Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Some Nonparametric Hybrid Predictive Models : Asymptotic Properties And Applications., Tanujit Chakraborty Dr.

Doctoral Theses

Prediction problems like classification, regression, and time series forecasting have always attracted both the statisticians and computer scientists worldwide to take up the challenges of data science and implementation of complicated models using modern computing facilities. But most traditional statistical and machine learning models assume the available data to be well-behaved in terms of the presence of a full set of essential features, equal size of classes, and stationary data structures in all data instances, etc. Practical data sets from the domain of business analytics, process and quality control, software reliability, and macroeconomics, to name a few, suffer from various …

Threshold Concepts In Web Development: The Impact Of Education And Experience On The Perceptions Of Practitioners, Michael Lee Mick

College of Computing and Digital Media Dissertations

The Threshold Concepts (TCs) framework posits characteristics of critical concepts that enable a learner to see things in a new and unforgettable way that allows the incorporation of cognitive approaches and skills needed by professionals in the discipline. All previous research has been qualitatively oriented toward discovery of candidate TCs, without, so far, quantitative studies of the candidate TCs recognition within the professional ranks. An underrepresented group in previous research is that of Web development professionals.

This proposal describes initial quantitative research utilizing the TCs framework in the Web development area to measure the perception of candidate TCs by professionals …

Identifying Optimal Course Structures Using Topic Models, Tehut Tesfaye Biru

Dartmouth College Undergraduate Theses

This research project investigates whether there exists an optimal way to structure topics in educational course content that results in higher levels of engagement among students. It is implemented by fitting topic models to transcripts of educational videos contained in the Khan Academy platform. The fitted models were used to extract topic trajectories across time for each video and subsequently clustered based on whether they have similar “shapes”. The differences in mean engagement metrics per cluster suggest that some course shapes are more palatable to students regardless of subject matter. Additionally, the topic trajectories suggest a constant progression of topics …

Examining The Benefits Of A Sustained Balance And Fall Prevention Programming For Independent Older Adults Living In A Community Setting, Noah Davis

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Falls have been an identified public health and social problem since the 1980’s and now recognized as a global health problem in many of the developed nations. The National Council on Aging and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledge many evidence-based fall prevention programs. However, there are identified concerns to the programs; for example, a lack of sustained programming for older adults in the community setting. The literature review on fall prevention interventions identifies that few programs are sustained after two years, primarily due to a lack of funding and a lack of interest by older adults. However, …

Institutional Changes In Western Michigan University For Incorporation Of Education For Sustainability, Saman Khan

Dissertations

Higher Education institutions (HEIs) have the potential to be significant contributors in the pursuit of a sustainable world through the incorporation of Education for Sustainability (EFS). However, HEIs are entrenched with structures and values that are often resistant to change. The literature reveals that instructors’ beliefs and institutional contexts are the two main factors that impact the implementation of institutional change for sustainability education. Western Michigan University (WMU) has created new required curriculum “WMU Essential Studies” (WES) for undergraduate students and they have targeted sustainability as an essential learning outcome, by integrating and applying it in content courses. Using a …

The Perceptions Of Rural Teachers Engaged In Environmental Education Professional Development Workshops: A Case Study Of The Alder Creek Community Forest And The Story Of Your Place, Bryan R. Benz

Dissertations and Theses

Environmental issues can be difficult for people to understand and for teachers to address in their classrooms. Issues such as climate change and ozone depletion are difficult to comprehend and present a challenge for most people to understand thoroughly the complexity of these environmental challenges. Professional development programs could provide the tools for teachers to improve their environmental literacy and a pathway for learning new methods for engaging their students. However, in rural Oregon, where professional development opportunities are scarce, teachers rely on a lean supply of organizations to provide these experiences. Alder Creek Community Forest, a nonprofit organization, provides …

Master’S Project: Exploring And Supporting Social And Ecological Dimensions Of Pollinator Habitat Enhancement In Burlington, Vt, Victoria Hellwig

Rubenstein School Masters Project Publications

Urbanization and other manmade impacts threaten critical pollinator species like the bumblebee, whose populations are significantly affected by habitat loss. In response, activists in the City of Burlington are enhancing habitat to increase biodiversity through collaborative partnerships in urban green spaces. In an effort to explore and support pollinator habitat enhancement in Burlington, I examined social interactions involved in a group highly motivated to enhance habitat at Lakeview Cemetery and Champlain Elementary School, with an emphasis on power dynamics and place meanings of these sites. In conjunction with this exploration, I created landscape designs, planted a native habitat garden, and …

Moving Past ‘One Size Fits All’: Developing A Trajectory Deviance Index For Dynamic Measurement Modeling, Yixiao Dong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dynamic Measurement Modeling (DMM) is a recently developed measurement framework for gauging developing constructs (e.g., learning capacity) that conventional single-timepoint tests cannot assess. Like most measurement models, overall model fit indices of DMM do not indicate the measurement appropriateness for each included student. For this reason, other measurement modeling paradigms (e.g., Item-Response Theory; IRT) utilize person-fit or model appropriateness statistics to indicate whether a measurement model appropriately describes the data from each individual student. However, within the extant DMM framework, no statistical index has yet been developed for this purpose. Thus, the current project advanced a person-specific DMM Trajectory Deviance …

Using Augmented Reality As A Tool For Distance Learning Of Vsepr Theory, Isabelle Lopez

Scripps Senior Theses

Distance learning poses challenges in most academic settings, especially at the undergraduate laboratory level. Improving this mode of learning diminishes the impact of current events on young scientists’ development of foundational laboratory concepts. Our work explores the use of augmented reality (AR) in a laboratory setting. We developed a completely virtual valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory lab activity consistent with the goals of Keck Science Department’s Introduction to Chemistry course’s in-person VSEPR lab activity. We were able to maintain a hands-on learning experience for students while using a tool many students already own: an iPhone as an alternative …

The Case Of Environmental Education Of Children, Mary Greagan

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Humans are one of the most pervasive vectors of invasive species spread which can be accelerated through different behaviors and pathways as a result of a lack of education and understanding. One of the most effective management efforts undertaken to fight invasive species spread and prevent further infestations is through education and advocacy. Currently, there are several educational resources dedicated to invasive species history, identification, and prevention. These resources range from school curriculums created for State School systems, to regional and national toolkits that contain lessons, identification resources, and activities …

Natural User Interface Based American Sign Language Tutoring Program, Bryce J. Allen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a substantial shortcoming in the modern American educational system: there is a sufficient need for our educators to be trained in the practices required to provide an educational experience for their students that is as effective as in-person instruction. There exist already systems of online instruction for various academic subjects, such as math and the sciences. In the subject of linguistic studies, educational programs have been developed to evaluate student proficiency in both the written and spoken forms of the language in which they are studying. However, there exist few programs that can effectively provide …