Theses & Projects

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Irwin's apple gang : a creative project on word processing in the generation of personal student newspapers
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1986, 1986) Warkentin, Irwin E; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Burnett, Dale; Butt, Richard
Word processing is considered by many computer advocates to be one of the potentially most significant contributions of computers to education at all levels. Most research has concentrated on the post-secondary and secondary application of computers in composition and very little has been done at the elementary level. As vice principal of the Vauxhall Elementary School, I have been involved for the past four years with the implementation of computers in elementary education. My major focus during the past two years has been the use of word processing in writing instruction and particularly in the generation of student newspapers. This project was intended to describe, analyze and interpret a particular classroom experience, to explore issues arising from the experience and from similar experiences of others, to synthesize conclusions and implications and suggest directions for the future.
Joanna : a woman in science : one life history in dialogue with the literature
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) Smith, Jennifer; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Butt, Richard; Mrazek, Rick
Few women choose careers in the physical sciences. Of the Bachelor's degrees awarded nationally in Mathematics and Physical Sciences only 29% were awarded to females (Statistics Canada, 1986). Using a biographical approach, this study sought to identify factors which may have facilitated the success of women in these areas. Joanna, a female university student majoring in chemistry, was interviewed. Tapes were transcribed and factors which possibly directed her success in the sciences were identifi·ed by both authors and validated by Joanna. A literature review on psycho-social influences as they affect the science achievement and interest of girls was integrated with the themes emerging from Joanna's life history. The dialogue between the literature and Joanna revealed a common profile which appears to characterize mo s t f e rna 1 esc i e n tis t s • Joanna, herself, overlapped with 26 of the 33 factors that were identified by the literature. The profile was split into seven categories: Personality, Sex Role Identity, Motivational Style, Family Influence, Childhood/Adolescence, Role Models, and Influence of Schooling. Factors which Joanna identified with strongly included: logical/analytical, high math and spatial ability, enjoys competition, not afraid to take risks, strong self-concept, confident, non-traditional sex role expectations, androgynous, unaffected by sex role stereotypes, family and career not seen as mutually exclusive, encouraging parents as positive parents, attitude towards science, oldest child, non-traditional role models, voracious reader, active childhood, able to act independently in adolescence, influential high school science teacher, and received encouragement and praise from teachers throughout schooling. Judging from both Joanna's profile and the literature review, the role of encouragement for women in the sciences cannot be underestimated. Implications for science education were made. A paradigm shift from emphasizing facts to encouraging open exploration was suggested in order to broaden this profile. The proposed Alberta curriculum with its focus on science as it relates to technology and society was considered a step in the right direction.
Play in a first grade classroom
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) McDougal, Mary-Ann; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Pollard, Michael
The specific purposes of this study were to determine: 1) the extent to which various categories of play were evident in a learning centers period in a first grade classroom: 2) whether specific activities and levels of play promoted various social groupings and levels of interaction: 3) whether the teacher's and children's perceptions of the program were similar. Data collected during a learning centers period in a self-contained first grade classroom (N=20) in southern Alberta. A target child procedure was used to observe individuals in order to record activities and language. Individual behaviours were then coded into task, social and language categories. As well, interviews with the children and teacher were conducted to obtain information regarding the perceptions of individuals about the program. In order to analyze the data, frequency tabulations were made of the number of activities contained in the 800 half-minute observation segments. These frequencies were then converted to levels of play in order to determine the range and relative frequencies of the various levels of play. Further analysis involved grouping social interactions into various levels in order that trends might be reported. Finally, the field notes from the interviews were analyzed in terms of themes in order that the perceptions of the teacher and children might be reported. The results of the study indicate that approximately 36% of the observed behaviours were considered play and that a significant proportion of the play was of the functional or constructive type. These lower levels of play accounted for the majority of the solitary and parallel social formations. The results of the study suggest implications for the range and choice of materials and activities which might be used to promote play as well as the role of the teacher in promoting play and facilitating play during the structured time.
Computer managed learning : development of a data base for individualized instruction
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) Howard, Dale; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Burnett, Dale
This report outlines the research and development of a CMl system designed to be used in the remediation program for developmentally delayed adults attending the Medicine Hat College. The literature search covers a brief history of computers, discusses a definition of CMl and reports findings of CMl instituted elsewhere. Procedures include the actual design and construction of a data base and the subsequent comparison of the manual and electronic systems. The results indicate that the electronic system is more efficient than the manual system, but that there are still elements of the manual system that must be maintained. Although this particular electronic system does not have the relational or sorting power of some commercial systems, there still appears to be a desire to further modify the system and to integrate the system more closely into the program. Instructors were very impressed with the ease in which reports and IEPs could now be generated. The system also has potential to be incorporated with further developments of CAL and CBT.
The effects of practice on conference behavior of supervisors following participation in instructional supervision training
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) Harty, Roger Wayne; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Whitehead, Ritchie
The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and extent of changes in supervisor conference behavior which could be attributed to the effect of practice following a graduate course in Instructional Supervision. In this study, half of the supervisors were able to practice their supervisory skills following their training in Instructional Supervision while the remaining supervisors in the sample were not able to practice their supervisory skills. Data were gathered from video-tapes of post-course and final conferences through the use of the Supervisor-Teacher Analogous Categories System (STACS) and the Timed Interval Categorical Observation Recorder (TICOR). STACS is a 19-category behavior system which was developed to investigate behavior which occurs between supervisors and teachers in supervisory conferences. TICOR is a micro computer used for collecting and analyzing observational data through the use of hardware and software components which in this case were adapted to use STACS. The data were gathered to answer the study question, do participants who had the opportunity to practice supervisory skills differ significantly from those participants that had no opportunity to practice their skills. Eleven variables from STACS were chose to document conference behavior change between the practice and no practice groups. Analysis of Variance was used to test for significant differences in conference behavior between the post-course and final conference tapes for the supervisors in the practice and no practice groups. The study findings indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the group of supervisors who were able to practice their supervisory skills and the group of supervisors who were unable to practice their supervisory skills.
The identification of the gifted in a culturally-different segment of a high school
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) Sheen, Alice F; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Skolrood, A. Harold
The purpose of this study was to examine the student population of a particular minority group of Native students in a southern Alberta high school, to determine if there were Native students who could be identified as gifted. Five classes of students containing one-third to onehalf Native students served as subjects. The classroom teacher of each class supplied the data for each subject by completing an instrument designed to test gifted characteristics. The study attempted to determine the potential for giftedness that existed among the Native students of this school. Exploratory methods were used to explore and diagnose the data. The use of these exploratory methods failed to provide any evidence of any significant difference in the potential for giftedness between the Native or the non-Native students. The conclusion of the study was that giftedness was a difficult area to research because of the abstract nature of the terminology and the characteristics. The interpretation of the data showed that there were Native students in this school who have definite tendencies of giftedness. There was very little difference in the percentage of gifted traits between the Native students and the non-Native students. If judged on an equal basis, Native students will demonstrate equal proportion of competence with non-Native students.
School-aged children who have witnessed wife abuse : a descriptive study of social, educational, and health issues
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) Edwards, Wynne Margaret; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Coates, Carolie
Since the 1970s, wife abuse has been recognized and studied as a major problem in the Western World. Until this decade, little attention has been directed to the effects of these battering relationships on the children who witnessed them. This exploratory study described a group of children whose mothers had been previously physically abused by their intimate partners. Specifically, the school behavior and achievement, social behavior, and health concerns of the children were described. Twenty school-aged children between the ages of seven and thirteen years formed the sample. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research modes were used in the study. The children and their mothers were interviewed using semi-structured interviews designed for the study. A standardized behavior checklist, the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, was also completed by each mother, which further described her child and allowed for comparisons between the children in this study and children in a normalized sample. Comparisons were made between gender groups within the sample. The data were also reviewed for indications of the modeling behavior described in Social Learning Theory. Children in the sample were reported to have witnessed the abuse of their mothers for an average of 4.7 years. Child abuse as well as wife abuse had occurred in a high percentage of the homes. There was a high incidence of intergenerational violence in the families of the children studied. Mother and child reports were highly consistent and comparisons based on gender showed no significant differences between boys and girls. Many school problems including a high percentage of school grade repeats were described. Aggressive behavior was reported for over half of the children. Few serious health problems were reported although many of the children complained of headaches and stomachaches. A large number of improvements occurred in the children after the abuse of the mother ended. In spite of the many problems described, most of the children in the study seemed to be functioning well and the mothers were optimistic about their futures. It was concluded that with the help of such measures as supportive parenting and short-term counselling, these children should continue to function well. However, approximately one quarter of the children had more severe problems and will probably require long-term help.
The effect of gender-role stereotyping on the career aspirations and expectations of pre-adolescent children of high intellectual ability
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) Purvis, Carillon Ruth Cameron; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Greene, Myrna
Although the movement of women into the Canadian labor force has been increasingly steady over the past three decades, the number of women occupying positions of power, prestige and leadership within their fields remains low in comparison to that of men. In theory, virtually all careers and levels within those careers should be available to both males and females, but this availability is not always perceived to be real. The desire to reveal why this is so provides the impetus for this study. Career patterns are influenced by a variety of forces, one of which is gender-role stereotypes. A greater understanding of the roles these stereotypes play in career aspirations is the goal of this study. One hundred male and female pre-adolescent students of high and average intellectual ability were surveyed by means of a questionnaire to determine the effect of gender-role stereotypes on their career aspirations and expectations. Correlations, analyses of variance, and qualitative data provided the statistical and descriptive information for interpretation. The principal finding of this study was that the influence of gender-role stereotypes on pre-adolescent children was confirmed, even across ability groups. Stereotypical attitudes were unrelated to intellectual ability, as high and average ability groups conformed to traditional attitudes exhibited toward the sexes. However, there did seem to be a trend towards a more androgynous attitude among the females than among the males, particularly high achieving males. High ability males showed a trend towards exaggerated stereotypical attitudes in comparison to the other subject groups. Furthermore, high ability students generally had more to say and exhibited more confidence (particularly the high ability males) in their responses. This study may provide an increase in awareness and understanding of any real or perceived barriers to achievement and thus eventually lead to greater opportunities and personal fulfillment for both males and females.
The health of nurses : their subjective well-being, lifestyle/preventive practices and goals for health
(Lethbridge, Alta : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) Hoskin, Pauline Loretta Arnott; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Greene, Myrna
Although promotion of health and healthy lifestyles are accepted tasks of registered nurses, the assessment of nurses' own health and health behaviours has rarely been assessed. In this study questionnaire responses from 59 female registered nurses and interviews with ten nurses employed full-time in south-west Alberta were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of items taken and adapted from the Canada Health Survey (Health & Welfare Canada, 1981) on subjective well-being (Affect Balance Scale and Health Opinion Survey) and certain lifestyle practices (pap test, breast examination, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and seat belt use). A question on leisure time physical activity was take from Godin, Jobin and Bouillon (1986). Questions assessing self-reported immune status and perception of self as a health role model for others were designed by the researcher. Data from the questionnaires were described in narrative, frequency counts and percentages. Comparisons were made among responses in various parts of the questionnaire as well as with the results of the Canada Health Survey. Interview questions designed by the researcher assessed the ways in which the nurse participants thought about health and their goals for health; transcribed interview responses were categorized according to themes; further interpretation was done on three main themes (maintenance of health as a goal, perceived lack of nurses' self-care and nurses' expectations of themselves). The nurses' scores on the Affect Balance Scale and the Health Opinion Survey place them toward the positive end of a positive-negative continuum of subjective well-being (Okun, Stock, Haring & Witter, 1984). Comparison of the participants' responses regarding lifestyle and preventive practices with the Canada Health Survey suggests that these nurses had relatively adequate health practices with the possible exception of participation in vigorous physical activity. A majority of the participants perceived themselves as role models of health, particularly non-smokers and those with post-RN education. The ten interviewed nurses generally gave maintenance of health as their primary present and future goal for health. Lack of self-care was associated by participants with nurses' and women's traditional concern for others before themselves. The participants seemed to have generally high expectations for themselves and other nurses. This descriptive and exploratory study may provide a baseline for future study of nurses' health, an indication of areas for health promotion programs for nurses and a discussion point for nurses to continue to assess their own health and the factors affecting their own health and goals for health.
Encouraging girls in science : facts, theories and practical suggestions
(Lethbridge, AB : Faculty of Education, University of Lethbridge, 1987, 1987) Smith, Jennifer; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Butt, Richard; Mrazek, Rick
It is the objective of this paper to present the facts concerning the current status of Canadian women in science, to review the theories which have been put forth to explain gender disparities in science participation, to outline the findings of research in the area of gender and science, and to suggest ways in which science teachers could respond to these research findings.
Teaching high school English with Alberta's diploma exams : an assessment through oral research and dramatic re-presentation
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1987, 1987) Hart, Loren Charles; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Miller, Gerry S.; Van Orman, Ronald; Walker, Laurie
The concern of this project is understanding what effects Alberta's Diploma examinations are having upon English 30 and English 33 teachers and their interactions within the school system. At first, a need is shown for educational literature which analyzes the relationships between mandatory testing and language arts instruction. The emergent methodology which the author used for conducting such research is recounted. He combined methods of biography. dream analysis, oral history, and ethnographic interviewing in order to develop a personal model for "insider" human science research. A surface analysis of the culture of two high school English 30 and English 33 teachers describes how Diploma tests, interactions with administrators and public concerns outside the classroom, interactions with students in the classroom, an integrated high school language arts curriculum, and a university liberal arts education help shape the behavior and thinking patterns of this culture. The emergent focus of the researcher and the data of ethnographic interviews with two high school language arts teachers are re-presented. retold, in the form of guerilla theatre. The researcher's initial concern for understanding the relationships between external testing and instruction expanded to include a complex network of interactions with students, colleagues, administrators, government test developers, university professors, businessmen, politicians, and the public. Each of these domains is symbolized by a section of an outer chalk circle drawn on the floor, with an inner chalk circle representing the interviewed teachers. The interrelationships between the teachers and the domains are mimed while a taped narrative dramatically relates interviewed teachers. the reflections of the researcher and the The purposes of the dramatic re-presentation are to promote understanding of how government administered tests have affected the culture of two high school English teachers and provoke audiences both inside and outside the studied culture to dialogue on the political and pedagogical themes which the drama depicts. An accompanying videotape of an August 5, 1987 performance demonstrates how the drama can serve as a catalyst for conversation and understanding. The project resolutions for ends with the author offering his personal continuing action. For him. this work suggests commitment for recognizing the complexity of the culture of English 30 and English 33 teachers. arguing against the myth that "every class must score above the mean," arguing for diagnostic testing services for high school English teachers, encouraging students to write essays and teachers and Alberta Education officials to evaluate student writing with the help of computer technology, and continuing the dialogue with teachers and various educational stakeholders.
Implementing whole language : a case study of a teacher
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1988, 1988) Boer, Faye; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Pollard, Michael
This is the story of a teacher. It is the story of how this seemingly ordinary teacher adopts the attitude of 'teacher as learner.' It emphasizes those aspects of his life which have been instrumental in the development of a personality which accepts and promotes the concept of whole language as a way of life. The purpose of this study was to examine the process of being a whole language teacher in the light of experiential learning theory and personal practical knowledge within the realm of a biographical study. It is about idealism and realism. It is about learning which emerges through experience rather than being imposed from without. It is about using what one knows and reflecting on it in order to bring about new understandings. Finally, it is about the celebrations, revelations and frustrations in the life of one person who has refined his way of knowing and understanding to a point where the ideal and the real are near to becoming one.
A story picture approach to developing the writing skills of Blackfoot Indian children
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1988, 1988) Campbell, Janet; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Butt, Richard
No abstract.
An investigation of the validity of a children's version of the Gregorc Style Delineator
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1988, 1988) Howard, Peggy; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Ellis, Julie
No abstract.
Establishing and using a student demographic data base : the Seven Persons School project
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1988, 1988) Barbour, Cameron R.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Burnett, Dale
This report outlines the establishment of a computerized data base in Seven Persons School using the Appleworks program. This data base is used primarily by the school office staff to store basic demographic data for each student. The review of literature examines the use of microcomputers in a variety of data management tasks, specifically those related to the storage and processing of demographic data in a small to medium-sized school. The project involves the training of school staff in the operation of Appleworks, and the compilation of various lists of demographic data into one computerized data base. Staff members are surveyed to determine the use being made of the data base and to determine if a data base containing academic records might also be warranted. The results indicate that the principal and teaching staff are very much in favour of a student demographic data base, but do not use the data base themselves. Rather, they rely on the school secretary to Ilse this tool to access student information in an increasingly efficient manner. The prospect of a larger data base which would include both demographic and academic information requires further study, and a major financial committment by the local school board.
The relationship between traditional and whole language approaches to language arts instruction
(Lethbridge, AB : University of Lethbridge, 1988, 1988) Bright, Robin M.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Whitehead, Ritchie
Initially the purpose of this ethnographic study was to discover insights into effective teaching in an actual classroom. However, as the study developed, it became apparent that two very different and distinct approaches, to language arts instruction were operating. These two approaches came to be known and understood as traditional and whole language concepts of effective thinking. This lead to the question, to what extent are these two approaches compatible in one classroom during language arts? Each position was researched and explored to provide extensive background and clear definitions for the study. Throughout this process the data collection began. Descriptive data of one grade four classroom during language arts instruction emerged. The research did not focus on one of the two pre-determined teaching behaviors but described the classroom as a social situation during language arts. The lengthy and in-depth description contained information about me, the teacher, the school, the students, the classroom, the parents, the program and it's resources. The main data collection occurred through participant observation which means I studied a situation in which I was already and ordinary participant. Data were collected according to a systematic scheme which served to document the classroom and were compared with ethnographic notes of two other independent field researchers, who were non-participate observers. The ethnographic record consisted of field notes, tape recordings, pictures, student work and student and teacher journals. These data were collected from the beginning of January until the middle of April, 1987. Each observation lasted for 30-45 minutes twice weekly, yielding about 25 hours of classroom data over a four month period. The data provided a lengthy description of a grade four classroom during language arts instruction and in so doing, discovered characteristics of both traditional and whole language approaches. Specifically, a traditional approach exercised greatest influence in the areas of: 1) spelling 2) classroom management, and 3) evaluation. A whole language approach primarily influenced the following areas: 1) concept of learning 2) pedagogy, and 3) curriculum. These conclusions suggest that what goes on in a classroom may be a highly complex process that is not necessarily influenced by only one theoretical approach but by a combination of several. This may suggest a change in the treatment of these approaches as unconnected strategies of effective teaching.
Grade three social studies resource manual
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1988, 1988) Morgan, Deborah; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Henslowe, Shirley
The project chosen by the author was developed to address the concerns that Grade Three teachers expressed during a Social Studies Conference in the fall of 1987. These concerns reflected the need for new teaching units and resources that would be essential for the implementation of the 1989 Social Studies Curriculum.
Motivational orientation and creativity
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1986, 1989) Hawryluk, Paul; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Greene, Myrna
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of offering an extrinsic reward to Individuals who were Involved In creative writing. Two essential components of creative writing that were Investigated were the quality of creative writing, as assessed by two raters who were working In the domain of writing, and motivational orientation which was assessed mainly by a locus of control test. A class of creative writing students served as subjects. Complete data was obtained for 17 of them and partial data for three more. The motivational orientation of the class which served as subjects of the study was profl1ed according to the locus of control test (I/E Scale) and a Likert Scale that was created for this study. The results Indicated that the class profile was no different than a random group of subjects. The study explored the relationship between the creative quality of writing students produced and Intrinsic or extrinsic motivation. Inter-rater reltabl1lty on the samples of student writing could not be established between the ratings of the two evaluators, so this question could not be answered. Exploratory methods were used to explore the data for discernible patterns, but none were found. The study attempted to Investigate the differential effects of offering a reward for writing on the subjects according to motivational orientation. The use of exploratory methods failed to provide any evidence for any differential effects. The conclusion of the study was that creativity was a difficult area to research, particularly using a quantitative approach. It was suggested that the study of creativ1ty and motivation be focused on established authors whose creative quality had been already established by their publ1catlon record. Then, by qualitative techniques such as Interviews, the motivational styles of some of these established writers could be explored In the search for patterns that could provide Information on the relationship between motivation and creativity.
Professional growth and development : one teacher's story
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1989, 1989) McCue, Glenda Rae; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Butt, Richard
No abstract.
Experimental research exploring the linking of collaborative autobiographies and peer-supervision to improve classroom curriculum
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1989, 1989) Sloan, Clark Russell; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Butt, Richard
No abstract.

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