Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

A Proactive Strategy For Teaching Evolution, Lawrence C. Scharmann

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

Biology teachers are fortunate when topics to be addressed possess inherent qualities that interest students. Classical genetics rarely fails to interest secondary school students because it is introduced at a time when they are self-absorbed with their nascent physical characteristics, emerging sexuality, and/or future athlet- ic potential. A topic like genetics is always an easier sell than would be taxonomy, for instance. How should one treat topics that traditionally are tougher to teach? A simple but effective method for self-assessing readiness to teach a particular topic is to be prepared to respond to the questions, "Why do I have to …

Improving Teacher Quality Through An On-Line Professional Development Course: A Research Study, Ekaterina Koubek, Aleidine Kramer Moeller

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

This study investigated how in-service teachers of foreign languages constructed knowledge, and how this knowledge transformed their teaching, their beliefs, and their sense of themselves as professionals in an on-line professional development course based on a constructivist approach. This article provides an overview of research on distance education, constructivism, and teacher education with findings from a multiple case study of an on-line graduate course on Instructional Planning offered through GOLDEN (German On-line Distance Education Network; http://manila.unl.edu/amoeller/golden), a collaborative professional development project of the AATG (American Association of Teachers of German; http://aatg.org/member_services/lists/aatg-l.html ), the Goethe Institut of Washington DC ( …

The Influence Of Globalisation On The National Education Policies Of Developing Countries, Sajid Ali

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Globalisation as the most powerful phenomenon of the present time is widely contested for its positive and negative outcomes. This article distinguishes between political, economic and cultural globalisation and argues that globalisation as a process is mostly led and appreciated by the developed countries to meet their desired objectives, whereby underdeveloped countries are hurled into this process. Less equipped and less informed, these underdeveloped countries often stand in q disadvantaged position. The article maintains that several supra national economic, cultural and political organisations are the manifestation of the process of globalisation, which has made the policy making, process a complex …

Walk With Your Kids: Early Childhood Pedestrian Injury Prevention Project: Classroom Activies: Pre-Primary, Marnie House, Maree James

Research outputs pre 2011

This resource contains learning activities designed to provide a review for children of the five road crossing steps, to introduce chiidren to sequencing these steps and then road crossing scenarios to build children's problem solving skills. The learning activities are designed to be developmentally and cognitively appropriate for pre-primary children, with a focus on learning through play.

Students With Either Specific Learning Disabilities Or With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Perceptions Of Self As Learner In Online Courses At Florida Virtual School And In The Traditional Learning Environment, Theresa Smouse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research study was to investigate the perception of self as learner for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Students who had completed at least one mathematics or science course at Florida Virtual School, an online learning environment, were surveyed concerning their perception of self as learner in the online learning environment and in the traditional learning environment in 6 basic areas: feelings of success; level of comfort; relationship with teachers; and access to, communication with and feedback from teachers; and advantages and disadvantages of each learning environment. Results of …

The Effect Of Technology Acceptance On Post Secondary African- American Students Achievement In Mathematics: A Path Analytic Inquiry, Sulakshana Sen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of technology acceptance on post secondary African American students' achievement in Mathematics. The study was conducted in a historically Black four-year college in Daytona Beach, Florida on students using the computer to enhance their mathematics performance in an introductory algebra mathematics course. By using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by F. Davis (1989), this study focused on variables such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, computer self-efficacy, subjective norms, attitude and actual use of the computer to account the effect towards the achievement in the final exam which is …

A Study Of Blended Learning At A Metropolitan Research University, Linda Futch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to better understand blended learning at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The investigator examined blended learning from the institutional, faculty, and student perspectives in an attempt to capture the complexities of this learning environment. For the institutional perspective, models emerged that were critical to the development of UCF's initiative and ongoing support of both fully online and blended courses. The individual faculty perspective outlined unique characteristics of one blended course, HFT4932 - Exploring Wines of the World. The professor explained his/her choices and reasons for an instructional model as well as why the …

Performance Support And Usability:An Experimental Study Ofelectronic Performance Support Interfaces, Charles Rawls

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated the usability of two types of performance-support interfaces that were designed using informational and experiential approaches. The experiment sought to determine whether there is a relationship between usability and the informational and experiential approaches. The general population under study was undergraduate education major students from the University of Central Florida. From the general population of three educational technology instructor-led classes, 83 students were solicited to participate in the study by completing a class activity. From the general population, a total of 63 students participated in the study. By participating in the study, the students completed a task …

Second Year Evaluation Of Tennessee Charter Schools, Steven M. Ross, Aaron J. Mcdonald, Linda Bol

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The purpose of the present evaluation study was to examine the progress made in program implementation, school climate, and student achievement by the seven charter schools. A "mixed-methods" design, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative data, was employed. The questions upon which the evaluation methods are based relate to the progress of individual schools and the overall group in implementing desired strategies for curriculum, instruction, and organization, and in attaining the goals of No Child Left Behind by bringing every child to proficiency in reading and mathematics on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program TCAP by 2014. It should be noted that …

Recycling Service-Learning Project, Cesar Chavez Foundation

Curriculum

11th grade students identified needs related to excess campus trash and a school budget crisis. They chose to tackle both issues by expanding South Gates recycling program. Students partnered with the LA Conservation Corps recycling programto set-up a large recycling bin, arrange for pick-up and disposal, and generate proceeds for school improvement. The students were responsible for a major education campaign on campus as well as the logistics of the project including the location of the recycling bin. The education campaign included: making and distributing posters and flyers, classroom and PowerPoint presentations on recycling, intercom announcements, and information on the …

Food Quality And Food Choice Project, Cesar Chavez Foundation

Curriculum

Students at Southgate High School identified school improvement as a pressing need. Students chose to focus specifically on the dissatisfaction with food served on campus. Students developed a campus wide survey to report on improvements that can be made in food service as well as healthy food alternatives in cafeteria and vending machines. Students also learned about the value of good nutrition and the lack of quality and fresh food available in low-income communities of color.

Community Service Work-Study Program (Cswsp) Student Handbook - For Student Employees 2005-2006, Center For Service And Learning At Oberlin College

Curriculum

This document contains: Introduction; Community Service Partners; Financial Information; Training; Student Resources; Frequently Asked Questions; and Contact Information.

Impact Of The Arts On Students' Learning, Sook Ming Kong

Graduate Research Papers

The role of the arts has been undermined for a long time in the school curriculum. Recently, a group of researchers embarked on a number of studies investigating the positive effects which the arts has on students' performance in school. The results provide an insight into the fact that students who have high involvement in the arts perform better on a variety of academic measures such as grades in English, and scores on standardized tests.

The studies also provide evidence that participation in the arts helps to reduce the drop- out rate of at-risk students and those in low SES …

Fourth Grade Student Achievement On Math Standardized Tests In The Absence Of A Math Curriculum, Trista Manternach

Graduate Research Papers

Throughout the last few decades the importance of reading instruction has been the focus for schools and school districts across the nation. At Lincoln Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa the focus has been no different. However, in the last two years, academic achievement in the area of math has become as important as reading with the advent of No Child Left Behind.

Although teachers were told that math was important, they lacked a required curriculum until a year after math became a focus of student achievement. The purpose of this study is to answer the following question: Did the absence …

How Can Technology Assist In The Effectiveness Of After School Programs?, Imani A. Phillips

Graduate Research Papers

This review examines how technology assists in the effectiveness of learning in after-school programs. There are different types of after school programs available to parents with school-age children. Results describe the use of technology and the influence it has on the learning ability of students who are at risk. Meaningful, engaged learning can be promoted through the use of technology. Experts in the field state that technology facilitates learning by addressing the need of the individual learner. This review's conclusions indicate that a learning community can encourage personalized learning activities, collaboration, and motivation. The integration of effective technology into a …

Peer Tutoring And Technology Integration : You Too Can Make It Happen!, Brandy Smith

Graduate Research Papers

Technology is motivating to students and brings with it a sense of empowerment. This article looks at a successful model of technology integration. This model comes in the form of an after-school club called the "Tech Club" built upon a peer tutoring model. A lead teacher trained third grade student leaders, or the "Tech Kids" to facilitate technology "how-to" sessions in their classrooms. After learning technology basics, this core group of Tech Kids visited different third grade classrooms to teach their peers this magic. This article explains how this peer tutoring model greatly empowered these third grade students and allowed …

The Impact Of Parental Involvement On Children's Literacy Development, Annette L. Wohlers

Graduate Research Papers

Reading is a growing concern in the United States. Many students are leaving the educational system not ready to deal with the literary demands of everyday life and/or higher education. Factors that support students' growth in reading were reviewed. One specific factor that has a significant impact on literacy, which was a focus, was involvement of parents. What parents can do to assist their children's literacy development and attainment were also reviewed. A parent pamphlet design on reading at home came about from obtained information from the reviews.

Using Web-Based Material To Support Secondary Science Curriculum, Ghadeer Filimban

Graduate Research Papers

Web-based materials have introduced a new way of supporting students' learning and teachers' knowledge of the secondary science curriculum. However it is difficult to know which materials to use and how to use them. This review discussed some of the methods for teaching science, web-based materials that support these methods, how the Internet can add to teachers' knowledge, and some negative effects of using this technology. This review shows how teachers can integrate web-based materials into their teaching strategies, and can help teachers who have integrated them to be aware of the negatives of using the Internet in the classroom. …

Vocabulary Instruction Correlation To Reading Comprehension, Kelly M. Vaughn

Graduate Research Papers

There is a direct relationship between word knowledge and comprehension-messages are composed of ideas, and ideas are expressed in words. Decades of research have resulted in significant best practices to support students' vocabulary development, yet very little has actually been implemented in the classroom. Teachers frequently rely on increasing student vocabulary through the incidental word-learning that results from sheer volume of reading. Research in this review will prove that incidental word acquisition is seriously inadequate. Effective vocabulary strategies include: hands-on activities or visuals, capitalizing on background knowledge or prior experiences, repeated exposure in meaningful contexts, and use of graphic organizers. …

The Many Faces Of Distance Education, Albert Dantoni Wiggins Iii

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review discusses the educational applications of distance education by examining its historical foundations, its presence and effects on educational curriculums, and its future. The purpose of this literature review is examines research on the topics of how distance education operates and what role distance education plays in the field of education. The conclusions formed within this document are based upon literature reviewed about the topic of distance education and a personal interview. This review has led to a conclusion that distance education offers non-traditional students opportunities to educate and re-educate themselves while simultaneously allowing traditional students a chance …

2005-2007 Otterbein College Undergraduate Course Catalog, Otterbein University

Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Presuppositions In Moral Education Discourse: Developing An Analytic Framework And Applying It To Moral Education Traditions, Maria Sciaino

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Moral education is ever more important in our schools today, but the various moral education traditions make it difficult to decide which tradition best serves our purpose and population. This dissertation develops and uses an original analytic framework to narrow the choices of moral education curricula. The analytic framework introduced presuppositions that expounded upon one's center of value or source of moral authority, the nature of people and their capacity for rational thought, the nature of society, the time orientation of tradition, and the resulting morality in action. The analytic framework was then applied to ten notable traditions: Catholic religious …

The Effects Of A Project-Based Mathematics Curriculum On Middle School Students' Intended Career Paths Related To Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics, Barbara Clanton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is an examination of whether a project-based mathematics curriculum would influence students' intended career paths related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) endeavors; perceived usefulness of mathematics; and perceived competence in doing mathematics. A review of the literature revealed that there are many shortages of professionals in STEM fields. United States women and men are not pursuing STEM endeavors in great numbers and the U.S. relies heavily on international students to fill this gap. The literature revealed that the girls who do not pursue STEM endeavors in great numbers do not perceive mathematics as a useful endeavor …

Collective Teacher Efficacy And Reading Achievement For Hispanic Students In Reading First And Non-Reading First Schools In Southwest Florida, Larry Hylemon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined explicit and systematic reading instruction for Hispanic, limited English, lower SES students in a southwest Florida school district. Additionally, collective teacher efficacy was assessed to determine if differences existed between a Reading First and a non-Reading First school. A total of 68 students participated in the study and were divided equally between a Reading First and non-Reading First school. While the Reading First school concentrated resources on grades 2 and 3, all students received some degree of Reading First strategies. Available reading measures for analyses at the time of the study included the Group Reading Assessment and …

The Literacy Experiences Of Ninth-Graders And Their Teacher In An English Language Arts Workshop, Elizabeth Scanlon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The question guiding this qualitative study was: What are the literacy experiences of ninth-grade students in an English language arts workshop classroom? This study is an autoethnography and it chronicles six months in my ninth grade English classroom where I played the role of observant participant. It examines the process of reading and writing and how my perspective as a reader and a writer shapes my curricular decisions and influences my students as readers and writers.

The Effects Of Looping On Student Achievement And Self-Efficacy Of Exceptional Education Students, Marybeth Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of the current study was to examine the effects of looping on academic achievement and self-efficacy for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students. The basic design of this study was causal comparative, or ex post facto, because the researcher was seeking to identify a difference in achievement based on developmental scale scores between the two groups of looping and non-looping students with ESE classifications. A retrospective causal comparative study was chosen because the researcher began with a potential cause, looping, and studied the potential effects on achievement and self efficacy. The hypotheses were that the experimental group would outperform …

From Seclusion To Inclusion: A Comparative Case Study Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders In Middle Schools, Cheryl Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The transition of students with emotional and behavioral disorders has often been difficult when the move is made from self-contained classes to a less restrictive environment in general education classes. This study analyzed the perceptions of students and teachers when six middle school students with emotional and behavioral disorders moved from self-contained classes to inclusive placements in general education classes in three schools that were part of a large metropolitan school district in the southeastern United States. Data were collected over a 2 month period using semi-structured student interviews and teacher surveys, as well as student records and other school …

Methods For Marine Ecosystems Research Through The Use Of Pdas With Preservice Teachers, Antoinette P. Bruciati, Maria Lizano-Dimare

Education Faculty Publications

Science teachers are charged with the task of providing students in grades K-12 with opportunities that will enable them to make sense of science and develop habits of mind. One goal of science education is to prepare well-rounded citizens who are scientifically literate. Through inquiry-based learning, students formulate questions, perform investigations, and construct new understandings.

It is important for preservice science teachers to be introduced to current techniques, discoveries, and debates in the field of science. The use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) can provide K-12 students with increased opportunities for exploring and learning through scientific investigations. In order for …

Teachers' Perceptions On The Efficacy Of Curriculum Mapping As A Tool For Planning And Curriculum Alignment, Ralph Michael Lucas

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Impact Of Reading Instructional Processes On Literacy Aquisiation, Doreen O. Ryan

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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