Digital Commons Network^™

2013-14 Annual Report To The Board Of Regents: Course-Level Continuous Improvement Plans, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

A report provided to the Iowa Board of Regents regarding continuous improvement processes in courses at the University of Northern Iowa.

Simulated Learning In Musculoskeletal Assessment And Rehabilitation Education: Comparing The Effect Of A Simulation-Based Learning Activity With A Peer-Based Learning Activity, Mark Hecimovich, Simone Volet

Faculty Publications

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases are leading causes of pain, physical disability, and doctor visits throughout the world. Health professionals must be trained to assess, treat through rehabilitation and monitor patients with these disorders. Yet, due to overcrowded curricula, some health education programs struggle to accommodate more than minimal training in musculoskeletal conditions. Consequently, educators in these professions must consider how traditional instruction could be complemented effectively to enhance students’ preparation for the diverse musculoskeletal disorders and pathologies they may encounter. The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits that can be obtained from laboratory practice in musculoskeletal …

W.R.I.T.E: Writing’S Role In Thoughtful Endeavors, Catherine M. Miller

Faculty Work

“Mathematicians actually spend a great deal of time writing. If a mathematician wants to contribute to the greater body of mathematical knowledge, she must be able communicate her ideas in a way which is comprehensible to others.” Lee, 2014, pg. 1

Why should our students be different from the mathematicians Lee (2014) refers to in the quote above? Learning mathematics requires a confluence of spoken, written and mathematically abstract languages. After all, who thinks entirely in mathematical symbols? No one, except a few mathematical thinkers who are live in the abstract worlds they construct. Thinking about mathematics in the language …

University Of Northern Iowa Fact Book, 2014-2015, University Of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa Fact Book

Contents:

Quick Reference ... Inside Front Cover
Mission Statement ... 1
UNI Organizational Chart ... 2
UNI Administration ... 3
Definition of Terms Used ... 4
Calendar ... 6
New Students ... 7
Enrollment ... 13
Alumni ... 31
Faculty and Staff ... 39
Budget and Finance ... 44
Library ... 51
General Information ... 53
Peer Institutions ... 66

Uni Diversity Assessments: Organizational Diversity Assessment; Student Climate Assessment, 2013-2014, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Institutional Research.

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

An analysis of the organizational diversity survey and the student climate assessment survey results on diversity from 2013-2014.

Relationship Between Weight-Related Teasing And Levels Of Physical Activity, Piroska Boros

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Weight-related teasing is associated with predictors of physical activity such as self-efficacy and social support. It is possible that more frequent weight-related teasing is directly associated with engagement in physical activity.

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between weight-related teasing and engagement in physical activity, body composition and physical activity enjoyment among female college students. This study also investigated the possibility that physical activity enjoyment mediates the relationship between weight-related teasing and physical activity.

Fifty-seven female college students participated in the study. Participants completed the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale to measure how much they enjoyed participating …

Hero To Zero: Stress Perceptions Of The Public School Administrator And His Spouse, Steven L. Gray

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Fields (2005) reported stress on school administrators due to “uncontrollable demands on their time, the negative impact of the amount of time that the job required on their personal lives, their prospective staffs, and the amount of conflict encountered.” The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the impact of the lived experience of male public school administrators and their wives, specifically involving the experience of stress. Studies of crossover stress in relation to public school administration and their spouses have not been as plentiful as other service-oriented, high stress work domains, such as police officers, fire …

Average Budgeted Salaries Of Faculty Staff 2014-2015, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Gives the average salaries of faculty broken down by rank and college and the distribution of salaries of the professional and scientific category.

Reflections Of A Graduate Student 2013-2014 Academic Year, Megan Vogt

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Abstract

The University of Northern Iowa Graduate Program Survey was used by the University of Northern Iowa to gain constructive feedback from graduate students at the time of commencement. The overall purpose of this study was to allow the university to see the social and academic experiences graduate students were wanting and achieving in their experience at the graduate level. This survey supplies the university with feedback to provide a better graduate experience for future students, if necessary, and informs the university with where graduate students are being placed in employment or taking advantage of other options after graduate. This …

Next Generation Science Standards Professional Development For Science Educators: 5th Grade Project Based Learning Including Digital Video On Youtube Developing Nextgen Science Standards, Travis William Benner

Graduate Research Papers

This paper relates how elementary science teachers can integrate Next Generation Science Standards into their classroom. Classroom examples are highlighted and explained in YouTube digital media to help teachers identify how their classroom instruction can change to support these standards. The content focus of these videos will include Next Generation Science Standards for fifth grade in Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and in Engineering Practices. Questioning techniques are examined and modeled in the accompanying video presentations.

Affordances Of Flipped Learning And Its Effects On Student Engagement And Achievement, Jarod Bormann

Graduate Research Papers

When an increasing interest focuses on the effectiveness of the flipped classroom, it is important to understand how the concept of flipped learning shifts pedagogy. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review was to explore the effectiveness of a flipped classroom model on student engagement and achievement as well as the affordances of a flipped model vs. that of a traditional model. More than thirty peer-reviewed journal articles with a sound research methodology published within the last five years were critically analyzed and evaluated. The major findings reveal that flipped learning can afford students a more engaging environment that can …

The Effects Of On-Line Math Games And E-Books Use On Elementary Student Achievement, Mel Carnahan

Graduate Research Papers

Game-based learning and the use of e-books is becoming increasingly more supported in classrooms as methods of increasing both student engagement and student achievement in all curricular areas. The purpose of this literature review is to examine current research on the effects of online math games and e-books on elementary student engagement and academic achievement. Over thirty peer-reviewed journal articles published in the last ten years are critically reviewed and analyzed. The findings show that online game-based learning and e-books can be effective tools within the confines of the elementary classroom, as long as careful consideration is given to student …

To Complete Or Not Complete : Student Persistence In Post-Secondary Education Online Courses, Amy Christian

Graduate Research Papers

Many factors influence learners' decisions to complete or drop out of online learning courses in higher education where learners' persistence is considered critical to the success of the higher education institutions. This review examines recent literature on the relationship between learners' perceived Sense of Community (SOC), Social Presence, Satisfaction, and Participation and Interactions in distance education courses and learner persistence. Over 30 peer-reviewed studies published in academic journals within the past ten years were selected for critical analysis. Results are mixed and while many studies imply relationships between various learner and institution characteristics and student persistence, significant correlations are often …

Digital Storytelling : The Impact On Student Engagement, Motivation And Academic Learning, Mindy Foelske

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the effects of storytelling on student engagement and motivation, literacy skills, and content knowledge across curriculum areas. In this review, over thirty purposefully selected peer-reviewed journal articles about the effects of digital storytelling on students' learning in the classroom were critically analyzed and evaluated. The research evidence showed that digital storytelling increases student motivation and engagement in student-centered projects. It had a positive effect on the improvement of literacy skills, other content knowledge and the 21st century skills both for the normal students and the students who normally struggle with writing …

A Review Of The Effects Of Computer-Based Reading Programs On Middle School Students, Ann Hansen

Graduate Research Papers

With increases in the availability of technology in the classroom many educators are looking to computer-based reading programs to help close the gap in student reading achievement. The purpose of this review is to examine research on computer-based reading programs meant to improve reading achievement in middle school students in grades 6-8. Over thirty peer-reviewed journal articles and professional papers within the last 10 years were critically analyzed. The research evidence showed inconsistency about the effects of Accelerated Reader on middle school students, the mixed results of computer-based reading programs on at-risk students, and the positive results of a balanced …

The Effects Of Interactive Videoconferencing On Elementary Literacy : Collaborative Learning Environment, Heather A. Klenke

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review is to examine the effectiveness of videoconferencing on elementary students' literacy learning process. Over thirty peer-reviewed journal articles published within the last ten years are critically analyzed and evaluated. The findings suggest that videoconferencing can embrace elementary students' literacy learning by motivating them to learn, engaging them in diverse activities for collaboration, and enhancing their communication skills development and academic achievement, if appropriate and meaningful learning and teaching strategies are adopted. This review also identifies benefits of using videoconferencing for teacher professional development.

The Effects Of Web 2.0 Pedagogy On Student Engagement, Collaboration, And Achievement, Kelsey Lage

Graduate Research Papers

This review explores various studies and articles on the effects of Web 2.0 pedagogy on student engagement, collaboration, and achievement in a K-undergraduate setting. A critical review of purposefully selected peer-reviewed journal articles highlight the relationship between Web 2.0 pedagogy and student engagement, collaboration, and achievement. This literature review provides an analysis for administrators and teachers when implementing Web 2.0 pedagogy. This review suggests that the implementation of Web 2.0 pedagogy increases student engagement, collaboration, and achievement.

The Impact Of Blogging On K-12 Student Learning: Engagement, Self-Expression, And Higher-Order Thinking, Brian Mcgurk

Graduate Research Papers

Blogging has become an increasingly important instructional tool in education. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the impact of blogging on K-12 student learning with special emphasis on engagement, self-expression, and higher-order thinking. The review analyzed thirty scholarly articles that incorporated perspectives on best practices associated with blogging. Special attention was given to empirical research with sound research design, and the scope was limited to sources published between 2004 and 2014. The results of the review find that blogging can increase student engagement by cultivating a student-centered online environment that motivates students to write for an audience. …

Determining The Benefits And Designing An Externship Program For Medical Office Students At Marshalltown Community College, Kristin Murphy

Graduate Research Papers

The focus of this paper is to explore the potential benefits of and best design for an externship experience for the Medical Office program at Marshalltown Community College (MCC) in Marshalltown, Iowa. To that end, this paper provides background on Marshalltown Community College's Medical Office program; defines extemship education; highlights the value of extemships to the community college, students, instructors, and employers, as well as potential benefits specific to MCC's Medical Office program; discusses the design/setup factors that influence an effective externship program; and provides recommendations based on the findings for pursuing and implementing an externship program at MCC in …

The Effect Of Game-Based Learning On Middle School Students' Academic Achievement, Marija-Lisa Musselman

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review is to explore the connections of paratexts and multiple literacies in game-based learning to traditional literacies and examine the effectiveness of game-based learning on middle school students' academic performance in STEM subjects. Thirty peer-reviewed journal articles with a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods as well as literature reviews were surveyed. Research shows game-based learning is a viable instructional method that offers close connections to traditional literacies in the classroom and an opportunity for improving student academic achievement when implemented purposefully in STEM content areas. Recommendations for teachers' effective implementation and the future directions …

Effective Implementation Of 1:1 Computing : Benefits And Teacher Readiness, Kirstin Thompson

Graduate Research Papers

One-to-one (1:1) computing initiatives have become widespread in K-12 schools today. The benefits of 1:1 computing are tremendous, but schools must take careful consideration when planning for such initiatives. The purpose of this literature review is to examine effective methods for 1:1 implementation. Thirty peer-reviewed studies on 1:1 computing programs in K-12 schools were purposefully selected, the majority being from 2010 to present. Special attention was given to benefits of 1:1 computing and several key elements leading to teachers' readiness for successful 1:1 program implementation: overcoming teacher fears, changing teacher beliefs and attitudes, and strengthening professional development in order to …

Effects Of Physical Activity On Academic Performance & Cognitive Development, Jared Tucker

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to review literature about the correlation between physical activity and academic performance. It will also be attempted to explain this phenomenon by identifying the impact of exercise on cognitive processes. Studies show that physical activity has a positive linear correlation to academic test scores; specifically in reading and math. Comparisons of FitnessGram Software scores and standardized testing reveal that students' overall level of physical fitness is predictive of academic prowess and that as achievement of healthy zone increased, so did the likelihood of higher academic achievement. The cognitive functions of the brain are believed …

The Development Of Curriculum For Monticello High School’S General Biology Class, Nicole A. Chambers

Graduate Research Papers

This curriculum development project focused on Monticello High School's recently-offered General Biology course. The General Biology course was developed to be taught in addition to the traditional college-preparatory biology course and was first offered in the 2012-2013 academic year. The Monticello High School Building Leadership Team made the decision to offer another science credit option for students who needed a life science credit but were not planning to attend a four-year college after graduation. The goals of the course, as outlined by the Building Leadership Team, were for the course to focus on practical life science material that would be …

Increasing Student Involvement In Physics: An Activity Based Curriculum Unit For The Physics Classroom, Melinda Leah Hamann

Graduate Research Papers

Perhaps the biggest hurdle in education today is student engagement. Students who are engaged have meaningful interactions with the classroom and are able to internalize what they have learned and use it in their lives (Newman, 1992). This has far reaching effects, not only for the classroom but for the school and community as well. When students are engaged attendance rates, homework completion and classroom participation increase. It is no wonder that engagement is one of the most used educational buzzwords.

Understanding Motivating Factors For College Students Involvement In Club Sports, Ryan Thomas Houselog

Graduate Research Papers

College club sports offer many positive benefits to students. Some of those benefits include: (a) an opportunity for college students to belong to highly organized and skilled teams; (b) development of good time management skills with multiple commitments, such as balancing time between a sport and school; (c) establishing an understanding of what it takes to be committed to something and the effort needed to be successful; (d) development and improvement of athletic skills; (e) social opportunities; and (f) an extension of one’s identity development. On average, 78% of college campuses offer club sports through the Rec Sports Department (Nirsa …

An Investigation Of Adolescent Boys' Dispositions Toward Leisure Reading, Julie Barnett

Graduate Research Papers

When children are very young, they seem to enjoy books. However, as they grow older, those positive feelings about books and reading begin to change for some students. Some studies agree that it is in middle school or adolescence that this change often occurs, and it most often occurs in boys. This study had two purposes: to investigate the factors that may influence adolescent boys' attitudes toward books and reading and their changes from elementary to middle school and to identify activities or events that evoke a positive response toward reading among adolescent boys.

This qualitative descriptive study gathered data …

Technology's Role In Inquiry-Based Learning, Melissa Mulder

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of technological devices such as computers, cell phones, or tablets in inquiry-based learning. Twice a week over a three-week time period, the researcher observed a population of 24 seventh graders in a classroom from a large Midwestern school district and watched to see when they used their technological devices for inquiry learning. The researcher noted whether device usage was teacher directed or if the students chose to use the devices while searching for information. In addition, the researcher used semi-structured interviews with three students and their teacher to understand more …

Strength Training For Children And Adolescents, Amy Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the safety and effectiveness of strength training for children and adolescents. Studies show that strength training provides many benefits to children and adolescents, including increased muscles strength and endurance, body composition improvement, and increased self-concept Injury risk is at a minimum when the program is well planned and supervised, making strength training a safe way for children to exercise. Children benefit most from training two times per week, high repetition exercises, and using free weights or machines. In order to maintain benefits, children must make strength training a part of their …

An Examination Of The Pertinent Literature Focused On The Importance Performance Analysis And How It Can Be Applied To The World Leisure Organization, Johanna Smith

Graduate Research Papers

Today, nonprofit organizations are constantly competing with public agencies. In order to better serve their customers, and therefore staying competitive with these businesses, nonprofit organizations must conduct evaluations regularly to determine in which areas their resources are being efficiently utilized. In addition, evaluations can help managers in decision-making processes. Many types of evaluations are available to analyze the customer's perspectives on the program and services of organizations. One evaluation tool that has been utilized in many fields of study is the Importance Performance Analysis.

The purpose of the study is to conduct a comprehensive literature review focused on the topic …

The Relative Age Effect Among Elite Level Triathletes, Christine Price

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of the RAE in elite level triathletes. Is there an overrepresentation of athletes born in the first half of the competition year among elite level triathletes? Is there a difference in the strength of the RAE between males and females, when elite level triathletes are separated by sex?