Digital Commons Network^™

A Review Of Empirically Based Preference Assessments' Ability To Identify Reinforcers For Individuals With Disabilities, Jennifer A. Sellers

Graduate Research Papers

Research on empirically based preference assessments has been conducted to determine their effectiveness in identifying reinforcers. This paper reviews the effectiveness of five empirically based preference assessment procedures in identifying reinforcers for individuals with disabilities. The procedures are discussed in relationship to reinforcer-based treatments. The five preference assessment procedures reviewed are: 1) single stimulus, 2) paired choice, 3) multiple stimulus, 4) triad, and 5) verbal. The preference assessments differed in the number of highly reinforcing stimuli they identified, whether or not they provided rank orders of reinforcers, and the amount of time it took to conduct them. All of the …

A Literature Base To Promote Peer Discussion Groups In A Third-Grade Reading Program, Angela L. Seifert

Graduate Research Papers

A decided trend in the literature-based reading program movement in the elementary school is the discussion of ideas that have been generated during the reading process. These interactions with peers and teachers can assist children in constructing meaning from the text and in considering alternative interpretations of the text, thus extending their thinking-language abilities.

To extend discussion in a third-grade classroom, an annotated list of picture books to accompany some of the designated themes of the reading program have been developed. An example teacher-directed lesson to promote inference-making through discussion is also included.

Technology Integration : Comparing Technology Integration Kofu Middle School To Des Moines Public School, Catie Seeley

Graduate Research Papers

Based on two years of experience teaching in the Kofu middle schools and ten years teaching in Des Moines Public Schools, this paper compares technology integration between Kofu, Japan middle schools and Des Moines, Iowa middle schools. For over twenty years the two cities have enjoyed a strong sister city relationship, participating in many annual cultural exchanges including a teacher exchange. Five Des Moines educators teach English in all the Kofu middle schools for one school year. Over the years attempts to create web based or electronic cultural exchanges have met with limited success.

This paper examines the current technology …

Connecting The Writing Process In The Science Program Through Learning Logs, Franda M. Shorey

Graduate Research Papers

Writing across the curriculum is an important trend in language programs. As children engage in the language processes within the functions of the content areas, they not only create meaning but extend their thinking-language abilities and their knowledge of science.

The writer as a third grade teacher used her students' learning logs in science as one guide to their writing instruction. This qualitative means gave much insight into students' application of writing tasks.

Developing And Managing An E-Business, Stephanie Tekippe

Graduate Research Papers

Papa Bear Acres created its first e-business in the fall of 1999. Stephanie TeKippe designed and currently manages the web sites, which are operational. Creating a successful e-business on the Internet is not an easy task, but a complicated and tedious one. Rudi, an Internet marketing specialist, stated ( 1999) "Over 94% of all online small businesses are currently losing money"(p.1-2). Papa Bear Acres was created to become a booming presence on the Internet. The process of making this a reality has been slower and more time consuming than anticipated. There are many various aspects to creating a successful e-business. …

Is It Wise? : The Ursuline Studies Program Revisited, Connie S. Swift

Graduate Research Papers

Katherine Keough, chairwoman of the education department at Xavier University in Cincinnati is quoted in USA Today as saying, "It almost smacks of a Chinese mind, a black mind, a white mind, a female mind .... It suggests that brains are gender-specific or that knowledge is gender-specific" (Manning, 1992, p. 6A). Keough is referring to Ursuline College's use of Women's Ways of Knowing as the basis for its college core curriculum, fearing this may cause further division between men and women (Manning, 1992, p. 6A). Anne Marie Diedrich, O.S.U., Ph.D., president of Ursuline College, disagrees: We're not saying that ours …

Determination Of Chilling Requirement Of Arkansas Thornless Blackberry Cultivars, Chrislyn A. Drake, John R. Clark

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Little research has been done to determine the chilling requirement for blackberry cultivars. However, field observations from areas where fewer hours of chilling occur indicate that ‘Navaho’ requires more hours of chilling than does ‘Arapaho’. The objective of our study was to determine a method for measuring the chilling requirement using whole plants of two blackberry cultivars, Arapaho and Navaho. One-year old, bare-root plants were field-dug on 26 October 1999 and placed in a cold chamber at 3ºC. Ten single-plant replications of each cultivar were removed at 100-hour intervals up to 1000 hours. The plants were potted and placed in …

Shepherd Of The Hills/Churches Of Conference Nine Webpages, Rondee Troester

Graduate Research Papers

Shepherd of the Hills a center that serves the Churches of Conference Nine of the Northeastern Iowa Synod will be serving their congregations in another form. Webpages are being created for each of the twenty churches of Conference Nine. These churches will convey their mission statements, worship times, pastor's page, and any educational opportunities that are provided. The request was made for someone to develop these pages. The decision was made to start the process. The process began with a discussion with the coordinator from Shepherd of the Hills of which direction to go with the Webpages. Next came contacting …

Tenure Impediments For Women Professors, Mary A. Traetow

Graduate Research Papers

Women have long been struggling for equality in the tenured ranks of academia. The rigid tenure system has historically sanctioned rules for all who wish to enter. Research into this persistent inequity has focused on the "chilly" structure of universities (Blum, 1991) and on the question of women's ability to produce scholarship (Cole & Zuckerman, 1987). However, gender related issues as possible impeding factors for women professors seeking tenure have not been researched fully. The research focus is on how women's issues can be detrimental to the tenure climb of women professors. The paper will begin with a literature review …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Michael Ward

Graduate Research Papers

As an individual practicing school administration in a small private school and a former classroom teacher, I feel that I bring with me a set of values and beliefs about education into the completion of my Masters of Arts in Education degree. These values and beliefs were and still are being formed by my upbringing, education and environment. As an administrator, I hope that I can model my values and through collaboration with all stakeholders of our school, use my beliefs and theirs to develop a vision for the school.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Constance L. Weber

Graduate Research Papers

As I began reflecting on education and leadership in the school setting, I realized that I have been involved in formal education in one form or another for the past forty-three years. I began kindergarten in a one-room rural school, with one instructor for nine grades. The teacher picked me up and transported me to school each day. I'm not sure what role the principal had in that school at that time. I don't actually remember a principal. The next year I began first grade in a Catholic school in a small town, and I continued in this school through …

A Learning Disabled Student's Guide To College, Julie R. Welter

Graduate Research Papers

The learning-disabled college student is a relatively recent topic in the history of postsecondary education. The passing of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 gives these students the opportunity to attend college and allows for the necessary accommodations needed to succeed. Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-112) requires that colleges make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities so that they will not be discriminated against. "The accommodations are of three general types (1) the ways in which specific courses are taught, (2) use of auxiliary aids, and (3) modifications in program requirements" (Hallahan & …

Total Quality Management And Outsourcing : A New Partnership For Higher Education, Justin A. Weis

Graduate Research Papers

Colleges and universities are expected to satisfy many customers, including students, parents, communities, and employers. Institutions are being increasingly criticized for failing to produce a quality product for these customers; but for some reason, their customers continue to financially maintain the institutions. However, more than ever, many end-users (individuals who utilize an institution's services) suggest that the quality of the services offered and the graduates produced today are not meeting the minimum quality standards (Upcraft & Schuh, 1996).

A Leader's Vision Of Building A Learning Community, Richard D. Wettengel

Graduate Research Papers

As I prepared my first memo to our high school staff about the weeks activities, an idea about my role as Activities Director came to light. It is the idea of service. Snyder, Dowd, and Houghton (1994) state that the notion of service is central to any administrative post. The root word in administration is minister, meaning, "to serve." That is exactly how I see my role at school. Service is the heart of my work. My ministry extends to students, parents, fellow staff members, administration, the Board of Education, and others in the school community. My personal mission statement …

Reading To Heal: Bibliotherapy With Children, Kimberly Ann Wilkin

Graduate Research Papers

This paper presents a counseling intervention, bibliotherapy, as an adjunctive approach to helping children resolve problems. An overview of the definition and history of bibliotherapy, the effectiveness as an intervention as well as goals, stages, application, limitations, and benefits are included. Additionally, an appendix with recommended bibliotherapy books are provided.

Adolescent Depression : An Overview Of The Symptoms, Causes, Assessments, And Treatment, Joanne C. Wickham

Graduate Research Papers

Adolescence is said to be the most stressful time in a person's life (Greenberg, 1989). Although the majority of adolescents adapt without much trouble, there are those who do not accept the changes as successfully as others (Greenberg, 1989). The pressures from parents, peers, school, and society can often lead to temporary periods of depression. In the 1960s, adolescent depression was unusual. However, depression in the 1990s has become the 'common cold' of mental illness (Seligman, 1995).

Building An Instructional Model For The High School Of The 21st Century, Cindy Winckler

Graduate Research Papers

High schools are the last frontier of change in the K-12 educational setting. In order to meet the needs of today's students, teachers must create systemic change. This research studied ways to build an instructional model for high schools of the 21 st century. The sources were selected from published literature about brain research, lesson design. school reform and studies of education systems between countries. The design of an instructional model for high schools was developed, using the research from literature reviews. Teaching methods, not teachers are at the heart of this reform.

Motivating Students With Accelerated Reader, Kirsten J. Wrieden

Graduate Research Papers

Excitement was obvious at Wells-Carey Elementary that day. If you did not know better, you might think it was picture day, the day of a field trip or maybe even the day of the Halloween parties. The students were busy as bees going about their daily morning routines. Smiles proliferated and nary a squabble could be seen. What was happening? What could be the reason for the excitement and unusually well-behaved students? Why, it was the opening day for the Accelerated Reader incentive store!

Interviewing Process Handbook For Library Media Specialists, Vicki H. Stegall

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to investigate the job application procedure specifically for the school library media specialist, with an emphasis on interview questions. As a result of this research project, "Employment Handbook for School Library Media Specialists" was written. Research showed the majority of interview questions presented to the school library media specialist were classified in the Professional - Media Specialist category.

What Are The Barriers To Prenatal Care For Women In Rural And Urban Populations, Brenna J. Fleishman

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to describe barriers to prenatal care in rural and urban populations. A comprehensive review of literature was conducted and discussed with regards to practical application of health education and recommendations for further research.

Family And Peer Influences Common To Eighth Grade Smokers In The Cedar Falls Community Schools, Judith C. Samek

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of family on an adolescent's decision to smoke. This research project also assessed the influences of one's friends when a young person makes the decision to smoke. Gender differences were also of interest in this study

The Mental Health Of Parents And Children Who Are Clients Of Title V Maternal And Child Health Agencies And Child Health Specialty Clinics In Iowa, Gretchen Hageman

Graduate Research Papers

Everyday in communities around the world, millions of children, adolescents, and families are faced with mental health issues. Mental health involves the way people feel, think, make decisions, and handle social interaction. A child's mental health affects not only the child, but the whole family as well. When a child is diagnosed with a chronic condition, the impact on the family can lead to changes in its functioning patterns. The pattern of functioning affects the perception and care of the child, the course of the child's development, and sometimes the course of the condition itself.

Health care providers often over …

Diversity In The College Curriculum : Overview Of The Literature, Ruben J. Carrion

Graduate Research Papers

The colleges and universities in the United States that have adopted a proactive commitment to diversity in the curriculum have done so because they understand how their central mission is linked with the future of a diverse society. They are aware that, in the new millennium, most new jobs in the economy require a postsecondary education, and women and racial/ethnic minorities compose a majority of the workforce. One result of this awareness is the transformation taking place at many institutions that links diversity in the curriculum with the development of new teaching practices and learning practices.

This review of the …

Preschoolers And Technology : Effects Of Computer Use On The Preschool Child, Amy M. Clymer

Graduate Research Papers

Computer technology was investigated to examine technology's role in the education of preschool children. A comprehensive review of published literature was performed to determine the effects technology has on the social, cognitive, and emotional development of preschoolers and the guidelines for using computer technology with young children. Computer technology, implemented into preexisting educational activities and curricula, can assist in developing social and cognitive skills in preschool-age children. Computers assist in a child's ability to scaffold information. Appropriate computer software encourages preschoolers to think and act independently. Software that focuses on drill-and-practice skills can be detrimental to the mental growth of …

Portfolios As An Alternative Assessment, Carmine Z. Draude

Graduate Research Papers

During the past decade, there has been a shift in paradigms by educational reformers to provide a more authentic means of student assessment in our schools. These assessments need to be multidimensional and provide a more accurate picture of students' abilities. The portfolio is one type of alternative assessment that has proven to do this.

This paper discusses the use of portfolios with a group of ninth grade students enrolled in an English course. These portfolios were a systematic collection of the students' work to demonstrate how (1) they have developed and grown academically and (2) how their attitudes and …

Does Peer Technology Training Work?, Kim Foley-Sharp

Graduate Research Papers

This research project contains lessons that were developed as a staff development tool for North High School in the Davenport Community School District. The goal of this project was to implement the use of new technology into the school building by providing the staff of the building with immediate access to trainers who would help if there were a problem or to answer questions. The other responsibilities of the trainers were to facilitate staff development sessions during the school day and on in-service days. The ultimate goal of the project was to make staff comfortable in the use of technology …

Invented Spelling : The Role Of Developmental Spelling In Early Childhood Classrooms, Cynthia L. Ford

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of literature relative to the importance of Invented Spelling in early childhood classrooms. The primary focus of this paper was to develop guidelines which should be used to implement a model program. The literature examined included the features of Invented Spelling and the stages of Invented Spelling. Also, the advantage and disadvantages of Invented Spelling were discussed.

The conclusion of this paper offers suggestions to educators on how to implement a model Invented Spelling program. Recommendations for further research in the area are stated.

Children's Memory Scale Discriminate With Ld And Non-Ld Children, Anna Winland

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Children's Memory Scale at discriminating learning disabled (LD) children from non-learning disabled children between the ages of 9 and 16. A total of 56 children were included in the study; 27 LD and 29 non-LD. Subjects were first determined to be LD or not through the administration of the WISC-Ill and the WIAT to determine if their was a discrepancy of a minimum of 1.75 standard deviations between their individual achievement scores and IQ scores. If the significant discrepancy existed the subject was found to be LD. A neuropsychological battery of tests were …

Writing Opportunities To Extend Literacy For At-Risk Children In Grade One, Judy K. Torrens

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of writing on the early literacy learning of students who were performing below grade level in reading. Professional literature supports the theoretical formulation that writing nurtures young children's emerging literacy. For a first-grade classroom, a print-rich environment was created that provided daily opportunities for the students to experiment with writing. The children were able to construct their knowledge of the world through the writing process and to refine their knowledge of written language abilities in purposeful situations. They had many opportunities to connect reading and writing.

Case Study : The Kjef Student Video News, John Kennedy Wickham

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact and effectiveness of a student video news project that was initiated in the fall of 1998 as the result of receiving a McElroy Trust Fund grant. A secondary purpose was to determine whether the student video news production was more effective than the traditional approach where the principal used the public address system. Three questionnaires were used to solicit input from school staff and students. The staff was surveyed in the spring of 1999 and 2000 whereas students were surveyed in December 1999 after one year of production. Results were …