Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

The Effects New Literacy And Digital Learning Have On Our Youth, Joshua L. Mitchell Sr.

Graduate Research Papers

This review explores the effects new literacy and digital learning has on our youth. It is empowering to students to be able to create while learning in the 21st century. One of the purposes of this review was to discover the greatest minds trying to understand the changing role of new media in education. A major resource used for this review was the Digital Media and Learning Research Hub supported by the MacArthur Foundation. This resource contained many articles that pertained to new literacy and digital learning. The articles led the reviewer to believe that a growing field of academics …

Observation As A Formal Assessment Tool In Early Childhood Classrooms: A Professional Development Module, Kathleen M. Thornton-Lang

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this professional development module to is to explore various purposes and methods of implementing observational techniques in assessment tools in early childhood classrooms. The research reviewed focused on early childhood assessment types, including a brief review of six specific instruments, and implementation methods available to infant and toddler through preschool-aged teachers. This professional development module's base is a resource support system to help advance the observational skills of current and future teachers in the early childhood field.

Teaching Perfectionism Through Cartoons Compared To Bibliotherapy For Primary Grade Students, Miranda L. Zousel

Graduate Research Papers

Many students, especially high achievers, develop perfectionist tendencies during early childhood. It is important to teach students early to manage their perfectionism to avoid many negative consequences of neurotic perfectionism such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, procrastination , or underachievement, and to avoid entrenchment of behaviors. Traditionally, bibliotherapy and role-play have been used to help students recognize perfectionistic traits and learn strategies for ameliorating negative effects. But cartoon analysis is another potentially useful approach.

This pretest-posttest control group - experimental group design study of first, second and third graders (n = 46) compared concept acquisition and enjoyment of learning about …

The Impact Of Pretend Play On Cognitive And Academic Development Of Kindergarten Students, April Marie Thelen

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review is to identify the cognitive and academic benefits of pretend play for kindergarten-aged children. The review will also identify ways that kindergarten teachers can integrate pretend play within their curriculum. The research reviewed enabled mathematics and literacy to be identified as related outcomes associated with pretend play. It also identified several teacher roles necessary for productive pretend play within kindergarten curriculum. The conclusion of this literature review includes recommendations for future action and education policies based on the research reviewed.

Understanding And Meeting The Needs Of The Millennials In The Classroom: A Literature Review, Amanda Alexander

Graduate Research Papers

Due to unique pressure to improve student engagement and academic achievement, integrating technology has become the focus of much analysis. This paper reviews thirty peer-reviewed journal articles, which discuss the effects of integrating technology into K- 12 classrooms. This review examines the traits of Millennial students, which social media technology have an impact on student achievement and engagement, and what problems might occur with this integration of the technologies. Final discussions indicate that various technology initiatives have great potential to engage students. However, further research is needed to determine if using certain social media technology will improve student academic achievement.

Teacher Education Protocol : How Social Media Improves Connections Between Teachers And Students, Darcel Pledge

Graduate Research Papers

This review examines the importance of incorporating social media into teacher education programs to strengthen the partnership between teachers and their students in the classroom. Social media plays a big part in individuals' everyday lives. The purpose of this review is to display the benefits of social media tools in education. Peer reviewed journals were used for research. The studies examined found that social media tools can have a benefit in the classroom and strengthen the learning partnership between teachers, students, and parents. The sources reviewed also found that proper incorporation of these tools aids in a better learning partnership …

Learning Transfer Of Geospatial Technologies In Secondary Science And Mathematics Core Areas, Curtis P. Nielsen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the transfer of geospatial technology knowledge and skill presented in a social sciences course context to other core areas of the curriculum. Specifically, this study explored the transfer of geospatial technology knowledge and skill to the STEM-related core areas of science and mathematics among ninth-grade students. Haskell's (2001) research on "levels of transfer" provided the theoretical framework for this study, which sought to demonstrate the experimental group's higher ability to transfer geospatial skills, higher mean assignment scores, higher post-test scores, higher geospatial skill application and deeper levels of transfer application than the …

Implementing A Family Involvement Project In Early Childhood Classrooms, Elizabeth Barrett

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this family involvement project is to provide professional development to preschool teachers in the Sioux City Community School District. Through professional development, the teachers will design and implement family involvement activities in their classrooms to achieve the three goals of this project. The research reviewed focused on the benefits of family involvement and why it is important in preschool. Research studies indicated that preschool aged children do benefit from having their families involved in their education.

Universal Design For Learning At The University Of Northern Iowa, Marty Mark

Graduate Research Papers

Universal Design for Learning has the potential to minimize the need for assistive technologies and to maximize learning opportunities for all. Recognition of diverse learning styles is prevalent in K-12 settings, but rare in higher education, making this an area requiring additional focus. Understanding key principles and specific strategies that can be implemented in a postsecondary setting can significantly influence success in postsecondary and adult learning environments.

This review and the accompanying project defines Universal Design for Learning, explains the underlying science, identifies the three guiding principles, and discusses course design methods. Opportunities associated with implementing UDL at postsecondary …

Infant Literacy, Tera Weber

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project is to share the importance of reading to infants with their caregivers and teachers. This project will highlight what the research says regarding reading, what the infants gain from reading, and ideas on how to incorporate reading into group settings with infants through a professional development project. Participants in this professional development opportunity will be able to see recorded examples of teachers reading to infants, infants interacting with text, and materials that teachers may take back to their classrooms.

Invented Spelling And Its Value In Kindergarten, Michelle J. Mcdonald

Graduate Research Papers

This review examined the purpose of invented spelling in kindergarten, and what invented spelling can tell us about a child's development of letter/sound knowledge, phonemic awareness skills, concepts of print, and language skills. Additional examination of literature on invented spelling in a comprehensive literacy program focused on the connection between reading and writing. Several studies included comparisons of writing instructional methods. Invented spelling has value as an assessment tool for various literacy skills. Criticisms and controversies were reviewed, as well as recommendations for the use of invented spelling to optimize its value in the kindergarten curriculum. Findings of the review …

Integrating Literacy Into The Math Classroom : A Staff Development For Innovative Educators, Kathryn Pollina

Graduate Research Papers

With the collaboration and advice of several mentors and practicing teachers, I found using strategies proven to help students during literacy instruction also had the same effect during mathematics instruction. I took various instructional activities, focused around using reading and writing skills in math, and was able to effectively instruct this group of students. This experience piqued my interest in the connection between literacy and mathematics. As a result, I decided to continue my research into how to effectively integrate these two core subject areas, investigating the efficacy of combining mathematics with literacy instruction.

Building 21st Century Business Skills In High School Business Classrooms Using Digital Games And Simulations, Stacy Marcus

Graduate Research Papers

Digital games and simulations are often seen as fun activities to reward students but their potential is much greater. This literature review examined how integrating digital games and simulations into secondary business curriculum can help students build the skills needed for the 21st century workplace in an environment that is conducive to how they learn best. The effects of digital games and simulations on student motivation are also examined as well as how to assess student learning while using these tools. The information found came from peer-reviewed journals, books, and studies from the Web. Digital games and simulations have proven …

Using A Thinking Skills System To Guide Discussions During A Working Conference On Students With Disabilities Pursuing Stem Fields, Audrey C. Rule, Greg P. Stefanich

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

Students with sensory or motor disabilities are often dissuaded from pursuing science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) careers. They are frequently underprepared to succeed in post-secondary STEM coursework because of inadequate high school preparation and limited post-secondary accommodations. A two-day working conference stimulated dialogue to improve attitudes toward, to better support, and to plan accommodations for students with physical disabilities in STEM areas. Discussion questions during the five small group dialogue sessions that followed panels of speaker presentations were based on Edward de Bono’s (2000) CoRT ten Breadth thinking skills. These thinking skills broaden perception so that thinkers might see …

Spanish Through Music: A Model For The Content-Based Classroom, Anna Gansen

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to identify reasons for Spanish teachers to implement content-based instruction and provide resources that support appropriate integration of musical content into foreign language classrooms while simultaneously upholding the priorities of the national standards for foreign language learning. I have combined research on content-based instructional methods with research on the relationship between language and music to determine common strategies foreign language teachers should remember when implementing music-based instruction. In addition, descriptions are included of a variety of music-centered activities that address national foreign language standards for learning and enhance both normal and content-based classrooms. Finally, …

The Status Of Statewide Subscription Databases, Karla Steege Krueger

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

This qualitative content analysis presents subscription databases available to school libraries through statewide purchases. The results may help school librarians evaluate grade and subject-area coverage, make comparisons to recommended databases, and note potential suggestions for their states to include in future contracts or for local purchase. All states had similar periodicals‘ indexing vendors; therefore, this study‘s focus was online subject reference databases. Results portrayed seventy-nine unique databases across thirty-three states analyzed. Most states studied (81 percent) had a wide variety of online reference subject content; twenty states (61 percent) included one or more general reference databases; seven states with no …

Readers' Workshop In The Elementary Classroom, Alaina Terese Daters

Graduate Research Papers

In this research project, Reader's Workshop is defined and explored in relation to an elementary classroom setting. The literature review describes the importance of independent reading, the structures and components of readers' workshop, how readers' workshop motivates and engages readers, and finally how to get started with readers' workshop in the elementary classroom. Following the literature review, there is a three-year professional development plan that lays out the key components of readers' workshop and its format for training a staff on how to implement this structure into their elementary classroom. Year one of the professional development project discusses what reader's …

Surveying The Online Classroom : Student Reactions To E-Learning, Jordan Dierks

Graduate Research Papers

The utilization of commercial, open source, and institution designed learning management systems are increasing in higher education. Universities are competing with each other to find qualified applicants or increase enrollment. Many higher education institutions are evaluating their return on investment for educational technologies, white public institutions are facing the reality of shifting funding sources from state support to self-sufficiency. The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of a learning management system (LMS) in an online classroom supporting either a full-web or blended course affects student satisfaction with the learning experience. Additional areas examined include whether students …

Children With Cerebral Palsy And Early Intervention Services, Genalee Horsfield

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature and research review is to understand early home intervention services for children with Cerebral Palsy. The review focuses on children between birth and five years old and their families. Studies were reviewed worldwide including the United States, Sweden, Netherlands, and Australia. These studies include information about service providers, different programs for children with Cerebral Palsy and their families, frequency of visits that occur for the children and their families, and the disadvantages and advantages of early intervention services for children with cerebral palsy. The conclusion of this literature and research review also includes recommendations based …

Motivating Struggling Readers, Tawnie Kerska

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review discusses the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation with regard to struggling readers. Intrinsic motivation is the drive inside a student to do an activity on their own. Extrinsic motivation is to do something in order to receive some sort of reward or praise. Teachers need to move from using extrinsic motivators to creating more intrinsic motivation within students. It is essential for teachers to understand the five guiding principles behind motivating students: building self-efficacy, activating schema, interest and relevance, using extrinsic reinforcers to engage, and making facilitative attributions. Understanding these principles provides teachers with strategies to …

Student Motivation And No Child Left Behind, Tiffany Kleckner

Graduate Research Papers

The No Child Left Behind Act was developed in 2002 by the administration of George W. Bush. The purpose of this piece of legislation was to increase student achievement in America. Regulations and requirements have been put in place by the administration such as standardized testing. This paper discusses the history of NCLB, the current issues with the legislation, and how student motivation and achievement has been effected due to the NCLB law.

Curricular Integration In The Elementary Classroom, Jill Leibold

Graduate Research Papers

The No Child Left Behind Act and how it narrows the elementary curriculum is an important educational issue. Integration is a valuable teaching practice that is becoming more wide spread in today's classrooms because of the pressures placed on teachers by NCLB. Integration is used to relieve some of the pressures of NCLB by helping teachers create more time to teach all subject areas. Integration allows teachers to connect learning standards across the curriculum and make lessons more meaningful for the students. This paper describes what integration is and why teachers need to implement integration into their daily instruction. In …

The Development Of Musical Improvisation In Second Grade Children, Akiko Yoshizawa

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate if second-grade children could develop a solo improvisation on an Orff xylophone. Participants were five African-American children who attended a model school that followed an inquiry-based approach curriculum. These children also had a chance to learn music from a faculty and the researcher, who had been exploring constructivist methods of teaching music, with a special emphasis on invented songs, instruments, and notations. The three-day study focused on how children were able to create a solo improvisation. The study was guided by the following questions: (1) Can second grade children develop …

School Uniforms, Nicole Waytenick Reuter

Graduate Research Papers

The need for education reform is evident in public schools across the nation. Researchers, school officials, parents, and teachers have been looking at different ways to promote a better learning environment that will allow students to feel safe, equal, and free to express themselves in different ways within the classroom. In recent years, many of these same people have contended that implementing school uniform policies within schools is the way to create that kind of learning environment.

Within this paper, a closer look at the issues surrounding school uniform policies will be examined. Both sides of the issues will be …

Supporting Student Learning Through Scientific Inquiry, Allison J. Barness

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review is to identify the kind(s) of early childhood science instruction and learning environment that best supports student learning in science. The research examined focused on teacher actions and pedagogy, which also addressed student learning as outcome of the different studies. In addition, the research analyzed both the physical and the psychological environments, as both are important aspects which support student learning in science. A variety of sources were used and synthesized to provide the reader with informational data and recommendations.

Teaching Poetry Writing In The Primary Grades, Staci Cramer-Wilkinson

Graduate Research Papers

This project examines the use of poetry to teach writing and the impact this instruction has on the primary classroom. The purpose of this project is to explore poetry instruction, examine how it has traditionally been taught, and provide professional development to classroom teachers that focuses on the effective use of poetry instruction in the classroom. The professional development sessions include Power Point presentations, small and large group discussions, and practical classroom application. Benefits and challenges of poetry instruction are also provided.

Homework : Burden Or Benefit?, Mandy Glawe

Graduate Research Papers

Homework has been a controversial topic in the education world since the 1880's. Researchers and educators argue whether the burdens of homework outweigh the benefits it offers. With the No Child Left Behind Act in place and the amount of pressure it is putting on schools and teachers, it is imperative that teachers find the best practices for helping students achieve academic success. This paper describes the benefits and burdens of homework. Also, it explains the importance of a strong parent-teacher relationship, differentiating homework, how technology is changing traditional homework, alternatives to traditional homework, and options for how to assess …

Social Discourse Of Literature Circles With A Focus On Gender, Laurie Hornor

Graduate Research Papers

This research study examined the social discourse of literature circles with a focus on gender within a fifth-grade regular education classroom. The researcher examined the nature of social discourse that was held by students and examined whether gender appeared to influence social discourse. The results from this study showed that gender did have an impact on how students responded to literature within discussion groups. Two main gender-related characteristics of the discussions were noted. The first characteristic was that males and females did hold beliefs that paralleled culturally-determined gender roles. These beliefs had an impact on how students responded to literature. …

Engaging Emergent Writers With Anchor Lessons, Jamie Meyer

Graduate Research Papers

This research project focused on the creation of writing curriculum for emergent writers aged 5 to 7 years old. The purpose of this study was to research how beginning writers can be scaffolded in their attempts to learn how to write. This study also examined how emergent writers can be engaged in developmentally appropriate ways, what writing concepts to expect from young writers, and how to motivate young children to write. Anchor lessons were developed that connect children's literature to writing concepts and engagement. Results illustrate that children need to be taught in the zone of proximal development, use materialization …

Student Motivation : Encouraging Children To Read In School, Kelly White

Graduate Research Papers

Teaching students how to read, comprehend,. and enjoy text are goals that many teachers make in their classrooms each year. Yet, the biggest challenge that goes along with these goals is often student motivation. Motivating students happens in many forms in classrooms around the world. There are research-based techniques for males and females, English speaking and English language learners, each of the multiple intelligences, and overall individual student needs. There is no one proven catchall method for motivating students in the classroom. Instead, teachers are encouraged to find the motivation strategies and techniques that work for specific individuals. This paper …