<p> Students with language-based learning disabilities (LD) increasingly are placed in inclusive classrooms to ensure they receive access to their grade level curriculum. However, inclusion alone is insufficient for addressing the specific learning challenges of students with language-based LD in general education settings (McLeskey &amp; Waldron, 2011). A need exists for additional strategies to increase on-task behavior and provide greater learning opportunities for students with LD in inclusive classrooms. </p><p> The purpose of this study was to examine the use of a drama intervention, tableau, to increase the on-task behavior of students in inclusive fourth-grade language arts classrooms at two urban elementary charter schools in the Mid Atlantic region. All of the students in the fourth-grade language arts classrooms participated in the tableau intervention, which consisted of students making still images with their bodies to represent a scene or explore a particular moment in a story. Observational data were collected on three students identified with language-based LD. Changes in students' on-task behavior within and across baseline, withdrawal, and tableau phases were examined in an ABAB withdrawal design. Visual analysis was employed to determine if there was a functional relation between tableau and an increase in students' on-task behavior during small group language arts lessons. Descriptive data were collected via audio digital recordings of story recalls to assess the three students' understanding of character traits and sequence of events. </p><p> Results indicated that participants' on-task behavior increased following the introduction of tableau and decreased following the withdrawal of tableau and return to conventional instructional strategies during small group language arts lessons. For all three participants, a functional relation was established between tableau and an increase in on-task behavior through a change in level and stability across phases. All three participants scored higher on the oral story recall assessment of character traits and sequence of events during the tableau intervention phases as compared to the baseline and withdrawal phases. These findings suggested the potential value of using drama interventions to increase the on-task behavior and provide greater learning opportunities for students with LD in inclusive language arts classrooms.</p>

<p> Recently, Japanese higher education has decided to transition from a traditional teacher-centered to a more student-centered, communicative classroom. One promising possibility that could help in the transition is the flipped classroom technique. Examining the lived experiences of Japanese university English as a foreign language (EFL) students who have taken part in a course taught using the flipped classroom technique will help in determining possible benefits of the flipped classroom in EFL higher education in Japan. This study will use a qualitative approach with a case study design to focus on the lived experiences of Japanese EFL university students at Iwate University enrolled in a course taught using the flipped classroom model. This study will focus on the students' impressions, possible changes in study habits, perceived benefits and challenges, and if students experienced higher levels of authentic communication opportunities due to the flipped classroom. By examining the lived experiences of students who have taken part in a course taught using the flipped classroom technique, this study will contribute to the understanding of learning technologies used to support the implementation of a communicative, student-centered learning environment in the undergraduate EFL classroom. </p>

<p> This autoethnography uses the personal journey of the author through Fielding Graduate University's doctoral program in Educational Leadership for Change to study the influence of peer advising and peer relationships in distributed learning environments on student success and program satisfaction. The study reveals that peer relationships and peer advisement opportunities may be needed to counter the high risks for dropping out, extra time in the program, or discontentment.</p>

This thesis describes a prototype virtual reality (VR) training system. E scSOPE-VR, designed and implemented for Hydro-Quebec by graduate students at McGill University and Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. The project was motivated by the necessity of providing a realistic training environment for substation operators, while ensuring their safety and the network's integrity at all times. / With the simulator, trainees can carry out all the switching operations necessary for their work in absolute safety, while staying in a realistic environment. A speech-recognition system controls the training session, while audio immersion adds a dimension of realism to the virtual world. An expert-system validates the trainee's operations at all times and a steady-state power-flow simulator recalculates network parameters. The automatic conversion of single-line diagrams enables the construction of three-dimensional models of substation equipment. / The present thesis focuses on the speech command, audio, video and network aspects of the system. A survey of current VR applications and an overview of VR technology are followed by a summary of the E scSOPE-VR project.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 236-244).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-02, Section: A, page: 0536. Adviser: Daniel J. Walsh. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-143) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Instructional Systems Technology, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-07, Section: A, page: 2763. Adviser: Thomas Schwen. Title from dissertation home page (viewed Apr. 9, 2008).

Thesis (Ed.D.)--The University of Auckland (New Zealand), 2005. / (UnM)AAI3201547. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-12, Section: A, page: 4359. Adviser: John Hattie.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Texas at Dallas, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-52)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Instructional Systems Technology, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-12, Section: A, page: 4413. Adviser: Thomas M. Schwen.