Digital Commons Network^™

Linguistic And Cultural Immersion And Second Language Acquisition: International Young Student Exchange., Rosita Mira Maristany

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The trend in foreign language learning reflects a move from "fragmented" language to "whole" language (Rigg 1991). It includes the individual as well as the social aspect of language acquisition; and the integration of language and culture. Student international exchange programs provide the ideal atmosphere for "whole" language learning and the integration of language and culture in total language and cultural immersion. Most research in international student exchange programs described the organization of the program or addressed a particular variable. There is a need for integrative "whole" research rather than "fragmented" research. The method chosen as most appropriate for this …

The Effect Of Structured Task Presentations And Reinforcement On Attention, Achievement, And Attitude Of Selected High School Choirs., Dwayne E. Dunn

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study nested a behavioral design within an experimental design to observe performance improvement after structuring the presentation of musical academic tasks, and to examine the effect of teacher reinforcement on student attentiveness, musical achievement, and attitude in choral ensembles. Two high school choral music classes (N = 60) were assigned intact to one of two treatments. The No Feedback Group (n = 29) received task presentations and directions followed by student performance and no verbal/facial teacher reinforcement. The Feedback Group (n = 31) received task presentations, directions, student performance, and teacher reinforcement. Three similar choral music excerpts were edited …

The Relationship Between The Accuracy Of Certain "Generalized" Body Density Prediction Equations And Indices Of Fatness, Body Physique/Proportionality And Fat Distribution., Christopher Melancon Hearon

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

There is a need to eliminate the least accurate of the existing equations for anthropometrical body density prediction and support for the use of specific prediction equations over generalized equations. The purpose of the investigation was to examine the accuracy of the Jackson-Pollock (JP) and Durnin-Womersley (DW) generalized anthropometrical body density prediction equations in relation to indices of overall fatness, regional fat distribution and body proportionality. The relationships between prediction accuracy (predicted body density minus hydrodensitometric estimate of body density) and three mass/stature indices (total fatness indices), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WC/HC)(android/gynoid fat distribution) and the three components of the Heath-Carter …

Content Development Strategies In Physical Education: An Exploratory Investigation Of Student Practice, Cognition, And Achievement., Edward Paul Hebert

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the manner in which content development strategies function in physical education instruction. The relative effects of three content development conditions on mediational variables and achievement of students varying in entry ability were compared. College students enrolled in four sections of tennis were assigned to one of three content development conditions: part training, simplification, and criterion. Four instructors taught three small groups of students, one using each content development strategy. Instructors followed detailed lesson plans standardized according to time allowed for serving practice, task presentation, provision of feedback, and task elements emphasized during …

An Insider's View: The Teacher As Impetus In Literacy Acquisition., Kerry Pierce Laster

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to derive a deeper understanding of one successful kindergarten teacher, her behaviors, and her effect on students as they develop early literacy skills. This study examined the following aspects of teacher behavior as they related to early literacy development: (a) the interactions of the teacher with regular education and special education inclusion students in an inclusive kindergarten classroom with holistic, language-based curricula, (b) the behaviors of the teacher while engaging students in the literacy processes of reading and writing, (c) the behaviors of the teacher as she encouraged students to react to books using …

Total Quality Management Versus Business Process Reengineering : Are Academics Teaching What Businesses Are Practicing?, Cindy Krieter

Honors Capstones

This paper examined the differences between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Business Process Reengineering (BPR) as seen through the eyes of both practitioners and academics. The main purpose of this research project was to determine what practitioners and academics defined TQM and BPR as and how they felt the two quality movements differed. I performed a literature review to determine what the definitions and differences actually were. I then prepared a questionnaire which would draw out the opinions of the respondents on each of those aspects. After I prepared this, I sent out 400 questionnaires to practitioners and 300 questionnaires …

Queen Anne's Lace, Patricia Z. Cowden

Intertext

This paper, an assignment for Chris Madden's Writing 105 Class, asked us to write about a time or event which caused us to change our minds about something important to us. I thought that there couldn't be a better change for me to write about than the one that seemed to be culminating at that moment. We were asked to explain and contextualize our original belief, identify how our ideas had changed, and account for the process of re-thinking. Writing Queen Anne's Lace was quite a release, and the experience has left me fascinated with the power of writing to …

The Relationship Between The Demographic Classification And The Per Pupil General Fund Appropriation Of Indiana Public School Corporations And Student Achievement As Measured By Istep And Sat Scores, Jacqueline J. Beery

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between student achievement, as measured by the ISTEP and SAT, and the demographic classification and per student General Fund appropriation of Indiana public school corporations. Indiana's Department of Education's four deomographic classifications for public school corporations were rural, suburban, town, and metropolitan. These classifications were based on population and location. The three wealth classifications of above average, average, and below average were defined to be equal thirds based on per student General Fund appropriation for the public school corporations' budgets. The null hypotheses regarding the effect of demographic classification on …

Differential Item Functioning In Performance Assessments: A Comparison Of Three Procedures., Hae-Seong Park

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

As performance assessments grow in popularity, it becomes increasingly important to investigate the effect of such assessments on various population subgroups. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative empirical power of three popular statistical procedures (an extension of the generalized Mantel-Haenszel procedure, Logistic Discriminant Function Analysis, and a combined t-test procedure) in identifying polytomously scored items that function differentially for two subgroups of examinees. In the Monte Carlo study computer simulations were conducted to study the behavior of these procedures for identifying items exhibiting varying degrees of differential-item functioning (DIF). Each statistic was converted to a probability …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Communicative Reading Strategies With High-Risk First-Grade Students., Melanie Crim Michaelson-Ezell

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The specific aim of this project was to determine the efficacy of an integrated approach to remediation of oral language and reading. Communicative Reading Strategies (CRS) (Norris, 1985) was used with a group of twenty-one high-risk first grade students. Improvements were measured for aspects of language development that are specifically related to success in oral language use and reading. Nine children demonstrating below average performance on standardized measures assessing language and reading received intervention. A control group of 12 matched children served to control for changes as a result of maturation or general curriculum effect. The treatment group received intervention …

Factors Influencing The Selection Of Business Majors As Perceived By Transfer And Non-Transfer Business Students., Norma Jeanne Jenkins Soileau

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe the students enrolled in the two-year business programs offered by state colleges and universities in Louisiana on selected demographic characteristics, (2) compare the students declaring transfer and non transfer majors in two-year business programs on selected demographic characteristics, (3) determine the influence of selected factors on the selection of a two-year business major, (4) determine the desirability of two-year business majors as perceived by students enrolled in Louisiana colleges and universities, which offer two-year business programs, and (5) determine the perceptions of students enrolled in Louisiana colleges and universities on selected …

Using Drawing Tasks To Communicate Ideas About Photosynthesis: A Conceptual Change Strategy For Use In The Elementary School Classroom., Byron Levy Launey

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

It is difficult for a teacher to determine if a learner has acquired an accurate concept of the topic being taught. Most of the children in this study had sufficient language skills to communicate successfully with their teachers even though they held inappropriate concepts of photosynthesis. This study examined the use of drawing tasks to assess children's ideas related to photosynthesis in an elementary-grade classroom. Two research questions guided the study to determine if this strategy was a valid improvement over traditional methods of classroom instruction. The first question asked if elementary-grade students receiving instruction about photosynthesis would acquire and …

The Effects Of Teacher Efficacy, School Climate, And Stages Of Concern On The Implementation Of A Physical Science Program., Jennifer B. Baird

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study investigated the implementation of a physical science education innovation in a large, urban school system. The program began in the summer of 1993 with the selection of two teachers from each of seventeen elementary schools. Participants were selected by program staff from among a pool of applicants with an interest in science education. The goals of the program included retraining teachers to implement hands-on, inquiry-based physical science and performance-based assessments. Teachers were provided with instructional materials, including science kits, and on-going support and assistance from science and assessment specialists. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between the independent …

Caring Communication: Strategies And Skills For Health Professionals, Tony Hussey, Michael Finn, Yvonne Hauck

Research outputs pre 2011

Over the last 15 years, the teaching of professional interpersonal communication skills has become well established within the curriculum for most health professionals. Recognition is thereby given to the significance of interpersonal communication skills in professional practice. One of the challenges in teaching and learning in this area of skill is the recognition and analysis of examples of both good and bad practice. This package provides a number of such examples.

The package consists of 33 vignettes in health care settings. These vignettes variously depict skills or groups of skills, illustrate negative and dysfunctional communication behaviours and, through the print …

A Focus On Learning : Wuality In Teaching & Learning : The Proceedings Of The Teaching & Learning Forum, Edith Cowan University, Perth, February 1995, Laurie Summers (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

These papers represent the proceedings of the fourth Teaching and Learning Forum conducted in Perth from February 7-9, 1995. Curtin University hosted the first two Forums and we at Edith Cowan University the third and fourth. In 1996 the honour (and the hard work) transfers to Murdoch.

The Forum's objectives were:

• To bring together people in higher education who are interested in practical teaching issues (Lecturers, managers, administrators, students, support, general and technical staff).

• To share ideas, information and practices in a variety of mutually supportive, friendly and co-operative ways.

• To celebrate quality in teaching and learning …

Nsu Fischler Center For The Advancement Of Education Programs In Education And Technology Ed.D. Program In Child And Youth Studies 1995-1996 Student Handbook, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Monolingual Vs. Bilingual Education, Elizabeth Lara

Honors Capstones

The following journal discusses the complicated factors involved with educating students whose native language is not English. The problem exists in the disagreement about which type of education--bilingual or monolingual--is most effective for the second language acquisition of these second language learners. Although evidence could be found which support both types of education, it is my opinion, based upon my classroom observations, research, readings, and personal experience that bilingual education is the most effective method of educating these second language learners. A main objective of this journal is to give the reader insight into the complexities in which a bilingual …

Literacy At A Distance: Language And Learning In Distance Education, William Louden, Judith Rivalland

Research outputs pre 2011

This study provides a description of the practices and strategies of distance learning for students in Years 6 to 10. It describes the materials and modes of delivery of distance education, and identifies three influences on achievement. A model for improvement is proposed, identifying ten prospective areas for improvement of distance education services...

Language And Communication Enhancement For Two-Way Education : Report, Ian G. Malcolm

Research outputs pre 2011

Indigenous Australians command many languages including autochthonous (Indigenous) and contact languages (creoles and Aboriginal English). This project is concerned with the majority who speak English, especially those who speak English as a first language, in an Aboriginal English variety. The project was developed by Edith Cowan University in cooperation with the Education Department of Western Australia as a response to an increasing demand from teachers of Indigenous students for help in providing for their needs as speakers of Aboriginal English. It was funded from the DEBT National Priority (Reserve) Fund to enable the University to develop course modules in Aboriginal …

(1995) On The Theme Of “Teaching For Higher Order Thinking Skills”, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Laurance J. Splitter

In my view, the “lower-order/higher-order" dichotomy has passed its “use by" date. If we examine concepts like “comprehension” and "knowledge" a-Ia Bloom, and even such a focal curriculum concept as “literacy", what we uncover are not single skills which are at some point on a “lower-order/higher-order” scale but, at best, complexes of skills ranging from the more, to the less, basic. To teach for better thinking involves understanding the complexity of “thinking" and of those many skills which comprise it. It involves understanding that the kinds of characteristics offered by theorists of thinking do not pick out a higher – …

Career Aspirations, Expectations, And Beliefs Of African-American, White, And Hispanic Male Adolescents With Holland Social Personality Types, Davies E. Bellamy

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in career aspirations, expectations, and beliefs of male adolescents as a function of race and Holland social personality type. Participants were 22 African-American, 38 White, and 28 Hispanic male, ninth-graders from a suburban high school. Participants responded to four instruments: (a) A demographics form (b) a career aspiration and expectation questionnaire, (c) the Vocational Preference Inventory, and (d) the Career Beliefs Inventory. Two null hypotheses were tested using a 3 X 2 analysis of covariance. There were no differences in career aspirations and expectations either by race or by Holland social …

Early Childhood Educators' Beliefs, Knowledge Bases, And Practices Related To Assessing Early Literacy, Linda G. Marley

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two major pedagogical orientations currently dominate literacyEducation of young children in American schools. These two philosophies, "reading readiness" and "emergent literacy," share the common goal of efficiently and effectively teaching children to read. The purpose of this study was to determine if there has been a split between the theoretical orientation that practitioners believe they hold and the teaching methods that they practice. A survey instrument was designed to study the relationships among the early literacy assessment beliefs, knowledge bases, and practices of a systematically selected sample of Head Start, kindergarten, and first grade educators within the state of Indiana. …

Effects Of Parental Presence/Absence On Children In Extended Families, Shirlene Denise Smith

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this study was to determine if children in parent-present and parent-absent extended homes could be differentially described by a subset of the following variables: self-esteem, school performance (grade, absences, conduct), and psycho-social adjustment (relationship, personal growth, system maintenance). The sample comprised standard six students from ten parochial schools in Belize City. One hundred seventy-two students were identified as living in extended families. Seventeen of these cases had missing information on at least one discriminating variable and were excluded from the study. Of the resulting sample, 55 were identified as living in parent-present extended and 42 in parent-absent …

The Comparison Of The Test Of Cognitive Skills And The Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children-Revised For Students With Learning Disabilities, Jennifer Louise Mcgiverin

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the criterion-related validity of the Test of Cognitive Skills (TCS) as an estimate of cognitive ability for students with learning disabilities. Research indicates that knowledge of scores from group ability tests significantly influences teachers' instruction and treatment of students. In contrast, school psychologists rarely consider group administered test scores and must devote substantial time to administering and interpreting individual intelligence measures. The present study compared the TCS to the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R) for students with learning disabilities in order to contribute to the valid use of the TCS by both teachers and …

The Reader Response Of Male Juvenile Offenders To Two Short Stories By Robert Cormier, Judith Griffin Sheese

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted with male juvenile offenders who were incarcerated at a juvenile treatment facility operated by the State of Indiana. The students were aged 13 to 18 and were enrolled in grades seven through eleven. Thirty-three students were selected for the final analysis because only those 33 had completeEducational records available at the facility. The students were asked to respond to two short stories by Robert Cormier. The stories, "The Moustache" and "President Cleveland, Where Are You?" were chosen because of Cormier's reputation as a popular author of adolescent literature. The stories also were chosen because the stories …

The Phenomenon Of Flow As Experienced By Classroom Teachers: Implications For Leadership Practice, Alyson B. Caouette Edd

Dissertations

The purposes of this qualitative study were to investigate the phenomenon of flow as experienced by classroom teachers and to determine the implications of the understanding of flow for leadership practice. The phenomenon of flow, as described by Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, is reported to be experienced when individuals are engaged in activities that have (a) a balance of challenge and skills that can be varied and controlled, (b) a structure with clear goals, and (c) a structure that provides immediate and relevant feedback. The questions addressed within the study involved determining the specific experiences of classroom teachers of the phenomenon of …

A Study Of The Impact On Student Achievement By Teachers Trained In Process Communication, Nancy G. Hawking

Theses and Dissertations

A quasi-experimental study to determine

differences in student academic achievement when

teachers were trained in Process Communication was

conducted between October 1993 and April, 1994. The

study involved seventh grade students in three junior

high schools in the Little Rock School District. These

three schools were restructured school having two teams

of students and teachers at each grade level. The

students were divided, by computer placement, into two

groups (teams) before the 1993-1994 school year began.

In October, 1994 a total of fifteen teachers (one

team of seventh grade teachers at each of the three

schools) were trained in Process …

Reconceptualizing A Secondary Content Area Reading Course From A Phenomenological Perspective Using Reflections Of Preservice Teachers., Edith Grossman Mayers

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study is the reconceptualization of a secondary education six credit hour content area reading course. Classroom and field experiences were modified to promote preservice teachers' reflections concerning what teaching is, who teachers are, and self-as-teacher. The purpose of the revised multifaceted course was to provide opportunities for students' rethinking of teaching as they were taught or teaching as they experienced such in student teaching. In addition, prior lived experiences and students' resistance to a course in content area reading were examined from a hermeneutic phenomenological perspective. The existing course classroom experience was modified to include reading autobiographies and construction …

Achievement Goals And Motivational Climates For Physical Education., Jerry Wilson Boone

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The focus of this study was the examination of relationships of dispositional goal orientations and perceived motivational climates to learning strategies, attributions for causes of success, practice patterns, and achievement. The study also examined the effects of an intervention designed to implement mastery focused strategies in physical education. Specifically, the research questions addressed were: (a) How do students' dispositional goal orientations relate to the perceived motivational climate in physical education classes? (b) How do students' goal orientations and the perceived motivational climate relate to attributions for success and learning strategies employed in a physical education class? (c) Are practice patterns …

The Effects Of Metacognitive Advice And Control Of Sequence On Student Achievement And Attitude Toward Computer-Assisted Instruction And Content., Andrew Mark Holden

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the CAI design features--metacognitive advice and control of instructional sequence upon student achievement and attitude toward the instructional program and content. The topic of the CAI was designing comparative research to control threats to internal validity. Four versions of the CAI were created based upon the combinations of the bi-level independent variables--metacognitive advice and control of instructional sequence. The participants of the study were graduate students from four departments at Louisiana State University. The independent variables were metacognitive advice, control of instructional sequence, and the participant's self-directed learning readiness …