Educational Methods Commons^™

Mentoring Student Teachers From A Distance: An Action Research Project, Michael K. Barbour, Anthony Thomas, Jason Ritter

Education Faculty Publications

At a large public university in the south eastern United States, prospective middle and high school social studies teachers complete a four semester undergraduate program that prepares them for the classrooms of America. Like many programs, this one begins with an introductory course that provides students an opportunity to explore questions about the nature, purpose, and practices of social studies in the modern school curriculum. As a part of this course, students also develop a rationale for teaching social studies which is used as a part of admission into the Social Studies Education program. Once they have been admitted to …

Jaepl, Vol. 12, Winter 2006-2007, Kristie S. Fleckenstein, Linda T. Calendrillo

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Essays

Lynn Z. Bloom and Carla Hill. High Stakes Gambling in the Master Class

High Stakes Gambling in the Master Class explores some of the unarticulated intangibles in a relationship between Master Teacher and Honors Student (who collaborated in writing this essay), calculated to produce a distinguished honors thesis, sometimes out of thin air, gambling, playing the hunches that will allow a gleam in the eye to metamorphose into gold on the page.

Judith Beth Cohen. The Missing Body—Yoga and Higher Education.

Using her own yoga practice as a basis, this author argues for more bodily involvement in learning …

Writing Aphrodite: Imagining A Rhetoric Of Desire For A Feminist Writing Course, Hildy Miller

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Reaching back to the post-Jungian goddess feminism of decades past, this essay shows how the mythical figure Aphrodite can serve as an image for an alternative rhetoric of desire in a contemporary feminist writing class.

Mcluhan’S Warning, Frye’S Strategy, Emerson’S Dream, Rich Murphy

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

McLuhan's Warning, Frye's Strategy, Emerson's Dream argues the vital function of literary writing in the academy. The essay maps a road from the warnings of catastrophe by Marshall McLuhan to Emerson's dream of all American citizens being poets through the writing strategies of Northrop Frye. It is argued that what one learns through literary writing is especially important during the crises that are ongoing in the West.

Reviews, Mary Pettice, Kerrie R. H. Farkas, Edward Sullivan, Brad Lucas

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Reviews

Mary Pettice. Writing New Media: Theory and Applications for Expanding the Teaching of Composition. (Ed. Anne Frances Wysocki, Johndan Johnson-Eilola, Cynthia L. Selfe, and Geoffrey Sirc, 2004).

Kerrie R. H. Farkas. Writing at the End of the World . (Richard Miller, 2005).

Edward Sullivan. Field Notes on the Compassionate Life: A Search for the Soul of Kindness. (Marc Ian Barasch, 2005).

Brad Lucas. (Re)Writing Craft: Composition, Creative Writing, and the Future of English Studies. (Tim Mayers, 2005).

Connecting, Helen Walker, Darina Garcia, Ryan Skinnell, Lee Roecher, Louise Morgan

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Helen Walker. Connecting.

Danina Garcia —Message from a Student Writer.

Libby Falk Jones—Anger in the Teaching Life

Ryan Skinnell —Connections of a First-Year Teacher

Lee Roecher —Guiding the Passion.

Louise Morgan —Emails to Blow Off Steam

High Stakes Gambling In The Master Class, Lynn Z. Bloom, Carla Hill

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

High Stakes Gambling in the Master Class explores some of the unarticulated intangibles in a relationship between Master Teacher and Honors Student (who collaborated in writing this essay), calculated to produce a distinguished honors thesis, sometimes out of thin air, gambling, playing the hunches that will allow a gleam in the eye to metamorphose into gold on the page.

Bodies In The Classroom: Integrating Physical Literacy, Carolina Mancuso

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

This essay, based on research in Masters level classrooms for education students enrolled in a Graduate Literacy Program, addresses issues of mind-body-spirit teaching and learning..

“Lashing Out At ‘Intellectuals’”: Facing Fear On Both Sides Of The Desk, Stephanie Paterson

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

The author identifies stages in working through a personal attack in a student's composition. Turning toward conflict in a teacher researcher stance is a creative, self-renewing way to conduct the ongoing (often unexplored) intellectual-emotional work of writing teachers.

Uniting Creativity And Research: A Holistic Approach To Learning, Susan A. Schiller

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

The academy needs to move closer to a holistic form of education, one that values creativity and research equally.

Back Matter

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Editors' Message

Leaping into Uncertainty: Teaching and Learning beyond Logic and Reason

In 1846, Soren Kierkegaard set forth the limits of logical systems and objective truth, neither of which can shed light on the important questions of life. “In logical systems,” the nineteenth century Danish philosophy argues, “nothing may be incorporated that has a relationship to existence, that is not indifferent to existence” (141) because a logical system is purely speculative. Existence is an actuality, a doing. Logical systems cannot account for the necessary leap in life between almost doing something—thinking about doing something (and Kierkegaard’s example is taking the …

Face-To-Face Training Versus Web-Based Training : Which Instructional Approach Is Better?, Nichola J. Lewis

Graduate Research Papers

Training skilled employees is essential in determining the success of an organization. Determining which type of training, whether face-to-face or web-based, will best serve the needs of an organization remains an issue. This literature review will attempt to answer the questions, "How do adults learn; what is web-based training; what is face-to-face training; is web-based training more effective than face-to-face training; and can web-based training and face-to-face training be combined?"

Can Blending Face-To-Face Teaching With E-Learning Support The Development Of Phase 4 Apprentices In Mathematics? A Formative Evaluation Research Study., Peter Hinch

Theses

This thesis is a formative evaluation research study. Its purpose is to establish if blending face-to-face and e-learning delivery methods can support the development of Phase 4 apprentice plumbers in mathematics in the Department of Construction Skills in the Technologicl University Dublin. The study also included the design, development and evaluation of a mathematics web site called Plumatics 4 U which is grounded in established theoretical criteria for effective blended delivery within third level education. This web site is currently in use by Phase 4 apprentice plumbers and is delivered through WebCT. The CD accompanying this thesis contains a short …

International Collaboration In Blended Problem-Based Learning, Roisin Donnelly

Papers, presentations and other resources

European education today is characterized by two dominant trends. First, e-learning has made impressive advances in the past five years. Second, European higher education has become increasingly internationalized. Within this, there has been an obvious shift towards more social, collaborative and communal perspectives of learning reported in recent educational research. Various forms of collaborative and inquiry-based learning include the idea that learning should be understood as a combination of participation, knowledge creation and internal processes. This paper discusses the blending of e-learning and problem-based learning (PBL), based on these observations and as a comprehensive approach encompassing the learning environment, curriculum, …

Problem Based Learning In Spatial Information Sciences: A Case Study, Audrey Martin, Eugene Mcgovern, Kevin Mooney

Conference papers

This paper describes the introduction, implementation and evaluation of a Problem Based Learning component in the Geodetic Surveying syllabus of the fourth / final year of the honours degree programme in Geomatics at the Department of Spatial Information Sciences, Technological University of Dublin,Ireland. The reasons behind adopting this constructivist educational approach as opposed to traditional instructivist methods more commonly employed are addressed, together with an evaluation of the process from both the educator (academic) and student (learners) perspective. The results of this case study are considered in the context of a number of interconnected pedagogical issues including (a) enhancement of …

Using Literature Circles To Engage Students With Informational Texts, Theresa Marie Anderson

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to review the available research on literature circles as a method of engaging students with informational texts and to create an implementation guide for teachers. The results of the research show that there is a need for effective nonfiction instruction and that including this instruction at the elementary level provides tremendous benefits for students. Literature circles are an effective way to engage students with these informational texts, because they offer an authentic literacy experience and provide students with the kinds of informational text interactions they will encounter in the real world. The project includes …

Contextual Learning Vs. Standardized Testing : And The Winner Is ... ?, Lorinda Leedom

Graduate Research Papers

Our educational system is currently in the grips of No Child Left Behind and the stress of proving students' abilities via mandated standardized tests. This stress is changing teachers' focus from providing a contextual learning environment for students to passing tests. Six struggling middle school students participated in a summer program where contextual learning and frequent standardized assessment existed together. Through this program, the students' needs were met and data was provided that demonstrated educational gains. This data suggests that authentic real world experiences do not need to be omitted from the curriculum in order to provide measurable results on …

The Missing Body–Yoga And Higher Education, Judith Beth Cohen

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Using her own yoga practice as a basis, this author argues for more bodily involvement in learning and offers several exercises she has used to accomplish this.

Roll Tape? Recommendations Regarding Video Viewing In Public School Classrooms, Roxanne Greitz Miller

Education Faculty Articles and Research

The writer provides some guidelines and a review of the laws regarding television or movie viewing in public schools. In general, if a teacher wants to use a video in class, the video should be tied to instruction and parents should be notified if the nature of the video might be construed as objectionable in any way to a reasonable observer.

A Study Of The Status Of The Strategic Planning Process As Used By Public School Districts In Six Suburban New York City Counties, Bartholomew Linehan

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Over the past two decades, strategic planning has emerged as a management tool to assist administrators in leading public school districts forward. If strategic planning is an important administrative tool in moving a school district toward its vision, how and in what form is it being utilized in suburban New York City school districts? The purpose of this study was to understand the utilization of strategic planning in suburban New York City school districts and to understand the constraints, training and technical needs regarding strategic planning. This study also discusses the relationship existing between strategic planning and the key district …

Third Year Evaluation Of Tennessee Charter Schools, 2005-2006, Steven M. Ross, Aaron J. Mcdonald, Linda Bol

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The purpose of the present evaluation study was to examine the progress made in program implementation, school climate, and student achievement by Tennessee charter schools. Six evaluation questions guided the methodology for this study. Student achievement results are addressed in a separate report. The following evaluation questions are addressed in this report: (1) What is the frequency of usage of various traditional and alternative instructional strategies in the charter schools and compared to national norms? (2) What is the school climate at the charter schools and how does the climate compare to national norms? (3) To what degree and levels …

The Use Of Weblogs To Students’ Learning Engagement: A Case Study Of Brick And Mortar Course, Sylvia Ping Ping Chin

EDU-COM International Conference

The purpose of this case study was to determine the effect of the easy-to-use and cost-free Weblog as an instructional tool on students‘ engagement in their learning process. Weblogs are a new and effective platform for information sharing and interaction among the bloggers (Marlow 2004) and was introduced in Pre-University IT course. This course was offered in a traditional class environment but the coursework and group discussion/communication occurred virtually. Weblogging enabled students to share their work with each other online, and make it available from and to any computer that is connected to the Internet. The curricula were designed to …

What Effects Does Peer Group Study Have On Students’ Learning In Commerce Mathematics? A Case Study Of Diverse Ethnic Learning, Crystal Chun Yun Lau

EDU-COM International Conference

Nowadays collaborative learning (CL) has been widely known as the most effective form of learning. Yet, despite all the studies and anecdotal experiences reported by teachers and researchers, the paradigm remains largely unused in university contexts. CL is a philosophy that encompasses all elements of group work and learning situations where students cooperate in order to accomplish a specific learning objective. It is a philosophy that fits in today's globalized world and provides an opportunity for students to become better citizens of the world. CL provides the mechanism for students to interact positively with people who think differently, not only …

Student Perceptions Of Problem Solving Through A Pair Programming Technique, J E. Terry, P A. Williams, R J. Mahnckel

EDU-COM International Conference

Research suggests that it is important to facilitate interaction between students as well as engagement with course materials in the first year of university. In addition, there is increasing emphasis on graduate abilities in teamwork, communication and problem solving. In the software development industry, teamwork is essential. One innovative methodology for modern software development is paired programming, a technique that has not been widely addressed at the tertiary level. This research evaluates the success of implementing a paired programming technique with first year computer science students, through the evaluation of the learning experience from the students‘ perspective.

Karaoke: A Tool For Promoting Reading, Abha Gupta

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

This article is a description of a teaching strategy that we have experimented with promising results as a motivational tool. The strategy uses Karaoke as a tool to build and enhance reading behaviors such as fluency and motivation as a twofold purpose for struggling readers. An audio and video sample of children engaged in reading and singing using Karaoke is enclosed. Some modified Karaoke instructional approaches are mentioned for a whole group/classroom use.

Empowering Students’ Learning Achievement Through Project-Based Learning As Perceived By Electrical Instructors And Students, Anuvat Tongsakul, Kalaynee Jitgarun

EDU-COM International Conference

Purposes of this research were to find out factors empowering electrical students‘ learning achievement through Project-Based Learning (PBL) as perceived by instructors‘ and students‘ opinions. The sample chosen for this study were 247 electrical power instructors at vocational education institutes and 161 electrical students in the 3 rd and 4th year who were studying in the 1st semester of academic year 2006 at Electrical Education Department, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut‘s University of Technology Thonburi by using simple random sampling. The instrument used for data collection was 7 rating scales questionnaire. The reliability of the instrument calculated …

An Examination Of Pre-School Children In Social Interaction Based On A Peace Curriculum, Jill R. Perel

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits of a peace curriculum and the social interactive behavior of preschool children as measured by the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment Program (DECA) and societal factors. The ultimate goal of this study was to determine under what societal conditions would a preschool child, who is exposed to a peace curriculum, display less aggressive behavior. Furthermore, this research investigation explored which personal structure factors were impacted by this type of intervention.

Methodology: The study's sample included two preschools in SE Florida. All participants came from families of moderately high to high …

Change Processes In Selected Private Institutions Of Higher Education, Ronald Dean Herr

Dissertations

Problem. Some higher education institutions are responding to internal and external forces created by the Information Age due to changes in technology, shifts in education delivery, and increasing financial pressures. Are there common processes among a number of selected institutions of similar size and control that could be emulated by peer institutions?

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to describe change processes in private institutions of higher education that are successful based on selected academic and financial data. The institutions selected initially for superior academic and financial statistics over a 5- year period were all church-related and therefore the …

Enhancing Science Education Through Engaging Visual Content, David Kavanagh

Theses

In recent years a decline in the number of Irish students choosing to study science, at second level and on into third level, has become potentially harmful to the desired creation of a science-based knowledge economy. A primary contributing factor towards this decline is a lack of interest in the subject within the classroom, as was established by The Task Force on the Physical Sciences in 2002.

The primary aim of this Masters research is to investigate the role of visualisation in making the study of science more accessible and engaging to students to counter this decline. To this end …