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Articles 1 - 30 of 33
Full-Text Articles in Education
Developing A Test That Would Give Better Predictive Validity For Native Spanish-Speaking Students Who Are Awarded Credit By Examination, Susan Segal
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The serious deficiencies in format, content, and predictive validity of a Spanish I credit by examination test taken by native Spanish-speakers were addressed in this practicum. The proposed adoption of the level one 1988 National Spanish Examination, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, and an author-written supplement were evaluated as testing instruments to award credit and place students in advanced Spanish classes by district Spanish II and III teachers. One hundred percent of the Spanish teachers approved the proposed adoption of this examination which tests all aspects of linguistic competency, including the knowledge of grammar, …
Improving Teacher Effectiveness In Implementing Comprehensive Health Education, Janet L. Kehoe
Improving Teacher Effectiveness In Implementing Comprehensive Health Education, Janet L. Kehoe
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
Comprehensive Health Education/Growing Healthy (GH) was not being taught for the required number of hours as was indicated in the pupil progression plan for this community. The objectives of the practicum were to increase the number of trained teachers by 60 percent; thereby increasing the instructional time GH was taught, and to place, and organize all commercial instructional-support materials within the elementary school. The author designed a six-week long training program, conducted an inventory of all GH materials, and color coded all commercial instructional-support materials by phase and grade level. The researcher received administrative support from the school's administration to …
Increasing Levels Of Abstract Reasoning Ability In First And Second Graders Through Instruction In Inferential Thinking And Analogical Reasoning, Shelley Cindy Obrand
Increasing Levels Of Abstract Reasoning Ability In First And Second Graders Through Instruction In Inferential Thinking And Analogical Reasoning, Shelley Cindy Obrand
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The ability of first and second graders to use reasoning skills was addressed by the implementation of strategies to develop inferential thinking and analogical reasoning. Piagetian theory was researched in reference to expected levels of cognitive development. The target group of students received instruction in problem-solving to enable them to make inferences. They also received instruction in determining relationships to enable them to solve analogies. Instructional strategies included: modeling, verbal rehearsal, metacognition, peer tutoring, manipulative learning, and discovery learning. The students' progress was measured by Precision Teaching (a monitoring system involving charting to document growth). Inservice training was provided by …
Teaching Self-Esteem To Improve Performance In Eighth Grade Basic Earth Science, J Mark Huffines
Teaching Self-Esteem To Improve Performance In Eighth Grade Basic Earth Science, J Mark Huffines
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
Low performance in a basic eighth-grade earth science class was addressed by a one-class-period per week self-esteem unit presented by the writer and daily positive self-concept reinforcement methods implemented by the regular classroom teacher. Students were presented concepts of self-esteem such as "self-talk,” “irrational beliefs,” “setting and attaining goals,” and “positive relationships” and participated in discussions concerning their feelings about themselves, school, families, and others. There was a standardized measure of self-esteem pretest and posttest, and student performance was measured via comparison of their earth science grade average between the first and the tenth week. Students improved in both grade …
Can Drama Improve Student Performance In School?, William R. Peach
Can Drama Improve Student Performance In School?, William R. Peach
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The problem of the existence of a number of students exhibiting low self-esteem and unacceptable behavior in fourth and fifth grade was addressed by involving a representative sample of the students population in the production of a major musical show. The Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Test (Ellen V. Piers and Dale B. Harris, 1969), an analysis of students’ effort and behavior grades before and after the production, and an analysis of numbers of instances of administrative/ guidance referrals was used to evaluate whether or not involvement in drama would produce improvement in student self-esteem. All students who signed up to audition …
A Computer Program To Increase Comprehension Of The Cartesian Rectangular Coordinate System In High School Pre-Algebra Students, I Sheck Exley
A Computer Program To Increase Comprehension Of The Cartesian Rectangular Coordinate System In High School Pre-Algebra Students, I Sheck Exley
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The high percentage of high school Pre-Algebra students having difficulty learning the abstract concept of graphing ordered pairs on the Cartesian rectangular coordinate system was addressed by the creation and implementation of a computer-managed instruction program. Modules included a pretest, instruction, two practice sessions, and a posttest. To increase motivation and thereby enhance learning, the practice modules were designed in the form of a game. Students were exposed to the program on computers over a period of two weeks. The results indicated a greater increase in achievement for the target group than for four similar Pre-Algebra classes of this researcher. …
Effects Of Direct Instruction In Listening Skills As Related To Effective Learning Among Grade One Students, Carmen B. Johnson
Effects Of Direct Instruction In Listening Skills As Related To Effective Learning Among Grade One Students, Carmen B. Johnson
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
This practicum was designed to investigate the effects of direct instruction in listening skills as it relates to effective learning among first grade students in an elementary school located in a rural area. The goals were to provide training in listening to follow oral directions and listening for sequences in stories for five first grade students. Progress in listening skills was measured with pre and posttests of a Likert type rating scale. Activities implemented included: (1) daily group activities devoted to listening activities and games; (2) listening center; and (3) story time. Evaluation data indicated that all five students who …
Recruitment Of Minority Teachers Through Future Educators Of America, Sharon F. Frieze
Recruitment Of Minority Teachers Through Future Educators Of America, Sharon F. Frieze
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
This practicum was concerned with the need for recruitment of minorities into the teaching profession. The problem exists that there is a shortage of minority educators while, at the same time a growing minority school population. This discrepancy was documented by a national survey of the states' Department of Education, the narrative responses and research. Although the duration of the implementation period lasted for six months, response to the implementation is still ongoing. Respondents were asked to indicate if the state had a critical teacher shortage. Sixty-eight percent of the states responded to the survey. Eighteen States (53 percent) replied …
Improving Language Skills Of Kindergarteners With Deficient Receptive And Expressive Vocabularies, Etta L. Haygood
Improving Language Skills Of Kindergarteners With Deficient Receptive And Expressive Vocabularies, Etta L. Haygood
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
This practicum addressed the need for methods to improve the receptive and expressive vocabularies of kindergarten children. The Peabody Vocabulary Test and the Expressive One Word Vocabulary Test were employed as screening devices to assess students. Language based activities, recordings, and musical activities were used to enhance development of language skills. Students were engaged in stimulating language activities over a period of ten weeks. Appropriate classroom experiences were provided to help instill positive self-concepts while stimulating vocabulary development. It was hoped that an increase in vocabulary would better prepare the students for success in first grade. The results showed the …
Improving Social Studies Achievement: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Lindalee Kaminski
Improving Social Studies Achievement: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Lindalee Kaminski
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
A high percentage of students in a second grade class with low socio-economic characteristics demonstrated exceptionally low achievement in social studies. The problem was addressed by the implementation of an interdisciplinary program to increase basic skills in all areas of the curriculum. Activities designed to increase the target group's understanding of social studies concepts while practicing skills in reading, language arts, math, and science were incorporated into all subject areas utilizing a whole language approach. An emphasis on critical thinking and daily news events allowed for student growth in inferential comprehension and the formation of attitudes about the world. The …
A Videotape Presentation To Motivate High School Students To Enter The Teaching Profession, Linda S. Lentin
A Videotape Presentation To Motivate High School Students To Enter The Teaching Profession, Linda S. Lentin
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The practicum addressed the need to diminish the critical teacher shortage that was facing the state of Florida. The author, the 1989 Florida Teacher of the Year and the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, developed an appropriate presentation strategy for motivating senior high school students, specifically members of the Florida Future Educators of America, to enter the teaching profession. The author produced a videotape that combined with a lecture and discussion formed a presentation that was offered at five senior high schools. The results of the postsurvey as compared to the presurvey indicated that the presentation was effective. Additionally, one …
Walk Around The Clock: Third Grade Students Learn To Tell Time, Janice Irington
Walk Around The Clock: Third Grade Students Learn To Tell Time, Janice Irington
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
Although time-telling has been an essential part of the curriculum since kindergarten, there were third grade students at the practicum site who were unable to tell time by five and one minute intervals. Results from a student survey, teacher survey and a county standardized test confirmed this statement. Since telling time is an abstract concept, a more concrete approach was used in presenting the skill. Piaget's theory that logical ideas can be applied and understood if presented in concrete form was the basis for teaching this concept. The goal for this practicum was to improve the targeted students' ability to …
Using Whole Language Materials In The Adult Esol Classroom, Edward W. Schiffer
Using Whole Language Materials In The Adult Esol Classroom, Edward W. Schiffer
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
Many English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students live in areas in which the English language is not the principal means of communication in everyday life. However, because English is the principal language of the broader society, non-English speakers are motivated to attend ESOL classes in order to participate in the mainstream and to receive society's benefits. The classroom is the principal source of meaningful English input for these students. Opportunities for second language acquisition are limited once the students are outside the classroom. This reality makes the quantity and quality of language presented in the classroom a crucial …
Improving Academic Achievement Through Building Self-Esteem In At Risk Limited English Proficient Ninth Grade Haitian Students, Gloria H. Myrick
Improving Academic Achievement Through Building Self-Esteem In At Risk Limited English Proficient Ninth Grade Haitian Students, Gloria H. Myrick
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
A self-esteem building program was developed and implemented to reduce the failure and potential dropout rate of limited English proficient ninth grade Haitian students who were failing two or more academic classes. Self-esteem building exercises and counseling sessions were employed over a 10-week development period. Instruments for measuring self-esteem, The Piers-Harris Self-Concept Inventory (Piers, and Harris, 1977) and The Demos Dropout Scale (Demos, 1970) were used. The results indicated increased levels of achievement for the target group when comparing their pretest and posttest. It was concluded that building positive self-esteem improves academic achievement. (Appendices include the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Inventory, student …
The Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of An Instructional Program Preparing Disabled Students To Use A Canine Companion., Bonita M. Bergin
The Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of An Instructional Program Preparing Disabled Students To Use A Canine Companion., Bonita M. Bergin
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
Canine Companions for Independence (CCT) pioneered and has been in the forefront of placing dogs with disabled individuals to facilitate their independence through increased physical and social capabilities. With the number of applications increasing daily, CCI launched an expansion effort to include the development of six regional training centers located strategically across the United States to increase the program placement capabilities to more than 300 Canine Companions each year. The increasing complexity of program management, training and monitoring resulting from this development had defined the need for a written curriculum to be used by staff involved in teaching the disabled …
Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition And Retention Skills Through Multiple Comprehension-Based Strategies, Phyllis M. Hayes
Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition And Retention Skills Through Multiple Comprehension-Based Strategies, Phyllis M. Hayes
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
Test scores, surveys, and student performance indicated that the target group of 62 honors sophomore students was not acquiring substantive vocabulary skills. A program incorporating the elements of an effective comprehension-based strategy involving definition knowledge with context, writing, student-generated vocabulary choices, and multiple exposures to the words was developed to improve vocabulary acquisition and retention. The results indicated a considerable gain in vocabulary acquisition, a good rate of retention, and positive student attitude toward the use of the varied strategies. Appendices include surveys, the pre and post-teat, strategy guidelines, parent information letter, analysis of scores, a examples assignment, and student …
Development And Implementation Of A Program To Foster Scientific Inquiry Among Ninth Grade Science Students, Linda S. Sparks
Development And Implementation Of A Program To Foster Scientific Inquiry Among Ninth Grade Science Students, Linda S. Sparks
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The deficiency among ninth grade science students to think scientifically and the lack of resource materials to teach the skills of scientific inquiry prompted the development and imp implementation of a comprehensive unit of study, “The Scientific Method.” Inductively, this module forced the target students to think scientifically and thereby discover the process of scientific investigation. The program was deemed successful based on the results of post-test scores compared to pre-test scores. These results indicated increased levels of scientific literacy at the analysis. synthesis and evaluation levels of knowledge among the target group. Appendices include the entire module with answer …
Strategic Teaching For Adult Learners: Cognitive Instruction For Critical Thinking Skills, Marie M. Agner
Strategic Teaching For Adult Learners: Cognitive Instruction For Critical Thinking Skills, Marie M. Agner
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The purpose of this research was to develop a plan to facilitate the adult student in successful mastery of the five content areas tested by the 1988 General Education Development Test (GED). Pretest results for students given tested over a six month period using those revised tests showed a 95 percent failure rate, and official GED tests results showed a failure rate of 93 percent for students who had received instruction for test preparation. The writer addressed the problem by implementing a six month program of specialized instruction designed to assist adult students in improving their critical thinking skills. The …
A Metacognitive Approach To Written Language Instruction For Primary Learning Disabled Students, Madeline Fisher Kuhns
A Metacognitive Approach To Written Language Instruction For Primary Learning Disabled Students, Madeline Fisher Kuhns
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
A metacognitive approach to written language instruction was implemented to ameliorate the severe deficits in written language exhibited by the five learning disabled third and fourth graders who made up the target population. The program contained two basic elements: sustained writing practice and strategy training for revision of written projects. The results indicated that students benefited from this program by exhibiting improved cognitive ability, improved attitudes toward writing, and improved metacognitive awareness. These results were measured by comparing of the Test of Written Language (Hammill and Larsen, 1986), a written language sample, revision of a written language sample, and interviews …
Remediating Reading Skills - Utilizing Self-Awareness Through An Intensive Whole Language Approach, Gerardine K. Cochran
Remediating Reading Skills - Utilizing Self-Awareness Through An Intensive Whole Language Approach, Gerardine K. Cochran
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
Reading remediation needs of second graders were addressed through an intensive whole language approach with particular emphasis on self-awareness. Teacher recommendations and basal scores were used to identify seven at-risk second grade students. Students attended a class for an hour daily during which main idea, cause and effect, and drawing conclusions were the skills targeted. Over the ten week implementation period, students focused on themselves, peer relationships and various aspects of the school. The students' overall academic performances exceeded expectations. In the area of main idea, five of the seven students scored 80% and above. In cause and effect skills, …
Devising And Executing Training Sessions For Parents In Critical Thinking, Joyce V. Galgano
Devising And Executing Training Sessions For Parents In Critical Thinking, Joyce V. Galgano
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
This project attempted to show the increased achievement of second grade students whose parents learned and applied critical thinking techniques. The implementation component encompassed a ten week segment: five training sessions and five written newsletters for parents. Without any changes in educational programs, teaching techniques or new materials in the classroom, students increased in achievement as measured and evaluated in three areas. Area I, content, was measured by the Cognitive Abilities Test (Riverside Publications), a professionally prepared test designed to assess the development of cognitive abilities related to verbal, non-verbal and quantitative reasoning and problem solving. Area II, strategy, was …
Improving The Verbal Skills Of English 11 General Students Taking The Scholastic Aptitude Test, Valerie L. Kennedy
Improving The Verbal Skills Of English 11 General Students Taking The Scholastic Aptitude Test, Valerie L. Kennedy
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
This practicum was designed to improve the verbal skills of English 11 General students taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The four verbal areas which were targeted for improvement were: (a) antonym skills, (b) analogy skills, (c) sentence completion skills, and (c) reading comprehension skills as wen as overall SAT verbal performance. After pretesting to determine the baseline verbal skills of students in these areas, the researcher implemented a variety of verbal activities in order to improve students' skills in these areas. The 10-week program consisted of class lectures, class discussions, and a variety of SAT practice activities that were …
Improving Critical Reading Skills By Use Of Multiple Methods/Materials Individualized Instruction, Patricia B. Orr
Improving Critical Reading Skills By Use Of Multiple Methods/Materials Individualized Instruction, Patricia B. Orr
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
This practicum attempted to improve critical reading skills in the author's seventh grade reading classes. The reading program implemented was an individualized reading program involving novels as the core of the program and using many materials and methods to teach critical reading skills. The components of the program were reading novels, student/teacher conferencing, skills instruction by the teacher, and independent skills practice. Evaluation of the program followed a survey and pre-test, post-test design. Students gained in critical reading skill and positive attitudes toward reading. The program will be used by all seventh and eighth grade classes in the author’s school …
Relating The Mole Concept And Fundamental Mathematics, Kenneth L. Phillips
Relating The Mole Concept And Fundamental Mathematics, Kenneth L. Phillips
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The high percentage of students with difficulty in solving free-response problems related to the mole concept was addressed by implementation of reading skill strategies and computer aided instruction. Frayer models, semantic mapping and graphic organizers from Reading in the Content Area (RICA) were employed to increase student understanding of the scientific principles involved. Computers and a variety of computer programs from COMPress and Knowledge Factory were used by the target group for review, drill, and practice in relating their math skills to solving problems. The results indicated a considerable increase in the ability to solve problems related to the mole …
Identifying Solid Geometric Figures By Appearance As A Whole, Paul C. Padgett Jr.
Identifying Solid Geometric Figures By Appearance As A Whole, Paul C. Padgett Jr.
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The author wrote and instituted a microcomputer software program to increase the ability of secondary students to identify solid figures of geometry. A target group of twelve Algebra I students from an urban high school was established to implement the program. The success of the program was measured by comparing the statistics of a pre and posttest. The results indicated that increased level of indent if identification was found by the target group target using the microcomputer program.
The Development And Implementation Of A Program To Improve Critical Thinking Skills And Language Awareness In Advanced Placement Students, Denise C. Wenner
The Development And Implementation Of A Program To Improve Critical Thinking Skills And Language Awareness In Advanced Placement Students, Denise C. Wenner
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The lack of critical thinking skills in students in an Advanced Placement Language and Composition class was addressed by the implementation of a program which included instruction in: abstractions and concretions, denotation and informative and affective language, tone, deductive and inductive reasoning, the language of persuasion, and political rhetoric. The students researched the rhetoric of the presidential campaign of 1988, and assignments focused on the campaign and the effect of language on the outcome of the election. The subject of tone as an important element in the development of critical consciousness was discussed. Students then proceeded to apply the concept …
Peer Counseling In The Elementary School: Promoting Personal And Academic Growth Through Positive Relationships Thereby Increasing Self-Esteem And Self-Concept, Debra J. Lieberman
Peer Counseling In The Elementary School: Promoting Personal And Academic Growth Through Positive Relationships Thereby Increasing Self-Esteem And Self-Concept, Debra J. Lieberman
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
The effects of a peer counseling program on the elementary school level was studied to determine if positive relationships would promote personal and academic growth thereby increasing self-esteem and self-concept. The project was implemented in three phases: selection and training of 15 fourth and fifth grade students, implementation of special projects (i.e., counseling, tutoring, meeters and greeters, big brother/big sister), and evaluation. The 15 students were trained in the areas of facilitative responding, effective listening skills, helping characteristics, problem solving techniques, maintaining positive relationships, awareness of feelings, scheduling, and maintenance of logs. Evaluation included pre and post attitude surveys of …
Identifying Risk Factors For Reading Failure As An Aid To Prediction And Prevention Of Retention In The Second Grade, Valerie G. Ballerini
Identifying Risk Factors For Reading Failure As An Aid To Prediction And Prevention Of Retention In The Second Grade, Valerie G. Ballerini
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
In order to identify students at risk of failure in reading, a list was compiled in the school of factors held in common by students who had previously been retained in second grade. Cumulative folders were examined in order to gather the necessary data. At least 80 percent of the students in this part of the study were male, did not live with both parents, had failed the reading comprehension section of a local first grade minimum level skills test, and had visual sequential memory deficits. Other contributing factors were also identified. Using these factors, the records of 60 students …
Using Metacognitive Strategies To Increase Reading Comprehension In The Social Studies Content Area, Joanne E. Moore
Using Metacognitive Strategies To Increase Reading Comprehension In The Social Studies Content Area, Joanne E. Moore
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
A large number of academic deficiencies among ninth and tenth grade students in a college preparatory school signaled a problem diagnosed as poor reading comprehension in the Social Students content area. The Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test and the Coopersmith Self-esteem Test were administered to ascertain these problems in comprehension and resulting poor performance on tests/quizzes. A teacher authored test readily showed that the problems did exist. Students were taught five metacognitive study skills strategies, grouped in cooperative leaning peer groups, and taught mapping or clustering to aid notetaking and recall. At the conclusion of the implementation period, an improvement of …
Development Of Management Strategies For Improving Classroom Behavior Of At-Risk Students Through The Teaching Of Behavior, Mary K. Gardner
Development Of Management Strategies For Improving Classroom Behavior Of At-Risk Students Through The Teaching Of Behavior, Mary K. Gardner
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive
Because prevention is always cheaper than remediation, a proactive approach to dropout prevention was the focus of the practicum. Inappropriate classroom behavior was identified as the major cause at-risk students drop out of school as reflected in the/ number of referrals to the Dean of Students for inappropriate classroom behavior. To assist the at-risk students in the development of more appropriate classroom behaviors, the target teacher received instruction and feedback on how to task analyze, teach, and reinforce appropriate behavior followed by formative and summative evaluations of the application of these skills in the classroom. The students were directly taught …