Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

The Meyersville School's Utilization Of Windows On Science, Art D. Anthony

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine if the students and teachers of Meyersville School, Meyersville, Texas, liked the Windows on Science^® program better than learning and teaching science using the traditional book. All students, grades three through six, and teachers, grades one through six, were surveyed regarding their opinion of Windows on Science^®.

This field experience indicated the students and teachers liked the Windows on Science^® program better than using standard science textbooks. The male students had a higher mean score than the female students or teachers. The teachers felt they needed more experiments to help …

The Effects Of Audiotape Self-Monitoring On Direct Instruction Teacher Presentation Techniques, Kay D. Simon Brynildson

Masters Theses

Prior research has shown that several Direct Instruction teacher presentation techniques are functionally related to student academic achievement. Unfortunately, variability exists in the implementation of Direct Instruction programs with regard to these critical teaching skills. Monitoring of Direct Instruction teachers appears necessary to ensure program effectiveness. The present study employed a multiple baseline across subjects experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of audiotape self-monitoring in improving and maintaining five Direct Instruction teacher presentation techniques: clear signalling, pacing, corrections, contingent reinforcement and student accuracy. The subjects were two middle school special education teachers who taught Direct Instruction corrective reading programs. Both …

Performance Expectation Based Broadcast Education, Mark L. Hamilton

Masters Theses

Parcells (1985; Parcells & Hadwiger, 1984) data from a census survey of every commercial radio station manager in five states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa) to ascertain entry-level skills, long-term success characteristics, and advice for success in radio careers indicated that a reorientation of broadcast education was in order. Essentially, it challenged higher educators to respond by revising curriculum, instruction, textbooks, advisement, and overall subject matter to reflect the "new reality" of the communication industry. This study moves beyond the area of curriculum and instruction to discover whether broadcast graduates are being properly prepared for careers in the communication …

Selective Methods Of Teaching Secondary English: The Scarlet Letter: A Study And Application Of The Collaborative And Mastery Learning Methods, Janine M. Kardas

Masters Theses

This study is about the relationship of content in teaching to the process in teaching for the purpose of helping students to become better readers of literature. This study investigates two selected teaching strategies supported by research to be effective, and applies them to the teaching of a canonical piece of literature, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This study employs literary theory in the development of the objectives and applies both cooperative learning and mastery learning methods to the teaching of this novel. Two sets of lesson plans are developed from the objectives and subsequently analyzed for their effectiveness …

The Role Of Socialization In The Process Of Political Life: An Analysis Of Gender Roles In Elementary School Textbooks On Taiwan, Chien-Hong Lee

Masters Theses

This thesis contains both theoretical and applied research. In the theoretical part, political socialization is the main theme to be studied; and an incorporated model is designed to examine how political socialization can be viewed in the process of political life. In the applied part, three sets of elementary school textbooks have been examined and we have found that those textbooks contain clear sex-typed images of adult behavior; and male characters are emphasized more than female characters, which might contribute to the understanding why women are rarely seen in any positions of power in any realm on Taiwan.

Education For Employment: An Update Of Kalamazoo County's Career Education Model, Wendy French

Masters Theses

The major accomplishment of this project was the creation of career education goals that have been accepted by the nine Kalamazoo County school districts involved in Education for Employment. These broad goals are infusable into all the local districts as they review each curricula.

The essential skills of problem solving, group responsibilities, and basic skills are not subject specific and can therefore be addressed in all curriculum areas. Abilities and indicators are listed with the goals to help local districts specifically address student needs.

The Education for Managing the Future (Career Education K-6) committee, as a sub-group of Education for …

An Analysis Of The Impacts Of The Illinois Board Of Higher Education' S Admission Requirements On Selected High Schools In East Central Illinois, Stephen C. Selle

Masters Theses

The Illinois Board of Higher Education in 1985 instituted mandatory subject admission requirements for all state universities beginning in the year 1990. Subsequent legislative action by the Illinois General Assembly has moved these requirements back to 1993. This field experience investigated the possible impacts of these requirements on rural schools of under 500 students in east central Illinois. A cover letter explaining the purpose of the study and a two page questionnaire were mailed to twenty- one schools. Sixteen schools in the counties of Vermillion, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, and Will responded and were the focus of the study. Enrollment patterns …

A Curriculum Response To Budgetary And Marketing Pressures On A Two-Year Community College Engineering Technology Program (Microprecision Technology), Gerald R. Hough

Masters Theses

The process described is a program level response to institutional-wide budgetary restraints. The program in question is a two-year engineering technology associate degree program (Microprecision Technology). The major focus deals with:

1. reducing unit cost

2. improving marketability (recruiting)

3. improving transferability (as it relates to recruiting

The reductions in cost center around the ratio of contact hours to credit hours in the specialty courses as well as a reduction in the number of such courses. Issues dealing with marketability are directly related to the unique nature of the program and the difficulties involved in the public presentation of such …

Effects Of New Science Textbooks On Selected Sixth And Eighth Grade Students At Crestwood Elementary School, Paris, Illinois, David R. Pruim

Masters Theses

This paper describes the results of a six-month field study to determine the effects of a newly adopted and implemented junior-high level science textbook series on student achievement. This study took place in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade science classrooms of Crestwood Elementary School, Paris, Illinois, from December 1988, until May of 1989. This study compared the science achievement of two groups of students in both their sixth and eighth grade years. The Normal Curve Equivalents or NCE's and letter grades as given by the junior-high level science teachers at Crestwood, were analyzed using non-independent t tests. Descriptive data …

Effects Of Instructional Television In Math, Science And Language Arts In Two Small Elementary Schools, Delbert Maroon

Masters Theses

This field experience investigated the effects of instructional television on academic achievement of fifth and sixth grade students in two small elementary schools in Bond County. A two tailed t-test for the difference of means at the .05 level of significance was used to analyze the data collected. A self assessment survey collected from nine teachers determined that no significant differences in opinion existed between members of the teaching staff regarding instructional television usage. An analysis of student grades determined that no significant increase in student grades was found in the comparisons made. Results of this study indicate that the …

Evaluation Of The Language Arts Curriculum In Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District #100, Keith Ashcraft

Masters Theses

Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District #100 in Cerro Gordo, Illinois has a student population of approximately 700 pupils. The schools are located within Cerro Gordo, a village of 1600 residents, but gain students from surrounding areas in the ninety-nine square mile district. Most of the parents are employed in farming or in Decatur which is twelve miles to the east.

During the 1985-86 school year teachers were surveyed as to what academic area needed evaluation. The teachers selected language arts as the subject for study. A committee of volunteers was formed and began meeting.

The researcher served as committee …

A Curriculum Review And Coordination And Articulation Study Of The Niantic-Harristown Unit School District #6, David O. Bills

Masters Theses

Reform of the public schools is a major issue in Illinois today. Numerous reports claim that public education is mediocre at best. These reports have fostered public concern that has led to a call for school accountability that has caused those involved in education to take a close look at their schools. In this atmosphere of school accountability, a careful and thorough examination of the school curriculum by the local administration can be useful.

Strong instructional leadership from the Superintendent of Schools in a local school district is an important characteristic of an effective school. In the face of state …

An Evaluation Of The Primary Prevention Of Substance Abuse Program Of Mattoon Community Unit School District Number Two, Kathryn Hanneken

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Primary Prevention of Substance Abuse Program grades kindergarten through six in Mattoon Community Unit School District Number Two, Mattoon, Illinois. In order to accomplish this purpose the study utilized the Purpose--Input--Process--Outcome—Decision Model for program evaluation. The study was divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 presents the background and statement of the problem of substance use and abuse by America’s youth. Chapter 2 is a review of current literature and related research. For organizational purposes, the literature and research are divided into two sections: the problem of substance abuse …

The Effectiveness Of Video Tape Monitoring Of Direct Instruction Procedures Across Teachers, John H. Cottrell

Masters Theses

A multiple baseline across subjects experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of monitoring subject performance and providing feedback regarding the implementation of Direct Instruction (DI) procedures from video taped recordings of the subject's presentations of the DI lessons upon the implementation of those DI procedures. The subjects were two junior high school special education teachers who teach reading using the SRA Corrective Reading; Decoding B program. The DI lessons were recorded on VHS video tape and observational data were recorded during baseline. During intervention, a monitor also provided feedback on the subjects performance using examples from the video …

Summary And Analysis Of. Scores On The Michigan Educational Assessment Tests For The Portage Public Schools (1980-1984), Jim Migliaccio

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to identify the specific areas of weakness and strength in the mathematics and reading programs of the Portage Public Schools in grades 4, 7, and 10, by isolating each of the skill areas and the specific objectives within each of those skill areas by comparing the scores of students in the Portage Public Schools with the scores of all other students in the State of Michigan for five (5) years (1980-1984). After identifying areas of strength and weakness, the intent was to recommend possible remedies for those areas determined to be in need of …

Cognitive Levels Of Thinking For Religious Training Materials And Infusion Across The Curriculum, Patrick Low

Masters Theses

The major accomplishment of this project was the creation of cognitive levels of questions spanning Bloom's (1964) taxonomy of learning, fostering religious training in nontraditional class settings at Kalamazoo Christian High School, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Classes involved were business mathematics, health, and physical education.

Descriptors, i.e., key terms, were developed from teachers' goals and objectives. Descriptors were then checked in a concordance to help develop Scripture reference for question development. Weekly or biweekly, participating teachers and the curriculum committee were supplied draft sections of the project; they gave feedback relative to usefulness and acceptability.

The results have been termed "very useful" …

Integration Of Visual Art With Other Subjects In The Illinois High Schools, Laura Lynn Pottala-Irle

Masters Theses

The true nature of this work is to show that integration of visual art is taking place in the Illinois High Schools. This conclusion is the result of a survey sent out to a group of Illinois High Schools. The results show that the Central and Southern Illinois High Schools have more integration of academic subjects incorporated in their curriculum compared to Northern Illinois High Schools. Yet integration of other art subjects are taught more in the Northern Illinois High Schools then the Central or Southern Illinois High Schools. Physical Education proved to be the subject least likely to be …

The Evaluation And Selection Process Of Instructional Games And Toys, Linda Kay Young

Masters Theses

Games and toys used in the classroom have been determined to be an effective means of instruction. The more teachers know about the games and toys being used in their classrooms, the more valuable these games and toys will be to their teaching and their students' learning. The main focus of this study was to gain understanding of the qualities and characteristics of instructional games and toys that will affect the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of the student at the elementary level. This study examined the criteria that was considered important by "experts in the field" and validated those …

A Report Of An Internship At Western Michigan University In The Office Of Instructional Development And Project Excite, Leslie K. Scofield

Masters Theses

The objective of this internship was to develop instructional development skills with microcomputers. The Office of Instructional Development at Western Michigan University agreed to provide the following opportunities: teach inservice Project EXCITE (EXpanding with Computers and Information TEchnology) Computer Literacy workshops; develop new course materials for the Continuing Literacy workshops; develop new course materials for the Continuing Education Computer Literacy workshops; develop a computerized bulletin board, and an interactive (video and microcomputer) training program demo.

The intern worked as a teaching assistant during a fifth; developed new course materials for computer literacy workshops; reviewed computer bulletin boards that operate on …

A Computer Aided Instructional System And Its Application Towards A Course On Snobol4 Programming Language, Abtin Edelji

Masters Theses

Computers are rapidly replacing humans in many tasks. Computer Aided Instructional System is an application of the computer in the teaching of a subject. Currently, a large number of educational Institutes use Computer Aided Instructional Systems.

The objectives of this thesis is to review some techniques in implementing such systems and to present a Computer Aided Instructional System called TEACH. The emphasis of this thesis is on the type of the directory used to minimize the search time for the TEACH System.

An Analysis Of The Administrative Operation Of Project Abe (Arts In Basic Education) In Community Unit District #1, Charleston, Illinois, Suellyn Garner

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience was to analyze the administrative operation of a project called Arts in Basic Education (hereafter referred to as Project ABE), of which the author was director. The project was developed through ESEA Title IV-c grants in the six elementary schools of Community Unit District Number One in Charleston, Illinois, from 1978-1982. In 1983, through a contract from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (Chapter II), Project ABE began a dissemination program which allowed 60 other schools in Illinois to adopt it. This paper is a result of …

A Proposal For The Development Of A Computer Literacy Curriculum In The Charleston School District, David Robert Carey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to develop a computer literacy infusion plan for Community Unit School District Number One in Charleston, Illinois. The plan was developed to extend and build upon the existing computer usage study prepared in 1982. Specifically, this plan was prepared to provide direction and recommendations in the form of curriculum development, planning for staff development, and improved software and hardware selection processes for the elementary schools in Charleston.

A review of the research and literature revealed that the computer and its use has developed at a remarkable rate since the late 1970's. Successful projects throughout …

A Student Developed Minimum Competency Test For Donovan High School Study And Use, Stephen Anthony Shuda

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to research the literature concerning minimum competency testing and using twelfth grade students at Donovan High School, develop a student originated minimum competency test. Further consideration was given to potential use in curriculum study and minimum competency evaluation.

The students were instructed in the basics of minimum competency tests and testing programs. Care was given to not bias their choice or selection processes.

The completed test was evaluated and considered to be a foundation for future studies in minimum competency testing and curriculum applications.

Procedure

Although this project was designed …

Instructional Media Materials Used In The Physical Education Program At Eastern Illinois University 1899-1984, Marina Su-Chin Yu

Masters Theses

This study was designed to research the development of the physical education program at Eastern Illinois University relative to its use of audio visual materials. The period covered was 1899-1984. The curriculum of physical education was researched from 1899-1924 to provide background for the reporting of the early use of audio visual materials.

The writer interviewed Dr . Gene W. Scholes, Director of the Audio Visual Center, and checked the Center's inventory records. The writer also interviewed staff members of the Physical Education Department and thereby established that instructional media materials were used extensively in athletics and in departmental activities. …

A Study Of Arts Education In The State Of Illinois, Debbie J. Raymer

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to reveal the past position and present status of arts programs in general education for the state of Illinois. For the past two decades, the arts have experienced tremendous cutbacks and a general lack of support. This study discloses Illinois' course of action for developing, expanding, and advocating the arts in general education.

The introduction to this study is designed to provide helpful background information on the state of the arts on the national level in order to compare similar problems and progress as achieved by the state of Illinois.

Beginning with the year …

A Sophomore World History Gifted Program: A Second-Tiered Curriculum, Franz Grossman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study is to describe the establishment of a second level of instruction in a Western World History course, offered in the sophomore year of the public high schools of Decatur, Illinois, District #61. This program of studies is designed to more fully develop the intellectual capabilities of students of high abilities, who may otherwise feel restrained as a member of a class containing many different academic levels. The curriculum seeks to aid students in developing more self-direction, confidence and historical awareness by various approaches of study of events, personalities of the past, dilemmas and conflicts …

Needs Assessment Model For Microcomputer Utilization By Public School Systems, Michael W. Throneburg

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to prepare a needs assessment for development of administrative and instructional programs using the microcomputer at Paris High School in Paris, Illinois. It was hypothesized that this study might serve as a model for other school districts wishing to establish microcomputer programs.

A Microcomputer Survey Questionnaire was developed to gain information concerning the current status of microcomputer utilization throughout the Educational Service Region 11 of East-Central Illinois. This information proved valuable in helping to determine what was "actually'' taking place in area school districts regarding microcomputer utilization.

In addition, a review of the current …

Knowledge Mapping: A System For The Design And Construction Of Curricula, Linda M. Tipper

Masters Theses

This article presents a concise system for guiding content planners in the selection and analysis of content for any curriculum. The Knowledge Mapping system is compared to other curriculum development systems and is shown to meet some current needs which these systems have not met. An analysis of the Knowledge Map is provided and a demonstration of the impact that Knowledge Mapping can have on curriculum construction is presented. The demonstration illustrates that the use of this system can provide a tool for content planners which leads to a greater consistency between objectives and evaluation materials. The multiple uses of …

American Arts And Artists Of The Twentieth Century: 1900-1941, Janet M. Ryan

Masters Theses

"American Arts and Artists of the Twentieth Century: 1900-1941" is a prepared course of study developed for the high-school or junior-college-level humanities student. One to three literary, musical, and visual artists were selected to represent a decade. Because of the amount of material to be covered, and because of the limited time in which to present it, the first four decades of the twentieth century are considered.

The study consists of fifty, one-hour sessions which are divided into two units: "The First Two Decades: 1900-1918"; and "Between the Wars: 1919-1941." Each unit is made up of individual lessons devoted to …

A Plan And Guide For The Implementation Of A Computer Curriculum At Southeast Fountain Elementary School, Robert Joseph Baker

Masters Theses

This project was developed to provide an orderly plan for the introduction of microcomputers into the total curriculum. A computer curriculum was developed that became a vibrant part of the total experience at the elementary level. The uniqueness of an elementary curriculum has been the manner in which each subject area complemented the other. Science, for example, has not been taught as an independent content area. It has been taught as an extension of the reading program. Also computer instruction must be blended with the other disciplines.

It was the purpose of this study (1) to show a plan for …