Digital Commons Network^™

2025 Scamle Full Volume

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

Role-Ing While Bipoc: Understanding The Experiences Of Table Top Role Playing Game Players Of Color, Jordan K. Posey

Dissertations

In 2015, controversy surrounded the interactive computer game Mission US: Flight to Freedom. The game was unveiled as an accessible way to teach about American chattel slavery by mixing elements normally associated with roleplaying games (RPGs), Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs), and social studies curriculum. The conversations surrounding the game exemplify the complicated history of RPGS/TTRPGs and the limitations of gamification in educational settings. This qualitative study aimed to analyze aspects of gaming culture through a critical race lens by documenting the experiences of Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) players identifying as Black, Indigenous, and a Person of Color (BIPOC). Using a …

"World’S Best Dad(Dy): Microvalidations In The Rural Educational Space" In Rural Education And Queer Identities: Rural And (Out)Rooted, John Mark Day

Education Studies Faculty publications

Microvalidations, small acts that affirm a person’s basic humanity, demonstrate to those who hold marginalized identities how they are seen, valued, and celebrated. For Queer families engaging in rural educational spaces where they may be the only family like theirs, microvalidations can be particularly meaningful. Several categories of microvalidation are effective for rural Queer families: learning and using names, expanding language, honoring parent roles, and validating seemingly small experiences. Given the particularity of rural educational spaces, these microvalidations have the potential of creating a sense of belonging for students and families that extend outside of the classroom and to an …

Strong Signal!, David Hernandez

Professional Learning Day

Technology is advancing rapidly, making our lives easier every day. However, this progress also brings an ever-growing demand for faster, more reliable network services. While we enjoy the benefits of technology when everything runs smoothly, network systems face significant physical challenges behind the scenes. This session will explore how mathematics and physics are crucial in building the infrastructure that keeps technology functioning seamlessly. Join us to uncover the hidden science that powers our connected world.

Muscular Measurements With Micro: Bits, Dr. Mark Carlson, Dr. Ashwin Mohan

Professional Learning Day

Participants will assemble a Micro: bit based EMG system and measure muscular movements. They will then analyze the recorded signals to better understand the neurological nature of muscle contraction and appreciate the capabilities of the Micro: bit microcontroller.

The Current Landscape Of Computer Science Education In Illinois: Challenges And Opportunities For Growth, Charity Freeman

Professional Learning Day

This session provides an overview of computer science education in Illinois across K-12 and higher education, highlighting recent progress, persistent challenges, and growth opportunities. Drawing from recent research, participants will explore critical data points about access, participation, and outcomes in Coeducation, as well as gain an understanding of enrollment trends, equity gaps, and successfully implemented support strategies. The session will conclude with actionable recommendations for improving education throughout Illinois.

Breakfast Of Champions: Steam In Action, Susan Abraham

Professional Learning Day

Teach your students the fun of STEAM while encouraging them to become future entrepreneurs. Students will learn to develop a cereal - create the cereal box (all 6 sides), market the cereal, price the cereal, and make a 3D model of the cereal from recyclable materials. Students learn how viewpoints can affect consumer costs. They also learn the idea of working for a company challenge as this is a competition based project. Educators will learn to incorporate all subjects (Science, Math, Art, Social Studies, Engineering, and Technology) into this project. Educators will also learn how to involve the whole school …

Teaching With A Full Deck: Card Activities In Mathematics, Lindsey Herlehy

Professional Learning Day

Card sorts encourage students to do what we value most: talk and reason. Beyond simple matching, card sorts allow students to classify, rank, sequence, and map out ideas, creating a natural context for critical thinking and discussion. Join me for a series of math-focused card sorts where students will engage in activities like sorting equations by type, sequencing steps for solving multi-step problems, analyzing characteristics of graphs, and collaborating to solve clothesline math problems. This easy-to-prep tool will help students deepen their understanding of math concepts, fostering algebraic reasoning, graph analysis, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Getting Students To Do Authentic Academic Research, Dr. Peter Dong

Professional Learning Day

Most classroom experiences bear little resemblance to actual research, and aspiring scientists and other researchers have no exposure to authentic academic work, in many cases, until graduate school. Giving high school students genuine research experience is possible and helpful for their understanding. This session will share lessons learned from IMSA's research programs and discuss ways, both big and small, that teachers and their schools can get students involved in real research.

2025 Teaching Leadership In The Classroom: Leadership Theory, Activism, And Unsd Goals, Emma Wilson Parker

Professional Learning Day

IMSA’s Leadership Education & Development (LEAD) program is a student-led course focused on developing leadership skills for sophomores. Students explore leadership theories, models,and global impact through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and activism.Peer discussions, hands-on activities, and group work challenge students to think critically about leadership. Join us for an interactive experience packed with leadership activities perfect for the classroom!

Focus Over Frenzy: An Educator’S Guide To Strategic Opportunity Selection, Charity Freeman

Professional Learning Day

Is your professional plate overflowing with commitments? This session challenges common productivity and time management myths while introducing practical tools for making decisions about your time and energy. Learn why "switch tasking" might make you feel productive but drains your cognitive resources. In this session, explore a comprehensive framework for evaluating opportunities that come your way, from aligning with your core priorities to assessing stakeholder dynamics. Leave with concrete strategies for saying "yes" or "no" confidently, setting meaningful boundaries, and making choices that support your effectiveness as an educator.

Quantum Cryptography In Physics Class, Anastasia Perry

Professional Learning Day

Do you want to bring more modern physics content, beyond the photoelectric effect, into your physics classroom? Quantum mechanics has bizarre phenomena such as probabilistic measurement, uncertainty principle, and entanglement. Using quantum objects like photons can benefit cryptography and secure communication. This lesson will model the BB84 quantum key generation protocol using hands-on activity. Additional simulation activities and resources will be shared. This activity can be used in a high school physics class during the modern physics unit. Basic algebra skills and limited school supplies are needed. Interested CS teachers or middle school science teachers can use it as an …

Secondary Mathematics Teacher Recruitment Campaign 2.0: Implementation Guide, Diane Barrett, Liza Bondurant, Tim Deis, Brittney Falahola, Dana Franz, Cheryl Ordorica, Derek Sturgill, Lexi Kornblum, Jeff Ranta, Ed Dickey

CoE Publications

This guide is designed to help faculty members and others within mathematics or STEM teacher education programs maximize their impact on teacher candidate recruitment. ...Intended to serve as a campaign implementation handbook for teacher recruitment for mathematics and other STEM fields, the elements in this guide were compiled to address general principles of marketing. Each module is designed to stand-alone addressing a specific recruitment topic, but with sufficient knowledge carry-over from one module to the other to allow those interested in recruitment to implement a comprehensive campaign.

Exploring Service Quality In Gambian Public Universities In The Dawn Of Massification: Perceptions Of Internal Authorities, Yankuba Yabou, Precious Nyoni

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: The purpose of our study was to explore the perceptions of internal authorities of public universities in The Gambia—with a focus on the University of The Gambia (UTG)—on service quality amid massification and thereby elicit their recommendations.

Method: This qualitative case study of service quality in public universities in the Gambia employed content analysis of data collected through semi-structured interviews to ascertain categories.

Results: The results showed an unfavorable view of the quality of all the factors observed—physical environment quality, core educational quality, and transformative quality. Despite efforts of the university administration to enhance the quality of education, the …

Nature Journaling: A Tool For Designing A Responsive Science Methods Course For Adult Learners, Meenakshi Sharma, Divya Gangadin, Francy Gomez

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

We examined an outdoor, experiential learning approach within a science methods course for nontraditional adult learners who are often career changers or individuals transitioning into teaching later in life. Through immersive, nature-based experiences, the course connected adult learners to science via direct engagement with the natural world. We include reflections from two nontraditional learners who participated in a 6-week nature journaling process, showcasing how they embraced inquiry-based experiences in natural settings. These reflections reveal a supportive learning environment that values diverse learning styles and life experiences and encourages exploration. Insights from these experiences can guide science teacher educators in developing …

Advising Tools For Student Success, Ingrid Washington, Jimmy Wright

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Ingrid Washington on February 18, 2025.

A Call To Threaten Systemic Inequities Through Critical ‎Crosscultural Communicative Competence In Future Teachers: ‎Engaging Els In Stem Using A Critical Conceptual Framework, Abdelilah Salim Sehlaoui, Hassan Zaid

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

This article shares a critical conceptual framework to threaten ‎systemic ‎inequities through computer-assisted language learning (CALL) using a critical ‎crosscultural communicative competence (C⁵) and equity literacy to engage English ‎learners (ELs) in ‎Science, ‎Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The proposed critical conceptual framework is compatible with ways of thinking in STEM-based problem solving (English, 2023). To achieve this goal, a theory adaptation ‎critical research design was used with a sociocultural analysis and a modified transactional ‎epistemology critical approach. The paper argues for building a critical conceptual framework that is based fundamentally on a critical view of equity literacy …

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

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Engaged Pedagogy And The Three C'S: Incorporating Student Emotions Within Institutions Of Higher Education, Kathryn Mattingly Flynn

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Overcoming Students' Resistance To The Flipped Classroom, Koji Tanno

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Pathways To Discover: Exploring Transdisciplinary Learning With Primary Sources, Matthew Strandmark

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Varied Uses Of Class Time: A Case Study Of Epe 301, Zitsi Mirakhur, Spencer Crawford, Wyatt Driskell

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

What In The World Can I Do With This Degree? Showcase Profile Assignment, Sarah Kercsmar

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Groupme In The Classroom, Christopher Huggins

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Meeting Community Need In The Classroom: Creative Collaborations Between Students And Cooperative Extension, Liz Combs, Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Zines: Radical Tools For Empathy And Introspection, Aanya Chugh

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Conversations By Design: Student Research Using Oral Histories, Jennifer Bartlett, Patrick Lee Lucas

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Lisa Rogers, Lisa Rogers, Institute Of Child Nutrition

Oral History Project (all interviews)

Lisa Rogers is a native of of Tennessee. Lisa’s professional journey includes roles in advertising, library services, and recruitment prior to getting into child nutrition. Lisa joined the Institute of Child Nutrition as a Library Specialist, eventually becoming the Associate Director of the Training Division. Lisa retired on June 30, 2023.

Innovative Instruction To Cultivate Young Adolescents’ Creativity In A Virtual Environment, Stacie K. Pettit, Christi L. Pace, Dawn Jeffers, Emily Harrison

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

The unique needs of high-ability young adolescents should be met just as those students with other diverse needs even when instruction becomes virtual. This paper highlights the work of two teachers who overcame the challenges of remote and hybrid learning to provide quality lessons on creativity, logic, and problem solving. They are accomplishing this for 4th and 5th grade students in their gifted program through project-based learning and other lessons situated around creativity. The strategies presented that encourage students to exercise creativity would be beneficial for all students.

Internet Addiction And Academic Fatigue, Engagement, And Performance Among Undergraduates In Southwestern Universities In Nigeria, Mensah Prince Osiesi, Olutoyin Olufunke Fajobi, Sikeade Mercy Adegboyega, Abiodun Adesope Fadiya, Olaitan Titilayo Akinola, Folasade Oluyemisi Olayinka, Muyiwa Sunday Ajimuse, Sunday Nnamdi Okocha, Tolulope Oluwatoyin Olayiwola-Adedoja, Oladipo Adeyeye Olubodun Phd, Atinuke Titilope Babalola, Valentina Grion

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: Internet addiction among university undergraduates may deeply impact their academic lives. This study investigated the association between academic fatigue, academic engagement, academic performance, gender, and internet addiction and how the variables jointly and relatively predict internet addiction among undergraduates in southwestern universities in Nigeria.

Method: The correlational research type of the non-experimental research design was adopted for this study. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 1,157 students. The main variables were the Internet Addiction Test (r = 0.82) and the Academic Fatigue Questionnaire (r = 0.85; both adapted), as well as the Academic Engagement Scale …