<p> Employers, parents, legislators and researchers have expressed concerns that students are graduating from college at low rates, take too long to graduate, and do not possess the proper knowledge or skills to be successful at work or wherever life may take them. Many claim that the curriculum at colleges and universities no longer meets the needs of the students, employers, graduate programs, and society at large. One of the many potential solutions is reforming the undergraduate curriculum.</p><p> This research examines the factors that motivated two institutions to reform their curricula in efforts to improve student success. Both of the institutions are relatively small liberal arts educational organizations, one public and the other private. Each institution has differing missions and goals and is at a different point in its development. The study attempts to describe what was important enough to motivate them to change their curricula and why it mattered.</p><p> This research investigates the reforms of the two institutions in a case study manner, drawing upon published information and personal interviews to analyze what took place. The inquiry centered upon six basic questions. 1. What was the impetus for changing the curriculum? 2. What was the process used in changing the curriculum? 3. What changes were made to the curriculum? 4. What student outcomes were achieved? 5. How did the curriculum reform impact the institution? 6. What lessons were learned through the reform process? </p><p> Reforming a curriculum is a long, complex process, requiring input and consensus from many stakeholders, especially faculty. The manner in which each organization gained faculty endorsement for the reform is analyzed. Actual changes made to the curricula are documented. The research explores student outcomes and the impact that the reform had on the faculty and institutions. Then the researcher attempts to obtain indications that the improvements made by the institutions are achieving the intended goals. Learning is a complex phenomenon to assess, and every organization is challenged to find a way to assess learning effectively.</p><p> The research reports on what took place, what was learned, and what other potential curriculum reformers can expect if they, too, embark upon reform. The study shows that faculty and strong faculty leaders (often cited in the literature as causes of ineffectual curricula) are crucial to the reform process and without adequate assessment, the true results of a reform cannot be known. Much remains to be learned about the extent to which curriculum reform can improve higher education and in fact be a cure of societal maladies. Opportunities for improvement abound. The researcher attempts to identify similarities and differences, seeking fundamental conclusions. In this manner the study proposes to be used as a resource for other educational organizations interested in either improving or completely revamping their curricula.</p>

Thesis (M.Sc.) -- Lund University, 2003. / Title from title page (viewed 28 Oct. 2003). Available also in print.

<p> The purpose of this research is to better understand curricular and pedagogical strategies that can play a role in college retention rates and the first-year academic experience for new students. This research aims to contribute to a larger effort to create a learning environment in which first-year students would be engaged, learn, adapt, and accomplish learning outcomes needed to be successful in university level course work. The two research questions are; how do college faculty prepare to help first-year students&rsquo; transition in to university level coursework and how do college faculty view their role in teaching first-year college students? The method of this qualitative case study included one survey taken by Cadence State University (CSU) faculty who teach first-year college students and two interviews with one staff member and one administrative staff whom both work closely with faculty teaching first-year students. The results showed professional development/training and university support for faculty from CSU is needed to educate and keep faculty informed on first-year students. It was also found that transformed pedagogy with utilization of active learning and various teaching strategies plays a significant role in helping first-year students adjust to university coursework, as well as, faculty understanding the impact they have on first-year students. The conclusion to this study reveals there needs to be a teaching culture shift where faculty take action, learn what is needed, and implement transitional pedagogy to help first-year students&rsquo; transition into university coursework. Faculty must understand their impact on new students and that they set the foundation of university coursework in their first couple of days of class. Additionally, faculty using communication and being approachable, yet not compromising their higher education standards will help faculty view their role with first-year students as important and necessary.</p><p>

After a decade dominated by studies and rhetoric about school reform, a national report card released on January, 1990, indicated that children showed no improvement in writing. The purpose of this research was to determine if by using the Cumulative Writing Folder Program, a mandated Program, with the additional use of sentence combining as a revision strategy urban fifth graders would improve their writing in the six areas of topic development, organization, supporting details, sentence structure, word choice, and mechanics. This study fit in with the existing knowledge and research in the field. It focused on the writing habits of fifth grade students and examined a program that improved their writing skills. This study used concrete strategies in a well-defined writing program to improve revision processes for students which added to the current research in this area. John Collins' Cumulative Writing Folder Program was incorporated in the design of the study. Both the experimental and control groups utilized the Cumulative Writing Folder. The experimental group used sentence combining as a revision strategy. The teacher instructed this group on the techniques of sentence combining and instructed them to use this strategy to revise their writing samples. In September and June the two groups produced writing samples which were analytically scored by independent scorers. An analysis of the comparison of the pre and post scores of the experimental group with the control group in the six variables was given. Results showed that the overall writing performance of the experimental group showed improvement at a significant level. In the variable of topic development, there was a level of significance. The five variables which showed no level of significance were organization, mechanics, supporting details, sentence structure, and word choice. The study suggested that a well defined writing program with the revision strategy of sentence combining did provide overall improvement in the quality of writing over the course of the school year. The study further suggested that more research and subsequent solutions to the problem of the inferior quality of writing at the elementary level needed addressing. It indicated clear directions for further study.

This was a pedagogical study, designed to evaluate the effects of a course for small groups in the classroom as a different approach to teaching and learning instructions for underprepared minority students' academic performance, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills. To determine the effectiveness of the small group method of approach, the pre- and post-experimental/control group design was used. The control group received thirteen two-hour-per-week sessions (one semester) of the traditional method of approach to teaching and learning instruction. At the same time, the experimental group received the non-traditional small group method of approach. Both groups consisted of sixteen students who were randomly selected. The researcher administered pre- and post-surveys and testing measurements which focused on academic performance, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills. An independent observer was also used. The experimental group (only) received survey measurements which examined written responses relative to the influence of the small group experience. The t-test was used for data analysis to determine significant difference. Upon examination of the data, there was a significant difference in the performance of students in the experimental group than those in the control group on measures of the BSAT reading and writing, end-of-semester grade point average and problem-solving skills. There was no significant difference on the interpersonal communication measure; however, the data revealed the experimental group as having a higher improved score relative to the control group on the measure of the Interpersonal Communication Inventory. In summary, the data indicate that the small group method of approach can make a significant difference in students' academic performance and improve their effectiveness in problem-solving, as well as influence their interpersonal communication skills.

This study examines the effectiveness of an after school reading improvement program in reducing retention and social promotion in an urban elementary school. The study site was the Ruth K. Webb Elementary School, located in northeast area of Washington, D.C. known as "Ivy City." This site was selected because a significant percentage of at-risk students presented behavioral/discipline problems, poor social adjustment, low motivation and self-esteem to their parents, teachers and school administrators. Study participants were 4th, 5th and 6th grade students who were retained in grade or socially promoted to the next higher grade. Teachers, parents and other volunteers participated in this study. Retention and social promotion are two of the most controversial issues facing educators in many urban school districts. The Ruth K. Webb Reading Improvement Program was designed to address this issue. The program provided students with an opportunity to receive intensive instructional assistance in the area of reading skills deficiency. Study services were available to help students advance along the instructional curriculum at his or her own rate of mastery or achievement. Staff development and parental involvement activities encouraged teachers, support personnel and parents to work with students at different readiness and skill levels, motivate the slow learner and creatively utilize a variety of instructional approaches to solve learning problems. Pre-and post-program questionnaires, conferences and evaluations were used to report the study's findings. Study results showed the Webb's Reading Improvement Program was effective in (1) increasing educational performance for the at-risk students as measured by CTBS, diagnostic testing and test scores, report card grades, promotion/retention data and attendance; (2) improved delivery of instruction through use of new and creative techniques as indicated by individualized instruction services, use of manipulative, visual aids and parental involvement as indicated by rosters and monthly sign-in sheets and; (3) providing an environment where academic success as measured by student, teacher, parent involvement was achieved by the at-risk students.

<p> This inquiry investigated four design educators&rsquo; perspectives and beliefs of global competence teaching and learning, and aimed to inform effective global competence curricula planning and instruction across disciplines. The literature uncovered multiple reasons to warrant design educator reflections: (a) similarities among global competence and design thinking characteristics, (b) design education accreditation emphasis on globally oriented standards, and (c) design thinking as a resource to improve practices across disciplines. Accordingly, the inquiry employed a qualitative design and a multiple case-study approach. Data collection methods included: (a) interviews, (b) image artifacts, and (c) researcher reflective memos. A comparative analysis used systematic coding to reveal core theme statements grounded in the data. </p><p> The inquiry revealed all four design educators believed: (a) active learning and information gathering activities were effective ways to teach global competence, (b) interaction with others from different backgrounds contributed to global competence development, (c) a formal education experience changed the ways they view the world and empathize with others, (d) the critique was an effective global competence teaching and learning tool, and (e) the role of perception processes fostered ability to recognize qualities of other people and places. All four design educators&rsquo; image artifacts represented meanings and interpretations of global competence as human-centered, and expressed physical connection. Ultimately, three overarching discoveries emerged: (a) design educators use mindshifts to develop global competence, (b) design educators are makers of their global competence development, and (c) design educators are mature motivators of global competence development. </p><p> The inquiry concluded with a model for design education global competence development grounded in the data and the literature. Implications for action connected to three higher education teaching and learning areas: (a) mindfulness, (b) the maker movement, and (c) mindsets. Overall, the four design educators&rsquo; information-rich narratives and practical curricula design applications presented in this inquiry aim to encourage other educators to relate the global dimensions of their own disciplines to current teaching and research practice.</p>

No description available.

No description available.

Most Haitians in the U.S. area have immigrated over the past three decades, with the largest number of arrival coming in the late 1970's through the mid 1980's. Boston has one of the largest Haitian student populations in the U.S. following Miami and New York City. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of English language development among Haitian immigrant ninth graders participating in Boston's transitional bilingual education. Two major research questions guided this study: (1) What is the effectiveness of oral English language-use among ninth grade Haitian immigrant students in selected bilingual classrooms? (2) What is the effectiveness of English reading among ninth grade Haitian immigrant students in selected bilingual classrooms? Three High schools with transitional bilingual education programs totalling ninety-one Haitian ninth grade students participated in the study. Twenty five students were randomly selected as subjects for the study. A pre- and post-test comparison and an analysis of students' oral and reading scores were done to obtain a preliminary quantifiable impression of the students' growth in English language development over a period of time. Using Halliday's (1973) seven functions of language, classroom observations of students oral English language-use were recorded and analyzed to determine the students' ability to communicate effectively in different classroom contexts. Miscue analyses through a series of reading activities were performed to provide valuable insights into the nature of the reading process and gain appreciation for readers' strengths as well as weaknesses. Over three hundred and fifty hours of classroom observations and reading miscue activities with (N = 25) Haitian immigrant ninth graders reveal that subjects do not differ markedly in their oral and reading effectiveness in English. Although individual differences among subjects in oral and reading effectiveness existed; however, only a minority of students (N = 5/25) in (oral language) and (N = 1/4) in reading did not show positive gains in language effectiveness. Overall, many of the subjects show positive gains in English. Thus, they have the ability to use oral and reading English effectively to succeed academically.