Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program's Influence on Preschool Teachers' Beliefs and Practices

Three veteran preschool teachers told their stories about navigating the implementation of VPK. Even with parents' misconceptions about VPK's goals, teachers were able to meet its standards by continuing to embrace a play-based, hands-on philosophy that also emphasized children's social and emotional needs.

What are the effects of the 6 +1 Writing Traits on the Attitudes and Writing Skills of Fifth Grade ELLs?

In the Bahamas, ELLs consist mainly of Haitian descent students. Unfortunately, this demographic of students continuously score below their Bahamian counterparts in Creative Writing. This research examined the affects the 6 + 1 Writing Traits assessment had on the attitudes and writing abilities of fifteen, fifth grade, Haitian descent students.

Extracurricular Activities and Academic Achievement in Fourth Grade Students

This action research project will investigate the relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and academic achievement of students in the fourth grade. Students’ achievement scores on the FAIR exams will be the measure of academic success. Analysis will consist of a correlation between extracurricular activities and academic success.

Sociocultural context as a facilitator of student learning of function concepts in mathematics

In Costa Rica, many secondary students have serious difficulties to establish relationships between mathematics and real-life contexts. They question the utilitarian role of the school mathematics. This fact motivated the research object of this report which evidences the need to overcome methodologies unrelated to students’ reality, toward new didactical options that help students to value mathematics, reasoning and its  applications, connecting it with their socio-cultural context. The research used a case study as a qualitative methodology and the social constructivism as an educational paradigm in which the knowledge is built by the student; as a product of his social interactions. A collection of learning situations was designed, validated, and implemented. It allowed establishing relationships between mathematical concepts and the socio-cultural context of participants. It analyzed the impact of students’socio-cultural context in their mathematics learning of basic concepts of real variable functions, consistent with the Ministry of Education (MEP) Official Program.  Among the results, it was found that using students’sociocultural context improved their motivational processes, mathematics sense making, and promoted cooperative social interactions. It was evidenced that contextualized learning situations favored concepts comprehension that allow students to see mathematics as a discipline closely related with their every-day life.

Prioritizing Purposes: Two American History Teachers' Choices Among Subject Matter and Classroom-Related Purposes

This study explores how two American history teachers - one novice and one experienced – make in-the-moment choices among their history subject matter and classroom-related purposes during the teaching of an American history unit. Using classroom observations, lesson artifacts, student work products, and deep, retrospective interviews with the teachers as they watched videos of their teaching, this study maps out in detail the teachers’ purposes, both within and across different lesson activity structures. This study finds that the novice and the experienced teacher navigated among their purposes differently from each other, and that the characteristics of each teacher’s purposes navigation aligned with student outcomes in that teacher’s class. The novice teacher acted more like a juggler, with visible, reactive navigation among each purpose operational throughout his teaching; student outcomes in his class were similarly fragmented and discrete. The experienced teacher presented more like an orchestra conductor, interweaving his purposes and anticipating the navigation decisions that would create a more seamless whole; student outcomes in his class were aligned with his holistic navigation of purposes. Findings from this study have important implications for education research and teacher practice, including the relationship between teachers’ navigation among purposes and desired student outcomes, the integral role of classroom-related purposes interwoven with history subject matter purposes in teachers’ decision-making, and the differences in purposes navigation between a novice and an experienced history teacher.

Working with Student Teachers: A Mixed Methods Study to Examine the Roles and Self-Identified Dispositions of Cooperating Teachers

A critical component of teacher education is the field experience during which candidates practice under the supervision of experienced teachers. Programs use the InTASC Standards to define the requisite knowledge, skills, and dispositions for teaching. Practicing teachers are familiar with the concepts of knowledge and skills, but they are less familiar with dispositions. Practicing teachers who mentor prospective teachers are underrepresented in the literature, but they are critical to teacher preparation. The research goals were to describe the self-identified dispositions of cooperating teachers, identify what cooperating teachers consider their role in preparing prospective teachers, and explain challenges that cooperating teachers face. Using a mixed methods design, I conducted a quantitative survey followed by a qualitative case study. When I compared survey and case study data, cooperating teachers report possessing InTASC critical dispositions described in Standard 2: Learning Differences, Standard 3: Learning Environments, and Standard 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice, but not Standard 6: Assessment and Standard 10: Leadership and Collaboration. Cooperating teachers assume the roles of modeler, mentor and advisor, and informal evaluator. They explain student teachers often lack skills and dispositions to assume full teaching responsibilities and recommend that universities better prepare candidates for classrooms. Cooperating teachers felt university evaluations were not relevant to teaching reality. I recommend modifying field experiences to increase the quantity and duration of classroom placements. I suggest further research to detail cooperating teacher dispositions, compare cooperating teachers who work with different universities, and determine if cooperating teacher dispositions influence student teacher dispositions.

Programa em numeracia: proposta para a medida Currículo Específico Individual

The numeracy deals with the study of the ability to apply mathematical knowledge on solving everyday life problems (Goos, Geiger, & Dole, 2012; Ponte, 2002; Steen, 2001; Cockcroft, 1982) and appears to us as an essential dimension to programming in special education, for its applicability to the everyday life of individuals. For this, it seemed relevant to perceive essential competences that promote greater autonomy to the students in school-age and with profiles of functionality that express heightened difficulties in the use of skills normally associated with numeracy. In order to implementing it, it was made a content and documentary analysis, on the subject area of Mathematics, of three guiding documents: (a) Curriculum Guidelines – Presschool Education; (b) Mathematics Program – 1st Cycle; (c) Curricular Goals – Presschool and 1st Cycle. The analysis focused in the field of numeracy, i.e. were considered the contents related to the development of competences in the field of Numbers and Operationsà a????dà su????do????ai????àMo????e????àa????dàTi????eàDo????ai????àGeo????et????????àa????dàMeasu????e????e????t.àAs a result of this procedure, it has been elaborated a flexible program and with the capacity of adequacy to the most diverse profiles of functionality, in particular those that depict situations of greater complexity and gravity. The study suggests the possibility that, on the basis of available documents guiding teaching and learning, one can find a flexible and progressive program with an equivalent matrix, available for use and allowing the adoption of a reference and a common language in the context of special education.

Propuesta de reestructuración del currículo de matemáticas en la Unidad Académica de Ingeniería Civil , Arquitectura y Diseño de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca

RESUMEN La presente propuesta, nace por las dificultades de las matemáticas en los estudiantes, dicho tema después deun análisis previo,matrices, encuestas, revisión de información, reglamentos, etc., dio como resultado que se tenía que reformar el currículo de las matemáticas, para lo cual utilizando las directrices de las instituciones de Educación Superior, se generó el presente trabajo. En este proceso se tuvo que revisar y analizar el macro currículoponiendo mucho énfasis en el enfoque pedagógico, la visión y misión de la universidad, la carreras estas deberán estar enlazadaentre ellas y deben ser coherentes entre sí como eje fundamental para establecer los perfiles. Usando los Perfil Consultado, resultados de aprendizaje (Perfil de egreso), que no es más que los procesos que el estudiante logra como resultado de su aprendizaje y Perfil profesional capacidades y competencias que identifican la formación, estos deben demostrar que han sido definidos en base a estudios de las necesidades de la sociedad, esto es conocido como el meso currículo. Una vez que existe la conexión entre el perfil profesional, el perfil de egreso y la misión de la carrera, se procedió cumplir con el proceso de desarrollar el respectivo análisis del diseño curricular de la carrera. Finalmente se analizó el micro currículo, los resultados de aprendizaje del área de matemáticas y se dio un modelo de silabo y plan de aula.

Contribuição do origami para a exploração de conteúdos de geometria no ensino básico: propostas de tarefas

A arte de dobrar papel teve origem na China no século I ou II d.C., e difundiu-se pelo Japão no século VI. Esta arte milenar tem cativado a atenção dos estudiosos ao longo de séculos. Inicialmente ligada ao culto religioso, adoptada posteriormente pelos samurais como entretenimento, é hoje mundialmente aceite como uma arte. Transmitido de mães para filhas durante gerações, foi no século XIX, pela mão do pedagogo Frõebel, introduzido no currículo escolar alemão, sendo desde então considerado por muitos como um instrumento primordial na aquisição de conhecimentos, especialmente na área a geometria e por outros um elemento básico de interdisciplinaridade. Este trabalho pretende demonstrar as potencialidades do Origami como instrumento essencial nas diversas áreas curriculares, especialmente no estudo de conceitos matemáticos, nomeadamente no âmbito da geometria e a sua inclusão no currículo escolar. O uso do Origami na sala de aula inspira curiosidade e motiva a criatividade. ABSTRACT: The art of paper folding arose in China during the first or second century A.D. By the sixth century, it had spread to Japan. This millenary art got the scientific community's attention for centuries. At the beginning, folding was associated with a ceremonial act, later on it was use by Samurais as entertainment, and today it is accepted as an art by all. Transmitted from mothers to children during generations, it was introduced by Frõebel in the German curriculum and since then has been considered by some as an instrument for teaching basic geometry and by others as essential in interdisciplinary concepts. With this work we would like to show the Origami potentialities as an instrument connecting different curriculum areas, especially in mathematics, particularly in geometry and his inclusion in education curriculum. The use of Origami in the classroom helps children to obtain and consolidate basic concepts and inspire curiosity and promote their creativity.

The Relationship between Faculty Perceptions and Implementation of Elements of Transactional Distance Theory and Online Web-Based Course Completion Rates

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between faculty perceptions, selected demographics, implementation of elements of transactional distance theory and online web-based course completion rates. This theory posits that the high transactional distance of online courses makes it difficult for students to complete these courses successfully; too often this is associated with low completion rates. Faculty members play an indispensable role in course design, whether online or face-to-face. They also influence course delivery format from design through implementation and ultimately to how students will experience the course. This study used transactional distance theory as the conceptual framework to examine the relationship between teaching and learning strategies used by faculty members to help students complete online courses. Faculty members’ sex, number of years teaching online at the college, and their online course completion rates were considered. A researcher-developed survey was used to collect data from 348 faculty members who teach online at two prominent colleges in the southeastern part of United States. An exploratory factor analysis resulted in six factors related to transactional distance theory. The factors accounted for slightly over 65% of the variance of transactional distance scores as measured by the survey instrument. Results provided support for Moore’s (1993) theory of transactional distance. Female faculty members scored higher in all the factors of transactional distance theory when compared to men. Faculty number of years teaching online at the college level correlated significantly with all the elements of transactional distance theory. Regression analysis was used to determine that two of the factors, instructor interface and instructor-learner interaction, accounted for 12% of the variance in student online course completion rates. In conclusion, of the six factors found, the two with the highest percentage scores were instructor interface and instructor-learner interaction. This finding, while in alignment with the literature concerning the dialogue element of transactional distance theory, brings a special interest to the importance of instructor interface as a factor. Surprisingly, based on the reviewed literature on transactional distance theory, faculty perceptions concerning learner-learner interaction was not an important factor and there was no learner-content interaction factor.

Sex-Positive Curricula: An Investigation of the Relationship Between Physical Fitness, Self-Concept and Sexual Functioning

Despite the well-recognized benefits of exercise, Americans are gaining weight in astounding proportions and levels of physical activity are on the decline. The purpose of this study was to investigate a relationship between physical fitness, self-concept and sexual health. There is a dearth of knowledge on this relationship specifically in the context of sex-negative curricula, which is the dominate discourse in the United States. One hundred and thirty-three participants between the ages of 18 - 50 volunteered for fitness testing and data collection. Physical fitness was assessed through body fat, resting metabolic rate, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. Self-reported exercise was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Self-concept was measured by the Six Factor Self-Concept Scale, which presented a total self-concept score and as six individual concepts of self (likability, morality, task accomplishment, giftedness, power and vulnerability). Additionally, sexual function was measured by Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning and presented as both an aggregate score and five separate constructs of sexual functioning (fantasy/cognition, arousal, orgasm, behavior/experience, and drive/desire). Questions pertaining to sexual partners, sex education, and demographic information were also included. The results of the General Linear Model indicated significant relationships between physical fitness, self-concept and total sexual functioning. The sexual behavior/experience of men was predicted by body fat percentage and flexibility. In women, behavior/experience was predicted by body fat percentage and arousal was predicted by cardiovascular endurance. Total self-concept was related to muscular endurance. When men were isolated in the analysis, likability was positively related to sexual behavior/experience, and task accomplishment was inversely related to sexual behavior/experience. In women, giftedness was related to cognition/fantasy, arousal, orgasm and total sexual functioning. No relationships were found between physical fitness and the number of sexual partners in men; however, both muscular strength and the power self-concept were significantly related to number of sexual partners in women. As a result of these findings, women may be inclined to exercise to improve arousal and sexual functioning. Furthermore, educators should note the findings of a positive relationship between physical and psychological health and sexual well-being because they provide support for the development and adoption of sex-positive curricula that incorporate potential benefits of sexual activity.

The use of computer technology to compare and analyze community college dissertations

A purpose of this research study was to demonstrate the practical linguistic study and evaluation of dissertations by using two examples of the latest technology, the microcomputer and optical scanner. That involved developing efficient methods for data entry plus creating computer algorithms appropriate for personal, linguistic studies. The goal was to develop a prototype investigation which demonstrated practical solutions for maximizing the linguistic potential of the dissertation data base. The mode of text entry was from a Dest PC Scan 1000 Optical Scanner. The function of the optical scanner was to copy the complete stack of educational dissertations from the Florida Atlantic University Library into an I.B.M. XT microcomputer. The optical scanner demonstrated its practical value by copying 15,900 pages of dissertation text directly into the microcomputer. A total of 199 dissertations or 72% of the entire stack of education dissertations (277) were successfully copied into the microcomputer's word processor where each dissertation was analyzed for a variety of syntax frequencies. The results of the study demonstrated the practical use of the optical scanner for data entry, the microcomputer for data and statistical analysis, and the availability of the college library as a natural setting for text studies. A supplemental benefit was the establishment of a computerized dissertation corpus which could be used for future research and study. The final step was to build a linguistic model of the differences in dissertation writing styles by creating 7 factors from 55 dependent variables through principal components factor analysis. The 7 factors (textual components) were then named and described on a hypothetical construct defined as a continuum from a conversational, interactional style to a formal, academic writing style. The 7 factors were then grouped through discriminant analysis to create discriminant functions for each of the 7 independent variables. The results indicated that a conversational, interactional writing style was associated with more recent dissertations (1972-1987), an increase in author's age, females, and the department of Curriculum and Instruction. A formal, academic writing style was associated with older dissertations (1972-1987), younger authors, males, and the department of Administration and Supervision. It was concluded that there were no significant differences in writing style due to subject matter (community college studies) compared to other subject matter. It was also concluded that there were no significant differences in writing style due to the location of dissertation origin (Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, Florida International University).

Differences Among Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Students’ Cultural Competency

This study examined differences in cultural competency levels between undergraduate and graduate nursing students (age, ethnicity, gender, language at home, education level, program standing, program track, diversity encounters, and previous diversity training). Participants were 83% women, aged 20 to 62; 50% Hispanic/Latino; with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (n = 82) and a Master of Science in Nursing (n = 62). Degrees included high school diplomas, associate/diplomas, bachelors’ degrees in or out of nursing, and medical doctorate degrees from outside the United States. Students spoke English (n = 82) or Spanish (n = 54). The study used a cross-sectional design guided by the three-dimensional cultural competency model. The Cultural Competency Assessment (CCA) tool is composed of two subscales: Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity (CAS) and Culturally Competent Behaviors (CCB). Multiple regressions, Pearson’s correlations, and ANOVAs determined relationships and differences among undergraduate and graduate students. Findings showed significant differences between undergraduate and graduate nursing students in CAS, p <.016. Students of Hispanic/White/European ethnicity scored higher on the CAS, while White/non-Hispanic students scored lower on the CAS, p < .05. One-way ANOVAs revealed cultural competency differences by program standing (grade-point averages), and by program tracks, between Master of Science in Nursing Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners and both Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Registered Nurse-Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Univariate analysis revealed that higher cultural competency was associated with having previous diversity training and participation in diversity training as continuing education. After controlling for all predictors, multiple regression analysis found program level, program standing, and diversity training explained a significant amount of variance in overall cultural competency (p = .027; R2 = .18). Continuing education is crucial in achieving students’ cultural competency. Previous diversity training, graduate education, and higher grade-point average were correlated with higher cultural competency levels. However, increased diversity encounters were not associated with higher cultural competency levels.

Aspectos da educação do corpo no curriculo de pedagogia

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Estudo da correlação entre coordenação motora e habilidades motoras de pessoas com sindrome de down

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física