Digital Commons Network^™

Investigation Of The Changes Of Preservice Teachers' Efficacy Beliefs In Teaching Students With Special Needs, Pujaningsih Pujaningsih

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was designed to examine preservice teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs in teaching students with special needs during student teaching and to explore potential influential factors contributed to its change. The efficacy theory (Bandura, 1977) was applied as the theoretical frameworks of this study. This framework guided this study for a deeper understanding of how preservice teachers interpreted their experiences when teaching students with special needs.

The participants were preservice teachers in one of a university in the Midwest who enrolled in the student teaching program in Spring 2018 and taught students with special needs in their classroom(s). Collecting data, this …

Analysis Of A Paleoglacier Reconstruction Model For Valley Glaciers Of The Wind River Range, Wyoming, Taylor Rae Garton

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Various approaches, ranging from in-field morphological reconstructions to more technology-based modelling practices allow us to reconstruct and understand the long-term geomorphic evolution of landscapes. The study of paleo-environments by reconstruction can also give us profound insight into paleo-climate. A new model, GlaRe (Glacial Reconstruction), has been introduced into the alpine glacier modeling community to facilitate glacier reconstruction. In this research the mathematical equations representing the basal shear stress parameter are tested to determine the applicability of the GlaRe model to alpine glaciers in the American West. Known ages and extents of past glacier advances were used to test the reconstructions …

Seeing The Forest For The Trees: Elementary Stem Environments That Nurture Creativity And Innovation, Lisa Jo Chizek

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examined creativity in schools through the lens of nine rural Midwestern public school fifth grade students in a student-centered, inquiry-based science classroom within a STEM Framework. Previous literature suggesting the importance of nurturing creativity in schools (Florida, 2004; Executive Office of the President, 2018; K. H. Kim, 2016; Csikszentmihalyi, 1999) inspired the purpose for this dissertation. What is missing is the perspective of creative youth. Phenomenology as a research method is a “systematic attempt to uncover and describe the structures, the internal meaning structures, of lived experiences” (van Manen, 2016, p. 10). Through student voices, this qualitative study …

Writing Workshop And Creativity Despite Standardization: An Exploration Of Elementary Teachers' Practices, Darcie Kay Kress

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Writing instruction in today’s classrooms is often structured with “formulaic, sterile writing instruction” (Brown, Morrell, and Rowlands, 2011, p. 17). The focus on formulaic approaches can be problematic, for it may inadvertently cause the quality of students’ writing to decline (Brown, Morrell, & Rowlands, 2011; Gillespie, Olinghouse, & Graham, 2013). The National Writing Project (NWP) provides teachers with professional development to strengthen their own skills as writers, and also to learn how to effectively incorporate evidence-based practices into their writing instruction.

The aim of this study was to explore the practices of three elementary classroom teachers (second, fifth, and sixth …

Impact Of Parent Mentoring And Participation In First Robotics On Middle And High School Age Female Perceptions Of Engineering Careers, Kirsten Olson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Female presence within engineering careers has been a growing concern for decades, as females continue to major in engineering at a far lesser rate than males. Females may be affected by many different environmental factors, from parental influence, early engineering experiences, negative stereotypes present in male dominated careers, and male dominant culture in content classes and the workplace. Researchers have explored ways in which the gender gap within engineering can be closed, such as heightening females’ self-efficacy and providing early STEM experiences. Early engineering experiences include the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Programs, where students are …

Toward A Performative Understanding Of Politeness, C. Kyle Rudick, Danielle E. Mcgeough

Faculty Publications

In this article, we argue that critical communication scholars have largely overlooked the study of politeness as a constitutive component of identity, culture, and power. We offer a critical-performative framework for critical scholars interested in studying politeness as a political, discursive, and embodied act. To develop this agenda, we first outline Brown and Levinson’s postpositivist theory of politeness. We then review three challenges to their use of intentionality, Grice’s cooperative principle, and Goffman’s concept of face. These challenges are located in interactional, traditional critical, and discursive understandings of politeness (respectively). Next, we show how a performative understanding of politeness both …

The Impact Of Chronic Poverty On Children's Behavioral Health And Learning Outcomes, Anna Catherine Rasmussen

Honors Program Theses

Chronic poverty is an unfortunate reality many children face every day. The current literature review evaluated the impact poverty has on children’s behavioral health and learning outcomes. Research consistently shows that children living in poverty experience higher rates of conduct problems, such as Conduct Disorder (CD), as well as increased learning problems, such as Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and diminished academic success. There are several theories for this relation, encompassing both environmental and biological influences, which are reviewed herein. The overall conclusion is that living in poverty negatively impacts children’s behavioral and learning outcomes.

Code Readability: A Proposal On The Effects Of Psychology And Comprehension In Software Development And Maintenance, Ethan Brian Sankey

Honors Program Theses

Because of the diversity and complexity of the hundreds of coding languages out there, code readability has become more and more of an issue as the years have passed and as the popularity of technology that required built-in computers has increased. With so many different formats, styles, and restrictions on each language, even a developer with experience in only a few common languages may have trouble remembering which language allows for certain indentation, which language requires variable instantiation, which language requires return statements at the end of functions. While I can appreciate the diversity and efficiency that having many different …

The Effect Of Digital Game-Based Learning On Student Learning: A Literature Review, Katrina Serrano

Graduate Research Papers

Digital game-based learning can be used by educators to support students in developing skills. This review examined the effect of digital game-based learning on student learning at the K-12 level. Sixteen peer-reviewed research studies, two meta-analysis studies, and two literature reviews published between 2011-2019 were selected for analysis. The reviewed research indicated that when digital game-based learning is used that includes key game design elements (collaboration, choice, feedback) as well as instructional design, there typically is a positive impact on student engagement. Research also indicated that digital game-based learning along with collaboration can have a significant effect on student motivation, …

An Investigation Into The Prediction Of Double-Skin Penetration Within Chromite Molds And Cores In Heavy Section Steel Casting Using Process Simulation Software, Nathaniel Bryant

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This investigation was conducted in response to a commercial steel foundry approaching the University of Northern Iowa for assistance with a recurring defect they experienced on a production casting. The defect was described as a mass of metal that penetrated and consumed the interstices of their chromite molds and cores, and it was determined to consist of fayalite. After an extensive literature review, it was concluded that the foundry experienced the double-skin defect, a niche quality issue that most commonly occurs in heavy-section steel casting with chromite molding materials

After it was determined that the double-skin defect was occurring, a …

Programs And Courses Catalog 2019-2020, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Programs and Courses Catalogs

This catalog is published for students and other persons who want to know more about the University of Northern Iowa. Its purpose is to communicate as objectively and completely as possible what the university is and what it does. The catalog is presented in sections to give a general view of the university as well as the detailed information required for informed decision making.

Social Nonsense: Creative Diversions For Two Or More Players - Anytime, Anywhere, Doug Shaw

Faculty Book Gallery

This amusing book by Dr. Doug Shaw (American) is the finest in our collection. It consists of a collection of whimsical pastimes that encourage the creation of stories and art. -- provided by the publisher.

Stem Stories, December 2018, #3, Brooke Wiese

STEM Stories

Faculty Profile - Alexa Sedlacek

University Of Northern Iowa Elementary Teacher Education Senate Meeting Minutes, December 13, 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. Elementary Teacher Education Senate.

Documents - Elementary Senate

Meeting minutes from the Elementary Teacher Education Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

Stem Stories, December 2018, #2, Brooke Wiese

STEM Stories

Program Spotlight - UNI REAP Program

Arts Integration Into Elementary Science: Force And Motion And Natural Disasters, Eric C. Ooms, Tabitha M. Wu, Ashley R. Kokemuller, Sarah E. Montgomery, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This study explored the effect of arts integration into science during an instructional unit on force and motion and one addressing natural weather disasters. Seventy-eight elementary students in four classrooms (grade 5, grade 4, and two at grade 3) participated in the study. This study assessed content retention, student-made products (rollercoasters and hurricane shelters), and student attitudes. All students in each classroom experienced the two units of instruction, one unit in the experimental condition of arts integration and one unit in the control condition without arts integration. Both conditions involved students in constructing models of given materials. Each unit consisted …

Second Grade Students Learn About Civil Engineers And Erosion, Andrea Earline Anderson, Jessica A. Meier

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

The integration of art into curricula focused on teaching science is a new perspective in education designed to reach a broader range of students. The current study examined the process of second-grade students participating in science and art activities through qualitative content analysis. The subjects of science and art were not taught to the students separately, rather, students engaged in both subjects simultaneously, in an integrated manner. Participants were 23 second-grade students (11 female and 12 male; age range 7 to 8 years) who were learning about erosion through sketching and creative construction and the work of civil engineers through …

Steam Implementations For Elementary School Students In Turkey, Nil Duban, Bülent Aydoğdu, Selçuk Kolsuz

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

The main aim of the current research was to fill the absence of STEAM activities for primary school students in Turkey. Accordingly, a study in which STEAM activities were implemented was conducted with the primary school students. There were four activities during STEAM implementation. The activities were these: Students recognized circuit components of simple electric circuits, designed simple electric circuits using circuit components by the guidance of researchers, later designed an ecological village via STEAM using simple electric circuits, and presented their ecological village via STEAM. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group design was used in the current …

Ecosystem Shake Up: An Environmental Change Adaptation Project, Hannah E. Morgan, Dana Atwood-Blaine, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical article reports an intriguing diorama project for third grade elementary students (ages 8-9 years). Students worked as partners to create dioramas of given ecosystems made in pizza boxes. Then, students rolled a die to determine a change in some environmental factor that affected the ecosystem. The students discussed how this change affected the ecosystem and made a second part of their diorama showing the ecosystem after the change. Finally, students made class presentations concerning their dioramas and ideas. A rubric for assessing the projects is included. Results of this science project indicate that students became deeply engrossed in …

Exploring The Physics Of Sound With Steam-Azing Third Graders, Page L. Foss, Kyrie D. Borsay

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical article was based on a lesson conducted with third graders from an elementary school in the Midwest who were studying concepts about sound. The lesson activities address Next Generation Science Standards that include engineering concepts, along with integrating activities that support National Core Arts Standards. The students created instruments that made music but that were not the standard string, percussion or wind orchestral instruments that they had previously studied: string, percussion, or wind. Their instruments made of recycled materials included drum and shaker combinations, animal-shaped instruments, and instruments that combined three or more instruments.

Science Through Art: Motivating Gifted And Talented Students, Ksenia Zhbanova

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

Gifted and talented students have unique characteristics and needs. Arts Integration is an effective differentiation strategy that helps meeting these students’ needs. STEM subjects are easily and organically integrated with the Arts because scientific and artistic inquiry are very similar. This practical article describes an arts-integrated project that provided the gifted and talented participants with an increased level of challenge, an opportunity for self-expression and for building social skills, amplified motivation, and a chance to deepen and demonstrate their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, social studies and English Language Arts. In this project, identified gifted students completed figural transformations …

Editorial: Arts Integration Allows Students The Opportunity To Be Original, Ksenia S. Zhbanova, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This editorial explores the other six articles in this issue 2 of volume 3 of the Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions to examine how originality is displayed and supported by art projects. Originality, is a quality or a characteristic of an idea, approach or product. Originality can be defined as newness or novelty. To be classified as original, an idea must be new. It does not have to have a utilitarian value, which is a requirement for an idea to be categorized as creative. Helping students develop originality is important because it allows the freedom to make any …

Stem Stories, December 2018, #1, Brooke Wiese

STEM Stories

Program Spotlight - Northern Iowa Conservation Corps

Sem/Edx Analysis Of Bronze Disease, Brian Pauley, Nicole Bishop

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Bronze disease is a type of self-progressing corrosion of bronze. This degradation is thought to be caused by humidity but proliferated through the formation of chlorine containing compounds that further react with the air. The origination of the bronze disease in this artifact is thought to have arisen from the tanning process used in the surrounding leather. It is highly probable that potassium chloride was used in the tanning process, providing the initial chlorides that cause bronze disease. The damage that this corrosion can cause can destroy priceless artifacts. An understanding of the bronze disease structure and chemical composition is …

Ft-Mir-Atr Of Organic Residues From Inside Peruvian Sacrificial Jars, Warren Rouse, Dr. Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project used various solvents in an attempt to determine the identity of the contents of Peruvian jars to determine their purpose.

A Compositional Study Of The Uni Museum Benin Bronzes Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Elizabeth Akers

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

In 1897, the British empire annexed the kingdom of Benin in present day Nigeria.1 Many cultural artifacts, including a large collection of bronze statues and plaques, were taken and distributed among major museums

• Due to their increased demand, many sellers began creating fake bronzes to sell to tourists and collectors alike

• Four Benin bronze artifacts were donated to the museum in 1968 and have been questioned in terms of authenticity based on qualitative analyses

The Characterization Of Leather Wwii Artifacts Using Gc/Ms And Raman Spectroscopy, Brice Houser

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Many museums face the challenge of protecting artifacts from deterioration. This process is often hampered by the history of the artifact, which can introduce factors that start or speed up the process of deterioration. An example of this is the method used during WW II to preserve leather. Mink oil or other fatty substances are used to help preserve and soften leather. A major component of mink oil is palmitic acid.

1 This fatty acid may have reacted with the brass in the same way that the oils from the hand react with coins to make that distinctive metallic smell, …

Determination Of Lead Content In Sidecar Coffee, Birk Shaikoski, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project analyzed the amount of lead present in coffee beans from various parts of the world and decaffeinated beans.

Raman Spectroscopy Of Bronze Disease On Wwii Artifacts, Andrea M. Reutzel

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Patina is a film that forms on bronze or similar metals over a long period of time due to an oxidation reaction. If cuprous chloride in copper alloys are present, it reacts with water to create hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid in the presence of metals will cause corrosions of the bronze and over time it will completely eat away at the metal. This reaction, known as Bronze Disease, is different than patina. Patina can act as a coat and preserver for metals. The University of Northern Iowa’s Museum is experiencing Bronze Disease on artifacts in the WWII collection. The Bronze …

Quantification Of Trigonellinefrom Coffee Beans And Its Correlation With The Ph, Kashif A. Shaikh, Jaspreet K. Rishi, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project analyzed the amount of trigonelline preseent in coffee beans at various stages of the roasting process.