Digital Commons Network^™

Motivation And Its Impact On The Academic Achievement Of At-Risk Students, Emily Ann Bishop

Graduate Research Papers

Theories demonstrating the relationship between motivational variables and school achievement have substantially increased over the past three decades. This can be of great potential to educators because if students' motivation is more acquiescent to change than their ability, then achievement can be enhanced through practices that positively affect motivational development. Unfortunately, information on how such theories can be applied or utilized is often overlooked. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness and practical applicability of concepts from motivational theories on the academic achievement of at-risk students.

The Occurrence Of Chestnut Lamprey (Lchthyomyzon Castaneus; Pisces: Petromyzontidae) In The Chariton River In South-Central Iowa, Mark K. Flammang, John R. Olson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

In the mid-1990s, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Fisheries Bureau biologists began receiving reports from anglers of a parasitic lamprey attached to fish taken immediately downstream from Rathbun Lake on the Chariton River in south-central Iowa; these reports have continued to present. In 2002, the IDNR received and identified a chestnut lamprey (Ichthyomyzon castaneus Girard) from an angler who removed the lamprey from a common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus) he captured. This record was the first for a lamprey from the Chariton River drainage in Iowa. Five additional specimens of chestnut lamprey have been collected and identified …

Mammal Capture Success Of Scent Stations And Remote Cameras In Prairie And Forest Habitat, Marc N. Mckinney, Aaron M. Haines

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Two common noninvasive (i.e., no stress to the animal) methods used to survey mammals include track stations (i.e., track captures of mammals) and remote camera-traps (i.e., photo-captures of mammals). Our objectives were to compare capture effectiveness of both track stations and remote cameras in both forested and prairie habitats. This project was conducted on 4 study sires (2 forested sires and 2 prairie sites) located in Fayette County, Iowa. Each study site had 6 trapping stations 2:: 100 m apart. We monitored traps for a total of 216 trap nights and we recorded a total of 368 captures composed of …

Nowhere When It Burns, Fernand Roqueplan

Short Story

No abstract provided.

Xenopus Development From Late Gastrulation To Feeding Tadpole In Simulated Microgravity, Wendy M. Olson, Darrell Wiens, Theresa L. Gaul, Manuela Rodriguez, Cherie L. Hauptmeier

Faculty Work

Microgravity (microG) is known to influence cytoskeletal structure, but its effects on cell migration are not well understood. To examine the effects of altered gravity on neural crest cell (NCC) migration, we inserted Xenopus laevis embryos into two separate microG-simulating slow turning lateral vessels (STLVs) just before neurulation (stage 11-12), and exposed them until feeding stage (stage 45), when the jaws and branchial apparatus are fully functional. To evaluate apparatus-related artifacts, we used two different STLVs and a vibration control as well as a stationary control vessel. Larval growth, pattern of NCC-derived cartilage formation, and incidence of malformations were analyzed …

Meeting Social Emotional Needs In Early Childhood Education, Veronica Armstrong

Graduate Research Papers

Is our nation's educational system heading in the right direction? Tremendous emphasis is being put on academic achievement. With this emphasis comes severe consequences for those schools not meeting standards. This situation is causing many administrators, teachers, and support staff as well as parents, community members, and government officials to have blinders on when it comes to how best to help children succeed. Some believe that the best way to help children learn is to cram it at them quickly and efficiently and hope they retain the information long enough to regurgitate it for the standardized test. Others believe that …

Testosterone Fluctuations In Young Men: The Difference Between Interacting With Like And Not-Like Others, M. Catherine Desoto, Robert T. Hitlan, Rory-Sean S. Deol, Derrick Mcadams

Faculty Work

The current study investigated young men's testosterone level changes as a result of interacting with other men. Male participants (n = 84) were led to believe that a group they would be interacting with was either similar to them or not similar. The interaction was then one of two types: the other group members were inclusive, or the others excluded the participant during the group interaction. Participants provided saliva samples before and after the interaction. Results suggest that interacting with highly similar men increases circulating testosterone whereas interacting with highly dissimilar men actually lowers testosterone. The nature of the …

Cloning In Young Adult Fiction, Jennifer L. Kehoe

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to discover the issues raised about human cloning in young adult fiction. This study determined the themes found in the young adult fiction selected and if those themes reflected issues about human cloning. The questions asked in the study were: 1. Does young adult fiction confront the complexity of ethical issues about human cloning? 2. Do the plots and characters in young adult fiction about cloning provide substance to provoke reader response to the ethical controversies that surround cloning? A thematic analysis was conducted. The researcher read each book and recorded themes that were …

Design Practices Business Organizations Employ To Deliver Virtual Classroom Training, Rebecca L. Adams

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the literature review is to investigate what instructional design practices organizations employ to deliver virtual classroom training to their workforces. The review examines why companies are implementing virtual classrooms, positive and negative elements of implementing, instructional design strategies companies use to deliver effective virtual training and how learners perceive virtual classroom training compared to traditional face-to-face settings. Best practice with research shows that the most critical factors in successful virtual classroom training are engaging learners, using the software technology effectively, applying instruction design practices and accurately evaluating learner perception. By understanding the best practices, instructional designers can …

Facilitating Maximum Benefit For Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Distance Education, Rodd Grady

Graduate Research Papers

Traditional distance education environments are not conducive to learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The purpose of this literature review is to address how learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can better succeed in distance education learning environments. The review defines distance education, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and briefly explains some of the details of each. It then reviews strategies for helping students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Considerations for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in distance education are addressed. It discusses media, interaction, engagement of learners, feedback, motivation, and support systems as possible ways to help learners with …

The Question Is The Answer : Making The Language Arts Classroom Meaningful With Essential Questions And Student-Driven Inquiry, Ashley A. Jorgensen

Graduate Research Papers

Coalition research scholar, Grant Wiggins, firmly believes the idea of a question-driven, inquiry approach to teaching and learning should be at the heart of a school's mission. In examining one of the chief questions of a school's mission, that is, 'What are the aims of a high school curriculum,' Wiggins says it must involve getting students to "use their minds well" (Cushman, 1989). Wiggins says that, "students should emerge from their high school career with an integrated vision of how to think within the culture, which implies a broad understanding, not just narrow or rote expertise" (Cushman, 1989). In order …

National Board For Professional Teaching Standards, Michelle Oslin Griffen

Graduate Research Papers

As part of my masters requirements, I decided to go through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Process. The NBPTS process requires teachers to thoroughly analyze their practices in order to improve their teaching and student learning. The three entries I chose to highlight in this paper are: Writing: Thinking through the Process, Integrating Mathematics with Science, and Documented Accomplishments: Contributions to Student Learning. Every entry required contextual information about my school and classroom.

Differentiating Instruction In The High School Science Classroom: Instructional Accommodations For Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, English Language Learners, And Gifted Learners, Nicole M. Kesselring

Graduate Research Papers

Students in today's classrooms come from many different backgrounds and have many different educational needs and learning styles. Today's education emphasizes inclusion of students with learning disabilities and a reduction of out-of-class services for gifted learners. Working to meet the needs of the broad spectrum of students is a big challenge for many of today's science teachers. Indications are that most teachers are making few proactive modifications based on learner variance. Inclusion of students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and English Language Learners (ELL) in science classrooms along with gifted learners calls for a need of differentiated or academically responsive instruction. …

Middle School Students’ Opinions On Using Physical Activity Monitors, Christopher R. Mekelburg

Graduate Research Papers

Since the mid 1980's, childhood obesity population in the United States has increased consistently each year (Flegal, Carroll, Ogden, 2002). A new initiative has been made by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, to promote physical activity and quality physical education in schools. The CDC recommends that children obtain 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The current study was conducted to analyze the opinions of middle school students and their master teacher on a new activity monitor created to calculate a child's activity throughout an extended period of time. …

Towards Cloning A Tyrosinase Gene From Pitayas, Kurt J. Chamberlain

Honors Program Theses

Betalains, such as those produced by pitayas, are water-soluble nitrogen-containing pigment molecules (Gandia-Herrero et al., 2005). In most families of the Caryophyllales, betalains replace anthocyanins, which are the pigment molecules found in all other families of flowering plants (Strack et al., 2001). Betalains accumulate in the flowers, fruits, and occasionally vegetative tissues of these plants (Strack et al., 2001). Depending on the structure of the molecule, betalains are classified as either betacyanins or betaxanthins. Betacyanins contribute to red-violet coloration, while betaxanthins contribute to the yellow-orange coloration found only in a limited number of plant species (Gandia-Herrero et al., 2005). The …

Formation Of The Neural Tube Epithelium Basement Membrane During Secondary Neurulation In The Chick Embryo, Leslie Ann Mataya

Honors Program Theses

Neurulation, the formation of the neural tube, is an important process in the development of vertebrates. Because this organ ultimately becomes the central nervous system of the organism, the proper development of a fully-functioning neural tube is paramount to its survival. Neural tube defects, like spina bifida and anencephaly, are among the most common congenital malformations present in live human births. The prevalence of these defects is a definite concern to medicine and human health.

Structure Elucidation Of A Glycosylated Benzyl Ester Of Salicylic Acid From The North American Prairie Plant Oligoneuron Rigidum, Sarah Katherine Miesner

Honors Program Theses

The organic extract from Oligoneuron rigidum displayed anti-microbial activity, indicating a potential future use as a natural food preservative. Three novel compounds were isolated from the active extract. The skeletal structure of the three compounds was determined by spectral methods, and the final structural component that remained to be determined was the locations of the acetate groups. Neutral permethylations were performed on the compounds as the first step in determining the locations of the acetate groups; however, the permethylation technique proved to be ineffective, causing cleavage of the native compounds. The structure elucidation will be complete when a non-degradable method …

Evaluation: Writing, Performing, And Producing A Comedy Show To Critically Examine Social Issues, Eva Elizabeth Andersen

Honors Program Theses

Upon completion of my experience in the UNI Honors Program, I wanted to create a thesis project that demonstrated my performance skills gained in communication coursework at UNI, as well as my capability as a writer, director, and producer. For me, a creative project was an obvious choice. I wanted nothing more than to have a tangible, professional piece of work to hand to entertainment industry producers and be able to say, "I created this during my undergraduate career at the University of Northern Iowa."

In order to fulfill these goals, I chose to create a show that was intelligent …

The Impact Drama Has On Enabling International University Students To Assimilate Into The American Culture, Julie Baldwin

Honors Program Theses

We often take for granted how accepted we are by others around us. Without realizing it, we may forget we belong to a larger community connected by the culture of the United States that shapes the way we understand the world. Culture plays an invaluable role in much of how we live. According to Marcelle E. DuPraw and Marya Axne, authors of the article, "Working on Common Cross-Cultural Communication Challenge, "our culture "influences how we approach problems, and how we participate in groups and in communities" by shaping our communication and decision-making styles, attitudes toward conflict and disclosure, and approaches …

Show And Tell: A Unique Approach To The Professional Educator's Portfolio, Elizabeth Hubler Cameron

Honors Program Theses

Today's educators need to be increasingly innovative in their self-marketing to ensure the best outcome of any job search or promotion opportunity. Skills and credentials are important, but increasing importance is being placed on tangible materials and substantiated data that one has to support their teaching style and educational philosophy. New job applicants need to find ways present themselves as distinct from other applicants. The following proposal outlines a creative thesis project that seeks to utilize traditional portfolio and resume components, combined with unique and technologically advanced selections, re-designed to demonstrate the fullest creative and innovative potential. The complete title …

Designing A Library Program To Increase The Number Of Fourth Grade Reading Goals, Jodonna Carlson

Graduate Research Papers

The problem identified by this research was at School C, 37% of the fourth grade students were not meeting their reading goal. The library at School C may not have been designed to meet the needs of these students. Action research using both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather data was used in this study. Parental permission was given for four fourth grade students to participate in this study. Two fourth grade teachers also agreed to participate in this study. Field notes were used to gather data during observations of book checkout for each class. Open-ended questions were asked each …

Sheldon Community History Traveling Trunk Project, Jan M. Kinderknecht

Graduate Research Papers

National, state, and local standards guide education in what is taught in the classrooms today. A lack of resources is often a problem in teaching these standards, especially at the local level. The Sheldon third grade teachers needed resources to fulfill the teaching expectations about their local community. The purpose of this project was to develop a traveling trunk filled with primary and secondary resources to be used in the teaching of a social studies unit on the community of Sheldon. Deciding what people, places, and events to include in these resources is often a concern. Another concern was what …

A Need For Picture Books Showing Girls Playing Organized Team Sports, Lisa A. Heiden

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to create a children's picture storybook depicting female characters participating in competitive team athletics. The book shows a young girl learning about the game of basketball and sharing the experience with her older sister. The researcher has a long history of athletic participation and a deep passion for sports. These experiences allowed the researcher to capture the essence of the sport of basketball and create a picture book for children that engages the reader and possibly encourages participation in athletics for children of various ages. The book gives young, athletic girls an early experience …

Cyber-Communication : Can Virtual Server Technologies Serve As Effective Media Delivery Tools For Human Performance Enhancement?, James E. Dorris

Graduate Research Papers

This project involved exploring whether or not virtual server technologies are viable and effective tools for human performance enhancement. The goal of this project was to conduct a comparative analysis of three specific virtual servers (i.e., YouTube, TeacherTube, and iTunesU) to determine whether or not either of these would serve as effective assets for improving the media development and delivery capabilities of the staff and faculty members at Hawkeye Community College. Four collaborative multimedia development projects were produced, monitored and evaluated to determine the levels of consistency, reliability, and user-friendliness in departmental media delivery processes. The research team of Hawkeye's …

Virtual Field Trips, Jill R. Stannard

Graduate Research Papers

This review focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of virtual field trips and the lack of hands-on experience vs. traveling virtually through the World Wide Web. This study concentrates on the use of virtual field trips for students inside the classroom. Several descriptions of advantages and disadvantages are reflected in this review to provide a credible implementation in exploring the world. This can be done without even going outside or spending a lot of money, through virtual field trips which can be materialized inside the classroom without going farther from the school. This paper defines the qualities of an effective …

Fifth Grade Student Learning And Interest In The American Revolution Through Reading Graphic Novels Compared To Reading Biography Or Other Nonfiction Books, Kari Bosma

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine student recall of facts, along with enjoyment of reading and interest in the topic when using graphic novels as compared to illustrated nonfiction prose in social studies content area reading. Twenty-two fifth grade students (13 f, 9 m) in a public school in a Midwestern state participated in the study. Half of the students read about the Boston Massacre and Patrick Henry through graphic novels and read about Paul Revere and the Boston Tea Party with illustrated nonfiction texts, with the other half doing the opposite. The mean number of correct ideas …

Hidden Alphabet On The Farm: Can You Find It? : A Research Project, Sandra Greufe

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research project was to introduce young children to agriculture and provide a new and interesting way of looking at the alphabet. Researching the use of alphabet books to introduce children to agriculture shows that presenting the alphabet in a new and exciting way is beneficial to teaching children the alphabet (Norton, 2007). Studies show the movement of people to urban areas corresponds with decreased knowledge of agriculture ( AFBF A, 2006c). Hidden Alphabet on the Farm: Can You Find It? presents the alphabet to young children in a new and exciting way and teaches children about …

Laughter And Tears: A Qualitative Content Analysis, Apra Loomis

Graduate Research Papers

Young adult literature often focuses on different problems associated with adolescence. Humor may provide a strategy for alleviating the tension associated with such problems in realistic fiction. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of humor in current, positively reviewed young adult literature in dark topics such as depression, death and suicide. Themes that emerged included humor as a coping device, self-defeating humor, and affiliative humor. Humor as a coping device was shown to increase with age as a way to deal with stressful situations in a study by Fuhr (2002). In a study by Erickson & …

Promoting A Desire To Read With Graphic Novels, Alexis Woodward

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research project was to create a graphic novel to encourage reluctant 4th grade boys to become interested in reading. This research questioned the graphics in graphic novels that appeal to reluctant readers, the type of content that would appeal particularly to boys who lack interest in reading, and the method of balance needed between text and graphics to capture the interest of boys who lack motivation to read. The researcher focused on graphic novels and their use in the classroom, different ways graphic novels can motivate reluctant readers to become interested in reading, the concept of …

Creating Units For Second Grade Learners Of English As A Foreign Language, Laura Elizabeth Messerly

Honors Program Theses

Teaching English as a Foreign Language is becoming more popular as English is in high demand in countries throughout the world because of globalization (Niklov, 2006). The chief difference between English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) is that the language is being learned in a non-English speaking community (.EFL) versus an English speaking community (ESL). These non-English speaking communities are being affected by multinational corporations. As businesses grow and globalize, flourishing across continents, factories and branches are sprouting up in places all over the world. Technology, too, has contributed to the spread of …