Digital Commons Network^™

The Middle Landscape Of The Private College: A Bicentennial Perspective, George W. Geib

George W. Geib

America's Private Colleges and Universities have entered the bicentennial year expressing deep concern for their individual and collective futures. They seem constantly engaged in a search for new students and additional financial contributors; they darkly aver that they may be forced to close forever if their search fails; and they point to the dozens of others campuses that passed from the scene in the last decade as proof of the urgency of their case. To some observers these forebodings of doom may appear, like the associated press reports about Mark Twain's demise, greatly exaggerated. But the immediacy and intensity with …

Rethinking Combined History Departments: An Argument For History And Anthropology, Ageeth Sluis, Elise Edwards

Elise M. Edwards

Many opportunities for more integrated teaching that better capture the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary scholars' work and better achieve the aims of liberal arts education still remain untapped, particularly at smaller schools where combined departments are often necessary. The disciplinary boundaries between history and sociocultural anthropology have become increasingly blurred in recent decades, a trend reflected in scholarly work that engages with both fields, as well as dual-degree graduate programmes at top U.S. research universities. For many scholars, this interdisciplinarity makes sense, with the two disciplines offering critical theoretical tools and methods that must be used in combination to tackle …

“Stick With Yourselves; It’S What’S Normal”: The Intergroup Racial Attitudes Of Senior, White, Fraternity Men, Demetri L. Morgan, Hilary B. Zimmerman, Tanner N. Terrell, Beth A. Marcotte

Demetri L. Morgan, Ph.D.

Substantive cross-racial interaction on college campuses has been known to have positive effects on student learning and development (Chang, Astin, & Kim, 2004). However, literature shows that students from different minoritized racial groups often remain separated from majority White groups, such as fraternities, thus prohibiting each group to realize the benefits such interaction could offer (Sidanius, Laar, Levin, & Sinclair, 2004). Utilizing focus group methods, this study investigated the racial attitudes of 20 senior, White, Interfraternity Council men in order to better show how the fraternity culture and experience influence the racial attitudes of members. This study found four themes …

Connecting To Get Things Done: A Conceptual Model Of The Process Used To Respond To Bias Incidents, Lucy A. Lepeau, Demetri L. Morgan, Hilary B. Zimmerman, J.T. Snipes, Beth A. Marcotte

Demetri L. Morgan, Ph.D.

In this study, we interviewed victims of bias incidents and members of a bias response team to investigate the process the team used to respond to incidents. Incidents included acts of sexism, homophobia, and racism on a large, predominantly White research university in the Midwest. Data were analyzed using a 4-stage coding process. The emergent model focused on the way the bias response team members connected to students, other team members, and colleagues from across campus to respond to the bias incidents. Important tensions that team members navigate also became evident and are depicted in the model. Findings from this …

Relationship Between Grades And Learning Mode, John C. Griffith, Donna Roberts, Marian C. Schultz

John Griffith

The Value Of Academic Group Work: An Examination Of Faculty And Student Perceptions, Joanne P. Labeouf, John C. Griffith, Marian C. Schultz

John Griffith

Perceptions Of Instructors And Students With Respect To Synchronous Video Learning, John Griffith, Marian C. Schultz

John Griffith

Brain Games As A Potential Nonpharmaceutical Alternative For The Treatment Of Adhd, Stacy Wegrzyn, Doug Hearrington, Tim Martin, Adriane Randolph

Adriane B. Randolph

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed childhood neurobehavioral disorder, affecting approximately 5.5 million children, of which approximately 66% take ADHD medication daily. his study investigated a potential nonpharmaceutical alternative to address the academic engagement of 5th through 11th grade students (n = 10) diagnosed with ADHD. Participants were asked to play "brain games" for a minimum of 20 minutes each morning before school for 5 weeks. Engagement was measured at three points in time using electroencephalogram, parent and teacher reports, researcher observations, and participant self-reports. An analysis of the data supports the hypothesis that daily use …

Creating Sustainable Education Projects In Roatan, Honduras Through Continuous Process Improvement, Arjan Raven, Adriane B. Randolph, Shelli Heil

Adriane B. Randolph

The investigators worked together with permanent residents of Roatán, Honduras on sustainable initiatives to help improve the island’s troubled educational programs. Our initiatives focused on increasing the number of students eligible and likely to attend a university. Using a methodology based in continuous process improvement, we developed tutoring programs, college preparation workshops, long-term plans for a local school, and solicited involvement by an island educational coalition. Lessons learned from these initiatives may be used to expand other efforts on the island and can be generalized to other programs in Central America.

Think Globally, Learn Locally: Multimedia Conferencing Between Two Schools Of Nursing, Carol Sternberger, Belinda Deal, Rebecca Fountain

Carol S Sternberger

Three nurse educators, who met at the American Nurses Association Nursing Care in Life, Death, and Disaster Conference, collaborated on a multimedia conferencing project to teach nursing students about disaster response. This case study examines two outcomes of this project. The project provided students in a disaster nursing course in Indiana an opportunity to meet faculty who helped establish and maintain a special needs shelter in Texas following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It also demonstrated, through the use of technology, the ability of nurse faculty to share their expertise with colleagues and students residing in different geographical locations.

Interactive Learning Environment: Engaging Students Using Clickers, Carol Sternberger

Carol S Sternberger

Educators continue to search for effective methods that will engage students in their learning. This article presents the integration of clickers while using the constructivist approach to foster critical thinking wile engaging learners in a large classroom setting. A 22-item survey was used to measure the perceived value by students to the use of clickers in engaging them in the learning process and fostering critical thinking. Clickers, also known as personal response systems, created an interactive environment, moving students beyond simple recall to application, analysis, and construction of knowledge.

Personality And Programming, Amy B. Woszczynski, Tracy C. Guthrie, Sherri Shade

Sherri Shade

Information systems students continue to struggle to successfully complete computer programming classes. Learning how to program is difficult, and failure and attrition rates in college level programming classes remain at an unacceptably high rate. Since many IS students take a programming course as part of their program of study, IS educators should better understand why IS students tend to achieve low success rates in programming courses and what can be done to improve success rates. Little research to date has addressed potential reasons for student failure in programming principles courses. Many educators simply assume that high failure rates are acceptable …

Information Security Governance For The Non-Security Business Executive, Michael E. Whitman, Herbert J. Mattord

Herbert J. Mattord

Information security is a critical aspect of information systems usage in current organizations. Often relegated to the IT staff, it is in fact the responsibility of senior management to assure the secure use and operation of information assets. Most managers recognize that governance is the responsibility of executive management. The primary objective of governance can be achieved when the members of an organization know what to do, how it should be done, as well as who should do it. The focus on governance has expanded to include information systems and information security. This article offers value to the executive by …

Black Female Community College Students' Satisfaction: A National Regression Analysis, Terrell L. Strayhorn, Royel M. Johnson

Dr. Royel M. Johnson

Data from the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire were analyzed for a sample of 315 Black women attending community colleges. Specifically, we conducted multivariate analyses to assess the relationship between background traits, commitments, engagement, academic performance, and satisfaction for Black women at community colleges. Descriptive results provide a profile of Black women who attend community colleges in terms of age, native language, units taken, and grades. Hierarchical linear regression results suggest that our statistical model accounted for 22% of the variance in satisfaction. Significant predictors of Black women's satisfaction at community colleges include age, effect of family on school work, …

Toward A Framework For Black Male Professional Identity, Terrell L. Strayhorn, Royel M. Johnson

Dr. Royel M. Johnson

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to understand how Black male doctoral degree recipients’ make sense of their professional ident ity. Three major research questions guided our analysis: (a) How do Black male doctoral degree recipients define their professional identity? (b) What factors do Black male doctoral recipients attribute to the development of their professional identity? (c) What is the role of race in the development of Black male doctoral degree recipients’ professional identity? Three major themes were identified. Implications for research, theory, policy and several campus constituencies, including graduate faculty and mentors/advisors are noted.

Re-Integrating Academic Development And Academic Language And Learning: A Call To Reason, Alisa Percy

Alisa Percy, PhD

This paper argues for the re-integration of academic development (AD) and a academic language and learning (ALL) practitioners in Australian higher education. This argument is made as universities aim to develop internationally recognised, inter-disciplinary and standards-based curricula against the backdrop of international comparative education (e.g., Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), the Australian Qualifications Framework and a quality emphasis on English language standards (e.g., Tertiary Education Quality and Assessment Agency). Drawing on Rowland's argument that professional life in the academy has become fragmented across five fault lines ([2002]. Overcoming fragmentation in professional life: The challenge for academic development. Higher Education …

A Critical Turn In Higher Education Research: Turning The Critical Lens On The Academic Language And Learning Educator, Alisa Percy

Alisa Percy, PhD

This paper suggests that historical ontology, as one form of reflexive critique, is an instructive research design for making sense of the political and historical constitution of the Academic Language and Learning (ALL) educator in Australian higher education. The ALL educator in this paper refers to those practitioners in the field of ALL, whose ethical agency has largely been taken for granted since their slow and uneven emergence in the latter half of the twentieth century. Using the lens of governmentality, genealogical design and archaeological method, the historical ontology proposed in this paper demonstrates how the ethical remit of the …

Metaphors Used By Malaysian Teachers-In-Training: Implications For Language Teacher Education, Zuwati Hasim

zuwati hasim

Over the past 20 years, there has been increasing interest in exploring what language teachers believe (Borg, 2006). Often these beliefs are expressed in terms of metaphors (Richards, 1998; Woodward, 1991), but there has been little recent research connecting the two strands. The present study is based on the per-sonal reflections of a group of 72 trainee teachers in a Malaysian University after a three-month practicum in local high schools. In these reflections, as well as currently fashionable constructs such as facilitator and motivator, these students often described their perceptions of the role of the language teacher using various metaphors. …

Debating P. C. On Pc, Marjorie M. Shultz

Marjorie M. Shultz

No abstract provided.

Investigating The College Adjustment And Transition Experiences Of Formerly Incarcerated Black Male Collegians At Predominantly White Institutions, Terrell L. Strayhorn, Royel M. Johnson, Blossom A. Barrett

Dr. Royel M. Johnson

Much of the present research available on formerly incarcerated Black males (FIBMs) focuses primarily on their criminal experiences and subsequent effects on their personal lives, employment options, and repeat offenses. Despite the overwhelming number of Black men in the U.S. criminal justice system and the country’s goal of increasing the proportion of citizens who earn postsecondary degrees, little is known about the postsecondary adjustment and transition experiences of FIBMs. This exploratory study represents an initial attempt to address a gap in the research by centering on two questions: (a) What challenges do FIBMs face in adjusting and transitioning to college? …

Black And Male On Campus: An Autoethnographic Account, Royel Johnson

Dr. Royel M. Johnson

The purpose of this autoethnographic study was to explore the ways in which race and racism coalesce in shaping the college experiences of Black men. I employ Critical Race Theory (CRT) to analyze my own reflections about lived realities experienced as an undergraduate at a predominantly White institution (PWI). Findings center on the role that race played in shaping my experiences related to achievement, engagement, and representation in college. Implications for the study highlight the importance of grit and double consciousness in the success of Black men in college, as well as the role of “racial symbolism” in coloring their …

Mediators Of Weight Loss In The 'Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids' Pilot Study For Overweight Fathers, David R. Lubans, Philip J. Morgan, Clare E. Collins, Anthony D. Okely, Tracy Burrows, Robin Callister

A. D. Okely

Background: A poor understanding of the specific lifestyle behaviors that result in weight loss has hindered the development of effective interventions. The aim of this paper was to identify potential behavioral mediators of weight loss in the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids (HDHK) intervention for overweight fathers. Findings: The three-month intervention was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial and conducted in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Baseline, three month (immediate post-intervention) and six month assessments were conducted. Recruitment and follow-up occurred between October 2008 and May 2009. The study sample included 53 overweight/obese men [mean (± SD) age = 40.6(± 97.1) …

Randomised Controlled Trials In Overweight Children: Practicalities And Realities, Janet Warren, R.K. Golley, Clare Collins, Anthony D. Okely, Rachel A. Jones, Philip Morgan, R.A. Perry, Louise Baur, Julie R. Steele, Anthea Magarey

A. D. Okely

AIM: To highlight and discuss the practical aspects of conducting high quality, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with overweight and obese children and their families. CONTENT: Realistic considerations and suggestions for researchers arising from the experiences of three Australian interventions in overweight/obese children are highlighted. The practical implications of key issues arising during this type of RCT include study design, obtaining ethical approval, choice of outcome measures, recruitment, working with families, impact and process evaluation, retention strategies, managing multi-site trials and data management. CONCLUSION: Interventions for overweight children and their families are challenging. Although there were some differences in the design …

Nsw Schools Fitness And Physical Activity Survey, Michael Booth, P Macaskill, L Mclellan, P Phongsavan, Anthony D. Okely, John W. Patterson, Jan Wright, Adrian Bauman, Louise Baur

A. D. Okely

No abstract provided.

The Nutrition And Enjoyable Activity For Teen Girls (Neat Girls) Randomized Controlled Trial For Adolescent Girls From Disadvantaged Secondary Schools: Rationale, Study Protocol And Baseline Results, David R. Lubans, Philip J. Morgan, Deborah Dewar, Clare E. Collins, Ronald C. Plotnikoff, Anthony D. Okely, Marijka Batterham, Tara Finn, Robin Callister

A. D. Okely

Background: Child and adolescent obesity predisposes individuals to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from a range of lifestyle diseases. Although there is some evidence to suggest that rates of pediatric obesity have leveled off in recent years, this has not been the case among youth from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The purpose of this paper is to report the rationale, study design and baseline findings of a school-based obesity prevention program for low-active adolescent girls from disadvantaged secondary schools. Methods/Design: The Nutrition and Enjoyable Activity for Teen Girls (NEAT Girls) intervention will be evaluated using a group randomized controlled …

The Impact Of Child And Adolescent Obesity Treatment Interventions On Physical Activity: A Systematic Review, Dylan P. Cliff, Anthony D. Okely, Philip Morgan, Rachel A. Jones, Julie R. Steele

A. D. Okely

Efforts to treat obesity in childhood and adolescence would benefit from a greater understanding of evidence-based strategies to modify physical activity behaviour. A systematic review was conducted to examine the impact of child and adolescent obesity treatment interventions on physical activity. Studies included were randomized controlled trials or controlled trials, with overweight and obese youth (aged < 18 years), which reported statistical analysis of free-living physical activity at pretreatment and post-treatment. Two independent reviewers assessed each study for methodological quality. Seventeen child and three adolescent studies were retrieved, half of which were conducted in the USA. Studies were characterized by small …

Relationships Between Fundamental Movement Skills And Objectively Measured Physical Activity In Pre-School Children, Dylan P. Cliff, Anthony D. Okely, Lief Smith, Kim Mckeen

A. D. Okely

Gender differences in cross-sectional relationships between fundamental movement skill (FMS) subdomains (locomotor skills, object-control skills) and physical activity were examined in preschool children. Forty-six 3- to 5-year-olds (25 boys) had their FMS video assessed (Test of Gross Motor Development II) and their physical activity objectively monitored (Actigraph 7164 accelerometers). Among boys, object-control skills were associated with physical activity and explained 16.9% (p = .024) and 13.7% (p = .049) of the variance in percent of time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity, respectively, after controlling for age, SES and z-BMI. Locomotor skills were inversely associated with physical …

A School-Based Intervention To Promote Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls: Rationale, Design, And Baseline Data From The Girls In Sport Group Randomised Controlled Trial, Anthony D. Okely, Wayne G. Cotton, David R. Lubans, Philip J. Morgan, Lauren M. Puglisi, Judy Miller, Jan Wright, Marijka Batterham, Louisa Peralta, Janine Perry

A. D. Okely

Background: Physical activity levels decline markedly among girls during adolescence. School-based interventions that are multi-component in nature, simultaneously targeting curricular, school environment and policy, and community links, are a promising approach for promoting physical activity. This report describes the rationale, design and baseline data from the Girls in Sport group randomised trial, which aims to prevent the decline in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) among adolescent girls. Methods/design: A community-based participatory research approach and action learning framework are used with measurements at baseline and 18-month follow-up. Within each intervention school, a committee develops an action plan aimed at meeting the …

Directives Canadiennes En Matière D'Activité Physique Pour La Petite Enfance (Enfants Âgés De 0 À 4 Ans), Mark S. Tremblay, Allana G. Leblanc, Valerie Carson, Louise Choquette, Sarah Connor Gorber, Carrie Dillman, Mary Duggan, Mary Jane Gordon, Audrey Hicks, Ian Janssen, Michelle E. Kho, Amy E. Latimer-Cheung, Claire Leblanc, Kelly Murumets, Anthony D. Okely, John J. Reilly, John C. Spence, Jodie A. Stearns, Brian W. Timmons

A. D. Okely

La Société canadienne de physiologie de l’exercice (SCPE) en collaboration avec plusieurs partenaires, parties prenantes et chercheurs a élaboré de nouvelles Directives canadiennes en matière d’activité physique pour la petite enfance (enfants âgés de 0 à 4 ans). Ces directives nationales répondent à une demande pressante des praticiens en santé publique, en soins de santé, en pédiatrie et en condition physique désireux de promouvoir une vie active saine dès les premières années de la vie. L’élaboration complète des directives a respecté la Grille II d’évaluation de la qualité des recommandations pour la pratique clinique (AGREE) et la qualité des données …

Associations Between Insulin And Glucose Concentrations And Anthropometric Measures Of Fat Mass In Australian Adolescents, Elizabeth Denney-Wilson, Christopher T. Cowell, Anthony D. Okely, Louise L. Hardy, Robert Aitken, Timothy Dobbins

A. D. Okely

Background One of the most serious, yet common co-morbidities of obesity is insulin resistance, which if untreated may progress to type 2 diabetes. This paper describes the insulin and glucose concentration distributions, the prevalence of elevated insulin, the associations between insulin and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and fat mass index in a representative sample of Australian adolescents. Methods Cross-sectional population-based study of adolescent boys and girls (N = 496, mean age 15.3 years) attending schools in metropolitan Sydney, Australia. Fasting venous blood collected and analysed for insulin and glucose concentrations. Height, weight, waist circumference measured, …