Digital Commons Network^™

A Consideration Of Positive Behavior Supports Through A Preschool Lens, Theresa J. Stevenson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Positive Behavior Supports is a research-based, systemic approach to supporting . positive behaviors and structured responses to negative behaviors. Positive Behavior Supports, or PBS, has been implemented in multiple elementary schools and classrooms. However, PBS in an early childhood or preschool setting lacks a strong evidence base. This paper provides an overview of PBS and the need for its implementation in early childhood settings. Best practice for PBS implementation, current researched approaches, and the measurement techniques available for use are reviewed.

Building Sustainable Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports In High Schools, Jessica M. Overturf

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this paper is to explore how School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) systems can be successful in high school settings. Chapter 1 will establish the need for SWPBS in high schools and Chapter 2 will provide an overview of and evidence supporting SWPBS. Chapter 3 focuses on what is considered best practice in implementing SWPBS. Chapter 4 discusses the characteristics exclusive to high schools that have been identified as potential barriers in implementing SWPBS efforts, and Chapter 5 provides examples of successful high school SWPBS case studies as well as recommendations for overcoming the aforementioned barriers.

An Elementary-To-Middle School Transitional Program And Its Effect On Student Behavior, Kyle Sheer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The transition from elementary to middle school has proven to be difficult for all stakeholders. Reports of increased discipline infractions and truancy, combined with a noticeable drop in overall student achievement, have resulted in numerous attempts to ease the anxieties and frustrations that are characteristic of this transition. Schools often establish transitional programs to prepare incoming middle school students with the skills needed to be successful in a new educational environment. Transitional programs are often very expensive to operate and require an extensive amount of planning. This program evaluation considered 1 specific transitional program that took place during the summer …

Remembering Forward: Neural Correlates Of Memory And Prediction In Human Motor Adaptation, Robert A. Scheidt, Janice Zimbelman, Nicole M.G. Salowitz, Aaron J. Suminski, Kristine M. Mosier, James Houk, Lucia Simo

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

We used functional MR imaging (FMRI), a robotic manipulandum and systems identification techniques to examine neural correlates of predictive compensation for spring-like loads during goal-directed wrist movements in neurologically-intact humans. Although load changed unpredictably from one trial to the next, subjects nevertheless used sensorimotor memories from recent movements to predict and compensate upcoming loads. Prediction enabled subjects to adapt performance so that the task was accomplished with minimum effort. Population analyses of functional images revealed a distributed, bilateral network of cortical and subcortical activity supporting predictive load compensation during visual target capture. Cortical regions – including prefrontal, parietal and hippocampal …

Why Do Criminals Obey The Law? The Influence Of Legitimacy And Social Networks On Active Gun Offenders, Andrew V. Papachristos, Tracey L. Meares, Jeffery Fagan

Faculty Scholarship

Research on procedural justice and legitimacy suggests that compliance with the law is best secured not by mere threat offorce, but by fostering beliefs in the fairness of the legal systems and in the legitimacy of legal actors. To date, however, this research has been based on general population surveys and more banal types of law-violating behavior (such as unpaid parking tickets, excessive noise, etc.). Thus, while we know why the average citizen obeys the law, we do not have similar knowledge about populations most likely to commit serious violent crimes. This study fills that void by using a unique …

Incorporating The Delphi Technique To Investigate Renewable Energy Technology Transfer In Saudi Arabia, Nasir K. Al-Otaibi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Saudi Arabia is a major oil-producing nation facing a rapidly-growing population, high unemployment, climate change, and the depletion of its natural resources, potentially including its oil supply. Technology transfer is regarded as a means to diversify countries' economies beyond their natural resources. This dissertation examined the opportunities and barriers to utilizing technology transfer successfully to build renewable energy resources in Saudi Arabia to diversify the economy beyond oil production. Examples of other developing countries that have successfully used technology transfer to transform their economies are explored, including Japan, Malayasia, and the United Arab Emirates. Brazil is presented as a detailed …

A Sociable Humanoid Autonomous Robotic Platform (The Sharp Project): An Evaluation Of The G.E.N.E.S.I.S. Robot As An Interactive Consumer Robotic Platform, Jeffrey J. Rick

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The Social Humanoid Autonomous Robotic Platform (SHARP) project is an android project that was created with the intent of making learning about androids and robotics easier for the novice, diverse for the expert, educational in the classroom, and useful in the home or business. The project centers itself on its simplicity, low cost, and expandability. This paper illustrates how the SHARP Project has the potential to be an affordable fit in nearly every modern setting. The introduction of the SHARP project lays the groundwork for people of many ages, incomes, and educational levels to take advantage of robotics technology. The …

Development Of A Modular Dual Engine Hybrid Electric Vehicle Simulation Model, Kenan Baltaci

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Depleting resources of fossil fuel, climate change impacts, high oil prices, and strict emission requirements are leading to the research on efficient, environmentally friendly, and lowered fossil fuel dependent solutions in the transportation field. While a number of studies used computer modeling and simulation tools to investigate hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), very few attempted to model and simulate a dual-engine hybrid vehicle. Designing a vehicle engine to meet energy needs in the fully loaded condition is not an optimal solution for manufacturers and customers. The larger the engine, the higher the manufacturing costs for companies, and higher fuel consumption for …

Striving For Zero Iv Pump Errors – A Unique Approach, Kristie Lowery Rn, Bs, Cphq, Cphrm, Gwenis L. Browning Rn, Msn, Georgene Saliba Rn, Bsn, Mba, Cphrm, Leroy Kromis Pharmd

Administration & Leadership

No abstract provided.

Operation Improvement: Enhancing Perioperative Billing, Janet Caverly

Administration & Leadership

No abstract provided.

A Database For Estimating Organ Dose For Chest And Head Ct Scans For Arbitrary Spectra And Angular Tube Current Modulation, Franco Rupcich, Andreu Badal, Iacovos Kyprianou, Taly Gilat Schmidt

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a database for estimating organ dose in a voxelized patient model for coronary angiography and brain perfusion CT acquisitions with any spectra and angular tube current modulation setting. The database enables organ dose estimation for existing and novel acquisition techniques without requiring Monte Carlo simulations. Methods: The study simulated transport of monoenergetic photons between 5 and 150 keV for 1000 projections over 360◦ through anthropomorphic voxelized female chest and head (0◦ and 30◦ tilt) phantoms and standard head and body CTDI dosimetry cylinders. The simulations resulted in tables of normalized dose …

Ipads Versus Laptops: The Effects Of Mobile Device Interfaces On Students' Attitudes Towards Technology And Learning, Evans Lugalia Mudanya

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Although iPad and laptop interfaces look similar, users interact with them in significantly different ways. The differences in these interfaces may lead to attitudinal differences towards technology and learning. In an attitudinal survey taken by 39 UNI Malcolm Price Laboratory School (MPLS) students, possible attitudinal differences of students based upon the two interfaces were investigated. This preliminary ex-post facto study investigated whether there is any relationship between the type of mobile devices used in a ninth grade English class and the students’ attitudes towards technology and learning. The study also explored if a relationship between attitudes toward technology and learning …

Role Strain In Probation And Parole Work And Strategies Used To Reduce Strain, Samantha A. Shoger

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Probation and parole officers play a vital role in the operation of the correctional system. As a part of their role work in community-based corrections, probation and parole officers must act as both a client monitor and treatment counselor to not only assist in client reentry, but also to protect the public. Due to the nature of probation and parole work and the historical changes that have affected their work (i.e. the punitive turn, the New Penology, and the current correctional budgetary constraints), probation and parole officers must cope with a variety of factors in their work that can cause …

Benefits And Challenges Of Multidisciplinary Project Teams: "Lessons Learned" For Researchers And Practitioners, Haydee M. Cuevas, Cheryl A. Bolstad, Robert Oberbreckling, Noelle Lavoie, Diane Kuhl Mitchell, James Fielder, Peter W. Foltz

Publications

Adopting a multidisciplinary research approach would enable test and evaluation professionals to more effective!y investigate the complex human performance problems faced in today's technologically advanced operational domains. To illustrate the utility of this approach, we present "lessons learned" based on our experiences as a multi-agency, multidisciplinary team collaborating on an Army research project involving a dynamic military command and control simulation. Our goal with these lessons learned is to provide guidance to researchers and practitioners alike concerning the benefits and challenges of such collaboration. Our project team's diverse members, drawn from both industry and government organizations, offer their multiple p …

Multi-Disciplinary Hands-On Desktop Learning Modules And Modern Pedagogies, Bernard J. Van Wie, David B. Thiessen, Marc Compere, Ximena Toro, Jennifer C. Adam, Et Al.

Publications

Our team’s research focuses on fundamental problems in undergraduate education in terms of how to expand use of well researched, yet still “new”, teaching pedagogies of ‘sensing’ or ‘hands-on’, ‘active’ and ‘problem-based learning’ within engineering courses. It is now widely accepted that traditional lectures ARE NOT best for students – yet that is what the community almost universally does.

To address this issue we are developing new Desktop Learning Modules (DLMs) that contain miniaturized processes with a uniquely expandable electronic system to contend with known sensor systems/removable cartridges, as well as, unknown expansions to the project. We have shown that …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Student Life Skills Courses In The Social And Academic Integration Of Community College Students, Lourdes M. Perez

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to determine if Student Life Skills (SLS) courses impact the social and academic integration of community college students. Additionally, due to the unique demographics of the student population of the research setting, this study also examined if factors such as native language, income and employment workload impact the social and/or academic integration of students enrolled in a community college.

The writer developed an instrument using the Institution Integration Scale (IIS) consisting of 30 items constructed to assess the dimensions of academic and social integration. The instrument requires respondents to indicate their involvement with faculty, staff, …

Teaching Independent Living Skills To Moderately And Severely Disabled Students, Jennifer Jordan

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study examined the use of picture reading to teach independent living skills to students with moderate to severe disabilities. The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that picture reading would increase independence in employability and daily living skills. The primary investigator decided to use pictures as visual supports to determine if students could follow directions in sequential order to make a sandwich and wash dishes. Six students from an inner-city school receiving special education services in a self-contained setting participated in this research. Research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach consisting of qualitative and quantitative research. …

Factores Que Influyen En La Adopción De La Tecnología Educativa En Las Escuelas Elementales Del Sur De Puerto Rico, Carmen Milagros González De Jesús

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

El presente estudio tuvo como propósito determinar los factores que influyen en la adopción y uso de lo s equipos tecnológicos como herramienta educativa en tres escuelas del sur de Puerto Rico. La investigación se centró en determinar los usos que le dan los maestros a los equipos disponibles, las actitudes hacia el uso de la computadora en la sala de clases, los factores que contribuyen con el uso de la tecnología, así como los factores que actúan como barrera. Para determinar los factores que influyen en la adopción y uso de la tecnología como herramienta educativa se utilizó un …

A Technology Acceptance Model Of Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment Use By Kindergarten-Grade 12 Teachers, John N. Just

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study surveyed 51 traditional, classroom kindergarten-Grade 12 (K-12) teachers to explore a possible relationship between responses on the extended technology acceptance model (TAM2) adapted for use with the Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) system and classroom use of the system. Moodle is an online learning environment used increasingly by K-12 teachers as a tool for integrating web-based resources and online activities in traditional classrooms. The TAM2 contains questions to measure teachers’ perceptions relative to Moodle about perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, image, social, voluntariness, training, and technology support.

A path analysis was performed between usage data mined …

Teaching Presence And Communication Timeliness In Asynchronous Online Courses, Erik Skramstad

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to examine student perceptions of teaching presence and communication timeliness in asynchronous online courses using a survey research methodology. The community of inquiry model developed by Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2000) provided the framework of the study while asking the following research questions:

1. What are student perceptions of teaching presence in asynchronous online courses?

2. What is the communication timeliness of instructors for direct feedback on students’ assignments?

3. What is the relationship between instructor communication timeliness for direct feedback on students’ assignments and student perceptions of teaching presence?

Participants were 59 anonymous …

A Study Of The Processes Involved In Sexual Battery Investigations, Kelly S. Boone

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to identify the common and unique processes employed during investigations of sexual battery. While departmental policies and state statutes provide guidance on the processes to be used in sexual battery investigations, there is a great deal of variability in the combination of processes that can be employed to investigate these cases. There is also some degree of variability in the outcomes associated with these investigations. This study examined the processes employed during sexual battery investigations in an effort to identify common themes. Importantly, the study identified the variation in cases that are genuine versus unfounded, …

The Impact Of Selected Behavior Intervention Strategies On Achievement Of Students In Adult Basic Education, Doris J. Granberry

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a better understanding of the strategies that were available to practitioners in adult education programs that were designed to improve student retention. The adult center where this dissertation was implemented experienced a large number of Adult Basic Education Program students who discontinued their studies before earning either the General Equivalency Diploma or the traditional High School Diploma. Many students exhibited aggressive behavior toward the teachers and other students. Consequently, the teachers felt helpless to alter the trend.

The writer developed lesson plans and strategies to train the students and to teach them how …

The Sustainability Of Middle And Elementary School Professional Learning Communities In A Mobile School District, Phillys Hill

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This purpose of this applied dissertation was to provide school leaders with information to guide decisions about professional learning communities (PLCs) in elementary and middle schools. A sample group of secondary and elementary teachers and principals provided their perceptions of the implementation and subsequent sustainability of PLCs in an urban school district challenged with teacher and principal mobility. Sixteen of 45 schools in the large, southern school district gained new principals within 3 years of learning community implementation. In addition, the teacher mobility rate of 13.7% exceeded the state average of 11.8% (Texas Education Agency, 2010). Although it had been …

Efecto Del Enfoque Del Aprendizaje Basado En Problemas Diferenciando Estilos De Aprendizaje En Un Curso De Estadística, Manuel Pio Rosales Almendra

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la estrategia de Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP) mediada por los estilos de aprendizaje sobre las variables dependientes desempeño académico, actitud, motivación y satisfacción de los estudiantes en el curso a distancia de estadística II.

Los participantes fueron estudiantes del curso de Estadísticas II en una universidad Mexicana. Se utilizaron cuatro cuestionarios. El primero identificó los estilos de aprendizaje predominantes de los estudiantes (PEPS). El cuestionario de actitud (CUAC) y Motivación (CUMO) hacia el ambiente de aprendizaje propuesto se aplicaron al inicio y al final del curso. El cuestionario de …

Assessing The Effect Of Mentoring On First-Semester Associate-Degree Nursing Students, Arlene Walker-Adams

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This research study assessed the perceptions of first-semester nursing students about mentoring. The first purpose of the study was to describe the perceptions of first-semester nursing students in an associate-degree nursing program about mentoring. The second purpose was to ascertain the students‟ perceived values of mentorship as a strategy to support their learning and promote retention.

The sample population consisted of 10 first-semester nursing students who participated as mentees. The researcher utilized a qualitative methodology to assess the perceptions of first-semester nursing students. The researcher used three instruments to collect the data: focus groups, individual interviews, and a demographic questionnaire. …

Applying Peer Modeling In Inclusion Classrooms: A Study On Educators’ Perception, Rossana I. Chiarella

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study evaluated the effects of educators’ perception on the application of peer modeling strategies in the classrooms. Without teachers’ positive attitude towards peer modeling, it was difficult to apply these strategies effectively. Teachers’ attitudes were determined by their existing perceptions, whereas different perceptions resulted in different dispositions to act and different outcomes. The purpose was to determine how teachers in a school located in south Florida applied peer modeling, and how their perceptions over it played an important role. The researcher attempted to evaluate the importance of peer-model strategies and to demonstrate the true benefit of their proper application …

El Empleo De Foros Electrónicos Para El Aprendizaje En El Área De Ingeniería De Software De Una Institución De Educación Superior Del Noroeste De México, Elsa L. Padilla M.

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta disertación investigó la aplicación del foro electrónico como apoyo al aprendizaje en entornos de tipo virtual-presencial. El propósito fue diseñar los criterios de calidad y la metodología para planear, organizar, desarrollar, retroalimentar y evaluar el uso de foros electrónicos, en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje de cursos en modalidad virtual-presencial, de la forma más apropiada para las condiciones del área de ingeniería de software una institución de educación superior del noroeste de México. Las preguntas de investigación fueron: ¿cuáles son los criterios de calidad para aplicar los foros electrónicos en los cursos en modalidad Virtual-Presencial, para apoyar los …

Evaluación De Las Competencias Básicas En Tic De Los Docentes De Una Universidad Pública Mexicana, Lilia Elisa Torres Moran

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta propuesta de investigación fue diseñada para evaluar las competencias básicas en TIC de los docentes de una Universidad Pública Mexicana (UPM) ubicada al noroeste del país, así como sus actitudes hacia las TIC y su integración al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje utilizando las “Normas UNESCO (2008) sobre Competencias en TIC para Docentes” en su enfoque sobre Nociones Básicas en TIC.

La presente disertación aplicada tiene como propósito elaborar una estrategia de formación y actualización docente que facilite la incorporación del uso de las TIC a la tarea pedagógica, el diseño se realizó con una investigación bajo un enfoque dominante en …

The Implementation Of Blogging And The Perception Of Its Impact On Student Writing, Charles R. Ford Jr.

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This qualitative study took place at a school district located in a northeastern state in the United States. The town has approximately 25,000 residents and covers approximately 8.5 square miles. The study took place at an elementary school with approximately 400 students in kindergarten through Grade 4. This study targeted the 69 students at this research site who were enrolled in the 3rd grade and divided into 4 sections. Each section utilized the same district-approved language arts literacy program.

The problem addressed in this study was that students were not receiving maximum scores on the writing-analysis portion of the New …

Effects Of An Extended-School-Year Summer Program On The Language-Arts Achievement Of At-Risk Students, Jeffery S. Zito

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of the study was to improve the reading and writing skills of underperforming students in Grades 3 through 5 at an elementary school located in the northeastern United States. Proficient literacy skills are essential for future academic success (National Early Literacy Panel, 2009). Because acquiring literacy skills is a prerequisite to the attainment of all other academic skills, learning to read is considered a necessary foundational ability by researchers (Krezmien & Mulcahy, 2008; Lo, Wang, & Haskell, 2009; Murphy, 2004). The problem addressed in this study was that, in the 2004-2005 to 2006-2007 school years, a mean of …