Other Education Commons^™

Reducing Recitivism: How To Combat Repeat Suspensions And Improve Student Achievement, Derrick King

FL MED Educational Leadership Capstones

This project is intended to take examine how Mount Olive High School can implement an alternative school program to reduce the number of students who are habitually absent from school, reduce the number of students receiving out of school suspension, and improve this demographic of student’s overall student achievement. This project explains what alternative school is, its pro’s and con’s, and how it has been proven effective in other schools. This project examines the steps which were taken at Mount Olive to implement this program into its school. The project provides data on the effect the alternative school had on …

The Effectiveness Of Juvenile Boot Camps And Their Impact On Minority Youth, Gregory Tyrone Williams

Dissertations

The proposal examines the effectiveness of juvenile boot camps and their impact on minority youth by examining literature and by extensive research using mixed methods of two separate programs in Wisconsin. In-depth interviews were conducted, and surveys were administered to staff and boot camp participants. Based on the analysis of the data, generally, participants reported positive short-term changes in attitudes and behaviors; they also had better problem solving and coping skills.

The Challenge Academy responds to the demands of this proposal and fiscally demonstrates that it is a good Return on Investment (ROI) offering a more inclusive program of character …

Establishing Effective Home-School Partnerships By Building Capacity, Janiece M. Terry

Dissertations

Decades of research on parental involvement strongly suggests that students, of all ages and from all backgrounds, are most successful when they have supportive and actively engaged families. However, many educators leave preparation programs with little or no content relating to family and community relations, and therefore, lack the necessary knowledge, skills, and sometimes belief systems to successfully establish effective home-school partnerships that lead to increased educational outcomes for all children. This qualitative case study examined how the implementation of The Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships (a national model released by the U.S. Department of Education) assisted one elementary …

School Readiness Of First Grade Charter School Students: An Evaluation Of An Early Childhood Program, Dr Shandowlyon L. Hendricks-Williams

Dissertations

This program evaluation studied the effectiveness of an early childhood program as it relates to school readiness. The early childhood program of a charter school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin had been operating for over thirty without an evaluation of its effectiveness. To examine the effectiveness of the early childhood program, seventy-two students were evaluated using a teacher-developed First Grade Readiness Checklist; the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Test and Success for All (SFA) Assessment. School readiness, as a multifaceted construct, included five domains: academic, behavioral, emotional, social and self-help-skills.

The results of the survey indicate that the early childhood program …

Exploring Factors That Influence Ged Students To Complete And Matriculate To Career And Technical Education Certificate Programs In Community Colleges, Irma J. Rayborn

Dissertations

In the current labor market, individuals without a high school diploma or equivalent credentials are more likely to be un-employed, unemployable, or in a low-wage earning position, working two or more part-time jobs to make ends meet. Their outlook on life, and their future, is often bleak. Yet, by obtaining their GED credential, and enrolling in short-term career and technical certificate programs offered at many local community colleges, they are able to gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to open doors to new employment opportunities and a brighter future.

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors …

Talking To Learn: A Formative Experiment On Constructing Meaning Though Collaborative Classroom Interactions, Mary L. Hoch

Dissertations

As a result of reform efforts, national standards and assessments set the stage for teaching and learning in many classrooms. This establishes a particular classroom environment and often leads to behaviorist instructional methods, such as recitation. Utilizing a formative experiment design, this research integrated constructivist modes of learning and explored how these modes could be adjusted to help six struggling readers construct meaning. This study took place in a third grade classroom during the teacher’s daily scheduled comprehension instruction time. The classroom environment, as perceived by the teacher, as well as the effects of national standards and assessments on comprehension …

Transforming Information Literacy: Engaging Stakeholders., Rob Morrison, Deana Greenfield

Faculty Publications

Librarians at National Louis University have been engaged with stakeholders for the past four years to integrate Information Literacy into the undergraduate curriculum that goes beyond traditional instruction. The outcome was a 2 credit course on Digital Information Literacy now required in three undergraduate degree programs. The success of this course resulted in the creation of additional credit courses tailored to the learning outcomes of specific programs. We have learned from this process how to strategically discuss Information Literacy with academic departments. In this session, we will draw from our experience to facilitate a group discussion on transforming Information Literacy …

Digital Information Literacy At National Louis University: Embedding And Integrating Information Literacy Into Degree Programs., Rob Morrison, Deana Greenfield

Faculty Publications

This session will provide an overview of NLU Librarians experience to develop a new teaching model that enhanced traditional library instruction through embedding in online courses and new courses on digital information literacy. Our integration into undergraduate degree programs with a required library course was the result of engaging with academic stakeholders and being “out in front” with technology. This resulted in a major shift in our roles and workload and brings us deeper into the teaching and learning process. We will engage participants in a discussion of useful strategies to integrate teaching into academic programs, the role and use …

E-Valuating Local Collections For Open Acces: The Nlu Experience, Rob Morrison, Deana Greenfield

Faculty Publications

National Louis University (NLU) provides access to local collections through an Institutional Repository and Special Collections and Archives digital collections. We use open access as an effective and value-added method for contributing to scholarship and outreach to different communities, including alumni. As NLU celebrates our 125th anniversary this year, we utilize digital collections to promote and provide access to our unique history. This presentation will discuss materials selected for inclusion and the multiple ways open access collections can contribute to a university's scholarship and reputation.

Acl 546 Research Methodology, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Doc 7 Research Forum Abstracts, Tom Heaney

Doctoral Research Forums

This document provides titles and abstracts of doctoral students critical engagement projects (dissertations) held at a Research Forum April 8-10, 2011 in Chicago. These students are in Cohort 7 in the Adult and Continuing Education Doctoral Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at National Louis University.

From Embedded To Integrated: New Teaching Models For Academic Librarians, Rob Morrison, Larissa Garcia, Marisa Walstrum

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

From Embedded To Integrated: Digital Information Literacy And New Teaching Models For Academic Librarians, Rob Morrison, Larissa Garcia

Faculty Publications

This paper describes our experience launching LIBR 200, moving beyond traditional library instruction to integrating digital information literacy into the larger curriculum. By creating a credit course that focuses on digital information literacy, the NLU Library was able to fill a void in the general education curriculum, thus making it possible for LIBR 200 to be included in undergraduate degree programs. Because librarians are faculty and have fostered a positive and collaborative reputation throughout the University, the library faculty role has evolved to include participation in program development and the development and teaching of library credit courses in order to …

Acl 533 Technology And Learning, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Libr 200 Fall 2010 Face-Face, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Libr 200 Fall 2010 Online, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Libr 200 Summer 2010, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Culturally Relevant Information Literacy, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

This paper is a qualitative case study of the role of culture in the information-seeking process. This study revealed that culture does affect how we locate, evaluate and value information and thus specific kinds of knowledge. Librarians and educators must engage in discussions on “Critical Information Literacy” where information is tied to knowledge creation that does not limit learners to a specific cultural worldview. Information and information-seeking processes cannot be separated from knowledge production

Librarianship In The 21st Century: Lessons In Leadership, Rob Morrison, Jack Fritts

Faculty Publications

Many of the challenges librarians face in the 21st century have existed for years and reflect the nature of higher education and society in the United States. One issue the presenters have observed is that librarians, like many educators, react to rapidly changing systems, pressures, economics, and technologies by “balancing” workloads and budgets and not by deeply reflecting on how to change strategies in order to integrate themselves more fully into academic curricula, prove the library’s value to administrators, and develop meaningful services and resources.

In order to thrive and survive, librarians must be proactive at their institutions in areas …

Libr 200 Winter 2010, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Libr 200 Fall 2009, Rob Morrison

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Synchronicity Of The Community College Mission And The Role And Responsibilities Of Academic Advisors, Zalika A. Brown

Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to identify how the role and responsibilities of academic advisors support the mission of community colleges; to explore how academic advising is viewed by community college administrators and academic advisors; and to explore how academic advisors play a vital role in retaining students until they have completed their program of choice.

There is a strong link between the community college mission and the job functions performed by academic advisors; however, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding about how academic advisors can play a vital role in achieving the goals established by the …

Culturally-Relevant Information Literacy: A Case Study, Rob Morrison

Dissertations

Information Literacy is a process for finding, using, evaluating and incorporating information into an individuals’ knowledge base. This process has been formalized into the ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. The concept of Information Literacy as articulated in the ACRL Standards is based on Western knowledge and ways of knowing that resides in academic disciplines. This knowledge is privileged and regarded as universal, rational, and superior to other forms of knowledge and does not incorporate or reflect non-Western epistemologies. This study questioned the universality of this process as reflective of being grounded in Western culture and knowledge.

The …

The Effects Of Reading Nonfiction Aloud On The Vocabulary Acquisition Of Middle-School Students, Patricia Ann Braun

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if eighth-graders could acquire vocabulary incidentally while listening to nonfiction read-alouds connected to the physical sciences curriculum. In this quasi-experimental study 3 of 6 intact eighth-grade science classes listened to 14 nonfiction read-aloud selections of nonfiction passages selected from books not commonly found in schools but which related to the curriculum which the students would be experiencing in eighth grade. Pretests and posttests were administered to all 6 classes comprising 154 students. Reading ability was included as a variable. Target words comprised of technical and nontechnical words. Assessments included a vocabulary matching …

Doc 6 Research Forum Abstracts, Tom Heaney

Doctoral Research Forums

This document provides titles and abstracts of doctoral students critical engagement projects held at a Research Forum April 17-19, 2009 in Chicago. These students are Cohort 6 in the Adult and Continuing Education program in the College of Arts and Sciences at National-Louis University.

A Study Of Exceptional Mentoring Insights For Adult Education And Emerging Mentors, Laura Lee Larson

Dissertations

The purpose of this critical engagement project was to focus on how mentoring relationships positively impact personal and professional lives -- what I call exceptional mentoring. This was a qualitative study using a narrative inquiry methodology and the theoretical framework of transformational leadership. There were five participants in the study who are known in the industry to be exceptional mentors because of their dedication and passion for caring about others. The research method included one-on-one interviews lasting between two and five hours. The study explored the life stories of these individuals with the intent to learn how people become mentors, …

Strategic Planning Leadership In Illinois Community Colleges: Who Is Leading The Process?, Tasha S. Williams

Dissertations

Planning is believed to bring stability, growth and reassurance to our lives. Since the recent economic downturn in the U.S. economy, individuals, families, small businesses, and major corporations are all looking to planners to assess every aspect of their financial futures. So, when it comes to our community colleges, the fabric of higher education in America, who is leading the planning process?

The 21st century will continue to unveil new challenges for community colleges. Beset with many challenges such as an austere funding environment, growing diverse student populations, community issues and needs, impending leadership and faculty retirements, globalization, and mounting …

Global Competency In Hospitality Management Programs: A Perfect Recipe For Community Colleges, David Jonathan Beer

Dissertations

Globalization is redefining and transforming interactions between people all over the world. Although nations differ in their level of globalization, it is critical in this day and age that nations foster global competency in their citizens and students. Education is one key area in developing and promoting global competency. For the United States, creation of a dynamic workforce, both domestic and abroad, is imperative if America is going to compete in a global society. Students who have a diverse and knowledgeable view of the world, can communicate in another language, and can exhibit cross-cultural adaptability, will be able to efficiently …

White Lies: A Critical Race Study Of Power And Privilege, Patricia Jones Brainard

Dissertations

This was a phenomenological study of racial privilege as experienced by White people who have struggled to become more racially aware and socially active in dismantling racism and White privilege. The primary conceptual framework for this study was Critical Race Theory with Transformative Learning theory and Racial Identity Development as additional theoretical lenses. The purpose of this study was to increase our awareness of how White people come to understand their racial privilege and what change in behavior occurs as a result of that increased awareness. Its goal was to promote and influence White adult educators to find explicit ways …

Identifying And Addressing Issues Faced By New Community College Presidents, Anthony Raymond Miksa

Dissertations

The American community college system is in the midst of a leadership crisis. Community college presidents are retiring at an alarming rate. Further exacerbating the leadership crisis is the lack of qualified candidates to replace the retiring presidents. Senior administrators at community colleges who are the natural choice to replace the retirees are also retiring or choosing not to pursue a presidency. The overarching purpose driving this research was to identify the challenges encountered by new community college presidents, seek to comprehend the information gathering method utilized by new presidents to identify challenges, and finally, to present the strategies the …