Content Area Vocabulary Instruction: Teachers’ Beliefs, Knowledge, And Practices

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. May 2019. Major: Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Advisor: David O'Brien. 1 computer file (PDF); v, 269 pages.In an effort to improve an understanding of content area vocabulary instruction and how to support teacher-educators, in this study I sought to determine which vocabulary instructional practices were selected from the corpus and applied in instruction. I examined the knowledge and beliefs held by the participants about vocabulary instruction in their respective disciplines. In addition, I worked to determine the sources from which teachers acquire information to professionally proceed with the vocabulary instruction that does occur. Using a mixed methods design, I studied grades 6-12 science, social studies, and technical studies teachers’ beliefs about, and conceptions of, vocabulary instruction. While there has been increased attention to teaching vocabulary (Baumann, 2009; Blachowicz & Fisher, 2010; Fisher & Frey, 2014; Graves, 2006; Manyak et al., 2014; McKeown et al., 2018; Nagy & Townsend, 2012), little is known about how content area teachers conceptualize teaching their respective discipline-specific terminology. Therefore, the goal is to add to the existing knowledge base in academic disciplines via an examination of how teachers’ beliefs and conceptualization and enactment of the specific instructional practices in vocabulary

Developing Effective Online Training Tools For Maine Adaptive Sports And Recreation

Background: Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR) relies on volunteers to instruct their participants with disabilities to participate in a variety of adaptive sport programs. Volunteers must have a comprehensive understanding of participants’ health conditions to assist appropriately. MASR’s traditional training program lacked a formal curriculum and assessment of volunteer learning. Our purpose was to create online learning modules and determine whether implementing a massed or distributed schedule resulted in better long term retention. Methods: Two non-randomized groups of eleven adults were assigned to either an in-class, massed format (Group A) or an at-home, distributed schedule (Group B) to complete six online learning modules. Participant competence was assessed prior, immediately after, and two weeks after completion of learning modules. A global rating scale survey and satisfaction survey were also completed to determine perceived confidence in using the information learned and obtain feedback. Results: Post-hoc testing revealed both groups had significant increase in competence after reviewing the modules, in terms of both immediate recall and long-term retention scores compared to baseline. There was a significant difference between group pre-test scores, but no difference between the groups’ immediate recall or long-term retention scores. Both groups exceeded the MCIC score of 2 points for the Global Rate of Change Scale, indicating a notable increase in confidence. Participants reported the modules to be beneficial and effective in the Volunteer Satisfaction Survey. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the online learning modules were effective regardless of the applied learning schedule. Both groups increased their competence and reported improved confidence with the presented material. A small sample size and discrepancies in participant demographics between groups presented limitations which prohibit recommending a superior learning schedule