Educational Methods Commons^™

Effective Middle School Teachers : Becoming "Real", Rhoda C. Sommers

Dissertations

Problem. This study looks at four effective middle school teachers' stories in order to understand the experiences and beliefs which impact their choice to use developmentally responsive classroom practices. There is general agreement in the literature concerning characteristics of effective middle school teachers, but little has been done to understand what influences these teachers to teach the way they do.

Method. A qualitative case study design was used for this study. Two male and two female middle school teachers were observed and interviewed during the course of 1 school year. Each teacher's life experiences, classroom practices, and beliefs are …

Implications And Prospects Of Reforming The Market For Secondary Education In The U.S., Steve Kapsos

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

The purpose of this paper is to address the complex issue of public school reform. I will focus primarily on the rather generic concept of school choice, which will inevitably be defined and redefined, throughout my analysis. In doing this, I will first examine the structure and composition of the market for education in America. I will then briefly look at some theoretical approaches to educational reform. Lastly, I will examine specific reform proposals that draw on some of the many varying concepts of choice as well as currently enacted projects that have a form of choice as their focus. …

A Study Of Elementary Teachers' Attitudes Toward Mathematics Instruction And Mathematics Teaching Methods Used In The Elementary Classroom, William Otis Lacefield Iii

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

This study involved an investigation of elementary (grades K-4) teachers' attitudes toward mathematics instruction and the mathematics teaching methods elementary teachers plan and implement in the classroom setting. The population consisted of 492 elementary teachers (grades K-4) currently teaching in the Bibb County, Georgia, Public School System. The sample represented a cluster sampling of the population and consisted of 90 elementary teachers currently teaching in six public elementary schools. One inner city school, four suburban schools, and one rural/semirural school were randomly selected. The research design used was a correlational design. The sets of data considered were elementary teachers' self-expressed …

The Relationship Of Reading Recovery Teachers' Efficacy To Length Of Service And School System Support, M. Louise Moon

Dissertations

Existing research results directly relate teachers’ efficacy to student outcomes and to continuing staff development and school context; however, little work has been done to investigate these relationships for Reading Recovery teachers. Reading Recovery (RR) is an early intervention program designed to assist first grade children who are having difficulty learning to read and write. This program requires ongoing staff development and an implementation plan designed to provide appropriate school context; therefore, survey data were collected from Reading Recovery teachers to study relationships between teacher efficacy and (a) their length of service in Reading Recovery and (b) support for RR …

Using Bibliotherapy With Selected Developmental Concerns Of Middle School Youth, Dianne Keeling

All Graduate Projects

This project investigated literature related to the developmental concerns of middle school youth and the use of bibliotherapy. The purpose of this investigation was to gain a theoretical understanding of these developmental concerns and the related use of bibliotherapy as well as to discover instructional strategies for the use of bibliotherapy in the middle school classroom. The product of this investigation is a resource guide for the use of bibliotherapy with selected developmental concerns of middle school youth. A review of selected literature revealed that some developmental concerns of students at this age are adolescent changes, anger, drug/alcohol abuse, violence …

Tales Out Of School: Six Secrets From Successful Teachers, John Strassburger

Publications

This is the third in a series of occasional papers about the challenges confronting students and what Ursinus is doing to help them enter adult life.

Can Games Help Develop Mathematical Thinking?, Dilshad Ashraf, Habib Hussain, Abdul Ghafoor, Dulshon Shamatov

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

An Intergenerational Literacy Project For Migrant Families, Sandra E. Harmening, Amy C. Kiesz

All Graduate Projects

The relationship between student achievement and parental involvement was reviewed and found to be significant. A model project was developed to include seven migrant families intergenerationally within the context of the classroom. The purpose was to enhance the relationship between students and parents/guardians and between these low literacy families and the school institution. The result was projected to be a better understanding of each family's heritage, an increase in volunteerism at the school site, more interest in school work and accomplishment, and the possible residual effect of parental desire to improve their literacy skills.

Parent Perceptions Of The Value Of The Juanita Apartment School Program, Stanley B. Hughes

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to determine parent perceptions of the value of the Juanita Apartment School program. To accomplish this task interview questions were developed and family interviews conducted. Transcriptions of audio interview tapes were made and all data studied to determine response patterns. Families interviewed indicated the Juanita Apartment School program had either been "very helpful" or "helpful" in making their children feel more positive about and be more successful in elementary school.

Enhancing Student Learning Through Brain-Based Learning Techniques: A Handbook For Educators, Cynthia Gail Mcfarland

All Graduate Projects

The significance of utilizing a brain-based approach to learning and teaching was researched. Current brain research indicates that often traditional educational methods are not conducive or are even detrimental to student learning. Several sources supported the brain-based learning, multiple intelligence, and learning styles theories. The research suggested that the brain-based learning approach has been beneficial not only to student learning but also to an increase in student motivation and self-esteem. A handbook for educators was created to compliment existing curriculum. This handbook features "brain friendly" strategies and activities that focus on rich and positive learning experiences that enable students to …

The Impact Of Howard Gardner's Theory Of Multiple Intelligences On Change In Middle School Language Arts Curriculum, Maureen O'Dea Feeney

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Teachers' Life Histories As Curriculum Context, Rebekah D. Kelleher

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

This qualitative study focuses on the teacher as curriculum enactor. Using life history methodology, the study explores how ordinary teachers' life experiences impact their present classroom decisions. The purpose of the study is three-fold: to give voice to the classroom teacher as curriculum expert; to encourage reflective practice; and to contribute to curriculum knowledge by focusing on the enacted curriculum. Three female middle school teachers participated in structured and unstructured interviews in which they shared their life stories and reflected on the origin of their teacher knowledge and behavior. The researcher reviewed transcripts of interviews and notes from observations of …

No. 130 1997 November

International Journal for Business Education

SIEC Historical Documents

Teacher Recognition Of Student Learning Styles, Michelle Wright

Theses & Honors Papers

The ability of teachers in a special education classroom utilizing individualized instruction to recognize students' learning preferences was investigated. Each student's learning style preference was determined by the administration and evaluation of a learning styles inventory. Teachers were asked to respond to a similiar inventory as they felt their students would respond. A Pearson r performed on the results indicated that a relatively strong relationship existed between the responses at the . 10 level of significance .

A Comparative Study Of Perceptions Regarding Assistive Technology Among Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Parents And Teachers Of Elementary Students With Autism, Carolyn Lee Komich

Theses & Honors Papers

Forty subjects were surveyed to determine their perceptions of selection, funding, use and maintenance of assistive technology. The subjects included physical therapists, occupational therapists, parents, and teachers of elementary students with autism . A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data for this study. 43% of the questionnaires were returned.

Descriptive statistics and Chi-square (X²) were used to analyze data for this study. Results obtained from the descriptive statistics showed that professionals from various disciplines felt comfortable using and maintaining assistive technology but had not been formally trained to do so. The data also indicated that the respondents …

No. 129 1997 April

International Journal for Business Education

SIEC Historical Documents

Learning To Teach, Teaching To Learn, Kathryn M. Plank, Diane M. Enerson, Susannah Milner, R. Neill Johnson

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Techniques And Strategies For Educating And Accommodating Students With Hearing Loss In The Classroom, Stacia H. Thompson

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop a teacher and administrator's handbook of techniques and strategies for educating and accommodating students with hearing loss in the classroom. To accomplish this purpose, a review of literature and current research on mainstreaming, educating, and accommodating students with hearing loss was conducted. Additionally, information from selected schools serving students with hearing loss was obtained and analyzed.

No. 128 1996 November

International Journal for Business Education

SIEC Historical Documents

The Effects Of Self-Monitoring Of Task Completion Time On Assignment Completion And Accuracy, Kathryn B. Wright

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if productivity and accuracy would increase if subjects recorded the amount of time it took to complete assignments. Two students with learning disabilities were taught to record the times assignments were started and finished and to calculate the difference. Data were collected on the time spent on assignments, the percentage of the assignment completed, and the percentage of the assignment completed correctly. The results showed that productivity and the amount of time spent on assignments improved slightly. The accuracy of the work, however, decreased. Implications for future research are discussed.

A Study Of Why Some Learners Are More Successful Than Others At Acquiring A Second Language: The Roles Of Personality, Attitude & Motivation, Azah Yusof

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to convey and to support my belief that learners' affective domain, which consist of their personalities, attitudes, and motivation are responsible for causing the variation in the levels of second language proficiency of second language learners. My concern is to point out or support others who believe that second language learners are not machines that are able and willing to be programmed; they have feelings and attitudes which in turn govern their personalities and motivation. I also believe that the main focus of second language teaching should be on the "persons" learning the language, …

A Comparison And Contrast Of Two Middle School Classrooms With One Using Conflict Resolution And One Not Using Conflict Resolution, Kelli Ann Eich

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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No. 127 1996 April

International Journal for Business Education

SIEC Historical Documents

The Perceived Effectiveness Of Teachers When Humor And Profanity Are Present In Lectures, Jo Lynn Blankenship

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The present study examined the effects of the use of humor and/or profanity on students’ perception of a male or female Psychology instructor. Groups of subjects (N=389; 203=females, 186=males) in a classroom viewed a taped lecture and then completed a questionnaire assessing the instructor and lecture. Each subject viewed one of eight video-taped lecture conditions: (1) non-humorous, non-profane male, (2) non-humorous, profane male, (3) humorous, non-profane male, (4) humorous, profane male, (5) non-humorous, profane female, (6) non-humorous, profane female, (7) humorous, non-profane female or (8) humorous, profane female. It was found that the combination of humor and profanity was seen …

Critical Decision Making Skills Of Postgraduate Respiratory Care Personnel, Leisa Kay Bowden

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The researcher of the study became interested in critical decision making skills while working with Respiratory Care post graduates. The researcher of the study noticed through observation a deficiency in critical thinking skills, reasoning abilities and decision making skills of recent post graduate Respiratory personnel. These weaknesses impacted a deterioration in interdepartmental communications and most importantly a deterioration in the quality of patient care. The problem of this study is to determine the effects of critical decision making skills in the College of West Virginia’s 1995 Respiratory Care class as compared to the College of West Virginia’s 1994 Respiratory Care …

Students' Reactions To Performance-Based Versus Traditional Objective Assessment, Anthony L. Truog

Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education: Archives

In summary, the struggle to obtain more performance-based evaluation goes on. The results to date support the idea that more student involvement is better. The issue of cost-benefit analysis must be continually addressed, while not losing either the vision to make assessment intrinsic to the learning process, nor the efficiency of objective detachment. The really exciting aspect will be the personal growth of the students and their instructor.

An Interactive Computerised Assessment System., Roisin Donnelly

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

A Model School Volunteer Program For Daniel Elementary School, Kent, Washington, School District, Scott Wells Abernathy

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a volunteer work force model for an elementary school serving preschool through sixth grade students. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature and research regarding school volunteer programs was examined; information and materials from selected existing elementary school volunteer programs was obtained and analyzed; additionally school staff, administrators, parents, and community members were polled regarding volunteerism. The model was designed for implementation at George T. Daniel Elementary in the Kent, Washington, School District.

A Resource Manual For Facilitating Effective Instructional Strategies For At-Risk Junior High Students, Steven D. Meeker

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a resource manual to facilitate effective instructional strategies for at-risk junior high school students. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature related to at-risk student characteristics, their special needs, and programs and strategies developed to assist them was reviewed. Additionally, on site visits to selected programs and interviews with teachers and administrators were conducted.

At-risk students are young people who lack motivation to do well in school or work. They live marginally outside the socially accepted code for children and youth. School systems which have large numbers of at-risk students need …

The Design Of A Middle School Manual To Aid Core Teachers In The Development Of Integrated Curriculum Units, Irene M. Moren

All Graduate Projects

This project purports to design a manual for middle-school teachers to aid in the development of core-integrated curriculum units. The manual will serve as an ally to the knowledge in textbooks, technology bases, and other available printed and nonprinted library and classroom resources. It will illustrate specific ways to integrate core curriculum knowledge and activities. The manual is intended for use by school-based subject core teachers by providing a common field of knowledge on the development of integrated curriculum units for middle level grades. The manual will enable educators to develop integrated core curriculum units that utilize themes and knowledge …