Education Commons^™

The Effects Of The Online Game Kahoot On Science Vocabulary Acquisition, Joseph Pede

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the online game Kahoot on science vocabulary acquisition of students with learning disabilities in a middle school inclusion physical science classroom. Specifically, this study investigated (a) student science vocabulary acquisition, (b) student focus and on task behavior, and (c) student satisfaction using the online game Kahoot. Vocabulary acquisition was measured in terms of weekly vocabulary assessments. Six middle school students, three males and three females, participated in this study. A single subject design with ABAB phases was utilized. Results show that all students increased their vocabulary assessment scores when …

Utilization Of A School Specific Intervention Manual To Increase Teacher Perceptions Of The I&Rs Process And Reduce Special Education Referrals, Jacqueline Jade Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

One of the primary purposes of the Intervention and Referral Services (I & RS) process is to assist school staff in addressing students' learning, behavior, or health needs (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1 [a]). This study sought to improve I & RS process and student outcomes in a southern New Jersey elementary school that services students from grades Pre-Kindergarten through second grade. At the outset of the study, school administrators reported that an area of need was to formulate an intervention resource for the school's I & RS committee and teaching staff. It was determined that an online/interactive intervention manual would be created …

The Effect Of Classwide Peer Tutoring On The Academic Performance And Critical Thinking Of Students With Learning Disabilities In An Urban Middle School Inclusion Social Studies Classroom, Andrew Robert Goulburn

Theses and Dissertations

This single subject study utilized an ABAB design to investigate the effect of Classwide Peer Tutoring (CWPT) on vocabulary acquisition and critical thinking. Three special education students in an urban middle school social studies classroom participated in the study. During the intervention phases of this ten week study, students participated in CWPT sessions prior to taking ten questions quizzes consisting of eight vocabulary and two critical thinking questions. Students took turns performing the roles of tutor and tutee. The results of the present study demonstrated small growth in the group means for both vocabulary and critical thinking. Individual results varied …

Learning Behaviors And Academic Readiness Among Preschool Children In A Private School, Chelsea L. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Prekindergarten programs have been designed with the purpose of improving children's academic skills and behaviors before the start of formal schooling (Howes et al., 2008). Previous research has determined that academic readiness in young children is influenced by the child's learning behaviors (Schaefer & McDermott, 1999). The study examined children's learning behaviors and academic readiness at the pre-Kindergarten year in a learning-centered private school in Southern New Jersey. Forty children were recruited from three separate classrooms and tested with the Bracken School Readiness Assessment-Third Edition (BSRA-3: Bracken, 2007) to assess their academic readiness. Learning behaviors of the children were assessed …

Benefits Of Sustained Silent Reading And Self-Monitoring For Reluctant Readers, Jamie Quinn

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect/impact of self-monitoring on reading achievement of reluctant readers during 20 minutes of sustained silent reading. Lexile scores were used as the measurement to evaluate student-learning outcomes. Seven, 9th graders (four male, three female) in an English/Language Arts (ELA) classroom participated in the study. Their initial lexile scores were under 1000 (as determined by the Scholastic Inventory) and identified as reluctant or underperforming readers.

During the intervention, students participated in a sustained silent reading program for the first four weeks, then a self-monitoring strategy (reading logs) was incorporated into instruction. The Scholastic Reading Inventory Assessment (SRI) …

Effects Of Self-Regulated Strategy Development On The Persuasive Essay Writing Of Seventh Grade Students With Disabilities, Amanda Scrivani

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) on the persuasive essay writing of seventh grade students with disabilities. Specifically the study analyzed the effects of SRSD on (a) essay length, (b) number of essay parts, and (c) essay quality. In addition, student satisfaction with SRSD was evaluated for social validity. Eight seventh grade students, seven male and one female, participated in the study. All students were classified with either learning disabilities (LD) or other health impairment (OHI). A single-subject multiple baseline across participants design was used. During the baseline phase, students wrote …

The Effects Of Using Padlet On The Academic Performance And Engagement Of Students In A Fifth Grade Basic Skills Mathematics Classroom, Cynthia Lynn Kleinsmith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to: (a) examine the effectiveness of Padlet in increasing the engagement of students in a fifth grade basic skills mathematics classroom, (b) examine the effectiveness of Padlet in increasing the academic achievement of students in a fifth grade basic skills mathematics classroom, and (c) determine if students in a fifth grade basic skills mathematics classroom are satisfied with the use of Padlet. The research was conducted using single-subject design methodology. The study followed an ABABAB alternating baseline pattern. Student academic achievement was evaluated through daily assessments, while student engagement was evaluated in one minute …

The Effect Of The Video Game Quizlet On The Acquisition Of Science Vocabulary For Children With Learning Disabilities, Kelsey Claire Donovan

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine if using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom increases science vocabulary acquisition of students with learning disabilities, (b) to determine if using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom increases the student engagement/on-task behavior of students with learning disabilities, and (c) to evaluate student comfort and satisfaction in using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom. Six middle school students, three female and three male participated in the study. A single subject design with ABAB phases was utilized …

Fluency Development And Young Readers, Elizabeth Jenkins Diamant

Theses and Dissertations

The study investigated the effects of integrating explicit fluency instruction in the dimensions of: accuracy, rate, expression, and punctuation. Eight elementary students in second, third and fifth grades who received Response to Intervention services for reading and each group met four times a week for forty-five minutes participated. The district used the STAR evaluation system to establish the groups. After the lessons, participants recorded a reading of their instructional level text and completed a rubric to score their performance in each of the four dimensions: punctuation, expression, rate and accuracy. Later, I listened to the same recording and scored each …

Can Sensory Strategies Reduce Tantruming To Increase Positive Familial Interactions?, Deborah Stacy Maule

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of sensory strategies in relation to a child's success in regards to enjoyment of his or her family life. This study was based on the sensory struggles of one little boy who spent much of his time tantruming. This was possibly due to his inability to self-calm so that he could find success instead of strife within his home environment.

This study took place over fifteen Early Intervention home visits in southern New Jersey, and parental questionnaires were referenced each time to note progress or regression in areas pertinent to the child's social emotional and …

Improving The Outcomes Of The I & Rs Process For Students With Exceptional Learning Needs, Erica Alimario

Theses and Dissertations

New Jersey schools are mandated to establish and implement a coordinated system to serve the general education population in order to improve student achievement. This system, known as I&RS (Intervention and Referral Services), is designed to implement pre-referral interventions for at-risk students through a collaborative problem-solving process, which takes place between school administration and staff. A pre-referral intervention web page, containing an overview of the I&RS process, as well as various forms and resources, was created and linked to a school's website for convenience and easy access. Thirty-two teachers at an urban school district in a low socioeconomic community in …

Effects Of Implementation Of The Next Generation Science Standards On The Math Performance Of 5th Grade Students With Adhd, Robert Zimmer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to implement two components of the Next Generation Science Standards, gathering and reasoning, into the 5th grade math curriculum for students diagnosed with ADHD. Each student completed a 21st Century pre-assessment created by the My Math Text book (McGraw Hill, 2011) and modified by the instructor. This assessment contained 10 questions that were a culmination of the concepts that were covered in the upcoming chapter. A total of 8 students participated in the study. Of these, 4 were taught with the components of gathering and reasoning, while the rest of the 4 were involved …

An Exploratory Investigation Of The Effects Of Power-Solving, A Social Problem Solving Method, On Students With Communication Impairments, Kylie Christine Pringle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine students with communication impairments ability to learn problem solving skills, using the POWER-Solving method, and the effect on positive social interactions. The results indicated that all 10 participants increased positive social interactions with their peers through teacher observations and pre and post rating scales. In addition, increases in the students' emotional vocabulary, as well as their ability to identify feelings were found. It seems that the POWER-Solving method would be beneficial in increasing positive social interactions of students with communication impairments. Future studies may focus on maintenance of their problem solving skills …

Exploring The Potential To Motivate High School Environmental Science Students With Environmental Justice: A Mixed Methods Approach, Elliott Karetny

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods, design-based study was to explore the potential for socioscientific issues framed by environmental to motivate high school environmental science students. The embedded design began and ended with a survey of student dispositions, and included interviews of particular students in an effort to capture views of general and personal dispositions. Statistical analyses uncovered a moralistic approach to environmental decision-making, and a positive outlook of the future, including the confidence to solve environmental problems. Students revealed an abstract notion of the environment that requires innovative approaches to teaching environmental science, and view scientists as essential change agents …

The Effects Of Computer Games On The Mastery Of Multiplication Facts For Students With Exceptional Learning Needs, Kristy Peters

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of multiplication computer games on mastering multiplication facts for students with exceptional learning needs. Three students will be participating in this research study. There is one male student and two female students, in Grades 3 and 4. Each of the three students has an individualized education plan (IEP) and receives three hours of instruction outside the regular classroom in a resource room setting. Two of the students have been identified as having Specific Learning Disabilities and one as having multiple disabilities. The students were selected for the study due to …

Examining The Career Transitions And Transformations Of An Urban Educator, Frank E. Penick Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the critical career transitions that transformed who I am on both personal and professional levels during my fifteen-year teaching career as an urban educator. This autoethnographic research approach systematically analyzed and described personal experiences within the broader cultural context (Ellis, Adams, & Bochner, 2010), utilizing Scholssberg's (1995) Transition Theory, as an analytical framework. I found that engaging in this autoethnographic study increased my awareness of the situations, self, support, and strategies (Schlossberg, 1995) impacting the career transitions I navigated throughout my career. I also found that this narrative examination fostered a deeper …

Examining The Complexity Of Educational Attainment For Black Males In An Educational Opportunity Fund Program At A Community College, Lavon Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to describe the lived experience of Black males in an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program at a community college. According to research, community colleges are the first option for many Black male students who are underprepared academically and come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This phenomenological study examines the lived experience of Black males in an EOF program because of its ability to provide access, equality, and resources to students. Ten face-to-face interviews were conducted in order to describe the essence of this phenomenon. The findings from this study revealed that there are five themes …

The Utilization Of Group Art Therapy As A Framework To Enhance Relationship Building Skills Among Emotionally Disturbed Students, Kerith Lynn Glass

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past four decades in the United States, the number of students that have been classified as Emotionally Disturbed has increased as well as a rise in these students' aggressive behavior, school violence, and expulsion from their home school districts (Mooney, Epstein, Reid, & Nelson, 2003). Historically, school professionals have employed behavior therapy strategies solely as a method to address students' negative behaviors and improve their overall school experiences (Crow & Small, 2011). These behavior therapy strategies include earning points for improved behavior that lead to school rewards. Although students show improvement after behavior therapy strategies are used, some …

Enhancing Teacher Efficacy And Pedagogical Practices Amongst General And Special Education Teachers, Michael E. Coleman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research project was to collect both qualitative and quantitative data to acquire information in teacher efficacy from the viewpoint of teachers themselves so that pedagogical practices could be enhanced to better serve the special needs student population. In this study, the relationship between teachers' perception of their pedagogical knowledge and beliefs and teachers' sense of self-efficacy was examined. This particular study was aimed at helping general and special education teachers understand, develop, and implement pedagogical practices that would increase their ability to educate students with special needs. The findings from this study revealed a substantial …

Using Information Sharing Between High School Counselors And Community College Personnel To Improve College Readiness For Incoming Students: An Exploratory Case Study, Dyron J. Corley

Theses and Dissertations

A significant number of incoming students who graduate from high school and attend the community college lack the information and guidance needed to understand what is expected as they make their transition to higher education (Karp & Bork, 2012; McDonough, 1997; Venezia, Bracco, & Nodine, 2010). This exploratory case study examines how an enrollment office at a community college shared information and resources about college readiness with local high school counselors to ensure that incoming students received the knowledge and tools necessary to make a successful transition. By investigating the insights and experiences of both the college enrollment staff and …

Self-Regulated Learning And Self-Efficacy In Prekindergarten Students, Leonard Wayne Long

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand prekindergarten teacher perceptions of self-regulation and to investigate how prekindergarten students regulate their learning.

Research entailed video recorded observations of prekindergarten students engaged in social-cognitive behaviors during centers. The Creative Curriculum - one of several State recommended programs for prekindergarten - provided the foundational guidelines for teachers to incorporate into daily lessons - one of which is for students to play in organized centers. Naturalistic observations were conducted in five-minute intervals per student and coded according to The Play Observation Scale. During play, students' activities were coded according to interaction with …

A Qualitative Case Study Of The Congruence Between Fraternal Organizations' And Members' Values, Principles, And Standards, Joseph P. Lizza

Theses and Dissertations

Fraternal organizations are unique in how their very existence is routed in their espoused values, principles, and standards. These ideals spotlight what their organization was founded upon, and how those who associate themselves with the organization should conduct themselves. There are few instances where an organization is forced to be as altruistic as a fraternity. However, the point that these particular organizations espouse that their values, principles, and standards are the keystone of what they stand for is often the very reason these groups are permitted to have a presence on college and university campuses. The purpose of this inquiry …

Making Sense Of School Reform: A Case Study Of Mathematics And Science Teachers' Sensemaking With One District's Differentiation And Detracking Initiatives, Katelyn Daplyn Skinner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to examine how individual science and mathematics teachers within a particular high school made sense of a district differentiation effort. A focus on teachers' perceptions and interpretations of this effort was targeted through the theoretical framework of sensemaking. Two of the teachers were present for an initial detracking reform effort, which enabled the researcher to examine their sensemaking of both initiatives.

There were clear differences in the sense that teachers made of the differentiation initiative. Additionally, there were multiple factors that impacted teacher sensemaking; the district initiative was not one of these factors. …

English Language Learners Transitioning From High School To College: A Case Study On The Upward Bound Program For Ells At Rowan University, Margarita Olivencia

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine and document the role the Upward Bound program played in Upward Bound alumni's transition from high school to Rowan University applying Maeroff's (1999) four-sense model of effective educational programs. This study gave ELL Upward Bound alumni students a voice using a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. A total of 10 former Upward Bound alumni were interviewed, all of who were current Rowan students. Key findings of the study indicate that the Upward Bound program contributed to their academic, social development, and motivation to seek institutions of higher learning and played a significant …

Full Disclosure: Examining The Experience Of Male Faculty Of Color At A Predominately White Institution, Thomas A. Cruz-Soto Jr

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the lived experiences of male faculty of color (African American and Latino American) at Upstate University, a predominately White, private, liberal arts institution (PWI). To gain a better understanding of the lived experiences of male faculty of color, a group that has traditionally been underrepresented and marginalized in academia, the conceptual framework for this study will be guided by Gloria Ladson-Billings' (1995) Critical Race Theory (CRT). Specifically, the component of counter-storytelling was incorporated into the study. A qualitative phenomenological study was designed to dig deep into the research while constantly bracketing to capture the reality or true …

Reflections Of Diverse Voices: A Narrative Study Exploring The Relationship Between Multicultural Dual Language Experiences And Cultural Competence, Helen M. Tinsley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, narrative inquiry was to explore and analyze the narrative stories of native English speaking adults who matriculated through a multicultural, dual language program from prekindergarten to 6th grade to understand the influence of the program on their lives, and the relationship between those experiences and their cultural competence. Their stories beginning with their initial experiences and early connections in the program were analyzed using multiple data analysis methods, including: thematic, structural, and theoretical analysis. I developed the Multicultural Interactive Competency Framework (MICF), which merged Vgotsky's sociocultural historical theory with an adaption of Sue's (2001) Multidimensional …

Locus Of Control, Parents Involvement And College Disability Accommodations, Olivia Sara Aquino

Theses and Dissertations

An increasing number of students with learning disabilities are enrolled in college and seek support services under ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). According to U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2015), Digest of Education Statistics, 2013 (2015-011), approximately 11% of students report having a disability. However, although more students attending post-secondary education are receiving accommodations and supports, the retention of these students remains a central concern. A student's ability to self-advocate seems to be one key to academic success. Self-determination and self-efficacy factors are frequently cited as essential to successful transition to college. The current study explored …

Perceptions Of Co-Teaching In The Middle School English Language Arts Classroom, Joseph M. Downey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the perceptions of the co-teaching model in the middle school English Language Arts classroom. Data was kept over a three-week period and tracked through individual interviews with teachers in the English Language Arts department. Each interview included the same number of questions with the same prompts. These questions led teachers to discuss their experiences implementing co-teaching, working with a co-teacher and the time and effort that went into the process. As a result of the data collected, I was able to analyze the findings into specific themes including the roles and …

How Do Student Responses Develop In Second Grade Reading Conferences, Lindsey Ervin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to investigate and track the development of student responses during individual reading conferences in second grade. Data was kept over a two-week period and tracked through individual student reading conferences, student jots during reading, reading logs and anecdotal notes. Throughout the study, the student responses developed through the use of question stems and prompts. Through the use of self-selected text and holding student accountable for the reading, the students remained engaged. The structure of the conference helped to build on students' strengths and provide a teaching point in order for the students to practice …

Perceptions Of Supplemental Instruction By Nontraditional Developmental Students In A Community College Setting, Michael S. Dillard

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the perceptions of nontraditional developmental education students on the fidelity of a supplemental instruction program in a community college setting. This study was motivated by two research questions: What are non-traditional supplemental instruction (NTSI) students' perceptions of their experiences in the supplemental instruction program? What are NTSI students' perceptions of the supports provided to them at their community college? To examine these questions, a qualitative study was employed. Interview data were obtained from four students, a supplemental instruction leader, and a program manager. Participant responses offered insight into the experiences of the supplemental instruction program through …