Current Search:   Witta, Lea (x)

View All Items

  • CSV Spreadsheet
(1 - 6 of 6)
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC WRITING IN EDUCATION
Title
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC WRITING IN EDUCATION.
Creator
Kemp, Andrew, Witta, Lea, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
According to Stangl (1994), Jalongo (2002), Richards and Miller (2005) and a host of other authors regarding publishing in educational journals, understanding the audience for an article is of utmost importance. Huff (1999) notes that an author must understand the audience for whom s/he writes. While much of this understanding of audience comes down to suitable topics (Silverman, 1982), articles must also fit the style of the journal to which it is being presented (Olsen, 1997). With this in...
Show moreAccording to Stangl (1994), Jalongo (2002), Richards and Miller (2005) and a host of other authors regarding publishing in educational journals, understanding the audience for an article is of utmost importance. Huff (1999) notes that an author must understand the audience for whom s/he writes. While much of this understanding of audience comes down to suitable topics (Silverman, 1982), articles must also fit the style of the journal to which it is being presented (Olsen, 1997). With this in mind, the purpose of this study is to characterize the writing style of academic writing in education. This research will involve exploring and analyzing various education and research journals, and through an analysis of individual education articles, delineating the writing style for academic writing in education. By looking at the various components of writing style, a writing style or various writing styles found in scholarly writing in education was determined. It was found that there is a definite style in academic writing in education with two other distinct subsets--journals associated with specific associations and journals with a purely quantitative focus. It is suggested that specific curriculum and instruction in writing style be added to the current study of research.
Show less
Date Issued
2007
Identifier
CFE0001596, ucf:47157
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001596
METACOGNITIVE SELF-REGULATION, SELF-EFFICACY FOR LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE, AND CRITICAL THINKING AS PREDICTORS OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND COURSE RETENTION AMONG COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN ONLINE, TELECOURSE, AND TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSE
Title
METACOGNITIVE SELF-REGULATION, SELF-EFFICACY FOR LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE, AND CRITICAL THINKING AS PREDICTORS OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND COURSE RETENTION AMONG COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN ONLINE, TELECOURSE, AND TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSES.
Creator
Gaythwaite, Edie, Witta, E. Lea, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of the study was to investigate whether metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and critical thinking could be identified as predictors of student academic success and course retention among community college students enrolled in online, telecourses, and traditional Fundamentals of Speech (public speaking) courses. The study was conducted during the Fall 2005 semester at Valencia Community College (VCC). Data for this study were collected from...
Show moreThe purpose of the study was to investigate whether metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and critical thinking could be identified as predictors of student academic success and course retention among community college students enrolled in online, telecourses, and traditional Fundamentals of Speech (public speaking) courses. The study was conducted during the Fall 2005 semester at Valencia Community College (VCC). Data for this study were collected from participating students enrolled in either one of the two online, two telecourse, and two traditional face-to-face public speaking courses chosen for analysis. Fifty-seven participants answered Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, and McKeachie (1991) Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Quantitative statistical analysis was used to investigate the impact of metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and critical thinking on academic success and course completion in the three delivery modes. Data were analyzed and found self-efficacy was a significant predictor of final course grade. There was a significant relationship between critical thinking and self-regulation but not final grade. Self-efficacy was a predictor of informative speech grade however; self-regulation and critical thinking were not. No variable was a significant predictor of course completion which may be due to the small sample size among students who took the survey and did not complete the course. There was no statistically significant difference found with self-efficacy, self-regulation, critical thinking and course type (online, telecourse, traditional).
Show less
Date Issued
2006
Identifier
CFE0000949, ucf:46749
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000949
THE EFFECT OF APPLYING WIKIS IN AN ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (EFL) CLASS IN TAIWAN
Title
THE EFFECT OF APPLYING WIKIS IN AN ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (EFL) CLASS IN TAIWAN.
Creator
Chen, Yu-ching, Witta, Lea, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Incorporating technology into learning has brought major benefits to learners and has greatly changed higher education. Since there is limited number of experimental research investigating the effectiveness of applying wikis, this study collected experimental data to investigate its effectiveness. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of applying wikis in terms of students' learning outcomes, to investigate the changes regarding students' attitude towards language...
Show moreIncorporating technology into learning has brought major benefits to learners and has greatly changed higher education. Since there is limited number of experimental research investigating the effectiveness of applying wikis, this study collected experimental data to investigate its effectiveness. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of applying wikis in terms of students' learning outcomes, to investigate the changes regarding students' attitude towards language learning, to explore the communication channels in wikis that facilitate students' interaction in the e-learning environment as well as students' experience of using wikis. Results showed that there existed statistically significant difference between the group with and without wikis, which means the group applying wikis performed better in listening and reading abilities. When compared with the non-wiki group, the wiki group had a more favorable attitude towards the class, their English ability improvement, and cooperative learning. Moreover, the students agreed that wikis helped them complete their assignment, they felt comfortable in the wiki environment, and it was easy for them to use wikis. From the experiences of using wikis shared by the students, they provided recommendations about the interface and the edit functions in the wiki environment. Their interaction with other team members and the course material increased but they expressed that the main interaction was through face-to-face and instant message software. Finally, the wiki environment allowed students to fulfill their role duties, cooperate, negotiate, manage their contribution, and modeling from each other.
Show less
Date Issued
2008
Identifier
CFE0002227, ucf:47919
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002227
STUDENT PERCEPTION OF GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM COURSES
Title
STUDENT PERCEPTION OF GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM COURSES.
Creator
Pepe, Julie, Witta, Lea, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purposes of this study were to: (a) determine, for General Education Program (GEP) courses, what individual items on the student form are predictive of the overall instructor rating value; (b) investigate the relationship of instructional mode, class size, GEP foundational area, and GEP theme with the overall instructor rating value; (c) examine what teacher/course qualities are related to a high (Excellent) overall evaluation or a low (Poor) overall evaluation value. The data set used...
Show moreThe purposes of this study were to: (a) determine, for General Education Program (GEP) courses, what individual items on the student form are predictive of the overall instructor rating value; (b) investigate the relationship of instructional mode, class size, GEP foundational area, and GEP theme with the overall instructor rating value; (c) examine what teacher/course qualities are related to a high (Excellent) overall evaluation or a low (Poor) overall evaluation value. The data set used for analysis contained sixteen student response scores (Q1-Q16), response number, class size, term, foundational area (communication, cultural/historical, mathematics, social, or science), GEP theme (yes/no), instructional mode (face-to-face or other), and percent responding (calculated value). All identifying information such as department, course, section, and instructor was removed from the analysis file. The final data set contained 23 variables, 8,065 course sections, and 294,692 student responses. All individual items on the student evaluation form were related to the overall evaluation item score, measured using SpearmanÂÂ's correlation coefficients. None of the examined course variables were selected as significant when the individual form items were included in the modeling process. This indicated students employed a consistent approach to the evaluation process regardless of large or small classes, face-to-face or other instructional modes, foundational area, or percent responding differences. Data mining modeling techniques were used to understand the relationship of individual item responses and additional course information variables to the overall score. Items one to fifteen (Q1 to Q15), class size, instructional mode, foundational area, and GEP theme were the independent variables used to find splits to create homogenous groups in relation to the overall evaluation score. The model results are presented in terms of if-then rules for ÂÂ"ExcellentÂÂ" or ÂÂ"PoorÂÂ" overall evaluation scores. The top three rules for ÂÂ"ExcellentÂÂ" or ÂÂ"PoorÂÂ" based their classifications on some combination of the following items: communication of ideas and information; facilitation of learning; respect and concern for students; instructorÂÂ's overall organization of the course; instructorÂÂ's interest in your learning; instructorÂÂ's assessment of your progress in the course; and stimulation of interest in the course. Proportion of student responses conforming to the top three rules for ÂÂ"ExcellentÂÂ" or ÂÂ"PoorÂÂ" overall evaluation ranged from 0.89 to .60. These findings suggest that students reward, with higher evaluation scores, instructors who they perceive as organized and strive to clearly communicate course content. These characteristics can be improved through mentoring or professional development workshops for instructors. Additionally, instructors of GEP courses need to be informed that students connect respect and concern and having an interest in student learning with the overall score they give the instructor.
Show less
Date Issued
2010
Identifier
CFE0003289, ucf:48519
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003289
THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL FACTORS ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
Title
THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL FACTORS ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
Creator
DAVIS, JACQUELINE, Dr. Cynthia J. Hutchinson, Dr. E. Lea Witta and, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The underachievement of African American and Hispanic students has been an ongoing problem for schools in the United States. The purpose of this investigation was to add to the existing body of knowledge concerning social capital of African American and Hispanic high school students' academic achievement. Using a nationally representative sample from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS: 2002), base year through the first follow-up year database, 551 high school students, the...
Show moreThe underachievement of African American and Hispanic students has been an ongoing problem for schools in the United States. The purpose of this investigation was to add to the existing body of knowledge concerning social capital of African American and Hispanic high school students' academic achievement. Using a nationally representative sample from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS: 2002), base year through the first follow-up year database, 551 high school students, the researcher assessed indicators (school-sponsored activities, out-of-school activities, and parental involvement) within the construct of social capital, to see whether social capital could serve as a predictor of academic achievement among African American and Hispanic high school students. Data were analyzed through Repeated Measures analysis and Multiple Regression analysis controlling for gender, race, and socioeconomic status. The main effects revealed a statistically significant difference between the social capital factors in school-sponsored activities, out-of- school activities, and parent involvement. The results showed an increase in the first follow-up year. Socio-economic status, race and gender were statistically significant social capital factors. Females and African Americans were found to have higher levels of social capital in school-sponsored activities. Out-of- school activities revealed males had higher levels of social capital. Parent involvement indicators showed that female and Hispanic students were affected by social capital. Differences in math scores revealed an increase in the first follow-up year, showing males outscored females. Also, Hispanic students' scores were higher than African American students. Finally, the strongest predictors for academic achievement were gender, race, and participation in school sponsored activity in the base year and first follow-up year. In addition, parent involvement was also found to be a strong predictor of achievement in the follow-up year.
Show less
Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002673, ucf:48215
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002673
EDUCATIONAL VIDEO GAME EFFECTS UPON MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT AND MOTIVATION SCORES: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY EXAMINING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SEXES
Title
EDUCATIONAL VIDEO GAME EFFECTS UPON MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT AND MOTIVATION SCORES: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY EXAMINING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SEXES.
Creator
Kappers, Wendi, Hirumi (Co-Chair: Witta), Atsusi (Co-Chair: Lea), University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
An experimental research study using a mixed-method analysis to was conducted to examine educational video game effects on mathematics achievement and motivation between sexes. This study examined sex difference in a 7th grade mathematics (Mathematics 2/Mathematics 2 Advanced) classroom (n=60) learning algebra. Attributes and barriers relating to educational video game play, preference, and setting characteristics were explored. To examine achievement and motivation outcomes, a repeated...
Show moreAn experimental research study using a mixed-method analysis to was conducted to examine educational video game effects on mathematics achievement and motivation between sexes. This study examined sex difference in a 7th grade mathematics (Mathematics 2/Mathematics 2 Advanced) classroom (n=60) learning algebra. Attributes and barriers relating to educational video game play, preference, and setting characteristics were explored. To examine achievement and motivation outcomes, a repeated-measure (SPSS v14) test was used. The analysis included ethnographic results from both student and teacher interview and observation sessions for data triangulation. Results revealed a statistically significant academic mathematics achievement score increase (F =21.8, df =1, 54, p<.05). Although, mathematics class motivation scores did not present significance (F =.79, df =1, 47, p>.05), both sexes posted similar data outcomes with regard to mathematics class motivation after using an educational video game as treatment during an eighteen-week term in conjunction with receiving in-class instruction. Additionally, there was an increase in male variability in standard deviation score (SDmotivationpre=8.76, SDmotivation post=11.70) for mathematics class motivation. Lastly, self-reported differences between the sexes for this limited sample, with regard to game design likes and dislikes and observed female game play tendencies, were also investigated. The data presented customization as a unified, but most requested, game design need between the sexes. Between sex differences were found only to be superficial other than a female delay in game acceptance with regard to time and game play comfort.
Show less
Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002586, ucf:48270
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002586