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Browsing by Author "Kennedy, Paul A., advisor"

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    Effects of writing to learn in pre-calculus mathematics on achievement and affective outcomes for students in a community college setting: a mixed methods approach
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Ray Parsons, Michelle, author; Gloeckner, Gene W., advisor; Kennedy, Paul A., advisor; Banning, James H., committee member; Aragon, Antonette, committee member
    The intent of this study was to explore an intervention, Writing to Learn, within a college level mathematics course and examine how Writing to Learn Mathematics as an assessment tool in Trigonometry relates to overall achievement and self-reflection with respect to learning mathematics. The purpose of this study was to provide empirical evidence and determine the effect such an intervention had on undergraduate students' academic achievement as well as their mathematic conceptual growth and metacognitive growth. This study employed a mixed method approach using a qualitative study design element with emphasis on template analysis and was supported with inferential statistics from a cross-over study design implemented in a concurrent and parallel format. The quantitative portion of the study examined differences in students' exam scores for the portion of the course where students experienced Writing to Learn Mathematics versus the portion of the course where students did not experienced Writing to Learn Mathematics to determine if writing had an effect on students' performance on exams. While the results from the quantitative portion of the study were not statistically significant, effect sizes indicated a small effect. Paralleling the quantitative phase, the qualitative portion of the study utilized an approach referred to as Template Analysis to reveal the nature of students' individual metacognitive functioning and changes that occurred during the course of this study as students utilized various writing activities which engaged students in individual reflective writing as part of the course. The initial, a priori, codes were modify, expanded, and revised to reveal three themes focused on metacognitive transformations: changes as a learner, reflections and writing, and value of writing. While there were inconsistencies between results due to different methodological approaches in data collection, information that may otherwise have been overlooked was available. The integration of results revealed many students made significant changes in approaches to learning and also made deep and meaningful conceptual connections as a result of Writing to Learn Mathematics. It also was apparent writing in mathematics and about mathematics encouraged students to reflect on what they were learning and facilitated meaningful connections about content and themselves as learners.
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    Field experience in science for fifth grade students--a mixed methods study of learning environments
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2009) Patterson, Barbara E., author; Gloeckner, Gene W., advisor; Kennedy, Paul A., advisor
    The purpose of this research is to compare students' perceptions of the learning environment in a traditional science classroom and a field study classroom. This mixed methods study used a sequential explanatory design. Phase one was the quantitative phase using two survey tools. A modified version of the "What is happening in this Classroom Survey" (WIHIC) (Fraser et al., 1996) and the "Test of Science Related Attitudes" (TOSRA) (Fraser, 1982) was administered to 60 fifth grade students from one school. Data was then disaggregated by socioeconomic class and ethnicity. Results from Phase one showed that students prefer the classroom for investigation and prefer the field environment for enjoyment of science. Differences in ethnicity and class were small but Hispanic students prefer the field for investigation and equity. Students that are low socio-economic class rank cooperation in the field higher than the classroom and students that do not qualify for free or reduced lunch prefer the field environment for enjoyment of science. Finally, there are strong correlations for the variables of cooperation, investigation, equity and enjoyment of science in both the classroom and the field environment. Questions raised from the analysis of the survey data were further explored through qualitative data collection methods in phase two. Student responses to three questions were coded using template analysis to provide answers to the "how and why" field experience effects students' attitudes toward science. Three themes emerged from the coding of the results. These results showed that students are physically engaged, develop a sense of place and learn skills in the field that reinforce concepts learned in the classroom. This information will help teachers in developing quality and meaningful experiences for all students. "Closing the gaps among minority groups while improving achievement of all students constitutes the dual goals of education in the nation" (Lee et al., 2004, p. 827) and the incorporation of field experience for science education can meet this goal.
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    The role of frequency and cross-ability peer tutoring on student performance in a collegiate, developmental mathematics classroom
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Dame, Nadine Filosi, author; Gloeckner, Gene W., advisor; Kennedy, Paul A., advisor; Kaminski, Karen, committee member; Chappell, Kelly, committee member
    This study examines the differences between spacing of instruction and the classroom involvement of a cross-ability peer tutor on mathematical achievement in a developmental mathematics course. Grounded in spacing effect theory, this study examines how variations in the frequency of instruction affect student learning. The study consists of two segments conducted sequentially, specifically a quantitative analysis that was further supported by a qualitative inquiry. Results of the strong quasi-experimental study show that the mathematical achievement of students whose class met once per week for two hours was significantly lower than those students whose class met for one hour, twice per week. Through the use of student panel interviews, an interview with the cross-ability peer tutor and another with the faculty member, the qualitative findings suggest that many students may prefer the convenience of condensed class schedules that minimize their time spent on campus. For students enrolled in a developmental mathematics program at the collegiate level, these condensed scheduling options, however, may sacrifice learning for convenience.