i-manager's Journal on Educational Psychology (JPSY)


Volume 6 Issue 2 August - October 2012

Research Paper

Effects of Hand-Over-Hand Physical Guidance and Tracing on Prewriting Skills of Preschool-Aged Children

Josie Wilson* , T. F. McLaughlin**, K. Mark Derby***, Diane Conley****
* M. Ed, Department of Special Education, Gonzaga University, Washington.
**-*** Ph. D, Professor, Department of Special Education, Gonzaga University, Spokane.
**** Retired Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Gonzaga University.
Josie Wilson, T. F. McLaughlin, K. Mark Derby and Diane Conley (2012). Effects of Hand-Over-Hand Physical Guidance and Tracing on Prewriting Skills of Preschool-Aged Children. i-manager’s Journal on Educational Psychology, 6(2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.26634/jpsy.6.2.2000

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to increase the formation of the pre-handwriting skill of imitating lines and circles with two 2-year-old preschool students using a hand- over-hand prompting procedure. Both students attended a preschool special education classroom in a rural school district. During baseline, line and circle imitation for both students were scribbles on the page within no specific symbols or letters. When hand-over-hand and tracing prompts were implemented, an increase circles and lines was found. For a second intervention, participant 1 was provided with a thick pencil for an additional intervention while participant 2 was given a specific drawing space. After these interventions, pre-handwriting skills further improved for both participants. The benefits of employing these interventions, within a single subject research design, are discussed.

Research Paper

Effectiveness of Integrating Riddles in Teaching Mathematics among VIII Standard Students

K. Thiyagu*
Assistant Professor, Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar College of Education, Tiruchendur, Tamilnadu, India.
K. Thiyagu (2012). Effectiveness Of Integrating Riddles In Teaching Mathematics Among VIII Standard Students. i-manager’s Journal on Educational Psychology, 6(2), 8-12. https://doi.org/10.26634/jpsy.6.2.2001

Abstract

Mathematics is considered as dry subject and students do not find anything interesting in it. This impression about Mathematics can be reversed with the help of recreational activities in Mathematics. The present study tries to find out the effectiveness of integrating riddles in teaching mathematics among eighth standard students. Two equivalent group experimental-designs are employed for this study. The investigator has chosen 40 eighth standard students for the study. According to the scoring of pre-test, 20 students were chosen as control group and 20 students were chosen as experimental group. Finally the investigator concludes; (a) There is a significant difference between the means of students thought through conventional method and puzzles and riddles way of learning group. (b) There is a significant difference between the means of the Post-Test scores of control group and experimental group students with respect to the knowledge, understanding and application objectives.

Research Paper

The Effects of the Davis Symbol Mastery System to Assist a Fourth Grader with Dyslexia in Spelling: A Case Report

Gianna Amsberry* , T. F. McLaughlin**, K. Mark Derby***, Teresa Waco****
* B. Ed, Department of Special Education, Gonzaga University, Spokane.
**-*** Ph. D, Professor, Department of Special Education, Gonzaga University, Spokane.
**** M. Ed, Gonzaga University, Spokane Public Schools, Bernard, Spokane.
Gianna Amsberry, T. F. McLaughlin, K. Mark Derby and Teresa Waco (2012). The Effects of the Davis Symbol Mastery System to Assist a Fourth Grader with Dyslexia in Spelling: A Case Report. i-manager’s Journal on Educational Psychology, 6(2), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.26634/jpsy.6.2.2002

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using the Davis Symbol Mastery Procedure for Words (Davis, 1994) for improving spelling skills. The participant was a fourth-grade male diagnosed with a significant learning disability. The intervention consisted of having the participant write each word, its definition, the word in a sentence for context, creating a pictorial representation of the word, and then forming the word from clay. The results demonstrated that the Davis Symbol Mastery Procedure was successful. The procedure was cost effective and required little training to implement. Possible additional classroom suggestions for using the Davis Symbol Mastery procedure were made.

Research Paper

Students’ Perception on Library Service Quality: A Qualitative Study of Iium Library

Selim Ahmed* , Rafikul Islam**
* Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Business, Administration, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
** Department of Business Administration, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Selim Ahmed and Rafikul Islam (2012). Students' Perception On Library Service Quality: A Qualitative Study Of IIUM Library. i-manager’s Journal on Educational Psychology, 6(2), 19-29. https://doi.org/10.26634/jpsy.6.2.2003

Abstract

Academic libraries are currently facing their greatest challenge since the explosion in tertiary education and academic publishing, which began after World War II. The global digital revolution is affecting both the traditional forms of the creation, organisation, and dissemination of knowledge, and the world of tertiary education itself. In the challenging environment, academic library only one way can survive in the volatile competitive market to improve their service quality to meet their customers’ expectations. In this qualitative research explored the students’ perceptions on IIUM library service quality from the perspective of five students’ respond at the main campus of IIUM. Research data were collected through face to face interviews near to the IIUM library. In this study, three important issues were considered regarding the student’s perception on IIUM library service quality: (1) positive and negative perception on library service quality; (2) perception on technology and human context; and (3) satisfaction. These three key issues were analyzed based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) procedures.

Research Paper

The Gradual and Differential Effects of Direct Instruction Flashcards with and without a DRH Contingency on Basic Multiplication Facts for Two Students with Severe Behavior Disorders

Kevin D. Pierce* , T. F. McLaughlin**, J. Neyman***, K. King****
* B. Ed, Department of Special Education, Gonzaga University
** Ph. D, Professor, Department of Special Education, Gonzaga University, Spokane.
*** Lecturer, Department of Special Education, Gonzaga University, Spokane.
**** M. Ed, Gonzaga University
Kevin D. Pierce, T. F. McLaughlin, J. Neyman and K. King (2012). The Gradual and Differential Effects of Direct Instruction Flashcards With and Without a DRH Contingency on Basic Multiplication Facts for Two Students With Severe Behaviors Disorders. i-manager’s Journal on Educational Psychology, 6(2), 30-40. https://doi.org/10.26634/jpsy.6.2.2004

Abstract

The purpose the present research was to evaluate the efficacy of DI flashcards on the math performance of two students with behavior disorders. The number of correct digits per minute was assessed. The outcomes indicated the DI flashcards were somewhat effective in improving the number of math facts that each participant could correctly write. When the participants earned additional rewards for increasing their performance (DRH) over that of the previous session, additional increases in digits per correct per minute were found. The use of DI flashcards with and without a DRH procedure was discussed.

Research Paper

Implementation of School Instructional Improvement and Student Growth in Math: Testing a Multilevel Longitudinal Model

Stacey M. Takanishi*
University of Hawaii, Manoa College of Education Institute for Teacher Education.
Stacey M. Takanishi (2012). Implementation of School Instructional Improvement and Student Growth in Math: Testing a Multilevel Longitudinal Model. i-manager’s Journal on Educational Psychology, 6(2), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.26634/jpsy.6.2.2005

Abstract

NCLB policies in the United States focus schools’ efforts on implementing effective instructional processes to improve student outcomes. This study looks more specifically at how schools are perceived to be implementing state required curricula and benchmarks and developing teaching and learning processes that support the teaching of state standards and influence student learning. This longitudinal, multilevel study focuses on how the implementation of standards-based learning and monitoring of student progress affects students’ likelihood to attain proficiency in math over time. All 5th-grade students enrolled in a western United States public school district who attended the same school in both 3rd- and 5th-grades and had complete 3rd- and 5th-grade test results for mathematics (11,345 students, 79% of all Grade 5 students, in 172 schools). A multilevel value-added model (hierarchical logistic regression) was used to estimate the extent to which school processes influenced math outcomes at single and at multiple points in time. The results of this study identify effective schools and practices and illustrate the relationship between schools’ academic organization and students’ growth; they show that organizational processes do impact student learning over schools’ contextual features. The quality of schools’ implementation of the required Standards Based Learning curriculum is strongly related to students’ likelihood to be proficient in math. Implications for practice: Build human and social capital by focusing on school process variables for school improvement. Because school leaders have relatively greater control over organizational processes, they can proactively focus on identifying needs, providing staff professional development and follow-up support, and implementing and evaluating changes. Growth models and case studies may provide more information about learner outcomes in math over time.