Education Masters Theses

Permanent URI for this collectionhdl:10365/32475

Browse

Now showing 1 - 14 of 14

Alcohol and Academia: A Study of the Association between Student Housing Type and Alcohol Abuse at North Dakota State University
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Lietaert, Charles Louis
The purpose of this study was to determine if student housing gender-type is significantly related to student alcohol consumption at North Dakota State University. The researcher examined whether the residence of students in coeducational residence halls or single-gender residence halls was related to the rate they consumed alcohol in an average week or the frequency they engaged in binge drinking. NDSU researchers allowed the researcher of this study to add an institutional question to the biannual Student CORE Alcohol and Other Drug Survey that gathered demographic information about what residence hall gender-type participants lived within. For the first time, this provided the opportunity to quantitatively compare alcohol consumption of students living in coeducational residence halls against those living in single-gender residence halls at NDSU. At the time of this study the NDSU on-campus population was particularly hospitable for such research since the multi-thousand person population was evenly distributed between single-gender and coed residency. Using this preexisting data set regarding student alcohol behavior and residence hall demographics, the researcher analyzed the data through descriptive statistics, bivariate correlational analysis, and analysis of covariance while controlling for the effect of age and gender. Results revealed that there was no significant relationship between NDSU student alcohol consumption and their residence hall gender-type. Recommendations for future research included adapting the national CORE Alcohol and Other Drug Survey to include residence hall gender-type to allow for further analysis.
The Associations Between Student Perceptions of the Classroom Psycho-Social Learning Environment and Motivation to Learn Chinese
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Ji, Chongmin
The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between students’ perception of their classroom psychosocial learning environment and motivation to learn Mandarin Chinese, which can support teachers in creating a good classroom environment. The students took two surveys (Likert scale and open-ended questions) that measured their perception of the classroom environment and the learning motivation. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, percentage) and inferential statistics (simple correlation, multiple regression, and two sample t-test) were used to analyze the quantitative data. The open-ended questions were coded and categorized based on the student responses. There were statistically significant associations between student perception and motivation for learning. The three scales of Task Orientation, Involvement, and Equity seemed to influence students the most to learn. The Task Orientation had the strongest relationship with student motivation. Moreover, the results of gender difference showed that only Task Orientation was significantly different between the two subgroups.
Comparing Project-Based Learning to Direct Instruction on Students' Attitude to Learn Science
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Haugen, Marlen Ingvard
Students' attitude towards learning science transform during their middle school years. Research provides data showing the affect of different teaching methods on students' attitude. Two teaching methods compared were project-based learning and direct instruction. Project-based learning uses inquiry to promote student attitude by engaging them and increasing their curiosity in the natural world. Direct instruction uses lecture, worksheets, tests, and labs. The Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA) survey was used to measure student's attitude. The TOSRA has seven subscales labeled as Social Implications of Science, Normality of Scientists, Attitude to Scientific Inquiry, Adaptation to Scientific Attitudes, Enjoyment of Science Lessons, Leisure Interest in Science, and Career Interest in Science. A student's age and gender were variables also used to determine the affect on transformation of attitude using two different teaching methods. The TOSRA survey showed both positive and negative transformation of students' attitude towards science.
Comparing the Content and Pedagogical Knowledge of Alternatively and Traditionally Certified Agricultural Educators
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Tonnessen, Kristi Marie
The purpose of this research study is to determine and describe in-service SBAE teachers’ perceived Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) and challenges with non-content related classroom material. In general, PCK is the point where knowledge of teaching meets agricultural content knowledge. With the rising number of alternatively certified agricultural educators across the country, it is important to examine PCK in both traditionally and alternatively certified teachers as well as the differences between the two. Since successful classroom management is crucial to teacher retention, it is necessary to look at the differences in difficulty of implementation of various strategies. Agricultural education is diverse and involves numerous topics within the broad industry. This study also describes the sources of content knowledge among the two licensure types. It is recommended that future studies research the PCK of teachers based on years of experience and licensure route.
An Exploratory Analysis of North Dakota Teachers' Attitudes Toward and Implementation of the Common Core State Standards: Recommendations for Professional Development Providers
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Thompson, Christopher Michael
Increases in global competition for student achievement have led to drastic changes within the field of education. In recent decades educational reforms such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Race to the Top have placed a stronger emphasis on standardized testing and increased accountability for schools to promote student achievement with limited success. This has led to a state-initiated overhaul of previous educational standards in favor of a set of more rigorous, internationally benchmarked standards in math and English Language Arts (ELA) known as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Since 2010, adoption of the Common Core State Standards across the United States has left teachers and school districts scrambling to unpack, align, and add the new standards to their existing curricula. The author examined North Dakota teachers’ attitudes and preparedness to teach using the Common Core State Standards providing recommendations for professional development providers.
The Flipped Classroom: Shakespeare in the English Classroom
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Gross, Anna Lynn
Bergmann and Sams’ twenty-first century flipped classroom method was reviewed in depth to determine its effectiveness in improving student achievement and enjoyment of studying Hamlet by William Shakespeare, a text that is difficult to both read and comprehend. The flipped method was implemented into one of two 12th grade general English classes in rural Minnesota. The first section of 12th grade general English read the play aloud using the traditional read-aloud method and completed an in-depth passage analysis chart for homework. The second section, the intervention group, used the flipped method and read the play on their own with accompanying video podcasts and then worked together in class with both peer and teacher help to complete the passage analysis chart. After finding similar final assessment scores, the flipped classroom may prove to be successful in an English class studying difficult literature.
Frequency of Misconceptions About Evolution in Grade 7-12 Biology Textbooks Over Time
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Breen, Sarah
Evolution is the unifying idea of biology. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood ideas in biology. Misconceptions about evolution are common among students, teachers and the general public. However, because it is the central theory of biology and understanding evolution is becoming increasingly important to understanding medicine, agriculture and many other areas of modern life. Textbooks used in secondary schools are likely one of the first introductions a person has to evolution. Teachers who are not fully confident in their own knowledge of evolution will likely rely heavily on textbooks in their teaching. Therefore, misconceptions found in or reinforced by secondary textbooks will likely be transferred to students. The current study sought to explore the prevalence of misconceptions in grade 7-12 life science textbooks, whether the frequency and type of misconceptions has changed over time as well as, how and if textbooks address misconceptions. 
Investigating the Relationship Between Community Arts Engagements and College Students' Sense of Community
(North Dakota State University, 2020) Booher, Amanda Beth
This study builds upon Astin’s (2012) Input-Environment-Output conceptual framework to determine the relationship between college students (inputs), their frequency of participation in arts engagements (environment), and their sense of community (outputs), as measured by McMillan, Peterson, and Speers’ (2008) Brief Sense of Community Scale. A survey was administered to 403 college students from one mid-sized public research university in the upper Midwest region in early spring 2020. Results indicated the most frequently attended arts engagements for college students were festivals and concerts, and the least frequently reported were galas or art receptions and creative workshops. Findings also indicated a relationship exists between frequency of arts engagements and sense of community, with higher levels of arts engagements associated with higher levels of sense of community. Implications of these results for universities, community arts partners, and college students are discussed.
Mastery Learning Instruction versus Traditional Instructional Methods in Eighth Grade Language Arts
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Mogen, Kelly Sue
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of mastery learning on eighth grade language arts students primarily in terms of academic gains, but subsidiary research questions also focused on the impact of mastery learning on student sense of self-efficacy in language arts, student attitudes towards learning language arts, and on student learning styles. This study focused on the grammar portions of language arts; it did not address the reading, writing, and speaking aspects. Results from this quasi-experimental study involved 43 eighth grade language arts students from a rural, relatively homogenous school in the Midwest. Over a four month time period, it was found that mastery learning does seem to have a statistically significant positive impact on student academic success, student sense of self-efficacy, and to some extent, student attitudes towards learning. However, no statistically significant impact was found for mastery learning on learning styles.
Motivational Needs of Secondary Family & Consumer Sciences Students
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Dietchman, Ann Marie
This study examined North Dakota junior and senior high school FCS students’ perceptions of their motivational needs. The survey instrument used was created by Turner & Herren (1997). The questionnaire measured the motivational needs for achievement, affiliation, and power from McClelland’s (1987) theory of motivation. 175 secondary, junior and senior, students completed web-based questionnaires. One-way ANOVAs were run to determine the influence of independent variables (grade level, GPA, gender, race/ethnicity, and FCCLA membership) on the three motivational needs (achievement, affiliation, and power). The data indicated that FCS students expressed the greatest need for achievement. Females have a greater need than males for achievement. FCCLA members have a greater need for power and achievement than non-FCCLA members. The study also showed that students with GPAs of 3.5-4.0 show a greater need for power than those with GPAs of 2.5-2.99 and a greater need for achievement than those with GPAs of 2.0-2.99.
Professionalism: A New Approach to an Old Problem
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Undem, Teri Ann
This study examined student understanding and the ability to apply the six tenets of professionalism for pharmacy students before and after an educational intervention. The study population was third and fourth year pharmacy students at the North Dakota State University. Paired t-tests and z-tests were used to analyze the data. The results show that students were able to significantly improve their understanding of all of the six tents. Students were able to slightly improve their ability to apply all of the six tenets, with the exception of accountability, which showed a slight decrease. Differences between the third and fourth year classes was not significant. Gender differences were also not significant.
Sensory Processing Disorder: Family Perspectives on the Disorder and the Role of Counseling
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Fullerton, Susan Patricia
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is defined as an "inability to use information received through the senses in order to function smoothly in daily life" (Kranowitz, 2005, p. 9). The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives and experiences of families in the process of seeking treatment for their child's sensory processing disorder and the availability of family mental health support (defined as counseling). There is limited literature in the area of the mental health support for children living with SPD. A qualitative interview methodology was utilized in this study. The qualitative research data consisted of seven telephone interviews with parents of children living with SPD. These parents were either Parent Connection Hosts or Parent Connection group members from the Sensory Processing Foundations Parents' support groups for SPD parents. Comparative data analysis involved looking for similar and distinct themes in the participant's stories from which several main themes emerged. Findings indicated that counseling was not offered to most of the participants and that they had to independently seek out other necessary services for their children. In light of the experiences of the participants, implications for counselors are provided. It was concluded that counselors should endeavor to become a part of the collaboration process necessary to better provide mental health support to families with children living with SPD.
Student Attitudes Towards Parent Involvement and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Paolini, Michael Louis
The purpose of this study was to explore students’ attitudes related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), their perceptions of parent over-involvement (POI), and the relationships thereof. A brief overview of privacy laws and FERPA are discussed. Legal cases that involve FERPA, past research of parent involvement and millennials are also explored. This study surveyed undergraduate students currently enrolled at a large public research university in the Upper Midwest (n = 537). The data analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics. Despite a reported lack of interest in FERPA, students generally reported an awareness and understanding of FERPA as well as feelings of trust in the policy. The reported level of trust in FERPA had no relationship with any of the five types of POI. The implications of these findings and areas for future research related to FERPA and parent over-involvement are discussed.
A Study of the Effect the Flipped Classroom Model on Student Self-Efficacy
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Kenna, Donald Christian
The learning model known as the flipped classroom is one of the developing ideas of educating students. Bergmann and Sams (2012) using a flipped classroom in 2007 when they recorded lecture for students to view at home and allowing students to work on “homework” in the classroom. This research was conducted to identify the effect of the flipped classroom on student self-efficacy and the difference in self-efficacy between genders using this model. This study was conducted with 22 physics students in two classes, a traditional and a flipped classroom. The student’s self-efficacy was scored with the Self-Efficacy Survey. The results showed an increase in their average self-efficacy score with the flipped classroom while the traditional classroom decreased their average score. When analyzed separately, the males showed a decrease in self-efficacy while the females showed an increase while using the flipped classroom.

Browse

Browsing Education Masters Theses by browse.metadata.program "Education"