Western Connecticut State University
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AFRICAN AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR LEARNING, INSTRUCTIONAL, AND RELATIONAL EXPERIENCES
No full textThis study was conducted to examine African American adolescents’ perceptions of their learning, instructional, and relational experiences to provide additional insight into how to eliminate the achievement gap. Research investigating the pedagogical experiences of African American adolescents’ is limited. A review of the literature suggested that the theories of pedagogy, culture, and motivation might inform our understanding of their achievement. A multiple-case design and methodological triangulation procedures were used to collect data from a stratified purposive sample of 12 African American eighth-grade students from an urban school district. The sample consisted of four high, four average, and four low achievers. Students’ perceptions were assessed using (a) the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scales; (b) semi-structured interview questions; and (c) questions related to focus group scenarios. Interpretational analysis was used to identify categories to describe students’ perceptions. Within-case analyses were used to document the students’ voices, and cross-case analyses were used to generate findings for high, average, and low achievement subgroups. The following major categories emerged: achievement goals, instructional preferences, academic press, affect-care and humor, and collaboration. The results of this study related to learning suggested that African American adolescents’ achievement goals (e.g., mastery or performance) are related to their achievement levels. High achievers had mastery goals; average achievers had mastery and performance goals; and low achievers were characterized by performance goals. All African American adolescents preferred communalism (group work) to promote understanding. The results of the study related to instruction suggested that high and average achievers perceived that their teachers communicated mastery goals in the classroom (e.g., goals focused on effort and understanding), and preferred instructional methods that promoted understanding. All high, average, and low- achieving students preferred diverse instructional methods. The results of the study suggested that high and average achievers perceived that their teachers pressed them to understand. The students also perceived that their teachers cared. High, average, and low achievers responded that humor, and collaboration were important. Additional research is needed with the low achievement subgroup to understand the attitude-achievement paradox they exhibited, and their preferred instructional and relational experiences. To capture the African American adolescents’ school experiences more effectively, the use of observations and student voice as methodologies is recommended.Doctor of Education (EdD)Education & Educational Psycholog
Further Expansion of the Archivists' Toolkit into the ATReference
No full textThe open-sourced Archivists' Toolkit developed to streamline archival work-flows has seen the development of a patron registration module. This added development is called the ATReference and it is now available to archives from its developers at the Rockefeller Archive Center
Preschool students watch Billy and Bucky at the Press Conference
No full textMembers of the WCSU pre-school class come to the One Book One Community press conference to see the Nigerian dwarf goats, Billy (black) and his twin brother, Bucky (brown).</p
Under the Rock
No full textIn a world full of harsh situations and unfortunate outcomes, Chelsea Matthews has kept to herself almost her entire life. This long story follows the life of Chelsea and illustrates her hardships in a world all by herself. With an abusive father, drug-addicted mother, and psychotic lover, Chelsea has lived her entire life sheltered, protecting herself from self-destruction. Only time will tell how much pain she can handle
The Benefits of Writing through Art in the Classroom
No full textThis project has two parts. The first part reviews research that shows art as a successful method for teaching writing in the elementary school classroom. It stresses the importance of students creating art before writing a piece of fiction or poetry. Part one covers the theories behind the writing through art process as well as telling success stories of teachers who have implemented art in their writing lessons. Part two is a lesson plan unit that applies the writing through art process when teaching fiction to third grade students. The lesson unit engages students to first create in Art Workshops and then write in Writer Workshops. The students will explore character, setting, plot and dialogue through art and then develop these short story elements in written form
Digging Up the Past
No full textDigging up the Past is a short story divided into three sections depicting the struggles and pressures of high school life. Three lesson plans are included to present to high school students about the universality in the readings. The story follows the lives of two young girls and their broken friendship through past and present experiences. While one character finds a solid place in high school and amongst her peers, the other struggles with inner acceptance. The ability to rise above the grips and demands of high school will challenge these girls to stay true to who they are
The Connections in Relationships
No full textThis is a series of human interest articles collected and based around the theme, relationships. It depicts the different kinds of relationships we experience in our lives.The Connection in Relationships
The theme of my thesis, The Connection in Relationships, is relationships. Relationships are created every day in some of the most unlikely environments. We have different relationships with people, animals, ourselves and our faith.
In the collection there are several human interest articles depicting the bond and connections people have in their lives. Some of the bonds are obvious but others are not. People are all connected in one way or another it is just whether or not we can make the connection
An Honest Look at Pit Bulls
No full textOver the last 30 years pit bulls have come to be perceived in the United States as dangerous and destructive animals. This thesis combines journalistic research and first hand accounts that document what pit bulls truly are as a breed and why they have become so feared in American society. After experiencing a traumatic pit bull fight, the author wanted to take a closer look at pit bulls in everyday life. This article explains and shows what makes people fearful of these dogs and the positives and the negatives of the breed. This article proves that there are many different circumstances that lead up to severe and fatal pit bull attacks and that "breed-type" has little to do with it
Press Conference: Mark Hasskarl
No full textDanbury public library director, Mark Hasskarl, speaks at the One Book One Community press conference.</p
Evaluation of Stream Water Quality at the WCSU Westside Nature Preserve
No full textThis study was conducted to evaluate the water quality of the stream on the Westside Nature Preserve (WNP) of Western Connecticut State University. Stream water quality at the WNP, since the construction of a new magnet school and associated access road, has been previously studied using mouse cell cultures. This study is a continuation of those investigations, using water from two separate locations within the WNP to determine any possible effects the water may have on mouse cell morphology. Results indicate that morphological abnormalities occurred in higher proportions in the experimental samples as compared with controls