Digital Commons Network^™

Practice What You Preach : A Look At Retention Research And Classroom Practice, Angela R. Carpenter

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examines the subject of grade level retention. A comprehensive overview of the history, trends, and current practices involving retention will provide the background to the research base. Looking at the common reasons students are retained and the short and long-term effects of retention decisions will help answer the question of whether retention research guides school practice. Alternative solutions that can be implemented in lieu of grade level retention or social promotion practices will also be addressed. The majority of grade level retention and social promotion researchers found the practices of retention and social promotion to be unfavorable. …

Motivation For Leisure Reading : A Model Camp Adventure Curriculum, Nicole Beth Geopfert

Graduate Research Papers

Much research has consistently revealed that the percentage of young children choosing to engage in leisure reading is declining. Instead, potential young readers are consumed many other forms of leisure activity such as video games, Internet, computer games, movies, and more. To become lifelong learners, children ought to be motivated to read. The questions explored in this paper are: what are the obstacles to developing avid independent readers and how can we help young children become engaged, recreational readers? This paper presents a review of the literature on reading motivation, reading attitude, and the gender gap in reading.

The information …

Adult Learners : Who Are They, And What Do They Need To Succeed?, Antoinette Givens

Graduate Research Papers

The unique learning needs of adults are important. Adult education as identified by the literature is a change of knowledge, attitude, or skill of an individual that performs ,, social roles assigned to the adult population. This literature review addresses the question: (a) who is the adult learner? (b) What are the learning needs of adult learners? (c) What are effective strategies for teaching adult learners?

The adult learner is not fully understood without examining education, andragogy and pedagogy, instructional strategies, motivation, and barriers to learning in adults. This area of research is important to the development of effective adult …

Reading Comprehension : What Strategies Make A Difference?, Jill Helgerson

Graduate Research Papers

A literature review was conducted on comprehension strategies. The comprehension strategies that are being reviewed were chosen based on past research of reading comprehension.This literature review will explore six comprehension strategies that have been found to improve students' comprehension abilities.

Building Relationships To Support Self-Regulation, Sherice Hetrick-Ortman

Graduate Research Papers

Discouraged students come to school unable to learn. Emotional and social factors affect their intrapersonal and interpersonal awareness and place them at high risk for school failure. This paper discusses the application of strategies influenced by; sociomoral atmosphere, trust development, self regulation, emotional intelligence, attachment theory, and cultural awareness.

The research addresses the question: Will emotionally discouraged children be able to regulate their emotions through positive relationship building with the classroom teacher? The results contribute to our knowledge of how to support children's ability to regulate themselves in the absence of external devices.

The Impact Of Grouping For Reading Instruction On Student Attitude And Self-Concept, Michelle Renee Keegan

Graduate Research Papers

Researchers have found a parallel between types of grouping and attitudes of students regarding reading. The majority of students placed in the "lower" reading group in their classrooms have had negative perceptions and overall attitudes about reading. Research has indicated that the curriculum taught in these lower reading groups has differed from those in medium and higher groups due to different skills and practice that teachers have felt were required for students to succeed. Teachers' overall expectations have been found to be lower for those in lower academic groups in school. Students who have had motivation, self-efficacy, self worth, competence, …

The Importance Of Building Classroom Community, Sara A. Retallick

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will examine the importance of building community within the classroom. Information will relate classroom community with student needs and classroom management. It will provide a written visual on what community looks like in a classroom and explore different strategies important to community building within the classroom. A review of the No Child Left Behind Act and policymakers' views on community in the classroom will be discussed along with various community building programs.

An Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Physical Fitness Measures And Academic Achievement, George Victor Harnick

Graduate Research Papers

Over the past several years, physical education has often been forced aside in the wake of increased emphasis on improvements to academic performance in the core areas of study such as science, math, and reading. This stems from the implementation of the Title II Elementary and Secondary Education Act (a.k.a. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) and the expectation that all students in schools funded by the federal government will be "proficient" in these core subjects by the year 2014 (United States Department of Education, 2007). With this law in effect, many school districts are being forced to increase …

Nbpts Portfolio Option, Cindy L. Borske

Graduate Research Papers

My lesson that I have taught provides evidence of active scientific inquiry. Students are observing phenomena; formulating working hypotheses; gathering, recording and analyzing data; and expressing the significance of their findings. My learning goals for this lesson are for students to:

1. develop an understanding of the interdependence of organisms and population growth, and

2. demonstrate the ability to solve complex problems to enhance students' analytical and problem solving skills.

Why Students In The Hispanic Culture Dropout Of School?, Lori A. Schoenauer

Graduate Research Papers

Many Hispanic students, almost 1/3, dropout of high school, and it is important to understand the factors leading to this extremely high dropout rate (Munk, 2004). While only 9% of white and 12% of black students dropout of high school, the number of Hispanic dropouts is on the rise. The increase in Hispanic dropouts is not fully understood; however, research has shown that factors such as the parent's education, involvement, low expectations, school attitude, limited English skills, limited school funding, and cultural differences contribute to Hispanic dropout.

The paper is organized into five different chapters. The first chapter discussed the …

A Reflective Administrator To Lead In Learning : A Reflective Essay, Garrick Teckenburg

Graduate Research Papers

Like most educators today, a former teacher inspired me. This teacher taught a subject I thought was boring and turned it into something interesting and meaningful. He made me realize the power that an educator can have on an individual. His approach to education in the classroom changed the way I viewed education and its importance. Each person in his class could feel comfortable contributing and participating in the classroom setting. He had a way of connecting with students on an individual level regardless of their personality differences. I became an educator so that I could have a positive influence …

Identity Exploration In The Secondary Esl Setting, Sarah Wait

Graduate Research Papers

The investigation of the process of identity development is very complex, as a multitude of background information and influencing factors must be considered before suggestions can be made for incorporating identity exploration into a secondary school setting. Chapter One sets the groundwork for this investigation by first describing the nature of the issue and generally introducing topics which will be explored in later chapters. The research question is stated, then expanded upon to include the factors one must consider when attempting to answer the research question. The chapter continues by explaining the significance of the problem, as established in both …

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder In Children, Jessica A. Weber

Graduate Research Papers

In the past ten years, many people have become aware of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This sudden increase in awareness has been good, since more children with ADHD are now being properly diagnosed and treated. Furthermore, classroom teachers and parents are beginning to understand this disorder and how to manage it. Fewer parents feel the issues their children are having are their fault because they did not have a "good" parenting style (Phelan, 2000). The purpose of this paper is to continue to increase awareness about ADHD, the effects it has on children, and the treatments and interventions used …

Using Distance Education To Deliver English Instruction In Indonesia, Muhammad Yaumi

Graduate Research Papers

This paper highlights using distance education to support students in learning English in· Indonesia. The purpose is to discuss using distance education for English instruction in Indonesia, the cultural uniqueness of Indonesian students' learning styles, and a model of distance education to deliver English instruction in Indonesia. Library research involved resources relating to distance education and teaching English in the Indonesian culture. This research involved a variety of print references, electronic databases and a variety of Web resources. Research indicated that distance educat10n in Indonesia has been implemented since the 1950s. The developmental history of distance education in Indonesia was …

Judgmental Heuristics In Nonprofit Organizations’ Web Sites, Jennifer Sue Yarrow

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to identify related judgmental heuristics cues that could be incorporated in Web site home and donation pages of charitable nonprofit organizations. These types of heuristics could persuade individuals to continue activity on the Web site; thus increasing the possibility for donation activity. As nonprofit organizations begin building more sophisticated and progressive Web sites, they must recognize that the importance of reviewing the content of their sites with the users' cognitive processes in mind. The financial support that is lost by poor or unpersuasive Web site content could be critical for many organizations, and an …

Self-Esteem & Developmental Assets: An Examination Of The Pertinent Literature Off The Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Developmental Assets In Adolescents, Angela Gorsuch

Graduate Research Papers

Adolescent development has been studied heavily as scholars have sought to understand the process of biological, emotional, and cognitive development during the transition from childhood and adulthood. Research has often focused on one indicator, self-esteem, on how well young people navigate this transitional period in their lives. Scholars have agreed that self-esteem is a reflection of a young person's psychological well-being during adolescence. High self-esteem generally indicates an adolescent is successfully handling these critical years of development and is exhibiting positive qualities and behaviors. On the reverse, low self-esteem is often an indication an adolescent may not be negotiating this …

Social Interaction Patterns Between Children With And Without Disabilities During Recreation Activities, Mary A. Parramore

Graduate Research Papers

Children are spending more time in community care facilities (i.e., after-school programs, day camp, etc.) and are interacting with other children of mixed abilities on a more consistent basis. Therefore, acceptable social skills and possessing the ability to interact and communicate effectively are of vital importance. The basis of this study was to examine and identify key components that generated positive and reciprocated social interactions between children of all abilities in an inclusive recreational program. Participants selected for this study were school-aged children of varying physical and/or cognitive abilities. All children utilized the services of the Family YMCA of Black …

Year Round Schooling, Rita Danielle Fiala

Graduate Research Papers

Research investigating the.effects of year-round schooling on student academic achievement is reviewed in this paper. Traditional, balanced and multi-track calendars are explored and compared. Benefits and drawbacks of a balanced calendar and multi-track calendars are discussed. It is recommended that more long-term research should be conducted on alternative calendars. However, the data that is present suggests that the benefits of a balanced calendar are more prevalent than the traditional calendar.

Post Holocaust Theodicies: Contemporary Solutions To The Problem Of Evil, Wei-Erh Chen

Honors Program Theses

Evil is a gruesome sight to behold. It can be found, among other places, in the Holocaust and its systematic slaughter of millions. It is the stench of death choking the air of Buchenwald and Auschwitz. It is God and the little boy gripped in their death throes upon the gallows. In a world following the holocaust, we are challenged, more than ever before, to reconcile the existence of the traditional Judeo-Christian God with the experience of sheer, incomprehensible evil. How could an omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly good God, if He exists, allow this cruelty to take place against his …

Instructional Recommendations For The Teaching Of Writing, Bridgette Wagoner

Graduate Research Papers

Clearly, writing is an essential life, work, and educational skill, and far too many students without essential writing skills are receiving high school diplomas. These realities put many recent high school graduates at a disadvantage in personal, professional, and educational arenas. Writing skills are simply too important to be ignored. This reality begs an important question: Which instructional approaches are likely to lead to improved student writing? For the purposes of this paper, research will center mainly on controlled studies, though much insight also stands to be gained from studies of what writers and teachers of writing have to say …

Promoting Resilience In Inner City Youth : Implications For Counselors, Anthony D. Lymus

Graduate Research Papers

The strain and difficulties that plague the inner city continue to mount. As a result, youth who grow up in this environment are exposed to violence, substance abuse, inadequate education, and poverty. Although some youth become a part of the cycle that produces these unfortunate events, some are able to make it out and become assets to society. This occurrence has been termed resilience. The study of resilience continues to grow as researchers attempt to provide information for school officials, communities, and mental health practitioners about how to promote resilience in inner city youth.

Coaching Styles And How They Relate To The Sport Of Men’S Basketball, Jonathan Bruce Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to describe the three main coaching styles utilized by basketball coaches. Coaches are constantly trying to find ways to improve their coaching style, and solidify that coaching personality which will produce the maximum results. Since the inception of basketball over one hundred years ago, the style of basketball coaching has paralleled teaching styles of the same era being somewhat authoritarian and dictatorial in nature. It appears that the trend over the last ten to fifteen years has witnessed modifications based on more cooperative techniques between coaches and athletes. Athletes have also appeared to have …

Reading Strategies For Struggling Readers In The Middle School, Kathleen Claeys

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review focuses on several strategies good readers use to understand and interpret different types of text, such as fiction, non-fiction, and expository. These strategies are ones that struggling readers are not aware of, or these readers do not have the knowledge and experience to utilize the strategies. Teachers need to provide direct instruction of these strategies, generate models of what they look like, demonstrate what the thought process is behind the strategies, and offer students practice in using them with the idea that students will add them to their repertoire of strategies and use them throughout the learning …

Guided Reading In Early Childhood Classrooms, Shyla Dawn Crosser

Graduate Research Papers

Guided Reading is a topic that has been discussed in great detail over the last few years. It has been discussed as "best practice" by Zemelman, Daniels, and Hyde (p.70) and is gaining popularity in classrooms across the nation. In teaching kindergarten during the last seven years, I have seen an enormous change in the curriculum at this level. I want my children to learn to read and want to keep up with the best practice in order to best fit the needs of my children; however, I do not want kindergarten to become first grade. This paper will explore …

Fathers As Readers : A Program For African American Fathers And Their Children, Amber Nicole Boyd

Graduate Research Papers

The achievement of African American literacy learners has become a significant topic in education. How to best meet the needs of these learners through the study of the African American family will be the focus of this project. This project will consider, specifically, the father's momentous role in the literacy learning of the African American child. Trends in research will be identified in this paper, an overview of significant literature published on the subject of African American family literacy will be discussed, and findings that support the father's significant impact on learning in the African American family will be presented. …

Use Of Learning Styles In The Selection Of Instructional Strategies : Does Pedagogy Lead To Practice?, Roger E. Baker

Graduate Research Papers

Much has been written about the importance of learning styles in instructional design. Learning styles can be measured by the use of personality profiles such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Learning styles can also be measured by Learning Style Inventories and defined by cognitive theory such as Gardner's multiple intelligences. This literature review explores the different approaches to the study of learning styles and the practical use of learning style indicators as a tool for selecting instructional strategies.

Many challenges exist in designing instruction to the personal level including costs, time, and instructor limits. Philosophical questions on the benefits …

Role Of Classroom Questioning Strategies As They Relate To Reading Comprehension, Catherine M. Metz

Graduate Research Papers

Instruction using comprehension strategies is important as students begin to construct meaning from text through a transactional process. This instruction can help prepare students to become better readers, as well as provide benefits for teachers and school-wide instruction. Questioning is important to comprehension for a variety of reasons and is used across all grade levels and throughout curricular areas.

Through the teaching of questioning, students are able to build backgrounds which they can utilize during their taking of high-stakes assessments, as well as school or district assessments. Questioning strategies, such as Question Answer Relationships, Questioning the Author, and Reciprocal Teaching, …

Understanding Children's Thinking At The Moment Of Writing, Steve Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

This action research project describes the thinking of five third grade students of varied writing achievement at the moment of writing. Using a theoretical model of writing (Sharples; 1999), student interviews, work samples, and a teacher journal, this study suggests that young writers' primary concern is getting new ideas for their text, whether while just beginning to draft, or after running out of ideas before the writing is completed. This study offers suggestions about how teachers can address this concern, and how teachers might extend the thinking of young writers in order to help scaffold more complex thinking about writing …

The Advantages And Challenge Of Fluency Instruction, Jennifer Schroeder-Van Cleve

Graduate Research Papers

This review examined the topic of fluency instruction as part of quality literacy instruction for children. Fluency is one of the five components of reading instruction recognized by the National Reading Panel, (2000). Fluency methods in reading curriculum should be given thoughtful attention. As the movement in education focuses on student assessment, meaningful literacy instruction is crucial to student success. This literature study focused on the benefits, and the challenges, associated with fluency instruction. Lastly, conclusions and recommendations were made for the implementation of fluency instruction in our schools.

Using Technology To Assist In The Teaching Of Reading Instruction, Hallie M. Wyatt

Graduate Research Papers

A professional literature review was conducted on the use of technology in assisting teaching of reading instruction. Technology reviewed was categorized according to the essential elements of reading as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act (i.e., phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension). Vygotskian and Piagetian theories were used to evaluate the technology reviewed. The review ends with a series of recommendations for teachers who may consider integrating technology into their curriculum.