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Improving Science Literacy Using Photographic Documentation Of Laboratory Activities, Mary Radus
Improving Science Literacy Using Photographic Documentation Of Laboratory Activities, Mary Radus
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Digital photography is a valuable educational tool which has been shown to improve language acquisition and vocabulary usage. Photography can also be used to enhance hands-on laboratory activities in high school science classes. This study examined the impact of photographic documentation of lab activities on students’ literacy in science. In this convergent, mixed methods investigation, 9th grade biology students took photographs during a lab activity, which they used to create collaborative photo projects based on the activity. Changes in literacy were measured by assessing the students’ usage of scientific vocabulary terms before and after the photo project, and assessing the …
Utilizing The Teaching/Learning Cycle, Assessment For Learning And Talk, Read, Talk, Write Strategies To Improve Text Cohesion And Noun Phrase Expansion: A Case Study Of A Long-Term English Language Learner, Christine Dietz
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Commonly used EL supports, such as sentence stems may help students complete one writing task, but do not promote a deeper understanding of the language that would allow students to generalize language patterns across assignments. Through the exploration of the research questions: 1. “What instructional strategies build the metalinguistic knowledge necessary for ELLs to successfully produce and revise their writing?” 1a. “How effective is the teaching learning cycle when it is paired with Assessment for Learning Strategies ? ” 2a. “How effective is the teaching/learning cycle when it is paired with the Talk, Read, Talk, Write framework?” this case study …
Collegebound: Assessment Of An Outdoor Orientation Program, Kyle Rauch
Collegebound: Assessment Of An Outdoor Orientation Program, Kyle Rauch
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Collegebound is an optional outdoor orientation program (OOP) offered to incoming first-year students at two joint liberal arts colleges. This long-running and popular program has increased in participation to over 10% of the incoming class in recent years, however, little formal evaluation had been conducted. This research assessed the outcomes of Collegebound participation. Using a mixed methods design, academic and personal-social outcomes of Collegebound participation were assessed to understand the impact of the program on students’ college transition and career. Academic outcomes (first to second year retention and cumulative GPA after first year) were compared between Collegebound and non-Collegebound students …
Communicating Student Achievement Through Standards-Based Assessment And Grading, Elizabeth Hennen
Communicating Student Achievement Through Standards-Based Assessment And Grading, Elizabeth Hennen
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was: which method of grading is the most effective way to communicate a student's progress and growth through the course of a school year to students, parents, and future teachers? The motivating factor for this project was one teacher’s concern regarding the traditional grading system and the correlation between the grades given to students and what they were actually learning and retaining. This capstone details positives and negatives when implementing standards-based assessment and grading practices. This project was influenced heavily by the work of Dr. Robert Marzano and Rick Wormeli, although differing in …
The Type Of Homework Assignment And Its Potential To Influence Student Motivation And Language Learning In A High School Spanish Language Classroom, Sarah Spilde
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this study was, how does the type of homework assignment influence student motivation and Spanish language learning in the classroom? It documents one teacher’s implementation of two lessons in a unit of study to evaluate student in- class Spanish language use, homework scores, test scores and student perceptions on motivation and homework. The teacher records student data and identifies research literature to provide meaning and context to the study in the area of Spanish language learning. She defines the areas of success and areas of limitations in conducting an action research study and concludes that …
Teaching Academic Language And Prosody Through Content-Related Collocations, Nell Duffy Hernandez
Teaching Academic Language And Prosody Through Content-Related Collocations, Nell Duffy Hernandez
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
My research seeks to answer the questions How can students gauge their own prosody of targeted collocations?, What feedback and strategies can content teachers use to aid students? and Can a holistic rubric aid students’ learning to produce academic collocations?. To answer these questions I designed a study given to six sixth grade level four and five English language learners (ELs). Eight academic collocations were chosen from the students’ social studies textbook as the targeted language. The research examined the ELs’ language use using a holistic speaking and writing rubric designed for teacher assessment and a student self-monitoring sheet. The …
Relationships Between Comprehension And Fluency Levels Within Reading At A Second Grade Level, Erika Gregor
Relationships Between Comprehension And Fluency Levels Within Reading At A Second Grade Level, Erika Gregor
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this action research is to investigate the relationship between comprehension and fluency levels in a Spanish Immersion second grade setting and answer the question of: What is the effect of daily use of comprehension strategies, including inferencing, summarizing and visualizing, on fluency within a Spanish Immersion program? The literature review served the purpose to explore and deliver vital components in understanding the process of reading and how comprehension and fluency are achieved. I used a quantitative approach and utilized assessments throughout the school year to observe fluency levels when implementing comprehension strategies and assessments. The data revealed …
How Integrating Digital Formative Assessment Impacts The Learning Of Sixth-Grade Science Students, Sara E. Potter
How Integrating Digital Formative Assessment Impacts The Learning Of Sixth-Grade Science Students, Sara E. Potter
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in the project was, How integrating digital formative assessment impacts the learning of sixth-grade science students? The motivating factor for this capstone was the increased use of electronic devices in the classroom. In this study, qualitative and quantitative data was collected using student surveys and summative assessment results of a science unit after using either traditional or traditional and digital formative assessments. In one year, exclusively traditional formative assessment was implemented, and in the other, both traditional and digital formative assessments were used. It was found that whether traditional formative assessment or a combination of traditional …
How Can An Individual’S Growth Mindset Be Improved By Using Self-Assessment Techniques?, Elizabeth A. Ryan
How Can An Individual’S Growth Mindset Be Improved By Using Self-Assessment Techniques?, Elizabeth A. Ryan
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Carol Dweck’s idea of fixed versus growth mindset is becoming a more important concept in the educational world because educators are striving to create lifelong learners inside and outside of the the classroom. In order to do this, educators need to promote the growth mindset through clear instruction. The research question highlights a review of current literature on fixed versus growth mindset; Danielson’s Framework for Teaching; total participation techniques, such as cold calling; and student self-assessment that was used to drive the capstone project. The Danielson’s Framework for Teaching assisted in creating an instructional design that would meet the needs …
Measuring What Students Know: Ensuring Math Word Problems On School Written Assessments Accurately Display English Language Learners’ Understanding Of Math Skills, Lori Magstadt
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study seeks to determine how often math word problems used by teachers to assess student learning contain unnecessary linguistic challenges for English Language Learners. It examines a question bank of math word problems used by a group of schools to develop internal assessments based on the six principals of Universal Design (UD), a set of linguistic modifications adopted on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment. Key influences included peers, EL teachers seeking to support their students in math, formal and current students, and authors such as Bambrick-Sontoyo, Abedi, Sato, etc. The research method was text analysis using both qualitative and quantitative …
Differentiation For All Learners: Applying Theory And Practice So All Children Reach Their Potential, Kathryn Elizabeth Kreitzer
Differentiation For All Learners: Applying Theory And Practice So All Children Reach Their Potential, Kathryn Elizabeth Kreitzer
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Teachers in classrooms today are challenged with students with a ride range of abilities necessitating differentiation in the classroom. Faced with increasingly heterogeneous populations of students, including the mainstreaming of special education students, teachers are challenged to develop curricula that is matched to students’ abilities. This project focused on how to adapt state mandated grade level content to multiple instructional levels. Included in this project is a differentiated unit on the American Revolution based on Minnesota fifth grade standards. The unit is differentiated to first grade, third grade and fifth grade reading and writing levels. This project demonstrates how teachers …
How Digital Formative Assessment Increases Student Achievement And Motivation, Jillian G. Morreim
How Digital Formative Assessment Increases Student Achievement And Motivation, Jillian G. Morreim
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Technology in the classroom has changed the way teachers teach and students learn. In this everchanging field, a continual examination of the most effective methods to use technology to benefit student learning is essential. The research question addressed in this project was: what is the impact of formative assessment using iPads on student achievement and motivation? The review of the literature explored formative assessment, motivation, and technology in the classroom. In this study, qualitative and quantitative data was collected using pre and posttests, student surveys, and field notes over two curriculum units; in one unit, exclusively traditional formative assessment was …
A Nature Adventure Chapter Book For Early Readers And How It Can Influence Children's Interest In And Desire To Explore The Natural World, Keith Marshall
A Nature Adventure Chapter Book For Early Readers And How It Can Influence Children's Interest In And Desire To Explore The Natural World, Keith Marshall
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
With the increase in screen-time, children are spending less and less time outside in nature. Many studies are finding significant negative impacts upon their mental, physical and emotional well-being. The author attempted to develop an age-appropriate fictional story based upon accurate and appropriate nature and science lessons. The book, The Adventurers…Journey to the Crooked Forest was created to test if children would be more interested in going outside in nature as well as if the book could increase children’s knowledge of nature and science topics through storytelling. The effectiveness of the book was tested on fifty 1st -3 rd grade …
21st Century Literacy: Blending The English 12 Classroom, Natalie Nelson
21st Century Literacy: Blending The English 12 Classroom, Natalie Nelson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how can the use of formative and summative assessments be used to understand student achievement and learning within a 12th Grade Language Arts blended environment? It documents one teacher’s creation of a unit that uses technology in combination with assessment to determine student success within a Language Arts classroom unit. This research project integrated multiple kinds of technology to help understand if this type of assessment creates better or higher levels of learning for students. The author documents the application of the unit after creation. She describes both the outcomes of the …
How Formative Assessments Can Be Utilized To Respond To Student Needs Within A Balanced Literacy Framework, Amber Ann Steinmeyer
How Formative Assessments Can Be Utilized To Respond To Student Needs Within A Balanced Literacy Framework, Amber Ann Steinmeyer
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The guiding research question of this capstone project was, how can formative assessments be utilized within a balanced literacy framework in order to respond to the reading needs of 5th grade students? The key motivation for formulating this research study was the constant struggle to find a framework for teaching reading that could address the diverse learning needs of students. The author defines formative assessments, in terms of a process, and then explores the balanced literacy framework. The study continued by exploring how the formative assessment process can be utilized within a balanced literacy framework, as it relates to the …
How Can Instructional Staff Be Effectively Introduced To A Standards-Based Grading Policy, Joseph Patrick Millard
How Can Instructional Staff Be Effectively Introduced To A Standards-Based Grading Policy, Joseph Patrick Millard
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Standards-based grading is a style of grading developed over the last 30 years as a means for schools to create agreed upon standards for learning and grading (McMillan, 2000). While there may be school policies and philosophies motivating a teacher’s grading system, there is no universal method or standard for the assessment of American students. Grading practices may vary from school to school, subject to subject, and classroom to classroom. As a result, teachers’ grading policies have the potential to become subjective, based more on teacher experience and preference than a student’s mastery of a subject. Subjective grading is problematic …
Response To Intervention In The Kindergarten Classroom, Megan Elizabeth Bauer
Response To Intervention In The Kindergarten Classroom, Megan Elizabeth Bauer
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was, how can kindergarten teachers support the Response to Intervention (RTI) process? It explores the RTI model, procedures for student identification, developmental appropriateness, and ways to collect and use data to support student growth. The action research study documents the results of interventions performed with five students in a kindergarten classroom. The findings demonstrate that early student identification and structured intervention within the classroom can have positive effects on student growth and success.
Student Self-Regulated Learning Through Use Of The Linguafolio® Online In A Beginning Middle School El Class, Melissa Rose Davey
Student Self-Regulated Learning Through Use Of The Linguafolio® Online In A Beginning Middle School El Class, Melissa Rose Davey
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This qualitative mixed methods case study explores how LinguaFolio® Online is an appropriate strategy for increasing self-regulated learning in a beginning ESL class. Five participants in a middle school beginning ESL class used LinguaFolio® Online over eight weeks in order to report on learning and submit evidence exemplars. All participants used LinguaFolio® Online for various user interactions concerning self-regulation and self-assessment. Participants completed a pre- and post-survey so that perceptions could be compared before and after use of LinguaFolio® Online. The results of this study specify two important trends; first, regular use of the selfassessment lists contained within LinguaFolio® Online …
Former English Learners’ Perceptions Of Their K-12 Educational Experiences, Corissa Rae Michaelson
Former English Learners’ Perceptions Of Their K-12 Educational Experiences, Corissa Rae Michaelson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
In this qualitative study four former English learners between the ages of 21 and 24 were interviewed in order to answer the following questions: What perceptions do participants have of their K-12 educational experiences? What perceptions do participants have regarding deficit thinking in their K-12 educational experiences? What responses do participants have to deficit thinking they might have experienced? What in-school factors, if any, might have improved participants’ educational experiences? Data from individual interviews was analyzed using the constant-comparison method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Major findings of this study were that participants had a more positive learning experience in ESL …
Complex Social Skills: Tools For Assessment And Progress Monitoring, Samantha Gail Jung
Complex Social Skills: Tools For Assessment And Progress Monitoring, Samantha Gail Jung
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this progect was, how do I measure and evaluate the learning of complex social skills, in multiple environments, for students with autism and developmental disabilities? It documents the educator’s research into autism, social skills, and evidence based learning strategies. The educator used the research to develop a plan to create a versatile tool to assess students needs related to complex social skills. Tools that can be used with a wide variety of students and gather data in multiple environments.
How Can Standards-Based Grading Be Implemented Into An English Language Arts Classroom In Order To Give More Accurate Feedback Of Student Achievement, Taunya Kolbinger
How Can Standards-Based Grading Be Implemented Into An English Language Arts Classroom In Order To Give More Accurate Feedback Of Student Achievement, Taunya Kolbinger
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Properly and fairly assessing student work is an important and timely job. This paper will document the background of traditional grading, along with how standards-‐based grading benefits teachers, students, and parents. Key pieces of learning around this pertinent topic of assessment come from the current work of Guskey, as well as Wormeli and Reeves. It will also address barriers to standards-‐ based grading, and what professionals can do to implement this grading system into schools and classrooms, and cover how standards-‐based grading can be implemented into an English Language Arts classroom in order to give more accurate feedback of student …