Educational Methods Commons^™

The Impact Of E-Readers On The Domains Of Reading Comprehension In High School Students, Erika Zeidler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

n this quasi-experimental static comparison group design, a homogenous sample of 128 American Literature (high school juniors) students were placed in a comparison and treatment group to determine whether e-readers can improve decoding skills and language comprehension, the two main domains of reading comprehension. Both groups took a pre- and posttest that measured their reading comprehension skills in both areas. The comparison group read a class assigned novel in a traditional paperback version while the treatment group read the novel on either a Kindle or a Kindle app on his or her smart phone or device. The treatment group was …

A Phenomenological Study Of Differentiated Instruction For Fifth Grade Gifted And High Ability Learners Through Math In Focus, Elizabeth Keithley Sizemore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

his phenomenological study investigated the differentiation techniques implemented for gifted and high ability learners by fifth grade general classroom mathematics instructors utilizing the Math in Focus (Great Source/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009) Singapore Mathematics program in a suburban school district. To provide an understanding of the differentiation process currently being implemented by general classroom mathematics teachers, six participants completed an open-ended questionnaire and two representative participants were interviewed, observed, and asked to provide artifacts for analysis in the study. Data analysis using transcendental phenomenological reduction, including bracketing and horizonalization, revealed several overarching lessons. Participants analyzed multiple student data sources throughout the …

Elementary Students’ Perceptions Of Gender Equity In Mathematics Classes, Debra Jacobson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There have been various research studies stating that in elementary school, gender bias in all subjects is nonexistent. However, other researchers interested in gender equity in the mathematics classroom have recognized that gender bias does not occur in early elementary school grades but exists by middle school. Thus, research in this area is greatly needed. This study examined children in the third, fourth, and fifth grades to determine whether students’ perceptions of their own mathematical abilities relate to their perceptions of their teacher’s beliefs about gender bias in mathematics. Pearson Product-Moment correlation and Point-Biserial correlations were used to analyze data. …

A Phenomenological Study Of Adult Reading Motivation, Audra Blyseth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the factors that influence young adults’ (aged 18 to 24) reading experiences, reading habits and behavior, and desire to read. Three research questions guided this study: (a) How do young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 describe the factors that influence their reading experiences? (b) How do participants describe the effect of factors on their reading habits and behavior? (c) How do participants describe the effect of factors on their personal desire to read? Participants included young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. Data collection methods …

The Relationship Between Elementary Teachers’ Years Of Experience And Their Self-Perceived Pedagogical Competence In Alabama Elementary Schools, Amy Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Years of teaching experience have been found to increase student achievement more than advanced degrees, formal training, and in-service professional development. Additionally, teachers with high pedagogical competence levels have achieved excellent academic results and have also taught and led students to be well-rounded. It has been competent teachers who have lain at the heart of the educational process, as a bridge between the curriculum and the learner. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine whether a statistically significant relationship exists between years of teaching experience and elementary teachers’ self-perceived effective pedagogical competence. A convenience sample of 159 elementary …

Edmodo: A Collective Case Study Of English As The Second Language (Esl) Of Latino/Latina Students, Michael Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The population of English as the Second Language (ESL) students continues to rise throughout the United States especially among those of Latino/Latina heritage. An important aspect to help these students succeed is to build a sense of community through a social constructivist framework. By using and developing 21st century skills through social networking, students can develop a sense of community which could lead to an increase in academic achievement. Utilizing a philosophical assumption of methodology allowed for flexibility and ongoing reflection for the current study, and it was applied in the conceptual framework of social constructivism and sense of community. …

Validation Of The Assessment Of Basic Language And Learning Skills-Revised For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using An Expert Review Panel, Jennifer Usry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the content validity and inter-rater reliability of the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills-Revised (ABLLS-R). Lawshe’s method was used to examine content validity of the assessment based on item analysis of responses from a panel of six experts. The six reviewers were experts in the fields of behavior analysis and autism. Inter-rater reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) based on scoring information from a panel of five experts after watching a video model of the assessment being administered to a student. The five reviewers were experts in …

The Relationship Between Hexaco Personality Traits And Cyberbullying Perpetrators And Victims, David Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is an increasing problem in high schools across America with the threat of cyberbullying from both a perpetration and victimization standpoint. Cyberbullying is a problem for many youth because of the inability to escape the use of technology and the incapability of escaping the online community. This non-experimental predictive correlational study examined personality traits, using the HEXACO personality structure model, to predict the susceptibility of freshman high school students either being perpetrators or victims of cyberbullying. There were a total of 256 participants who took the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression survey along with the HEXACO personality model survey. This …

Adoption Of Ereaders By Senior Adults: A Phenomenological Study, Dale Tysor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A majority of the previous research on older adults and their use of technology has focused on computers and the Internet. Most of the eReader-specific research examined younger participants in an academic setting. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perspectives of Georgia senior adults in their adoption of eReaders. The adoption of an eReader was generally defined as the acquisition of an eReader, followed by the selecting, downloading, navigating, and reading of eBooks using an eReader. This study took place in a public library and was designed to answer 3 research questions: (a) What are contributing …

The Perception Of The Effectiveness Of Classdojo In Middle School Classrooms: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Michael Burger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study modeled after Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological reduction investigated the perceptions of teachers and students regarding the effectiveness of ClassDojo as a classroom management tool for three middle school classrooms at Cardinal Unified School District (pseudonym). The research questions for the study were aimed at understanding teachers’ and students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of ClassDojo as a classroom management tool as well as the necessary resources and experiences to implement it well. Furthermore, this research aimed at explaining teachers’ perceptions of how the use of this tool affected their administrators’ view of them as teachers. The participants consisted …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Transactional Reading Experiences Of 12th Grade Digital Natives In Rural Northeast Georgia: Print And Digital Texts, Katherine Kesterson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the print and digital transactional reading experiences of 12th grade digital natives at Mountain High School in rural, northeast Georgia. The research questions include: What are the reading experiences of 12th grade digital natives in a rural high school in northeast Georgia? How do 12th grade digital natives in a rural high school in northeast Georgia describe their transactional experiences with print texts? How do 12th grade digital natives in a rural high school in northeast Georgia describe their transactional experiences with digital texts? Participants included a purposeful sample of …

Personalized System Of Instruction And Student Performance In High School Weight Training Courses, Charles Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

School reform has applied pressure on the United States public school systems to improve student achievement. As a result of this pressure, educators are seeking instructional models that research supports improves student achievement. The purpose of this causal comparative study was to test the Social Cognitive Theory by comparing the achievement of all-male high school weight training students who had been taught using the personalized system of instruction (PSI) instructional model to students who had not been taught using the PSI instructional model on the state mandated Fitnessgram assessments, after controlling for prior Fitnessgram achievement within a large, urban high …

Phenomenology Of Transformation Through Participation In A General Education Development Program, Sherrie Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to describe how young adults experience transformation through participation in a federally funded General Education Development (GED®) program located within a small urban area in the southeastern region of Georgia. Specifically, transformative learning theory and its overarching themes was applied to the perspective of the individuals who shared the experience of transformation. The queries of the study were to determine: (a) how the participants understood transformation, (b) how the participants described their experience of transformation in a federally funded GED program, (c) what transformation(s) were described and perceived from the GED program, …

Teacher Immediacy From The Perspective Of Teachers Who Educate At-Risk Students In A High School Alternative Setting: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Connie Locklear

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to gain a deeper, richer understanding of teacher immediacy from the perspective of teachers who educate at-risk students in an alternative setting. This study consisted of 12 teachers who educate high school students that have dropped out of school or were potential dropouts prior to entering the alternative program. The study was designed to answer the following questions: (a) What are the opinions of teachers who work in an alternative setting about teacher immediacy? (b) What do teachers state as obstacles to establishing teacher immediacy? (c) What additional resources do teachers state …

A Collective Case Study Of Expectant Father Fears, Robert Grand

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative, collective case study explored how men perceive fears of childbirth and level of preparedness to become fathers. An additional purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of expectant and new fathers with regard to how the Boot Camp for New Dads (BCND) program helped them to alleviate pregnancy fears and develop preparedness to become a parent. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted after the participants completed a three-hour boot camp for the BCND program. Additionally, participants completed the Kessler-6, a short questionnaire designed to glean their perspectives of fears after the childbirth. …

Best Learning And Study Strategy Predictors Of Gpa For Vocational Adult And Traditional Learners, Lachelle M. Rosenbaum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Vocational education has gained support and endorsement from the Obama Administration as a way to advance the American public in economic and social prosperity in this coming age. Time and resources are crucial as traditional and adult learners seek the skills they need for competitive employment. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the predictive relationship between learning and study strategies and academic performance (GPA) among first semester vocational adult learners and vocational traditional learners. The participants for this study were selected from a convenience sample of vocational college students at a northwestern, rural, four-year college with an …

Rural High School Faculty Perspectives On Bring Your Own Device Implementation: A Phenomenological Study, Philip Lee Arnold

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of faculty members who recently implemented Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in a rural high school in Georgia. Many students bring electronic devices to school despite policies banning or limiting their possession and use. Some schools have recently implemented BYOD guidelines that allow the use of these devices to enhance the learning environment. In-depth interviews, participant journals, and a concluding focus group discussion were used to better understand the lived experiences of the faculty members during their transition to BYOD. Themes discovered through the data indicated that …

The Impact Of Co-Teaching On General Education Students In Seventh Grade Math, Kenneth Lamar James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Federal legislation has mandated that all students, including students with disabilities, perform at or above a certain level on standardized tests. Students with disabilities consistently have scored below the required minimum score. Educators have begun implementing co-teaching strategies in the general education classroom in order to better serve the students with disabilities. This has caused concern among some parents and other educators as to how the inclusion of special education students in the general classroom will affect the achievement of general education students. This quantitative study is designed to gather data from the math section of the Criterion Referenced Competency …

Black Student Self-Efficacy And The Achievement Gap: A Heterogeneous Grouping Case Study, John Anthony Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This explanatory case study explored the ways in which a heterogeneous grouping modulates academic performance for a group of Black students in an Honors Biology class at Bay City High School (BCHS), a large racially and socioeconomically diverse public high school in suburban Maryland. Data was collected through individual interviews, self-efficacy surveys, multiple observations of student on-task behaviors, student-to-student interactions, student-to-teacher interactions, and other task-related conditions. Seven students and their parents, current teachers, and former teachers provided the data. Thematic-coding of the data as outlined by Creswell (2014) was employed in conjunction with Yin's (2003) methods of analysis. In order …

Experiences Of Boys In A Single-Gender, Military-Style High School Educational Environment, Jefferey Warren Chandler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In an effort to improve academic achievement and student performance, some school systems across the United States are starting to consider some form of single-gender education. As many school systems have considered single-gender classes, previous research on single-gender education has focused on its effect on academic achievement. Other research has focused on adverse student behavior in the classroom. One area of single-gender education not addressed in previous research is the experience of boys in a single-gender, military-style high school educational environment from the lens of those in that environment. The purpose of this multiple-case study was to describe the experiences …

The Effect Of Thinking Maps® On The Reading Achievement Of Middle School Students: An Ex Post Facto Causal Comparative Study, Karen Ogden Woodford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine what, if any, relationship existed between Thinking Maps® instruction used as a school-wide strategy and student achievement in middle school students in the area of reading as reported by the Virginia State Standards of Learning Test scores. The association was tested through full implementation and instruction of Thinking Maps® as a school-wide strategy. Using a quantitative design, this ex post facto, causal comparative included a comparison of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students' Virginia Reading SOL scores from 2011, 2012, and 2013 after schools implemented Thinking Maps® as a school-wide strategy compared …

Interactive Whiteboard Technologies In High School: A Quantitative, Quasi-Experimental Comparison Of Their Impact On The Levels Of Measure That Determine A Return On Investment, Joseph Michael Schipper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental, non-equivalent group study will examine the impact on levels of measure that determine a return on investment (ROI) of differing forms of interactive whiteboard (IWB) technology utilized with a class\room technology package consisting of a video projector, a document camera, and a computer at a high school in a suburban school district in southeastern Virginia. Three forms of IWB will be compared: a full screen IWB, a mobile interactive whiteboard (MIWB) and a tablet based whiteboard app (IWBAPP). Student performance and survey data will be analyzed to determine the impact on students and teachers who were exposed …

The Effect Of Student-Generated Case Studies On Conflict Resolution Style Development, David Dean Nemitz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With recent technological advances, which not only impact the manner in which we deliver higher education but also the essential outcomes pertaining to the disciplines, curriculum design must also advance. Designing pathways to engage students with activities that allow them to deepen their understanding of concepts but more importantly equip them to apply the concept is of high value. The following research outlines a quantitative study of the effect student-generated case studies have on the conflict resolution style development using a quasi-experimental design. This study examined experiential learning theory as it relates to developing conflict resolution styles by comparing conflict …

The Effects Of Service-Learning Courses And Traditional Lecture Courses On Students' Academic Achievement And Level Of Course Engagement, Jamie Rife

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this ex-post facto research was to examine the theory of Experiential Learning in the context of service-learning and its relationship at a university to the academic achievement and student level of course engagement in service-learning courses as compared to traditional lecture courses. An ex post facto research design was utilized to examine the relationship between participation in a service-learning or traditional lecture course on the course grade of the students and level of course engagement as measured by the Student Course Engagement Questionnaire (SCEQ). The study determined that participation in either a service-learning course or traditional lecture …

The Impact Of Non-Band Music Participation On The Academic Achievement Of 6th Grade Mathematics Students, Sherica Denise Jones-Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is hypothesized that participation in non-band music has a positive impact on mathematics achievement. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the theory of self-determination, multiple intelligence theory, and brain research provide a theoretical foundation in support of this conjecture. This causal comparative study seeks to address three questions related to the hypothesis: a) is there a difference between the academic achievement of 6th grade mathematics students based on non-band music participation status; b) is there a difference between the academic achievement of 6th grade males based on non-band music participation; and c) is there a difference between the academic achievement of …

A Multi-Case Study Examining Co-Teaching Approaches And Practices In High School Mathematics And Literature/Composition Classes, Patti A. Cleaveland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Special education provides a variety of instructional models to ensure the success of students with disabilities. The increasingly utilized model of co-teaching allows students with disabilities access to the general education environment with the support of special education teachers. The co-teaching model consists of one general and one special education teacher who work together to ensure the success of both the special education and general education students. This qualitative study investigated and explained the co-teaching approaches and practices used by co-teaching partners participating in the academic areas of literature/composition and mathematics classes at the high school level. A multiple case …

The Effect Of Video Interviews With Stem Professionals On Stem-Subject Attitude And Stem-Career Interest Of Middle School Students In Conservative Protestant Christian Schools, Philip Alsup

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Inspiring learners toward career options available in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is important not only for economic development but also for maintaining creative thinking and innovation. Limited amounts of research in STEM education have focused on the population of students enrolled in religious and parochial schools, and given the historic conflict between religion and science, this sector of American education is worthy of examination. The purpose of this quantitative study is to extend Gottfredson's (1981) Theory of Circumscription and Compromise as it relates to occupational aspirations. Bem's (1981) Gender Schema Theory is examined as it relates to …

Teaching Conceptual Understanding Of Mathematics Via A Hands-On Approach, Jessica Korn

Senior Honors Theses

Given the current developments in the field of mathematics instruction in the United States, conceptual understanding and a hands-on approach in mathematics are two topics of importance. Conceptual understanding of mathematics is often lacking but characterizes the core of what mathematics actually is. Using a hands-on approach presents an effective way to teach conceptual understanding of mathematics. In order to argue this, a presentation of the underlying theories of mathematical understanding and pertinent approaches is given. Then follows an investigation of three studies pertinent to using a hands-on approach in teaching conceptual understanding of mathematics: one related to implementation (Gürbüz, …

Bibliotherapy: An Approach To Treating Mental Illness In The Classroom, Erin M. Curry

Senior Honors Theses

The prevalence of adolescent mental illness has increased at an alarming rate over the past two decades. Due to a lack of accessible mental health care and the stigmatization of mental illness, parents of children with these disorders are often reluctant to seek help. These children often resort to negative self-coping methods among which include substance abuse, violence, and suicide. These negative self-coping methods have a harmful, lasting impact on the individual as well as the surrounding community.

Bibliotherapy, which harnesses the meditative power of books, can teach helpful coping skills to students with mental illness. When effectively utilized in …

The Use Of Ipads To Facilitate Growth In Reading Comprehension Skills Of Second Grade Students, Joy Reichenberg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The increased accessibility of technological devices has made it easier for educators to make use of multimodal tools in the classroom. Although educational technology has been vastly researched, one area that is not reflected in the literature is the use of eBooks that are read on mobile digital reading devices and their impact on the performance of literacy skills of lower elementary age students. This quasi-experimental, nonrandom, pretest/posttest control group study examined the results of reading an eBook on an Apple iPad and its impact (if any) on reading comprehension skills of second grade students. This quasi-experiment included a treatment …