Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Pronunciation Teaching Practices And Teachers’ Beliefs About Pronunciation Instruction In Efl/Esl Classrooms, Barry Moussa

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review aims to explore existing research on pronunciation teaching practices and teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation instruction in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms. To achieve this, I will first delve into teacher cognition research, intending to find current reported and actual practices surrounding pronunciation teaching. The importance of pronunciation instruction has been widely discussed and acknowledged by scholars in applied linguistics and teacher education programs. Various studies have identified pronunciation instruction as a key component for fostering effective oral communication skills in second language acquisition, specifically enhancing intelligibility (i.e., accuracy …

The Effect Of The Number Of Xylophone Bars On Student Comfort Level With Improvisation, Beth Trulson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of reducing the number of bars available on a xylophone on the comfort level and perception of improvisation quality in elementary-aged students. Subjects were third and fourth graders with no formal instruction in improvisation, but have experienced Orff-inspired instruction that included improvisation. Students were asked to improvise on an Orff xylophone in one of four ways: (1) only the pitches F, G, and A on the xylophone while playing for eight measures, (2) all bars on the xylophone while playing for eight measures, (3) only the pitches F, G, and …

Perspectives On Music Within The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Community, Anna Hanbeck

Graduate Research Papers

This study investigates how Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) individuals perceive and experience music. Through a survey with DHH participants, the research explores alternative modes of musical perception, including vibration, visual cues, and emotional response. Findings reveal that many DHH individuals actively engage with music through multisensory strategies, challenging the understanding of music as primarily a hearing-based experience. The results highlight the importance of inclusive musical practices and technologies that provide diverse sensory experiences. Music is an experience that can be sought through different means. This research contributes to a broader understanding of accessibility in the arts and underscores …

An Examination Of Teacher Perceptions Of Student Retention In Choir When Transitioning Between 8th And 9th Grade, Megan Mccrary

Graduate Research Papers

This study was conducted over the course of 10 weeks through an online survey sent to public high school and middle school choral educators across Iowa and gathered data about choir student transitions into 9th grade for the 2024-2025 school year. 38 choir teachers across the state of Iowa participated in this study. Eligibility for participation required that the teachers had taught either 8th or 9th grade choir during the Spring 2024 semester or the Fall 2024 semester. Simple main effects analysis showed that neither students changing buildings nor students changing instructors had a statistically significant effect on student enrollment. …

The Role Of Financial Literacy Education In Shaping Students’ Future Financial Decisions, Arianna Shornock

Honors Program Theses

This paper aims to explore the relationship between the effectiveness of financial literacy programs and their influence on students' future decision-making. In this study, survey data were collected from a random sample of young adults aged 18-25 years, primarily located in the Midwest region of the United States. This study suggests that students who took a financial literacy class are less likely to perform better on financial literacy topics and are less likely to have higher perceived confidence when making financial decisions, which contrasts with the existing evidence in the literature over financial literacy programs. Possible explanations for this deviation …

Culture, Labor Laws, And Foreign Investment: An Analysis On The Impact Of Uncertainty Avoidance, Annalee Benisek

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Commercial Real Estate, Amanda Christine Fowler

Honors Program Theses

Commercial real estate is typically described as comprising four sectors: office, retail, industrial, and multifamily. Each sector is affected by economic changes and consumer spending differently. This research shows the general overview of the sectors and trends affecting the market, a discussion of the factors driving commercial real estate prices such as inflation, interest rates, unemployment, and employee engagement. A review of the factors affecting regions in the United States is also included. A focus is set on office rental prices for the purpose of the analysis.

Female Client Preferences Of A Financial Advisor’S Gender, Rachel Ames Clayberg

Honors Program Theses

This research examines the gender preferences of female clients when selecting a financial planner. While an increasing number of women are seeking financial advice, the percentage of female financial advisors remains relatively low, with even fewer holding the prestigious Certified Financial Planner designation. The disproportionate representation in the field raises concerns that, if women prefer to work with female financial planners, their needs may not be fully addressed. Through a survey utilizing conjoint analysis, this study determines if implicit gender bias exists when clients choose a financial planner, without directly asking clients about their preferences. Findings indicate that female respondents …

Iowa Journal Of Communication, Volume 57, Number 1, Fall 2025 [Download Entire Issue]

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Unheard Voices: The Hidden Influence Of Non-American Accents On Patient Outcomes And Provider Perception In Healthcare Situations In The United States, Gift Oluwatosin Olalusi

Iowa Journal of Communication

Stigma surrounding non-native American accents in the United States adversely influences the health-related decisions and behaviors of those who speak with such accents. Grounded in stigma management communication theory (SMCT), this study explored how individuals with non-native American accents communicatively manage accent stigma experiences in healthcare situations in the United States through ten semi-structured interviews. SMCT’s strategies of accepting, avoiding, ignoring, evading responsibility, and denying were identified by participants as the management strategies employed when they face stigmatization. The findings suggest that stereotype threat and patients’ stigma management strategies are important phenomena that can impact the healthcare outcome of patients …

Gamification And Geography Education: A Survey And Typology Of Games, Ruth Ohaka

Graduate Research Papers

Gamification in education transforms traditional, non-gaming contexts (i.e., classrooms) by incorporating challenges and scenarios with their own rules, stories, and stakes. In geography education, teachers have sought ways to gamify the classroom, develop students’ spatial reasoning, and develop place-based capabilities for critical thinking and problem-solving, making complex geographical and environmental concepts more relatable and accessible to the students. Regardless of the documented achievements with gamification, such as more engagement, deeper understanding, and increased motivation, there remains a lack of a comprehensive typology of games used within geography education. This paper aims to develop a typology of games used in education …

Analysis Of The Relationship Between Health Behaviors And Civic Engagement, Faith Larsen

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Csbs Statements, V26, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Statements

Contents:

From the Dean --- 3
Shaping Tomorrow --- 4
Helping Students Cross the Finish Line --- 10
Beyond the Uniform --- 12
Finding the Right Fit --- 14
From Patient to Colleague --- 16
Diplomacy in Action --- 18
College News --- 20
Panther Spotlights --- 24
Annual Giving --- 26
Class Notes --- 39

Engaging Clinicians In Grateful Patient Fundraising, Adam Haselhuhn

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research is to analyze grateful patient fundraising programs. Specifically, this paper will outline the barriers that exist in engaging clinicians in grateful patient fundraising. In addition, a discussion will outline the strategies to successfully engage clinicians in grateful patient fundraising. Furthermore, this paper will explore how training impacts clinicians' comfort level and ability to successfully participate in grateful patient fundraising.

Developing And Modifying High Quality Instructional Materials For Biology, Lee Christians

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Annual Report Of The Registrar 2024/2025, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Definitions
--- Some Comparisons
--- Annual Report Data
--- Summary of Attendance
--- Attendance by Session
--- Full-Time Equivalency Enrollment
--- Degrees Granted 2024/25
--- Degree Summary 2024/25
--- Program Certificates 2023/24
--- Miscellaneous Enrollment Information
--- Degrees Granted by College, Degree and Racial/Ethnic Classification

Tallgrass Prairie Center 2024-2025 Highlights, University Of Northern Iowa. Tallgrass Prairie Center.

Annual Reports

Contents:

--- Staff
--- From our Director
--- Iowa Roadside Management: Enhancing our public roadsides
--- Research and Restoration: Native seeds and methods for prairie reconstruction
--- Plant Materials: A prairie pedigree for Iowa’s roadsides and beyond
--- Irvine Prairie: Restoring a piece of the original Iowa landscape
--- Prairie on Farms: Making prairie practical
--- Prairie Roots Project: A deeper appreciation of the prairie ecosystem
--- Green Iowa AmeriCorps: Service members expand TPC capacity
--- A Hidden Gem - UNI's Biological Preserves: A legacy of service and partnership
--- UNI Students at the TPC: Practical experience in support of …

True Inclusion: A Qualitative Study In Autoethnography; Examining The Educational Journey And Divine Calling Of An Administrator To Champion The Inclusivity Of Students With Special Needs, Andrea Loutsch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to dive deeper into the real-life experience of a public school teacher/administrator that ventured into the role of a Catholic school administrator and their role as an advocate for students with special needs. A great deal of the research for the inclusion of students with special needs has been in the realm of public K-12 institutions and their rights as individuals with disabilities, since the introduction of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. However, many private, Catholic K-12 schools have recognized not only a stronger demand for services for students with …

Opportunities And Barriers In Iowa’S Teacher Apprenticeship Program, Patricia Ryan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this qualitative study is to better understand opportunities and barriers in Iowa’s Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Program (TPRA), framed through the lens of social capital and wellbeing. By examining the lived experiences of apprentices and journeyman/mentor teachers, this study aims to provide deeper insights into the dynamics of teaching apprenticeships, highlighting the challenges and successes faced by teachers in this alternative route to teacher certification. Through in-depth interviews with both apprentices and journeyman/mentor teachers, this research explores how participants build social capital through mentoring relationships, as well as how these connections impact career wellbeing for both …

The Impact Of Structural Gamification On Student Motivation And Engagement In A Middle School Language Arts Classroom, Natalie Campbell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Engagement through gamification can play a crucial role in enhancing student motivation. Gamification provides direct feedback, makes learning interactive, fosters collaboration, and makes learning more autonomous (Kuh, 2001; Reeve & Tseng, 2011). Including game-thinking and game mechanics in the classroom adds an aspect of engagement that may otherwise be lacking.

This action research study explored the impact of structural gamification on student engagement and motivation when incorporated in a middle school language arts classroom. Using a mixed-methods approach, the researcher measured student engagement and motivation. It reported detailed perceptions of participants through survey responses, examined achievement data from summative assessments, …

The Next Generation Science Standards And Their Implementation In Iowa High Schools, Janell Wright

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Almost a decade ago, the state of Iowa used the Next Generation Science Standards’ (NGSS) performance expectations as the basis for its state science standards for K-12 students. Several key changes were implemented within these standards, including an increase in the amount of Earth and space science content at the high school level and a three-dimensional approach interweaving science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts along with disciplinary core ideas. In this dissertation, I used a three-paper format in an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to explore how districts in Iowa are using scope and sequence to address the NGSS. …

Check All That Apply: The Persistence And Problem Of The Black/White Racial Binary In Iowa Public Schools, Jessica Nessan Kluck

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The promotion of monoracial normativity has profoundly influenced the language used in policies, creating societal expectations that other the identification of Black/white Biracial and multiracial identities. Despite the reality of our quickly shifting demographics, multiracial identities continue to be marginalized and misconstrued through racial reporting guidelines. Racial reporting used on forms required by the Iowa Department of Education are comingled with non-racially categorized data to further distance reality in education and the public-school rankings (Iowa Department of Education, 2012; State of Iowa, 2024).

The purpose of this study was to trace the legacy of the socially constructed racial binary, preserved …

Practice Makes Ready, Not Perfect: Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Pre-Student Teaching Practicum Experiences, John B. Jimo Iii

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This interpretive phenomenological study, which sought to understand the lived experiences of nine preservice teachers in a pre-student teaching practicum, has uncovered helpful findings. The study investigated their perceptions of relationships, roles, and fit with cooperating teachers, as well as their impact on socio-emotional aspects, particularly their feelings of readiness for student teaching and teacher identity development. These findings address the literature gap regarding preservice teachers’ perspectives on clinical practice before student teaching and have the potential to impact the field of teacher education. Interviews provided qualitative textual data, and transcripts were analyzed for participants’ significant meaning statements, leading to …

Design And Integration Of A Multisensory Board For Real-Time Monitoring Of Metal Casting Foundry Sand Molds, Nathaniel Addo

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

No abstract provided.

Exploring Creative Processes In Elementary Art Education: Memory, Observation, And Imagination, Angela Steuer

Graduate Research Papers

This study explores the factors influencing idea generation and creativity in young students, focusing on 4th graders' engagement using comics as a motivational tool. It examines the roles of memory, observation, and imagination in shaping artistic choices, as well as the impact of teaching strategies, such as structured challenges and personal storytelling, in fostering creativity. This research offers insights into how tailored instructional practices and cognitive processes support the artistic development of elementary students, empowering them to generate original ideas and create meaningful artwork.

Intergenerational Arts In The Classroom: A Win-Win, Audrey Klunenberg

Graduate Research Papers

This paper suggests that intergenerational arts programs, particularly those conducted in public schools, can help participants build empathy, a sense of community and belonging. Evidence of these changes was collected through informal observations during three intergenerational art classes in a first grade classroom, as well as through discussions with participants before and after their participation in the intergenerational arts programming. Empathy and community can be built through carefully planned collaborative art-making opportunities and the effect can be evidenced in the forming of relationships, the absence of behavioral problems, and the building of the facilitator’s personal network. The paper concludes that …

Motivations And Challenges For African International Students In Choosing On-Campus Housing And Transitioning Off-Campus, Francis Dugbartey

Graduate Research Papers

The findings of this qualitative phenomenological study explained the motives and challenges faced by African international students (n = 10) who initially chose to live on-campus and subsequently transitioned to off-campus accommodations. The research was conducted through semistructured interviews with African international students who were currently enrolled at a predominantly White institution in the Midwestern United States, discussing their experiences with housing, cultural adjustment, and financial constraints. Although the initial choices to stay on-campus stem from convenience and institutional support, various challenges pushed the students toward going off-campus. To begin with, the costliness of staying in an institution may be …

Spring 2025 Graduate Portfolio, Alex Billman

Graduate Research Papers

History is more than a mere chronicle of events; it is a dynamic tapestry woven from a multitude of experiences, cultures, and narratives that shape our collective past. My philosophy of history is rooted in the belief that understanding history is essential for comprehending the present and envisioning the future. As a passionate historian with a focus on Iowa's rich and diverse history, I am driven by a commitment to uncovering the stories that have shaped this region and its people. My approach to history is both analytical and empathetic, aiming to bring to light the voices and perspectives that …

Graduate Portfolio, Amber Ellen Hoodjer

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Graduate Portfolio, Cody Miller

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.