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Identification And Distribution Of Masked And Hayden's Shrews (Genus Sorex) In Iowa, Howard P. Whidden, Alison W. Ray, John B. Bowles

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Masked shrews (Sorex cinereus) and Hayden's shrews (S. haydeni) are both reported from Iowa, but the two species are difficult to tell apart and their relative distributions in Iowa have been unclear. We took 13 skull measurements and examined 2 qualitative features on more than 300 specimens of Sorex from Iowa. The vast majority of our specimens could be identified easily by cranial measurements, and more than half could be identified by the relative position of the maxillary plate. We found no evidence for intergradation between the two species. Masked shrews are present throughout most of Iowa, whereas Hayden's shrews …

Back Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Soybean Canopy Gap Influence On Velvetleaf Seed Production, Shawn R. Wright, Micheal D. K. Owen, Douglas D. Buhler

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Gaps in the soybean row provide locations for velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) plant growth. Gap width, and velvetleaf plant location within the gap, were investigated for effect on seed production. There was no significant difference in velvetleaf capsule production between plants that grew either centered in a gap or at the western end of a gap in east-west oriented soybean rows. Also, there was no difference in plant survival, emergence through the soybean canopy, flowering, locule number per capsule, or average seed weight of velvetleaf based on gap width. However, there was a difference in capsule production based on gap width. …

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Cover - Table Of Contents

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Cattle Grazing On Woodlands In Central Iowa, Cathy Mabry

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Iowa's forests have undergone a dramatic decline in area since settlement by Europeans. Most of the remaining forests have been degraded by an assortment of human impacts, with cattle grazing the most prominent among them. Using a matched pairs study designed to control for environmental differences among plots, I examined the impact of cattle grazing on the forest understory, canopy trees, and tree regeneration. There were distinct groups of understory species associated with ungrazed and grazed plots. Species associated with ungrazed plots were all native and tended to be perennial herbs with fleshy roots. Ungrazed plots also had species preferring …

Science Safety Status In Iowa Schools, Gerlovich A. Jack, Rahul Parsa, Bruce Frana, Theresa Stiner

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Between May and December 2001, 574 Iowa science teachers participated in a statewide science safety project supported by financial assistance from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Part one of the project focused on assessing the status of safety in Iowa secondary science programs. Part two was to provide teachers with information, tools, and training to address the identified needs. Three safety concerns were identified: one was associated with the age of lab facilities and two were related to safety training of teachers.

Awards And Recognition, Iowa Academy Of Science, 2002

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Issues Impacting The Quality Of Mental Health In Older Adults, Rachel I. Pettit

Graduate Research Papers

Older adults are confronted with a variety of developmental and unexpected issues that can impair or strengthen their mental health. Affective and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and suicide are some of the mental health issues when older adults experience difficulty with the aging process. On the other hand, the quality of their physical and mental health, their support system, the resolution of grief and loss issues, and the strength of their spirituality assist older adults in recreating meaning. Thus, they are able to live their senior years with purpose. These issues will be addressed and recommendations will be described with …

Losing Faith : The Process Of Converting To Atheism, Jennifer J. Jacobi

Graduate Research Papers

The current study examines the process of converting to atheism and the counseling issues associated with it. It is argued that conversion to atheism can be conceptualized according to the model of religious conversion that Paloutzian, Richardson, and Rambo (1999) suggested. Research on atheism is reviewed in terms of how it fits into the stages of this model, and implications for counseling are discussed.

Middle School Art And The Internet, John F. Bueltel

Graduate Research Papers

This graduate project focuses on the efforts of one middle school art teacher to integrate the Internet into the middle school art curriculum at one middle school in Iowa. Classrooms with Internet access increased to 63 percent in 2000 (National Center for Education Statistics, 2000) with similar numbers of school age children ( 65 percent) having Internet access in their homes (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). Art teachers have been reluctant to embrace this technology (Matthews, 1997) even though many art education resources exist on the Internet. The Internet can provide a vast resource of artwork from web sites published by …

A Review Of Online Career Services In The Twenty-First Century, Marsha Yvette Saddler

Graduate Research Papers

The need to examine and explore the status of career services online is not only timely, but necessary in the ever-changing technology movement that has affected the very culture of student affairs in American higher education. The purpose of this paper is to accomplish that task by providing a synopsis of research gathered from three main categories of online career services, and to discuss how using the Internet to deliver these services can enhance the career development of college students.

My Vision For Becoming A Secondary Level Educational Administrator : A Reflective Essay, Camelle C. Kinney

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to discuss my beliefs about being a secondary administrator. The focus of this paper is to gain a personal understanding of what a secondary administrator is and does, based on various readings, discussions, practicum experiences as well as journaling activities.

The Effects Of Using Computer-Assisted Learning To Teach Multiplication, Brian Unruh

Graduate Research Papers

This case study investigated the effects of using computer-assisted learning (CAL) while teaching multiplication facts to 32 third-graders. This quasi-experimental study spanned a six-week period and was analyzed using a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Among these qualitative techniques were participant observation and formal and informal interviews. The quantitative component included document analysis of three separate instruments. This study demonstrated a low correlation between the use of CAL and recall skills. However, students felt comfortable and enthusiastic working with the computer. In addition to the excitement, students felt significantly more confident and successful using the computer. There was evidence …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tami L. Mclean

Graduate Research Papers

I believe that the role of the principal is vital in creating the workplace and learning community necessary to prepare students for the future. The principal serves many roles including communicator and leader. I know that I possess the skills necessary to fulfill these roles and effectively move a district forward. My vision for the future is not to use a top-down approach in leading a school, but a broad-based participation approach. The school in which I work will strive to enhance leadership in all teachers, form a community of lifelong learners, and grow and reflect individually as professionals. I …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary And Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, James D. Moeller

Graduate Research Papers

There was a time the school principal's job was clear and relatively simple - not easy, but simple. Everyone understood the role of the principal. That is no longer the case.

In today's society, the public education system in America is one that is fraught with dissension, politics and numerous other variables. Leaders and managers in the public sector are under far greater scrutiny than those in the public sector and the school principal is one position that is frequently caught in a maelstrom.

This essay will explore the literature to identify the numerous characteristics, knowledge and skills that are …

Academic Attribution Style Of Tenth Grade Students With Attachment Problems, Kimberly Conrad

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between attachment and attribution in adolescents. The question that will be answered in this study is is there a relationship between attachment (as measured by the Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire) and attribution ( as measured by the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire). There is not enough data in the literature at the present time to clearly support that there is a relationship. Data were collected by using two instruments, Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ), (West, Rose, Spreng, Sheldon-Keller, & Adam, 1998), and Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire (Crandall, Katkovosky, & Crandall, …

Impact Of Family Involvement On Student Academic Achievement, Jennifer L. Meyer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate beliefs, barriers, and current levels of parental involvement in the education of their child. There were three research questions: 1. Is there a relationship between differing parenting styles, social economic status, and family configurations and beliefs about parental involvement in the education of their child? 2. What prevents parents of differing parenting styles, social economic status, and family configurations from being involved in their child's education? 3. Is there a relationship between differing parenting styles, social economic status, and family configurations and current involvement in their child's education? Seventy-five parents of sixth …

Acculturative Stress Experienced By International Students At The University Of Northern Iowa And Their Coping Options, Mmamiki Gaolatlhe Kamanakao

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the acculturative stressors of international students at the University of Northern Iowa and determine what services or programs they access or use as their coping options. Also included in the study was a description of differences in the extracted factors of acculturative stress by gender, age, marital status, residence type, place of origin, length of study at UN[, length of stay in the US, and number of working hours per week. A random sample of 98 international students (45% female, and 54% male) responded to a 50-item acculturative stress and coping …

Student Perceptions Of A Peer Mediation Program In A Middle School Setting, Amy Junkermeier

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to provide basic descriptive information regarding a peer mediation program at a rural middle school in Iowa. Students' familiarity and perceptions of the peer mediation program were assessed. The findings indicated that students were aware of the Peacemaking program. However, students also suggested that the school could do a better job providing information about the program. The data also indicated that the majority of students believed that peacemaking was effective and reported that the peacemakers were neutral and confidential. Most students also indicated that they would ask for help from a peacemaker if they …

A Case Study Of A Child Presenting Academic And On Task Difficulties, Eric Stephen Weichers

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The current study examines a 4th grade, African-American male referred for special education eligibility evaluation. Specific academic difficulties cited on the referred included reading, writing, spelling, and math. A behavioral concern included the student's off task behavior and how it might contribute to his academic difficulties. A special education evaluation was conducted that included the procedures of reviewing the student's records, interviewing those of consequence to the evaluation, classroom observations of the student's behavior, and testing of skills. The testing procedures included nationally normed standardized tests, curriculum based assessment, permanent product review, informal reading inventory scores, and an intelligence test. …

Web-Based Distance Instructional Partnership For Maritime Technology Of Pacific Rim Countries, Chun-Mei Shieh

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The prime purpose of this study was to identify and determine the attitudes and intentions of the faculty members in the field of marine technology education in Taiwan and Australia regarding adopting Web-based distance education. A secondary purpose was to develop guidelines for a program in preparation for implementing Web-based distance education for faculty members in Taiwan.

Five groups in the field of marine technology composed the research population for this study. They are the faculty members in Taiwan in nine vocational high schools, two junior colleges, the National Kaohsiung Institute Marine Technology (NKIMT), and the National Taiwan Ocean University …

A Study Of The Multiple Perspective Approach To Leadership Used By Elementary And Secondary Public School Principals In Urban Iowa, Tracy E. Johns

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Based on the writings and research of Dr. L. G. Bolman and Dr. T. E. Deal, this study sought to assess the leadership practices, preferences, preparedness, and performance of public school principals in urban Iowa. Specifically, were the principals in Iowa's eight largest districts making use of a multiple perspective approach to leadership? In what areas did they appear to feel most competent? And, in what areas did the principals in this study appear to feel most inadequate?

Bolman and Deal's Leadership Orientations ( Self ) Survey (1990) was distributed to 240 elementary and secondary principals working within the Urban …

A National Survey Of Elementary Principals' Response To The Events Of September 11, 2001, Diane Mary Mccarty

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The events of September 11, 2001, will be forever etched in the minds of citizens of the United States. Because students enrolled in the nation's elementary schools compose a significant segment of the population affected by these watershed events, this study investigated the responses of elementary school principals to the terrorist events of September 11. Specifically, this study sought to determine the degree to which elementary principals perceived their school's crisis management plan supported their leadership on September 11, 2001, and in the days and weeks that followed, and the degree to which elementary principals perceived these actions were connected …

Integrating New Technologies Into The Methods Of Education (Intime): Its Impact On The Professional Practice Of Participating Teacher Educators, Marius Boboc

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this qualitative study is to determine those factors that influenced the implementation of a technology-based project (Integrating New Technologies Into Methods of Education [INTIME]) as well as its overall impact on the professional practice of participating methods professors who used it in their classroom over a number o f semesters.

Recent research findings reveal the fact that teacher preparation programs lack the proper use of computer technology (CT). In this light, it would be expected that in- service teachers who have recently graduated college do not master the necessary technological skills to educate their own students for …

Parental Perceptions On Maintaining Heritage Languages Of Cld Students, Ruth Lingxin Yan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The rapid growth of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) students in public schools of the United States has been steady in the past decades. Issues concerning CLD students such as their school failures, high dropout rates, the limited English proficiency, family poverty, and their unequal job opportunities, have caused increasing concerns from policy makers, school administrators and educators at all school levels. Various efforts to modify CLD students' social and academic disadvantages have been attempted through educational approaches, especially in the form of heritage language support in bilingual education programs initiated at the local school levels and funded by …

Student Perceptions Of Satisfaction With School Climate In Relationship To Their Involvement In An Extracurricular Activity Program For The Promotion Of Intercultural Harmony, Dana Charles Deines

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of conducting this study was to examine the relationship between students' involvement in extracurricular activities and their perceptions of satisfaction with the components of school climate. Central to this study was the examination of the relationship between students' involvement in an extracurricular activity program developed for the promotion of intercultural harmony and their perceptions of satisfaction with school climate.

From the approximately 1,200 students of a Midwestern high school, more than 400 students were surveyed using the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Student Satisfaction Survey to determine students' satisfaction with the components of their school climate. …

In Their Footsteps: Women Faculty Of Wartburg College 1914–1945, Susan Kosche Vallem

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hiring and inclusion of women faculty members in private higher education, using Wartburg College as a case study. This study identified and described the educational policies and procedures at Wartburg from 1914 to 1945 related to the hiring of women faculty at Wartburg College.

While the history of women in higher education is well-chronicled, much less is written on the impetus and motivation for hiring women faculty and their impact on the institutions themselves. This dissertation adds to that specific body of knowledge.

Three research questions were investigated in this study: …

General Educator Training For The Instruction Of English Language Learners : Is It Sufficient?, Jane E. Zirkelbach

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The present study examined perceptions from a small sample of teachers from two small Midwestern districts. Teachers were interviewed to collect information regarding the teachers' training for the general education instruction and the identification process for special education for English Language Learners (ELLs ). In addition, teachers were asked to suggest future methods of training and identify alternatives to special education referrals for ELLs. The results indicated that teachers are not adequately trained to instruct nor identify ELLs for special education and that future teachers should be trained to educate and communicate with ELLs. Recommendations include more comprehensive