Digital Commons Network^™

With Or Without Highways?, David Hernandez

Professional Learning Day

Can you imagine your life without your GPS (Global Positioning System)? Although GPS seems to be an automatic and standard service for all users. The users alone contribute to at least 30% of the program’s ability to work accurately. Join us in exploring a model representing the calculations performed by navigational devices that predict travel times and the optimal roads for this travel time. If you get lost on the way to this presentation, use the GPS.

Reflections On Light: Exploring Geometrical Optics With Precalculus Tools, Dr. Anderson Trimm

Professional Learning Day

In this session, the presenter will discuss the mathematical modeling of reflection and refraction of light as an engaging and accessible application of several concepts from precalculus. By presenting this topic with a greater emphasis on the underlying mathematics, students of physical science can make deeper connections with their mathematics coursework. The presenter will share a lesson appropriate for Algebra 2 or precalculus that integrates Desmos and PhET simulations and discuss differentiation opportunities. Attendees should bring a laptop to access the simulations.

Introducing A Non-Zero Post-Humanistic Framework For Problem Solving In Design Education, Louise Kolff, Robert Haubt

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

This paper proposes an innovative framework within interdisciplinary higher education courses that integrates non-zero post-humanistic design thinking and the concept of embodiment for addressing problem solving. We explore how design education can move from a human-centered approach, to a post-humanistic more-than-human approach. Central to our approach is "non- zero" thinking, emphasising collaborative solutions that benefit all stakeholders—human and non- human—recognising our shared responsibilities within ecosystems. We also introduce the notion of qualia in design education, highlighting how immersive experiences can evoke deeper emotional responses, fostering empathy and a greater understanding of complex problems. This combined approach achieves three key outcomes …

Preservice Teachers Use Of Digital And Non-Digital Music Composition Systems As Resources For Teaching Elementary Mathematics, Song A. An, Daniel A. Tillman, Victor Minces, So Jung Kim

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

This study was planned and performed with the main goal of examining preservice teachers’ (n=61) pedagogical reflections regarding the comparison of two educational music composition programs available for teaching mathematics. Empirical evidence that was collected and analyzed indicated that the two music composition programs each have distinctive strengths that may serve as appropriate teaching resources. The findings from the present study have shown that music composition and performance activities, if properly developed and supported by sound educational principles, learning theories, and educational technologies, can be used as classroom activities to support formal mathematics education while also providing out-of-school learning resources …

Sowing The Seeds Of Confusion To Reap Content Mastery, Rebecca Mcgrail

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Pdeode And Pq4r Strategies On The Development Of Reflective Thinking And Self-Efficacy In Mathematics Among Ninth-Grade Female Students In Palestine, Ayman Mahmoud Alashqar

International Journal for Research in Education

This study investigates the effect of PDEODE and PQ4R strategies on the development of reflective thinking and self-efficacy in mathematics among ninth grade female students in Palestine. PDEODE and PQ4R are two educational strategies based on constructivist theory, each consisting of six sequential steps; the steps of the PDEODE strategy are: Prediction, Discuss, Explain, Observe, Discuss, Explain, while the steps of the PQ4R strategy are: Preview, Question, Read, Reflect, Recite, Review. The experimental approach was used in a quasi-experimental design based on the application of pre-post measurement. The sample of the study consisted of (96) ninth grade students. It was …

The Effect Of A Teaching Strategy Based On Combining The 4mat And Suchman Models In Developing Reflective Thinking And Cognitive Flexibility Among Female Students Of The Early Childhood Department At Taif University, Abdulaziz Othman Alzahrani

International Journal for Research in Education

The study aimed to identify the effect of a teaching strategy based on combining the 4MAT and Suchman models in developing reflective thinking and cognitive flexibility among students of the Early Childhood Department at Taif University. The researcher used the semi-experimental approach based on the experimental design of one group with pre-post measurement. The study's sample consisted of 50 students intentionally chosen from the Early Childhood Department at Taif University. To achieve the study's objectives, the reflective thinking scale of Kember and his colleagues, and the cognitive flexibility scale of Dennis and his colleagues were used after confirming its validity …

East Meets West: Secondary Education Reform In Taiwan: Comparing The Perceptions Of Teachers And Students Between 2011 And 2021, Yee Han Peter Joong, Rose E. Gibbs Ph.D.

Chinese/English Journal of Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 教育测量与评估双语期刊

This mixed methods study compares how secondary school teachers implemented the 12-year Basic Education Reform in Taiwan in 2011 and 2021. Major sources of were surveys from sample teachers and students in sixteen sample schools. The survey asked how often a teaching or evaluation strategy was used. The conclusions of both studies indicate that teacher-directed lessons (teacher talk and questioning) dominated. The use of student-centred learning (SCL) methods (activities and group work) was limited. However, almost 30% of the sample students in both studies stated that the behaviour of students in the classroom was affecting their work. A major obstacle …

Enhancing Elementary Students Conceptual Understandings Of Scientific Phenomena: The Impact Of Steam-First And Stem-First Approaches, Michael W. Corrigan, Joseph T. Wong, Doug Grove, Sage Anderson, Bradley S. Hughes

Elementary & Secondary Education Faculty Research

This study delves into the realm of student conceptual change, examining shifting understandings as important steppingstones on the path to sensemaking and canonical understanding in science education. It explores the potential of a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum, aiming to provide equitable learning opportunities, especially for emerging bilingual (EB) student populations. To achieve this, elementary school educators from randomly assigned schools received professional development training to implement a novel curriculum encompassing both STEM and STEAM (STEM + Arts) approaches to life science instruction. These approaches comprised: (1) an NGSS-aligned STEM unit employing inquiry-based science instruction; (2) an …

Science Across The Elementary Curriculum, Cora E. Fields

Undergraduate Theses

Science has increasingly become marginalized in the United States today. This is largely due to educational reforms and movements placing an emphasis on standardized testing and mastery of math and reading exclusively. This focus stems from initiatives such as the Back-to-the-Basics movement (1980s), the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) (2001), and the development of the Common Core standards (2010), which prioritize data collection and test results over the hands-on experiences and inquiry-based learning that good science education gives. Because of this, many of our students are not receiving consistent, meaningful access to science instruction. This limits their engagement with …

The Effects Of Functional Moves In Teacher Questioning On Students’ Contextualization Of Mathematical Word Problem Solving, Yi-Jung Lee

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

Posing purposeful questions is one of the most effective teaching practices (NCTM in Principles to actions: Ensuring mathematics success for all. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2014). Although the types and functions of teacher questioning have been abundantly studied, research on the role of teacher questioning in students’ contextualization process as they solve word problems is rather scarce. This study was conducted to investigate the function of six elementary preservice teachers’ questioning, its impact on students’ contextualization, as well as the successes and difficulties of enacting questioning. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that …

Toward A Critical Pedagogy Of Assessment Integrating Social Studies Education: The Proposed Socio-Critical Assessment Integration Framework (Scaif), Caroline O. Alordiah, Regina Arisi

Journal of Research Initiatives

The Socio-Critical Assessment Integration Framework (SCAIF) and its consequences for social studies education are examined in this study. The results emphasize the advantages of developing inclusive learning environments, encouraging comprehensive evaluation procedures, encouraging applicability to the real world, and giving students agency by allowing participation in the evaluation process actively. Teachers can promote social justice, question prevailing narratives, and foster critical discourse in the classroom using a critical pedagogy lens. Student learning outcomes are improved by authentic assessment activities that reflect real-world problems and demand that students use their knowledge in meaningful ways. Inclusive learning settings respect student diversity, encourage …

Chatgpt As A Boundary Object Between In-School And Out-Of-School Mathematical Practices: The Case Of Numeracy Practices, Murad E. Jurdak

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This article explores the theoretical basis and practical potential of ChatGPT in bridging the gap between school-based and out-of-school mathematical practices. Drawing on Cultural Historical Activity Theory and the concept of boundary objects, we highlight how ChatGPT can serve as a boundary object to connect these two domains. Our analysis of ChatGPT-generated lesson plans designed to align with out-of-school practices reveals that the model had the greatest impact on the social and institutional relations component of the numeracy practices framework [6], while their impact was weakest in the values and beliefs component.

Stem Como Respuesta A La Interdisciplinariedad En El Currículum Mexicano, María Del Rocío Hernández Hernández, Alma Adrianna Gómez Galindo

Critical Proceedings of the STEM ED Conference (2024)

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Integration Of Artificial Intelligence In Math Education: Preservice Teachers’ Experiences And Reflections On Problem-Posing Activities With Chatgpt, Young Rae Kim, Mi Sun Park, Eunmi Joung

All Faculty Scholarship (Archived)

This study addresses the need for research that incorporates educational perspectives and theories to understand the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on learning and teaching. Utilizing AI-integrated mathematical problem-posing (AIM) activities and the AI-powered scaffolding (AIS) strategy, the research investigated preservice teachers’ (PTs’) experiences with AI and their capacity for error recognition and correction in problems posed by ChatGPT. The findings reveal that while the PTs excelled at verifying error-free problems, they struggled significantly with identifying and correcting errors, indicating a gap in their instructional preparedness. The study demonstrates that AIM activities are effective tools for assessing and developing PTs’ …

Playing The Digital Dialectic Game: Writing Pedagogy With Generative Ai, Rebekah Shultz Colby

University Writing Program: Faculty Scholarship

This article explores teaching writing with generative AI as critical play where students and teachers engage in an ethically dialectical and aleatory game with generative AI. I qualitatively surveyed 24 writing teachers about how they teach writing with generative AI as well as its advantages and disadvantages. I discovered that teachers used generative AI to teach about the ethics of generative AI's design and rhetorical use to avoid plagiarism. Teachers also critically played with generative AI to teach the writing process of invention, drafting, revision, and editing. Specifically, the critical, dialectical interplay of human and machine invents in aleatory and …

Developing Adolescent Word-Level Knowledge: Challenges And Opportunities In Professional Learning With Secondary Educators, Jenelle Williams

Michigan Reading Journal

This article aims to highlight the research base for disciplinary literacy approaches, emphasize foundational literacy components that apply to the majority of adolescent learners, and propose tangible approaches to attend to morphological development in multiple academic disciplines. The article will conclude with a call for additional research into the role of morphological awareness in strengthening adolescent reading comprehension, as well as further study of the implications for systemic approaches across all disciplines in secondary educational settings.

Self-Regulation: Skill Development Framework, Claire Scoular, Ian Teo, Jonathan Heard, Adam Wardell

Assessment and Reporting

This self-regulation skill development framework was developed to address the challenges associated with teaching and assessing self-regulation. It provides a general definition of self-regulation and describes this construct as it applies in classroom-based learning. This framework synthesises and harmonises existing theory and research on self-regulation. It outlines self-regulation processes along prescribed strands and aspects that are informed by evidence. The strands contained within the framework are 1. Cognitive regulating; 2. Behavioural regulating; and 3. Emotional regulating. The strands are further broken down into aspects to inform teaching and assessment.

Communication: Skill Development Framework, Claire Scoular, Jonathan Heard, Adam Wardell

Assessment and Reporting

This communication skill development framework was developed to address the challenges associated with teaching and assessing communication. It provides a general definition of communication and describes this construct as it applies in classroom-based learning. This framework synthesises and harmonises existing theory and research on communication. It outlines communication processes along prescribed strands and aspects that are informed by evidence. The strands contained within the framework are 1. Strategising an approach; 2. Conveying information; and 3. Receiving communication. The strands are further broken down into aspects to inform teaching and assessment.

Evaluation Of A Guide To Accessing Accommodations During Medical School Created By And For Students With Disabilities, Nora Newcomb, Emily Coughlin, Zainub Dhanani, Kie Fujii, Lily Upp, Harika Kottakota, Rahul Mhaskar, Andrew Galligan

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Medical students with disabilities constitute 7.6% of allopathic (MD) and 4.3% of osteopathic (DO) programs, and they are entitled to reasonable accommodation, per the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, research has demonstrated that disabled medical students often encounter barriers when accessing accommodations. In response to these barriers, Medical Students with Chronic Illness and Disability (MSDCI) National created the MSDCI Guide to Accessing Disability Accommodations During Undergraduate Medical Education (the Guide). We conducted a program evaluation to evaluate the efficacy of the Guide as a resource to the members of MSDCI, a program evaluation was conducted. A Qualtrics survey was distributed …

Wild Magic Farms: Increasing Student Engagement And Decreasing Academic Regression In Middle School Extended School Year Through Use Of A Role-Playing Game, Maryanne Cullinan

Educational Studies Dissertations

The Extended School Year (ESY) is a federal program that falls under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Law (2004) as part of Special Education in public schools in the United States. It is intended to help reduce regression in student progress towards Individualized Education Program goals. However, in New Hampshire, ESY struggles with a lack of clear goals, student buy-in and quality engagement. This study examined how a researcher designed role-playing game (RPG) could impact both summer academic regression and student engagement in a middle school ESY. Utilizing i-Ready testing (n=13) data and attendance data (n=9), this study compared …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 1st Grade - Maps & Globes, Cecilia Nuss, Mackenzie Luley, Jessenia Diaz, Alyssa Arnott, Miranda Howley

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore and create various maps and globes through multimedia resources, Hands-on activities, and assessments. The daily lessons cover topics such as a compass rose, cardinal directions, map titles, and physical features on maps and globes. By the end of this unit, students will be able to identify key elements and locate physical features of maps and globes. Through the use of songs, hands-on activities, games, books, and class discussions, students will be engaged throughout the unit.

Imagining Better: Requiring Trust And Imagination In Formal Engineering Education, Sneha Rathi, Jacqueline Handley

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Teachers and students bear the brunt of enacting K–12 engineering while having little input into engineering practices or values. In this reflective essay, a high school engineering teacher and an engineering education researcher reflect on a class bridging engineering and social justice. We describe the development of politicized trust with each other and students while partnering around shared commitments at a predominately Black school (e.g., Vakil et al., 2016). We also explore challenges in decentering conceptions of engineering derived from depoliticized, exclusionary practice. We demonstrate an urgent need to center educators and students from marginalized identities in formal engineering education.

Action Research As A Pathway To Discovery In The School Library, David Vickers Loertscher, Michelle Young

Learning Hub

No abstract provided.

Autoethnographic Action Research As A Contemplative Practice: Awareness And Transformation Of Inner And Outer Selves, Jiju Varghese, Bal Chandra Luitel, Niroj Dahal

The Qualitative Report

Contemplation as a spiritual practice has taken various forms across different religious traditions and regions worldwide. Over the years, various contemplative practices have evolved and become popular even outside religious traditions to promote the well-being of all for inner and outer selves’ transformation. In education, many scholars worldwide have expounded on the benefits of contemplative practices in the classroom for students and teachers. Contemplative practices have penetrated research practices in the form of contemplative inquiry considering performative, philosophical, and artistic transformations, where researchers enter into a deep, thoughtful, and reflective introspective journey to see the connection between what is seen …

The Laughing Buddha: The Education Of Compassionate Leaders Through Improvisational Play, Belinda Chiu

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

With an urgency to build a generative future, educational systems do not have a choice but to pay attention to how and what we train our future leaders. Yet there is still a gap as leadership studies are often relegated as a “soft” skill, rather than integrated as technical knowledge critical to the holistic effectiveness of a tertiary education. As a result, there is often a disconnect between students immersed in the idealistic bubble of the academy and graduates navigating life outside. Inquiry- and reflective-based methods of contemplative practices may be critical for leaders to avoid short-term, short-sighted decisions that …

Lessons In Low-Tech: A Handbook For Sustainable Education, Ceri Almrott, Loann Astorino, Sébastien Bette, Benoit Delinchant, Philippe Fortemps, Ulysse Girard, Paul Hendrick, Sacha Hodencq, Fabian Lecron, Julie Lhuissier, Kévin Loesle, Luis Miguel Lopez Santiago, Santiago Perez Rodriguez, Gauthier Renard, Tatiana Reyes, Virginie Vandenbulcke, John Walsh

Other resources

LT4SUSTAIN, an Erasmus+ funded transnational project, is at the forefront of responding to the increasing awareness of environmental and climate challenges. This awareness, particularly among youth, has led to a demand for social justice. With the coordinated work among six institutions, ranging from higher education institutions to private companies and associations, LT4SUSTAIN aims to raise awareness of Lowtech across society.

LT4SUSTAIN is pioneering a unique approach to technology design. By developing “hackathons” and other “hands-on” events, we are engaging students and industry in a way that improves inclusiveness. Our objective is to equip individuals with the skills to embark on …

Mars Sample Return Earth Entry System Uncertainty Analysis, Michael D. Squire, Victor Cabrera, Eric Christiansen, Alan Jenkin, Kevin Hoffman, Quincy Mckown, Peter Parker, Glenn Peterson, Bruno Victorino Sarli, William P. Schonberg, Katie Steward, Brian Tulaba, Joel Williamsen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Spacecraft designers and operators use micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) risk assessments to predict the probability that an MMOD particle impact will cause a critical failure to their systems. An important aspect of MMOD risk and associated requirements is the treatment of uncertainty, often difficult to quantify, or even estimate, for many elements of MMOD risk. This paper describes recent efforts to estimate uncertainties in inputs to the MMOD risk assessment process for a portion of the planned Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign. The uncertainty bounds developed were used to examine their effect on overall mission MMOD risk.

National Assessment Program Civics And Citizenship 2024 : Technical Report., Kate O'Malley, Renee Kwong, Dulce Lay, Jorge Fallas

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

This report describes the procedures and processes involved in the conduct of the National Assessment Program – Civics and Citizenship (NAP – CC) 2024. The report is divided into chapters covering: the assessment framework and instrument design, item development, test design, scoring student responses, the student questionnaire, student background information, sampling and weighting, data collection procedures and data management, and scaling procedures. The report include an extensive collection of tables and figures.

Invisible Barriers: Investigating The Impact Of Teacher Bias On Black Students’ Opportunities In Science, Mary Redden

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This study investigates the role of implicit racial bias in limiting Black students’ access to advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities in secondary public schools across Long Island (LI), New York. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study triangulates data from Harvard’s Implicit Association Test (IAT), a custom-designed Likert-style self-perception survey, and open-ended participant reflections. A custom-coded, anonymous online platform was used to assess all instruments. After completing the survey and IAT, participants reviewed both sets of results and responded to reflection prompts about the alignment or misalignment between the two. Although 78% of participants rated themselves as highly …