Education Commons^™

Collaborating Via Art, Sarah Moss

The Voice

No abstract provided.

Checking Out Actuarial Science, Sarah Moss

The Voice

No abstract provided.

Theater Over Textbooks: How A Neuroscience Outreach Group Utilizing Art In S.T.E.M. Provides Cost-Effective Strategies In Tackling The United States Education Gap, Camden Grant Howard, William Griesar

University Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to summarize the relevant research for the evaluation of a S.T.E.A.M.-based, grassroots, neuroscience outreach group called 'NW Noggin'. This paper discusses the benefits and skills of S.T.E.M. in learning, the benefits and skills of S.T.E.A.M. in learning, educational disparities within the United States, educational outreach groups how they are currently assessed as well as more innovative arts-based and inquiry-based alternative assessments of student knowledge. This paper then focuses on the nonprofit NW Noggin to discuss their goals and activities and possible options for program assessment. This thesis also discusses how they fulfill their civic …

From Theory To Practice: Interdisciplinary Science In Undergraduate Education, Brie Tripp

Dissertations and Theses

Science has undergone a major transformation in the 20th and 21st centuries with new fields emerging at the intersection of disciplines, such as bioethics, bioinformatics, and chemical ecology. Yet, opportunities to engage with interdisciplinary science, and the skills needed to work in these fields, are largely absent from undergraduate biology classrooms. As a consequence, students are potentially deprived of opportunities to think interdisciplinarily and engage with real-world issues that often necessitate interdisciplinary efforts. To be informed citizens in society and forward-thinking scientists in the workforce, undergraduate students will undoubtedly benefit from exposure to these interdisciplinary science experiences.

Given these considerations, …

The In-Betweens: Exploring Integration Within The Arts, Ruchi Pathak

Masters Theses

This research analyzes the possibilities of integration within the arts and its potential in affecting change in the teaching and learning environment. To approach to this larger question, I conducted two in-depth case studies as a participatory observer playing two radically different roles:- the role of a student at New Works, a performing arts program at Brown University, and the role of a curriculum planner and programming researcher at Providence CityArts. The nature and educational level of the two programs were drastically different. Providence CityArts is a youth directed community-based nonprofit organization that offers after school art programs while New …

Rubrics As A Foundation For Assessing Student Competencies: One Public Administration Program’S Creative Exercise, Billie Sandberg, Kevin Kecskes

Public Administration Faculty Publications and Presentations

Since implementation of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) standards for accreditation in 2009, public administration programs have been developing programmatic competencies that reflect NASPAA’s universal standards. Likewise, myriad efforts have analyzed data related to student and program progress toward achievement of these competencies. This article adds to that conversation by recounting the approach to assessing competencies used in the Department of Public Administration at Portland State University. There, newly developed rubrics reflect each of the department’s 10 competencies to examine whether students are acquiring the desired knowledge and skills. This article discusses the development …

Comprehensive Individualized Curriculum And Instructional Design, Samuel Sennott, Sheldon Loman, Kristy Lee Park, Luis F. Pérez, Michael J. Kennedy, John Romig, Wendy J. Rodgers

PDXOpen: Open Educational Resources

This online textbook addresses the population of individuals with disabilities that experience complex lifelong needs across multiple areas in their lives. Drs. Sennott and Loman drafted this book (along with the help from some friends) with the hope of providing pertinent, practical, and current resources to future special educators who plan to serve individuals with complex disabilities.

Chapter 1: Guiding Principles for Developing Comprehensive and Meaningful Instruction for Individuals with Complex Needs by Sheldon L. Loman, provides readers with practical resources to develop their repertoire of tools for designing supports for individuals with significant needs.

Chapter 2: Naturalistic …

The Effect Of Poetry As A Write To Learn Activity On Content Acquisition, Content Area Writing Proficiency, And Classroom Engagement In An Inclusive Middle School Social Studies Setting : A Mixed Methods Study, Tammy Geneive Ellis-Robinson

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract

Integrated Stem Model-Eliciting Activities: Developing 21st Century Thinkers, Micah Stohlmann

American Association for the Advancement of Science Pacific Conference

Studies have shown that integrating math and science makes learning more connected and relevant and has a positive impact on student attitudes and interest in school, their motivation to learn, and achievement.

Engineering is becoming more prevalent in K-12 schools and can provide great problem solving opportunities for students to learn about mathematics, science, and technology while working through the engineering design process.

Exploring The Impact Of Program Structure On Student And Faculty Scholarly Communities In Interdisciplinary Ph. D. Programs, Lenore G. Horowitz

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The Information Science doctoral program at the University at Albany, State University of New York, faces many of the same challenges found in highly interdisciplinary programs across educational institutions worldwide such as complex curricula development, abundant discipline languages and cultures, and stakeholders clinging to the traditional, single-discipline university system. In 2006, the University at Albany Information Science Ph.D. program faculty redefined the program's structure in hopes of addressing the challenges it was facing. Program structure is a social process shaped by community participation and is influenced by many factors including students, faculty members, and both informal and formal knowledge production.

Capacity Building For The Common Good: Psu's Interdisciplinary Minor In Civic Leadership, Masami Nishishiba, Kevin Kecskes

Center for Public Service Publications and Reports

Since the early 1990s, Portland State University has furthered its commitment to civic engagement education by adopting an integrated approach to its general education curriculum. As an outgrowth to this initiative, the minor in Civic Leadership was developed in 2004–05. This interdisciplinary minor was designed with the intent to further integrate and sustain institutional engagement with the Portland Metropolitan community and beyond. This article discusses the history, structure, and roles of academic and community partners associated with the Civic Leadership minor, and elaborates the philosophical foundation of the interdisciplinary curriculum that aims to build student capacity for the common good.

"I Hope To Be A Symbol Of Encouragement": Using Craft In Community Colleges To Facilitate Student Voice In The Remedial Studies Debate, Aja Nadine Henriquez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to collect information about basic skills students in one cohort of 24 students at a local community college in order to inform policy-makers about the group for which they are making decisions. As faculty and administrators scramble to enact changes to cope with the current economy, political changes, and community demands, students are the only stakeholders whose voices aren't heard in the debate over what is to come of remedial studies in California Community Colleges. Throughout all of this research, one important element is missing in the discourse regarding remedial coursework in community college--the …

Eco-Math: Creating A Model Curriculum For Teaching Mathematics In The Context Of Environmental Education, Christina Joy Merz

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of developing this project was to show teachers that environmental education themes and activities can be effectively integrated with mathematics concepts in upper elementary and middle school classroom settings. Teachers are expected to meet with increased demands, state and national standards, and raise the levels of student achievement, yet they are given few resources with which to do so.

Understanding The Role Of Social, Teaching And Cognitive Presence In Hybrid Courses: Student Perspectives On Learning And Pedagogical Implications, Janelle De Carrico Voegele

Dissertations and Theses

The use of hybrid learning (a blend of face-to-face and distance learning) is rapidly increasing in higher education. However, educational leaders have raised concerns about the proliferation of hybrid programming as an efficiency measure without appropriate attention to learning. This study examined the relationship between social, teaching and cognitive presence, pedagogical design, and students' perspectives on hybrid learning effectiveness. Data from thirty-nine undergraduate courses representing 1,886 students were analyzed to identify indicators of best hybrid practice. Aspects of social and teaching presence significantly influenced students' perceptions of learning, including facilitation of student interactions, assignment feedback and guidance, effective use of …

The Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Experience;Inclusion Into The Life Narratives Of Young Adults, Jessie Guidry Baginski

ETD Archive

Hurricane Katrina left in her wake one of America's oldest and greatest cities in shambles. In 2011, five years after the storm, New Orleans remains in a state of recovery. Statistics reveal many disaster-related facts attributable to the storm. Life stories, however, can open the windows to the soul, inviting us to better understand the human element of this tragedy. Employing a narrative case study methodology, this study delved into the life stories of three young adults who attended to residents only three weeks after they returned to their homes. Through a series of three interviews with each participant, it …

Content-Based Instruction における評価の問題と提案, Suwako Watanabe

World Languages and Literatures Faculty Publications and Presentations

本稿では、CBIにおける評価についての問題点を挙げ、今後の日本語教育でのCBIにおける評価の研究課題と実施課題を提案する。CBIの言語習得に及ぼす効果に関しては、スペイン語やインドネシア語などでは言語習得の向上が報告されているが、日本語については、ほとんど研究が見られない。外国語教育の分野で、CBIの重要性が叫ばれ、また、日本語教育界では、日本学との連携が盛んになるという方向性を考えると、CBI が言語習得に及ぼす効果を調査研究することは必須である。また、第二言語習得の見地からも、これからの研究課題として、実践報告のみならず、評価の研究を進めることを提言する。

CBIコースの実施面では、プレイスメントの重要性、そして、学習目標と評価の不一致からくる問題点を指摘する。具体的には、言語習得の他に教科内容の習得も学習目標に入っているものの、言語能力が障壁となって、教科内容の評価が適切に行えないという問題について述べ、その解決策の一つとして、形式的評価・累積的評価を効果的に取り入れることで、言語能力を向上させ、言語能力が障壁とならないように指導していくことを提示する。また、総合評価としても、論文や口頭発表といった典型的な形式以外に、Bloom（1956）の思考の六段階の概念を組み入れることを提唱し、評価方法の具体例を示す。

Abstract

This paper takes on issues related to the assessment in Content-Based Instruction (CBI). The first point talks about the research needs for Japanese CBI in regards to issues over assessment. The second point presents assessment strategies towards implementation of CBI. There have been a few reports from research studies that have demonstrated the gains in one’s language ability, such as in Spanish and Indonesian. However, very little is reported on the effect of CBI in Japanese. CBI is receiving increasing attention in the field of second/foreign language education. It is therefore critical to investigate the effect …

Effectiveness Of A Research-Based Reading Development Intervention In 2nd Grade Children, Kinsi Dawn Franzwa

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project is to develop a reading program for second grade children that is based on research. Reading development is a complex process impacted by a wide array of neurobiological, cognitive, social, and other related factors.

Explicit Content-Area Vocabulary Instruction For English Learners: Impacts With Reading Comprehension, Catherine Ruthe Terrell

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine impacts of explicit content-area vocabulary instruction on reading comprehension. Effective instructional strategies include multiple texts at students' instructional levels, highly qualified teachers, daily explicit vocabulary instruction combined with student's application of instruction and evolution of instruction as student's reading achievement increases.

Interdisciplinary Studies Students' Academic And Social Engagement A Quantitative Study, Jessica Simmons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored interdisciplinary studies students‟ academic and social engagement. As the review of literature demonstrated, student engagement and satisfaction are important to retention and institutions can adopt policies and practices to foster student engagement. Because interdisciplinary studies programs often struggle to maintain relevance, fostering student engagement is one way to ensure maximum student satisfaction and retention. This study identified factors of student engagement that were positively related to satisfaction and confirmed that requiring core interdisciplinary studies courses had a positive impact on engagement. A quantitative instrument, the Interdisciplinary Studies Student Engagement Survey, was adapted from the National Survey of …

Internationalizing General Education From Within: Raising The Visibility Of Heritage Language Students In The Classroom, Evguenia Davidova

International & Global Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article analyzes the findings of a pilot project conducted in 2008–2009 as a partnership between University Studies, Portland State University’s interdisciplinary general education program, and the University’s Russian Flagship Language Partner Program. The project proposes a new approach of integrating non-English speakers’ language skills, culture, and life experiences into classroom activities of general education courses. By engaging the students as facilitators in the exploration of their own cultures and languages, the project offers a model of enriching collaborative student teaching and learning that could be applied to various interdisciplinary courses.

Embedded Librarians: Building Relationships With The Honors College, Jenna Rinalducci

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

This year long collaboration between the Honors College and the Library began with an instruction session for Honors College teaching assistants. Our collaboration focused primarily on the student’s first class on research methods. In their Honors 110: Research Methods class, students are introduced to research practices, including the development of research topics, the analysis of sources, and the organization of evidence. As our collaboration increased we developed new strategies for meeting the information needs of the students and their teachers. We were able to work with teachers and students both in person and online. We are building an online presence …

10 Bucks = 10 Great Ideas: Dollar Daze And Thrifty Finds To Engage Students In Literacy And Learning, Julia Andreacchi

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The workshop will stimulate thought and will give participants an opportunity to share their ideas in small group discussion format. Ideas/activities developed adhere to the “Standards for the 21st Century Learner”. “Give me a reason to go to the Library”, (Andrea Drusch). Activities developed are in collaboration with the Teacher-Librarian and classroom Teacher. The novel, Teddy Gets Out! serves as an inspiration to the development of the activities. This powerful story of unconditional love and motivation to succeed serves to successfully address literacy through a series of interdisciplinary activities. Activities address reading comprehension, vocabulary, character education, nature and ecology, artistic …

Dream A Little Dream Of Us ... United For Success!, Esther Grassian

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

See presentation description.

Multiple Partnerships For Student Information Literacy: Library, Writing Center, Faculty, And Administrators, Barbara Alderman, Andrew Todd, Barbara Rau Kyle

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

In May, 2007, a University of Central Florida regional campus team comprised of teaching faculty, librarians, administrators, and writing center coordinators received a three year Quality Enhancement Plan grant to study the impact of a library/writing center partnership on student information literacy. This presentation will share our project’s results and benefits. Using the ACRL Information Literacy Standards, the team developed modifications and interventions designed to improve students’ ability to gather, evaluate, and use information, and to enhance their technology literacy and critical thinking. The project’s development included ongoing discussions of progress, obstacles, program collaboration, and single location of services. Targeted …

Bringing Library Resources To The Online Classroom: Building Faculty-Librarian Partnerships, Sofia Slutskaya, Rebecca Rose, Amelia Glawe

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The number of students taking online classes has risen substantially over past several years. Many traditional colleges offer online and hybrid classes as an alternative to traditional face-to-face instruction. Face-to-face faculty are encouraged to learn and use course management systems (CMS) to publish syllabi and assignments, track student grades and supplement traditional interactions with chat and electronic discussion boards. Often overwhelming to instructors, digital educational tools proliferate throughout the academic landscape. Determining which tools will work for your classroom environment can be daunting, in addition to the hours of training so as to effectively use those tools. Partnering with librarians …

Lost In Translation: Creating A Common Language For Information Literacy Across Disciplines, Emily Frigo, Mary O'Kelly, Jodi Tyron

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The Libraries of Grand Valley State University (GVSU) crafted an Information Literacy Core Competencies document during fall 2008 for adoption by the larger GVSU community (http://main.gvsu.edu/library/information-literacy-core-competencies-168.htm). The philosophy of information literacy is embedded in all learning environments, but the term information literacy is most prevalent in the context of libraries. The competencies document was an attempt to clarify these concepts in a manner that speaks to the broader academic community. Every effort was made to use inclusive language and to make concepts applicable to a wide variety of academic disciplines. Focus groups were chosen as the lead vehicle to roll …

Ic @ Ghc: Assessing Information Literacy Skills Across The Curriculum And On A Budget, Cindy Wheeler, Teresa Hutchins

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Information Competency at Georgia Highlands College (IC @ GHC) is a curriculum-wide plan implemented at a two-year college to increase student information competency levels. This presentation will discuss strategies which allowed the college to successfully meet the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) requirements of SACS through the use of innovative assessment and implementation measures which garnered enthusiastic faculty involvement and also managed to stay within a first year, $14,000 shoe-string budget. The plan was born out of a grassroots effort that involved

Teachers, Partners, Co-Mentors: Collaborating To Improve Research And Writing Instruction, Alex R. Hodges, Alison B. Thomas, Patricia J. West

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

See presentation description.

Common Planning Time, Steven B. Mertens, Nancy Flowers, Vincent A. Anfara Jr., Micki M. Caskey

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

The article focuses on common planning time. According to a definition by Kellough and Kellough, common planning time is a regularly scheduled time during the school day when teachers who teach the same students meet for joint planning, parent conferences, materials preparation and student evaluation. It notes that student achievements are typically high in schools with high levels of common planning time. It claims that most district schools in the U.S. perceive common planning time as a privilege but due to challenging financial times, it is said to be one component to be eradicated from school budgets. It notes a …

Affirmative Acts: The Need For American Black Theatre In The Classroom, Angela Batrice Brooks-Van Niel

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to reveal that racial inequality in American Theatre is still in existence: that while our country has gained some level of integration, several societal and artistic echelons evidence a remaining tendency towards discrimination--a separatist sense of culture that unfortunately informs elementary and secondary classrooms all across the United States as well as still exists in the general arts.