Education Commons^™

Science Fair Advice: If You Show That You Care About What You’Re Doing, It Will Make A Lasting Impression, Tonya D. Jeffery

Faculty Publications

Invited contribution; Advice for high school students working on science fair projects.

Back To The Future: Student Time Period Analyses, Jordan Barge, Sarah Ebert, Anna Gaskin, Renay Gladish, Quinn Hamilton, Morgan Hanson, Hannah Markham, Mark Mclean, Callie Smith, Bertha Vega, Shelby Watkins, Jamie Weihe, Jillian Whitney

Student Publications

This newsletter began with the Fall 2015 Honors English class. These students were challenged to initiate research over a topic they thought was interesting and show how it related to our campus, Stephen F. Austin State University. It is our hope that this cumulative research will help readers look at SFA a little differently.

"Portraits Of Freedom" Opening Reception And Art Exhibition Grant Report For Humanities Texas, Kyle Ainsworth

Librarian and Staff Publications

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, on behalf of the East Texas Research Center (ETRC), Ralph W. Steen Library, Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA), was awarded a Humanities Texas mini-grant to provide programming for the opening reception of the Portraits of Freedom art exhibition, June 11, 2015. A $1,000 grant from Humanities Texas paid the honoraria for two guest speakers, Dr. Douglas Chambers from the University of Southern Mississippi and Dr. Daina Berry from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Chambers spoke about runaway slaves in the Atlantic World and Dr. Berry about Juneteenth and the Civil …

Growing Stem Roots: Preparing Preservice Teachers, Tonya D. Jeffery, Cherie A. Mccollough, Kim Moore

Faculty Publications

This mixed-methods pilot study investigates elementary and secondary pre-service teachers’ (n=12) mathematics and science content knowledge and conceptions of nature of science following the first year implementation of a science and mathematics site-based professional development program. This study utilized pre/post data from science and mathematics content exams, and Views of Nature of Science-C instrument. Data revealed gains in preservice teachers’mathematics and science content knowledge and perceptions regarding the nature of science.

Integrating Writing In The Middle-Level Mathematics Classroom: An Action Research Study, Alyssa Beavers, Brandon L. Fox, Jamaal Young, Elizabeth M. Bellows, Leah Kahn

MLET: The Journal of Middle Level Education in Texas

Discourse in mathematics refers to the written and oral communication that occurs in the mathematics classroom. Yet, in many classrooms in the United States, writing is often taught remotely in the classroom of a language arts teacher. In this action research project, our focus was on improving students’ written expressions and explanations in the middle-level mathematics classroom. The purpose of this action research was to examine and evaluate the effect writing has on students’ mathematical thinking processes and skills. Over the course of eight weeks, students were presented with various writing assignments in mathematics. Students were given approximately 20 minutes …

Teacher Teams That Work, Leah Kahn, Claudia Whitley, Michelle Williams

MLET: The Journal of Middle Level Education in Texas

Teaming in middle schools is considered by many to be a best practice strategy in meeting the unique needs of the adolescent learner. Systems must be in place to support teacher teams as they work towards become a functioning unit. Administrators can assist teacher teams through providing training on the evolutional phases that teams will naturally move through as well as how to negotiate team decision making. This article reviewed the phases that teams experience as they develop and the variety of personalities and roles that team members play in teams. Tips for working towards building successful teams in the …

Doctoral Students’ Perceived Barriers That Slow The Progress Toward Completing A Doctoral Dissertation: A Mixed Analysis, Eunjin Hwang, Rachel N. Smith, Valerie Tharp Byers, Shirley H. Dickerson, Leah Mcalistar-Shields, Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, Cindy Benge

Librarian and Staff Publications

The non-completion of doctoral degrees has been a concern due to its economic, social, and personal consequences. In the current study, the researchers investigated perceived barriers of select doctoral students in completing their doctoral degrees by utilizing a fully mixed sequential mixed research design. The quantitative and qualitative data were concurrently collected using identical samples (n = 205) via a Reading Interest Survey questionnaire. A sequential mixed analysis revealed 6 emergent themes: external obligations (36%), challenges to doctoral-level researchers (34%), practical/logistical constraints (23%), emotional concerns (15%), program structure (9%), and support for completion (8%). Also, 3 meta-themes were identified (i.e., …

"A Boy Told Me I Was Ugly." Voices Of At Risk Adolescent Girls On Gender Identity And Dating Roles, Mellinee Lesley Ph.D., Heather M. Kelley Ph.D.

MLET: The Journal of Middle Level Education in Texas

Through an exploration of urban middle school girls’ Discourse, this study sought to investigate how at risk females defined their gendered identity. Based on an analysis of spoken and written Discourse in a Third Space writing group, we discovered that at risk girls’ notions of patriarchal dating roles, which were predicated upon ideas of physical attractiveness and “datability,” drove much of their perspectives about gender. This study reveals girls’ strong desire to conform and adhere to dating roles with boys despite their depiction of relationships as tumultuous, necessary, exciting, and inevitably painful. Implications for educators pertain to the importance of …

Middle School Single-Gender Science Classes: Self-Concept And Discourse Analysis, Pauline M. Sampson, Gloria J. Gresham Dr., Melissa M. Leigh, Denice Mccormick Myers Ed.D

MLET: The Journal of Middle Level Education in Texas

One southwestern, suburban middle school in the United States implemented a voluntary, single-gender science program. Although other studies have documented the effects of single-gender instruction and recent educational innovations have focused on its benefits, minimal current research has investigated the effects in middle school science classroom contexts. This study indicated that the patterns of discourse differed between single-gender and mixed-gender classes, with single-gender male classes participating in higher levels of discourse than females in middle school single-gender classes. Overall, the self-concept for females was low in science and school performance. The discourse analysis revealed that males and females used higher …

Blue Jeans Go Green (Bjgg) Denim Recycling Program: Fusing The Content Of Two Courses, Jamie Cupit

Bright Ideas Conference

A creative teaching strategy was implemented in the fall of 2014 in order to fuse the content of two independent fashion merchandising courses. Blue Jeans Go Green Denim Recycling Program was created by Cotton Incorporated in 2006 as a call-to-action to recycle denim on college campuses. The recycled denim would be given new life as UltraTouch Denim Insulation and a portion of it donated for use in civic buildings and for communities in need across the U.S. The two fashion merchandising courses included Advanced Textiles and Fashion Promotion which shared the same enrolled students.

Engaging The Online Learner Through Outdoor Field Experiences, Paula Griffin, Alan B. Sowards

Bright Ideas Conference

No abstract provided.

Addressing Campus Food Issues Through Student Organization Collaborations, Miranda Sue Terry, Nancy Shepherd, Joy Hammonds, Brittany Hearnsberger, Stephen Decker

Bright Ideas Conference

With the rising cost of tuition, college students have difficult decisions to make between school, work, housing, food, utilities, medical bills, to name a few. For example, according to the Huffington Post, there are over 58,000 homeless college students in the United States (Ashtari, 2014). Colleges have a task of keep their students safe, which is reiterated in their student codes and university policies. Yet, one of the aspects rarely taken into consideration is the students’ access to food, which is a safety concern. While most colleges offer meal plans, there are issues with the upfront expense of meal plans …

Students’ Perceptions Of The Training Environment: A Study Of Race And Gender, Robbie J. Steward, Josh Staley, Tiffany Wilbourn

Bright Ideas Conference

This poster presents the results of a study of university students’ perceptions of educational training environments, which is typically limited to course evaluations. Relationships between program organization/structure, students’ perceptions, and cumulative GPA will be examined considering race and gender. Findings will enhance understanding about the impact of program variables. Packets (N = 227) , which included a consent form and a researcher-developed Training Environment Survey, were completed bi-annually by a random sampling of currently enrolled undergraduate (n = 140; 61.7%), graduate (n = 56; 24.7%), and doctoral-level (n = 31; 13.7%) university majors in programs housed within a Department of …

“This Is A Picture Of…Exploring Pre-Service Teachers Experiences ‘Living A Hybrid Curriculum’, Christina Sinclair, Jay Thomton

Bright Ideas Conference

Examination of pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) learning and use of Models-Based Instruction (MBI) is a relevant direction in efforts to transform physical education through increased physical education teacher effectiveness. In an effort to help PSTs learn MBI, Oslin, Collier, and Griffin (2001) suggested physical education teacher education programs utilize a ‘Living the Curriculum’ approach allowing PSTs to experience MBI within their teacher education programs.

Bright Ideas Conference, Stephen F. Austin, Center For Teaching And Learning

Bright Ideas Conference

No abstract provided.

How Visualization Can Improve The Understanding Of Mathematics, Mariah Martin

Undergraduate Research Conference

High school students have a difficult time taking the new End-Of-Course exams in math. Why are students having this difficulty? This could be because students lack the understanding of visualization in mathematics. Visualization can be helpful to certain students who think this way, while also confusing to those same students, and others as well. However, to what extent do high stakes tests, such as the End-Of-Course exams in Algebra I and II, incorporate mathematical visualization? How can visualization help improve the understanding of mathematics? This review will explain the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating visualization in these exams, how students …

Water We Learning? Water Conservation! Examining Fourth Grade Student Awareness, Behavior, And Knowledge, Loriann Whitman

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Guided Reading Instruction Improves Reading And Comprehension Skills, Kerry Mourning

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Traveling Trunks: Enrich Curriculum With A Global Perspective, Nancy Shepherd

Faculty Publications

Traveling trunks as a delivery method for curricula have been associated with experiential learning and shown to increase learning (George, 2010; Shepherd, 2007; Lett, 1993). Students learn through real-life experiences, such as global social issues (Kister, 1992), and principal to the nature of learning is the relationship between experience and learning, a shaping force in the development of thoughtful, curious students (Loughran, 2006).

The embedded mixed method study showed learning gains occurred when experiential curriculum was facilitated by experienced teachers, and delivered in a traveling trunk. The study (N=58) showed that active learning about social issues engages students. Paired t-tests …

Four Reasons Why Pre-Service And Practicing Teachers Should Present At Professional Conferences, Jana Hunzicker, Teresa Biddison, Megan Hickey, Alyssa Mcclethen

MLET: The Journal of Middle Level Education in Texas

During the Fall 2013 semester, two pre-service teachers, one practicing teacher, and a university professor from Peoria, Illinois presented a speed learning session at the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After disseminating information about an innovative classroom partnership, attending and presenting at the conference provided an authentic professional experience for the teacher-presenters. In addition to describing the background, travel planning process, and conference experience itself, this article offers four reasons why pre-service and practicing teachers should present at professional conferences: increased confidence and motivation, classroom applications, connections with fellow professionals, and reciprocal support.

Effects Of Culturally Relevant Teaching On Seventh Grade African American Students, Shawanna M. Paulk, James Martinez, Dawn T. Lambeth

MLET: The Journal of Middle Level Education in Texas

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between culturally relevant teaching and science achievement in seventh grade African American students when compared to standards-based instruction. The study also examined whether the use of culturally relevant teaching improved students’ attitudes toward science, as well as their participation within the science classroom. The intervention was implemented over the course of eight weeks by using a unit test as a pretest and posttest, formative quizzes, a Science Attitude Survey, and field notes to analyze student performance. Although all participants made academic gains when comparing pretest and posttest results, the culturally …

Trust Me On This, Anita L. Bright

MLET: The Journal of Middle Level Education in Texas

Successful completion of Algebra I is essential for all students in the United States, and is a high-stakes, gatekeeper course. However, a substantial proportion of students from marginalized groups do not gain access to Algebra I until much later in their academic careers than their middle-class, White, English-speaking, fully able peers. This is not only an issue of tracking individual students, but is also indicative of a more profound, institutionalized set of practices. Using a purposive sample, this research highlights the ways middle school mathematics teachers make tracking and student-placement decisions. Teachers in this qualitative research (n=10) reported a heavy …

Socioeconomic Status And Mathematics: A Critical Examination Of Mathematics Performance In Grades Three Through Eight By Mathematical Objective, Brandon L. Fox, Patricia J. Larke

MLET: The Journal of Middle Level Education in Texas

This quantitative research study examined TAKS mathematics performance data across socioeconomic identifiers and found statistically significant differences were observable in grade three across all objectives between students’ not identified as economically disadvantaged and students’ receiving free meals. The highest number of quantifiable differences occurred between the mean scores of students’ identified as not economically disadvantaged scoring significantly higher on objective means than students’ receiving free meals or identified as other economically disadvantaged. After students’ move beyond the third grade, the number of statistically significant differences drastically reduces. By the eighth grade, statistical differences are difficult to locate. An examination of …

Review Of Schooling For Resilience: Improving The Life Trajectories Of African-American And Latino Males, Nina M. Ellis-Hervey

Faculty Publications

References

Fergus, E., & Noguera, P. (2010). Doing what it takes to prepare black and Latino males in college. In C. Edley & J. Ruiz (Eds.), Changing places: How communities will improve the health of boys of color (pp. 97-139). Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Noguera, P. (2012). Saving black and Latino boys: What schools can do to make a difference. Phi Delta Kappan, 93(5) (February 2012), 8-12.

Schott Foundation. (2010). State report on public education of black males. Cambridge, MA: Author. www.blackboysreport.org.

Teaching Orientation And Mobility Skills To Students With Autism And Vision Impairment In Public Schools: A Data-Based Study, Devender, R. Banda, Phoebe A. Okungu Ph.D., Nora Griffin-Shirley, Melanie K. Meeks, Olaya Landa-Vialard

Faculty Publications

Two students with autism, vision impairment, and intellectual disability participated in an orientation and mobility (O&M) intervention to travel in school settings using their folding canes. A multiple-baseline across participants design to determine the effectiveness of the intervention was used. The dependent variable was time taken to travel the specified route. The independent variable was O&M training. Results indicated that both participants took less time to travel during the intervention compared to the baseline. Students with vision impairment and autism can be trained using systematic O&M training. The O&M specialists working with children with autism and vision impairment should collect …

Undergraduate Research: An Essential Piece For Underrepresented Students' College Success, Yuleinys A. Castillo, Antonio Estudillo

Faculty Publications

Undergraduate research represents a high impact practice for higher education institutions to improve the college experience of underrepresented students. The integrative and mentoring aspects of undergraduate research can help to enhance the academic and social participation of underrepresented students. Undergraduate students provide opportunities for students to develop valuable skills for personal and professional growth. Specifically, participation in undergraduate research can foster work-related skills for underrepresented students for future career and interpersonal relationships. In this literature review, the benefits and perceived challenges for underrepresented students as well as institutional investment in undergraduate research are explored to potentially offer valuable information to …

Implementation Of Collaborative Learning As A High-Impact Practice In A Natural Resources Management Section Of Freshman Seminar, Matthew W. Mcbroom, Steven H. Bullard, David Kulhavy, Daniel R. Unger

Faculty Publications

Forestry and environmental science students enrolled in a one credit hour freshman seminar course participated in a land management evaluation and water quality sampling excursion using canoes and water sampling equipment. The purpose of this assessment was to engage students with hands-on, field based education in order to foster connections to their chosen profession and the resource. This culminated in poster symposium of the experience. Broad competency areas for high impact practices in natural resource management were emphasized for learning. Students were engaged in the exercise and commented that the project helped them develop a sense of place and forming …

Integrating Hands-On Undergraduate Research In An Applied Spatial Science Senior Level Capstone Course, David Kulhavy, Daniel R. Unger, I-Kuai Hung, David Douglass

Faculty Publications

A senior within a spatial science Ecological Planning capstone course designed an undergraduate research project to increase his spatial science expertise and to assess the hands-on instruction methodology employed within the Bachelor of Science in Spatial Science program at Stephen F Austin State University. The height of 30 building features estimated remotely with LiDAR data, within the Pictometry remotely sensed web-based interface, and in situ with a laser rangefinder were compared to actual building feature height measurements. A comparison of estimated height with actual height indicated that all three estimation techniques tested were unbiased estimators of height. An ANOVA, conducted …

How College Business Students Learn With Emphasis On Differences Between Majors, Nikki Shoemaker, Marie Kelly

Faculty Publications

Students' learning styles play an important role in their success in the classroom and beyond. This study explores the learning styles of business students so that professors can better understand the instructional methods that are most beneficial for their students. A survey of 205 business students in an introductory accounting course revealed that the most common learning style was visual, while the second most common learning style was kinesthetic. These results suggest that a large number of business students process and internalize new information best when they see or actively participate in what they are learning.

Financial Statement Racing, Marie Kelly, Nikki Shoemaker

Faculty Publications

This paper describes an active learning activity called Financial Statement Racing. This game has been used in several introductory financial accounting courses to help students understand the normal balances and financial statement classifications of multiple financial statement accounts. The activity encourages students to work together in a team to place racecars on the appropriate financial statement racetrack in the correct debit or credit lane. These teams compete against other teams in the class to try to win the race to the end of the financial statement racetrack.