Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Mentoring : A Key To First Year Survival, Shannon Hartman

Graduate Research Papers

My research will be directed to answer the following questions: What push/pull factors draw new teachers away from the teaching profession? What strategies can be employed to increase teacher retention? To what degree is a mentoring program effective in teacher retention? What characteristics establish the effectiveness of a mentoring program?

The Transformation Of A Middle School Industrial Shop To A Modular Industrial Technology Lab And Communicating This Transformation To The Local Community, Lynn Figg

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this graduate project was to describe the transformation of a middle school industrial arts shop to a modular industrial technology lab and the subsequent public relations effort to communicate this transformation to the local community. This project facilitated a better understanding of what a modular industrial technology lab is, what it looks like, and how it meets the needs of the industrial technology curriculum.

A PowerPoint presentation was created to explain to the diverse audiences how the change from a traditional industrial arts "shop" class to a modular industrial technology lab at an intermediate school took place, …

Writing In The Kindergarten Classroom : It Can Be Done!, Stephanie Kartman

Graduate Research Papers

When discussing early writing Vicki Spandel (2001) brings up the following very important point: "We need to notice the little things (not just the big milestones) and put them to work to encourage our young writers, who are often doing much more than they get credit for'' (p. 321 ).

This project was built upon the idea that teachers would support writing through various instructional methods such as interactive, shared, and direct writing instruction. These activities are meant to supplement the Marion Independent School District kindergarten curriculum.

Shared Reading For Teaching English As A Foreign Language To Young Learners In Russia, Inna V. Kuznetsova

Graduate Research Papers

Shared Reading has proven to be very effective in developing language and literacy skills of children in the West. This project introduces Shared Reading as a curriculum component of English as a foreign language for young children in Russia. Review of the literature regarding the effectiveness of Shared Reading is described. The project includes two units of four lessons each that illustrate implementation of Shared Reading, oral language and other literacy activities. The project concludes with specific recommendations for dissemination of this work.

Cooperative Learning In The Middle School : Is It A Developmentally Appropriate Strategy?, Laura C. Guilford

Graduate Research Papers

"Cooperative learning is the instructional use of small groups so that students work together to maximize their own and each other's learning" (Holt, 1993, p. 5). The strategy sounds simple, and it has existed throughout history in some format, but there are many aspects.that come into play when cooperative learning is used. This review of literature examines what cooperative learning is, what the benefits of using cooperative learning strategies are, what problems can occur, and whether cooperative learning is an appropriate strategy for middle level students.· The author discusses recommendations for resolving some of the problems that teachers have with …

The Needs Of The Adult Learner : Typical Characteristics And How It Impacts The Training Process, Joleen W. Siebert

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review was conducted to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the characteristics of the adult learner, and the impact of those characteristics in implementation and training situations in a business environment. The review introduced this researcher to numerous theories, resources, and strategies proven to improve business training activities or programs.

The amount of available research provides evidence that business recognizes quality training must be provided to derive optimum results from training programs for their employees. It also confirms that understanding typical adult learner characteristics will enhance the learning situation when both the course designers and the …

Home-School Reading Journals And Parental Involvement, Annalisa Marie Miner

Graduate Research Papers

"When schools encourage children to practice reading at home with parents, the children make significant gains in reading achievement compared to those who only practice at school" (Tizard, 1982).

Throughout my teaching career I have always worked with many students who are from homes that do not participate often in school and do not appear to have school-like literacy activities as a part of their family culture. I want to find a way to involve all families as collaborators in increasing their children's literacy achievement, because I feel this will benefit the children academically and also create a love of …

Serving Students Through Multiple Learning Community Models, Howard N. Shapiro

Scholarly Publications

The learning communities program at Iowa State University began in the early 1990s as a localized effort of some faculty and staff and has grown into a thriving multiple-model program that enrolls approximately half of the first-year class. Currently, students are enrolled in a wide variety of learning communities, from those designed for specific academic majors to general residential programs. In the 2002-2003 academic year, 2,139 students participated in 46 communities organized into 119 teams. Assessments indicate that learning communities at Iowa State provide students with myriad academic and social benefits. All these communities hold in common an interest in …

How To Incorporate External Activities Into Courses For Your Students’ Benefit, Marissa Moran

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

The Potential Of Elearning In The Spatial Information Sciences: A Resource For Continuing Professional Development., Kevin Mooney, Audrey Martin

Conference Papers

National mapping agencies have at their disposal a number of resources for the continuing professional development of their staff. These range from attendance at full-time University programmes to short in-house tutorials and workshops. The Technological University Dublin has recently developed an eLearning course in ‘Co-ordinate reference systems for spatial information’ and piloted it with staff of Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of Lands and Surveys, Nicosia, Cyprus. This paper evaluates the performance of eLearning in the delivery of the pilot courses pointing to its weaknesses and its strengths. The need for considered and careful use of interactive tools such …

The Periodic Table Of The Elements, Michael A. Bailey

All Graduate Projects

The blueprint to the world of chemistry is encoded in the periodic table of the elements. This fundamental chart can be found in virtually all science classrooms in the world. The purpose of this project was to design a professional development course focusing on the periodic table of the elements. The target audience is college students working towards teaching science as a career, current teachers looking to enhance their understanding of the table, and resident teachers working towards continuing certification. In order to accomplish this purpose extensive literary research, the Washington State Academic Learning Requirements for science, published science lessons, …

A Web Design Curriculum For At-Risk Students, Aurelio Garcia Jr.

All Graduate Projects

Students today deal emotionally, physically and socially with many negative influences in their lives. Too frequently they are besieged by violent images, the propagation of illegal drug usage among friends and family as well as other negative environmental influences. These influences create barriers that inhibit student learning and cause students to pull away from friends, teachers and school. The implementation of a web design curriculum will help provide struggling students an opportunity to reconnect with school through the use of technology. The web design curriculum lessons also provide activities that address bullying, harassment, drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco usage, suicide …

A Model General Science Developmental Writing Skills Curriculum In Alignment With Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements, Troy L. Halfaday

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design a model general science curriculum, for seventh grade students, for implementation at Ballou Junior High School, Puyallup, Washington. The model curriculum was designed in alignment with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR's). To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature was reviewed. Additionally, related information from authorities was obtained and analyzed.

Physical Fitness And Student Academic Performance: A Handbook Of Fitness Activities For Elementary Teachers, Meghann Dunn-Gomez

All Graduate Projects

A handbook has been developed to aid in the integration of physical fitness and movement in an elementary classroom and/or to be used as a supplement to any existing elementary teaching cmTiculum. The handbook consists of eight content areas regarding the integration of physical fitness in the traditional elementary classroom setting: arts, communication, health, reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies. Each section of the project consists of a variety of lesson plans and activities to be implemented in elementary classrooms. Current literature and research surrounding the topic of integrating physical fitness and movement in the educational setting were …

Addressing The Washington State Health And Fitness Essential Academic Learning Requirements By Incorperating Yoga Into The Physical Education Curriculum, Nicola Joanne Stewart

All Graduate Projects

The benefits of balancing the physical, mental, and psychological well being of adolescents, was researched. The research suggests that yoga is a discipline that can greatly enhance the Washington State Health and Fitness Essential Academic Leaming Requirements, which are designed to give the student skills to Jive a healthy and active life. Lesson plans with illustrations have been created, which can assist educators in incorporating yoga into the existing physical education curriculum. Instructions are given on how to use the lesson plans, how to adapt them, and suggestions for educators to create their own lesson plans.

"Through The Looking Glass:" Teaching Literary Theory In The High School English Classroom, Alethea Young

All Graduate Projects

The project examines the historical context of Contemporary Literary Theories: Deconstruction, Marxist Literary Theory, Althusser's Theory ofldeology, and Feminist Literary Theory, through a review ofliterature. The project culminates in a 4-6 week unit on teaching Feminist Literary Theory, Marxist Literary Theory, and Deconstruction in connection with a unit on Rudolfo Anaya's award-winning novel, Bless Me, Wtima. The unit is designed for 10th grade Honors Language Arts classes.

Approaching Equity: Strategies For Working With Hispanic Students In The Middle School Health Science Classroom, Heather L. Jones

All Graduate Projects

This project provides middle school science teachers with practical classroom strategies for working with Hispanic students. The strategies are built upon national and state recommendations as well as other expert opinions which can be found in the Review of Literature. The strategies align with the Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Washington state. For each strategy, a rationale is provided based on the literature review. In addition, each strategy includes a detailed explanation, along with specific examples. The strategies themselves address environmental, communicative, pedagogical, as well as assessment considerations. Recommendations for implementation are also discussed.

Robotics Technologies For K-8 Educators: A Semiotic Approach For Instructional Design, Antoinette P. Bruciati

Education Faculty Publications

Robotics engineering courses have provided undergraduate computer science students with opportunities for designing and programming simulations of robotic tasks. In contrast, many teacher preparation programs have lacked courses in this area. Educators who have not gained a conceptual understanding of computer programming may not possess the skills that would have enabled them to successfully integrate robotics technologies into their K-8 curriculum.

Recent technological advances have provided a viable means of approaching this problem. Several icon-orientated robotics technologies have been identified that allow educators to master computer programming concepts through a simplified graphical user interface (GUI) design.

This investigation addressed the …

Encouraging Civil Behavior In Large Classes, Mary Deane Sorcinelli

Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education: Archives

This essay offers practical advice for promoting a positive classroom community in large classes and specific ways to deal with behaviors that affect negatively the teaching and learning process.

The Local Framing Of Latino Educational Policy, Edmund T. Hamann

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

In many parts of the country, Latino newcomers are encountering educational policies that were framed by non-Latino local leaders. This study, an ethnography of educational policy, depicts an unorthodox assemblage of policy framers from both the United States and Mexico who shaped the local education policies aimed at Latino newcomers in Dalton, GA, in the 1990s. The study considers the evolving underlying understandings of these framers and the strategies that resulted, considering also why a temporary consensus that launched an impressive initiative—the Georgia Project—ultimately

Reexamining The Role Of Cognitive Conflict In Science Concept Learning, Sukjin Kang, Lawrence C. Scharmann, Taehee Noh

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

Abstract In this study, we defined and quantified the degree of cognitive conflict induced by a discrepant event from a cognitive perspective. Based on the scheme developed, we investigated the relationship between cognitive conflict and conceptual change, and the influences of students’ cognitive characteristics on conflict in learning the concept of density. Subjects were 171 seventh-grade girls from two city middle schools in Korea. Tests regarding logical thinking ability, field dependence/independence, and meaningful learning approach were administered. A preconception test and a test of responses to a discrepant event were also administered. Computer-assisted instruction was then provided to students as …

Integrating The Six Traits Of Reading Into Literature Circle Discussion Groups : Moving Towards Thoughtful Literacy In A Title I Classroom, Kristin N. Carew

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the effects of integrating The Traits of Effective Readers into student-led literature circle discussion groups within the Title I reading classroom. This research was conducted with fourth grade students in an attempt to see if this method of instruction improved students' reading comprehension and motivation. The researcher was the teacher in the Title I classroom, and acted as a facilitator within the literature circle discussions.

The study results showed gains in students' comprehension in varying degrees, depending largely on the assessment used. Results from the attitude survey, however, showed that student motivation toward reading was significantly improved. …

Cooperative Learning And Reading Strategies On The Secondary Level, Kathryn Magner Panoch

Graduate Research Papers

In order for students to become skilled readers, they need to become effective readers, which means rereading, drawing inferences, and relating new knowledge to existing knowledge (Tovani, 2000). Skilled readers know the purpose for which they are reading, and they are directly involved in their reading. This project demonstrates how to successfully incorporate cooperative learning and reading strategies into the classroom at the secondary level.

Multiple Intelligences Of Young Adolescents, Kelly A. Schloss

Graduate Research Papers

This study investigated how multiple intelligences related specifically to young adolescents. Self-perceptions of seventh and eighth graders, attending a large middle school and a moderately sized junior high in Iowa, were compared. Intelligence categories rated by students included intrapersonal, interpersonal, body/kinesthetic, mathematical/logical, verbal/linguistic, visual/spatial, and music/rhythmic.

Implications for this research include utilizing activity based instruction, promoting risk free learning opportunities for girls, implementing developmentally responsive practices at the middle level, providing educational support for low socio-economic students who may lack other resources often needed for success, and using visual, kinesthetic and musical approaches to learning for learning disabled students.

The Evolution Of Distance Education: Bridging The Gap Between Teacher And Students, Theresa Zeigler

Graduate Research Papers

Distance learning has been present in our educational society for numerous years, but has evolved more rapidly and attention has been focused more intently during the past two decades. The advancements in technology have allowed for distance learning to reach beyond the traditional boundaries and deliver instruction to learners in diverse locations at time that are convenient to their needs. The recent trend in the increased number of courses available via television and the Internet demonstrates the need for asynchronous learning opportunities for students. However, historical studies in the area of distance education have not always focused on student learning …

Grandparents In Education Project, Kim Renee Freund

Graduate Research Papers

The research strongly suggests that family involvement in education is vital to a child's academic achievement (Epstein, 1987; Zill, 1996). The Grandparent in Education Project goes beyond the parents and into the previous generation of grandparents. In many families grandparents have played a key role in children's lives. Today the numbers of grandparents that help raise or are full-time guardians to children are on the rise (Bafile, 1999). It is a logical connection to include them in today's educational environment.

Another important component is technology and the current role it plays in society. Digital media is continuing to influence communication …

Literacy Instruction In First Grade Classrooms : Teachers Trained In Reading Recovery In Comparison With Teachers Who Have Not Been Trained, Trisha Fuelling

Graduate Research Papers

This investigation attempts to demonstrate the importance of having trained Reading Recovery teachers in first grade classrooms. Reading education has always been a vital part of curricula in school districts across America. Successful reading requires numerous basic processes, such as the identification of letters, the mapping of letters onto sounds, word decoding, the recognition of words, and the use of syntax and semantic cues. Several areas of learning such as emergent literacy also facilitate the process of reading. Reading involves recognition of visual patterns-groups of words, word parts, clusters of letters and single letters. Reading also involves knowledge of the …

Parents Join The Club : Inviting Parents And Children To Participate In A Family Book Club, Kimberly Gansen

Graduate Research Papers

A fifth grade elementary teacher who regularly uses book clubs as a part of her reading program offers the parents of her students the opportunity to learn about and participate in a book club with their children. The parents of the teacher's 24 students were invited to attend an informational meeting to learn how book clubs function in their child's classroom and to discover the value of discussion in developing and promoting reading comprehension. Eight parents and their children joined the Family Book Club. They all read In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Betty Bao Lord …

"Speling It Rite Eevn Aftr The Test" : What Students Can Tell Us, Jennifer L. Heckmann

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes a teacher inservice designed to aid teachers in implementing a developmental spelling program in an elementary setting. Developmentally appropriate instruction in spelling takes into account a student's existing knowledge of words. Such a program consists of understanding each student's level of knowledge, selecting word lists to meet the students' needs; providing explicit instruction about spelling patterns, and continually assessing students' spelling progress through authentic, written work

The questions this project will address include: (a) Why should a developmental spelling program be implemented, (b) what research supports a developmental approach to spelling instruction, (c) what are the potential …

Reconceptualizing Mathematics Education, Melinda Ann Smith

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

This dissertation is to explore theoretically mathematics education in the United States and the need for reconcepualizing mathematics education. Mathematics education needs reconceptualizing because students know very little mathematics by the time they graduate from high school. Mathematics has become a subject to be feared and dreaded for centuries. High school teachers blame middle school teachers, middle school teachers blame elementary teachers, and elementary teachers blame parents for their students' lack of preparedness in mathematics. Elementary teachers express frustration in teaching mathematics because of their own lack of content knowledge and lack of preparation for the mathematics component of their …