Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Development Of A Student Self-Reported Instrument To Assess Course Reform, R.C. Morris, Loran Carleton Parker, David Nelson, Matthew D. Pistilli, Adam Hagen, Chantal Levesque-Bristol, Gabriela Weaver

IMPACT Publications

This study examines the development and implementation of a survey-based instrument assessing the effectiveness of a course redesign initiative focused on student centeredness at a large midwestern university in the United States. Given the scope of the reform initiative under investigation in this study, researchers developed an instrument called the Classroom Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), which was administered to students enrolled in redesigned courses. Early findings demonstrate strong construct validity and internal reliability of the CEQ instrument as well as concurrent validity between the CEQ and observation data gathered in concert with self-report data. The authors conclude that in the absence …

Assessment Practices Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Lebanese Private Schools: A National Survey, Rasha Elhage

Wayne State University Dissertations

Education is intended to provide diverse students with the skills and competencies needed to enhance their lives (Salvia, Ysseldyke & Bolt, 2011). This includes assessment practices that enable teachers to identify students' current level of skills, their strength and weaknesses, target instruction at student's personal level, monitor student learning and progress and plan and conduct adjustments in instruction, and evaluate the extent to which students have met instructional goals. This study intended to discover, describe, and evaluate the assessment practices of teachers and administrators working with students with learning disabilities in Lebanese private schools via the Context, Input, Process and …

The Relationship Of Collegiate Athletic And Recreational Sports Involvement To Student Success And Persistence, Gregory Joseph Corack

Online Theses and Dissertations

Administrators often scrutinize extracurricular involvement in college as an unnecessary financial strain on dwindling university budgets. Student Affairs practitioners must constantly justify programs as adequate additions to the in-class learning students receive on a daily basis. The experiential education students receive through extracurricular programming is well documented, and an essential part of the college experience. Varsity athletes and intramural participants gain valuable skills through their participation in sports activities and are consequently present some of the highest group success rates on campus.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between involvement in collegiate varsity and recreational sports …

Retaking Summative Assessments At The High School Level, Katherine Gray

Online Theses and Dissertations

In 2010, under President Obama, A Blueprint for Reform: The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was written to reform the No Child Left Behind Act that was signed into law in 2002 by President George W. Bush. The new goal under the reform was that by 2020 all students will graduate from high school and be college and career ready. With a growing emphasis on all students being successful in the classroom, educators had to explore different methods to implement in the classroom to help all students learn the state standards. Allowing summative assessment retakes was one …

Impact Of Career And Technical Education On College And Career Readiness In Kentucky, Linda Smith Floyd

Online Theses and Dissertations

The study examined the college and career readiness (CCR) results of a persistently low achieving (PLA) high school located in rural Kentucky. The study included a quantitative analysis examining the statistical role of career and technical education (CTE) in the Kentucky accountability system for high schools. The study assessed student results on academic and technical assessments required by the state's accountability model for CCR as reported for the 2012 and 2013 school years. Frequencies and independent sample t-tests were utilized.

The absence of significant statistical differences between preparatory students, those completing two credits and enrolled in the third credit in …

Exploring The Attitudes Of Criminal Justice And Homeland Security Students Regarding Assessment Techniques In Online Courses, Terry Allen Taylor

Online Theses and Dissertations

Substantial increases in online education since the start of the 21st century requires investigation in to how online courses differ from traditional face-to-face courses. It is particularly important to discover how online students learn and which assessment methods they prefer and see as most beneficial to online learning. Using online assessment techniques that correspond with those rated highly my online students can lead to better student experiences in online courses and improved persistence rates in online courses, which have traditionally be lower compared to face-to-face courses.

The participants for the study sample included online students majoring in Bachelor of Science …

At The College Gates: A Phenomenological Study Of Stem Identity Formation At A Stem Program At A Historical Black University, Maria O'Hearn

Teaching & Learning Theses & Dissertations

Melguizo and Wolniak (2011) contend that increasing the success of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields is a significant national and state policy issue given the data showing gaps in gender and racial/ethnic bachelors degree completion rates in these fields (Rask, 2010). Recommendations made by the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE, 2013) highlight the importance of school structures as being fundamental for improving the STEM pipeline from high school to college for underrepresented minority students. Thus, the purposes of this study were to describe the lived experiences of African American students attending a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and …

An Investigation Of Work Placement In The Hotel Industry: Perceptions From Hoteliers And Students, Margaret Lenihan, Irene Sheridan

Irish Business Journal

The changing need of higher education to interface more effectively with industry has been widely documented, as has the rising awareness of those attributes which most benefit graduates seeking employment. A key way in which third-level institutions can build stronger partnerships with employers, and assist their students in postgraduate success, is through the provision of work placements. This paper presents research conducted in relation to work placement in the hotel industry, from the perspective of both hoteliers who facilitated the work placements and students who undertook placements. Primary research was conducted with both hoteliers and students. The findings from the …

The Interaction Between Learning Styles, Ethics Education, And Ethical Climate, Leanna Lawter, Tuvana Rua, Chun (Grace) Guo

WCBT Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how learning styles and learning spaces interact to stimulate deep learning. Specifically the paper investigated the interaction of learning styles with ethics education and the ethical climate to influence the likelihood of engaging in ethical behavior.

Identification Of Specific Learning Disabilities: Georgia School Psychologists' Perceptions, Marie T. Underwood

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

An on-line survey was conducted to investigate the assessment practices and perceptions of 366 practicing school psychologist in the state of Georgia concerning various operational components, and the use of RTI when determining SLD eligibility. Results were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression to determine if psychologists’ perceptions could be predicted based on various explanatory variables. Results revealed that a little over half of the respondents preferred assessment of cognitive processing deficits evidenced through patterns of strengths and weaknesses for establishing SLD classification; while well over two-thirds continue to also value analysis of cognitive ability (IQ) scores. Psychologists’ assessment practices were …

Does The Sequence Of Instruction Matter During Simulation?, Jill E. Stefaniak, Carman L. Turkelson

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Introduction: Instructional strategies must be balanced when subjecting students to full-immersion simulation so as not to discourage learning and increase cognitive overload. The purpose of this study was to determine if participating in a simulation exercise before lecture yielded better performance outcomes among novice learners.

Methods: Twenty-nine participants were divided into 2 groups as follows: group 1 participated in simulation exercises followed by a didactic lecture and group 2 participated in the same learning activities presented in the opposite order. Participants were administered a multiple-choice cognitive assessment upon completion of a workshop.

Results: Learners who participated in the simulated exercises …

Food Landscapes: A Case Study Of A Cooking And Art- Focused Program For Teens Living In A Food Desert, Jessica R. Norris

Theses and Dissertations

This study constructs themes and propositions about the experiences of youth participants in the fall 2013 Food Landscapes program at the Neighborhood Resource Center in Richmond, Virginia. During the program, youth participated in cooking-based volunteerism with adults with disabilities and created short videos about their experiences. In this study, I analyzed pre- and post-program participant interviews, twice-weekly program observations, and facilitator reflections to understand how Food Landscapes affected youths’ conception of community engagement and communication strategies. This case study offers insight into how youth experience after-school programming of this design. Based on my findings, youth develop and rely upon a …

Investigation Of Strategies To Promote Effective Teacher Professional Development Experiences In Earth Science, Carol A. Engelmann

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This dissertation serves as a call to geoscientists to share responsibility with K-12 educators for increasing Earth science literacy. When partnerships are created among K-12 educators and geoscientists, the synergy created can promote Earth science literacy in students, teachers, and the broader community. The research described here resulted in development of tools that can support effective professional development for teachers. One tool is used during the planning stages to structure a professional development program, another set of tools supports measurement of the effectiveness of a development program, and the third tool supports sustainability of professional development programs. The Michigan Teacher …

Evaluation Of Student Writing And Its Effects On Motivation, Scott May

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Teachers' Perceptions Of Becoming A Professional Learning Community, Kathleen Theresa Kohl

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Professional learning communities (PLCs) have become popular in schools to help improve student achievement. One local middle school implemented a PLC community, yet experienced problems with sustaining the concept and moving forward. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the current state of the PLC at the middle school under study, how it functioned, and possible areas for improvement. The theoretical framework revolved around constructivist learning and the dimensions of a quality PLC: collaboration, shared mission, values, vision, and goals. Research questions addressed teachers' perceptions of PLC progress and differences in levels of development scores among the 5 …

An Evaluation Of The Bachelor Degree In Accounting Program In A Ghanaian Private University, Samuel Adaboh

Dissertations

Problem: There is the growing demand by all stakeholders (teachers, students, employers, governments, and society) for universities and colleges to be more accountable in preparing their products for the challenges of the 21 ^st century. Such demands have fueled interest in the evaluation of student learning in virtually all disciplines in college. There are calls for pedagogic innovations that will improve student learning in college. If any success can be achieved in addressing the challenge of improving the quality of products from higher education, then colleges and universitieshave need for reliable data. Such data can be obtained partly through an …

A Case Study Of The Leadership Program At Andrews University: Its Origins And Early Development As Reflected In Documents And Relics, Participant And Faculty Interviews, And Participant-Observation, 1994-2003, Priscilla Tucker

Dissertations

Purpose. The Leadership Program was established at Andrews University in 1994 as a non-traditional, competency-based, adult-oriented doctoral program. The purpose of this case study was to relate the story of the creation and development of the Leadership Program from 1994 through 2002 by examining the concepts incorporated into the program and the experiences of participants, faculty, and staff involved in the program during those years.

Method. Using a case-study approach, I have examined the conceptual development and procedural evolution of the Leadership Program at Andrews University from 1994 through 2002; that is, from the year of the program’s …

State Of The Nation: K-12 Online Learning In Canada, Michael K. Barbour, Randy Labonte

Education Faculty Publications

This is the seventh edition of the State of the Nation: K –12 Online Learning in Canada, written on behalf of the Canadian eLearning Network (CANeLearn). This year’s report is slightly abbreviated as we transition CANeLearn’s involvement and develop an active data set that will be launched live on our website upon publication of this report (http://canelearn.net)

The State of the Nation: K –12 Online Learning in Canada report provides critical information and insight into how Canadian educational authorities and governments are integrating technology-supported approaches to prepare students for today’s economy and a future society in which the use …

Collective Social Capital Within A Performance-Based Management System, Melissa E. Sandoval

Master's Theses

Local education agencies utilizing performance-based management systems as a means to improve educator effectiveness and student performance is becoming more prevalent within the United States. High-need schools are implementing these systems and endeavor to create an environment that promotes a professional learning community that improves educator quality and student achievement. This study seeks to measure the level of collective social capital generated by the implementation of one such management system, Rewarding Excellence in Instruction and Leadership, through the use of a sociological case study. Through the use of document analysis and interviews, the degree of collective social capital fostered will …

Title: How Do Preservice Teacher Education Students Move From Novice To Expert Assessors?, Peter R. Grainger, Lenore Adie

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Despite the acknowledged importance of assessment in education, there has been minimal research into the preparation of preservice teachers for the important role of involving preservice teachers in marking, grading, moderating and providing feedback on student work. This article reports on a pilot project in which preservice teachers participated in an ongoing peer assessment and social moderation process in a dedicated course on assessment. The purpose of the project was to investigate specific ways in which key assessment processes can be effectively taught to preservice teachers. The research involved 96 preservice teachers who completed a Likert scale survey and free …

Investigating The Literacy, Numeracy And Ict Demands Of Primary Teacher Education, Helen De Silva Joyce, Susan Feez, Eveline Chan, Stephen Tobias

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The pre-service programs delivered in Australian teacher education institutions are expected to graduate students who meet externally determined standards, including standards in literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology. These programs are also expected to educate future teachers in professional knowledge and practice, as well as prepare them to engage in professional learning continuously throughout their careers. This paper reports on the first phase of a project that investigated the literacy, numeracy and ICT demands of assessment tasks across the four years of the Bachelor of Education (Primary) program at a regional university.

Innovative Partnerships: Exploring School Librarianship Through A Global Lens, Melissa P. Johnston, Lucy Santos Green

Leadership, Technology & Human Development: Faculty Publications

Institutional ethnography uncovers how institutional factors shape practice in sometimes unrecognized ways. This IE study on Brazilian school librarianship, conducted in the summer of 2013 in Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, uncovers similar challenges experienced by school library professionals the world over, as well as unique approaches informed by Brazilian culture.

A Case Study Of The Integration Of 21st Century Technology Within The Place-Based, Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound (Elob) Approach To Education, Tammy M. Stratton

Instructional Technology Education Specialist Research Papers

This study focused on the integration of 21^st Century technology as determined by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards•T within a place-based curriculum framework supplemented by the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound approach to education as presented in a rural Colorado mountain community K-8 charter school. The case study involved an in-depth look regarding how 21^st century technology integration affected the place-based, Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound approach to teaching and learning practices specific to the North Routt Community Charter School (NRCCS). The particular research aimed to inform or enhance the charter school’s current practices by questioning: …

Tools Of The Trade: 'Breaking The Ice' With Virtual Tools In Online Learning, Naomi Mcgrath, Sue Gregory, Helen Farley, Pauline K. Roberts

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The reality is that online learning can be a daunting and lonely experience. This is why icebreakers can be a rewarding practice for both students and educators. The use of icebreakers allows students studying online to introduce themselves and become familiar with other members of the group and/or community. Not only are these icebreakers used as a starter within the first weeks of study, but they are also used to help motivate students throughout the course. Highlighted in this paper are particular online (virtual) tools that can be used as icebreakers within an online learning environment and help shift the …

The Reliability And Validity Of The Thin Slice Technique: Observational Research On Video Recorded Medical Interactions, Tanina Suzanne Foster

Wayne State University Dissertations

The Reliability and Validity of the Thin Slice Technique: Observational Research on Video Recorded Medical Interactions

Introduction: Observational research using the thin slice technique has been routinely incorporated in observational research methods, however there is limited evidence supporting use of this technique compared to full interaction coding. The purpose of this study was to determine if this technique could be reliability coded, if ratings are consistent between the first, second and third slice, and if they are indeed representative of full interactions.

Methods: Three 30-second thin slices were sampled from the beginning, middle and end of a full-length video-recorded …

A Case Study Of The Impact Of A Sytematic Evaluation Process In A Graduate Medical Education Residency Program, Heidi T. Kromrei

Wayne State University Dissertations

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has charged institutions that sponsor accredited Graduate Medical Education programs (residency and fellowship specialty programs) with overseeing implementation of mandatory annual program evaluation efforts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Physicians receive scant, if any, training in program evaluation methodology. Human Performance Technology (HPT) offers models suitable for residency program evaluation as well as trained evaluators who are experts in evaluation. Leaders in the field of HPT have called for empirical studies to examine the impact of HPT models in a variety of contexts.

This single case study examined the impact of using …

The Role Of The School Psychologist In K-12 Online And Blended Learning Environments, P. Dawn Tysinger, Jeffrey A. Tysinger, Terry D. Diamanduros

Leadership, Technology & Human Development: Faculty Publications

With the appropriate preparation and training, school psychologists are uniquely suited to provide support within the K-12 online learning environment for students, teachers, administrators, and families. The preparation and training needs at the level of graduate training and professional development are highlighted. Specific emphasis is placed on the adaptation of the school psychologist’s functions in the areas of consultation, intervention, assessment, and counseling. Additionally, the development of better credentialing models for interstate service delivery and the need for empirical research related to school safety are discussed.

Effect Of Ebooks On Reading Level, Reading Behaviors, And Attitude Of Second Grade Students, Annette Vanaken

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the effect of ebooks as a tool for providing small group reading interventions and independent reading practice to second grade readers in the classroom. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, non-equivalent control group design was used to compare whether instructional reading environments (ebooks only, traditional books only, or both ebooks and traditional books) affect reading level and attitudes towards reading, while a posttest only non-equivalent control group design was used to measure reading behaviors of second grade students. A convenience sample of 88 English-speaking students at a rural, public elementary school in Southern Michigan participated. Reading level was measured by …

An Examination Of The Correlation Between The Seven Critical Leadership Functions And Middle School African-American And Hispanic Student Achievement, Shannon A. Flounnory

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This quantitative study examined possible correlations between each of the seven critical leadership functions and achievement in the areas of mathematics for eighth grade African-American and Hispanic students. The 117 participants included school leaders and students from 12 of the 19 middle schools in a metropolitan school district in the southeastern region of the United States. Principals from the middle schools in the district distributed the Critical Leadership Functions Questionnaire to members of their leadership team (e.g., assistant principals, school counselors, department chairs, etc.). CRCT scores measured student achievement. The researcher conducted a correlation study, using Pearson’s multivariable correlation data …

Experiential Project Presentation Using Story Sack, Geraldine French

Assessment & Feedback Cases

This use case describes how one assessment method was designed and implemented by a lecturer or a group of lecturers in DIT. The use case was compiled from an interview conducted as part of DIT’s RAFT project (2013‐14), the aim of which was to provide a database of assessment practices designed and implemented by academic staff across DIT.