Digital Commons Network^™

Ua64/2 The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 33, Winter 2014), Center For Gifted Studies, Tracy Inman Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

Games Development Mentoring Programme, Bob Jackson

Case studies

The aim of the Games Development Mentoring programme is to provide students with access to professional advice on; workflows, project management, professional development and an awareness of current requirements in the Games industry.

The advantages of the Mentoring Programme are that it provides students with valuable access to mentoring from recognised industry experts. This real-world experience is essential in order to develop the student’s professional skills. It also inspires students and provides them with an opportunity to develop a network of professional contacts which ultimately improves their employment prospects once they graduate.

Case For Foreign Language In The Elementary School, Mary Beth Pollema

Master of Education Program Theses

Our students are learning and growing in a rapidly changing world that is far more globally interconnected and culturally diverse than we had envisioned at the close of the 20th century. As we are now well into the 21st century, research and test scores consistently reveal that U.S. students are not prepared to take their place as the servant-leaders of their time where opportunities for active participation require the ability to compete, cooperate, and communicate cross-culturally.

Research shows that language is acquired best when instruction is initiated in early childhood and sustained over an articulated number of years. Since the …

Snapshot Of My Life 2014, Heidi Thompson

Lesson Plans

No abstract provided.

Anthropology Curriculum Map 2013-2014, Natalie Tagge, Char Booth, Dani Brecher, M. Sara Lowe, Sean M. Stone

Curriculum Maps

This map displays degree requirements, courses, faculty information, clubs & organizations, and Library resources associated with anthropology across the seven Claremont Colleges (7Cs) for the 2013-14 academic year. It was compiled using public information drawn from Colleges websites, course schedules and catalogs, and the Claremont Colleges Library website.

This project was completed as part of an IMLS Sparks! Ignition grant in 2013-14.

Art History Curriculum Map 2013-2014, Alexandra Chappell, Char Booth, Dani Brecher, M. Sara Lowe, Sean M. Stone, Natalie Tagge

Curriculum Maps

This map displays degree requirements, courses, faculty information, clubs & organizations, and Library resources associated with art history across the five Claremont Colleges (5Cs) for the 2013-14 academic year. It was compiled using public information drawn from Colleges websites, course schedules and catalogs, and the Claremont Colleges Library website.

This project was completed as part of an IMLS Sparks! Ignition grant in 2013-14.

Cultural Studies Curriculum Map 2013-2014, Kimberly Franklin, Char Booth, Dani Brecher, M. Sara Lowe, Sean M. Stone, Natalie Tagge

Curriculum Maps

This map displays degree requirements, courses, faculty information, clubs & organizations, and Library resources associated with cultural studies across the seven Claremont Colleges (7Cs) for the 2013-14 academic year. It was compiled using public information drawn from Colleges websites, course schedules and catalogs, and the Claremont Colleges Library website.

This project was completed as part of an IMLS Sparks! Ignition grant in 2013-14.

Africana Studies Curriculum Map 2013-2014, Kimberly Franklin, Char Booth, Dani Brecher, M. Sara Lowe, Sean M. Stone, Natalie Tagge

Curriculum Maps

This map displays degree requirements, courses, faculty information, clubs & organizations, and Library resources associated with Africana Studies across the seven Claremont Colleges (7Cs) for the 2013-14 academic year. It was compiled using public information drawn from Colleges websites, course schedules and catalogs, and the Claremont Colleges Library website.

This project was completed as part of an IMLS Sparks! Ignition grant in 2013-14.

American Studies Curriculum Map 2013-2014, Cindy Snyder, Char Booth, Dani Brecher, M. Sara Lowe, Sean M. Stone, Natalie Tagge

Curriculum Maps

This map displays degree requirements, courses, faculty information, clubs & organizations, and Library resources associated with American Studies across the seven Claremont Colleges (7Cs) for the 2013-14 academic year. It was compiled using public information drawn from Colleges websites, course schedules and catalogs, and the Claremont Colleges Library website.

This project was completed as part of an IMLS Sparks! Ignition grant in 2013-14.

Spanish Curriculum Map 2013-2014, Natalie Tagge, Char Booth, Dani Brecher, M. Sara Lowe, Sean M. Stone

Curriculum Maps

This map displays degree requirements, courses, faculty information, clubs & organizations, and Library resources associated with Spanish across the seven Claremont Colleges (7Cs) for the 2013-14 academic year. It was compiled using public information drawn from Colleges websites, course schedules and catalogs, and the Claremont Colleges Library website.

This project was completed as part of an IMLS Sparks! Ignition grant in 2013-14.

Cooperative Learning In Today's Bilingual Classrooms, Heath Swanson

Master of Education Program Theses

This research study examined the strategy of cooperative learning and whether or not it is an effective strategy for English Language Learners (ELLs). Previous studies have shown that by utilizing cooperative learning groups, each ELL student is enabled with an opportunity to work in a team with other students who have already gained proficiency with the language. The group dynamic of cooperative learning not only provides a supportive environment for learning new content and acquiring English language skills, but also helps to foster friendships and social development (Holt, Chips, & Wallace, 1991) This research study looked specifically at how cooperative …

Ua45 2014-2015 Four-Year Degree Paths, Wku Registrar

WKU Administration Documents

An addendum to the 2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog

The purpose of the Four-Year Degree Path is to assist undergraduate students in determining a timeline for completion of their undergraduate degree program. Each path displayed within this website provides students with the anticipated order in which a degree would typically be completed in a timely fashion at Western Kentucky University.

The Degree Paths show appropriate timing and spacing of general education, core course requirements, elective suggestions, prerequisites and displays how each of these requirements may be met during a four-year time frame.

The Degree Path is simply a guideline and might not …

Blended Learning : A Program Evaluation In A Central Virginia K-12 School District, Edward A. Hoisington

Graduate Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a general education course offered in a blended learning environment in a Central Virginia public school district. Three research questions were addressed in this study: How satisfied are students with a blended learning environment in a general education Economics and Personal Finance course? Is a student’s course grade affected by the following: Technology, self-efficacy, course organization, quality of instruction, and student satisfaction in a blended learning course? Is a student’s grade on a credential test affected by the following: Technology, self-efficacy, course organization, quality of instruction, and student satisfaction in a blended …

The Social Construction Of Literary Understanding In A 3rd Grade Classroom During Interactive Read-Alouds, Adriann Flint

Undergraduate Review

Read-alouds are a commonly used tool in elementary classrooms. Teachers read aloud for a variety of purposes, including helping students to better understand a topic, promoting students’ enjoyment of reading, examining an author’s craft, and developing students’ literary understanding. There are two main types of read-alouds that are used in classrooms: traditional read-alouds and interactive read-alouds. Traditional read-alouds include a text being read by the teacher to the class with little student participation during the reading, but an in-depth, or grand conversation about the book at the end of the reading (Eeds & Wells, 1989). The second type of read-aloud, …

A Pragmatist Perspective On Building Intercultural Communicative Competency: From Theory To Classroom Practice, Aleidine J. Moeller, Sarah R. Faltin Osborn

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

This article analyzes and synthesizes the major theoretical frameworks for building intercultural communicative competency (ICC) within the domain of the foreign language classroom. Researchers used a pragmatist orientation as a venue for the translation of theoretical models into usable, accessible guidelines for classroom teachers in order to provide a deeper understanding and clarity of ICC and its implementation in the language classroom

Journal Of The National Collegiate Honors Council, Volume 15, Number 1, Spring/Summer 2014 (Complete Issue)

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

Forum on Honors for Sale

Forum Articles

Gary Bell

Benjamin Moritz

Lisa Avery

Sam Schuman

Jeffrey A. Portnoy

Destenie Nock, Justice Plummer, Ashleigh R. Wilson, and Michael K. Cundall Jr.

Annmarie Guzy

Barbra Nightingale

Brian C. Etheridge

Research Essays

Ted M. Brimeyer, April M. Schueths, and William L. Smith

Gordon Shepherd and Gary Shepherd

Hallie Savage, Rod D. Raehsler, and Joseph Fiedor

Kate Wintrol

The Effect Of Mediated Immediacy Upon State Motivation And Cognitive Learning In An Online Lesson, Gary K. Hughes

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

The role of teacher immediacy and its impact upon student learning within the traditional classroom has been established within the instructional communication discipline in the past 30 years. In recent years, with the advent of computer-mediated distance education (i.e. online courses), some researchers have attempted to apply the same theories and measures of concepts without making the distinction between actual teacher behavioral indicants of immediacy and student perceptions of immediacy, nor recognizing that there may be a different number of variables involved between a single lesson presented online and an entire course presented over a period of time. Building upon …

Engaging Multiple Teams To Design A Blended Learning Course, Monica W. Tracey, Tamme Quinn Grzebyk

Administrative and Organizational Studies

In the following design case, a blended learning program was designed and developed for parents interested in improving their parenting skills with their children. Numerous design teams developed the program, consisting of both synchronous live events and asynchronous web-based instruction. Teams were comprised of novice students, professors, and expert designers. This design case explores the design space and design decisions made in light of varied and unique stakeholder involvement. It also illustrates the products developed.

Laboratory: Where Science Becomes Art, Amy Norton, Madeline Carpenter, Colton Weeks, Jae Lim

P-12 Lesson Plans

This is group of lessons for K-12 art classroom is connected to the artists in the ZMA exhibition Laboratory, on view November 14, 2014 - February 21, 2015. The exhibition worked to demystify artistic practice by revealing parallels between art and scientific research and methodology. These associated lessons include scientific concepts and principles paired with art.

Boys And Csa Prevention: Issues Surrounding Gender And Approaches For Prevention, Laura Scholes, Christian Jones, Michael Nagel

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Freda Briggs (2007), a leader in the field of child protection in Australia continues to raise concerns about the vulnerability and victimisation of boys that she believes is substantially under-recognised. She argues that boys have not been well supported by child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention programs with child protection curriculum not yet developed to meet the special needs of boys. Briggs (2007) advocates for school-based child protection programs that address issues relevant for boys. This paper responds to these concerns and explores some of the complexities inherent in issues associated with boys and CSA including boys’ perceptions of abuse, their …

The Honors Thesis: A Handbook For Honors Directors, Deans, And Faculty Advisors, Mark Anderson, Karen Lyons, Norman Weiner

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs

Writing the honors thesis is arguably the most rewarding undertaking of a student’s undergraduate educational experience, the capstone for honors work as well as undergraduate studies. A thesis or creative project in a discipline introduces students to the world of scholarship and professional activity in a way that no single course, either semester-long or even year-long, can. In-depth work—whether a laboratory experiment, as it might be in the sciences; hands-on research or experience, as it might be in the social sciences or pre-professional fields; intensive analysis unearthing ideas or following new lines of thought, as it might be in the …

The Relationship Between Student Perceptions Of Satisfaction Of Social, Teaching, And Cognitive Presence With Asynchronous Communication Tools For Online Learning In A Region V Community College, Torie L. Jackson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As a commonplace medium for instructional content in community colleges, the use of online courses is prevalent in higher education and is expected to continue to grow. While online classes offer a number of benefits to students, drawbacks of online education also exist. Because participants in an online classroom are not physically present together, they rely on communication tools to allow for interaction and collaboration. This study addressed the relationship between community college student perceptions of satisfaction of the use of asynchronous communication tools and community college student perceptions of satisfaction of social, teaching, and cognitive presence in a Region …

A Study Of The 8th Grade Technology Literacy Of A Michigan Charter School, James Edward Spruill

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

As states adopt the common core state standards and next generation assessments for the 2014 - 2015 school year, the importance of students' technology literacy will increase Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. The next generation assessments will require students to complete technology performance tasks. For the first time in mandatory testing, students' technology literacy will directly impact a school's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) rating. Technology literacy is defined as the ability to operate hardware and software (computer literacy), conduct effective research for and then evaluate digital content for accuracy and merit (internet and information literacy), and digitally communicate effectively(digital media literacy). …

Voices At The Table: Collaboration And Intertextuality, Sue C. Kimmel, Kathryn Kennedy (Ed.), Lucy Santos Green (Ed.)

STEMPS Faculty Publications

While we often associate reading aloud with children and particularly younger children, the practice of reading aloud has historically been a way for a community to share texts for information and enjoyment. Findings from a year-long study of a school librarian collaborating with a team of second grade teachers demonstrates the value of reading aloud in building background knowledge and vocabulary, modeling, understanding curriculum, creating common texts, and reading for enjoyment. Reading aloud brought other voices to the table in a clear example of intertextuality. Implications are shared for school librarians interested in similar practices as well as future research …

Improving Enrollment In The Construction Management Graduate Program Through Students’ Perspectives, Mouloud Messaoudi

Master of Technology Management Plan II Graduate Projects

Low enrollment and the decrease in graduation and retention rates are challenges facing the growth of the Master’s in Technology Management – Construction Management (MTM-CM) program at BGSU. In addition, the competition between the universities to enroll and retain more in-state, out-of-state, and international students is aggressive. There is a need for a revaluation for the MTM-CM program in order to attract more students in the future. This study is a necessary step to know what the MTM-CM students think about the product delivered to them at BGSU. There was no prior study investigating the satisfaction level of the construction …

The Effects Of A Technology-Driven Science Application On Postsecondary Chemistry Student Achievement And Self-Efficacy, Darrell Byrum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to establish if distinction exists in both student achievement and self-efficacy through the application of technology-based instructional approach in the laboratory environment of undergraduate chemistry courses. The achievement of 52 college students in the southeastern region of the United States was measured through one posttest assessment. Following this assessment, students were examined through a self-efficacy scale to determine preexisting thoughts of working in an undergraduate chemistry laboratory environment, as well as peer interaction. Accordingly, three separate college chemistry I courses were used to generate data via a nonequivalent control group design. From the three …

Effects Of Information Delivery Type On Reading Comprehension And Reading Enjoyment Level In Male Seventh-Grade Disinterested Readers, Douglas Damon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this quantitative study, reading comprehension scores and reading enjoyment level of forty-two seventh-grade males (N = 42) from a Mid-Atlantic private school were examined to determine the effect of information delivery type. In this true-experimental posttest only control group design, forty-two participants self-identified as disinterested readers. The control group (n = 22) received a traditionally printed excerpt from a novel, while the treatment Group (n = 20) received the same excerpt enhanced with embedded digital links through QR (Quick Response) codes. Upon completion of the reading, participants took a reading comprehension test, and completed a reading enjoyment questionnaire. Data …

The Effects Of On-Line Math Games And E-Books Use On Elementary Student Achievement, Mel Carnahan

Graduate Research Papers

Game-based learning and the use of e-books is becoming increasingly more supported in classrooms as methods of increasing both student engagement and student achievement in all curricular areas. The purpose of this literature review is to examine current research on the effects of online math games and e-books on elementary student engagement and academic achievement. Over thirty peer-reviewed journal articles published in the last ten years are critically reviewed and analyzed. The findings show that online game-based learning and e-books can be effective tools within the confines of the elementary classroom, as long as careful consideration is given to student …

To Complete Or Not Complete : Student Persistence In Post-Secondary Education Online Courses, Amy Christian

Graduate Research Papers

Many factors influence learners' decisions to complete or drop out of online learning courses in higher education where learners' persistence is considered critical to the success of the higher education institutions. This review examines recent literature on the relationship between learners' perceived Sense of Community (SOC), Social Presence, Satisfaction, and Participation and Interactions in distance education courses and learner persistence. Over 30 peer-reviewed studies published in academic journals within the past ten years were selected for critical analysis. Results are mixed and while many studies imply relationships between various learner and institution characteristics and student persistence, significant correlations are often …

Digital Storytelling : The Impact On Student Engagement, Motivation And Academic Learning, Mindy Foelske

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the effects of storytelling on student engagement and motivation, literacy skills, and content knowledge across curriculum areas. In this review, over thirty purposefully selected peer-reviewed journal articles about the effects of digital storytelling on students' learning in the classroom were critically analyzed and evaluated. The research evidence showed that digital storytelling increases student motivation and engagement in student-centered projects. It had a positive effect on the improvement of literacy skills, other content knowledge and the 21st century skills both for the normal students and the students who normally struggle with writing …