Digital Commons Network^™

Parenting Support Groups Outcomes, Christina Howell

Graduate Research Papers

According to the American Psychological Association 48% of parents find their stress to be completely overwhelming as compared to 26% of other adults. Sixty percent of parents struggle to focus, and 41% of parents report feeling so stressed that they cannot function (American Psychological Association (APA), 2024). In this study three questions are addressed 1) Are Online parenting support groups successful at supporting caregivers and children? 2) What are the outcomes for caregivers and their children when their caregivers participate in parenting support groups? 3) Are parenting support groups successful at supporting caregivers who have experienced trauma? The findings of …

The Impacts Of A Problem-Based Learning Unit On Computational Thinking Skills In A 7th Grade Lego Robotics Classroom, Madison Beeler

Graduate Research Papers

The primary focus of this study was to determine what impact problem-based learning (PBL) has on developing computational thinking skills, self-efficacy, and earth science understanding in a middle school robotics classroom. Twenty-eight students took part in a 36-day instructional unit based on the 5E Learning Cycle. Students explored Martian geology, analyzing rock data collected by the Perseverance rover mission to make connections between landforms, integrating Earth science with computational thinking tasks. Pre and post-test data assessed growth of computational thinking and self-efficacy. Statistical analysis showed significant growth in student self-efficacy, while gains in computational thinking were not statistically significant. Students …

Violence And Taoist Ethics In Ursula K. Le Guin’S The Word For World Is Forest, Aleena Achamma Paul, Swathi Krishna S

UKL: The Journal of Ursula K. Le Guin Studies

This note critically investigates the ethico-moral intricacies of violence/peace in Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Word for World is Forest (1976) while arguing that her radical political sensibilities are informed by her ardent Taoist worldview. Amidst the urgent tussle for domination by the colonizing Terrans and the struggle for survival by the native Athsheans in the fictional planet Athshe, Le Guin incorporates her incisive critique of imperialist exploitation and militarism while upholding the non-dualistic ethics of Taoism. Moving beyond the moral imperatives and either/or debates, Le Guin illustrates how from time-to-time violence turns to be the singular means of self-preservation …

The Devil In The Forest: How Le Guin Subverts A Tired Trope, Andrew Debella

UKL: The Journal of Ursula K. Le Guin Studies

Scholars understand Ursula K. Le Guin's 1972 The Word for World is Forest as a critique of settler-colonial history, but no academic interest has been given to how this novel also comments on the American religious imagination. This article reveals that Le Guin's allegory to Vietnam replicates the 'devil in the forest' trope to expose how a religiously inspired good/evil dichotomy shaped xenophobic attitudes toward the Vietnamese during the 1970s. By tracing the depictions of Native Americans through American fiction and Captivity Narratives, this article further demonstrates how Le Guin’s novel deploys similar tropes to expose and critique their influence …

Attitudes Toward Juvenile Offenders: How Juvenile Justice Personnel Perceive Juvenile Recidivism, Morgan Barnette

Honors Program Theses

This study examined the relationship between juvenile justice personnel and the predictive factors of juvenile recidivism. With rising juvenile crime rates across the country, investigation into the causes of juvenile recidivism has also risen. However, not much research has been dedicated to the way juvenile justice personnel view juvenile recidivism. This study surveyed a sample of six juvenile justice personnel including judges, a lawyer, a probation officer, and a detention officer. The survey explored the types of crimes juveniles are perceived to be committing, the frequency of interactions with repeat offenders juvenile justice personnel are having in their respective professions, …

How Do Documentaries Depict The Experiences Of Juveniles In Correctional Facilities?, Emma Decker

Honors Program Theses

The juvenile justice system is an entity that is separate from the criminal justice system, with the intended purpose of accommodating the unique needs of juveniles. This system has the primary goals of rehabilitation and punishment, with an emphasis on rehabilitation. Most of the general population has had little to no contact with the juvenile justice system.. In order to fill this gap, a great portion of the public relies on media representation to build up a foundation of knowledge. This can include gaining information from news sources as well as crime based tv shows and documentaries. Little research has …

Examining The Role Of Mental Health In Prisoner Reentry, Ireland Laughlin

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

A New Application Of The Coimbra Method On Cranial Entheseal Changes, Emily Marie Carlo

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Language As Privilege: Socioeconomic Status And The Politics Of Foreign Language Learning, Brenda Koumondji

Honors Program Theses

This study investigates the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and foreign language learning among young adult learners. Much research suggests that parental education level, household income, and access to educational resources significantly shape language learning attitudes and behaviors. However, United States scholars have lagged in this analysis. Through a mixed-methods research approach, this study combines quantitative surveys and qualitative data to gather comprehensive insights on how SES influences foreign language acquisition, motivation, and advantages. Findings reveal that students with higher SES backgrounds consistently report greater access to language learning resources and significantly higher proficiency levels. While parental education might not …

Who Owns The Dead: The Unequal Access To Repatriation In Us Law, Sydney Blum

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

One, Two, Unemployment’S Coming For You: How Slasher Films Reflect Societal Fears, Arwen G. Hansen

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

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, …

An Examination Of Middle School Girls’ Perceptions And Preferences Of Reading From A Device Versus Paper, Debra Kisch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Schools have been impacted by the technological advancements of the world. With these changes, students have been increasingly using technology, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. The use of devices to read, both for pleasure and academically, have increased, especially since the introduction of Amazon’s Kindle in 2007 (Ashburn, 2024). Additionally, schools have started issuing devices for students to use and it is reported that forty-five percent of schools have a computer for each student (National Center for Education Statistics, 20). They found an extra 37% reported having a computer for each student in some grades or classrooms. States are also …

Learning To Learn: Underprepared College Students Who Succeeded, Todd Spellman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Post-secondary remediation is a topic of great concern for legislators and educators alike. Many describe it as a problem in need of a solution and try to pursue what they see as possible remedies. But solutions are already present in the stories of those who have already successfully navigated this pathway of remediation in college. This study will explore student successes through their remedial coursework at colleges in the American Midwest. While recognizing the historical and cultural context that makes remediation necessary in open-enrollment institutions like community colleges, this study sought student feedback to explore what factors the students felt …

More Than Just A Game: What Higher Education Can Learn From Player Agency, Kyle Haiman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Higher education presents students with the challenge of balancing institutional expectations for autonomy with the need for community and support. In a world that is becoming more individualized and less empathetic, agency, or engaging in intentional action,plays a crucial role in navigating this tension. Agency has been linked to academic success and real-world problem solving, yet its development among college-aged students remains an ongoing challenge. Games and game-based learning offer a unique lens through which to explore agency, as players regularly engage in decision making, problem solving, and self-directed learning.

This qualitative study examined how college students at a regional, …

The Impact Of Administrator Beliefs On Positive School Environments: A Quantitative Study Of High School Administrators In One East Central Iowa District, Sarah E. Kruse

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Creating and maintaining a positive school environment is critical for fostering academic achievement, social-emotional development, and the well-being of students and staff. Research consistently demonstrates that a positive school climate enhances student engagement, reduces disciplinary issues, and improves teacher satisfaction and retention (Brookover et al., 1979; Cohen et al., 2009; Thapa et al., 2013). Effective school climates are characterized by safe, supportive, and inclusive environments that encourage collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the school community (National School Climate Center, 2020).

The Influence Of Honor Culture Ideology On Juror Decision Making, Aubrey K. Paschal

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Culture of honor is a system of cultural beliefs in which one’s honor is seen to be of the utmost importance (Nisbett & Cohen, 1996). Due to the importance of personal honor, defending one's honor could be seen as an adequate defense for crimes committed in the name of personal honor. This study examined the influence that honor culture ideology has on juror decision making. A total of 190 participants read a brief trial summary of either a crime in which the participants’ honor was threatened, or a crime that did not involve a threat to the defendant’s honor. The …

Assessing Equity, Environmental Social Justice And Intersectionality In U.S. Federal Policies: A Comparative And Temporal Analysis Of The Department Of Transportation, Department Of Energy, And Environmental Protection Agency, Sneha Basu

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As the climate crisis intensifies, U.S. federal policies play a critical role in addressing the disproportionate environmental burdens borne by marginalized communities. This thesis assesses how equity, environmental social justice, and intersectionality have been integrated into the policy documents of three key federal agencies: Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Energy (DOE), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over a 20-year period (2004–2024). Using a quantitative content analysis of 46 policy documents, the study evaluates five core dimensions: depth of discussion, clarity of language, inclusiveness of marginalized groups, action-oriented language, and environmental justice considerations. The research reveals significant interagency disparities, with …

The Educational Perspective Of At-Risk Students: How Standards-Based Grading Affects Students In Alternative Education, Matthew John Secl

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This dissertation explored the widespread challenges within educational systems by investigating the transformative potential of Standards-Based Grading (SBG) for atrisk students in alternative education settings. In an epoch where traditional grading systems often perpetuate inequities and focus on punitive assessments that undermine student growth, this study will explore how SBG can redefine how students in alternative education settings perceive their academic success and understand their learning environments. By providing a fair and transparent system, SBG reassures students and educators alike, instilling confidence in the system. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with recent graduates from a Midwest alternative school, the research examined …

Uni Scholarworks Readership Snapshot, November 2024, Bepress

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

No abstract provided.

Assessing Parental Stress And Self-Efficacy: A Multisite Feasibility Study Of Parent-Mediated Physical Activity Interventions For Children With Developmental Disabilities, Luis Columna, Scott Mcnamarra, Beth A. Myers, Nienke Dosa, Ashlyn Barry, Kristi Roth, Christine E. Ashby, Byungmo Ku, Timothy Davis, Nikkia Borowski, Lisa M. Hooper

Faculty Publications

Background: Children with developmental disabilities often face barriers to engaging in physical activity (PA), impacting their health and quality of life. Parent-mediated interventions (PMIs) have shown promise to reduce these barriers, but little research explores online PMIs for parents of children with developmental disabilities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and impact of a multi-site collaborative online parent-mediated PA intervention on stress levels and self-efficacy among parents of children with developmental disabilities over a 12-week period.

Methods: Participants (n=55) were parents of children with developmental disabilities, randomly assigned to intervention (n=27) or control (n=28) groups. …

Commencement [Program], December 21, 2024, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Commencement Programs

The program of the commencement ceremonies, including a list of institutional leadership, a list of the departments by college, awards given at the ceremonies, and a list of undergraduate and graduate degree candidates. This commencement program is not an official graduate list.

Contents:

Board of Regents --- 2
Institutional Leadership --- 2
Ceremony Symbols & Traditions --- 3
Academic Honorary Organizations --- 4
University Ambassador Organizations --- 5
University Honors Program --- 6
Graduation with Honors --- 6
Legacy Graduates --- 6
Military Science --- 7
Merchant Scholarship --- 7
Outstanding Student Leader --- 7
Commencement Student Speakers --- 7 …

Detection And Monitoring Of Stress Using Wearables: A Systematic Review, Anuja Pinge, Vinaya Gad, Dheryta Jaisinghani, Surjya Ghosh, Sougata Sen

Faculty Publications

Over the last few years, wearable devices have witnessed immense changes in terms of sensing capabilities. Wearable devices, with their ever-increasing number of sensors, have been instrumental in monitoring human activities, health-related indicators, and overall wellness. One health-related area that has rapidly adopted wearable devices is the mental health monitoring and well-being area, which covers problems such as psychological distress. The continuous monitoring capability of wearable devices allows the detection and monitoring of stress, thus enabling early detection of mental health problems. In this paper, we present a systematic review of the different types of sensors and wearable devices used …

Letter To The Editor [Rev. Michael S. Mulberry ], Michael S. Mulberry

Postville Project Documents

Opinion letter from a religious leader from north central Illinois reflecting on the response of the people of Postville to the Agriprocessors raid he saw on a visit. he expresses gratitude on how they supported those impacted by the raid while the town is going through the aftershocks of the raid.

Children's Choir In Concert, December 17, 2024 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recital given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

International Engagement Newsletter, December 16, 2024, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of International Engagement.

Office of International Engagement newsletter

In this issue:

--- Winter Break Hours
--- Immigration Updates
--- Winter Break Reminders
--- Breakfast at Threehouse

Uni New Horizons Band Concert, December 16, 2024 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recital given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

Manolo Santana: El Sonriente Héroe Quijotesco Que Convirtió El Tenis En Un Deporte De Masa En España, Juan Carlos Castillo Berástegui

Faculty Publications

El concepto del héroe quijotesco ha sido propuesto como modelo a seguir como parte de los esfuerzos nacionalizadores del régimen de Francisco Franco (1939-75). A diferencia de los símbolos formales de la nación española, como la bandera y el himno, que nunca se desasociaron políticamente por completo de la dictadura, el retrato como héroes nacionales de ciertos deportistas en disciplinas individuales los convirtió en exitosos símbolos informales de la nación española y su supuesto carácter nacional. El tenista Manolo Santana, cuya carrera cubrió principalmente la década de los 60, fue uno de los héroes quijotescos originales del deporte español, cuya …

Woodwind Seminar, December 13, 2024 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recital given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

University Of Northern Iowa Graduate Council Minutes, December 12, 2024, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate Council.

Documents - Graduate Council

Meeting minutes from the Graduate Council of the University of Northern Iowa.