Educational Psychology Commons^™

Year-Round Education : A Continuing Debate, Heather D. Schultz

Graduate Research Papers

Year-round education has been a common debate in recent decades. The studies and analyses that are discussed in this paper will give insight to what is being debated surrounding year-round schooling. While many studies have shown a positive relationship between a year-round calendar and academic achievement, others have shown no relationship between the two. This paper sets out to answer several questions regarding year-round calendars and academic achievement. Besides academic achievement, there are several other factors and steps to consider before a district and/or school decides to modify their calendar(s). In order for districts/schools to make a just decision involving …

A Comparison Of Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Minority Students And Issues In Schools With And Without Gay Straight Alliances, Kelli Ranae Otis Brus

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' attitudes toward sexual minority students (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students) and issues related to this population of students. A sample of 166 high school teachers from schools with and without gay-straight alliances (GSAs) were compared on several measures to determine if teachers from schools with GSAs were significantly more supportive toward sexual minority students and issues than teachers in schools without GSAs .. Participants completed research packets containing the Professional Attitude Index Scale (PAIS) (Sears, 1992), a hypothetical situation of homophobia in a classroom for participants to provide …

The Effects Of Different Types Of Background Music On Preschoolers’ Aggressive Classroom Behavior, Marissa Anne Arnett

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Previous research has suggested that background music influences children's classroom behaviors. However, the results of research to date are conflicting on the effects of hard rock background music on children's behavior. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the differential effects of hard rock and easy listening music on preschoolers' aggressive behaviors during center time (e.g., during free play at the water table, art, blocks, and reading centers). Four classrooms with a combined total of 74 students (31 boys and 43 girls) participated in the study. During the 55-day study, we recorded the frequency of children's aggressive …

The Impact Of Mentoring On The Leadership Development Of Participants In Camp Adventure Youth Services, Michael Carl Gleason

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Contemporary organizations operate in increasingly complex environments. External pressures force many organizations to function with fewer resources. Organizational leaders work not only to meet external demands, but the many needs of individuals working within the organization so that they can retain these individuals and teach them the knowledge that will assist them in becoming future organizational leaders. Camp Adventure™ Youth Services works to help college students enhance their leadership abilities as they implement youth services worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how the organization utilizes mentoring in the program to support students and promote the …

Using Community Resource Mapping To Improve Systems Of Positive Behavioral Support And Wraparound, Daniel Innes

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This paper will discuss the use of a technique known as resource mapping in an effort to improve systems of Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS) and Wraparound provided by the school system. The concept of PBS will be defined and discussed, along with a common student support philosophy known as Wraparound. Next, resource mapping will be discussed along with its associated benefits for schools and communities. Finally the results of a resource mapping project in a medium sized Midwestern community will be presented along with a discussion of the obstacles associated with such a task.

Implementation Of Early Reading Interventions To Increase Student Achievement, Julie Schmitz

Graduate Research Papers

How to close the achievement gap amongst students has been a hot topic for educators. Many educators are studying a variety of educational programs and theories which would lead to the educational success of all students. Dr. Walter Cunningham School for Excellence has a history of students who are not meeting the new standards set by No Child Left Behind. As the administrators and teachers discuss and analyze the data of the students we teach we are looking for upward or downward trends. Discussions are a large part of data analysis. As we look at the trends we ask ourselves …

Counseling And Educating Deaf Individuals, Sarah Zollar

Graduate Research Papers

Counseling and educating deaf individuals involves unique and important skills that professionals need to have. This paper researches different areas of concern, including ethical dilemmas facing the deaf culture, the importance of clear communication, appropriate uses of interpreters, and the importance of confidentiality in counseling. A project was developed in conjunction with this paper, which includes flash cards with some basic signs. These flash cards could be used in a variety of settings, including a classroom. Future research areas are also discussed, including the use of new technologies and continued observation of the differences in diagnoses between hearing and deaf …

Motivation Success And Failure, Dawn D. Buol

Graduate Research Papers

My research question for this paper is: how can teachers identify the different types of unmotivated students as well as motivated students in the classroom? Moreover, what strategies could be used to motivate those unmotivated students in order to make them become successful life long learners?

Going Beyond Cookbook Labs : Computer-Based Laboratory Tools In The High School Physics Classroom, Jennifer A. Strohbehn

Graduate Research Papers

Physics education is currently undergoing a face lift. The lecture should no longer be the primary mode of instruction because students are not actively participating. For effective learning to occur, the students need to be engaged, not passive listeners (Knight, 2005). Student-centered classrooms are becoming more common, but there is still work to be done. For a student-centered classroom to be effective, the students must construct their own understanding with the teacher acting as a 'guide. Physics instructors are responsible .for .making the classroom a user friendly environment for students to explore the basic concepts of physics and to develop …

The Relationship Of Preservice Teachers' And Faculty Members' Perceptions Of Critical Thinking And Their Epistemological Beliefs, Meskerem Debele

Graduate Research Papers

The term "critical thinking" has recently been used in the Ethiopian educational policy documents as well as in its teacher education curricula. Even though the concept has been given a central importance by being the central goal of education at all levels, a well established understanding and practice of nurturing critical thinking at school level, as well as at teacher education and training curriculum has not been achieved yet. From the personal experience both as pre-service teacher and then as teacher educator in Bahir Dar university, one of the teacher education institutions in the country, I have observed, especially during …

Motivating Middle Level Students : Strategies To Help Reach And Teach Middle Level Students, Lisa L. Munsey

Graduate Research Papers

This review of literature focused on the strategies educators use for motivating the young adolescent in the middle level classroom.

Anderman and Maehr (1994) found motivation could be improved through a variety of methods by focusing on specific areas: developmental changes, intrinsic versus extrinsic, middle level transformation and classroom practice. Along these same lines, Curwin (2006) found motivation can be enhanced with practices in the middle level classroom through four main areas: (1) welcoming students to school and class, (2) stressing the effort students put forth, (3) increasing homework completion, and (4) turbo charging classroom lessons.

This paper focused on …

The Impact Of A C.A.R.E. Based Martial Arts Class On Students' Academic Achievement, Peer Relationships, And Social Interactions, David Hite Jr.

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

What is the goal of education in America today? Why is education so important to our society? Why do we spend millions of dollars each year towards the success of America's educational system? What processes and procedures should be employed to insure an efficient and effective education for all individuals? These questions and more arise as we consider the current academic, social, and economic climate of America, as well as the rest of the world; and the role education has played in shaping our past, impacting our present, and directing our future as individuals of a free society. Abraham Lincoln …

Effects Of Problem Solving Team Processes On Student Outcomes, Brooke A. Dahl

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Systematic data collection and case documentation are vital components in the consultative problem solving process. Carefully documented and easily understood data allow problem solving teams to make informed decisions about intervention development and implementation, as well as future programming for struggling students. The Instructional Consultation (IC) Team Model was developed as an organized and efficient process for conducting pre-referral problem solving (Rosenfield, 1987). The present research explores the relationship between processes and/or procedures as prescribed by the IC Team Model and student outcomes. Processes utilized by problem solving teams following the IC Team Model and other models of problem solving …

Music And The Brain, Kimberly D. Madison

Graduate Research Papers

A great deal of literature focuses on the subject of music and the brain and how music can affect learning. Music stimulates brain patterns, and therefore should be considered essential in an academic setting. This review was written to provide an analysis of the published literature and studies in the area of music and cognitive development, to examine how the brain is wired for music, and to determine whether music is an effective tool in enhancing environmental and cognitive learning conditions in classrooms.

Introversion : Relationship With Mental Well-Being, Elizabeth A. Balder

Graduate Research Papers

This paper explores connections between introversion and decreased mental well-being. The author sought to discover whether introverts are more vulnerable to depressive symptoms than extroverts. Overall findings show introverts are more vulnerable than extroverts to depression and decreased mental well-being. Introverts are more likely to be compliant and have lower self-esteem than extroverts, and also have less social support than extroverts, which can be detrimental when experiencing depression. Western culture gives preference to extroverted individuals, which pressures introverts to attempt to change their personalities.

Identity Exploration In The Secondary Esl Setting, Sarah Wait

Graduate Research Papers

The investigation of the process of identity development is very complex, as a multitude of background information and influencing factors must be considered before suggestions can be made for incorporating identity exploration into a secondary school setting. Chapter One sets the groundwork for this investigation by first describing the nature of the issue and generally introducing topics which will be explored in later chapters. The research question is stated, then expanded upon to include the factors one must consider when attempting to answer the research question. The chapter continues by explaining the significance of the problem, as established in both …

Considerations For The Diagnosis Of Personality Disorders In Adolescents, Katherine J. Young-Kent

Graduate Research Papers

The diagnosis of personality disorders in adolescents is a controversial idea. Personality disorders can bring about a stigma and may create effects on quality of life. Developmental implications should be considered when diagnosing adolescents with personality disorders, or any other mental illness, due to the incomplete formation of identity during adolescent years. There is also evidence that attachment patterns may influence personality disorder symptoms and should also be considered as a way to conceptualize personality in general. The current diagnostic systems may not provide a complete framework from which to conceptualize adolescents and ideas for restructuring the diagnostic system is …

Use Of Learning Styles In The Selection Of Instructional Strategies : Does Pedagogy Lead To Practice?, Roger E. Baker

Graduate Research Papers

Much has been written about the importance of learning styles in instructional design. Learning styles can be measured by the use of personality profiles such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Learning styles can also be measured by Learning Style Inventories and defined by cognitive theory such as Gardner's multiple intelligences. This literature review explores the different approaches to the study of learning styles and the practical use of learning style indicators as a tool for selecting instructional strategies.

Many challenges exist in designing instruction to the personal level including costs, time, and instructor limits. Philosophical questions on the benefits …

The Impact Of Grouping For Reading Instruction On Student Attitude And Self-Concept, Michelle Renee Keegan

Graduate Research Papers

Researchers have found a parallel between types of grouping and attitudes of students regarding reading. The majority of students placed in the "lower" reading group in their classrooms have had negative perceptions and overall attitudes about reading. Research has indicated that the curriculum taught in these lower reading groups has differed from those in medium and higher groups due to different skills and practice that teachers have felt were required for students to succeed. Teachers' overall expectations have been found to be lower for those in lower academic groups in school. Students who have had motivation, self-efficacy, self worth, competence, …

Mental Health Services In Schools: School Psychologists' Current Practices And Perspectives, Nicole Carlson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It is estimated that approximately 7 .5 to 9 million children and adolescents are in need of mental health services, but that only 20% of these youths actually receive the services they need (National Association of School Psychologists [NASP], 2002). Because of this, schools across the nation have begun to take preventative measures, specifically school-based mental health services. School psychologists are uniquely prepared to provide these services, but little attention has been paid to their needs and concerns regarding such services. Therefore, members of NASP were given a survey to assess current practices and perspectives regarding mental health services in …

Child In Need Of Assistance And A Lack Of Rural Mental Health Care, Katie L. Fisher

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

With the rising number of children in need of mental health services and the increasing cost of these services, methods to address these needs must be developed. The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of the experience of parents who have been involved in the Child in Need of Assistance process in order to meet their child's mental health needs. Participants in this study were parents of a child who participated in the Child in Need of Assistance program due to the need for mental health services. Qualitative methods were used to examine the experiences of …

A Case Study Using Guided Reading And Teacher Read-Alouds While Monitoring English Language Learners' And Native English Speakers' Reading Achievement, Kelsey M. Baker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States continues to increase (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002); therefore, schools and educators are affected by the growing differences in students' language skills, prior experiences, and progress. This research addresses the need for understanding ELLs and how ELLs benefit from adults effectively reading aloud to them. Further research is needed on effective reading instruction for ELLs for several reasons. First, teachers are becoming ELL teachers by default and feel overwhelmed because of the responsibility to teach both language and content (Gersten, 2002). Second, an achievement gap exists between ELLs and native …

Taking A Closer Look At Measurement – Using Teacher Read Alouds Of Nonfiction To Develop Students’ Measurement Sense, Elana Joram, Faith Garcia

Faculty Publications

Many students think of measurement as a set of procedures, for example, lining up a ruler with an object, and stating the number on the ruler that corresponds with one end of the object. This may be one reason that measurement is typically one of the weakest areas of mathematical achievement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (Struchens, Martin, & Kenney, 2003). To combat students’ weaknesses in measurement, we suggest that in the early grades they need to develop a feel for standard measurement units, such as inches and feet, and become familiar with real world referents that correspond …

Optimal Characteristics For Happy And Satisfying Marriages, Britni J. Anderson

Graduate Research Papers

For many people, having a happy satisfying marriage is the ultimate goal in a marital relationship. However, what constitutes a happy marriage is not always clear. Many people go into marriage with high ideals and expectations, but without the reality that marriage is an entity in its own right that needs to be maintained daily. Communication, including conflict resolution, is a large part of a successful marriage. Other characteristics include sharing positive feelings, having more positive than negative interactions, having a solid friendship, maintaining a strong commitment, and staying focused on the positive aspects of the marriage. Marriage is difficult, …

The Phenomenon Of Math Anxiety, Mary S. Fliehler

Graduate Research Papers

Math anxiety has cognitive, physical, and affective components. The physical component is recognizable by sweaty palms, nausea, rapid heart rhythm, and shortness of breath – all of which are the body's response to anxious feelings. The affective component is displayed through lack of confidence in one's ability to accomplish the required mathematics computations, avoidance of studying mathematics, limitations of career choices, and an over-all sense of helplessness when confronted with mathematical situations. The cognitive component occurs when the anxiety reaches a level that reduces the efficiency of the working memory in the brain while learning new mathematical concepts. Tobias, a …

Nebbe's Nature Nest : A Summary Of An Animal Assisted Therapy Camp, Trisha L. Ames

Graduate Research Papers

Two graduate students conducted a small animal assisted therapy camp. The main goal for this camp was to enhance and promote the campers' socialization skills and self-esteem through the use of animal assisted therapy. Two pre and post measurement scales were used to evaluate the children's loneliness and self-concept. The campers participated in a one-week camp lasting approximately three hours a day. To meet desired lesson goals, the campers engaged in direct animal contact and specific animal assisted activities. The following is a complete description and reaction to the animal assisted therapy camp led by Trisha (Hobbiebrunken) Ames, Nicole Whisler, …

Self-Perceptions And Peer Influence On Bullying Behavior, Jaime Strickler

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this paper is to determine the self-perceptions of bullies and peer influence on bullying behavior. These variables were chosen in an attempt to understand some of the potential causes of bullying behavior and to examine their effects during bullying episodes.

While the self-perceptions of bullies may be positive or negative, it is unclear as to the direction of influence between self-perceptions and bullying. Peer influence on bullying can vary from situation to situation, but it is clear that peers do have an influence in bullying situations.

Attributing Success And Failure : Attribution Theory At Work, Ellen M. Shay

Graduate Research Papers

Attribution Theory demonstrates how people can appropriately attribute success and failure. Teachers must learn how to help students handle their successes and, perhaps more importantly, their failures. If teachers are not successful in this endeavor, the students will not succeed in a traditional school setting.

An Investigation Of The General Population’S Understanding Of Forgiveness, Wen-Chuan Rita Chang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the general population's understanding and views of forgiveness and to examine if gender was a factor related to one's understanding of forgiveness and motivation to forgive. In this study, structured interviews were administered which allowed a focus on the personal views and experiences of forgiveness and descriptive statistics were used to explain the common patterns in responses among the participants. Forty-nine participants, ranging in ages from 15 to 54, were selected to be interviewed on their views and practice of forgiveness. Of the 49 participants, 15 were males and 34 were females. …

A Qualitative Study: Does Anger Elicit Gender Normative Aggressive Reactions?, Austin Beer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Previous research indicates that males primarily use physical aggression and females use relational aggression when angered. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether males are really primarily physically aggressive and if females are primarily relationally aggressive when angered, through qualitative methodology. One group of males and one group of females participated in an online chat room discussion. Groups and individuals discussed situations that angered them and how they responded to being angered. Dialogue was evaluated to answer the question: Do males and females tend to aggress in gender normative manners? Four themes emerged from discussion indicating that these …