Education Commons^™

Not Your Average Speech Of Self-Introduction: The "Talking Resume" Alternative, Lauren Mackenzie

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

The “talking résumé” activity is designed as a creative and useful alternative to the standard speech of self-introduction exercise in the university public speaking classroom. Using Visual Communicator software, this assignment guides students through the process of preparing, orally delivering, and critiquing résumés for themselves and their classmates. This brief article is geared toward public speaking instructors looking for innovative ways to begin the semester and provides suggestions for how to assign, conduct, and evaluate the “talking résumé” activity.

Tomkat!: Linking Theory And Practice In Communication Studies Course Through The Introduction And Application Of Social Exchange Theory, Rita L. Rahoi-Gilchrest

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

This article describes an activity suitable for either high-school or university-level communication courses. Combining outside online research, small group discussion, and class interaction, this exercise uses Social Exchange Theory, applied to examples of celebrity relationships generated by students and discussed in groups, to illustrate the process by which individuals decide whether or not to initiate and sustain interpersonal relationships. Although students should be reminded that the reasons relationships do or do not survive are difficult enough to understand when we are involved in them, let alone when we view them from an outside perspective, the activity proves intriguing and involving …

Making Historians Of Theatre History Students: The First Three Steps, David Wintersteen

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Without the guidance of a clear hypothesis, student research projects founder. This paper outlines a process by which students undergo the essential first stages that lead to successful research projects in Theatre History. The paper outlines three stages: “Quest for Fire,” in which the student identifies a subject area that interests them; “Fence Me In,” in which the student defines the research area and established distinct parameters; and “The Dreaded Hypothesis,” in which the student articulates a clear, unique and functional hypothesis. By implementing these initial three stages, teachers can create the conditions under which students motivate themselves to complete …

Dusting Off The Trophies: Filling The Gaps In The Forensics Collective Memory, Brian T. Taylor

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

With any organization or group, certain areas, events, and individuals eventually become forgotten and left out of the collective memory. Forensics, at the institutional level, is no exception. This essay explores the concept of collective memory, with particular attention to how some areas are left out. It examines how and why certain areas of forensics history are lost, and the impact that has on the forensics community. Finally, it offers some suggestions for forensics educations on how to keep desired stories from being left out of the collective memory. Advice includes recording the stories in written or audio/visual format, bringing …

Developing A Senior Capstone And Portfolio Course, Nanette Johnson-Curiskis, Daniel Cronn-Mills, Warren Sandmann

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Our purpose in this essay is to explain how the Speech Communication Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato developed a senior capstone and portfolio course. We describe how this course helped the department improve its curriculum and teaching, and helped its students enhance their learning of the discipline.

Recognizing College Students Of Today: Generational Shifts Prompt Pedagogical Shifts, Kristen Cvancara, Kristen P. Treinen

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

As educators strive to continually improve the learning potential of the students in our classrooms, it is wise to evaluate traits of the students that may influence the effectiveness of the pedagogical methods employed. To this end, this essay introduces the reader to descriptions of today’s college students that identify this cohort as unique in learning style as well as life experience from all previous generations. An assessment method was used to investigate the degree to which current students identify with these generational stereotypes. The method and results of the assessment are discussed, and suggestions for adopting new pedagogical strategies …

Assessing Student Learning: Growing The Culture, Cultivating Buy-In, Improving Quality, Paul Force-Emery Mackie

Social Work Department Publications

All institutions face the common challenge of developing, conducting, and maintaining high quality, purposeful, and relevant student learning assessment processes and protocols. In 2012 Minnesota State University, Mankato created the University Assessment Coordinator position as a reassigned faculty line. This position initially focused on strengthening linkages between institutional, academic, and co-curricular/service program assessment needs through the development of training opportunities, program assessment of learning model development, reporting assistance, data interpretation, and information integration. This presentation highlights how the process and position was structured, challenges identified and addressed, and successes that emerged from the process.

Integrated Academic Planning: Developing An Intentional Path Forward, Marilyn J. Wells, Lynn D. Akey

Academic Affairs Publications

This presentation will focus on successful completion of Phases 1–3 of an integrated academic planning process, with engagement of 180+ degree programs and four extraordinary education task forces. Presenters will discuss successful and provocative elements, including consensus building, community involvement, data utilization, shared governance, and transparency.

Telepresence: Democratizing The Higher Education Classroom, Jason A. Kaufman, Candace Raskin

iSALT Outcomes: Publications, Presentations, and Other Scholarly Works

This session will present current research on how a dynamic university is using telepresence to effectively educate undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Participants will explore the potential of this cutting-edge technology to facilitate face-to-face distributed learning. Special attention will be afforded to the finding that sense of community continues to be a challenge to telepresence in the classroom and how departments are seeking to address it. Recommendations will be offered to guide departments regarding potential opportunities and roadblocks toward incorporating telepresence into the classroom.

Synchronous Social Presence Experiences: Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Courses Delivered Via Telepresence, Qijie (Vicky) Cai

iSALT Outcomes: Publications, Presentations, and Other Scholarly Works

In order to determine the efficacy of TelePresence in supporting teaching and learning, a survey study was conducted to assess the experience and perceptions of the faculty and students in courses delivered through TelePresence. The survey questions were designed around four components: perceived connection, stability, ease of use, and support for teaching and learning. 18 faculty members and 46 students from a medium-sized public comprehensive university completed the survey. The results of the study are largely positive across the four components, with both faculty and students indicating a low incidence of problems with the functionality of TelePresence and a demonstrated …

A Grounded Theory Of Women's Leadership Experiences In Higher Education: Navigating From The Director Level, Laura Ann Maki

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In higher education leadership, the proportion of women in senior-level positions has grown very modestly. This stagnation is present in representation in leadership as well as in wage equality. Although institutions and organizations have policies and practices aimed at improving diversity and equity, ongoing underrepresentation indicates that barriers, lack of interest, or other unidentified factors influence women's opportunities for achieving senior-level leadership positions. To help address the ongoing underrepresentation of women in senior-level leadership in higher education, I have focused this dissertation on women's experiences in mid-level leadership positions. In this study, I use grounded theory to examine women's leadership …

Through The Looking Glass: Barriers And Coping Mechanisms Encountered By African American Women Presidents At Predominately White Institutions, Maria Louise Baxter-Nuamah

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research is to identify factors (experiences, career paths, and barriers) that influence the career advancement of African American women administrators in higher education. African American women's experiences in higher education are molded by both external factors and internal factors specific to "traditional" social roles within and outside of the university. This qualitative study examines the personal and professional growth of five African American women who rose to executive leadership positions as presidents at predominately white colleges or universities .

There are five main themes in this study. First, African American women who aspire to senior level …

Religiosity, Spirituality, And Quality Of Life Among Selected University Students, Abby Austin Kreitlow

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Objective: College marks a time of transition and self-exploration. Quality of life can be enhanced or diminished throughout this experience. The objective of this study was to identify the level of religiosity, spirituality and quality of life and identify if there was a relationship between a person's level of religiosity and spirituality and quality of life.

Participants and Methods: The sample group, consisting of 548 Midwestern university undergraduate students, completed the Spiritual Wellbeing Scale (SWBS) and the Ontological Wellbeing Scale (OWBS) in the spring semester of 2015.

Results: Findings indicate that Midwestern university students have a moderate sense of spiritual …