Digital Commons Network^™

Current Practices For Teacher Leadership Development Within Christian Schools, Daisy U. Nwokorie-Anajemba

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the understanding of teachers and principals regarding teacher leadership in K-8 Christian schools in Southern California, U.S.A. The study further investigated practices for, and factors that enhance, or impede teacher leadership development. All schools were accredited by Association of Christian Schools International. This study examined the perceptions of 12 principals and 24 teachers, utilizing a semi-structured 9-question interview protocol. Each in-depth interview was conducted on site, averaging 45 minutes per person. Other data collection methods included a review of official school documents, and observational notes. Demographic data of respondents were also collected …

Inspiring Art And Science, Andrea R. Halpern

Other Faculty Research and Publications

I read Ralf Dahm's article "Finding Alzheimer's Disease" (March-April) with interest for two reasons. First, as a cognitive neuroscientist, I have studied the effect of early-stage Alzheimer's disease on memory and on the appreciation of music and art. In addition, I am a member of a community chorus here in Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna Valley Chorale, which recently commissioned and premiered a choral work on the topic of the ailment, called Alzheimer's Stories.

Leaks, Lies, And The Moonlight: Fiduciary Duties Of Associates To Their Law Firms., Susan Saab Fortney

St. Mary's Law Journal

This symposium article examines the fiduciary duties of law firm associates. After applying agency principles to the firm-associate relationship, the article analyzes specific duties and discusses cases involving alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by associates. It explores associate duties in the current legal, organizational, and socio-technological environment in which associates practice. The article closes with observations on the importance of firm principals considering the effect of firm culture on associate attitudes and conduct.

The Knight's Code, Not His Lance, Jamie A. Williamson

Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

Independent Crime Laboratories: The Problem Of Motivational And Cognitive Bias, Paul C. Giannelli

Utah Law Review

Law enforcement influence over laboratory decisions is a serious problem. In an ideal world, independent crime laboratories would be the solution. Crime laboratories, however, have historically developed within police agencies, and decades of entrenchment make it difficult to remove laboratories completely from law enforcement control. This does not mean, of course, that the status quo should be preserved. If located within law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories should be as autonomous as possible and should be run in accordance with scientific norms, including procedures to protect against all types of bias. The NAS Report was not the last messenger. Within months …

Preventive Detention, Character Evidence, And The New Criminal, Ted Sampsell-Jones

Utah Law Review

The criminal law is changing in a profound way. Anglo-American criminal law has traditionally focused on deterring and punishing discrete acts of misconduct. In the last few decades, however, American criminal law has shifted its focus from deviant acts to dangerous individuals. Incapacitation, which once played only a peripheral role in the criminal law, has moved to center stage. To a substantial extent, it has supplanted the two formerly dominant theories of punishment—deterrence and retribution. This dramatic change has been noted, often with some dread, by both legal scholars and sociologists.

The Recurring Paradox Of Groups In The Liberal State, Frederick Mark Gedicks

Utah Law Review

A much-noted contradiction of liberal theory is its tolerance of illiberal individuals and groups. This is an apparent consequence of the foundational premise of liberalism, that consensus on the good life is not achievable in conditions of religious and moral pluralism. Without consensus on a single substantive conception of the good, it follows that all such conceptions should be tolerated unless they harm the lives, liberties, or property of others. The liberal state, in other words, is procedural rather than substantive.

Design Practices Business Organizations Employ To Deliver Virtual Classroom Training, Rebecca L. Adams

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the literature review is to investigate what instructional design practices organizations employ to deliver virtual classroom training to their workforces. The review examines why companies are implementing virtual classrooms, positive and negative elements of implementing, instructional design strategies companies use to deliver effective virtual training and how learners perceive virtual classroom training compared to traditional face-to-face settings. Best practice with research shows that the most critical factors in successful virtual classroom training are engaging learners, using the software technology effectively, applying instruction design practices and accurately evaluating learner perception. By understanding the best practices, instructional designers can …

Essential Assessment For Quality Online Learning In Higher Education, Shu-Hsiang Chen

Graduate Research Papers

Linking assessment with learning objectives and outcomes has become significantly important in assessing adult learners in higher education. To better understand how adults learn and their expectations for learning, this paper provides a literature review that examines adult learning theory, learner characteristics, and motivation factors that shape our understanding. Additionally, this paper provides an in-depth review on the definition of assessment, types of assessment, formative versus summative assessment, alternative assessment, self-assessment, and the most appropriate and essential implementing principles and strategies in an online learning environment. The resources were retrieved using the University of Northern Iowa Library's online cataloging system …

Facilitating Maximum Benefit For Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Distance Education, Rodd Grady

Graduate Research Papers

Traditional distance education environments are not conducive to learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The purpose of this literature review is to address how learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can better succeed in distance education learning environments. The review defines distance education, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and briefly explains some of the details of each. It then reviews strategies for helping students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Considerations for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in distance education are addressed. It discusses media, interaction, engagement of learners, feedback, motivation, and support systems as possible ways to help learners with …

The Question Is The Answer : Making The Language Arts Classroom Meaningful With Essential Questions And Student-Driven Inquiry, Ashley A. Jorgensen

Graduate Research Papers

Coalition research scholar, Grant Wiggins, firmly believes the idea of a question-driven, inquiry approach to teaching and learning should be at the heart of a school's mission. In examining one of the chief questions of a school's mission, that is, 'What are the aims of a high school curriculum,' Wiggins says it must involve getting students to "use their minds well" (Cushman, 1989). Wiggins says that, "students should emerge from their high school career with an integrated vision of how to think within the culture, which implies a broad understanding, not just narrow or rote expertise" (Cushman, 1989). In order …

What Is Really Happening When I Teach? : A Self-Study In A Secondary English Classroom, Margaret Christensen Mnayer

Graduate Research Papers

As an educator in an urban school, determined to provide my students with the most effective teaching, I engaged in a self-study to examine my practices and evaluate effectiveness based on current research. I used Schulte's (2002) framework to build my self-study. Her indicators of a quality self-study are: 1) thorough descriptions of the context, data collection, and analysis, 2) thoughtful problemization of researcher and her practice, 3) indications for how study changed researcher's practice, and, 4) a description of how the new insights gained might contribute to knowledge base for other teachers.

Constructivism And Distance Education : Meeting The Needs Of Adult Learners In Distance Education, Kimberly D. Nicholson

Graduate Research Papers

This review addresses literature regarding how the implementation of constructivist principles in designing online learning environments can meet adults' needs. This literature review identifies the specific characteristics and concerns associated with distance learning environments. It also explores the usefulness of using constructivism as a means to meet the unique needs of adult learners in distance learning courses. Resources consist primarily of books and articles published from 1995 to the present, dealing with issues of constructivism, andragogy, and distance education.

The topics covered include constructivism, adult learners, and constructivist-based strategies integration with particular attention being paid to the problem-based learning model, …

A Qualitative Study Of The Nascent Entrepreneurial Process Of An Immigrant Within An Irish Context Of A Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Lucia Walsh

Doctoral

This thesis intersects the theoretical fields of nascent entrepreneurship and cross-cultural adaptation. The key research question that guides this research is: What is the nascent entrepreneurial journey of an immigrant within an Irish context of cross cultural adaptation? The study explores the notion that the nascent entrepreneurial and cross-cultural adaptation journeys of immigrants in this study are intertwined and dynamically interact with each other.

Despite much academic interest in nascent entrepreneurship, there is a lack of qualitative studies that focus on understanding the nascent entrepreneurial process of immigrants on a longitudinal basis. Additionally, the immigrant/ethnic specific entrepreneurship theories frequently overlook …

The Unforgettable June 2008 Cedar River Flood, Keri Annis

Graduate Research Papers

Natural disasters such as flooding cause emotional and financial strains. Among those directly affected are children. Communities are forever changed after suffering loses due to flooding. Informational text provides discussion and comprehension for children. An informational booklet about the devastating June 2008 Cedar River flood and the effects it has had on the Cedar Rapids community would benefit third graders in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Due to the recency of this flood, no informational books about it have been published for children. The purpose of this research project was to create an informational booklet using a non-fiction expository …

Adventure Education: After-School Program Participation On Academic Performance, Arlene F. Prather-O'Kane

Graduate Research Papers

Adventure Education is an innovative way to build character by enhancing self- discovery, developing personal responsibility, and acquiring coping and communication skills, in a school setting. Adventure Education is established in some elementary, middle, and high school curricula, but it remains unclear of its outcomes on programmatic issues. Research literature in the Adventure Education field focusing on program components has been minimal.

This study investigated math and reading scores, and school attendance of middle after-school students, to see if an Adventure Education program called Seed Planters® influenced students' abilities to perform better in school and to increase their interest in …

The Quiet Eye And The Effects Of Anxiety On Visual Training And Perception In Sport, Shaun Mark Artero Juan

Graduate Research Papers

At an early age most kids involved in competitive sports are aware of the pressures of winning. They feel the pressure to win from their coaches, peers, and, in most cases from their family too. However, in this day in sports, it is difficult to be the BEST athlete on the team, or in the league. Every athlete wants that edge over their opponents, and is willing to do the necessary workouts and training to learn the skills and techniques to excel in their sport. Every disciplined athlete wants to WIN!

The desire to win is so prevalent in sports …

Childhood Obesity And Adolescent Obesity In Taiwan And United States, Eric Yao-Tieng Huang

Graduate Research Papers

The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has been increasing over the last two decades. Besides sedentary activity and high-calorie diet, there are numerous obesity-related factors that could be generalized to two categories: (a) intrapersonal factors (e.g., age, gender, socioeconomic status) and (b) interpersonal factors (e.g., friends, family, social support, social climate). The purpose of this literature review was to examine these factors behind the issue of childhood obesity and adolescent obesity in Taiwan and United States. Strong evidence shows a similar trend that both American and Taiwanese adolescents are living sedentary lifestyles, habituated to bad eating habits, and …

Teacher-Initiated Reminders To Increase The Frequency Of Attainment Of Students’ Self-Set Aerobic Fitness Goals, Ross Chakrian

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Comparing Static And Dynamic Stretching Prior To Exercise, Brock Leggins

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Motivational Climate: Coaches Using A Mastery Approach, Tiffany Anne Pins

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Cardiovascular Fitness And Academic Achievement In 8th Grade Students, Lindsey Kingsbury

Graduate Research Papers

Background: Federal mandates add pressure to school administrators to improve academic performance on standardized tests. Physical education, along with other none academic subjects, are being removed to make more academic instructional time.

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to examine how middle school students' cardiovascular fitness affects academic performance standardized test. A secondary focus was to examine the relationship between a 2.5 and 5 day a week physical education regimen* cardiovascular fitness levels.

Methods: The FitnessGram PACER was used to measure the cardiovascular endurance levels and the Iowa Basic Skills Test was used to measure academic performance in …

Pathological Gambling Among Older Adults, Thomas Joseph Lind

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Role Of The Stay-At-Home Dad, Jason E. Heitland

Graduate Research Papers

The intent of this paper is to 1) explore the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a full-time child caregiver, and 2) discover why this new trend is becoming increasingly popular with fathers, not only in the United States, but around the world as well. By doing this, we hope to gain insight into the growing appeal of becoming a SAHD.

A Survey To Determine Attitudes Of Elementary Students And Teachers Toward The Polar Active Activity Monitoring System, Daniel P. Gawrisch

Graduate Research Papers

The CDC and NASPE currently recommend that children get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day; however, too many children fall short of this goal. Physical education programs need to take an active role in promoting physical activity for children. Physical educators can benefit from a reliable and valid method to monitor the physical activity patterns of students. Polar Electro developed a new accelerometer called the Polar Active designed to help students and teachers track daily activity time. The purpose of this survey was to determine the attitudes of a teacher and his males and females 2nd, …

Factors That Contribute To A Successful Youth Services Director, Ann Elizabeth Scoles

Graduate Research Papers

The youth of today face challenges and opportunities that are very different from earlier generations. When working as a youth services director the emphasis is on supporting the healthy growth and development of youth and providing experiences which enable them to mature and live a meaningful life. Youth services directors are challenged to find and coordinate youth programs that provide a safe and enriching environment for youth.

This paper discusses the important factors that are common characteristics of successful youth services directors. This paper explores the history of youth services and the important role Jane Addams played in developing youth …

An Examination Of The Pertinent Literature Of The Relationship Between Adolescence, Alcohol Use And Leisure, Jennifer Swofford

Graduate Research Papers

Adolescent alcohol use is a significant health and safety concern in the United States (National Institutes of Health, 2006). Alcohol use among adolescents has a number of negative consequences including academic failure, health problems, motor vehicle accidents and personal violence (Bruner and Fishman, 1998). Many researchers contend that the decision to use alcohol is made during childhood and early adolescence (Johnson, O'Malley and Bachman (1984).

This research project examined the relationship between adolescent alcohol use and leisure involvement. Many of the self-reported reasons that adolescents drink alcohol are similar to those benefits they derive from participation in more wholesome leisure …

The Portrayal Of Grandparents As Caregivers In Young Adult Fiction, Susan Christine Bunch

Graduate Research Papers

The number of children and young adults being raised primarily by their grandparents continues to increase (Landry-Meyer & Newman, 2004). If either the grandchild or grandparent is suddenly thrust into a different family structure it can create challenges. Some young adults turn to the characters in literature as models for how to cope with life challenges (Hughes-Hassell & Rodge, 2007). It was the purpose of this quantitative study to explore physical health, mental and emotional health, and lifestyle and social challenges faced by grandparents and grandchildren when the grandparents are the primary caregivers, and how those challenges are portrayed in …

Playing Like A Girl: An Analysis Of The Role Of Gender In Trumpet Performance, Leslie Ellen Aboud

Honors Program Theses

The area of classical trumpet performance has been primarily regarded as a masculine profession and many are surprised to be informed of or stumble upon some of the great female trumpeters of our time. Since the gender of trumpet players is seemingly one-sided, it is important to note to what degree, if any, gender impacts this profession. The goal of this research is to use experiences and opinions of prominent female trumpet players to identify the role of gender in classical trumpet performance from the standpoint of musical expression and approaches to performance. In order to carry out these goals, …

Designing A Library Program To Increase The Number Of Fourth Grade Reading Goals, Jodonna Carlson

Graduate Research Papers

The problem identified by this research was at School C, 37% of the fourth grade students were not meeting their reading goal. The library at School C may not have been designed to meet the needs of these students. Action research using both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather data was used in this study. Parental permission was given for four fourth grade students to participate in this study. Two fourth grade teachers also agreed to participate in this study. Field notes were used to gather data during observations of book checkout for each class. Open-ended questions were asked each …