Education Commons^™

Attitude And Agility Scores Of Co-Occurring And Single Sport High School Girl Volleyball Players Following Completion Of An Invitational Summer Strength And Conditioning Program, Joesph J. Toczek

Student Work

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a school sponsored invitational eight-week summer strength and conditioning program on the attitudes and agility of high school girl volleyball players who participated in the school sponsored invitational eight-week summer strength and conditioning program and co-occurring sports and/or club sports compared to the attitudes and agility of high school girl volleyball players who specialize in volleyball and participated in the school sponsored invitational eight-week summer strength and conditioning program alone. This exploratory study focused on volleyball players who attended the same high school and who were members of the …

The Impact Of Traditional And Alternative University Teacher Preparation Program Options On Secondary Teacher Candidates’ Knowledge, Skills, Dispositions, And Employment, Rebecca B. Schnabel

Student Work

The preparation of secondary teacher candidates through traditional (n = 13) or alternative (n = 15) options did not statistically significantly impact knowledge, skills or dispositions. Results for content knowledge, as measured at entrance to the program based on the Pre-Professional Skills Test, indicate that candidates who entered the traditional secondary teacher preparation program begin their studies with measured content knowledge in reading, writing, and mathematics that was congruent with the content knowledge of post-baccalaureate candidates who entered the alternative secondary teacher preparation program. Furthermore, content knowledge, based on cumulative grade point averages calculated upon completion of all …

The Effect Of Decreasing Enrollment Patterns In A Title I School Surrounded By Economic Decline On 5th-Grade Students’ Achievement, Behavior, Parent Involvement, And Teacher Mobility Rates, Carolyn L. Grice

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of decreasing enrollment patterns in a Title I school surrounded by economic decline on 5th-grade students' achievement, behavior, parent involvement, and teacher mobility rates compared to 5th-grade students' achievement, behavior, parent involvement, and teacher mobility rates in a nearby Title I elementary school surrounded by economic improvement and increasing enrollment patterns. Overall, results indicated that 5th-grade students at posttest in the increasing enrollment pattern school in a neighborhood of economic improvement had statistically significantly higher (a) Reading Total, (b) Math Total, and (c) Language Total mean achievement NCE scores compared …

Technology And Its Impact On Face-To-Face Communication: Does It Bring Us Together Or Tear Us Apart?, Marilyn Holmes

Masters Theses

This study assessed the use of technology and its impact on face-to-face communication among college students and adults. The researcher utilized a selfdesigned questionnaire to ascertain usage patterns and teclmological devices used by participants in their daily communication with family, friends, and co-workers. A total of 673 respondents participated in the study, consisting of 334 college students (undergraduate and graduate students), and 339 adults (administration, faculty, administrative & professional, and civil service employees) from Eastern Illinois University.

Significant differences were found regarding levels of technology usage and faceto- face communication among college students and adults. Both students and adults used …

Videogame Use Among Male Residents In University Housing At Eastern Illinois University, Mark Bodnar Nicklaus

Masters Theses

The present quantitative study of 331 male students living in university residence halls or in university fraternity housing explored whether playing video games promoted social networking and social opportunities for males living in college residence halls. Previous research on video gaming focused on the social networks created among players; however, little research focused directly on male students living in residence halls. Most participants (73%) played video games between 6 p.m. and midnight. Using the Spearman Rho for rank ordered data, a positive relationship was found between the number of hours spent playing video games and the time spent in conversation …

Ethnic Lesbian Identity Development: A Focus On African American And Latino Women, Alexandria Quinones

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate if there were differences in the developmental progression of a lesbian identity for ethnic women, specifically African American and Latino women, from that of majority lesbian women. Selected societal, familial and personal beliefs were examined to discover their influences on the women's development of a lesbian identity. Responses from ten women indicated there was a variation during their progression towards a lesbian identity in relation to the previous stage models based on majority homosexual individuals. Future recommendations for practitioners and researchers included considering environmental influences for expanding research models examining lesbian …

Retaining At-Risk Undergraduates Through Mandatory Interaction, Brian Jacob Gorman

Masters Theses

Eastern Illinois University has developed an academic assistance resource center for low achieving students k:no-wn as the Student Success Center (SSC). A major service of the SSC is EIU 2919, Strategies for Academic Success, a mandatory course for students who have fallen below a 2.00 cumulative GP A that focuses on removing barriers to success. In the first year of the Center's operation, the percentage of students on academic probation who regained good standing increased from 34% following the 2006- 2007 academic year to 70% following the 2007-2008 academic year. The purpose of the present study was to define what …

Levels Of Homophobia Among Students Attending A Comprehensive Midwestern University, Amy J. Baumgart

Masters Theses

This study looks at past research completed on the topic of homosexuality in the United States, including the history of acceptance of homosexual individuals and perceptions of homosexuality in the perspectives ofreligion, gender, and the law. In addition, the research looks at how the college experience tends to liberalize students. Putting these two ideas together, the study uses the Homosexual Attitude Scale and other demographic information gathering questions to determine the factors that contribute most prominently to homophobia in college students. The sample of students being studied are all undergraduates attending a public, Midwestern, comprehensive university. As a general overview, …

Examining At-Risk Students' Perceptions Of The Role And Function Of School Counselors, Colleen Marie Johnson

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine the perceptions of the school counselor's role from the perspectives of at-risk middle school students. The principal researcher conducted one-on-one interviews with the sample population in order to better understand the way in which they regarded and perceived the school counselor's role and function. Analysis of the student responses allowed for the identification of emergent themes and commonalities. Several conclusions were drawn from this study's findings. The findings indicated that students denote individual counseling as the primary duty of the school counselor. Further, students believe school counseling is important within their …

Defining Success With Big Ideas: A New Teacher’S Growth And Challenges, Meg Sampson

Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education

This article is a compellation of my work with big ideas and my findings based on that work for the second semester of the 2006-2007 school year. I worked with three 11th grade students that have in the past struggled to pass the Global Studies Regents exam. The class was created as a RCT (Regents Competency Test) preparation course. The purpose of this class, as it was told to me in January, was to give these students the skills and motivation they needed to pass the Global Studies RCT in June. I encountered many obstacles along the way, attendance issues, …

The Evolution Of A Big Idea: Why Don’T We Know Anything About Africa?, Michael James Meyer

Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education

This article is about my experiences as a ninth grade history teacher trying to implement a “big idea” unit on ancient African history. My experiences as a first year teacher and also my experience in seeing this unit develop over three years are chronicled. I conclude that implementing a big idea strategy of instruction is possible in a “real” classroom, that this implementation is more of a journey than a destination, and that big ideas do help students to learn.

Human Relations: Assessing The Affect Of Cultural Awareness Curriculum On Preservice Teachers, Seth D. Olson, Kristine M. Reed Ph.D., Amy Schweinle

Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education

Human relations training is intended to prepare teachers to be more culturally sensitive to an increasingly diverse population. There is a growing trend in teacher education to train preservice teachers more effectively to meet the demands of multicultural society. However, limited research is available to guide the future design of human relations training courses. This research was conducted to address the gap in the literature, by investigating the effectiveness of human relations training course on preservice teachers. Results indicated that the course made a significant difference on improving knowledge and skills categories for participants, but there was no significant improvement …

Does Substitute Teaching Before Graduation Improve First Year Teacher Quality?, Timothy Sharer

Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education

Several problems exert force on teachers just entering the profession including mandated testing, public reporting, and the loss of the flexible contexts teacher preparation institutions had for developing undergraduate teacher candidates. Teacher training institutions are scrambling to implement more effective ways to prepare teachers without losing richness and thoroughness. The problems of entry level teacher quality and the opportunity to gain experience through substitute teaching are related. Enhancing the development of pre-service teacher quality is directly influenced by “real” teaching experience. The Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy is a palpable response undertaken by a Midwestern public college to provide these types …

Delivery To The Sharp End Of The Spear: Responding To The Need For Library Support To The Deployed And Downrange Military Community, Edward Murphy

Staff Works - Hunt Library

Libraries that support military patrons often face unique challenges. One of the most traumatic is the temporary transfer, or sudden deployment of members of the university community, often in the middle of an academic term, sometimes without notice or adequate preparation time. Not too long ago such an event would almost certainly have interrupted if not altogether halted students’ academic progress until they could return to the parent institution. Technology now in place has allowed many of these students to continue their education regardless of their physical locations, and libraries will have to improvise with regard to the delivery of …

Cultivating Strong Citizens Through Public Education: Greek And Roman Methodology As A Pedagogical Approach In Public Education, Krystina Sarff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ancient Greeks were a group of people who valued intelligence and athleticism above all other human traits; because of their focus, their society became one of the most revered and advanced civilizations in all of history. They were able to significantly influence the Roman Empire's philosophers, rhetoric, and education system. In order for the United States wants to match the Greeks' paramount feats, citizens have to become more learned and fit. The future intellectual development of the United States is at risk of halting progress as a nation if action is not taken. Quintilian's educational philosophies stimulate students' brainpower, …

Guidelines For Twenty-First Century Instructional Design And Technology Use: Technologies' Influence On The Brain, Jennifer Gabriel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The increasingly global environment has spurred the economy in the United States as well as the economies in nearly every other nation. Although the U.S. remains the world leader in the global economy, research shows that the United States is at risk of losing its place as the world leader in science and innovation. Policymakers have recognized the need for research addressing global competitiveness. President Bush signed the America Competes Act, which calls for increased investment in innovation and education to improve U.S. competitiveness and President Barack Obama has named a platform, "Science, Technology and Innovation for a New Generation" …

Developing Evidenced Based Practice For Social Emotional Screenings In Schools, Kim Anderson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The social problem being addressed through this project includes several challenges faced by our nation's schools, namely increasing numbers of disciplinary referrals, suspensions, and expulsions (Marchant, Anderson, Caldarella, Fisher, Young,Young, 2009). Further research states that "more and more children entering school are unprepared to learn, unable to cope with the social tasks involved in making friends and getting along with others, and unaware of their negative social effect on others," (Marchant et al., 2009, p.131). Only about 20% of children and adolescents with a psychiatric disorder in the United States receive any kind of mental health services (Fritz, 2007). Yet …

Fernbrook Family Center, Inc. Need Identification And Training, Catherine R. Johanneck

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) provide services to clients with a variety of diagnoses and presenting problems. Continued education and training on evidence-based practice is needed. A survey was created and competed for the capstone project . MHPs at Fernbrook Family Center, Inc. (FFC) indicated that Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Behaviorism, and Systems Theories were areas of interest. A workshop was completed at the agency for MHPs practicing there. Post-workshop surveys indicated the information was applicable to current practice and would be shared with other professionals.

Social Work Ethics Computer-Based Training Minnesota State University, Mankato Department Of Social Work, Rebecca Robinson-Wargelin

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

At the Community Behavioral Health Hospital, St.Peter (CBHH),a discussion was held regarding Ethics Continuing Education Hours(CEUs). The Minnesota Board of Social Work(MNBSW)and Minnesota State Statute 148D.130 require that Licensed Social Workers receive two hours of ethics-specific CEUsper licensure renewal. Through this discussion,it appeared that it would be beneficial to create an ethics computer-based training(CBT), which would be of no expense to State Operated Services(SOS)Social Workers.This option would also provide convenience for social workers, who as a majority,reside within rural areas.The CBT created is in accordance to requirements of the MNBSW and has an emphasis to include the National Association of …

Pilot Test Of A Quality Rating And Improvement System In Early Education Programs In Magadan, Russian Federation And In Minnesota, United States Of America, Vera Grigoryevna Kashin

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study examined two questions: (1) What quality rating and improvement System (QRIS) will be useful for improving early childhood education programs in Magadan Region, RU and in Minnesota, USA? and (2) What is the agreement among raters in the US and in Russia, using scores on a QRIS for early childhood education programs in Magadan Region, RU and in Minnesota, USA? The study included translation of the Global Guidelines Assessment (GGA) (ACEI, 2008) into Russian. One quality review was completed for one early education program in each country. Completed reviews by eleven reviewers were delivered to Minnesota State University, …

Intergenerational Learning: Beyond The Jargon, Edward L. Ayers, James L. Narduzzi

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

Opportunities for intergenerational learning abound on college campuses. The advantages of these experiences for both young and mature learners are well documented, particularly in the context of service learning, civic engagement, and other experiences outside the classroom. Less well documented but no less compelling are the advantages of intergenerational learning within the traditional classroom setting. At the University of Richmond, our vision of intergenerational learning is one where adult students share the college classroom with traditional-aged students, and cross-school collaboration is a central tenet of the learning experience for all students. What follows is a presentation of why we are …

The Potential Of 3-D Virtual Worlds In Professional Nursing Education, Margaret M. Hansen Edd, Msn, Rn, Peter J. Murray, W Scott Erdley

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Three-dimensional (3-D) virtual worlds (VWs), such as Second Life, are actively being explored for their potential use in health care and nursing professional education and even for practice. The relevance of this e-learning innovation on a large scale for teaching students and professionals is yet to be demonstrated and variables influencing adoption, such as increased knowledge, self-directed learning, and peer collaboration, by academics, and health care professionals requires empirical research.

The "Write" Tools: The Impact Of Teachers' Self-Efficacy On Classroom Writing Instruction, Judy Rapp

All ETDs from UAB

THE "WRITE" TOOLS: THE IMPACT OF TEACHERS' SELF-EFFICACY ON CLASSROOM WRITING INSTRUCTION JUDY RAMONA RAPP EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ABSTRACT While teaching self-efficacy has been supported as an important construct related to teacher competence (Goddard, R. D., Hoy, W. K., & Hoy, A. W. American Education Research Journal, 37, 479-507), little is known about how teachers think of themselves as writers, particularly as it relates to their writing instruction. This study supports the developing notion that writing self-efficacy is an important element in understanding how it is that teachers think about their own writing. It also serves to operationalize the construct …

Administrative Roles And Experiences Of School Principals In An Era Of High-Stakes Accountability: A Qualitative Study Of The Perspectives Of Alabama Principals, Charles L. Willis

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of the dissertation was to gain an in-depth understanding of what meaning principals in Alabama made of their administrative roles and experiences in an era of high-stakes accountability. With the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) signed into legislation in January of 2002, federal, state, and local accountability mandates have vastly increased. In an era of unprecedented educational reform and accountability, there arose an unrelenting expectation for effective school leaders. The principalship has morphed into one of the most demanding positions in the field of education. The researcher used a qualitative approach to explore and gather rich descriptions …

A Qualitative Case Study On The Perception Of Middle School Stakeholders On The Effectiveness And Importance Of Character Education In Three Middle Schools In An Inner City School District In Alabama, Emeka Nzeocha

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this dissertation was to understand how middle school stakeholders viewed character education. Character education has been used to combat student disruptions. Young adolescents in the middle school setting present various challenges to school leaders, and this study sought to understand how the stakeholders in this setting viewed character education. A qualitative design with a case study methodology was used to conduct this study. An Institutional Review Board approval was secured prior to commencing the research. Purposeful sampling was used to select the 46 participants in this study, which included students, parents, a school janitor, teachers, a school …

Parenting Second First Children: What Early Childhood Professionals Need To Know About Mothers Who Have Relinquished A Child For Adoption, Laura A. Bloom

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to examine the experiences of birthmothers who relinquished a child for adoption and determine if this affected their subsequent parenting. The questions that guided the study were: (1.) How do birthmothers describe their experience of relinquishing a child for adoption?; (2.) How do birthmothers describe their experience of parenting subsequent children?; (3.) How do mothers who have relinquished a child for adoption perceive their parenting skills?; and (4.) What do mothers who have relinquished a child for adoption want early childhood professionals to know about their subsequent parenting experience? Three birthmothers who put …

The Effect That Intercollegiate Athletic Participation Has On The Grade Point Averages Of African American Male Student Athletes At A Four Year Public Institution In The Black Belt Region Of Alabama, William Earl Brophy

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT There are many important factors that impact the grade point averages of African-American males at 4-year public institutions. Factors such as race, gender, SES, and ath-letic participation are potential influences that may have an effect on academic achieve-ment in a college setting in Alabama's Black Belt region as well. This study sought to de-termine if such factors coupled with other demands placed on African American male student athletes effected their respective academic achievement. Important questions an-swered in this study included how the variables above impacted the academic plights of the sample group that was examined. Research hypotheses examined the …

Conference Program [2009], Georgia International Conference On Information Literacy

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

N/A

We Don't Talk Like Dat! Perceptions Of Preparedness To Teach Language Diverse Students, Aubretta P. Curry

All ETDs from UAB

A language barrier exists in schools across the United States, and it's not just with students from other countries. It is estimated that over 8 million African American students speak a language which is foreign to many classroom teachers. The dissonance between home and school language has had devastating effects of African American achievement, with regard to literacy and language arts instruction. With a focus on how teacher education programs in post secondary institutions in Alabama are preparing teachers to teach students with diverse dialects, this qualitative research inquiry provides a critical case study of the perceptions of eight early …

A Grounded Theory Model For Final Grade Decisions Made By Secondary Teachers In Suburban Central Alabama, Ronald Wesley Dodson

All ETDs from UAB

The use of single letter grades from A to F to report academic progress from school to home remains a core practice in American secondary schools despite calls for reform extending back more than three decades. One possible reason for the failure of such reform to catch on at this level is that adequate attention has not been given to understanding how teachers at this level are using grades to accomplish things beyond the reporting of simple achievement. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to discover the decision-making process associated with the assignment of final term grades by …