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Full-Text Articles in Education

Exploring College Student Experiences In A Kinesiology Course Using A Gamified Grading System, Rachel E. Williams, Jedediah E. Blanton, Christopher D. Kilgore, Matthew Jones Nov 2023

Exploring College Student Experiences In A Kinesiology Course Using A Gamified Grading System, Rachel E. Williams, Jedediah E. Blanton, Christopher D. Kilgore, Matthew Jones

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Past findings indicate mixed results on the effectiveness of gamification in college courses. The use of a gamified version of specifications-based grading (e.g., gamified grading) is not yet well understood. The purpose of this two-part study was to understand students’ perceptions of intrinsic motivation and engagement in a kinesiology course using gamified grading, facilitated by a gamified grading platform called GradeCraft©. We used qualitative inquiry to capture a robust description of the student experience across a semester, identifying themes describing the course management (e.g., comparison with traditional course, individual approach), and the psychological experience (e.g., autonomy, stress). The following semester, …


Self-Efficacy For Exercise Influences Quality Of Life, Tanya Alvarez, Sarah Dunn Nov 2022

Self-Efficacy For Exercise Influences Quality Of Life, Tanya Alvarez, Sarah Dunn

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Purpose: Assessing the influence self-efficacy (motivation) for exercise had on both perceived physical and mental health (aka; quality of life) in college students. Methods: College/university students (>18 years) from any institution were recruited to participate in an online research study. The students were asked to volunteer in a cross-sectional Qualtrics survey sent through different forms of communication; flyers, announcements, and an electronic email. Participants were asked to answer a series of questions; however, for this particular study, the main focus was perceived physical and mental health measured with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health-Related Quality of Life …


The Role Of University-Required Fitness Courses In Students' Health And Exercise Practices, Haley Turner, Kara Jones, Katelyn Cole, Yunsuk Koh, Heather Hudson Feb 2020

The Role Of University-Required Fitness Courses In Students' Health And Exercise Practices, Haley Turner, Kara Jones, Katelyn Cole, Yunsuk Koh, Heather Hudson

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Lifetime fitness (LF) classes include exercise, sport, and recreational activity courses. The main purposes of LF classes are to give health education that elicits mental, social, and physical preparation for a lifelong experience of fitness. However, previous research has not extensively investigated the role of LF classes on students’ motivations to exercise during and after completing the course. PURPOSE: To determine whether or not taking an LF class contributes to a student’s motivation to exercise, to determine a motivation for signing up for an LF course, to determine why they chose that specific class, and to determine the degree to …


Effects Of Virtual Reality During Rowing Ergometry On Metabolic And Performance Parameters, Tomas Chapman-Lopez, Nicholas J. Kelling, David J. Arecemant, William E. Amonette, Kirk L. English Feb 2020

Effects Of Virtual Reality During Rowing Ergometry On Metabolic And Performance Parameters, Tomas Chapman-Lopez, Nicholas J. Kelling, David J. Arecemant, William E. Amonette, Kirk L. English

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Physical activity and moderate or intense exercise improve musculoskeletal and metabolic health; however, approximately 80% of Americans do not meet the minimum exercise recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Exercise intensity may be the most important factor in eliciting positive physical outcomes with exercise. PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of a proprietary virtual reality (VR) interface to increase metabolic and physical performance during rowing ergometry. METHODS: A novel VR software program for rowing ergometry was developed. Subsequently, sixteen apparently healthy, recreationally active individuals (12M, 4F; 35.5 ± 13.9 …


Motivated To Learn: Motivational Differences In High School And University-Level Foreign Language Classroom Experiences, Roy Williams Iv Apr 2019

Motivated To Learn: Motivational Differences In High School And University-Level Foreign Language Classroom Experiences, Roy Williams Iv

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Student motivation in the context of foreign language learning is a complex topic that influences many areas of language study. Dornyei’s L2 Motivational Self Model and the concept of future self guides give some insight into the underlying motivational orientations when used to analyze self-reported survey data regarding language learning and its perceived benefits (Dornyei & Ushioda, 2009, p. 456). This analysis brings to light some of the major differences between these two contexts, challenges the idea that they are identical or equivalent in learning outcomes, and suggests some practical application to the foreign language classroom at Western Kentucky University.


The Call For Department Chair Leadership: Why Chairs Serve, What They Do, How They Develop, How Long They Serve, And Is There Life After Chairing? Jan 2019

The Call For Department Chair Leadership: Why Chairs Serve, What They Do, How They Develop, How Long They Serve, And Is There Life After Chairing?

International Journal of Leadership and Change

No abstract provided.


Determining First-Year College Students' Capacity For Active Engagement In Their Own Learning, Melanie Jan Mcdaniel Duvall Oct 2018

Determining First-Year College Students' Capacity For Active Engagement In Their Own Learning, Melanie Jan Mcdaniel Duvall

Dissertations

First-year students are at a higher risk of dropping out of college; therefore, student retention and success are at risk. The purpose of this study is to find statistically significant differences among five demographic variables: (1) first college semester hours earned; (2) first college semester GPA; (3) ACT composite score; (4) high school GPA; and (5) first-generation college students and the 10 Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) subscales: Anxiety, Attitude, Concentration, Information Processing, Motivation, Selecting Main Ideas, Self-Testing, Test Strategies, Time Management, and Using Academic Resources, to better determine how to help students be more successful. The LASSI instrument …


The Effects Of Community-Building On Achievement, Motivation, And Engagement In Undergraduate Mathematics, Hannak Keith Aug 2016

The Effects Of Community-Building On Achievement, Motivation, And Engagement In Undergraduate Mathematics, Hannak Keith

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This 2 x 2 quasi-experimental study examined the effects of pedagogical method (i.e., direct instruction vs. 5E inquiry) and intentional community-building (i.e., absence or presence) on undergraduate student (N = 103) motivation, engagement, and achievement in mathematics. Conditions were randomly assigned to one of four different College Algebra classes with a one-time occurrence and taught by a trained expert teacher. Findings indicated that intentional community-building – regardless of pedagogical method – had the strongest effects on students’ motivation, engagement, and achievement. Although no differing pedagogical effects were discovered (most likely due to the one-time implementation of the lesson formats), …


Examining The Influence Of Self-Determination Theory Components With Students Of Varying Cognitive Abilities, Antonia Szymanski May 2016

Examining The Influence Of Self-Determination Theory Components With Students Of Varying Cognitive Abilities, Antonia Szymanski

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This study sought to explore difference in the influences of components of Self-Determination Theory between students of average and high academic ability. Differences were examined using correlational comparisons, t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). As expected, students with high academic ability reported high perceptions of competence. Although other mean differences were not significant, relationships between the variables showed interesting results. Significant correlational differences were found between the relationships of Perceived Competence and Teacher Control, Intrinsic Motivation, and Boredom. Teacher Control also had significantly different relationships with students’ engagement between the two groups. The study adds to the understanding of Self-Determination …


Reach To Teach, April R. Cowles Dec 2014

Reach To Teach, April R. Cowles

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Multiple intelligences theory of Howard Gardner are used as a foundation of research in order to explain how educating students of all learning styles should include interdisciplinary methods and creative applications. Primary and secondary research of Howard Gardner’s theory and interdisciplinary methods, specifically the Integration Model and Broad Model approaches were completed. Two different lesson plans demonstrating how to teach students integrating two disciplines while including creativity were generated as examples of thesis. Qualitative research on creativity and motivation identified connection between the two and why interdisciplinary methods enable more possibilities of adding creativity to lessons taught. Advantages include reaching …


Exploring Freshmen College Students' Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, And Intentions Toward Chemistry, Amanda F. Cook May 2013

Exploring Freshmen College Students' Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, And Intentions Toward Chemistry, Amanda F. Cook

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This study examined the self-efficacy beliefs, attitudes towards general chemistry, and intentions to take future chemistry courses in a sample of (n = 1,126) first-time, first-year freshmen from a large comprehensive university in the Mid-South. The main purpose of the study was to determine the amount of variance in students’ intentions which could be predicted by self-efficacy, attitudes, and other known influences (past performance, past experience and choice of major). Findings from a standard multiple regression indicate that self-efficacy (β = 0.07, p < .05) and attitude (β = 0.50, p < .001) are both significant and predict 29.3% of the variance in intentions, with attitudes making a larger unique contribution. Using a hierarchical regression to control for other known factors, self-efficacy and attitudes were still able to predict 23.5% of the variance in intentions. Overall, the five independent variables were able to predict 31.7% of the variance in intentions. Implications for secondary and postsecondary science educators and STEM administrators are discussed.


Functional Family Therapy: An Interview With Dr. James Alexander, Dr. Jill D. Duba Jul 2006

Functional Family Therapy: An Interview With Dr. James Alexander, Dr. Jill D. Duba

Counseling & Student Affairs Faculty Publications

This article presents the functional family therapy of James Alexander, focusing on his work with high risk youth who are high risk, delinquent, and who abuse substances. The interview addresses evidence-based interventions, indivudalizing treatment, and prevention of violence. Training efforts and recent developments in functional family therapy are discussed.