Educational Methods Commons^™

Effects Of Points Exchangeable For Grades On Junior High Mathematics Students, James Edward Perkins

Master of Education Theses

This paper presents the effects of a token system used in a regular eighth grade mathematics class. Two classes containing 21 and 23 students were implemented. The study was designed to increase attendance, behavior, and mathematical achievement in a test group and measure the effects against a control group. The scores revealed a significant difference only in attendance favoring the test group.

Recommendations included pairing stronger reinforcers with the points used and suggestions for future research.

The Effect Of Diagnostic Prescriptive Instruction Using Team Teaching Of Language Arts, John Edward Gilmore

All Master's Theses

This study attempts to determine the effect or using diagnostic prescriptive instruction under the organization of team teaching. The study was designed to evaluate the academic progress of students in a pilot program using team teaching. The results indicate that students having team teaching do not score significantly higher than students receiving conventional instruction. During the study the author developed and fieldtested a semantic differential attitude scale that will be used to determine attitudinal differences among groups of students.

An Experiment With Third Grade Pupils To Determine The Observable Relationship Between Decoding Instruction And Comprehension Growth, D. Pope

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to determine if there is a relationship between concentrated decoding instruction and comprehension growth of third grade pupils. The program was designed as follows: 1) a comprehension pretest was administered to twenty-four third grade pupils; 2) an experimental and a control group of equal comprehension ability was established; 3) each day for twenty minutes, isolated from the control group, the experimental group, underwent intense decoding skills instruction; 4) upon completion of 90 days of instruction a comprehension posttest was administered and the mean raw scores of the two groups analyzed by the t …

Comparison Of Achievement And Cost Of Achievement Of Remedial Reading Students Using Two Different Programs, David Marlin Pocock

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a study of two different remedial reading programs on the eighth and ninth grade levels. The control group (eight grade) used various types of reading machines for classroom instruction. The experimental group (ninth grade) used a basic phonetic approach to the teaching of reading without the use of reading machines. Evaluation of the groups showed a significant difference in student grade level gain and cost of each program per student.

Recommendations included the careful spending of money on remedial programs which do not produce better results than less expensive programs, and suggestions for additional research.

Can A Gaming Approach Within A Language-Experience Individualized Reading Program Effectively Teach Reading Skills, Trudy N. Rodine

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a trial program of reading skill instruction using a gaming approach within a language-experience individualized program. The study reviewed the literature on language-writing-reading development and thereupon sought to translate the identified theoretical procedure into a working pattern which would achieve specific skill building objectives with a selected group of eight or nine year old children.

Pre--test and post-test diagnostic information influenced both the program development and its evaluation.

Effects Of Contingency Management On Grade Level Achievement Of Secondary Special Education Students, Richard L. Swanby

All Master's Theses

This study presents a comparison of grade level achievement for secondary special education students of non-reinforcement and reinforcement periods. The program was designed for 26 special education students between grade 9 through 12 at Selah High School. A statistical evaluation was done between the non-reinforcement and reinforcement periods.

Recommendation included that the program may be an effective means of educating secondary special education students.

Traditional Vs. Individualized Fifth And Sixth Grade Arithmetic Program, Donald Paul Giaudrone

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparative study involving two methods of arithmetic instruction for fifth and sixth grade students. Thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using a traditional approach and thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using an individualized approach. Each group was divided into high, average, and low ability students and between group achievements compared at the end of an eight month period with encouraging results. Evaluation and statistical analysis followed. The findings were discussed and recommendations offered for further study.

Effects Of Points Exchangeable For Grades On Junior High Mathematics Students, James Edward Perkins

All Master's Theses

This paper presents the effects of a token system used in a regular eight grade mathematics class. Two classes containing 21 and 23 students were implemented. The study was designed to increase attendance, behavior, and mathematical achievement in a test group and measure the effects against a control group. The scores revealed a significant difference only in attendance favoring the test group.

Recommendations included pairing stronger reinforcers with the points used and suggestions for future research.

Retention As A Function Of Competition And Cooperation In Learning, Neil Orin Combelic

All Master's Theses

Educators in our school systems continually try to determine what kind of motivational atmosphere should be established to obtain the fullest potential from every student that enters an institution of higher learning. Since our society is built on competition, many educators would like to increase competition among students in the classroom. Other educators point out that too much competition can be harmful, and would like to see students cooperatively motivated in the classroom.

Problem Solving Ability And Effective Group Behavior Of Introductory Education Students, Gary Lewis Lord

All Master's Theses

The need to understand group processes in the classroom and to use them to develop more effective learning is growing among educators. The group and its dynamics comprise significant conditions for learning and work either for or against the individual's development. One of the most significant learning developmental characteristics that is readily influenced by group variables is the individual's ability to solve problems. Not only is problem solving ability influenced by group variables, but it is through group process methods that this ability is most effectively learned. Thus, problem solving is believed to be a social skill. That group variables …

Comparison Of Effectiveness Of Basal Readers And Sullivan Programmed Materials, Joan E. Lorenz

All Master's Theses

The aim of this study is not to tear down or ridicule any method, Sullivan Programmed or Traditional Basal, but to evaluate as objectively as possible, the merits and limitations which exist in both and to show, through testing a group of 99 first graders and 64 second graders, the possible effectiveness of these methods.

The Teacher's Contingent Use Of Praise And Privilege To Improve Classroom Study Behavior, Margaret E. Taylor

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this experiment to determine if the study behavior of an entire classroom and two target students could be increased by teacher implementation of a program of contingent praise and privilege for appropriate study behavior. It was proposed in this study that a regular classroom teacher receiving instructions in the concepts of reinforcement theory from a school psychologist intern, would be able to elicit significant behavioral changes in the classroom as the result of the implementation of this contingency program.

A Comparison Of Emphasis Of Training And On-The-Job Effectiveness Of Media Personnel, Roy E. Williams

All Master's Theses

It has long been recognized in our society that formal training plays a strong role in the development of attitudes, and that attitudes are important determinants of behavior. Consequently, the behavior of one whose formal training has been oriented in a particular direction is often somewhat different from the behavior of one whose training has been oriented in a different direction. Does the training orientation of instructional materials personnel affect their on-the-job effectiveness? Will a person who is primarily oriented toward print materials be more or less effective in promoting the use of instructional materials than one whose orientation is …

A Comparison Of Seven Teaching Traits Between Experienced Special Education Teachers And Experienced Regular Education Teachers, James Edward Thomas

All Master's Theses

There seems a need for educational research to find if special education teachers have unique behavioral traits in dealing with children in the classroom. Many studies have been conducted with this general goal in mind. Unfortunately, most of the studies have dealt with such things as personality traits, attitudes, and characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are any significant differences among experienced special education teachers and experienced regular classroom teachers on seven teaching traits. It was hoped that this investigation would point out some behaviors unique to special education teachers since it is believed by …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Various Methods Of Teaching Reading In Special Education Classrooms, Mary Ann Fisher

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two reading programs, Sullivan's Programmed Reading and the Psycholinguistic Color System, and to try to determine if one program did, in effect, have a particular value over the other when used with children in an intermediate special education program. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if a teacher-centered program brought about different results than one which was student-centered.

The Grading Of Men’S Physical Education Activities In The Small Four-Year Colleges Of Oregon, Washington And California, John A. Beck

All Master's Theses

What grading method of activity courses in small colleges is best meeting the needs of the students involved? What is the most prevalent method used? Is grading outmoded -- a thing of the past? These are the basic questions to be answered by this study.

The Effects Of Conferencing On Teacher And Pupil Verbal Behavior In The Classroom, Dwayne B. Fickel

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioral effects of conferencing with high school teachers following observations of their behavior in the classroom. The basis of observation, feedback, and conferencing was Flanders' System of Interaction Analysis. All observations were recorded, but feedback was given only to the experimental group.

Contingency Management In A Language Development Program, James E. Clark

All Master's Theses

The problem was two-fold. The first part of the problem was the investigation of whether a person with no formal training in speech could successfully administer Gray's (1970) language development program. The second part of the problem was the investigation of whether the two subjects involved would gain the ability to use new language structures.

Group Counseling The Underachieving New College Student, Kenneth F. Burda

All Master's Theses

The present study will deal with underachievement on the college level. A critical examination of the progress and process of underachievers in a group setting will be attempted. The major difference will be this experiment will be geared to help underachievers before they become probationaries.

The Value Of The Parent-Teacher Conference, Suteerat Ungjaroen

All Master's Theses

Many of the problems of an individual pupil's education can be solved through a harmonious attitude between his parents and teacher. Through this harmonious relationship, the parent can find out what the child is like at school and the teacher can find out what the child is like at home. From this composite picture, the parents and teacher can determine what the child needs, both at home and at school. However, it must be understood that good parent-teacher conferences do not just happen. As a matter of fact, the beginning teacher faces a difficult problem of communicating effectively with the …

Current Status Of Chamber Ensembles In The First-Class High Schools Of Washington State, Dennis C. Crabb

All Master's Theses

The problem concerned in this paper is to establish the extent to which ensembles are used as a teaching method in music departments of the high schools of the first-class school districts of Washington State.

Reading Interests In Relation To Vocational, Extracurricular, And Academic Interests Of Boys In Grades Two Through Six, Diane C. Mccarty

All Master's Theses

Educators are continually seeking ways of aiding children in preparation for their adult lives. There has been much research involving the interest and aspirations of the secondary and college student, often leaving the elementary child behind. The writer felt the need to explore the possibilities of a positive relationship between reading, vocational, academic, and extracurricular interests within the elementary grades. If a correlation could be established, this would aid the teacher in developing the necessary skills in a strong foundation for future use by the student. The three-part research hypothesis would determine (1) if a significant relationship exists between the …

Operational Expression Of Attitudes In A Self-Selecting Curriculum, James Richard Carnes

All Master's Theses

The goal of this study was to describe the operational expression of attitudes in a self--selecting curriculum. Information was revealed concerning children's attitudes toward specific curricular areas, how those attitudes are expressed behaviorally, and how attitude changes are reflected in behavior patterns.

Effects Of Controlled Reading Reinforcement On Junior High Students, Earl Albertson

All Master's Theses

The initial purpose of this investigation was to design a motivating environment based upon operant reinforcement theory. The second purpose of this study was to show how a high degree of structure and systematic application of operant reinforcement theory works in a junior high school reading class.

A Study Of The Reading Background And Current Program Practices In Reading Used By Elementary Principals In Washington's Second Class School Districts, Kenneth William Anderson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which the training and backgrounds possessed by elementary principals affect their actions as leaders of reading instruction with their buildings.

A Survey Of Changing Of Units Of Measure In First Grade Through Eighth Grade Mathematics Materials, Thomas E. Anderson

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study (1) to compare the ability of eighth grade students to change units of measure in the English system and in a fictional system of measurement; (2) to survey four mathematics textbook series, grades one through six, and four series, grades seven and eight, on changing of units of measure; and (3) to survey three college level textbooks, which could possibly be utilized in an arithmetic methods course, to see how changing of units of measure is suggested to be taught to children.

A Comparative Investigation Of The Affects Of Parental Cooperation And No Known Parental Cooperation In Children’S Reading Skills, Suzanne Dorothea Lorain

All Master's Theses

Due to the low economic area from which the subjects for this experiment were chosen, many were lacking in environmental experiences which contributed to their growth in reading skills and interests in the primary grades. This experiment was devised as a means to study reading difficulties in children from a low socioeconomic area, while, at the same time, parents were used to help overcome those problems. The main purpose of this study was to compare and contrast improvement in reading interest and reading skills in matched groups of subjects of an experimental and a control group.

Individualized Instruction In Contrast To Total Classroom Instruction In Vocabulary Development, James N. Haner

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the null hypothesis there was no significant difference in methods used in teaching vocabulary development in an individualized method as opposed to normal classroom methods. It was also the purpose of this pilot study to: (1) compare the amount of progress in vocabulary development the girls made as to the amount of progress in vocabulary development the boys made; (2) compare the boys of the control group and the experimental group as to which made the greater gains in vocabulary development; (3) compare the girls of the control group and the …

A Descriptive Study Of Focus Room As A Method Of Integrating The Educationally Disadvantaged With The More Abled Student, Edward J. Novak

All Master's Theses

The problem was to develop a descriptive method of meeting the needs of underachieving students in the junior high. Focus Room was then decided upon as a method of meeting these needs by integrating the educationally disadvantaged with the more abled students. The general purpose of Focus Room was to attempt to establish a method of providing reparation experiences that would enable the student to evaluate and rebuild in these areas in terms of his own needs. The specific intent of student assignment to Focus Room was intended to be as varied and individual as the needs of the students …

An Experimental Study To Determine The Effect Of Creative Dramatics Upon A Public School Speech Therapy Program, Sharon Lee Balyeat

All Master's Theses

The intent of the study was to determine the effect of creative dramatics upon the attitudes and language skills of a group of children participating in a public school speech correction program.