Education Commons^™

What Our Students Want In And From Their Library, Veronica Wells, Robin Imhof, Debbie Johnston

Veronica Wells

University of the Pacific’s Stockton Campus Library is currently in the process of a multi-phase renovation that will offer 21st century design and functionality. Our team conducted several assessment methods to understand more fully how our students use –or choose not to use—study spaces and various pieces of furniture in the Stockton library. The results of this project will help answer the questions: “What do our students want or need in library learning spaces – both academic and social?” and “How might we create learning spaces in the library that will enable a variety of student use preferences?” We have …

Recognizing College Students Of Today: Generational Shifts Prompt Pedagogical Shifts, Kristen Cvancara, Kristen P. Treinen

Kristen Cvancara, Ph. D.

As educators strive to continually improve the learning potential of the students in our classrooms, it is wise to evaluate traits of the students that may influence the effectiveness of the pedagogical methods employed. To this end, this essay introduces the reader to descriptions of today’s college students that identify this cohort as unique in learning style as well as life experience from all previous generations. An assessment method was used to investigate the degree to which current students identify with these generational stereotypes. The method and results of the assessment are discussed, and suggestions for adopting new pedagogical strategies …

National Research On The Postgraduate Student Experience: Case Presentation On The First Year Postgraduate Student Experience (Volume 1 Of 3), Gary Hamlin, Shelley Kinash, Linda Crane, Amy Bannatyne, Madelaine-Marie Judd, Ashley Stark, Bill Eckersley, Helen Partridge, Ken Udas

Linda Crane

This case presentation on the first year postgraduate student experience is grounded in Australian national research on postgraduate student experiences. This is not a typical or traditional case study, in that the pages that follow present perspectives, stories and proposed solutions from a large number of people. To bound the case presentation to one or two narratives or ‘cases’ would severely limit the impact. This case presentation is therefore thematic, interweaving many stories, quotes, descriptions, and perspectives on the first year postgraduate student experience.

National Research On The Postgraduate Student Experience: Case Presentation On The First Year Postgraduate Student Experience (Volume 1 Of 3), Gary Hamlin, Shelley Kinash, Linda Crane, Amy Bannatyne, Madelaine-Marie Judd, Ashley Stark, Bill Eckersley, Helen Partridge, Ken Udas

Amy Bannatyne

This case presentation on the first year postgraduate student experience is grounded in Australian national research on postgraduate student experiences. This is not a typical or traditional case study, in that the pages that follow present perspectives, stories and proposed solutions from a large number of people. To bound the case presentation to one or two narratives or ‘cases’ would severely limit the impact. This case presentation is therefore thematic, interweaving many stories, quotes, descriptions, and perspectives on the first year postgraduate student experience.

Engaging Postgraduate Students And Supporting Higher Education To Enhance The 21st Century Student Experience: Good Practice Guide, Linda Crane, Shelley Kinash, Gary Hamlin, Bill Eckersley, Helen Partridge, Amy Bannatyne

Linda Crane

Introduction to Good Practice Guides to Support the Postgraduate Student Experience:

This Good Practice Guide to support the Postgraduate Student Experience is part of a suite of resources developed during the 2014 Strategic Priority Project: Engaging postgraduate students and supporting higher education to enhance the 21st century student experience, funded by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching. This three part guide is primarily intended to provide recommendations that can be used for easy reference by the following stakeholders:

• Postgraduate students seeking to maximise their engagement with their program of study;
• Educators seeking to improve their curriculum and/or support …

Engaging Postgraduate Students And Supporting Higher Education To Enhance The 21st Century Student Experience: Final Report, Linda Crane, Shelley Kinash, Amy Bannatyne, Madelaine-Marie Judd, Bill Eckersley, Gary Hamlin, Helen Partridge, Sarah Richardson, Harry Rolf, Ken Udas, Ashley Stark

Linda Crane

The diversity of this 21^st century student profile is amplified not just by advancing technology and cultural change, but by the exponential rise in numbers in a demographic that was previously sparsely populated and research-focussed. This project will (1) undertake a comprehensive analysis of the broad experiences of Australian coursework postgraduate students, and the relationship these broad experiences have to learning, and (2) establish evidence-based recommendations, including best practice guidelines, that can be used to impact and enhance Australia's postgraduate students' experiences.

Developing A Senior Capstone And Portfolio Course, Nanette Johnson-Curiskis, Daniel Cronn-Mills, Warren Sandmann

Daniel Cronn-Mills, Ph.D.

Our purpose in this essay is to explain how the Speech Communication Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato developed a senior capstone and portfolio course. We describe how this course helped the department improve its curriculum and teaching, and helped its students enhance their learning of the discipline.

Understanding The Completion Patterns Of Equity Students In Regional Universities, Karen Nelson, Catherine Picton, Julie Mcmillan, Daniel Edwards, Marcia Devlin, Kerry Martin

Dr Julie McMillan

Intergenerational Challenges In Teaching & Learning, Danice B. Greer, Melinda Hermanns

Danice Greer

This presentation discusses the challenges with teaching and learning students of varying generations. Solutions, including a Strength-based approach to teaching, are provided to give guidance on working with intergenerational students.

Preferred Learning Mode, Instructor Competence And Tuition Reimbursement: What Our Faculty And Students Are Telling Us, John C. Griffith, Rita Herron

John Griffith

This research examined comments in open response areas from 228 faculty and 659 student surveys regarding learning mode preference (classroom, online, video synchronous) instructor competence with technology and the impact of tuition reimbursement on student choice of learning mode. Most faculty and students viewed traditional classroom as the best option for quality interaction and learning. EagleVision Home (synchronous video learning) courses were noted for increased social presence and online courses were viewed as the most flexible option to take a class. Faculty and students emphasized the need for interaction in distance learning environments. Members of both groups highlighted technical issues …

Drake Library Study Space Survey, Kim Myers

Kim Myers

At the end of the 2014 spring semester, Drake Library conducted a survey to find out why students came to the library, what worked for them, and what they would like to see improved. Over 200 surveys were returned, and the information is presented here.

The Journey From Tragedy To Hope: The Experience Of Christian Undergraduates, David M. Johnstone

David M. Johnstone

Using the case study approach, I interviewed seven student leaders at an evangelical university in the Pacific Northwest. Their common feature, other than attending the same institution, was that they had all experienced tragic or traumatic situations at some point in their lives. In spite of this experience, they were able to display a hopeful outlook on life. The purpose of this study was to discern elements or themes that were common to their stories. I was particularly looking for themes that might explain what helped them move on from their traumatic experiences into a perspective of hope. I anticipated …

Students As Catalysts For Large Landscape Conservation, Philip J. Nyhus

Philip J. Nyhus

Colleges, universities, and research institutions are important innovators and partners in many large landscape conservation initiatives. Students are essential but often under-recognized constituents in these endeavors. A conference on Students as Catalysts for Large landscape Conservation was held in 2013 at Colby College to explore this topic. Participants came from 12 states, 3 countries, and 19 institutions. This paper summarizes insights from the conference and associated meetings of the Conservation Catalyst Network, including how and why students engage in large landscape conservation, benefits to students and practitioners, and remaining challenges. Land conservation and policy is replete with legacies of innovative …

Student Lifestyles And Emotional Well-Being At A Historically Black University, Vivian Dzokoto, Terence Hicks, Eboni Miller

Terence Hicks, Ph.D., Ed.D.

Quality of life, physical and mental health, and lifestyle behaviors were assessed in 500 graduate and undergraduate students at a Historically Black University. 82% of the sample rated their quality of life positively. 11.3% of the sample reported mild depression, while 4.9% and 1.1% of the sample reported moderate and severe depression respectively. 8.4% of the sample reported suicidal ideation within the past two weeks. Family, financial and academic stressors were found to be significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Implications for mental health care are discussed.

Introduction: Choices In Education, Ronald G. Ehrenberg

Ronald G. Ehrenberg

[Excerpt] Society has high expectations for our educational system, and social science research should contribute to helping meet these expectations. Research on the choices that participants in the system make, and on the consequences of these choices, is particularly useful and often provides information that is directly relevant to the policy debate. Thus the four chapters in this volume all address the choices, and the consequences of choices, made by students, teachers, and school administrators. They are grouped together in this book in the belief that providing them this way will increase their influence on public policy.

Invisibilities, Uncertainties, And Unexpected Surprises: The Experiences Of Transgender And Gender Non-Conforming Students, Staff, And Faculty At Colleges And Universities In Colorado (Executive Summary), Kristie L. Seelman, N. E. Walls, Kelly Costello, Karly Steffens, Kyle Inselman, Hillary Montague-Asp

Kristie L Seelman

No abstract provided.

Invisibilities, Uncertainties, And Unexpected Surprises: The Experiences Of Transgender And Gender Non-Conforming Students, Staff, And Faculty At Colleges And Universities In Colorado, Kristie L. Seelman, N. E. Walls, Kelly Costello, Karly Steffens, Kyle Inselman, Hillary Montague-Asp

Kristie L Seelman

No abstract provided.

The Whole Student, Susan R. Madsen

Susan R. Madsen

Article written for the Utah Valley State College newsletter--Academically Speaking.

North Carolina State University Summer Transition Program – A High School To College Bridge Program For Enhancing Undergraduate Engineering Education, Tony L. Mitchell, Alisa Hunt-Lowery, Sarah A. Rajala

Sarah A. Rajala

The NC State University College of Engineering is an internationally recognized producer of engineers and computer scientists who are prepared to make an immediate contribution to the workforce. Our research faculty are recognized around the world for cutting edge research. Essential to our mission and continued success is a steady stream of top-notch students who contribute to and celebrate ethnic, academic and gender diversity. Each year an entering freshman class of 1100 new engineering students includes 20% women and 20% underrepresented minority students. The rate at which they persist through our undergraduate program is impacted by how they adapt during …