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Full-Text Articles in Curriculum and Instruction

Supporting Engagement Among African American Males In World Geography Class Through The Implementation Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: A Self-Study, Audra Dorr Brown Jan 2018

Supporting Engagement Among African American Males In World Geography Class Through The Implementation Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: A Self-Study, Audra Dorr Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Given the reality of disenfranchised and marginalized students sitting in today’s classrooms, it is imperative that teachers meet the pedagogical needs of these students. I embarked on a self-study that would improve my personal pedagogy. Research shows that using elements from the theoretical frameworks of culturally relevant pedagogy, reality pedagogy, critical race theory, and critical race pedagogy can be an effective approach to teaching students that are marginalized. I designed and implemented three lessons that employed practitioner-applied pedagogical practices based on these four theoretical frameworks. This self-study identified the benefits and challenges of these lessons as they relate to the …

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Teaching Social Justice With Literature Circles To Improve Reading Discussions: An Action Research Study, Lori Teuton Jan 2018

Teaching Social Justice With Literature Circles To Improve Reading Discussions: An Action Research Study, Lori Teuton

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses a problem of practice stemming from the lack of engagement students exhibit for reading social justice texts. Students today are in more culturally and socially diverse classrooms; their curriculum needs to reflect these social changes. A review of the problem of practice led to the research question: Does implementing literature circles with social justice texts in a secondary classroom foster engagement in reading and classroom discussions for students? The primary purpose of this proposed action research study was to examine if implementing literature circles with social justice texts leads to increased conversations and engagement in the classroom. …

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Historical Inquiry And Student Perceptions Of Cultural Groups In A Social Studies Classroom, Michelle Pope Jan 2018

Historical Inquiry And Student Perceptions Of Cultural Groups In A Social Studies Classroom, Michelle Pope

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses a problem of practice stemming from the accountability movement and its emphasis on high-stakes testing in the social studies classroom. An examination of the problem of practice led to the research question: How does the use of the scientifically based method of historical inquiry affect student perceptions of cultures other than their own? The purpose of this action research study was to examine the use of historical inquiry as a means of combating the lack of depth in a formal curriculum focused on high-stakes testing and a hidden curriculum that promotes a “top-down,” Eurocentric approach to history …

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Problem-Solving In An Early Childhood Mathematics Classroom, Lockey Plyler Jan 2018

Problem-Solving In An Early Childhood Mathematics Classroom, Lockey Plyler

Theses and Dissertations

Problem-solving occurs when mathematical tasks create opportunities that provide challenges for increasing students' mathematical understanding and development. This research study determined the influence of the launch-explore-summarize/extend problem-solving framework on second-grade student performance of place value tasks. The dissertation in practice measured problem-solving success. This action research study occurred at an elementary school in Columbia, South Carolina. The teacher-researcher determined appropriate problem-solving tasks and assessed students’ academic achievement and critical thinking skills. Following a mixed methods action research design, the researcher analyzed qualitative and quantitative data to determine the significance of the problem-solving framework. The data indicated significant student growth during …

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The Effect Of Emphasizing Key Vocabulary On Student Achievement With English Learners, Sarah L. Owen Jan 2018

The Effect Of Emphasizing Key Vocabulary On Student Achievement With English Learners, Sarah L. Owen

Theses and Dissertations

This action research seeks to determine the impact of teacher training and the use of specific instructional strategies, per the research-based SIOP® teaching model, on English language arts achievement of formally identified first grade English Learners. The study aims to discover if using strategic techniques to teach vocabulary positively affects language acquisition and comprehension. English Learners have historically lagged behind grade level peers in all academic areas. English Learners tend to have many outside variables that can affect their ability to focus on school. Issues with immigration, class, culture, and race are all relevant topics with this population. This study …

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Integrating Literacy Strategies In The Biology Classroom: Using A Generative Vocabulary Matrix To Improve Standardized Test Scores, Anna H. Morrison Jan 2018

Integrating Literacy Strategies In The Biology Classroom: Using A Generative Vocabulary Matrix To Improve Standardized Test Scores, Anna H. Morrison

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the development and implementation of an action research study that seeks to determine the impact of integrating literacy strategies in the biology classroom on standardized test scores. The teacher-researcher identified the problem of practice in her classroom after four years of observation of ninth-grade biology students. These observations led the teacher-researcher to develop, research, and investigate the following question: What is the impact of Larson’s (2014b) Generative Vocabulary Matrix (GVM) in a high school biology course as demonstrated by students’ performance on the South Carolina End-of-Course Examination Program? This dissertation orients the research question from a …

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From Seeds To Shoreline®: A Place-Based Approach To Impacting Student Engagement And Achievement, Molly Lloyd Jan 2018

From Seeds To Shoreline®: A Place-Based Approach To Impacting Student Engagement And Achievement, Molly Lloyd

Theses and Dissertations

Place-based education refers to pedagogy that connects student learning with the local environment and students’ lives. Educators’ preoccupation with standardized test scores have increased the disconnect between formal education and student’s life experiences. Schools have developed systems of learning in isolated subjects through reading texts, listening to lectures, or watching videos rather than authentic, experiential learning. School districts have embraced a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and science) approach to education as a way of invigorating student learning. There are many approaches to integrating, hands-on, inquiry-based science lessons. As science PASS test scores have declined, educators are examining best STEM instructional …

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Cyberbullying And Social Media Responsibility In Schools, Michelle Leviner Jan 2018

Cyberbullying And Social Media Responsibility In Schools, Michelle Leviner

Theses and Dissertations

A rapidly growing and destructive phenomenon among today’s adolescent students is cyberbullying, a malicious use of the easy and widespread accessibility of electronic devices and the internet. Whereas traditional bullying typically involves and is known to only a few people, cyberbullying allows perpetrators to spread cruel information to a large audience in a short amount of time, typically via social media. Cyberbullying has negative results for adolescents at school, even if it occurs outside of school hours. With the growing inclusion of technology, specifically social media, in education, educating students on responsible technology usage is more important than ever. This …

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The Effects Of Using An Information Literacy Model On The Information Seeking Behavior Of Sixth-Grade Students, Jessica L. Kohout-Tailor Jan 2018

The Effects Of Using An Information Literacy Model On The Information Seeking Behavior Of Sixth-Grade Students, Jessica L. Kohout-Tailor

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study describes how teaching an information literacy model affects the information behavior of sixth-grade students. The theoretical framework that supported this study was Carol Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process or ISP (1989). This study used a sequential mixed-methods design to examine the following questions: “How will teaching the Simple Four information literacy model (Alewine, 2006) to sixthgrade students affect their information seeking behavior?” The study also explored the effects the model had on students’ affective behavior through the second research question: “How will teaching the Simple Four information literacy model (Alewine, 2006) to sixth-grade students affect their confidence …

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Fostering Intercultural Competence Through Problem-Based Learning: A Case Study Of A Socioculturally Modified Curriculum In Japanese Higher Education, Jesse Russell Elam Jan 2018

Fostering Intercultural Competence Through Problem-Based Learning: A Case Study Of A Socioculturally Modified Curriculum In Japanese Higher Education, Jesse Russell Elam

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this explanatory mixed-methods action research dissertation was to expose six students studying Oral Communications 1 (OC1) at Japan’s Technical University (JTU) to a sociocultural component using the textbook Mirrors and Windows (Huber-Kriegler, Lázár, & Strange, 2003) over an eight-week period with the assistance of project-based learning (PBL). This dissertation used Mertler’s (2014) stepby-step process of action research to collect, document, and analyze data concerning the students’ changes in intercultural competence. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using: (a) the IDI, (b) field notes, (c) reflective student journals, (d) worksheets from in-class tasks, and (d) a focus …

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The Impact Of Applying The First Two Steps Of Polya’S Four Problemsolving Steps In An Advanced Mathematics Classroom, Christine A. Gray Jan 2018

The Impact Of Applying The First Two Steps Of Polya’S Four Problemsolving Steps In An Advanced Mathematics Classroom, Christine A. Gray

Theses and Dissertations

The teacher-researcher spent eight weeks as a participant observer in an advanced high school mathematics class in a small town in the southeast. The process of problemsolving was introduced to all twenty students from a combined IB Math SL and AP Calculus AB class. After the pretest, three students were selected, from under-represented groups, for in-depth observation, interviews, and collection of artifacts in order to determine the impact of problem-solving techniques. The work of these students, from underrepresented groups, was examined to gain insight into their experiences and thought processes surrounding problem-solving. The students answered questions about their attitude towards …

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Improving Instructional Practice Through Instructional Coaching, Lauren Dillard Jan 2018

Improving Instructional Practice Through Instructional Coaching, Lauren Dillard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to determine how instructional coaching impacted implementation of shared reading strategies in kindergarten classrooms. This study included four teachers from one primary school in South Carolina. All of the teachers that participated in this study had more than two years of teaching experience. Data for this study was collected from surveys, classroom observations, lesson plans, and focus groups. Teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators at one elementary school are concerned with the students’ ability to comprehend materials that are being read to them, as well as reading materials that students are reading independently. …

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The Impact Of Reading Workshop On Third Graders In A Summer Reading Camp, Meredith J. Davakos Jan 2018

The Impact Of Reading Workshop On Third Graders In A Summer Reading Camp, Meredith J. Davakos

Theses and Dissertations

This action research describes the influence of the research-based program, Reading Workshop, based on student reading achievement, specifically, in one thirdgrade South Carolina summer reading camp classroom. Guiding the research, the problem of practice arose from the passing of South Carolina’s Act 284, which states that school districts should make provisions to support every child becoming a proficient reader by the end of the third grade (SCDE, 2015a), and the lack of literature regarding the use of Reading Workshop in summer camps or summer school. Thus, the overarching question that guided the research was: To what extent are summer reading …

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The Effects Of Systemic Functional Linguistics And Gradual Release Of Responsibility On Student Self-Efficacy And Engagement In Mathematics, Jason David Aldridge Jan 2018

The Effects Of Systemic Functional Linguistics And Gradual Release Of Responsibility On Student Self-Efficacy And Engagement In Mathematics, Jason David Aldridge

Theses and Dissertations

This paper addresses the problem of practice that secondary mathematics students do not feel confident in communicating mathematically. The researcher has placed an emphasis on math language by using a systemic functional linguistic approach to teaching mathematics. Building student confidence and engagement in mathematics is the main focus of the methods presented in this action research study. The researcher wants to investigate how systemic functional linguistics and gradual release of responsibility affects student self-efficacy and engagement in secondary mathematics. A mixedmethods design uses researcher field notes, student surveys and interviews, and student work to examine the levels of self-efficacy and …

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The Impact Of Teaching Growth Mindset On Archery Skill Achievement: An Action Research Study, Phillip Thomas Jan 2018

The Impact Of Teaching Growth Mindset On Archery Skill Achievement: An Action Research Study, Phillip Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Although setbacks and failure are common in school, especially in outdoor adventure physical education classes, the ways in which students handle those setbacks and failure impact their academic achievement and performance. This dissertation describes a problem of practice based on observations of how the researcher’s students handle setbacks and failure in his outdoor adventure education class, specifically how these setbacks and failure affect the students’ archery performance. This study examined how teaching noncognitive skills using the computer program Brainology impacts student skill performance in archery and the students’ perceptions of this impact. This study used a concurrent mixed methods action …

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The Effect Of 7e Model Inquiry-Based Labs On Student Achievement In Advanced Placement Physics: An Action Research Study, Vaughn C. Vick Jan 2018

The Effect Of 7e Model Inquiry-Based Labs On Student Achievement In Advanced Placement Physics: An Action Research Study, Vaughn C. Vick

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation involved an action research study of the effects of 7E Model inquiry labs in Advanced Placement (AP) Physics on students’ performance on AP exam inquiry lab-based questions. The study, which is described in detail, employed a one-group, pretest-posttest design to answer the research question regarding the effects of the inquiry-based AP Physics labs on students’ achievement on AP exam inquiry lab questions as measured by unit assessments. Data collection and analysis strategies are also discussed. Sources of data included a pretest, lab reports, and a posttest. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, specifically a t-test comparison of …

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Towards A ‘Pedagogy Of Hybrid Masculinities’: The Effects Of Teacher-Selected Vs. Student-Selected Informational Texts On The Literacy Achievement And Masculine Identities Of Middle-Level Males, Elizabeth Coen Welch Jan 2018

Towards A ‘Pedagogy Of Hybrid Masculinities’: The Effects Of Teacher-Selected Vs. Student-Selected Informational Texts On The Literacy Achievement And Masculine Identities Of Middle-Level Males, Elizabeth Coen Welch

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether teacher-selected informational texts or student-selected informational texts best contribute to literacy achievement and engagement for middle-level males and to examine middle-level males’ perception of the relationship between masculine performance and literacy practice. For the purposes of this study, literacy achievement was measured using pre-test/post-test comparison on an assessment which measured participants’ ability to determine the central idea of an informational text while engagement and the relationship between masculine expression and literacy achievement were analyzed using observational field notes and semi-structured focus group interviews. Over a nine-week period during the first nine-week …

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The Inclusion Classroom: Implementing The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program© To Improve The Classroom Environment, Erika Lea Mooney Patterson Jan 2018

The Inclusion Classroom: Implementing The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program© To Improve The Classroom Environment, Erika Lea Mooney Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

At White Rose Middle School (WRMS), in the lower Piedmont of South Carolina, students with individualized education plans (IEPs), behavioral intervention plans (BIPs), and 504 Plans were placed in the inclusion classroom setting resulting in repeated negative behavior patterns that drew the attention of their peers. Students assigned to the inclusion classroom included regular education students, students identified with a “learning disability,” and students identified as English language learners (ELL). The negative behaviors expressed in the inclusion classroom were categorized as bullying behaviors that disrupted the classroom environment. The purpose of the present action research study was to determine if …

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The Impact Of A Peer-Tutoring Model On The Academic Performance Of Secondary Students, Bridgett Wolfe Jan 2018

The Impact Of A Peer-Tutoring Model On The Academic Performance Of Secondary Students, Bridgett Wolfe

Theses and Dissertations

The Impact of A Peer-Tutoring Model on the Academic Performance of Secondary Students describes the impact of a peer-tutoring model in a secondary introductory computer science classroom, Information Technology Foundations (ITF), at a Midlands High School (MHS) (pseudonym), a suburban high school located in the Midlands region of South Carolina. The course is required for graduation and student-participants in the study were diverse in their ages and learning abilities. Matching one peer-tutor with five or six peer-tutees enabled student-participants to work through a Google Drive unit that was designed by the teacher-researcher. The research question: What is the impact of …

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The Impact Of Inquiry-Based Learning On Academic Achievement In Eighth-Grade Social Studies, Lindsey A. Bailey Jan 2018

The Impact Of Inquiry-Based Learning On Academic Achievement In Eighth-Grade Social Studies, Lindsey A. Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of practice described in this paper was identified by varying academic performances of students in a middle school located in South Carolina. The identified problem led the researcher to formulate a research question: What is the impact of inquiry-based learning on academic achievement for eighth-grade students in social studies? The purpose of this study is to determine if implementing inquiry-based learning will affect the academic achievement of students in social studies. Action research allows teachers to study their own classrooms to better understand them and to be able to improve their quality or effectiveness (Mertler, 2014). Action research …

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The Impact Of Interactive Student Notebooks On Student Achievement In Algebra One: An Action Research Study, Melissa R. Drew Jan 2018

The Impact Of Interactive Student Notebooks On Student Achievement In Algebra One: An Action Research Study, Melissa R. Drew

Theses and Dissertations

The Impact of Interactive Student Notebooks on Student Achievement in Algebra One: An Action Research Study describes the implementation of the use of Interactive Student Notebooks (ISNs) as an alternative pedagogical strategy to enable 40 college preparatory, secondary students in an algebra one course to more effectively solve equations. The purpose of the action research study is to improve pedagogical practice to meet the needs of students who are urban, southern, working class, and who see little relevance to algebra one to their future lives. Before and after these students completed input activities and output activities in the ISN, they …

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Not-So-Compehensive Health Education: Teacher Attitudes Toward Heteronormative Sexuality Education, Sarah Elizabeth Burnham Jan 2018

Not-So-Compehensive Health Education: Teacher Attitudes Toward Heteronormative Sexuality Education, Sarah Elizabeth Burnham

Theses and Dissertations

Drawing upon queer theory, this study investigated health teachers’ interactions with the heteronormative sexuality education curriculum as prescribed by the 1988 South Carolina Comprehensive Health Education Act (SC CHEA). A survey composed of Likert-type and open-ended response items measured three constructs: the amount of preparation to teach health education, self-efficacy in teaching sexuality education, and teachers’ levels of alignment with, or rejection of, heteronormativity. A convenience sample of middle and high-school teachers in SC public schools responsible for teaching health education yielded 181 responses. Descriptive statistics of the respondents precedes non-parametric analyses of correlations between constructs and among constructs and …

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Self-Regulation And Self-Efficacy In A Three-Part Goal Setting Cycle, Mary Virginia Roueche Jan 2018

Self-Regulation And Self-Efficacy In A Three-Part Goal Setting Cycle, Mary Virginia Roueche

Theses and Dissertations

The researcher examined the impact self-regulation and metacognitive formative assessments had on self-efficacy through a mixed-methods design. The purpose of the action research study was to teach metacognitive goal-setting through a formative assessment framework in order to measure how students employed self-regulatory behaviors and if this affected their self-efficacy. The overall goals were to improve seventh-grade students’ self-efficacy and mental self-regulation in order to 1) discern how students are efficacious and how does it affect their output; 2) provide field-tested instructional strategies and assessment choices for the seventh-grade teacher team; 3) provide qualitative data to the school’s administrative team to …

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The Effects Of A Gamified Curriculum On High-School Students, Joshua Kyle Bastean Jan 2018

The Effects Of A Gamified Curriculum On High-School Students, Joshua Kyle Bastean

Theses and Dissertations

One of the emerging trends in education is gamification, a concept that has been applied in other fields, such as business and advertising, with great success. Gamification can be defined as adding game elements to non-game constructs. This study followed a high-school Algebra II teacher and 10 of her students in an attempt to document the effects of gamification on student academic engagement. Multiple methods of data collection were used to gather data from students and teachers. After analysis, the data showed that gamification had a positive effect on student academic engagement. The results were used to create an action …

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Bridging A Training-Practice Gap In Army Combat Medics, Tracey Michelle Lyons Jan 2018

Bridging A Training-Practice Gap In Army Combat Medics, Tracey Michelle Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

United States Army combat medics undergo training that emphasizes tactical medicine, but are postured inside primary care clinics. The tactical skills and knowledge gained from their training is not in alignment with the demands of their functions in the clinic. This action research study investigates the skills and knowledge that medics need to have to function in the primary care setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain insight on the medics’ needs. Born of their responses are themes surrounding their needs which is discussed in this research study.

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The Impact Of A Peer-Teaching Instructional Approach On A Student’S Self-Confidence, John Corral Jan 2018

The Impact Of A Peer-Teaching Instructional Approach On A Student’S Self-Confidence, John Corral

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines a problem of practice stemming from students not given the same opportunities to use and develop self-confidence and take on higher levels of responsibility in the classroom as they prepare for the 21st century workforce in our society. Recognizing a problem of practice evident in our high school with low-selfesteem in students, this paper studies the effects of implementing a peer-teaching instructional approach to help develop students’ self-confidence and emerging leadership skills (Lockie & Van Lanen, 2008). The central research question addressed in this study is: what is the impact of implementing a peer-teaching instructional approach on …

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The Impact Of Classroom Management On New Teachers At A Newly Opened Elementary School, Larry Peaden Jones Jan 2018

The Impact Of Classroom Management On New Teachers At A Newly Opened Elementary School, Larry Peaden Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation in practice outlines an action research project that was designed in order to solve the research question of: What is the impact of Capturing Kids’ Hearts on improving the classroom management of beginning teachers and district new-hires in a new elementary school setting? This question was proposed on the idea that classroom management is something that many teachers will face as a challenge; especially beginning teachers. The Capturing Kids’ Hearts program was also determined to be beneficial as it contains attributes that would allow any teacher to obtain some useful information from the information. This action research project …

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Blended Learning And Its Effect On Student Achievement: An Action Research Study, Christopher Michael Turpin Jan 2018

Blended Learning And Its Effect On Student Achievement: An Action Research Study, Christopher Michael Turpin

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study seeks to determine the effects of blended learning on student achievement in a social studies classroom. The research focus is centered on the idea that students are not reaching their full potential on assessments, and a question about how to most effectively assist them in realizing their potential through a new teaching method. This action research study follows Mertler’s (2014) action research framework to find an answer to the research question. The participants of this study were a group of 10th grade students enrolled in an Honors World History course. Students were taught using a blended …

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Exploring The Role Of Schema Development And Its Impact Within The Digital Vocabulary Application Quizlet, Jana M. Tolleson Jan 2018

Exploring The Role Of Schema Development And Its Impact Within The Digital Vocabulary Application Quizlet, Jana M. Tolleson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to ascertain the possible impact of using schema development strategies and the digital application Quizlet on student learning perspectives and achievement in a mid-level social studies classroom. U.S. schools are highly influenced by state standardized testing based on standards-driven curriculum that reinforces basic recall and recognition. School curriculum should be focused on higherlevel thinking skills such as critical thinking, social negotiation, and self-directed learning. The identified problem of practice of this study explored and described the use of technology at a basic level. Students are exploiting technology by copying and pasting information …

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Exploration Of The Use Of Computer-Mediated Communications To Support The Face-Toface Collaborative Efforts Of A Sixth-Grade Professional Learning Community, Christine Horowitz Jan 2018

Exploration Of The Use Of Computer-Mediated Communications To Support The Face-Toface Collaborative Efforts Of A Sixth-Grade Professional Learning Community, Christine Horowitz

Theses and Dissertations

Noting the lack of resources to meet face-to-face, most notably time, a significant body of research has investigated the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to replace face-to-face interactions of teacher professional learning communities (PLCs). Equally noted is the research on social constructivist theory that supports social interaction as the foundation of learning (Vygotsky, 1978). The purpose of this qualitative case study was to determine how a successful sixth-grade PLC leveraged available technologies in support of their face-to-face collaborative efforts by answering the following research question: How do participants in an established PLC use CMC as a means of supporting and …

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