Digital Commons Network^™

Community Of Practice As Community Of Learners: How Foreign Language Teachers Understand Professional And Language Identities, Ruth Ban

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study seeks to understand the transmogrification of four Mexican foreign language teachers as they participate in a teaching exchange in American schools throughout the United States. Previous research into development of competent membership in given communities of practice points to the need for mutual engagement with other community members, an understanding of the community activity, and a shared repertoire among community members. Framed within an activity theory perspective, the present study examined how the teachers's socio-historical background, cultural tools and artifacts, along with other pedagogical activities, community rules, and division of labor mediated the teachers' understanding of their professional …

Rsvp: An Investigation Of The Effects Of Remote Shared Visual Presence On Team Process And Performance In Urban Search & Rescue Teams, Jennifer L. Burke

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This field study presents mobile rescue robots as a way of augmenting communication in distributed teams through a remote shared visual presence (RSVP) consisting of the robot's view. It examines the effects of RSVP on team mental models, team processes, and team performance in collocated and distributed Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) technical search teams, and tests two models of team performance.

Participants (n=50) were US&R task force personnel drawn from high-fidelity training exercises held in California (2004) and New Jersey (2005). Data were collected from the 25 dyadic teams as they performed a 2 x 2 repeated measures search …

Framing Requests For Parental Participation In Family Research, David Clay

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on fathers and their willingness to participate in family related research studies. Traditional expectations of parental roles have hindered the inclusion of fathers in research studies despite gradual changes in cultural norms and research studies that indicate fathers have a significant influence on the developmental outcomes of children. Recent work in this area indicates that fathers are just as likely as mothers to participate in family related research. This study sought to shed light on this issue. Employees at three large Southeastern Universities were asked to participate in one of three different types of research: Academics, Athletics, …

Implementing School-Wide Positive Behavior Support: Exploring The Influence Of Socio-Cultural, Academic, Behavioral, And Implementation Process Variables, Rachel Mara Cohen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated the influence of academic, behavioral, and sociocultural variables on the implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS), a system intended to improve discipline in school buildings. The number of schools that are implementing SWPBS has been increasing dramatically over the years as school violence continues to rise and solutions are needed to improve school climate. This study examined the relationship between three categories of variables and the level of implementation of SWPBS in three multiple regression analyses. The categories were school demographic variables (i.e., ethnicity, socio-economic status, teacher: student ratio, percentage of teachers who are out-of-field), severity …

The Commodification Of Yoga In Contemporary U.S. Culture, Michelle E. Demeter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Yoga is an increasingly visible and versatile commodity in the United States health market. Though its origins stretch to pre-Vedic India and its traditional religious purpose is linked to Hinduism, it is evident that yoga has undergone much change since its transmission to U.S. culture. In its popular, widespread incarnation in the United States, yoga is not usually learned at the feet of a guru, but at exercise centers and gyms. These secular locales of yoga's practice help define the "yoga phenomenon" in contemporary America. This phenomenon has resulted in yoga's wide acceptance and high visibility in American popular culture …

An Examination Of The Experiences Of Five African American Male Students With Regard To School Discipline Practices, Simon Yohann Earle

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There are numerous studies that address the issue of discipline practices in schools. Within the last decade there have been an increasing number of scholars and school district personnel who have written about discipline, and more specifically, the discipline of specific populations of students such as African Americans. Although many of these studies address the disparate disciplinary practices that occur in many school districts, little attention is devoted to how students understand these practices in the larger context of their general school experiences. This research intends to fill the void in the literature that utilizes the experiences of students to …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between The Presence Of Critical Components Of Classroom Positive Behavior Support And Student Behavior, Gregory S. Ern

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the presence of classroom components of positive behavior support and student behavior outcomes. Data were collected using the Tool for Assessing Classroom Level-Positive Behavior Support (TACL-PBS) developed by Ern (2004) to assess the presence or absence of critical components of positive behavior support at the classroom level. Descriptive data on the instrument including the internal consistency, interrater agreement, and concurrent validity were analyzed and are included in this report. Forty classrooms from ten diverse elementary schools in three school districts were selected to participate in this study. Office discipline …

Linking Pretreatment Therapist Characteristics To The Therapeutic Alliance In Youth Treatment: An Examination Of Professional Burnout, Counseling Self-Efficacy And Gender Role Orientation, Jessica B. Handelsman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated three pretreatment therapist characteristics (professional burnout, counseling self-efficacy, and gender role orientation) in relation to the therapeutic alliance within the context of youth treatment. It was hypothesized that the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions of burnout would be negatively associated with the alliance, while the personal accomplishment dimension of burnout and counseling self-efficacy would be positively associated with the alliance. In addition, it was hypothesized that androgynous therapists would have superior alliances, relative to stereotypically masculine or feminine therapists. Participants were 42 pairs of therapists and youth clients. Prior to intake, therapists completed the Maslach Burnout …

Mentor And Mentee Perceptions Of The Importance And Effectiveness Of Mentor Support, Cenira Holcomb

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research study explored the congruence between mentor and mentee perceptions of the importance and effectiveness of 12 district-specific focus areas of mentor support. While reviewing current data pertaining to teacher attrition, the researcher observed a limited availability of investigations relating to the perceived role of the mentor teacher based on the experiences and observations of both the novice and mentor teacher.The target population for this study was 70 novice and mentor special education teachers during the 2005--2006 school year employed at 13 middle schools in a school district located in Florida. Of the 70 beginning and mentor …

The Relationship Between Nurses' Anxiety And Attitude Related To Pediatric Hospice, Teresa Lyn Hoover

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

To lose a child is a profoundly emotional experience. Even if it is not your own, the experience involves deeply held beliefs about death, the quality of death, ethics, and perhaps personal experience. Left unexplored, these beliefs and the anxiety they may produce, can become barriers to providing quality end-of-life care for children with life limiting conditions and their families. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between hospice nurses' attitudes toward providing pediatric hospice care and the level of anxiety they may experience related to pediatric hospice care. A self administered questionnaire was completed by 30 …

Esclerosis Múltiple En Niños: Clarificando Su Ubicación Dentro Del Espectro Desmielinizante. [Multiple Sclerosis In Children: Clarifying Its Place Among The Demyelinating Spectrum.], Joaquín A. Peña, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, María Elena Ravelo, Solmary González, Eduardo Mora La-Cruz

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

La Esclerosis múltiple (EM), es una enfermedad de naturaleza autoinmune debida a la destrucción de la capa de mielina y de las fibras nerviosas y, secundariamente, a un daño neuronal progresivo. Se caracteriza por la ocurrencia sucesiva de focos de desmielinización diseminados en tiempo y espacio en varias áreas de la sustancia blanca del SNC, incluyendo la región peri ventricular, médula espinal, tronco encefálico, cerebelo y nervio óptico. Como el diagnóstico en edad pediátrica es mucho más difícil debido a la mayor frecuencia de pacientes con Encefalomielitis Aguda Diseminada (EMAD), y al mayor reto que enfrenta el médico para tratar …

Fármacos No-Estimulantes Para El Tratamiento Del Trastorno Por Déficit De Atención-Hiperactividad En Niños [Non-Stimulant Drugs For Treatment Of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd)], Joaquín A. Peña, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Juan D. Velásquez

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Existe una gran cantidad de estudios que ofrecen soporte a la utilización de medicación noestimulante para el tratamiento de los síntomas del TDAH. A pesar de las diferencias entre los compuestos empleados en esta entidad clínica, todos comparten una actividad noradrenérgica y dopaminérgica común. En aquellos pacientes que no toleran o presentan una respuesta limitada a los psicoestimulantes, o en las familias que prefieren otras alternativas terapéuticas; se han realizado ensayos clínicos con medicación no-estimulante. En este trabajo se revisa la literatura acerca del tratamiento no-estimulante para el manejo de los síntomas de falta de atención, hiperactividad e impulsividad propios …

El Arte De Criar Hijos Felices: Equilibrio Entre Disciplina Y Afecto, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Objetivos de Este Libro: A pesar de que este es un libro escrito para padres de niños entre 2 y 8 años que puedan estar experimentando dificultades en el manejo de sus niños; la idea central no es convertir súbita y repentinamente a los niños es obras perfectas sin ningún problema, el lograr que los padres sientan y ejerzan control justo y lógico sobre sus hijos. Las metas de este libro son: 1) Mejorar las destrezas de los padres para manejar y convivir con niños con problemas de conducta, especialmente con aquellos niños desobedientes y con actitudes retadoras y desafiantes. …

A Hundred Osamas: Islamist Threats And The Future Of Counterinsurgency, Sherifa D. Zuhur Dr.

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

This monograph takes its title from President Hosni Mubarak's prediction that American involvement in Iraq would give rise to a "hundred Osamas." The author explores "the new jihad" and the regeneration of Islamist insurgencies and extremist movements in the context of religious and political movements throughout the Muslim world. It describes the contributions of various Islamist leaders to this discourse of extremism and how their strategies of recruitment, retention and engagement function. In contrast, various U.S. responses to extremists are critiqued, and new elements of a counterstrategy are proposed.

Serving Sophomore Students, Jessica S. Lothman '06

Honors Projects

College sophomores have been deemed "invisible students." This label is the result of a combination of issues students typically face during their sophomore year. Problems include: integration into social networks, declaration of a major, decisions regarding study abroad and/or internships, and disenchantment with the university, among others. A review of survey data reveals that sophomores at Illinois Wesleyan University are no different and face all of these problems. In addition to the above, sophomores at Illinois Wesleyan University have some expectations of the University that are not being met, such as course availability, adequacy of food service, and advising. These …

Intuition Versus Analysis- Which Process Is Most Appropriate For Solving Everyday Problems With Differing Levels Of Social Content And Complexity?, Amy E. Kowalski '06

Honors Projects

The investigators wanted to test the theories laid out by Hammond (1987) and McMackin and Slovic (2001) that problem attributes affect the appropriateness of intuition for solving problems. The study investigated the appropriateness of strategy (intuition, analysis, or no strategy) for everyday problems that varied in social nature and complexity. It was hypothesized that problems high in social nature and complexity would be solved more accurately using intuition. Results were partially supported but only among novice participants. Results indicate that highly intuitive novice individuals score more accurately than those who are highly analytical when solving everyday problems. One of the …

Social Interactions Of Siblings Of Children With Autism: A Pilot Experiment, Sarah Janota '06

Honors Projects

Despite the overwhelming amount of typical sibling relationship research available, there are few studies regarding sibling relationships involving autism. Of those, even fewer use experimental designs. The present study explored the hypothesis that siblings of children with autism-spectrum disorders develop increased compassion for others. Compassion was operationally measured through three dependent variables: participants' willingness to help, like, and interact with others. The study used an experimental design testing the social response of siblings of children with autism to potential peers who varied with respect to three independent variables: disability status (cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, or typically-developing), priming …

An Evaluation Of Envy Within Adolescent Friendships, Natalie A. Pawluk '06

Honors Projects

Envy may be an unexplored component of adolescent social relationships. The main goal of the study was to determine if envy is experienced to a higher degree between best friends than with non-friends. A second goal was to assess the correlations between envy and friendship characteristics. A total of 109 seventh-grade students responded to 3 questionnaires, the Friendship Grid, the Best Friend/Non-Friend Envy Survey and the Friendship Qualities Questionnaire. No significant differences were found between reported envy for friends and non-friends. Envy significantly correlated with conflict (p < .01) and exclusivity (p < .05). A major challenge for future research is to develop a more accurate measure of envy-a survey format may not be the most useful technique. The relationship between envy and conflict and exclusivity demonstrates the importance of further research of envy in order to better understand the potentially negative effects of envy on friendships.

Emotional Knowledge Development In Preschoolers Receiving Head Start Services, Meghan E. Mcgrady '06

Honors Projects

This study examined the ability of 3-to 5-year-olds (N = 76; 37 males, 39 females) receiving Head Start services to freely label six emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise) using photographs of facial expressions in condition 1 or stories containing an emotion-eliciting event and behavioral consequence in condition 2. The presentation of a story elicited better performance than the presentation of a facial expression for anger, fear, and disgust. After hearing the story, performance significantly improved for participants who initially incorrectly labeled photographs of facial expressions of anger, fear, disgust, and surprise, F(1, 68) = 119.10,p<.001. The addition of stories to the curriculum of current Head Start emotion knowledge programs may increase program effectiveness.

Conflict In Adolescent Friendships Across Cultures: Indonesia, South Korea And The United States, Melissa Mccandless '06

Honors Projects

Traditionally, adolescence is conceptualized as a period of turmoil during which adolescents are moody, hostile and behave in maladaptive ways. In reality, this stage of development is not as terrible as the stereotypes suggest. Of particular interest during this time is an adolescent's experience of rapid physical, cognitive, and social changes which necessitate interpersonal adjustment to maintain positive relationships with others (Collins & Laursen, 1992). During this developmental period, there is a transformation in children's networks of interpersonal relationships in that there is a substantial increase in the relative importance of friends as confidants while dependence on parents falls as …

The Compact, Issue 5, 1st Of February, 2006, Dit: Students' Union

DIT Student Union

No abstract provided.

Digital Signal Processing (Second Edition), Jonathan Blackledge

Books/Book chapters

This book provides an account of the mathematical background, computational methods and software engineering associated with digital signal processing. The aim has been to provide the reader with the mathematical methods required for signal analysis which are then used to develop models and algorithms for processing digital signals and finally to encourage the reader to design software solutions for Digital Signal Processing (DSP). In this way, the reader is invited to develop a small DSP library that can then be expanded further with a focus on his/her research interests and applications.

There are of course many excellent books and software …

Our Views Anybody Listening: Researching The Views And Needs Of Young People In Co. Kildare, Kevin Lalor, Katie Baird

Reports

No abstract provided.

Mobility Support Architectures For Next-Generation Wireless Networks, Ql Wang

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

With the convergence of the wireless networks and the Internet and the booming demand for multimedia applications, the next-generation (beyond the third generation, or B3G) wireless systems are expected to be all IP-based and provide real-time and non-real-time mobile services anywhere and anytime. Powerful and efficient mobility support is thus the key enabler to fulfil such an attractive vision by supporting various mobility scenarios. This thesis contributes to this interesting while challenging topic. After a literature review on mobility support architectures and protocols, the thesis starts presenting our contributions with a generic multi-layer mobility support framework, which provides a general …

Strategy Development Processes And Subsidiary Contribution, Pamela Sharkey Scott, P. T. Gibbons

Conference Papers

Intensifying international competition, increasing volatility, and systemic technological and political transformations (Dunning, 1995; Hitt, Keats and DeMarie, 1998) constitute the current competitive landscape for organisational activities (Sampler, 1998). To successfully adapt to these challenges and find new ways to renew fast obsolescing firm-specific advantage (Buckley and Casson, 1976; 1998) a more holistic approach to organisational management is emerging. This involves the integration of the traditional strategic management or advantage seeking perspective with the more innovative or opportunity seeking dimensions of entrepreneurship (Hitt et al, 1998). Developing a culture of creating or identifying opportunities and exploiting them is fundamental to entrepreneurship …

Local Practices, National Consequences: Surveying And (Re)Constructing Writing Center Identities, Jo Ann Griffin, Daniel Keller, Iswari P. Pandey, Anne-Marie Pedersen, Carolyn Skinner

The Writing Center Journal

No abstract provided.

Non-Intrusive Subscriber Authentication For Next Generation Mobile Communication Systems, Philip Maurice Rodwell

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The last decade has witnessed massive growth in both the technological development, and the consumer adoption of mobile devices such as mobile handsets and PDAs. The recent introduction of wideband mobile networks has enabled the deployment of new services with access to traditionally well protected personal data, such as banking details or medical records. Secure user access to this data has however remained a function of the mobile device's authentication system, which is only protected from masquerade abuse by the traditional PIN, originally designed to protect against telephony abuse. This thesis presents novel research in relation to advanced subscriber authentication …

Towards Non-Prescriptive Issues: A Teaching Framework For Selecting Marketing Dissertation Topics, Conor Horan

Conference papers

There is a significant absence in academic literature, textbooks and practical teaching tools for advising or guiding student learning, in a practical non-prescriptive manner, toward topic selection and development. Prescriptive or rational approaches, taken by many research methods textbooks, are not adequate or sufficient when teaching this important first stage in the research process. Non-prescriptive approaches describing manageable steps should be researched more to fill this pedagogic gap. This paper attempts to promote academic discussion on a pedagogic gap that is broadly overlooked, and to examine how marketing and business academics can better instruct dissertation students in the area of …

The Application Of Learning Skills In An Engineering Programme, Leslie Shoemaker

Level 3

At the Dublin Institute of Technology, an engineering programme in the School of Control Systems and Electrical Engineering has successfully incorporated a study skills module into the core curriculum. The module, titled Academic Development and Key Skills, is part of the first year of the programme and has a two-fold purpose. Primarily the goal is to assist the students with the transition from second level education to third level by teaching them a more competent learning style. This, in turn, helps to create a positive impact with respect to the retention of this student group within the programme. The second …

Blended Problem-Based Learning For Teacher Education: Lessons Learnt, Roisin Donnelly

Journal Articles

Journal of Learning, Media and Technology, Vol. 31, 2, 2006, pp. 93-116

Available from the Publisher http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439880600756621