Digital Commons Network^™

All About The Special Education Process: A Handbook For Parents, Mikayla Reinke

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Until 1976 and the passing of P.L. 94-482 parents or caregivers of children with disabilities were not significantly involved in the education of their children. Even after this, many parents have felt they were in unknown territory regarding the field of special education. With different types of meetings, definitions, and processes that are not explained in a form that those who have not studied special education would understand, how could there not be unknown territory? Parents are provided with the Parent’s Guide to Special Education (2018) and the Parental Rights for Public School Students Receiving Special Education Services: Notice of …

Hipaa Applied To Jigsaw: A Collaborative Communication Improvement Project, Margaret P. Smallwood

Dissertations

Purpose: To translate the Jigsaw Method of Cooperative Learning into a strategy to improve collaboration in healthcare education through formal online discussions. The Jigsaw Method concept will be utilized to identify any enhancements in collaborative communication among healthcare professionals.

Significance: Communication failures lead to increased healthcare costs, patient care errors, and greater inefficiency in healthcare delivery. This project can improve collaborative communication that can help to eliminate these failures.

Design: The design is a mixed method, using quantitative and qualitative strategies for data collection and analysis.

Method: Online discussions were reformatted into constructive segments using the Jigsaw Technique and implemented …

Vocational Education: Cna Students’ Perspectives Of Soft Skills In Training And The Workplace, Kimberly S. Mcclendon-Payton

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify CNAs’ perceptions about the most important soft skills used by CNAs in training and the workplace.

Methodology: This quantitative research study identified CNAs’ perceptions of the most important soft skills they used based on the composite model for soft skills. CNAs were selected based on purposeful sampling. Likert scores were collected from the survey responses.

Findings: Examination of the quantitative data from the 35 CNAs revealed that brainstorming is the most important collaboration soft skill in CNA training and the workplace.

Conclusions: Results based on the findings of this study …

A Screening Tool To Identify Patients At High Risk For Perioperative Neuropathy, Carla M. Ibbotson

Dissertations

This project aimed to evaluate anesthesia provider attitudes surrounding the clinical topic of perioperative peripheral nerve injury. Additionally, the project sought to introduce anesthesia providers to a novel risk assessment device that may help identify patients at high risk for perioperative peripheral nerve injury while assessing its potential utility in anesthesia practice.

Communication Is Key To Success, Quality Improvement Center For Workforce Development

QIC-Tips

Research on organizational communication describes a connection between poor communication, negative attitudes towards the workplace, and decreased worker satisfaction. Conversely, in an environment where communication is valued by management, staff can be encouraged to participate in practice and policy change. Too often new initiatives are announced and then fade away. Clear lines of communication, involving varying levels of staff and using a variety of methods, are key to gaining staff buy-in and keeping workers informed of initiative progress.

The Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development (QIC-WD) is working with eight jurisdictions to develop and test promising workforce interventions. Effective communication …

High School Teachers' Experiences In Addressing The Challenges Of Written Expression Among Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Kevin James Hasinger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe high school special education teachers’ experiences in teaching written expression to students with autism spectrum disorder in Parker County School District, located near the mid-eastern seaboard of the United States. At the onset of the study, written expression instruction was defined as instruction that facilitates the expression of feelings, thoughts, and ideas on paper to convey meaning to and/or persuade the reader (Flowers & Hayes, 1981). The theory guiding this study was Flower and Hayes’ (1981) cognitive process theory of writing which defined three essential elements of writing: the task …

The Importance Of Communication Skills To Independent Crop Consultants, Lindsay Overmyer

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

Independent crop consulting companies provide services to farmers by scouting (i.e., collecting field observations of plants and pests) and developing management recommendations for individual fields. In production agriculture, independent crop consultants (ICCs) are professionals who are independent of product sales. They are knowledgeable in many disciplines including plant pathology, entomology, weed science, plant science, economics, water management, and soil science. However, ICCs must also have extensive communication skills to communicate to their audience of field scout(s), farmers, industry professionals, and government officials. The goal of this document is to examine how ICCs use their communication skills and how they can …

Visual Communication – A Designer’S Guide To Reaching Target Audiences, Timothy Lerch

Theses

Visual communication is the cornerstone of graphic design. All graphic design projects communicate a visual message. As with all forms of communication, visual communication is a two-way street. For a message to be effective, a designer must understand how to reach their audience. Scholarly design programs focus primarily on visual cues, while marketing programs focus on in-depth audience analysis and consumer behavior. This creates a problem for designers as they complete their degree program and enter the job market, particularly if they intend to seek freelance work. This guide is innovative because it presents components of visual communication from perspectives …

Developing An Effective Targeted Mobile Application To Enhance Transportation Safety And Use Of Active Transportation Modes In Fresno County: The Role Of Application Design & Content, Samer Sarofim

Mineta Transportation Institute

Do pedestrians and cyclists need their own app? Pedestrians and cyclists in Fresno county think so, and this research examined this need and how it relates to the importance of app design. Survey participants (all who regularly use active transportation modes) along with a variety of transportation stakeholders, including the Fresno Council of Government, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 6, and the City of Fresno — Public Works Department, indicated the importance of designing effective communication tools to enhance the utilization of active transportation modes and to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users. In this study, over …

Reference-Dependent Choice On Digital Platforms, Joshua K. Kaisen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Throughout this dissertation I explore a significant departure from the standard model of rationality known as reference-dependence. The theory reference-dependence asserts that an individual’s choice is dependent on their frame of reference established through factors divorced from their rational cost and benefit. This behavior is inefficient as individuals fail to rationally optimize their payoffs. This behavior is understudied in natural settings where isolating specific stimuli which may establish a reference is challenging. However, digital platforms contain limited stimuli which are fully observable to researchers and present an ideal setting to study the theory of reference-dependence. Thus, I introduce three new …

Quantifying The Speed Of Chromatophore Activity At The Single-Organ Level In Response To A Visual Startle Stimulus In Living, Intact Squid, Stavros P. Hadjisolomou, Rita W. El-Haddad, Kamil Kloskowski, Alla Chavarga, Israel Abramov

Publications and Research

The speed of adaptive body patterning in coleoid cephalopods is unmatched in the natural world. While the literature frequently reports their remarkable ability to change coloration significantly faster than other species, there is limited research on the temporal dynamics of rapid chromatophore coordination underlying body patterning in living, intact animals. In this exploratory pilot study, we aimed to measure chromatophore activity in response to a light flash stimulus in seven squid, Doryteuthis pealeii. We video-recorded the head/arms, mantle, and fin when squid were presented with a light flash startle stimulus. Individual chromatophores were detected and tracked over time using image …

Communication After A Romantic Breakup, Kayleigh Jordan Mahoney

College of Communication Theses and Dissertations

Throughout a person’s life, it is likely that they will experience a romantic breakup at some point. However, post breakup experiences can differ from person to person. Many different things can impact a person’s post breakup experiences including their investment during the time of the relationship, as well as any communication that takes place after the breakup. Previous research has taken a look at post breakup experiences. However, little to no research has examined post breakup experiences while taking into consideration romantic beliefs. This study (N = 72) tested how a person’s investment during the relationship predicts post breakup distress, …

Using True Colors® To Match Individual’S Personality Traits With The Appropriate Volunteer Role For Success, Alayne Torretta, Laura Bovitz

Journal of Extension

Just as there are different reasons that people volunteer in the community, each volunteer has specific values, different needs to be fulfilled, and different strengths to offer to Extension programs. Understanding these characteristics and utilizing them in assigning the appropriate volunteer role will result in more success in their volunteer experience. Utilizing True Colors® when assigning volunteer roles and developing working groups and committees has proven effective in our county 4-H programs. Conflicts between volunteers who do not work well together have been lessened due to reassigning them to roles that best fit their personality types.

Lesion Loci Of Impaired Affective Prosody: A Systematic Review Of Evidence From Stroke, Alexandra Zezinka Durfee, Shannon M. Sheppard, Margaret L. Blake, Argye E. Hillis

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Affective prosody, or the changes in rate, rhythm, pitch, and loudness that convey emotion, has long been implicated as a function of the right hemisphere (RH), yet there is a dearth of literature identifying the specific neural regions associated with its processing. The current systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence on affective prosody localization in the RH. One hundred and ninety articles from 1970 to February 2020 investigating affective prosody comprehension and production in patients with focal brain damage were identified via database searches. Eleven articles met inclusion criteria, passed quality reviews, and were analyzed for affective prosody localization. …

The Impact Of Human Factors And Maintenance Documentation On Aviation Safety: An Analysis Of 15 Years Of Accident Data Through The Pear Framework, Flavio A. C. Mendonca, Natalie Zimmermann

Publications

Regardless of the type of maintenance performed on aircraft, instructions are to be used to provide the aviation technicians completing the maintenance activities with guidance on, and an outline of, the maintenance items to be performed and completed. However, the use of instructions does not guarantee the correct and proper completion of the maintenance activities as the instructions may be erroneous and/or maintenance personnel can misunderstand, misinterpret, or improperly follow the procedures outlined. Resulting maintenance errors can potentially result in aircraft accidents, as illustrated by Air Midwest Flight 5481. With the purpose of understanding how human factors associated with written …

A Qualitative Case Study Examining Leader-To-Employee Engagement Techniques Within Selected Nonprofits, Isaiah Scott Stanford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study sought to obtain a more in-depth understanding of leader-to-employee engagement. To obtain this deeper understanding, a qualitative case study was conducted utilizing a semi-structured interview process. Interviews were carried out with leaders working for selected nonprofit organizations. Throughout the interview process, information was gathered to contribute to the current body of knowledge regarding leader-to-employee engagement. Leaders in the study felt strong commitment, open communication, employee empowerment, and honesty were techniques needed to develop leader-to-employee engagement. Participants noted they were more successful when engaging with their employees if they integrated these techniques. Leaders also identified the major challenges they …

Optimizing Communication In Palliative And Hospice Care: A Toolkit For Audiologists, Sherry E. Queen

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) being one of the most prevalent forms of sensory decline in older adults. Hearing loss is often overlooked in medical settings including palliative and hospice care. Screening for hearing loss in these settings is rare as is formal staff training on assessing and managing hearing loss in palliative and hospice care. An evidence-based toolkit for integrating audiologists into end-of-life care protocols is presented. This toolkit was developed to optimize communication in palliative and hospice care for patients, caregivers, audiologists, physicians, and other palliative care staff. Effective communication …

How To Save A Planet: Communicating Climate Change Efficacy Through Narrative, Amanda Kaye Smith

Communication Studies

The podcast How to Save a Planet represents an emerging form of climate change communication that can be further explored through rhetorical analysis. For people who are interested in climate change but want less doom-and-gloom messaging and more applicable ways to address it, How to Save a Planet presents the unique opportunity to listen in on the discussions of science communicators and climate experts as they detangle the complexity that is climate change. By utilizing the podcast form, hosts Alex Blumberg and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson can reach a large audience of listeners to bridge the gap between the scientists …

Language And Communication Deficits In Alzheimer’S Disease: A Review Of The Literature On The Progression, Prevention, And Mediation Of Language Barriers Experienced By Individuals With Alzheimer’S Disease, Alexander Deturck, Jasmine Shapiro, Lily Sanz, Danica Lewis

Psychology and Child Development

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a significant societal problem with regard to the quality of life in the aging population worldwide (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021). One ability that is affected early on in the disease is language processing, which can result in feelings of isolation due to its significant impact on one’s relationships, overall communicative ability, and quality of life (Szatloczki et al., 2015). Thus, it is of great importance to identify evidence-based interventions and preventative measures, as well as communication strategies, helpful to patients and their caregivers. In this review of literature, we examined language difficulties pertaining to semantic verbal fluency, …

Impact Of Social Networking Sites Among Postgraduate Students’ Of Manipur University: A Study, Haumin Lun

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of using Social Networking Sites among Postgraduate students of Manipur University. It aims to reveal the average amount of time spent on social media, the frequency with which it is used, the most commonly used SNS, and the social networking site's overall positive and negative influence. A quantitative survey was conducted using a structured close-ended question distributed randomly among the Post Graduate students of Manipur University. The data collected are processed with MS-Excel and analyzed and interpreted using SPSS. The findings show that SNS is widely used among students, and most students (98%) use …

Gaya Komunikasi Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah Perempuan, Mustaghfiroh Mustaghfiroh, Mustiningsih Mustiningsih, Raden Bambang Sumarsono

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study purposed to describe the basic formation and characteristics of female leadership communication styles in primary schools. It used qualitative approach with multi-case design. The research locations are SDIT Robbani Singosari, SDK Santa Maria 1 Malang, and SDN Sumbersari 1 Malang. Data collection techniques were interviews, observation and documentation using individual case and cross-case data analysis. The results are (1) the basis formation of female leadership communication styles are characteristics members, culture and philosophy’s institution, philosophy of leadership, internal and external factors of principals, and (2) characteristics of female leadership communication styles namely open, inclusive, and assertive communication styles.

Language As The Medium: A Literature Review. Harnessing The Prolific Power Of Dramatic Language As A Therapeutic Tool In Drama Therapy, Edward Freeman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Language in and of the theatre, with its palate of variegated writing styles and playwrights from throughout time, has the potential to be harnessed, focused, and systematized for use as a therapeutic tool within drama therapy – the field’s artistic medium. Drama therapy could benefit from having a specific medium germane to its artform which has the potential to provide practitioners with a common resource and means of communication, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, as well as align the field with other creative arts therapies. Language encompasses all forms of human communication – speaking, writing, signing, gesturing, expressing facially – …

Coronavirus Communication: Interaction Of Church, State, And Constitution In The Pandemic Environment, Valeriia Manchak

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

This paper investigates the response to Covid-19 by examining the communication problem between the government and religious institutions. During the outbreak, some faith-based organizations used religion-abetted value judgments which affected viral spread (Whitehead and Perry 2020). Religious institutions can also inspire people to be supportive while the world endures hard times. (Wildman, Bulbulia and et al. 2020). This paper will explain where churches have contributed to the challenges of dealing with the COVID virus and provide recommendations for the better response (Wildman, Bulbulia and et al. 2020). This paper also discusses where the government violated constitutional rights and how to …

You're On Mute - How The Shift From In-Person To Virtual Board Meetings Impacts Board Governance And Communication In Nonprofit Associations, Theresa Hurley

Master's Projects and Capstones

Because of the Covid19 pandemic meeting restrictions that started in March 2020, almost all nonprofit boards had to move to virtual board meetings. Through a literature review, expert interviews and a survey of nonprofit association Executive Directors, Chief Executive Officers and board members, this capstone explores the impact of the shift from in-person to virtual board meetings on board governance and board communication and dynamics for nonprofit associations. Some findings were positive - virtual meetings are more cost-effective, are better attended and more convenient and efficient than in-person meetings. Other findings were negative - multiple communication challenges inherent in the …

Very Young Child Survivors Of Parent Suicide: Perspectives On Children's Literature For Bibliotherapy, Cortland L. Watson

Theses and Dissertations

The death of a parent by suicide is especially traumatic. Researchers estimate the number of children in the United States annually who experience their parent's suicide ranges from 7,000 to 30,000. These child survivors experience more complicated grief as compared to children bereaved by a parent's non-suicidal death. In particular, very young children have difficulty understanding that their parent completed suicide. Across time they struggle with confusion and intense emotions associated with their parent's suicide. Due to the stigma associated with suicide, feelings of guilt, and intense grief, surviving family members avoid talking about the suicide. Young children are often …

Uncommon And Non-Traditional Urban Relationship Strategies: From Relationship Loss To Relationship Recovery, Lasonya L. Moore

Journal of English Learner Education

With increasing student diversity across our nation, there is a growing need to scale up educational innovations related to building holistic relationships. Many students in K-12 public schools enter educational settings with uncommon and nontraditional ways of building and developing longitudinal relationships that allow students to thrive and not just survive. Specifically, teachers/educators feel ill-equipped and ill-trained to adequately support the increasing number of English learners(ELs) and Exceptional education students (specifically Students of Color (SOC) with emotional and behavioral disorders) identified in inclusive classrooms. Thus, there remains an urgent need to share uncommon and non-traditional strategies to develop and build …

Leadership: Perception, Misconception, And Inception, Jesper M. Jensen

Staff Works - Hunt Library

Many librarians and staff in today's libraries have aspirations to be leaders in their careers, but find themselves in lower-level positions and therefore assume opportunities for leadership are limited. That is not the case because leadership is not about positional power or formal authority; it's about influence, and there are several ways one can become influential. This presentation aims to debunk the stereotypical perceptions and misconceptions people might have about leaders, and instead demonstrate how librarians and library staff can adopt key skills to influence co-workers, patrons, and the library in general, and thereby showcase their leadership skills no matter …

Approaches To Narrative Instruction For Second Language Learners, Mathew Peters

MA TESOL Collection

Narratives have reemerged as a dominant form of rhetoric over the last fifty years. This dominant use of narrative discourse has only increased with the rise of social media. Walther Fisher (1987) proposed the narrative paradigm as a unifying theory of human communication. His major claim is that people are inherently storytellers and that people use a narrative rationality and a logic of good reasons to inform their beliefs, values, and actions. This paper utilizes his theories, along with recent findings in neuroscience, to establish an argument for greater inclusion of narratives into second language teaching. Narratives can have a …

Priming In Leadership: Applying Communication Theory To The Speeches Of Ronald Reagan, Katherine Sakai

Senior Honors Theses

The study of priming gained traction in the 1990s when researchers such as John Bargh demonstrated the nonconscious activation of ideas, often through repeated related words or activated schema. Since then, researchers have studied the effects of priming on self-view, achievement, and teamwork. While the concept of priming has just recently begun to be applied to leadership in the workplace, no research has yet been done in finding examples of priming theory in the speeches of well-known leaders. In this study, Ronald Reagan’s persuasive tactics were analyzed and found to use similar methods of repetition and schema used in priming …

Communication In Adult Children Of Alcoholics: The Problem, The Result, And The Solution, Audrey Barth

Communication & Media Studies | Senior Theses

In the United States alone, 25% of children live with an alcoholic parent (Haverfield et al., 2016). While there is extensive research on the psychological impacts of growing up with an alcoholic parent, research focused on communication is slim. This paper seeks to examine the communication characteristics in adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) in three ways: (1) to determine how communication dynamics in alcoholic families are detrimental, (2) to determine the implications of these dynamics in adulthood, and (3) to determine how communication can be implemented as a solution for ACOAs. Several interviews were conducted on ACOAs based on those …