Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

"I Don't Care How I Write, As Long As I Get A Good Grade!": Using Self-Evaluations To Shift Student Motivation And Improve Writing Quality, Amanda J. Doyle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine what happened when self-evaluations were used to improve the writing quality, motivation, and self-efficacy of students in a fourth grade class. Participants included a class sample of 16 students, ages 9-10 years old (8-female, 8-male). Students were given a writing assignment in which they had an active part in planning and evaluating their own work. Observations, informal interviews, and surveys were taken before implementation and compared to data taken after implementation to examine effectiveness of strategy on motivation and self-efficacy. Writing samples were taken from assignments completed prior to and after implementation, …

Promotion Of Self-Esteem Through Character Education, Rebecca Ann Muller

Theses and Dissertations

This action research project is on the topic of self-esteem in the classroom done through character education activities and high levels of positive interaction with student and teacher. The study incorporated field notes, observations, and interviews with students through surveying which were done in a third grade classroom in New Jersey. It portrays the idea that self-esteem is vital and invaluable to students in elementary education, which can be achieved simply through interaction between teacher and student on a regular basis. It also brings forth the idea that in order for students to be successful, they must first understand the …

The Effects Of Character Education On The Behavior Of 5th Grade Students, Lisa Oxenberg

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of using character education lessons to (a) decrease negative behaviors and (b) increase positive behaviors. Three character education lessons were taught over the period of one school week. Students completed reading, writing, and listening activities both collaboratively and independently. The focuses of these lessons were: listening to others, understanding point of view, and controlling anger. The informants for this study included the whole class (14 students) as well as three focus students who often exhibited bullying behavior. Observations were recorded and surveys were completed both prior to the lessons and …

Implementing Literature Circles In A Fourth Grade Classroom, Melinda B. Egan

Theses and Dissertations

This action research project looked at the effects on twenty-one fourth grade students' levels of comprehension, engagement, and writing when literature circles were implemented while reading the novel Jacob's Rescue, by Malka Drucker and Michael Halperin. The participants, twelve female and nine male, live in a lower-middle class suburban community. While reading this novel about a Jewish boy growing up during the Holocaust, students performed literature circles in combination with a balanced literacy program.

The effects on students were examined through student work samples, including role sheets, comprehension questions, subject integration and writer's workshop worksheets, self-evaluations and observational notes …

Connecting With Diverse Students Through Dialogue Journals, Jacqueline G. Mikkelson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this explorative study was to determine how a White, female, beginning teacher could attempt to build relationships with African American and Hispanic students in a third grade classroom. There were 5 participants: 3 female and 2 male, all of whom were from working class African American or Hispanic families. I implemented dialogue journals into my lessons so that my students and I could learn personal attributes of one another. I retained 8 dialogue journal conversations from all 5 students. Upon completion of dialogue journal implementation, students completed a written self-evaluation survey with open-ended questions pertaining to their …

Building Background Knowledge In Science: English Language Learners, Sheltered Instruction, And First Graders, Laura B. Freitag

Theses and Dissertations

Sheltered Instruction, a strategy used in teaching English Language Learners (ELLs), can improve the educational experience of ELLs. In this action research project, one component of Sheltered Instruction, building background knowledge, was used to teach science in a first grade classroom to see if it could increase the science comprehension of ELLs. Many strategies were used to teach vocabulary during the first four days of each science unit. These strategies included setting aside a vocabulary only day, playing vocabulary games and activities, having a science word wall, reading informational storybooks, and using real objects for the students to connect with. …

How Can Giving Students Voice In A Third Through Sixth Learning Disabled Classroom Foster Active Engagement And Students Control Over Their Learning?, Sarah M. Furlong

Theses and Dissertations

This study looks at the impact on learning classroom where students are encouraged to share their voice. Student questions are used to create units of study that frame what students want to learn. The study takes place in a self-contained Learning Disabled classroom with fifteen students ranging in third through sixth grade. The study is completed during two separate instructional units, one in science and another in social studies using a Questions Curriculum. Student questions about specific topics are used to create subsequent lessons on the topic. During the study student artifacts including worksheets and pictures of bulletin boards are …

Show Me You Care, Denise Calore

Theses and Dissertations

Although caring in the classroom has been a widely researched topic in education, the impact it has on student behavior is one aspect of caring that has been overlooked, especially at the secondary level. This study's main focus was to investigate if modeling caring behavior can correct negative student behavior, such as being disruptive in class, and reinforce caring behavior amongst classmates. Through observation and various caring activities, I was able to uncover student perspectives of caring, how students define a caring teacher, and a positive impact of my caring actions on student behavior.

Integrating Technology Into The 2nd Grade Writing Curriculum, Jessica Mallon

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study was conducted to examine the effects of integrating technology into the second-grade writing curriculum. The second grade class was in a middle class suburban town and consisted of 23 children. Students composed a type written fairy tale, created I Am poems on the computer, wrote while listening to classical music, and wrote a story using a video prompt. Data collection included observations, student interviews, questionnaires, collections of student work, and informal interviews with staff and faculty. Students reported a preference to typing their stories, rather than hand writing. Students also said that listening to classical music …

An Exploratory Investigation Into The Outcomes Of The Integration Of Language Arts And Social Studies Lessons, Kathryn C. Hall

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to find out what happens when the integration of language arts and social studies lessons takes place in a unit on the Underground Railroad in a fourth grade classroom. By applying a literature-based approach to teaching social studies concepts and using the theme of the Underground Railroad, I was able to integrate these two subjects in a way that was engaging to my students. This study involves 23 fourth grade students and took place over a one week period. The intervention involved replacing the students' social studies textbook with multiple pieces of literature. …

Bullying In A Third Grade Classroom, Kristen Falco

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to determine how teaching students about bullying affects a third grade classroom. Students in a third grade classroom were given a pre-unit survey to determine their knowledge and experience with bullying. A four week unit on bullying was then taught to all students. Each week students were given a separate survey to determine their experience with bullying throughout the week. By the last week of the study, the number of bullying incidents was reduced by 50% showing that educating students about bullying reduced the amount of bullying in the class and created a …

How Implementing Social Programs With First Grade Students To Improve Their Existing Emotional And Behavioral Issues Affects A New Teacher's Outlook On Her Classroom And Students, Rachel Trussler

Theses and Dissertations

What effects does a "one on one" developmental program done with first grade students that are struggling with behavioral and emotional issues have on me as a teacher and inform and influence my teaching? This action research study took place in a southern New Jersey school from January 24 until May 9, 2008. Students were observed both in and out of the classroom. A better understanding of the classroom community and interactions of the students were gleamed from this process. Two students were selected based on their unique emotional situations, which influenced their ability to behave appropriately according to teacher …

Peer Tutoring In A Fourth Grade Inclusion Classroom, Kathleen Weiss

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover what happens in a fourth grade inclusion classroom when peer tutoring is implemented. Peer tutoring was implemented as a test review strategy for five tests. Observations were recorded based on off task behavior, on task behavior, questions asked during the reviews, and students that finished in the allotted time. These results were compared to previous observations that were taken during typical test reviews. During the peer tutoring reviews, an average of 36.4 instances of on task behavior were observed, compared to an average of 23 instances during the typical test reviews. There …

Mary Molle Tssa Spring 2008, Mary Molle

Teaching Skills Study Awards (TSSA) Reports

Enhances faculty's teaching by attending a conference devoted to university teaching, a high-impact practice, evidence-based practice or a newly developing teaching practice.

Integrative Approach: A Teacher Evaluation Process To Improve Practice At Fraser Valley Christian High School, N. Matthew Beimers

Master of Education Program Theses

This qualitative case study examines if the teacher evaluation process at Fraser Valley Christian High School (FVC) leads to improved teacher practices. In this case study, the author examines three current teachers at FVC who have gone through the evaluation process in the last twelve months and the impact the evaluation process had on their practice. FVC takes an integrated approach to its evaluation, combining both summative and formative evaluations with a focus on teacher participation in all facets of the process. Teachers at FVC are invited to consider how the domains of Planning and Preparation, Classroom Instruction, Classroom Community, …

Departmental Survival Through Collaborative Industrial Partnership, Jaby Mohammed, Sam Mason, Xiaolong Li

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

In this paper/discussion the author's identify how the Industrial and Engineering technology curriculum and program strengthened at Morehead State University. The author's initially review a brief history of the Industrial and Engineering Technology program and how the department survived from closing down to become one of the most successful departments at the university. The author's also describe how the objectives were set and how department worked with the local industrial partners and advisors to set up and help with the curriculum to meet the industrial demands. The objectives were set based on the local educational and industrial demands for the …

Pilot Project: Technology Integration In Underserved Schools Using Thinkfinity, Spring 2008, Final Report, Sylvia Russakoff

Cornerstone 1 Reports : Expansion and Enhancements of the Thinkfinity Platform

The Pace Computer Learning Center has been involved in helping teachers learn to integrate technology using Internet resources since 1997, when, under a grant from the then Bell Atlantic Corporation, over 900 teachers were trained over a three year period.

Since that initial project, PCLC has continued this work with New York City and Westchester private and public schools. Most recently, funding has come from the Facilitator Center, an organization serving non-public schools in New York City and the Hudson Valley.

This pilot project was conceived as a way in which PCLC could use its experience and expertise to present …

Josephine Martin - Chapter 4, Josephine Martin, Institute Of Child Nutrition. Child Nutrition Archives.

Oral History Project (all interviews)

Josephine Martin has been an area school nutrition consultant, a USDA regional nutritionist in the Southeast, and Georgia’s state child nutrition director. Prior to her retirement from the Georgia Department of Education in 1991, she was an Associate State Superintendent of Schools. She then served as the first Executive Director of the National Food Service Management Institute, The University of Mississippi.

Since retirement from the National Food Service Management in 1996, she has taught courses in food service management at Georgia State University and in child nutrition management at the University of Georgia. She is actively involved as a consultant …

Josephine Martin - Chapter 3, Josephine Martin, Institute Of Child Nutrition. Child Nutrition Archives.

Oral History Project (all interviews)

Josephine Martin has been an area school nutrition consultant, a USDA regional nutritionist in the Southeast, and Georgia’s state child nutrition director. Prior to her retirement from the Georgia Department of Education in 1991, she was an Associate State Superintendent of Schools. She then served as the first Executive Director of the National Food Service Management Institute, The University of Mississippi.

Since retirement from the National Food Service Management in 1996, she has taught courses in food service management at Georgia State University and in child nutrition management at the University of Georgia. She is actively involved as a consultant …

Josephine Martin - Chapter 2, Josephine Martin, Institute Of Child Nutrition. Child Nutrition Archives.

Oral History Project (all interviews)

Josephine Martin has been an area school nutrition consultant, a USDA regional nutritionist in the Southeast, and Georgia’s state child nutrition director. Prior to her retirement from the Georgia Department of Education in 1991, she was an Associate State Superintendent of Schools. She then served as the first Executive Director of the National Food Service Management Institute, The University of Mississippi.

Since retirement from the National Food Service Management in 1996, she has taught courses in food service management at Georgia State University and in child nutrition management at the University of Georgia. She is actively involved as a consultant …

The Impact Of Mentoring On Retention, Quality, Commitment Of Graduates From One School-University Partnership, Brenda Kraber

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of mentoring on retention, quality and commitment of graduates from one school-university partnership. This project explored this issue through a review of relevant literature on effective teaching, components of quality teacher preparation programs, beginning teachers, mentoring and Professional Development Schools. How to best prepare teachers for the multi-faceted, challenging job that needs to be done has been a question that has faced universities and school districts for many years. With the growing numbers of veteran teachers now ready to retire and the increasing need for more teachers, the proportion between experienced and inexperienced teachers is …

Teacher Perceptions Of Multicultural Education: A Research Proposal For A Study Of The Perceptions Of Five White, Female Teachers, Katherine Waight

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

The population of the United States continues to become more and more culturally diverse. Yet, white middle-class women dominate the teaching force. Because there are such great numbers of white middle-class women teaching students of color, it is important to re-examine how they perceive and use multicultural education in their classrooms. There have been numerous studies that have examined how white, pre-service teachers’ perceptions impact their pre-service experiences, but it is important to look at how practicing teachers’ perceptions of multicultural education affect their teaching. This study explores how teachers’ perceptions of multicultural education influence the way they teach.

A …

Increasing Academic And Behavioral Success For Adhd Students In The Primary Classroom, Sandra Kay Munoz

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a teacher's handbook that provides primary classroom teachers with effective classroom interventions and strategies that would improve behavioral and academic success in students who experience ADHD. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current and relevant resources was conducted on topics that included best practices, strategies, techniques and interventions concerning classroom management of ADHD students.

Beyond Competition--Innovation For A Sustainable Future, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Publications & Research

Dr. Marshall outlines her belief that the current context and conditions of schooling are far too constrained, prescribed and risk-averse for our children’s imagination, and as a result, actually mitigate against innovative thinking and creative and collaborative problem-solving. Authentic learning is a live encounter. She feels that we cannot mandate, punish or test our children into greatness and provides recommendations for educational transformation--not reform--to design the educational experiences needed by today's children.

Examining 4-H Robotics And Geospatial Technologies In The Learning Of Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics Topics, Bradley S. Barker, Gwen Nugent, Neal Grandgenett

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

The study reported here investigated the use of educational robotics, paired with GPS and GIS geospatial technologies, as a context for learning selected concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics within a 4-H camp setting. The study involved 38 students between the ages of 11 to 15. A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used in the study, with a 29-question multiple-choice instrument targeting various academic topics. The results of the study suggest that the 4-H robotics and geospatial summer camp program is a promising approach for supporting STEM-related learning, as represented by a significant increase of means from pretest to posttest.

Confronting The Pedagogical Challenge Of Cyber Safety., Ria Hanewald

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Cyber violence and the antidote of cyber safety are fast becoming a global concern for governments, educational authorities, teachers, parents and children alike. Despite substantial funding for information dissemination on preventative strategies and the development of electronic responses to hinder perpetrators, the phenomenon of cyber violence has received little attention in the educational research literature. This review paper outlines the status on existing research into cyber violence. Documenting and summarizing the facts on the nature and extend of the issue will inform future debate. It also highlights the need for pre-service and in-service teacher education programs to prepare educators to …

Visual Culture In The Classroom, Tony Fetherston

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The visual aspect of classroom culture is becoming more important because students now have much greater access to the means of producing, viewing and manipulating images. Using a framework adapted from Foucault and taking a myth-making position, this paper puts forward six propositions as means of explaining how images in the classroom might be read. Theory relating to this emerging literacy is further explained through reference to three dominant classroom narratives. It is argued that the interesting elements of an image are often those that link the classroom metanarratives to wider, hegemonic concerns. Interesting research directions are proposed throughout the …

Creating Web-Based Environmental Education Resources Through Community And University Partnerships, Renata Phelps, Carrie Maddison, Keith Skamp, Richard Braithwaite

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Community groups often seek to engage with schools in promoting environmental education goals. A collaborative initiative is described in which university pre-service teacher education students were encouraged to create Web-based teaching and learning resources, related to rainforests and world heritage areas, for use at primary and secondary levels. The partnership between Southern Cross University and the Advisory Committees of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area took the form of a voluntary competition, which was integrated with students’ university assessment requirements. The factors that influenced students’ decisions to get involved were identified through telephone interviews. Insight was also gained …

Collaborative Partnerships : A Model For Science Teacher Education And Professional Development, Mellita M. Jones

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This paper proposes a collaborative partnership between practicing and pre-service teachers as a model for implementing science teacher education and professional development. This model provides a structure within which partnerships will work collaboratively to plan, implement and reflect on a series of Science lessons in cycles of action-reflection adapted from Korthagen’s (2001) ALACT model. Issues within Science education, teacher professional development and teacher education are considered in the development of the model which attempts to deepen constructivist approaches to teachers’ professional learning. It attempts to address issues with teacher professional development in the science area and improve professional experience practice …

A Comparison Of Perceptions Of Knowledge And Skills Held By Primary And Secondary Teachers: From The Entry To Exit Of Their Preservice Programme, Angela F. Wong, Sylvia Chong, Doris Choy, Isabella Y. Wong, Kim C. Goh

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there were differences in the levels of pedagogical knowledge and skills as perceived by the student teachers who were enrolled in the Primary and the Secondary Post Graduate Diploma in Education programme at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. 170 Primary and 426 Secondary student teachers participated in the study. The results showed that there were no significant differences at the beginning of the programme between the two cohorts. However, there were significant differences between the two groups at the end of programme, with the Primary student teachers tending to …