Education Commons^™

Language Assessment Literacy: Analyzing The Perspectives Of Mainstream Teachers Toward English Learners, Tunde Szecsi, Janka Szilagyi

Journal of English Learner Education

This qualitative phenomenological study explores mainstream classroom teachers’ language assessment literacy as it relates to English learners. In Southwest Florida, Fifty-five teachers were interviewed about their knowledge and use of English language proficiency assessments in mainstream classrooms. We conducted content analysis of the individual interviews and field note data. The findings indicated that teacher’s knowledge of language proficiency assessments includes: (a) awareness of language proficiency assessments, (b) one size fits all: misuse of content assessment, (c) language proficiencies confined solely to reading skills, and (d) preference for formative assessment. Findings also indicated that teachers’ limited use of language assessment results …

A Functional Approach To Language Development For Dual Language Learners, Luciana C. De Oliveira, Ruslana Westerlund

Journal of English Learner Education

This article describes a functional approach to language development. This approach draws on functional linguistic perspectives to offer ways for teachers to identify language patterns to help dual language learners (DLLs) see how language works and engage them in exploring meaning in texts as they develop their linguistic repertories in more than one language. The authors contextualize the approach as part of the new WIDA Standards and present a case study to showcase how the functional approach can be used in dual language classrooms, with annotated science texts in English and Spanish.

Dual Language Effectiveness To Narrow Achievement Gaps: A Quantitative Correlational Study, Belinda Reyes Ed.D.

Journal of English Learner Education

An increase in the English learner (EL) population is evident in public schools throughout the United States. Academic achievement gaps between ELs and non-EL peers persist from early childhood through the post-secondary level (Florida Department of Education, 2019c). The gap in the literature is the lack of studies analyzing the language acquisition of ELs enrolled in dual language programs to narrow the achievement gap of ELs. Transformative Learning Theory and the Dynamic Systems Theory are the foundation of the theoretical framework. Key research questions seek data on the relationship between standardized assessments measuring language acquisition and academic performance of third-grade …

Human-Machine Communication: Complete Volume. Volume 2

Human-Machine Communication

This is the complete volume of HMC Volume 2.

Stuck With The Blooz, Olivia Buck

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

All Are Welcome, Amanda Van Vliet

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

An Ellis Island Christmas, Alexandra Mcmillin

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

Conflicts In Communication And Academic Needs For Virtual Education Gifted Students, Sarah M. Finley

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Modern education has to take on various roles and contingencies over the last decade – both for good and worse. Public school systems are competing with private and now charter schools for student enrollment and virtual or online learning schools. A question many parents and educators struggle with – how do we grow and develop children and young adults' academic needs through the use of technology?

The question may be simple; however, the answer is far complicated. Technology provides help in various ways a human being cannot, including instant gratification of Google searches, video education, synchronous education game formats, distant …

Teacher Effectiveness In Underserved, Underfunded, And Under-Resourced Elementary Schools, Anais A. Placencia

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Based on previous studies and the author's observations pre-service teachers do not typically consider teaching in underserved areas as their preferred option (Aragon et al., 2014). My goal for this study was to provide PSTs with a different perspective on teaching in urban areas by developing a compendium of evidenced-based practices based on the five major patterns found in effective teaching in underserved elementary schools. A qualitative content analysis of research on teacher effectiveness in underserved, underfunded, and under-resourced elementary schools allowed me to gather data from previous studies to identify evidenced-based best practices for this particular setting. Based on …

Examining Motivation In Online Learning Amongst Traditional And Nontraditional College Students, Juan J. Echeverri

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Nontraditional students continue to grow as a population in universities across North America. These individuals are characterized as twenty-five years of age or older, have taken time off from school, and usually hold a job outside of their school duties. With our increased immersion in online environments, many individuals earning an educational degree through online participation, and previous studies calling upon further research, we decided to investigate this line of research. Specifically, the present study seeks to understand the motivational factors seen between traditional and nontraditional students, with an emphasis on intrinsic motivation. The results suggest that nontraditional students are …

Unpacking Perceptions Of Play And Literacy In Early Childhood Education: Creating Home Literacy Bags As A Guide To Parental Support, Delaney C. Knapp

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This paper takes a deeper look into how children's literacy development can be supported at home. Specifically, the paper examines the use of home literacy bags that are directed towards the students' specific needs by exploring their family background and home literacy environment. First, I explored the research on family perceptions of literacy, children's perceptions of literacy, home literacy practices, and home-school literacy partnerships in a literature review. Next, I created a literacy-based curriculum consisting of ten home literacy bags. This paper outlined a home-school literacy intervention in my future classroom. The information was obtained from my junior and senior …

The Implications Of Case-Based Learning (Cbl) On Biochemistry Education: An Integrative Literature Review, Ryan C. Ripert

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The COVID-19 has significantly impacted the world as we know it, especially in higher education institutions. In response to COVID-19, most colleges and universities were forced to close their doors to students and switch to online learning over Zoom. Although most students are adjusted well to this new mode of education, other students, such as individuals pursuing degrees in the sciences, have difficulty adapting to the online mode of instruction. Case-based learning (CBL) is considered one of the best strategies in teaching a course like Biochemistry in a large classroom setting. Implementing CBL in biochemistry education may increase student engagement …

Exploring Portrayals Of Black American Culture In Coretta Scott King Picturebooks Awarded From 2013 To 2020, Rebecca Jesse

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Children's literature is crucial in shaping the way young children see and think about themselves in the eyes of society. Although diversity is increasing, a need remains for books that feature Black children as well as accurate portrayals of their lifestyles. According to the Cooperation Children's Book Center (2020), only 400 books out of 3,299 are about Black Americans, while a little over half of that number are actually written by Black authors. Why should children of color have to suffice with reading books that have no connection to their real-world life? Black children should have access to and enjoy …

Dual Language Teachers' Beliefs And Practices Regarding Effective Second Language Instruction: A Qualitative Study, Deddy Amrand

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The present study examined dual language (DL) teachers' beliefs and practices regarding effective second language instruction. DL teachers are expected to integrate language teaching and content instruction. However, balancing the two areas of instruction has been proved challenging. It has also been reported that bilingual educators lack pedagogical skills and hold incorrect beliefs about second language acquisition. Five DL educators participated in the study. Data about the teacher's beliefs were collected using semi-structured interviews, and data about their classroom practices were gathered from their teaching journals. Second semi-structured interviews were conducted to reveal the factors influencing the enactment of stated …

Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: Instructional Reasoning In High-Density Black Populations, Desheila Rumph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

To be economically competitive, U.S. citizens must be mathematically competent (Wang et al., 2010). However, students in the United States have consistently underperformed those in other industrialized nations in mathematics (Program for International Student Assessment [PISA], 2018), which threatens the economic health of the nation (Achieve, 2013; Auguste et al., 2009; Harbour et al., 2018; Mickelson et al., 2013). Federal education reform was implemented and failed to improve the mathematics achievement of U.S. pupils (Cheong Cheng, 2020). Researchers have found links between teacher knowledge and student achievement; however, factors mediate this relationship (Hatisauri & Erbas, 2017). As a result, non-significant …

Examining The Effects Of Implementation Of I-Ready To Fidelity On Reading And Its Effects On Free Or Reduced Lunch Students In Seven Middle Schools, Ryan Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The purpose of this study was to contribute to the literature and to policy and practice in the educational field on how individual student diagnostic scores was affected in the area of reading. This study specifically examined full or partial fidelity of implementation of the iReady reading instructional and computerized program was applied in seven middle schools in a school district in Central Florida for all students in intensive reading courses. Additionally, this study contributed to how individual student diagnostic scores was affected in the area of reading for students on free or reduced lunch. Data were analyzed from the …

Qualitative Reconceptualizations Of Success In Physics From A Feminist Lens, Brian Zamarripa Roman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

To address the critical issue of the underrepresentation of women in physics, the Physics Education Research community has focused on exploring the factors contributing to student success; however, few studies have explored the meaning of success in physics as seen by women and other marginalized populations. This study, guided by Feminist Standpoint Theory and Critical Race Nepantlera Methodologies, incorporates qualitative methods to explore the central question, "how do women in physics conceptualize the meaning of success in physics?" We begin with an analysis of metaphors of success in physics constructed by nine women studying physics at a single institution, followed …

A Quasi-Experimental Study Of The Relationship Between Teaching Intensive Reading Using Novels And Student Skills In English Language Arts, Sarah Brevoort

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Many research-based reading interventions exist, but little literature examines teaching secondary reading using entire novels as an intervention. This quasi-experimental study examined the relationship between whether entire novels were included in secondary intensive reading and students' English language arts skills. Data were collected through an online survey of eight reading teachers from one Florida school district. Data collected by the survey were teacher qualifications, inclusion of entire novels in reading curriculum, and implementation of research-based teaching strategies. Survey data, Florida Standards Assessment of English Language Arts (FSA ELA) student scores, student demographics and reading placement data were analyzed to answer …

"Do You Hear What I Say?" A Phenomenological Exploration Of International Students' Oral Communication Experiences With Pechakucha Oral Presentations In A Us English For Academic Purposes Program., Van Thi Hong Le

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

With the importance of oral communication skills and digital literacy skills for 21st-century learners (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2006), there is an increasing tendency to incorporate technology in language learning and teaching. In this trend, PechaKucha Presentation (PKP), a unique, fast-paced format of giving presentations, has recently been advocated for its benefits in developing learners' oral communication skill in various contexts (Angelina, 2019; Coskun, 2017; Mabuan, 2017). This paper presented a study that explored seven international students' speaking and listening experiences with PKP activities while completing the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program prior to their undergraduate programs in …

Design-Based Research Toward A Professional Development Program, Karl Miehl

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The purpose of this dissertation in practice was twofold; The first purpose was to design a Professional Development (PD) program for a specialized group of civilian employees working in a large military organization, and the second purpose was to evaluate and refine that PD program using mixed-methods empirical research. The study focused on a group of approximately 100 Instructional System Specialists and Research Psychologists. These employees are highly educated, with the majority holding advanced degrees in their respective fields, yet they lacked a clear path to career development within their organization. Following the tenets of design-based research, a PD program …

Student Perceptions Of Instructor Support In Remote Learning Environments During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Christopher F. Sellas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The present study explored student perceptions of instructor support in remote learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand inequities in their learning experiences. Participants self-reported perceptions of instructor support, online learning experiences, mental health symptoms, and wellbeing. Bivariate correlation testing and linear regression modeling were used to analyze the data. Results indicate that students' student-instructor rapport is associated with higher perception of instructor support. Further, higher perceptions of instructor support were associated with significantly lower symptoms of depression, anxiety, and academic-related stress. Higher degrees of students' self-regulated learning behaviors were associated with lower perceived instructor support. There were …

Evaluating Augmented Reality Tools For Physics Education, Corey Pittman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

While we are in the midst of a renaissance of interest in augmented reality (AR), there remain a small number of application domains that have seen significant development. One domain that often benefits from additional visualization capabilities is education, specifically physics and other sciences. This paper summarizes interviews with secondary school educators about their experience with AR and their most desired features. Three prototypes were created which were used to collect usability information from students and educators about their preferences for AR applications in their physics courses. Additionally, we introduce the concept of Environmental Integration, a novel method of defining …

The Predictability Of Children Of Military Families' Levels Of Resilience, Help-Seeking Attitudes, And Caregiver Relationships To Their Suicidality Scores Using Structural Equation Modeling, Jessica Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This study explores the experiences of suicidality (e.g., suicidal behavior risk and suicide ideation) of adults who were raised in military families in relation to their levels of potential protective factors of resilience, help-seeking attitudes, and perceptions of caregiver relationships. There is limited research exploring suicidality among individuals raised by military caregivers, with most of the literature focused on individuals in childhood and using national or statewide datasets. Prior to this investigation, only one study was identified that examined suicidality of adults of military families, with a focus on international military families rather than those associated with the U.S. military. …

Effectiveness Of Digital Interactive Experiment In Learning Outcomes And Engagement, Matin Salemirad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Despite some ongoing debates over the positive or negative impact of digital games, educational games are powerful tools to increase engagement and improve learning outcomes. Scientific concepts about the weather are complicated for younger learners and deep learning often requires long-term cultivation. This thesis presents a novel interactive educational simulation called the Science of Meteorology with Interactive Learning Experience (SMILE). In it, students interact with a touchscreen monitor to change weather conditions and learn about clouds and weather science. The relationship between engagement and learning outcomes and the effectiveness of the experience is evaluated using a formal user study. Online …

An Asset-Based Approach To Problem-Based Learning In K-12 Stem, Samantha Heller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Educators and policymakers advocate for the implementation of problem-based approaches to STEM education in K-12 classrooms to help students develop 21st-century skills such as the ability to think critically, collaborate, and problem-solve. The first exploratory case study in this three-article dissertation examines how students engage in STEM-focused PBL experiences and the meaning of these experiences for the development of their STEM identities. The second study utilizes Braun and Clarke's reflective thematic analysis framework to explore the experience of a model STEM teacher at a high-performing STEM-focused elementary school as she implemented problem-based learning in the first year of a school-wide …

Stance And Engagement In Scientific Research Articles, Caoyuan Ma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Stance and engagement are important rhetorical resources for writers to construct interaction with readers and ideas by marking epistemic evaluation and bringing readers into the texts. Building on previous research that suggests notable differences in the use of stance and engagement in academic discourse, this comparative study investigates the use of stance and engagement in scientific research articles. By comparing two corpora that contain 144 research articles in total across 16 scientific disciplines, this study examines if the numbers of stance and engagement differ between manuscripts (unpublished research papers) that are produced by nonnative writers and those that are published …

The Effects Of A House System On School Improvement In Elementary Schools: School Climate And Academic Achievement, Carol-Ann Clenton-Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

A regional area of a school district in central Florida used the implementation of a house system as a school improvement intervention to impact school climate and academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine if a house system is an effective school improvement intervention that has a positive effect on school climate and academic achievement of students in elementary schools. Four research questions were developed to investigate if there was a difference in elementary schools that implemented a house system and ones that did not during the 2018-2019 school year. All schools included in the study had …

Student Government: A Phenomenological Study Of Student Government Leaders, K. Bonnieblue Rodríguez-Valentín

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This phenomenological study investigated the transition process of student government leaders in a university setting. The study consisted of interviewing a total of 17 participants from Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches, as well as the Election Commission. This study focused on finding the types of transitions student leaders experience while serving in student government, the meaning obtained from such transitions, and the impact succession planning and university personnel had on those transitions. Themes that emerged from the study included stress, conflict, advocacy, resiliency, and boundaries. Recommendations and future applications of the research findings were made to help guide higher education …

Performance-Based Funding: A Case Study Of Three Universities In The State Of Florida, Lucretia Cooney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

An exploratory case study of three institutions of higher education in the State of Florida and performance-based funding was conducted. The study examined the metrics that determined funding over the years 2014-2020. The study was grounded in Neoliberal Theory and Resource Dependency Theory. Significant findings in this study included: (a) the decline in the percentage of bachelor graduates employed (employment was measured by $25,000 wages after graduation), or continuing their education across all three universities, (b) Student-to-Faculty Ratios (CDS) were a statistically significant predictor of Bachelor's Degrees Awarded (Key Performance Metric), F (1, 13) = 37.76, p < .001., (c) the increase of non-tenure earning over tenure-earning and tenured faculty at all three institutions during the fiscal years 2016-17 to 2020-21, and (d) fewer graduate degrees were awarded in the STEM disciplines over the time investigated. The study affirms the tenets of both Neoliberal Theory and Resource Dependency Theory. The study provided useful information for national performance-based funding programs, the Florida Board of Governors, the Boards of Trustees, and institutional stakeholders. Implications for practice include the need for more transparency and parity in reporting data across databases. Future research should conduct this same study including all of the institutions in the State of Florida.

An Exploration Of The Political Factors That Influence States' Appropriations For Higher Education, Wesley Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The purpose of the current empirical study was to investigate the relationship between a United States governor's education agenda, the growth of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the state promise programs on allocations for higher education within the 50 states for the Fiscal Year 2018. Guided by Tandberg's (2010a, 2010b) fiscal policy framework, this quantitative inquiry seeks to investigate the association between a governor's education agenda, statewide promise programs, and Medicaid's share of state general fund expenditures on the states' higher education allocation per US $1,000 of personal income using an analysis of covariance fixed-term model and …