Digital Commons Network^™

Creating And Implementing A Model For Motivating Recreational Reading Using A Whole Language Approach For Secondary School Students, Susan Dickinson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The Practicum was designed to increase the amount of recreational reading In secondary school students. Students' attitude toward reading was to be improved causing a decrease in disruptive behaviors in the classrooms. The amount of free time spent in leisure reading would increase, and the students would read a greater amount outside of school.

The subjects of the practicum were secondary school students in a large, academically oriented suburban school. They had the skills to read but chose not to do so. A whole language workshop approach vas implemented to engender in students a joy of reading. The workshop was …

Increasing Knowledge About And Use Of Behavior Checklists And Rating Scales By School Clinicians In Identifying Attention Deficit Disorders And Differentiating Coexisting Disorders, Lloyd J. Campbell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum addressed the problem that school clinicians were unaware of the variety of behavior rating scales that help In the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and other disorders that often coexist. The writer's goal was to provide a process to Introduce behavior rating scales to 73 school clinicians from 21 school districts to aid in identifying ADD/ADHO children and differentiate coexisting disorders.

During the Implementation phase, the writer initiated various contacts with groups of clinicians responsible for screening students. The writer met with individual and small groups of school clinicians to present a variety of ratings scales materials, and to offer …

Development And Implementation Of A Grade Level Specific Computer Literacy Curriculum Through Teacher Inservice In An Elementary School, Marsha L. Burmeister

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem addressed by the practicum was that the computer literacy of teachers and students varied from grade to grade and classroom to classroom, as did the amount of use of the computer. The goal of the practicum was that the teachers at the writer's school would improve their knowledge and skills as well as to use the computer for professional and personal purposes.

The writer developed a computer literacy curriculum for grades K through 5; each level specifies vocabulary, knowledge, and skills. Individual teacher inservices were held to enhance teacher computer literacy and to generate a project of the …

A Social Problem-Solving Curriculum For Mildly Handicapped And Handicapped And Behaviorally At-Risk Middle School Students, Ellen Gertz

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed in response to the increasing numbers of student behavior problems and subsequent suspension of mildly handicapped and at-risk middle school students. The goal was to implement a group intervention program teaching cognitive behavioral strategics to improve interpersonal problem-solving skills, as well as provide alternatives to current school disciplinary procedures.

The writer combined the video-assisted, cognitive behavioral “Think First” program designed by Dr. James Larson with a student court system to improve social competence, develop self-management and problem-solving techniques. Instructional approaches included group problem-solving, self-reporting, modeling and role play. Training emphasized self-instruction for impulse control, finding alternative …

An Integrated Service Delivery Model For Preschool Children Who Are Hearing Impaired And Multiple Handicapped, Sharon Doutt

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to address the educational needs of preschool children who are hearing impaired and who also exhibit additional disabilities and medical conditions. The problem of how to effectively meet the educational needs of these children within the public school setting who demonstrate a number of developmental needs that can not be aet by one individual or program was dealt with in a three-part solution.

The first component of the project provided a class that had access within one setting to all the various services providers for each of the educational needs of the children. Secondly, the parents …

Increasing Literacy Development Of At-Risk Kindergarten Students Through Cross-Age Tutoring, Marlene Henriques

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed, through a cross-age tutoring program, to increase emergent literacy skills of at-risk kindergarten children. The objectives were to increase letter recognition, book awareness skills, pre-reading strategies, and pre-writing strategies in the targeted students. In a structured program, the fifth and sixth grade tutors met with the tutees for 30 minutes twice a week for a three month period.

The writer administered qualitative and quantitative pretests which documented the lack of literacy development of at-risk kindergartners. The writer held workshops to train the tutors in reading and writing strategies, developed a schedule of structured activities to complete …

Improving Student Teachers’ Strategies For Asking A Range Of Both High And Low Level Questions Through Video Evaluations, Pollidia Hougham

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum aimed to improve student teachers' strategies for asking a variety of questions through the use of video evaluations. The three corollary aims were to improve student teachers strategies for asking both low and high level questions, to improve student teachers' techniques when asking questions, and to improve student teachers' abilities to ask questions. which would encourage higher level thinking.

Trained observers and college coordinators used an observation form which recognized the levels, types and techniques of questions that senior student Leachers were utilizing. Feedback was provided to the senior student teachers. Data was collected after each observation made …

Field Test Of A Preschool, Substance-Abuse-Prevention Curriculum Planned For County-Wide Distribution, Kate Howze

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to field test a preschool, substance-abuse-prevention curriculum that had been developed by the writer, had been approved by an oversight panel of professionals, but never had been implemented with a preschool population. Curriculum content areas include enhancement of self-esteem and positive peer relationships, and factual information about drugs. The curriculum is to be disseminated free to all county preschools and child care centers.

The writer prepared the curriculum for use by adding photos, sketches and typesetting copy; trained teachers in use of the curriculum; pre- and post tested children in the curriculum content areas; obtained evaluations …

Improving Attitudes Toward Mathematics Of Eighth Grade Students Through The Implementation Of A Telecommunications Project, Harrison J. King

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

In order to improve attitudes towards mathematics of a target group consisting of a heterogeneous class of eighth grade students, the writer developed and implemented a mathematics program using available telecommunications technology.

Students were introduced to telecommunications theory to prepare them for the project. A Modem, Practical Peripheral 2400 MNP, and Microsoft Works 2.0 for DOS was used to initiate dialogue between the target group of eighth graders in the writer's school and another eighth grade class of students at a junior high school 55 miles away. In order to motivate students in learning mathematics, each class exchanged autobiographies and …

Integrating A Study Skills Program Throughout Special Education Classes In A Middle School Setting, Dianne M. V. Lotz

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to integrate a Study Skills Program throughout special education classes in a middle school. The major objectives were to develop a variety of instructional strategies to meet the students’ needs in the area of study skills, to foster the teaching of study skills in each subject area by the special education teachers through direct instruction, and by providing specific segments of time for study skills awareness activities in each subject area of the students' core curriculum.

The writer designed and administered a study skills self-assessment inventory to the classified students involved and a staff needs assessment …

Nurturing Writing Attitudes Through Collaboration Across The Intermediate Grades, Flora I. Mckenzie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem for this eight-month practicum was that there were 30 intermediate students who had adverse feelings for writing. The problem was documented as a result of responses to a writing survey by Donato (1990). The survey was administered to a group of 71 students. The highest possible score was 30. Ten students from each grade level (third, fourth and fifth) with the lowest scores completed the practicum activities.

Students viewed a film for the first strategy. Following the film, the students were guided through a brainstorming activity. The students' reactions to the film served as the basis for a …

Developing And Implementing A Transition To High School Program For Incoming, At-Risk, Ninth-Grade Students To Increase School Success, Patrick R. Monahan

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to assist incoming. at-risk, 9th-grade students to acquire the knowledge, motivation, interest, and skills necessary to make a successful transition to the writer's school. The major outcomes were to reduced the number of disciplinary infractions, to decrease school absences, to involve more students in school-related activities, and to increase student awareness of study skills, career education services, and counseling assistance.

The writer analyzed students records: examined possible solution strategies; developed and implemented a 10-component program geared to meet the needs of the at-risk 9th-grade students. The solution strategy utilized teachers, students, counselors, and parents to ease …

Improving The Keyboarding Composition Skills Of Secondary Business Education Students Through A Structured Approach, Gay E. Parker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to improve the student's manual keyboarding composition skill. Traditionally, students learn to keyboard from material that is already typed or handwritten and seldom have opportunities to learn the advanced skill of composition keyboarding. Inherent in learning this skill are other requisite skills of well written composition, accurate punctuation and grammar, and fastidious proofreading.

This writer developed a program to integrate these skills in a structured, progressive plan. To develop the manual skill, the students were dictated questions requiring one letter responses, progressing to full-paragraph responses as demonstrated each day in a 5 minute warm-up journal writing. …

Integrating High School English And Vocational Education Through Teacher Collaboration, Cross-Curricula Activities, And Applied Communications, Alexandra Penn

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The aim or this practicum was to integrate academic. Specifically language arts, and vocational education by: I) collaborating with vocational teachers; 2) developing cross-curricula activities; 3) reinforcing and evaluating communication skills in the vocational areas; 4) exploring student career direction; 5) infusing occupational relevancy into academics; 6) facilitating cooperative learning and relevant problem-solving; 7) fostering computer technology and literacy; and 8) orienting staff, counselors and administrators. Two corollary aims were to increase students’ communication skills as measured by the Stale Scholastic Aptitude Test, Part I (SSAT). and to reduce the drop-out rate u a result of participants’ goal-specific successes.

The …

Improving Positive Experiences For Middle School Minority Students Entering A Suburban Community, Through Intervention Programs Involving Staff, Parents And Students, Christine D. Piscitelli

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to Increase the positive experiences of middle school minority students entering a suburban community: the problem being for racial and ethnic minorities to have full access to and participation In the educational life of the community without surrendering their language and cultural distinctiveness.

The goals of this practicum were for minority students and their parents to have positive school experiences when interacting with classroom teachers as well as when they were engaged In other school activities. In addition, classroom teachers were to become sensitive to the customs and values prevalent among these students through the acquisition …

Organizational Guidelines For Establishing A Core Team To Deal With Alcohol And Drug Abuse: In A High School, Thomas G. Sarnecki

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to organize a drug prevention/intervention program for high school students. The primary goal was to organize a Core Team to become an effective instrument for addressing alcohol and drug prevention/intervention strategies for the targeted population. The second aim was to impact staff members by assisting them to recognize early warning signs of potential substance abusers and at-risk students. The third aim was to develop an effective referral system to provide help to students who were suspected of alcohol or drug use.

A two day Inservice workshop was developed for staff members to make them aware of …

Using Interactive Learning Strategies To Help High School Students Of Spanish Understand And Appreciate Hispanic Culture, Roslyn R. Sprayberry

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum report describes strategies designed to improve students' knowledge and understanding of and appreciation for the Hispanic culture. Aimed at high school students in a second-year Spanish class, this report Is appropriate for any foreign language class from middle school through university levels.

The writer developed and administered a survey and a pretest to 20 randomly selected students in a second-year Spanish class. The objectives were to Identify cultural terms, to describe Hispanic behavior patterns, to list cultural differences within the Hispanic culture, to express the cultural connotations of words and phrases, and to evince an awareness of and …

Designing And Implementing A Program To Increase The Amount And Quality Of Contact Time Of High School Age Learning Disabled Students And Their Parents With Guidance Counselors, Ira Weiss

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The practicum was designed to address the problem of learning handicapped secondary school students ana their parents who have limited contact with their guidance counselors. The intervention purported to make a group of high school age learning disabled students and their parents more knowledgeable about academic requirements for graduation, postsecondary education, vocational options ana community services. It also sought to train ana sensitize a group of high school guidance counselors to the needs of special education students ana their families.

The writer developed a three-month program of structured weekly activities for the students, each focusing on a particular theme. Guidance …

Improving The Effectiveness Of Science Laboratory Instruction For Elementary Students Through The Use Of A Process Approach For Change., Wanda S. Vorsino

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum endeavored to improve science laboratory instruction for elementary students. The major goal of the practicum was to facilitate laboratory use so that teachers would incorporate laboratory experiences as an integral component in science instruction.

To improve the instructional significance of the science laboratory, the writer developed and initiated a MAPS change process model (Motivation, Alternatives, Planning, Sharing) in collaboration with representative teachers. The committee acted in a leadership capacity to develop goal commitment, formulate strategic action plans, communicate a shared vision, resolve implementation obstacles and monitor progress. Implementation included in-service training in effective science teaching strategies, coordination of …

Implementing Creativity And Artistic Programming For Troubled Children And Youth To Enhance Emotional, Social And Academic Growth., Van Earl Wallace Iii.

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to provide individualized and group opportunities to teachers and troubled students in the area of artistic and creative interventions. Implementation focused on individualized student interventions and group formats. In-services and presentations were designed and presented at school, district, college, university and hospital settings.

Instructional workshops and presentations were provided while concurrently working with students on a daily basis using a wide variety of creative formats. Information was specified to educator needs. The writer coordinated with the Very Special Arts of Florida, chapter in conducting in-services and in holding a county-wide art festival for troubled children and …

Gender Influences In The College Classroom: Optimizing The Learning Environment For Women, Susan Ross Bell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Administrators at Missouri Southern State College (MSSC) recently identified increasing student retention as a major goal. Consistent with postsecondary institutions across the country, women students at MSSC are the "new majority" of undergraduates. An effective retention effort would require identification of women's unique learning needs and the implications for teaching and learning.

Since the majority of MSSC students are commuters, the classroom represents their major learning environment. Few faculty members were aware of gender influences in the classroom and their effect on women's learning. The purpose of the project was to identify women's unique learning needs and recommend teaching practices …

The Development Of A Campus Security Decision-Making Profile Within The State University System Of Florida., Max L. Bronlay

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Campus crime is an Important issue within the State University System of Florida. While the publication of campus crime data at Florida universities has taken place for almost twenty years, there has been an increase in public attention to this a. a, due primarily to media attention.

The problem addressed in this study was that the State University System did not have accurate and comprehensive information on crime statistics for Itself and its surrounding communities.

It was determined that given the national, state, and local Interests in the campus crime issue, decision-makers needed relevant data u n which to develop …

Development And Validation Of A Computer Keyboarding Seminar For Use In The United States Army, Europe, Robert R. Brooks

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purposes of this research project were to (1) develop a computer keyboarding seminar for personnel with units of the U.S. Army in Europe, (2) validate that seminar, and (3) develop plans for implementation and evaluation. The need for such a program was evident, as Army units in Europe must arrange local training for many personnel who use computers but who have never been trained because formal training courses have not been modified to include computer keyboarding. The need for- local keyboard training will continue because computers are being increasingly used by Army personnel in more activities. The following research …

A Critical Analysis Of The Characteristics Of The Associate Degree Nursing Student Population A Chabot College; Implications For Curriculum Development, Nancy Cowan

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

In 1990, the nursing faculty at Chabot College in Hayward California, discussed concerns about increases in nursing student attrition and a decline in success of program graduates in passing the nursing licensing examination. It was postulated that the characteristics of the current nursing student population had changed and the existing curriculum might not be relevant to student needs.

Before proceeding with curriculum changes, it seemed advisable to explore more precisely what changes had taken place in the characteristics of students enrolled in the nursing program. The purpose of this project was to Investigate and analyze selected characteristics of students who …

Malaka And Arabic Language & Literature In The Muqaddimah Of Ibn KhaldūN, Warren A Cofsky

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Persian Gulf Crisis And The New York Times' Predictions, Rasha Hammad

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.