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A Comparison Of Microsatellites And Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms For The Assessment Of Population Structure In The Amblyomma Maculatum Koch, 1844 Species Complex, Henrey A. Deese

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch, 1844 is widespread throughout North and Central America and is the primary vector for the emerging pathogen Rickettsia parkeri. In the U.S., the population in the Southwest (A. maculatum morphotype III) is morphologically different from the population east of the Rocky Mountains (A. maculatum morphotype II). This research tests the hypothesis that A. maculatum morphotype II and morphotype III represent distinct species through the analysis and comparison of 6 microsatellite loci and suite of 135,221 Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated from ddRADseq. Population genetic analysis of both microsatellites and SNPs …

An Autoethnography Of Transitioning Mathematics Content Courses For K-8 Preservice Teachers To Online Learning During Covid-19, Ha Nguyen, Tuyin An, Heidi Eisenreich, Eryn Michelle Maher

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

The following autoethnography is completed by a group of mathematics teacher educators (MTEs) after transitioning their mathematics content courses for K-8 Preservice Teachers (PSTs) from face-to-face to online due to COVID-19 in Spring 2020. The MTEs present their perceptions of the shift to online teaching and learning by describing (a) how they typically teach their classes, (b) how they redesigned classes to support student learning when the pandemic started, (c) their PSTs' perceptions of which course components we effective (or not) in helping them adjust to the new online learning environment, and (d) next steps in teaching and research.

Can Sotl Generate High Quality Research While Maintaining Its Commitment To Inclusivity?, Jill Mcsweeney, Matthew A. Schnurr

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) faces an emerging challenge as it seeks to balance commitments to disciplinary inclusivity and scholarly quality. We undertake a scoping review of 64 articles across three leading SoTL journals to investigate how the literature balances these twin commitments by exploring what questions are being asked, what methods are being used, and how these may be impacting the inferences that are being made within that scholarship. We advocate for a more focused definition of SoTL that can help reinforce its legitimacy within institutional power structures of scholarship, and for partnerships across disciplinary boundaries to …

Assessing Social Capital And Value Creation In Virtual Student Project Teams: Evidence From Online Management Courses, David B. Tataw

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This study contributes to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning by expanding the investigative areas on the role of social capital in collaborative learning environments. This is done by examining aspired and experienced social capital in student reflections on team dynamics in online project teams and aligning student narratives to expected student outcomes. Within a value creation framework which is aligned to the four stages of team development, including forming, storming, norming, and performing in order to illuminate value creation experiences and aspirations of participants, the study covered 39 management education students in 8 online project teams spanning 3 courses …

Increasing Knowledge And Skills Of Graduate Students Using Experiential Education, Dawn C. Botts, Jennifer C. Buff, Joseph F. Klein

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This study examined the impact of experiential education through the utilization of vignettes on graduate student knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the area of written language disorders. Graduate students enrolled in a written language disorders class completed assessment measures designed to examine clinical understanding and confidence when preparing to teach a client exhibiting a written language disorder. The impact of the use of vignettes in the learning process was measured using pre- and post-tests, class surveys, and focus group interviews. Students demonstrated significant improvement in their knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding written language disorders. All pre- and post-course comparisons were …

Question Format Biases College Students' Metacognitive Judgments For Exam Performance, Michael J. Mcguire

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

College students in a lower-division psychology course made metacognitive judgments by predicting and postdicting performance for true-false, multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blank question sets on each of three exams. This study investigated which question format would result in the most accurate metacognitive judgments. Extending Koriat’s (1997) cue-utilization framework to these judgments, each format gave students different cues on which to base judgments. Further, each format has different probabilities of correctly guessing, which can skew accuracy. Students reported the lowest estimates for fill-in-the-blank questions. Accuracy measured using bias scores showed students’ predictions and postdictions were most accurate for multiple-choice items. Accuracy measured using …

The Use Of Mentored Inquiry Communities To Foster Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning (Sotl): Outcomes Of The American Occupational Therapy Association Sotl Program (2007-2017), Jennifer S. Pitonyak, Amanda K. Giles, Lorrie A. George-Paschal, Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, Steven D. Taff

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) is recognized in Boyer’s model, along with discovery, integration, and application, as one of four essential scholarships and is the systematic study of teaching and learning. As such, in 2007, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), and later the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), supported the development of a SoTL mentorship program in an effort to foster SoTL within the discipline of occupational therapy. This mixed-methods study describes AOTA SoTL Program outcomes across ten years, 2007-2017, gathered via survey of past program mentee (n = 50) and mentor (n = 12) participants. Results suggest …

Designing And Reflecting On Active Learning And Flipped Classrooms For Renal Physiology, Bernard Thomas Drumm Dr

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

In this paper, we outline a case study describing the incorporation of active learning and flipped classroom techniques in a renal physiology module in 1st year medical school. The module was redesigned over a 2-year period within the teaching for understanding (TfU) framework (generative topics, understanding goals, performances of understanding and ongoing assessment) to include more active learning exercises (clicker response systems centered on clinically relevant problem sets and classroom assessment techniques – CATs), which culminated in flipping the classroom entirely during the 2nd year. The goal, was to evaluate student perceptions of the flipped classroom model and to reflect …

Using Practice-Based Learning To Extend Undergraduate Teaching And Learning, Erica R. Hamilton, Kelly C. Margot

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This research article reports results of a study centered on an undergraduate instructor who facilitated a practice- based field experience with undergraduate preservice teachers (n=125) in an urban museum setting, working with middle school students with a public museum school. In addition to exploring this practice-based field experience, we also examined ways the setting functioned as a third space for teaching and learning. Also discussed are some of the changes the instructor made to maximize student learning in this third space. Results indicate that implementing practice-based learning in undergraduate education serves to extend and support teaching and learning. Moreover, practice-based …

Beyond The "Research Vs. Scholarship" Dichotomy: The Emergence Of A New Category Of Academic Staff, Marion Coderch

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This paper deals with the role of the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) among staff on teaching-only con-tracts in UK higher education, particularly in contrast with the activities of research-active staff. Drawing on the results of a quantitative study carried out during the summer of 2021 among modern foreign language teachers in 64 UK universities, the questions of the status and purpose of SoTL are addressed. The results of the survey show that, beyond the traditional two-tier division of academic labour based on the research vs. scholarship dichotomy, a third group of academic staff with no research or SoTL …

Tri-Party Collaborative Course Design: Proposal Of A Framework For Higher Education Courses, Rafael Chiuzi

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This article presents a tri-party collaborative course-design framework using a case study based on the launch of a new 4th year course at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, Department of Management. This study employed a multi-method qualitative approach consisting of a survey, followed by three focus groups with distinct stakeholder groups: students, industry practitioners, and academics. The results revealed a surprising overlap of interests among the different groups, with the data supporting the design of the new course, which was launched in the Fall of 2022. In addition, data from current students indicated robust positive acceptance of both the course …

Hospitality And Tourism Students’ Views Of Academic Dishonesty Before And During The Height Of The Coronavirus Pandemic, Cynthia S. Deale, Seung-Hyun (Jenna) Lee

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Those involved in higher education have been concerned about students’ academic dishonesty for many years and there are concerns that the coronavirus pandemic led to even more academic dishonesty across the disciplines. Therefore, this study focused on hospitality and tourism students’ views on academic dishonesty, or cheating behaviors, before and during the height of the pandemic. The results of two online surveys of hospitality management students in the southeastern United States found that students felt that academic dishonesty increased, they experienced more stress, and their views varied by their perceptions of online education. Suggestions for de-creasing academic dishonesty to enhance …

Tilting It Forward: The Transparency Model Of Assessment As A Scaffold For Secondary Teacher Education, Nancy L. Remler

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Even though K-12 educators must assess student learning and adjust instruction based on learning data, many teachers lack confidence in their ability to assess. Because low confidence levels may be due to inadequate teacher preparation, this study invokes the pivotal SoTL project, Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT), as it examines TILT’s impact on twelve undergraduate ELA teacher candidates (TCs). The hypothesis was that TILT would not only enhance undergraduate TCs’ learning outcomes in an ELA methods course, but also scaffold their early development of assessment literacy. Findings support the hypothesis but indicate that TCs would benefit from additional instruction …

Student Engagement And Academic Performance During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Does A Blended Learning Approach Matter?, Chen Zheng

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This paper examines whether and to what extent student engagement with the learning management system (LMS) Blackboard affects students’ academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find strong evidence that higher student engagement with Blackboard is associated with better academic performance. We also find that the association between student engagement and student academic performance varies with different blended learning formats. Specifically, the positive effects are more pronounced when synchronous online lectures and face-to-face tutorials are implemented. Given that COVID-19 is a constantly moving situation, this study highlights that a blended learning approach needs to engage students actively to facilitate social …

Comparative Analysis Of Fullstack Development Technologies: Frontend, Backend And Database, Qozeem Odeniran

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Accessing websites with various devices has brought changes in the field of application development. The choice of cross-platform, reusable frameworks is very crucial in this era. This thesis embarks in the evaluation of front-end, back-end, and database technologies to address the status quo. Study-a explores front-end development, focusing on angular.js and react.js. Using these frameworks, comparative web applications were created and evaluated locally. Important insights were obtained through benchmark tests, lighthouse metrics, and architectural evaluations. React.js proves to be a performance leader in spite of the possible influence of a virtual machine, opening the door for additional research. Study b …

Active Learning Methodologies In A High Stakes Graduate Nursing Program, Nina Mclain, Mary Jane Collins, Lawanda Baskin

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Active learning with student engagement has been demonstrated to improve knowledge retention and improve learning in graduate education. Nurse anesthesia education has traditionally been taught using lecture with slide presentations without considering student centered learning. Much attention has been given to active learning strategies to promote student engagement and content retention, yet little information exists regarding student preferences for in higher level graduate nursing courses. This mixed-methods study aimed to examine student learning preferences for seven different instructional methodologies; traditional lecture, a problem-based learning exercise, reading with workbook assignments, development of cognitive aids, game-based learning, practice questions, and a case …

Addressing The Gap Of Informal Science Field Experiences In Science Methods Courses, Christina L. Mcdaniel, Colton M. Wilder, Cecile M. Arquette

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Preservice teachers in science education courses do not generally experience informal, authentic science education practices in their fieldwork. This study used the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning to frame a study that integrated informal science teaching experiences with a university teacher education science methods course. The results showed improvement in participant preservice teachers' ability to teach science content, their self-confidence in teaching science, and their ability to connect what they learned in their methods course in a real-life setting.

Standards-Based Grading In Difficult Times: Precalculus Student Perceptions During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Rachel Epstein

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Standards-based grading is an alternative grading system that gives students multiple opportunities to demon-strate proficiency in course standards or objectives. It has the potential to provide flexibility and reduce student anxiety, which are particularly important during difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, stu-dents in a Precalculus course using standards-based grading between Spring 2021 and Spring 2022 were surveyed about how the pandemic had affected their learning and the benefits and challenges of standards-based grading. The students who took the course in Spring 2021, whose previous learning was least affected by the pandemic, were most likely to …

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A Really Good Example Helps Learning About An Abstract Concept, Ava Funkhouser, Elena Nicoladis

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

University students are often asked to learn abstract concepts. Abstract concepts are hard to learn. Giving specific examples can help learning abstract concepts. These examples might limit understanding to the similarities between the abstract domain and particular examples. The primary purpose of this study was to test whether exposure to multiple examples would lead to better learning than exposure to a single example. Secondarily, we were interested in whether there was any particularly effective example. Introductory psychology students were invited to learn about the abstract concept of semiotics, through either 1) three of five distinct examples or 2) a single …

Utilizing Slow Reading Techniques To Promote Deep Learning, Brian Baldi, Cynthia Mejia

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Slow reading has long been viewed as a teaching technique that engages students more deeply with course readings. Little systematic research, however, has been done to understand how this pedagogical strategy works in college classrooms. This study investigated how slow reading techniques promoted deep learning among undergraduate college students across two disciplines. Utilizing two food essays as the basis for a reading assignment, students in two courses participated in an intentionally scaffolded and paced slow reading exercise designed to encourage deeper personal engagement with course concepts. Theoretical implications from the research demonstrate connections between slow reading techniques and the existing …

Stop, Collaborate, And Listen: A Faculty Learning Community Developed To Address Gaps In Pre-Service Education About Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Emily Hoeh, Michelle L. Bonati, Suzannah Chatlos, Maureen Squires, Bradley Countermine

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

There is a notable lack of opportunity for students in pre-service professional training programs and faculty in higher education to collaborate and work together, across disciplines within a common area of professional expertise. In this case, a faculty learning community (FLC) was formed to create a set of video-based simulations based on relevant topics for Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings, used to inform the development of an Individualized Education Program. These materials were made available across departments and universities, establishing a common language and set of CSE practices. Additionally, a structured three-level text reading and discussion provided faculty with …

Another Look At High-Impact Practices In Teacher Education: Linking Practices With Engagement, Ekaterina Koubek, Raymond J. Rodriguez

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

High-Impact Practices (HIPs), as adopted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), are teaching and learning practices in higher education that promote student engagement and learning as measured on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). This study replicated a previous study conducted by the authors exploring the extent to which prior findings on the relationship between HIPs and student engagement could be confirmed with a different sample of students and faculty in a teacher preparation program. The current study further sought to understand the extent to which faculty members’ design of activities related to HIPs engaged students …

Salient Factors In Predicting Student Success, Including Course Modality, David P. Nalbone, Minoo Ashoori, Bankole K. Fasanya, Michael W. Pelter, Adam Rengstorf

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Much discussion in higher education has focused upon predicting student learning, and how to identify students who may be at particular risk of failure. Little research has actually tackled that challenge, and research on the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) in this areas is scarce; this study does so by measuring students across three semester of study in a variety of courses and course formats. Our results indicate that a set of characteristics predicting student success can be identified, and that course modality affects overall student success rate. Our results are discussed in terms of how they might inform …

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Strengthening The Academic Progress Of Students Within Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support, Leslie Dial

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Leadership in education is thinking, communicating, and modeling to maximize student growth and achievement. This quantitative research study explored how leadership can strengthen the academic progress of students within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). When implementation of MTSS is guided by adaptive school leadership, educators will be prepared, communication will occur, interventions will be established, and data will be evaluated. Adaptive leaders who build efficacy will ensure fidelity and continuous improvement of student achievement.

Survey research was conducted to analyze the operational level of MTSS regarding the domains of Leadership, Building Capacity for Instruction, Communication and Collaboration, Data-Based Problem-Solving, Tiered …

Campus Safety Data Gathering, Classification, And Ranking Based On Clery-Act Reports, Walaa F. Abo Elenin

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Most existing campus safety rankings are based on criminal incident history with minimal or no consideration of campus security conditions and standard safety measures. Campus safety information published by universities/colleges is usually conceptual/qualitative and not quantitative and are based-on criminal records of these campuses. Thus, no explicit and trusted ranking method for these campuses considers the level of compliance with the standard safety measures. A quantitative safety measure is important to compare different campuses easily and to learn about specific campus safety conditions.

In this thesis, we utilize Clery-Act reports of campuses to automatically analyze their safety conditions and generate …

The Conditional Effects Of Emotion Regulation On The Relationship Between Occupational Stress And Suicidal Behaviors In Veterinary Students, Sara Carroll Johnson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Suicide is an area of increasing concern in the field of veterinary medicine. As veterinary students prepare to enter the profession and take on the unique stressors associated with this line of work, there is a need for models that identify protective factors for suicidal behaviors. Specifically, research is needed to identify factors that offset the relationship between occupational stress and suicidal behaviors. To better inform interventions designed to prevent suicidal behaviors in veterinary students, emotion upregulation and downregulation strategies were evaluated as potential moderators in the relationship between occupational stress and suicidal behaviors in a sample of veterinary students. …

Analysis Of Dual-Element Antenna Configurations, Grant J. Evans

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Dual-dipole antennas have been extensively researched previously for their bandwidth enhancing effect on Yagi type antennas. In this thesis, dual-dipole antennas are fabricated and measured. These experimental measurement results are verified with simulated values. First, a standard dual-dipole antenna is investigated and found that the high magnitude, opposite current directions on the dipole arms are the reasoning behind the creation of a high gain mode. This pattern is similar to a Yagi antenna. Next, a dual-band implementation of the dual-dipole antenna is shown, with two distinct resonances in a lower band and an upper band. Both bandwidths exhibit a dipole …