Education Commons^™

Attitudes Toward And Knowledge Of Affirmative Action In Higher Education, Erika Ann Carr

Dissertations

Affirmative action has become an increasingly important topic in higher education because colleges and universities are key battlegrounds regarding how affirmative action policies are enacted. Senior-level higher education administrators have historically taken the lead in shaping affirmative action policies in higher education, and knowing their own community's standpoints on the policies could assist them in deciding how to proceed in defending affirmative action in the face of increasing opposition.

This study measures individuals' attitudes toward and knowledge of affirmative action within one university in the state of Michigan, where affirmative action was banned through a state-wide election in November 2006. …

Gender Disparity In Nigerian Education: Women’S Experience Of Barriers To Equal Educational Opportunity, Eugene Okoli

Dissertations

Discrepancies between males and females in access to schooling, school completion rates, and participation in employment opportunities are still more the norm in some regions of the world than others. Limited access to education plagues women in Nigeria as well as in Sub-Saharan Africa. Disparity in access to educational opportunity is a pressing gender equity issue in Nigeria (World Bank, 2003).

Relatively few studies have focused on obtaining the viewpoints of women who experience this phenomenon. To hear the voices of these women regarding how they gained or were denied access to education in the Nigerian context, a cross-section of …

Cultural Disparities Of Sat Scores And The Influence On Higher Education Opportunities For African American And Latino Students, Nichelle Hoover

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Inequalities in the distribution of education resources and cultural identification can lead to lower SAT scores for African American and Latino students. By using SAT scores as one of the primary sources to determine admission to institutions of higher education, educators may be denying minority students admission to a variety of colleges and universities, depriving the student of his or her best choice and the college of an engaged and diverse student body, and contributing to the perpetuation of inequalities in the system. The evidence contained in this literature review shows that, given the current system, those students' SAT scores …

Resilient Teachers: A Qualitative Study Of Six Thriving Educators In Urban Elementary Schools, Paul Giroux

Dissertations

This qualitative research study used elements of phenomenological and narrative research methodology to explore the common characteristics and experiences of a sample of resilient elementary teachers working in urban schools. The six research subjects in this study’s sample each had at least eight years of teaching experience, and each participated in a cycle of three in-depth interviews designed to determine their degree of resilience and to develop a portrait of their personal and professional characteristics, experiences, attitudes and beliefs. Once the data collection phase was complete, data was coded and then analyzed to identify which of the characteristics and experiences …

Exposing Star Teachers Of Children In Poverty, Bobbi Morehead

Dissertations

Public schools have control over whom they choose to hire to serve as teachers. When quality teachers are hired, all students have a better chance at achieving academic success. It is the responsibility of every public school principal to truly understand common patterns, which can assist teachers to become outstanding teachers, defined in this study as Star Teachers. It is also the principals' responsibility to make sure the work conditions of such Star Teachers are conducive to personal and professional renewal.

The passion to educate all children drives the following research questions: (1) How do Star Teachers describe the significant …

The Influence Of Teacher Expectations On Black And White Students' Academic Achievement: A Hierarchical Linear Modeling Analysis, Syprose A. Owaja

Masters Theses

This study examined the influence of teacher expectations based on student's and teacher's race on academic achievement of white versus black students using data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study. Modeling of interaction terms in level-1 resulted in six separate models (two for reading, and four for math). A two-level hierarchical linear modeling with students at level-1 and schools at level-2 was used in each model with application of a three-step modeling procedure in each analysis.

The results of the study were consistent with previous research that black students had lower achievement, and also elicited lower teacher expectations regarding achievement …

Beyond The Classroom Walls: A Study Of Out-Of-Class English Use By Adult Community College Esl Students, Tracey Louise Knight

Dissertations and Theses

Research in Second Language Acquisition indicates that using English outside of the classroom is an important part of the language learning process. However, studies done on university level ESL and EFL students indicate that students use English minimally when outside of the classroom. This thesis furthers the research on English use outside of the classroom in order to more fully understand all types of language learners and the link between language proficiency and out-of-class English use.

Effects Of Functional Diversity Training, Using The Mbti Instrument, On Workgroup Performance, Dale S. Sugerman

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Little empirical research has focused on the personality and behavioral differences of individuals assigned to work together in workgroups. This study found that providing functional diversity training to a workgroup, using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator' (MBTI), positively impacted workgroup performance when compared with the workgroup performance of those who did not receive the same training.

Over the last few decades, organizations have shown great interest in the concept of using teams in the workplace. Employees who work side-by-side in the same unit are routinely referred to as being part of a team. Often, organizations put groups of individuals together in …

Teachers’ Experience Of Working With Underachieving Students: A Comparative Phenomenological Study Of Teachers In South Africa, Russia, And The United States, Maria J. Oreshkina

Doctoral Dissertations

This research project presents three phenomenological studies: (1) teachers’ experience of working with underachieving students in South Africa, (2) teachers’ experience of working with underachieving students in Russia, and (3) teachers’ experience of working with underachieving students in the United States. It also involves a comparative study of teachers’ experience of working with underachieving students in the three countries. All teacher participants in these studies were recommended as expert teachers who displayed qualities of teacher professionalism such as (1) commitment to learners; (2) the ability to make decisions in complex and ill-defined contexts; (3) reflective practice; and (4) a body …

The Design And Implementation Of An International Day Project To Foster Cultural Awareness And A Global Perspective In Tukwila Elementary School, Zakariya Salim Palsha

All Graduate Projects

The primary purpose of this project was to successfully design and implement cultural awareness and a global perspective at Tukwila Elementary School utilizing an International Day project, as there are a large number of ethnic groups and various cultures represented in the school. This provided students and parents from different cultures with an avenue to celebrate their own cultural heritage while simultaneously they learned about and celebrated the diverse cultures of the entire school community. The project had five components, which included: 1) a flag ceremony that included forty-nine different flags; 2) cultural dances (performed by students, parents, and community …

The Impact Of Intercultural Training On The Satisfaction And Achievement Of Undergraduates Taught By International Teaching Assistants, Kirsten Jensen

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Much has been done to prepare international teaching assistants to teach American undergraduates, but very little has been done to help the undergraduates learn effectively from instructors of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This research used a quasi-experimental, quantitative approach combined with a small ethnographic study to examine the impact of a short intercultural training activity on the satisfaction and achievement of freshman students in the fall Freshman Biology laboratory course at a large public university in Virginia. Satisfaction was measured by the responses of students on an end-of-course questionnaire, and achievement by their grades in the course. Audio interviews …

An Evaluative Model For Incorporating Diversity Training Into Teacher Preparation, Amy Sue Desonia

Dissertations

In 1949, W.E.B. DuBois noted, "Of all the rights for which the world has struggled and fought for 5,000 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental (Foner, 1970, pp. 230-231)." Yet, inequity, so deeply embedded in the United States public education system, severely inhibits the free exercise of this right by many. Teachers struggle to teach, and students struggle to learn. Preparing pre-service teachers for diversity in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (PK-12) classrooms throughout the United States is becoming increasingly urgent based on demographic trends--students will progressively become more diverse as they represent different races, ethnicities, cultures, …

A Comparative Study Of International And American Study Abroad Students' Expectations And Experiences With Host Countries., Evelyn Domville-Roach

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This was a comparative study of international and American study abroad students' experiences and expectations with the host countries. The rationale for this study was to acquire a deeper understanding of different experiences of students who study abroad and to understand whether their expectations of the host country have an impact on their experiences. An opportunity sample of American study abroad and international students was selected from the United States student population and their expectations and experiences of the host country compared. The study addressed 6 research questions, using a mixed-method approach. The principal instrument for the investigation was the …

"That's Your Mother?!" : The Power Of Experience : Reflections And Lessons In Identity, Adrienne Lee

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Documents the creation of a student gallery program for the "Kip Fulbeck: Part Asian, 100% Hapa" exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, CA). The gallery program focuses on the nature of identity and the many factors that make us who we are as individuals. This study employs both learning and human development theories, methods of phenomenology and heuristics, and the author's own biracial experiences and collected reflections to find meaning and project solutions.

Guess Who's Not Coming To Dinner: A Review Of The Policies And Practices In Three Urban Iowa School Districts To Recruit Teachers From Underrepresented Backgrounds, Willie B. Barney

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Although student diversity in public schools has increased at a rapid pace, teacher diversity has not matched the student pace. Schools in the United States have had a difficult time identifying strategies for the effective recruitment and hire of teachers from ethnically underrepresented backgrounds. The shortage has left many questioning the merit of their efforts.

The purpose of this study was to identify the steps taken by Iowa's urban school districts to recruit and hire teachers from ethnically underrepresented backgrounds. Four research questions were examined using a qualitative research methodology. Using inquiry techniques, school district personnel participated in individual interviews …

Broadcast News Production In The Classroom As A Student Mediation For Bilingual And Cross-Cultural Education, Kristina Fabricius

Theses Digitization Project

"Broadcast News Production in the Classroom as a Student Mediation for Bilingual Education" describes a curricular design to meet interactive literacy projects for the K-12 Bilingual Education classroom. The author has designed or adapted mediation structures for use to implement "Broadcast News Production" in the classroom specifically for Bilingual and Cross-cultural Education. The study is theoretical and based on research.

English Exchange: An Authentic Communication Event Connecting Native English Speakers And Japanese High School Students, Heather Ruth Johnson

MA TESOL Collection

Interacting with native speakers can be very powerful because it encourages motivation, positive attitudes, and self confidence. English Exchange is an event that is the culmination of a one semester long travel abroad unit for English language learners in a Japanese high school. The aim is to create a safe English environment where students have the opportunity to directly interact with native English speakers in a low stress atmosphere.

This project follows the development of English Exchange from start to finish. Included in these pages are thorough lesson plans and materials needed for every step of the process, should you …

Exploring Content-Based Language Arts Instruction In The Esol Classroom Through A Holistic Approach, María Angeles Cicatello

MA TESOL Collection

The activities contained in this project derive from personal efforts to implement content-based instruction with a language arts thematic unit in the ESOL classroom through a holistic approach.

Public school ESOL students and teachers alike are more than ever experiencing a tremendous pressure to accelerate English language instruction and learning in order to satisfy local/state curriculum tests, and national standards. This materials-development project correlates with the local Board of Education’s Academic Knowledge and Skills Curriculum guidelines without restricting the teacher’s freedom to prioritize what is most important and relevant to students’ lives, respecting their self as learners, and demonstrating their …

Humanizing My Business English Class And Myself, Ana-Maria Nicolae

MA TESOL Collection

A teacher of English for Business at a Romanian business college reflects on her experiences and beliefs about language learning and teaching before and after attending the Summer Master of Arts (SMAT) Program at the School for International Training (SIT).The project reports on some of the changes that the humanistic tenets of the SIT SMAT program brought about in her teaching and includes three examples of how these humanistic principles could be applied in an EFL business college classroom. The first example showcases her attempt to address affective factors during the first Business English class. The second example focuses on …

Teaching More Than Writing: A Writing And Community Building Project For Liceo Internacional Quito, Ecuador, Lucia Jarrin

MA TESOL Collection

This paper presents a proposal for a writing program for the Elementary School at Liceo Internacional a school a k-12 school in Quito- Ecuador.

This proposal is the result of the process that the writer underwent during the second summer at the School for International Training in the Summer Master of Arts in Teaching Program (SMAT) and her assessment of the needs at Liceo Internacional School.

It includes a brief description of the mission that the writer has in teaching, then, an account of the context in which the program will be applied and the rationale behind this proposal. It …

Over There A Preparation Course For Japanese High School Students Embarking On A Student Exchange Year Abroad, Jonathan Bolick

MA TESOL Collection

This paper explores the course design process for a study-abroad preparation course for Japanese high school students. The design process yielded valuable teacher insights: the importance of understanding one’s teaching beliefs, the vital need for student and teacher feedback, the benefits of strong classroom community, and the need for better understanding students’ cultural and learning contexts. Interviews with ten former exchange students revealed students’ lack of cultural knowledge of their own and target culture, especially the invisible culture, which had led to misunderstanding and conflict. Students’ inability to express their personal identity adequately in L2 had also led to an …

The Use Of Frameworks In Teaching Tense, Marc Haccius

MA TESOL Collection

This paper proposes three frameworks that will assist students in their understanding and use of English tenses. It argues that the English tense system really is a system (and not just a collection of rules) but that this system is only apparent if tenses are taught at the textual level instead of at the sentential level. To this effect, it argues against the traditional approach of teaching tenses individually in that it is restrictive and counter-productive to students expressing themselves independently. Finally, this paper gives practical hands-on guidance as to how the frameworks can be used in class, along with …

Teaching Spanish Slang, Familiar Language, And Electronic Language In The Classroom, Melissa Ann Barra

MA TESOL Collection

No abstract provided.

Getting Pushy In Brazil: Using P.U.S.H. (“Present Up The Stairway To Heaven”) To Teach Presentation Skills In A Business English Context, Will Beebe

MA TESOL Collection

In a business English (“English As A Second Language” or “ESL”) context, is there a relatively straightforward, effective, and fun way for students to improve their presentation skills? In this paper, I propose a modular system which I call “Present Up The Stairway To Heaven” (or P.U.S.H.), complete with exercises and simulations, designed to take students through successive steps towards better business presentations in English in approximately 24 hours of classroom instruction and practice.

Incorporating Multicultural Education Criteria Into Project Learning Tree Curricula, Alondra Marcela Blandon

Theses Digitization Project

Many environmental educators have realized that in order to effectively teach environmental sensitivity and literacy, they must approach their audience through a cultural context. Thus, environmental education lessons need to incorporate strategies used in multicultural education in order to be more culturally inclusive. This project includes the identification of multicultural education criteria and the application of these to three lessons from Project Learning Tree: PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide.

How Do Voluntary Sojourners Adapt To New Cultures? : Common Challenges That Teachers And Students Face, Aycan Sayakci

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Numerous people move from country to country and change homes each year by crossing cultural boundaries for various reasons and cultural adaptation is becoming a common experience for many, especially for students and teachers. In terms of theory, the present study employed Kim’s (2001) stress-adaptation-growth dynamic. Also, the study was grounded in the interpretive paradigm and the particular methods used were interviewing and textual analysis. The focus of this study was to investigate the central descriptors that students and teachers used to define themselves, the common challenges and opportunities that professors and students face when they are adapting to new …

Cultural Sensitivity Education : Limiting The Adverse Effects Of Multicultural Crewing In Shipping, Thi Thuong Tran

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Communication Skills And Cultural Awareness - Model Course, Altaf Ur Rehman

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Contributing Elements To The Success Of A Hispanic Community In Central New Jersey, Dulce Rodriguez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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English Language Learners And Library Research, Jessica Schomberg

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to study problems English language learners (ELLs) face when doing research in U.S. academic libraries. A review of the literature indicates that ELLs face both linguistic and cultural barriers. Those barriers are related to learning expectations, library anxiety, and technology. Research on organizational culture and its influence on website design was consulted and used to compare the design of a library catalog’s interface with student responses to a library instruction session offered within Composition 101 for non-native speakers. Based on those results, it is argued that library catalogs are designed to match the cultural …