Digital Commons Network^™

Best Practices For Differentiated Learning Among Third Through Fifth Grade Ell Students, Tara J. Macias

Masters Theses

With the increase of second language English learners in U.S. kindergarten through twelfth grade schools and the continued achievement gap between these students and English speaking students, educators and administrators need to develop, implement and support best practices for differentiation among English Language Learners. ELL students are often categorized as special education students while their only barrier to learning is language acquisition. On the other hand, ELL students may have additional learning difficulties that are not identified because there is an assumption that language acquisition is the single challenge to their learning. Educators often engage in whole group instruction with …

Williams Syndrome And Music: A Systematic Integrative Review, Donovon Thakur

Masters Theses

Researchers and clinicians have often cited the curious relationship between individuals with Williams syndrome and music. This review aimed to systematically identify, analyze, and synthesize research and findings related to Williams syndrome and music. Thirty-one articles were identified that examined this relationship and were divided into seven areas by their findings. This process covered a diverse array of methodologies, with aims to: 1) report current findings; 2) assess methodological quality; and 3) discuss the potential implications and considerations for the clinical use of music with this population. Collecting and analyzing available research on the relationship between Williams syndrome and music …

Perspectives On Satisfaction For The Clinical Internship In Music Therapy: Differences Between American And International Music Therapy Students And Music Therapists, Wang Lu

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to survey music therapy intern students and professionals across the United States to evaluate their satisfaction regarding their internship experience. 465 responses were collected for this study, 50 American music therapy interns, 353 American music therapy professionals, 12 international music therapy interns, and 50 international music therapy professionals. Data indicated that in the areas of “therapeutic relationship”, “professional role/ethics”, “therapy implementation,” and “documentation”, which are categories of the AMTA competencies, over 91% of the participants indicated that their expectations were mostly or completely met during internship. In contrast, the competency that respondents felt was …

A Comparison Of Concerns Related To Internship Preparation: A Survey Of International And American Music Therapy Students And Professionals, Fei Wang

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the different perceptions of internship between International and American music therapy students and professionals. There were 465 participants enroll in this study, and divided into four groups base on their own identification. Group AI (American Interns, n1=50), Group II (International Interns, n2=12), Group AP (American Professionals, n3=353), and Group IP (International Professionals, n4=50). The different perceptions include (a) primary criterion when choosing internship, (b) most confident areas when entering internship, (c) most want to improve during internship, (d) perceived strength related to internship preparedness, (e) primary concerns/worries related to internship preparedness. The …

Evaluation Of Swarm Nodes For Proximity Sensing On Construction Sites, Mohamed Ahmed Madi Binalhaj

Masters Theses

One of the key requirements for the successful delivery of construction projects is the access to critical information regarding the proximity of construction resources. Such information offers opportunities for enhancing quick decision making regarding the progress of activities and construction site safety. Emerging sensing systems such as swarm nodes promises to provide this real-time proximity information. However, little is known regarding their performance on construction sites. This thesis presents an evaluation of the performance of swarm node systems in the construction industry. The objective of the research was to establish the accuracy of the proximity sensing system in both static …

Career Decision-Making And College And Career Access Among Recent African Immigrant Students, Grace Wambu, Brian Hutchison, Zachary Pietrantoni

Journal of College Access

The number of African immigrant youth in American classrooms is on the rise. School counselors are uniquely positioned to help these students to be college and career ready. Using the Social Cognitive Career Theory framework, this article aims to address the unique career development needs, college and career access challenges faced by African immigrant students with an emphasis on high school students, and recommends strategic interventions for school counselors helping this population navigate career choice and determination. Implications for school counseling practice and research are also addressed.

The Relationship Between Perceived Career Barriers And Career Decision Self-Efficacy On Initial Career Choice Among Low-Income, First Generation, Pre-Freshman, College-Bound Students, Nicole Pulliam, Kara P. Ieva, Larry Burlew

Journal of College Access

This study was an investigation of the predictive value of perceived career barriers and career decision self-efficacy on the certainty of initial career choice among low-income pre-freshman college students, an under-studied college population with respect to career development (Winograd & Shick Tryon, 2009). The moderating effects of certain cultural characteristics (race, gender and college generational status) on the certainty of initial career choice were also examined. A non-experimental correlational research design was utilized, along with a multiple linear regression analysis, to investigate the predictability of perceived career barriers and career decision self-efficacy, directly and as moderated by the cultural characteristics …

Increasing College Access Through The Implementation Of Naviance: An Exploratory Study, David Christian, Amy Lawrence, Nicole Dampman

Journal of College Access

High school counselors play a key role in increasing students’ access to college. With increasing student-to-counselor-ratios as well as demands on their time, school counselors often lack the ability to provide adequate college counseling. In this article, we explored how school counselors can use educational technology, specifically the online program Naviance, to supplement college counseling in an effort to increase college access for all students. Results showing that students who logged in to Naviance more frequently had higher college application rates indicated that Naviance is an appropriate way for school counselors to promote college access.

The Effects Of Purpose Orientations On Recent High School Graduates’ College Application Decisions, Gitima Sharma, Jungnam Kim, Julia Bryan

Journal of College Access

Using the 2002 Educational Longitudinal Study database, the authors examined the different types of purpose orientations amongst a nationally representative sample of adolescents and the effect of these purpose orientations on high school graduates’ college application decisions. Results indicated four types of purpose orientations: career, interpersonal, altruistic, and self-oriented purpose orientations. Only career purpose orientation was positively related to high school graduates decision to apply for college. Implications for school counseling and research are discussed.

Building Bridges Through Meaningful Occupation, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Mary Block, MS, OTR/L, an occupational therapist and artist based in Illinois, provided the cover art for the Summer 2017 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). Generations is a sculpture made from concrete that measures 240 x100 in. (6.096 x 2.54 m). The piece was commissioned by Mary’s home town, the Village of Deerfield, IL. Mary always knew she wanted to be an artist. When competing paradigms altered Mary’s career path, the field of occupational therapy helped her to shape a new worldview. In uncertain times, meaningful occupation empowered Mary to start over again where she originally …

Perils And Pitfalls Of Ot Research In A Foreign Country: A Reflection, Brenda S. Howard

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

They Said: We Are All In This Together., Michelle A. Suarez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy In Primary Care: Structures And Processes That Support Integration, Brenda Koverman, Lydia Royeen, Mary Stoykov

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Few studies have outlined the processes and structures needed to develop and integrate occupational therapy into a primary care provider’s office setting. This paper focuses on implementation of the clinic model of occupational therapy in primary care and is intended to address the deficiencies in current literature, including detailed program development steps. Barriers identified in the 8-week pilot program and the successful development of a reimbursable occupational therapy service in primary care will be discussed. The results of the implementation of occupational therapy in primary care are positive. The providers have accepted and embraced the distinct value of occupational therapy …

Interprofessional Primary Care: The Value Of Occupational Therapy, Sue Dahl-Popolizio, Oaklee Rogers, Sherry Lynne Muir, Jennifer Carroll, Lesley Manson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The authors explore the training and expertise of occupational therapists and the cost benefit of the strategic use of occupational therapists as members of the interprofessional primary care (PC) team. PC practices can optimize successful and cost-effective patient care delivery, outcomes, and access to care by using interprofessional care teams and allowing physicians to off-load patients whose issues relate to routines and habits and do not require diagnostic or prescriptive intervention. This, and the occupational therapist’s ability to obtain reimbursement for his or her services, demonstrates that this professional can be an invaluable addition to the integrated PC team. The …

Occupational Therapy In Primary Care: Determining Receptiveness Of Occupational Therapists And Primary Care Providers, Sue Dahl-Popolizio, Sherry Lynne Muir, Kaila Davis, Sabrina Wade, Rachael Voysey

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Primary care (PC) is an emerging practice setting for occupational therapy; however, few occupational therapists currently practice in this setting due to barriers, including uncertainty about reimbursement and the role of occupational therapists. This pilot study aimed to determine if PC providers and occupational therapists are receptive to occupational therapists as integrated interprofessional PC team members if barriers to inclusion are addressed.

Method: After a brief educational paragraph explaining potential occupational therapy contributions to PC teams, the participants accessed a link to survey questions regarding their personal level of receptiveness to occupational therapy in PC. The questions comprised …

The Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program: Occupational Therapy’S Imperative Role In Interprofessional Education, Jeannine Nonaillada, Natalie C. Gangai, Chrysanne Eichner, Rosario Costas-Muniz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This paper will expound on the findings discovered from efforts made by including an occupational therapist on an interprofessional education initiative charged with developing content to enhance knowledge of geriatrics for health care providers, community-dwelling older adults, and caregivers in medically underserved areas. We will describe the actions of the interprofessional team and present data about the impact of collaborative, systematic input on one educational program taught primarily by the occupational therapist. We will then describe the personal and professional growth opportunities experienced by the occupational therapist on this initiative, and impart the challenges faced and provide recommendations to overcome …

An Exploratory Study On The Teaching Of Evidence-Based Decision Making, Erica Baarends, Marcel Van Der Klink, Aliki Thomas

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: There is no clear guideline on how to teach students evidence-based decision making (EBDM), so this study aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention on students’ EBDM skills.

Methods: This was an explorative mixed-method study of 12 undergraduate occupational therapy students and their teacher. The teaching was aimed at increasing self-efficacy and cognitive skills in EBDM. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the students’ perceived learning benefits. Before and after the intervention, a self-efficacy questionnaire, a critical thinking test, and scored generic cognitive skills in an argument were used as measures of learning achievements. Content …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In An Interprofessional Student-Run Free Clinic: Challenges And Opportunities Identified, Oaklee Rogers, Andrea Heck, Lindsey Kohnert, Pooja Paode, Liz Harrell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Student-run free clinics (SRFCs) provide services to underserved populations while enhancing student education. Occupational therapy (OT) participation in integrated care SRFCs is an emerging area of practice and enhances the interprofessional model necessary for holistic patient care. The Student Health Outreach for Wellness (SHOW) organization, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is a SRFC comprised of three state universities that incorporates nine different health professional programs to deliver interprofessional care, including OT. The SHOW clinic provides direct care services where student volunteers practice clinical and interprofessional skills under the guidance of licensed health care providers. OT preceptors and students participate in team-based …

Capacity Building To Improve Interprofessional Collaboration Through A Faculty Learning Community, Shannon L. Mcmorrow, Kate E. Decleene Huber, Steve Wiley

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Though much has been written on Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) independently, there is limited literature devoted to examining the use of

FLCs to enhance IPE for the health professions. A FLC dedicated to building capacity for IPE in a small, private midwestern university comprised of faculty representing occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, public health, gerontology, medical anthropology, psychology, social work, and exercise science was conducted over the course of one semester. This article details the implementation process for the IPE FLC; describes outcomes related to teaching, scholarship, and service of faculty from a qualitative evaluation conducted …

Determining The Feasibility, Content Validity, And Internal Consistency Of A Newly Developed Care Coordination Scale For People With Brain Injury, Brian P. Johnson, Mark V. Johnston

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: With the increasing complexity of care, people with disabilities and supportive significant others (SSO) must often coordinate key aspects of their own care, but no validated scale currently exists to comprehensively characterize the activities done to manage and coordinate their care.

Method: This study aimed to improve the feasibility, acceptability, and content validity of the Care and Service Coordination and Management (CASCAM) scale and to test its internal consistency. Questionnaire items were administered to 23 individuals with acquired brain injury and 17 SSO.

Results: Respondents confirmed content validity and that the instrument addresses important care coordination and management issues. …

Effectiveness Of A Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Program Following Shoulder Injury, Andrea Bean, Cathryn Edmonds, Tukata Lin, Rachel Davis, Lisa Hopcroft, Alicia Savona, Gargi Singh, Kristina Boccia, Kyle Leming, Helen Mann, Helen Razmjou

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Shoulder injuries in working age adults result in a major cost to the health care system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new multidisciplinary rehabilitation program and to explore factors that affected a successful return to work (RTW) in injured workers with shoulder problems who received this program.

Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study. The patient-oriented outcome measures were the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH). Range of motion (ROM) in flexion, abduction, and external rotation and strength in lifting and push/pull were …

Interprofessional Collaboration To Support Children With Diabetes, Katie M. Polo, Susan M. Cahill

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate school nurses’ perspectives related to interprofessional collaboration to support health promotion and development of self-management skills of students with diabetes.

Method: A link to an on-line survey was sent to 312 school nurses. The survey included 11 items pertaining to the nurses’ perceptions.

Results: The majority of the respondents (91.8%, n = 56) reported that instruction and maintenance of diabetes self-management skills would benefit from an interprofessional team. Few of the respondents (20.8%, n = 11) identified occupational therapy practitioners as possible collaborators. Nearly two-thirds (62.7%, n = 37) of the …

Exploring The Value Of Interprofessional Collaboration Between Occupational Therapy And Design: A Pilot Survey Study, Amy Wagenfeld, Lori Reynolds, Tamar Amiri

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Consistent with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Vision 2025, interprofessional partnerships between occupational therapy and designers is necessary to “maximize health, well-being, and quality of life for all people . . . through effective solutions that facilitate participation in everyday living” (2016, para 1). Occupational therapy’s knowledge of the person-environment-occupation fit appears to make us well suited to collaborate with design teams to create environments that facilitate optimal function and promote health and well-being (Ainsworth & de Jonge, 2014).

Method: Two short closed-ended online questionnaires were designed to gain an understanding of designer and occupational therapy practitioner impressions of …

Interprofessional Practice And Education: Multiple Lenses Bring A Sharper Focus, Ben J. Atchison, Michelle A. Suarez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Connections, 07/2017, College Of Health And Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Newsletter

• First Health Careers Connection cohort celebrated
• Retirement and role changes in the college
• Camp Shout Out scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students
• Trustees OK agreement to buy property for senior day care program

Professional Reflections - Summer 2017, College Of Education And Human Development

College of Education and Human Development News

• Enrico Montalvo
• Alexis Lenderman
• Aaron and Alicia Clemens
• Antonio Flores
• Amy Koning
• Philip Johnson
• Dini Metro-Roland
• Ming Li
• Selena Protacio & Gary Miron
• Jianping Shen
• U.S. News and World Report Rankings
• Newly Designed Program Launches: Organizational Change Leadership
• 17th Annual CEHD Awards
• Connect with CEHD on Social Media

July And August 2017 News Items, Office Of Vice President For Research

Research and Discovery News

• Obare named interim vice president for research
• Algorithms for life
• Engineered for brain science
• Demystifying the universe
• A virtual world for flight
• Vandiver honored for research relating to ethnic minorities
• Discover Discovery Workshops
• Discovery Webinar Series
• WMU Mallinson Institute receives $622,992 NSF grant
• WMU ranks 68th in business education research, leads way in state
• Researchers explore human-robot communication with Pepper, a humanoid robot
• NSF EAGER Grants Award of $111,834
• WMU lauded again with Washington Monthly top-100 ranking

Health Careers Connection Luncheon, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session June 29, 2017, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes (April 27, 2017 Meeting)
• Remarks by the Chair
• Remarks by the President
• Comments by the Faculty Senate Vice President
• Comments by the Western Student Association President
• Comments by the Graduate Student Association President
• Public Comments Regarding Action Items
• Action Items

Western Michigan University Commencement Exercises-12:30pm, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.