Education Commons^™

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer And A Four-Year-Old: Lessons For Leadership & Life, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

Last week while I was in the shower, my four-year-old daughter, Raquel, walked into the bathroom and asked me an interesting question. “Mom, why doesn’t anyone like Rudolph’s shiny red nose?” My daughter was supposed to be in bed sleeping. I am 99% sure she was lying in bed reflecting on her day.

Many nights I have quietly checked on her before going to bed myself only to find her talking to herself while she makes vivid hand gestures and motions. On this particular evening, her talk and gestures must have focused on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. After thinking about …

Community College Faculty Perspective On Changing Online Course Management Systems: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Kathleen Eitzmann

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This is a phenomenological research study about a college that is changing course management systems for online courses and the experiences that the full-time faculty go through during the transition from one course management system (CMS) to another.

Colleges are seeing a student enrollment shift away from the traditional classroom toward the online environment. This demand in online learning means colleges have to offer more online courses, train more faculty, and support the technological requirements of online learning. Many colleges purchase a course management system to support their online courses. When a college changes the course management system, faculty must …

Adding Value To Graduate Education: The Comprehensive Examination, John L. Lindquist, Samuel E. Wortman, Charles A. Francis

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Virtually all graduate study requirements for MS or PhD degrees include a written comprehensive and an oral exam, the latter most often a presentation of thesis or dissertation results. The written exam takes many forms, but the goals are to test the candidate for technical competence and affirm that the prior program course work has been effective in bringing the candidate to an acceptable level of understanding of the discipline in which she or he has been immersed. Although long accepted as a useful hurdle on the path to a degree, for some exceptional students who have already demonstrated competence …

Enriching Science And Math Through Engineering, Adrienne Redmond, Julie Thomas, Karen High, Margaret Scott, Pat Jordan, Jean Dockers

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

This case study reviewed the collaborative efforts of university engineers, teacher educators, and middle school teachers to advance sixth- and seventh-grade students’ learning through a series of project-based engineering activities. This two-year project enriched regular school curricula by introducing real-world applications of science and mathematics concepts that expanded opportunities for creativity and problem-solving, introduced problem-based learning, and provided after-school programming (for girls only) led by engineering students from the local university. This engineering education initiative showed significant impact on students’ (1) confidence in science and mathematics; (2) effort toward science and mathematics; (3) awareness of engineering; and (4) interest in …

Success In One High-Poverty, Urban Elementary School: A Case Study, Shavonna L. Holman

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the efforts implemented in a high-poverty, urban elementary school in order to increase academic achievement. The central research question was:

1. How do teachers and administrators in a high-poverty, urban school describe the strategies they use to achieve academic success?

The sub-questions were:

1. What are the aspects of the instructional program that assure student success for all students?
2. What changes occurred in the school to achieve its current status?
3. How have the changes been implemented to assure student success?
4. What resources have been instrumental to achieve student success in the school? …

The Increasing World Population: A Call For Entrepreneurial Leadership & Innovation, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

According to the United Nations, the world’s population hit 7 billion on October 31, 2011. The United Nations is projecting the world population to reach 9.3 billion by 2050. The new population landmark set off alarms in governments and organizations around the world. Most of the growth will occur in the poorest and least developed regions of the world, which already must work to resolve issues related to shortages of quality food, soil, air and water. Many people living in these countries also lack access to education, healthcare and global political capital. This white paper discusses the importance of innovation …

Coaching Leaders: Co-Creating Purpose Based Innovation, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

Innovation always begins with people, and leading innovation at the individual and organizational levels can be a tricky process. This presentation focuses on Dr. Connie's Inner-Leader Coaching Ecosystem and the positive impact it has had in three different cases.

Framework For Discipline‐Based Education Research: Dber Meeting Starter “Nugget” : Series Of 6, Leilani Arthurs

DBER Speaker Series

What is Discipline‐Based Education Research (DBER)?

Who Does Discipline‐Based Education Research (DBER)?

Where and When is Discipline‐Based Education Research (DBER) Done?

How is Discipline‐Based Education Research (DBER) Conducted?

Why is Discipline‐Based Education Research (DBER) Important?

Discipline-Based Education Research (Dber) Group Meeting — Monday, October 24, 2011, Leilani Arthurs

DBER Speaker Series

AGENDA

1. Welcome & Introductions

Name, Dept, research interest, what you hope to gain from participating in DBER Group meetings

2. Purpose & Schedule for remaining part of the semester

a. Alternate times you are available to meet this semester

Please indicate your alternate available times on the bottom of this agenda, and return to Leilani.

b. Volunteers to present their research or facilitate discussion on peer‐reviewed science education research article with relevance to, applications in, or implications for undergraduate science education

Week of Mon. Oct. 31: Dr. Marilyne Stains (CHEM Dept) on “TBA”

Week of Mon. Nov. 7: CHEM …

A Research Report: Quality Of Life In Nonmetropolitan Nebraska (2011 Nebraska Rural Poll Results) As Spoken On Kncy Radio Extension Update, October 1, 2011, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

Hello! This is Connie Reimers-Hild with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension at the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City, NE and host of the television show Market Journal with your Extension Update. Today, I am going to update you on some of the results of the well-being section of the 2011 Nebraska Rural Poll. This particular section of the poll will detail the 2,490 responses from the 2011 Poll.

With all the negativity these days, I get to be the bearer of positive news, which is great! The 2011 Rural Poll found that most rural Nebraskans believe they …

A Distance-Delivered Teacher Education Program For Rural Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Teacher Candidates, Gayla Lohfink, Amanda Morales, Gail Shroyer, Sally Yahnke, Cecilia Hernandez

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

This article describes a collaborative, distance-delivered, teacher preparation program for rural, culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) teacher candidates. Multiple institutions partnered with one university in order to diversify the teaching force in the region and meet the needs of CLD students living there. In describing the program's design and implementation phases, a focus on cultural responsiveness to the candidates ' needs, their rural settings, and high populations of Latino/a students in the rural areas in which they were trained is presented. Assessment of each implementation phase guided program practice for the participants ' training as effective teachers. Relevant discussion indicates …

Coaching Power Tool: Success Vs. Failure, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

Part of personal leadership and innovation is self-discovery, which requires introspection and the ability to see the unseen. Sometimes it is necessary to consider a different perspective. We have to shift our thinking to see possibilities in a new light. Sometimes, it is the unobvious that may be the most important. It is important for us to challenge our thinking and traditional thought to redefine success, failure and our ability to take risks.

The "High 5" Elevator Pitch Worksheet, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

Great elevator pitches are created to sell something in 30 seconds or less (the time it takes to go from the first floor to the top of the building in an elevator). Think broadly about how a great pitch can help you. Great pitches can be used to market or sell anything from yourself as an individual to your business or community. Great pitches are clear and compelling. They make memorable impressions of whatever you are pitching and create a foundation for building relationships, clients, sales and investments!

(Presentation) Innovation Begins With People: Leading With A New Lens, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

Innovation always begins with people. This workshop focused on the importance of creativity and innovation for Nebraska leaders and communities.

Personal Innovation Action Self-Coaching Tool: Success Vs. Failure, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

Part of personal leadership and innovation is self-discovery. One of the first steps in the process of personal innovation is discovering and defining success and failure.

Cultures and nations around the world define success differently, and it is important for individuals to define their own version of success to live their best lives.

In order to unleash your true potential, become very aware of how you define success. Is it your definition? Or, is it the definition society or others have imposed upon you?

Rarely do we examine success in terms of personal fulfillment, happiness or joy. Maybe your success …

Coaching Power Tool: Wants Vs. Musts, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

Coaching Power Tool: Wants vs. Musts

Identifying and Clarifying Wants and Musts

Our actions do not always reflect what we say we want. This power tool is designed to clarify what you want vs. what you must have and/or do. And I mean really, really must have and/or experience. The deep down, gut-wrenching things that you just can’t live without.

The trick here is to block out all those annoying little distractions and voices that get in the way. So again, when doing these Innovation Actions, I encourage you to find a quiet space and a block of uninterrupted time …

Innovation Begins With People: Leading With A New Lens, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

Innovation Begins with People: Leading with a New Lens will focus on developing innovation strategies for communities. Topics covered include leadership, creativity, innovation, teamwork, trends, challenges and opportunities.

Experiences, Insights And Advice: Perspectives Of A Nontraditional Graduate Student, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

I recently graduated with my Ph.D., and I have had a variety of experiences during my college career. For example, I have been both a traditional student and a nontraditional learner. I have also studied at a distance. A variety of educational and professional experiences have enabled me develop some powerful insights on what it takes to be a successful nontraditional learner. One of the most important lessons I have learned is that it is important to develop learners’ human and social capital in order to help them increase their chances of success. First, this paper will present my experiences …

Changing Perceptions Of Science In Undergraduate Students: A Mixed Methods Case Study, Cindy S. Larson-Miller

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this bounded single-case study was to explore the understanding of the nature and process of science for undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). The study investigated one professor’s methodology to explicitly teach undergraduate students about the nature and process of science, and documented their understanding and perception of science, both pre- and post-course.

Using a mixed method approach, data were collected to provide a better understanding of teaching the nature and process of science. Three main types of data were analyzed: the process of science (TPOS) assessment; survey questions, and the module curriculum.

Participating students …

Leading Innovation: Creating A Culture Of Sustainability Presentation, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

This presentation focuses on elements of leading sustainable innovation in organizations by using Dr. Connie's 5 Rays of Innovation: Calibrate, Collaborate, Create, Communicate and Celebrate

Exemplary High School Teacher's Utilization Of Web-Facilitated Instruction: A Multiple-Case Study, Tracy A. Platt

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Technology and the web are becoming as necessary to the education of “digital natives” (Prensky, 2001) as the textbook. This qualitative multiple case study focused on the manner in which web-facilitated technologies influenced instruction through planning, preparation, and instructional practices of secondary teachers. Three high school teachers were selected as participants based on their administrator recommending them as an exemplary teacher utilizing web-facilitated technology. A multiple case qualitative design was employed where 8 to 9 observations occurred over a 2-month period. Observations were concluded by researcher journaled thoughts, feelings, and general impressions of what was observed. Post observation interviews queried …

Personality Temperament's Influence On Instructional Strategy Type Selection By Nebraska And Iowa High School Band Directors In A Concert Band Setting, Matthew Herrick

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The field of education is constantly searching for techniques to efficiently select effective instructional strategies in order to differentiate instruction for students. Why do teachers select the types of instructional strategies they do to promote learning in the music classroom? Most teachers believe a mixture of educational goals, teacher experience, research, student ability, aptitude, interest, and learning style intuitively guide their strategy selection process (Tomlinson et al., 2003). One possible theory is that teachers' personalities are guiding the intuition that selects the instructional strategies. The purpose of this study was to determine if the high school band director's personality temperament …

What's Your Pitch? Explain Your Business In 30 Seconds (Or Less)!, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

This keynote presentation was designed to help entrepreneurs, small business owners and community leaders use the "High 5" Elevator Pitch developed by Connie Reimers-Hild, Ph.D. (creimers2@unl.edu) to better sell themselves, their businesses and communities.

English Language Learners’ Connection To School And English Through The Digital Storytelling Process, Megan J. Mcelfresh

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Thanks to the developing technology of digital storytelling, English Language Learner teachers at Maple Elementary may have a potential answer to help 2nd grade students with their growth in English and connection to school. The questions that guided this inquiry into digital storytelling in the ELL classroom were the following: Are there particular benefits to ELLs in digital storytelling? Do ELL students see connections through the digital storytelling process to their growth as a writer and role in the school community? Research has previously shown the success of ELL students is strongly linked to the instruction they receive and sense …

The Development Of Phonological Awareness In Young Children: Examining The Effectiveness Of A Phonological Awareness Program, Stephanie Schmitz

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of the Road to the Code phonological awareness program on the development of at-risk, kindergarten students’ phonological awareness and early reading skills. Six kindergarten students were identified as experiencing difficulty in the area of phonological awareness and were divided into three groups. This study included three phases: a baseline phase, during which no instruction in the Road to the Code program was provided; an intervention phase, during which the Road to the Code program was implemented; and a maintenance phase. Student reading progress was monitored using standardized measures from …

Designing A School Garden Space That Emphasizes Children's Wants And Uses Permaculture Design Methods, Mikhaela Mullins

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

A case study was organized at Saratoga Elementary school in Lincoln, Nebraska to obtain data on what children desire in a garden space. To collect this data a school garden space was constructed and an after school garden club was implemented. Students who participated in the after school garden club partook in the study by drawing their ideal garden. Elements that the subjects drew were identified and categorized into ‘highly desired’ and ‘somewhat desired’.

These elements were then incorporated into a proposed garden design plan for Saratoga. The proposal plan uses Permaculture design methods to emphasize sustainability.

Exploring Student Perceptions To Explain The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Academic Achievement In Adolescents: A Mixed Methods Study, Megan J. Hylok

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A nationwide survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control in 2007 reported 65% of high school students did not meet the recommendation that youth participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week (CDC, 2008). While research has focused its attention primarily on bodily health, growing evidence supports the benefits of physical activity on brain health (Ratey & Hagerman, 2008). Physical activity is important and many adolescents are not meeting the recommendation, therefore, it is important to explore the adolescent perceptions to understand which factors influence physical activity participation. The significance of this study …

Ready, Set...Pitch: Marketing Yourself With A High Five For The Nta Promarks Spring Meeting, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

A workshop presented at the NTA Promarks Spring Meeting designed to help them develop their elevator pitches using Dr. Connie's High 5 Elevator Pitch method

Leading Innovation: Creating A Culture Of Sustainability Workshop Presentation, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

A workshop designed to lead sustainable innovation with a focus on Dr. Connie's "5 Rays" of Innovation

Leading Innovation: Creating A Culture Of Sustainability Workbook, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

A workbook designed to compliment the workshop, "Leading Innovation: Creating a Culture of Sustainability" and focused on teaching Dr. Connie's 5 Rays of Innovation