Digital Commons Network^™

Roots Of Prejudice: The Influence That Western Standards Of Secularism Have On The Perceived (In)Compatability Of Islam With The Western World, Rula Issa

Gettysburg Social Sciences Review

The increase in Muslims entering Western nations in the last few years has sparked a rise in Islamophobia as well as controversy about the role of secularism in the modern nation-state when it is used to justify prejudice and discrimination against Muslims. Most of the literature on Islamophobia focuses on Western Europe. This study examines the relationship between Islamophobia and secularism in the United States. The United States frames secularization as separation of church and state. Analyzing data from the 2011 Pluralism-Immigration-&-Civic-Integration survey that samples 2450 people 18 and older reveals that controlling for age and being Roman Catholic, the …

Gettysburg Social Sciences Review Fall 2017

Gettysburg Social Sciences Review

No abstract provided.

Improving Equality Through Study In The Humanities. A Book Review Of Education And Equality, Jane Blanken-Webb

Democracy & Education

Danielle Allen’s recent book, Education and Equality, forwards a much-needed perspective for considering the relationship between education and equality in an era in which the value of education seems to be almost unquestionably commensurate with the economic payback it produces in terms of future job earnings. Rather than thinking of education only as a proxy for the transmission of technical know-how and skill that can lead to higher-paying jobs and ultimately improve conditions of economic inequality in our society, Allen took up the intrinsic relationship between education and equality in which the practice of human development, in itself, contributes …

A Problem Of Play For Democratic Education? Abstraction, Realism, And Exploration In Learning Games. A Response To "The Challenges Of Gaming For Democratic Education: The Case Of Icivics", Benjamin Devane

Democracy & Education

In this review article, I argue that games are complementary, not self-supporting, learning tools for democratic education because they can: (a) offer simplified, but often not simple, outlines (later called “models”) of complex social systems that generate further inquiry; (b) provide practice spaces for exploring systems that do not have the often serious consequences of taking direct and immediate social, civic, and legal action; and (c) use rules to allow players to explore this aforementioned outline or model by making decisions and seeing an outcome. To make these arguments, I perform a close reading of three examples of participatory …

Response To “Seeking Democracy Inside And Outside Of Education”, Catherine Broom

Democracy & Education

This response considers the strengths of Carr and Thesee's paper and explores further areas of research related to education for democracy or citizenship education.

The Slow Work Of Democracy: Resisting Reductionist Views Of Women And Children, Stephanie C. Serriere

Democracy & Education

In her research article “State your defense!": Children negotiate analytic frames in the context of deliberative dialogue," Hauver offers important contributions to the field of elementary civic education that illuminate how young people apply various analytical frames to make collective decisions. First, I highlight significant contributions of her work, namely children’s capabilities to build perspective-taking through dialogue, which I suggest can be more solidly grounded in a sociocultural framework, not a developmental one. Second, I offer suggestions toward such a theoretical framework that loosens determinism for children’s development and offers a less deterministic framework for women. My review seeks …

Listening To Children In Dialogue. A Response To “‘State Your Defense!’ Children Negotiate Analytic Frames In The Context Of Deliberative Dialogue”, Kathy Bickmore

Democracy & Education

In this appreciative response to Jennifer Hauver’s article about elementary children’s negotiation of analytic frames in deliberative dialogue during input into a school governance decision, Bickmore argues for the value of such agentic, citizenship-relevant learning opportunities in public schools. She points to their unfortunate infrequency (to the detriment of socially just democracy) in economically and racially marginalized communities. The concept of analytic frames is compared with the notion of interests—desires, needs, concerns, and ethical principles—underlying each party’s proposals in integrative negotiated conflict resolution theory. Questions are raised about the roles played by cultural context and status inequalities within dialogue groups. …

Democracy Dies In Dualisms. A Response To “Dewey And Democracy”, Dan Sarofian-Butin

Democracy & Education

This essay reviews Atkinson’s article “Dewey and Democracy” and argues that while Dewey and the social foundations classroom may indeed be important for teacher preparation, it is not in the way Atkinson suggests. Namely, I argue that Atkinson’s essay has three distinct (yet interrelated) issues: his problematic oversimplifications, what I term as “Dewey doesn’t do dualisms”; his misreading of Dewey, where I point out that “Dewey doesn’t do debate”; and his unexamined positionality, where I make clear that “Dewey doesn’t do Descartes.” I conclude this essay with a different perspective of a way forward with Dewey: that Dewey’s antifoundationalism serves …

Future Directions: An Alternate Organizational Lens On Middle-Of-The-Road Education Reforms. A Response To "Navigating Middle-Of-The-Road Reforms Through Collaborative Community", Diana Mercado-Garcia

Democracy & Education

This essay response critically examines and expands on the arguments put forth by the authors of “Navigating Middle-of-the-Road Reforms through Collaborative Community.” Using organizational theory, the paper clarifies questions about the theoretical construct of collaborative community and middle-of-the-road reforms. It concludes by offering two paths for further study that focus on exploring the various levels of democratizing influence enacted by the policy tensions the authors described and by suggesting a closer examination of the resulting organizational responses.

The Rights Of The Learner: A Framework For Promoting Equity Through Formative Assessment In Mathematics Education, Crystal A. Kalinec-Craig

Democracy & Education

An elementary mathematics teacher once argued that she and her students held four Rights of the Learner in the classroom: (1) the right to be confused; (2) the right to claim a mistake; (3) the right to speak, listen and be heard; and (4) the right to write, do, and represent only what makes sense. Written as an emerging framework to promote equity in the mathematics classroom through divergent formative assessment, the RotL assumes that students can take more explicit ownership of their learning, both in writing and in oral communication. Foregrounded in the literature, this paper discusses how the …

Seeking Democracy Inside, And Outside, Of Education: Re-Conceptualizing Perceptions And Experiences Related To Democracy And Education, Paul R. Carr, Gina Thésée

Democracy & Education

This conceptual article underscores the importance of critical engagement in and through education with a view to enhancing education for democracy (EfD). As a centerpiece to illustrating this connection, we refer to our research project, which engages international actors through an analysis of the perceptions, experiences and perspectives of education students, educators and others in relation to EfD. The article presents the Thick-Thin Spectrum of EfD and a Spectrum for Critical Engagement for EfD to re(present) the problematic of political engagement and literacy on the part of teacher-education students. The findings of our study highlight a necessity for education to …

"State Your Defense!": Children Negotiate Analytic Frames In The Context Of Deliberative Dialogue, Jennifer Hauver

Democracy & Education

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify the analytic frames children (ages 9 to 11) employed as they worked together to make sense of an ill-structured problem, what those same children did when their frames collided in the context of deliberative dialogue, and what they learned from the process of negotiation. Data included pre- and post-dialogue interviews with individual children as well as videotapes of the five dialogue sessions. Analysis suggests that children invoked six frames: fairness, common good, safety, kindness, tradition and self-interest. Of these, fairness and common good were super-ordinate frames, which resonated with peers …

Countering The Neos: Dewey And A Democratic Ethos In Teacher Education, Jamie C. Atkinson

Democracy & Education

Neoliberalism and neoconservatism are two ideologies that currently plague education. The individualistic free-market ideology of neoliberalism and the unbridled nationalistic exceptionalism associated with neoconservatism often breed a narrowed, overstandardized curriculum and a hyper-testing environment that discourage critical intellectual practice and democratic ideas. Dewey’s philosophy of education indicates that he understood that education is political and can be undemocratic. Dewey’s holistic pragmatism, combined with aspects of social reconstructionism, called for a philosophical movement that favors democratic schooling. This paper defines neoliberal and neoconservative ideologies and makes a case for including more critique within teacher preparation programs, what Dewey and other educationists …

Navigating Middle Of The Road Reforms Through Collaborative Community, Andrea J. Bingham, Patricia Burch

Democracy & Education

The current wave of educational reform is complex and situated in market-based initiatives coupled with a renewed emphasis on local autonomy, deliberation, and community—middle-of-the-road reforms. In practice, schools are challenged to develop organizational forms that can support collaboration and community engagement, alongside the bureaucratic and accountability-driven reforms that demand more oversight, transparency, and demonstrable results. Our intent in this paper is to begin to map the emerging contradictions and opportunities that the complex reform climate presents for practitioners through a case study of a personalized learning charter school. In so doing, we illustrate how a community of teachers within a …

Using Formative Research And Audience-Centric Intelligence To Develop The #Justbe Digital Magazine: An Mhealth Strategy To Improve Adolescent Sexual Health, Kimberly Johnson-Baker, Honora I. Swain-Ogbonna, Maribel Cruz, Jorge Cruz, Sharon Edwards, Susan R. Tortolero

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Digital strategies may help to overcome challenges in providing contraception education to overlooked and key sub-populations (older teens, ethnic minority youth, LGBTQ youth, high school dropouts and males). However, many current digital strategies are not culturally specific and often have limited information on the most effective contraceptive methods. In this article, we describe the preliminary steps used to develop #JustBe, a user-centered digital strategy for ethnic minority older youth and young adults with a specific focus contraception, sexual health, consent, and healthy relationships. Technology-based strategies such as #JustBe offer advantages over traditional face-to-face methods by utilizing a confidential way …

10th Annual Georgia Apbs Conference Program (2017), Georgia Association For Positive Behavior Support

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Conference Program

Interface For Exploring Videos, Christopher Pentoney, Rodrigo De Oliveira, Anshuman Kumar, Mary Cassin, Joshua Lewandowski

Defensive Publications Series

Searching and browsing for videos is a common task. Search engines attempt to provide a quality user experience by showing the most relevant results at the top of a results page. However, efficiency and relevancy can sometimes be less of a concern, e.g., when browsing for interesting content, such as videos, e.g., without entering a search query. When users browse or search for videos, showing a hierarchical list of search results does not enable easy discovery of other content that they may enjoy.

This disclosure describes techniques to improve user enjoyment when browsing videos, e.g., directly, or after performing a …

Artificial Intelligence Powered Brand Identification And Attribution For On Screen Content, Ravi Solanki, Devraj Mehta

Defensive Publications Series

The method detailed herein relates to second screen experiences for a smart television (TV). The method includes capturing one or more frames from a video (e.g., movie, television show, advertisement) playing on the smart TV and sending the captured frames to a cloud platform for image processing. The method further includes using machine learning, via the cloud platform, to identify objects (e.g., people, products, brands, and places) in the received frames. The method includes pushing, from the cloud platform, a notification to a mobile device including information relating to the identified objects.

Using Technology To Facilitate Pre‐Acquisition Workflows For Electronic Resources, Paoshan W. Yue

Charleston Library Conference

Investigation of new e‐resource requests before a purchase decision is made can be very complex, potentially involving gathering information from various parties (publishers/vendors, library stakeholders), setting up a trial, gathering trial feedback, and making sure stakeholders are notified in a timely manner throughout of the investigation process. The University of Nevada, Reno Libraries approached this management challenge by creating a dynamic online form. With its front end originated in InfoPath and its backend database and workflow controlled in SharePoint, this form allows an automated process covering request submission, product evaluation, collection development review, and selection decision. All the information regarding …

A Review Of The Literature On Behavior Management Interventions For School Buses, Krystal Kennedy Phd, Bcba, Seth A. King Phd, Bcba

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

The lack of adult supervision on school buses facilitates traffic-related injury, bullying, and other infractions. This review identified studies evaluating behavior interventions designed to improve student behaviors on school buses. Identified studies provided limited information regarding the characteristics of participants and generally assessed the effect of driver or researcher implemented reinforcement, punishment, and other management activities on the behavior of all passengers. Studies yielded modest findings and did not satisfy the most recent quality indicators of the Council of Exceptional Children. Implications for practice and future research follow a discussion of findings.

Managing And Deescalating Crisis: A Developmental And Person Centered Approach, Sarah K. Champ, Beth Champ

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Professionals who work with adults on the autism spectrum may experience crisis situations. We present a model of crisis intervention that respects the personal dignity of the person in crisis as well as strategies for every stage of crisis, from initial signs of distress to recovery and reconnection.

Using Student Ambassadors To Create And Maintain A Positive Climate, Tiphanie D. Dean, Joy S. Warren, Fred Richard, Meghan D'Orazio

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Clements Middle School, located in Newton County, Covington, GA, implemented PBIS for the first time in August 2012. After the school’s first year of implementation, Clements reached Operational status, which is the highest level of achievement in regards to PBIS. Implementation of PBIS during the 2012-2013 school year, transformed the climate at Clements Middle into a positive one that also played a major role in increasing student achievement and academic success. In the spring of 2013, student state testing data showed a significant increase in all content areas. During the second year of implementation, 2013-2014, Clements Middle School maintained Operational …

May The Force Be With You: Jedi Mindfulness, Wendy Whedon

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Jedis-in-training will experience a fun, unique way to introduce the concepts of yoga, mindfulness, meditation and visualization to their students. Padawans will share their love of Star Wars with a true Star Wars fanatic while learning some simple character-inspired yoga moves, be led through a guided visualization of the forest moon of Endor, and share ways to incoprorate Jedi mindfulness into everyday activities for personal and student well-being. Parents and students will be challenged to create their own mindfulness activities based on a movie favorite of the family.

The Necessity Of Mentors: Vertical Tier 2 Supports, Niles P. Davis

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Grayson High School has collaborated with Couch Middle School and Starling Elementary School to create a mentor program to support students in need and intentionally teaches behavioral expectations in order to create consistency between home, school, and the community.

Let's Get Social: Practical Strategies To Help Teachers & Parents Encourage Social Skills Development, Lenaya Smith Crawford

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

We live in a social world and children need the tools necessary to adapt in a world that requires social interaction. These skills help children to succeed socially, emotionally, academically and mentally. Parents and teachers should be aware of the signs and the diagnoses associated with social skills difficulty. They also need more practical tools and strategies to help children both identify social skills and improve their social interactions. By offering social skills coaching as an avenue of early intervention it is our goal to equip caregivers with the necessary tools to learn, identify and implement strategies that will benefit …

Pbis In The Classroom, Tony Feldmann, Mark Fynewever

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Learn how to use PBIS in the classroom. Designed to support schools and teachers as they implement developing classroom expectations, procedures, and routines. Participants will participate in beginning to develop a classroom matrix and learn the why and how to teach procedures to maximize the opportunity for success.

Teacher Motivating Style And Pbis Interventions For Challenging Students, Richard Scott Lee

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Students with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) experience a variety of difficulties in school and generally have poor post-school outcomes. This presentation will focus on original research conducted with teachers in several Georgia Network for Education and Therapeutic Services (GNETS) schools. The researcher studied the differences between the motivation styles that teachers employ with students and compare the types of interventions the same teachers used in their work with students. Using a published survey instrument, participating teachers provided information on their approach to motivating students as either autonomously oriented or controlling oriented and provided the tier 2 and tier 3 …

The Success Ambassador Peer Mentor Program Boot Camp: Best Practices For Full Program Implementation, Ebony L. Payno

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Are you looking for a unique program designed to enhance your school’s learning environment and academic success? Come hear this dynamic and refreshing presentation to learn how to equip your students with the tools they need to make a positive change serving as Success Ambassadors. This session will offer you a wealth of invaluable information, creative resources and practical strategies that will give your students the resources they need to truly make a difference in the lives of their peers, academically, socially, and professionally. Participants will leave the session with specific research based strategies and resources to jumpstart a Success …

Discipline With Love And Logic, Sandy Demuth

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

This presentation provides four Love and Logic strategies appropriate for K-12 teachers. These strategies will assist teachers in addressing minor classroom disruptions that sometimes grow into time-consuming problems. Participants will be able to immediately implement these easy-to-use strategies that help build positive student-teacher relationships and a positive classroom climate.

Everyone On The Same Page: District, Family And Community Collaboration, Dr. Michele F. Flowers

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

As Districts embark on the PBIS journey to reduce problem behaviors and increase adaptive, socially appropriate behaviors, buy-In from ALL major stakeholders is critical to the overall success of PBIS implementation. It is not enough to just have a few people in the school or district to buy in if a climate and society in which appropriate behavior is the norm is to be established. District, family, and community support is vital to the sustainability of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. The support of PBIS by all major stakeholders ensures the continued ability of the school to decrease office discipline …