C & I

Admissions · Advising · Catalog · Financial Aid · Registrar · Scholarships

Faculty Research

Faculty members in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction are involved in the following research projects: 

Title: Anderson, S., Harris, S., Gentry, J.  (2010). Teaching in the Middle East: The Transition. An in-progress ethnographic study. Topic: One professor's transition from university teaching in Texas to university teaching in United Arab Emirates.  Nature: Qualitative Ethnography   Application: Cultural diversity  How used: This study will be submitted for presentation and publication at an international conference on diversity.

Title: Gentry, J. , Graves, I., Miller, R., Staples, M., and McGregor, J. (2009).  Long Term Effects of College Students' Literacy Experiences on Current College Textbook Reading Attitudes and Achievement.  Topic: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of past  reading experiences on college students' attitude towards expository text and Exit level Reading Achievement scores (using either Nelson Denny Reading Test and /or Literacy Histories completed in (RDG 351) class and Textbook Reading Attitude Survey (Gentry, Lamb & McGregor, 2009).  Nature: Mixed Design   Application: The information can be used to influence professors' instruction with textbooks.  How used: This study will be submitted for presentation and publication at an international conference on college reading.

Title: Gentry, J.  and Lindsey, P. ( 2010).  The Impact of Smart Board and Digital Storytelling Assistive Technologies while Utilizing the Language Experience Approach on Elementary Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Topic: The purpose of this study is to determine how the use of Smart Board technology supports literacy development experiences for a group of elementary students with autism spectrum disorder.  Nature: Qualitative   Application: The study's conclusions can be used to determine the best way to utilize assistive technology to improve literacy skills and experiences of students with ASD.  How used: This study will be submitted for presentation and publication at an international conference on Special Education or Autism.

Title: Graves, I., Gentry, J., Ziaeehezjeribi, Y., Calahan, A., Harris, S .  (2010).  MASK: Motivation through Avatar Skills and Knowledge. (tentative title)  Topic: Video games and learning  Nature: qualitative/anecdotal  Application: Teaching/Learning        How used: This study will be submitted for possible journal publication.

Title: Harris, S., MacLachlan, C. (2010). Accessing levels of learning: The unwritten rules. An in-progress study.  Topic: How to teach children from low-socioeconomic cultures  Nature: Strategies for teaching and learning based on experience and research   Application: Cultural diversity  How used: This study will be submitted for presentation and publication at an international conference on diversity.

Title: Harris, S., MacLachlan, C. (2010). American education paradigm shift: The real agenda no one talks about. (tentative title)Topic: The transformation over the past few decades in the nation's education bureaucracy as driven by the hidden political agenda and how this affects educators. Nature: Book manuscript in progress  Application: The affect of the national agenda on beginning teachers  How used: This manuscript will be submitted for possible publication.

Title: Larmer, W., Harris, S. (2010). Supervision & Mentoring Practices of Alternative Certification Programs in Texas. (tentative title)Topic: A look at the state of ACPs in Texas.  Nature: Quantitative/qualitative/anecdotal.  Application: Teacher preparation  How used: This study will be submitted for presentation at a state-level teacher preparation conference.

Title:  Sopko, D., Becker, M.  Online Learning in the Public School Classroom   Nature: Qualitative research; Participating students enrolled in EDU538 will select a published WebQuest and use the WebQuest with students in a classroom setting.  Participants will answer open-ended questions concerning the integration of WebQuest into the curriculum.   Application: The purpose of this study is to explore how educators use WebQuest to integrate technology in public school classroom.  How used:  Participants may gain insight into how this use of technology, WebQuest, can benefit their instruction, the curriculum and student learning. 

Title:  Roberts, M., Lamb, H.  Cell Phones and Formative Assessment   Nature: Qualitative research; Tarleton State University teacher candidates enrolled in EDU320 and local public school students participate in various forms of formative assessment with the assistance of cell phones.   Application: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of cell phones in formative assessment of student learning.  How used: At the conclusion of the study, results will be shared with university instructors and public school educators. 

Topic:  Taylor, D., Hawke, L.  Student teachers perceptions of the effectiveness of feedback on their reflections of teaching.  Descriptive: Reflection on teaching is highly recommended for all teachers...how do student teachers perceive the effectiveness of their mentors' feedback on their reflective practice?  How used: Potentially to improve communication between student teachers and mentor

Topic: Taylor, D., Hawke, L.  Teacher effectiveness  Descriptive: A several stage research project beginning with how do principals define an effective teacher, particularly in reference to Tarleton graduates.  How used: Ultimately, an instrument may be developed which will help to evaluate holistic teacher effectiveness

Topic: Taylor, D.  Parent participation in the IEP development process.  Descriptive: Directly related to special education, as the IEP process is one of the basic components of special education.  Nature: Quantitative and descriptive  How used: Research will be used to better understand the barriers to parent participation and to ultimately develop teaching/training modules to increase parent participation.

Topic: Graves, I.  Videogames to support learning in K-12. Qualitative and Qualitative (mixed methods)  Descriptive: I am using video games to support reading instruction. While I have used commercial off the shelf video games I have also used a National Science Foundation and MacArther Foundation (http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/4653.html (use this link with MacArthur Foundation) interactive simulation called Quest Atlantis. For more information about QA visit http://QuestAtlantis.org

Topic: Graves, I.  Effects of using Avatars to motivate learning K-12. Qualitative Case Study  Descriptive: Investigation into the effects of Avatar usage as an avenue for identity formation in the classroom.  How used: Will be used to support reading  acquisition in schools as remediation for struggling readers or peripheral participation.

Topic: Graves, I.  Response to Intervention (RTI) in Fifth Grade Reading Classrooms. Descriptive: To determine how Response to Intervention (RTI) is working in local public schools in the region in support of the Effective Schools Project outreach program.  Nature: Qualitative and Quantitative   How used: Directly effects the nature of Reading Assessment in the local community.

Topic:  Sopko, D., Lemmons, K.  The Effectiveness of an International newcomer Academy's Program in Meeting the Needs of Students with Limited Formal Schooling   Nature: Quantitative and qualitative data collection procedures from teachers at the International Newcomers Academy.   Application: The purpose of this quantitative and qualitative study is designed to identify teacher competencies in working with undereducated students, successful strategies used with undereducated students as well as attitudes regarding the effectiveness of INA's newly implemented program for Preliterate English language learners (PELL).  How used: This study will help inform practitioners and other educators who work with first and second year immigrants with two or less years of formal schooling prior to entering U.S. schools about the effectiveness of practices used at INA.

Topic: Worrell, P.  Integrating technology, pedagogy, and content for learning for teacher and how to appropriately and consistently measure both teacher and student technology knowledge and skills.  Nature:  This research is both qualitative and quantitative in nature.  Application: The purpose is to determine "best practice" strategies for using the technology and games (that our  K-12 students use daily) within the context of our curriculum goals in order to optimize student learning experiences.