Digital Commons Network^™

Reinvigorating The Post-Covid Gen Z English Major, Gaby Bedetti

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this article here.

The decline in English majors has energized instructors to upskill for the post-COVID Gen Z student. Toward that end, this small-scale (n=20), one-semester study of an upper-division literature class identifies the preferred learning styles of English majors at a public comprehensive regional university in Kentucky. The participants represent national English major demographics. The research methods are quantitative and qualitative. Eight figures and an appendix are included. Three guidelines emerge for responding to the needs of Gen Z students: 1) keep communication brief, 2) co-create, and 3) interact in-person. The findings about …

Full Issue: Journal On Empowering Teaching Excellence, Volume 8, Issue 1, Spring 2024

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

The full-length Spring 2024 issue (Volume 8, Issue 1) of the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version (with downloadable EPUB format) here.

The Spring 2024 issue presents research and commentary on trends and best practices in higher education, with a focus on public policy implications for literacy instruction, adjusting instructional programs to Generation Z learning preferences in English courses, and increasing students' critical thinking and self-reported ability through an interrupted case study approach.

Student Perceptions Of Male And Female Instructors In A Post-Secondary Welding Course, S. Kjersti R. Decker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Agricultural mechanics and welding have traditionally been perceived to be careers reserved for males, yet more females have entered professions using welding such as agricultural education. This research was developed because of the lack of gender research in welding. The purpose of this study was to examine students’ perceptions of learning from a male instructor versus a female instructor in a post-secondary welding course. We examined associations and differences between students’ preference of a male and a female welding instructor as well as individual self-efficacy and perceptions towards using welding technology. The population for this study was undergraduate students and …

Factors Affecting Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Covid-19: A Study Among Undergraduate University Students In Bangladesh, Mufti Nadimul Quamar Ahmed, Shamim Al Aziz Lalin, Saeed Ahmad

Sociology and Anthropology Student Research

The global expansion of the COVID-19 outbreak is one of the worst disasters the world has faced in recent decades. This study explored various factors of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 among Bangladeshi undergraduate university students. In addition, we also look at how COVID-19 based knowledge, attitude, and practice influence each other. Using a random sampling technique and a self-administered structured questionnaire survey, this study collected data from 167 private university students in Bangladesh from 1st October to 30th October 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (including frequencies, percentages, and means), binary logistic regression, bivariate regression analysis, and …

Covid Anxiety And Stress In Higher Ed (Cash), Letitia Bergantz, Christopher E. Curtis

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this article here.

College is a time of increased stress and anxiety. The current changes in attendance and methods of instruction due to COVID-19 have demonstrated even higher levels of stress, anxiety, and mental health issues. Tailoring interventions to the specific needs of a campus community has been proposed as an appropriate means to the current crisis. This study identifies the mental health needs of students at a rural college as they pertain to the effects of the pandemic.

Questionnaires collected data from college students (N=33) at Athens State University, a rural university in …

You Feel Special When You Get A Library Card: Replicating Latinx Students' Public Library Feelings In Academic Library Spaces, Niki Fullmer

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

The goal of academic and public libraries is to support the community by contributing to life-long learning, access, and knowledge. However, the feelings produced by these institutions are dissimilar although both use similar practices to reach their communities. Researchers administered surveys and interviews at a university to understand Latinx students’ perceptions of the academic library. Many of the questions inquired about their feelings towards public libraries as well as cultural affirmation wishes they wanted implemented in academic libraries. In our proposed presentation, we will share how Latinx students view public and academic libraries in relation to their culture and ethnicity.

Teaching Archival Research Methods Through Projects In Ethnohistory, Veronica L. Denison, Alyssa Willett, Alexandra Taitt, Medeia Csoba Dehass

Journal of Western Archives

During the spring semester of 2015 and the fall semester of 2016, two cohorts of students at the University of Alaska Anchorage learned archival research skills as part of their methodological training in the course, Ethnohistory of Alaska Natives, which subsequently led to the development of further individual research projects. As part of the course, students provided metadata to folders within an archival collection. This article explores the semester long projects, including the hardships of finding and using culturally appropriate metadata, lessons learned, and the impact the project had on students, the archivist, and instructor.

What Can I Do About It? Teaching Behaviors That Strengthen Students' Mathematical Identities, Sandra Miles

Student Research Symposium

As test scores place US teenagers lower down on the list of developed countries in mathematics achievement, scholars seek to understand what is keeping students from engaging more deeply and successfully in mathematics. Though many affective and motivational factors contribute to future mathematics engagement, mathematics self-concept has been shown to be a consistent predictor of long-term outcomes (Marsh et al., 2019), especially when affective or emotional outcomes are considered (Huang, 2012). This paper examines the construct of mathematical self-concept through analysis of the mathematical identity variable in the High School Longitudinal Survey (2009), and investigates whether teacher behaviors, such as …

Tabletop To Screen, Victor R. Lee, Mimi Recker, Jody Clarke-Midura

Browse all Datasets

In this project we introduced students to coding via analog board games. Then students played digital instantiations of those board games. While students played the digital versions of the game, teachers leveraged similarities between the board game and the digital environment to introduce programming concepts. Finally, students created their own digital board games, applying the programming concepts that they learned in the first two parts. This project was implemented in both the students’ classroom and library time. Classroom time was used to introduced the target concepts, while library time was used to apply what was learned in the classroom. We …

Does A Brief Mindfulness Training Enhance Heartfulness In Students? Results Of A Pilot Study, Myriam Rudaz, Thomas Ledermann, Michael P. Twohig, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

(1) Background: There is robust evidence that mindfulness trainings enhance mindfulness as operationalized in Western psychology, but evidence about their effect on aspects of heartfulness is sparse. This study seeks to test whether a brief mindfulness training enhances heart qualities, including self-compassion, gratitude, and the generation of feelings of happiness.

(2) Methods: Eighteen students enrolled in a mindfulness training that was offered as part of an interdisciplinary class. The training consisted of five training sessions and four booster sessions of 45 minutes each over the course of nine weeks. Mindfulness was measured with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form (FFMQ-SF) …

Computer Science Master’S Graduate Chronicles Her Journey At Usu | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Mounika Arukala joined the master’s of computer science program at Utah State University in August 2016.

Examining The Effect Of A School-Based Treatment On Anxiety For Latino Students, Emilie J. Larsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the efficacy of a brief culturally and instructionally modified cognitive behavioral therapy program for five anxious Latino/a youths ages 8-11 years in an elementary school setting. Each student exhibited anxiety in a classroom setting as reported by their teachers and parents or guardians. A noncurrent multiple baseline design was implemented using A-B replications to assess the effects of baseline and treatment on daily self-report student distress ratings as well as daily teacher rated distress, academic engagement, and work completion. All participants completed the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale-2 pre- and post-treatment as well as a Children’s Intervention …

Marginalia No. 40, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University

Marginalia

• Dear Library Friends, Page 2
• Jeanne Davidson, Page 3
• After Years of Planning and Development, Page 4
• Farm Girl Librarian, Page 5
• Founders Day Reception, Page 6
• Virtual Reality at the Library, Page 8
• DigitalCommons@USU, Page 9
• Arrington Writing Awards, Page 11

Congratulation A-Pin Recipients | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Interim College of Engineering Dean Dr. Jagath Kaluarachchi and department heads from across the College of Engineering on Thursday recognized sixteen students for receiving the prestigious A-Pin award.

Upending Assumptions In Engineering Education | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

It doesn’t make Idalis Villanueva uncomfortable to confront assumptions.

Are Davis County School District Students Represented In Their Schools' Literary Choices?, Erin Searle

Research on Capitol Hill

Feeling represented in high school can have an effect on academic performance. Does the literature taught in high schools represent the students who are reading them? By analyzing the supplemental book list (DCABL) approved by Davis County High School and coding the literary works into categories based on ethnicity and gender, these questions were answered:

• Does literature taught in high schools represent the students who are reading it in terms of ethnicity and gender?
• Does literature include selections written by authors from countries other than the USA or selections with a variety of racially diverse protagonists?
• Does the ratio of …

Marginalia No. 39, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University

Marginalia

• Students are the lifeblood of the Library, Page 2
• Circulation Department, Page 4
• Library Peer Mentors, Page 5
• Kelli Morrill, Munk-Arrington Internship, Page 6
• Cody Patton, Elsner Curatorial Intern, Page 7
• Teal Assistantship and Digital Initiatives & Cataloging, Page 8
• Library Welcomes New Faculty, Page 9
• Memento Mori, Page 10

How I Spent My Summer, Usu Jon M. Huntsman School Of Business

Jon M. Huntsman School of Business News Collection

This summer, I spent several weeks in Southeast Asia on a Global Learning Experience with the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. We traveled to Vietnam, Thailand, China, and Hong Kong to meet with businesses, government agencies, and international organizations. Our group included Dean Anderson, Dr. Vijay Kannan, Dr. Zsolt Ugray, and 13 students in various majors in the Huntsman School of Business.

Students Are The Engine Of Swbec | Sustainable Waste-To-Bioproducts Engineering Center, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

More than 10 projects for 2017 include 20 students total with 6 graduate students and 14 undergraduate students.

Effects Of A Classroom Intervention On Academic Engagement Of Elementary School Students With Anxiety, Lychelle Leatham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study evaluated the impact of anxiety reduction on academic engagement for elementary students experiencing high levels of anxiety. For participating students, the anxiety appeared to be impacting academic performance in the school setting. Student participants received modified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) including exposure tasks with adult support in the school setting. Both anxiety and academic engagement was monitored by participating students and their teachers. Results show that this intervention has promising outcomes and provides initial support that anxiety reduction increases academic engagement for anxious elementary students

Congratulations A-Pin Recipients | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Interim College of Engineering Dean Dr. Jagath Kaluarachchi and department heads from across the College of Engineering on Thursday recognized eight students for receiving the prestigious A-Pin award.

Teaching: Natural Or Cultural?, David F. Lancy

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

In this chapter I argue that teaching, as we now understand the term, is historically and cross-culturally very rare. It appears to be unnecessary to transmit culture or to socialize children. Children are, on the other hand, primed by evolution to be avid observers, imitators, players and helpers—roles that reveal the profoundly autonomous and self-directed nature of culture acquisition (Lancy in press a). And yet, teaching is ubiquitous throughout the modern world—at least among the middle to upper class segment of the population. This ubiquity has led numerous scholars to argue for the universality and uniqueness of teaching as a …

Effects Of High Interest Opinion Writing Prompts For 5th Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Emily Theresa Stanton

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this creative project is to examine the extent to which high interest opinion writing prompts for four 5th grade students with learning disabilities (LD) improve the planning, organization and structure of their opinion essays as measured by the total words they write on the topic (TWW) the number of correct writing sequences (CWS) the overall accuracy of their writing, and critical components of opinion writing (CCOW) in a timed writing sample when compared to low interest opinion writing prompts. Initially participants will select high and low interest writing topics using a prompt selection procedure. Given 50 potential …

Benefits, Challenges, And Recommendations For Implementing A Sustainability-Based Service-Learning Program At Utah State University: An Initial Assessment Of The Community Bridge Initiative, Julie Koldewyn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Service-Learning is a method of teaching that allows students to learn course content by engaging in real world applications, which can enhance student learning and benefit communities. As populations increase, many communities struggle with the corresponding issues of sustainability. A program that could use student expertise to address these concerns would be beneficial for both students and communities. This mixed-methods study explored the benefits, challenges, and recommendations for implementing a sustainability-based service-learning program, the Community Bridge Initiative (CBI), at Utah State University (USU) in relation to community needs and student responses to being in program pilot classes. Pilot classes were …

The Effect Of Behavioral Skills Training On Teachers Conducting The Recess-To-Classroom Transition, Sarah C. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although it may not seem harmful, students in the elementary grades often take several minutes to move from recess back to their classrooms. The problem, however, is that these lengthy transitions add up over time, and teachers lose valuable time to instruct. The less instruction students receive, the poorer their academic performance tends to be. But how much time can teachers save by reducing their students’ transitions?

According to the current study, the answer is a lot. Dr. Thomas S. Higbee and Sarah C. Smith of Utah State University recently conducted a study in which they trained second, third, and …

The How And Why Of Mentoring, Alison H. Stankrauff, Tom Sommer, Michelle Ganz

Journal of Western Archives

Mentoring those in the archival field is critical to the development of any professional, or budding professional archivist. The mentoring relationship is one that has the potential to inform, nurture, encourage those on both sides of the relationship. This article explores that relationship and the frameworks that foster such mentoring programs. Discussed are mentoring to undergraduates, graduate archival program students, peer-to-peer mentoring of archivists at different institutions, as well as mentoring in the tenure process. This article is meant to be at once informative about such programs as well as offering guidance for those wanting to create a similar mentoring …

Undergraduate Latina/O Students: A Systematic Review Of Research Identifying Factors Contributing To Academic Success Outcomes, Gloria Crisp, Amanda Taggart, Amaury Nora

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

A systematic review was conducted to produce an up-to-date and comprehensive summary of qualitative and quantitative evidence specific to the factors related to undergraduate Latina/o student academic success outcomes during college. The purpose of the study was to make sense of and provide critique to this rapidly growing body of research, as well as to direct future research efforts. Findings indicate that a combination of (a) sociocultural characteristics; (b) academic self-confidence; (c) beliefs, ethnic/racial identity, and coping styles; (d) precollege academic experiences; (e) college experiences; (f) internal motivation and commitment; (g) interactions with supportive individuals; (h) perceptions of the campus …

African American Female Engineering Students' Persistence In Stereotype-Threatening Environments: A Critical Race Theory Perspective, Stacie Lesure Gregory

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

African American women are grossly underrepresented in engineering. Despite their low representation in engineering colleges, some are able to persist and earn their degrees. This qualitative study sought to better understand the strategies 10 African American women employed to help them remain resilient in engineering degree programs. For this investigation, there was an underlying assumption that African American women who persist in engineering must contend with stereotype threat. Stereotype threat is a psychosocial phenomenon in which people in stigmatized social categories fear confirming negative stereotypes about their group.

Ten African American female women who have persisted in engineering degree programs …

Preparing Students For Jobs Of Tomorrow, Usu Jon M. Huntsman School Of Business

Jon M. Huntsman School of Business News Collection

As part the international “Hour of Code” event, USU Southwest Huntsman School of Business professor Kristal Ray led a basic computer coding class for 100 third- and fifth-grade students at Manti Elementary in Manti, Utah. Combining her computer science background with business and marketing expertise, Professor Ray taught students the importance of technology in our adapting world.

Shpe Students Reach Out To Hispanic Youth | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Originally posted Jan 31, 2015 – Navigating the college admissions process can be a complicated experience for high school students, especially for young people whose parents are unfamiliar with the system themselves.

But Utah State University engineering students worked to change that Saturday night with a community workshop aimed at educating Hispanic parents in Cache Valley about the college application process and financial aid programs available for students here in Utah.