Education Commons^™

Revealing Online Learning Behaviors And Activity Patterns And Making Predictions With Data Mining Techniques In Online Teaching, Jui-Long Hung, Ke Zhang

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study was conducted with data mining (DM) techniques to analyze various patterns of online learning behaviors, and to make predictions on learning outcomes. Statistical models and machine learning DM techniques were conducted to analyze 17,934 server logs to investigate 98 undergraduate students’ learning behaviors in an online business course in Taiwan. The study scientifically identified students’ behavioral patterns and preferences in the online learning processes, differentiated active and passive learners, and found important parameters for performance prediction. The results also demonstrated how data mining techniques might be utilized to help improve online teaching and learning with suggestions for online …

Math In The Middle Newsletter December 2008

Math in the Middle Program Materials

NebraskaMATH is Now Seeking Applications
Primarily Math
Nebraska Algebra: Extending Success to All Students
Retaining Quality Teachers (RQT)
New Additions

Students’ Attitudes, Motivation And Anxiety Towards English Language Learning, Meenaz Shams Hashwani

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Motivational factors and experiences have the potential to influence students’ attitudes and anxiety levels towards English language learning. Recognizing the importance and multi-dimensional complexities of motivational attitudes and anxiety, this mini-research study attempts to investigate gender wise students’ attitudes, motivation and anxiety towards the learning of English as a second language in the multilingual context of Karachi, Pakistan. The study adapts a survey questionnaire from Gardner’s ‘Attitude Motivation Test Battery,’ to explore attitudes (English language and learning), motivations (intrinsic and extrinsic) and classroom anxiety of grade 8th students in a private secondary school. The survey findings of 77 students (40 …

Exploring Patterns In Teachers’ Conceptions Of Citizenship And Political Participation: A Survey Of Secondary School Teachers In Karachi, Pakistan, Karim Panah

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

This paper examines patterns in teachers’ understanding of conceptual and practical aspects of citizenship by analyzing survey data obtained from 320 teachers of public and private sector secondary schools in Karachi, Pakistan. The survey was conducted using a five-point-Likert scale ranging from ‘strongly disagree through ‘neutral’ to ‘strongly-agree’ and openended questions on citizen participation in politics. The survey questionnaire included 28 items that reflected various aspects of citizen rights and responsibilities. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)) showed several patterns in teacher’s conceptions of citizenship with reference to democratization. The analysis demonstrates that teachers’ conception of citizenship is shaped by confusions and …

Ink (2008-12)

Ink, 2008-

The student-run features magazine covering the fashion, art, music and culture worlds at VCU and in Richmond. Published annually in print and updated regularly online.

Block Scheduling In High School Mathematics: Effect On Algebra Ii End-Of-Course Grades And Act Assessment Mathematics Scores, Gayle Hawkins Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a statistical difference between end-of-course grades in Algebra II at three high schools in northeast Tennessee and mathematics content scores on the ACT Assessment at the same three high schools, by comparing a one-semester accelerated (4x4) block schedule, a two-semester accelerated (4x4) block schedule, and a traditional year-long schedule. The purpose was also to determine if a relationship exists between Algebra II grades and ACT Assessment mathematics content scores for all students and for each school, and to determine if a statistically significant difference occurred in the number of …

Book Review: Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion And The Battle For America’S Soul By Edward Humes, Wesley Hickey

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Monkey Girl reviews the intelligent design movement by reporting on the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial in which Judge John Jones ruled on both the religiosity and scientific merits of an adopted school policy promoting this hypothesis.

Output Measurement In Education, Andrew Dowling

Program monitoring and evaluation

Governments can no longer justify their performance in education in terms of inputs; that is, in terms of the amount of new money they have provided, or the number of new teachers they have employed, or the range of new computers they have installed. It has been observed that ‘today, educators need to show how they have transformed current and new dollars into student achievement results, or the argument that education needs more - or even the current level of - money will be unlikely to attract public or political support’. Output measures, particularly those related to student achievement, are …

Understanding Children’S Play, Nilofar Vazir, Syeda Imrana Raza

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Computing For The Masses: Extending The Computer Science Curriculum With Information Technology Literacy, Jorge Pérez, Meg C. Murray

Faculty Articles

Enrollments in computer science programs continue to drop as demand for workers skilled in computing increases. Information technology scholars face the ironic challenge of attracting more students into computing disciplines in the age of ubiquitous computing. This paper chronicles a decision by a department of computer science and information systems to offer an information technology literacy course as a service to its institution. Educational and curricular justifications for the course progressed in parallel with recognition of the course's strategic value to the department in the face of sharp declines in the number of students majoring in CS or IS. Following …

From Paper Dolls To The Presidency: A Collective Case Study Of The Childhood Years And Life Experiences Of Five Female College And University Presidents, Regina M. Toman

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand how five female presidents of small American colleges and universities perceived and described their childhood years and the life experiences that characterized their career paths. Data was collected through a series of semi-structured, open-ended, oral history interviews and the review of personal and professional documents such as vitae, speeches, and publications.

Personal narratives highlight the people, places, and experiences characteristic of each participant’s childhood years. The study presents a chronology of the life course experiences characteristic of each participant’s career path and in-depth analyses of turning point experiences and epiphanies. …

Successful Implementation Of Inquiry-Based Physiology Laboratories In Undergraduate Major And Nonmajor Courses, Giovanni Casotti, Loretta Rieser-Danner, Maureen T. Knabb

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

"Absolutely Part Of What We Should Be Doing": Kevin Curry, Water Filters And The International Mission Of The Modern University, Andrew C. Holman

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Research Self-Efficacy And Research Mentoring Experiences As Predictors Of Occupational Commitment In Counselor Education Doctoral Students, Glinda Jeanette Rawls

Dissertations

The demands of research and pressure to publish have been identified as reasons doctoral graduates in counselor education infrequently choose faculty careers (Maples, Altekruse, & Testa, 1993; Swickert, 1997). Despite this finding, the counselor education literature provides very little information on doctoral students' research self-efficacy or perceived ability to complete research-related tasks (Bieschke, Bishop, & Herbert, 1995). In addition, research mentoring can enhance research self-efficacy (Hollingsworth & Fassinger, 2002), yet it too remains understudied. Research mentoring involves someone more experienced promoting research skill, awareness, and productivity to someone less experienced (Dohm & Cummings, 2002). Few studies have explored research self-efficacy, …

Panorama December 2008, Southern Adventist University

Panorama Parent Newsletter

This issue of the Panorama parent newsletter highlights changes in McKee Library and the worship program. The newsletter also contains a profile on Professor Tony Trimm from the Biology Department.

Mixed Methods For Mixed Reality: Overcoming Methodological Challenges To Understand User Activities In Virtual Worlds, David F. Feldon, Yasmin B. Kafai

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper examines the use of mixed methods for analyzing users’ avatar-related activities in a virtual world. Server logs recorded keystroke-level activity for 595 participants over a six-month period in Whyville.net, an informal science website. Participants also completed surveys and participated in interviews regarding their experiences. Additionally, the study included online ethnographic observations of Whyville and offline observations of a subset of 88 users in classroom and after-school settings during their participation. A mixed-methods analysis identified a major user emphasis on avatar appearance and customization that was invariant across user typologies. Implications for the use of mixed methods in online …

The Effect Of A Yearlong One -To -One Laptop Computer Classroom Program On The 4th-Grade Achievement And Technology Outcomes Of Digital Divide Learners, Daniel H. Bird

Student Work

A yearlong one-to-one computer laptop classroom instruction intervention program used to prepare 4th-grade students for participation in computer learning activities was evaluated. Students used computers to complete daily reading, writing, and Internet search assignments. Students were divided into two groups according to past computer access; Digital Divide Learners (n = 10) who did not have computers and Internet access at home, and Digital Native Learners (n = 15) who did have computers and Internet access at home. Reading, writing, total technology skills domain scores, and keyboarding speed and accuracy outcomes were evaluated. Results indicate reading vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing …

Content Analysis Of University Alcohol Policies: "Party Schools" Compared To Non-Party Schools, Sarah E. Pernie

Dissertations

Universities across the United States are dealing with an alarming number of underage students drinking on or near campus. One prevention tool is having a comprehensive alcohol usage policy for students, which includes content as recommended by a number of national organizations focused on decreasing underage drinking on campuses. Yet little is known about the content actually contained in current university alcohol policies.

To this end, my research involved a content analysis of the alcohol policies from 71 purposefully selected universities across the country. These included institutions identified as "party schools" by the Princeton Review , and a similar sample …

Reporting And Comparing School Performances, Geoff N. Masters, Glenn Rowley, John Ainley, Siek Toon Khoo

Assessment and Reporting

This report provides advice on the collection and reporting of information about the performances of Australian schools. The focus is on the collection of nationally comparable data. Two purposes are envisaged: use by education authorities and governments to monitor school performances and, in particular, to identify schools that are performing unusually well or unusually poorly given their circumstances; and use by parents/caregivers and the public to make informed judgements about, and meaningful comparisons of, schools and their offerings. Our advice is based on a review of recent Australian and international research and experience in reporting on the performances of schools. …

Assessing Podcasting As A Learning Methodology For Digital Natives And Digital Immigrants In The Corporate Learning Environment, Niccole Byrd Chandler

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher examined employee perceptions of pod casting through the use of the Technology Acceptance Model and how those perceptions influenced corporate decision making for the selection of podcasting technologies. The stratified random sample was divided into two groups: digital natives (N = 127) and digital immigrants (N = 128). Both groups consisted of employees that work within learning environments at one of three service-oriented organizations within the United States. The groups answered the survey-based test to determine their perceptions of ease of use and usefulness toward podcasting in a corporate training environment. Results revealed a statistically significant difference between …

The Effect Of Classroom Experiences On Future Success, Jennifer R. Presson

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis explores the impact that classroom experiences have upon students’ academic and future success. It begins by discussing Charles Dickens’ criticism of education in his works, specifically in the novel Hard Times. Next, the thesis examines a number of studies that have sought to identify the factors that determine students’ academic success. Finally, the careers of Erin Gruwell and Rafe Esquith are described as ‘real life’ examples of the way that teachers can impact students’ success.

The Efficacy Of Smartmusic® Assessment As A Teaching And Learning Tool, Michael William Buck

Dissertations

This study examined the effects of SmartMusic® assessment on student music performance while integrating research-based teaching and learning components. Over approximately three weeks, 46 high school band students (N=46) received five 15-minute teacher-led music lessons, totaling 75 minutes of instruction. Two groups, teacher-led instruction or teacher-led instruction using SmartMusic® assessment, were determined by randomly splitting pairs of matched-subjects within woodwind, brass, or mallet percussion families. Constant for both groups, instruction and evaluation materials included teaching and learning practice rubrics, a criterion-referenced performance evaluation form, and short lyrical and technical etudes complemented with respective skill development exercises. Pre- and post-test measures …

Generalization Effects Of Social Story Interventions For Individuals With Asperger's Disorder, Jennifer Alphonso Abraham

Dissertations

Social Stories™ (Gray, 2004) is a relatively new intervention designed to teach appropriate skills to individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Although there is preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of Social Stories it has typically been implemented in one target setting. As a result, there are little data to support whether or not the effects of Social Stories will generalize to other settings. The current study examined the effectiveness of Social Stories for increasing appropriate behaviors exhibited by four children diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder. Generalization effects across settings were assessed using a typical Social Story (Train and Hope) format and …

Ncaa Division I Head Softball Coaches' Confidence, Openness And Stigma Tolerance Toward Sport Psychology Consultants, Laurie Ann Neelis

Dissertations

This study used a mixed-method to look at NCAA division I head softball coaches confidence, openness, and stigma tolerance about sport psychology principles and consultants, as well as what sport psychology principles, time of year used, and what a Sport Psychology Consultant (SPC) can do to help division I head softball coaches have more success with their teams. These variables were measured through the use of the Sport Psychology Attitudes - Revised Coaches instrument developed by Zakrajsek and Zizzi (2007). For the qualitative component, the researcher developed five inquiries that allowed for a more in-depth response from the coaches concerning …

A Comparison Of Reading Interventions Based On Preference To Reading Interventions Identified By Brief Experimental Analysis, Debborah Eda Smyth

Dissertations

The available literature on children's acceptability of interventions is rather sparse and offers little support for the link between acceptability and effectiveness (e.g., Foxx & Jones, 1978; Shapiro & Goldberg, 1986; Turco & Elliot, 1990). The present study compared the effects of treatment preference to treatment effectiveness using a brief experimental analysis to select skill-based oral reading fluency interventions. The use of a brief experimental analysis (BEA) (Daly, Martens, Hamler, Dool, & Eckert, 1999) has been demonstrated to be an effective procedure for selecting oral reading interventions. However, the studies on brief experimental analysis to date have not examined student …

South Mississippi Public Elementary School Teachers' Implementation Of And Attitudes Toward Inquiry-Based Science, Thomas Franklin Sumrall

Dissertations

The present study was designed to examine the relationship between the dependent variables of K-5 elementary teachers' attitudes toward inquiry-based science, implementation of National Science Education Standards concerning inquiry-based science, and the number of inquiry-based lessons taught with the predictor variables of gender, school district teaching, ethnic group, educational level, experience, grade level teaching, and number of science courses taken. Four hundred thirty teachers of grades K through 5 from seven school districts in south Mississippi were surveyed using the Revised Science Attitude Scale (Bitner, 1994), Inquiry Beliefs and Practices survey (Jeanpierre, 2006), and a demographic questionnaire. A total of …

A Comparative Study Of Extended Meta-Ethnography And Meta-Analysis Based On The Fundamental Micro-Purposes Of A Literature Review, Rhae-Ann Richardson Booker

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the results of literature review methods operating out of interpretivist and positivist paradigms. Using existingstudies on racial and ethnic matching of African American and Caucasian American clients and clinicians as data, my investigation included an examination of the research processes and results of an extended meta-ethnography (EME) and a published meta-analysis (PMA). The premise of my investigation was that both review methods include and, furthermore, require some level of interpretation, as answers are sought by researchers for their questions or areas ofinterest. Furthermore, my exploration included comparing the EME and PMA results …

Student Persistence At A Small, Private, Religiously-Affiliated College: An Examination Of Retention Theory, Benjamin Arendt

Dissertations

This study seeks to understand how one small, private, religiously-affiliated institution can maintain a high persistence rate while not seeming to exhibit several necessary retention factors as described in the literature and prescribed in theory. This study incorporates a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods within a two-phased research structure. The first portion of the research examined a national dataset (NSSE) while the second phase included student interviews based on the quantitative findings.

Key findings suggest that students are satisfied with the level and quality of their interactions with faculty at this institution. Students reported high satisfaction with peers and …

A Study Of The Rita Geier Case: Efforts To Desegregate Three State Universities In Tennessee From 1990-2006., Sonja Renee Jackson-Mccoy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on a 2-phase assessment of the desegregation of selected public postsecondary institutions under the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) [Tennessee State University and University of Memphis] and the University of Tennessee systems [University of Tennessee-Knoxville]. The 1st phase involved obtaining and analyzing the annual reports, court cases, legal journals, articles, and books concerning the 1968 Sanders v. Ellington case (better known as Geier v. Alexander); the 1984 Geier Stipulation of Settlement that mandated a desegregation plan; and the implementation of the 2001 Geier Consent Decree. The study also examines enrollment of black students in selected historically white …

Tempo Magazine, Fall 2008, Office Of Student Life

Tempo Magazine

Tempo Magazine is Coastal Carolina University's student-produced feature magazine. TEMPO #20. Editor: Lauren Formalarie. Faculty advisor: Melissa Paschuck and Paul Olsen.