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When A Killer Body Isn’T Enough: Cross-Gender Identification In Action-Adventure Video Games, Marc Ouellette

Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture

While sports games try to recreate the atmosphere of a stadium or of television broadcasts of games, role-playing and action-adventure games attempt to duplicate cinematography through animation. For Tomb Raider, the virtual reality created by the cinematic animation of the game produces an environment for male-to-female cross-gender identification, a topic that has received little critical attention. The sense of identification intended in this chapter comes from psychoanalysts Jean Laplanche and Jean-Baptiste Pontalis, who describe identification as a psychological process in which a subject assimilates an aspect, a property, a characteristic of another and transforms himself [or herself] totally or partially …

Contributors, Matthew Wolf-Meyer (Editor), Davin Heckman (Editor)

Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture

Information about contributors to articles in volume 6 issue 1 of Reconstruction.

Community College Leadership - Impending Retirements And How Colleges Are Preparing - A Survey Of Arkansas Two-Year College Administrators, Linda Birkner

Theses and Dissertations

Institutions of higher education have many assets, but it is the human capital that is necessary for them to operate. Without the right personnel it would be impossible for colleges to function. Shortages of personnel at all levels have been predicted; however, it is the potential leadership crisis that is a rising concern. Many changes may be causing the shortages. Population and workforce changes in conjunction with growing college campuses may be partially to blame. In addition, community colleges emerged in the 60s and 70s, thus many of the original faculty and administrators are now nearing retirement. The real concern …

Douglas Macarthur's Occupation Of Japan| Building The Foundation Of U.S.-Japan Relationship, Mieko Endo

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Using The Maximal Vertical Jump Test To Evaluate Training And Fatigue In Collegiate Soccer Players| A Series Of Case Studies, Jonathan Berdanier

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Redefining Open Access For The Legal Information Market, James G. Milles

Journal Articles

The open access movement in legal scholarship, inasmuch as it is driven within the law library community over concerns about the rising cost of legal information, fails to address - and in fact diverts resources from - the real problem facing law libraries today: the soaring costs of nonscholarly, commercially published, practitioner-oriented legal publications. The current system of legal scholarly publishing - in student-edited journals and without meaningful peer review - does not face the pressures to increase prices common in the science and health disciplines. One solution to this problem is for law schools to redirect some of their …

On Sovereignty And Overhumanity Why It Matters How We Read Nietzsche's Genealogy 11:2, Christa Davis Acampora

Publications and Research

There is nearly unanimous agreement, among those who bother to pay attention to Nietzsche's anomalous claim about the "sovereign individual" in the second essay of On the Genealogy of Morals that the "sovereign" is Nietzsche's ideal, and many more still take sovereignty as the signature feature of the overman Nietzsche heralds in his Thus Spoke Zarathustra and other writings. I describe the reception among Nietzsche scholars as "nearly unanimous" because there has been at least one cry of dissent: that issued by Lawrence Harab. Curiously, his brief but incisive comments about the problematic nature of several readings along these lines …

Constructing Whiteness In Health Disparities Research, Jessie Daniels, Amy J. Schulz

Publications and Research

There is a long tradition within the United States of constructing whiteness (the racial subject) against racialized others (the racial object) and in the process displacing the focus of critical analysis. Here we turn our lens to the often invisible--or at least underinterrogated--concept of whiteness within the context of the literature on racial disparities in health. Specifically, we examine how whiteness is constructed in the active literature documenting and interpreting racial disparities in health and the implications of these constructions for efforts to eradicate inequalities in health. We draw on the concepts of racial formation and "racial projects" that emphasize …

A Literature Review And Grant Proposal For A Women’S Wellness Program, Laura Poppen

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project is to propose a program for single mothers concerning the physical and psychological benefits of health, leisure, and physical activity in transitional housing facilities. Research has shown that physical activity and leisure are physically and psychologically beneficial for people of all ages, ethnicity, and status (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1996; American College of Sports Medicine, 1996; Chollar, 1996; Biddle, Fox, & Boutcher, 2000; Judelson, Dell, 1998; Ponde and Santana, 2000; Jackson, Morrow, Hill, & Dishman, 2004). This proposed grant identifies the ways in which physical activity and leisure can be combined in order …

“De Eso No Se Habla : ” An Explorative Study On The Sexual And Reproductive Health Education Of Adolescents In The Monteverde Zone, 2006, Hollie Fuhrmann, Jennifer Garcia, Nicole Haykin, Rebecca Sameroff, Rebecca Todd

Monteverde Institute: Culture, Community, and Health

A research paper about the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in the Monteverde Zone.

Finca Amapala Plan De Manejo [Powerpoint], 2006, Tracee Johnson, Craig Kelly, Christina Neeley, Antoinette Swanson

Monteverde Institute: Sustainable Design, Planning and Community Development

No abstract provided.

Santa Elena Community Library Design: Support Materials: Data, 2006, Monteverde Institute

Monteverde Institute: Sustainable Design, Planning and Community Development

No abstract provided.

Revision Of The Carlisle Elementary Preschool Standards Based On The Iowa Early Learning Standards, Marne M. Sievers

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes the process of evaluating current standards and benchmarks for the Carlisle Elementary Preschool, revising them using the Iowa Early Learning Standards, which were completed in May 2005, revising a teacher-created assessment tool and progress report, and investigating the curriculum that is used and how it aligns with the newly created standards and benchmarks. Standards and benchmarks have been a focus in the educational field due to the implementation of the Federal "No Child Left Behind" Act.

Many standards and benchmarks have been created for kindergarten through twelfth grade but few programs have adopted standards and benchmarks prior …

Harry Potter: A Comparison Of The Characters, Themes, Setting And Plot With The Arthurian Legend, Diane L. Engbretson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to attempt to predict if Harry Potter is a re-creation of King Arthur and if the ending of the Potter stories will mirror that of King Arthur. This research focused on one series of King Arthur books written by Howard Pyle and the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling. A content analysis chart was created and implemented to compare the two series of books. A content analysis chart was completed, first of the King Arthur series and then of the Harry Potter series. This archetypal chart was used to map the characters, themes, …

Key Components In An Online Class, Renae Darlene Farrell

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review focuses on what needs to be in place to have an effective online class. Instructional design models, interactive learning communities, learning theories, and instructional/student technology training are some of the issues that the literature review documents. The purpose of this literature review is to examine research on the topics of the instructional design process and the transformation of a traditional classroom to an online classroom. The conclusions formed within this document are based upon literature reviews about the topics of effective online classes. This review has led to a conclusion that online education can be an effective …

Strategies For Bridging The Gender Gap In Technology Use : From Education To The Workplace, Martha Frazier

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review is about strategies for bridging the gender gap in technology use in the classroom and the workplace. The research done on the subject indicates that a gender gap does exist in the classroom and the workplace. Women and girls have not been encouraged to participate in classes or training that will prepare them to make the transition from the classroom to the workplace. The conclusion of this review suggests several methods to aid instructors and employers in bringing about equity in the classroom and the workforce. The implementation of diversity training, mentoring, and role modeling are just …

Professional Portfolios : Creating A Framework For Teacher Accountability Portfolios, Stephany K. Messer

Graduate Research Papers

Educators are being held accountable for their actions in the classroom by their states and local districts. In Iowa teachers are required to demonstrate competency for eight different standards that include 42 criteria. One form of meeting this requirement is by creating a professional portfolio. A problem that many educators face is the lack of direction provided to create this portfolio.

The purpose of this project was to design a framework for creating a professional portfolio. Instruction on this framework will be provided through seven professional development sessions targeted for novice teachers. At the completion of the professional development sessions …

Face-To-Face Training Versus Web-Based Training : Which Instructional Approach Is Better?, Nichola J. Lewis

Graduate Research Papers

Training skilled employees is essential in determining the success of an organization. Determining which type of training, whether face-to-face or web-based, will best serve the needs of an organization remains an issue. This literature review will attempt to answer the questions, "How do adults learn; what is web-based training; what is face-to-face training; is web-based training more effective than face-to-face training; and can web-based training and face-to-face training be combined?"

Reading Comprehension Strategies For Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Susan Reese

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to describe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), its possible causes, characteristics, treatment options, and instructional strategies used for teaching reading comprehension to people with this disorder. ADHD is characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness to a degree beyond what is considered normal for the person's age.

While the exact causes are unknown, research is beginning to reveal that the disorder is brain based and genetic in disposition. Presently there is no cure for ADHD, but treatment options are available which include medications and/or therapies. Reading comprehension strategies to assist people with ADHD include chunking, …

The Importance Of Vocabulary In The Classroom, Sherri Neofotist

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review of the literature focused on two primary areas: (a) to examine the research findings as they related to vocabulary acquisition and instruction and (b) to determine the importance of the research findings regarding students' reading comprehension.This study also sought to provide educators with information as to what a comprehensive program of vocabulary instruction consists of as well as research-based vocabulary teaching strategies to use in the classroom to help students recognize and know words and word meanings and to improve students' comprehension.

The review examines the following three questions: (a) What is the relationship between …

Incorporating Interactive Writing Throughout The Day In A Kindergarten Classroom, Amy Sobaski

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the use of interactive writing in a kindergarten classroom. Interactive writing and related terms were explained, and connections were made between interactive writing and learning standards. Possible problems and solutions were discussed, and a case study was conducted in a kindergarten classroom. Guidelines were presented for successful integration of interactive writing into a balanced literacy program. Also, conclusions were drawn from the case study and reviewed literature, and recommendations were made for the use of interactive writing in the classroom and for future research in this area.

Gender Differences In American Children's Oral Narratives, Nadezda M. Zernova

Graduate Research Papers

Gender differences exist among different aspects of children's development (such as social, cognitive, and emotional). Children's narratives have been used as a common assessment tool (Libby & Aries, 1989; Wang & Leichtman, 2000) to learn more about gender differences. Knowledge of existing differences enables educators to individualize their teaching for boys and girls in order to benefit their development. The present study focused on gender differences in the following areas of American children's oral narratives: characters, emotional tone, structure, content, and language. The participants of the study were 14 kindergarteners and first-graders (7 boys and 7 girls) between ages 6 …

What Is The Meaning Of This!?: A Case Study Of A Small, Public School In Iowa And Its Acceptable Use Policy Interpretation, Patricia L. Miles

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined why parents and students may have signed acceptable use policies without completely understanding the meaning or consequences of what that document implied. This study examined the acceptable use policy and its background, use and interpretation from the Iowa Valley School District in Marengo, Iowa.

A case study methodology was used to answer interview questions and collect data from the school district. Over a period of approximately two months, the researcher interviewed: students from various grade levels, teachers from various grade levels, technology coordinators, administrators, various board members, and various parents. The interviews were administered one at a …

M Is For Marshalltown, Beth S. Steffa

Graduate Research Papers

There are not any informational picture books about the required third grade local history unit in Marshalltown, Iowa. The purpose of this research is to provide a new age-appropriate illustrated informational alphabet book to be used in conjunction with the Marshalltown history unit. The format will contain photographs of notable people and historic sites that are taught in the third grade unit. Other people and places that make Marshalltown unique are used in order to make the alphabet complete. Cultural diversity is represented in the project.

The template for this project will be shared with the third grade teachers who …

Using American Library Association's Current Notable Literature For Younger And Middle Readers To Help Enhance The 6 + 1 Trait Writing™ Model In The Elementary Classroom, Debra Zwank

Graduate Research Papers

This study recognized that teachers perform under an incredible amount of stress daily. They feel overcome at the end of each day by stress and high expectations placed upon them for their students to achieve (Black, 2003, p. 37). In addition, the study showed that reading aloud was an important component in helping students become excited about reading and writing. Furthermore, research shows teachers need to help students make connections between what the teacher shares as a read-aloud and what is being taught in the classroom. Therefore, the media specialist is there to help teachers make the connection between award-winning …

Nebbe's Nature Nest : A Summary Of An Animal Assisted Therapy Camp, Nicole A. Whisler

Graduate Research Papers

Two graduate students conducted a small animal assisted therapy camp. The main goal for this camp was to enhance and promote the campers' socialization skills and self-esteem through the use of animal assisted therapy. Two pre and post measurement scales were used to evaluate the children's loneliness and self concept. The campers participated in a one-week camp lasting approximately three hours a day. To meet desired lesson goals, the campers engaged in direct animal contact and specific animal assisted activities. The following is a complete description and reaction to the animal assisted therapy camp led by Trisha (Hobbiebrunken) Ames, Nicole …

Estimating And Reducing The Memory Requirements Of Signal Processing Codes For Embedded Systems, J. Ramanujam, Jinpyo Hong, Mahmut Kandemir, Ashish Narayan, Ankush Agarwal

Faculty Publications

Most embedded systems have limited amount of memory. In contrast, the memory requirements of the digital signal processing (DSP) and video processing codes (in nested loops, in particular) running on embedded systems is significant. This paper addresses the problem of estimating and reducing the amount of memory needed for transfers of data in embedded systems. First, the problem of estimating the region associated with a statement or the set of elements referenced by a statement during the execution of nested loops is analyzed. For a fixed execution ordering, a quantitative analysis of the number of elements referenced is presented; exact …

A Design-Based Research Strategy To Promote Scalability For Educational Innovations, Jody Clarke-Midura, C. Dede, D. J. Ketelhut, B. Nelson, C. Bowman

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This article offers insights into how the design of innovations can enhance their “scalability”: the ability to adapt an innovation to effective usage in a wide variety of contexts, including settings where major conditions for success are absent or attenuated. We are implementing the River City MUVE curriculum, a technology-based innovation designed to enhance engagement and learning in middle school science, in a range of educational contexts. Based on our studies of these scaling up activities, we offer examples of design strategies for scalability and describe our plan to develop a “scalability index.”

Authorship In Ecology: Attribution, Accountability, And Responsibility, Jake F. Weltzin, R. Travis Belote, Leigh T. Williams, Jason K. Keller, E. Cayenne Engel

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Quality and quantity of publications are among the most important measures determining the success of ecologists. The past 50 years have seen a steady rise in the number of researchers and collaborative manuscripts, and a corresponding increase in multi-authored articles. Despite these increases, there remains a shortage of useful and definitive guidelines to aid ecologists in addressing authorship issues, leading to a lack of consistency in what the term “author” really means. Deciding where to draw the line between those who have earned authorship and those who are more appropriately credited in the acknowledgments may be one of the more …

Ethical Marketing: A Look On The Bright Side, Thomas A. Klein, Gene R. Laczniak, Patrick E. Murphy

Marketing Faculty Research and Publications

This article offers an alternative to conventional approaches to ethical analysis in business and marketing. We submit that studying companies with exemplary records of ethical conduct and social responsibility offers useful and compelling guidance to marketing students and managers. It provides another needed perspective beyond simply examining examples of misconduct or offering normative advice that may not reflect the specifics of corporate situations. Based on examples presented in a recent text by the authors and Better Business Bureau Torch Awardees, we present information on thirteen companies of varying size and from several different industries. That information includes ethics policies, management …