Education Commons^™

Cooking : Mixing And Measuring With Young Children, Aimee Marie Klostermann

Graduate Research Papers

Cooking with young children is a rewarding experience as an educator. Not only are the children enjoying themselves, but you are too. Cooking allows children to be in touch with their senses, and is a hands-on approach to learning. Of course cooking can be messy, which is what young children love most. Incorporating science, math, literacy, and social studies into one activity is easily done through cooking.

Whether you are a novice or a veteran when it comes to cooking, the skills children gain are immense when you incorporate cooking into the early childhood curriculum. I believe there are some …

A Case Study Of A Rural Iowa School Preparing To Meet New State Guidelines For School Libraries, Karla Steege Krueger

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

A qualitative case study highlighting one rural Iowa elementary school provided insight into the issue of small schools without library programs as they are preparing to meet the Iowa reinstatement of the requirement for school library programs. The site was purposefully chosen because it has been operating without a school library program or professional teacher-librarian district-wide. All eight teachers and the nonendorsed library associate from one elementary school participated in either a focus group or semistructured interviews. The four district administrators were interviewed individually. Related documents were consulted. This study examined the status of the school library program, analyzed the …

Time For Books : Motivating Children Through Choice, Change, And Chances To Read, Amy Prime

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review and following project examine the issue of using free reading time as an instructional strategy during the school day. Research was gathered from professional articles and books on the subject of literacy learning for the purpose of attempting to determine the value of allowing students free reading time. Some important components needed in a free reading program were found to be appropriate and plentiful book selection, an appropriate environment for reading, opportunities for students to interact with each other, and positive teacher modeling. The project includes lessons plans for a teacher workshop is presented to train teachers …

Constructivist Practices That Positively Impact Literacy Development And Motivation In Young Children, Sara Pruss

Graduate Research Papers

Reading and writing achievement has been substantiated through the increased pressure on proficiency for both students and teachers as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act of 200l (United States Department of Education, 2004). Educators engage in practices that may increase literacy scores for young children; however, these same practices may have a detrimental effect on student engagement and motivation. This study examined the characteristics of instructional approaches that are developmentally appropriate and inappropriate for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade children as well as those that positively affect motivation and engagement. Research through a review of current literature …

Listening To Learn : The Academic Achievement Of Auditory Learners, Rae Ann Mclean-Dickinson

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers present lessons in a variety of modalities to engage students with different strengths in processing within the classroom. Using literature from a variety of educational specialists focused on how the brain processes oral and auditory information, this paper reviews how students translate learning while engaging in reading and writing tasks. It explores the different learning problems some children face, and gives suggestions about how teachers may recognize them and offer an environment where all learners become successful.

Distance Education : Is The Classroom Becoming Obsolete?, Randall M. Gilbert

Graduate Research Papers

The future of education seems to be moving rapidly towards distance education. Society is moving faster as people are trying to coordinate work, family, and school. Due to the increasing pressure of time and distance constraints, today's learners are sometimes choosing to get their educations online, or through a school with distance education technologies and capabilities. This literature review describes distance education, instructor and student attitudes towards distance education, benefits and disadvantages of distance education, the past and the future of distance education, and how and why it should be used in training and education.

Using Podcasts To Support Distance Education For Adult Learners, David Graw

Graduate Research Papers

Podcasting is one of several emerging Web 2.0 technologies that are becoming important to the future of distance education for adult learners. This investigation examines the influence of podcasting in support of distance education programming for adult students. An overview of student perspectives, instructional support systems, and technological trends is presented to readers interested in using podcasts to support adult learners enrolled in distance education programs.

The literature review provides information that will help readers understand the complexities of integrating podcast technology into adult distance education programs. This review of the literature concludes that an understanding of student perspectives, podcast …

Engaging And Motivating Young Readers, Alisha Briggs

Graduate Research Papers

It is well accepted in the teaching world that a student's success in reading is greatly influenced by the student's own motivation. A student needs to be engaged in a subject to be successful. An engaged and motivated reader chooses to read for a variety of purposes including reading for enjoyment and seeking information. A student may find this motivation within himself/herself or they may need the help of the teacher and learning environment to do so. This paper will look at the various aspects of motivation and engagement including self-determination theory, social contexts, and classroom strategies.

The Benefits Of Family Literacy, Cassandra Cate

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the positive influence families can have on their child's literacy education and the development of a project to provide experiences to families that demonstrate ways they can extend the learning process with their children at home. This paper provides literature supporting the importance of family involvement and the specifics of how schools and families can work together to overcome common barriers to family involvement in a child's literacy development. The project for a family literacy night was developed from the literature, providing a school-based program for literacy support for families, highlighting effective practices and suggestions for enhancing …

What Every Kindergarten Teacher Should Know About Spelling, Gjoa King

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this article was to determine what research stated about writing and spelling instruction at the kindergarten level. I looked specifically at research concerning spelling and writing development in kindergarten children, the role of invented spelling, and the effects of instruction on spelling outcomes. This was done for the purpose of synthesizing the research in order to help teachers implement a developmentally appropriate spelling curriculum for kindergartners.

The Impact Of An International Healthcare Mission Experience On Healthcare Professional Students At The University Of Northern Iowa, Evelyn Adom-Boateng

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

U.S. Demographic changes have had an impact on health education, care, and promotion. The best health education, promotion, and care can be delivered by culturally sensitive health professionals. The importance of addressing the issue of culture is widely acclaimed by educators from various health disciplines. Participation in an international healthcare mission (IHM) is one means to expand cultural awareness and sensitivity. Little research exists regarding methods for preparing culturally sensitive healthcare professionals. Little published research documents the impact of an IHM experience on the preparation of healthcare professionals.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an …

An Exploratory Case Study Of Students' Perceptions Of Online Graduate Education, Hou Chun Kuong

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate graduate students' perceptions of online education. Online learning has grown tremendously over the past several years and has made learning and teaching opportunities more available to many people throughout the world. As an increased number of higher education institutions use online education as a means of delivering courses and programs, educational researchers have been working tirelessly to uncover and delineate the factors that facilitate and enhance success in online learning. One major factor that researchers (e.g., Pérez Cereijo, 2006) have established as a predictor of success is students' perceptions of online learning. …

Effective Family Literacy Practices, Stefanie Naumburg Riepe

Graduate Research Papers

This project focuses on effective family literacy practices. The project consists of family literacy activities that support student achievement, family literacy activities that build relationships, and family literacy activities that address cultural differences. These activities were developed from the literature supporting current teaching practices in a Midwestern suburban school. The implementation timeline for this project is one school year. It can be implemented yearly, with adaptations based on changing family needs.

Effects Of Applied Behavior Analysis On Teaching Social Skills To Young Children With Autism, Michelle Yeggy

Graduate Research Papers

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 166 children are born with autism (Falco, 2008). With this continual increase of children being diagnosed there is a lot of pressure put on schools to provide the quality programming for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD have delays with their language and communication skills, social skills and theory of mind, and also these children have challenges with sensory processing. Rogers (2000) wrote that social dysfunction is the single most defining characteristic of autism, and it is also one of the most important to overcome. …

Graphic Practice : A Strategy For Developing Fine Motor Skills In The Early Childhood Setting, Kathleen A. Eichelberger

Graduate Research Papers

Graphic practice provides children with an opportunity to develop, not only fine motor skills, but also self-regulatory and alphabet knowledge skills. Research has indicated that a child's fine motor development can predict his or her educational achievement, specifically in the areas of reading, math, and attention. The purpose of this project is to organize thirty weekly lessons that will familiarize teachers with the components necessary to introduce, integrate, and extend graphic practice strategies within their early childhood classrooms. These lessons will be compiled into a step-by-step guide for teachers. An outline for professional development is included.

Networked Learning In An Educational Environment, Garey Gill

Graduate Research Papers

Yesterday's methods of instruction are no longer sufficient for today's global world or today's learners. Networked learning provides the capability of making connections with people and information for lifelong learning. This literature review seeks to define Networked Learning and Personal Learning Networks and their implications for education. Networked learning and Personal Learning Networks in relationship to motivation theory is also explored. Recommendations for future use include using social networking as an educational strategy for student learning and instructor professional development. Another recommendation and strategy discussed includes student-centered learning to improve student learning in an educational environment through networked learning. Technology …

Class Size : Appropriate Student-Teacher Ratios In Early Childhood Classrooms In Relation To Student Achievement, Brian D. Kingrey

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the effects of reduced class sizes in early childhood classrooms in relation to student achievement, and to present guidelines for implementing class-size reduction programs and practices in K-3 classrooms. Average- and actual-class size, student-teacher ratios, per-pupil expenditures, student achievement, health and well-being, curricula, and cost-effectiveness were discussed.

In researching recent literature for this review, multiple searches were conducted including searches for class-size reduction, student-teacher ratios, cost-effectiveness, and districts that implemented class-size reduction programs. Gilman (1988) conducted research on Tennessee's Project STAR which served as a basis for continued research. Summative findings …

The Effect Of Technology On Primary Students' Phonemic Awareness Achievement, Joy Marie Schirmer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose for this project was to research current software programs focused on phonemic awareness and, through a process of evaluation of selected programs, determine a software program with phonemic awareness activities that would be suitable for teachers to integrate into K-2 reading instruction. Phonemic awareness is a strong indicator of future reading success (Stahl & Murrary, 1994 ). Students that used technology that incorporates phonemic awareness activities have shown an increase in reading achievement. Three software programs were picked for evaluation using Sherman, Kleiman, and Peterson's (2004) criteria. Through an evaluation process this project concludes with recommendations for the …

The Thought Processes Of Administrators As They Review And Make Evaluative Judgment Of A Second-Year Teacher Portfolio: A Qualitative Study, Terri Anne Lasswell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This qualitative study explored the thought processes of administrators as they reviewed and judged second-year teacher artifacts (a portfolio) relative to the Iowa teaching standards and criteria (ITS/criteria). In addition, data was collected pertaining to the tools principals used as they conducted portfolio evaluation and the amount of bearing the portfolio had on a licensure decision.

Data for the study was gathered via a think-aloud process in combination with guided interview questions. Nine principals participated in the study; three each from elementary, middle, and high school. The nine principals were also representative of rural, suburban, and urban geographic/demographic regions. The …

Children With Cleft Lips And/Or Palates In Early Childhood Classrooms : Overcoming Obstacles And Misconceptions, Angel Simons

Graduate Research Papers

One in 750 live births results in a baby born with a cleft lip and/or palate (CLP), making it the second most common birth impairment in the United States (Speltz, Endrig, Fisher, & Mason, 1997). Being born with a cleft lip and/or palate brings on many obstacles in a child's life.

Educators can help children born with cleft lip and/or palate by knowing: are there any correlations between how a child born with a cleft is treated by teachers and parents when it comes to teacher and/or parent expectations and perceptions; do children with clefts have distinct common personality or …

Interactive Writing In A Kindergarten Classroom, Amy Henze

Graduate Research Papers

This research study focused on the use of interactive writing as the primary method of writing instruction in a kindergarten classroom. The purpose of the study was to find out the extent to which and in what ways interactive writing supports the needs of all students at various emergent writing stages. The study also examined students' writing samples to see if there was carryover of skills from the interactive writing lessons to the students' independent writing. Results indicate a variety of skills were taught during the interactive writing lessons, and all of the students showed growth in the use of …

Second Language Development And Guided Reading, Emilia Alejo Hummel

Graduate Research Papers

Elementary teachers are being challenged to teach literacy to second language learners. In order to best serve ELL's, teachers must understand how these students acquire English and how to meet their varying literacy needs in the classroom. This project describes best practices in teaching guided reading to ELL's. The study will describe the implementation of the ELL guided reading program and how instruction was informed by knowledge of language learning.

Reading Intervention Support For The Older Struggling Reader : A Desk-Reference For Reading Interventions, April L. Kleinschmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Reading interventions for the older student are a topic of discussion in school districts, especially when an increasing number of middle schools and high schools are in need of improvement in the area of reading. Because of this increase in literacy concern in the middle and high schools, there is a need to better understand areas of reading that would assist struggling adolescent readers. Research affirms the importance of including intervention assistance in the upper grades. Research indicates key areas to target: structures and features of text, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, writing and technology, as well as the incorporation of …

School Readiness : What It Means To Be "Ready" For Kindergarten, Brian D. Kingrey

Graduate Research Papers

This review of the literature examined the recent literature on the subject of school readiness. The purpose of this review of the literature was to identify how schools and parents view school readiness, as well as how emergent literacy plays a role in preparing students for public school education. Assessments, skills, early learning standards, literacy practices, and entry age were discussed.

In researching recent literature for the review multiple searches were conducted including the search terms of school readiness and transition. Pianta, Cox, and Snow (2007) discussed the domains of developmental functioning in the early childhood years, which served as …

Integrating And Implementing Literacy In A Toddler Classroom, Emily Knutson

Graduate Research Papers

This Project examined the topic of literacy in a toddler classroom. Research on toddler language, reading, writing, and parent involvement with literacy was discussed. The Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale and Iowa Early Learning Standards were used to rate a toddler classroom in regard to literacy activities. Guidelines were presented for establishing quality literacy activities for toddler children. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and the classroom project for the future of literacy development for toddlers.

Effective Writing Strategies For Primary Grades, Rebecca Gardemann

Graduate Research Papers

Writing instruction has undergone changes throughout history to become what it is today; an integral part of a balanced literacy program. This project examines appropriate and effective writing strategies for primary grades. Four current writing strategies are examined in three professional development sessions for primary teachers, including: shared writing, interactive writing, writing workshop and journaling. Appropriate means of writing assessment are also examined. These professional development sessions are presented in a series of three Power Point presentations including implementation activities for teachers.

Designing K-12th Technology Training : Technology Mentoring Program, Robert J. Gingery

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to provide a curriculum and framework for a technology-mentoring program at Dike-New Hartford Community School District, a rural school district in Eastern Iowa. Taking a different approach to technology training, this program was designed to help remove barriers that keep teachers from integrating technology throughout their content area. These proactive steps included:

• Creating mentoring groups to provide long-term support for technology integration.
• Providing teachers with personal laptops and current software.
• Providing paid technology training outside of school hours.
• Introducing easy-to-use technology tools that can be quickly integrated.

The goal of …

Instructional Strategies Within Single-Gender Learning Environments, Rachelle Sarrah Grandon

Graduate Research Papers

Various instructional strategies can be beneficial in both gender-specific classrooms, as well as co-educational environments. When developing age-appropriate, individualized instruction, it is crucial to consider gender-specific needs that may assist according to certain learning styles. In order to better relate to students of each gender, these practices must be given thoughtful consideration. There are many methods, found in both types of classroom settings have been explored based on practical, research-based experiences from the real-world setting.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: The Effects Of Using Music With Young Children, Eileen Heck

Graduate Research Papers

One way for children to experience music and develop early literacy skills is through nursery rhymes such as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. This project addresses the benefits of using music with young children and the importance of professional development with early childhood educators. More and more research is being done to explore and study the effects of music with young children. It is becoming evident that music has many benefits that can enhance young children's lives. Some of these benefits include expanding children's communication skills, building oral language skills, developing phonological awareness skills, and extending concepts of print. Some …

Technology-Enriched Learning Environments : Creating A Classroom Environment For The 21st Century, Megan Lahey

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review is to examine technology-enriched learning environments in order to implement proper and effective use – changing the classroom as we know it. The review provides a definition and descriptions of technology-enriched learning environments, research based evidence of how they affect-teachers and students, and three key barriers preventing institutionalization of technology-enriched learning environments. Key search terms include technology-enriched learning environments, academic achievement, curriculum, teacher role, technology infusion, and professional development.

This review concludes that with rapid developments and implementations of technology into the educational setting, educators, administrators and technology leaders need to be provided with …