Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Incorporating literature into the science classroom(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Browning, Linzy Sue; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisIntegration of subjects is a major goal within the classical education model, with teachers and parent educators seeking to present the various areas of study as interrelated strands, rather than stand-alone subjects. This project sought to integrate age-appropriate literature into an elementary homeschool co-op class's science course work to determine if doing so had an effect on student performance and student attitudes. It also assessed parental attitudes, in particular the extent to which the treatment modeled to them assisted them in integrating literature and history into their science instruction and how they felt about that. During the comparison and treatment periods, students were engaged in an 8-week human body unit, which included memorizing the major parts of each body system, experimenting with a variety of phenomena related to the function of the various systems, and making a life-sized paper model of the entire body with all of the major organs. During the 4-week comparison period, students were introduced to the week's body system and organs, with discussion about what functions the system and organs carry out. This was followed by a lab activity in which students explored a phenomenon related to the function of the system introduced that day. During the treatment period, classroom instruction was modified to incorporate 10-15 minutes of interaction with literature related to the body system and organs being studied, and students received literature to interact with during the week. Weekly quizzes showed an insignificant rise in scores with the treatment. However, student surveys and student and parent interviews indicated a decidedly positive shift in attitude toward the content with the incorporation of literature into the lessons.Item Private, home and public schools : structures for accountability and cooperation(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1989) Frazier, Vicki Lynn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Karen C. JacobsonItem How homeschool students perceive their experiences influencing academic and social integration in college(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2015) Shields, Lisa Ann Hauk; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Carrie B. MyersK-12 homeschool enrollment in the United States has increased to over two million students since legalization in 1993. As more homeschoolers enroll in higher education, colleges are taking notice of potential opportunities and obstacles they bring to campus from their homeschool experience. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of how homeschool students perceived their experiences contributing to academic and social integration in college. Eleven state university and nine community college students participated in personal, face-to-face interviews using open-ended questions providing opportunity for students to tell the story of their personal homeschool experiences. Two themes evolved from the interviews as influential to integration: homeschool platform and student learning characteristics. Student learning characteristics consisted of self-discipline, independence, memorization, organization, and respect functioning as both obstacles and opportunities to college integration. Homeschool platform evolved from one-on-one instruction to student self-instruction, allowing flexibility to engage in self-discovery experiences developing capital with similar and diverse individuals. These relationships helped transition to academic and social integration. A sense of belonging was a product of the relationships built through integration and contributed to student engagement and satisfaction. Data showed homeschool students come to college with student learning characteristics to self-instruct, ability to develop relationships through respect, and gain respect from peers because of their morals and values. Relationships with individuals sharing similar interests provided students confidence to enroll in early start college courses to better understand college expectations. Limitations of the homeschool experience as students transitioned to college included: working in group projects, peer relationships with diverse individuals, and college expectations. Working on group projects caused anxiety for students due to their motivation for academic excellence and lack of interpersonal trust to allow peer responsibility of projects. Uncertainty of college expectations became evident as students enrolled in college with limited experience outside homeschool education. Students lacked experience using text books, taking notes, lectures, schedules, and inability to progress at their own pace. As homeschool students enter higher education, institutions have the capacity to address obstacles and opportunities they bring to campus to enhance their college experience.Item The effect of using weekly podcasts on students' learning(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2014) Shawli, Ahmed; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy TaylorIn this project, the effect of flipping the classroom by the use of video casts was studied to measure its effectiveness on student learning outcomes compared to the traditional classroom. Also the effect of increasing the number of videos per week on students' learning was studied. To accomplish the objectives of the project, the class was divided into three periods: no video period, one video a week period and two videos a week period. The data revealed that students scored higher in the one video period in both teacher-made assessments and weekly online quizzes. Also, increasing the number of the videos to two did not show any increase either in the teacher made neither assessments nor the online quiz result. Overall, students reported positive feedback regarding the flipped classroom approach and the results showed that they preferred it to the no videos period, traditional approach.