Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Best Practices In Teaching Reading Fluency In The Elementary Classroom, Tina Schneider

Graduate Research Papers

The focus of this review of literature was Best Practices for teaching reading fluency in the elementary classroom. Research shows that students' reading fluency rates need improvement. Teachers must create a classroom environment that fosters reading fluency and use research based teaching practices to improve students' reading fluency. Journal articles were selected that addressed best practices in teaching reading fluency in the elementary classroom. Reading fluency influences the academic success students attain at school and therefore it is a skill which must be taught. Because best practices have a positive impact on students' reading fluency rates, it is recommended that …

Utilizing Online Literature Circles To Improve Reading Comprehension, Mark Schuldt

Graduate Research Papers

Literature circles are an important part of a balanced reading program. They require students to work with others to become independent problem solvers. With the introduction of online literature circles, students get the added experience of using technology in an authentic learning situation. As a result of this technology integration, students' reading comprehension and proficiency with computers will improve.

The importance of this project is to provide teachers with curriculum that is supported by technology. Specific research and practice is sited to support the rationale of combining technology and reading. The most significant findings include the development of the lower …

Grade Retention : Its Impact On Students, Teresa Ann Schneider

Graduate Research Papers

Grade retention has been a heated topic in education for a number of years. Research has shown there are a variety of factors that put students at greater risk for retention. While studies found some students who were retained showed academic improvement, others did not. Retention was also found to have a negative impact on social and emotional adjustments. Students were more successful when retention was paired with additional programs. Schools need to aggressively implement programs to eliminate the need for retention. Principals and teachers must connect research to classroom practice.

Using Technology To Encourage Critical Thinking, Tracy Wilkins

Graduate Research Papers

As technology continues to change educators must be willing to make adjustments in their teaching strategies and make an effort to make technology a permanent part of the curriculum. Critical thinking consists of organizing knowledge in a meaningful manner so it can easily be used by the learner. Those applying critical thinking are more motivated and perform at a higher level of performance than students using lower level thinking skills. Technology continues to become a bigger part of education and teachers need to use databases, spreadsheets, and concept maps as tools to facilitate critical thinking. Educators need to be aware …

Using Computer Software To Enhance Instruction Of Early Literacy Skills In The Kindergarten Classroom, Janann Dostal

Graduate Research Papers

This review investigates skills vital to early literacy instruction, technology use in early childhood classrooms, and software available to enhance early literacy skills of kindergarten students. Letter naming, phonological awareness, concepts about print, and language development are early literacy skills vital to a student's future reading success. Studies have shown that technology has been used in early childhood classrooms as an effective teaching tool, to promote active student involvement, and as a tool for motivation, showing that computers can be utilized successfully with young students. Research indicates that early literacy software used to supplement teacher instruction has great potential to …

Enhancing Student Learning Styles Through The Use Of Technology, Mark A. Dugger

Graduate Research Papers

The multiple learning styles of students have in the last few years become a major topic of concern for all educators. Experience and time are valuable learning tools assisting teachers in developing an understanding of these learning styles. This review pursues the importance of considering student learning styles when incorporating technology within an existing curriculum. Research studies provide supporting evidence that a technology-rich environment promotes collaborative, project-based learning, which in tum has a positive effect on learning styles.

Developmental Process And Outcome Of Mckinley K-5 Elementary School "Portrait Of America 2001-2002" Multimedia Cd-Rom, Cheryl Edwards

Graduate Research Papers

McKinley K-5 Elementary School created and mass-produced a multi-media CDROM correlating with the Social Studies Standards and Benchmarks of Muscatine Community School District. Each grade level designed and developed lyrics and music about the related grade level curriculum. Some classes created a multimedia presentation while others gave a fine arts program. This was a student-centered, hands-on activity that was formed during the 2001-2002 school year.

Criticism Of Middle School Curriculum Integration : A Review Of The Literature, Carrie Even

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review looks at curriculum integration at the middle school level. The literature predominantly has reflected curriculum integration as a practice that benefits middle school students, but it has received criticism as well. Some of the criticism includes the following: time needed for planning, teaming of teachers, student interest, standards and benchmarks being subject specific, and the lack of critical information in specific content areas. This review of the literature examines the criticism to understand whether curriculum integration is beneficial for students.

Recommendations about the continued use of curriculum integration at the middle school level include the following: continued …

Aligning Technology And Language Arts Standards, Catherine A. Feldmann

Graduate Research Papers

The standards of language arts and technology blend fluidly to provide for an optimal learning environment. Language Arts teachers and students of all levels can gain significantly from the incorporation of multimedia software into the curriculum. Educators demonstrate responsible teaching when the initiative is taken to incorporate these otherwise separate areas together. Multimedia provides for an additional method for students to obtain, demonstrate, and share information. The use of technology into all curricular areas helps to develop life skills that are considered necessities in many jobs today.

Technology Coordinators : The Relationship Between Employment Responsibilities And Need For Ongoing Professional Development, Mary C. Frese

Graduate Research Papers

The intent of this research paper is to examine the responsibilities of technology coordinators in the P-12 educational environment and the association of ongoing professional development for technology coordinators. The research cited indicated that the responsibilities of technology coordinators have evolved to include complex technical skills. Commonly cited duties include network administration, maintenance, instructional design, staff development, budgeting and acquisition, software evaluation and installation, multimedia production, management of communication and online resources. The extent of suggested expertise implies that technology coordinators have need for ongoing professional development. Informal conversations were held by this researcher with several technology coordinators to gather …

Differentiating Instruction Using Authentic, Performance Assessments And Technology Integration, Cynthia Seberg

Graduate Research Papers

A major challenge in education today is to be able to reach and teach all learners. Methodologies and strategies come and go. The philosophy of differentiated instruction, while not new, is being bandied about as the answer to working with all students of all abilities. The beliefs associated with differentiated instruction envelope methodologies and strategies associated with authentic assessment, performance-based assessment, and technology integration.

A common bond inherent within these philosophies is the growing emphasis on assessing students based on their ability to perform real-life tasks, and technology integration is the connecting link. Educators must become facilitators of meaningful learning …

Choosing Quality Multicultural Literature For Use In A General Classroom, Jill M. Dykstra

Graduate Research Papers

The history of multicultural education has changed from the conception of it in the 1960's until now. It emerged primarily in the 1960's, initially in response to cultural deprivation theory. Today, however, multicultural education is linked to cultural diversity. Most teachers use multicultural education and literature only if they have a diverse population; however, the belief is that all students need to experience diversity. Multicultural literature may help not only students to broaden their knowledge and information about others, but may also provide teachers with new ideas and perspectives.

Putting The Best Possible Teacher In The Classroom : Through Reflection And Self-Evaluation, Renee Fisher

Graduate Research Papers

Over the span of five months, an elementary school teacher uses reflection and self-evaluation methods to review her teaching. The process encourages improvement in areas concurrent with the Iowa Teaching Standards. Including a current portfolio, the teacher uses the medium of videotape to self-evaluate her teaching style and the evaluation by building administrator. Current research in teacher evaluation lends support to the need for self-evaluation. The completed portfolio becomes a working document chronicling the teacher's work in the classroom and career field. The results show the improvement that has occurred, along with areas to advance in.

Parents As Partners : The School-Home Connection, Jennifer Burkhart

Graduate Research Papers

Family literacy programs engage parents in small groups, help parents capitalize upon what they already do with literacy in the home while teaching new skills for parents to work with their children, and provide children with time to read together. Parents' attitudes have lifelong effects on a child's literacy (Morrow, 1995). Getting parents involved in emergent literacy activities has a positive effect on the child's own literacy and is associated with higher achievement and stronger cognitive skills (Anderson, 2000; de Jong and Leseman, 2001; Morrow, 2001 ). A family literacy program can better reinforce the internal motivation that parents and …

The Need For Handheld Computers In The Classroom, Joseph Nichols

Graduate Research Papers

The handheld computer has become a viable tool for education. It costs less, weighs less, and takes less space in the classroom than a desktop computer. This review of literature shows the merits of using handheld computers in the classroom. In order to appreciate the handheld computers, one needs to research the history of computers and how the handheld computer is being used in the corporate world, as well as by educators. By researching handheld computers past use and current trends, it should be possible to evaluate their impact in the classroom.

Developmental Spelling Instruction Through Word Study, Elizabeth Ann Overstake

Graduate Research Papers

This article is an overview of word sorts and word study that has evolved from research in developmental spelling. The five stages of developmental spelling are described. Analysis of four students' writing samples from a second grade classroom was utilized in this study. Spelling inventories from Words Their Way were used three times throughout the year to evaluate developmental stages of spelling. This alternative approach to spelling instruction, including word sorting, writing sorts, speed sorts, and word hunts is discussed in this article.

Accelerated Reader And Its Impact On Reading Comprehension And Lifelong Literacy, Julie Whiston

Graduate Research Papers

Computerized reading assessment programs such as Accelerated Reader (AR) are becoming prevalent in reading classrooms. After their reading level is determined, students take quizzes over the books they read. Points are earned by answering quiz questions correctly. A reward is often associated with earning a certain amount of points. The assessment program has many advantages. Students are allowed to choose the books that they read, and the program depends upon students having access to a wide variety of trade books. When used correctly, the program has been shown to increase reading scores and encourages students to read independently (Topping & …

Reading Between The "Signs", Sarah Durchenwald/Williamson

Graduate Research Papers

Teaching reading to hearing students, with the supplemental support of American Sign • Language, is a relatively new concept. Many components associated with sign language reinforce basic concepts of English. It teaches individual letter sounds, and names, and many of the signs for words emphasize beginning sounds, as well as meaning. Another important component of sign language is its bodily kinesthetic form of learning. Many students in public schools today are not learning through traditional teaching strategies. Incorporating sign language provides a multi-sensory approach to literal hands-on learning.

The following research outlines the principles behind teaching effectively using sign language …

Creating A Successful Online Class In An Alternative Educational Environment, Cathy L. Lewis

Graduate Research Papers

This paper's objective was to describe how creating an online class for alternative education students could benefit school districts. Alternative education is a continuing problem for school districts. Small school districts have difficulty affording alternative education environments. Online alternative programs also benefit students. Creating an online learning environment allows students to work at their own pace, stay in touch with their class, and perform at their own level. This paper's conclusions indicate alternative education programs can benefit through the creation of online classes.

The Motivating Aspects Of Technology, Mary Ascher

Graduate Research Papers

Motivation is the most challenging and complex issue facing educators today. There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. To foster life-long learning educators need to stimulate intrinsic motivation in their students. Three factors that stimulate and sustain intrinsic motivation include personal relationships, shared responsibility, and safety. The expectancy theory also identifies elements affecting motivation. Technology is a tool that fits into all of these factors to capture the students' motivation.

Females And Computer-Mediated Communication : New Technologies, New Challenges, Kelly Coleman

Graduate Research Papers

Advanced technologies are changing the face of higher learning by creating opportunities for those who wish to continue their education. On-line education, currently the most common mode of education delivery, has revolutionized the way in which learning takes place. Adult females appear to benefit greatly from computer-mediated communication distance learning due to its flexibility. However, there has been a general lack of research and focus on the females as distance learners and their success in on-line learning. This literature review examines the reasons why females comprise the majority of computer-mediated students and also looks at those barriers that keep women …

Using Technology To Provide More Objective Grading And Compliance With "No Child Left Behind", Kevin Suhr

Graduate Research Papers

In January of 2001, President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act. "The act redefines the federal role in K-12 education and will help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. It is based on four basic principles: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work" (No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 2003). The passing of the No Child Left Behind Act has added pressure to schools and departments around the country to meet …

Teacher Discourse In A Culturally Diverse Classroom, Madalina Tanase

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes the process of language acquisition, the interaction between home and school languages, and also offers strategies teachers should follow to acknowledge the diversity represented in the classrooms. The paper further discusses some behaviors teachers should display in order to enhance discussion among students. The purpose of this paper is to investigate cultural differences as well as language differences in the classroom and the ways teachers address these differences, by allowing diverse children to have a voice and thus to express their culture. Students come to school already having an informational background acquired at home and teachers try …

Retention In The Primary Grades, Joni Gunter

Graduate Research Papers

Every year children are retained because of teachers' recommendations. When teachers recommend retention, the major reason is that children are having difficulty keeping up with their peers, or they are not functioning at grade level on district or state tests. Teachers may also recommend retention if children are smaller than peers, immature, have a late birthday, have excessive absences as a result of illness, or a move, or when English is a Second Language. This study examined the benefits, problems, as well as alternatives to retention. Conclusions and recommendations were determined based on the written research on retention.

Universal Design For Learning, Julie Hill

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, diverse learning styles, assistive technology/ tools for learning in the regular education classroom. This paper will focus on teachers reevaluating their current curricula and how they should start looking at the presentation of materials within their curriculum and consider the barriers their students might have to each of these presentation types. This paper will go into depth about universal access and how important it is in the planning and purchasing of new curriculum materials. It will also discuss the importance of assistive …

Phonics Or Whole Language : Choosing The Most Effective Approach To Teach Reading, Alisha Sue Jobe

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the literature concerning the phonics reading approach and the whole language reading approach at the primary grade level. Benefits, as well as problems, associated with phonics and whole language were discussed. Guidelines were presented for teachers to use with the best reading approaches for children in the primary grades. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for teaching reading successfully to primary-age children.

Performance Improvement Or Training : What Is The Difference?, Travis Kramer

Graduate Research Papers

The issue of training or performance improvement in the corporate workplace is of vital importance to trainers, instructional designers, and human resource development specialists. Recent research indicates a need to reach beyond training to performance improvement.

This review provides insight into how training was conducted in the past, focusing on training that was specific to the task, compared to how training is conducted today. Today's organizations focus on improving the performance of the organization's employees. The use of knowledge management systems has emerged in initiatives that seek to improve an organizations performance.

In the future, it is recommended that training …

A Social Studies/Science Technology Project Manual For Upper Elementary Educators In The Dubuque Community School District, Jenny M. Kress

Graduate Research Papers

In the last five years, the Dubuque Community School District's technology infrastructure has grown tenfold. With the implementation of a district-wide networked computer system also came growing expectations for classroom teachers to provide technological opportunities for students (Dubuque Community School District, 2001). With the administration's eagerness to bring Dubuque's students into the information world, teachers have not been provided with any technology curriculum or manuals on how to incorporate computer projects into their lessons. This graduate research project was developed to give the classroom teacher a means to provide these technological opportunities in a very systematic and step-by-step manner. The …

What Parents And Teachers Want To Know About Schools And How Schools Can Advertise This Information Using Technology, Denise H. Krefting

Graduate Research Papers

Finding good teachers is becoming very competitive in our nation as a large number of teachers will be retiring and fewer people are entering the profession. Parents are now shopping for the school that they want their children to attend and then finding the home in that district. The possibility of school vouchers is encouraging this. Schools need to be able to advertise information to potential employees and parents of their school district.

The Waukee School district in Waukee, Iowa works to create an informational CD made available to parents and employees is used as an example of what information …

Using The Instructional Computing Design Process To Introduce And Incorporate The Boys Town Social Skills, Marcus R. Kurtz

Graduate Research Papers

The following paper takes an inside look on how to use the Instructional Computing Design process to create instructional software that focuses on the Boys Town Social Skills. Within the planning, designing, and development of this multimedia project, the paper will also concentrate on the projects standards, management of the project, and an ongoing evaluation of the project. A great amount of discussion in the paper focuses on how to develop software that is used to instruct and guide learners using the Boys Town Social Skills. Each step of the ICD process will be described to reveal how the Boys …