Digital Commons Network^™

How Social Studies Curriculum Can Help Spanish Immersion Students To Develop And Improve Their Grammar And Language Skills, Juan Perona

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The purpose of the project is to develop examples of activities and lessons within the regular social studies curriculum of Spanish immersion students in middle school that reinforce Spanish language skills that most of these students seen to struggle to master. The rationale of the project came from the observations of the author of the language skills of Spanish immersion students in middle school, in which he notice that, although their communication and understanding skills were very advanced, the students have gaps in language areas like specific grammar concepts, and develop academic Spanish language. The literature review major studies on …

Cybersecurity In The Classroom: Bridging The Gap Between Computer Access And Online Safety, Andrew Malecki

Cyber Security Capstone Research Project Reports

According to ISACA, there will be a global shortage of 2 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide by 2019. Additionally, according to Experian Data Breach Resolution, as much as 80% of all network breaches can be traced to employee negligence. These problems will not solve themselves, and they likewise won’t improve without drastic action. An effort needs to be made to help direct interested and qualified individuals to the field of cybersecurity to move toward closing this gap. Moreover, steps need to be made to better inform the public of general safety measures while online, including the safeguarding of sensitive information.

A …

"Content Without Context Is Noise": Looking For Curriculum Harmony In Primary Arts Education In Western Australia, Sian Chapman, Peter Wright, Robin Pascoe

Education Papers and Journal Articles

Arts education in Western Australian primary schools consist of learning opportunities outlined by mandated curriculum. However, assumptions underlying this curriculum involving access, resources and support impact schools’ capacity to implement the curriculum without them being adequately addressed by the written curriculum. Drawing on the policy enactment theory of Ball, Maguire, and Braun (2012), four contextual variables (situated contexts, professional cultures, material contexts and external factors) are used to highlight the differences between the written published curriculum and the implemented, practised curriculum. Drawing on interviews with 24 participants across four schools issues of geographic location, use of arts specialists, appropriate learning …

Conceptual Framework For A Curriculum In Social Change, Iris M. Yob

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Colleges, universities, and many high schools are expressing their mission in terms of creating social change or contributing to the common good. Such a mission suggests that if they are going to graduate students who will fulfill this mission, they will need to consider how they will best prepare students to do this. The conceptual framework for a curriculum in social change in this article offers a holistic approach, taking into account what a student should know, be able to do, and what values and attitudes should be nurtured. To that end, the article identifies three competencies in the knowledge …

Wayne County Board Of Education Adaptation Of Love Notes Curriculum For Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, Allison Shea Merritt

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

West Virginia has the 8^th highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in the United States and the rate in Wayne County is significantly higher. Adolescent pregnancies cause negative health outcomes for both the baby and the mother. Adolescent mothers are at an increased risk of anemia, preeclampsia, and preterm labor and babies born to adolescent mothers are more likely to have a low birth weight and to have cognitive impairment. To address this burden, the school board has decided to use the ADAPT-ITT framework on the evidence-based Love Notes adolescent pregnancy prevention curriculum to adapt it to be more culturally …

Adolescent Perceptions Of Addiction: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Instagram Hashtags And Adolescent Interviews, Colleen Marie Brazill-Murray

Theses and Dissertations

Addictive disorders are a public health crisis that affects our society by draining our workforce, health care, judicial, education, and law enforcement, resources. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to social influence - for better and for worse - and addiction. Through social media, today’s youth experience a whole new way of communicating. Not enough is known about adolescent perceptions of addiction, and messages of addiction they are exposed to on social media. Social Learning Theory and the Learning Theory of Addiction provided the framework for understanding how adolescents are at risk for developing unhealthy practices that create numerous psychological, social and …

Essential Evidence-Based Introductory Bioterrorism Content For Practicing Nurses, Manu Sharma

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Bioterrorism content is too often absent from nursing education post-licensure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bioterrorism is defined as “the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants.” A literature search and a review of available resources elucidated pertinent content items on bioterrorism and its associated precautions for nurses. Next, two rounds of expert panel consisting of five members rated the identified content and proffered comments to validate the curriculum. Finally, a four-hour in-person pilot educational session was implemented based on the results. …

Conceptual Framework For A Curriculum In Social Change, Iris M. Yob

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

Colleges, universities, and many high schools are expressing their mission in terms of creating social change or contributing to the common good. Such a mission suggests that if they are going to graduate students who will fulfill this mission, they will need to consider how they will best prepare students to do this. The conceptual framework for a curriculum in social change in this article offers a holistic approach, taking into account what a student should know, be able to do, and what values and attitudes should be nurtured. To that end, the article identifies three competencies in the knowledge …

Global Climate Change In U.S. High School Curricula: Portrayals Of The Causes, Consequences, And Potential Responses, Casey R. Meehan, Brett L.M. Levy, Lauren Collet-Gildard

Educational Theory and Practice Faculty Scholarship

Broad misconceptions about global climate change (GCC) could hinder efforts to address this large-scale problem, and curricular materials can play a substantial role in what students learn about GCC. This study examines how U.S. high school textbooks and supplemental curricular materials published between 2007 and 2012 portray the causes, consequences, and potential responses to GCC. Our data included text segments related to these topics in five science textbooks, four social studies textbooks, and eight sets of GCC supplemental materials. To analyze these text segments, we conducted several rounds of coding, first categorizing curricula by their acceptance of the human causes …

Education And Civil Conflict: The Negative Effects Of Intolerant Curricula In Kosovo, Pakistan, And Sudan, Nicholas A. Jaspers

Dissertations and Theses

Education has long been used as a tool for national identity formation and social cohesion. However, in diverse communities across the globe, the question must be asked: are educational institutions creating citizens with a narrow view of “us vs. them” or an identity built on multiculturalism and acceptance? Through past research, it is obvious that education has either acted as an instigator or mitigator of civil conflict, though to what extent is still largely unknown. In this thesis, I argue that both the extent and quality of education in a country can instigate or, at least, exacerbate the outbreak of …

The Common Core State Standards And The Elementary Social Studies Curriculum: A Case Study Of Teacher Perceptions In Florida, Kacie M. Nadeau

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The most recent phase of curriculum reform in the era of accountability is the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) which have essentially reshaped the landscape of public education. Its objective of preparing K-12 students for college and career upon high school graduation have prioritized English language arts, mathematics, and science over social studies, which is not part of widespread high-stakes testing for elementary students. This qualitative case study investigated eleven intermediate elementary teachers’ perceptions of alignment between CCSS and the elementary social studies curriculum. Data gathering analysis included two semi-structured interviews and an archival analysis of the mandated curriculum. The …

Career Planning And Curriculum Integration: Millennials On The ‘Lost’ Coast, Alison Holmes Phd, Loren Collins Ma

Career and Curriculum Connections: integrating career education across the disciplines (2017 archives)

Career preparation during college is increasingly an area of interest and concern not only for the parents, family and friends of prospective students, but administrators, politicians, and even the average taxpayer. As costs continue to rise, the ‘value’ of higher education is no longer based primarily on the goal of preparing a future generation to participate in, and to lead a democratic civil society, but on how competitive students will be in the global marketplace as a result. Humboldt State University is located approximately 300 miles north of San Francisco in a relatively isolated region known as the ‘lost coast’, …

How Can Art Educators Promote A Choice-Based Program While Supporting And Maintaining Standards-Based Instruction And Assessment?, Jessica Frisco

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

In order for art educators to uphold best practices, we must recognize the shifting and overlapping philosophies in the art education world. We must reflect and adjust to the needs of our students and communities, as well as embrace the research and practices of previous scholars and art educators to help us grow in our own practice. The guiding question to address this challenge was: “How can art educators promote a choice-based program while supporting and maintaining standards-based instruction and assessment?” The literature review includes an examination of standards based instruction, 21st century learning, Teaching for Artistic Behavior, choice based …

How Can Water Quality Awareness Be Increased In A Small But Rapidly Increasing City Of New Braunfels, Texas?, Zackary Eugene Martine

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The purpose of this curriculum development Capstone was to create a series of lessons to focus on how to further educate children that live in a pristine water quality environment. The curriculum focused exercises and examples provide increased awareness and education focusing on improving water quality examples on how to keep water quality from degrading during the explosive population growth of the surrounding region. The overall goal is to show how increased growth can lead to potential water quality decreases over time. There are several hands-on lessons that show examples of the ecology of the region and how all things …

2017-2018 Ursinus College Course Catalogue, Office Of The Registrar

Ursinus College Catalogues, 1869-Present

A digital copy of the 2017-2018 Ursinus College Catalog. It contains details of the curriculum, departmental requirements and courses of instruction as well as core requirements such as the Common Intellectual Experience (CIE) and Independent Learning Experience (ILE). Academic policies, special opportunities and scholarships, off-campus programs and graduation requirements are also outlined.

Developing A Garden-Based Curriculum For Middle School Content Enrichment, Dane Warming

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Garden-based education has been around for more than a century. It is one of the many outdoor learning strategies used by modern teachers. Gardens provide an engaging, safe, and interesting place to learn. However, teachers face a number of challenges when teaching in an outdoor setting. In order to decide if those efforts are justified a study of the research relating to outdoor education was conducted. The literature review revealed that outdoor learning offers benefits to student learning, physical and mental health, and overall development. This literature review informed the creation of a cross-content curriculum project. The lessons that make …

Closing The Gap In Urban Summer School Programs, Crystal Nelson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Alternative learning and assessment methods have transformed secondary education to better equip students for the future. The author set out to explore how problem-based learning (PBL) can be implemented into urban summer school programs. The literature review revealed the rationale for embedding PBL strategies into curriculum as the evidence that PBL improves the student classroom experience. The process of writing curriculum using PBL strategies showed the author PBL’s ability for students to develop 21st century skills, create student action in the community, and reduce the summer learning gap. This capstone supports the idea that PBL can be connected to the …

Pedagogy-Minded Use Of Web-Based Technology In The Classroom, Jeff Mcgie

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was: How can teachers use web-based technology in the curriculum to increase student engagement and enrich learning? It documents a teacher’s creation of a technology-infused curriculum that uses valid research and pedagogically-minded practices as its foundation. In addition to the curriculum, the author created a web technology toolbox that assists teachers in effectively and strategically implementing the technology into their classroom. The author describes the project’s challenges as well as the implications for students and teachers. He concludes that: 1) technology enhances learning only when used in alignment with pedagogy and instructional strategies; …

Learning Through Student Driven Inquiry In A Spanish Immersion Fourth Grade Classroom, Anne Mcginn

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The driving question in this capstone is, how can I design a Spanish immersion social studies unit to bring student driven inquiry to a suburban elementary school while still meeting state and district requirements? This capstone describes one teacher’s exploration of models and elements of Student Driven Inquiry and the creation of a Spanish Immersion Social Studies unit that guides students to learn through their own inquiry and the model of Project Based Learning. This capstone project documents the process and justification for creating the unit and includes all necessary lessons and resources for implementing the unit itself.

Creating A Social Studies Curriculum For Second Grade, Julie A. Cronin

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question discussed in this project was: how can an unbiased social studies curriculum for second grade be developed that is aligned with the MN State Social Studies Standards? It chronicles one educator’s creation of a social studies curriculum unit plan based on citizen and government as its area of focus. It is aligned with the MN State Standards for Social Studies for Second Grade. The author cites the details of the unit and uses research that is pertinent to the creation and development of the unit. This unit includes a scope and sequence, and includes a variety of …

World History Lesson Module Design: Promoting Civic Responsibility Through Engagement, Relevancy, And Global Understanding, Jacalyn R. Polloway

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

A goal with this capstone was to create a classroom that advocates civic responsibility through the use of understanding, engagement, application, compassion, and skills to succeed in the future. If lessons are geared around critical thinking, engagement, and creativity while in a world history class that also reminds students of empathy and relevancy to their lives, then students may begin to think about civic responsibility and social justice not only throughout history but also in their lives. Whether it’s the topic of warfare, genocide, the Syrian refugee crisis, discrimination, or other societally relevant topic, teachers need to inspire strategies to …

Developing A Navajo Educational Media Guide: A Community Perspective, Shawna Lynn Begay

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Developing a Navajo Educational Media Guide was investigated through the lens of Postcolonial Theory and Critical Indigenous Pedagogy utilizing the methodology of Participatory Action Research (PAR). Ten Navajo Consultants involved in teaching the Navajo language and culture were interviewed identifying learning objectives that should be included in a Navajo Educational Media Show for the audience of Navajo pre-school aged children to learn the Navajo language and culture. The Diné Cultural Content Standards for Students (DCCSS) was decoded. The codes were then utilized to encode the interview transcripts. Using Indigenous methodologies and the Navajo Way of Knowing concepts of: Nitsáhákees, Nahat’á, …

Hiding In Plain Sight: Identifying Computational Thinking In The Ontario Elementary School Curriculum, Eden J.V. Hennessey, Julie Mueller, Danielle Beckett, Peter A. Fisher

Education Faculty Publications

Given a growing digital economy with complex problems, demands are being made for education to address computational thinking (CT) – an approach to problem solving that draws on the tenets of computer science. We conducted a comprehensive content analysis of the Ontario elementary school curriculum documents for 44 CT-related terms to examine the extent to which CT may already be considered within the curriculum. The quantitative analysis strategy provided frequencies of terms, and a qualitative analysis provided information about how and where terms were being used. As predicted, results showed that while CT terms appeared mostly in Mathematics, and concepts …

Patterns Around The World: Japanese, Maori, Islamic, Aztec/Mayan, African, Catherine French

Curricula

No abstract provided.

How Do You Empower At Risk Students To Become Active Citizens About The Environment, Through The Design And Implementation Of An Urban Environmental Science Curriculum Within An Alternative Education Setting?, Stephen N. Szczodroski

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

At-risk students come with a history of failure in school. The mainstream classroom setting has not worked for them in the past; therefore, educators must think outside the box and get students doing as many hands-on, experiential lessons as possible. Generally, these students do not have the opportunity to experience many experiential activities. This new curriculum helped students get outside learning new skills, and lured them away from chalkboard lessons. A major component with the curriculum was coordinating with the local parks and recreational system, to create a program where students are involved in using and maintaining local natural areas …

An Integrated Social Studies And Writing Curriculum Guide For Primary Grade English Language Learners, Gayle E. Hammer

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Two guiding questions are addressed in this project. The first is: How can primary teachers of English Language Learners (ELLs) use a Comprehensive Curriculum Integration Guide (CCIG) to integrate the teaching of social studies content and standards with ELD? The second questions: How can using Student Learning Experiences for Engagement (SLEE) provide support for English Language Development (ELD) in the domains of speaking and writing for ELLs in the primary grades? It provides the research and rationale for creating a guide, which includes instructions, templates and resources for unit planning, weekly lesson planning, SLEE and suggested scaffolds and supports for …

Quantitative Literacy For The Future Flourishing Of Our Students: A Guiding Aim For Mathematics Education, Samuel L. Tunstall

Numeracy

In this essay, I examine the extent to which mathematics education and education for quantitative literacy support students’ present and future flourishing, a concept that entails realizing objective goods in a life lived from the inside. This perspective requires disentangling philosophical assumptions about the aims of mathematics education, which—in the context of flourishing—I take to be a hybrid of those that have informed curricular discussions over the past two centuries. In the process, I problematize ("make strange") many of the common reasons given for students learning mathematics, including: learning it for one’s career, for one’s logical reasoning skills, or …

Identifying International Agricultural Concepts For Secondary Agricultural Education Curriculum, Nathan W. Conner, Hailey Gates, Christopher T. Stripling

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

The globalization of the agriculture industry has created an emerging need for agricultural education in the United States to take a more globalized approach to prepare students for future careers in agriculture. The purpose of this study was to identify international agricultural concepts for secondary agricultural education curriculum. A Delphi study was used to obtain a general consensus by a panel of experts, and 24 overarching concepts were identified to incorporate into an internationalized secondary agricultural curriculum within the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster. The overarching concepts were placed into five categories including: (a) production, (b) business, (c) …

Rural Adults In Education: Why Don't They Come? A Curriculum Addressing Dispositional Barriers To Participation, Erica A. Silver

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Rural adults participate in education at lower rates than their urban counterparts. If rural communities and their residents are to compete and stay viable in a global economy that demands life-long learning, it is imperative to increase adult motivation to engage in education. Non- participation by rural adults will be examined through an investigation of the concept of rural, rural education, participants and non-participants, and barriers to and motivations for participation. Lastly, Wlodkowski’s (2008) Motivational Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching will be explored as a framework to present a learning-to-learn curriculum addressing local barriers to rural adult non-participation and promoting …

Integrating Information Into The Engineering Design Process, Michael Fosmire, David Radcliffe

Purdue Information Literacy Handbooks

Engineering design is a fundamental problem-solving model used by the discipline. Effective problem-solving requires the ability to find and incorporate quality information sources. To teach courses in this area effectively, educators need to understand the information needs of engineers and engineering students and their information gathering habits. This book provides essential guidance for engineering faculty and librarians wishing to better integrate information competencies into their curricular offerings. The treatment of the subject matter is pragmatic, accessible, and engaging. Rather than focusing on specific resources or interfaces, the book adopts a process-driven approach that outlasts changing information technologies.

After several chapters …