No description available.

This project develops a collaborative telecommunications project called Habitats Online. Review of the literature indicates that collaborative telecomunication projects, like Habitats Online, engage students in rich learning experiences and establish a network of future citizens who have a greater understanding of our environment and global communications. This master's project specifically addresses these issues.

After systematically using educational games in three secondary English classes over a one-year period, this project documents the effectiveness of games by analyzing students' opinions. Surveys were used to determine the perceptions of 150 students about the actual games used in their classes. Some examples of effective games are also given.

No description available.

EthnoQuest, an interactive multimedia CD-ROM simulating a visit to a fictional village named Amopan, was conceived as an adjunct to college-level classroom instruction in introductory anthropology courses. Since these classes typically involve large numbers of students, the logistics on conducting actual fieldwork pose serious problems for instructors and students alike. The conception of an engaging, interactive, accessible learning tool that incorporates appropriate pedagogical principles has found its ultimate expression in EthnoQuest.

The purpose of this project is to develop a computer based curriculum to motivate and aid students on the secondary level in website development. This is accomplished by developing a website and classroom curriculum that will expand the knowledge of students. Brainstorming, organizing ideas and categorizing concepts are specific skills that are acquired course.

Investigates how teachers evaluate WebQuests in an effort to describe and identify a common, generalizable rubric that new users of WebQuests could use. The investigation included how often the teachers who were surveyed used WebQuests in the classroom, and what these teachers used to evaluate WebQuests. Examines whether teachers are using rubrics they had created themselves, or WebQuest rubrics that are provided for them.

A high percentage of migrant students are not meeting state content standards in readability and legibility within a small independent school district located in California's Central Valley. Prior research indicates that if a student is not proficient in reading skills by the 5th grade, academic success will not be attained effecting the student, parents, educators, and economics of the community. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative case study was to explore the teaching strategies that were used to help migrant students increase their reading comprehension skills. This study has its theoretical basis in the learning theories of Dewey, Slavin, and Yousevand which hold that students need to be active participants in the learning process. This case study was guided by the following areas of inquiry: (a) identifying training and strategies used by teachers, (b) identifying the specific obstacles, (c) identifying methodologies, and (d) how these methodologies address the specific challenges of migrant children. A semi-structured interview schedule, observations of 5 Language Arts classes, and field notes were used as data collection tools. Interviews were conducted and included 5 English teachers, 1 principal, 1 guidance counselor, and 1 community liaison. The data were analyzed and coded with common themes. The key results confirmed (a) varied teacher perceptions of differentiated instruction, (b) language and cultural barriers, (c) lack of knowledge and vocabulary, (d) minimal parent involvement, and (e) financial issues and mobile lifestyle. This project study informed specific recommendations for a Saturday computer lab incorporating computer-assisted instruction. The outcomes of this study have implications for social change for migrant and ELL students by empowering them to more effectively participate and make positive contributions to the global community.

In this session, the presenters will describe the results of three studies involving the use of technology and response prompting to teach children with MSD/ASD to write their opinions about text. Further, they will describe the technology used and how it may be applied to other skills.

Please join us for the keynote session to learn more about justifying inclusion for all students. The Philosophy of Least Dangerous Assumption, coupled with evidence-based practices, data collection, and data-based decision making, has provided a model for meaningful inclusion of students with a wide range of disabilities in the general education curriculum and classroom. New research on providing accessible grade aligned content has highlighted prior expectations which have shown that all too often an inadvertent glass ceiling has been placed on the achievement of students with disabilities. By promoting high expectations and the use of evidence-based practices, we can see how capable students with disabilities can truly be, as well as providing an opportunity to increase quality of life for all students.