sarah Mckee

Graduate Research Papers

Core Curriculum guides teachers' writing instruction, requiring students to use technology to 1) produce and publish writing, 2) interact with others, and 3) develop skills to strengthen writing. Teachers should explore digital writing tools as a means to do each. This review examines the roles digital writing tools have in meeting Core Curriculum writing standards and facilitating feedback and revision in student writing. The focus of this review is recent research evidence published in the last five years. The research evidence suggests needed changes in writing instruction, based on teachers' and students' perceptions of digital tools – especially to provide …

Sound : The Study Of Differentiating Pitch And Volume With Preschoolers, Jennifer Lyn Miller

Graduate Research Papers

I designed an exploratory study for adapting an early elementary physics of sound science module to use in preschool. The purpose of the study was to observe and collect data regarding the use of an inquiry-based physical knowledge activity, implemented in a play-based preschool setting, and how this knowledge could assist in advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in early childhood.

Using random sampling from a classroom of 20 students, I chose six participants between the ages of four and five. As prekindergarten children experimented with sound, I probed understanding of two of the main concepts in the …

Using Sign Language In The Infant Room, Sara Paar

Graduate Research Papers

Trying to figure out what an infant needs can be frustrating for the child's parents and caregivers. Around eight months of age, infants can start pointing at things they want and start to mimic hand motions from simple finger plays like Pat-a-Cake. In this study, Early Head Start teachers in one classroom went from using four sign language signs in the classroom to using 12 signs for five weeks. The teachers recorded how many times they used each of the 12 signs during interactions with the infants. They also recorded whether an infant repeated the sign when the teacher showed …

Using Running Records Data In Planning For Literacy Instruction, Tabitha A. Waltz

Graduate Research Papers

Running records are an assessment tool that allows teachers to monitor the sources of information readers are using. Many teachers have learned to take running records, but they may not be as comfortable analyzing the running records and using the results of the analysis to inform instruction. This graduate, final project presents a professional development program that will help teachers learn not only to take running records, but also to analyze and use the results in their instruction.

Effective Professional Development For Teachers : Read-Alouds In The Middle Level, Kelly Ann Behmer

Graduate Research Papers

Teacher read alouds are common practice in the elementary level, but they are rarely seen in the middle level. This paper addresses the importance of read alouds, with evidence from the literature, followed by the development of an effective professional development process for working with teachers at the middle level in developing instruction that includes read alouds. The goal of this professional development plan is to teach teachers of all subject areas in the middle level school how to conduct read alouds so they will know how to incorporate them into their specific subject area to enhance their students' learning.

Critical Literacy And Digital Technology With A Novel Unit, Brandon Harrison

Graduate Research Papers

This paper contains an instructional unit designed for teaching a novel unit utilizing critical literacy and digital technology at the upper-elementary level. The design of the unit is composed around relevant research-based literature which is cited and referenced in the paper. Methods for instructional delivery are provided as well as a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of key terms and critical prompts.

What Relationship Between Preschool Class Sizes And Student Behaviors Do Teachers Report?, Lindsey Steen

Graduate Research Papers

This paper reports a study on whether preschool teachers of differing class sizes report a relationship between class size and student behaviors. Classes were categorized into small, medium, and large class sizes. Teachers reported Teaching Strategies GOLD scores for socio-emotional skills and gave their opinions about class sizes, Results of this study suggest that there is a relationship between class size and students' social emotional skills, but not always in accordance with teacher opinions.

Cinematherapy In Gifted Education Identity Development : Integrating The Arts Through Stem-Themed Movies, Timothy Carl Kangas

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the crucial need for inclusion of a curricular component within gifted and talented programming that addresses the social and emotional development of gifted students. This component, cinematherapy, addresses the asynchronous development of gifted students through the lives of gifted characters. This paper details the process for selecting STEM-themed movies to view with students, provides a table of relevant STEM films that feature gifted characters, and possible general discussion questions to be used after viewing.

The Design Of A Professional Development Program For Technology Integration, Dana M. Lampe

Graduate Research Papers

Although teachers recognize the use of technology in their classrooms has a positive influence on their students, efforts to learn the technology integration are often limited by barriers. The purpose of this project was to document the whole process of designing and developing a professional development program for technology integration to break out barriers. By conducting a literature review I gained a better understanding for professional development of instructional technologies. After collaboratively conducting the context analysis with my colleagues, I designed, developed and implemented thirteen sessions of the professional development sessions. I got the on-going feedback as the formative evaluation. …

Education: An Unexplored Variable On Millennial Volunteer Attitudes, Darian N. Everding

Honors Program Theses

For the 1.9 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, engaging potential volunteers in an efficient way is critical to their success. As Baby Boomers retire, the Millennial generation is expected to populate an ever-growing percentage of the volunteer workforce. The Millennial population totals nearly 80 million in the United States alone. The current body of research has been focused primarily on general attitudes of Millennials in regards to volunteering, philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility. There has been very little analysis on the attitudes of Millennials based on their demographic information, especially their education level. Less than a third of …

Initiation Of Communication From Users Of Aac And Preceding Communication Partner's Utterances, Lauren Vaughn Welser

Honors Program Theses

This study examined the effect communication partners’ have on the initiations produced by users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The data was reviewed from a larger study; it included transcripts and videos of a set of four students from an elementary school classroom in the Midwest. The students had a wide range of abilities. Both the student and teacher utterances were analyzed for: different types of communication functions, environmental factors and conversational factors. It was hypothesized that the communicative function of the previous utterance and the level of aided input used would affect the number of initiations. The findings …

Inclusion: Learning Without Barriers, Amy Lois Bucciferro

Honors Program Theses

This study analyzes the literature that has been written about inclusive education and the effect on students in the classroom and compares the information in the literature to three interviews with mothers who have had experiences with inclusive classrooms. Inclusive education is defined as the concept that students with disabilities, regardless of the nature and extent of their disability, should be educated with age-appropriate peers in regular classrooms (with needed supplementary aids and services) in the neighborhood school (Gartner, 2002). The main focus in this study is to examine how the parents view the learning of their child and how …

A Book Club For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elizabeth Ann Kosmicki

Honors Program Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social communication and interaction, as well as repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. Individuals with ASD are also known to struggle with reading comprehension. Difficulties in social communication and interaction may lead to depression, while poor literacy skills may result in unemployment and poverty. Because book clubs target social communication and interaction, as well as reading comprehension, they may be beneficial for individuals with ASD. Indeed, some evidence already exists to support this belief. Through literature review of book clubs in general, currently existing book clubs and information on …

Equitable Discourse In Middle School Mathematics Classrooms: With Emphasis On Girls And The Mathematically Gifted, Merci F. Day

Honors Program Theses

Discourse is a tool used by mathematics teachers to help deepen mathematical understanding and build students’ mathematical identities. Teachers face the challenge of establishing and maintaining classroom norms that help discussions deepen mathematical understanding as well as meet the needs of all of their students. The researcher focused on what girls and the mathematically gifted need from discourse and how to create an equitable environment for all students. Girls need to be given equitable opportunities to voice their thoughts, and mathematically gifted students need to be adequately challenged, not just given more work. The researcher interviewed three teachers who employ …

An Analysis Of How Public Relations Professionals Use Social Media, Abigail Jen Kreun

Honors Program Theses

This thesis will provide a clear and concise guideline on how to grow a business’s social media presence for public relations professionals in the workplace and individuals who run their business’ social media accounts but who are not trained. Also, it will provide a deeper look into social media training areas where businesses might consider investing. This research will build understanding and knowledge about how to use social media effectively in a public relations career, and also show how public relations theories have adapted to this form of communication.

To Make A Better Music School, Alissandra Henkle

Honors Program Theses

This paper seeks to examine the elements that make an effective and high quality School of Music that prepares students for success beyond graduation. Through interviews with University of Northern Iowa (UNI) School of Music faculty, a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge currently emphasized in the music core at UNI was gained. A survey of UNI School of Music alumni provided an understanding of how well the current mix of skills and knowledge align with those that are necessary in the work force. Through this research, an understanding of the skills and knowledge required to work in the …

Magnetic Properties Of Polymeric Framework Materials With Cobalt, Cassara Higgins

Honors Program Theses

Single molecule magnets (SMM) are a new class of materials that have not been well studied. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) created with cobalt(II) metal centers have unpaired 3d electrons, which gives the frameworks interesting magnetic properties. Cobalt(II) nitrate centers can be linked together by varying numbers of 4,4´-bipyridine (bpy) ligands to create six different framework structures: four-coordinate 1D chain, five-coordinate 1D ladder, 2D bilayer, and 3D brick wall, and six-coordinate 2D square grid and 2D rhombic grid. The effects of framework structure and Co(II)-Co(II) distance on Weiss temperatures and μeff were investigated. By understanding which parameters of a framework has the …

Adjusting Production Processes For Use In Engineering And Testing Environments, Jordan Proctor

Graduate Research Papers

The goal of this research was to find examples of traditionally production-oriented systems, particularly Continuous Improvement methods, being applied in engineering environments. On top of finding examples of CI tools being used outside of production, there was heavy focus on finding out how the systems were tweaked to reach the goals of different environments. A literature review was done to identify 5S and Six Sigma basics and cite examples of their use outside of traditional manufacturing. Examples of two separate projects done at the engineering center of a large Midwest manufacturer were evaluated for their effectiveness and the adjustments that …