Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Role Of Cultural Competence In Peer Mentorship Programs For International Students: A Student Development Theory Perspective, Nikheal Patel, Daniel Calhoun, Steven Tolman

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

International students often face challenges while pursuing higher education in a foreign country. These challenges can negatively impact their sense of belonging and community, resulting in social disconnection. Examining the role of culturally competent peer mentoring programs for international students can foster a sense of belonging among international students. Peer mentorship may provide international students with a supportive environment and community, helping them navigate university life. In contrast, student development theory can inform the design of programs and services that support international students in their transition to American higher education. These strategies can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment …

Engaged Alienation: Sotl, Inclusivity, And The Problem Of Integrity, Michael K. Potter, Jessica Raffoul

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) defines itself as an inclusive field of study, and scholars have long lauded its ability to engage academics from each and every discipline. Yet SoTL’s research culture has long been dominated by a narrow conception of social science. As a result, the lived experience of scholars from other disciplines, particularly the humanities, is one of engaged alienation. The borders created by SoTL’s research paradigm are invisible to those within and somewhat impenetrable to those who are othered by virtue of their disciplinary identities. This paper interrogates the contradictions between SoTL’s espoused values and …

Transgender And Gender Non-Conforming College Students’ Challenges, Supports, And Successes: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Jennifer R. Curry, Imre Csaszar, Tiffany Shierling

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

We report findings from an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) participants’ perceptions of their on-campus experiences. Participants reported their lived experiences of campus culture in the Deep South. The data was viewed through a minority stress framework. Four major themes emerged: a) supports for students; b) barriers for students; c) undergoing personal change; and d) influencing systemic change.

Unmasking Microaggressions On The Homefront: Exploring Faculty And Staff Perceptions After Attending An Online Workshop On Microaggressions In Higher Education, Andrea N. Crenshaw, Natasha N. Ramsay-Jordan, Allyson Deskins

Georgia Educational Researcher

Microaggressions are brief and everyday slights, insults, indignities, and denigrating messages sent to people of color and/or marginalized groups (women, LGBTQ+, etc.) by well-intentioned [people] who are unaware of the hidden messages being communicated (Sue et al., 2007). Microaggressions are connected to broader conceptualizations of the impact of implicit bias and systems of inequity. Specifically, in K-12 and higher education, microaggressions impact the physical, social, and emotional well-being of those who experience them. Growing research posits the need for more discussions in education about racism, sexism, and other bias prevalent in the field of education (Bergerson, 2003). As such, some …

Peer-Coaching Based Professional Development: A Sample Of A School Of Foreign Languages, Sinem Arslan Dönmez, Ahmet Şahin Assoc. Prof.

Georgia Educational Researcher

The purpose of this study is to investigate the views of lecturers about the effectiveness of the implementation of the peer-coaching practice conducted at the school of foreign languages of a foundation university. The lecturers who took part in the peer coaching practice in the academic year 2019-2020 acted as the participants in this case study. The qualitative data was collected via interviews and document analysis. Content analysis and descriptive analysis methods were used in the process of data analysis. The findings from the analysis showed that peer-coaching practice consisted of lesson observations, pre and post-observation meetings, and reflection stages. …

Exploring The Effects Of Team-Based Learning In A Preservice Reading Methods Course, Lauren R. Brannan, Hannah D. Szatkowski

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Teacher educators are tasked with preparing preservice teachers with both the content and pedagogical knowledge and skills to teach children to read. In this study we investigated the use of team-based learning (TBL) in a reading methods course as a framework for improving student learning outcomes. TBL is an instructional approach that has been used across a variety of fields in higher education but has only recently made its way into teacher preparation programs. Using mixed methods, we compared TBL to the traditional lecture to explore whether participation in TBL affected preservice elementary teachers’ level of preparation for class, achievement …

A Collaborative Self-Study: Reflections On Convening A Sotl Community Of Practice, Rebecca Wilson-Mah Dr., Jo Axe Dr., Elizabeth Childs Dr., Doug Hamilton Dr., Sophia Palahicky Dr.

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Communities of practice (CoPs) can provide opportunities for diverse and inclusive groups to convene, share, collaborate, and support others. Using a self-study research approach combined with a visual research method, this study explores both scholarly and practice-based insights to describe the anticipated attributes of a high functioning CoP for the support of collaborative engagement in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The following nine emergent attributes are identified: 1) Structures; (2) Social environments; (3) Diversity; (4) Knowledge, learning and ideas; (5) Support; (6) Shared leadership; (7) Risk; (8) Results and impact; and (9) Growth over time. This study contributes to …

The Effect Of Flipped Instruction On Special Education Preservice Teachers' Perceptions, Cynthia C. Massey, Selcuk Dogan, Edward Anthony Muhammad, Eric Hogan, Cindy N. Head, Jackie Kim

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

This study analyzes the flipped instruction model used in three special education educator preparation courses to examine which components preservice teachers perceived most contributed to their content knowledge, motivation, and engagement (n=50). Weekly pre-class asynchronous assignments included the use of educational technology tools such as an interactive e-textbook site, Perusall, and online academic activities such as Khan Academy to strengthen their content knowledge. This allowed more time for a student-centered approach during synchronous instruction to incorporate tools such as Nearpod, Pear Deck, Flipgrid and digital badges to strength-en their motivation and engagement. Data were collected through a post-course survey; results …

Accessibility Of Virtual Instruction In Higher Education: Challenges Caused By The Covid-19 Pandemic, Carlie L. Cooper

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. It prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Institutions of higher education are included under Title III of the ADA, and as such are required to provide the same access to services and education to qualified individuals with disabilities as individuals without. A review of the literature of accessibility of online programs and courses in higher education shows that compliance to the ADA is sporadic due to several challenges. In Spring 2020, all institutions of higher education transitioned to some form of online instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This created …

Service-Learning To Develop Responsiveness Among Preservice Teachers, Elizabeth S. White

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits, challenges, and limitations of a service-learning project designed to promote responsiveness among PK-12 preservice teachers (N=41). The service-learning included working with children (5- to 12-year-olds) at before- and after-school programs, interviewing site staff, and developing lesson plans for the children at each site. Data sources for this study included students’ reflections and group lesson plans. Qualitative analysis showed that what constituted benefits for some students, such as connecting with children and learning classroom management, were reported as challenges for others. Additionally, students’ ideas about responsiveness in education were focused on …

The Rise In Use Of Emotional Support Animals By College Students: The Impact Of Parenting Styles, Misty G. Smith, Samantha Ballard, Jill Willis

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

As the generational context of higher education shifts, a rise of Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and mental health concerns are present for students on college campuses. While previous studies have aimed to address the relevancy and controversy of ESAs in higher education as well as their effectiveness in supporting individuals, less research has explored underlying factors that contribute to the use of an ESA. The purpose of this study was to explore the parenting behaviors of parents/caregivers of students with ESAs in comparison to parents/caregivers of students without ESAs. An embedded mixed methods design was used. Participants completed the Parenting …

Collaborative Learning Of International Undergraduate English Language Learners In Small-Group Writing Communities, Yiting Chu

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

This article reports a study on how international English language learner (ELL) students participated in a collaborative learning community comprised of peers and peer tutors in a writing center in a U.S. university. Drawing on the theory of community of practice (CoP), qualitative data were collected from weekly observations of three groups and in-depth interviews with four ELL students and six tutors. Findings suggested that these three groups functioned differently as CoPs with varied levels of participation and social interaction among the students and between students and tutors. A mismatch between the goals and roles of the students and those …

Campus Carry In Georgia: Challenges & Recommendations, Elizabeth Lohrmann, Carlie Cooper, Skyler Hooper, Ashley Washington, Zakia Williams-Sledge

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Abstract

The 2017 Georgia House Bill 280 states that, with limited exceptions, a properly licensed handgun owner can conceal carry on Georgia’s public college and university campuses. Since its inception and because of the recent history of mass shootings, much controversy surrounds this law. The infancy and controversy behind this law calls for further research into the subject. In this paper, we will offer a discussion of historical and environmental perspective, compliance with the law, risks and challenges, previous case analysis, and recommendations for Georgia Higher Education administrators. To lessen confusion and controversy surrounding the Campus Carry law in Georgia, …

Using Prior Knowledge And Student Engagement To Understand Student Performance In An Undergraduate Learning-To-Learn Course, Sarah K. Davis, Rebecca L. Edwards, Allyson F. Hadwin, Todd M. Milford

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

This study examined prior knowledge and student engagement in student performance. Log data were used to explore the distribution of final grades (i.e., weak, good, excellent final grades) occurring in an elective under-graduate course. Previous research has established behavioral and agentic engagement factors contribute to academic achievement (Reeve, 2013). Hierarchical logistic regression using both prior knowledge and log data from the course revealed: (a) the weak-grades group demonstrated less behavioral engagement than the good-grades group, (b) the good-grades group demonstrated less agentic engagement than the excellent-grades group, and (c) models composed of both prior knowledge and engagement measures were more …

Intentional Leadership For More Just Experiences: Supporting Black Males On College Campuses, John D. Egan

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

This essay explores the unjust experiences of Black males and minority faculty on college campuses that perpetuate inequality in higher education. The literature shows Black male undergraduates experienced both overt racism and more subtle insults on some college campuses, which serve as a barrier to integration into the college system. This essay also connects the underrepresentation of minority faculty as a contributing factor to the climate that inhibits the integration of Black male students into the college system. Through intentional leadership, educators should create or support existing Black male initiative programs on their campuses as this evidence-based practice contributes to …

Applying Student Development Theories Holistically: Exemplar Programming In Higher Education (Book Review), Abigail Meert

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Book review of Applying Student Development Theories Holistically: Exemplar Programming in Higher Education by Abigail Meert.

Abigail Meert is graduate student pursuing her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at Georgia Southern University where she serves as a Graduate Resident Director in University Housing. Her bachelor’s degree is in history from Armstrong State University, now named the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University, where she assisted students in her role as a Resident Advisor, First-Year Peer Mentor, and Honors Ambassador for three years. Abigail’s research interests include higher education law and policy, university systems, and the consolidation of post-secondary institutions.

Assessing Student Progress And Performance Across The Curriculum, Christopher G. Brown, Jennell M. Talley, Bekah Ward Dr., Christopher I. Brandon Jr., Jill Penn, Elisabeth Javazon

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

Evaluation of student learning is of paramount importance to the educational community and allows reflection on program successes and weaknesses; however, best practices are hotly debated. This project designed and implemented an assessment system in which an identical, mixed-format assessment was given to all levels of students in the Georgia Gwinnett College biology program at the start of the semester for academic years 2014-15, 2015-16 and Fall of 2016. The assessment contained multiple choice and free-response questions, and evaluated lab reports from core courses in the biology program. This system allows for longitudinal assessment of students, provides quick results for …

Analog Tools In Digital History Classrooms: An Activity-Theory Case Study Of Learning Opportunities In Digital Humanities, Kalani Craig

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Digital humanities is often presented as classroom savior, a narrative that competes against the idea that technology virtually guarantees student distraction. However, these arguments are often based on advocacy and anecdote, so we lack systematic research that explores the effect of digital-humanities tools and techniques such as text mining, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and network analysis have on learning outcomes. This study applies activity theory in a case study of a history classroom in order to understand how introducing digital-history methodology using analog tools like posters and whiteboards can improve student appropriation of history-specific disciplinary skills. The end goal is …

Reflecting On Reflecting: Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning As A Tool To Evaluate Contemplative Pedagogies, Alexis T. Franzese, Peter Felten

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Although interest in contemplative pedagogies has grown considerably in higher education, faculty have relatively few resources available to help them make evidence-based choices about the use of different contemplative pedagogies in particular disciplinary or course contexts. We propose adapting a framework from the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) to serve as a heuristic for assessment of the design and implementation of these practices. After outlining this framework, we provide concrete examples from undergraduate courses to explore how a SoTL-informed design, implementation, and assessment process could be applied to the utilization of contemplative pedagogies. The examples suggest that there are …

Troublesome Knowledge Of Sotl, Karen Manarin, Earle Abrahamson

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

This study explores the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) as a form of troublesome knowledge (Perkins 1999) that continues to trouble its practitioners. Forty-eight higher education professionals from six countries described their understanding of SoTL in an online survey; ten individuals participated in follow-up interviews to consider how SoTL experiences shape, support, or hinder academic identity and knowing. We categorize our findings according to the dynamic factors—personal, relational, and contextual—identified by Lieff et al (2012); we argue that SoTL serves to illuminate and expose tensions created by competing values and that these values can lead to, or create, a …

Engaging Diverse Students In Statistical Inquiry: A Comparison Of Learning Experiences And Outcomes Of Under-Represented And Non-Underrepresented Students Enrolled In A Multidisciplinary Project-Based Statistics Course, Lisa Dierker (Ae), Jalen Alexander, Jennifer L. Cooper, Arielle Selya, Jennifer Rose, Nilanjana Dasgupta

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Introductory statistics needs innovative, evidence-based teaching practices that support and engage diverse students. To evaluate the success of a multidisciplinary, project-based course, we compared experiences of under-represented (URM) and non-underrepresented students in 4 years of the course. While URM students considered the material more difficult than non-URM students, URM students demonstrated similar levels of increased confidence in applied skills and interest in follow up courses as non-URM students. URM students were found to be twice as likely as non-URM students to report that their interest in conducting research increased. Increasing student confidence and interest gives all students a welcoming place …

Higher Education In Ecuador: A Reflective Analysis, Crystal Edenfield

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Over the last decade, many changes have taken place in Ecuador regarding education, specifically higher education. A new president was elected in 2006 and as a result a new constitution was approved in 2008. This new constitution offered educational opportunities to all Ecuadorians. The purpose of this paper is to analyze higher education in Ecuador. It will discuss and react to Ecuador’s demographics as well as the highlights of the country’s higher education system. It will conclude with considering the implications.

Perceptions Of Preservice Teachers’ E-Portfolios For Hiring Decisions, Molly Zhou, Marilyn M. Helms

Georgia Educational Researcher

Preservice teachers often build E-portfolios of their work prior to graduation, but their use beyond the college classroom is not clear. To identify if E-portfolios are used during the teacher hiring process, 170 administrators from 84 (K-12) schools in eight North Georgia districts were surveyed regarding their use of E-portfolio materials. Based on the mixed methods used, E-portfolios were not strongly favored for use in decision-making. To increase their usefulness, preservice teachers should actively provide access to artifacts valued by potential employers including certification documents, classroom management plans, evidence of work with Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) students, ability to work …

Let’S Talk! Facilitating A Faculty Learning Community Using A Critical Friends Group Approach, Julie A. Moore, Joya Carter-Hicks

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

This article focuses on the complex process of facilitating a Critical Friends Group as a form of a professional learning community by teacher education faculty. During a three-year initiative, seven faculty members created a forum for collegial conversations regarding pedagogical dilemmas in efforts of improving teaching practice and student achievement. Critical Friends Groups use protocol guides to actively engage its members in learning, thinking, reading and discussing dilemmas from interdisciplinary perspectives. This article reviews the literature of Critical Friends Groups, the work of this particular Critical Friends Group and concludes by providing a rationale for sustainability of Critical Friends Groups …

Students Perceptions Of Volunteering During The First Two Years Of Studying A Social Work Degree, Sherryl Gaston Ms, Mellissa L. Kruger Ms

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

There are benefits to volunteering for both the community and the student undertaking the volunteering, it can help to enhance the students understanding of the area they are moving into, or it can show them where they do not want to work. It can assist the student to connect with the community and develop an awareness of the society around them. In most social work programs in Australia there is no practical experience until the last half of the program. This study wanted to identify if social work students undertaking volunteer work during the first two years of their course, …

Student-Faculty Co-Inquiry Into Student Reading: Recognising Sotl As Pedagogic Practice, Saranne Weller, Grete Kotryna Domarkaite, Joseph Lam Chung Lam, Lidya Utari Metta

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

This paper reports the evaluation of a student-faculty collaborative study investigating international students’ perceptions of the role of reading in higher education. The study examined the academic reading and source-use practices of ten undergraduate students in a range of disciplines in one UK university. In previous research on student literacy practices, students are often positioned as research “objects” rather than as active participants with an investment in enhancing the student experience through engagement in pedagogic research. In this paper we present a case study of student faculty collaboration in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). Drawing on the analysis …

Does Boyer’S Integrated Scholarships Model Work On The Ground? An Adaption Of Boyer’S Model For Scholarly Professional Development, William E. Boyd

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Boyer’s model of four scholarships as an integrated system engaging and integrating the scholarships of discovery, integration, application, and teaching is being increasingly adopted both by individual scholars and institutions. Here I reflect on my own adoption of this approach almost a decade ago, and I describe one application, its use in defining my professional academic profile. While this does not directly address issues of pedagogy, it provides a sound basis for improved pedagogical practice in higher education. I assess my adoption of Boyer’s model against several benchmarks grounded in the social life of academe: success of promotion; mentoring peers …

Student Opinions And Preferences Regarding Personal Response Systems In The Graduate Physical Therapy Classroom: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry, Andi Beth Mincer, Anne W. Thompson

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Little investigation has been conducted on the use of Personal Response Systems (PRS) in either graduate-level courses or health professions education. Through anonymous participation in focus groups, graduate physical therapy students described specific aspects of PRS that they felt facilitated their learning, as well as aspects that hindered their learning. A Likert-type survey was constructed based on focus group outcomes and was offered to the entire population of physical therapy students at our institution. Results indicated that PRS was perceived to be useful for examination preparation, application of concepts, facilitation of discussion, and immediate feedback. Participants perceived cost and technical …

Higher Education Students’ Reflections On Learning In Times Of Academic Language Shift, Anne Marie Kagwesage

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

This article deals with the current debate on the use of English as the only medium of instruction in contexts where it is a second or foreign language. More specifically, it investigates Rwandan students’ reflections on using English as the sole medium of instruction in their everyday higher education academic activities. The study is mainly based on individual interviews from students at a University in Rwanda, where the language in education policy has changed considerably over the last decade. The findings suggest that students face different challenges and difficulties in using the newly adopted language of learning and teaching. They …

The Learning Alliance Inventory: Instrument Development And Initial Validation, Daniel T. Rogers

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Despite potential applications to educational contexts, the working alliance concept has largely been confined to psychotherapy intervention research. Some have explored theoretically related concepts (e.g., immediacy, rapport), but no measure currently exists of the working alliance between a teacher and student within an academic course. The aim of this study was to develop such a measure. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses led to the creation of the Learning Alliance Inventory (LAI), which contained three factors (Collaborative Bond, Teacher Competency, and Student Investment). Reliability and validity analyses indicated that the LAI has temporal stability, distinguishes between instructors, and correlates …