Digital Commons Network^™

Mitigating The Negative Effects Of Over And Early Exposure To Media With Joint Media Engagement: A Literature Review, Mary K. Littlepage

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This paper examines the negative impact of over and early exposure to media on children’s developmental domains. Among other deleterious effects, early and over exposure to media has been associated with attention deficits, language delays, and interrupted social interactions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) addresses these concerns with recommendations, discouraging the use of screens for children birth to eighteen months and recommends that children over two years old limit their viewing to one to two hours or less per day (AAP Council on Communications and Media, 2016). For children within the recommended viewing and age parameters, many studies have …

Teacher Decision Making In Guided-Reading, Brittany Worthen

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Guided reading provides teachers the opportunity to support students in literacy learning. When planning for and implementing this instructional approach, teachers are required to make various in-advance and in-the-moment decisions that involve responding to students’ instructional needs through adaptive teaching. Grounded in sociocultural and social constructivist theories, this study was designed to understand teacher decision-making within the context of guided reading instruction.

This research was a collective case study aimed at providing a better understanding of the various decisions teachers make when teaching in a guided reading context. Findings pertaining to in-advanced decisions that emerged from the data can be …

Power Of Partnerships, Joni Meade

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

No abstract provided.

Collaborative Inclusion: Iep Team Perspectives On Supporting Students With Extensive Needs And The Implications For Teacher Preparation Programs, Deborah J. Amend, Amy E. Lein, Alexandra J. Taylor, Elizabeth G. Dinkins

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This mixed methods multi-case study explored the inclusion of students with extensive support needs, including multiple disabilities and autism, in a small elementary school setting. The study focused on the perspectives of school-based IEP team members regarding inclusive practices. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, the research incorporated raw score data from the Teacher Attitude Towards Inclusion Survey alongside individual interviews, a focus group, and the development of tailored student support plans. A ten-week coaching intervention was implemented, grounded in Kunz and Carter’s (2021) collaborative and consultative framework, to enhance the team's capacity for inclusive education. Findings suggest …

Scaffolding Learning In Science Class With Literacy Strategies, Katelyn Collins, Sue Lasky Dr.

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy of integrating literacy-based pedagogic strategies into science inquiry skills in a 6th-grade science classroom in Berea, Kentucky. This school district's student test scores are low in science, presumably tied to low informational literacy skills. This mixed-method study triangulated data from four weeks of lesson plans, two classroom observations, and four weeks of teacher analytic reflective notes. School i-Ready reading diagnostic data was also examined for pre-intervention and post-intervention conditions. Key findings of this research indicate increased student engagement and enthusiasm when practicing literacy pedagogical strategies in science class and a …

“I Don’T Remember One Thing About Civic Education”: Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Perspectives On Civic Learning And Civic Engagement, Daniela Kruel Digiacomo, Laura H. Darolia, Carly Muetterties, Stephanie Mobley

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

In this study, we examined elementary pre-service teachers’ perspectives on civic education and information and media literacy. We designed an intervention in an elementary social studies methods course to examine if pre-service teachers’ learning experiences shifted attitudes toward and imaginations about their future practice as teachers. Initial findings, based on interview transcripts and classroom artifacts, confirm the importance of bringing civic education and information and media literacy to young learners and offer insights into the kinds of support pre-service teachers may need to do so.

Using Diverse Picture Books To Strengthen Social And Emotional Skills, Jessica L. Edwards

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Social and emotional learning skills are inherently interconnected with culturally responsive teaching, as any progress with equity and justice requires intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive competence. This article discusses the significance of this connection, providing numerous ideas for using diverse picture books to establish and further strengthen social and emotional learning skills within any classroom environment.

Teaching Vocabulary Graphic Organizers To Students With Disabilities Using The Constant Time Delay Procedure, Kera B. Ackerman, Channon K. Horn

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This study examined the effectiveness of constant time delay (CTD) as a systematic instructional technique to teach three elementary-aged students identified with mild to moderate disabilities how to complete a vocabulary graphic organizer using words identified from their grade level social studies textbook. The researcher used CTD to teach the participants how to complete the graphic organizer while embedding instructive feedback. A multiple probe design across three participants was used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results indicate that CTD was effective in teaching participants how to complete the graphic organizer. Additionally, participant acquired information through instructive feedback (e.g., …

2025-03-10, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Stress As A Means Of Success: Investigating The Effect Of Stress Appraisals On Willpower, Ego Depletion, And Physiological Responses In College Students, Anna Minor

Honors College Theses

Stress impacts our emotions, cognition, behavior, and health. Although stress is abundant and unavoidable, recent research suggests our perception of stress can strongly influence its outcomes. The Biopsychosocial Model of Challenge and Threat (BPS) states that we appraise a stressful scenario in one of two ways: challenge or threat. A challenge appraisal involves a positive perception of stress and is associated with lower physiological output while a threat appraisal involves a negative perception of stress and increased physiological arousal. The current research seeks to apply the BPS to a cognitive task and consider its relation to willpower, ego depletion, and …

Birth Planning, Audrey K. Gill, Kacie J. Easley

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

This is an informative presentation completed using evidence based practice regarding the importance of birth planning and the use of birth plans. It is used as a tool to educate nurses and healthcare providers about the benefits of implementing birth plan education into their patients portfolio. The birth plan is a written document that involves the collaborative efforts between nurses/healthcare providers and future mothers. It is used in order to personalize and improve the birthing experience for patients. This presentation uses qualitative research, quantitative research, and theoretical framework in order to deem positive results with the implementation of birth plans.

Oh126 Norvel J. Williamson Oral History, Mary Bates

Lifestyles

Norvel J. Williamson talks about his early life in Paducah, Kentucky during the first half of the 20th century. He recalls the Great Depression, the flood of 1937 and his early years in school. He mentions that many were financially wiped out after the flood of 1937. During the flood, Williamson carried sandbags to the levy at Hickman. During the Great Depression, his father worked for Illinois Central Railroad and later for the Work Progress Administration. He reflects on working for the railroad and the growth of labor unions. He describes Noble Park and Stewart Nelson Park and white black …

Oh076 Lucil Wilson Oral History, David Sullivan

Land Between the Lakes

Lucil Wilson discusses the educational system in the Land Between the Lakes region in Kentucky at both the elementary and secondary levels. She describes attending a one room school as a child and compares that experience with other educational institutions throughout her teaching career. She recalls the schools at Cadiz, Kentucky and the qualification requirements needed for a teacher's certificate in the early 1940s. She reflects upon her school work and activities, along with her goals and responsibilities as an educator. Wilson concludes by describing her husband's general store, purchasing store items on credit, bartering and local hucksters.

Antimicrobial Effect Of Herbs Extracted With Ethanol Compared To Ampicillin, Brianna Neilan, Laura Rowe

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections within the medical field, however there are growing concerns of antibiotic resistance. Before the introduction of antibiotics herbs were commonly used to treat infections, and herbal medicine is still used in many communities and cultures. Bacteria’s increasing resistance to traditional antibiotics has caused herbal medicines to become a significant research topic recently. Methods of herbal medicine preparation include preparing teas using hot water, and tinctures that soak herbs in alcohol for several weeks. Previous research has shown significant antimicrobial effects of some herbs when soaked in water and other liquids. The aim …

The Effects Of Improper Waste Disposal On Marine Life: Why Does It Matter And How Can We Prevent It?, Abbey Ward, Ashlee Davis

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Improperly disposed of waste, specifically plastic, can end up in the ocean and negatively impact marine life, and in turn, negatively impact human health. Marine life, such as turtles, have faced serious health consequences and even death from entanglement in abandoned fishing gear and consuming plastics. Larger plastic particles can break down into smaller particles known as microplastics which can harbor harmful substances (such as Bisphenol A and persistent organic pollutants) and can cause several negative health effects when consumed by marine life such as loss of nutrition, starvation, and death. Microplastics have been found in 75% of commercial fish. …

A Call For Increased Support For Spanish-Speaking Workforce, Clients And Caretakers In Applied Behavior Analysis (Aba), Michele Curd, Becky Nastally

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2020) requires all professionals certified in ABA service delivery to provide services in a manner that supports client rights and the diversity of the client population. As the Hispanic/Latinx and Spanish-speaking client population increases in the United States over time, an increased need for culturally competent professionals in the field of mental health care is made apparent. Though there are professionals delivering multilingual and culturally competent services, it is unknown how many Spanish-speaking behavior analysts practice in the United States as the BACB does not currently collect data regarding certificant …

Kroger Post-Pandemic Customer Segmentation, Mario Mata, Joey Truitt, Renn Spigelmyer, Dhanuja Kasturiratna, Lisa Holden, Nitish Baidya, Hanna Tafari

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The grocery retail industry landscape has changed greatly in the wake of the pandemic. Specifically, delivery and pickup services have become more popular and customer buying habits have evolved. At the same time, improvements in data collection and analysis have allowed grocery marketing strategies to become highly individualized.

We worked with 84.51, an analytics firm, to identify customer segments for the Kroger Company based on data from 2023. Using clustering techniques, we organized customers into groups, or segments, based on similar characteristics. We identified and profiled four distinct groups of customers. Three segments were characterized by high frequency and spending …

From The Ashes: Research And Revival, Lee Bezehertny, Raini Evergarden, Daisy Grimes

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Research is just as vital to an artist’s practice as it is to any other field of study; however, research for an artist is not limited to textbooks and journals. An artist’s research mainly consists of on field practice, and due to this, many artists do not have the time to experiment with materials as their energy is expended in the active making process. This is where public conferences become vital in the artists practice because they provide an accessible space to share research and make connections with other artists. One of the most prolific conferences in the realm of …

Predicting Hazardous Near-Earth Objects Using Machine Learning For Planetary Defense, John Costa (Student), Lily Popova Zhuhadar (Mentor)

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Predicting Hazardous Near-Earth Objects Using Machine Learning for Planetary Defense

This research develops a machine learning model to classify Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) as hazardous or non-hazardous based on their physical and orbital characteristics, leveraging NASA's dataset of certified NEOs. NEOs, including asteroids and comets, often pass within close proximity to Earth, and while most pose no threat, some have the potential for catastrophic impacts. By using predictive models such as decision trees and random forests, this study aims to prioritize resources for monitoring and mitigation of high-risk objects. The model incorporates key features like velocity, diameter, and proximity to Earth …

Predicting College Student Dropout Rates Using Predictive Analytics, Jenna Wells (Student), Lily Popova Zhuhadar (Mentor)

Posters-at-the-Capitol

This research develops a predictive model to forecast college student dropout rates using RapidMiner™, with the goal of identifying at-risk students early to facilitate timely interventions. Using a Kaggle dataset that includes 4,424 student records and 36 academic, demographic, and socioeconomic features, the study applies machine learning techniques to classify students as either graduates, dropouts, or currently enrolled. The model reveals critical factors influencing dropout rates, such as tuition fees, scholarship status, and second-semester grades. The Logistic Regression model, chosen based on accuracy and performance metrics, shows promising results with a precision of 82.64% and recall of 79.55% for predicting …

Greece And Harm Reduction Efficacy, Callie Wagers

Posters-at-the-Capitol

An overview of the significance of harm reduction strategies in public health, highlighting Greece's innovative approaches recognized by the Healthy Cities Award. Harm reduction encompasses a range of policies and programs designed to minimize the negative health and social impacts associated with substance use, emphasizing pragmatic and compassionate solutions rather than punitive measures. Greece's successful initiatives—such as syringe exchange programs, supervised consumption sites, and comprehensive addiction treatment services—serve as a model for addressing public health crises. Kentucky, facing significant challenges related to substance use disorders, can adopt and adapt Greece's harm reduction methods to enhance the well-being of its communities. …

Analyzing Whether Different Types Of Taste Nerve Fibers Have Different Innervation Patterns Through Proximity And Colocalization, Abdel-Rhman M. Al-Azzawi

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The taste system not only allows us to perceive and distinguish various flavors but also plays a vital role in detecting nutrients and avoiding toxins. However, the precise organization of the neurons that convey taste information to the brain remains largely unknown, making it a critical area of research This study aims to determine if different types of taste neurons (as determined by genetic expression) exhibit distinct innervation patterns. This was accomplished by analyzing their proximity and colocalization with different types of taste bud cells. Taste bud cell types include Type II cells, which detect sweet, bitter, and umami flavors, …

2025-01-10, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Postmodern Communication Ethics, Sarah Bullard

Integrated Studies

Abstract

This paper explores how postmodernism shifts communication ethics, cultural norms, and perspectives. It explores how postmodernism disrupts established ideas of ethical responsibility, identity, power, and truth. Some of the important issues examined include the decentered self, multiculturalism, and the challenges of decision-making about moral values today. The work also has a strong reliance on Michel Foucault and Seyla Benhabib, to think about how the shifting of social norms and relations of power produce certain kinds of communication.

This paper also explores the tension between specificity and flexibility with respect to moral values in multiple contexts and cultures of postmodernism, …

Post-Traumatic Stress Dissorder In Law Enforcement, Todd C. Dearmond

Integrated Studies

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that has been linked primarily to military personnel. However, first responders experience the same symptoms due to their extended exposure to traumatic events, the stress of the job, and having to make high-risk decisions daily. Symptoms of PTSD include reliving the event, hyper-arousal, and avoidance. These symptoms typically develop over a period of three months but can also take years to emerge after the traumatic event. The treatment and management of PTSD in first responders calls for a multifaceted approach because one treatment style does not fit all personnel. The effectiveness and management …

A Thousand Weddings: The Memoir Of Hope Hart Of West Tennessee

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

A Thousand Weddings: The Memoir of Hope Hart of West Tennessee

Edited by Marvin Downing

Assessing Stress, Anxiety, And Burnout In Undergraduate Veterinary Technology Students, Dean Ann Daughaday-Provine

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Academic stress, anxiety, and burnout can negatively impact the mental health and well-being of students pursuing degrees in veterinary medicine. This quantitative study was designed to investigate the effects of academic stress, anxiety, and burnout on undergraduate students enrolled in Veterinary Technology programs. This study gained critical insight from current students transitioning through a rigorous curriculum of standards designed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) has established standards, outlined in policies and procedures, to ensure the quality of assessments and enhancements in veterinary education within accredited Veterinary Technology programs.

The Correlation Between Working From Home And Depression, Anxiety & Stress And The Moderating Effect Of Parenting, Lauren H. Marshall

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the impact of working from home on depression, anxiety and stress and whether parenting has a moderating role in its impact. The number of individuals working from home increased dramatically because of the pandemic and many individuals continue to work from home despite the absence of government-issued lockdowns and the diminishing threat of the COVID-19 virus. Earlier pre-pandemic research supports several positive work-related outcomes of working from home; however, little consideration has been given to the long-term impact of this major change in the way we work on individual’s mental health. Social isolation, an increase in sedentary …

Master Of Disguise: Humor, Disguise, And Performance Anxiety, Jordan Pearsall

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study examined humorous facial disguise in relation to social anxiety during a speech task. Social anxiety is characterized by a strong desire to present a positive image of oneself to others, while simultaneously doubting one’s ability to do so (Clark & Wells, 1995). Performance anxiety is a subtype of social anxiety that affects individuals in various performative contexts, to include public speaking. Previous research has examined the relationship between social anxiety and facial concealment through face-masking (Karimi 2024; Saint & Moscovitch, 2021), concluding that facial concealment can serve as a safety behavior intended to reduce social anxiety. Further, humor …

Out Of The Circle: Exploring Religious Ostracism In Cyberball, Ralph D. Stewart Iii

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological effects of social ostracism in group settings, particularly in relation to social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and the need to belong (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). Collective self-esteem, hostility, and belonging were examined to see if they changed significantly with the implementation of ostracism through the Cyberball paradigm (Williams, 2000). The relationship between ostracism, hostility, and religious fundamentalism was also explored. Though insignificant results from subsequent analysis were obtained, these results suggest weaker ostracism effects for interpersonal measures rather than intrapersonal measures consistent with findings by Hartgerink et al. …