Digital Commons Network^™

Developing And Assessing Integrated Technology Curriculum, Kelly Baier

Graduate Research Papers

This project is a technology curriculum development plan for 2nd graders for the Johnston Community School District. It involves the development of district standards and benchmarks, lesson plans integrating technology into other curricular areas, and assessments. This curriculum plan was developed at each grade level and used to improve teacher accountability, enhance students' problem-solving skills, keep consistency across the grade levels, and to have a district-wide technology plan for our students. The paper, which accompanies the project, includes an introduction to the project, its methodology, a description of the project in full detail, and conclusions and recommendations for future work.

Parents And Literacy : The Importance Of Reading Aloud To Children, Phyllis A. Christiansen

Graduate Research Papers

Parents are vital to their children's emerging literacy. Reading aloud to children offers parents opportunities to extend their child's knowledge about reading. A review of professional literature suggests that reading aloud provides children with reading role models, positive attitudes towards reading, a sense of story, improved listening abilities, exposure to different language patterns, concepts and related vocabulary, exposure to the rhythm and sound of language, book handling abilities, and knowledge about print format.

The Take Me Home project provides parents with access to quality literature and related activities to enhance the family's read aloud experience. Packets have been developed with …

Book Talk In A Thematic Literature Unit, Cathy E. Dickerson

Graduate Research Papers

Discussions of literature may be viewed as a part of the social environment in which students can work together collaboratively to construct meaning. Book talk, or discussion, in a thematic unit encourages students to focus attention on the important ideas in their literature experiences, thus moving them beyond literal comprehension to inferential thinking.

The theme of survival was chosen to promote book talk. A web was created that visually mapped the different aspects of the topic. The book Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, was chosen to introduce the unit and was read aloud to all children. This book became a foil …

An Integrated Science Unit : Ants, Julia Dillehay

Graduate Research Papers

This instructional development project integrated language arts and the science areas. A print-rich environment extended content and offered models of language, thus energizing children to become actively involved in the study. Many literature genres and.related expressive activities provided children with many options for learning experiences. The focus for this science unit for grade two was on ants. A print-rich environment was provided along with computer software and access to information on the internet.

Visual Communication And Entertainment Through Animation, James T. Hamrock

Graduate Research Papers

Virtual animation is used today for everything including entertainment in motion pictures and video games, advertising on television and the internet, virtual animated videos used for industrial teaching aids, and project approvals for major building construction. Many modem companies are now insisting that new products are created using 3-D modeling and occasionally animation before approving funds for further development.

The research question in this work centers around thoughts and visions being effectively communicated so others can comprehend and share in the same perspective. This research will show the use of technology in answering this important question: Exploration of the literature …

The Impact Of Technology Integration On The Elementary Classroom With Reading Disabled Students, Donna Heying

Graduate Research Papers

The content of this paper will discuss and review the current literature in the area of technology integration in the elementary classroom, especially those classrooms with learning disabled students. The areas to be covered in this paper include technology's impact on student learning, legal reasons to use technology in the classroom, effective integration principles for technology integration, software and equipment for learning disabled students, Internet integration, and web-based instruction. All of these areas have an influence on how technology is integrated into the elementary classrooms and how effective that technology can be.

Oral History In A Kindergarten Classroom, Marilyn J. Shanks

Graduate Research Papers

Oral history offers elementary teachers an exciting way to get students actively involved. It allows them to deal directly with people and places in the real world. It involves students in the decision-making process and allows them to feel ownership in a part of history. Oral history combines process and product into a real-life experience. It is an excellent teaching tool that fosters excitement about heritage, tradition, and family and helps promote respect and appreciation for the older generation.

Interactive Health Information Web Services For Business Settings, Nadezhda Soloukhina

Graduate Research Papers

With the increase in the cost of healthcare many business in the United States are becoming self-insured or relying on managed healthcare organizations to provide healthcare. Employee wellness programs are playing a more pivotal role in the healthcare strategies of medium size to large size business. On average, according to the surveys, these companies spend $40 per employee per year on wellness programs. This research summarizes the needs to provide interactive health information services to complement employee wellness program of business in the US, and describes the procedures of developing health information kiosks.

Integrated Science Unit : Small Creatures : Spiders And Crickets, Pamela S. Olsen

Graduate Research Papers

This instructional development project integrates the language arts and the science areas. The science content is small creatures, specifically, spiders and crickets, from the first grade curriculum. A rich learning environment is provided through a literature base, representing the different genres and related expressive activity. The unit is presented through teacher-directed activities and learning centers that off er many options from which children could select experiences.

The goals of the program are to give children more control over their learning and to extend children's thinking-language abilities by capitalizing on the common processes of the language arts and science areas and …

21st Century Learning Infrastructure Project, Justin F. Stone

Graduate Research Papers

This Research Project was a practical experience for gaining knowledge on web design, streaming content delivery and the creation of online, educational objects and environments. While working for the Information Technology Department for the State of Iowa, this author was involved with the 21st Century Learning Infrastructure Pilot Project, an attempt to provide learners in Iowa with educational content on demand. This content includes streaming video and audio of various content, computer based training objects, web pages, pictures, interactions with each other, etc. This author's responsibilities to the initial Pilot Project were that of lead web designer, creating five web …

Impact Of Insecure Attachment On Children's Social Skill Development, Kimberly A. Conrad

Graduate Research Papers

This paper focuses primarily on the importance of secure parent/child attachment to healthy development of children. Attachment theory is utilized to explain possible causes of pathological and anti-social behavior. In particular, it describes how insecure (both anxious and avoidant) attachments between parent (caretaker) and child may lead to angry, coercive, immature, withdrawn, or even suicidal behaviors in children. Parent/child attachment problems are linked to social skill deficits and problems in peer relationships. Implications for school psychologists and for future research are offered.

The Portrayal Of Native American Women In Fiction Written For Young People, Linda L. Tyon

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine how Native American women were portrayed in contemporary fiction written for young children. The study was limited to books published between 1989 and 1999. Content analysis was used to obtain data for this study. Twenty-three Native American female characters from twenty books were included in the population sample. The study was to determine if a majority of books would portray Native American women accurately based on current demographic data. It also sought to determine if the majority of contemporary fiction books would continue to display stereotypic portrayals of Native American women and …

Middle School Intramural/Co-Curricular Programs, Andrew W. Strottman

Graduate Research Papers

Schools that have used an intramural program find students benefit socially, academically, and physically from these activities. Some schools have even seen a drop in teens getting into trouble in their communities with the implementation of an intramural program. The first portion of this project was to review the literature to find out: (1) what the benefits of an intramural program are at the middle school level, (2) what grade level or levels would benefit most from a program that involves many students in activities, and (3) what students are interested in doing after school as opposed to being unsupervised …

Through Whose Eyes, Susan Kay Aries Jolly

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to determine if third and fourth grade students enjoy reading and or enjoy books that are told from the first person point of view. Two versions of two different stories were used to determine reading preferences. The final samples included 46 third grade students and 38 fourth grade students. It was found that in the third grade, the first story, the boys preferred first person point of view and the girls preferred third person point of view. Fourth grade boys and girls both preferred the story told from the first person point of view. …

Improved Literacy In The Content Areas, Mauri Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

Many sixth graders struggle with the reading process. As they progress through middle school, they need to learn to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills while learning content material. This project considered the best practices for strengthening reading skills described in current literary sources. The purpose of this project was to provide middle level teachers instructional ideas designed to strengthen reading skills in the content area of social studies.

Writers Workshop In A Second Grade Classroom, Julie Ryan

Graduate Research Papers

A writers workshop consists of peer and teacher interaction in assigned small groups. For this project, a writers workshop was implemented in a second grade classroom. A print-rich environment and a careful introduction to the components of the writing process were the basis of the program. Students were offered a continuous and predictable workshop schedule. Guidance was given in the form of student-teacher conferences, mini-lessons and the introduction of many genres of writing.

Play Therapy For Children With Aggressive Behavior, Jennifer M. Brehm

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to investigate the effectiveness of various play therapy interventions for decreasing developmentally inappropriate aggression of children. Psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and person-centered approaches of play therapy were reviewed. Each of the three theoretical approaches to therapy was described in relation to the aggressive behaviors of children. Similarities and differences among the three therapies were discussed. Efficacy of the interventions was presented based on published literature only. More studies of the various types of play therapy, particularly in relation to the aggressive behaviors of children, need to be conducted and results disseminated.

The Role Of Recreation And Leisure Programs In Building A Sense Of Community Among College Students, Kaori Kikuta

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate if college students' participation in leisure and recreation programs enhances satisfaction with their university community life, and result in building a sense of community. The points considered included 1) association of leisure and recreation with a sense of community; 2) the impact of leisure and recreation participation regarding a sense of belonging to the university community; 3) a role of leisure and recreation professionals to promote the potentials of recreation programs; 4) appropriate programs which were needed by the participants.

The study was conducted at the University of Northern Iowa in the …

Gender, Self-Efficacy, Anxiety, Experience, And The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition, Short Form (Wais-Iii), Laura Jean Blalock

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between gender, self-efficacy, anxiety, experience and the WAIS-III, short form. This study investigated the hypotheses that gender differences occur on select subtests of the WAISIII, short form, that math self-efficacy, math attitudes, and math experience affect Arithmetic scores, and that motor speed affects performance on the Digit Symbol subtest. The sample consisted of 93 undergraduate students from the University of Northern Iowa (36 males, 57 females). Students completed questionnaires and were administered the WAIS-III short form individually. Males scored higher on the Arithmetic, Information, and Digit Span subtests and …

The Effects Of Computer Animations On Secondary Students’ Understanding Of The Crushing Can Chemical Demonstration, Resa Marie Kelly

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Understanding chemistry requires the ability to think at three different levels: submicrochemistry, macrochemistry, and representational chemistry. Students often have difficulty making connections among these three areas due to the abstract nature of many chemistry concepts. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how computer animations affected secondary students' understanding of the Crushing Can Demonstration. This investigation compared two groups of chemistry students at a large, suburban high school. The treatment group viewed the animation after seeing and discussing the crushing can demonstration, while the control group received the same instruction as the treatment group but did not see the …

Investigation Of The Job Training Partnership Act Career Inventory In Predicting Career Clusters For Clients In Black Hawk County, Amy Bryte

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) is a federally funded program that is an approach to employee training and placement to the economically disadvantaged, dislocated workers, or those facing significant employment barriers. The goal of ITP A is to put People to work by placing them in jobs through various training activities. Overall the ITP A program strives to move jobless individuals into permanent self-sustaining employment. A service offered through the ITPA program is career inventory. Career inventory are assessment tools used to determine a client's current abilities, values, and interests. After a client completes the career inventory they are …

Identification Of Potential Molecular Biomarkers Of Cadmium Induced Stress In C̲Hironomus Tentans ̲, David Hunter Dyer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The objective of this research was to identify potential molecular biomarkers by looking for differences in the mRNA expression patterns between cadmium exposed and non-exposed freshwater aquatic invertebrate larvae. In the future, genes that indicate sublethal damage to a population at risk could be used to monitor the degradation or regeneration of an ecosystem. For this study, laboratory reared Chironomus tentans were placed in a sublethal concentration of cadmium treated water and the genes turned on in response to the cadmium were isolated from a cDNA subtract library. Six genes were identified and two potential biomarkers of environmental stress, ferritin …

Assessing The Classification Accuracy Of Digitized National Aerial Photography Program Imagery: Comparison With Botanical Data, Mark Arthur Alexander

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The ability to acquire and use remotely sensed data has revolutionized large-scale ecological studies by reducing dependence on difficult and expensive field survey techniques for acquisition of land use and land cover data. Multispectral satellite imagery, typically from the Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM) and the SPOT High Resolution Visible (HRV) instruments, has proven particularly valuable in surveying and classifying vegetation cover (Frank & Thorn, 1985). Further studies have concluded that alpine vegetation communities and habitats can be mapped successfully by including the geomorphic parameters of elevation, slope, and incidence when classifying remotely sensed data.

This research analyzes …

Photodecomposition Of Crystal Violet Dye In Water Solution And Suspensions Of Metal Oxides, Tatiana Yurievna Zakharian

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Photodecomposition and photodecolorization of crystal violet dye were studied in water solution, hydrogen peroxide solution and suspensions of metal oxides. Spectroscopic evidence for the formation of methylated pararosanilines and demethylated derivatives of Michler's ketone as the reaction intermediates was obtained for the photodecomposition of crystal violet in water solution. The mechanism of formation of the intermediates was discussed in terms of charges of individual atoms calculated using Spartan software.

Photooxidation of crystal violet was shown to occur faster in hydrogen peroxide solution due to the higher oxidation potential of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. A mechanism similar to photooxidation in …

The Effect Of Heat On Fingertip Sensitivity Of Meat Processing Workers, Brian James Finder

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Current research indicates that acute non-freezing cold exposure elicits short-term performance problems; namely reduced upper extremity temperature, blood flow, tactile sensitivity, and dexterity. However, various animal-related studies indicate that humans are at increased risk of incurring semi-permanent upper extremity nervous system dysfunction as a result of repeated cold exposure.

The purpose of this research was to examine various factors that may contribute to hand/arm nervous system impairment of individuals who work in a refrigerated meat-processing environment. The methodology used was primarily the Experimental Method and from studies conducted by other researchers, was driven by the following questions:

(1) How would …

A Model For Production Scheduling And Sequencing Using Constraints Management And Genetic Algorithm, Ahmad Nadeem Choudhry

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Production planning and control (PP&C) are among the most critical activities in manufacturing. Proper use of PP&C methods can give organizations a competitive advantage in the global economy. The expected results of this research will allow manufacturing organizations to maximize the effectiveness of PP&C methods, thereby improving their competitive position in the global economy.

This research was an extension of a previous unpublished study, which investigated the PP&C methods being used at a midwestern manufacturer of agricultural equipment (MMAE). The current research study identified the constraints inherent in the production planning and control system and then developed and validated a …

An Analysis Of Current Instructional Practices At Selected Universities Utilizing Interactive Television Technology, Richard Shengmao Chang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The problem approached in this study was to compare the teaching methods, classroom management, attitudes, and demographics toward Interactive Television (ITV) classes, which were developed in the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU) ITV programs.

The data were collected from UNI and NKNU ITV teachers and remote site students. Two-way ANOVA and Chi-Square tests were used to identify the differences between the two programs. The significant results are noted.

Both schools' ITV teachers clearly identified the objectives of the courses, presented materials in an organized way; and, effectively employed visual teaching aids, summarizing techniques, overhead …

Earth News, Fall 1999, Department Of Earth Science, University Of Northern Iowa.

Earth News

Inside this issue:

--- Earth Science Staff Activities
--- Faculty Research, Publications, and Recognition
--- Profile: Wayne Anderson
--- PRISMS Helps Physic Students "See"
--- UNI Meteorology Students "Chase" Tornadoes in Des Moines
--- Technology Takes classes, teachers into the Next Millenium
--- Gifts to the Department of Earth Science
--- Volcanology Students Study Volcanoes in Italy, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
--- Spring Trip 2000
--- Gifts to the Department of Earth Science
--- 1999-2000 Scholarship and Award Recipients
--- Earth Science Seminar Series
--- 1999 Earth Science Graduates
--- Student Research Presentations
--- Earth Science Majors
--- Alumni …

Ballast Quarterly Review, V14n4, Summer 1999, Roy R. Behrens

Ballast Quarterly Review

A journal devoted to wit, the contents of which are intended to be insightful, amusing, or thought provoking.

Program Abstracts, 111th Session, Iowa Academy Of Science, April 23-24, 1999, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Presentation abstracts from the annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science