Education Commons^™

Growing Epidemic Of Videogame Addiction, Christopher S. Hager

Graduate Research Papers

Videogames are rapidly becoming more popular with children and adults alike. Ever since the mid 1980s, videogames have been a major part of pop culture and a widely accepted form of entertainment. With more advances of technology and internet, online gaming has also evolved. Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games such as Everquest and World of Warcraft have become a topic of addiction (msnbc.com, 2008). Some individuals have neglected jobs, families, and personal well-being to continue to play these games, with signs of addiction mimicking substance addiction. The American Psychiatric Association is even considering involving videogame addiction as a compulsive …

Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Craig D. Murray

Graduate Research Papers

The role of a leader is invaluable in setting the tone of the environment and the vision for the school. There are so many parts to leadership, that continual learning will be necessary for any successful school leader. A school leader plays many roles including: a reflective practitioner, a change agent, an educational improvement specialist, and a servant leader who remembers the people who make the system work.

A Preferred Vision Of Educational Leadership In Schools : A Reflective Essay, Melinda A. Orris

Graduate Research Papers

The state of Iowa has laid the framework for leadership in education through the development of the six Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL). Each one of the six standards details a different aspect of the role needed for successful leadership within the school and the school community. Through these six standards and outside resources, I have found that there are core beliefs and characteristics required to have and maintain success in leadership in education. This paper will cover the essential beliefs and characteristics in educational leadership needed, and their importance for success within the school.

The Psychosocial Effects Of Pediatric Cancer On Young Adult Cancer Survivors, Jacob D. Schaefer

Graduate Research Papers

Childhood cancer is a current problem in our society. Today survivor rates are increasing. There are increased numbers of childhood survivors dealing with the after affects of cancer as they move into adulthood. Research correlations between childhood problems and adulthood problems have emerged. Issues of psychological, social, and physical concerns have created difficulties for childhood cancer survivors. However, there have been mixed results as some researches show healthy adaptation while others indicate abnormal daily functioning of children and young adults. Future research areas should focus on individual coping methods, social function of young adult survivors, and the human developmental process …

Lgb Students And The School Environment, Molly C. Juhl

Graduate Research Papers

Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) students often face negative school environments. This literature review examines the current school environments encountered by LGB students and the risk factors associated with these experiences. These risk factors include suicide, substance abuse, academic issues, and struggles with identity development. After examining these risk factors, recommendations for improving the school environment are explored. Further recommendations for school counselors working with LGB students are then discussed. This literature review examines the use of client-centered therapy, bibliotherapy, group counseling, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy as approaches to working with LGB youth.

Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Erik J. Smith

Graduate Research Papers

My principle belief about education relates to the importance of students. Without the students, what we as educators are doing would not mean anything. As educators, we must do everything that we can to ensure that we keep our students engaged and learning. I believe that educators often lose sight of what is important and instead get caught up in trivial happenings (e.g., whether we should have the school buses pick the students up on the north or the east side of the school). If educators continue to stay focused on the students and do what is best for them, …

How Poverty Affects Social Development, Behavior, And Academics Of Children : How Can School Personnel Help?, Jessica Holm-Blackburn

Graduate Research Papers

This paper discusses how poverty affects the social development, behavior, and academics of children. It also provides information to professionals who work with children to explain how children in poverty may demonstrate increased behavioral and emotional problems. Additionally, it explores what school personnel can do to help improve outcomes for students in poverty. A case example of a partnership created in Georgia is utilized to help articulate these concepts. The sources cited are all from recent published literature.

Online Counseling : Risks, Benefits, And Future Development, Lindsey J. Kenison-Severson

Graduate Research Papers

Online counseling started becoming popular in the mid-1990's and is a popular source of debate right now. There are a number of risks and benefits that need to be evaluated by both the counselor and client when determining the appropriateness of online counseling. There seems to be a lack of research regarding how effective online counseling is, but preliminary research seems positive in supporting the argument that relationships can be formed when using online counseling. Some individuals may be more appropriate for online counseling and some problems may be helped more effectively. Clients and counselors need to be educated about …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Christine A. Mangrich

Graduate Research Papers

Educators are more than just teachers. Effective teachers are more than simply instructors, and instructional leaders are more than just administrators. Servant leadership is more than a method of managing a school or an office. It is something that encompasses the essence of a person. A servant leader is one whose foundational beliefs begin with the notion to serve first. This leadership persona is not something that one turns on while at work; it is generally part of the guiding principles a person has, and affects all aspects of a person's life.

A leader of service encompasses all facets of …

My Philosophy Of Educational Leadership, David A. Clark

Graduate Research Papers

Early leaders in civilization knew that to keep a country free of tyranny and social depredation it was imperative that the citizens within that culture became educated. Modem leaders of education can be found at the forefront of public education in the form of superintendents and principals. In this paper I will define the role of leadership in education, how it has affected my life, what makes a great principal, the principals role in educational change, a reflective practitioner as a leader, and how a principal can use professional development to enhance the effectiveness of his/her staff.

Character Counts! Incentive Program : Implementation And Evaluation, Julie A. Rouse

Graduate Research Papers

In order to better serve the school population, the school counselor is often called upon to deliver the counseling curriculum to all students. Data often drives the curriculum the counselor will present to the students. As a result of a program audit and perception data, a school counselor at West Elementary chose to implement a character education piece to the curriculum. Furthermore, an incentive program was added to encourage positive behavior and to recognize student achievement. Due to the age of accountability, the school counselor created a survey to assess the program. In addition to the survey, other sources of …

Self-Mutilating Behaviors, Patience Niemoth-Coleman

Graduate Research Papers

Treating self-mutilating behaviors (SMB) is complex. Since people are continuing to engage in the behaviors, counselors need to be informed of the various techniques that are used with SMB as well as to be informed about common myths around self-mutilating behaviors. This paper will explore the methods of SMB, the common myths surrounding SMB, and the theories that explain and inform treatment of.

My Philosophy Of Educational Leadership, Jody L. Fink

Graduate Research Papers

What is the true role of the principal? The principal has to be a reflective leader of learning, a leader of educational change, a leader for the improvement of learning for both students and adults, and the leader of service. The principal is the main educational leader of the learning community. As Wilmore (2002) states, "The primary emphasis has shifted from one in which the principal truly was a master teacher, a recognized leader in instruction, to one in which the principal is a manager of the school facility." Wilmore continues, "The role of the principal has transitioned again, from …

Importance Of Teaching Reading Comprehension With Nonfiction Texts, Valeria Jo Frey

Graduate Research Papers

Can comprehension strategies be taught as a learning skill for expository text reading in content area? What strategies in combination best benefit the reading comprehension of students who struggle with reading? How can reading comprehension strategies be taught so that skills are maintained and transferred across settings? In her book Exploring the Literature of Fact, Barbara Moss (2003) suggests that the items needed to be successful in reading nonfiction include accessing quality literature, learning reading strategies, understanding the use of text structure, and responding to the literature.

The following literature review will define reading comprehension using nonfiction material. The research …

21st Century Teaching, Learning, And One-To-One Computing, Sarah Davison

Graduate Research Papers

The rapid dissemination of technology is changing teaching and learning in the twenty-first century. Use of technology integration and one-to-one computing can meet the diverse and evolving needs of twenty-first century students and enrich learning opportunities in the classroom. The purpose of this paper is to examine teaching and learning in the twenty-first century and how one-to-one computing can enrich learning environments.

The sources used were scholarly journal articles, a technical research report, a periodical and a chapter of a book. Effective technology integration and one-to-one computing can enrich teaching and learning for students' needs in the digital age. Current …

Motivation Success And Failure, Dawn D. Buol

Graduate Research Papers

My research question for this paper is: how can teachers identify the different types of unmotivated students as well as motivated students in the classroom? Moreover, what strategies could be used to motivate those unmotivated students in order to make them become successful life long learners?

Using Web 2.0 Technology To Support Collaborative Learning In Distance Education, Sarah E. Ling

Graduate Research Papers

Distance education continues to grow in popularity with higher education institutions across the country. A shift in pedagogy towards collaborative learning activities within the online learning environments is designed to bring students together as a group. This review of research investigates how Web 2.0 technology has proven to be useful in these collaborative activities. Various issues and obstacles are addressed which may arise in the use of this social software for collaborative learning within a distance education setting. The introduction of Web 2.0 software to distance education may hold the key to creating powerful collaborative learning experience for students who …

Barriers Of Technology Integration In Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade, Theressa Northouse

Graduate Research Papers

Many teachers understand the benefits of integrating technology in K through 5th grade classrooms, however, technology is not being effectively integrated. The purpose of this review is to identify the barriers of technology integration in kindergarten through 5th grade and discuss ways in which to remove those barriers. This review includes many research articles, books, websites, a blog, and an interview.

For the purposes of this review, the barriers to integration have been divided into two categories: first and second-order barriers. First-order barriers are extrinsic to the teacher and include issues such as lack of time, money, and technical support. …

An Herbal Abc Book: A Contribution To Information Available To Children And Adults, Linda Jo Kirkland

Graduate Research Papers

From Neanderthal to New Age times, plant medicine has been shown to be used by people seeking relief from ailments. There is a lack of information available for children to learn about the simple herbal remedies used by their ancestors even though herbal remedies are commonly used in this country. These plant remedies are both culturally and medically significant. People use herbal medicine to a great extent without consulting medical professionals. Therefore, a research based herbal ABC book would be a significant addition to children’s literature in this country, both as information for children and adults, and as a conversation …

The Role Of Writing: Increasing Higher Level Thinking For All Students, Caroline Elser

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers can use writing in three important ways to increase higher level thinking skills for all students. First, they must increase writing proficiency for struggling writers; second, writing can increase higher-level thinking, and third, writing can be used across content areas to increase writing fluency while fostering higher-level thinking.

What I Believe About Leadership Education : A Reflective Essay, Melissa M. Stuber

Graduate Research Papers

In a time where the stakes are high and pressures from the federal and . state government are mandating that all students are to achieve and no child is to be left behind, school improvement needs to be at the forefront of education in the state of Iowa. "Student achievement is the cornerstone of the success of principals, and teachers are a key factor in the area of student performance" (Zepeda, 2004, p.12). Unfortunately, there is not one catchall solution to school improvement; the solution is unique to the school setting and the students it serves. As a result, it …

A Vision For Leading And Learning : A Reflective Essay, Todd M. Werner

Graduate Research Papers

It was my junior year of high school when I first started thinking about becoming a teacher. That year Williamsburg High School had hired a new Government teacher who was also the assistant boy's basketball coach. He was a first year teacher but he came out and really tried to make a difference from the start. I vividly remember how he tried to consistently challenge us in the classroom and in the gym. He worked hard at what he did and he expected the same in return. Even when he was pushing and challenging, he treated everyone with respect and …

The History Of The Iowa Teen Award, Joni K. Hoing

Graduate Research Papers

The major purpose of this research paper was to document in a written form the history of the Iowa Teen Award (ITA). This purpose was accomplished through interviews and examination of IEMA Archival materials located in the University of Northern Iowa Rod Library Archives Collection. The results of this study showed a dedicated group of school librarians who organized a state-wide plan for a book award chosen by students in grades six through nine. Over a five-year period, plans were made for the award to be similar to the Iowa Children's Choice Award. The study presented the growth and development …

A Case Study On The Effectiveness Of Kurzweil Software On Improving Participation And Comprehension With Special Education Students In The Science Classroom, Christina Glaub

Graduate Research Papers

This research project addresses using Kurzweil electronic text software as an accommodation with special education students. The research questions addressed were: Is Kurzweil an effective accommodation for special education students with reading deficits? and Will using Kurzweil improve special education students' participation and comprehension?

A review of literature provided more in-depth information about: (a) electronic text, specifically Kurzweil, (b) the benefits of integrating electronic text into the general education classrooms, and (c) the recommendations or considerations for teachers considering using electronic text. The research based on the literature review shows that the use of electronic text may lead to improved …

The Roles Of Coaches And Teachers : Fostering A Climate For Motivation In An Age Of Accountability, Jocelyn Hays

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the difference between how a coach motivates an athlete or fosters a climate for motivation versus how a teacher motivates a student or fosters a climate for motivation. One way to examine how coaches and teachers motivate their athletes and students is to examine the roles of coaches and teachers as motivators. Examining the roles of coaches and teachers as motivators and the subsequent discussion of how the roles of coaches as motivators could inform the roles of teachers as motivators seeks to satisfy society's call for teacher accountability.

Cyberbullying : A Preventative Method, Kristen A. Hoelscher

Graduate Research Papers

A new means of bullying has been created through the usage of cell phones, pagers, and the internet. Cyberbullying is an aggressive act intended to harm another and is repeated over a duration of time. It involves using digital communication devices to target victims. As a newer phenomenon, the research on cyberbullying is limited. However, the research that has been conducted suggests that cyberbullying is a great cause of concern among our youth today and is an issue that needs to be addressed. A four lesson guidance unit addressing cyberbullying was developed. This unit focuses on creating awareness and educating …

Promoting Student Success In Online Courses, Cecilia Ruhlmann

Graduate Research Papers

This review examines the factors promoting student success in online courses. The first part of the study examines how prevalent the dropout rate is in secondary education, not only in the United States but also in Asia and Europe. The second part examines how online courses differ from face-to-face courses. The third part covers skills that are essential for succeeding in an online environment. The skills discussed are self-regulation, self-efficacy, motivation, and depth of learning. The fourth part of the study discusses what can be done to strengthen online courses.

Implementing Electronic Portfolios, Courtney Rogne

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review addresses the topic of assessing students with the use of electronic portfolios. The purpose of the review is to document for educators the advantages of electronic portfolios, the media selection options, as well as implementation procedures. Electronic portfolios are an alternative authentic assessment method that invites active student learning and provides an opportunity for instructors to design assessment strategies based on desired student-learning outcomes.

The review also found that many media options are available to meet the needs of the individual courses; however the web-based options are the easiest to use and modify. The review recommends that …

Technology Integration Into The Elementary School Curriculum, Yulia Vladimirovna Koreshkova Poblete

Graduate Research Papers

A new generation of students born after 1985 – the Net Generation or Digital Natives – is now entering public schools. Historical overview shows the picture of growing computer use by children in homes and in schools for the past 10 years. ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) literacy skills and tools help students to acquire the skills needed to use the technologies within the classroom. National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and NETS performance indicators provide guidelines for teachers of what students should know and be able to do with technologies by the end of every grade level.

This paper describes …

School Librarians Are Teachers Too!: University Of Northern Iowa Teacher Education Majors And Their Perceptions Of The Role Of The School Librarian, Colleen Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

The problem identified by this research is students in the University of Northern Iowa’s teacher education preparatory programs may not understand the role of the school librarian as a teacher and instructional partner. This research was a quantitative investigation into the perceptions of undergraduate students enrolled in the Teacher Education Program at the University of Northern Iowa regarding the role of the school librarian.