Education Commons^™

Comparing Online And Traditional Interview Techniques: A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of Researchers And Participants In The Malaysian Context, Diyana Kamarudin

Dissertations

The study employed an innovative simulation of interview conditions using both face-to-face and online techniques that facilitated both emic and etic perspectives. The dissertation utilized both micro and a macro levels of study. At the micro level, 10 researcher participants interviewed 30 parent participants utilizing two different interview techniques: online face-to-face interviews via Skype, and traditional face-to-face interview. The interviews focused on parental mediation on children’s television habits. At the macro level the researcher coordinated the study and conducted interviews with the researcher participants, after they completed their own interviews in the simulation. Both online and face-to-face interviews were video …

Improving Evaluation In Nonprofit Organizations: A Study Of How Evaluation Requests For Proposals Are Developed, Responded To, And Fulfilled, Nakia S. Matthews

Dissertations

It is often necessary for nonprofit organizations (NPOs) to formulate a Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure essential contracted services. This is most common when seeking the services of an external evaluator. Since most NPOs do not have internal evaluation staff, developing an appropriate RFP can be quite challenging. With limited literature and resources to guide NPOs on how to prepare RFPs, the process for procuring qualified evaluators can be even more daunting. This lack of resources and supports can lead to insufficient or incomplete RFPs, subsequently narrowing the pool of qualified potential bidders and reducing the extent to which …

Fieldwork Educators' Perspectives: Professional Behavior Attributes Of Level Ii Fieldwork Students, Marcie K. Campbell, Katelyn Corpus, Tracy M. Wussow, Teresa Plummer, Debra Gibbs, Shelley Hix

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

A review of the literature revealed a lack of consistent expectations for professional behaviors required of level II fieldwork students. This study sought to obtain a consensus of perspectives of level II fieldwork educators by asking, “What are the essential professional behavior attributes for level II fieldwork students?” Delphi methodology was used to collect data in two rounds of surveys. In the first, 49 fieldwork educators listed professional behavior attributes they believed to be important for fieldwork students. The data was synthesized into themes for distribution in the second survey, which were identified as essential, non-essential, or site-specific by 53 …

Assessing High School Science Students’ Abilities To Use Cross Cutting Literacy Skills And Scientific Argumentative Writing Skills In A Mid-Western School District, Ellen M. Karel

Masters Theses

This study sought to determine to what extent a centrally focused initiative concentrated on how to teach students to not just write, but how to think, read, and speak about real world problems in a persuasive manner based on multiple sets of data related to science concepts, increased scientific argumentative writing proficiencies among high school students. A secondary area this study attempted to explore was the correlation between the implemented processes in the initiative and high school students’ scientific argumentative writing proficiencies. The study was conducted in a mid-western high school, population 1,088, with a select group of students in …

Exploring Content Validity Of Shore Handwriting Screening And Newly Developed Score Sheet With Pre-Kindergarten Students, Denise K. Donica, Erin Francsis

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Limited tools exist to measure handwriting readiness skills of pre-kindergarten students. This study was a preliminary exploration of content validity of the Shore Handwriting Screening (SHS) and the newly developed Score Sheet with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2) in 4- and 5-year-old pre-kindergarten students. Because socioeconomic status (SES) is known to impact handwriting skills, data from two different socioeconomic groups were collected.

Method: Students from a Lower SES group (n = 36) and a Higher SES group (n = 14) completed the SHS and fine motor composite of the BOT-2. Pearson’s correlation was used to …

The Social Profiles Of Occupational Therapy Students’ Educational Groups, Tore Bonsaksen, Mari N. Eirum, Mary V. Donohue

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Today’s occupational therapy models emphasize that a person’s choice of, satisfaction with, and performance in occupations are markedly influenced by the context. For students undergoing a group-based study module, the group is an important context factor. Until recently, there has been a lack of instruments available for the assessment of functioning and participation at the group level. This mixed methods pilot study aimed to examine occupational therapy students’ perceptions of their group’s level of functioning and course of development during one study module.

Methods: The students’ perceptions of their group’s functioning were assessed in two ways: by examining their …

A Study Of Conceptual And Language Issues Surrounding Weight, Weightlessness, And Free Fall: Textbook Analysis, Instructional Design, And Assessment, Rex Taibu

Dissertations

Science education is an interdisciplinary field that has developed from and continues to rely on research in the fields of cognitive science, philosophy, psychology, sociology and history. This clearly reflects that learning and teaching can be studied from multiple perspectives. Despite these wide ranging roots, contemporary science education by and large is not informed by the work of research on linguistics, and in particular, the role of language in mediating conceptual understanding. The term “weight” has multiple meanings in both science and everyday language, and this unfortunately creates inherent difficulties for teaching and learning. The present study addresses a need …

Principal Leadership: Communication, Support, Management, And Evaluation In Literacy Education In Michigan Elementary Reward Schools Beating The Odds, Jason Michael Surian

Dissertations

This instrumental case study investigated the instructional leadership role that elementary school principals play in shaping literacy instruction in schools designated as “Reward Schools” through the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) accountability system, explicitly those schools noted as, Beating the Odds; i.e. outperforming predicted student achievement based on school and student demographic variables. The study looks specifically at the principal’s knowledge and application of literacy instruction, his/her mental model for the school’s literacy program, and his or her leadership of the school’s literacy program. The study examined these characteristics of principal leadership in literacy instruction through staff communications, literacy …

Using Dynamic Lndicators Of Basic Early Literacy Skills (Dibels) Oral Reading Fluency Data To Predict Michigan Educational Assessment Program Outcomes, Lisa Lockman

Dissertations

Schools are under legislative pressure to ensure students make adequate progress each year, and therefore, must identify students in need of intervention at early grade levels. Educators use diagnostic tools to measure student progress, attempting to determine which children may be most at risk for future reading failure. The Dynamic Indicators of Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) is widely used for early identification of students who have risk factors. This study incorporated a quantitative, correlational, ex post facto design to examine the relationship between students’ third grade scores on the spring DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) assessment and their fifth grade …

Goal Attainment Scaling: An Interprofessional Assessment Of Student Learning, Ann M. Chapleau, Jennifer Harrison, Kathryn Hillenbrand, Edward Roth, Kimberly Searing

Assessment Grants

Ann Chapleau, from the Department of Occupational Therapy, Jennifer Harrison, from the School of Social Work, Kathryn Hillenbrand, from the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Edward Roth, from the Department of Music Therapy, and Kimberly Searing, from the Bronson School of Nursing at Western Michigan University, shared this poster at the Assessment in Action Conference 2015 on April 3. The group were recipients of one of the 2014-2015 WMU Assessment Fellows Grants to conduct research on assessment of personal professional development for students at WMU at selected clinical training locations. This poster provided information regarding their assessment project.

Using Lassi To Assess Peer Academic Success Coaching, Katie Easley

Assessment Grants

Katie Easley, Director of Student Success Services in the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, shared this poster at the WMU Assessment in Action Conference 2015 on April 3. Katie was a recipient of one of the 2014-2015 WMU Assessment Fellows Grants to conduct research on assessment of student learning in the Peer Academic Success Coaching program at WMU. This poster provided information regarding her assessment project.

Let's Talk About Assessment!, David S. Reinhold

Assessment in Action Conference

This presentation was from the plenary session at the Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference 2015 which took place on Friday, April 3. The session was an interactive discussion highlighting some of the main topics of assessment. Attendees were asked to respond to various questions regarding assessment issues using clickers and each question was followed by a group discussion of the results. The session also laid the framework for the sessions presented at the conference that day.

Student Support Unit Assessment Panel, Anne Lundquist, Kate Bates, Laura Darrah, Dianna E. Sachs

Assessment in Action Conference

Staff in 3 Student Support Units at Western Michigan University shared information and lessons learned during this panel session at the Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference 2015:

¨ Laura Darrah, Residence Life: Using National Benchmark Data for Affirmation, Improvement and Change

¨ Diana Sachs, University Libraries: Direct and Indirect Assessment Initiatives, including studies of student and faculty satisfaction, learning, and perception of library resources and services.

¨ Chris Sligh and Kate Bates, Student Activities and Leadership Programs: Sharing Outcomes and Results: Using Assessment to Tell Your Story

Using Assessment To Improve Teaching And Learning, Amy Bentz

Assessment in Action Conference

In this session, there was a discussion regarding the differences between formative and summative assessments, as well as how to utilize both types of assessment strategies to improve learning and teaching. Best practices were be shared and specific examples were provided. Participants left the session with multiple assessment techniques that could be utilized in the classroom.

Assessment Resources: How Do I Find The Help I Need?, Karen Stokes Chapo

Assessment in Action Conference

If you are searching for best practices for assessment and/or education and assistance with all things pertaining to assessment of student learning, this session will show you where to find some reliable and useful online resources including information about local assessment conferences.

Writing Your Student Support Unit Assessment Plan: Tips, Techniques, And Resources, Anne Lundquist, Cari Robertson

Assessment in Action Conference

Working on your student support unit assessment plan? Want some guidance on how to get started, keep moving, or wrap it up? We will share tips, suggestions and ideas for any phase of the process. We will also highlight best practices from other institutions.

Academic Unit Assessment Panel, Betsy Aller, James Cousins, Barbara Sagara

Assessment in Action Conference

Three assessment practitioners at Western Michigan University will discuss their experiences with assessment activities, successes, and lessons learned, with time for Q&A.

You've Collected Tons Of Assessment Data, Now What?, David S. Reinhold

Assessment in Action Conference

The early results of Academic Program Planning at Western Michigan University in 2015 indicate that many units within the university are having some issues with closing the assessment loop. Data is gathered and reported, but often times, program improvements are not the result of data analysis. This session discussed how we can keep our eye on the assessment prize, continuous improvement.

Rubrics: The Good, The Great And The Awesome, David S. Reinhold

Assessment in Action Conference

The basic contents of a good rubric will be discussed, as well as the versatility of rubrics. The session will spend some time on rubric calibration and introduce how rubrics can be used for both grading and assessment.

Writing Observable And Measurable Learning Objectives, Eli Collins-Brown

Assessment in Action Conference

This session will show participants how to write learning objectives (or outcomes) that are useful to the student and essential for faculty who want to improve student learning and assessment in their courses. Writing observable and measurable outcomes is not a difficult task once you learn the process to follow. By the end of this session, participants will be able to distinguish between content, learning activities and learning objectives and apply the three-step process for writing observable and measurable learning objectives.

Western Michigan University Assessment In Action Conference 2015, Office Of Assessment And Undergraduate Studies

Assessment in Action Conference

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Information Literacy Instruction On Students In The Revamped Phys 3100 Course, Carrie C. Leatherman, Christopher Hoffmann

Assessment Grants

Carrie Leatherman, University Libraries and Chris Hoffmann, Department of Physics at Western Michigan University, shared this poster at the Assessment in Action Conference 2015 on April 3. They were recipients of one of the 2014-2015 WMU Assessment Fellows Grants to conduct research on assessing the effectiveness of information literacy instruction by teaching students to use appropriate sources when doing their pre-lab write-ups for their course, PHYS 3100: Intro to Modern Physics Lab. This poster provided information regarding their assessment project.

Investigation Of A Career Exploration Course's Impact On Student Career Development, Mark St. Martin, Adam Osborne, Shaakira Jones, Michael Bobbitt

Assessment Grants

Mark St. Martin, Associate Professor, Western Michigan University Counseling Center, Adam Osborne, MA, Shaakira Jones, MA and Michael Bobbitt, MS, at WMU shared this poster at the Assessment in Action Conference 2015 on April 3. The group were recipients of one of the 2014-2015 WMU Assessment Fellows Grants to conduct research to measure the effectiveness of the UNIV 1020 Career Exploration and Development course at WMU on student career knowledge and decision-making skills. This poster provided information regarding their assessment project.

Advisor And Student Experiences Of Summer Support For College-Intending, Low-Income High School Graduates, Karen D. Arnold, Alexandra Chewning, Benjamin Castleman, Lindsay Page

Journal of College Access

Summer melt occurs when students who have been accepted to college and intend to enroll fail to matriculate in college in the fall semester after high school. A high rate of summer melt contributes to the lower postsecondary attainment rates of low-income students, in particular. This article presents qualitative findings from two interventions intended to reduce summer melt among low-income, urban high school graduates who had been accepted to college and indicated their intention to enroll. Results from student and counselor surveys, interviews, and focus groups point to a web of personal and contextual factors that collectively influence students’ college …