Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Continued Efforts In Ti Arm M4 Microcontroller Curricula Developments And Assessments Between Three Different Institutions And Programs, Steve C. Hsiung, Lijian Xu, Feng Jao, Yonghui Wang, Suxia Cui

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This project is a continuation in efforts to upgrade the curricula in microcontroller related courses that are facing difficulties in the disappearing and lack technical supports in hardware and software of 68XXX and 80XXX microcontrollers. Through the study of a NSF supported project "Transform the Innovated Design and Development of an Embedded Design Training System and Associated Support Curricula into a Commercial Available Product" that interviewed 130 faculty/teachers/students across the U.S. has revealed on finding newly available microcontrollers is an urgent issue in the academic communities. Based on the supports on hardware and software and function libraries, the TI ARM …

Design A Portable Sensing Platform With A Lidar And Ti Arm M4 Controller, Bin Hu, Steve C. Hsiung, Matthew B. Kersey

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The Microcontrollers/microelectronics have been used in variety of engineering applications on complex and efficient operations. One of the challenges in applying existing microelectronic technologies to these engineering systems lies in the need of modular portability, scalability, customizability, and compatibility. This paper focuses on addressing such challenges by designing a portable sensing platform that integrates a Lidar with USB interface and TI ARM M4 microcontroller. This developed sensing system will serve as an effective teaching platform to create new or enhance existing microelectronic courses that allow students to gain hands-on experiences in mobile embedded system designs. Moreover, the customizability and portability …

Deconstructing Language Ideologies With Self-Reflective Writing In An Efl Classroom In Haiti: A Critical Discourse Analysis Case Study, Javid Buchanan

Dissertations and Theses

This paper draws on data collected from a critical self-reflective writing workshop series within an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom in The Republic of Haiti. This Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) case study investigates 7 students’ critical self-reflection writing to uncover language-related ideologies embedded within the meaning-making experiences of multilingual language users at a community-based organization. Although students generally show positive or negative attitudes towards language, the use of critical classroom discourse allows students to move beyond generic positive and negative framing when talking about language. Using Gardner’s L2 learner motivation model, this case study explores “instrumental” and “integrative" …

Evaluating Pedagogical Methods That Influence Homework Assignment Completion, Kirk Sawyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

College students enrolled in an online introductory engineering course are not completing their homework assignments at an acceptable rate which impacts them, the instructor, and the college. This research study employed a quasi-experimental evaluation model to assess the effectiveness of two pedagogical methods designed to positively influence student homework completion rates and student attitudes toward homework. Despite evidence that grading penalties encourage students to submit their homework assignments, such strategies have historically been unsuccessful for the course used in this study. The researcher designed two pedagogical interventions, along with a survey instrument, to measure the impact of the interventions on …

Phenomenological Study Of Urban Elementary Teachers With Proficient English Language Learners, Tracy Webley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of fourth grade teachers working in a large urban school district, where the achievement gap between English Language Learners (ELLs) and non-ELLs was smaller when compared to other schools within the district. The problem originated from the need to consider factors beyond teacher training that potentially influenced academic achievement. The research question guiding this study asked: What are the lived experiences of 4th grade teachers who have taught at identified elementary schools, where ELL students have demonstrated proficiency on the ELA portion of the state standards assessment? …

Construção De Projetos Lúdicos Em Massachusetts, Rebeca S Brito, Beatriz Ibv Bermudez, Edison La Tizzot, Carlos Eduardo Siqueira

Gastón Institute Publications

It is essential to develop activities that promote the promotion of healthy dietary patterns and the regular practice of physical activity, in order to increase morbidity and mortality related to chronic non-communicable diseases. Since the school environment was considered favorable for the inclusion of these large-scale actions, the "Little Hearts Changing Lives" (LHCL) program was idealized for children. Employing Creative Learning concepts additionally incorporates some of the strategies drawn from participatory research methods and the use of validated tools that potentially sensitize the target audience during workshops for educators. In the expansion phase in the United States, this program was …

A Student Journal To Celebrate, Preserve, And Improve Beginning Undergraduate Writing, Ann E. Biswas, Maureen E. Schlangen, Heidi Gauder

Books and Book Chapters by University of Dayton Faculty

At the end of each semester, composition instructors at the University of Dayton (UD) collected portfolios of student writing for the annual program assessment, encouraging their students to return the following semester to pick up their folders of work. However, the stacks of unclaimed portfolios that piled up in faculty offices each year was an indication that students cared little about what they had written, perhaps believing no one beyond their instructor was interested in reading their writing now or in the future. Nevertheless, academic scholars have recognized that student writing improves—as do a sense of ownership and pride in …

Biliteracy Development In A Second Grade Dual Language Classroom, Erika Harumi Aoki

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This case study examines oral language development during structured guided reading instruction in English and Spanish in a second grade dual language classroom. The participants in this study included four focal second grade students identified as balanced emergent bilinguals. The four case studies offer insights into the development of five oral language components: phonological skills, morpho-syntactic skills, vocabulary, syntax and pragmatics in English and Spanish that students undergo as they develop biliteracy. The key findings showed code-switching as the main linguistic behavior students used to build on language skills as well as the need for modeling and offering structured opportunities …

Holistic Analysis Of The Social, Emotional, And Academic Development Of At-Risk Students In A Self-Regulated Learning Instructional Environment, Jennifer K. Macek

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The testing an accountability system that plagues the current educational atmosphere has done little to improve outcomes for the general population, rather, it has increased harm to our nation’s most vulnerable populations. As districts grapple with accountability mandates and pressures to improve test scores the number of students excluded from traditional schools and sent to alternative programs continues to grow. Research shows that the majority of programs for at-risk youth are little more than graduation factories that do not adequately prepare students for active participation in democratic society.

This study used a mixed methods design to explore an alternative program …

Exploring High School Students' Attitudes Towards Reading, Heather G. Crivilare

Masters Theses

This study explored high school students’ attitudes towards reading as both a recreational activity and academic endeavor; while there are numerous studies regarding the reading habits of younger children, there is a deficit of research into the reading habits of students beyond the middle school years. This study surveyed and interviewed freshmen-through-senior students in a medium-sized, rural Illinois high school about their habits as readers in order to explore the relationship between different environmental factors and reading, as well as between reading habits and college readiness. This study found a gender gap in reading enjoyment favoring female students; a decline …

Investigation Of An Inquiry-Based Learning Intervention On Undergraduate Saudi Women’S Critical Thinking Skills In An English As A Foreign Language Reading And Writing Class During The Preparatory Year, Rehabe Tikruni

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of an inquiry-based learning (IBL) intervention and its influence on the critical thinking (CT) skills of Saudi women undergraduates enrolled in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) reading and

writing course during the preparatory year. This study utilized a qualitative case study design from one public university in Saudi Arabia during the second semester of the preparatory year English program in Fall 2018. Thirty-five women participated in the IBL intervention

and the pre- and post-reflective essays. To delve deeper into perceptions about IBL and its potential influence on critical …

Students Reception Of Ethnic Diversity Topics From White And Non-White Faculty, Cobi Christiansen

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study is to investigate the phenomenon of the student population being more ethnically diverse than the teacher population as well as examining student perceptions of ethnic diversity topics based on their perceptions of faculty ethnicity. A quantitative using a survey method was designed to investigate students' reception of ethnic diversity topics from White and Non-white faculty. From three different institutions in Central Illinois, 141 undergraduate education students, which included students who are majoring in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education as well as students who are receiving teaching certificates with their majors, participated in this study. …

Middle School Mathematics Teachers' Perceptions Of Opportunities And Challenges, Shelby Eversole

Masters Theses

This study investigates the perspectives of opportunities and challenges of middle school mathematics’ teachers. To gain these perspectives, an ethnographic study was conducted by interviewing four middle school mathematics teachers in central Illinois. The results of this study imply that teachers of different backgrounds and teaching environments have varying perspectives about challenges and opportunities in the classroom. Limitations of this study include but are not limited to, the researcher having one year to conduct the research, only four teachers from two schools being interviewed, interviewees teaching different grade levels, no rural setting involvement, one educator having little teaching experience, teachers’ …

Gifted Education In Elementary Schools, Danielle Wilkinson

Masters Theses

Gifted students have enormous potential, yet there are few consistent opportunities for gifted students to receive challenging instruction. Drawing upon literature detailing the history of gifted education nationally and in Illinois, this study sought to find what services were currently offered to Illinois students, and if the opportunities for gifted students were related to a district’s state funding tier. Findings indicated that the elementary gifted services being offered and the ways in which eligibility is determined were inconsistent among districts. In addition, many districts who offer gifted services are using local/community funds in order to provide services regardless of their …

Teaching Writing: Genre Lessons For Teaching Writing In The Homeschool High School Classroom And Beyond, Teagan R. Knoblich

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Most high schoolers in America operate with basic writing skills at best (U.S. Department of Education, 2012). Students who are educated at home, or homeschoolers, may be only marginally better in their writing skills, if at all. A review of materials available to home educators for the instruction of their homeschool students revealed that available writing curricula does not do a good job covering more than a few basic writing forms, such as research and narrative. This creative project aimed to create writing instruction materials that could be used by home educators to teach their high school students how to …

Learning By Doing: Deliberative Dialogue As An Interdisciplinary Tool For Civic Literacy, Leah Ashwill, Molly Kerby, Gayle Mallinger

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Overview:

• Basic concepts of deliberative dialogue as an interdisciplinary tool.
• Deliberative dialogue as an instrument for civil discourse.
• The efficacy of deliberative dialogue on civic literacy.

Promoting Learner Engagement Through Interactive Digital Tools, Xianquan Liu, Aleidine J. Moeller

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

Interactive digital tools and virtual learning spaces can be effective in engaging learners with language, content, and culture that promote language proficiency. However, the mere utilization of technology tools does not guarantee learner growth in language proficiency without careful attention to research-informed learning strategies and standards-based instructional design. Learning objectives and language functions drive instruction, and digital learning tools can provide differentiated learning opportunities and learner support that scaffold the learning process. The authors provide a review of the literature on technology integration in world language education as well as examples of popular digital tools designed to facilitate meaningful, interactive …

A Framework For Improving The Teaching Of Mathematics To Bi/Multilingual Learners, Kara Mitchell Viesca, Nicole M. Joseph, Nancy L. Commins

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

To teach mathematics well to bi/multilingual learners, we propose that mathematics teachers should consider the following five elements: know the content, know the language, know the learner, engage the community and assess meaningfully. This chapter defines each of these elements, explores how they are put into practice, and shares the responses of teachers who have participated in online professional development organized around each element. By approaching mathematics teaching with these elements in mind, teachers can more effectively support high levels of learning and achievement for bi/multilingual learners across levels of English proficiency and grade levels.

Untapped Communicative Resources In Multilingual Classroom Settings: Possible Alternatives, Lydiah Kananu Kiramba, James Alan Oloo

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

This paper presents a critical review of literature relating to language policy and literacy practices in education, with a particular focus on multilingual Kenya. Existing research on schooling in Kenya often draws attention to the use of languages that are distanced from students’ daily realities and localities. This article synthesizes research on literacy practices in Kenyan primary classrooms to explicate the current language-in-education policy and practices, and, to discuss their impacts on literacy access and knowledge production in the classroom. We argue that Kenya’s language-in-education policy, which informs curricula and teaching, and is itself grounded in monoglossic orientations, inhibits students’ …

“Taking The Shackles Off”: Metaphor And Metonymy Of Migrant Children And Border Officials In The U.S., Theresa Catalano, Andreas Musolff

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

The present paper utilizes (multimodal) critical discourse studies and cognitive linguistics to analyze the verbal and visual metonymies/metaphors found in online news sources that report on unaccompanied youths from Central America and Border Patrol/immigration officials in the U.S. Findings reveal verbal and visual metonymies that dehumanize and criminalize child migrants, while Border Patrol/immigration enforcement discourse creates WAR/WILD WEST metaphors that justify the militarization of the border. The significance of the study lies in showing how underlying conceptualizations of migrants by immigration and border control agencies help us understand the social imaginary which allows the government to garner public support for …

Motivation To Teach: The Differences Between Faculty In Schools Of Education And K-12 Teachers, Nancy L. Leech, Kara Mitchell Viesca, Carolyn A. Haug

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

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate higher education faculty’s motivation to teach and to validate the Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FIT-Choice) survey with this population.

Design/methodology/approach – Confirmatory factor analysis and t-tests on data from 101 higher education faculty and data from K-12 teachers show that the two samples fit the model similarly.

Findings – Results show that the similarities between the two groups are important to note as it suggests both the value of the FIT-Choice instrument as a research tool in higher education as well as the similarities in motivating factors between higher …

Engaging Preservice Secondary Science Teachers In An Ngss-Based Energy Lesson: A Nanoscience Context, Deepika Menon, Mary Sajini Devadas

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

The new approach to teaching science presented by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) warrants training high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers to prepare the future STEM workforce. We share the implementation of an energy lesson using a nanoscience approach, well-aligned with the NGSS vision, in a secondary- STEM-education course for preservice science teachers. First, we engaged preservice teachers in discussions related to alternate sources of energy; this was followed by a case-study approach to illustrate a real-world problem of energy deficiency and solar energy (solar cells using nanoparticles) as one potential solution because it is cost-efficient, clean, …

The Study Of Evaluative Inquiry Within A Business Context: Social Learning Processes, Team-Level Infrastructure, And Guidelines For Practical Application, Marie Elizabeth Paydon

Dissertations

This three-article dissertation presents complementary perspectives on applying an Evaluative Inquiry (EI) within a business setting. Evaluative Inquiry is an inquiry model of organizational learning which blends evaluation and social learning processes to promote individual, team, and organizational learning and occurs within a broader organizational infrastructure. The first article details findings from a case study of participants engaged in EI, exploring how they engaged in social learning processes and how these enabled individual, team, and organizational learning outcomes. The second article details findings from the same case study but examines how engaging in the EI process generated and promoted infrastructural …

Big Five Technologies In Aeronautical Engineering Education: Scoping Review, Ruth Martinez-Lopez

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The constant demands that technology creates in aerospace engineering also influence education. The identification of the technologies with practical application in aerospace engineering is of current interest to decision makers in both universities and industry. A social network approach enhances this scoping review of the research literature to identify the main topics using the Big Five technologies in aerospace engineering education. The conceptual structure of the dataset (n=447) was analyzed from different approaches: at macro-level, a comparative of the digital technology identified by cluster analysis with the number of co-words established in 3 and 8 and, a keyword central structure …

Beating The Bamboozle: Literacy Pedagogy Design And The Technicality Of Sfl, Erika Matruglio

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This paper explores the issue of metalanguage and writing instruction in the senior secondary curriculum. It reports on the use of a design based research collaboration between a very experienced teacher of Ancient History and a research team with the aim of improving literacy outcomes for a group of disadvantaged students. The case highlights some of the challenges implicated in this close work between educational linguistic theorists as language specialists and classroom practitioners as subject specialists. In particular, it raises the issue of how to provide already experienced teachers with a metalanguage to express their implicit knowledge about text more …

From Pink Floyd To Pink Hill: Transforming Education From The Bricks In The Wall To The Connections Of Country In Remote Aboriginal Education., Elizabeth M. Jackson-Barrett, Libby Lee-Hammond

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

In this paper, we present findings from an eighteen-month research project conducted in a remote community school in Western Australia. The data from this project includes documentation pertaining to the practices of educators engaging with Aboriginal Elders and children on Country. The aim of the project was to document the transformative potential of learning on Country for young Aboriginal children (4-8 years). We discuss our findings in the context of Pink Floyd’s metaphor of formal education being built and maintained as a Wall in which children are ‘just another brick’. We argue that education is an institution that produces and …

Investigating Intercultural Communication Competence In Narrative Texts Of English Learners, Alexander Lee-Heng Tai

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the current levels of intercultural communication competence in fourth and fifth grade English Learners through narrative text composition within the researcher's English Learner classroom environment. This mixed-methods research was conducted as a response to the need for curriculum changes in preparing EL pre-service educators within the higher education system to become more proficient in the implementation of intercultural communication pedagogy. This action research was supported by a literature review including topics of intercultural communication pedagogy, linguistic relativity hypothesis, linguaculture, and English language development. The research questions that guided this study were: (1) …

Emergent Bilinguals And Academic Language Acquisition Through The Use Of Sentence Frames, Leah Clougherty

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Emergent bilinguals are a growing demographic in the United States, but little research has been completed on certain aspects of language acquisition, such as the commonly known practice of using sentence frames as a means for academic language acquisition in the middle school classroom. In order to learn more about practices being implemented within my own classroom and to add to the body of research on academic language acquisition, I analyzed the effectiveness of student writing with and without use of sentence frames within the existing curriculum in a pilot study utilizing a mixed methods approach.

Writing Across The Curriculum In Secondary Education, Katie L. Moles

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Academic writing is an undervalued practice in secondary education. Many teachers outside of the English Language Arts struggle to implement writing into their curriculum due to their lack of confidence in teaching different writing skills and the amount of time teaching and assessing writing can require. Writing is extremely beneficial to students developing content knowledge and discursive writing skills; however, because not many teaching emphasize the importance of writing, students do not develop necessary writing skills. In California, 49.88 percent of students in grades 3-11 who participated in the California Assessment of Students Performance and Progress (CAASPP) did not meet …

Enacting The Australian Curriculum: Primary And Secondary Teachers’ Approaches To Integrating The Curriculum, Julianne Moss, Sally C. Godinho, Edlyn Chao

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Integrated approaches to curriculum planning and delivery are not a recent phenomenon. In the 1930s John Dewey advocated for a more cohesive conceptualisation of students’ learning. Yet, despite state and national endorsement of curriculum integration in Australia, it is generally considered an alternative curriculum design that has failed to gain traction in Australian schools. A qualitative case study, situated in two inner city government schools in the state of Victoria, explored the integrative approaches undertaken by primary and secondary teachers when planning and implementing their curriculum to account for their students’ needs, interests and the school and community context. …