Digital Commons Network^™

Measuring Depth Of Understanding When Using Smartphones As Cognitive Tools In The Elementary Classroom, Lisa Westcott Schaa

Graduate Research Papers

The intent of this research was to measure how students' depth of understanding was affected by using smartphones in an elementary classroom, and what effects these cognitive tools had on students' abilities to express their level of understanding of the unit on Earth Changes. This empirical research took place for six weeks in the fall of 2011 with a class of eighteen Caucasian boys and girls of middle to low income economic status in a small town in Iowa. Students were a given a pre-test using traditional paper and pencil. Participants were split into two groups-with one group using traditional …

Tribute To Elouise Cobell, Dennis Gingold, M. Alexander Pearl

Faculty Articles

Cobell v. Salazar, the landmark class-action case, and its settlement arise out of a painful period in American history. For more than a century, the government's abuse of individual Indian trust beneficiaries has been documented in various government reports and has been debated in Congress, but nothing that Congress did or said stopped egregious breaches of trust committed by the executive branch. The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit noted that "[t]he General Accounting Office, Interior Department Inspector General, and Office of Management and Budget, among others, have all condemned the mismanagement of the Individual Indian Money …

The New Literacies: Transitioning The Secondary Writing Workshop Classroom, Laura Schafer

Graduate Research Papers

The New Literacies are an important aspect of education in the 21 st Century. As with any educational reform, there is some confusion surrounding the terminology of this movement. This paper will review the major components of the new literacies as well as examining the increased use of technology within the secondary writing workshop classroom. With the advancement of technology, students are incorporating more computer use both in and out of the classroom. ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) literacy skills must begin to transition into all classrooms; teaching includes the use of technology as part of instruction rather than a …

Worksite Wellness: Best Practices, Sarah C. Tighe

Graduate Research Papers

This is an overview of the best practices of worksite wellness. It examines how worksite wellness benefits employers through the containment of health care costs, better return on investments, and healthier and more productive employees for companies. It discusses the major themes of best practice workplaces, with three examples of companies that have succeeded in the development of their wellness programs. It concludes with a summary and discussion of the literature followed by a recommendation for employers and a recommendation for future research.

The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Academic Achievement, Annie M. Stoessel

Graduate Research Papers

The relationship between physical activity, physical education and academic achievement has gained increased attention in recent years. The nation's obesity rates keep rising and the nation's students continue to be less active than needed to maintain their health. Complicating the issue is the added pressure that schools have felt to cut physical education and physical activity from the school day in order to include more time for the core curriculum. Recently, new research has been added to the conversation that focuses on the relationship of physical activity and its impact on the brain and specifically student cognition. The focus of …

Integrating Literacy Into The Math Classroom : A Staff Development For Innovative Educators, Kathryn Pollina

Graduate Research Papers

With the collaboration and advice of several mentors and practicing teachers, I found using strategies proven to help students during literacy instruction also had the same effect during mathematics instruction. I took various instructional activities, focused around using reading and writing skills in math, and was able to effectively instruct this group of students. This experience piqued my interest in the connection between literacy and mathematics. As a result, I decided to continue my research into how to effectively integrate these two core subject areas, investigating the efficacy of combining mathematics with literacy instruction.

Ay 2011/2012 Forms: Honors And Awards Council Awards List, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Archives

No abstract provided.

Strategic Planning In Irish Higher Education Institutions, Marion Herlihy

Theses

If Higher Education Institutions are to fulfill their potential and serve the needs of all their stakeholders, then their institutional management capacity must be effective and responsive to changes in the environment. Strategic planning and quality assurance are an integral part of the management of modem higher education institutions worldwide. This study is based on two research questions. Research Question One examines the experiences of strategic planning of twenty higher education institutions in Ireland over a ten year period from 2000 to 2010. The second research question examines how strategic planning has been integrated with quality assurance processes which are …

Consumer Values And Value Change As Influencing Factors Of Future Purchase Decisions In The Automotive Industry, Marc Uhl

Theses

The intense competition in the automotive industry and thus the pressure to correctly evaluate future consumer demands for successful product development provides the context for this thesis. Previous studies have drawn attention towards a potential change of automobile related personal values among younger consumers, yet failed to present a clear picture of this subject. Building on this background, this thesis investigates the automobile related personal value system of a younger and an older respondent group in order to determine the progression of values between both groups. For the first time, a qualitative approach was applied in this context in order …

An Evaluation Of Active8 - A Physical Activity Intervention For Teenage Girls., Aileen Fitzgibbon

Theses

Objectives; To evaluate the Active8 intervention which aimed to increase physical activity participation and knowledge among teenage girls aged 11-14 years.

Design; School based trial conducted from February- May 2010, in the Glen Resource and Sports Centre, Cork. Participants; Participants consisted of seventy three first year girls from an all-girls Secondary School in the North Side of Cork City, aged between 11-14 years. Forty eight transition year girls from the same school acted as mentors in the programme. Parental consent was obtained.

Intervention; First year students engaged in weekly one hour physical activity sessions, during their Physical Education classes, for …

“If You Can Dream It, You Can Achieve It”: Parent Memorable Messages As Indicators Of College Student Success, Haley Kranstuber, Kristen Carr, Angela M. Hosek

Department of Communication Studies: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study investigated various aspects of parents’ memorable messages about college as they relate to indicators of college student success. Findings revealed that parents’ memorable messages about college focused on working (and playing) hard, the necessity of attending college, providing encouragement and support, and general advice based on parents’ own experiences. Although these message themes were not uniquely predictive of college student success, the students’ perceptions of message and sender characteristics emerged as significant predictors of cognitive learning indicators, learner empowerment, college motivation, and satisfaction with college. Theoretical and practical implications for findings are discussed.

Direct And Indirect U.S. Government Debt, Steven L. Schwarcz

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Climate Change Quarrels: Scientists Sweat To Make Climate Change Research Accessible, Duncan Reilly

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Mysteries And Misconceptions About Autism, Ryann Mcchesney

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Energy Drinks: Calling Bull On Taurine, Connor Mccleskey

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Nuclear Energy: An Interview With Kennette Benedict, Duncan Reilly

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Online Learning: Exploring The Landscape, Jonathan D. Becker, Jesse Senechal, Charol Shakeshaft

MERC Publications

The Policy and Planning Council of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) rightfully identified online learning as an area ripe for study. This report summarizes findings from both phases of the research is the first report of the study that was ultimately commissioned. After a brief review of the literature, this report includes a description of the survey research portion of the study as well as findings from the statewide survey that was undertaken and then phase 2, which consisted of case studies of four Virginia school divisions. The report concludes with a brief summary …

Introduction: Special Issue On Law, Kenneth Lasson

All Faculty Scholarship

Just as ensuring civil liberties for all requires eternal vigilance, so combating antisemitism is a never-ending quest. But the continuous monitoring of antisemitic incidents—a critical exercise that this journal painstakingly reflects in its “Antisemitica” feature—is merely the beginning of the everlasting effort to limit them. Bigotry comes in many guises and is a constantly evolving target, exposing the limitations of law and the frustrations of justice.

Thus, even in civilized societies where equality under the law is a guiding principle, legal remedies for discrimination are insufficient in and of themselves. They must be accompanied by purposeful good-will and a firm …

Determining Cell Markers For The Evaluation Of Huvec And Huvsmc Phenotypes On Formalin Fixed, Paraffin Embedded Blood Vessel Mimics, Christopher Michael Miracle

Biomedical Engineering

No abstract provided.

To Be Or Not To Be (A Parent)? - Not Precisely The Question: The Frozen Embryo Dispute, Yehezkel Margalit

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article explores the legal and ethical complexities surrounding disputes over frozen embryos, particularly focusing on the balance between the right to become a parent and the right to avoid parenthood. It examines the legal status of frozen embryos and proposes a compromise solution where the objecting spouse is granted nonparenthood status, allowing the other partner to use the embryos without imposing parenthood on the unwilling party. The analysis emphasizes the importance of legal parenthood for societal welfare and the challenges posed by evolving reproductive technologies.

"U" Stands For Underutilization: The U Visa's Vulnerability For Underuse In The Sex Trafficking Context, Erin Bistricer

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The U Visa, established in 2000 under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization, was designed to provide legal status to victims of certain crimes, including sex trafficking, without fear of deportation. However, its implementation has been hindered by significant challenges, including delayed regulations, confusion among applicants, and reliance on law enforcement cooperation, which can be a barrier for traumatized victims. While the U Visa offers more flexibility than the T Visa by covering a broader range of crimes and requiring a lower standard of proof, its effectiveness is limited by factors such as annual caps, inadequate state anti-trafficking laws, …

Constitutional Implications Of Title Ix Compliance In Colleges And Universities, Michael Rosen

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

A Tango Between Copyright And Choreography: Whiteness As Status Property In Balanchine's Ballets, Fuller's Serpentine Dance, And Graham's Modern Dances, Caroline Joan S. Picart

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article examines the intersection of race, gender, and copyright law in the context of modern dance in the United States. It argues that the legal battles over copyright protection for choreography were deeply influenced by racial and gender biases, with white male choreographers like George Balanchine securing ownership and control over their works, while female choreographers like Martha Graham faced significant challenges in maintaining control over their intellectual property. The article highlights how these dynamics shaped the legal framework for copyright protection in dance, emphasizing the role of whiteness and gender in determining ownership and legacy.

Predators In Paradise: Puerto Rico's Recent Sex Offender Problems And The Federal Government's Ill Suited Solutions, Adan Soltren

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note examines the challenges and implications of implementing the Adam Walsh Act (2006) in Puerto Rico, particularly its Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) provisions. It highlights Puerto Rico's noncompliance with SORNA due to its less stringent sex offender laws and the economic and policy concerns surrounding full adoption. The analysis critiques SORNA's one-size-fits-all approach, especially its treatment of juvenile offenders, and proposes tailored solutions for Puerto Rico to address these issues while maintaining public safety.

The War On Women's Fundamental Rights: Connecting U.S. Supreme Court Originalism To Rightwing, Conservative Extremism In American Politics, Donna J. King

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article argues that the Fourteenth Amendment's Privileges or Immunities Clause, intended to protect fundamental rights for all citizens, including women, has been systematically undermined by the U.S. Supreme Court's originalist interpretations. This erosion, exemplified by cases like SlaughterHouse, has emboldened right-wing extremism and threatens women's rights, particularly in the context of unenumerated fundamental rights. The article contends that the Court's narrow constructions and disregard for legislative history have perpetuated inequality and stripped the Clause of its intended protective power.

Ain't I A Victim? The Intersectionality Of Race, Class, And Gender In Domestic Violence And The Courtroom, Geneva Brown

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The legal system systematically fails to protect marginalized groups, particularly African American women, from intimate-partner violence due to entrenched race, gender, and class biases. These biases manifest in the courts' disregard for the unique experiences of African American women, as highlighted by Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality theory. The article examines how systemic discrimination and the courts' failure to enforce protective orders perpetuate violence against this vulnerable population, emphasizing the lethal consequences of these failures. The analysis also critiques the Supreme Court's narrowing of constitutional protections in cases like DeShaney v. Winnebago County and Castle Rock v. Gonzales, which further erode …

The Internet And The Evolution Of Library Research: The Perspective Of One Longitudinal Study, Paul T. Jaeger, Kim M. Thompson, Jonathan Lazar

Faculty Publications

The article discusses the impact of the Internet on library research, public libraries, and public library research. It examines the methods of the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study. The authors assert that the Internet has allowed libraries to add capacity to library research. The article briefly discusses the technological environment prior to the Internet and studies sponsored by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) and the American Library Association (ALA).

Examination Of Factors Impacting Student Satisfaction With A New Learning Management System, Lucy Santos Green, Fethi A. Inan, Bree Denton

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influenced student satisfaction with a new learning management system and to identify which of these factors were most important. The data was collected using an an online survey tool that was administered to students enrolled in courses designed and taught by faculty who participated in a pilot group testing a new learning management system (LMS). The findings support previous research in this area, indicating that usability of the LMS and availability of technical assistance is strongly correlated with student satisfaction. Study findings will be used to improve LMS training and …

Reclaiming Global Environmental Leadership: Why The United States Should Ratify Ten Pending Environmental Treaties, Noah M. Sachs

Law Faculty Publications

For more than a century, the United States has taken the lead in organizing international responses to international environmental problems. The long list of environmental agreements spearheaded by the United States extends from early treaties with Canada and Mexico on boundary waters and migratory birds to global agreements restricting trade in endangered species and protecting against ozone depletion.

In the last two decades, however, U.S. environmental leadership has faltered. The best known example is the lack of an effective response to climate change, underscored by the U.S. decision not to join the Kyoto Protocol. But that is not the only …

The Land Of Give And Take, Tyler Farrell

English Faculty Research and Publications

In The Land of Give and Take, Tyler Farrell’s second collection of poems, a variety of characters appear as on a stage: teenagers and grandparents, priests and poets, the wise and the foolish, professors and proles. Their stories are told by an acute narrator, or often by the characters themselves, and as one poem says, “someone buys the story.” The reader buys these stories for their authenticity and pathos. Shadowing many of the poems is a conflicted Catholicism, sometimes resentful of the churches claims, but recognizing that nothing else gives weight and meaning to the lives of these transient …