Digital Commons Network^™

Accommodating Invisible Illnesses And Disabilities In The Workplace, Elizabeth Simmons

Honors Program Theses

As our society evolves and becomes more accepting of people impacted by disabilities, we need to work to understand how to best accommodate those disabilities in the workplace. If employees and supervisors were trained on the importance of accommodating disabilities and the potential legal risk associated with a lack of accommodation, I believe they would be more open to implementing those accommodations. This research has taught me the value of how you can never understand what every person is going through. Each individual may have different needs, but it is the duty of HR professionals to attempt to create a …

Properties Of Left-Separated Spaces And Their Unions, Eric Scheidecker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Left-separated spaces are topological spaces which can be well ordered such that every initial segment is closed. In this paper, we examine what topological properties imply left-separation, and under what circumstances left-separation is preserved by unions. We also introduce several known theorems regarding elementary submodels as they are one of the primary tools that we use. We prove that for a topological space X;

1. If X has a point-countable base, then X is left-separated if and only if X has closed intersection with any elementary submodel M such that X ∈ M.

2. If every elementary submodel …

A Master's Recital In Voice, Haley L. Steele

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Haley Steele presented a graduate voice recital on March 30th, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in Davis Hall of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa. The recital was presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Music degree in voice performance. The program included selections by Hugo Wolf, Joaquín Rodrigo, and early songs by Claude Debussy, in addition to a chamber piece for horn and soprano by Otto Nicolai and selections from a contemporary song cycle titled The Wild Iris by Forrest Pierce. This recital abstract surveys this repertoire with regard to relevant, …

Graduate Recital In Viola, Isaak Walter Sund

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Isaak Walter Sund performed his Master of Music Recital in viola on March 29th, 2017, at 8:00 pm in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center’s Davis Hall. He was assisted by pianist Serena Hou. The program selected included Cello Suite No. 5 in C Minor BWV 1011 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Sonata op. 120 for Clarinet and Piano (Version for Viola) by Johannes Brahms, and Viola Concerto by William Walton. This program’s repertoire was chosen for the variety of different styles and to explore the subtleties between characters, stylistic elements and core technical development of the viola.

A Master's Recital In Flute, Azeem Zakiyy Ward

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Azeem Zakiyy Ward performed a graduate flute recital at six o’clock in the evening of Thursday, April 20, 2017 in Davis Hall in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Collaborating with Mr. Ward on selected works were pianist Mariya Akhadjanova, trumpeter Ryan Garmoe, and guitarist Tanner O’Connor. The recital was presented in partial fulfillment of a Master of Music in flute performance. The program opened with the Sonata in A Minor for solo flute by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach, followed by three movements of Astor Piazzolla’s Historie du Tango for flute and guitar. The first portion of the program concluded …

A Graduate Recital In Piano, Jennifer Regina Legarde

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This recital abstract examines the program that was performed by Jennifer R. LeGarde on Friday, February 24, 2017 at eight o’clock in the evening, in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center’s Davis Hall. This recital was performed in partial fulfillment of the degree of Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. The pieces that were performed on this program were selected by Ms. LeGarde because of their representation of four general stylistic periods of music. The program was presented in two parts and in chronological order. While each piece showcases stylistic features unique to each time period, they also are …

Local Health Departments In Iowa: Are They Keeping Up With The Shift From Communicable To Chronic Disease?, Jeremy M. Whitaker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The leading causes of death in the United States are heart disease, cancer, and lower respiratory diseases; chronic disease that account for over half of all deaths. Local health departments (LHDs) are not required by statute to prevent these diseases. This study examines three questions: (1) Are local health departments engaging in primary chronic disease prevention, (2) Are there differences between urban and rural health departments in preventing chronic disease, and (3) What the barriers preventing them from preventing chronic disease.

LHDs are primarily funded by a combination of state and local funding, with much of the state funding coming …

Head Above Water Weighing: A Valid Method To Measure Body Fat Storage?, Molly Lin Hussey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Hydrostatic weighing using underwater weighing with full lung expiration has been established as a valid method to assess body composition; however, many people do not prefer to submerse their heads in water due to various reasons. Keeping the head above water as a method for hydrostatic weighing at full lung capacity has been tested but has not been accepted as an alternative method. Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to determine if hydrostatic weighing with the head above water at residual volume could provide valid estimates of total body fat. Methods: Fifty-eight subjects (F=29. M=29) participated …

For Two Or Two Hundred: A Workbook For Making A Difference, C. A. Brimmer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Designed for young people who want to develop a sense of active citizenship through social justice and community organizing; this workbook is founded on four main components: autoethnography/personal narrative, research based in critical pedagogy, social justice methodologies and literature. Activist profiles and exercises introduce the reader to a leadership style based in critical consciousness. The reader is part of the text as they complete exercises and fill in their own blanks, contributing ideas and carrying out practices related to various aspects of community organizing. This work book is designed for beginning activists who are new to concepts such as social …

Creating Intentional Paths To Citizenship: An Analysis Of Participation In Student Organizations, Julianne Gassman, Jennifer M. Beck, Jonathan Klein

Faculty Publications

This study examines undergraduate students’ that graduated from a Midwestern university in May 2013 through December 2015 and their perception of their development of core competencies identified by Bok (2006), related to their participation in student organizations. The results indicated that students who participate in student organizations are significantly more likely to develop citizenship and other related skills and abilities. Furthermore, their degree of involvement, measured by the number of organizations they participate in, their level of involvement and the role students have within the organization can impact their development of competencies.

The Impact Of Education On Legislative Responsiveness In Three Field Experiments, Jayme Neiman

Faculty Work

Three field experiments were used to investigate whether a constituent’s education level influences state legislators’ responsiveness to their request for assistance. Legislators were sent emails that were randomly varied as to the education level of the writer. Results indicate that communication from constituents with lower education levels receive fewer replies. Two potential explanations for the variation in legislative response are explored—political party and the legislator’s own education level. Analysis suggests that neither of these variables account for the response differential to the email manipulations.

Dungeons And Dragons And Literacy: The Role Tabletop Role-Playing Games Can Play In Developing Teenagers' Literacy Skills And Reading Interests, Stefanie L. B. Kaylor

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore the role that tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs) play in developing the literacy skills and leisure reading interests of teenagers who play them. Additionally, this study sought to determine what role or roles educators should play in developing the gaming culture of teenage students. In order to answer these questions, seven people who played TRPGs as teenagers were interviewed about their past and current TRPG interests, past and current leisure reading habits, and the effects that playing TRPGs had on their literacy skills. This study revealed that all participants felt that playing TRPGs …

Vocabulary Development With Instructional Coaching Support, Jessica L. Swaab

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the importance of vocabulary development among kindergarten students, identify risk factors that effect vocabulary development, recognize developmentally appropriate practices, identify best practices and interventions to promote student growth, and determine if support from an instructional coach benefits the classroom teacher's pedagogy. Various research articles were collected and analyzed in order to find methods for closing the language gap as well as to change instruction that challenges students to reach their optimal vocabulary development range. Aside from socioeconomic status, there are several risk factors that affect vocabulary development, including age, cultural backgrounds, …

Behavior Management Methods, Procedures, Strategies, And Resources For Camp Adventure Child And Youth Services, Shannon Nichole Betzer

Graduate Research Papers

The Child and Youth Services (CYS) programs strive to provide the best possible care based on standards for the children and youth they serve. Behavior management is an essential element in the success of programs and services offered during various play environments. Such environments are perceived to be essential to the positive and healthy growth and development of children and youth (Biddle, Garcia-Nevarez, Henderson, & Valero-Kerrick, 2013). The utilization of behavior management resources in the Camp Adventure Child and Youth Services (CACYS) program will serve as a tool for staff needing to incorporate a broader range of strategies to implement …

Effects Of Role-Goal Methods On Student Engagement: A Case Study, Zachariah John Lillquist

Honors Program Theses

As a pre-service teacher, areas of focus that I have found to be incredibly intriguing are student motivation and student engagement. How educators motivate their students in their respective classrooms is something that has always been of interest to me. Many topics, including science – my field of teaching – are often remembered by students as the class they disliked the most or the one with the poor teacher. This could be due to a number of factors; it may be the style of teaching, the methodology of teaching, the age of the teacher, the curriculum itself, etc. The list …

Lessons From "The Fleet": Improving Organizational Leadership Based On Prairie Lakes Church Practices Through Fictional Narrative, Christopher Huling

Honors Program Theses

Prairie Lakes Church (PLC) is a religious institution with a rich history within the Cedar Valley. The church’s origins date back to 1854, only one year after Cedar Falls was incorporated. Throughout the years there have been many changes to the organization, including their name, location, and the population served. Many of the more radical changes have occurred during the last decade. In 2006, Prairie Lakes Church had a single location with roughly twenty staff and a congregation of around 1,000 individuals. Since then, the church’s presence has expanded to five other communities across Iowa. Over sixty people are now …

Comparing First-Generation And Continuing-Generation College Students' Self-Efficacy, Campus Involvement, And Academic Performance, Kaylin Nichole Upah

Honors Program Theses

In order to highlight potential differences between first-generation college students (FGS), defined as neither parent having completed a Bachelor’s degree, and continuing-generation students (CGS), this study compares FGS and CGS in terms of self-efficacy, campus involvement, and academic performance measured by grade point average (GPA) during their first year at a university. In order to investigate these relationships, this study utilizes University of Northern Iowa (UNI)’s 2015-2016 Mapworks data. Mapworks is a voluntary survey that first-year students, including freshmen and transfer students, complete during the fall and spring semesters. A total of 1549 first-year students participated in the 2015-16 survey, …

Using The Growth Mindset To Improve Opportunities For Negotiation In Argument-Based Inquiry Elementary Classrooms, Bridget Tharp

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if teaching students about the growth mindset improves achievement on standardized science assessment in a classroom that uses argument-based inquiry (ABI) instruction. A critical part of ABI is also referred to as negotiation and is considered cognitively demanding for students. The demands of argumentation often make its implementation extremely challenging for teachers because students often do not have strategies to overcome the failure they will encounter during the process. ABI is a research-based instructional practice that has been shown to improve student learning in science. This study will look at specific aspects …

Shrink And Squeeze: Today's Teaching Pressures And Its Effect On Teaching Social Studies, Alyssa Diane Mckeone

Honors Program Theses

Social studies education is one of the four core subjects taught to students in elementary schools. Teaching social studies provides students with the content knowledge and ways of thinking to allow them to be participating members in their communities. Although there are many skills students learn from social studies, due to federal legislation starting with No Child Left Behind, social studies has been put on the back burner while math and reading take the forefront. The goal of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of teachers regarding their social studies teaching. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with veteran …

Student Affairs Approaches To Religion And Spirituality In U.S. Public Higher Education, Kayla J. Stafford

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The field of student affairs addresses diversity and inclusion for all students; however, the student affairs profession may not provide support and resources for all developmental identities. There are a small number of public institutions that provide resources to help address and support students’ religious and spiritual development. It is known that private colleges are able to provide spiritual and religious resources for students, but the current study investigates the opportunities that lie within public universities. Literature has provided evidence of the importance of religious and spiritual discussions and resources for holistic student development, and the significance of this study …

Examining The Supportive Employment Practices Used By Project Search: A Descriptive Study, Saeed A. Almalki

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Project SEARCH is a unique high school transition program from school-to-work for young adults with intellectual disabilities. This program teaches individuals with disabilities (interns) job skills in an inclusive work environment, such as a hospital. Therefore, the overall goal of this study was to examine Project SEARCH as a transition program that has data indicating positive outcomes regarding supportive employment for individuals with disabilities. Specifically, this study aimed to: (1) examine the ways in which Project SEARCH enacts its transition supported employment services for individuals with disabilities, and (2) examine the experiences and perceptions of Project SEARCH employees and coworkers …

A Graduate's Recital In Piano, Huajun Zhang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

On March 22, 2017, Huajun Zhang presented a full graduate piano recital in completion of her Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. The recital was held at 8 p.m. in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa. Pieces on the program included: Sonatas in F minor, K. 466 and F minor, K. 239 by Domenico Scarlatti; Sonata in A Major, K. 331 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Rondo Capriccioso in E Major, Opus 14 by Felix Mendelssohn; and Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 16 by Edvard Grieg. This abstract contains further discussion …

The Civic And Political Engagement Of Latinos In Omaha, Nebraska, Christian Israel Espinosa Torres

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Prior to 2006, Latinos in this country were virtually disregarded as an active political group. However, on May 1, 2006, thousands of immigrants and advocates across the United States marched in major cities to protest proposed immigration laws. In Omaha, Nebraska, alone, it was estimated that community groups energized 15,000 people to march in protest that day. Since the marches, both the number of Latinos and public participation of that group has grown dramatically. But, that growth has not been without its setbacks. While that first display of unity was striking in 2006, many factors have combined to prove that …

Graduate Recital In Violin, Hannah Rae Howland

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Hannah Howland performed a graduate recital on March 23, 2017 in Graham Chamber Hall. She was assisted by pianist Polina Khatsko. The program included Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Sonata No. 3, Op. 27, “Ballade,” by Eugène Ysayë, and Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13 by Gabriel Fauré. These three pieces were selected for this performance because they are seminal works of the violin repertoire that represent three distinct styles and require a wide variety of technical and expressive elements for performance.

The Impact Of Content Knowledge, Specialized Content Knowledge, Peer Analysis And Self-Analysis On Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers' Error Detection Abilities, Debra S. Sazama

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study investigated the change in specialized content knowledge (SCK), specifically error detection skills, and sought to answer the following questions: (a) Does attending a common content knowledge (CCK) and SCK workshop and assessing videotaped performances of a volleyball skill (forearm pass) result in increased ability to identify performance errors in that skill?, and (b) Does attending a CCK and SCK workshop and then assessing one’s own performance have a greater impact on error detection skill development as compared to assessing the performance of a peer?

Participants were 20 undergraduate physical education teacher education (PETE) students (12 male and 8 …

Living And Teaching For Social Justice: Teacher Educators' Stories And Experiences, Courtney Kay Clausen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In the United States, the population of students’ with diverse racial/ethnic, linguistic, and economic backgrounds is on the rise, while teachers entering the field of education continue to be White or of European decent, monolingual, and female. These experiential differences between students and teachers can result in a demographic gap, where teachers struggle to meet the needs of all learners due to misperceptions, stereotypical beliefs, and biases. Educational scholars have called for the integration of social justice education into teacher preparation programs in order to assist preservice teachers in challenging their perceptions of students, to challenge the existing inequitable educational …

Food Insecurity And The Elder Male: Exploring The Gap From Needing Food To The Utilization Of Assistance Programs, Gale Carlson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the qualitative study was to explore the relationship between the male elder’s experience of food insecurity and the utilization of food assistance programs. Particular emphasis was placed on the meaning the men ascribe to their experiences in accessing food. In the review of the literature, the determinants of food insecurity, especially for the elder male population, were identified as having important implications for fulfilling food needs. Additionally, distinct characteristics of men, along with how they view their needs, surfaced as impacting their food insecurity. This study utilized participant observation and in-depth interviews with five elder men who …

A Multiscale Assessment Of Wind Energy Resources And Suitability In The Russian Arctic, Narmina Iusubova

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Wind as a renewable and clean source of energy has begun to take a high position in the global dialog about energy production. Today, one of the big questions is to find the most suitable locations for wind farms, with the goal of achieving the highest rates of electricity production possible. In order to find most suitable places to build windfarms, we need to develop multifactor and multiscale dynamic models of windfarm suitability. The interest in the assessment of wind energy suitability in the Russian North regions comes from the expectation of the great potential of wind power in the …

An Investigation Of The Assessment Practices Of Elementary General Music Teachers In Iowa, Michelle Linn Hyde Swanson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Assessment, leading to informed decisions, is an integral part of music education and may be a means to justify the importance of music as a valued content subject (Brophy, 2000). The purpose of this study was to describe the elementary general music assessment practices in Iowa. The study was framed using Stiggins’ (2005) categorical definition of assessment as gathering, organizing, summarizing, and reporting data. Mixed methodologies were utilized to gather data regarding these four categories through survey questions (N=211) and two focus group discussions. The participants were from a variety of school district sizes as well as teachers with varying …

The Impact Of Peer Coaching On Peer Relationships And The Distribution Of Knowledge In Pre-Service Teachers, Kelsey J. Bowers

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of peer coaching on peer relationships and the distribution of knowledge in pre-service teachers. The increasing prevalence of teacher attrition in schools across the nation provides rationale for investigating potential avenues in combating this issue (Ingersoll, 2003). Increasing support and reducing teacher isolation are two important goals in peer coaching processes (Kurtts & Levin, 2000). This qualitative study was conducted using a single-case study research design. Pre-service teachers enrolled in an undergraduate advanced literacy practices course within an after-school literacy clinic setting were the participants of this study. Participants learned …