Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 2005. / Title from title page screen, viewed on April 13, 2007. Dissertation Committee: Elizabeth Lugg (chair), Dianne Gardner, Joseph Pacha, John Rugutt. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-156) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--School of Education and Dept. of Psychology. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2005. / "A dissertation in education and psychology." Advisor: Linda S. Garavalia. Typescript. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed March 12, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-134). Online version of the print edition.

Although the literature is replete with techniques to assist the researcher with the evaluation task, very few techniques regarding an effective process for evaluating developmental education programs have emerged. Those techniques that have emerged have been criticized for not producing useful results. The central purpose of this research was to develop a process for evaluating the instructional component of developmental education programs. The Educational Opportunities Program at Oregon State University was used as a case study. The review of literature established a theoretical basis for the model that was developed. A detailed description of the program is provided, as well as interviews with instructional staff. An instrument for eliciting program participants' views and opinions is included. The entire evaluation process was then evaluated for effectiveness. The evaluation process proved to be effective as a means for evaluating the instructional component of developmental education programs considering the original purpose of the evaluation. Although the focus was originally on the product, the process proved to be the most powerful catalyst for change. Future evaluators are cautioned to consider carefully the purpose, audience and intended outcome before proceeding further in the evaluation of the instructional components of developmental education programs. / Graduation date: 1992

Since the first course in rhetoric began at Harvard in the 1890's, college and university English departments have been concerned about the writing proficiency of freshmen. This concern was magnified by the adoption of open-admissions policies in the sixties, and as a result many English departments began developing remedial English courses to deal with the unprepared student.This study proposes to investigate this development from a variety of perspectives. Its main purpose is to present a model textbook for remedial composition, explain how it was used, and analyze the results of its use in the classroom. The first three chapters provide a justification for such a textbook. The first chapter contains a discussion on the changing attitudes toward education in general and freshman composition in particular that have resulted from the drop in SAT scores and the adoption of open-admissions policies.The second chapter is an analysis of information about remedial programs at American universities based on a questionnaire which asked the following questions: 1) How do you identify the remedial student? 2) What is the relation of your remedial program to your regular program? 3) Who teaches your remedial courses? Is there an orientation program for the staff? .4) What is the focus of your curriculum? sentence? the paragraph? the essay? 5) What texts using? 6) Do you have any self-study documents that see?The third chapter is a history of the development of the remedial English course at Ball State University over the past five years. It includes an evaluation of the texts that have been used, the different types of standardized tests that have been given, and the progress of a selection of 102 students.The fourth chapter is the model textbook, Beginning Writing, that was used in two special sections of English 102 in the Fall Quarter of 1976. Each chapter of Beginning Writing, follows the same format. First there is an illustrative quotation, usually from a literary work, followed by a carefully written introduction to the various forms of writing assigned in the remedial English program. Next are three illustrative essays: one by a professional writer, one by a strong student writer, and one by a weak student writer. Each selection is followed by questions related to its organization and development, assignments for a journal, and a list of theme topics. Finally, there is a cartoon that emphasizes a major point discussed with the chapter.The fifth chapter contains a journal of the quarter and case studies of twelve students from the two sections which used Beginning, Writing. This analysis identifies the strong features of the textbook and those sections that will require revision.

Not available / text

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

In this thesis, I describe how interactive journal writing was used to improve the understanding of mathematics, and to foster communication with two groups of remedial grade ten students. Mathematics is a gatekeeper course in high school, and students who are not successful with this subject are at a distinct disadvantage, both in terms of their education and in their future careers. A persistent source of difficulty for these students is related to language; students often struggle both to understand what is being taught, and how to explain concepts or problem solutions in their own words. Interactive journal writing was initiated as a means of addressing this situation, and of meeting the objectives proposed by the Quebec Education Plan, which specifies three closely related competencies: (1) solve situational problems; (2) use mathematical reasoning; (3) and communicate by using mathematical language. There is ample proof in the research literature that communication plays an important role in supporting learners by helping them clarify, refine and consolidate their thinking. / This study demonstrates the importance of allowing and encouraging students to use writing as part of their learning processes. By writing about what they are being taught, students are forced to slow down, examine and reflect on the steps they use to solve problems. Sharing what they write promotes meaningful dialogue and personal engagement, essential ingredients of successful learning.

The present study was designed to see if children with learning disabilities could be taught three-row, double-digit addition problems using a dot-notation method. Three children with learning disabilities were selected for the study. Prior to the intervention, these students used a combination of count-all and count-on strategies when solving addition problems and used concrete referents such as fingers or tallies. A multiple-probe design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention with the 3 subjects. The experiment consisted of a teaching phase where students were taught to touch and count the dots on numbers 1 to 9 in a specified pattern and an intervention phase where students progressed through nine levels of addition problems. The final stage consisted of three-row, double-digit addition problems requiring regrouping with touch points removed. Results indicate that the 3 subjects were able to learn and apply the dot-notation method successfully and were able to retain the method from one and a half to four and a half months after completing instruction. Suggestions for future research and for teachers are discussed.