Digital Commons Network^™

Multiliteracy In Three English As A Second Language (Esl) Middle School Classrooms, Elena Andrei

TAPESTRY

This study investigated the teaching of multiliteracy in three middle school English as a Second Language Arts classrooms. The research question was: How are English learners (ELs) developing multiliteracy - defined as critical literacy, electronic literacy, and socio-cultural literacy, if at all, in middle school ESL Language Arts classrooms? Collected data consisted of classroom observations, transcribed teacher and focus student interviews; copies of teacher and student artifacts such as handouts and student notebooks. The findings of the study suggest that teachers did not teach all aspects of multiliteracy and the students seemed to be developing mostly electronic literacy, but not …

Exploring New Paths To Academic Literacy For English Language Learners, Mayra C. Daniel, Dong-Shin Shin

TAPESTRY

This article discusses a revised paradigm for understanding the role of technology in learning in today’s 21st century’s digital world. We propose that the digital literacy that is an integral part of learners’ daily lives requires a concentrated examination. We argue that appropriate selection and incorporation of current technologies in instruction can improve today’s schoolhouse and raise the academic achievement of English language learners. This commentary addresses the ways teachers prepare to use technology effectively in literacy education for collaborative learning, for multi-modal authoring, and for the virtual classroom. Specific applications are considered and recommended for classrooms with English learners.

Infusing El Content Into A Sociocultural Studies In Education Course, Lauren B. Isaac, Richard A. Quantz

TAPESTRY

An article describing the process of embedding English learner topics in the sociocultural studies in education course the authors teach.

In English You Read With A Stopwatch: A Journey Towards Biliteracy In Two Older Adopted Salvadoran Children, Mary A. Petron, Barbara J. Greybeck

TAPESTRY

This longitudinal case study provides an in-depth exploration of the journey toward bilingualism and biliteracy of two older adopted Salvadoran siblings in U.S. schools. Data sources include observations in the home and school, interviews, written artifacts, field notes, and various reading test scores. Analysis suggests that literacy instruction in English tended to focus more on phonics and fluency than comprehension and vocabulary, and it assumed a level of oral proficiency in English that neither of the children had. Spanish literacy instruction was aimed toward children of Mexican origin that was neither culturally relevant nor geared toward their specific language needs. …

“You Got The Word Now”: Problematizing Vocabulary-Based Academic Language Instruction For English Learners In Science, Katherine Richardson Bruna, Roberta Vann, Moises Perales Escudero

TAPESTRY

With increasing numbers of English Learners enrolling in public schools, teachers of core academic subject area classes are facing the challenge of integrating English language development into instruction. This article describes how teachers' understanding of infusing language into science teaching can shape instructional practices and consequently influence the simultaneous English language development and science learning of English Learner students.

Building A Community For Migrant Education Services Through Family Literacy And Farm Worker Outreach, Karen S. Vocke

TAPESTRY

Cultural and linguistic differences within the migrant population, coupled with the transient nature of these families, often present challenges that can inhibit the education of migrant students in our schools. How can schools and communities come together to provide resources and services for this vulnerable population? Through the theoretical lens of Paulo Freire, we identify the need to work against the current educational trend toward increased standardization and work towards a model of education that is both individualized and democratic. For migrant students, individualizing educational experiences often means reaching out to the families for linguistic support. We have found the …

Help Those Who Are Trying To Overcome A Loss During Holidays, Germayne Graham

UCF Forum

I lost my cousin to a tragic suicide death 23 years ago and my heart has never forgotten the pain that I felt following this loss.

A Study Of Optimism Among Latinos In A Successful Urban School, Kathleen A.J. Mohr

TAPESTRY

This quantitative study investigated the levels of optimism and self-concepts of 76, fourth-sixth graders who attend an academically successful, English immersion, private school serving a majority Latino and urban population. Two instruments measured the students' self-perceptions with expected and unexpected results. Although academically successful and functioning as the majority, these Latinos were not particularly optimistic. Gender, language proficiency, and grade level were all factors related to the significant findings. The related discussion challenges educators to explore the various aspects contributing to positive self-concepts and to better understand how to develop and sustain optimism among students often considered academically at-risk.

Homeschooled Students Bring Own Set Of Skills To University Campuses, Ali P. Gordon

UCF Forum

Key questions always loom large for parents of homeschooled, college-bound students, such as: “What happens when my child actually gets to the university level? Will they be able to keep up?”

Let's Find A Way To Make The Dialogue Work, Bruce Janz

UCF Forum

There is a breaking point for many people around the neighborhood and around the country, as has been seen this month.

Ann Gleig Discusses Buddhist Geeks, Technology & Public Transportation

Illuminations

Ever wonder how Buddhists use blogs, podcasts and other emerging technologies to support Buddhist religion and philosophy? Richard Harrison (University Libraries) interviews Dr. Ann Glieg (Philosophy) about her involvement with the Buddhist Geeks and her various book projects, including Homegrown Gurus: From Hinduism in America to American Hinduism.

The Florida Highwaymen Phenomenon: Authenticity And The American Dream

Illuminations

The Florida Highwaymen were a small group of self-taught African American artists who created colorful landscape paintings that they sold out of their cars along Florida’s coastal highways from the 1950s-1980s. Dr. Amanda Koontz Anthony (Sociology) traveled these same highways in search of their story and situates her findings within a larger context of personal identity and what she refers to as “radicalized authentication.”

The Sky’S The Limit: Scholarly Communication, Digital Initiatives, Institutional Repositories, And Subject Librarians, Lee Dotson, Richard Harrison, Sarah A. Norris, Barbara Tierney

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

A panel presentation presented at the 2016 Charleston Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

The University of Central Florida's institutional repository, STARS (Showcase of Text, Archives, Research & Scholarship), has presented new opportunities for collaboration amongst the Libraries' Office of Scholarly Communication, Digital Initiatives, Research Services, and Subject Librarians. Building on efforts to proactively promote scholarly communication initiatives to the university community, these four units have used the institutional repository as a foundation for collaboration, outreach, marketing and educational efforts. This presentation will give an overview of STARS and highlight the role the IR has in increasing the collaborative efforts of …

Preparation Is The Key To Facing Whatever May Come Your Way, Michael Preston

UCF Forum

Professional football coach George Allen was famously quoted as saying: “Winning is the science of being totally prepared.”

Even In A Crowd, Protest Is A Personal Journey, Germayne Graham

UCF Forum

In the wake of some recent protests taking place all across the country, I am reminded of the very personal and public consequences that result from various reactions. By definition, protest means "a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something."

A Southern Chinese City Through The Eyes Of A British Missionary: Preliminary Analysis Of The Text Of A Historical Travelogue, Sai Deng

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Walks in the City of Canton is a book written by John Henry Gray of Christ's College, Cambridge who came to China and stayed as a missionary for many years, and it was published in 1875. This project did a preliminary analysis of the text of this book digitized by Google from the Library of Harvard University and uploaded to the Internet Archive. The Voyant generated top 500 words are tagged selectively aiming to find the more popular nouns, adjectives and verbs, and their related topics, sentiments or actions. This analysis is combined with the observations obtained in the translation …

The Only Way I Was Going To 'Veganize' My Life Was To Immerse Myself, Amanda Osorio

UCF Forum

This summer I made the decision to do something that many Latins often hesitate to attempt: become a vegan.

2016 Tobacco Environmental Survey Report, Rachel K. Totaram, Amy M. Donley, Mandi N. Barringer

Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS)

During the month of September 2016, the Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS) located 83 establishments that sell tobacco products in the west and south areas of Orange County, Florida. Our survey team operated within the boundaries of south and west Orange County, as established by the Orange County Government (orangecountyfl.net).

2016 Alcohol Environmental Survey Report, Rachel K. Totaram, Mandi N. Barringer, Amy M. Donley

Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS)

During the month of September 2016, the Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS) located 216 establishments that sell alcoholic beverages in the east and west areas of Orange County, Florida. Our survey team operated within the boundaries of east and west Orange County, as established by Orange County Government (orangecountyfl.net). During the month of September 2016, the Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS) located 216 establishments that sell alcoholic beverages in the east and west areas of Orange County, Florida. Our survey team operated within the boundaries of east and west Orange County, as established by Orange County …

Positive Effects Can Result From Both A Cordial Welcome – And Even Adversity, Gerrod Lambrecht

UCF Forum

This Saturday marks the beginning of a new football season as the Knights get ready to host South Carolina State. This game will also mark the beginning of the Scott Frost coaching era of UCF football. We have a new coaching staff, new uniforms, a new offense (UCFast), a new defense (UCFierce), and a more exciting game day experience.

Merging Is More Than A Traffic Term, Germayne Graham

UCF Forum

On my drive to work I have to merge onto three very busy roadways. I am constantly saying to myself: “Please just let me in.”

The Only Time You Truly Can Have Everything Is On A Bagel, Michael Preston

UCF Forum

Of all of the bagels there is nothing quite as satisfying to me than the Everything Bagel with cream cheese at a shop in town. It gives me everything I want out of life: a warm bagel that is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside; a savory and salty blend of sea salt, garlic, poppy seed, onion, and other stuff I cannot place right now. And then the cream cheese. Gooey and sweet, it cuts through all of the savory in a way that is magical.

The Sacrifices We Parents Make – Even When We Don't Understand Why, Yolanda Hood

UCF Forum

One recent night I sat in a stadium – being eaten by mosquitos – with my 14-year-old daughter and watched a women’s soccer game. Last summer, after saving for a year, I took my daughter to Canada two weeks for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. I walked a mile from parking to the stadium every day, stood in long lines at security to have bags checked and, at times, even sat in the rain – all so I could watch the pure joy on my daughter’s face.

Change Is Constant – So You Better Learn To Adapt, Traci Evison

UCF Forum

I recently saw a turtle digging a hole to lay eggs in a neighborhood park that I walk through. This park has a lake but what surprised me about the turtle was the location she decided to lay her eggs. Instead of making the nest close to the lake about 50 feet away, where I would assume it would be easier for young turtles to begin their lives, this turtle was digging a hole a few feet from the street at the edge of the park.

Dear Daughter, In Face Of Tragedy Try To Keep Your Spirit Intact, Leandra Preston-Sidler

UCF Forum

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'” – Mister Rogers

Lessons From A Garbage Dump: How To Say 'No', Michael Preston

UCF Forum

It was a symbol of excess and waste in 1980s New York City. The massive 2,200-acre Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, N.Y., was once the largest garbage dump in the world.

University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 2016 - 2017, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

University Of Central Florida Graduate Catalog, 2016 - 2017, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

He Used The Internet - I Used The Encyclopedia, Rebekah Mccloud

UCF Forum

I was talking recently with one of my students who will graduate in May. He told me about his first year in college and began his reminiscence with: “Back in the day…”

Don't Let Clutter Of Extraneous Thoughts Get In Your Way, Traci Evison

UCF Forum

I have the best conversations when I am alone.