Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Teacher Efficacy In Relation To Mathematics Reform: A Look At A Collaborative Group Of Elementary Teachers, Kerri Lee Hundley

Theses and Dissertations

A number of recent efforts to improve mathematics instruction have focused on professional development activities designed to promote changes in teachers' practice that are consistent with the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM]. Since teacher beliefs can have a significant influence on what teachers do in their classroom, this study investigated the impact of an alternative form of professional teacher development designed to impact both general and personal teacher efficacy beliefs toward the use of Standards-based mathematics. A professional teacher development study group [PDSG] was formed that consisted of a facilitator/participant and six elementary teachers who …

Understanding Brigham Young University's Technology Teacher Education Program's Sucess In Attracting And Retaining Female Students, Katrina M. Cox

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to attempt to understand why Brigham Young University Technology Teacher Education program has attracted and retained a high number of females. This was done through a self-created survey composed of four forced responses, distributed among the Winter 2006 semester students. Likert-scale questions were outlined according to the five theoretical influences on women in technology, as established by Welty and Puck (2001) and two of the three relationships of academia, as established by Haynie III (1999), as well as three free response questions regarding retention and attraction within the major. Findings suggested strong positive polarity …

Reading And Writing In Science: How Do The Reform Documents Attend To The Fundamental Sense Of Science Literacy?, Kimberly J. Frandsen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine and describe fundamental literacy messages found within three major science reform documents: Science for all Americans: Project 2061 (AAAS, 1990), Benchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS, 1993), and the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996). A qualitative content analysis was performed in an effort to reveal any messages or statements supporting fundamental science literacy. Results from this study indicate that key science reform documents do in fact contain multiple messages supporting the fundamental sense of science literacy, however, the nature of these messages, the quantity, placement and presence of negative literacy statements may …

The Effects Of Using Children's Literature To Teach Positive Character Traits To Elementary Students, Christopher M. Dimakos

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this investigation were to determine (a) the effects of using children's literature to increase positive character traits in elementary students; and (b) how character education can be taught to elementary students through the use of children's literature. The researcher chose six character traits to be used throughout the study. Each week a variety of children's literature pertaining to that week's trait was read to the class. After readings, class discussions and role playing activities were held. Students were given a pre/post assessment to judge student learning of positive character traits throughout the study. The results of this …

Using Reinforcement And Self Management In Classrooms To Increase Motivation, Sherri Aitken

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study is to investigate the implementation of classroom management strategies in a Team Approach to Mastery (TAM) classroom which will include both regular and special education students. This research study will identify the most effective strategies in terms of ease of implementation, time, effort, generalization, reliance upon the system, and personal ratings. Small focus groups will also be conducted with the students in order to have a clearer view of student motivation and their likes or dislikes of the current system. A successful plan must be motivating and enjoyed by both students and teachers within the …

Characteristics Of An Existing Third Grade Social Studies Curriculum And Students' Views On An Alternative Instructional Strategy, Stefanie R. Whitefield

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) explore Social Studies as it takes place in a third grade classroom at an elementary school in Southern New Jersey and (b) to implement a Social Studies unit using an alternative instructional strategy and determine whether this method is more favorable among students as compared to the traditional teaching method. The researcher observed the cooperating teacher delivering Social Studies lessons, took field notes, recorded her thoughts in a teacher research journal, interviewed four teachers, interviewed students in the cooperating classroom, and implemented a Social Studies unit using scripted plays as an alternative …

How Does Being Placed In A Special Education Setting Affect A Student's Self-Concept?, Kristin Fastiggi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the self-concept of classified and non-classified students. Twenty-four students, twelve classified and twelve non-classified, all from Gloucester County, were given the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The test consisted of ten statements related to overall feelings of self-worth or self-acceptance. The students were tested away from their peers and the test was administered by the researcher. Once the study had been carried out the scores were analyzed by the researcher. The non-classified group had an average score of 15.83 (a normal self-esteem is within the range of 15-25). The non-classified group had an average …

The Effectiveness Of Student Led Conferencing In An Intermediate Setting, Mindy Fitterer

All Graduate Projects

The studied focused on the communication between parents, teachers and students and the student self-reflection of strengths, weaknesses, and goals during Student Led Conferencing. Twenty-five students in a sixth grade classroom created student led conference portfolios and participated in fall and spring conferences with their teacher and parents. The specific parts of each of the pieces of the portfolio and conferences are examined. The results showed a highly effective rate in the desired areas.

Emerging Leadership Roles In Distance Education: Current State Of Affairs And Forecasting Future Trends, Lisa Portugal

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

This paper discusses the enormous impact distance learning has had on traditional higher education and leadership roles within those constructs. The writer will address and discuss critical issues relating to leadership in higher education with a distance learning focus, current and future distance education modalities, and future leadership trends. This paper will focus on transformational leadership qualities that are necessary for current and future successful distance education programs. Finally, the writer will provide considerable information for institutions of higher learning as well as those individuals associated with the advancement of online learning modalities.

Diversity Leadership In Higher Education, Lisa Portugal

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

This paper will focus on issues relating to diversity leadership in higher education, the assessment of diversity leadership issues, and suggestions for successful diversity leadership initiatives. Higher education is in the process of creating more opportunities for a diverse faculty body and issues such as mentoring, building recruiting networks, and creating sponsorship programs are at the forefront of current discussions. Moreover, developing institutional strategic plans and initiatives are essential in the development of diversity leadership agendas. Additionally, issues relating to the distribution of power and participatory management are of particular interest to many institutions of higher education.

Executive Succession Practices In Land Grant Universities, Michael Miller, Diane Bisbee

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Looking at the current practices found in academe with respect to identifying and training current leaders, will broaden our understanding of institutional involvement, succession planning and leadership development. Within the scope of land grant universities, this study will quantify how higher education institutions identify academic leaders as department chairs, associate deans, deans, and provosts, how they provide training, and how they support these leaders in their careers. A survey of current institutional practices for department chairs, associate deans, deans and provosts will offer a better look at the scope of academic leadership identification and preparation.

Finding Our Way: Leadership For An Uncertain Time, Brian Trautman

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Leaders at different levels within organizations, school systems, and communities are becoming increasingly aware of the concepts and principles of the “new science” of leadership. Many of these same leaders are now beginning to integrate the new science ideology into everyday decision-making processes and practices. New science is also offering leaders the knowledge and understanding needed to effectively transform long-established, hierarchical, mechanistic organizational human resource management models into open, participative, and adaptive learning systems.

The Role Of Higher Education In America: A Spa Or A Smörgåsbord?, Amany Saleh, Marcia Lamkin, David Cox

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

American higher education has a long and rich tradition of seeking higher moral and civic purposes in its endeavors. . . [C]ampuses have been the sites of debate on the critical issues of the day and faculty have sought to provide students with tools for rigorous analysis, critical reflection . . . . Now more than ever, higher education is challenged to educate the leaders of tomorrow and to connect those future leaders with the world of today. (Hollander 1999, v).

Virtual Schools: An Ethical Option, Nancy Nicholson, Judy Nelms, Caroline Mariano, Kathy Jabbot

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

An odyssey of civil rights in education has been taking place in America over the last 16 years. The school choice issue has heated up in the last decade and a half, traversing the years from 1990, with the first urban school choice program in Wisconsin, to 2006, with a suit filed against Los Angeles Unified Schools for lack of cooperation in informing parents of educational options available. The core argument is that parents, not government, should have the primary responsibility and economic power to determine where and how their children should be educated. This is a basic ethical, philosophical, …

The Chinese Principal Leadership Capacities As Perceived By Master Teachers, Lotfollah Naijar

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The study addressed the following questions: (1) What are Chinese master teachers’ perceptions of their principals’ leadership capacities related to the American ELCC (2002) educational leadership program standards? (2) Do teachers’ demographic factors of gender, age, and years of teaching experience predict the perceptions of their principals’ leadership capacities? (3) Do principals’ demographic factors of gender, age, years of leadership experience, and education attainment predict the teachers’ perceptions of the principals’ leadership capacities?

Table Of Contents - Summer 2006, Fort Hays State University College Of Education

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Academic Leadership Journal Summer 2006 table of contents

Teacher Leadership In Community Colleges: Transforming Teaching And Organizational Governance, Pamela Miller

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and interpret the experiences of community college teachers in order to understand their perception of theirleadership role and the impact of teacher leadership on institutional governance and student success. This research addressed gaps in the teacher leadershipliterature by contributing a quantitative analysis of the leadership perceptions of community college faculty. The results of the study should be of interest tocommunity college faculty and administrators, teacher educators and teacher preparation institutions, and policy makers as they work to implement change efforts related to curriculum and instruction, professional development, institutional leadership, and governance.

Chapter …

An Inquiry Into Retention And Achievement Differences In Campus Based And Web Based Ap Classes, Michael Barbour, Dennis Mulcahy

Education Faculty Publications

A decade ago the Advanced Placement (AP) program was introduced into the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Initially, schools embraced this opportunity to provide their students with opportunities that were previously unavailable. However, within a few years the AP program was relegated to urban and large regional high schools. Few smaller, and particularly rural schools, were able to offer AP courses only to the brightest one or two students taking it as an independent study. In 1997-98, schools began to delivery AP courses in a web-based method. The purpose of the study is to examine the retention rates and …

The Limits Of Service-Learning In Higher Education, Dan W. Butin

Education Faculty Publications

This article takes a critical look at the attempted institutionalization of service-learning in higher education. It asks whether service-learning can become deeply embedded within the academy; and if so, what exactly is becoming embedded. Specifically, this article suggests that there are substantial pedagogical, political, and institutional limits to service-learning across the academy. These limits, moreover, are shown to be inherent to the service-learning movement as contemporarily theorized and enacted. The article concludes by reframing some of the grounding assumptions of service-learning to position it as a disciplinary field more suited for becoming genuinely embedded within higher education.

Inside Unlv, Cate Weeks, Shane Bevell, Diane Russell, Leora Baron

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Literacy Efficacy And Student Achievement Among Beginning Middle School Teachers In An Urban Context, Michael J. Mustain

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Many U.S. school districts are addressing concerns in the areas of literacy education, teacher shortages, and overall student achievement. Teacher preparation in the area of literacy education and the ability of core subject teachers to include literacy components in their daily lessons appears vital to student achievement. Teacher shortages, particularly in high need, "hard to staff'' urban schools, are a serious problem that alternative preparation programs help to address. Alternative preparation programs can provide highly qualified teachers in urban schools. The Transition to Teaching (TTT) trained teachers provided literacy education that in turn helped improve benchmark tests, end-of-year tests, cumulative …

Wright State University College Of Education And Human Services Annual Report, July 1, 2005-June 30, 2006, College Of Education And Human Services, Wright State University

College of Education and Human Services Annual Reports

This Wright State University College of Education and Human Services annual report is from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.

The Effectiveness Of Non-Traditional Vocabulary Instruction In A Second-Grade Inclusion Classroom, Stephanie Marie Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine if non-traditional vocabulary instruction would significantly raise the scores of second-grade students in an inclusion classroom compared to second-grade students whom were taught vocabulary words in a traditional manner. Students were tested in matching vocabulary words to definitions as well as using vocabulary words in a meaningful context. Analysis of the data obtained from the pretest and posttest scores showed that while students in both settings improved in their performances, students who were taught vocabulary words in a non-traditional way, scored slightly higher. Further analysis was conducted to portray that this …

The Effect Of A Constructivist Social Studies Unit On Student Attitudes Toward Social Studies, Kristi L. Arruzzo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a constructivist social studies unit on student attitudes towards social studies. It was hypothesized that students who experienced constructivist based social studies lessons would display a greater interest in social studies topics in the classroom than those who did not experience constructivist based social studies lessons. The subjects in this study were fifty, fourth grade students from a southern New Jersey school district. The study consisted of an experimental and a control group, both of which received a pre-test. While the control group received no difference in teaching style, …

Test Anxiety: Effects On Standardized Testing, Average Classroom Assessments, And Fourth Grade Students, Elysia J. Ochs

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of both standardized testing and average classroom assessments on the levels of test anxiety. The study was a correlation study. with a sample of 42 fourth grade students. The students came from four separate classrooms within the same elementary school. This study adapted Wren and Benson's (2004) Children's Test Anxiety Scale (CTAS). The subjects in this study were administered two identical questionnaires entitled, "How I Feel About Tests." The first CTAS was administered in the week following the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK). The second CTAS …

The Impact Of The Resource Room On Peer Relationships, Jennifer Howells

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to ascertain if resource room attendance for classified students had an impact on social relationships with their non-classified, general education peers. Specifically, the study sought to establish trends in the following two areas: if resource room students were in fact less likely to be accepted by their general education peers, and the most likely reason why resource room peer non-acceptance would occur. Using student interviews, which consisted of a peer nomination rating, and a Teacher/Faculty Survey, which consisted of three open-ended items and one forced-choice item, data was collected. Using a chi-square analysis of …

The Impact Of Positive Reinforcement And Self-Recording On The On-Task Behavior Of Third Grade Students, Shannon L. Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of positive reinforcement and self-recording on the on-task behavior of third grade students. It was hypothesized that third grade students, within a learning community, who employ self-recording strategies and experience positive reinforcement rewards will be on-task a significantly longer length of time than third grade students who do not utilize those strategies. The study consisted of an experimental and a control group. Both groups were observed to determine baseline data. The experimental group was then asked to record their own on-task behavior and received rewards for being on-task a high …

A Correlational Study On How Reading Scores Are Affected By Complementing Learning And Teaching Styles In Multiple Kindergarten Settings, Leslie-Ann D. Monforto

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this correlational study were to (a) observe the learning styles of groups of kindergarten students and the teaching styles of their corresponding teachers; and (b) determine the effects that the matching of similar learning and teaching styles had on students' reading performances. It was hypothesized that students whose learning styles matched that of their teachers' teaching styles would do significantly better on their reading scores than those students whose learning styles did not match that of their teachers' teaching styles. Teacher and students were assessed using an adaptation of Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Test to determine their …

The Effects Of Critical Literacy According To Bloom's Taxonomy Cognition, Jennifer L. Virelli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to accept the hypothesis that kindergarten students who were introduced to critical literacy lessons could learn and increase their higher level thinking skills according to Bloom's Taxonomy of Cognition than kindergarten students who were not instructed in critical literacy. The experimental group consisted of fifteen kindergarten students and the control group included eighteen kindergarten students. The demographics of the experimental classroom included seven Caucasian students, six African American students, and two Hispanic students. Five of the students received free lunch. The specific classroom in which the study was performed was a general education kindergarten …

The Effect Of Positive Reinforcement On The Achievement Of 3rd Grade Students' Spelling, Leandra Pintel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of positive reinforcement in the form of rewards on the achievement of 3^rd grade students' end of the week post spelling test. The study was conducted on fourteen 3^rd grade students in a kindergarten through sixth grade school in southern New Jersey. The researcher collected the students' grades for four weeks during which positive reinforcements in the form of rewards were not used and the grades for four weeks during which the students received positive reinforcements in the form of rewards every time the student earned a grade …