Digital Commons Network^™

Achieving School Literacy: The Davis Elementary School Reading Initiative, Emily Walker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation focused on a schoolwide program of reading interventions that was implemented to increase the reading ability of elementary school students at Edward T. Davis Elementary School in Montgomery, Alabama. These interventions included (a) teacher training in research based reading instruction; (b) the implementation of Direct Instruction (Englemann, 1996); (c) the implementation of additional reading time, (d) a student reward program, and (e) a home-school literacy connection.

The school is a public school with a population of 697 students in Grades Kindergarten through 6. An analysis of formal and informal data such as the Stanford Achievement Test (American …

Improving Behavior And Academic Achievement For Students At Sandersville Elementary School, Fate R. Simmons

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve discipline and academic achievement at Sandersville Elementary School. This school, located in the Washington County School System, serves students in Grades 3-5. An analysis of data collected in the 2001-2002 school year revealed that 53% of the teachers were dissatisfied with student discipline, and 55% were dissatisfied with the academic climate at Sandersville Elementary School.

Planned solution strategies included a 2-part discipline and academic achievement improvement program. The program focused on helping teachers to understand and address the needs of Early Intervention Program students. The program included in-service training for teachers on specific …

Improving Student Social Skills In An Elementary School Setting, Gloria Mckibbin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Teachers and administrators reported an increase in the number of school violations regarding verbal and physical assaults. This aggressive and inappropriate behavior created a negative school climate and detracted from the academic process, as teachers were spending more time redirecting students who were misbehaving rather than teaching.

A social skills program that focused on empathy, social problem solving, and anger management was developed and implemented with fourth-grade students to improve their prosocial behavior in the classroom environment. Using cognitive behavioral strategies such as modeling, roleplaying, and cuing and methods to assess their own behaviors during group lessons, discussions, and exercises, …

Development Of A Web-Based Community For The Business Internship Program At Franklin Pierce College, Jason C. Little

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem is that up-to-date and efficient communication and information sharing among stakeholders including students, faculty advisors, employer supervisors, and alumni are necessary for the internship program to meet its goals.

The following six research questions were included in this study:

1. What are the characteristics of a successful web-based learning community?

2. What specific content should be included in the internship web-based learning community?

3. What are the appropriate design elements for an internship web-based learning community?

4. What specific elements should guide the development of an internship webbased learning community?

5. What elements should be included in the …

Desarrollo De Un Ambiente Virtual De Aprendizaje En Salud Pública, Mariano Fernández Silano

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta disertación aplicada fue diseñada para evaluar la contribución de los ambientes virtuales de aprendizaje, basados en la web, en la enseñanza de la salud pública. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de la implementación de una asignatura del Curso de Ampliación de Conocimientos en Salud Pública. Este estudio aportó información relevante para la implementación y optimización de los cursos en la enseñanza de la Salud Pública. La Escuela de Salud Pública, dicta cursos de capacitación bajo la modalidad semi-presencial en el interior del país, con gran éxito. La alta demanda de cursos, la disponibilidad limitada de recursos humanos y financieros …

A Parental Involvement Initiative At Fews Alternative School, Lorenzo Harrison

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The major purpose of this study was to improve parental involvement at an alternative school in Montgomery, AL. Eighty-nine percent of the students indicated prior to the intervention that they believed their parents were not involved in their schooling. The intervention consisted of launching a media campaign to target and invite parents to the school and hiring a parent coordinator.

The design that was most conducive for this applied research is a descriptive design. Pre and post survey data was compared to determine if the students perception regarding their parents involvement improved. Logs of all parents contacted and how many …

Improving Science Education For Middle-School Students By Integrating Mathematics Into The Scientific Method Process, Robert L. Wells

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve student success in science by integrating mathematics into the scientific method process. Students were routinely asked to perform experiments that required mathematical computations in measurement, numeration, geometry, and statistics; however, they were largely unable to perform these calculations because of their inability to apply mathematical concepts outside the mathematics classroom. The mathematics curriculum did not afford the student the opportunity to apply mathematics to real-life situations, nor did the science curriculum consistently apply mathematics to experiments.

The writer developed a series of science experiments that incorporated these four mathematical concepts into earth science …

An Evaluation Of The Failure Free Reading Program Used With Learning-Disabled Students, Shelia M. Martin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study examined the effect of using Failure Free Reading (Lockavitch, 1995) as a supplemental intervention reading program with fourth- and fifth-grade LD students at Howard Elementary School. The reading achievement and reading perceptions of 16 LD students were studied. An overview of the assessments for determining the perceptions and achievement of the students is discussed. Although an analysis of the data indicated some gain in pre- and posttests scores on the Standardized Test of Assessment of Reading (STAR) for some of the students, positive perceptions of reading were noted by all of the LD students in the study.

Implications …

Estrategias De Aprendizaje Y Desempeño Académico En Estudiantes Del Primer Año Universitario, Alicia Cardozo Hernández

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

El propósito del estudio fue determinar la posible relación entre el desempeño de los estudiantes del Ciclo Básico (CB) de la Universidad Simón Bolívar y el uso que ellos hagan de estrategias motivacionales y de aprendizaje. Las metas fueron: a) identificar las estrategias utilizadas por los estudiantes del CB, b) determinar posibles relaciones entre estrategias motivacionales y de aprendizaje y el desempeño académico, c) precisar si existen diferencias significativas en el uso de estrategias entre los estudiantes con mayor y menor desempeño y, d) determinar si existen cambios importantes en la aplicación de estrategias de motivacionales y aprendizaje como consecuencia …

Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of A Minority Recruitment Plan For Faculty, Administrators And Staff At Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Annie C. Jones

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to develop a minority recruitment plan for use by NWTC. The minority recruitment plan was created to increase the number of minority candidate applicants and eventually, new hires to the campus.

The project primarily utilized the development methodology to address the research questions. Eight procedures were employed including: review of the literature; collection of data from 15 colleges regarding their plans to diversify their workforce and review their plans as to how they relate to NWTC; selection of formative and summative committee to assist in the review of the minority recruitment plan; implementation and evaluation …

Razonamiento Crítico En El Aprendizaje Virtual Colaborativo Y Desempeño Laboral: Caso De Los Profesionales De Venta De La Industria Farmacéutica, Carlos A. Reyes

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta disertación aplicada se realizó considerando el razonamiento crítico como una destreza de gran valor para el logro del aprendizaje de por vida y a la educación a distancia mediada por computadora, como una estrategia instruccional que propicia el aprendizaje colaborativo. Por lo que se diseñó el presente estudio prospectivo destinado a precisar la asociación entre la destreza razonamiento crítico y el desempeño laboral de profesionales de ventas que participaron en una experiencia de enseñanza-aprendizaje virtual colaborativa, mediada por un foro de discusión vía internet y orientada a instruir a los participantes sobre el nuevo posicionamiento de un medicamento de …

Development And Evaluation Of A Prototype E-Learning Site To Train Japanese Elementary School Teachers How To Teach English To Children, Curtis H. Kelly

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide Japanese elementary school teachers assigned to teach English, the skills and tools to do so. Their training needs were assessed in order to develop a prototype e-learning site to provide that training. Seven research questions were answered: 1) What are the educational needs, both perceived and predicted, of Japanese elementary school teachers preparing to teach English to children? 2) What are appropriate systems of delivery for an educational program to satisfy these needs? 3) What are the criteria for the educational contents and format of an educational Web site to satisfy these needs? …

Reducing Teen Use Of Alcohol And Drugs Through Parent Involvement, Judy Watson Olson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to help parents prevent teen substance use. School leaders and parents were concerned about the high teen substance use by teens. A review of the literature showed that involved and caring parents who monitored their teen’s activities had a positive impact on helping prevent substance use.

The writer worked with school and parent leaders to develop a Parent Network. A directory was written to provide parenting tips and phone numbers so parents could contact each other. Parent leaders recruited other parents to join the Network. Parents were not interested in attending activities, so a parent …

A Plan To Develop, Implement, And Evaluate Online Continuing Education Courses At Nova Southeastern University College Of Optometry, N. Scott Gorman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this project was to develop a plan to deliver online continuing education (CE) courses at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSUCO) that would fulfill the mission, goals, and objectives of NSUCO as well as implement a new revenue source for the College’s institutional development. The plan addressed the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program as well as the courses.

Twelve research questions were put forward in this project. The questions asked what technologies; resources; costs; procedures; Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) requirements; state board requirements; adaptations to WebCT; and course format need to be …

Development Of A Historic Preservation Outreach Program With Evaluation Plan For The University Of Arkansas At Little Rock History Department, Franklin Allen Latimer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem is that the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) is ignoring the large potential constituency on the state’s college campuses. By ignoring this potential constituency, the agency is not meeting its goal of educating the public on historic preservation to the fullest extent and the agency is missing an opportunity to recruit people into working for preservation of the state’s cultural resources. This project was intended to develop a preservation outreach program to facilitate delivering information on the state’s historic resources as well as services offered by AHPP to the students in the history department of the University of …

Improving The Academic Achievement Of Sixth-Grade Students Who Do Not Perform At Grade Level In Mathematics, Eileen M. Bond

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to assist 6th-grade students who were not performing at grade level in mathematics. Students entered the 6th grade with a great disparity of skills and abilities in mathematics and then progressed through the middle school grades unable to complete tasks appropriate to their grade level as outlined by the state-mandated mathematics curriculum. These findings were documented both by report card grades and by standardized test scores.

The writer developed a cross-age tutoring program that paired 6th-grade students with 8th-grade students who were trained as tutors. The program was executed as an extra-subject period to provide …

Reducing Male Student Discipline Referral Rates At Westview Elementary School, Virginia Glass Berry

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to determine if the use of male mentors would measurably decrease male student discipline referrals at Westview Elementary School. Referral data indicated a high number of discipline actions that impacted student and school performance. Student social records revealed that most male students attending Westview Elementary School were from homes headed by single mothers. The principal’s observations and parent conferences evidenced a lack of respect for female authority. Prior to this study, the majority of instructors at Westview Elementary School were female. The male discipline factor had created a frustration level among the faculty that had …

Integrating Socioemotional And Moral Education Within Early Childhood Teacher Preparation, Dianne K. Alexander

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to prepare early childhood student teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of a peacemaker to manage classroom aggression with competence and confidence. During field placements student teachers reported frustration in their ability to manage the increasingly aggressive and disruptive socioemotional behaviors of their young students. Recurring patterns of anti-social behavior became a daily challenge, exacting a toll not only on instructional time, but also on student teacher attention, patience, and, over time, efficacy. An in-depth study of the university nursery through third grade early childhood teacher preparation program revealed little or no violence prevention …

Improving The Representation Of Minority School Age Children In Gifted Education Programs Through A Multifaceted Referral And Evaluation Process, Magali Balado

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the problem that teachers were unable to meet the needs of academically talented minority children. The major goals for this applied dissertation were to increase the representation of academically minority children in gifted programs, provide training to teachers in the area of identifying gifted characteristics, and to develop a multifaceted process for the referral and evaluation of academically talented minority children.

The writer developed training materials to provide in-service and training to teachers, school staff personnel, counselors, and psychologists in the areas of observing and assessing gifted characteristics in academically talented minority children. …

Efecto Del Estilo De Aprendizaje Y El Uso De Estrategias Metacognitivas En La Conducta De Búsqueda De Información Precisa En Hipermedios En Estudiantes Universitarios, Lydia Pujol

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta disertación aplicada se propuso determinar los efectos de las variables estilos de aprendizaje y la frecuencia de uso de estrategias metacognitivas y su interacción, en la conducta de búsqueda de información precisa en hipermedios, en 101 estudiantes de carreras tecnológicas de una universidad pública. Esta institución se planteó introducir los hipermedios como herramienta de apoyo al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje y en la investigación académica. La conducta de búsqueda de información en hipermedios, es un requisito para ingresar en sistemas educativos que incorporen estas tecnologías. Los estudiantes en este contexto evidenciaron poca eficiencia al investigar información (Valarino; Menéses; Yáber y …

Improving Reading Comprehension In The High School Setting, Robert L. Harris

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The setting for this applied dissertation is Springville High School. Twenty percent of the ninth grade students at this school scored below the 30th percentile on norm referenced Stanford Achievement Test 9 in reading comprehension. The test results reflect the lack of reading instruction at the secondary level. The implementation period was for two 18-week periods, which used reading strategies from the researched-based Alabama Reading Initiative Program. An intervention was developed and utilized to improve the reading comprehension of a select group of ninth-grade students. The objectives for this project were to significantly increase the reading comprehension scores of the …

Development And Implementation Of A Compliance Plan For A School Magnet Program In East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Parish School System, Clayton M. Wilcox

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study presented information which indicated that there was a need to improve the non-Black enrollment in the programs within a school magnet program in East Baton Rouge Louisiana Parish School System. An analysis of data indicated that of the 22 magnet programs studied, only one had achieved the non-Black enrollment stated in the Consent Decree (desegregation plan).

Techniques were identified which were implemented to enhance the programs within a school magnet program to make them more inviting and attract more non-Black students. Techniques identified included: (a) identifying a staff member in each magnet designated as being accountable for recruiting, …

Improving Grade 6 Reading Comprehension Skills At Dvorak Academy By Implementing A Reading Program, Leonard B. Moore

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes a reading literature-based program to increase reading achievement of Grade 6 students at Dvorak Academy, public school, located in Chicago, Illinois. Based on the skills analysis report of Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) reading scores from 1999 through 2001, 64% of Grade 6 students averaged below the national 50th percentile.

Possible causes for the problem included (a) inappropriate reading instructional methods, (b) lack of student motivation in reading the required number of recreational reading books, and (c) lack of teacher preparation in teaching reading.

The goal of this applied dissertation was to improve reading by …

Programa Instruccional En Estrategias De Aprendizaje En Línea Para Mejorar El Desempeño Académico De Estudiantes Universitarios, Lisette Poggioli

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta disertación aplicada tuvo como propósito mejorar el desempeño académico de los estudiantes admitidos al primer año de carrera en la Escuela de Educación de una universidad católica, privada. Esta institución no se había planteado desarrollar una estrategia de solución para atender esta problemática. Dado que esta escuela está distante geográficamente del campus central, se consideró que la aplicación de un programa instruccional en estrategias de aprendizaje bajo la modalidad de educación a distancia, en línea, en ambiente Blackboard, podría contribuir a mejorar esta situación.

La investigación fue de tipo experimental. Se utilizó un diseño de grupo de control preprueba …

The Impact Of Technology Workshops And Technology Integration In An Elementary School, Jill L. Carr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Effects of technology workshops on the implementation and integration of technology in the elementary level course curriculum was studied. The technology facilitator, who is also a member of the elementary school faculty, participated in the study as the implementer and writer. Participants completed a presurvey that measured their prior knowledge, skills, current attitudes, and expectations regarding the infusion of technology into their course curriculum. All teachers participated in a series of small group workshops given by this writer in their workplace at a time convenient to all participants.

Implementing and restructuring technology training development into an effective staff development plan …

Engineering And Adapting Eating Environments For Students With Autism, Loretta Boggs Griffin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to identify, select, and evaluate available options for engineering and adapting the eating environments for students with autism at Metro School located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Teachers in the autistic program were concerned about behavior disruptions when students ate in the cafeteria. The noise level, excessive movement, overcrowded conditions, limited space for seating in the cafeteria, and the wait time in serving lines were conditions identified by teachers of the autistic that appeared to frustrate and overstimulate some of the students, thereby intensifying behaviors. The behaviors included being self-abusiveness, exhibiting self-stimulation, throwing food, displaying poor …

A Strategic Approach To Promote Ninth-Grade Academic Success, Beverly W. Glover

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation, conducted February 2000 through April 2001, describes an approach to increasing student motivation that promoted 9th-grade academic success in an inner-city high school of a Southeastern Georgia community. The targeted population was freshman students in a very large, diverse, multicultural environment. The students ranged from the very highest affluent socioeconomic group to the lowest poverty group.

Low performance was evident on standardized measures of student progress upon their entering 9th grade. A lack of motivation for successful learning was evident. The students in this study were in need of extensive help to succeed academically and reach their …

Chalkboard To Smart Board: Improving Computer Competence Among Ellington Middle School Teachers, Barbara J. Ripa

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation report describes a program designed to improve teacher computer competence in Ellington, a rural town in Connecticut. Scores on a state-designed computer competence tool indicated that middle school teachers lacked computer skills. Further investigation indicated an infrequent use of school computers and a lack of knowledge about computer applications and peripherals.

It was apparent that the low level of teacher computer competence could be attributed to several causes: (a) teachers lacked knowledge regarding appropriate computer applications for their classrooms; (b) teachers lacked skill in using computers, various applications, and peripherals such as scanners and Smart Boards; (c) …

Reducing Fighting And Bullying Among Second And Third Grade Students Through Instruction In Peace Education, Cecil W. Scott

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to reduce fighting and bullying among second and third grade students. The behavioral plans used by individual teachers were ineffective. Students were exhibiting deviant behaviors in the form of fighting, bullying, using profanity and name-calling. Children were being placed in time out, and many were internally and externally suspended for antisocial behaviors. Teachers could not help students resolve conflicts using peaceful methods.

The writer developed a Peace Education curriculum to be used by teachers to reduce deviant behaviors in students. They used daily peace and conflict resolution strategies in their classrooms that assisted children to …

Estudio De Las Actitudes De Los Profesores De Una Universidad Tradicional Venezolana Hacia La Educación A Distancia E Implementación De Una Comunidad Virtual De Aprendizaje Como Estrategia De Difusión, María Gertrudis López

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Para la institución donde se desempeña la autora, la tardanza en cuanto a la toma de decisiones sobre la incorporación de la educación a distancia (EaD) con el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TICs) puede deberse a muchos factores, no establecidos formalmente, por lo que hasta ahora no se han podido solventar eficazmente. Dentro de las posibles barreras existentes, una de las más fuertes es la resistencia de los docentes a la incorporación de la EaD. Por todo esto, el propósito de la investigación realizada fue conocer las actitudes de los profesores de escalafón a dedicación …