Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Building A Computer Network For Schools, Robert Kleinow

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

This …

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

Factors That Influence Independent Reading Habits, Janice Rose Rosauer

Graduate Research Papers

As our society begins to look for ways to raise the literacy level in the United States the focus is centered on our schools and helping students become life long readers. Questions have arisen about why some students have developed an aversion to reading at early ages and why some students who have strong reading skills choose not to read on a regular basis. The purpose of this research was to explore upper elementary students' attitudes about reading and explore different factors that influence these students to develop the motivation to engage in independent reading.

Parents as well as the …

Integrating The Research Process In The Early Primary Curriculum, Laurie Jean Hazel

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to design a developmentally appropriate curriculum that provides primary teachers with the rationale, planning, procedures, and guidance needed to incorporate research projects into their primary grade curriculum. This program is not limited to talented and gifted students; it is recommended for all students.

The literature review consists of profiling the work of teachers and authors in the field of education who incorporate research techniques into their teaching practice. The literature builds a foundation for the importance and benefits of research skills and projects for students of all ages and ability levels.

When primary students …

Geritol For Geriatric Computers, Robbin D. Poling

Graduate Research Papers

This paper looks at the recycling of older computers in an elementary school. With the budgetary cutbacks that most school districts are facing, reusing older equipment is one way to meet student needs and still exist within a tight budget. This paper reflects research done in the areas of keyboard curriculum, which keyboard is used the most, and at what point in a student's academic life should this topic be introduced. The project describes a current development in a local school trying to pool older resources to allow for a better use of these machines.

Meeting The Needs Of Gifted Students Through Teacher Inservicing, Amy M. Akers

Graduate Research Papers

Inservicing classroom teachers in compacting, independent study, and mentoring may help them become more effective in meeting the instructional needs of talented and gifted students. It is easier for teachers to apply learning if it is easily applicable to their own classroom instruction, and if the learning seems manageable for the teacher. This project includes an inservice model that contains applicable teaching strategies and an inservice plan for teachers. Teaching talented and gifted students through appropriate teaching strategies and becoming aware of these students' needs in the classroom can assure that students are challenged to realize their full learning potential. …

Proponents And Opponents For Rewarding Children, Shelly Bromwich

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

Literature Based Social Studies Versus Textbook Based Social Studies, Kathrine Jean Kellogg

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of literature based social studies versus textbook based social studies in mastery of information. Using a pre-test and a post-test, control group, experimental design, and a t-test for non-independent variables, it was found that the experimental group achieved higher test scores than the control group. Results of the t-test yield a t-value of 3.00 with 18 degrees of freedom with a .05 level of significance. This shows that the results are 95% certain that the differences between the two groups' performances on the post test are due to the variation …

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

Multiage Classrooms : Setting Up A Quality Program, Jan Lindeman

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

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

Parent/Teacher Communication In A Middle School Setting, Christine Joan Bailey

Graduate Research Papers

This paper discusses the importance of parental involvement in a child's education. It examines the barriers that occur which prevent communication from taking place between parents and teachers. Effective communication strategies are presented to foster genuine interaction between families and schools. This paper explores the following question: How do effective middle school teachers create and maintain a positive working relationship with parents.

The purpose of this study is to: 1) research current literature to find different communication techniques being used by teachers, with an emphasis at the middle school level, and determine why parents and teachers communicate less often as …

Math Problem Solving In The Classroom, Mary Jane Conrad

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes the important aspects for teaching problem solving in mathematics. Problem solving was used to introduce the concepts as well as to practice them. This research paper discusses mathematical concepts and skills in a student-centered environment of a multi-aged first and second grade classroom in a parochial school and investigates the effects of the approach on students, teacher, and curriculum.

In many primary classrooms mathematics is taught in ways that fail to connect with young children's prior knowledge and ways of learning. The cumulative effect is such that students tend to do math procedures, rather than apply math …

An Analysis Of Student Reaction To The Use Of Interactive Video And Hypermedia To Enhance Post-Secondary Biological Science Education, Paulette A. Church

Graduate Research Papers

The perceived effect on student learning provided by interactive technology in the biological sciences has been studied on a small, private, two-year college campus. The first portion of the study was the perceived effectiveness of interactive video when used for class presentations for biological science majors. The second portion of the study evaluated five campus-produced interactive laserdisc tutorials designed for individual and group use for students taking a general introductory biology lab course.

Writing Portfolios In A First Grade Classroom, Lisa A. Friday

Graduate Research Papers

Much attention has been given to the authentic assessment of children's involvement in the writing process. Such assessment entails descriptive, or qualitative techniques. One descriptive technique is portfolios. In developing portfolios, students can become actively involved in their own learning and in establishing goals for future learning. Thus, instruction can be more closely related to assessment.

How writing portfolios were implemented in a first grade classroom is discussed. Two reluctant writers were particularly focused on as they developed their writing portfolios. These children selected exhibits for their portfolios with support from their teacher. As they developed their collections, the students …

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

Promoting Literacy : The Parent Link, Joby L. Mcgowan

Graduate Research Papers

This article is written for beginning teachers of the primary grades to provide tools for empowering parents as co-educators in the reading curriculum. Parents play a crucial role in the development of their child's learning. By inviting them to take joint ownership in their child's education, a teacher can build a bridge of communication that will stimulate success for both parent and child.

An overview of how to begin to build the bridge with parents and empowering those parents to become involved is presented. Then, several strategies for decoding text and boosting a child's sight word vocabulary will be discussed. …

Meeting The Needs Of The Learning Disabled-Gifted Child : A Problem Of Non-Identification, Jill R. Nooren

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to ascertain possible solutions to remedy the pervasive problem of the failure to identify and meet the needs of learning disabled-gifted children. Using a literature review, the writer sought to determine the characteristics of learning disabled-gifted children, perceived barriers to the identification of learning disabled-gifted children, and programming approaches that would best meet the needs of these unique learners.

How To Plan For Library Automation, Ann Petersen

Graduate Research Papers

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

An Effective Writing Program That Meets The Needs Of Lower Elementary Students, Marita R. Schroeder

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to examine current research on the writing process, to identify major elements of an effective writing program, and then implement a writing program for young children which encompasses the major elements. The elements of the writing program implemented within the classroom were: modeling (by the teacher, children and authors), daily writing, conferencing (mini-lessons), publishing, and special projects. It was found that a carefully structured writing program enhances the writing of students in the classroom. The process approach to writing values the students as well as the writing process. This approach is an ideal way …

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

Graduate Research Papers

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

Photographs To Enhance The Exhibits In Writing Portfolios, Carol R. Winterboer

Graduate Research Papers

Writing portfolios in a third grade classroom were used to more closely relate assessment to students' instructional needs. Photographs of students' involvement in experiences across the curriculum were offered for students to use with their writing. The photographs served to enhance the students' pieces of writing or were used in place of an artifact that was impractical to include in a portfolio. Writing samples related to two thematic units, one in science and the other in social studies, are discussed. Descriptions of the children's writing experiences, photographs that accompany student selected pieces, and students' self-reflections are presented. This portfolio experience …

Information Literacy: Its Implications For Education, Lisabeth Underhill

Graduate Research Papers

This paper explores the concept of information literacy and its implications for education. Discussion begins with a look at the shift in America's economy toward information services. The skills necessary to function productively in this Information Age are examined to demonstrate the critical nature of information literacy. In the context of information literacy, educational reform such as resource-based learning and a process approach to information skills instruction are discussed. This discussion leads to recommendations for best preparing students for the 21st century.