Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

The Impact Of Homework On Academic Achievement Of Diverse Learners, Jed Batterson

Graduate Research Papers

Homework impacts the academic achievement of diverse learners. A student's learning disabilities, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and age affect the student and parents' perceptions of homework, as well as the efficacy of homework in improving student achievement. Politicians have placed great emphasis on the importance of the American education system staying competitive globally. This places pressure on both teachers and parents to ensure the success of students. Parents and educators struggle over the purpose of homework, what time commitment homework should require, and maintaining adequate communication between home and school. Because homework demonstrates a significant impact on student achievement, this …

School Readiness : What It Means To Be "Ready" For Kindergarten, Brian D. Kingrey

Graduate Research Papers

This review of the literature examined the recent literature on the subject of school readiness. The purpose of this review of the literature was to identify how schools and parents view school readiness, as well as how emergent literacy plays a role in preparing students for public school education. Assessments, skills, early learning standards, literacy practices, and entry age were discussed.

In researching recent literature for the review multiple searches were conducted including the search terms of school readiness and transition. Pianta, Cox, and Snow (2007) discussed the domains of developmental functioning in the early childhood years, which served as …

A Review Of Character Education Programs And Their Impact On Student Performance, Cara Marie Ludemann

Graduate Research Papers

The teaching of character education in the U.S. public school system is being proposed by many educational leaders as a way of reducing deadly violence perpetrated by children and addressing the broad spectrum of social ills found throughout the country (Lickona, 2004). This review addresses research regarding the purposes of character education, roles of the teacher, program implementation, evaluation of programs, and financial considerations. This review reports elements found in successful character education programs. The review supports the value of implementing character education into a school's curriculum but also identifies obstacles that need to be overcome.

Reading Intervention Support For The Older Struggling Reader : A Desk-Reference For Reading Interventions, April L. Kleinschmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Reading interventions for the older student are a topic of discussion in school districts, especially when an increasing number of middle schools and high schools are in need of improvement in the area of reading. Because of this increase in literacy concern in the middle and high schools, there is a need to better understand areas of reading that would assist struggling adolescent readers. Research affirms the importance of including intervention assistance in the upper grades. Research indicates key areas to target: structures and features of text, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, writing and technology, as well as the incorporation of …

Technology-Enriched Learning Environments : Creating A Classroom Environment For The 21st Century, Megan Lahey

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review is to examine technology-enriched learning environments in order to implement proper and effective use – changing the classroom as we know it. The review provides a definition and descriptions of technology-enriched learning environments, research based evidence of how they affect-teachers and students, and three key barriers preventing institutionalization of technology-enriched learning environments. Key search terms include technology-enriched learning environments, academic achievement, curriculum, teacher role, technology infusion, and professional development.

This review concludes that with rapid developments and implementations of technology into the educational setting, educators, administrators and technology leaders need to be provided with …

Literature Circles And Improved Comprehension In Struggling Readers, Christine Lynn Marxen

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to examine Literature Circles for their effectiveness with struggling readers in upper elementary classrooms and reading rooms. Research questions include, what is the impact of Literature Circles on struggling readers in upper elementary grades? and, what scaffolds help struggling readers be successful in Literature Circles?

The literature review defines Literature Circles in their various forms, and details how to begin using this method in the classroom with groupings including struggling readers. Procedures and scaffolds are identified that have had proven results with struggling readers through various research methods. Ideas for teacher assessment, self-assessment and …

Effective Family Literacy Practices, Stefanie Naumburg Riepe

Graduate Research Papers

This project focuses on effective family literacy practices. The project consists of family literacy activities that support student achievement, family literacy activities that build relationships, and family literacy activities that address cultural differences. These activities were developed from the literature supporting current teaching practices in a Midwestern suburban school. The implementation timeline for this project is one school year. It can be implemented yearly, with adaptations based on changing family needs.

Distance Education : Is The Classroom Becoming Obsolete?, Randall M. Gilbert

Graduate Research Papers

The future of education seems to be moving rapidly towards distance education. Society is moving faster as people are trying to coordinate work, family, and school. Due to the increasing pressure of time and distance constraints, today's learners are sometimes choosing to get their educations online, or through a school with distance education technologies and capabilities. This literature review describes distance education, instructor and student attitudes towards distance education, benefits and disadvantages of distance education, the past and the future of distance education, and how and why it should be used in training and education.

What Every Kindergarten Teacher Should Know About Spelling, Gjoa King

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this article was to determine what research stated about writing and spelling instruction at the kindergarten level. I looked specifically at research concerning spelling and writing development in kindergarten children, the role of invented spelling, and the effects of instruction on spelling outcomes. This was done for the purpose of synthesizing the research in order to help teachers implement a developmentally appropriate spelling curriculum for kindergartners.

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

Time For Books : Motivating Children Through Choice, Change, And Chances To Read, Amy Prime

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review and following project examine the issue of using free reading time as an instructional strategy during the school day. Research was gathered from professional articles and books on the subject of literacy learning for the purpose of attempting to determine the value of allowing students free reading time. Some important components needed in a free reading program were found to be appropriate and plentiful book selection, an appropriate environment for reading, opportunities for students to interact with each other, and positive teacher modeling. The project includes lessons plans for a teacher workshop is presented to train teachers …

Networked Learning In An Educational Environment, Garey Gill

Graduate Research Papers

Yesterday's methods of instruction are no longer sufficient for today's global world or today's learners. Networked learning provides the capability of making connections with people and information for lifelong learning. This literature review seeks to define Networked Learning and Personal Learning Networks and their implications for education. Networked learning and Personal Learning Networks in relationship to motivation theory is also explored. Recommendations for future use include using social networking as an educational strategy for student learning and instructor professional development. Another recommendation and strategy discussed includes student-centered learning to improve student learning in an educational environment through networked learning. Technology …

Using Online Rubrics To Make Project Grading More Standardized And Efficient, Sandra Ann Groff O'Brien

Graduate Research Papers

Rubrics make assessing student work standard and efficient, and they help teachers justify to parents and others the grades that they assign to students. This research project investigated the possibility of improving grading efficiency in project-based classes using online rubrics. Two research questions were studied: 1. Would the teachers feel that using a standards-based rubric with predetermined grading criteria be more efficient in assessing their student projects and save them time in grading? 2. Would the use of technology in the grading process be of enough value to the teachers that they would be interested in using a web-based rubric …

Instructional Strategies Within Single-Gender Learning Environments, Rachelle Sarrah Grandon

Graduate Research Papers

Various instructional strategies can be beneficial in both gender-specific classrooms, as well as co-educational environments. When developing age-appropriate, individualized instruction, it is crucial to consider gender-specific needs that may assist according to certain learning styles. In order to better relate to students of each gender, these practices must be given thoughtful consideration. There are many methods, found in both types of classroom settings have been explored based on practical, research-based experiences from the real-world setting.

Integrating And Implementing Literacy In A Toddler Classroom, Emily Knutson

Graduate Research Papers

This Project examined the topic of literacy in a toddler classroom. Research on toddler language, reading, writing, and parent involvement with literacy was discussed. The Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale and Iowa Early Learning Standards were used to rate a toddler classroom in regard to literacy activities. Guidelines were presented for establishing quality literacy activities for toddler children. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and the classroom project for the future of literacy development for toddlers.

The Impact Of Oral Language Activities In Preschool On Reading Competence In Kindergarten And Beyond, Melissa Sifert

Graduate Research Papers

The following literature review examined the impact of oral language activities in preschool concerning literacy competence in kindergarten and beyond. Four questions were addressed: (1) What is the role of oral language on reading achievement? (2) What instructional activities are important in promoting oral language skills crucial for later reading development? (3) What challenges do educators face when incorporating oral language activities in the preschool classroom? and (4) What are guidelines for integrating oral language activities in preschool? Recommendations for the advancement of oral language instruction in the education system were presented.

Constructivist Practices That Positively Impact Literacy Development And Motivation In Young Children, Sara Pruss

Graduate Research Papers

Reading and writing achievement has been substantiated through the increased pressure on proficiency for both students and teachers as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act of 200l (United States Department of Education, 2004). Educators engage in practices that may increase literacy scores for young children; however, these same practices may have a detrimental effect on student engagement and motivation. This study examined the characteristics of instructional approaches that are developmentally appropriate and inappropriate for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade children as well as those that positively affect motivation and engagement. Research through a review of current literature …

The Impact Of Differentiation Strategies On Student Achievement, Angela Naomi Hileman

Graduate Research Papers

The strategies of differentiation are of current interest to educators. With increasing pressures of No Child Left Behind educators are often left wondering if individual instruction is the best instructional practice. The extent to which these strategies impact student learning is also controversial. Differentiation can be time consuming and tedious on educators. This paper will examine existing literature on differentiation strategies and discuss what kind of impact they have on student achievement.

The Benefits Of Family Literacy, Cassandra Cate

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the positive influence families can have on their child's literacy education and the development of a project to provide experiences to families that demonstrate ways they can extend the learning process with their children at home. This paper provides literature supporting the importance of family involvement and the specifics of how schools and families can work together to overcome common barriers to family involvement in a child's literacy development. The project for a family literacy night was developed from the literature, providing a school-based program for literacy support for families, highlighting effective practices and suggestions for enhancing …

Designing K-12th Technology Training : Technology Mentoring Program, Robert J. Gingery

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to provide a curriculum and framework for a technology-mentoring program at Dike-New Hartford Community School District, a rural school district in Eastern Iowa. Taking a different approach to technology training, this program was designed to help remove barriers that keep teachers from integrating technology throughout their content area. These proactive steps included:

• Creating mentoring groups to provide long-term support for technology integration.
• Providing teachers with personal laptops and current software.
• Providing paid technology training outside of school hours.
• Introducing easy-to-use technology tools that can be quickly integrated.

The goal of …

Using Podcasts To Support Distance Education For Adult Learners, David Graw

Graduate Research Papers

Podcasting is one of several emerging Web 2.0 technologies that are becoming important to the future of distance education for adult learners. This investigation examines the influence of podcasting in support of distance education programming for adult students. An overview of student perspectives, instructional support systems, and technological trends is presented to readers interested in using podcasts to support adult learners enrolled in distance education programs.

The literature review provides information that will help readers understand the complexities of integrating podcast technology into adult distance education programs. This review of the literature concludes that an understanding of student perspectives, podcast …

Meeting Academic Needs Through Explicit Vocabulary Insturction, Ann D. M. Langenfeld

Graduate Research Papers

This project focused on meeting the academic needs of students through explicit vocabulary instruction. The project consisted of nine professional development sessions delivered over one academic year and targeted reading teachers and Language Arts Resource Specialists (LARS) in a Midwestern suburban school district. Participants engaged in collaborative and interactive sessions that included colleague visits to aide in implementation of at least one method of explicit vocabulary instruction. Through a series of two different questionnaires, participant responses were used to assess background knowledge, teacher beliefs and practices, teacher perceptions, implementation, and relevance regarding explicit vocabulary instruction.

"I Can Do It" And You Can, Too : Toddlers And Autonomy In A Multicultural Classroom, Chelssi Lynn Michelle Parrott

Graduate Research Papers

This article will define autonomy and its relationship to learning and development in an infant or toddler classroom. It will discuss the differing cultural views concerning autonomy and the challenges this can bring to a culturally diverse classroom. It will give examples of what the development of autonomy looks like in my own classroom, and I will also share the guidelines that I keep in mind when encouraging autonomy with infants and toddlers.

The Effect Of Technology On Primary Students' Phonemic Awareness Achievement, Joy Marie Schirmer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose for this project was to research current software programs focused on phonemic awareness and, through a process of evaluation of selected programs, determine a software program with phonemic awareness activities that would be suitable for teachers to integrate into K-2 reading instruction. Phonemic awareness is a strong indicator of future reading success (Stahl & Murrary, 1994 ). Students that used technology that incorporates phonemic awareness activities have shown an increase in reading achievement. Three software programs were picked for evaluation using Sherman, Kleiman, and Peterson's (2004) criteria. Through an evaluation process this project concludes with recommendations for the …

Children With Cleft Lips And/Or Palates In Early Childhood Classrooms : Overcoming Obstacles And Misconceptions, Angel Simons

Graduate Research Papers

One in 750 live births results in a baby born with a cleft lip and/or palate (CLP), making it the second most common birth impairment in the United States (Speltz, Endrig, Fisher, & Mason, 1997). Being born with a cleft lip and/or palate brings on many obstacles in a child's life.

Educators can help children born with cleft lip and/or palate by knowing: are there any correlations between how a child born with a cleft is treated by teachers and parents when it comes to teacher and/or parent expectations and perceptions; do children with clefts have distinct common personality or …

Effective Writing Strategies For Primary Grades, Rebecca Gardemann

Graduate Research Papers

Writing instruction has undergone changes throughout history to become what it is today; an integral part of a balanced literacy program. This project examines appropriate and effective writing strategies for primary grades. Four current writing strategies are examined in three professional development sessions for primary teachers, including: shared writing, interactive writing, writing workshop and journaling. Appropriate means of writing assessment are also examined. These professional development sessions are presented in a series of three Power Point presentations including implementation activities for teachers.

Family Involvement Strategies At The Meskwaki Settlement School, Carol Gary Meyer

Graduate Research Papers

When parents become involved in the education of their child research shows positive results for parents and children. However, not all parents know how to be meaningfully involved, and those that are involved may not understand all that is happening in their child's education.

At the Meskwaki Settlement School being meaningfully involved is an important issue to parents. There is a past history of fear of education due to forced removal to boarding schools far from families and cultural ties. There is a need for parents to connect not only with their child in the school but also with the …

Understanding Gender Stereotypes And Their Impact On Clients, Stacey Hurt

Graduate Research Papers

Gender stereotyping has a complex and enduring history in our society, and it is an underlying factor in many issues – clients bring to counseling, including – among other things-women's and men's experience of depression (Nugent & Jones, 2005). A complicating aspect of gender stereotyping is that both males and females in our culture have been socially conditioned to fulfill many of the stereotypes imposed on them, and following stereotypical gender roles excessively can be harmful to their mental health, self-image, and interpersonal relationships (Nugent & Jones).

Counselors can use gender-role analysis and other interventions to help clients gain insight …

Importance Of Teaching Reading Comprehension With Nonfiction Texts, Valeria Jo Frey

Graduate Research Papers

Can comprehension strategies be taught as a learning skill for expository text reading in content area? What strategies in combination best benefit the reading comprehension of students who struggle with reading? How can reading comprehension strategies be taught so that skills are maintained and transferred across settings? In her book Exploring the Literature of Fact, Barbara Moss (2003) suggests that the items needed to be successful in reading nonfiction include accessing quality literature, learning reading strategies, understanding the use of text structure, and responding to the literature.

The following literature review will define reading comprehension using nonfiction material. The research …

Rapid Elearning : Its Impact On Instructional Design In The Corporate World, Stephen W. Acheson

Graduate Research Papers

Rapid eLearning is a present and growing phenomenon in the world of corporate training that is challenging traditional instructional design ideas. The concept of Rapid eLearning represents a class of easy-to-use eLearning development tools, methods designed to shorten course development timelines, and techniques intended to enhance learner understanding and retention. Companies are adopting Rapid eLearning as a way to reduce costs and shorten the time it takes to disseminate new information and concepts to employees in geographically diverse locations. New software tools and instructional design methods are being developed to address the goals of Rapid eLearning.

To gain a broad …