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Full-Text Articles in Education

A Book Review On Research Methods In Education (8th Edition), Yen Thi Tran Oct 2024

A Book Review On Research Methods In Education (8th Edition), Yen Thi Tran

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Research Methods in Education should be no stranger to educational and social researchers. The book was first published in 1980, and since then it has been widely recommended by scholars worldwide as an excellent manual for researchers to plan, conduct, report and evaluate research projects. Like former editions, this updated, expanded, and revised 8th edition, published in 2017, continues to be favorably received worldwide as it covers a wide range of topics discussed in great detail, focusing on current educational issues and controversies.


Building Classroom Community Using A Whole-Child Approach, Jennifer Wells Oct 2024

Building Classroom Community Using A Whole-Child Approach, Jennifer Wells

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Trauma, including abandonment, neglect, poverty, or abuse, affects students. Because of this, a classroom community is vulnerable to the sheer unpredictability of behaviors. Students who have experienced trauma need support in order to create a classroom community where they can thrive and learn. This study examines a Whole-Child Approach purposely used in a sixth-grade classroom. A whole-child observation checklist was used to provide pre- and post- data in four areas: Relationship Building; Restorative Practices; Behavioral Recognition, Reminders, and Redirects; and Social-Emotional Skill Building. A teacher journal and mindfulness lessons were also used to triangulate data. This study shows that building …


The Role Of Teacher Education In Improving Digital Literacy: A Pre-Service Teacher Case Study, Rana Taheri, Sarah E. Pennington Oct 2024

The Role Of Teacher Education In Improving Digital Literacy: A Pre-Service Teacher Case Study, Rana Taheri, Sarah E. Pennington

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Technology is crucial for teaching and learning in the 21st century. However, many pre-service teachers (PSTs) feel unprepared to utilize digital literacy (DL) in their future classes. This study explored PST’s perceptions of their DL knowledge and the perceived impact of their teacher education programs through a qualitative bounded case study method. Participants for this study were three PSTs engaged in a technology integration course at a land grant university in the northwestern US. Participants engaged in recorded one-on-one semi-structured interviews to learn about their perceptions and readiness for DL. The findings indicate that while PSTs were aware of DL, …


Movement In Math: A Look At Integrating Movement-Based Activities Into A Kindergarten Math Classroom, Katelyn R. Gonzales Oct 2024

Movement In Math: A Look At Integrating Movement-Based Activities Into A Kindergarten Math Classroom, Katelyn R. Gonzales

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The purpose of this study was to examine what happens when movement-based mathematical activities are introduced into a kindergarten math curriculum and its implications on how kindergarteners engage during math time. Using surveys, observational and reflective data, and semi-structured interviews of students and my cooperating teacher, this study aimed to examine student and teacher perceptions of incorporating movement-activities. The movement activities served as form of play-based learning and relied on thorough planning and preparation. Through the constant-comparative method, I generated 12 level 1 and three level 2 codes from key themes and analyzed descriptive statistics for numerical data from my …


Mindfulness Is When “You Don’T Think At All, You Just Do Whatever You Want Without Thinking Of The Consequences”: Reframing Mindfulness In A Third-Grade Classroom, Emily Colwell Oct 2024

Mindfulness Is When “You Don’T Think At All, You Just Do Whatever You Want Without Thinking Of The Consequences”: Reframing Mindfulness In A Third-Grade Classroom, Emily Colwell

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This study explored the influences that five minutes of daily mindfulness activities had on third-grade students in a math and science classroom, as well as both student and teacher perceptions of the mindfulness activities. The researcher implemented five minutes of a mindfulness activity daily during a three-week period. Data collection methods included pre-and-post surveys, observations with field notes, student artifacts, and student and teacher interviews. Four major themes emerged including better understanding of what mindfulness is, the role school and home play, provided structure and quiet calmness, and behaviors stayed consistent. While behaviors stayed consistent, students left the intervention with …


Teaching Math To Newcomer Multilingual Learners: The Case For Teaching Diverse Math Practices, Elena Andrei, Melissa Daley Oct 2024

Teaching Math To Newcomer Multilingual Learners: The Case For Teaching Diverse Math Practices, Elena Andrei, Melissa Daley

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Multilingual learners (MLs), also referred to as English learners (ELs) in US K-12 public schools, and specifically newcomer MLs who have been in US schools for 2 years or less, are expected to learn the English language and reach grade level standards in the as their monolingual English-speaking peers. Mathematics education in the US has struggled over the years to achieve higher levels of math achievement for all students and for MLs. In this innovation in practice, we present how Ms. Shelley (pseudonym), a math high school teacher incorporated her newcomer MLs diverse math practices in her teaching.


Editorial Introduction: Fostering Holistic Learning Environments, Suzanne Porath Oct 2024

Editorial Introduction: Fostering Holistic Learning Environments, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The collection of articles for this issue explores holistic education practices, focusing on trauma-informed teaching, mindfulness, and community building to support students' emotional, social, and academic needs. Emphasizing teacher resilience and inclusive strategies, the articles highlight how fostering well-being in classrooms enhances student engagement, behavior, and overall academic success.


Parents’ Learning In Family Literacy Programming: Findings From A Four-Year, Mixed-Methods Evaluation, Esther Prins, Carol Clymer, Elisabeth Grinder Mclean, Jungeun Lee Jun 2024

Parents’ Learning In Family Literacy Programming: Findings From A Four-Year, Mixed-Methods Evaluation, Esther Prins, Carol Clymer, Elisabeth Grinder Mclean, Jungeun Lee

Adult Education Research Conference

This paper reports findings from a mixed-methods evaluation of five family literacy programs in Philadelphia, mainly serving immigrant mothers. The paper focuses on parents' educational, personal, social, and parenting outcomes.


Daily 5 Implementation To Improve Ell Students’ Performances, Phu Vu, Lan Vu Mar 2024

Daily 5 Implementation To Improve Ell Students’ Performances, Phu Vu, Lan Vu

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This paper focuses on an action research project that integrated the "Daily 5" literacy framework into a fourth-grade classroom in a small rural town in Kansas. The study aimed to enhance the literacy skills of English Language Learners (ELL) using the Daily 5 method, which includes five key activities: Read to Self, Work on Writing, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, and Word Work. The research involved a six-week intervention and used student performance data, including daily assignment scores and oral reading fluency, to assess the impact of this framework on ELL students. The findings indicated significant improvements in students' …


To Choose Or Not To Choose: Establishing A Correlation Between Choice, Collaboration, And Classroom Engagement, Krisandra Johnson Mar 2024

To Choose Or Not To Choose: Establishing A Correlation Between Choice, Collaboration, And Classroom Engagement, Krisandra Johnson

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Not all 8th-grade students have an outspoken passion for reading; however, most of them do like choices. This action research study establishes a correlation between offering choices in the English Language Arts classroom and increased affective, behavioral, and cognitive engagement. The participants for this research were an 8th-grade class at a Midwest, urban public school. Providing students with reading choices, assignment options, opportunities to collaborate with peers, and multiple assessment forms to choose from demonstrated an increase of not only effective engagement but also cognitive and behavioral. From observations and student data, collaboration, the researcher determines that collaboration is a …


Modeling And Encouraging Self-Care In Online Teacher Preparation: Lessons Learned During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kathleen A. Boothe, Marla J. Lohmann Mar 2024

Modeling And Encouraging Self-Care In Online Teacher Preparation: Lessons Learned During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kathleen A. Boothe, Marla J. Lohmann

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts for both teachers and students at all levels. Instructional delivery had to be modified to respond to the need for social distancing. Even courses that were already fully online required adaptations to accommodate the needs of university students during COVID. One of the biggest changes that the authors made to their teaching and to their students’ learning was that of modeling and encouraging self-care. This article summarizes what two university faculty changed in their instruction to help promote self-care, as well as what they are doing now to continue utilizing what they learned.


Hitting For Average: Educational Assessment, Unidimensionality, And The Connection To Baseball Hitting Statistics, Alex Romagnoli Jan 2024

Hitting For Average: Educational Assessment, Unidimensionality, And The Connection To Baseball Hitting Statistics, Alex Romagnoli

Educational Considerations

The traditional points system and subsequent Grade Point Average (GPA) in education perpetuates an evaluation of academic performance which reflects arbitrary weighting of assignments and/or assessments. As such, GPAs which are calculated using a traditional points system are not unidimensional in their design. The baseball batting and slugging percentage, which serves as established metrics for performance evaluations among baseball players, better reflects unidimensionality. In essence, this paper puts forth an analysis and discussion which posits that baseball batting average and slugging percentage can serve as an example for how unidimensionality can become more prevalent in educational assessments, especially as it …


Library Transformation: The Futures School Experience Applied To Practice, Gloria F. Creed-Dikeogu Oct 2023

Library Transformation: The Futures School Experience Applied To Practice, Gloria F. Creed-Dikeogu

Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings

Attendance as a member of the Plains Cohort at a three-day Futures Foundations in Natural Foresight Workshop taught by the Kedge Futures School (TFSX), provided the researcher with the opportunity to explore the theoretical ropes of library futurism alongside the natural foresight framework and the many futurist tools, like futures wheels and scenario building, that are so vital when participating in library futures strategic planning. This paper explains trend patterns and analyses and the importance of sensemaking to futures scenarios creation and how each connects to library transformation.


Connecting The Past To The Present: The Tiger Tales Oral Histories Digital Exhibit, H. Andrew Tincknell, Brian Gribben Oct 2023

Connecting The Past To The Present: The Tiger Tales Oral Histories Digital Exhibit, H. Andrew Tincknell, Brian Gribben

Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings

The Tiger Tales Oral History Digital Exhibit began in 2018 as an effort to promote Forsyth Library’s self-service video studio and Special Collections. The project is a marriage of the creative technologies of the library’s Learning Commons Media Lab paired with images from its archives to capture the stories of Tiger alumni, students, faculty, and staff spanning generations about their time at Fort Hays State. Forsyth’s Outreach Team adds their talents to the project recruiting interview subjects, often in collaboration with the FHSU Foundation and Alumni Office. Over its five-year history, these connections have served to gather first-hand stories from …


A Phenomenological Pre- And Post-Reflective Comparison Of Graduate Student Intercultural Competence From Agricultural Service-Learning Experiences, Kim E. Dooley, Catherine E. Sanders, Leslie Edgar Apr 2023

A Phenomenological Pre- And Post-Reflective Comparison Of Graduate Student Intercultural Competence From Agricultural Service-Learning Experiences, Kim E. Dooley, Catherine E. Sanders, Leslie Edgar

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

The purpose of this study was to determine growth in intercultural competence after graduate students participated in an international service learning (ISL) experience. One method for developing intercultural competence is service learning, where students apply learning in real-world settings through a cycle of action and reflection. This study used an interpretative phenomenological analysis related to the lived experience of eight graduate students who participated in two intensive ISL projects in Timor-Leste or Guatemala. Results included the student point of view (emic) narrative as an ethnographic crafted profile for each participant to demonstrate the process of intercultural competence development across individual …


Editorial Introduction: Better Together, Suzanne Porath Feb 2023

Editorial Introduction: Better Together, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This issue of Network touches on both topics – the continued impact of COVID on teaching and learning and the importance of collaboration during educator inquiry projects. Adult learning theory, also known as andragogy (Knowles, 1980) is an approach to learning that is problem-based and collaborative. Each of the articles in this issue highlight the importance of educators guiding their own professional learning in collaboration with others.


The Global Climate Change Knowledge And Practices Of 4-H And Extension Youth Educators, Roberta H. Hunter, Hui-Hui Wang, Bryanna J. Nelson, Devarati Bhattacharya Sep 2022

The Global Climate Change Knowledge And Practices Of 4-H And Extension Youth Educators, Roberta H. Hunter, Hui-Hui Wang, Bryanna J. Nelson, Devarati Bhattacharya

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

4-H and Extension educators who work with youth are uniquely positioned to help them meaningfully learn about global climate change (GCC) in a way that connects to their everyday lives and interests. Yet we don’t have a baseline understanding of these educators’ knowledge of GCC or how they teach about it. This paper presents brief findings of a study intended to fill that gap in knowledge. Educators from six states responded to an online survey in 2020. GCC knowledge varied by topic and by educator instructional focus, with STEM and Civic Engagement educators scoring highest. Questions about greenhouse gasses and …


Keep Rural Schools Open: Position And Policy, Emily Norman Aug 2022

Keep Rural Schools Open: Position And Policy, Emily Norman

Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy

Rural schools are a central pillar in the communities in which they belong. They offer not only education for the community’s youth, but serve as a community space, educational location for all community members, and enhance new generations’ understanding of local history and current events. The schools ensure that education is accessible to everyone in the community by avoiding long commutes, employing numerous locals, and having smaller class sizes to better cater to individual student needs. While there are benefits to closing schools, often ones of financial nature, the loss of these schools is felt deeply within rural communities. There …


Community Mapping 2.0: Using Technology To Raise Community Awareness, Chris Sclafani Jan 2022

Community Mapping 2.0: Using Technology To Raise Community Awareness, Chris Sclafani

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Community mapping can be an important tool for educators who aim to freely allow students to share their own connections and experiences. During community mapping, students identify areas within their own localities that matter to them, and engage in various literacy events centered on those places. Often, classes will study foreign lands and cultures during the course of a school year. While this is a wonderful learning opportunity, do they take the time to look deeper into their own personal neighborhoods and surroundings? This study uncovers the nuances of community mapping, as a group of third grade students work through …


Significant Relationships, Suzanne Porath Jan 2022

Significant Relationships, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

No abstract provided.


Spiritual Leadership In Early Intervention Practice, Jo L. Mccray Jan 2022

Spiritual Leadership In Early Intervention Practice, Jo L. Mccray

Adult Education Research Conference

This study explored integrating the principles of spiritual leadership theory into early intervention therapeutic practice to enhance services provided to children and families. Semi structured interviews served as major sources of data.


Education And Entertainment: Developing New Pathways To Student Engagement Through Library Services And Student Life Partnerships, Ruth A. Monnier, Mary Mercer, Anna Stark Oct 2021

Education And Entertainment: Developing New Pathways To Student Engagement Through Library Services And Student Life Partnerships, Ruth A. Monnier, Mary Mercer, Anna Stark

Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings

The COVID-19 pandemic caused higher ed professionals to pivot how they engage students in programs and events. For the 2020-2021 academic year, Pittsburg State University’s Student Life and Library Services created a series of virtual trivia nights. This paper will use the virtual trivia series as a case study to demonstrate the beneficial partnership between Student Life and Library Services at Pittsburg State University. This paper will highlight successes and suggestions on bridging the gap and replicating such a partnership at your institution.


Putting Research Into “Action”: The Impact Of Brain Energizers On Off-Task Behaviors And Academic Achievement, Rebecca Buchanan, Lauren Davis, Trisha Cury Apr 2021

Putting Research Into “Action”: The Impact Of Brain Energizers On Off-Task Behaviors And Academic Achievement, Rebecca Buchanan, Lauren Davis, Trisha Cury

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

There are many factors influencing the learning environment in public school settings. As such, the recognition of developing a multidimensional approach incorporating a variety of “tools” for a teacher’s toolbox can prove to be very effective. Research indicates that movement is one such tool that can increase the capacity for students to learn (Ratey, 2008). The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of brain energizers in a 1st grade classroom in rural Appalachia. Results of the study indicated that brain energizers had a positive effect on off-task behaviors as well as academic achievement. The incorporation of movement …


Editorial Introduction: To Stay Afloat, Maybe Collaborate?, Suzanne Porath Apr 2021

Editorial Introduction: To Stay Afloat, Maybe Collaborate?, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

No abstract provided.


Self-Service Technology And The Impact On Academic Libraries: A Perspective Piece By An Access Services Specialist, Crystal Hutchinson Oct 2020

Self-Service Technology And The Impact On Academic Libraries: A Perspective Piece By An Access Services Specialist, Crystal Hutchinson

Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings

Abstract

Self service technology (SST) is inundating the library world with more efficient forms of service for the library user experience. There are different types of SST and each type creates challenges and opportunities in the academic library. This multi-varied approach provides quality support to users who are unfamiliar with the technology, and offers time expediency to those who are adept at using SST. This persuasive paper will show what Kansas academic libraries currently have in the form of SST and encourage libraries to adopt new methods of service. The goal is to get you excited about SST and relieve …


Affordable Digital Signage With Raspberry Pi, H. Andrew Tincknell Oct 2020

Affordable Digital Signage With Raspberry Pi, H. Andrew Tincknell

Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings

Digital Signage is a great way to inform library users about programs, events, services, and other library news. Unfortunately, digital signage can be difficult to implement and come with pricey monthly charges. When looking for ways to implement versatile digital signage, Fort Hays State University’s Forsyth Library and Learning Commons discovered an affordable and easy to manage solution - the Raspberry Pi. In this paper, you will discover what Raspberry Pis are and how to purchase and install them. You’ll also learn about several methods for creating messages.


Imagination At Work: A Book Review Of The Power Of Practice-Based Literacy Research: A Tool For Teachers, Catherine Lammert Sep 2020

Imagination At Work: A Book Review Of The Power Of Practice-Based Literacy Research: A Tool For Teachers, Catherine Lammert

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This is a book review of of The Power of Practice-Based Literacy Research: A Tool for Teachers.


Implementing Personal Devices In Math, Jamie W. Mcdaniel Sep 2020

Implementing Personal Devices In Math, Jamie W. Mcdaniel

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This study examined the effect of implementing personal devices into a fifth grade mathematics classroom. Thirty-eight fifth graders participated in this eight-week project with a focus on six students to track their growth. During the study, students engaged in technology based stations that pertained to our geometry unit and coordinate unit. Students took pre and post test on paper to track progress. In addition, students completed online assessments within their practice websites and apps to track comprehension and growth of the content. Furthermore, students were interviewed to ensure they were staying engaged in the online activities and to track student …


Sharing Stories: Reflections Of Professors’ Literacy Identities And Beliefs, Christy M. Howard, Ran Hu, Johna Faulconer Sep 2020

Sharing Stories: Reflections Of Professors’ Literacy Identities And Beliefs, Christy M. Howard, Ran Hu, Johna Faulconer

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Teacher identities and beliefs influence instructional practices. In order to explore this process, this self-study was conducted by three literacy professors from different ethnic backgrounds including one African-American professor, one Chinese national professor and one White professor. The purpose of this study was to examine how professors' literacy identities are shaped and how sharing these identities, experiences and beliefs in meaningful professional dialogues influences instructional practice. We examined the role of our identities and beliefs on our instructional practices using multiple forms of qualitative data such as journal entries, digital stories, and critical group discussions. Despite the range of differences …


Reclaiming And Redefining Research, Suzanne Porath Sep 2020

Reclaiming And Redefining Research, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Action research, practitioner inquiry, self-study, scholarship of teaching and learning, or practice-based research – there are numerous names for this work. Yet, whether you are new to action research or a veteran of classroom inquiry, I hope this issue of Networks continues to inspires you to “reflect on classroom practice through research ventures… alone or in collaboration, use inquiry as a tool to learn more about your work with the hope of eventually improving its effectiveness” (from the mission statement of Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research).