Digital Commons Network^™

Speaking Politely, Kindly, And Beautifully: Ideologies Of Politeness In Japanese Business Etiquette Training, Cynthia Dickel Dunn

Faculty Work

In recent years, politeness theory has increasingly focused on speakers’ own conceptualizations of polite behavior, viewing politeness concepts as a type of language ideology. This article examines the construction of Japanese politeness concepts in the business etiquette training provided for new employees in Japanese companies. Drawing on participant-observation of business etiquette seminars offered by five training companies, it analyzes how employees are taught to show deference through appropriate honorific use, to speak in ways which are seen as kind or considerate, and to speak and move in ways the instructors define as ‘beautiful.’ The analysis demonstrates how etiquette training conflates …

Using Tpack To Promote Effective Language Teaching In An Esl/Efl Classroom, Wilson M. Rojas Bugueño

Graduate Research Papers

Technology integration in English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) using Technological Pedagogical And Content Knowledge (TPACK) (Mishra & Koehler, 2006) seems to be a new territory for teachers and researchers. For this reason, this literature review explores the use of TPACK in the EFL/ESL classroom. In this review, principles, methods and activities related to English teaching are reviewed and discussed. Also, the foundations of TPACK, activity types and their applications not only in other subject areas, but also in the EFL/ESL area are explored. For this purpose, articles, studies and books were consulted …

Literature Circles And Technology : A Study Of Students' Attitudes, Laura Ann Edwards

Graduate Research Papers

Technology and collaboration are important to students in the reading classroom. This paper investigates students' reading attitudes after participating in a literature circle with technology. This study compared students' reading attitudes prior to participating in the literature circle with technology unit and after participating in the unit using a survey and interview of selected students. The selected students were to represent four categories: introverted, unmotivated, high achieving, and low achieving. The results suggest that students have positive reading experiences when using technology. Additionally, the results suggest that students' reading attitudes are more positive when they are able to collaborate with …

How Educators And Parents Can Collaborate To Improve Student Reading Fluency, Jackie M. Mcdermott

Graduate Research Papers

In this project, fluency practices are defined and explored in relation to an elementary school setting that is partnering with parents on how to promote fluency practices in the home. The Literature Review describes the importance of fluency instruction, how fluency instruction supports literacy instruction, and finally how educators and parents can begin partnering to provide literacy practices in the home. Following the literature review, there is a professional development plan that lays out the key components of collaborating with parents to implement fluency practices in the home.

A Professional Development Program For Balanced Literacy, Sheila Charlene Mccullough

Graduate Research Papers

A balanced literacy framework is a complex yet comprehensive avenue for literacy instruction that has been successfully implemented by the author in a low socioeconomic kindergarten classroom with remarkable achievement gains. This research project first describes the successful implementation and relates it to the professional literature on balanced literacy. A professional development program is then developed that will help teachers discover the importance of implementing balanced literacy practices and gain knowledge and understanding on how to implement the components of a comprehensive balanced literacy framework into their practice.

A Need For Motivation : Increasing Engagement To Bolster Success, Libbie M. Willert

Graduate Research Papers

Educators want to create a sustained, life-long reader in their students. This overview of the literature will share with educators valuable insight into how increasing motivation and student engagement will help create more involved readers. Key themes in the literature include: increasing literacy motivation, increasing literacy engagement, and applying thoughtful literacy practices. This review will also highlight several helpful strategies on how educators in today's classrooms can help increase student motivation and engagement related to literacy.

Using Readers Theaters To Help Students Develop Reading Fluency, Adrianna D. Cavanaugh

Graduate Research Papers

This study examines how Readers Theater can support the literacy development of struggling readers, especially in regards to improving fluency. The study was done over two school years, each time focusing on four students with the lowest fluency scores. The study focuses on using Readers Theater to increase student's fluency. The first year fiction Readers Theater was used, while the second year the focus was on using nonfiction Readers Theater. The results indicate that using Readers Theater has a positive impact on increasing student's fluency and disposition towards reading. The study showed an increase in students' WCPM from their baseline …

Vocabulary Acquisition In Kindergarten For English Language Learners: Ventriglia's Rule Of 3, Or Marzano's Six Steps To Effective Vocabulary Instruction?, Danielle Marie Rose

Graduate Research Papers

Teaching kindergarten is my passion. I love the excitement five and six year old children bring to the classroom. Their sense of wonder, their smiles and their laughter bring constant joy to my life. A group of children that I especially love teaching is the English language learners in my classroom. These children are always so curious to learn, but many times lack the adequate vocabulary to understand conversations between peers or comprehend the meaning of books. This lack of vocabulary knowledge decreases their success in the classroom. Throughout my teaching career, it has been my constant desire to implement …

Portrayal Of Latinos In Young Adult Fiction, Jennifer Cole

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to establish criteria for rating Latino literature for cultural and literary quality and the existence of Latino stereotypes. This study determined the themes found in the young adult fiction selected and if those themes reflected positive character and cultural traits. The criteria gained through research can be used by teacher librarians to support and enhance the Latin collection in the Storm Lake Middle School library and others by creating guidelines literature should match. The questions asked in the study were: 1. What examples of Latino stereotyping are found in the Storm Lake collection and …

The Effects Of Stem Inquiry Practices On English Language Acquisition In A First Grade Classroom In Thailand, Rebecca J. Fuhrman-Petersen

Graduate Research Papers

This mixed-methods teacher action research project describes and interprets the effects of one American teacher's bicultural critical inquiry praxis on Thai first grade students' English language acquisition. The observations were conducted for one full academic year for 37 students enrolled in a bilingual, multicultural STEM pilot program. The results are based upon participant observation and narrative inquiry from a qualitative standpoint. However, quantitative methods were used to analyze 1) students' questioning, answering techniques and physical activities based on video recordings of STEM lesson activities; 2) students' growth in critical thinking skills as measured by their writing in relation to their …

The Uniqueness Of The English Language Learner : Research Based Strategies For English Language Learners, Carolyn Lindgren Dietz

Graduate Research Papers

Currently, the United States is experiencing a growth in the number of English Language Learners. At the same time, the US economy has shifted to a more knowledge based focus, making higher education a requirement (in order to be) able to compete for higher paying jobs. Using a "scientifically validated approach" (Short, Vogt, & Echevarria, 2008), the SIOP model is a framework for instructing English Language Learners. This research targets research based professional development for teachers, to provide the essential programming to meet the literacy learning needs of the English Language Learner.

Categorical Vs. Dimensional Models Of Mental Health Assessment, Nic Stewart

Honors Program Theses

The model that is currently in place is the categorical model and its use has been widespread since 1980 when the DSM-III was published and used internationally for categorical assessment (Mayes & Horwitz, 2005). It has since been widely utilized by professionals, but is not without flaws. Based on the argument for an alternative approach, researchers have argued several limitations of the categorical model: that no true discrete mental illness can be reasonably operationalized by categorical measures; that negative stigmas can accompany a diagnosis of mental illness; that there is inherent uncertainty when making diagnoses, whether to perceive certain information …

Defensive Communication Between Professors And Students And Its Effects On Student Outcomes, Alexa Pomerenk

Honors Program Theses

This study investigated the relationship between defensive communication and student outcomes in college classrooms. The researcher hypothesized that students would perceive a greater defensive climate in classes taught by their least favorite professors, and that the defensive climate would encourage the use of coping mechanisms. Defensive communication was also hypothesized to negatively affect student grades, attendance, and course satisfaction and to increase student burnout. Surveys were administered to college students, and results supported all hypotheses. Findings showed that students linked defensive attributes to their least favorite professors more frequently than they did to their favorite professors, and they reported using …

Exploring Intelligence And Interpersonal Communication: An Analysis Of Intellectual Perceptions In A Real Dating Arena, Andrew Dix

Iowa Journal of Communication

The present study examined the relationship between perceptions of intelligence and interpersonal communication in a courtship setting. Participants engaged in speed-dating as a means to quantitatively assess whether evaluations of a dating partner would change from pre-test to post-test. Findings indicated positive messages caused participants to see a potential romantic partner as more intelligent. In contrast, negative communication resulted in unfavorable evaluations of dater intelligence. Study data focused on participant matches revealed women were significantly more selective than men in terms of second-date selection. The findings can be applied to various communicative contexts including employment interviewing and casual dating. Future …

Effective Comprehension Strategies In The Elementary Classroom, Melissa Ann Determan

Graduate Research Papers

This paper focuses on key fiction and nonfiction comprehension strategies and different methods for teaching these strategies in the elementary classroom. It is essential to use effective comprehension instruction within the classroom to unlock meaning and to build student success. These strategies include activating background knowledge, questioning, summarizing, and text structures.

International Students At Uni: An Analysis Of Experiences, Kellie Petersen

Honors Program Theses

It is important that people feel welcome in a society. It contributes to the health and comfort of individuals as well as strengthens society as a whole. This is particularly important to immigrants, who are entering a new country and therefore a new society and culture. Due to their immigrant status, they may feel disconnected from this new society and culture. Such a feeling could be intensified if some individuals within the society and culture display xenophobia. This generally refers to intense and irrational dislike or even a fear of people from other countries, but for the purposes of this …

A Survey Of Literacy Instruction In Public Preschool Programs In Iowa, Anne Marie Berthelsen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This paper focuses on the importance of emergent literacy instruction with preschool populations. Emergent literacy refers to the early developmental stages of reading in preschool children and focuses on strengthening pre-reading skills. This paper describes best practice for survey development as well as recommended changes to the methodology of a previous study. The paper also describes changes made to improve the previous emergent literacy survey and concludes with a discussion of how the results of the survey could be used to improve emergent literacy instruction for preschool children.

Writing Supports For Older Students With Significant Disabilities: Examining Two Students' Journeys Towards Becoming Writers, Emily Helen Freeman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study describes the changes in linguistic and social communicative competencies that occurred when two older students with significant disabilities where provided with writing opportunities, instruction, and supports over a semester of the academic year. The goals of the study were to identify themes and patterns in the skills associated with linguistic and social communicative competence as evidenced in writing over time. A second aim of this study was to identify instruction methods and assistive technology supports being used in the classroom and describes the themes and patterns that emerged in the students’ writing given the presence of these curriculum …

Language As A Social Reality: The Effects Of The Infantilization Of Women, Chelsae R. Huot

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The current study examined how people’s perceptions can be affected by various terms used to describe women. Participants from a Midwestern university read a script describing 26-year-old Erin either as a “woman,” a “girl,” or “person.” Participants then rated Erin on eighteen different traits (e.g., mature, forceful). They also completed an ambivalent sexism scale and answered three questions about their use and interpretations of the terms “girl” and “woman.” It was predicted that the participants in the “woman” condition would rate Erin as more mature, responsible, warm, understanding, and successful than the participants in the “girl” condition. Also, it was …

Does Baby Sign Open The Door To Second Language Learning?, Nicole A. Hulme

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this thesis project is to determine the relationship between an infant's acquisition of Baby Sign and their ability to acquire a second language later in life. An explanation of why infancy is a critical time for language development will be presented and information about the impact of Baby Sign on an infant's development will be provided. There are many research and popular claims regarding Baby Sign that will be discussed, in addition to research findings concerning second language learning. Based on this research, conclusions about the connection between Baby Sign and second language learning will be drawn …

English-Only Legislation: The Iowa Story, Kari Lien

Honors Program Theses

This project will discuss the recent history of English-Only legislation in Iowa. Common opinions about English-Only legislation will be shared, including quotations from individuals on both sides of the English-Only debate. Finally, this project will examine the way Iowa's story of English-Only legislation raises questions about the future of this legislation in Iowa as well as the nation.

From Here To There: The Music's Journey: How The Music In The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Represents The Cultures Of Tolkien's World, Jennifer Louise Titus

Honors Program Theses

The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most beloved stories of all time; it has been distributed around the world and translated into over fifty languages. The story that Tolkien created was, essentially, how a small group of people can change the course of history through bravery, loyalty, and friendship. It is a story that has touched many hearts over the years. This series of books also has one of the more developed fictional worlds in literature. There are a variety of cultures, which include elves, men, and dwarves. Tolkien not only gave each …

Comparing Sixth Grade Students' Creativity In Word Play To Spatial Construction With Integrated Academic Content Eliciting A Distal Or Proximal Perspective, Ksenia S. Zhbanova

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Pressing global problems require solutions from innovative ideas that depend upon educating a new generation to think creatively. The current study aimed at assisting 24 sixth grade students in a summer program develop their creativity skills in two different areas while integrating academic content. Student performance was examined for transfer of skills across domains and for support of Construal Level Theory, which holds that addressing topics distant in space, time, probability or experience leads to abstract thought supporting greater creativity.

The study was a counterbalanced, repeated measures, two-experimental condition study with students divided into two groups of 12 each. In …

Making Historical Fiction Appealing To Young Adults Through Book Trailers, Chelsey Kolpin

Graduate Research Papers

The Hi-Fi for Wi-Fi website was developed to address the problem that many young adults do not select historical fiction for free reading because they view the genre negatively. The website can be used as an advisory and teaching tool for young adults, teachers, parents, and librarians to increase interest in historical fiction via book trailers. The website includes 15 books that were published in 2003 or after, and are included in the H.W. Wilson core or highly recommended collections. Book trailers and descriptions for all 15 books are embedded on the pages of the website, and are organized by …

The Update, August/September 2012, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Humanities, Arts And Sciences.

Update

Inside this issue:

-- Art Making at the House of Hope
-- Department News
-- Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert: 120 Years: The Road to Excellence
-- Alumni Spotlight: Theatre: Sarah Noll Wilson
-- Student Spotlight, Department of Computer Science: Cody Bardell
-- UNI Undergrad EPSCoR Winning Finalist
-- Explorers of Religion
-- Physics in the Classroom: Alumni Spotlight, Science Education
-- School of Music Events
-- Music Professor Earns Award
-- Student Spotlight: Department of Communication Studies: Harrison Postler
-- Save the Date: Tackling Global Challenges in Sustainable Chemistry Using Transition Metal Catalysis
-- Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

Small Mammal Jointed Models To Make, Description Cards, And A Menu Of Follow-On Activities In Different Intelligence Areas, Audrey C. Rule, Sarah M. Vander Zanden

Open Educational Resources

Instilling an appreciation of nature in our youth is an important precursor to environmental protection and support for sustainability. Research has shown that involving students in environmental projects improves their motivation, skills, and achievement on standardized tests, This document contains images of the body parts of small mammals with directions for reproducing, cutting, gluing, and assembling them (with paper fasteners) into life-size jointed models of the animals. There are two distinct versions (different color phases and poses) of each of 11 small mammals that generally live in grasslands, along creeks/ponds, or woodland edges of Midwestern habitats: Eastern Chipmunk, Franklin’s Ground …

Closing The Achievement Gap: The Promise Of Dual Language Programs For English Language Learners, Jocelyn Jane Strong

Honors Program Theses

With an academic achievement gap formed between English Language Learners (ELL) and English-dominant students in the United States, this thesis examines the literature on the successes and failures of different types of bilingual educational programs in order to determine which provide students with the highest levels of academic achievement and affective benefits in an effort to alleviate the differences between the majority and minority language status is education. It also investigates the research on effective practice within these bilingual educational programs, focusing on what administrators and teachers can do in order to foster the highest levels of success within their …

The Update, April/May 2012, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Humanities, Arts And Sciences.

Update

Inside this issue:

-- Department of Mathematics Holds Annual Event
-- Department News
-- Earth Week 2012
-- National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association
-- Immigration Policy: Current Crisis & Future Challenges
-- Midwest Pressed Exhibits in New Orleans
-- SAVE: Students Against a Violent Environment
-- School of Music Events
-- Student Spotlight: Department of Physics:Byron Tasseff
-- Two Student Exhibitions Held in Dean's Triangle Gallery
-- UNI Hosts Regional and State Physics Competitions
-- Student Spotlight: Department of Computer Science: Aaron Mangel
-- UNI Forensics
-- UNI Mathematics Faculty Host Waterloo Schools Professional Development
-- Alumni Spotlight: …

Premier, Spring 2012, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Education.

Premier

Contents:

-- A Strategic Approach to Premier Status

-- Passing the Torch, Furthering the Mission

-- Literacy, Communication and Full Participation for All

-- Playing it S.A.F.E.

-- A Treasure for All to Enjoy

-- Full Inclusion for All - A UNIversal Theme

-- RACE: Are We So Different?

-- Catching Up with College of Education Faculty

-- UNI Mentoring: A Best-in-Class Experience

-- Strategic Planning for the Road Ahead

-- Seeing Herself in the Students She Helps

-- Your Gifts Make a Difference

--Educate, Serve and Lead

--Class Notes

--Alumnae Offer Words of Wisdom

--Creating Teachable Moments

Fifth Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium [Program], 2012, University Of Northern Iowa

Annual Graduate Student Symposium Programs

Table of Contents
Welcome Letter from Dr. Michael Licari ••• 1
Listing of Judges, Notes ••• 2 - 3
Oral Presentations Listed by Room, in Order of Presentation ••• 4 - 8
Poster Presentations Listed by Presentation Type, Last Name ••• 9 – 14
Creative Performances Listed in Order of Performance ••• 15 - 16
Acknowledgements, Past Award Winners ••• 17 - 19 Alphabetical Listing of Participants Page 20