Education Commons^™

The Effect Of Pedagogical Agent Persona On Performance, Self-Efficacy, And Attitudes In Adult Learners In An Online Environment, Justin L. Mathews

Dissertations

Pedagogical agents, virtual avatars that are often included in online training or educational modules, have been studied in a variety of disciplines to determine the extent to which their inclusion in online or multimedia learning environments may influence both cognitive and affective outcomes in learners. The present study examined the effect of a peer-like pedagogical agent providing motivational messaging in an online English language learning environment to determine if the agent will positively affect college students’ performance, self-efficacy, and attitude in comparison to a control group. All participants studied an online, self-paced English grammar module, either with (treatment version) or …

Social Media Engagement And Collegiate Recruitment: An Examination Of The Use Of Social Networks In The College Recruitment And Student Choice Processes, Corie M. Martin

Dissertations

This research focused on the recruitment activities of higher education social media administrators and observed student interactions within institutional social media communities. The individual social media administrators interviewed for this qualitative case study shared their experiences using social media for prospective and admitted student outreach. More than 1800 social media comment threads from dozens of students at the five participating four-year institutions were observed during the yield period of the students’ college search processes. This research used Hossler and Gallagher’s Three Phase Model of Student College Choice, specifically the second of the three phases, the search phase, to explore student …

Google's #Freeandopen Campaign: Using A Documentary To Raise Awareness Of Internet Regulation Among University Students, Shelby N. Rice

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The internet was founded as a non-proprietary tool by which computers could connect and share information reciprocally. This philosophy has allowed the internet to become a fundamental resource in higher education and provides a window by which students can experience the world around them. The primary focus of The #freeandopen Documentary is to maintain an uncensored web by raising awareness of the forces that act against the freedom of the internet and of the resources available to contribute to the cause. The short, 13-minute documentary is funded by Google’s #freeandopen Microgrant of $2,000. It features interviews from students who are …

Perceptions Of Urban High School Teachers Transitioning From Traditional Instruction To Blended Learning, Michael Wayne Hamilton

Dissertations

Increasing demands for technology integration at the K-12 level have led school districts to explore blended learning as an option for sustaining productive instructional strategies while increasing technology integration in the classroom. Furthermore, Disruptive Innovation Theory (Christensen, 1997) offers insights as to the potential impact of blended learning on the field of education. This phenomenological study attempted to capture the lived experiences of urban high school teachers who were transitioning to a blended learning instructional strategy. In addition, this study utilized the Stages of Concern (SoC) component of the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) to isolate the phenomenon and provide …

Pre-Service Teachers: A Study Of Self-Theories Of Intelligence And Attitudes About Web 2.0, Lee Ann Smith

Dissertations

This study examined the relationship of pre-service teachers’ self-theories of intelligence (mindset) and their attitudes about Web 2.0. The research questions evaluate: (a) Whether a significant correlation exists between pre-service teachers’ mindsets and attitudes about Web 2.0 (social media), and (b) Whether significant differences exist between demographic groups (e.g., age, certification area, gender) and their attitudes about Web 2.0 (social media). Results of the study indicate that a weak correlation between pre-service teachers’ perceived mindsets and perceived attitudes about Web 2.0 was statistically significant. In addition, significant differences were found based upon certification area, gender, and age with the sample’s …

College Organizational Structure And Its Impact On Accessible Distance Learning For Students With Disabilities, Mana Kariman

Dissertations

This research focuses on the impact of organizational structure in colleges on accessibility in distance learning for individuals with disabilities. Research remains limited on the effect of the organizational structure that supports online/web-based courses regarding accessibility. Policies that outline the laws guide faculty to ensure the published online courses are accessible to everyone, including students with disabilities. Further, types of accommodations available to students with disabilities are discussed. Accessibility needs to be addressed by trainings for all faculty who provide accommodations. In conclusion, the accessibility laws affect the organizational structure in institutions and the impact of policy implementation.

Improvement Of Pedagogical Laboratory Based Learning: Multimedia Enhanced Instructional Methods, Sumbul Khan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In engineering technology and other scientific-based education, lab-based courses play a crucial role (Ma & Nickerson, 2006). Even though laboratory experience in student learning is crucial, it faces some problems. Due to insufficient laboratory conditions that lead to overcrowding and inability to view demonstrations, the effectiveness of hands on experience declines (Tiwari & Singh, 2011; Tuysuz, 2010). Considering the limitations that constrain lab experience, investigating and implementing alternatives to enhance pedagogical laboratory based learning becomes inevitable. This study investigates multimedia enhanced pedagogical teaching methods for delivering laboratory instruction to students. The purpose of this study was to improve pedagogical laboratory …

It's Not Just About The Technology: Changing The Focus From Technology To Collaboration In Videoconferencing Room Design, Tamela W. Smith

Dissertations

Videoconferencing technologies are being increasingly utilized in today’s business and educational environments. However, implementation rates continue to be lower than projected, and user perceptions on the level of collaborative environment provided by videoconferencing rooms vary widely, depending on room design. This study found that, while few videoconferencing professional characteristics impact the level of collaborative environment designed for end-users, the perceived closeness levels provided to end-users significantly impacted their perceptions on the technology. The study also found that videoconferencing professionals’ views and end-users’ views on the level of collaboration within videoconferencing environments vary significantly. By shifting the design of videoconferencing rooms …

Introduction To Oucampus Content Management System, Haiwang Yuan

DLPS Faculty Publications

This is a step-by-step tutorial the author has created for training his fellow librarians and staff during the migration of WKU's Web service to the new OUCampus content management system. It can be used universally for all those who are or will be using the same CMS platform.

A Virtual Tour Of Wku’S Main Campus, Zachary Ryle

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In my WKU Honors College Capstone Experience entitled “A Virtual Tour of WKU’s Main Campus,” my task was to create a virtual tour students across the state, country and even around the world could use to view WKU’s campus without ever setting foot in Bowling Green. Throughout this experience, I filmed myself giving individual tour of over 60 different locations on WKU’s campus, with a total of 72 buildings and locations earning markers on the campus map. This virtual tour was created during the summer of 2011 and was completed by November of that same year. Once completed, Admissions Counselors …

An Analysis Of Factors Impacting K-12 Technology-Infused Design, Wesley A. Waddle

Dissertations

Public education in the 21st Century can be characterized as being in a period of unparalleled change, including the adoption of Common Core State Standards, increased public accountability, and renewed emphasis on the educational needs of every student. Simultaneously, as public education seeks to address these demands, the digital divide between traditional classroom instruction and learning needs of 21st Century students continues to grow, despite considerable fiscal investments in educational technology.

This study examined two questions: What teacher-related factors positively impact the level of technology-infused lesson design? and To what degree does the use of an instructional framework to guide …

Transforming A Rn To Bsn Program To An On-Line Delivery Format, Cathy H. Abell, Deborah Williams, M. Susan Jones

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Sense Of Community In Graduate Online Education: Contribution Of Learner To Learner Interaction, Jo Lita Shackelford, Margaret G. Maxwell

Communication Sciences & Disorders Faculty Publications

Distance learning technologies offer a multitude of ways to build interaction into online courses to support learning. Based on social constructivism theory, this study explored which types of interaction are most predictive of students’ sense of community in online graduate courses at a regional comprehensive university. Surveys were used to measure sense of community and the frequency and importance of nine learner–learner interactions.

Interactions that were most predictive of sense of community were introductions, collaborative group projects, sharing personal experiences, entire class discussions, and exchanging resources. The interaction that offered the highest payoff to instructors was exchanging resources. The article …

Poster Presentations As A Teaching Strategy In Web-Based Courses, Beverly Siegrist, Dawn M. Garrett-Wright Ph.D. (C), Rn, Cathy H. Abell

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Using Youtube To Bridge The Gap Between Baby Boomers And Millennials, Dawn M. Garrett-Wright Ph.D. (C), Rn, Cathy Hoots Abell

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Avatars, Blabberize, And Cell Phones: Abc's Of The Digital Age [Paper], Kay S. Gandy, Rebecca Stobaugh

School of Teacher Education Faculty Publications & Presentations

The Digital Age is revolutionizing education. Educators need to be well-trained on the variety of technology tools available. Technology tools captivate the interest of students and encourage high-levels of engagement. Often, the daily lives of students are rich in technology, while teachers lack the knowledge or skills to integrate technology into the curriculum. Two university teacher education professors will share innovative technology tools to enhance instruction. The tools were modeled in education courses for preservice teachers and transferred into K-12 classrooms. Technology tools included: Skype, PhotoPeach, Prezi, Blabberize, Xtranormal, Poll Everywhere (voting with cellphones), Tagxedo, GPS, and GIS. For example, …

Avatars, Blabberize And Cell Phones: The Abcs Of The Digital Age, Kay S. Gandy, Rebecca Stobaugh

School of Teacher Education Faculty Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Mini-Computers And E-Books On The Success Of At-Risk College Students, Aaron W. Hughey, Charlene Manco

Counseling & Student Affairs Faculty Publications

Academically underprepared college students; i.e., those identified as needing developmental (remedial) English, mathematics and reading courses in order to maximize their potential for academic success at college-level studies, were provided with the opportunity to rent, for a minimal, subsidized fee, mini-computers bundled with digital course materials (e-books). The academic aptitude of the students who participated in the study was assessed when they entered the program, and their academic performance was assessed at the conclusion of the semester in which they were provided with these resources. The aptitude, performance and retention of program participants were then compared to those of similarly …

Web Page Design - Student-Community Collaborations, George Kontos

Business Division Faculty Publications

A collaborative project is described. Students in a web design class were asked to contact local businesses and help them create their web site (collection of related and interconnected web pages). Two phases of the project are described, planning and implementation. Planning defines the purpose and the target audience and also includes a sketch of the website's organization. The project is suitable for both traditional and online classes. Ideally, session participants should have some experience or interest in teaching web design but anyone who wants to know how to help students work collaboratively with the community is welcome to attend.

The Effects Of An Educational Program On Faculty Stages Of Concern Regarding The Use Of Interactive Video Services (Ivs) In Undergraduate Nursing Education, Cathy H. Abell, Dawn M. Garrett, M. Susan Jones

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Learning Styles And Entrance Requirements For Online Master's Programs, Dr. Stanley L. Lightner, Dr. Anthony Mark Doggett, Dr. Vesta R. Whisler

Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences Faculty Publications

As more online graduate programs are created and traditional programs shift to an online format, the need to identify and understand skill sets necessary for students’ success becomes more apparent. Typically, graduate programs rely on entrance requirements such as the GRE, undergraduate GPA, and a writing sample to evaluate an applicant’s potential success. Is it reasonable to expect that other entrance requirements might be needed for student success in online graduate degree programs?
Research comparing learning and personality styles of online learners exists; however, application of this information as part of the admissions process for online graduate programs is sporadic. …

Twitter & Facebook: How To Sync Twitter With Facebook, Amanda Hardin, Haiwang Yuan

DLPS Faculty Publications

Ever wonder how you can tweet and see your Facebook automatically updated with the same information. This tutorial takes you to the steps of how to enable your Facebook to get your tweets of its own accord.

Forging New Pathways, Connie Foster, Jennifer Wilson

SelectedWorks™

No abstract provided.

Ella And Henry: A Standards Based Unit And Accompanying Novel, Virginia Harris Prather

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

My CE/T consists of a young adult novel appropriate for elementary students and an accompanying Standards Based Unit of Study (SBUS). An SBUS is an instructional plan for teaching and learning that addresses content areas in a meaningful way. As part of the SBUS, I am including lesson plans, essential questions, a calendar for teaching this four-week unit, all worksheets, writing prompts, and other activities to be used, and an annotated bibliography of related works. The nature of this project is creative, as I have designed a unit for use in the elementary classroom. It will cover material from various …

Using Student Response Systems In Economics And Finance Classes, Jean Snavely, Michelle Trawick

Finance Faculty Publications

Student response systems (clickers) offer the potential for student engagement and active learning in the classroom. Use of the technology can also help instructors identify areas of uncertainty and use student feedback to customize lectures. Earlier identification of problem areas for both student and instructor should lead to more efficient and effective use of class time and better learning outcomes. This presentation covers best practices in the use of clickers in introductory statistics and principles of managerial finance classes. Topics include how to use clickers, sample exercises, what has worked and what hasn’t worked from personal experience, how to produce …

The Videoconferencing Classroom: What Do Students Think?, Dr. Anthony Mark Doggett

Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences Faculty Publications

The advantages of video conferencing in educational institutions are well documented. Scholarly literature has indicated that videoconferencing technology reduces time and costs between remote locations, fill gaps in teaching services, increases training productivity, enables meetings that would not be possible due to prohibitive travel costs, and improves access to learning (Martin, 2005; Rose, Furner, Hall, Montgomery, Katsavras, & Clarke, 2000; Townes-Young & Ewing, 2005; West, 1999). However, there are few studies that analyze the effectiveness of videoconferencing from the student’s perspective. Videoconferencing technology is often touted as a method to connect with previously inaccessible student populations, but does it adequately …

Website Design And Development For College And University Recreation Programs Accredited By The Nrpa/Aalr Council On Accreditation, Michael Lee Nunally

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study identified current trends in website design and development for college and university recreation programs accredited by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation. Emphasis was on design, content, governance, and development. The study was an attempt to provide insight for program administrators by identifying current practices related to website design and development. This was the first study to identify current trends in website design and development at nationally accredited recreation programs. This information can be used to evaluate existing websites and plan future website development.

Data were collected using an electronic survey instrument created with E-listen software. Three invitations were …

Changes In Teaching At Western 1980-2000 And Beyond, Martha C. Jenkins

FaCET Publications

Jenkins briefly covers eight areas in which teaching at Western Kentucky University changed from 1980-2000. Topics lightly touch on everything from the use of technology to student diversity in the classroom.