Educational Methods Commons^™

Me, Myself, And I: The Impact Of Metacognitive Strategies On Student Locus Of Control And Critical Thinking Skills, Danielle Kuchler

All Master's Theses

We live in an era when a college degree is essentially required for entry into good-paying careers, and yet achievement of a college degree is unacceptably low. Only 60% of students who enroll go on to graduate from 4-year colleges and universities in 6 years or fewer (National Center for Higher Education 2018). Why is this happening? What are the long-term intellectual and economic implications of ill-prepared students? We must ask ourselves if students are really prepared with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be successful in college and whether those attributes are developed while in college. Two of the …

The Impact Of Mindfulness On Student Success, Casey D. Nightingale

All Master's Theses

As schools are adopting the whole child approach, it is important to examine how the approach impacts academic success. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a school-based mindfulness curriculum on student reading scores and classroom engagement. Using a multiple baseline design, this study examined the rate of improvement in reading scores and academic engagement in elementary students receiving a mindfulness curriculum. The curriculum was introduced in addition to the regular curriculum in 15-minute lessons twice a week. Rate of improvement was examined utilizing curriculum-based measures, while student engagement was evaluated through classroom observation methods. This …

The Discourse Of Written And Audio Feedback, Zachary Dalton

All Master's Theses

Most teachers provide feedback for students daily. Whether it be a word of encouragement or a lengthy written comment in the margin of an essay, feedback is essential in first-year writing courses. This study investigates two distinct types of feedback, audio (a subset of oral feedback) and written (marginal comments and end comments). For this analysis, two instructors produced samples of audio feedback for students in their English 101 class sections (39 students total). The comments were then transcribed and compared with written comments left for the student by the same teacher on the same assignments. Students completed a follow-up …

Do Homework Trackers Affect Students’ Academic Performance?, Luisdaniel Barrera

All Master's Theses

With new state assessment requirements for high school graduation, teachers are focusing on different strategies to assist students to achieve those goals. Many teachers state that students who complete homework perform better academically. The current study analyzed whether homework planners (trackers) had any positive effect on the academic performance of 16 seventh grade students in a very small and rural school district. This was a mixed study (quantitative and qualitative). Students’ grades, district assessments, state assessments, and teacher surveys were analyzed. The results showed that students improved their math and English Language Arts (ELA) district assessment scores when compared from …

The Effects Of Nutrition Education On Third And Fifth Grade Students’ Fruit And Vegetable Knowledge, Preference, And Consumption, Alexandra Epstein-Solfield

All Master's Theses

Regular consumption of fruit and vegetables (F/V) may reduce the risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases, yet most American school children fail to meet recommended intakes. One proposed method for reducing childhood obesity is implementing school-based nutrition education programs aimed at increasing F/V intake. This repeated measures study examined the effectiveness of an eight-week F/V-targeted nutrition education intervention on elementary-school students’ nutrition knowledge, F/V preference, and salad bar consumption. A convenience sample of third- and fifth-grade students (n = 149) participated in the study. Surveys were administered pre- and post-intervention to assess F/V knowledge and preference. Pre- and post-plate waste …

Effective Learning Strategies For College Students With Asperger's Syndrome, Jamie Susanne Gilbert

All Master's Theses

More and more students with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) are being accepted into college without having the proper foundation in place to successfully graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. Students with AS need support systems in place to properly prepare them to face the challenges of college. The purpose of this study is to discuss the current research in regards to effective learning strategies that lead to academic success for college students with AS and to further discuss how to implement the learning strategies in higher education institutions. A single-subject study, using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, was performed. It involved one …

A Parent Handbook: How Parents Can Foster Learning To Enhance Formal Schooling, Janet M. Mckee

All Master's Theses

This project examined the role of fostering brain development before formal schooling begins.

Collaborative Reading At Home To Assist Children With Reading Difficulties, Criste R. Goldy

All Master's Theses

The effects of a collaborative home reading program on children with reading difficulties was studied. Students selected for the study were currently enrolled in special programs for reading and/or English as a second language. Students who participated in the Reading-At-Home program made substantial and immediate gains in reading skills, although greatest gains were made by younger students (five to eight years old). Participant reactions were also discussed.

Promoting Children's Writing For Publication, Minnie Mary Mckay Merrill

All Master's Theses

The main emphasis of this project was a description of a writing program "Promoting Children's Writing for Publication" as it evolved at Grass Lake Elementary School, Kent School District, Kent, Washington.

The Fifth Grade Student As An Active Participant In The Selection Of School Library Books, Catherine Spada Mcleod

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if fifth grade students could be consistent and productive participants in the process of selecting books for a school library. Forty-six students completed a Reading Interest Inventory and participated in a book selection activity.

Chi-square test results did not support the hypothesis that there would be no significant difference between the results of these two selection activities. Student perceptions of their involvement in this process were also included.

Teacher's Reactions To An Implemented Competency Based Education Program In Tigard Senior High School, Merle Dean Winder

All Master's Theses

Teachers' reactions to an implemented competency based education program were evaluated. Twenty-four high school teachers were asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning competency based education. It was concluded that teachers understand competency based education and its components. The majority of teachers performed tasks related to competency based education. Teachers did not change their course content nor evaluation methods to accommodate competency based education. Teachers have varied opinions on the virtues of competency based education and their major concern is record keeping processes. Implications of the competency based education innovation arc discussed.

A Study Of The Neurological Impress Method With Remedial Secondary Students, Larry Charles Reynolds

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a study of the Neurological Impress Method, with junior high students two or more years behind their expected Reading Comprehension level. Thirty students were randomly selected and placed into control and experimental groups by a random number process. These S's received eighteen weeks of special treatment with either the N.I.M. or oral reading practice for the controls. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the Reading Comprehension gains of controls and experimentals. The gains of both controls and experimentals was, however, found to be of significance. Conclusions and recommendations included suggestions for additional research and a discussion …

An Approach To The Teaching Of Handwriting, Patricia J. Belter

All Master's Theses

Present systems for teaching handwriting are based largely on custom or preference of previous systems utilized (Templin, 1960). Groff (1960) mailed questionnaires to seventy-two large city school systems and found that decisions on handwriting programs are based on tradition and not on research findings.

Nineteen different handwriting systems supply about ninety-five percent of the instructional materials in use today in the United States. Many of these systems have not been changed in the last fifty years (Mullins, Turner & Saltzman, 1972).

A Study To Identify Exploratory Experiences In Career Education For Sterling Junior High School And To Implement Career Exploration Into Selected Industrial Arts Courses, Edward N. Baugh

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a plan for implementing career education into curriculum at Sterling Junior High School. The first phase of implementation would take place within selected eighth and ninth-grade woodworking classes. This would consist of exploratory experiences in career education related to the subject area of woodworking.

The second phase would implement career education into the other subject areas at the junior high level. This too, would consist of exploratory experiences in career education as related to each different subject.

Recommendations include further research and field testing of the suggested career education concepts so that optimum implementation can be achieved.

School Entrance Age And Its Later Influence On Academic Achievement, Gary J. Eubanks

All Master's Theses

The influence of school entrance age upon the academic achievement of 434 eight grade students was examined. Students were divided into three age groups. Comparison on five California Achievement Test subtests and IQ showed no significant differences except between sexes on the Mechanics of English and Spelling subtests.

A biased sample made comparisons of the same students at the twelfth grade impossible. Comparisons between the students who did and those who did not take the twelfth grade test revealed significant differences.

A Diagnostic Procedure To Measure The Student's Ability To Use The Index Of A Textbook, William L. Miller

All Master's Theses

This thesis involved the construction of a 37-item true/false diagnostic test which measures the ability to use an index of a textbook. Sixteen separate indexing skills were identified and sequenced. The reading level of the test is third grade; however, it may be used through the high school level. The test was administered to 28 fifth grade students and statistically analyzed.

Recommendations include additional testing and refinement of test items and the construction of a larger sample index.

Effects Of A Contingency Management Program On Reading Rate And Spread Of Effect With Primary Mildly Intellectually Disabled Children, Leo Carl Beck

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a study dealing with increasing reading rate, with primary, language delayed youngsters. The program was designed to see if rate could be increased with contingent (CRF) as opposed to differential (DRO) reinforcement with no drop in selected variables (comprehension, vocabulary, articulation and auditory discrimination). Reinforcement consisted of tokens paired with social praise. Rate did increase for the duration of the study and the selected variables remained essentially constant.

Recommendations include replication of the study with precise administration of schedules.

A Follow-Up Study On Reading Ability Of Junior High School Remedial Reading Students, Jerry Borgens

All Master's Theses

This paper presents the follow-up study of a remedial reading program for junior high school students. The purpose of the program was to improve the reading ability of these students using the "Modification of Reading Behavior" program. Using pre-test and post-test results, it was found that the majority of the students in the program made significant improvement in reading ability.

The follow-up study indicated that the gains made in reading ability in the original program were maintained approximately one year after termination of the program.

The Vocational Preference Inventory As A Measure Of Probable Teaching Effectiveness, Landon A. Fitch

All Master's Theses

This paper is a report of a study investigating the potential of the Vocational Preference Inventory as an instrument to predict the probable effectiveness of students preparing to be teachers. The Vocational Preference Inventory was given to effective teachers and to student teachers who were rated most and least effective by their college supervisors. The resultant profiles from the Vocational Preference Inventory scores were compared. The profiles and the profile interpretations of the effective teachers and the most effective student teachers were much more similar than those of the effective teachers and the least effective student teachers.

It is strongly …

Study Of Paired-Learning In The Resource Room In The Aberdeen School District, Jean Doris Fairbairn

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a naturalistic field study employing methodology of participant-observation. The study was designed to initiate, develop and evaluate a program whereby K-6 grad students were observed in a pair-learning situation. The study was specifically focused on the idea of students teaching other students human awareness skills. The program was outlined, the students observed and four hypotheses presented.

Hydroelectric Generation And Transmission, Lawrence G. Bennett

All Master's Theses

This thesis is an outline of the process and procedure in collecting information and developing a slide-tape series on hydroelectric generation and transmission of electricity. It includes some of the analysis involved in selection of the materials and media, along with a basic discussion of how it may be used by an instructor or individual students. It also includes a statement of problems involved in the gathering of materials and selection of correct slides to fit the requirements of the script.

A Comparison Of A Rate Acceleration Reading Program With Basal Reading Program On Reading Achievement In Second Grade, Carol O'Connell

All Master's Theses

This paper compares two reading systems by the experimental method--the Basal Reading Program and the Rate Acceleration Reading Program at the grade two level in a quasi-experimental design to determine if there was any significant difference in the end results of pupil achievement. Results, observations, and implications of the study are discussed.

A Select Chronology Of Recorded Events From The History Of The Yacolt, Washington, Area From 1853 To 1953 With Summary And Source Notations, Orville Hewes Stout

All Master's Theses

This chronological resource volume has been prepared as a result of curriculum inadequacies in the Yacolt School District in which teachers are expected to teach units relating to the local community and from the absence of sufficient resource organization to enable adequate location and utilization of existing and potential historical materials.

The volume attempt to meet this need by gathering together and annotating the sources of local history and arranging them in a logical order of time with a topical index and related appendices.

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.

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.

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.

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 …