Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Reading Achievement By Integrating Technology In After School Instructional Programs, Timothy L. Cliby

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This research endeavor institutes change in an after school program for elementary students of an inner city elementary school. The program seeks to improve student performance on standardized English language testing, improve student motivation and attendance. The hypothesis that a prescriptive after school program, that utilizes Web based activities as an integrated component of instruction, will lead to improved student performance through increased motivation, instructional habits and attendance. Redesigning the program will establish an environment capable of sustaining student motivation and attendance resulting in sustained instructional engagement.

The instructional design is a transformation of traditional instructional practices for this program. …

Will A New Math Program Improve Burnsville Elementary School Third Grade Student Achievement?, Debra B. Brewer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation implemented a curriculum change in math for third graders in a rural elementary school with a student population of 530. An analysis of the end of grade testing over the past two years indicated that the third graders at this school scored 11.5 Normal Curve Equivalent (NCEs) below the other third graders in the school district.

The intervention implemented the Saxon Math Program, along with an appropriate professional development program designed to strength the math program and to increase third grade students’ math skill development. The intervention focused on training the third grade teachers to use the …

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 …

Evaluation Of The Averett University Leadership Minor Program, Paul A. Bryant

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Averett University Leadership Minor Program. There were four research questions for this project. First, “What are the criteria to be used to evaluate the Averett University Leadership Minor Program?” Second, “What are the criteria for effectiveness and the assessment design for the leadership minor program?” Third, “Do the benefits of the program outweigh the direct cost associated with maintaining the program?” Fourth, “What are the findings and recommendations based on the assessment information?”

Development and evaluation methodologies were used to address the problem and research questions. The …

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 …

Evaluating An Advisory Program In A Community School District, Lydia C. Alvarado

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes the results of a formative evaluation of the implementation of instructional techniques in an advisory program and the staff’s commitment to the program. The question that this study addressed was, Are the faculty members implementing instructional techniques (group dynamics techniques, group discussion techniques and critical thinking questioning techniques) during the advisor-advisee period?

To address the above concern, the advisers received staff development on instructional techniques that would assist them in conducting their advisory lessons. The instructional techniques consisted of (a) group dynamics techniques, (b) questioning techniques in discussion groups, and (c) critical thinking questioning techniques. Informal …

An Assessment Of Vocal Conservation/Hygiene And Vocal Exercise Treatment Programs For Middle School Teachers With Voice Problems, Jennifer H. Vinson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Nationally, over 38% of teachers are diagnosed with vocal disorders due to heavy demands placed on their vocal mechanisms with resulting abnormal laryngeal biomechanics and repeated exposure to upper respiratory infections and other airborne irritants (Smith, Kirchner, Taylor, Hoffman, & Lemke, 1998). The incidence of vocal disorders among teachers in the north Alabama area appears to be higher than the national average of 38% according to local otorhinolaryngologists interviewed and preliminary data collected from middle school teachers in the Madison County School System in Huntsville, Alabama. Preliminary data indicated a 44% voice-disordered teacher population within the targeted middle school teaching …

Improving The Reading Comprehension Achievement Of Third Grade Students, Delores L. Bedar

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Students at DePriest Elementary School were performing poorly on standardized assessments in reading comprehension. The possible causes of low student performance were (a) teachers’ beliefs and practices, (b) the reading curriculum, (c) students’ lack of knowledge as to how to read for meaning, and (d) the lack of parent involvement in their children’s schooling.

This dissertation examined the improvement of students’ reading comprehension performance through the use of strategic reading instruction, professional development of teachers, and parental involvement. It examined whether instructing students in the use of comprehension strategies improved their reading comprehension performance.

A reading comprehension strategies curriculum model …

The Development Of A Work Plan To Fund The Building Of A New Facility, Gayle Florence Cane

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

All schools face the substantial challenge of providing adequate facilities for the instruction of students. When a small private school met with increasing enrollment levels, administrators were faced with the challenge of planning for school expansion. Construction planning required new skills and knowledge for the president of the school and the board of directors.

This applied dissertation was designed to gather data on facilities planning and school construction financing and to organize the processes and activities into a useful planning tool. The practical and logical organization of relevant collected data into a work plan to fund a new school facility …

Development Of An Applied Phd Degree Program In Hospitality Administration For Nova Southeastern University’S H. Wayne Huizenga School Of Business & Entrepreneurship, George Alexakis

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship’s (SBE) programs needed a marketing edge. A PhD program was designed to fuel enrollments and improve budgetary figures. The purpose was to develop an applied hospitality administration PhD program for the SBE. The Research Questions were. (a) What are the needs of hospitality educators and administrators related to an applied PhD degree in hospitality administration? (b) What PhD program content best meets the needs of hospitality educators and administrators? (c) What is an appropriate strategy for implementing a PhD program in hospitality administration? (d) What is an appropriate …

The Development Of A Bilingual Program Assessment Tool, Francisco R. Grullon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

An average of 43% of limited English proficient (LEP) students in Grade 4 failed the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System in spring 2001 compared to 6% of the regular education Grade 4 students within Massachusetts. The failure rate of LEP students should be at the same level or close to the same level as the failure rate of regular education students. Moreover, the achievement gap between regular and LEP students seems to increase from elementary school to middle school and on to high school.

This applied dissertation identified the variables that affect the academic achievement of LEP students through a review …

Designing Student Teaching Experience To Reflect Best Practice, Joanne Ferrara

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes the strategies designed by a college to improve its student teaching experience for preservice teachers enrolled in field placement during the 2001-2002 school year.

The framework for the program was based on the work of L. Darling-Hammond (1999), the Holmes Group (1990), and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE; 2000), which suggested that teacher education programs build and sustain effective field-based experiences. This program sought to improve students’ performances by implementing field experiences containing these key elements: collaboration between a college field adviser and cooperating teachers, clearly defined goals, reflection, ongoing feedback, and observations …

Teaching Fifth Grade Students With Learning Problems To Self-Regulate Writing Utilizing Mnemonics, Mary Angela Gioscia

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide students with learning disabilities the opportunity to improve their writing skills. Students were expected to organize information and utilize correct spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure in order to write independently on grade level. This was not happening. For years the writer witnessed the struggle that students with learning disabilities had encountered with written language. Graphic organizers, writing programs, and modifications made to the curricula did not solve the problem of fifth-grade students with learning disabilities to demonstrate grade level writing.

In her research the writer discovered the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model of …

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Collaborative Co-Teaching On The Achievement Of Eighth Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Karen Culmo Fontana

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of co-teaching on the academic achievement of eighth graders with learning disabilities. Although much has been written on the logistics of starting and maintaining co-teaching relationships between teachers of students with and without disabilities and teachers of students with exceptionalities, there is less written on the effectiveness of co-teaching on the achievement of students with learning disabilities. Using a one group pretest-posttest design, the study was designed to determine if attendance in co-taught English and math classes would contribute to an increase in written language, math and self-concept scores. The …

Development And Validation Of An Action Plan For Recruiting And Retaining Qualified Teachers, Marian S. Lauria-Davis

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Hillsborough County School District (HCSD), which in September 2002 was designated as the 10th largest district in the country, lacked a comprehensive plan to recruit and retain teachers. District staff demographic reports, teacher attrition reports, and continual posted vacancies of all special education subject areas indicated that minority teachers and special education teachers were in high demand but in short supply. The purpose of this applied dissertation project was to develop a teacher recruitment and retention action plan for the district.

Methodologies used to address the research questions included a comprehensive review of literature, focus group discussions with minority and …

Aligning Standards Successfully In A High School Science Curriculum, J. Harrison Goodwin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This dissertation describes the process of aligning the science curriculum of Chapman High School with the South Carolina Science Curriculum Standards. This was necessary due to the state requirement that students pass an exit examination in science beginning with the graduating class of 2005.

The passage of the South Carolina Education Accountability Act of 1998 required that students pass an exit examination in science beginning with the graduating class of 2006. The act also required that students take end-of-course examinations in certain science classes beginning with biology in the school year of 2003-2004. This exit examination and the end-of-course tests …

Bridging The Gap In Writing In High Poverty Schools, Alexis N. Gordon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes an intervention to improve writing scores of the 180 third and fifth grade students in six high poverty schools. These schools received Title I service in grades three and five. The Delaware State Testing Program (DSTP) identified these schools as schools in school improvement for 2000-2001, under review for 2001- 2002 or both. There was a 35% difference within these schools between the students described as high poverty and those who were not who met the writing standard.

The planned solution strategy was the development of a comprehensive writing program. Two Title I Itinerant Writing Teachers coordinated …

Attendance: The First Step Towards Success, Steven W. Green

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Student achievement is clearly the purpose of schools, and in today's world of high stakes testing, accountability has certainly been an educational buzzword. However, there are many factors that impact student achievement levels with many of these factors being out of the control of teachers and administrators. One factor on which school officials can have an impact is student attendance.

In the past at Dobson High School in Mesa, Arizona, student attendance was addressed in two ways: first, absences, were documented and recorded; second, punishments were applied after students accumulated too many absences. This was a cold and reactive process …

Project Uplift: A Program To Ensure The Promotion Of Students Who Had Previously Failed, Auty G. Horn

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes a program that assisted students in Grades 6-8 who had previously failed 2 or more grades in meeting promotion requirements. The setting was Green Acres Middle School, an urban school with a 99% African American student population of 535 and a free and reduced-price lunch rate of 80%. In 2000-2001, 100% of students for whom data were available and who had failed 2 or more times performed below the 5th stanine on the Stanford Achievement Test 9 (SAT-9)for the total battery.

Project Uplift was a program that was designed to meet the needs of these students. It …

A Brand New Elementary School: Conception To Inception, W. Glenn Huggins

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a practical model for building a new school. The basis for this model was the author’s experience as a public school principal with the responsibility of opening a new school. The context of this paper involved the initiation of organizational and operational processes for systems and structures associated with a new school. This model utilized recollections and recommendations of an experienced practitioner and might be considered a combination of a diagnostic aide and operational guide. This work provided a practical model for the development, design, construction, and initial operation of a new school. …

Evaluation Of The Systematic Curriculum And Instructional Development Model For Curricula At The Broward Technical Centers, Tripat Pal Kaur

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this project was to conduct an evaluation of the utilization of the Systematic Curriculum and Instructional Development (SCID) model. Current curriculum development models were researched, experiences of the technical centers were evaluated, elements for a curricula development model were researched, a pilot implementation was performed, and based on the pilot evaluation recommendations were made for the future adoption of the SCID model.

The methodologies that were utilized include the evaluation, development, and research methodologies. The procedures used to conduct the project were, (a) reviewing the literature, (b) appointing and meeting with formative and summative committees, (c) creating …

A Brand New Middle School: Conception To Inception, Charles W. King Ii Ii

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a practical model for building a new school. The basis for this model was the author’s experience as a public school principal with the responsibility of opening a new school. The context of this paper involved the initiation of organizational and operational processes for systems and structures associated with a new school. This model utilized recollections and recommendations of an experienced practitioner and might be considered a combination of a diagnostic aide and operational guide. This work may provide a practical model for the development, design, construction, and initial operation of a new …

Graduate Education Students Attitudes And Sense Of Preparedness To Teach Emotionally Disturbed Children, Ruth Klein

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide graduate students with skills and strategies to better prepare them to teach students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) in the general education classroom. Graduate students at a small liberal arts college in an eastern upstate community were requesting courses to provide them with skills to enable EBD students to be successfully included in the general education classroom. Graduate students, depending on their undergraduate degrees are required to take 12-18 credits in special education courses to qualify for a permanent teaching certificate. This provided them with limited options to take electives. For EBD …

Actitudes Del Estudiantado Ante La Incorporación De La Educación A Distancia: ¿Factores De Aceptación O Rechazo?, Marina Polo

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta disertación aplicada tuvo como propósito determinar las incidencias, negativas o positivas, de las actitudes de los estudiantes en la introducción de los estudios a distancia con apoyo de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, en una universidad venezolana.

Se definió la actitud como la percepción que alguien tiene de un objeto, según sus creencias. De ahí se desprenden inclinaciones que favorecen o perjudican el proyecto.

La revisión bibliográfica condujo a una investigación de campo experimental, sin manipulación de variables. La selección aleatoria y estratificación por semestre de la muestra dio a todos igual probabilidad de ser muestreados. …

Are California's Milk Pricing Regulations Exempt From Scrutiny Under Both The Commerce And Privilege And Immunities Clauses?, Ralph C. Anzivino

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

An Analytical Model For Calculating Bounds On Call Blocking Probabilities In Leo Satellite Networks, A. Hali̇m Zai̇m

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

We present an analytical model for calculating upper and lower bounds for call-blocking probabilities in a LEO satellite network that carries voice calls. The method is especially useful for large systems where calculation of call-blocking probabilities are too expensive. Our method calculates upper and lower bounds very easily and produces fairly accurate results.

Network Traffic Properties Of Bimodal Multicast Protocol, Öznur Özkasap, Mi̇ne Çağlar

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The popularity of large-scale distributed applications, such as videoconferencing, multimedia dissemination, electronic stock exchange and distributed cooperative work, has grown with the availability of high-speed networks and the expansion of the Internet. The key property of this type of applications is the need to distribute data among multiple participants together with an application-specific quality of service needs. This fact makes scalable multicast protocols an essential underlying communication structure. Although there exist several studies investigating the traffic characteristics of unicast communication, multicast traffic has not been examined extensively in previous studies. It is well known that the aggregate traffic properties of …

The \Mathcal{H}_\Infty Model Matching Problem With One Degree Of Freedom Static State Feedback, Murat Akin, Ati̇lla Bi̇r

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The aim of this paper is to develop a new approach for a solution of the continuous-time model matching problem by a static state feedback in the sense of \mathcal{H}_\infty optimality criterion by using Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). The main contribution could briefly be described as to reformulate the model matching problem in LMI formulation, to present the solvability conditions and to give a design procedure for the one degree of freedom static state feedback control law. Finally, the results are applied to an example system.

New Approaches For On-Line Tuning Of The Linear Sliding Surface Slope In Sliding Mode Controllers, Sezai̇ Tokat, İbrahi̇m Eksi̇n, Müjde Güzelkaya

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The main objective of this study is to propose new approaches for on-line tuning of the linear sliding surface slope in sliding mode controllers. The new approaches are developed for a class of second order systems on new coordinate axes, one of which is the classical sliding surface and the other one is naturally chosen to be orthogonal to it. The control input of the sliding mode control law is then modified accordingly by applying the Lyapunov stability condition. The adjustment of the linear sliding surface slope defined in the new coordinate axes is achieved by tuning a new parameter …

Resonant Demagnetization Pwm Forward Converter, B. Bi̇lgi̇n, Işik Çadirci, R. Ergül, M. Ermi̇ş

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this paper, a new approach to demagnetization process of a PWM forward converter (FC) is proposed. According to this approach, the demagnetization winding and diode of a conventional FC are removed, and an external capacitor is added in parallel with the secondary diode. This replacement changes the linear demagnetization process of a conventional FC into a resonant demagnetization process. The theoretical performance results of the proposed resonant demagnetization forward converter (RDFC) are compared with those of a conventional FC. A side by side comparison made between the two types of demagnetization strategies has shown that RDFC has some advantages …