Education Commons^™

Ability Achievement Discrepancies: Diagnosis And Future Implications, Natalie Fischer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was threefold: first to determine if the predicted achievement method is a more accurate statistical method to determine ability achievement discrepancies than the simple difference method; second to determine if the VIQ score on the WISC 111 could predict achievement level as accurately as the FSIQ score; and third to assess the current achievement level of four individuals previously diagnosed with a reading disability. The sample used in this study consisted of eight children who were assessed at the Rowan College Learning and Assessment Center. The statistical procedures employed were based on the WIAT …

A Survey Of The Attitudes Of Elementary School Teachers In Southern New Jersey Towards Art And The Creative Process In Their Classrooms, Elizabeth Diane Tasker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of elementary classroom teachers toward art and the creative process in their classrooms. The hypotheses of the study focused on teachers' attitudes and uses of art as a means of creativity and enhancement of academic subjects.

Elementary classroom teachers from seven constituent districts to a regional high school in southern New Jersey constituted the sample of the study. Teachers were given a four part questionnaire to complete. The instrument was designed to gather information on demographics, general information about art in the classroom, and attitudes towards art. A total of …

Effect Of Computer Assisted Instruction On Written Expressive Language Of Mildly Mentally Retarded Students, Vicki R. Newman

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of computer assisted instruction on the written expressive language of mildly mentally retarded students was investigated. The quality of written work samples produced using paper and pencil was determined and compared to the quality of the expressive language samples produced on the computer after computer assisted instruction was implemented. Attitude toward writing with both modes of expression was measured. The results indicated that computer assisted instruction improved the quality of written expressive language in the areas of product length, legibility and mechanical construction. It did not significantly improve the content, complexity or thematic maturity of ideas produced on …

The Development Of A Unit On Fractal Geometry Appropriate For The High School Student, Ira A. Fine

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a three week fractal geometry unit plan and analyze its success at the high school level. The researcher evaluated the research and literature related to fractal geometry and fractal geometry education suitable for the high school student. A fractal geometry unit plan was constructed. Topics covered in the unit plan included introductory concepts, the Koch curve, Sierpinski's triangle, coastline length, the chaos game, complex numbers, the Mandelbrot set and computer generated fractal images.

The unit plan was taught to three tenth grade honors geometry classes at Washington Township High School in Southern …

Comorbidity Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder And Educational Classification Among In-Patient Populations Of Children And Adolescents, Holly Berezow-Ricker

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an ex post facto study of an in-patient population of 39 adolescents between the ages of twelve and eighteen at a New Jersey State Psychiatric Hospital for Adolescents and 74 pre-adolescents and adolescents between the ages of seven and fifteen at a Private Residential School in New Jersey. Of this population of N=113, n=48 were determined to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with an incidence rate of 42.5%. Significant co-morbidity of ADHD and Depression, Conduct Disorder/Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Psychotic Disorders, and Learning Disabilities were found. The incidence of co-morbidity of ADHD and Educational Classification was found …

An Investigation Of The Relationships Between Degree Of Brain Dominance And Student Preference For Spatial Dimensionality In The Production Of Art At The High School Level, Darlene Ann Gates

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to investigate relationships between hemisphericity and preference for spatial-dimensionality in the production of art and to determine whether cognitive processes are different in students who prefer different spatial activities. Specifically, this study investigated the relationships between students' preference for two and three dimensional art projects and their scores on Excell's Hemispheric Mode Indicator (HMI) test.

The total population of eighty-five art students from a rural, regional New Jersey high school were included in this study. Two instruments were administered. Scores from the teacher-made survey served as data for criterion measure one and determined spatial-dimensionality …

Intrinsic Motivation In Students: A Comparison Of Students With Learning Problems And Their Non-Handicapped Peers, Karen D'Orazio

Theses and Dissertations

The question of what motivates a child to learn has been an important interest to educators, psychologists, and parents as well. Within the domain of motivation, "intrinsic motivation" is an area that holds promise to students with learning problems. The purpose of this study is to see whether students with learning problems are less intrinsically motivated than their non-handicapped peers.

There are two groups of subjects: 30 third grade students in self-contained classrooms and 30 third grade students in regular classrooms. Each subject was given the "Scale of Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Orientation in the Classroom." Statistical procedures were used to …

A Study Of Characteristics In Learning Disabled Dropouts Who Have Returned To Adult Education Programs, Deborah A. Ciapanna

Theses and Dissertations

The first purpose of this study is to identify common characteristics in a sample population of learning disabled dropouts who have returned to an adult basic education program. The second purpose is to identify characteristics of this same population which are attributed to their success in an adult education program. If we examine the information as reported by those learning disabled individuals who have been unsuccessful in completing their education, warning signals may be identified for other potential dropouts. Intervention strategies could also be created to encourage learning disabled students to stay in school. In addition, strategies may be developed …

Cognitive Apprenticeship: Authentic Problem-Solving Experiences Challenges Traditional Isolated Learning Outcomes, Nancy R. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to determine if seventh grade basic skills and special education students who experienced different teaching styles would demonstrate an increased ability to solve problems on a criterion-referenced test. Pre and posttesting requiring multiple choice responses were given to a sample of 27 seventh grade students. The Control group consisted of 11 BSI students while the experimental group of sixteen students contained 6 classified, 2 ESL students, and 8 borderline BSI students.

A task performance project, Games-Recycled Math, in which students of the experimental group planned, designed, and constructed a mathematical game, was designed and implemented …

The Development And Validation Of The Missionary Language Performance Test, Blair E. Bateman

Theses and Dissertations

Performance tests are an effective way of assessing examinees' ability to perform specific job-related tasks. This thesis details the development and validation of a performance test designed to measure LDS missionaries' ability to perform missionary tasks in a foreign language, the Missionary Language Performance Test (MLPT).

The development of the test involved identifying a set of relevant missionary tasks, specifying the criteria to be evaluated, designing test items, devising a procedure for sampling tasks and for administering and rating the test, and training raters to administer the test. Three separate studies were conducted to validate the test: (a) both the …

A Study Of Factors That May Contribute To The High Drop Out Rate Of Business And Office Technology Program Students, Adrienne Beach-Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

Postsecondary educational institutions are experiencing significant numbers of students dropping out of their facilities. The technical institute in this study has elected to have the drop out rate of one their many programs' examined. This report will identify and examine factors contributing to the high attrition rate in -- Technical Institute's Business and Office Technology Programs. Summarily, high school grades, aspirations, intensity of motivation and admission scores influence the attrition rates of postsecondary students. Postsecondary administrators must consider changing paradigms in today's technologically advanced society when they make modifications to accommodate student needs. Student needs for course offerings, scheduling, and …

Factors Affecting The Academic Success Of Students Transitioning From Middle School To High School, Garry Lee Newton

Theses and Dissertations

Expectations for students in middle school and students in high school differ. Administrators and teachers have a responsibility to insure that these students are prepared academically to succeed when leaving the eighth grade and entering the ninth grade. Currently this is not the case in many middle schools and junior high schools. In Pocomoke, Maryland the high school principal, Dr. James H. Vansciver, (Marshall, Scott & Sikes, 1993, p. Preface), claimed that just as isolationism was not successful in preventing the United States from becoming involved in a global conflict, neither is it a successful strategy for individual schools to …

The Relationship Between Physician Personality Type And Medical Malpractice Risk, Thomas H. Casey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible relationships between a physician's personality type and his or her risk of receiving a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit. Patients frequently initiate a malpractice claim for reasons other than the perception of an injury. Often it is the result of a misunderstanding caused by ineffective or insufficient communication with the physician. Different personality types are known to communicate differently.

Six research questions were explored in this analytical-descriptive study. The population was the physician faculty of the Medical College of Virginia. The Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) was completed by 236 faculty. Information …

Current Management Of Computerized Personnel Files In Virginia Public Schools: A Legal And Policy Analysis, Andrew Jameson Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Privacy in the workplace will be a significant legal and policy issue in employment during the late 1990's. The impact of computer technology in employment highlights privacy concerns and issues and is particularly acute in public school employment. Public schools have a right to know information about teachers which relates to their fitness in working with children. At the same time, teachers have a legitimate expectation of privacy, especially as it applies to their professional reputations and their abilities to maintain or obtain future employment in teaching.

This study had two purposes. One was to determine the extent of computer …

The Development Of Appropriate And Helpful Teaching Methods As Applied To Distance Learning, John M. Watford

Theses and Dissertations

Advanced technology has provided numerous opportunities for broadening education and it's purposes. One type of technology particularly influential involves communications equipment whereby students at different physical locations may be brought together interactively, by both audio and video, to achieve the learning process. This type of technology has come to be known as distance learning. Although many uses of the term, "distance learning", refer to class room delivery that is not interactive, the purpose here is to discuss an environment where teacher and students at remote locations can truly collaborate as if the physical separation does not exist. Other terms, such …

A Study Of Perceptions Of Opportunities For Advancement In Educational Administration In Arkansas, Katherine Russell Lease

Theses and Dissertations

With the expected opportunities for advancement in administration due to the retirement of many current administrators in Arkansas, the study surveyed the perceptions of current secondary administrators and superintendents concerning opportunities or barriers to their advancement in administrative careers. The study also surveyed professional and personal characteristics of the administrators in order to provide a profile of Arkansas secondary administrators and superintendents. The study posed the following questions:

1. Is there a difference between male and female superintendents in their perceptions of opportunities and/or barriers in attaining their first administrative position and their first superintendency? 2. Is there a difference …

A Study Of The Impact On Student Achievement By Teachers Trained In Process Communication, Nancy G. Hawking

Theses and Dissertations

A quasi-experimental study to determine

differences in student academic achievement when

teachers were trained in Process Communication was

conducted between October 1993 and April, 1994. The

study involved seventh grade students in three junior

high schools in the Little Rock School District. These

three schools were restructured school having two teams

of students and teachers at each grade level. The

students were divided, by computer placement, into two

groups (teams) before the 1993-1994 school year began.

In October, 1994 a total of fifteen teachers (one

team of seventh grade teachers at each of the three

schools) were trained in Process …

A National Survey Of Occupational Therapists In The Public Schools: An Assessment Of Current Practice, Attitudes, And Training Needs Regarding The Transition Process For Students With Severe Disabilities, Katherine Josephine Inge

Theses and Dissertations

Because occupational therapy involvement in transition planning is a relatively new area. little was known about the characteristics of school-based therapists who serve students in this age group. The purpose of this study was to determine their current level of participation in the transition process, the roles that therapists identified for themselves in this process, their attitudes towards best practices for serving students ages 14 - 22, and occupational therapists’ future training needs if they are to participate fully in the national transition initiative. A survey was mailed to 1,000 therapists on the American Occupational Therapy Associations Direct Mail List …

Business Process Re-Engineering Applied To The Air Force Institute Of Technology Office Of The Registrar, Records Management, Connie C. Hutchinson, Alison F. Mccoy

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the processes performed by the Officer Academic Education Repository at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) methodology was used to define tile existing processes. IDEFO (Integrated Computer Aided Manufacturing Definition Language) and Activity Based Costing techniques were used to map the flow of activities and to determine the costs for handling one education record. The cost for processing one education record averaged approximately $69.95. Under BPR, the functional expert team evaluates the existing processes to determine which processes are value-added and which are non-value added and generate …

Advanced Educational Methods In The Department Of Defense: Application Of Case Theory And Computer-Assisted Instruction To Business Process Reengineering, Brian A. Brown, Susan M. Brown, Karen L. Cook

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to create a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) prototype tutorial to teach the fundamental principles of integrated, computer-aided manufacturing definition activity modeling (IDEFO), a component of business process reengineering within the Department of Defense. To accomplish this, the authors evaluated current instructional material related to IDEFO, then adapted the material to a computerized learning environment using the Authorware Professional™ authoring software and a hybrid methodology which incorporated elements both of instructional design and software development. One of the most notable characteristics of this hybrid model was a series of iterations at each phase of development, which …

The Role Of The Gso Program In The Space Operations Career Field, Gregory J. Beloyne

Theses and Dissertations

The number of Air Force officers graduating from the Air Force Institute of Technology's Graduate of Space Operations master's degree program is declining. Furthermore, the number of advanced academic degree jobs these officers fill within the Space Operations career field has been reduced. These events question the role the GSO program has in the Space operations career field. This research surveys the GSO populations to determine how useful their master's degrees have been in providing the skills and knowledge needed to fill the advanced degree positions. This research also addresses the number of officers entering the GSO program each year. …

Demonstration Of A Benchmarking Technique To Compare Graduate Education Level Of Air Force Project Managers And Selected Benchmarking Partners, William D. Beatty, David H. Kelley

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrated a benchmarking technique to support determining graduate education requirements for officers in the Acquisition Program Management utilization field. The technique is also applicable to other Air Force career fields. The USAF currently uses the Graduate Education Management System GEMS to quantify officer graduate education requirements. Weaknesses in the GEMS-based process include the inability to address future technologies, vulnerability to inconsistency and change, and confusion of training with education. AFIT developed and recommended an alternative requirements determination approach that relies on benchmarking. This thesis reviewed literature on benchmarking principles. The research methodology developed and implemented benchmarking procedures to …

The Projected Effects Of A Paperless Information System On The Productivity Of The Air Force Institute Of Technology Evaluations And Admissions Division, Richard A. Bihary, Roy C. Shrader

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology Admissions/Registrar Directorate (AFIT/RR) has a need to improve and expand services using a smaller operating budget. One promising solution is to eliminate the paperwork required to perform the AFIT/RR functions. To assist AFIT/RR managers in evaluating alternatives, this thesis determines the nature and extent to which a paperless information system affects the productivity of the Air Force Institute of Technology Evaluations and Admissions Division (AFIT/RRE). The DoD definitions of productivity are used in this thesis. Based on these definitions, the hours per unit of work (HPU) is chosen as the measure of productivity. Baseline …

The Certification Program, Training, And Competencies--An Examination Of The Air Force Contracting Work Force's Response To The Sufficiency Of Professional Training, Patty L. Jones, Suzanne Staugler

Theses and Dissertations

This study determined to what extent AF contracting personnel training needs are sufficiently being satisfied by the current DoD training as outlined in DoD 5000,52M. A convenience sample was employed. 499 surveys were administered to Professional Continuing Education students for various level I through III courses. 320 surveys were used for the data base, achieving a 64.1 response rate. The results of this study show that the training requirements were viewed as sufficiently ensuring that the AF has a mission ready professional work force by slightly more than half of the respondents. However, the training component was ranked as the …

An Assessment Of Factors That Affect The Employment Of Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques To Resolve Contract Disputes, Jeffrey T. Journey, Bradley T. Riddle

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the factors which potentially influence contracting and legal professionals’ decisions to employ Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR techniques to resolve contract disputes. A literature review revealed that unawareness, excessive oversight, lack of management support, over-regulation, and interdisciplinary conflict on acquisition teams are or have been the most prominent factors discouraging the use of ADR. An additional background investigation determined that the United States Army, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Navy had extensive experience and expertise regarding ADR use. Therefore, surveys over 250 were administered to various contracting and legal offices throughout these agencies, of which 57 …

An Evaluation Of The Educational Effectiveness Of A Relational Course Compared To Single Topic Courses Offered By The Management Department Of The United States Air Force, Kevin M. Kosefeski

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the educational effectiveness of two different methods of teaching three senior-level management courses at the United States Air Force Academy. The first method, known as relational instruction, combined Management Information Systems MIS, Marketing, and Strategic Management into one three hour course worth nine credits. The team of instructors used a variety of delivery methods to present material. The second method of instruction employed single topic courses covering the same three topics as the relational course, taught by single instructors in one hour blocks using mostly lecture to deliver material. The literature review covered Blooms taxonomy of educational …

An Analysis Of The Usefulness Of Graduate Education To Contracting Professionals As Perceived By Graduates And Their Supervisors, Ursula J. Woodson, Kimberly L. Yoder

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to assess the usefulness of graduate education to contracting professionals as perceived by graduates and their supervisors. Based on a list of 22 skills used by contracting professionals, graduates and their supervisors were surveyed to determine to what extent graduates possess these skills, developed these skills in their graduate degree program, and use these skills in the performance of their jobs. Air Force Institute of Technology Contracting Management Graduates since 1988 and contracting professionals with masters degrees within the Air Force Materiel Command were identified for this study. As a result of this study, …

A Latter-Day Saint Home Education: Passing On A Goodly Heritage, Abbie Jane Birch

Theses and Dissertations

Education is examined within the context of religious beliefs and values found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Education is defined as the process of becoming like God. An investigation is conducted into the stewardship and responsibility parents have for the education of their children. This responsibility is determined to be a sacred stewardship that cannot simply be delegated to others in society. All education is shown to be religious in nature. Conflicts between the beliefs and values of different members of society are found to be at the heart of many of the difficulties in …

Active Latter-Day Saint Working Mothers: Their Effect On Their Daughters' Future Plans, Nissa C. Bengtson Allred

Theses and Dissertations

This research looks at the effect employed active LDS mothers have on their daughters' future plans for education, career, marriage, and children. Mothers' educational level, type of employment, and daughters' attachment to the LDS church were taken into consideration. It was found that a majority of daughters are definite in their plans for education, career, marriage, and children regardless of the employment status of their mother. Daughters of employed LDS mothers are more definite in their plans for a career than daughters of unemployed LDS mothers. No effect was found for mothers' employment on daughters' future plans for college, marriage, …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Parental Attitudes And Student Achievement On Standardized Test Scores In Mathematics, Susan S. Lapp

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parents' attitudes toward mathematics and students' standardized test scores in mathematics. Eighty-four parents of fourth-grade students in a southeastern military dependent school system were surveyed to determine their attitudes to mathematics when they were in elementary school and their attitudes about mathematics today. Parents also responded to questions about their children's abilities and attitudes toward mathematics.

Total scores for the survey were matched with the students' mathematics scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to compute the correlation coefficients. A positive …