Education Commons^™

Socioscientific Issues: A Path Towards Advanced Scientificliteracy And Improved Conceptual Understanding Of Socially Controversial Scientific Theories, Dean William Pinzino

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This thesis investigates the use of socioscientific issues (SSI) in the high school science classroom as an introduction to argumentation and socioscientific reasoning, with the goal of improving students' scientific literacy (SL). Current research is reviewed that supports the likelihood of students developing a greater conceptual understanding of scientific theories as well as a deeper understanding of the nature of science (NOS), through participation in informal and formal forms of argumentation in the context of SSI. Significant gains in such understanding may improve a student's ability to recognize the rigor, legitimacy, and veracity of scientific claims and better discern …

Defining Earth Smarts: A Construct Analysis For Socioecological Literacy Based On Justly Maintaining Quality Of Life, Bryan H. Nichols

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes the creation and validation of a new educational construct. Socioecological literacy, or earth smarts, describes the qualities we need to justly maintain or improve our quality of life in a changing world. It was created using construct analysis techniques and systems tools, drawing on an extensive, transdisciplinary body of literature. Concepts related to environmental, ecological and scientific literacy, sustainability and citizenship were combined with educational frameworks, new research in science education, and modern cognitive psychology. After the initial formulation, the results were considered by a variety of experts and professionals from the fields of ecology, environmental science …

Comparing Middle School Students' Learning And Attitudes In Face-To-Face And Online Mathematics Lessons, Clayton M. Edwards

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Online learning has become a staple within education for college students, and has started to enter high schools. While this instructional delivery system has been shown to work for older students, few studies have involved middle school students. If this trend toward online teaching of younger students continues, online learning could become a large part of education for middle school students, making research in this area important.

Multiple positive and negative aspects have been identified for online learning. Positive characteristics include individualized pacing; electronic resources, and the opportunity for rapid or personalized feedback, while negative aspects address increased student responsibility …

Qualitative Analysis Of The Usage By Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners Of Resources For Learning Probability, Berenice Salazar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

English language learners are a rapidly growing population in the United States colleges and schools. There have been research studies about accommodations and resources for Spanish-speaking English language learners in subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics, but little has been researched on introductory statistics courses. Introductory statistics courses are challenging to students because aside of handling words that have lexical ambiguity, students also go into the classroom having misconceptions. Some of the misconceptions of probability occur because the students do not have prior knowledge of the mathematical rules of probability and other misconceptions of probability are psychological. The purpose …

A Learning Progression For Identifying And Placing Fractions On A Number Line, Corinne Dorothy Marshall

Theses Digitization Project

This project provides a learning progression for identifying and placing fractions on a number line that teachers can consider when introducing fractions on number lines. The number line is one of the most useful ways to represent all real numbers in relation to each other. It allows students to experience the density of the number system since all real numbers, natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers and irrational numbers have an exact and unique location on the number line.

Eco-Math: Creating A Model Curriculum For Teaching Mathematics In The Context Of Environmental Education, Christina Joy Merz

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of developing this project was to show teachers that environmental education themes and activities can be effectively integrated with mathematics concepts in upper elementary and middle school classroom settings. Teachers are expected to meet with increased demands, state and national standards, and raise the levels of student achievement, yet they are given few resources with which to do so.

Teaching Mathematics In The Classroom With Powerpoint Software, Robert Ward Kopp

Theses Digitization Project

This study will look at at how to better student achievement in an Algebra II course. Specifically this study examines two different modifications made during the second semester of an Algebra II course taught at a high school in Riverside County. The modifications that were made were based on a detailed literature review that suggested looking at how students learn while using PowerPoint software as an instructional tool and at the same time investigate the consequence of rearranging a fairly common and predetermined curriculum pattern.

Enhancing Teachers' Knowledge For Using Multiple Representations In Teaching Chemistry In Nigerian Senior Secondary Schools, Bolanle Omotoke Olaleye

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The quality of the teaching and learning of chemistry in Nigeria is of great concern to parents, teachers, and students and has been tied to various factors such as a lack of teaching resources, learning materials and well qualified teachers, large class sizes and poor funding. This resulted in poor student performance and lack of interest in chemistry. Also, learning chemistry concepts tends to be by rote and memorising of content, and as such, students do not perceive learning chemistry as relevant to their lives. These issues motivated the Researcher to explore how teaching and learning of chemistry could be …

Alignment Of Intended Learning Outcomes, Curriculum And Assessment In A Middle School Science Program, Reid J. Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study focused on the intended learning outcomes, curriculum and assessment in the science curriculum offered at a regional independent Middle School in the state of Victoria, Australia. In-school assessment has indicated that the current science curriculum of this Middle School may not develop students' skills in scientific literacy as effectively as intended. One hypothesis to explain this deficit is that there is a misalignment of intended outcomes, curriculum materials and assessment. This study aimed to determine the extent to which the intended curriculum and assessment in this Victorian middle years' science program is aligned to its stated goals and …

Factors That Female Higher Education Faculty In Select Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (Stem) Fields Perceive As Being Influential To Their Success And Persistence In Their Chosen Professions, Phyllis Bernice Opare

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine factors female higher education faculty in select science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields perceived as influential to their success and persistence in their chosen professions. Females are underrepresented in STEM professions including academia, despite the fact that female educational attainment in all fields have increased significantly.

Four research questions were used to guide this study and they are: 1) What personal factors affect females' ability to successfully persist in STEM faculty positions? 2) What social factors affect females' ability to successfully persist in STEM faculty positions? 3) What academic/institutional factors affect …