Education Commons^™

Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are?, Frans De Waal

Norman Fries Distinguished Lectureship Series

No abstract provided.

Using Planned Reading Circles To Increase Pre-Service Special Education Teachers' Content Knowledge, Yvonne Hefner

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

This presentation will describe the implementation of an appropriate and effective teaching method to help pre-service teacher candidates learn about major course topics. As a method of teaching course content the presenter implements reading circles and the use of the wiki to teach course content in a college course for pre-service special education teacher candidates. The reading circles offer a direct way to encourage reading of course content and, in turn, lead to a better understanding of course content. The wiki allows the students to construct, discuss, revise, and fine-tune their understandings and interpretations of assigned readings. Both the reading …

Urban Students' Motivation In A Stem-Related Afterschool Program, Timothy Hicks, Tugba Ayer, Aeslya Fuqua, Jonathan D. Cohen

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

AMAYS is a design-based research project involving the creation, implementation, and evaluation of an informal learning environment (ILE) that combines elements of culturally relevant pedagogy, informal STEM learning, and gamified learning design. The target population is traditionally underserved middle school students in the greater Atlanta area. A pre-pilot study testing of the AMAYS intervention with a sample target population was completed this summer. Data sources consisted of field notes and open-ended interviews. The researchers used grounded theory in order to allow the data to lead us towards any conclusions. Data were analyzed at first with open coding and then with …

Coteaching In An Inclusion Setting: Perceptions Of Third- Through Eighth-Grade Educators, Crystal Ricks

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

The problem addressed by this study was that coteachers in the district had verbalized a need to address insufficiencies in their understanding about what constitutes best models or practices in inclusion settings. Specifically, coteachers voiced frustration regarding a lack of knowledge about inclusion practices and a lack of necessary training to better equip them to work in coteaching settings. Most of all, teachers in the district articulated concerns regarding the perceived lack of collaboration between coteachers, making it difficult for them to work together. Some teachers put forth views that coteaching as they experienced it was not the type of …

Improving Measurement Of Ambiguity Tolerance Among Teacher Candidates, Kent Allan Rittschof

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

The process of learning often requires dealing with the ambiguity of uncertain interpretations. A learner’s tolerance for ambiguity involves the degree of willingness to accept or adapt to unfamiliar, unpredictable, or uncertain situations and ideas. This study examined the measurement of ambiguity tolerance (AT) among teacher candidates. Pre-service teachers (n = 114) attending a medium size university in the southeastern United States were administered McLain's (1993) Multiple Stimulus Types Ambiguity Tolerance (MSTAT-I) scale. Analyses were first conducted on item responses from the MSTAT-I, then on item responses from the MSTAT-II (McLain, 2009), an instrument comprised of a subset of 13 …

All Possible Regressions Using Ibm Spss: A Practitioner’S Guide To Automatic Linear Modeling, T. Chris Oshima, Theresa Dell-Ross

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

Although the all possible subsets regression procedure (or all possible regressions) has been a preferred method for selecting the “best” model in multiple regression, it might not have been the most frequently used method by SPSS users partly due to its time consuming nature of evaluating all possible combinations of multiple regression models. Starting with Version 19, however, IBM SPSS introduced a new procedure called Automatic Linear Modeling, enabling researchers to select best subsets automatically. While the arrival of this new procedure is highly welcomed by researchers, practitioners, and students, it has also raised a potential threat of misuse due …

Books Or Boots: A Case Study Of The Dependents Of The Deployed, Meagan Arrastia, Aria Nicole Alvarez, Breanna Mechelle Drummond

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

In response to Dr. Jill Biden’s address at the 2016 AERA annual meeting to study and serve military families, we present a preliminary study of the dependents in military families currently attending college. This case study includes a collection of interviews with college students at a four-year comprehensive university who experienced parental deployment of one or more parent during childhood. Interviews consisted of questions about childhood and educational experiences. Transcripts from interviews with six females with varying experiences have been coded by three separate researchers using thematic analysis. Using self-determination theory to understand academic motivation and identification with the military, …

School Choice: Why Parents Choose Charter, Private, And Homeschool Options, Andrena B. Mathis

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

Abstract not available.

Investigating Elementary School Teachers’ Interactions Relating To Newcomer Emergent Bilingual Students, Amy Cain

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

Five of the top 16 counties in the United States with the fastest-growing Latino populations from 2000 to 2007 are in Georgia (Pew Hispanic Research Center, 2015). The Georgia metropolitan area where the study occurred has more Latinos than Austin, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, or Tucson (Pew Hispanic Research Center, 2015). Particularly following the New Latino Diaspora (Hamann, Wortham, & Murillo, 2002; Murillo, 2002; and Villenas, 2002) schools in the Southeastern United States have more and more Spanish-speaking students (Pew Hispanic Research Center, 2015). However, most classroom teachers have not received specialized training or professional development relating to these students (Ballantyne, …

Persistence To Graduation: Does Financial Aid Matter?, Mary E. Anderson, Noran L. Moffett

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

This mixed methods research study used a QUAN-QUAL Model to examine the impact that various factors have on student persistence to graduation in postsecondary education. A documentary research approach was used to collect existing data for first-time full-time freshmen in the Fall 2008 Cohort who graduated within six years at a private Historically Black College or University. A correlational research design was employed to determine if a significant relationship existed between the dependent variables—Persistence to Graduation within Six Years and Final GPA at Time of Degree Completion and independent variables. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to describe, summarize, and …

A Proposal For Evaluating Georgia’S Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Program, Donald Lamar Ariail

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

Georgia’s Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Program (SCTWP) became law in 1976. This program allows senior citizens age 62 and older to attend University System of Georgia (USG) institutions tuition free. With the ultimate aim of improving the current program, the purpose of the proposed evaluation of the SCTWP is to determine the ongoing implementation of the program including the status of the promotion of the program, the assistance being provided to seniors aimed at facilitating entry into the program, and the level of satisfaction of program participants. Preliminary research indicates that information about the program may be difficult to obtain …

Examining The Development Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy For Preservice Secondary Mathematics Teachers, Natasha Ramsay-Jordan

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

Culturally responsive mathematics pedagogy (CRMP) should be valued and presented as the norm for teachers so that students from diverse backgrounds can access essential mathematical knowledge (Aguirre & del Rosario, 2013; Bonner & Adams, 2012; Leonard & Moore, 2014). Prospective teachers of diverse students need to have opportunities in their professional study to develop the shared knowledge, perceptions and attitudes required for effective implementation of culturally responsive mathematics pedagogy (Gay, 2002). The purpose of this study is to begin investigative and exploratory work through the coupling of qualitative research methodology and critical race theory to examine preservice secondary mathematics teachers’ …

We’Ve Got You Covered! Using An Umbrella Approach For Research And Beam To Build Student Research Papers: How Library Instruction And English Composition Classes Lay The Foundation For Information Literacy And Research Skills, Samantha Mcneilly, Amy Locklear

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The Library and English instructors have typically utilized traditional ‘one-shot’ sessions to introduce students in Composition classes to the library databases and other resources available to them. Typically, there is little discussion as to how to formulate research strategies other than using keywords and Boolean operators in the search boxes of the various databases. Librarians expect the English instructors to prepare their students ahead of time on how to formulate keywords that will be used during their research. While most writing instructors are familiar with how to conduct research, they may not spend much time on teaching how to conduct …

Galileo: Staying Afloat In The Digital Age, Pamela Y. Mccreless

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

According to the Pew Research Center, 94% of teachers surveyed indicated that their students are “very likely” to use Google or other search engines ahead of all other sources when doing research for assignments. Educators agree that students are drowning in information. Teachers and librarians alike have the mission to teach information literacy skills to enable students to stay afloat in the sea of information. These same students were reported to lack online search skills. Students should understand that not all search engines are alike nor can all search engine results be trusted 100% of the time. GALILEO - Georgia …

Developing Blended Learning In Library Instruction To Cultivate Research And Critical Thinking Skills In The Undergraduate Student Population, Bernadette López-Fitzsimmons

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The ever-evolving digital resources in multiple types and formats have introduced numerous opportunities for enhanced teaching-and-learning environments focused on student–driven activities. Many of these strategies have already been implemented at educational institutions throughout the world.

This presentation will demonstrate how blended learning pedagogies in a library’s one-shot and for-credit courses cultivate research and critical thinking skills. The presenter will discuss how to customize library instruction for diverse student populations who have a complex history of multiple learning styles and varying literacy levels.

The presenter will describe several strategies that activate prior knowledge so that building new knowledge is seamlessly organic. …

Partnerships That Work: Teaching Research Skills Through Successful Faculty-Librarian Collaborations., Lizah Ismail, Janet S. Ward, Susan N. Moore

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Librarians from the A.J. Eastwood Library at Limestone College have successfully partnered with faculty in their efforts to teach students research skills. Through a variety of formats (including online class webinars, instructor-specific LibGuides, the Embedded Librarian in Blackboard and progressive research instruction sessions) as well as outreach initiatives (such as “Tea & Tidbits,” which is a monthly faculty training session, and Faculty Recognition Day), librarian-faculty collaboration is now at its highest peak. The presenters will share with attendees the evolution of these successful partnerships and also identify initiatives that worked well and those that did not, resulting in a “best …

Future Trends In Information Literacy Instruction: Lessons Learned From 13 Libraries, Kirsten N. Dean

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

In response to fresh mandates for proof of our library’s impact on student success, we are reformulating the instruction program at the Clemson University Libraries. Rather than racing forward with shots in the dark, we conscientiously chose to set aside time for research and planning. This presentation reports on the process and results of this first stage. I will start by reporting findings and identifying trends from my interviews with instruction librarians at thirteen academic libraries—a mix of peer institutions from our regional consortium and “model” institutions whose achievements in information literacy education have been recognized by the ACRL. I …

Do You Know What They Don’T Know? : How Students Conduct Research, Peggy L. Nuhn, Min Tong

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

When developing student research assignments, many faculty may make the assumption that the current generation of computer-savvy students will intuitively determine how to effectively use library resources, and incorporate that information into a thoughtful and properly cited research paper -- after all, students frequently express a high level of confidence in their research abilities. But is this realistic? Do students understand the difference between a keyword and a subject search and how that understanding can help them? Do students really understand that research is a process rather than a scavenger hunt?

Any faculty member who has received student research papers …

Contextualizing Information Literacy: Why “Why” Makes All The Difference, Wendy Doucette

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Graduate students require the same base knowledge of information literacy as undergraduates, but are less likely to receive in-class instruction. Rather than considering them as external, theoretical signposts or goals, this presentation will discuss the value of situating the ACRL Information Literacy Standards and Framework into the real-life graduate student experience. Explaining what it means to have membership in the academic community leads directly to a deeper understanding of scholarly dialogue, authority and peer review. This grounding leads to an understanding of ownership, copyright, and plagiarism. This high-level overview of the scholarly research process allows students to comprehend their own …

Informed Learning, Information Literacy, And Scholarly Communication: Library Pedagogy As A Bridge To The Disciplines, Kim L. Ranger

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

This paper explores collaboration between librarians and faculty in higher education to construct connections between informed learning theory, information literacy practice, and disciplinary scholarly products to foster reflective and deep engagement with information.

Increasing digital innovations in communication and pedagogy, the need for various literacy capabilities, and the potential wisdom gained from considering diverse methodological perspectives have driven the need for interdisciplinary collaboration (Witt, 2012). There have also been several calls for a relational approach to teaching and learning, changing the roles of librarians (Farrell and Badke, 2015; Gunton et al, 2014; Jaguszewski and Williams, 2013), and scholarship which examines …

Information Literacy And The Interface, Carrie Moran

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Librarians are often working to find a balance between instruction that teaches the conceptual information about research skills and the practical information on how to use the myriad library interfaces presented to students during the research process. The first interface a user encounters is often the library’s website, but users also navigate catalogs, databases, federated searches, research guides, third party vendor websites, and more as they track down information.

This session will discuss the application of user experience design and usability testing to library controlled interfaces. The presenter will share the outcomes of a user centered design process for a …

Frameworking Craap: How We're Correlating The Acrl Framework To Content Evaluation With The Craap Test In Our Instruction Practices, Paul Campbell, Derek Malone

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

For years, we have used the CRAAP Test as an information evaluation mechanism in our instruction sessions. We apply it to everyday, real-life stories, and to complex research as needed. Currently, we are adapting our practices of CRAAP Test instruction by expanding the evaluation to include the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Specifically, we have given each CRAAP letter a frame for discussion when evaluating. This presentation will cover what frames we have assigned to each letter, why, and the assessment of the instruction using these concepts.

Guides By The Side: The Role Of Technical Services In Information Literacy Instruction, Ruth L. Baker, Jeffrey M. Mortimore

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Presenters will explore the role of technical services in library instruction, specifically as this relates to the ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. This framework places emphasis on research as a highly contextual activity, where researcher practices and dispositions are linked to the communities of practice in which they occur. By extension, such communities exist and evolve semi-independently of any particular manifestation of library resources or services, meaning that libraries must be as prepared to accommodate autonomous practices and dispositions as they are to participate in shaping them. Technical services plays a significant role in determining how …

Re-Engage Your Instruction Team Today, Jolene Cole

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Being an academic librarian comes with many challenges. Very few of us are privileged enough to come into the profession with a background in education and knowledge in assessment practices. For those of us running instruction programs it is our duty to prepare librarians to not only teach but also assess their own work.

Over the last year, Georgia College has implemented a new training and assessment program for the library staff. This program is grounded in reflection practices and encourages self-improvement. The reflection program includes but is not limited to departmental/personal teaching philosophies, peer-review of instruction, reflection journals and …

The Complexities Of Text Recycling In Professional Scientific Discourse And Implications For Plagiarism Prevention In Higher Education, Cary A. Moskovitz

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Within higher education, guidelines for plagiarism almost always state that whenever a writer uses the exact words from a source, that material must be identified by quotation marks or block indentation, and the source of the reused material must be identified and attributed to the source. Nevertheless, text recycling--the unacknowledged reuse of previously published material—is common practice in STEM fields within the world of professional practice. Further complicating matters, the rise of online plagiarism detection tools by journals in recent years has spurred confusion and debate about the practice of text recycling even in the scientific community—as a quick web …

Meeting Outcomes Assessment: An Opportunity For Partnership, Sheri A. Brown, Susan Slavicz

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

English faculty at Florida State College at Jacksonville were facing increasing frustration in the fight against student plagiarism. The Letters Council began to explore ways to assess student learning outcomes across the college on the topic of plagiarism. It was imperative to reach not only face-to-face students, but also online, and hybrid classes.

In the fall of 2015 the library subscribed to the ProQuest Research Companion database which is a one-stop resource for guiding students through the research process. Through short videos organized into nine learning modules covering finding information, evaluating information, and using information, students complete pre and post …

Scholarly Piracy Vs Scholarly Activism: Where Sci-Hub Fits In The Information Literacy Landscape, Fred Rascoe, Laura Burtle, Mariann Burright, Melanie Kowalski

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

In recent months, the site Sci-Hub (https://sci-hub.io/) has gained attention for providing easy access to any scholarly journal article, without regard to the user’s subscription status, and without requiring payment. For articles that are not already open access, this activity infringes on the copyright in the articles, generally held by publishers, and, for articles obtained via a library subscription, is presumptively a breach of the license between the library and the publisher. Regardless, this activity has proven to be a popular and expedient way to break through access barriers to important scholarly information for students and faculty, especially those in …

The Embedded Librarian As Graduate Coach, Pamela Dennis

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

In a time when more classes are being offered online and in-person reference desk questions are dwindling, it is even more crucial that librarians to seek out students where they are. One way of doing that is by befriending teaching faculty in discipline areas. Whether at the freshman or doctoral level, literature indicates that students prefer one-on-one interaction with librarians. But librarians undersell themselves and find themselves in a world of anonymity. It’s hard to be valued when you are invisible. By collaborating with the faculty, the librarian has the opportunity of embedding in online classes, co-instructing, receiving invitations to …

Drinking Coffee With Undergrads: Non-Traditional Approaches To Outreach, Reference Services, And Engagement In An Academic Library Setting., Alex Boucher, Karlie Johnson, Kayla Johnson, James Gilbreath

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Advertising and promoting key services and resources is crucial to the mission of any academic library. But successfully engaging with the student body of any large university is a challenging and problematic task. What does an academic librarian do? What does an academic library have to offer its students? Do undergraduates (or even graduate students) really know what libraries and librarians have to offer? Librarians at The University of Alabama and The University of North Carolina-Greensboro have attempted to bridge this gap by moving out of the physical confines of the library in order to engage with students on familiar …

Forensic Information Literacy: The Csi Approach To Inquiry And Scholarly Communication, Bernadette Maria Lopez-Fitzsimmons

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Teaching Information Literacy using the CSI Investigation Methodology fulfills two ACRL Frameworks: No. 4, Research as Inquiry, and No. 5, Scholarship as Conversation. This methodology requires structuring lessons so that students use different sources. Students will experience the research process as they uncover new and unexpected information which may or may not confirm their original thesis statement, problem or question. They will realize that researching and critical thinking depend on consistently and continuously asking questions from different perspectives. Like a CSI, students will experience research as inquiry (ACRL No. 4).

Although this type of lesson requires structure, it also demands …