Education Commons^™

Emergent Literacy Learning, Tera Bockenstedt

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review of literature was to look at research in the area of early literacy acquisition. A brief background on emergent literacy and how emergent literacy has impacted educational reform was discussed. The review of literature discussed research on emergent literacy development, in particular the skills that are appropriate for young children to acquire in preparation for entrance into formal schooling. A look at research about the influences on emergent literacy learning and the conditions that foster early literacy development was also discussed. The home factors influencing emergent literacy development and the conditions that foster early literacy …

Key Components In An Online Class, Renae Darlene Farrell

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review focuses on what needs to be in place to have an effective online class. Instructional design models, interactive learning communities, learning theories, and instructional/student technology training are some of the issues that the literature review documents. The purpose of this literature review is to examine research on the topics of the instructional design process and the transformation of a traditional classroom to an online classroom. The conclusions formed within this document are based upon literature reviews about the topics of effective online classes. This review has led to a conclusion that online education can be an effective …

Daily Drawing And Writing Activities In A Preschool Classroom, Lynn Glaser

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examined the effect of providing daily drawing and writing activities in a preschool classroom. Benefits, as well as concerns, were discussed. Guidelines were presented to help with establishing a classroom environment that would provide daily drawing and writing activities for children in a preschool classroom. Conclusions were also drawn from the literature and recommendations were made to assist administers and teachers with establishing a program that supports daily drawing and writing activities.

The Effects Of Dietary Intervention, Specifically The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet, On The Behavior And The Learning Abilities Of Children Who Have Been Diagnosed With Autism., Amy Wallace

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the effects of dietary intervention, specifically the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free diet, on the behavior and the learning abilities of children who have been diagnosed with autism. The benefits and limitations of this study were discussed as to how dietary interventions affect the behavior of children with autism. Guidelines were presented on how to implement a Gluten-Free, Casein-Free diet. Also, conclusions were drawn from the study and literature, and recommendations were made on how to select a dietary intervention.

Year-Round Education, Kara Trentz

Graduate Research Papers

This study looks at the operations of year-round education. Discussions will go into the benefits of year-round education, as well as the problems of such a program. Guidelines for establishing a calendar for a year-round school will be presented. Lastly, conclusions and recommendations will be made for the future of year-round education for our state and nation.

Critical Elements For Leading Secondary Schools, Darci J. Wagner

Graduate Research Papers

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "living and learning must go hand in hand." I cannot remember a time in my life when this was not true. As a child, school was always a positive experience for me. I loved the challenge of mastering new skills. As I progressed through high school and college, I had the opportunity to develop my thinking and reasoning skills through challenging courses taught by master teachers. These teachers served as role models for me, displaying dedication and passion for their subject matter as well as their students.

Nebbe's Nature Nest : A Summary Of An Animal Assisted Therapy Camp, Nicole A. Whisler

Graduate Research Papers

Two graduate students conducted a small animal assisted therapy camp. The main goal for this camp was to enhance and promote the campers' socialization skills and self-esteem through the use of animal assisted therapy. Two pre and post measurement scales were used to evaluate the children's loneliness and self concept. The campers participated in a one-week camp lasting approximately three hours a day. To meet desired lesson goals, the campers engaged in direct animal contact and specific animal assisted activities. The following is a complete description and reaction to the animal assisted therapy camp led by Trisha (Hobbiebrunken) Ames, Nicole …

Contextual Learning Vs. Standardized Testing : And The Winner Is ... ?, Lorinda Leedom

Graduate Research Papers

Our educational system is currently in the grips of No Child Left Behind and the stress of proving students' abilities via mandated standardized tests. This stress is changing teachers' focus from providing a contextual learning environment for students to passing tests. Six struggling middle school students participated in a summer program where contextual learning and frequent standardized assessment existed together. Through this program, the students' needs were met and data was provided that demonstrated educational gains. This data suggests that authentic real world experiences do not need to be omitted from the curriculum in order to provide measurable results on …

An Investigation Of The General Population's Understanding Of Forgiveness, Wen-Chuan Rita Chang

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the general population's understanding and views of forgiveness and to examine if gender was a factor related to one's understanding of forgiveness and motivation to forgive. In this study, structured interviews were administered which allowed a focus on the personal views and experiences of forgiveness and descriptive statistics were used to explain the common patterns in responses among the participants. Forty-nine participants, ranging in ages from 15 to 54, were selected to be interviewed on their views and practice of forgiveness. Of the 49 participants, 15 were males and 34 were females.

The Availability Of Young Adult Fiction Containing Overt Gay And Lesbian Characters In Secondary Schools In Northeast Iowa Area Education Agency 1, Misty Dawn Gray

Graduate Research Papers

This study ascertained whether or not young adults had access to fiction titles containing gay and / or lesbian characters in school libraries in one geographic area within Iowa. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability of fiction titles containing overt gay and lesbian characters in secondary public schools in Area Education Agency 1 in Northeast Iowa. The methodology used for this study was quantitative content analysis. The researcher visited 45 secondary public schools in the 24 school districts in AEA 1 in Northeast Iowa in order to gain access to school library catalogs and determine which …

The Role Of The Kindergarten : History, Concerns, And Guidelines For Developing An Effective Kindergarten Program, Amanda N. Herber

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examined the recent literature on the subject of the role of today's kindergarten program. The age of the children, maturity level, attitude.and stress, and confidence were discussed. Guidelines were also presented for developing an effective kindergarten program. Conclusions were drawn from the current literature and recommendations were made for future kindergarten programs.

Problem Based Learning, Susan Tebbe

Graduate Research Papers

The No Child Left Behind legislation brought about a flurry of conversations regarding student achievement (McElroy, 2006). Increased use of standardized testing to measure student achievement has resulted in a discussion of teaching models. Is the transmission teaching model with its expository style the only mode to insure student success? Or is the constructivist teaching model with its inquiry style a mode that better leads to student success? This review of literature examines the instructional practices involved in problem based learning, a constructivist approach. The paper focuses on the components of problem-based learning, the benefits and challenges of using this.approach, …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tashona R. Marshall

Graduate Research Papers

An excellent leader understands that the life jacket of education for many of our students is often not given to students while they are out in the canoe of life. Many times schools have stood at the shore with the life saving apparatus, urging students to come to shore to access it. Yet all the while, children are sinking and drowning because no one has considered what would happen if educators dared to go out in the water and bring them in.

L.A. Butler (1997), a school principal in a poor minority school that transformed her school from a low …

Online Counseling : Effectiveness, Benefits, Roadblocks, And Ethical Dilemmas, Julia Aguilar Reyes

Graduate Research Papers

This paper provides an overview of online counseling and new technologies in the counseling field. Online counseling is defined. Forms of online counseling are analyzed finding that email and instant messaging have become the most widely used methods for counseling purposes. A review of computer technologies and counseling history from the 1950s to today is also examined. Finally, the author presents an overview of the current literature regarding effectiveness studies and the ethical and moral dilemmas that new technologies pose for the future.

Sufficient research is lacking, but a variety of studies provide evidence of the effectiveness of online counseling. …