Education Commons^™

Covid 19 And Classroom Instruction: A Comparison Of Synchronous In-Person And Virtual Student Learning, Jason Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this ex-post facto quantitative study was to compare English Language Arts (ELA) and math Tennessee Compressive Assessment Program (TCAP) scores of students in grades four through eight who attended school virtually or in-person during the 2020-2021 school year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school district in this study allowed parents to choose to send their children to traditional in-person classes or attend school virtually. In-person and virtual students engaged synchronous classroom instruction through Google Meets. All virtual students were instructed by the teachers they would have had if their parents had chosen to send them for …

An Examination Of Early Childhood Leadership In Public Elementary Schools: A Mixed Methods Study, Wesam Alshahrani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As state-funded Pre-K programs in elementary schools continue to grow, elementary principals are increasingly responsible for supporting, supervising, and leading these programs. Therefore, examining elementary principals' early childhood leadership competencies and the factors influencing them may help understand and improve their experiences as early childhood education (ECE) leaders. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study examined the ECE leadership of Tennessee public elementary school principals in two phases.

In the quantitative phase, statewide surveys were used to collect data from 67 principals. The survey comprised 51 items assessing nine ECE leadership competencies, synthesized from statements of leading ECE and elementary education …

The Effects Of Student Choice On Motivation And Writing Skills, Laura Annunziata

Master's Theses

This mixed methods action research study investigates the potential effects of student choice on motivation and academic performance in writing-based assignments in a fourth-grade classroom. Baseline data was collected prior to implementation of student choice writing activities and then used to compare writing samples collected post intervention. The baseline data suggests that students’ attitudes towards autonomy are positive. Having choices was important to them and helped them learn better. However, data also indicates that while students were motivated to write using choice, many of the reading and writing competency scores dropped during journal entry writing samples. Data shows that while …

The Effects Of Implementing Movement Breaks In Elementary Classrooms, Laura Ford

Master's Theses

This action research project investigated the implementation of movement breaks in a third-grade classroom to enhance academic performance and behavior. The short study aimed to assess whether integrating regular movement breaks into the classroom routine would lead to significant improvements in academic outcomes and behavior, particularly those students diagnosed with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Over a designated period, movement breaks were introduced at a specific interval during the school day. Data was collected through observations, surveys, and behavior tracking. Surprisingly, the findings revealed that despite the incorporation of movement breaks, there was no significant difference observed in overall academics or behavior …

Key Benefits Of Small Group Instruction For Diverse Learners, Lydia Mcevoy

Master's Theses

Utilizing a mixed method approach this research study investigated the effects of small group instruction on the learning of diverse learners. Informed by a preliminary literature review that supports the use of small-group instruction, the researcher conducted a small-scale action research project to focus on three diverse learners in a 1st-grade classroom over four weeks. One of the findings of this project shows that small group instruction helps promote social and emotional skills as students feel more comfortable interacting with peers in a small group rather than in a whole group. Another finding indicates that students feel more encouraged by …

Benefits Of Dual Immersion Programs On Elementary School Students, Belle Sanchez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project aims to share the benefits of dual immersion programs in elementary school years. Understanding what a dual immersion program is and knowing the different models within the program allow parents to select which program is best suited for their students. A key point in clarification is that a dual immersion program does not aim to replace an English, or standard, education program, but adds a target language to enhance the students learning. This study looks at the overall benefits that students can gain in elementary school, from kindergarten through fifth grade, sometimes through eighth grade. …

Increasing Head Start Parents' Awareness About Kindergarten Readiness, Griselda Galvan-Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Kindergarten is important for children because this is where they start to be prepared socially, emotionally and cognitively to reach their full potential at school. Many of the children in the USA are not prepared for kindergarten and this is something that can be prevented if their parents engage in at home activities. This activities help prepare their children for kindergarten. This project focused on informing Migrant Head Start parents of ways they can support their children’s development to achieve kindergarten readiness. Kindergarten readiness helps children make the transition to school be smooth and positive. Parents need mentorship and guidance …

College And Career Readiness Effects On Minority Male College Retention, Naquiyah Hodges

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The continuously low college retention and low degree attainment of African American and Hispanic men is a generational and decades-long hindrance to the elevation of these marginalized communities in the United States and the state of Texas. In Texas, the last 3 years’ worth of data has proven college-readiness rates of African American and Hispanic college students were significantly lower by large margins than White students in English language arts, math, and both subjects by large margins. Consistent low college retention rates of minority men produce a need to conduct further research of how this phenomenon affects minority men …

Music Isn’T Just A Special: Amplifying Music's Power In Fostering Social-Emotional Skills In Students, Angelina Davis

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researcher investigated how Dream Academy and Little Foot Elementary educators view music's impacts on social-emotional learning and what they thought could be done to improve it. Based on an analysis of the data and the relevant research literature, the researcher used what they have learned to formulate an action that responds to the impact of music on social-emotional learning in a way that inspires, informs, or involves a particular audience. This is an important issue for students and teachers because music education allows educators to teach social-emotional skills. It is argued that music fosters social-emotional …

Elementary Science Essential Elements Curriculum Map & Progress Monitoring With Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies, Tasha Jenkins

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Little research has explored the field of science instruction tailored to students with significant disabilities. However, research studies have begun to emerge that suggest, with specific instructional strategies, these students can be successful in learning science curriculum. This project evaluated literature to find evidence-based instructional strategies for teaching science to students with significant cognitive disabilities. Six strategies were consistently found across multiple studies. The six strategies include (1) time delay, (2) systematic instruction, (3) multiple exemplar training, (4) task analysis, (5) graphic organizers, and (6) guided inquiry-based learning. These strategies were shared with a team of nine special education teachers …

P-12 School Administrators' Experiences, Opinions, And Perceptions Of Speech-Language Pathologists In Written Language Instruction And The Response To Intervention, Alison Webster

Dissertations

Many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are employed in public school systems as part of the special education department to work with students with deficits in oral and written language skills. The literature shows a direct relationship between oral language development and early literacy skills. SLPs can provide a preventative role through the multitiered systems of support (MTSS) or response to intervention (RTI) programs. However, many SLPs report barriers to accessing students in the general education setting. One of these reported barriers is a lack of administrative support. Therefore, this research explored factors that impact a P-12 school administrator’s experiences, opinions, and …

The Lived Experiences Of K-12 Instructional Technology Leaders During Covid-19, Robin Jackson

Dissertations

This study examines the lived experiences of K-12 Instructional Technology Leaders in rural schools and school districts throughout Mississippi. It sought to explore the challenges that were encountered, the strategies they were employed, and the lessons that were learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, as traditional classroom teaching and learning was abruptly transitioned to 100% online or remote teaching and learning. Five participants were recruited. Only one participant holds the actual title of an instructional technology leader of their school district, while the other four assumed the role and responsibilities of an instructional technology leader for their schools or school districts. …

Gender Stereotypes In The Elementary Classroom, Mckenna Gill

Master's Theses

This study explores ways to reduce gender stereotypes in the elementary classroom. Specifically, it was designed to collect data on male and female behaviors related to gender stereotypes toward different school subjects, volunteering, peer relationships, and student redirections during lessons. A literature review was conducted to investigate existing research on this topic. A mixed-methods design was used in this study. Data was collected in a fifth-grade classroom, by keeping a tally of each of the subject areas Math, Reading, Science, and Writing, and the students who volunteered. Included in the investigation was a teacher interview regarding her thoughts on gender …

Voices From The Inside: Enhancing Co-Teaching Experiences Through Student Perspectives At 'Small University', Hope Brightman

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this capstone project, the researchers investigated how students in the credential program at ‘Small University’ on the coast of California viewed their co- teaching credential experience and what they think could be done to improve it. An evidence based argument is offered that co-teaching be improved to be more equitable for students. Considerations of the issue should include the perspectives of credential program students. Expected benefits included an opportunity for participants to reflect on the co-teaching credential program at “Small University” and provide concrete suggestions for improvement that may be translated into action. Three themes emerged from an analysis …

From Form Crisis To Come Back: Reviving Education In The Era Of Covid-19, Ericka Millar

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 had an unprecedented impact on education worldwide. The researcher will use what they have learned to find ways in which we can help students who are falling behind in their education. Learning loss caused by COVID-19 is crucial because it has real, lasting consequences for students, and it's essential to address these issues to ensure their continued success in education. Based on a comprehensive analysis of diverse data sources, including academic literature and interviews, three potential action options emerged to address the ongoing negative repercussions of COVID-19 on upper elementary school students. Based on …

The Impact Of Online Tools On Student Writing, Rebekah Probst

Master's Theses

Our classrooms today are vastly different from those just a few years ago. Many students are foreign to learning without any technology. In light of this drastic change in our classrooms, it is important to understand the new age's impacts on our students and their learning abilities. This research study used a mixed-methods design to explore online tools' effects on student writing. The research examines data collected from a fifth grade over two months, which included student writing samples and survey responses. This research compared outcomes between handwritten responses and those with access to tools such as automatic correction features. …

Utilizing Collaborative Learning To Analyze And Represent Data During A Graphing Unit, Emily Mangano

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports the effects of various differentiated instructional and assessment strategies that were integrated into a third-grade math unit on data collection and representation. The unit was conducted over 12 days. It consisted of nine lessons, a review lesson, a pre-test, and a post test. I will explain the data I collected, the instructional strategies I implemented, and the assessment strategy used to track student progress. The instructional strategies included collaborative learning, cues and questions, feedback. A pre- and post-test were administered, and the data analyzed. Based on the data I collected, the students improved in their knowledge …

Teaching Fraction Concepts To Third Grade Students With The Support Of Instructional And Assessment Strategies, Kaitlyn Brandl

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports and analyzes the effects of utilizing differentiated instructional and assessment strategies in a third-grade classroom. The capstone will discuss the benefits and results of implementing two instructional strategies and two assessment methods during the instruction of a math unit in fraction concepts. The math unit was delivered over a period of 10 instructional days and included pre-assessment and post-assessments. Based on the data collected, student understanding and performance increased after integrating supports through differentiated instructional strategies. In this capstone, I will discuss the methods utilized to deliver instruction and assess student learning. Conclusions of the capstone …

Teaching Addition And Subtraction Story Problems To Second Grade Students Utilizing A Differentiated Instructional Strategies, Rene Gold

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports the effectiveness of four instructional strategies and two assessment methods that were integrated into a second-grade mathematics unit. The unit focused on addition and subtraction within 1,000 with missing numbers and story problems. The unit was taught over five days. The unit included both a pre-and post-assessment to assist in documenting student growth from the first to the last lesson. In my capstone, I will discuss the most effective instructional and assessment strategies and their impact on students' learning. After the completion of this unit, I analyzed the pre- and post-assessment data. I discovered that using …

Preparing 3rd Graders For Addition & Subtraction Using Differentiated Instructional & Assessment Methods, Emily Brasfield

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports the effectiveness of four instructional strategies and two assessment methods that were integrated into a second-grade mathematics unit. The unit focused on addition and subtraction within 1,000 with missing numbers and story problems. The unit was taught over five days. The unit included both a pre- and post-assessment to assist in documenting student growth from the first to the last lesson. In my capstone, I will discuss the most effective instructional and assessment strategies and their impact students learning. After the completion of this unit, I analyzed the pre- and post-assessment data. I discovered that using …

Phonics In Kindergarten: Introducing Digraphs Using Scaffolding And Manipulatives, Courtney Brink

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

In my capstone project, I incorporated multiple strategies that supported students’ learning of and engagement with lessons on three digraphs: sh, th, and ch. My objective was not to teach to mastery, but instead to expose students to higher level literacy concepts and build their background knowledge for future lessons. Based on student artifacts, students gained multiple opportunities for exposure and practice of reading and writing words with digraphs. The assessment data does not directly support an improvement in student performance with independent writing. This capstone will highlight the instructional and assessment strategies I used, the data I collected, and …

This Is Your Life Cycle: Analyzing The Impact Of Graphic Organizers, Collaborative Learning, And Non-Linguistic Representations On Student Learning, Ian Schmidt

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone investigated the implementation of cooperative learning through turn-and-talks and the use of graphic organizers in a third-grade reading unit. The unit’s topic centered around a story titled “This Is Your Life Cycle” which talks about the life cycle of a dragonfly. Throughout the unit, the students completed a pre-test, multiple summaries using a graphic organizer, multiple formative assessments, and a post-test. Upon completion of the unit, I analyzed the data to determine the effects the strategies used had on students' learning. Student data and performance demonstrated a possible link between an increase in student learning and the use …

The Importance Of Hands-On Science: An Exploration Of Scientific Experiences In And Outside Of The Classroom, Jessica M. Schreer

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This paper focuses on approaching science education through a lens of hands-on learning. Through observing different teaching environments that allow for this hands-on learning to occur, I hope to shed light on the importance of teaching through exploration, forming connections with nature, and allowing children to find a love for science. Children are naturally curious, experimenters, creative, and passionate and learn when these characteristics are met. Science has similar characteristics. Science is all around us. It focuses on inquiry, discovery, and connection. It is in the air we breathe, it occurs naturally without us having to manipulate it. Through centering …

Social Studies: The Art Form & Forgotten Gem Of The Classroom, Miah Prescod

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

The marginalization of Social Studies is not a new phenomenon. As it is slowly being squeezed out of our children’s classrooms, it prompts us to look at the current state of Social Studies in the world and question how we’ve arrived there. This thesis defines Social Studies through multiple perspectives and examines what has influenced it over the years while simultaneously reminding us of both the values and consequences of removing it from the classroom. I propose a solution to our current problem of the decline in Social Studies– the creation of a child-centered, interactive, and inquiry-based curriculum; applying the …

Using Efficacious Content Area Literacy Practices To Support Student Improvement And Perception Of Self-Efficacy, Christine Mccabe

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how students’ self-efficacy, confidence, and motivation change when students use content area literacy practices in math. This study was guided by the affective theories of Bandura, Maslow, and Guthrie & Wigfield. This study used qualitative research, focusing on collecting data through anecdotal evidence, student self-evaluation surveys, student journal responses, and a teacher research journal. Throughout the six week study, students participated in lessons focused on improving self-efficacy, confidence and motivation. Additionally, students learned to make connections between math and literacy through math literacy tasks, such as numberless word problems. Following the study, data was analyzed through triangulation …

The Time Machine To Neverland: A Multiple-Case Study Exploration Of The Impact Of The Covid-19 Lockdown On Childhood And Development, Elyse Laakso

Child Development Theses

The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown of 2020 impacted the world profoundly, both on global and individual levels. In many respects, the world returned to “normal” in the ensuing years. However, what does “normal” mean for a child whose development was interrupted by lockdown, depriving them of experiences that they would have otherwise encountered on their developmental trajectory? How might the impacts of such an interruption manifest in subsequent years? This thesis explores some such potential consequences, utilizing a multiple-case study design to explore the intersection between early childhood developmental theory and the impact of the Covid-19 …

Shining Lights: The Power Of Students As Storytellers, Marisa A. Johns

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

Weall have stories waiting to be told, and this thesis intends to explore the ways in which we as educators can support children as innate storytellers and nurture a love of storytelling. Storytelling f irst emerges through imaginative play during early childhood, and lends itself to the development of literacy skills they can later use to tell their stories. The continuation of play-based learning for upper elementary students is necessary in maintaining their original voice and imagination alive in their storymaking. Along with oral and written stories, we have to embrace dramatic arts and visual storytelling as mediums for students …

Enhancing 3rd Grade Learning Of Multiplication And Division With Differentiated Instructional Strategies, Kennedy Bradburn

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports the differentiated instructional strategies and assessment methods implemented throughout a math unit in a third-grade classroom. The capstone will report the effectiveness of two instructional strategies and three assessment methods that were integrated into a math unit that focused on students’ understanding of multiplication and division. The math unit had 10 lessons taught over two weeks between the pre-test and the final checkpoint. Based on student data, students’ understanding, and performance increased throughout this unit by using a variety of differentiated instructional strategies and assessment methods. In this capstone, I will outline the instructional strategies and …

Use Of Non-Linguistic Representation In A 1st Grade Classroom, Haylee Umble

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Reading skills are difficult to comprehend for student who are English Language Learners, especially in first grade! Like many other majors, education majors have an "internship" called clinical practice or student teaching. This is the most influential time to put our learned skills to the test in the most genuine environment possible: a classroom for entire semester. For my clinical practice, I was placed in a on the English side of a dual-language 1^st grade classroom at an elementary school in the OPS School District. I discovered an area where there was struggle for many students. Therefore, I created …

Benefits Of Speech Language Pathologists On Elementary School Students, Gisel Reynoso

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project outlines a research endeavor aimed at exploring the multifaceted impact of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on elementary school students, with a particular focus on developing educators, enhancing diversity, and fostering subject matter expertise. Motivated by firsthand experiences in service-learning and recognizing the significant challenges students face due to communication disorders, this study seeks to investigate how SLPs can effectively support students while contributing to educators' professional development and promoting inclusivity. Through a mixed-methods approach, including interviews, surveys, and data analysis, this senior capstone research project aims to provide valuable insights into the transformative role of SLPs …