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Electronic Theses and Dissertations

2008

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Articles 31 - 60 of 101

Full-Text Articles in Education

An Investigation Of The Efficacy Of The Text Talk Strategy On Pre-School Students' Vocabulary Acquisition, Heather Batchelder Jan 2008

An Investigation Of The Efficacy Of The Text Talk Strategy On Pre-School Students' Vocabulary Acquisition, Heather Batchelder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using a single subject Multiple Baseline design, this study examined the efficacy of the Text Talk vocabulary acquisition strategy with regard to the use of new vocabulary by pre-kindergarten students in an inclusive classroom within a public charter school. Five pre-school students participated in the study. Students with varying exceptionalities as well as students with typical development were included in the study. Three classroom teachers implemented the Text Talk strategy utilizing eight books and vocabulary scenario models during an interactive story time that included the direct instruction of vocabulary in the study. During the baseline and intervention phases data collection …


The Effects Of The Attainment Of Functional Assessment Skills By Preschool Teachers And Their Assistants On Students' Classr, Karen Wagner Jan 2008

The Effects Of The Attainment Of Functional Assessment Skills By Preschool Teachers And Their Assistants On Students' Classr, Karen Wagner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of teaching functional assessment skills to three Prekindergarten teachers and their teaching assistants. The effects were measured by examining the behavior of the teachers and assistants, as well as the behaviors of the students; before, during and after the delivery of three, two-hour functional assessment classes. The teaching staff videotaped themselves and their students during a regular class time, predetermined by the researcher and each teacher prior to the onset of baseline data collection, over an approximate nine-week period. The video was taken in twelve-minute segments every day. Later, the …


Producing A Measure For Assessing Motivating Career Influencesfor Counselors-In-Training, Tyson Kuch Jan 2008

Producing A Measure For Assessing Motivating Career Influencesfor Counselors-In-Training, Tyson Kuch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe an appropriate protocol for developing a psychometrically sound instrument to assess perceived influences motivating graduate students to enter the counseling profession. The self-report, 124-item inventory was administered to a sample of 347 graduate students pursuing counseling as a profession. All participants responded to the inventory anonymously. A factor analysis from responses grouped scale items into six different factors, and helped condense the scale into a shorter, more psychometrically sound instrument by identifying those items with low or ambiguous factor loadings, suitable for removal. A factor analysis also identified those items most relevant …


The Impact Of Video Modeling And Peer Mentoring Of Social Skills For Middle School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders In In, Christine Ogilvie Jan 2008

The Impact Of Video Modeling And Peer Mentoring Of Social Skills For Middle School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders In In, Christine Ogilvie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Given the behavioral expectations of students by teachers and peers in middle school inclusive classrooms and characteristics inherent to students with ASD, the purpose of this study was to explore the impact of video modeling and peer mentoring of five critical social skills for inclusion on middle school students with ASD. Specifically, the extent to which the combination of video modeling and peer mentoring of five critical social skills would increase the level of demonstration of these skills in the general education inclusion setting was investigated. Because individuals with ASD exhibit limited social communication skills, those skills necessary especially at …


Listening To Student Voices: Web-Based Mentoring For Black Male Students With Emotional Disorders, David Grant Jan 2008

Listening To Student Voices: Web-Based Mentoring For Black Male Students With Emotional Disorders, David Grant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The voices of Black male students labeled ED are seldom heard regarding their perspectives on education and their lives in general. By excluding their opinions, educators are missing an important aspect that could improve educational services for Black males with ED. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the implications of Web-based mentoring as a platform for Black male students with ED to articulate their thoughts on the factors that impact their behaviors and achievement. Mentoring as an intervention granted Black males with ED a platform to share their thoughts. Technology was used as an educational resource to academically engage …


Comparing Middle School General And Special Educators' Use Of Research-Based Instruction In Mathematics For Students With Learni, Shelby Robertson Jan 2008

Comparing Middle School General And Special Educators' Use Of Research-Based Instruction In Mathematics For Students With Learni, Shelby Robertson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between general and special educators regarding the implementation of research-based strategies that target the needs of students with LD in mathematics, as well as general and special educators' perceptions of their preparedness to use instructional strategies in mathematics. A sample of general and special educators who taught mathematics to students with learning disabilities (LD) at the middle school level responded to an online survey. The survey examined teacher self-reported classroom use of instructional practices specifically aligned with NCTM standards, direct instruction, graduated instruction, grouping practices, and self-monitoring. Additionally, educators responded …


An Investigation Of The Effects Of Using Handhelds To Increasecomputational Speed By Enhancing Working Memory Forsecondary Stude, Marcey Kinney Jan 2008

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Using Handhelds To Increasecomputational Speed By Enhancing Working Memory Forsecondary Stude, Marcey Kinney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using a single subject research design, the effects of computer based brain training were examined to determine if computational fluency increased after completing the brain training activities. The study took place in a large public high school. Participants were students with learning disabilities who were also below level in mathematics. During the baseline phase, all participants completed a timed math probe daily for 1 week. Because the timed math probes were timed, the researcher was looking for an average gain for each student. During week two students completed the brain age activities daily, prior to completing the math probe. Average …


The Effect Of Cognitive Aging On Multimedia Learning, Boaventura Dacosta Jan 2008

The Effect Of Cognitive Aging On Multimedia Learning, Boaventura Dacosta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

If not designed in consideration to the workings of the human mind, multimedia learning environments can impose too high a demand on working memory. While such high cognitive load presents challenges for learners of all ages, older learners may be particularly affected as research on cognitive aging has shown the efficiency of working memory declines with age. Research has suggested that cognitive load theory (CLT) and the cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML) are likely to accommodate the cognitive needs of older learners; however, few of the principles emerging from these theories have been examined in the context of cognitive …


Effects Of A Computer Game On Mathematics Achievement And Class Motivation: An Experimental Study, Mansureh Kebritchi Jan 2008

Effects Of A Computer Game On Mathematics Achievement And Class Motivation: An Experimental Study, Mansureh Kebritchi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the last few years educational computer games have gained attention as a tool for facilitating learning in different sectors of society including but not limited to military, health, and education. However, advances in computer game technology continue to outpace research on its effectiveness. Few empirical studies have investigated the effects of educational games in the context of formal K-12 settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a series of mathematics computer games on mathematics achievement and motivation of high school students. In addition, the role of prior mathematics knowledge, computer skill, and English language …


Strengths And Talents Of Potential Administrators In Orange County Public Schools, Florida, Arthur Anderson Jan 2008

Strengths And Talents Of Potential Administrators In Orange County Public Schools, Florida, Arthur Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the increased demands on principals and a shortage of qualified, acceptable candidates, school districts that have to replace principals are in a difficult position. These factors, combined with the importance that the principal role has in relation to student achievement, make the identification of potential administrators and the hiring process for new administrators a top priority for all school districts. This study answered the following two major questions; a) what characteristics or talents, as identified by the StrengthsFinder profile, did Orange County Public School principals in 2007 look for in identifying potential school administrators and b) what differences, if …


Learning-Centered Professional Staff Development: Examining Institutional And Learner Responsibilities, Julie Corderman Jan 2008

Learning-Centered Professional Staff Development: Examining Institutional And Learner Responsibilities, Julie Corderman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to determine the balance of a collaborative learning relationship between an institution and its employees. A review of the literature examined learning-centered theory to determine the necessary tenets of a learning-centered professional staff development program. In addition, various staff development components were examined to ascertain their role in a learning-centered program. The literature findings guided this research to conduct a study to determine if relationships existed between employees' perception of climate and two variables: (a) employees' locus of control and (b) employees' job satisfaction. Additionally, the three factors were assessed together in a linear …


The Effects Of Informal Science Education On Students' Attitudes And Academic Performance, Samuel Ashley Jan 2008

The Effects Of Informal Science Education On Students' Attitudes And Academic Performance, Samuel Ashley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Will student attitudes towards science change when they are given a chance to explore an area of science in which they have indicated an interest? This action research thesis investigated this question over a period of nine weeks. The subjects of this study included twelve students enrolled in the same seventh grade physical science class. The school was located in a suburban setting in the Southeast United States. Data for this study was collected with anecdotal notes, participation grid, science attitude survey, student interviews, and student journals. This study found that when students are given the opportunity to pursue an …


Development Of Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra Students' Mathematical Problem Solving Through Written Explanations And Justificati, Rebecca Jones Jan 2008

Development Of Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra Students' Mathematical Problem Solving Through Written Explanations And Justificati, Rebecca Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this action research, the interactions of seventh grade pre-algebra students in a mathematics classroom shared their explanation and justification processes through group work. Prior to the start of the study students were given a written pre-test to determine current conceptual thinking in mathematics. Over the next nine weeks, the teacher engaged the students in problem solving activities that included reasoning skills, communication and making connections through discussion with their peers. Following nine weeks of written and verbal discourse, students were provided a post-test to determine changes in their conceptual thinking. Overall students' grades, journal writings and test scores showed …


Effects Of Discussion And Writing On Student Understanding Of Mathematics Concepts, Joseph Roicki Jan 2008

Effects Of Discussion And Writing On Student Understanding Of Mathematics Concepts, Joseph Roicki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For this action research project, I wanted to examine my practice of teaching mathematics. Specifically, I encouraged students to improve their communication skills during my math class through daily discussion and writing tasks. After establishing a class set of sociomathematical norms, the students solved problems provided by the Every Day Counts: Calendar Math program and used verbal and written formats to describe their problem solving methods and reasons. My study showed the effects of using discussion and writing to help students develop their conceptual understanding of mathematical ideas. Focus was placed on the quality of daily discussions and written tasks …


Helping At-Risk Students Solve Mathematical Word Problems Through The Use Of Direct Instruction And Problem Solving Strategies, Lurdes Lopez Jan 2008

Helping At-Risk Students Solve Mathematical Word Problems Through The Use Of Direct Instruction And Problem Solving Strategies, Lurdes Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This action research study examined the influence mathematical strategies had on middle school students' mathematical ability. The purpose of this action research study was to observe students mathematical abilities and to investigate whether teaching students problem-solving strategies in mathematics will enhance student's mathematical thinking and their ability to comprehend and solve word problems. The study took place in an urban school in Orlando, Florida in the fall of 2004. The subjects will be 12 eighth grade students assigned to my intensive math class. Quantitative data was collected. Students' took a pre and post test designed to measure and give students …


An Analysis Of Accreditation Processes, Quality Control Criteria, Historical Events, And Student Performance, Robert Burris Jan 2008

An Analysis Of Accreditation Processes, Quality Control Criteria, Historical Events, And Student Performance, Robert Burris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent student performance has been influenced by historical events, legislative mandates, and accreditation processes. This study consists of comparing the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation processes with those of the Association of Christian Schools International. In completing this qualitative study, the following procedures were implemented: Related research was used to provide a background of the role that historical events, legislation, and accreditation processes have on student performance; data were collected to establish time line shifts in an historical perspective. The data collected included assessment, accountability, high school drop …


A Historical Analysis Of Teacher Preparation Program Contentbeginning With Teacher Normal Colleges In 1839 Throughschool Distric, Julie Helton Jan 2008

A Historical Analysis Of Teacher Preparation Program Contentbeginning With Teacher Normal Colleges In 1839 Throughschool Distric, Julie Helton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore teacher preparation program content throughout American history in order to determine trends in programs of study, specifically including coursework in education foundations, teaching methods involving the behavioral sciences, and subject area content. These categories were selected because their content is responsible for teachers' working knowledge of their subject area, as well as student learning, behavior management and motivation. The study also examined documented teacher knowledge voids: student behavior management, time management, organization, dealing with parents, motivating students, and meeting individual students' needs to determine which aspects of teacher education could improve teachers' …


Service Quality In Academic Libraries: An Analysis Of Libqual+„¢ Scores And Institutional Characteristics, Kathleen Miller Jan 2008

Service Quality In Academic Libraries: An Analysis Of Libqual+„¢ Scores And Institutional Characteristics, Kathleen Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory study considered the problem of assessing quality in academic libraries. The research question that framed the investigation asked whether service quality scores from the LibQUAL+ instrument were related to the following college or university characteristics: institutional type, enrollment level, or the level of investment made in libraries. Data regarding Carnegie classification, FTE enrollment, and library expenditures were collected for 159 college and university libraries that participated in LibQUAL+ during 2006. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and regression analyses were calculated and the Bonferroni adjustment was applied to significance levels to compensate for errors caused by repeated calculations using the …


An Investigation Into The Use Of Retention As An Intervention Strategy For Struggling Students As Measured By Student Success On, Maria Katz Jan 2008

An Investigation Into The Use Of Retention As An Intervention Strategy For Struggling Students As Measured By Student Success On, Maria Katz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Retention of students having academic difficulties continues to be a very popular intervention, even though many studies suggest that retention of students does not improve their academic success or their social and emotional attitude towards school. This study was based on an analysis of 10,875 Seminole County students that had been retained at least one time in their educational career. The study used 2006-2007 FCAT Reading and Math scores to determine the success of their retentions. Students were grouped by the categories of gender, age, race, grade retained, ESE status, ELL status and SES and their success evaluated. The study …


A Comparative Analysis Of Differences In Resident Satisfaction, Retention, And Cumulative Grade Point Average Between University, Jeffrey Novak Jan 2008

A Comparative Analysis Of Differences In Resident Satisfaction, Retention, And Cumulative Grade Point Average Between University, Jeffrey Novak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study compared students' perceptions and satisfaction as they related to their place of residence. In addition, this study sought to determine if a difference existed between student retention rates from their first year in college to their second year and one's grade point average with respect to one's place of residence within the collegiate setting. As such, the problem this study examined was the overall impact of where a first-time-in-college student lived within the University of Central Florida housing system and how that living environment impacted students' levels of satisfaction, overall retention rates, and cumulative grade point averages. The …


Effects On Student Performance Of Using Hands-On Activities To Teach Seventh Grade Students' Measurement Concepts, Darlene Hoke Jan 2008

Effects On Student Performance Of Using Hands-On Activities To Teach Seventh Grade Students' Measurement Concepts, Darlene Hoke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student performance on measurement concepts in mathematics was the basis for this action research study. This study summarizes research conducted in a seventh grade classroom at an urban middle school during fall of 2005. The study investigated the practice of using hands-on activities in addition to the standard mathematics curriculum to improve student performance in measurement tasks. Students were asked to respond to questions posed by both teacher and other students in the classroom. Data were collected using measurement survey, focus group discussions, math journals, and teacher observations. Results of this study showed that student performance on measurement tasks increased …


Leadership Orientations Ofcommunity College Presidents And The Administrators Who Report To Them: A Frame Analysis, Michele Mcardle Jan 2008

Leadership Orientations Ofcommunity College Presidents And The Administrators Who Report To Them: A Frame Analysis, Michele Mcardle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Presidents of Community Colleges and the administrators who reported directly to them were the subjects for this study based on the Four Frame Leadership Theory of Bolman and Deal (1990b). The Leadership Orientation (Self) Survey (LOS) was mailed to 169 community college presidents and administrators in the presidents' direct report teams. The final usable response rate of 69.82% to the survey fell within the acceptable range for education as defined by Boser and Green (1997). In addition, the subjects were asked to write about the most difficult challenge they had faced in their current position and how they handled that …


Using Communication Techniques In The Low-Performing Mathematics Classroom: A Study Of Fractions,Decimals,Performance And Attitu, Pamela Guyton Jan 2008

Using Communication Techniques In The Low-Performing Mathematics Classroom: A Study Of Fractions,Decimals,Performance And Attitu, Pamela Guyton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Within a low-performing seventh grade mathematics classroom, communication techniques including discourse, collaborative groups, listening, reading, and writing were implemented during a six week period. This study shows how the use of these techniques led to the twenty four students' conceptual understanding of fraction and decimal concepts. This research study provides insight to the deep-seeded beliefs of low-performing students. It provides a record of how the teacher used communication techniques in the classroom and had a strong positive impact on the attitudes and performance of these struggling students.


Transcending Curriculum Ideologies: Educating Human Beings Well, Kevin M. Cloninger Jan 2008

Transcending Curriculum Ideologies: Educating Human Beings Well, Kevin M. Cloninger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to consider the role of well-being in schooling. Recent advances in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and medicine have led to a reexamination of the role of well-being in society. There is a growing body of educational theory on the subject of well-being in schools that draws on these advances (Cohen, 2006; Noddings, 2003, 2006; Ruyter, 2004; Spring, 2007). The few serious treatments on the role of well-being in education consider it from a theoretical perspective. Few if any empirical research studies in the fields of Curriculum or Educational Psychology have been conducted that …


From K-Ged: Maine Teenagers Describe Social, Emotional, And Relational Factors And Conditions Involved In Their Decisions To Drop Out And Complete With A Ged, Cheryl Saliwanchik-Brown Jan 2008

From K-Ged: Maine Teenagers Describe Social, Emotional, And Relational Factors And Conditions Involved In Their Decisions To Drop Out And Complete With A Ged, Cheryl Saliwanchik-Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Presented as chronological stories, GED candidates identified challenges in their lives that they encountered during school and described how they made choices to leave high school in order to graduate. Many of these youth faced "unthinkable" family situations. Many came from low socio-economic status which created or supported further disabling factors and conditions. GED examiners corroborated survey and narrative data. They stated that economic opportunities in Maine are dwindling, parents are not positive role models or support, and academic achievement is often deterred by bullying and teasing by classmates. Through the narratives we discover that the GED process serves not …


A Study Of Instructor Persona In The Online Environment, William Phillips Jan 2008

A Study Of Instructor Persona In The Online Environment, William Phillips

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Higher education continues to witness a significant increase in the demand for online courses delivered via the World Wide Web. Institutions are challenged to position and prepare faculty for successfully developing and delivering this increasing number of online courses from a distance. Becoming successful in the online classroom presents difficult and time-consuming challenges to the novice faculty member. Instructors who transition from the face-to-face classroom find that some characteristics, strategies and procedures carryover into the online classroom. The new teaching environment presents an evolving spectrum of possibilities for the online professor, a new paradigm for teaching and learning. This research …


Leadership Behaviors Gained As A Result Of Involvement In A Community College Student Leader Program, Chanda Torres Jan 2008

Leadership Behaviors Gained As A Result Of Involvement In A Community College Student Leader Program, Chanda Torres

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess whether participation in a community college student leader program had an effect on the leadership behaviors of students based on five (5) practices measured by a student leadership practices inventory. By assessing these leadership behaviors, the community college was able to determine the effectiveness of the program and ways to improve the program's curriculum. This study addressed the following: 1) whether students who participated in a student leader program in a community college showed significant growth in leadership behaviors; 2) whether the growth in leadership behaviors of students who participated in a …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Perceptions And Experiences Of Seven Urban Middle School Science Teachers Related To Retention, Lu Dunn Jan 2008

A Phenomenological Study Of The Perceptions And Experiences Of Seven Urban Middle School Science Teachers Related To Retention, Lu Dunn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Job satisfaction is essential to retain teachers in classrooms. Increased challenges in today s classrooms discourage many teachers from reaching veteran status. Teachers with a perception that they are making a difference appear to have more resilience in the difficult times in their classrooms. Purpose: To investigate the experiences of middle school science teachers. This study explored the influence of perceptions, beliefs, and experiences on job attrition and teacher satisfaction; and helps explain the cumulative effects that contributed to teachers' dissatisfaction. This study analyzed the intensification of the teaching profession and the increased emotional stress this causes for teachers. …


The Effectiveness Of "Delivering Unfavorable News To Patients Diagnosed With Cancer" Training Program For Oncologists In Uzbekis, Gulnora Hundley Jan 2008

The Effectiveness Of "Delivering Unfavorable News To Patients Diagnosed With Cancer" Training Program For Oncologists In Uzbekis, Gulnora Hundley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Effective physician-patient communication is primary to successful medical consultation and encourages a collaborative interactional process between patient and doctor. Collaborative communication, rather than one-way authoritarian, physician-led medical interview, is significant in navigating difficult circumstances such as delivering "bad news" to patients diagnosed with cancer. Additionally, the potential psychological effects of breaking bad news in an abrupt and insensitive manner can be devastating and long-lasting for both the patient and his or her family. The topic of delivering unfavorable news to patients is an issue that many medical professionals find to be challenging and is now getting the attention of medical …


Co-Teaching: Using Video To Identify Current Practices And Promote Teacher Discussion In Middle School Mathematics Classrooms, Kimberly Davis Jan 2008

Co-Teaching: Using Video To Identify Current Practices And Promote Teacher Discussion In Middle School Mathematics Classrooms, Kimberly Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the co-teaching practices occurring within four middle school mathematics classrooms and the influence of video discussions on each co-teaching team. The study took place within three middle schools in central Florida. The study provides a clear picture of the current status of middle school co-taught mathematics classrooms. The research results were inconclusive in that the key components of co-teaching were not observed (co-planning, co-instructing and co-assessing) and the findings were similar to past co-teaching research indicating mixed results. Overall, concerns that emerged from the study were a lack of heterogeneous classrooms, clarity for the role of the …