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2014-15 Uni Strategic Plan Accomplishments, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

A report detailing the progress on the strategic goals within the University of Northern Iowa's strategic plan.

Instruction And Standards-Referenced Grading In A 9th Grade Conceptual Physics Classroom, John C. Chai

Graduate Research Papers

In recent years, a radical method of assessing students has been gaining popularity. An increasing number of school systems in Iowa and nationwide are implementing standards-referenced grading (Stegmeir, 2014). In standards-referenced grading, grades are determined only by academic factors. This makes grades more accurate, fair, and useful for students and parents. While standards-referenced grading can offer many benefits, stakeholders can often resist making the change (Stegmeir, 2014). The goal of this project is to provide an example of exemplary physics instruction that is assessed using standards-referenced grading in a 9th grade conceptual physics classroom.

Understanding By Design Unit Lesson Plans For The Next Generation Science Standards: Life Science, Arie Schiller

Graduate Research Papers

The project that I focused on for my Creative Component is the creation of Understanding by Design (UbD) unit lesson plans that address the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in the topic of Evolution. When the final framework was released of the NGSS in 2011, the need for teachers to revisit and align their curriculum became a necessary step to ensure appropriate content was taught. In the fall of 2013, Keokuk Community School District decided science teachers would begin implementing the new NGSS, anticipating that the state of Iowa will adopt the standards.

This creative component includes lesson plans correlated …

The Inclusion Of Engineering Design Into The High School Biology Curriculum, Cody D. Lakose

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project is to develop engineering-based lessons for a life science course,i.e. biology, in order to meet the NGSS standards as well as increase student interest in engineering by incorporating the principles of engineering design into the traditional science classroom.

Examining Variations In Technology Use For K-12 Students Of Different Gender And Socioeconomic Status, Nikki Lyons

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature currently published on how members of different genders and socioeconomic classes use technology to suit their needs in and out of the classroom learning environment. It will focus on the use of digital technologies by students in elementary, middle, and high schools. This was done by examining 30 research-based, peer-reviewed journal articles, books, published papers, documents, and observational analyses. The research indicates there are clear differences in how members of different subpopulations such as gender and socioeconomic groups choose to use technology to suit their communication, collaboration, instructional, and entertainment …

Annotated Bibliography Of Thematically Related Historical Fiction Picture Books And Nonfiction Pairs, Katherine Seibel

Graduate Research Papers

The Iowa Common Core requires students to read both fiction and nonfiction texts. Iowa teachers would benefit from a list of books that will allow them to meet school curricular requirements as well as the Iowa Core requirement. The purpose of this project was to create an annotated bibliography of paired sets of picture books and nonfiction books that correspond to one mid-sized Iowa elementary school's literacy curriculum. The researcher selected units from the school's literacy program that could be taught in a historical context, and then prepared an annotated bibliography consisting of pairs of a historical fiction picture book …

On The Prediction Of The Peak Demand Of Electrical Energy Use, Mahmoud Elbokl

Graduate Research Papers

Prediction of electricity peak demand is an integral part in any electrical utility. Many models were previously proposed for prediction, ranging from short-term, intermediate to long-term prediction. Prediction of electricity peak demand is crucial in avoiding unneeded expenses to upgrade the electrical power supply. It is a continuous process that is still in need of study and improvement. University of Northern Iowa is an educational institution with 10,380 undergraduate students, 66% of whom reside in university housing and 59% of the total electricity demand is purchased from Cedar Falls utilities. The university utilizes a model based on computerized live reading …

Middle School Leisure Reading Selection: Influences During Selection And Implications For School Library Programs, Jessica A. Elliot

Graduate Research Papers

Numerous studies have been conducted in the past on the decline in amount of time students spend reading for leisure as they age. However, few studies have explored the specific factors that influence how middle school students select leisure reading materials. The purpose of this combined, qualitative and quantitative study is to explore the leisure reading habits of grade 8 students in order to explore the specific factors that influence middle schools students when they select leisure reading materials. Additionally, the study aims to determine if there are significant differences in how male and female students select their reading materials. …

A Study For Comprehensive And Collaborative Relationships: Partnering Public Schools And Nonprofit Outdoor Programs, Nicole Rottinghaus

Graduate Research Papers

My research paper will explore the divide between urban youth and their participation in outdoor programs. In an effort to provide a foundation of reason for the lack of participation in outdoor programs by urban youth, this study will be completed through an abstract approach on heuristic research and constraint theory. Heuristic research can be defined as the process of researching a “personal venture in search of understanding one’s self and the world around them” (Moustakas, 1990). In addition, constraint theory focuses on the barriers individuals face in regards to participation in activities or the completion of a goal (Samdahl …

Communiqué: College Of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Alumni Magazine,Volume 4, Winter 2015, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Humanities, Arts, And Sciences.

Communiqué: College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Alumni Magazine

Contents:

-- Dean's Message
-- Harlem Hellfighters
-- American Panthers in London
-- Little Free Libraries
-- Special Olympic Torch
-- Vertigo A-GoGo
-- World of Kurt Vonnegut
-- Donor Feature Regina Neville
-- CHAS Applause
-- News in Short
-- A New Learning Environment
-- Castle in Budapest
-- INSPIRE
-- Sixteen Strong: NCUR
-- Biology Living and Learning Community
-- Yager Award
-- Roboshop
-- Students in the news
-- Transitions
-- Book Nook
-- Donor Feature Gerald Intemann
-- Dean's Fund Donor Listing
-- Alumni News

The Update, January/February 2015, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Humanities, Arts And Sciences.

Update

Inside this issue:

-- FORTEPAN Iowa: UNI Professors Collaborate to Build a Digital Database of Iowa Photographs

-- Department News

-- School of Music Events
-- Theatre UNI Spring 2015 Shows
-- Yager Awards: Annual Yager Awards Event Yields a Memorable Experience
-- Alumni Spotlight: Technology: Greg Smith
-- Alumni Spotlight: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders: Jamie Flatness
-- Student Spotlight: Department of Mathematics: Jacob Snyder
-- Featured Organization: Philosophy Club, Department of Philosophy and World Religions
-- Student Spotlight: Department of Art: Justin Allen
-- Student Spotlight: Department of Music: Malcolm Burke
-- Featured Organization: Women in Computing, …

The Wright Message, 2015-2016, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Mathematics.

The Wright Message

Inside this issue:

-- Dear Alumni and Friends
-- Dr. Edward Rathmell retires from UNI
-- 2015 Hari Shankar Lecture
-- Around Wright Hall
-- Congratulations to....
-- Faculty Highlights
-- Student News
-- 2015-2016 Tenure-Stream Faculty
-- Alumni Spotlight: Clayton Edwards & Mary Theilen
-- Department Interviews: Adrienne Stanley, Joel Haack, , Benjamin Castle & Suzanne Shontz
-- UNI Students Travel to Korea
-- Trijitzsky Scholarship Winner Emily Wardenburg
-- Student Spotlights: Amber Irlmeier, Britney Bockstahler, Derek Hofland & Julia Robinson
-- PAEMST Award Winner Allysen Lovstuen
-- Donor Spotlight: Alan and Barbara Hubbard
-- News fro KME
-- …

Development Of A Hydraulic Component Leakage Detecting System Using Pressure Decay Signal, Xuanju Shang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It is preferable to detect leakage at the earliest phase in the manufacturing process, and then further assembly of hydraulic components with leakage problems can be avoided. Integrating a USB based microcontroller and a pressure sensor; this study developed a hydraulic leakage detection system in using air instead of hydraulic oil as medium, through measuring pressure decay signals captured by a real time data acquisition system. Compared with the conventional hydraulic system using oils, this system shows advantages in safety operation and little environmental concerns due to use a lower pressure clean air.

The low-cost hydraulic leakage detection system was …

The Influence Of The Single Stereotype On Moral Judgments, Peng Zhang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Stereotypes can powerfully influence people’s moral judgments. For example, stereotypes of atheists lead people to report immoral behavior as more consistent for atheists than Christians (Wright & Nichols, 2014). When targets are labeled as “obese” or “hippie”, perceivers morally judge them more harshly than targets who are not assigned such labels (Masicampo, Barth, & Ambady, 2014). However, limited research has examined how stereotypes of single people can influence perceivers’ moral judgments. Because of various negative stereotypes people hold about single people (Conley & Collins, 2002; DePaulo & Morris, 2005), it was anticipated that people would morally judge a single target …

The Pura Belpré Award And The Portrayal Of Disability, Zoe Houser

Honors Program Theses

The Pura Belpré Award is one of the lesser known literary awards. Because other literary awards have been around longer and received a large amount of attention, there has been much research done over the other literary awards, including how the award books portray disabled characters within their pages. However, there is a lack of research about the portrayal of disability in books that have been awarded or honored by the Pura Belpré Award.

This paper will address the question of how many Pura Belpré Award winning books include prominent characters with disabilities and if they are portrayed positively or …

Investigating Educational Quality At One Comprehensive University, Blake Thurston Findley

Honors Program Theses

President Obama has called for increased access to higher education and simultaneously wants greater educational quality from our colleges and universities. Comprehensive universities in particular, due to their high enrollment of underserved populations, need to ensure they are providing the highest quality education possible. The current study investigated educational quality at a comprehensive university by examining research-supported behaviors related to educational quality as well as perceptions of educational quality of faculty and students. The study found that faculty play a tremendous role in comprehensive universities, yet are underappreciated by their administration. Additionally, comprehensive universities are trying to be everything to …

How Inclusion Is Defined And Implemented In Elementary Classrooms, Bailey Jo Wright

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the various interpretations of inclusion and how we can implement it to a greater and more successful degree in elementary schools. Individuals with disabilities are discriminated against in many education systems, where additionally the law is not being upheld. This thesis provides an accessible, coherent framework for practicing teachers and future educators to gain a better understanding of the definitions of inclusion, the barriers they may encounter, and the best practices to guide them towards inclusive success.

Asset-Based Community Development Practices In International Service-Learning: A Content Analysis Of Short-Term Programs In Nicaragua, Kara Christine Poppe

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of the study is to explore how students on short-term international service-learning programs in Nicaragua interact with local communities by analyzing the structure of the programs as evidenced by course syllabi and website content. After extensive online research of international service-learning programs offered in Nicaragua, seven programs became the focus of the study. The four research questions included: 1) In what ways do the international service-learning programs support key components of service-learning, such as academic connections and reflection? 2) In what ways do the international service-learning program structure the time in the host country for service and tourism? …

Biblical Literalism And The Acceptance Of Biological Evolution In Christian University Students, Heather N. Chamberlain

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Is it possible to accept biological evolution without rejecting God? Understanding student perspectives about religious belief and biological evolution is important to effectively teach science. There are many factors in this complex relationship and this study explored three: differences in Christian denominations, interpretation of scripture, and perspectives of the relationship between religious belief with acceptance of evolution. The participants were freshman elementary education majors at a Midwest university who completed a questionnaire about religious beliefs and the Inventory of Student Evolution Acceptance (I-SEA).

The results indicated no significant difference between Christian denomination and acceptance of evolution. Participants who took the …

Reconciling The Two Cultures : A Case Study Of The University Of Northern Iowa, Elizabeth Ann Collins

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In 1959, chemist and author Charles Percy Snow gave a Rede Lecture at the University of Cambridge in which he named “Two Cultures”—the sciences and the humanities—which, according to his experience as someone who worked in both, were at odds with one another. His words elicited impassioned responses from critics who either agreed with Snow, believing this to be a detriment to society, or vehemently disagreed, believing Snow’s statements to be unfounded, and even antagonistic. This conversation, which had also found relevance in the United States, continues to be important today, and has changed over the years as institutions of …

Pedagogical Reasoning Of Pre-Service Teachers: Juggling Priorities And Managing Resources, Jennifer Lynn Rasmussen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive and motivational factors related to the development of self-regulated teaching. These factors were defined by Shulman (1986; 2006) as theoretical, practical and moral knowledge for pedagogical reasoning. This study occurred in a clinical, instructional setting specifically designed to provide pre-service teachers with the environmental factors necessary to support the development of self-regulated instructional decision making. These factors included specific modeling of teacher thinking, regular formative feedback, instructional autonomy and strategic reflection. An instructional sequence based on Schunk and Zimmerman’s (1998; 2007) Model of the Development of Self-Regulatory Skill was applied …

Annual Report Of The Registrar 2014/2015, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Definitions
--- Some Comparisons
--- Summary of Attendance
--- Attendance by Session
--- Full-Time Equivalency Enrollment
--- Degrees Granted
--- Degree Summary
--- Program Certificates
--- Miscellaneous Enrollment Information
--- Degrees Granted by College, Degree and Racial/Ethnic Classification

Iteration Modeled By Playlists: An Unexpected Occurrence Of The Triangular Numbers, Catherine M. Miller, Douglas J. Shaw

Faculty Work

Our world is changing rapidly; one example is the growth of smart technologies that have become part of our lives. Smart playlists are the source for a mathematics problem that can be approached in a variety of ways. A playlist is a set of songs that can be played separately from the albums on digital music players. The device (mp 3 player, Ipod®, etc.) can create a smart playlist based on criteria inputted by the user.

Above- And Belowground Biomass And Soil Respiration In A Low-Input Perennial Biofuel Production System, Jordan Young, Jessica Abernathy, Kenneth Elgersma

Undergraduate Student Work

Backgroud

• Global climate change largely depends on the atmospheric carbon balance, of which soil respiration is a significant component.
• Native perennial prairie vegetation is being tested as an alternative to corn for renewable biofuel production.
• Mixtures of this vegetation are considered ‘carbon negative’ because net CO2 sequestration exceeds atmospheric release¹.
• Studies have shown that aboveground biomass and the rate of carbon sequestration are both increased by planting a diverse mixture of species versus a monoculture¹.

Research Question:

How does the diversity of biofuel vegetation mixtures affect soil respiration, aboveground biomass and belowground biomass?

Uni Graduating Senior Survey 2014-2015 Academic Year, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

Methodology & Survey Highlights --- 2

Student Response Rate/Response Rate by College --- 3

Student Response Rate by Gender and by Ethnicity --- 4

Plans Following Graduation --- 5

Employment --- 6

Further Education --- 7

OVERALL - Institutional Summary Results --- 8-9

CBA - Institutional Summary Results --- 10-14

COE - Institutional Summary Results --- 15-19

CHAS - Institutional Summary Results --- 20-24

CSBS - Institutional Summary Results --- 25-29

CIS - Institutional Summary Results --- 30-34

Multiple Year Comparison --- 35-41

Survey Form --- 42-43

Free Online Resources Not To Miss For Teaching Middle School Mathematics, Clayton M. Edwards

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

Do you need an infusion of richer tasks into your middle level mathematics classroom? Ask yourself the following questions:

-- Have you been using the same text for your mathematics curriculum for multiple years?

-- Has the promise of your text being “Iowa Core compatible” failed to come to fruition? • Are you a new middle school mathematics instructor and feel stuck with the materials present when you first got your job?

-- Are your middle school students generally lacking excitement towards any curricular choices you make or materials you use?

-- Do you wish your students would show and …

2015 Biennial Faculty Activities Report, University Of Northern Iowa, University Of Iowa, Iowa State University

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Report of faculty activity broken down by rank and compared to the other Regents institutions

The Early Implementation Of A Teacher Leadership And Compensation System In A Select Iowa Public School As Codified By House File 215, Anthony Dale Voss

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Thirty-one years ago, in 1983, the report “A Nation at Risk” (Denning, 1983) declared that teacher preparation systems were ill equipped to provide teachers the deep content knowledge they would need in order to be successful, that salaries were much too low, and that we needed to do a better job of recruiting young people into the profession. The 2001 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind) is a call to action, one in which we are reminded that student achievement is stagnant or slipping around the country. In Iowa, attention to the topic of …

Do Teacher Judgment Accuracy And Teacher Feedback Predict Student Achievement In Elementary And Middle-School Science?, Mason Albert Kuhn

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The quest to find the most effective approach to teach science has challenged teachers and scholars for decades (Ford, 2012; Kuhn, 2010a; Duschl, Schweingruber, & Shouse, 2007). Unfortunately, the recent push for quality science education in schools has not yet resulted in higher achievement on standardized science assessments in the United States. The increased focus on science in school and the lack of growth on national and international standardized assessment has led to reformed-based policies, such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), that ask teachers to teach in a way that emulates the practices of scientific inquiry, including argument-based …

Education Summit 2015 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Education.

Education Summit Programs

Program for the 2015 UNI Education Summit