Education Commons^™

Cognitive Load In Asynchronous Discussions Of An Online Undergraduate Stem Course, Emily Faulconer, Beverly Wood, Charlotte Bolch

Publications

Purpose

As online course enrollments increase, it is important to understand how common course features influence students' behaviors and performance. Asynchronous online courses often include a discussion forum to promote community through interaction between students and instructors. Students interact both socially and cognitively; instructors' engagement often demonstrates social or teaching presence. Students' engagement in the discussions introduces both intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load. The purpose of this study is to validate an instrument for measuring cognitive load in asynchronous online discussions.

The Impact Of Pltl In Four Introductory Engineering Courses: Improving Access And Opportunity For Students Underrepresented In Stem Disciplines, Kimberly Luthi, Mohua Kar, Lisa Macon

Publications

The performance assessment was a major component of the overall National Science Foundation-funded research project, Engagement in Engineering Pathways. The study examined underrepresented and female students’ abilities to translate cognitive knowledge into demonstrable performance-based proficiencies through engagement in Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) labs in post-secondary, undergraduate introductory engineering courses. Evidence from the study comes from 518 students enrolled in four engineering courses and PLTL labs. The research protocols, implementation process, and assessment of academic achievement of project participants are discussed. Data are analyzed across student demographics to identify performance indicators within PLTL activities that influenced students’ commitment and retention in …

How Education On Climate Change Affects Consumers' Willingness To Participate In Carbon Offsetting Programs?, Leila Halawi, Deanna Demattio

Publications

If airlines could have a better understanding of how to induce sustainable behavior in their customers, they can use these methods when building sustainable initiatives such as voluntary carbon offsetting programs. The purpose of the study was to determine if education on the consequences of climate change affects how consumers behave related to their interaction with carbon offsetting programs. Regional Scenarios were introduced with a natural disaster comparable to the region under review. A multistage sampling technique was utilized in this study. Firstly, using a cluster sample, groups were used rather than individual units of the target population. The results …

Women’S Perceptions Of Problem-Solving In A Virtual Learning Environment, Kimberly Luthi, Ernie Friend, Angelique Tucker-Blackmon

Publications

Virtual learning opportunities in computing and information technology courses are designed to facilitate the development of critical thinking skills, positive learning outcomes and increased problem-solving abilities. However, before engaging students in activities to increase their problem-solving skills, researchers need to understand the influence of virtual courses on students’ problem-solving perceptions since perceptions influence performance. This study is an analysis of women’s perceptions of their problem solving confidence, style and personal control before and after their participation in online courses within the Network Enterprise Administration Certificate program that was embedded as a specialized track leading towards the Networking Systems Technology Associate …

Advancement Experiences Of Women In Academic Senior Leadership Positions In Stem Disciplines: A Delphi Analysis, Kimberly Luthi, Mickey Kosloski

Publications

This article explores structural support systems that lead to women's advancement and hindrance factors that either catalyze or delay women's career acceleration in higher education, specifically within STEM-related and workforce education disciplines. Through a consensus building approach, a four-round Delphi analysis explored the experiences and perceptions of 17 panelists who currently or formerly served in a senior-ranked position within a higher education setting at five institutions in the Southeast United States. The panel included women who met the eligibility criteria as subject matter experts and held positions as deans in a STEM discipline, principal investigators over federally funded STEM and …

Equity In Engineering Education: The Experiences Of Non-Traditional Students In Introductory Engineering Courses With Peer Learning Support, Kimberly T. Luthi, Mohua Kar

Publications

This paper seeks to examine one aspect of the pilot research study entitled, “Engagement in Engineering Pathways: An Initiative to Retain Non-Traditional Students in Engineering” funded by the National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education grant program (Award No. 1712008). This three-year study examines the effect of the use of Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) on students’ academic performance, STEM experiences, and persistence in engineering programs [2]. The data collected is from May 2018- May 2020. The present study population is undergraduate engineering students at a multi-campus, federally designated Hispanic-serving, public, two-year college in the southeastern U.S. This paper will specifically …

Career Advancement Of Women In Engineering Disciplines At Two-Year Degree Institutions: Documenting Challenges And Potential Solutions To Raise Inclusivity, Kimberly Luthi

Publications

Institutions of higher education that offer two-year degrees have student-centered missions with support structures to address the unique needs of a diverse student body [14]. Many two-year degree institution types are open access and have institutional priorities focused on increasing diversity and inclusive practices among both the students and faculty [1]. Although the inclusion of women traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines in higher education settings is a national concern, the advancement of women at institutions that offer support networks and institutional practices such as two-year degree institutions contribute to women’s advancement and diversity in the talent pipeline. This research study …

Building Undergraduate Research In A Fully Online Engineering Program, Robert Deters, Brent Terwilliger, Emily Faulconer, Kelly A. George

Publications

This paper describes the creation and implementation of the support network of the Research Scholars Program at the Worldwide campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Funded by an NSF IUSE grant, the purpose of this new program is to increase the opportunity for online engineering and engineering technology students to participate in undergraduate research. Studies have shown that participation in research can have an important impact on students, though online students are likely underrepresented in undergraduate research. The Research Scholars Program uses existing support systems of the campus while also building new components. These new components developed for this project are …

Using Small Uas For Stem Education: Introducing Robotics And Mechatronics With Drones, Christian Janke, Kimberly Luthi, Stefan Kleinke, Yuetong Lin

Publications

Several global developments point to importance of STEM-related education and studies. Every industry sector faces challenges in the recruiting of qualified personnel, due to retiring employees and general economic growth. Also, several domains, foremost automotive and aviation are undergoing a tremendous shift towards electrification to achieve sustainability. Hence, sparking the interest in STEM studies, education and vocational training cannot start early enough. This paper introduces the benefits of the educational use of sUAS by identifying core benefits in the three domains of learning – cognitive, affective, psycho-motor. Preliminary data and survey results from from several science, technology, engineering and math …

Service-Learning In Undergraduate General Chemistry: A Review, Emily Faulconer, C. J. Y. Kam

Publications

Background: Service-learning is gaining recognition as a valuable pedagogy for students to gain both academic and psychosocial benefits. This high-impact practice allows students to achieve course learning objectives while contributing to their community's needs. A review from 2007 revealed a lack of research focused on the topic in the prior decade, despite the interest that was shown by the American Chemical Society in 2000. Purpose: This review of recent case studies on the topic provides future researchers and practitioners with an understanding of the current state of service-learning in undergraduate chemistry courses. Methodology/Approach: To create a representative sample of recent …

Online Undergraduate Research In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics Courses, Emily K. Faulconer

Publications

What constitutes research can vary across fields. Even within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, the definition of research is flexible. For example, although science research and engineering research use similar methods and both produce valuable insights into the nature of our physical world, they have notably different focuses, with sciences aimed at expanding the outer edges of our knowledge and engineering fixed on systematic structuring of knowledge for application (National Academy of Engineering, 1995). Regardless of the STEM discipline, undergraduate research is a mentored experience in which students engage in original work, disseminating their outcomes to a larger …

Peer Learning In Introductory Engineering, Kimberly Luthi, Mohua Kar, Lisa Macon

Publications

Observed characteristics of non-traditional student populations: low retention, low grades, low participation, low confidence in mathematical and problem-solving abilities. Research question: Does participation in peer-led team-learning (PLTL) activities support underrepresented and female students’ performance in introductory engineering courses and retention in engineering pathways?

Peer Learning In Introductory Engineering, Kimberly Luthi, Mohua Kar, Lisa Macon

Publications

Observed characteristics of non-traditional student populations: low retention, low grades, low participation, low confidence in mathematical and problem-solving abilities. Research question: Does participation in peer-led team-learning (PLTL) activities support underrepresented and female students’ performance in introductory engineering courses and retention in engineering pathways?