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Articles 1 - 26 of 26
Full-Text Articles in Education
Communicating Multiplicative Reasoning Through Semiotic Resources, Emilie N. Eisenberger
Communicating Multiplicative Reasoning Through Semiotic Resources, Emilie N. Eisenberger
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
The importance of fostering in students the requisite language to understand what is being communicated and how to communicate their understanding requires educators to conceptualize themselves as teachers of language and content. It is possible to engage in activities of the mathematics classroom and through that participation engage in language practices and mathematical practices simultaneously. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of semiotic resources, and modality, with a student-generated tool on students’ communication of multiplicative reasoning.
The study design was a qualitative case study that included a single third-grade class with an in-depth look at six …
Cognitive Demand Of Teacher-Created Mathematics Assessments, Megan Marie Schmidt
Cognitive Demand Of Teacher-Created Mathematics Assessments, Megan Marie Schmidt
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
This study analyzed assessments created by middle school mathematics teachers participating in a large scale research project in the Northwestern United States. Assessments were coded using the frameworks of Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) for mathematics content (2002), and Smith and Stein’s Levels of Demand (LOD) (1998). Teachers in the study were instructed to create an assessment using 5 common-items provided by the research team and 5 of their own sourced items. Assessment items were coded using each framework and data was collected based on the DOK framework, LOD framework, and grade level. Findings indicate on average, teachers assessments were …
Game Based Intervention To Develop Early Childhood Mathematical Understanding And Decrease Gaps Related To Socioeconomic Status, Lydia Flynn
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Early mathematical understanding is important for later success in mathematics. Game based interventions can be a successful means by which to help young students to improve their mathematical understandings. The purpose of this study is to examine whether a math game that was to be played at home improved the mathematical understanding of kindergarten students. Kindergarten students, from rural Idaho, were assigned to a group that played math games (n = 15) or a control group that did not (n = 13). The intervention group was given a simple math game and instructed to play 20 times in a …
Using Digital Games In The Science Classroom, Tamara L. Anderson
Using Digital Games In The Science Classroom, Tamara L. Anderson
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
High school science classes can be difficult for students to be successful in because of the content-specific vocabulary and the expectation of prior knowledge in the subject area that teachers have of their students. The use of digital games in the classroom can provide teachers with the tools to help students scaffold their learning and better grasp the vocabulary necessary to be successful in science class. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to focus teachers’ and students’ perceptions of digital games in the high school science classroom on vocabulary development, scaffolding learning by activating prior knowledge, and self-efficacy. …
Middle School Students' Reported Self-Regulation Strategies In Completing Online Mathematics Homework, Pepper Erlinger
Middle School Students' Reported Self-Regulation Strategies In Completing Online Mathematics Homework, Pepper Erlinger
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study is to benefit our understanding of the potential of online homework as it relates to developing and supporting students’ self-regulated learning (SRL). This descriptive case study explores the use of self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies reported by students in the context of completing online mathematics homework (OHW). Eighth-grade students (10 total) from a traditional middle school were interviewed using a validated data collection instrument, the Self-Regulated Learning Interview Schedule or SRLIS (Zimmerman & Martinez-Pons, 1986, 1988). Students’ open-ended responses were interpreted using a framework of self-regulation theory and coded using 14 self-regulation strategies …
An Analysis Of Ubiquitous Learning Environments And Stem Confidence Building Among Hispanic Students, Torrence G. Temple
An Analysis Of Ubiquitous Learning Environments And Stem Confidence Building Among Hispanic Students, Torrence G. Temple
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
The fastest-growing demographic in the United States is also the one with the biggest struggle with academic success, particularly in STEM-related subjects. Pre-study research observed that one of the most significant factors facing Hispanics is their set of psycho-social behaviors influenced by cultural heritage. In a response to this challenge a solution was developed and over the two years of its implementation failure rates among Hispanic students dropped from department-wide chemistry class average of 40% down to under 10% in the treatment population. The purpose of this study was to identify a theory that identifies the relationship between individual factors …
Impact Of The Order Of Eac And Sos During Instruction On Ratios, Josephine Marlene Derrick
Impact Of The Order Of Eac And Sos During Instruction On Ratios, Josephine Marlene Derrick
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was twofold. First, a set of instructional materials surrounding proportional reasoning with ratios (particularly the understanding of the multiplicative relationship between the quantities within the ratio, referred to as functional reasoning throughout this thesis) were created using the free online tool, Desmos, with a goal of determining the impact of the lesson materials on student understanding. The second goal was to explore the impact of the order in which two instructional strategies, Explicit Attention to Concepts (EAC) and Students’ Opportunity to Struggle (SOS), had on student understanding. The lesson materials consisted of 5 lessons. These …
Beliefs About Effective Instructional Practices Among Middle Grades Teachers Of Mathematics, Lauren A. Dale
Beliefs About Effective Instructional Practices Among Middle Grades Teachers Of Mathematics, Lauren A. Dale
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
This study explores beliefs about effective mathematics instruction among middle grades teachers of mathematics. Using prior syntheses of research on instructional practices linked to students’ mathematics achievement, the conceptual framework draws on features and strategies associated with Explicit Attention to Concepts (EAC) and Student Opportunities to Struggle (SOS). Data sources include mathematics teachers’ self-reported priorities, comfort, and frequency of implementing EAC and SOS strategies, as well as the participants’ teaching context and school demographics. Participants include 98 full-time Grades 6-8 mathematics teachers from 22 districts, and 34 schools in southwest and central Idaho. Findings include positive correlations among EAC and …
Designing Stem Experiences For The Family In Order To Develop Stem Family Habitus And Capital, Soñia Galaviz
Designing Stem Experiences For The Family In Order To Develop Stem Family Habitus And Capital, Soñia Galaviz
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Ethnic minority students and low-income students are grossly underrepresented in demonstrating interest and aspirations in science, evidence of science participation, and subsequent capital. Members of these populations do not often embrace a STEM identity or recognize that science, technology, engineering, and math are for them. While schools struggle to innovate in terms of how best to engage and increase aspirations and opportunities in STEM for these underrepresented populations, the family continues to be the most ignored contributor to a student’s STEM identity. Families play an important role in influencing their students’ attitudes, interests, aspirations, and achievements in STEM. While research …
Service-Learning In An Introductory Environmental Science Course: How Participation Impacts Course Content Knowledge And Agency, Mari Rice
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Service-learning (SL) is a high-impact pedagogical strategy that has been shown to have both cognitive and affective benefits for students and has the potential to engage and involve a more demographically diverse spectrum of students into the field of STEM. However, research on the impacts of SL in STEM courses is limited, and therefore there is a great need to identify the specific outcomes linked to participation. In addition, faculty from STEM fields have been hesitant to incorporate SL into their curriculum due to perceptions that it lacks academic rigor. This purpose of this mixed-methods case study was to examine …
Online Laboratory Introductions To Promote Student Interactions With Two Science And Engineering Practices Of The Next Generation Science Standards, Catherine K. Howlett
Online Laboratory Introductions To Promote Student Interactions With Two Science And Engineering Practices Of The Next Generation Science Standards, Catherine K. Howlett
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Online science courses are becoming increasingly available to K-12 students in the United States. With the utilization of these courses, it is important to facilitate student completion of laboratories as well as student interest in and use of the science and engineering practices (SEPs) of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This exploratory research provided online laboratory introductions to help students interact with the content and the instructor. The research studied if the laboratory introductions led students to ask questions about laboratories, complete laboratories, and think about and use two NGSS SEPs, specifically analyzing and interpreting data and constructing explanations …
Mathematics Student Achievement In The Context Of Idaho’S Advanced Opportunities Initiative, Nichole K. Hall
Mathematics Student Achievement In The Context Of Idaho’S Advanced Opportunities Initiative, Nichole K. Hall
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Mathematics coursework a student completes in high school often directly affects their subsequent post-secondary education and career opportunities. In recent years, in a push to prepare a larger number of students for post-secondary education and career opportunities in Idaho, state initiatives have focused on addressing mathematics preparation in the middle grade years to increase the number of students completing an advanced mathematics pathway in high school, including the Advanced Opportunities Initiative to support financial costs of advanced coursework. Starting 2011, each year of the initiative has seen annual increases in students participating in dual credit and Advanced Placement (AP) coursework. …
Instructional Strategies For High School Ell Refugee Students In Mathematics, Seoyeon Lee
Instructional Strategies For High School Ell Refugee Students In Mathematics, Seoyeon Lee
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
This study investigates instructional strategies used in high school mathematics classrooms to learn the way teachers modify their lessons to teach late-entry ELL students, including refugees with little or no formal education. Two separate ELL classes, two mainstream classes with mixed groups of ELL students and monolinguistic students, and one mainstream class without late-entry ELL students are observed for this study. Both qualitative analysis regarding teaching English language while using mathematics content, specifically vocabulary acquisition, and quantitative analysis as to how teachers spend their instructional time are used to present the findings of this study. The findings provide a forum …
Investigating College Instructors’ Methods Of Differentiation And Derivatives In Calculus Classes, Wedad Mubaraki
Investigating College Instructors’ Methods Of Differentiation And Derivatives In Calculus Classes, Wedad Mubaraki
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
This case study investigates three college instructors’ instructional approaches and their mathematical discourses in the context of calculus (e.g., concepts of limit and derivatives). The analyses focus on ways in which instructors communicate limit and derivative concepts that are observed in the classrooms, using Sfard’s discursive framework (a communicational approach). In particular, instructors’ use of mathematical words while introducing derivative and limit concepts are analyzed, as well as instructors’ ways of using visual mediators such as symbols, numbers, expressions, and graphs are investigated. The findings of the study indicate instructors’ different instructional approaches and differences in their mathematics discourses while …
Examining The Influence Of Number Line Fraction Task Characteristics On Student Work, Sharlee Hatch
Examining The Influence Of Number Line Fraction Task Characteristics On Student Work, Sharlee Hatch
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Research supports the claim that classrooms with teachers who respond to student thinking in the mathematics classroom will see greater student gains and student success (Lamon, 1996; Sleep & Boerst, 2012). The topic of fractions is both difficult to teach and learn, but has important implications on future success in mathematics and in life. This study set out to explore the ways in which student work is influenced by characteristics of number line fraction tasks. By examining task type, number line structure, and number choice this study shares the way these task characteristics influenced student strategies. The relationship between task …
Using Mobile Technology To Engage Middle School Students In The Scientific Practice Of Argumentation Via Screencasting, Patricia Anne Mcginnis
Using Mobile Technology To Engage Middle School Students In The Scientific Practice Of Argumentation Via Screencasting, Patricia Anne Mcginnis
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
This case study examined the use of mobile devices in supporting data collection and argumentation in the sixth grade science classroom. Mobile devices were used for data collection during laboratory activities and for constructing screencasts of science arguments. Findings revealed that students exhibit little planning when collecting digital data. Students used the digital data to add visual interest to their screencasts, support observations, and support inferences. Students who used the screencasting application’s narration and annotating tools were more likely to create appropriate and sufficient science arguments than their peers. One of the low achieving students in this study was able …
Finding Success In Elementary Science Across Socioeconomic Boundaries, Jill K. Hettinger
Finding Success In Elementary Science Across Socioeconomic Boundaries, Jill K. Hettinger
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Elementary science education provides a platform for intellectual development, building a foundation of scientific literacy and a first entry point into interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. A significant body of research on elementary science education clearly defines what high-quality science education should look like at the elementary level. However, there is little understood about how to implement high-quality science instruction effectively within a school system. Prior research indicates that this problem is further compounded in low socioeconomic elementary schools by a lack of resources, time, and high teacher mobility. I used descriptive research to identify the …
Gravity & Einstein: Assessing The Rubber Sheet Analogy In Undergraduate Conceptual Physics, Tiffany Rae Watkins
Gravity & Einstein: Assessing The Rubber Sheet Analogy In Undergraduate Conceptual Physics, Tiffany Rae Watkins
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
The rubber sheet analogy for Einstein’s General Relativity model of gravity is a popular way to visualize the effect mass has on the curvature of spacetime. My single group, quasi-experimental study with repeated measures was designed to assess the effectiveness of the rubber sheet analogy in teaching gravitational fields. I developed instructional materials, including a hands-on lab, to engage university students in thinking about gravity using the rubber sheet analogy. Previous research on students’ ideas about gravity informed the development of the pre/post-test. My work is an important first step in establishing a standard assessment on gravity.
Approximately 97 students …
Effects Of Peer Labeling On Middle School Student Engagement In Stem Subjects, Stacey Kristine Stanton
Effects Of Peer Labeling On Middle School Student Engagement In Stem Subjects, Stacey Kristine Stanton
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Much attention has been given to the shortage of STEM professionals entering the workforce in the United States. Reasons for the disinterest in pursuing STEM degrees are many. Some argue students are disinterested with STEM content during early adolescence as a result of negative peer labeling, such as “brain” or “nerd,” towards individuals who demonstrate aptitude in STEM content. The purpose of my study was to investigate whether peer labeling in middle school is directed towards students who show an aptitude for STEM content, and further, to determine whether peer labeling impacts motivation and engagement in STEM content. There are …
Relationships Between F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Participants’ Roles And Their Educational And Degree Choices, Christine T. Chang
Relationships Between F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Participants’ Roles And Their Educational And Degree Choices, Christine T. Chang
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
The annual robotics competition that is held by the non-profit organization For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (better known as FIRST) implicitly requires that the multifaceted teams subdivide in order to ensure that sufficient team resources are committed to all areas of the competition. The self-stated goal of FIRST is to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This study examines the relationship between FIRST participants’ specific roles on their teams and their subsequent academic and career pursuits. Study participants (N = 174) consisting of FIRST Robotics Competition alumni responded to an …
Using Learner-Generated Examples To Support Student Understanding Of Functions, Martha Ottelia Dinkelman
Using Learner-Generated Examples To Support Student Understanding Of Functions, Martha Ottelia Dinkelman
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
The introduction of Common Core State Standards motivated K-12 teachers to look for ways to engage students in thinking differently about mathematics. Asking students to generate their own examples is one strategy that has proven to be beneficial to student learning for students in advanced math courses. This study was designed to determine if asking students to generate their own examples would be beneficial to student learning for high school students in a slower paced second year Algebra course.
This study occurred during a two week unit of instruction focused on the concept of function. The participants were Juniors and …
The Assignment Packet Grading System, Sarah Nichole Bruce
The Assignment Packet Grading System, Sarah Nichole Bruce
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
The Assignment Packet Grading System is a form of choice-based learning that may be a valuable strategy to increase both motivation in students and their self-efficacy, which in return could result in higher levels of student achievement. The study was of an experimental design, carried out in Geometry classes at the high school level. Data were gathered regarding students’ mathematics self-efficacy and their academic achievement for two groups: one using the Assignment Packet Grading System and the other using a traditional classroom grading system.
The analysis of the data gathered in the study did not show a statistically significant difference …
An Instructional Framework For Tier 2 Intervention In Mathematics, Catherine Didio Beals
An Instructional Framework For Tier 2 Intervention In Mathematics, Catherine Didio Beals
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
This study investigated the effectiveness of an instructional framework for Tier 2 intervention in mathematics. The framework suggests intervention teachers utilize instructional practices shown to be effective for students with disabilities while assessing students strengths and weaknesses in skills that are strong indicators of an MLD. This study used a mixed methods design to determine whether tutoring based on this framework led to changes in understanding of multiplication and division for four low achieving fourth graders. It also evaluated the usefulness of the instructional framework in determining whether a student had patterns of deficit related to a mathematics learning disability. …
Measurement Of Life Skill Acquisition Of The Idaho First Lego® League State Tournament Participants Ages 9-14, Kristina Lee Luckey
Measurement Of Life Skill Acquisition Of The Idaho First Lego® League State Tournament Participants Ages 9-14, Kristina Lee Luckey
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Youth development programs provide opportunities for children to learn and apply the life skills they are likely to utilize later in life. Therefore, it is critical that steps are taken to evaluate their effectiveness. The direct purpose of this study was to measure life skill outcomes of participants ages 9-14 of the Idaho FIRST LEGO® League program state tournament participants. This mixed method pre-experimental design study incorporated quantitative measurements using a paired samples test and qualitative measures utilizing a single-category design focus group methodology for triangulation purposes. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of the formation …
The Inquiry Learning Model As An Approach To Mathematics Instruction, Michael C. Brune
The Inquiry Learning Model As An Approach To Mathematics Instruction, Michael C. Brune
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Since current approaches to mathematical instruction fall short of the goals of NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) research was conducted in a small rural school district in the northwest United States evaluating inquiry based instruction. To complete the study two high school geometry classes were taught area formulation using a traditional lecture based approach to instruction. A third geometry class was taught area formulation utilizing inquiry-based instructional methods. Students in both groups took both a pre-test and post-test, filled out a questionnaire, and participated in a project designed to test their applications of mathematical understanding. Results indicated that …
Concept Booklets: Examining The Performance Effects Of Journaling Of Mathematics Course Concepts, Todd Stephen Fogdall
Concept Booklets: Examining The Performance Effects Of Journaling Of Mathematics Course Concepts, Todd Stephen Fogdall
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Journaling is an effective tool for writing about mathematics, but research is mixed about the extent to its effectiveness in writing to learn mathematics. This study examined the performance effects of concept booklets on curriculum assessments. Concept booklets are a hybrid style of journal-writing that include responses to journal prompts, diagramming, and traditional note-taking. Prompts were designed to sometimes investigate new concepts and, at other times, to reflect on components of previously learned concepts.
The study, of an experimental design, was carried out at the high school level in honors-level mathematics classes with the independent variable being exposure to the …