Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Talented And Gifted Programs In The Middle School : Critical Components, Patricia R. Kayser

Graduate Research Papers

As middle school educators and teachers of the gifted and talented continue to debate issues such as equity vs. excellence, homogeneous vs. heterogeneous grouping, and cognitive vs. affective education, the needs of gifted and talented middle school students in the general education classroom appear to be ignored. This paper reviewed current literature relating to the needs of gifted and talented pre-adolescents in the middle school setting in order to determine what were the critical components necessary for meeting their unique needs in the general education classroom. From the reviewed literature, critical components identified include content differentiation, teaching strategies, grouping for …

Building A Computer Network For Schools, Robert Kleinow

Graduate Research Papers

With the increased use of computers in schools, it should come as no surprise that schools are quickly beginning to see the incredible potential of connecting those computers together. The opportunities a computer network in schools can provide for administrators, teachers, and students are immense and are beginning to be realized across the nation.

This paper will by no means make the reader an expert in setting up a computer network. It is merely to introduce you to the basics of computer networking, some of the unique qualities of a school network when compared to networks done elsewhere, and show …

The World Of Work : An Intermediate Level Curriculum Model Integrating School-To-Work And Service Learning, Virginia Lavelle

Graduate Research Papers

Workers will need new and different skills for the changing economy in the 21st century. Current legislation includes school improvement and school-to-work. This project was designed to incorporate the educational reform movements of school-to-work and service learning within the school year calendar to provide educational work-related experiences for a full range of intermediate level learners in an inclusive classroom. Within this model students practice developing and applying basic skills, thinking skills, and personal qualities (SCANS) through work-based experiences which bring together school-to-work and service learning.

Multiage Classrooms : Setting Up A Quality Program, Jan Lindeman

Graduate Research Papers

This study reviews the literature on multiage classrooms for setting up a quality multiage program. Both benefits and disadvantages of multiage classrooms are discussed. Benefits of multiage classrooms are the following: children work at their own levels, children work collaboratively with other students, and children learn to work with students of different ages. Disadvantages of multiage classrooms include the following: extra workload for teachers, parents suspicious about the effectiveness, and students compare themselves with older students.

Implementing a multiage classroom takes time and patience. Educators need to take time to examine the best way of implementing a quality program.

The Home-School Partnership, Sue W. Mcdonald

Graduate Research Papers

This school-home literacy project reaffirms the notion that the school and home working together greatly benefits children. The parents in the project believed the partnership encouraged them to make time each day to be involved in their child's literacy experiences. From this consistent scheduling of experiences, the parents were able to observe the benefits of the partnership as their children grew in reading and writing abilities. Parents also commented on the difficulty of locating books that were appropriate for their children's reading level. A bibliography of predictable stories should be provided to the parents.

Privacy Issues Dealing With Technology : A Review Of The Literature, Kimberly S. Mccoy

Graduate Research Papers

The sophisticated applications of technology are expanding everyday. Unfortunately, so are the many concerns individuals in society are having about their right to privacy. The actual regulations dealing with one's right to privacy has not expand as rapidly as the applications of technology. Individuals using various types of technology are under the assumption their activities are private; however, this is not the case. It does not seem to matter if you are using a computer for communications work, school, or in the "privacy" of your own home, there is absolutely no privacy when dealing with this type of technology.

This …

Learning To Use Reader-Response Methods In The Classroom: One Teacher’S Journey Of Change, Marijo Grimes

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study presents a teacher's view of change as the author of this report planned, implemented, and evaluated a change from traditional literature discussion methods to reader-response discussion methods. Louise Rosenblatt's transactional theory of literature provided the basis for developing the instructional plan. This investigation followed a qualitative research plan of self-study. The setting was a seventh grade heterogeneous classroom in a Midwestern school district. During the semester of implementation, the teacher kept daily field notes, collected student papers, evaluated transcripts of video recordings, and completed regular exploratory writing in an attempt to analyze and understand the teacher's role and …

The Unit Letter : A Strategy For Reconciling Explicit Instruction And Whole Language, Lucy Butin Ashby

Graduate Research Papers

Though differences between whole language and explicit instruction theories and research may seem irreconcilable, a growing body of research advocates an integration of the two. Combining the meaning-filled and student-empowering environment of whole language with needs-based explicit instruction is the solution most highly recommended. The unit letter activity is a teaching strategy for elementary-aged students which blends explicit instruction and whole language approaches. The activity involves student interaction with a thematic-related letter. The activity's purposes are two-fold : to convey information related to a theme chosen by the students, and to provide an authentic context for learning and practicing reading …

Qualitative Assessment Of The Writing Process, Laura L. Behrends

Graduate Research Papers

A strong trend in the language arts is the emphasis placed on the involvement of-students in the language processes to extend their thinking and language abilities. Thus, their involvement needs to be described by qualitative means. Qualitative assessment is necessary in writing because there is a great deal that cannot be measured (Field, 1992). Assessment needs to be continuous and inseparable from instruction, therefore authentic (Tierney, Carter, & Desai, 1991; Valencia, 1990; Barclay & Breheny, 1994; Stone, 1995). Assessment must be an integral part of each day in order for teachers to plan instruction and communicate with parents and the …

Why It Is Important To Keep Recess In Schools, Mary Lou Mcgee Cushing

Graduate Research Papers

Recess is a common part of most elementary school schedules yet its benefits are often not clearly articulated. As a result recess may be thought to be expendable from school curricula as school districts adjust already full schedules in an attempt to accommodate every necessary component.

This research review explores the relationship of recess to school schedules, time allotments, activities commonly observed at recess, and developmental (social, cognitive, and psychomotor) aspects of recess in schools. Also addressed are common criticisms of recess in schools.

Proponents And Opponents For Rewarding Children, Shelly Bromwich

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of the literature concerning the types and uses of rewards. The primary focus of this paper was to look at opposing sides of whether rewarding children has benefits or whether there are problems with using rewards. Also, I looked at how children can be given credit for their efforts to accomplish their goals with using encouragement and natural and logical consequences.

As stated by Alfie Kohn, "A reward .. .is a desired object or event made conditional on having fulfilled some criterion" (Kohn, 1993, p. 53). There is a controversy today concerning the use of …

Full-Day Kindergarten : Issues And Planning For Implementation, Nancy Jo Bolick

Graduate Research Papers

Many school districts have begun implementing full-day, every day kindergarten programs as opposed to half-day, every day programs or full-day, alternate day programs. This study focuses on the issues and concerns involved when making the transition from a half-day or alternate day kindergarten program to a developmentally appropriate full-day program. A brief history of kindergarten is presented and research is examined and reported upon concerning areas of financial considerations, classroom set-up, organization and maintenance, curriculum development, and parental involvement for full-day kindergartens.

A survey of parents and guardians of future kindergarten students in a small, rural, Midwest, parochial school system …

A Multiuniversity Internet Course Collaboration Using Case Methodology : The University Of Northern Iowa Experience, Richard Gorman

Graduate Research Papers

One professor at the University of Northern Iowa decided to use a unique approach to teach her section of Elementary Curriculum. While five or six sections were taught in the traditional manner, one section, taught by Dr. Bonnie Johnson, and assisted by Dr. Dale Johnson, used an Internet-based, case methodology approach. In the Johnson class, students addressed issues that are facing teachers today; using technology, and communicating with students and faculty on other campuses. To accomplish this, students participated in an Internet course collaboration centered at the University of Virginia.

In evaluating the Johnson course, three questions were addressed. They …

Invitations To Sing : A Home-School Literacy Partnership, Connie J. Gordon

Graduate Research Papers

This paper focuses on fostering parent involvement in their children's school life, particularly the writing process. While acquiring literacy, children model behaviors of those around them, both at home and school. Schools need to build genuine partnerships that honor the voices of teachers, parents, and children.

Creating Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Sally M. Goodenbour

Graduate Research Papers

Many teachers enter teaching situations in which the culture of the students is very different from their own. Human relations classes help to make one aware of the different cultures that may exist, but the classes often do not provide instruction on how to link the cultural situation to instructional practices. This project was designed to help preservice and practicing teachers become aware that our nation is becoming more diverse, to build their knowledge about multicultural education (including becoming familiar with the cultural background of their students}, and to understand that there are many instructional strategies that can assist in …

Technology Training In Preservice Education Programs : A Review Of The Literature, Catherine A. Gersema

Graduate Research Papers

Education is radically changing with the dawn of the information age, where the ability to access, analyze, and manipulate information is a basic survival skill. To become more technologically adept, elementary and secondary schools must provide technical training to their students. However, trained students are the result of trained professionals. Recognizing the burgeoning need to provide skilled professionals, institutions of teacher education are integrating educational technology programs in preservice education.

This review of the literature reports on technology implementation at teacher training institutions where educational technology is being infused into the preservice curriculum through adherence to guidelines from ISTE and …

How To Build And Maintain A Strong Technology Program, Brian Horn

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will deal with the issues of developing and maintaining an educational technology program, and explain the creation of a technology program from its beginnings to a strong, but never final, state. This paper will also give ideas on the seldom-thought-about things all schools should know about technology and its implementation in the schools. We will attempt to answer the question: How do schools put together a good technology program, keep it strong and prepare for the future in educational technology?

Moving Towards A Language Arts Program Extended Across The Curriculum, Amy M. Kortemeyer

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based program;integrates oral and written language activity with other areas of the curriculum. Therefore, the curriculum is centered around real ideas, relevant issues, and problem solving. As a result; children have opportunities to experiment with language that can lead to higher levels of competencies (Goodman, 1986; Smith, 1994).

As teachers plan units in social studies and the sciences, they make note of relevant language activities. These activities can be teacher-directed or presented in learning centers (Harms & Lettow, 1992).

Bridging The Cultural Gap Between Home And School, Anne Chanco Lewis

Graduate Research Papers

This journal article explores the significance of the early implementation of multicultural literature in young children's lives. As young children prepare for the transition from home culture to school culture, problems may occur, such as cultural conflict, if both minority and majority children are not prepared for the school's diverse population. By incorporating multicultural literature experiences, both educators and parents can help to raise the awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity.

In addition to becoming more aware of cultural diversity, children will also learn tolerance of children of another ethnic background. If young children are involved with multicultural literacy activities …

Multimedia Effectiveness In The Learning Environment : A Review Of Literature, Bruce G. Mckee

Graduate Research Papers

Multimedia Effectiveness in the Learning Environment: A Review of Literature examines some of the research and academic literature related to the use of computer-assisted instruction, hypertext, hypermedia and multimedia in the learning environment. Contemporary views of media psychology and learning styles are also discussed, as well as the impact of multimedia on teachers, students and learning. The author concludes by suggesting that the progressive teacher knows the importance of quality instructional design and will look for every opportunity to integrate appropriate multimedia into the learning environment.

How Can E-Mail Be Used To Facilitate Communication Betweeen Teachers And Students, Nathaniel Anthony Moultrie

Graduate Research Papers

Electronic mail, e-mail, or Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) is an electronic communication medium that is starting to emerge in the educational system. The use of e-mail between students and teachers is growing steadily and rapidly. In just a few years, the number of K-12 students involved in networking has grown close to one million with a rate of increase of over 10% per year. With the sudden burst of technology within the school system, a transition period of experimenting with innovative ways of communication is before us. This research paper will address the use of e-mail as a viable means …

Backpacking To Reading Success : Parents And Teachers Working Together To Promote Literacy Development, Anita M. Ott

Graduate Research Papers

Literature has stressed the importance of reading at home to guide achievement in reading (Paul, 1996, Nichols, 1991, Anderson, Wilson & Fielding, 1988, Henderson, 1988, and Hewison and Tizard, 1980). However the pace of society in the United States today has made it difficult for families to make time for reading at home. In addition some families do not know the importance of reading at home, or have not made reading a priority.

This project provides a suggested home reading program to foster literacy development in elementary-aged students. Four major components are addressed: a) identifying a continuum of literacy development, …

How To Plan For Library Automation, Ann Petersen

Graduate Research Papers

An understanding of various library automation issues will help guide the media specialist to a successful automation effort. This paper is designed to offer basic guidelines for such an effort. It is not the aim of this paper to cover all the details and obligations for undertaking an automation project, nor to discuss specific automation systems. Its main purpose is to assist library media specialists in the decision making process concerning automation systems designed specifically for school libraries.

The Efficacy Of Teacher Education Institutions As Providers Of Supportive Services To Beginning Teachers, Jennifer Cameron Paulsen

Graduate Research Papers

The induction phase of a beginning teacher's career is significant and fraught with difficulty. This review of the literature focuses on the influence and effectiveness of teacher education institutions as sources of support for beginning teachers in their initiation into the profession. Supportive services within the province of the teacher education institution are discussed including resource and research support, professional development opportunities, networking and communications support,·and on-site assistance. Benefits of collaborative induction efforts between teacher education institutions and local school districts are investigated, as well as obstacles to the effective implementation of such programs.

Finding The Way : Navigation In Hypermedia, Janet Marsh Pine

Graduate Research Papers

If navigation is recognized as a fundamental problem experienced by hypermedia users, then navigation merits further investigation. This review will identify observed navigational problems, suspected causes, and proposed solutions. To investigate the problem, it is necessary to examine methods used to sequence hypermedia components and to identify the various schemes used for navigation.

Information resulting from the review of literature will serve as the basis for a project evaluating current multimedia software packages designed to develop reading skills. The findings will also provide the media specialist or professional educator with a framework for evaluation and subsequent utilization of multimedia learning …

Family Storybook Reading, Judith L. Ray

Graduate Research Papers

The value of storybook reading in fostering emergent literacy is well documented. I am confident through this project that the amount and quality of storybook reading conducted in the homes will be increased and that it will have a positive effect on the students ' academic growth at school and their love of books and reading. I am also looking forward to the partnership between home and school this project will encourage. By working together as a team, we will be able to maximize the benefits in our efforts to meet the needs of each child in my class. My …

Policy Recommendations For A Multicultural Curriculum For All Elementary Schools In The Republic Of South Africa, Motladi Angeline Setlhako

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review explored the system of education in South Africa. The exploration provided the background information about the unequal and segregated system of education which led to student uprisings in 1976. The curriculum became an area of contestation, and was thus attacked by leading educators, parents, teachers, and students. The people of South Africa called for a single, national, unitary system of education for all South African students. A multicultural education was proposed to unify a deeply divided nation and to support the new nation being born.

Multicultural literature was reviewed. The barriers to implementing a multicultural curriculum include …

Increasing The Participation Of Minorities In Talented And Gifted Programs, Denice Nickole Young

Graduate Research Papers

The talented and gifted programs throughout the United States have become a vital part of curriculum instruction for many children. Unfortunately, minority children are underrepresented in the talented and gifted programs. The underrepresentation of minority children resulted in an examination of the current identification processes and the discovery of new procedures that would identify more minority children for participation in the talented and -gifted programs. · The literature review focused on the use of a multifaceted screening process and alternative forms of assessment for the identification and admittance of minority children for talented and gifted programs. As a result, options …

Preparing For Web-Based Instruction: An Exercise In Planning And Design, Nicholle D. Stone

Graduate Research Papers

This paper reviews existing models and research developed for Web-based Instruction (WBI) and traditional instruction. It focuses on a close examination of the major elements of planning and designing for WBI for higher education including: design models, motivation, methods of creating WBI, graphical user interface design issues and evaluation methods. A comparison of traditional instructional design and Web-based models of instructional design is discussed which concludes with a list of commonalties. Planning and designing motivation for the learner is especially important in distance education. Thus, models of motivation design and methods of incorporating motivation into WBI are included. A "how-to" …

Using Interactive Home-School Portfolio Assessment Systems For Parental Communication, Nancy L. Stirm

Graduate Research Papers

Scheduled conferences and report cards do not adequately tell parents how their children are progressing academically. Some parents have stated they would like to obtain more frequent communication from schools concerning their children's progress. The monthly portfolios at a private, urban, Midwest, elementary school are being used as a tool for reporting progress to parents as well as a venue for showcasing students' talents, a way of self-reflection, and an instrument for goal-setting and evaluation. Monthly interactive portfolios are shared with K-8 parents as an alternative authentic assessment system. Currently in the second year of implementation, the author shares the …