Education Commons^™

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 09, December 18, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 08, December 4, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Design Portfolio: Innovation Team Uncharted, Angelina Bartolotta, Michael Everix, Chance Colter, Sophia Hall, Kimberly Berry, Kiernan Pitts, Whitney Veldheer

Undergraduate Research

Thank you for your interest in our team, Team Uncharted, and our work with the Grand Valley State University Frederik Meijer Honors College. At the time of undertaking the task of making the Honors College more “distinctive and distinguished,” we also bore in mind the greater task of creating a better experience and life for all stakeholders. Our ultimate hope is that these efforts radiate through the process and final innovation proposal.

The team working on this project consisted of 7 members: Angelina Bartolotta, Michael Everix, Chance Colter, Sophia Hall, Kimberly Berry, Kiernan Pitts, and Whitney Veldheer. Each member took …

Gvsu Honors College: A More Distinctive Experience, Alexis Ellis, Darius Youngblood, Lynn Doherty, Marissa Kahnt, Pierce Henderson,, Taylor Kooy

Undergraduate Research

In the later summer of 2017, our team was assembled from six individuals in the HNR 313 Design Thinking class at Grand Valley State University. In time, we would learn each other’s names, personalities, assign roles for the task ahead, and come to share life experiences. Alexis Ellis became our team writing lead, Darius Youngblood became the team leader, Lynn Doherty volunteered to be the scribe and recorder, Marisa Kahnt became a co-reporter and manager of human resources, Pierce Henderson became co-reporter and researcher, and Taylor Kooy became co-presenter and task manager.

With our team finalized, we were able to …

Team Psi: Making The Frederik Meijer Honors College Experience More Distinctive, Selena Brown, Kendra Smith, Sara Harman, Michael Guscar, Josh Schneider, Cassondra Anderson

Undergraduate Research

We are grateful for your interest in our proposed solution to increase the distinction of the Frederik Meijer Honors College. This journey spanned four months, and included countless hours of research, interviews, ideating, and prototyping. Our portfolio will walk you through this process, to help you understand our insights, and how we used Design Thinking to create our final innovation.

We would also like to express our gratitude for the teaching and guidance of professor Linda Chamberlain of the Frederik Meijer Honors College, and all the ways in which she helped us navigate the Design Thinking process. Without her, this …

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 07, November 20, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 06, November 6, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

The Student Centered Approach Storied: What Students Have To Teach Us, Taylor A. Norman

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

In this paper, the pedagogical method known as student centered instruction is storied. Classroom narratives, called pedagogical stories, are shared to inform the collective practice of teaching. Together, stories of classroom experiences speak in one voice (Coles, 2004). A voice that tells preservice teachers stories of what they might encounter when applying their learned methods to classroom practice; stories of classroom situations that aim to inform theory and method with practice. Through the use of classroom narratives, the author suggests that the student centered approach has a responsibility to culturally responsive teaching, especially in the language arts classroom.

Liberal Vs. Professional Advertising Education: A National Survey Of Practitioners, Robin Spring, Alex Nesterenko

Peer Reviewed Articles

The issue of liberal vs. professional education is central to the conversation about advertising education. Practitioners influence the development of advertising curricula, so it is necessary to have data representing their views. A national survey was conducted with 366 practitioners in the United States. Findings show that practitioners believe a four-year college degree is important. They also believe that the best educational format includes a balance of liberal and professional education. Practitioners believe soft skills should be taught, though the most attainable entry-level jobs require digital technology skills. Digital technology also is identified as the most significant challenge for the …

Student-Centered Approaches To Teaching Grammar And Writing, Lindsay J. Jeffers

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

This article questions the continued reliance on traditional approaches to the teaching of grammar, particularly the memorization of parts of speech and grammar rules. Years of studies show that grammar instruction out of the context of writing is detrimental to students. Despite much progress toward student-centered instruction, traditional methods of teaching grammar are still a cornerstone of writing instruction in many English classes. The article suggests more effective, student-centered approaches that focus on students developing as writers and readers. Through modeling and inquiry, students focus on writing as a craft and make choices as writers. It’s essential that research about …

Mitigating The Tensions Of Teacher Evaluation Through Pragmatism, Scott Sheedlo

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

The Five Dimensions of Teaching and Learning (5 D+) model for teacher evaluation is popular among Michigan school districts as the instrument to satisfy state law requiring districts to evaluate teachers. Veteran English Language Arts (ELA) teacher Scott Sheedlo gives a first-hand, narrative account of the questions and tensions implementation of the 5D+ model has caused for him as his district has adopted the model. Sheedlo notes this state mandate has resulted in the typical manifestations of teacher resistance, as the model is at odds with his own metrics for good teaching and includes unfamiliar, research-based practices such as formative …

Real Boys Don't Do Language And Literacy--Or Do They?, Christen M. Pearson

MITESOL Journal: An Online Publication of MITESOL

Over the past several decades, there has been a decline in boys’ achievement, along with documentation of increasing struggles in language (both first and second) and literacy acquisition (Carr & Pauwels, 2006). To address this problem, gender differences have been looked at through the lens of socially and culturally constructed identity (Kindlon & Thompson, 2000; Pollack, 1998); however, emerging neurolinguistic research supports biological determinism, with evidence of strong biological (sex) differences in brain structure and function that impact language and learning (Bonomo, 2010; Gurian, 1996; Sax, 2005). This paper first provides an overview of current brain-based research on sex differences, …

The Quest For Respect: Esl Faculty And Programs In U.S. Higher Education, Ildiko Porter-Szucs

MITESOL Journal: An Online Publication of MITESOL

Relying on data from two nationwide surveys, this study examines the status of ESL programs in primarily U.S. higher educational settings as perceived by professionals in such programs. The focus is on the perceived lack of recognition and on measures taken against it. Survey respondents make suggestions for increasing the field’s visibility and respect on campus through interdepartmental outreach, policy and curricular initiatives, marketing, publishing/presenting, and academic as well as non-academic initiatives involving students.

Empowering Teachers With The Tools Of Linguistics: A Review Of Razfar And Rumenapp's Applying Linguistics In The Classroom: A Sociocultural Approach, Lindsay Vecchio

MITESOL Journal: An Online Publication of MITESOL

Book Review

Applying Linguistics in the Classroom: A Sociocultural Approach, A. Razfar & J.C. Rumenapp. Routledge: New York (2014).

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 05, October 23, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 04, October 9, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 03, September 25, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 02, September 11, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Faculty Development Through Cognitive Coaching, Mary A. Bair

Peer Reviewed Articles

This paper describes a faculty development project in which 12 teacher educators used the Cognitive Coaching model to engage in critical reflections about their teaching. Each identified an aspect of their teaching they wanted to improve and a colleague to serve as coach. Participants engaged in Cognitive Coaching cycles, consisting of planning and reflecting conferences. These experiences uncovered the promise and challenges of nurturing faculty development through Cognitive Coaching. Preliminary findings indicate that the educators’ participation facilitated professional collegiality, personal self-renewal, and pedagogical improvement, suggesting that Cognitive Coaching has the potential to be an effective approach to faculty development.

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 042, Number 01, August 29, 2017, Grand Valley State University

2017-2018, Volume 42

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Using Figurative Language In American English: Challenges And Successes Of Adult English Learners, Abbey L. Ventrone

Masters Theses

English language learners (ELLs) face many challenges when learning English. One of those challenges is the figurative language that is used in every day conversations. Often the lack of understanding or misunderstanding, can result in awkward conversations for English learners. This study aimed to identify what interpretations adult English learners at the advanced level give to American English figurative language and how do those interpretations differ or correspond to native speakers’ interpretations. This case study looks specifically at five adult learners from three different countries. The learners met once a week during the summer of 2016 to listen and interpret …

Can Eternity Stand The Test Of Time Sermon, Delivered At Fountain Street Church On July 30, 2017, Arend D. Lubbers

Presidential Speeches

Can Eternity Stand the Test of Time Sermon, delivered at Fountain Street Church on July 30, 2017 by Arend D. Lubbers, who served as President of Grand Valley from 1969-2001.

Retaining Black Female College Students: The Effects Of Meritocracy On Their Ideas Of Success, Tiffany Steele

College Student Affairs Leadership

The idea of merit-based education has plagued institutions of higher education for a substantial amount of time. The notion that ability, talent, and effort ultimately determine the success of an individual perpetuates the false ideology of all people have equal opportunities at success. In terms of education, using a merit-based lens magnifies the oppression of marginalized student groups specifically, Black female college students. Through a synthesis of the current literature, intersections between the use of merit in education, defining academic collegiate success and Black female students in higher education were discussed to explore the potential influence meritocracy has on how …

The Final Battle: Constructs Of Hegemonic Masculinity And Hypermasculinity In Fraternity Membership, Alex Zernechel, April L. Perry

College Student Affairs Leadership

This article explores the correlation between membership in a fraternal organization and masculinity identity development. Masculinity is embedded into the very foundation of the American fraternity culture. Fraternal organizations have served as a haven for young men that support the development of hegemonic masculinity and hypermasculinity, while preventing those same students from being exposed to opposing personality traits and challenges to their own idea of masculinity. In this paper, we present literature on hypermasulinity, fraternities, and a synthesis of the two. Based on the information presented, we make a call to action to educators and university administrators to help young …

If Not Us Then Who? Exploring The Role Of Hbcus In Increasing Black Student Engagement In Study Abroad, Megan Covington

College Student Affairs Leadership

Black students are alarmingly underrepresented in participation in study abroad experiences. The reasons for this vary, but are most often consists of barriers, such as financial constraints, lack of support from family, and fear of racial discrimination. Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are regarded as sanctuaries for Black students with emphasis on their commitment to providing low-income Black students with positive and nurturing educational experiences. As such, HBCUs are believed to be positioned to assist in overcoming the barriers to participation in study abroad for Black students. However, because they receive significantly less resources, they are limited in their …

First-Year Performance: Students With Disabilities Transitioning To College From High School, Andrew S. Herridge

College Student Affairs Leadership

Laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (Amendments Act), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) govern the responsibilities of both secondary schools and postsecondary institutions in regards to students with learning disabilities. With an approximate 34.5% of students with learning disabilities in secondary schools within the United States transitioning into higher education in 2005, the transition from secondary school to a college or university can be a time full of stress, new experiences, and confusion for students with learning disabilities. The purpose …

Where Did They Go: Retention Rates For Students Of Color At Predominantly White Institutions, Kevin S. Mcclain, April Perry

College Student Affairs Leadership

The United States higher education system is comprised of students from various racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Despite appearing diverse on the surface, many predominantly White institutions (PWIs) encounter impediments in retaining and graduating students of color. Over the past few decades, universities have made tremendous strides to correct past transgressions, which contributed to high dropout and transfer rates amongst students of color. Despite college’s efforts to be inclusive, discriminatory acts still occur on college campuses. Research has shown that campus racial climate contributes to the retention of students of color within the college. This literature review will delve into …

The Future Of Higher Education: Review Of Jon Mcgee’S Breakpoint: The Changing Marketplace For Higher Education, Dennis R. Bergevin

College Student Affairs Leadership

This book review analyzes Jon McGee's Breakpoint, highlighting the importance for higher education institutions to understand their position amidst demographic, economic, and cultural changes. McGee's position as a college administrator and father of a prospective college student offers a unique lens in which to investigate the broader context affecting colleges and universities. Data is strategically incorporated throughout the book, drawing from numerous demographic and economic trends affecting students and institutions. McGee does not promote a singular solution to challenges facing institutions today, but emphasizes applying an informed prospective towards leadership. This is an ideal resource for college administrators and …

Editor's Corner: Embracing Transition, Nicole Rombach

College Student Affairs Leadership

A note from the editor-in-chief.

Grand Valley Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 1 Summer 2017, Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley Magazine

Grand Valley Magazine is a quarterly publication about Grand Valley State University produced by University Communications since 2001.