Digital Commons Network^™

Organizing And Advocacy Analysis And Innovation, Shari Simon

Open Educational Resources

This assignment emphasizes students’ evaluation and creation skills while connecting to their broader coursework on advocacy and community engagement. Students analyze a real-world advocacy campaign, applying a SWOT framework to evaluate its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. They then generate at least two original ideas to enhance or expand the campaign’s impact, drawing on their lived experiences, critical thinking, and social awareness. The assignment encourages the use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to support brainstorming, research, and content generation, with reflection on how AI contributed to their process. By integrating personal perspective, analytical rigor, and creative problem-solving, students develop …

Colloquial Language, Standard Language, Or Educated Language?, Rocio Carranza Brito

Open Educational Resources

This assignment invites students to critically explore Spanish dialects, regional expressions, and language variations through guided interactions with ChatGPT. Students will examine colloquialisms across chosen Spanish dialects, analyze their meanings and linguistic significance, and compare AI-generated examples with their own academic revisions. Through structured reflection, students will assess the strengths, limitations, and risks of using AI as a language tool. The focus will be on intentional prompting, linguistic awareness, and critical evaluation, rather than simply substituting human expression.

Analyzing Headers With Chatgpt, Raymond Rosas

Open Educational Resources

This assignment invites students to examine how section headers function as rhetorical and organizational tools in research writing by analyzing headers generated by ChatGPT. Using a shared sample text, students prompt generative AI to produce multiple sets of headers that foreground different analytical emphases (e.g., race or language). Students then compare these AI-generated headers to identify how shifts in emphasis reshape the implied structure, focus, and interpretation of a text. Through analysis and reflection, students use these insights to inform their own planning for inquiry-based research writing, while critically evaluating the affordances and limitations of generative AI at an early …

A Low-Stakes Assignment That Introduces Ai Technology Into The Analysis And Writing Process, Tim Mccormack

Open Educational Resources

In this ENG 225 assignment, students use AI (ChatGPT) to perform tasks related to summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting, and responding to a text, then compare the AI-generated work to their own. Using Blitzer’s article “The Rhetorical Situation”, students create APA citations, summaries, paraphrases, key quotes, and personal responses with AI guidance. The assignment emphasizes critical evaluation by having students analyze the accuracy, effectiveness, and differences between human and AI-generated work. This exercise develops skills in rhetorical analysis, source engagement, and reflective assessment of AI as a tool for writing and research.

Genocide, Memory & Prevention: Ethical Inquiry And Critical Thinking Through Research & Ai, Linda Humes

Open Educational Resources

This assignment engages students in ethical inquiry and critical analysis by examining lesser-known or silenced genocides within a global and historical context. Using academic sources alongside responsible use of generative AI, students compare dominant and marginalized narratives, analyze recurring patterns and causes of genocide, and reflect on prevention strategies. The assignment emphasizes ethical AI use, historical memory, and the development of civic awareness, empathy, and critical thinking in the study of race, power, and inequality.

Analyzing Best Practices In Reintegration, Education, Restorative Justice, And Reentry, Sergio Grossi

Open Educational Resources

This collaborative assignment in SOC 301 (Penology) requires students to critically examine best practices in reintegration, prison education, rehabilitation, and restorative justice through comparative international case studies, such as APAC, Bastøy Prison, or the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. Working in groups, students analyze at least five peer-reviewed sources to assess both documented benefits (e.g., reduced recidivism, improved reintegration) and key challenges (e.g., scalability and sustainability). The scaffolded structure—proposal, draft, final paper, and presentation—strengthens research skills, critical thinking, and evidence-based academic communication.

Analyzing The Use Of Ai To Transcribe An Interview In Spanish, Rocío Carranza Brito

Open Educational Resources

This assignment explores the differences between oral and written language and the challenges of transcribing speech. Students conduct an interview with a selected person, using ChatGPT to create and refine interview questions. They record the interview and use Otter.ai to generate a literal transcription that captures natural speech features such as repetitions and hesitations. After reviewing and correcting the transcript against the audio, students format it with participants’ initials to focus on content rather than timestamps. A simplified transcription guideline is applied to mark key elements. Finally, students reflect on the transcription process, addressing what was most difficult to represent …

Analyzing Minnick V. California Using Chatgpt, Nicholas Malkov

Open Educational Resources

This assignment in the Race and Ethnicity course asks students to critically analyze the Supreme Court case Wayne Minnick et al. v. California Department of Corrections et al. through a structured case brief and ethical use of AI. Students examine key legal elements of the case while exploring issues of race, ethnicity, and institutional discrimination in the correctional system. After briefing the case, students use AI tools to generate and revise discussion questions that deepen analysis of themes such as racial discrimination, intersectionality, sentencing, advocacy, and policy reform. The assignment emphasizes critical thinking, legal analysis, and responsible AI engagement.

Essay Assignment On Current Political Development, Esther Verhalle

Open Educational Resources

This assignment asks students to reflect on how recent election results may influence policies related to the administration of justice. Students use ChatGPT as a brainstorming tool to generate possible policy impacts, then select one example and analyze it using course readings. By connecting AI-generated ideas to established scholarly arguments, students practice evidence-based reasoning and application of course concepts. The assignment also requires students to reflect on the strengths and limitations of using AI for idea generation, emphasizing independent analysis, proper citation, and critical engagement with AI-assisted work.

Formulating Research Question With Chat Gpt, Nicholas Malkov

Open Educational Resources

This assignment guides students through the process of developing strong, focused, and measurable research questions while critically engaging with ChatGPT as a collaborative tool. Students begin by identifying a broad topic, narrowing it to a specific and feasible area of inquiry, and determining the purpose and type of research question (descriptive, explanatory, comparative, or evaluative). After drafting their own question, they use ChatGPT to generate feedback and suggested refinements, which they must evaluate critically using the FINER criteria (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant). Through comparison of AI-generated and human-generated revisions, students assess the strengths, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI …

Digital Cultures, Dei, And Ai: Critical Analysis Assignment, Oluremi Alapo

Open Educational Resources

This assignment presents a scaffolded, equity-centered approach to teaching digital culture and artificial intelligence (AI) within an undergraduate Diversity and Multicultural Education course at the City University of New York. Designed as a Writing Intensive, COIL-informed learning experience, the assignment invites students to critically examine digital technologies and AI as social and cultural systems shaped by power, access, and inequality.

Constitutional Powers Midterm Exam, Jordan Reitzfeld

Open Educational Resources

Students apply constitutional principles and court decisions to contemporary questions about the powers of Congress, the president, and the judiciary. They defend positions on possible reforms and analyze property rights, copyright, and trademark issues.

Reimagining Justice: Transformative Justice Analysis In Adult Felony Cases, Marisa Tramontano

Open Educational Resources

In this sociology final project, students take the role of a sociologist working with a public defender and analyze the records and social history of a client facing sentencing for a felony. They write a report for a judge explaining how structural factors and sociological concepts illuminate the case, then recommend responses that include alternatives to incarceration. A reflective essay examines the limits of the available information, ethical considerations, and how the project shaped their understanding of justice.

The Trials We Remember: Exploring Historical Significance Through Interviews, Sara Mcdougall

Open Educational Resources

Students interview someone about a judicial trial that mattered to them and reflect on a trial of personal significance. They share what they learned through a classmate presentation, exploring how people assign meaning to trials while practicing communication skills.

(Re)Discovering The Streets Of Nyc: Honorary Signs, Sticker Street Art & Collective/Collaborative Investigations, Mark Mcbeth

Open Educational Resources

In a scaffolded series of assignments, students investigate NYC honorary street signs and sticker art through photography, research, individual essays, and a collaborative project.

A Systematic Review Of Artificial Intelligence For Software Requirements In Open-Source Software, Amal Alharbi, Khaled Slhoub

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications

Software stakeholders have seamlessly integrated artificial intelligence technologies into the requirements engineering processes for open-source software, which presents both opportunities and challenges. This systematic literature review examines the current state of artificial intelligence application in requirements engineering for open-source software and emphasizes the opportunities and challenges faced by practitioners. Based on the reviewed literature, artificial intelligence technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing, large language models, and deep learning techniques, have been increasingly applied to support key requirements engineering activities, particularly requirements elicitation, classification, prioritization, and stakeholder analysis. However, the lack of structured data in open-source software directly challenges …

Preoperative Patient Sentiment Is Associated With Postoperative Outcomes In Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery, Ross J. Gore, David Mazur-Hart, Mohan K. Sunkara, Aaqib Ali, Qizar Ali, Christopher J. Lynch

Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems (CSICS) Publications

Study Design:

Prospective observational pilot study of adult spinal deformity surgery patients.

Objective:

To determine whether preoperative patient sentiment, quantified using a 21-class valence scale extending the CARP paradigm implemented through an offline Large Language Model, predicts postoperative outcomes.

Summary of Background Data:

Predicting adult spinal deformity surgery outcomes remains challenging with traditional clinical and radiographic parameters alone. Although patient psychological factors and expectations significantly influence postoperative satisfaction and quality of life, systematic approaches to capture these factors are underdeveloped. Offline Large Language Models offer scalable, privacy-preserving psychological risk stratification.

Materials and Methods:

We prospectively enrolled 18 patients undergoing adult …

From Play To Pressure: Understanding Early Sports Specialization Through An Occupational Lens, Kiley Jade Washnieski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Youth sport participation plays a significant role in the daily lives of children ages 6-12 (Lee et al., 2018). Participation in organized sports can offer numerous benefits; however, the expectations surrounding youth sports have evolved over time. Increased emphasis on early specialization has intensified training demands and performance pressures placed on youth athletes during critical developmental years (Brenner et al., 2019). Although occupational therapy is well positioned to address both the physical and psychosocial demands of youth sport participation, the profession’s role within this context remains underexplored (Bulan et al., 2025).

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was …

The Lens Of Farmers: Understanding Culture To Improve Occupational Therapy Care, Allison Marie Stephani

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Accessible healthcare is essential for farmers due to their limited available time and hazardous job duties (Hildebrand et al., 2019; Hopkins et al., 2023; Salmon et al., 2025; U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2023). Due to the high incidence of injuries that occur within the profession, it is crucial that farmers seek appropriate healthcare services to address these concerns. However, a significant barrier for seeking healthcare assistance is the limited cultural competence among healthcare professionals in understanding the unique needs within farming communities (Gordon et al., 2024; Hildebrand et al., 2019; Hopkins et al., 2023; Purc-Stephenson et al., 2024). The …

Harvesting Health: Cultivating Skills For Wellness In Agricultural Workers, Katie Renee Quinley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The nature of agricultural work is physically demanding and associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury due to repetitive movements, heavy lifting, awkward postures, and prolonged physical labor. Despite the importance of agriculture as a meaningful occupation and major contributor to the workforce, limited resources address the unique physical demands of agricultural labor. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a video-based educational resource to promote safety and continued occupational participation in agricultural workers. Additionally, the project aims to assist therapy professionals in implementing ergonomic and task modifications through an accompanying resource guide.

Methodology: A literature …

Enhancing Leisure Opportunities For People With Disabilities In Rural Communities, Joslyn Mary Nordmark

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose. The purpose of this scholarly project was to promote access to leisure opportunities for people with disabilities in rural areas. The author addressed unmet needs among this population considering personal, occupational, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. The goal was to develop a product that provided opportunities regardless of abilities to promote leisure exploration and participation, social engagement, and life skill development for people with disabilities

Methods. The author conducted a needs assessment through a literature review following the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), collaborations with site staff, and an on-site observation and environmental analysis. Data was examined to identify …

The Missing Link: Psychosocial Integration In Neuro Ot Care, Emily Nelson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Over 1 in 3 people are affected by neurological conditions, making it the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide (World Health Organization, 2024). Patients are often referred to inpatient rehabilitation to increase independence and functional recovery. There is a need to address psychosocial factors within this setting thus, The Missing Link: Integrating Psychosocial Factors into Neuro OT was created.

Methodology : The capstone is guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), which emphasizes the dynamic interaction between the person and their environment and its influence on psychosocial factors, personal identity, and competence. A comprehensive needs review was …

Digging Into Prevention: An Occupational Therapy Based Work-Related Upper Extremity Injury Prevention Program For Extraction And Mining Industries, Karli Teresa March

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Extraction and mining industries, which play a significant role in the economic structure of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, consistently report some of the highest rates of work-related injury. Upper extremity based musculoskeletal injuries are particularly common and often lead to significant impairment and/or surgical intervention, impacting productivity, increasing lost-workdays, and contributing to long-term health outcomes. These injuries are often due to a dynamic interaction of personal, contextual, and task-based factors including fatigue, level of experience, organizational procedures and policies, repetitive motions, sustained forceful exertions, awkward positioning, and vibration exposure. Current prevention efforts are often reactive rather than proactive, with interventions …

Introduction Of Occupational Therapy Into A Suburban Supportive Housing Organization, Madeline Kuntz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Abstract: Unhoused individuals experience compounded barriers beyond housing access and are often underserved within occupational therapy practice. This doctoral capstone project partnered with a nonprofit residential program to develop a research-informed onboarding manual grounded in the holistic occupational therapy framework, Model of Human Occupation (MOHO, O’Brien, 2017). The manual was designed to clarify expectations of the supportive housing program, address diverse resident needs, and promote independence as the organization expands. Development was informed by a comprehensive literature review and informal needs assessment of the organization, identifying anticipatory barriers and supports commonly experienced prior to program entry. Key areas of need …

Pathways To Participation: Enhancing Inclusion For Individuals With Idd, Katie Koxlien

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to experience barriers to meaningful community participation despite policies promoting inclusive community-based services (Friedman, 2017). Sensory sensitivities, difficulty with transitions, and overstimulating environments frequently limit engagement and increase anxiety or behavioral responses when appropriate supports are not present (Bagatell et al., 2022; Dean et al., 2018; Tint et al., 2017). Research indicates that inclusion requires intentional programming that incorporates structured supports, consistent routines, and opportunities for meaningful engagement (Edwards et al., 2021; Hall, 2016).

Methods: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a week long sensory exploration camp for …

Holistic Occupational Therapy Approach In Addressing Women’S Health Needs & Access To Care, Lilja Jurva

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: As women across the lifespan experience complex physical, emotional, and occupational challenges related to maternal transitions, mental health needs, chronic conditions, and rural healthcare disparities, occupational therapy is uniquely equipped to address the complex challenges. Services have been proven to be directly correlated to lower incidence of preterm birth, cesarean delivery, low birth weight, excessive gestational weight gain, diabetes mellitus, and hypersensitive disorders, and higher incidence of vaginal delivery. A clear gap for maternal support services was identified in the Grand Forks community through literature review, interviews, and community engagement, leading to the development of NoDak Therapy and Wellness. …

Empowering Caregivers: An Occupational Therapy-Informed Educational Program For Dementia Care In Rural Communities, Maria Lynn Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Hospitalization presents significant risks for individuals with dementia, including increased behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD), delirium, functional decline, and reduced occupational engagement (Boltz et al., 2023; Teichmann et al., 2019; Zwingmann et al., 2020). Acute care environments are often overstimulating, unfamiliar, and task-oriented, which can exacerbate cognitive impairment and contribute to caregiver distress. Despite strong evidence supporting nonpharmacological, occupation-based interventions, structured engagement opportunities are rarely integrated into acute care workflows (Burgdorf et al., 2023; Faeder et al., 2023). This doctoral capstone project aimed to develop occupation-based dementia activities for use during hospitalization while equipping formal and informal caregivers with …

Demonstration Of Infrared Pavement Heater, Dwayne Harris

JTRP Technical Reports

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) maintenance currently employs several patching methodologies; however, prior to this study, INDOT had little experience with using infrared pavement heaters as a maintenance tool.  The purpose of this research was to introduce pavement heating technologies and provide INDOT maintenance personnel with experience using these technologies.

Socio-Spatial Patterns Of Suicide Mortality In The United States, Kushagra Tiwari, M. Amin Rahimian, Marie-Laure Charpignon, Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Praveen Kumar

VMASC Publications

Suicides cause more than 49,000 deaths per year in the United States, including 55% associated with the use of a firearm. Across states and counties in the US, suicide mortality exhibits substantial geographical and sociodemographic heterogeneity. However, the role of large-scale social networks in shaping this variation remains underexplored. To assess how both the risk of suicide mortality and the effect of firearm restriction policies propagate through inter-county social ties, we integrate data on county-level suicide mortality (2010–2022) and the Facebook Social Connectedness Index (SCI), a continuous measure of the strength of social ties between counties used to derive weighted …

Nanosecond Electric Pulses As A Novel In Situ Vaccination Strategy For Cancer Treatment: Mechanisms, Challenges And Prospects, Siqi Guo

Bioelectrics Publications

Nanosecond electric pulses (nsEPs) are an emerging pulsed-power technology with unique bioelectric characteristics distinct from conventional long-pulse electroporation. As a tunable physical modality, nsEPs can modulate intracellular structures, membrane dynamics, and signaling pathways. Increasing evidence supports nsEPs as a promising non-thermal tumor ablation approach due to their high spatial precision, preservation of critical tissue structures, and minimal adverse effects. One of the most significant discoveries associated with nsEP tumor ablation is the induction of potent systemic antitumor immunity, particularly in situ vaccination (ISV) effects and, in some cases, abscopal effects against distant untreated tumors. Substantial evidence demonstrates that nsEPs can …