Digital Commons Network^™

Chapter 7- Innovative Pedagogies For Promoting University Global Engagement In Times Of Crisis, Steven R. Hawks

Resilient Pedagogy

Even as universities, institutes, and professional associations are renewing their commitment to global engagement and the internationalization of higher-education campuses, there are significant geopolitical and social challenges that are pushing back (van der Wende, 2017). The immediate crisis posed by the global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has further hampered progress by bringing a number of critical global engagement activities to a sudden halt (Brimmer, 2020). In the midst of these challenges there is an opportunity to consider theory-driven pedagogical innovations that can move the global engagement agenda forward even in times of complexity and crisis.

Factors Explaining Remote Work Adoption In The United States, Paul A. Hill

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Rural Online Initiative program at Utah State University Extension supported this quantitative study investigating the factors explaining the process of remote work adoption by organizations in the U.S. Given the potential for remote work with respect to technological advances, shifts in traditional work arrangements, and its impact on organizational/operational efficiency, there was a need to investigate how organizational characteristics and leaders’ perceptions of remote work relate to its adoption. This study was guided by Rogers’ theory of diffusion of innovations where research objectives were to (1) determine where organizations range in the innovation-decision process of remote work adoption, (2) …

Open Access Textbooks In A Professional Communication Classroom: A Pilot Study, Sherena Huntsman, Avery C. Edenfield, Erin L. Davis

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

In this paper, we share our findings from a curricular innovation project: a small pilot study replacing a conventional professional communication textbook with an open access book. Results showed that students received the change favorably and a final grade comparison showed no variation between similar courses that used conventional books and those that used open access books. While far from definitive, this study demonstrates the promise of open access books and open educational resources (OER), and that further study is needed in this area.

The Best Laid Plans: Educational Innovation In Elementary Teacher Generated Integrated Stem Lesson Plans, Christina M. Sias, Louis S. Nadelson, Stephanie M. Juth, Anne L. Seifert

Teacher Education and Leadership Student Research

Students need to be prepared for the 21st century by developing the literacy skills necessary for participating in the age of synthesis—an age that requires a progressive set of skills and knowledge. The authors identified nine educational innovations that are perceived to be effective for preparing students for the 21st century age of synthesis society. They coded a collection of 39 teacher-generated Grade 3–5 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) lesson plans to document the extent to which the teachers included these nine educational innovations their STEM lesson planning. The authors found practices such as project-based and student-centered learning (which …

Why Didn't I Think Of That? A Classroom Exercise For Developing Entrepreneurial Thinking, Daniel Holland

Spark - Empower Teaching Scholarship Collection

Entrepreneurs tend to think differently, juggling different thinking styles more easily than others. They are comfortable with both linear and non-linear thinking, and both causal and effectual logic. In order to help students develop diverse entrepreneurial thinking skills, teachers must employ unique educational strategies. This article provides educators with an engaging openmarket trading card activity that was created to help students identify and overcome barriers to entrepreneurial thinking. Designed for strategy and entrepreneurship classes at the undergraduate and graduate level, this activity challenges students’ mental models and sets the stage for a fruitful discussion about entrepreneurial thinking.

Innovative Reflection Tools For Developing Leadership: Additional Ideas For Educators And Practitioners, Susan R. Madsen, Kathi Tunheim, Norman Wright

Susan R. Madsen

Research continues to support the finding that critical reflection is a foundational aspect in developing leadership skills and competencies for individuals of all ages. The purpose of this engaging workshop is to offer a variety of innovative reflection tools that can be used by leadership academics and practitioners in various leadership development settings. Each tool presented will be taught, practiced, and shared.

An Assessment Of Utah Resident Incentives And Disincentives For Use Of Opencourseware (Ocw), Anne Arendt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation examines Utah resident views of incentives and disincentives for use of OpenCourseWare (OCW) and how they fit into the theoretical framework of perceived innovation attributes established by Rogers. Rogers identified five categories of perceived innovation attributes, which include relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability.

A survey instrument was developed using attributes that emerged from a Delphi technique with input from experts in the OCW field. The survey instrument was sent to 753 (n = 753) random individuals between 18 and 64 years of age throughout Utah based on information obtained from Alseco Data Group, LLC.

Results …