Education Commons^™

The Influence Of Exercise Self-Efficacy And Social Support On Exercise For Air Force Personnel, Jerry Wilson

Student Work

The purpose of the study was to determine how social support and self-efficacy function in each stage of change in exercise behavior and also to study to what extent social support and self-efficacy can predict what stage of change a person is in. To determine this, 179 Air Force men and women ranging in age from 19 to 54 years old at U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were administered a questionnaire to determine their exercise stage of change, self-efficacy, and social support from family and friends. The stages of change for exercise were as follows: 0.0% precontemplation, …

Sense Of Belonging As Perceived By Two Third Grade Students., Laura Foix

Student Work

This study investigated the sense of belonging as perceived by two third grade students. Two informants in a small midwestem public school were used in this qualitative study. Data was collected through interviews, observations, informant journals, and a researcher reflection journal. It was discovered that these informants believe that a sense of humor, class participation, compliments, and non-verbal facial expressions contribute to a child feeling a sense of belonging in the classroom. Further research needs to be completed to determine other factors that contribute to a child’s sense of belonging in the classroom, as well as other settings within the …

Read Aloud Effectiveness On Comprehension And Attitude In Junior High Social Studies Classroom, Randy L. Hilbelink

Master of Education Program Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if reading aloud to eighth-grade students would have a more beneficial effect on students in the areas of comprehension and attitudes toward reading in comparison to students reading to themselves. Forty-one eighth-grade students in two separate classrooms were involved ina literature-based social studies unit. During a three-week time period one class had the historical novel Johnny Tremain read aloud to them while the other group read the same novel to themselves. Three comprehension quizzes were given as well as a pre-test and post-test using Estes Scale to Measure Attitudes Toward Reading.

The …

Effects Of Cooperative Learning Versus Direct Instruction And Independent Practice In A First Grade Mathematics Classroom, Andrea Wieringa

Master of Education Program Theses

This study investigated the effectiveness of cooperative learning versus direct instruction and individual practice in a first grade classroom when learning concepts about time. One classroom of 21 was divided into groups of three and worked and learned in cooperative groups. The other class of 21 was taught using direct instruction, and students completed assignments independently. An analysis of the post-test suggested that the cooperative group scored higher than the direct instruction group, although only two of the five sections of the test were significantly higher.

Effects Of Computer Assisted Instruction To Teach Word Recognition Skills To Grade Two Students, Wilma Kooistra

Master of Education Program Theses

The effects of using computer assisted instruction versus a more traditional approach to practice, i.e. flash cards and worksheets, to attain word recognition skills were investigated. A total of 20 students were rated on a pre-test and then assigned to one of two practice groups. The experimental group (10 students) practiced reading skills using Reader Rabbit II, a highly motivational drill and practice software program. The control group (10 students) practiced using worksheets and flash cards. When skills were compared at the end of the testing time, there was shown to be no statistically significant difference between the two modes …

Effects Of A Peer-Influenced Goal Setting Strategy On Internal Locus Of Control, Tim Antonides

Master of Education Program Theses

Enabling children to take ownership of their learning is an ever-present challenge to educators. This study examined the effects of a six-month goal-setting strategy used with grade five students in a suburban, Christian middle school. Students were required to set three monthly goals and to describe how successfully these goals had been attained. In addition, the participants were asked to orally share their progress with their peers each month. The effects of this strategy on internal locus of control were monitored using the Nowicki-Strickland Control Scale for Children. Results of the study indicated no statistical correlation between the strategy and …

Effectiveness Of Problem-Based Learning In Middle School Science, Alan Bandstra

Master of Education Program Theses

Middle school science students appear to lack motivation when learning under teaching methods which reduce the subject of science to a body of facts. This study attempted to examine the effectiveness of problem-based learning as an alternative teaching method in sixth grade science. The participants were generally homogeneous representing mostly Caucasian children, and the classrooms were typical classrooms containing the normal range of abilities. Three variables were tested in a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design: attitude toward science, problem-solving ability, and knowledge. Results showed no significant effect for any of the variable as a result of the intervention. However, certain …