Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

The Role Of Gender Identity On The Effects Of Stereotype Threat: An Examination Of Girls’ Math Performance In A Single-Sex Classroom, Erin E. Twamley

Psychology Honors Projects

Despite all of the advancements women have made in the field of mathematics, the negative stereotype regarding women’s mathematical competence persists. Stereotype threat research demonstrates that the negative stereotype contributes to significant gender differences in attitudes, academic achievement, and educational and career attainment in math. The current longitudinal study focused on stereotype threat as an explanation for how a negative gender stereotype influences the mathematical performance of middle school girls in math in a single-sex setting. In particular, the study examines how the girls’ gender identification moderates the effects of stereotype threat. The results of the study indicate that stereotype …

Assessing High School Gifted Student Progress In Science Through Misconceptions And Mosart, Christopher G. Kolar, Evelyn Ho-Wisniewski

Publications & Research

This paper reports how 188 high school students identified as gifted in science were assessed with the Misconceptions-Oriented Standards-Based Assessment Resource for Teachers (MOSART). Students enrolled in a year-long science-centered curriculum where this instrument appeared to be a means of identifying standards-aligned progress, avoiding ceiling effects and reliance on content mastery. This paper discusses two questions: 1. Is the MOSART a valid measure of conceptual understanding in gifted students? and 2. Can the MOSART be used with this population to measure growth in understanding? We present results from the physics and chemistry tests, and consider results from the earth science …

A Model Of Responses To Race-Based And Gender-Based Stereotype Threat In Computer Science, Lara Tedrow

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The perception of stereotype threat among computer science students was examined at two universities. A model of stereotype threat was developed and tested among students enrolled in three undergraduate computer science courses at two universities. The goal of this model was to provide an understanding of the underlying mechanisms through which stereotype threat works.

The study tested relationships among the following variables: race-based stereotype threat, gender-based stereotype threat, goal orientation, CS self-efficacy, active coping, behavioral disengagement, effort, and performance. Structural equation modeling was used to test the measurement model and a series of nested structural models. Findings supported the proposed …

Cooperative Learning In The Mathematics Classroom, Janine Regnier

Mathematics Graduate Theses

Student interactions are important which provokes the idea that cooperative learning should be incorporated into classrooms. Research states many benefits for incorporating cooperative learning and are included in the literature review. Cooperative groups were introduced and studied by the author, who ultimately concluded that cooperative learning does have a place in Mathematics classrooms and should be used when the lesson lends itself to a cooperative environment. The study results can be found in this paper following the literature review.

To What Degree Will Differentiated Instruction Impact Student Grades In A Middle School Classroom?, Maureen K. Wilke

Mathematics Graduate Theses

The middle school student population encompasses one of the widest ranges of diversity in the educational system. Besides cultural, religious, educational, economical diversity, the middle school student copes with physical and psychological changes as well. It is important to understand that reaching students successfully is not teaching one way, but providing a learning experience based on students’ needs. The five key differentiated strategies in the classroom are: knowing the student, the environment, meaningful lessons, tiered assignments, and assessment. Gather as much information on the students, such as data from past standardize tests, conversation with students, student journals about success and …

El Análisis De La Consigna Argumentativa En La Calidad Del Discurso Y En El Aprendizaje De Las Ciencias Naturales, Sandra Gilabert Medina, Merce Garcia-Mila Palaudarias, Mark Felton

Faculty Publications

En los últimos años nuestras aulas de ciencias han incorporado la argumentación como una herramienta para promover la construcción de conocimiento. Un aspecto generalmente olvidado en dichas intervenciones, así como en las investigaciones de las cuales derivan, es el análisis del impacto que el objetivo de la argumentación tiene en la actividad argumentativa desplegada en las aulas. En el discurso argumentativo distinguimos dos tipos de actividad: la oposición y la deliberación. En la actividad de oposición el objetivo es mantener el punto de vista y debilitar las alternativas, mientras que en la actividad de deliberación el objetivo es consensuar un …

Measuring Knowledge Of Natural Selection: A Comparison Of The C.I.N.S., An Open-Response Instrument, And An Oral Interview, Ross Nehm, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

Growing recognition of the central importance of fostering an in-depth understanding of natural selection has, surprisingly, failed to stimulate work on the development and rigorous evaluation of instruments that measure knowledge of it. We used three different methodological tools, the Conceptual Inventory of Natural Selection (CINS), a modified version of Bishop and Anderson's (Bishop and Anderson [1990] Journal of Research in Science Teaching 27: 415-427) open-response test that we call the Open Response Instrument (ORI), and an oral interview derived from both instruments, to measure biology majors' understanding of and alternative conceptions about natural selection. We explored how these instruments …

Evaluation Of An Adult Education Technology Program, Iwasan D. Kejawa

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adult education technology program at a chartered alternative adult education center in Florida. The adult education center had a low rate of students passing the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). This study examined the impact of the use of computer technology in an effort to improve student learning in mathematics, reading, and science. Computers at the institution were used by all students for tutorials to prepare them for the FCAT and to obtain a high school diploma. The research questions for this study were as follows: 1. Is the education technology …

Motivation And Performance In Computer Science: Test Of An Integrative Theory, Katherine A. Selgrade

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to design and empirically test a parsimonious integrative motivation theory. The theory integrates aspects of expectancy theory, social cognitive theory, goal-setting theory, and commitment theory. The theory was tested with 170 undergraduate, students in an introductory computer science (CS) course.

The study tested relationships among the following variables: CS self-efficacy, mathematics ability, affective commitment to the CS class, goal orientation, effort, and performance. The study also tested the interactive effects of effort and ability on performance. Structural equation modeling was used to test the measurement model and a series of nested structural models. Findings …

Synecdoche And Surprise: Transdisciplinary Knowledge Production, Anne Dalke, Elizabeth Mccormack

Literatures in English Faculty Research and Scholarship

Using contemporary insights from feminist critical theory and the literary device of synecdoche, we argue that transdisciplinary knowledge is productive because it maximizes serendipity. We draw on student learning experiences in a course on “Gender and Science” to illustrate how the dichotomous frameworks and part-whole correspondences that are predominant in much disciplinary discourse must be dismantled for innovative intellectual work to take place. In such a process, disciplinary presumptions interrogate and unsettle one another to produce novel questions and answers.

Does Increasing Biology Teacher Knowledge Of Evolution And The Nature Of Science Lead To Greater Advocacy For The Teaching Of Evolution In Schools?, Ross Nehm, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

This study investigated whether or not an increase in secondary science teacher knowledge about evolution and the nature of science gained from completing a graduate-level evolution course was associated with greater preference for the teaching of evolution in schools. Forty-four precertified secondary biology teachers participated in a 14-week intervention designed to address documented misconceptions identified by a precourse instrument. The course produced statistically significant gains in teacher knowledge of evolution and the nature of science and a significant decrease in misconceptions about evolution and natural selection. Nevertheless, teachers' postcourse preference positions remained unchanged; the majority of science teachers still preferred …

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 …

The Role Of Strategy Choice And Working Memory Capacity In Arithmetic Acquisition In Third Grade Primary School Children, Dijana Mirkovic

Theses : Honours

This review examines the question of what determines arithmetic ability in primary school children. It has been suggested that arithmetic ability is mediated by many factors such as developmental factors, exposure to arithmetic facts, selection and utilisation of various strategies when solving arithmetic problems, and individual differences in working memory capacity. Some theories suggest that factors such as the complexity of a problem affect the selection of strategies when solving simple arithmetic problems such as addition, whereas other theories propose that individual differences in working memory capacity play a prominent role in arithmetic ability. Research is discussed that provides support …

A Study Of The Effects Of The Theory Of Multiple Intelligences On The Beliefs And Attitudes Of Pre-Service Teachers About Mathematics And The Teaching Of Mathematics, Marylin T. Leinenbach

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effects of the Multiple Intelligence Theory on the beliefs and attitudes of pre-service teachers about mathematics and mathematics pedagogy. It identifies the influence of MI Theory on the beliefs and attitudes of pre-service teachers about teaching mathematics and how past performance in the study of mathematics influences beliefs and attitudes about teaching mathematics. The National Council of Teachers (NCTM) has called for changes in the preservice preparation of mathematics teachers. One of the main components of its Standards on Teaching ( 1991) is providing the pre-service teacher with opportunities to examine and revise their beliefs about …

Journaling In The Secondary Mathematics Classroom: An Introduction, Defense, And Resource, Emily K. Falgier

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Kefahaman Pelajar Tingkatan Empat Tentang Kecerunan Garis Lurus, Latifah Hj. Arshad

Student Works (2000-2009)

Kajian ini dijalankan dalam rangka teori Fahaman Binaan dan mempunyai dua tujuan utama iaitu untuk mengenal pasti kefahaman tentang kecerunan garis lurus yang dipunyai oleh pelajar tingkatan empat dan cara yang digunakan oleh pelajar untuk menyelesaikan masalah yang melibatkan kecerunan garis lurus. Teknik temu duga yang berlandaskan model temu duga Klinikal Piaget digunakan u ntuk mengumpul data. Data bagi kajian ini merangkurni maklumat lisan dan bukan lisan yang dikumpul daripada tiga orang pelajar tingkatan empat yang berbeza dari segi pencapaian akademiknya. Empat aktiviti dalam tiga sesi temu duga klinikal telah dijalankan, iaitu (a) gambaran mental, (b) perwakilan, (c) makna kecerunan …

“The Way Of The Scientist Deepens Beauty By Increasing Understanding”: Teaching Physics As An Aesthetic Form, Claudine Indigo Kavanagh

Dissertations and Theses

Educators have struggled to find an appropriate and efficacious method to engage students of science in their classrooms and lecture halls, This investigation presents a theoretical foundation for the use of aesthetic criteria when teaching physics in high school or undergraduate settings and suggests that this may be an effective learning tool. The relationship between science aesthetics and science literacy is pursued here. Included in this study are discussions of the applications of aesthetic judgement by theoretical physicists in the 20th century and and methods for bringing a dialogue concerning natural philosophy and beauty in the science classroom. While many …

Hubungan Pemboleh Ubah Terpilih Dengan Pencapaian Fizik Bagi Pelajar Tingkatan Empat, Nor Hashidah Abd

Student Works (2000-2009)

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between student achievement in physics of form four students and selected variables , namely, gender, social economic status , academic achievement in PMR, achievements in the subjects of Bahasa Melayu, mathematics a nd science at PMR level and Attitude Towards Physics (STF). A questionnaire was designed and used to collect data on the students' backgrounds and Attitude Toward Physics. The data on Physics achievement was obtained from the Physics Achievement Test (UPF) developed by the researcher. The study involved 184 form four student from five selected schools in the …

College Teacher Trainees Understanding Of The Nature Of Science And Its Relationships With Formal Reasoning Ability, Academic Background And Gender, Lee Kim Low

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study was designed primarily to determine the understanding of the nature of science among science graduate teacher trainees and to identify their misconceptions of the nature of science. The study also investigated the relationships between the trainees' understanding of the nature of science and the independent variables of formal reasoning ability, academic background, and gender. The subjects of the study comprised 80 teacher trainees from four teacher training colleges in Peninsular Malaysia. A two-part survey questionnaire was used 10 collect the trainees' demographic data and to assess their understanding of the nature of science. The instrument used to assess …

Hubungan Antara Kemahiran Proses Sains Bersepadu Dengan Stail Kognitif Pelajar Pusat Asasi Sains Universiti Malaya, Siti Mariam Mohamad

Student Works (2000-2009)

ln the past quarter century. science process skills have become major emphases of science curriculum development. The development of science process skills in students is considered to be a major goal of education. The integrated science process skills, which comprised skills of formulating hypotheses, operationally defining, controlling variables, designing experiments and interpreting data are required in the process of problem solving in science. These cognitive skills can be mastered if the learning activities are appropriately matched to the level of the cognitive development of the learner. Valid science curriculum and special instructional strategies are needed to enhanced the extent of …

Understanding Of Algebraic Notation And Its Relationship With Cognitive Development Among Form Four Students, Saw Hoon Ong

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study attempts to identify the interpretation of letters used in algebraic expressions and equations by a sample of 139 Form Four students in an urban secondary school. It also determines the distribution of their levels of understanding of algebraic notation and their cognitive levels. It further investigates the relationship between the levels of understanding of algebraic notation and cognitive levels. To achieve these aims, two sets of instruments were used: the Algebra Test and the Longeot Reasoning Test. The findings of the study show that more than 80% of the students could successfu lly use the lower level of …

Kemahiran Berfikir Secara Kritis Dalam Pengajaran Sejarah : Perspektif Murid Tingkatan Empat Di Teluk Intan, Khairi Ariffin

Student Works (2000-2009)

This research aimed at finding out form four students in Teluk Intan perspective towards the teaching of History in schools. The researcher focused on the aspect of the teachers' teaching styles, elements that were emphasized in the history teachers' teaching and their approaches in encouraging and developing critical thinking skills among students. Another three aspects analyzed were the teachers' emphasis on Bloom Taxonomy levels, the methods and approaches practised by the History teachers and the types of question emphasized in the teaching of History. Another purpose of this research is to find out whether students' achievements in the History subject …

Pengaruh Bahasa Dalam Pencapaian Matematik Di Sebuah Sekolah Persendirian Cina, Sook Theng Pang

Student Works (2000-2009)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of language in mathematics achievement of Form Four students, and their difficulties in solving mathematics word problems in Bahasa Malaysia version. 40 Form Four students from one of the Chinese Independent High School in Kuala Lumpur, who speak Bahasa Malaysia as a second language were asked to solve 10 mathematics word problems in Bahasa Malaysia version in 40 minutes. Before that, they were asked to solve 10 mathematics word problems in Bahasa Cina version during their Final Year Examination (1999). After that, J samples were interviewed. The interviews conducted to …

Alignment Of The Challenger Center Curriculum With The Washington State Essential Learning Requirements And The Use Of Multiple Intelligences, Shaila Donel Brookover

All Graduate Projects

The State ofWashington has recently adopted a set oflearning standards called the Essential Academic Learning Requirements. It is the intention of this Master's project to align the learning objectives of the Challenger Center curriculum with the Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Science, so that it may be used as a sixth and seventh grade enrichment opportunity. Itis also within the scope of this project to include Gardner's theory on multiple intelligence as an educational tool to improve student learning. It will be suggested that with the use of multiple intelligences and the integration of informal science learning experiences, students will …

The Reform Calculus Debate And The Psychology Of Learning Mathematics, James M. Cargal

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Teaching Fractions Through The Multiple Intelligences, Lisa K. Freese

Graduate Research Papers

Fractions are frequently used in daily life. However, many students have difficulty learning fraction concepts. In addition, some students begin the study of fractions with negative impressions.

The writer of this article uses Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences to address the difficulties students face in learning fraction concepts. Dr. Howard Gardner, the creator of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences (Ml Theory), believes that it is unfair to teach all students in the same way. Students need opportunities to solve relevant problems that are meaningful to their everyday lives. Rather than concentrating on singular viewpoints and exclusive answers when studying …

Science In A Constructivist Classroom: Progress In A Five-Year-Old Child's Reasoning About Water Dynamics, Hyang-Lim Kwak

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study is to understand changes in a target child’s reasoning about water dynamics, specifically, draining and movement of water in tubes. The study also focuses on development and evaluation of activities and teaching strategies. The activities were conducted with all children in the preschool at a public elementary school in Iowa as part of the regular classroom constructivist program inspired by Piaget’s work. Using Piaget’s theory to provide insights into the child’s reasoning and knowledge, analysis focused on the child’s construction of regularities between his actions and reactions of water, and on the construction of relationships …

Determining The Validity And Reliability Of An Instrument Designed To Measure Metacognitive Behaviours, Anne L. Martin

Theses : Honours

This project was designed to study the role of metacognition in mathematical problem solving. More specifically, it was designed to determine the validity and reliability of an instrument proposed to identify metacognitive behaviours in Year 7 children solving problems. The instrument was used to analyse audio tapes of pairs of students working on a non-routine problem (i.e., a problem that cannot be solved solely by the direct application of the basic operations). Analysis of the audio tapes involved categorizing metacognitive decisions as: orientation, organization, execution, and verification behaviours. A "cognitive-metacognitive" framework (Garofalo & Lester, 1985) was used as a basis …

Sex-Related Differences In Autonomous Learning Behaviours And Mathematics Achievement, Laura Beahan

Theses : Honours

The autonomous learning behaviour model proposed by Fennema and Peterson (1985a, 1985b) hypothesises that sex- related differences in mathematics are a result of sex-related differences in autonomous learning behaviours. Autonomous learning behaviours include choosing to engage in high-level tasks, preferring to work independently on such tasks and persisting at them. The purpose of this study was to investigate sex-related differences in autonomous learning behaviours and to determine any relationship between the presence of these behaviours and achievement in mathematics. Twelve students studying the Year 1 unit "Foundations of Mathematics" were selected for the study, including two males and two females …

The Relationship Between Locus Of Control And Academic Success Of Post-Secondary Students In Electronics Technology, Robert D. Mccollum

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between internal locus of control and academic success in students taking courses in Electronics Technology at a post-secondary technical school. The Adult Nowicki-Strickland Internal External Control-Scale was used to determine a locus of control score for each subject, and the students' current GPA scores were used as a measure of success. The study implemented a correlational research design, and the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the locus of control scores and the GPA scores. Results indicated a significant relationship between the internal dimension …