Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

The Perceptions Of School Safety And Discipline And How These Perceptions Affect Teaching Methods And Strategies, James J. Lapsley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions teachers have concerning safety and discipline within their school and how these perceptions affect teaching methods and strategies. The study took place in a large rural area high school with a diverse multi-cultural background of students. This particular school has increasingly been scrutinized for the disruptive behavior of the students and the ability of the administration to handle these problems among the majority of teachers in the school. This study focused on the perceptions the teachers have about their school policies and procedures and the ability the school has in …

A Study Of The Female Formation Of Identity During The High School Years: A Qualitative Analysis, Elisabeth C. Rigney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research project was to examine the factors that influence and affect identity formation by female adolescents during the high school years. Group discussion sessions were held for a sample size of 6 participants that introduced certain topics that were deemed relevant to adolescent females' identity formation. Through the group discussions, participants demonstrated that these topics, including body image, family pressure, and relationships, were inherent to the ways they form identity during the high school years. Upon completion of the data collection, the discussion sessions were coded for each topic and then divided by those responses deemed …

The Use Of The Socratic Method In A Contemporary High School Classroom In Developing Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, And Decision Making Skills, Anna Schneider Muessig

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research was to attempt to use a modified approach to the Socratic method in a contemporary high school classroom as a means of developing problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in high school students. The participants in the study were 16 male students and 13 female students from two sections of an eleventh grade Honors English class at a suburban high school in southern New Jersey. These students were selected as a population of convenience during the researcher's Clinical Internship II experience. As a part of regular classroom instruction, the researcher employed a modified form …

Parental Ability To Support Their Children's Education Of Mathematics, Jenny M. Honold

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which parents/guardians can adequately support the success of their children's innovative mathematics curriculum. The study raises questions about the skills and knowledge parents have about today's mathematical practices. Are parents informed enough to sufficiently support their children's mathematical achievement? A qualitative review will take place by collecting student perception surveys, parent perception surveys, parent interviews, and a teacher journal recording home-school communication. This study is concerned with how teachers at Webster Elementary School will better be able to foster an environment where the mathematics needs of parents and children …

Motivating Elementary School Students In Literacy: A Study On Discussion Groups, Beth A. Lawrence

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research proposal was literacy motivation for students in elementary school. The researcher hypothesized that students who took part in a discussion group, which is a motivational technique used in literacy, would perform better on a comprehension test and had a higher level of motivation to read than students who did not participate in discussion groups. The proposed method included taking a stratified random sample of 6 second grade students that participated in discussion groups daily for two weeks. All students were required to keep a reading log of the books that they read in school and …

Self-Regulated Strategy Development: A Cognitive Strategies Approach To Persuasive Writing, Amy I. Bennet

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not the application of Self- Regulated Strategy Development model of writing instruction will improve the writing of persuasive compositions in seven 4th grade students. Self-Regulated Strategy Development pairs mnemonics representing the parts of different genres of writing with self-talk statements used by the students to "think" through the writing process. The students in this study were introduced to these strategies through small group instruction that took place during the regular school day. Through conferencing with the students, and by comparing the compositions written before the SRSD instruction to compositions written …

Gesture: Nonverbal Communication Between Teachers And Students, Christina Roviello

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers convey nonverbal messages to their class using gestures, body language, tone and physical body placement. Research shows that nonverbal messages can be very powerful tools with students. Research has also shown that nonverbal gestures paired with verbal communication enhance comprehension. This study's purpose is to find evidence that using nonverbal gestures in the classroom improves teacher direction and class attention and understanding. Data analysis shows that particular students benefit from emblems gesture in the classroom setting. Conclusions and implications of this study suggest that nonverbal communication has an influence on the classroom environment; however, further investigation is required.

Looking At The Impact Of Parental Involvement On Student Learning, Carly H. Oliver

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study focuses on parental involvement in schools, in particular, the over involvement of some parents. Major themes covered include parent-teacher communication, appropriate involvement in and out of the classroom, and parental interference. Research was conducted by surveying two hundred fifty parents and sixty teachers in one elementary school in conjunction with follow-up interviews and the researcher's field notes. The response rates were low and respondents may share many characteristics, skewing the results. Questions on the surveys were categorized into themes to look for trends. The results find that some parents do interfere with the educational process and children …

Parent-Teacher Communication Methods: Which Ones Do Teachers Utilize, And Why?, Jennifer Ann Clipper

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have shown that parental involvement has positive effects on education. Further, parents are more likely to become involved if they are kept up-to-date with student progress; however, in order for parents to know this information, effective communication needs to be maintained. This study used a survey instrument with open-ended and closed-ended responses (Likert scale) as well as teacher interviews. The sample included fifty teachers in an upper elementary school in southern New Jersey. These respondents' answers helped to determine which methods of home-school communication are currently in use, which are perceived as most effective, and how much time is …

Examining Factors That Influence Elementary Teachers' Dress Habits, Jill K. Camburn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that impact the attire that elementary teachers choose to wear to work. This study was conducted in an upper elementary school (grades three through five) in a large K-12 public school district in Camden County, New Jersey. The participants were 44 elementary, special education, and special area teachers whose teaching experience varied. Participants completed surveys in which they used a Likert-type attitude scale to assign ratings to various possible factors. Data from the surveys was recorded in percentages and organized into groups according to years of experience. Interviews were also …

The Effect Of Different-Sex And Same-Sex Cooperative Learning Groups On Achievement, Jennifer L. Olshefski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of different-sex and same-sex cooperative learning groups on the achievement of fourth grade students. The subjects for this study are nineteen fourth grade students in a regular education classroom in a southern New Jersey elementary school. The students worked in cooperative learning groups during science period. The academic performance of the same-sex cooperative learning groups and the different-sex cooperative learning groups was assessed through student artifacts/work, anecdotal notes/observations, teacher research journal, and a student end-of-study questionnaire. A qualitative approach was used to analyze the data, which revealed that students in …

The Effect Of Graphic Organizers On The Academic Achievement Of Fourth Grade Students, Stephanie Kirschbaum

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that graphic organizers have on the academic achievement of fourth grade students. The sample was a fourth grade classroom in an elementary school in southern New Jersey. The researcher taught the students two different social studies chapters. The researcher collected data by giving the students two tests for each of the two chapters taught. There were a total of four tests given. These tests were similar in that they were the exact same difficulty level. However, in each chapter there was one test that was constructed using graphic organizers, and …

A Comparison Study Of The Stress Levels Between English Language Learner Students And Native English Language Speaking Students, Christine J. Desrochers

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to find whether students who are English Language Learners showed significantly higher stress levels than students who spoke English as their native language. A survey was administered to both groups to determine which group showed higher levels of stress. The total sample size was 24 students, with 12 students belonging in each respective group. An independent sample t-test was used to analyze the data. After analysis the study found that there was a significantly higher level of stress found in English Language Learners than there was in Native English Language Speaking students.

The Effectiveness Of Instruction In A Third Grade Classroom Utilizing The Theory Of Multiple Intelligence, Matthew W. Whitaker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of utilizing Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence in a third grade classroom. An experimental group (n = 21) received the treatment teaching method over a two week period. A control group of students (n = 20) was instructed the same unit over the same two week period utilizing a traditional teaching method. Both groups were intact classes prior to the research beginning. A pretest and posttest were administered and a t-test for independent samples was employed to determine if there was a significant difference in achievement between …

Role Of The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards In The 4th Grade Classrooms Of Salem County, Nj, J. Michael Mcqueston

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to examine the role that the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards are playing in the 4^th grade classrooms of Salem County, New Jersey. Through surveying the teachers of Salem County, the researcher was able to assign a level of comfort and usage of the NJCCCS for each school district and compare that level with student achievement on the 2003 NJASK assessment. Additionally the issues of clarity and parsimony of the standards, alignment to the assessment and professional development opportunities available to teachers were also studied. The hypothesis of the study was that …

A Study To Determine If Multimedia Technologies In A Regular Classroom Enhance Learning And Motivation, Carol Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of infusing multimedia technologies in a regular classroom. The purpose of this study was also to demonstrate that with the use of technology, the students would better understand the important concepts covered in the social studies unit, as well as be motivated to learn.

Thirty sixth grade students conducted research using wireless laptops to find information about a prominent African-American who has made a positive contribution to our society. The control group created an oral presentation and constructed a replica in the form of a doll to represent their person. …

A Study Examining The Effects Of Athletics On Females' Mathematical Achievement, Genevieve M. Bieg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of a correlation between females who actively participated in athletics and a high achievement in mathematics. A comparison of females who actively participated in athletics and females who did not actively participate in athletics was made using an independent samples t-test.

The design for this study was the use of a survey, data collection and an independent samples t-test. This study used the sample of forty-one sixth grade females. Each female attended the same middle school and had the same math teacher. Each participant filled out a survey that determined …

The Comparison Of Social And Academic Support Services For Regular And Specially Admitted African American Females At A Predominantly White Institution, Corinne J. Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) compare the academic and social support services provided to regularly admitted African American females with specially admitted African American females all of whom attend a predominantly white institution, and (b) determine how responsive the predominantly white institution is to the academic and social needs of African American females. The academic and social support for both groups was similar with higher utilization and satisfaction of services among the specially admitted. However, the institution did not prove to be responsive to African American females in many of the social aspects. The results showed that …

Social Studies And The Internet, Kristen Heider

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to address two primary questions: (1) to determine if students' attitudes towards using the Internet as a resource changed as a result of their applying a web evaluation guide, and (2) to determine if the quality of students' research products improved as a result of web evaluation lessons. The ninth grade, world history students' familiarity and prior use of the Internet with research projects was assessed through a pre-survey as well as the review of their prior research papers and projects. Finally, taking into consideration progress and curriculum, research projects were assigned individually, allowing class time in …

From Challenge To Triumph: The Voices Of African American Male Students At Mid-Atlantic University, Ted Nicholas Ingram

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the attitudes among African American men concerning issues of retention at a predominantly white college. This study explains issues attendant to the problem of the low numbers of African American males in higher education. Furthermore, this study seeks to identify factors that are successful with keeping African American males in college. The methodology consisted of quantitative (surveys) and qualitative analyses (focus group interviews) that focused on the factors associated with the experiences of African American male college students (N=123). From this exploratory investigation, students identified advisors and counselors, faculty instructors, mentors, and …

An Exploratory Study Of Student Satisfaction Of The Rowan University Recreation Center, Joseph J. Dougherty Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to explore the extent of student satisfaction with the Rowan University Recreation Center. A convenience sample of 151 students who frequented the recreation center was used to determine students' perceptions of the facility on a number of factors. The study showed that the recreation center rated higher than all other comparable student services both in importance to the student and satisfaction with the service provided. The recreation center was also very successful in terms of getting students involved, much more so than any other campus group or activity. The results showed that the recreation …

Spelling Attitudes And Abilities Of Secondary Students, Michael C. Porter

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to a) gauge the attitudes of a group of high school seniors (n = 211) about the importance of spelling, which strategies they use to solve spelling problems, and the adequacy of spelling instruction at the high school level; b) assess the same group of seniors according to Ganske's developmental levels of spelling; and c) gauge the attitudes of high school language arts teachers in the same school (n = 16) about the importance of spelling and the adequacy of spelling instruction at the high school level, and to determine their spelling …

An Exploratory Study On The Impact Of Alternative Approaches To The Treatment Of Bullying At The Middle/High School Level In A Southern New Jersey Public School District, Lynda L. Hinkle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to explore, in two separate studies, the impact of one comprehensive treatment and one curricular treatment on bullying behaviors within the context of a southern New Jersey school district. In the first study, 1280 middle school students were surveyed in the beginning of the school year and again at the end, after comprehensive treatment methods were applied. In the second study, a single high school writing class was observed both before and after the teaching of an anti-bullying curriculum. The first study showed an increase of students reporting that they were victims of bullying …

The Multiple Dimensions Of Negative Attitudes Toward School Among Students In An Urban High School Environment, Scott W. Revell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the sources of negative attitudes in a high school environment through interviews and journal writing as a basis for qualitative data. A sample of convenience was chosen that included six students with varied characteristics of interest for the study. Students were asked to respond to journal prompts at 3-day intervals and were interviewed for 25 minutes regarding their attitude toward school. Sources identified in this study to be contributors to a negative attitude toward school are incompatible teachers and teaching style, failure to have basic needs of the students met, and the …

Hands-On Manipulative Use In Science Instruction, Bianca Lee Domenico

Theses and Dissertations

This study tested the use of physical manipulatives during science instruction – in conjunction with the traditional, textbook-oriented approach – and determines whether manipulatives create more significant learning experiences than text generates alone. The subject sample consisted of 20 third-grade students from a suburban New Jersey elementary school classroom. All subjects functioned at least on a third-grade level in all subjects with the exception of three students, who participated in the Talented and Gifted Program. Subjects from the experimental group and the control group completed a science content pretest of thirteen open-ended cognition questions. Both groups completed assigned activities, and …

The Effects Of Grouping Fourth Grade Students Into Cooperative Learning Groups By Learning Patterns, Kelly A. Hamlet

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of fourth grade students working in cooperative learning groups. Students worked in three cooperative learning groups in order to determine whether grouping students heterogeneously into cooperative learning groups based on individual students' learning pattern would have a positive correlation with group and individual success. First students were grouped randomly and then homogeneously by learning pattern, and lastly heterogeneously by learning pattern. During each cooperative learning experience groups were expected to complete in-class group work. Students were then given a quiz and a test on the material covered during their cooperative …

The Effect Of Student Journals On Achievement In And Attitudes Toward Science, Holly Cowell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if: (a) writing in student journals affected the grades of my students, and (b) if student attitudes were affected by writing in journals and receiving teacher feedback. The research was conducted during the third semester at Triton Regional High School with a total of 49 tenth-grade students enrolled in two Laboratory Biology classes. Students in one class wrote in journals about teacher-posed topics for five minutes on average of once per week. The topics were written to encourage personalization of learning and further interaction with science. An attitude survey was …

The Effect Of Cooperative Learning And Traditional Instruction On The Spelling Performance Of Third Grade Students, Tracey Patella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of cooperative learning and traditional instruction on the spelling test performance of twenty-six third grade students from a southern New Jersey school district. It was hypothesized that students who were taught using cooperative learning strategies during spelling instruction would score significantly higher on their weekly spelling post-tests than students who were taught using traditional spelling instruction.

A one group, pretest/posttest, pre-experimental design was utilized to determine whether students who are randomly grouped in cooperative learning pairs will have higher achievement levels in spelling than students who are taught using traditional …

The Effect Of Character Education On Student Behavior, Cindy Patella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if character education addressed directly through lesson plans would have an effect on behavior of students when they are not under supervision of the classroom teacher. The researcher observed the students' social interactions in the experimental group and the control group in various settings in a pre and post observation period. Behavior was recorded on a behavior chart listing both positive and negative behaviors. There were 19 students in the experimental group and 22 students in the control group. The study found a slight positive change in behavior for those students in …

The Effect Of Rubrics On Second Grade Students' Abilities To Write A Personal Story, Ann Marie Germani

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) evaluate the effects of a student-generated instructional rubric on second grade students' (n = 21) abilities to write personal stories and their understanding of the qualities of good writing; and (b) assess student metacognitive behavior resulting from the use of a rubric. Student writing assignments prior to and after rubric instruction were assessed in order to determine the effects of rubrics in improving writing skills. Student interactions and behaviors were observed and noted in order to determine metacognitive performance. A questionnaire gauged student impressions, management, and application of a rubric while …