Education Commons^™

The Role Of Geospatial Thinking And Geographic Skills In Effective Problem Solving With Gis: K-16 Education, Niem Tu Huynh

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Effective use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) is hampered by the limited geospatial reasoning abilities of students. The ability to reason with spatial relations, more specifically apply geospatial concepts, including the identification of spatial patterns and spatial associations, is important to geographic problem solving in a GIS context. This dissertation examines the broad influence of three factors on GIS problem solving: 1) affection towards computers, geography, and mathematics, 2) geospatial thinking, as well as 3) geographic skills.

The research was conducted with 104 students in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Students were drawn from four educational levels: grade 9 students, 13 …

Creating An Accessible Child Development Resource For Family Home Child Care Providers Focusing On Child-Initiated Play, Paula Buck

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to create a newsletter for family home child care providers that presented easy-to-read, research based information regarding child-initiated play and developmentally appropriate practices and their incorporation in a family child care setting. The newsletter also addressed the need for creating and maintaining a balance between offering child-initiated opportunities and providing structure in a family child care setting.

A review of the literature revealed that nearly half of family home child care providers have no specialized training in the field of child care, child development, or early childhood education. Caregiver education and training is a …

Student Learning Goals In Florida Public Universities: The Perceptions Of Student Affairs Professionals, Lindsay Bryant

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Student affairs administrators support student learning through interaction outside the classroom. Student affairs administrators have started to guide their work under student learning goals. In order for the student affairs professionals to work under student learning goals, it is imperative to have an understanding of which learning goals student affairs administrators perceive to be the highest priority to teach students.

This study is a descriptive study that examined student affairs professionals perceptions of specific learning goals for undergraduate education and specifically examined academic and student development learning goals. Data were gathered using the Student Learning Goals Inventory (SLGI), an …

Violence Attribution Errors Among Low-Risk And High-Risk Offenders, Vicki Waytowich

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Juvenile offenders have numerous factors that contribute to their delinquency, including family dysfunction, drug and alcohol abuse, negative peer influences, and social cognitive development. One area of social cognitive development linked to deviant behavior is attributional biases. Based on the prior research of Daley and Onwuegbuzie (2004), the purpose of the present concurrent mixed methods study was to explore the differences in the frequency of violence attribution errors among juvenile delinquents; the extent that peer-victimization, self-esteem, and demographic variables predict violence attribution errors among juveniles; and the differences in the types of violence attribution errors between incarcerated (high-risk) and probation …

College Readiness And Academic Successes For Arts Magnet And Traditional High School Graduates, Dianne Crum Dawood

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of the arts magnet high school in preparing its graduates for college readiness from the threshold of college admission (high school grade point average and achievement scores) through matriculation to the type of baccalaureate degree awarded.

The setting was 15 public arts magnet high schools and 15 randomly-selected public traditional high schools and the Florida State University System of 11 postsecondary institutions. The research population was four 6-year cohorts of graduates of the 30 high schools in the present study (N = 8,967). Logistic and linear regression techniques, college …

The Effect Of Moral Distress On Nursing Retention In The Acute Care Setting, Cynthia L. Cummings

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study explored the relationship between moral distress, professional stress and intent to stay in the hospital setting. The study involved 234 nursing participants and was conducted via an online survey over a 90 day period. The survey tool consisted of 51 items taken from known moral distress, professional stress and intent to stay tools. The items were divided into frequency and intensity of occurrence. Various statistical measures were utilized to conclude that moral distress and professional stress factors were significant (p

Attitudes Of K-12 School Administrators Toward Speech-Language Programs In Public Schools, Carmen L. Jones

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined K-12 school administrators' attitudes toward speech language pathology services in public schools. Elementary, middle, and secondary school based administrators, employed in 63 school districts throughout Florida, were solicited to participate in the study in a letter of invitation generated by a web-based design program, Enterprise Feedback Management (EFM) Community. Administrators volunteering in the study were given an assurance of confidentiality and fair treatment concerning their participation. A survey instrument, the Scale of Educators 'Attitudes toward Speech Pathology (SEASP) consisting of 10 demographic items and 34 positive and negative statements about speech and language programs in schools was …

Factors Affecting Retention Of Veteran Classroom Teachers: A Q -Method Study, Theresa Hollingsworth Hafen Corry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher attrition compromises efforts to provide a quality teacher in every classroom, and attrition brings high financial and organizational costs to school districts. Yet, there are few studies on retention of veteran teachers. Within a framework of economic, organization, and attrition theories, the purpose of this study was to provide a clearer focus on factors that contribute to the retention of veteran teachers using Q-methodology. The independent variables were 49 participants from a large school district in the southwest United States. The dependent variable was the Q-sample of multiple factors. Using previous literature, a concourse was developed. The P-sample of …

Exploring Mentoring Experiences In College Student Affairs : A Q Methodology Study, Matthew Woodward Clifford

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of new professionals in college student affairs as protégés in mentoring relationships. This study was designed as an exploratory study into the types of mentoring relationships that exist among college student affairs professionals, using Q methodology. The profession of college student affairs can use mentoring relationships to help recruit, train, develop, and retain high-quality individuals. Although mentoring relationships are frequently used to develop college student affairs professions, little is known about these relationships.

Fifty-five new professionals in college student affairs from 29 different states sorted 39 statements describing mentoring relationships …

Transformative Learning : An Examination Of The Impact Of Short-Term Study Abroad, Jesse Carson Pugh

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

When selecting a study abroad program, some students undertake a semester or academic-year study abroad program, while other students undertake a two-to eight-week study abroad program. Both study abroad opportunities allow students to become immersed in a culture different from their own. This research project is an exploratory study that looks at the impact of short-term study abroad programs on undergraduates at a public institution. This study examines how participants change in regards to their understanding of the host culture, explores what students learn about their host cultures, and looks at the intercultural development that the students gain from spending …

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.

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

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

N/A

Advance (Spring 2009), Georgia Southern Division Of Continuing And Professional Education

Division of Continuing & Professional Education

No abstract provided.

Advance (Fall 2009), Georgia Southern Division Of Continuing And Professional Education

Division of Continuing & Professional Education

No abstract provided.

Spa And Healthy Lifestyles: 4-H Afterschool, Naomi Weeks

All Current Publications

This publication is an introduction and includes ordering information for Spa and Healthy Lifestyles 4-H curriculum.

Clover Cake Decorating, Naomi Weeks

All Current Publications

This publication is an introduction and includes ordering information for Clover Cake Decorating for Beginners 4-H curriculum.

Utah 4-H Stadium Jumping, Rebecca Lewis, Patricia Evans

All Current Publications

This publication outlines details of stadium jumping courses for horses.

Reading In-Between The Lines: Exploring The Experience Of Cultivating Cultural Awareness With White Teacher Candidates In A Liberal Arts University In Georgia, Holley Morris Roberts

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study was to explore the use of critical literacy (Freire, 1998) to assist predominately White teacher candidates in their preparation to teach diverse groups of students. Seven White females, who were born and reared in Georgia, participated in the study. These participants were encouraged to critically examine their personal, racial, and cultural roots through autobiographical papers, literature circles using African American children's books, critical reflective papers responding to the literature circles, conversations, and interviews. Three bodies of research provided the theoretical framework for the study: White identity theory (Kunjufu, 2002, McIntyre, 1997, Wise, 2008), critical literacy theory (Freire, 1974, …

Towards A Critical Coaching Curriculum, Hunter M. Chadwick

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: This historical case study utilizes Critical Discourse Analysis in order to investigate its availability or absence within American football coaching curriculum outside of the traditional education setting. The study examines texts written by or about football coaches to find where critical pedagogy exists and what it looks like within coaching curriculum. The research attempts to add to the conversation of critical pedagogy, critical theory and their use outside the classroom. Critical pedagogy is investigated in this study in order to add validity to its use within football coaching school curriculum. Critical theory is discussed as a positive element …

Linguistic Moments: Language, Teaching, And Teacher Education In The U.S., Brandon Lavada, Denise Marie Baszile, Theodorea Berry

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

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 …

Proceedings Of The Third Annual Meeting Of The Georgia Association Of Mathematics Teacher Educators Front Matter

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

Contents of 3rd Annual GAMTE Proceedings Front Matter:

• Proceedings Committee
• Officers of GAMTE
• Purposes and Goals of GAMTE
• Table of Contents
• Letter from President

Analysis Of Achievement For Understanding Geometry, Annita W. Hunt

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a mathematics professional development course. More specifically, in this study we examine whether geometric experiences have an impact on level of performance in mathematics. The van Hiele (Fuys, D., Geddes, D., & Tischler, R., 1988) model of geometric understanding provided a research framework from which to view geometric understanding. This model suggests five levels of understanding that should be taken into consideration when examining levels of geometric thinking: Visual, Descriptive/Analytic, Abstract/Relational, Formal Deduction/Proof, and Rigor. The sample under study was three cohorts of practicing elementary teachers and mathematics coaches …

Do Tops Eligibility Requirements Predict In-System College Retention?, Jason J. Droddy

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a state-funded, merit-based scholarship codified into Louisiana state law in 1997. More than $1 billion in awards have been distributed since the program’s inception. By 2006, eligibility for TOPS required a 2.5 high school grade point average on a legislatively specified 16.5-unit college preparatory curriculum, and a minimum ACT score equivalent to the average of the prior year’s test takers. These rules were believed to promote greater academic preparedness resulting in higher college retention rates. Only recently has the six-year graduation rate for Louisiana’s public universities passed the 30% mark. Since TOPS’ …

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 …

Development Of An Instrument To Assess The Predisposing Factors Of Sun Protection With Adolescent Athletes: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study, Jason S. Fulmore

All ETDs from UAB

Purpose: In 2005, one in three cancers worldwide was skin-related with an estimated 132,000 malignant melanoma and more than three million non-melanoma cancers. The primary cause of photocarcinogenesis is exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Seven million secondary school students who participate in athletics annually and their coaches are at elevated risk for ultraviolet radiation. The purpose of this study was to use a two-phase sequential exploratory mixed methods design to explore adolescent athletes' views about sun protection and skin cancer. Method: Two research questions guided the study: (a) what factors affect adolescent athletes' knowledge, outcome expectations, and behaviors of sun protection; …

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 …

The Dual Role Of A Non-Tenured Teacher As A Mentor And Mentee In A Public Secondary High School In Alabama: A Case Study, Barry Lee Wilson

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the dual roles of a mentor and mentee as experienced by non-tenured teachers at three public secondary schools in Alabama. This case study examined the perceptions of three other individuals professionally related to each non-tenured teacher serving simultaneous roles of mentor and mentee. These three individuals were the mentor, mentee, and administrator of the non-tenured teacher serving dual roles. In order to address the central phenomenon of dual roles of mentor and mentee in a public secondary school through exploration of nontenured individuals, the following central research question guided the study: What …

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 …