Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Charles Schlosser
Committee Member
Tom Geismar
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
after school program, attendance, collaborative learning environment, cooperative learning, elementary students, English language arts, English language testing, inner city elementary school, instructional delivery, instructional design, instructional engagement, instructional habits, instructional technology, learner focused environment, learning environment, motivation, student interaction, student motivation, student performance, technology integration, traditional instructional practices, web based activities, web based instruction
Abstract
This research endeavor institutes change in an after school program for elementary students of an inner city elementary school. The program seeks to improve student performance on standardized English language testing, improve student motivation and attendance. The hypothesis that a prescriptive after school program, that utilizes Web based activities as an integrated component of instruction, will lead to improved student performance through increased motivation, instructional habits and attendance. Redesigning the program will establish an environment capable of sustaining student motivation and attendance resulting in sustained instructional engagement.
The instructional design is a transformation of traditional instructional practices for this program. The instructional model combined cooperative learning environments with technology. All students of one grade level shared resources. Four teachers served as the students’ instructors, all of them with appropriate grade level experience. Students spent equal time with each of the teachers. Three of the teachers utilized technology as a component of the instructional delivery. The schools’ web page served as the guide for student instruction. All traditional instructional activities for the enrichment of the English language arts program were available on the school's web page.
The intent of the program was to re-establish a collaborative, technologically grounded learning environment to optimize the opportunities for students to become more actively engaged and motivated in the process of learning. Establishing this type of foundation may lead to improved student performance.