Evidence Based
Evidence-Based
We strive to continually evolve through the application of evidence-based research. We encourage graduate students to contact us for project ideas in areas of interest to our field. When looking for best practice between support staff and general education teachers, the research is in its infancy. Debra Em Wilson's doctoral research attempted to fill the gap between research and practice. We invite you to sit down with a warm cup of coffee or tea (iced if summer) and dive into the research compiled here. In the event you have difficulties sleeping at night, we recommend you click on Debra's 330+ page dissertation and begin reading. By chapter two, your fate is sealed, and sleep is at hand.
PLEASE NOTE: these PDF documents are best viewed in Adobe Reader or Nitro PDF Reader.
Enhancing Collaboration Through Evidence-Based Practice
by Dr. Debra Em Wilson
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD
Collaboration Between General Education Teachers and Occupational Therapists in Classrooms: A Layered Analysis of Professional Practice in the USA
Wilson, D. (2015). Collaboration between general education teachers and occupational therapists in classrooms: A layered analysis of professional practice in the USA, doctoral dissertation, USQ: Toowoomba
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD
Use of a Sensory-Based Intervention to Improve On-Task Classroom Behavior of At-Risk Urban Elementary Students.
Spence, A. (2015). Use of a sensory-based intervention to improve on-task classroom behavior of at-risk urban elementary students. Unpublished doctoral capstone, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Ten Reasons Why Classroom Collaboration is Worth the Time: A Teacher’s Perspective
Wilson, D. E. (2014). Ten reasons why classroom collaboration is worth the time: A teacher’s perspective. Early Intervention & School, 21(2), 3.
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Professional Articles
The Behavioral Influences on Reading Achievement
by Debra Em Wilson
According to Owens & Valesky (2007), “Whatever else a school can and should do, its central purpose is to teach; success is measured by students’ progress in knowledge, skills, and attitudes” (p. 72). This sounds easy enough. Simply teach students. However, the dynamic organization called “school” is a host to a myriad of factors
limiting teachers’ abilities to simply teach.
Click here to download complete research paper.
Active Education: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Academic Performance
Article from Active Living Research – A national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Fall 2007 Research Brief
In schools across the United States, physical education has been substantially reduced—and in some cases completely eliminated—in response to budget concerns and pressures to improve academic test scores. Yet the available evidence shows that children who are physically active tend to perform better in the classroom, and that daily physical education does not adversely affect academic performance. Schools can provide outstanding learning environments while improving children’s health through physical education.
Click here to download complete article.
Developing the Magical Mind
by Debra Em Wilson, Reading Specialist
06/02/11
Are you sitting down reading this article? Possibly drinking a cup of coffee? If you are, please set down your cup before trying this experiment. While sitting, draw a number 6 in the air with your right arm. At the same time, circle your right leg clockwise, off the floor. What happened? Your leg follows the circle of the 6. This simple experiment shows how our mind and body work together. One is not more important than the other. A fit body and mind help us accomplish daily tasks with ease.
The Sport of Reading
By Debra Em Wilson, Reading Specialist
Published in Northstate Parent Magazine ~ October, 2006
Why do some children jump right into the sport of reading while others warm the bench? Why are some children reading naturals while others fumble around trying to figure out the rules of the game?
The image of reading as a sport came to me while watching my ten-year-old daughter attempt to read a book that would have taken her peers minutes to read. She struggled on, wiggling all over, contorting her body, tilting her head, using energy more appropriate for completing an Olympic gymnastics event than reading a simple book.
An Educational Treasure Chest of Gold
by Debra Em Wilson, Reading Specialist
Published in Technique Magazine – July 2008
Parents often seek out programs that help children meet the mandated academic standards expected of today’s youth. Without your assistance, parents may overlook your gym as a valuable resource. You can help them see the real value of gymnastics programs by linking these programs to well-documented academic benefits.
Why Gymnastics is Great
by Debra Em Wilson, Reading Specialist
With Shawn Johnson’s release of her new gymnastics video game, children may think they are experiencing the wonder of gymnastics from a two dimensional TV screen, but what does a gymnastics club have that the boxed video version lacks? Of course there are the obvious answers. Real people. Real hands full of chalk. Real precarious landings. Real twists and flips. The brain wires for learning through whole body movement that video games cannot begin to replicate.
Smart Gyms: Why Building Brains as well as Bodies is Smart Business
by Debra Em Wilson, Reading Specialist & Marcia Carter, Gym Owner/Coach
Smart phones became popular because they focused on the ever evolving needs and wants of a diverse world. Smart phones were originally called converged devices because they brought multiple technologies together into one small package for one stop shopping. Taking the lead from a multi-billion dollar industry, gym owners can create smart gyms that emulate the success of the smart phone.
Exercising Body, Mind
By Todd R. Hansen/Tri-County Newspapers
Educators at Mill Street School hope a step back into the simpler times of hop-scotch and jacks will prepare their young students for a complex future that could include such things as organic computers. The Orland K-2 school, battling to improve their students’ academic performances, unveiled an exercise course this week designed to improve cognitive skills.
“It is a mind-body integration program,” explained Steve Piluso, an adaptive physical education specialist for the Glenn County Office of Education.