Digital Commons Network^™

School Libraries Instructional Materials Centers Instructional Materials Personnel, Janice E. Dickerson

Graduate Research Papers

The library media center and the role of the library media specialist continue to change. In 1945, the School Libraries for Today and Tomorrow recommended that libraries provide reading centers, library skills centers and a center for information provision (Morrill, 1995, p. 33). By 1994, Fred D'lgnazio in the article "Beyond Multimedia: The Active Library Media Center'' states that the library has to go beyond its technical role of 'Book Center' or 'Media Center' to a 'Human Communications Center' (Morrill, 1995, p. 33). The place called the library media center changes its function. The person in charge, the library media …

Cooperative Learning: Benefits, Drawbacks, And Viability, Drew Delong

Graduate Research Papers

In this review, existing evidence as to the potential benefits of cooperative learning for instruction were explored. A definition of cooperative learning was generated as well as an effective method of implementation. Experts, teachers, parents, and students were utilized as sources for analyzing the benefits and drawbacks to using cooperative learning in schools. The results of the review indicate that cooperative learning is an effective and viable method of instruction today, which should continue to be used in the future.

Writing Portfolio Implementation In A Fifth Grade Classroom, Lora L. Daily

Graduate Research Papers

Writing portfolios were implemented into a fifth grade writing program as a means of qualitative assessment. The descriptive nature of portfolio assessment is the focus of this project, which describes the teacher's interaction with three I students during teacher-student conferences as writing collections were developed. The writing conferences consisted of the teacher and students collaboratively reflecting on student writing and setting goals for further writing activity and instructional sessions. With the implementation of portfolio conferences, the teacher was able to support student writing goals and their attainment. As the students presented writing samples and goals during the conferences, the teacher …

Six Publishing Goals To Validate Authors: Success And Beyond In An Elementary School Publishing Center, Judy Chihak

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this article is to provide a model of a successful in-school publishing center, Panther Paw Press, established at Pierce Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The publishing experience of one student will begin a discussion of the center's goals, the basis of those goals in recent practice, and how the students worked beyond expectations.

Computer Anxiety, Tien-Chen Chien

Graduate Research Papers

The fear or apprehension experienced by people when they plan to interact, or actually interact, with computers is called computer anxiety (Rohner & Simonson, 1981). The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on computer anxiety, the factors that influence it, and the methods to reduce its effects.

Children's Book Sharing Through Computer Technology, Julie A. Ceilley

Graduate Research Papers

Computers have become a pervasive part of our society and an integral part of education. Computer technology can be implemented into a literature-based curriculum to support the development of children's thinking-language abilities. Computer software programs can inspire students to use language in purposeful ways as they read and engage in expressive activity. When employed appropriately, these computer programs can assist students' transition from emergent literacy to language competence.

Examination Of Congruence Of Reported Parenting Behaviors Between Parents And Kindergarten Teachers, Marsha Fisher

Graduate Research Papers

This study examines the amount of congruence between the parenting style of parents of entering kindergarten students and parenting style for appropriate kindergarten readiness as perceived by the students' kindergarten teachers. Parents of forty beginning kindergarten aged students were asked to do a Q sort to measure their perception of the parenting behavior used in their homes. Subsequently, four kindergarten teachers were asked to do a Q sort of their range of corresponding beliefs about socialization for kindergarten students. Responses were descriptively represented by histogram to indicate mean responses of the parents and comparative responses of the teachers. The hypothesis …

Using Portfolios As An Integral Part Of The Writing Process, Cheryl A. Calease Fox

Graduate Research Papers

The use of writing portfolios to enhance elements of the writing process is investigated. The writing process includes planning, writing the first draft, revising, editing and publishing (Graves, 1983). During the last three stages of the writing process procedures of student participation, reflection and self-evaluation are encouraged and enhanced through teacher-student collaboration. Students select writings based on values where various attributes are assessed (Graves, 1983). Authentic assessment based on criteria informs instruction. The findings of published literature shows strong support for incorporating the writing portfolio as a teaching tool.

Point To Point Protocol Connections To Cedarnet For Windows 3.X Systems, Michael J. Dargan

Graduate Research Papers

The project allows NEIRLS affiliated libraries to connect with the Internet so that they might use the SILO Locator instead of the CD-ROM based system. Important terms used in the project and paper are defined. The methodology follows the ASSURE approach to analyze the learner, state objectives, select media and materials, utilize materials, require learner participation and to evaluate and revise the project. The project is briefly described and judged to be effective but probably will be soon superseded by advancing technology.

The Necessity For An Increased Understanding Of Quality In Early Childhood Practices By School Psychologists, Tina L. Geiken

Graduate Research Papers

Due to the increased recognition of the importance of quality early childhood education for young children from economically disadvantaged homes and young children with disabilities, public schools are beginning to provide early childhood programs. Implementing such programs into the public schools will require school psychologists to be knowledgeable in the premise of developmentally appropriate practices and its crucial role in quality early childhood education. This paper presents a framework of developmentally appropriate practice and what constitutes quality early childhood education programs. The benefits of quality early childhood education programs are assessed through the examination of longitudinal research of early education …

Parents' Role In Emergent Literacy, Deborah K. Greenwood

Graduate Research Papers

This article reviews literature showing the influence of parents on their children's emergent literacy. Children who come from home environments in which they have received frequent and varied experiences with print material have a greater chance of success in school literacy programs. Educators have an obligation to recognize the influence of the home environment when planning and implementing school language arts programs. Classroom teachers can support parents by helping them recognize and use many home literacy opportunities. Ideas are offered for establishing effective teacher/parent partnerships to support children in their emergent literacy.

Awareness And Response: Schools' First Steps Toward Reform Through Technology, Lynee' Klaus

Graduate Research Papers

This review of literature includes sources published from 1990-95. The critical role of reform in education is examined. It identifies connections between technology and reform, and recognizes that technology can be a catalyst for reform. The literature states that computer based instruction enhances the goals of reform. It suggests studying the nature of reform before and during the process of technology implementation. A systems is model is analyzed, to understand the impact of change in most school systems. This review identifies the component of leadership in educational technology as an effective response to reform. Planning, initiatives, and teacher roles are …

Integrating The Social Studies And Language Arts Curriculum Through A Literature-Based Program Focused On The Civil War, Kathryn M. Lage

Graduate Research Papers

Integrating the concepts and processes of the curricular areas in the elementary school can enhance students' learning. This integration can extend children's thinking-language abilities and their understanding of content. Children's literature can facilitate the integration of the language arts and social studies areas. Historical fiction pieces, full length and picture books, can especially enrich the study of the Civil War. This article includes a review of literature on the integration of the school program through literature and a literature base with accompanying activities that integrates the language arts into a social studies unit on the American Civil War.

The Development Of A Multi-Dimensional Component For A Kindergarten Program, Tina M. Martinez Adix

Graduate Research Papers

Educational assessment is in a process of evolution. Old models are being seriously questioned; new models are being developed (Herman, 1992). One reason for this concern is that in too many instances and over too long a period of time, assessment has been directed toward finding out what is wrong, a deficit model that Goodman ( 1992) describes as the "disease" metaphor (Hill, 1993).

Extending The Literature Base Of A Theme Of Friendship In A First Grade Classroom, Melody S. Lodge

Graduate Research Papers

The process of instructional development was engaged in to extend the literature base of a theme in a reading program for grade one. The theme of friendship, a part of the established curriculum, was chosen for the project. Works from the different genres of literature were found to offer many perspectives and related expressive activities. Along with teacher-directed instruction, learning centers, sustaining and specific to the theme, were developed to provide children with opportunities to take charge of their learning. This extended theme will offer a print rich environment in which children can be energized to engage in the language …

Extending Children's Literacy Through The Study Of Folk Tales, Sandra L. Lewis

Graduate Research Papers

A unit on African folk tales in the basal reader series was extended through a library search for additional stories for Grades 4 and 5. These works served as examples of strictly structured stories, reflecting humans' enjoyment of storytelling and universal conflicts. A whole array of expressive activities (speaking, writing, illustrating, and dramatizing) was offered through learning centers, sustaining and specific to the unit. These activities extended the literature experiences, thus offering the children opportunities to compose like a reader. The children's responses began to indicate a heightened sense of story structure. This unit offered flexible grouping for the learners. …

Building A Collaborative Family-School Literacy Partnership, Janet K. Mack

Graduate Research Papers

Families have a strong and lasting influence on their children's emerging literacy and success in school. Families can provide print-rich environments for their children by acting as role models of readers, reading aloud to their children while interacting with the print and illustrations, providing expressive activities and taking them to the library. By collaborating with the school, the family can offer much support to their children as they strive to learn to read. A home-school partnership project for first grade was developed to extend opportunities for children to engage in reading activity at home and to engage their parents' support …

Year-Round Education, Darla D. Mcgettigan

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to present the information about year-round education programs as they pertain to students and teachers, to review the literature concerning year-round education research results, and to help educators make an informed decision concerning the possible implementation of year-round education programs in their district. It is the intention of the writer to omit any information or research pertaining to the cost of implementing year-round education programs.

Will There Be A Free Trade Area Of The Americas (Ftaa) By The Year 2005?, Tara Mccaffrey

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Last December's Summit of the Americas consolidated the new convergence of values between the U.S. and Latin Americas and set out an ambitious action plan. The commitment to negotiate a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by the year 2005 was not only because it will bring its participants higher economic growth, but also because it symbolizes the common philosophy of the hemisphere -- of free trade enterprise, competition, and efficiency; of decision making by markets not governments; of growth and opportunity, rather than centralized government planning. It is also the philosophy which most powerfully supports the profound democratic …

Cruise Lines Or The Islands: Who Is Getting The Top Dollars Out Of World Travelers In The Caribbean?, Daniel Jerusalmi

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This paper will discuss the current tourism situation in the Caribbean. The two main topics of analyses are the cruise lines and different islands in the Caribbean. The two areas will be presented separately and at the end they will be linked for analyses and conclusion with the help of graphs, charts and surveys.

Puerto Rico, Curacao, Jamaica, and Barbados are the Caribbean islands chosen for this project.

Within the cruise lines section, the paper will review the history of the industry, the reasons behind today's great success, and possible outlooks for the future.

The Caribbean Islands section in this …

Is Iso 9000 Required For Global Competitiveness?, Coreen F. Panusky

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Global competition has become of an issue of survival , companies have been forced into re-evaluating how they do business . Quality is a focal point of IS09000 certification as well as global standardization . This project examines and assesses the impact of IS09000 and if it will be a viable means of entry into the European market in the 21st century . The paper will examine other quality standards and if they alone will be adequate to compete globally.

Pre-Service Reading Teachers' Use Of Curriculum-Based Measurement Data, Tina M. Schroeder

Graduate Research Papers

Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) represents an advancement in classroom assessment technology in that it can be used to repeatedly measure students' progress over time. The usefulness of CBM progress monitoring to reading clinicians in the UNI Reading Clinic was investigated. Following seven weeks of progress monitoring, three clinicians and their tutees who had school psychology graduate students assigned to do CBM progress monitoring and three who did not responded to interview questions. Results indicated that reading clinicians in the progress monitoring condition did not make use of CBM data when answering interview questions about tutees' reading progress. Possible reasons for lack …

New Computer Software, Cd-Roms, And Videodiscs In K-12 Music Education: What Music Educators And Media Specialists Need To Know : A Selected Annotated Bibliography, Brent A. Andrews

Graduate Research Papers

This study identified new music education resources in CD-Rom, videodisc, and computer software formats created from 1990-1995. Each item was evaluated according to its effectiveness in meeting the three different domains of learning; affective, cognitive, and psychomotor. The study also identified items that exhibited multicultural diversity. The resulting annotated bibliography lists twenty-two resources with critical evaluations of use to music teachers and library media specialists.

Women Characters In The Plays By Tennessee Williams, Marina V. Zakharova

Graduate Research Papers

Tennessee Williams is one of the most important figures in American dramaturgy of the twentieth century. His drama expresses the main points of American contemporary culture. The complex dramatic world created by Williams consists of many levels and components. One of the fundamental themes on which Williams' theater is based is a theme of the dying "noble" tradition of the Southern life style and its conflict with the rigid and pragmatic modern world.

This conflict is presented from the point of view of action and characters as a conflict between reality and illusion, the collision of sensitive and brutal and …

Reasonable Accomodation: What It Is, What It Cost, Cynthia A. Chatfield

Graduate Research Papers

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in regard to employment. This title covers all areas of employment practices, which includes but is not limited to: recruitment, hiring, job assignments, rates of pay, firing, promotions, and benefits. Human resource managers are responsible for personnel and are concerned about the "cost" the ADA will have on their business. This concern is twofold in terms of 1) what reasonable accommodation is for a person with a disability and 2) what reasonable accommodation cost.

The purpose of this paper was to synthesize literature on the …

An Investigation Of Service Quality Perceptions Held By Selected Customers Of Area Vii Job Training, John Clopton

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Defensive Attitude Of Not Allowing Scoring Attempts To Hit The Floor, Oksana Matvienko

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to compare the floor defensive efforts of the Northern Iowa volleyball team to the other teams of the Missouri Valley Conference. It was assumed that a training of a defensive attitude of not allowing any scoring attempt to touch the floor would make the University of Northern Iowa team superior to the other teams in floor defensive performance.

The numbers of balls hitting the floor and the numbers of successful digs performed by the UNI team and ten other teams were counted during 1995 Conference matches. This data was obtained from the official score …

An Annotated Bibliography Of Selected Historical Fiction About The American Frontier From 1840-1899 For Children And Young Adults, Karen Keller

Graduate Research Papers

This project was to produce a bibliography of historical fiction requested by teachers in Johnston Middle School, Johnston, Iowa, that can be used by the eighth-grade classes so that students may choose from a selected list of historical fiction books about the American West that will encompass both their literature theme of the will to survive and the historical setting of the American frontier as it moves West between 1840 and 1899. The fifty books annotated were chosen through criteria selected so as to produce a list of books that would meet the needs of the teachers of this unit. …

Student Created Multimedia Projects In The K-4 School: Effects On Student Learning, Nancy Sampson

Graduate Research Papers

Walk into any classroom in the country, and you're likely to see students looking up information to produce a written paper which will probably be seen only by the teacher, doing worksheets involving recognition of fraction parts, or answering questions related to the reading in science class, etc. These are all good activities in themselves, but they are also activities that often fall short of developing the student's maximum potential for learning. It has been suggested that the addition of multimedia projects to the classroom can enhance and improve the depth of student learning. This project explores the literature to …

Is The Internet High Performance Technology?, John Semprini

Graduate Research Papers

The intent of this review is to show that the Internet is high performance technology. The review will define indicators of high performance technology that were developed by experts in the field. These indicators can be used to assess the effectiveness of various technologies that are available in schools. The review will then show that the Internet achieves high performance in each area. A technology that meets high performance in all twenty indicators should be considered high performance technology.