Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Second Graders' Solution Strategies And Understanding Of A Combination Problem, Tiffany Marie Hessing

Theses and Dissertations

I inquire about second graders' capabilities of developing solution strategies and the original variety of strategies they bring forth while solving a combination problem. Based on analysis of the data presented in this paper, students developed five different general strategies. After analyzing what the second grade students were capable of developing, we can conclude that young children are capable of developing powerful systematic strategies grounded in their personal experiences. This research shows that even when the teacher does not foster personal agency, children will still exercise agency. The social interactions in the classroom helped students learn to propose mathematical ideas, …

The Nature And Frequency Of Mathematical Discussion During Lesson Study That Implemented The Cmi Framework, Andrew Ray Glaze

Theses and Dissertations

During a year-long professional development, the faculty members at an elementary school received instruction on mathematics and how to use the Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction framework. The instruction and the framework were consistent with the standards suggested by the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics (2000). This thesis analyzes the mathematical language used by three fifth-grade teachers who participated in lesson study to create a research lesson based upon the Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction framework.

Determining High School Geometry Students' Geometric Understanding Using Van Hiele Levels: Is There A Difference Between Standards-Based Curriculum Students And Nonstandards-Based Curriculum Students?, Rebekah Loraine Genz

Theses and Dissertations

Research has found that students are not adequately prepared to understand the concepts of geometry, as they are presented in a high school geometry course (e.g. Burger and Shaughnessy (1986), Usiskin (1982), van Hiele (1986)). Curricula based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards (1989, 2000) have been developed and introduced into the middle grades to improve learning and concept development in mathematics. Research done by Rey, Reys, Lappan and Holliday (2003) showed that Standards-based curricula improve students' mathematical understanding and performance on standardized math exams. Using van Hiele levels, this study examines 20 ninth-grade students' levels …

Usage Of Plant Examples In Secondary School Biology Classes, Tamara L. Egner

Theses and Dissertations

Botanists have expressed concern over the dwindling recognition and emphasis of plants that currently exists in the fields of education and research. To ascertain if these claims pertain to high schools in the State of New Jersey, a survey on the frequency of using plant examples for teaching 10 biological principles was randomly distributed to secondary school biology teachers. Results from 80 respondents showed that on average, plants are used as examples in teaching 66% of these biological principles. The primary rationale cited by teachers for low or non-usage of plants was that they preferred animals as teaching examples. Underlying …

What Does It Mean To Preservice Mathematics Teachers To Anticipate Student Responses?, Matthew M. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

Lesson study is a form of professional development for teachers adopted in recent years from Japan. Introducing lesson study to U.S. teachers and researchers has been the focus of most of the literature on this subject. Much of the literature outlines how lesson study works and describes its essential features. One of the features of lesson study is anticipating student responses, also known as anticipating student thinking. Anticipating student responses is passingly described in lesson study literature. This research was conducted to understand what it means to anticipate student responses for preservice mathematics teachers in a lesson study group. Lesson …

A Study Of Secondary Teachers' Attitudes Toward The Use Of The Graphing Calculator To Prepare For And Perform On The Hspa, Michael Dempsey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research will be to identify the effectiveness of graphing calculators as instructional tools in building the skills needed to demonstrate proficiency on the New Jersey HSPA. To research this topic, teachers from South Jersey high schools were contacted and asked to respond to a survey regarding opinions and observations about the use of the graphing calculator. The survey was created by the researcher in order to investigate how teachers feel graphing calculators influence conceptual understanding of skills tested on the HSPA. The survey will use a Likert scale to measure teacher attitudes about the effect of …

Formative Assessment: The Effect On Academic Achievement And Attitudes Toward Science, Susanne Casey

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) determine if the use of formative assessment in the science classroom improved academic achievement in a group of ninth grade honors level students; and (b) determine the effect of formative assessment on the attitudes these students have toward science. Data was collected from two control groups (N=24 and N=26) and the experimental, comparison group (N=28). Students were administered two Likert-type surveys, an attitude survey and a causal attribution survey. Each survey was given at the start of the experiment and again at the end of the experiment. Summative test scores were also …

An Examination Of The Role Of Writing In Mathematics Instruction, Amy Jeppsen

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses qualitative methods to investigate the use of writing in a content course for elementary education majors in which writing was considered an important part of mathematical learning. The study differs from previous studies by investigating the role of writing in the everyday instructional activities, rather than investigating writing as a separate mathematical activity. An analysis of the instruction and class discussions that took place in this class reveals that components of writing that were addressed implicitly and explicitly in classroom instruction were developed simultaneously with conceptual understanding, suggesting a much stronger and more integral relationship between writing …

Fraction Multiplication And Division Image Change In Pre-Service Elementary Teachers, Jennifer J. Cluff

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated three pre-service elementary teachers' understanding of fractions and fraction multiplication and division. The motivation for this study was lack of conceptual understanding of fractions and fraction multiplication and division. Pre-service elementary teachers were chosen because teachers are the conduit of information for their students. The subjects were followed through the fractions unit in a mathematics methods course for pre-service elementary teachers at Brigham Young University. Each subject volunteered to participate and were interviewed and videotaped throughout the study, and they also provided copies of all work done in the fractions unit in the course. The data is …

Programmatic Assessment Of Nonformal Environmental Education Programs In Southern New Jersey, Teresa E. Andres

Theses and Dissertations

Nonformal environmental education experiences can be useful tools for teachers when the programs are connected to state standards and national guidelines. This study examined how well field trip programs at nonformal environmental education centers in southern New Jersey met the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for environmental education and the North American Association for Environmental Education's Nonformal Environmental Education Programs Guidelines for Excellence. Fourteen centers from the six southernmost counties were sent questionnaires. Of the fourteen centers, eight responded to the questionnaire. The programs offered at these centers were then evaluated using a checklist for the state standards and …

Teachers' Perceptions And Curriculum Analysis For A Zoo Education Program, Ronald S. Berger

Theses and Dissertations

Study intent investigated teachers' perceptions of a zoo education program and evaluated modules. Study explored program effectiveness by evaluating teachers' motivation to participate, students' engagement, presenter performance, program effectiveness, and teachers' met expectations. Study explored if program addressed New Jersey and Pennsylvania standards, North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) guidelines, and a lesson plan format. Research investigated teachers' perceptions by questionnaire from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Teachers perceived presenters performed well, students engaged, and integrating curriculum the motivation to participate. Research to evaluate modules was subjective. Modules addressed Science and Social Studies for New Jersey, Science and Technology, …

Reasoning About Motion: A Case Study, Tiffini Lynn Glaze

Theses and Dissertations

Several dance and industrial design students were given the opportunity to attend a non-traditional mathematics course. The nature of this course prompted student interaction and expected collaboration. My research focuses on one dance student, Sara, who did not consider herself a strong mathematics student, but who understood physical motion very well. This paper explores the evolution of Sara's representations for physical motion in a given task, and discusses her reasoning for keeping or dismissing various parts of her representations during the course of this task. I examine first how Sara learns mathematics with understanding in this task, and second how …

The Making Of The Modern Airport Executive: Causal Connections Among Key Attributes In Career Development, Compromise, And Satisfaction In Airport Management, David Alan Byers

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify specific career development attributes of contemporary senior-level airport executives and to evaluate the relationship of these attributes to the level of satisfaction airport executives have in their career choice. Attribute sets that were examined included early aviation interests, health factors, psychological factors, demographic factors, formal education, and other aviation-related experiences. A hypothesized causal model that expressed direct and indirect effects among these attributes relative to airport executives’ career satisfaction was tested using sample data collected from 708 airport executives from general aviation and commercial service airport throughout the United States. Applying a …

Camden City Environmental Center Site Based Curriculum And Teacher Activity Guide, Wanda D. Little

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this curriculum and teacher activity guide is to provide Camden City School District's Environmental Center Program with a curriculum for kindergarten through fourth grade students. The curriculum provides students with site-based lessons and activities that are aligned and correlated with New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Science, and the Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines For Learning (K - 12). The Site-Based Curriculum and Teacher Activity Guide, upon approval by the Camden City School District Board of Education, will provide students with guided discovery experiences that introduce new ideas, dispel misconceptions and reinforce previous learning.

The scope …

The Urban/Suburban Wildlife Survey Volunteer Project, Larissa L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined attitudes of volunteers in the Urban/Suburban Volunteer Project. Volunteers for this project surveyed for bird species for the New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Species Program in Urban New Jersey areas. This project was considered unsuccessful by the Endangered and Nongame Species staff. By analyzing a volunteer project that was not as successful as hoped, volunteer managers can learn from this and apply the findings to their own projects. The purpose of this study was to find out what volunteers thought of the Urban/Suburban Volunteer Project.

Questionnaires were sent to the known population, a total of 25 questionnaires …

An Analysis Of The Influence Of Lesson Study On Preservice Secondary Mathematics Teachers' View Of Self-As Mathematics Expert, Julie Stafford

Theses and Dissertations

This research seeks to investigate the influence of lesson study on preservice secondary mathematics teachers' view of self as mathematics expert. The study acknowledges the commonly held belief that prospective mathematics teachers have that they know and understand secondary mathematics. The purpose in engaging the preservice teachers in lesson study is to dislodge this belief. In particular, this research report focuses on one preservice teacher and her experiences during lesson study. Using the data collected, the researcher reports on the baseline beliefs that the preservice teacher held toward her knowledge of secondary mathematics, her mathematical experiences during the actual lesson …

A Study Of Certification For The Middle Grade Mathematics Teacher, James E. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine differences and similarities among elementary and secondary certified teachers' beliefs about state certification for the middle grades mathematics teacher.

A mail-in survey was conducted among teachers at forty-eight public schools serving middle grade students in Camden County. A fourteen-item questionnaire obtained opinions from teachers teaching in the middle grades. Teachers responded to items about state certification and individual requirements for obtaining certification.

The data was analyzed, and percents calculated. Teachers did not believe that elementary certification programs adequately prepared individuals to teach middle grades mathematics. The underlying perception is that neither of …

When Human Life Begins, Susan K.P. Das

Theses and Dissertations

The moment attributed to the beginning of human life is debated not only in religious and political communities, but within the scientific community as well. Particular attention is given to this issue as advances in science make it possible to manipulate the embryo and fetus at early stages of development. This study explores these issues as they are revealed in the literature. In particular, examination of the stages of human development associated with this issue and the correlation between these stages and their influence on ethical concerns in current scientific technologies such as abortion, cloning, and embryonic stem cell experimentation.

A Survey Of Students' Attitudes On The Implementation Of An Integrated High School Mathematics Program, Lori Ann Austin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in the attitudes of general education students toward their math education before and after the implementation of an integrated mathematics program.

The study population was comprised of students enrolled in ninth grade general education classes at Williamstown High School in Williamstown, NJ. The sample consisted of ninety-six students.

A survey was administered to students to examine their attitudes toward general math class. After a four-week implementation of the Interactive Mathematics Program, the survey was administered a second time. T-tests and an ANOVA were performed to determine …

The Awareness And Use Of Standards-Based Mathematics Curriculums In Secondary Schools Of Southern New Jersey, Nancy D. Ciandella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and usage of specific standards-based mathematics curriculums in the southern New Jersey area.

A three-part survey was developed and sent to department chairpersons in 135 secondary schools in eight southern New Jersey counties. Part one of the survey determined the population characteristics and participant information. Part two was utilized to determine currently used mathematics curriculums. In part three, mathematical philosophy was determined from responses to Likert scale questions. An analysis of the survey included tallies of currently used curriculums, knowledge of standards-based mathematics programs, and a correlation of mathematical philosophies …

The Impact Of Varying Teaching Style Techniques To Better Match Learning Styles In The Science Classroom, Karen M. Santoro

Theses and Dissertations

This paper will address the correlation between student learning styles and the mode of delivery employed for instruction, and the outcome: student test scores.

By integrating a learning style assessment with a teaching style assessment the researcher challenges the belief that science needs to be taught in a systematic, methodical fashion and varying teaching style will result in significantly higher test scores. The test scores of a class taught with traditional science teaching delivery (lecture style) and the test scores of a class taught with various teaching styles were then compared.

The method employed involved using a learning style survey …

Computers In The Classroom – Do They Really Make A Difference In Student Learning?, Colleen Fitzgerald

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the utilization of computers in the classroom would increase student learning. The participants were eighty-two seventh grade students from Demarest Middle School in Demarest, New Jersey. The students were organized into four heterogeneously mixed classes. The study was conducted over approximately two weeks. All students received introductory instruction on amphibians and frog anatomy and physiology. Two classes then completed the traditional specimen dissection, while the other two classes completed a computer-simulated dissection. The classes then switched and performed the alternative dissection procedure. Their performance was measured by the results on the …

The Effect Of A Student Assessment Instrument In The Performance Of Basic Skills Mathematics Students At The Community College Level, Matthew Flacche

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to see if implementation of a self-assessing instrument improved students' test scores when compared to no mid-unit assessment at all. The experiment involved basic skills mathematics students from Camden County College in Blackwood, New Jersey. Two Math Skills III (Elementary Algebra) classes, containing a total of 39 students, were included in the study. Both sections of students completed pretests. The students in both classes received similar instruction, however one class (the treatment group) received three weeks of instruction, completed and graded Student Assessment Instruments (SAI's) approximately every other class (during the instruction), and took a unit …

Impact Of The Implementation Of The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards On Time Allocation For Elementary Mathematics Instruction, Angela Napoliello-Ivory

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for mathematics instruction three years after their approval by the State Board of Education. A survey methodology was used. The survey was mailed to the New Jersey school districts that include an elementary school. In addition to demographic information, the districts were asked how much time is allocated to mathematics instruction daily. The districts were also asked how much time is spent in direct instruction, in seatwork, and in problem solving each day, and has there been a change over the last …

A Survey Comparing Attitudes Towards Mathematics Of Students In The Interactive Mathematics Program, Anne Marie Dewitt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences existed between the attitudes of students enrolled in the Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) and students enrolled in traditional courses towards mathematics.

The population used for this study was comprised of approximately one hundred students from three IMP classes and students from three college preparatory geometry classes at Pennsauken High School in Pennsauken, New Jersey. A survey was designed to obtain information about students' attitudes toward mathematics. Survey questions were designed to measure their enjoyment of mathematics and their perceived value of mathematics. One-sample and two-sample t-tests were performed to …

The Impact Of The Interdisciplinary Mathematics And Science Program On Students' Attitudes At Oakcrest High School, Norma J. Boakes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on students' attitudes of an interdisciplinary program at a rural high school in southern New Jersey.

The interdisciplinary mathematics and science program of Oakcrest High School that began in 1998 involved teaming a non-college prep ninth grade mathematics course with the same level general science course. A group of 30 students who had participated in this program were selected; then a Likert-style 22 question attitude survey was developed and implemented to determine the impact the program had on students' attitudes. An analysis of the survey included a one-sample t-test on …

An Opinionnaire Of Secondary School Mathematics Instructors Regarding Block Scheduling, Elaine M. Groman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of block scheduling on mathematics instruction at the secondary level in New Jersey public schools.

Surveys were sent to ten high schools identified as using block scheduling in New Jersey. Mathematics teachers and supervisors were asked to evaluate block scheduling and rate the impact it has on a scale from great effect to little effect in the areas of curriculum coverage, amount of time spent reviewing previously covered material, coverage of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards and sequence of mathematics courses a student takes. AP Calculus instructors were asked …

Strategies To Improve H.S.P.T. Scores In The Ninth Grade Mathematics Curriculum, Monifa I. Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to integrate strategies in the ninth grade Mathematics curriculum with a goal of improving High School Proficiency Test scores. This study was designed to meet the needs for the students serviced at Pleasantville High School. Over the past five years Pleasantville High School students have demonstrated erratic behavior on the state mandated HSPT11. Eleventh grade first time test takers have yet to meet the 85% acceptable passing rate for this population. The school district must provide an educational environment where all can learn and find success. This includes preparing students for responsible citizenship, higher …

Trends In Teaching Object-Oriented Programming At The Community College Level, Thomas W. Fargnoli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the current trends in teaching object-oriented programming at the community college level. A questionnaire was developed and sent to all community colleges in the state of New Jersey to assess the extent of object-oriented material offered in computer science courses. Nine community colleges participated in the study.

All nine colleges reported offering at least one course containing some degree of object-oriented material. Of the eighty-five computer science courses offered, thirty of them (35%) contained some degree of object-oriented material. The degree of the object-oriented material ranged from 5% to 100%. Fourteen of …

Increasing Student Achievement With Cooperative Learning, Curriculum Changes, And Portfolio Assessment, Lois S. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to determine if student achievement could be approved by curriculum changes within a cooperative learning framework and the use of portfolio assessment. Students in two classes were involved in the study. Both classes received the same instruction, worksheet and quizzes. In addition, one class worked individually to complete the worksheets to prepare for weekly quizzes. The other class used the cooperative learning technique - Student Teams Achievement Divisions. The cooperative learning students worked in groups of four to complete the worksheets to prepare for the weekly quizzes. The goal was to have everyone in …