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- Title
- Comparisons of mortuary data and demography for AME Zion cemetery and the Poor Farm in Pensacola, Florida.
- Author
- Hutson, Allison M.
- Abstract/Description
-
Populations from two historic cemeteries in Pensacola, Florida were researched, analyzed, and compared through the use of archival and site survey records in order to understand connections between causes of death, ages at death, and socioeconomic status (SES). A total of 1,267 individuals were analyzed within this research (404 from AME Zion and 863 from the Escambia County Poor Farm) to answer 1) how the socioeconomic status (SES) of a selection of a population connects to their eventual...
Show morePopulations from two historic cemeteries in Pensacola, Florida were researched, analyzed, and compared through the use of archival and site survey records in order to understand connections between causes of death, ages at death, and socioeconomic status (SES). A total of 1,267 individuals were analyzed within this research (404 from AME Zion and 863 from the Escambia County Poor Farm) to answer 1) how the socioeconomic status (SES) of a selection of a population connects to their eventual cause of death and age at death; and 2), how SES is or is not reflected in the burial practices evident through extant surface material at cemetery site(s). The goal of this research was to better understand how the life experiences of people in the past affected their representations in death. Initial analysis of the overall populations (AME Zion n=404; Poor Farm n=863) showed higher rates of infant deaths and males at the Poor Farm than was seen in the AME Zion Pre1970 population sample of all ages. For these full samples, susceptibility to the most frequent causes of death categories (Illness and Disease) were the same at each site. With these similar levels however, individuals at neither site were living substantially longer than the other even when individuals at the Poor Farm had a significantly average SES. Analysis of the cause of death and age at death analysis samples (AME Zion n=240; Poor Farm n=419) as well as analysis of the SES subsamples (AME Zion n=133; Poor Farm n=408) highlighted sex and SES differences between the sites where the Poor Farm had a higher frequency of males and higher wages, on average. Conclusions found no connection between SES and the existence or absence of extant surface materials at AME Zion or the Poor Farm but brought to light the possibility of other cultural factors such as church affiliations and burial associations.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298231672, WFE0000782
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Exploring the use of The Big Bang Theory in ESL teaching.
- Author
- Cook, Stephen Todd
- Abstract/Description
-
This qualitative case study investigated how adult ESL students in a postsecondary English for academic purposes (EAP) program in the Southwest region of the United States experienced The Big Bang Theory (TBBT) television sitcom as a source of humorous authentic teaching materials. Krashen's (1982) affective filter hypothesis served as the theoretical framework to explore 12 participants' experiences in terms of the affective factors of anxiety, self-confidence, and motivation. Corpus...
Show moreThis qualitative case study investigated how adult ESL students in a postsecondary English for academic purposes (EAP) program in the Southwest region of the United States experienced The Big Bang Theory (TBBT) television sitcom as a source of humorous authentic teaching materials. Krashen's (1982) affective filter hypothesis served as the theoretical framework to explore 12 participants' experiences in terms of the affective factors of anxiety, self-confidence, and motivation. Corpus linguistics analysis revealed that 3.96% of all words spoken on the pilot episode of TBBT occurred more frequently in the academic writing section of the Corpus of Contemporary American English database compared to only 0.25% on the words in the pilot episode of Modern Family. These findings suggested the potential suitability of TBBT for use in EAP contexts to expose students to target academic vocabulary and content in a low-filter environment. Semi-structured interviews, observations, and interview guides revealed that TBBT reduced students' affective filters due to its inclusion of humor, authentic language, different communication styles, and different personality types. In contrast, participants reported that TBBT could increase students' affective filters due the show's rapid speed of dialogue, inclusion of potentially inappropriate topics or humor, or its unfamiliar words and content. With proper excerpt selection and preparation, these findings suggested that TBBT could be used to reduce postsecondary EAP students' affective filters. Further research is needed to understand how the use of TBBT may influence learning outcomes in EAP contexts.
Show less - Identifier
- 1128883774, WFE0000651
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Increasing reading motivation among fourth-grade students in Title I elementary schools.
- Author
- Blake-Griffin, Crystal Dawn
- Abstract/Description
-
Children's motivation to read decreases as they advance in grade level to upper elementary school. Only 35% of America's fourth-grade students achieved reading proficiency. There is a need for increased reading motivation; teachers can influence students' motivation to read with certain instructional practices. This qualitative interpretive case study explored how teachers increased students' reading motivation by implementing specific instructional strategies based on the constructs of the...
Show moreChildren's motivation to read decreases as they advance in grade level to upper elementary school. Only 35% of America's fourth-grade students achieved reading proficiency. There is a need for increased reading motivation; teachers can influence students' motivation to read with certain instructional practices. This qualitative interpretive case study explored how teachers increased students' reading motivation by implementing specific instructional strategies based on the constructs of the self-determination theory (SDT): autonomy, competence, and relatedness. According to Deci and Ryan (1985b), satisfying these three SDT constructs fulfills the basic psychological needs of students and determine their behavior as well as their motivation to complete tasks such as reading. The researcher conducted this qualitative interpretive case study in three Title I schools in one school district in the Southeastern United States. Participants were three fourth-grade teachers selected for exemplary implementation of motivational, instructional practices while maintaining achievement standards. The researcher collected qualitative data using two interviews with each teacher and two observations of instructional practices in each classroom. The researcher found that the a-priori strategies that addressed autonomy were choice, authentic tasks, and providing a rationale. Strategies that addressed relatedness were collaborative learning and relationships, and those that addressed competence were positive feedback, providing appropriate challenges with scaffolds, and time for self-selected reading. The emergent strategies were technology and reading, which addressed all three constructs. The researcher believes additional studies are necessary to learn more about how technology can address students' needs for relatedness, autonomy, and competence to motivate students to read.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020, 2020
- Identifier
- 1233323326, WFE0000750
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Vocabulary instruction strategies for elementary English language learners in southeastern elementary schools.
- Author
- Fultz, Lisa Sue Nitschke
- Abstract/Description
-
The increasing diversity in American public schools presents challenges to teachers and administrators. Current methods of reading instruction for English language learners (ELLs) have been ineffective to meet their needs in acquiring vocabulary. Meanwhile, the amount of time afforded ELLs to become proficient with grade-level vocabulary presents challenges for all stakeholders. Consequently, ELL students are not demonstrating growth on Florida's annual standards assessments. The purpose of...
Show moreThe increasing diversity in American public schools presents challenges to teachers and administrators. Current methods of reading instruction for English language learners (ELLs) have been ineffective to meet their needs in acquiring vocabulary. Meanwhile, the amount of time afforded ELLs to become proficient with grade-level vocabulary presents challenges for all stakeholders. Consequently, ELL students are not demonstrating growth on Florida's annual standards assessments. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to explore the vocabulary instruction used by elementary teachers of ELLs in the southeastern United States. The study's contextual framework comprised the five hypotheses of Krashen's second language acquisition theory: acquisition-learning, monitor, natural order, input, and affective filter. The research questions aligned with the theoretical framework and were the means used to identify strategies and describe instruction for ELLs. Nine purposefully selected participants provided rich descriptions of strategies and curricula used during vocabulary instruction to improve language acquisition. Research findings suggest the benefit of promoting partnerships among stakeholders to support vocabulary instruction for ELL students and the importance of continued professional development of vocabulary instruction strategies for staff. An unexpected finding was the value placed on using media for differentiated instruction of academic vocabulary with ELL students. The study provided information for policy and practice on the value of differentiated curriculum with an emphasis on ELLs' language acquisition needs. Future researchers could explore the use of auxiliary resources for ELL students, providing additional opportunities for differentiation in reading vocabulary instruction.
Show less - Identifier
- 1294536614, WFE0000773
- Format
- Document (PDF)
