Digital Commons Network^™

Centering Equity And Social Identity: Reflections On Culturally Sustaining Literacy Lessons From Two Elementary Classrooms, Nadine Bryce

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

Two elementary teachers illustrate how awareness of children’s sociocultural contexts and social identities can inform literacy instruction.

The Pedagogy Of Play In Teaching Of Reading: Low Tech And High Tech Interactive Reading Methods, Elizabeth Klein

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

Play is essential to the healthy growth and development of children. As children play, they explore new roles, try out new ideas, and bond with each other. Play increases language, cognitive, and social skills. How can the power of play be harnessed and shaped for educational purposes? How can teachers infuse play into the classroom to improve reading and related language skills?

Teaching reading requires a combination of teaching skills but also requires ways to motivate students to read. Whatever the reading level or ability, most students will enjoy reading and read more often when they connect to the text …

Exploring The Relationships Between Grade, Gender, And Immigration Status On Reading Motivation Among Multilingual Elementary Students, Bong Gee Jang, Selena Protacio

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

In this study, we aim to address this gap by investigating how various individual learner characteristics such as grade level, gender, and immigration status affected upper-elementary school MLs’ reading motivation in English. To achieve the goal, we adopted a three-factor reading motivation model that includes three interrelated constructs (instrumental, integrative, and social motivation) based on factors which have been found to motivate individuals to learn a second or additional language. The sample for this survey research included 132 MLs in fourth-to-sixth grades from six schools in a Midwestern state. Findings indicate that while social motivation, which is prominent in the …

Incorporating Books As Strength-Based Examples Of Characters With Dyslexia, Vera Sotirovska, Margaret Vaughn

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

Incorporating books that facilitate inclusive understandings of dyslexia can be a challenging yet important pedagogical approach to promoting equitable practices. As realistically portrayed characters and stories provide a way for students to see not only themselves but also others, and enter different worlds, the need for multiple representations of children with dyslexia is necessary when working to create equity-oriented classrooms. First, we discuss strategies on how to select and use books with diverse representations of individuals with dyslexia. Next, we provide book selection criteria to guide teachers in curating their own classroom libraries with similar texts. Finally, we include activities …

Examining The Evidence For Selecting Reading Programs In A Large Urban School System, Francine Falk-Ross, Kathleen A. Gormley, Peter Mcdermott

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

There exist passionate debates about the best way to teach children to read. Since the Bush administration, school districts receiving federal funds have been required to have research evidence justifying their methods of teaching reading, and in recent years the need for evidence-based practices have intensified with the “Science of Reading” movement. Last year the country’s largest school system changed from balanced reading to three other programs for teaching children to read. In this study we examined the empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of the three newly adopted reading programs for the country’s largest school system. Our study consisted of …

Southern Adventist University Commencement Program Spring 2024, Southern Adventist University

Commencement Programs

Program for Southern Adventist University Spring 2024 graduation. The commencement service took place on May 5, 2024 at 9 am and 1 pm in Iles Physical Education Center.

A Multi-Modal Intervention To Decrease Hpv Vaccine Hesitancy And Increase Uptake In Young Adult Women, Rylee Cartales

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer worldwide and the most common sexually transmitted disease, yet hesitancy towards the HPV vaccine remains high and uptake of the HPV vaccine remains remarkably low (CDC, 2021b). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the implementation of a multimodal intervention including a motivational interview, strong provider recommendation, and educational materials will decrease HPV vaccine hesitancy and consequentially increase uptake of the vaccine. Eleven young adult women ages 18-26 from a rural outpatient Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) clinic in Indiana participated in this project. After agreeing …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald: Ways Of The Future, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Magazine edition of the College Heights Herald for the period April 8 - May 5, 2024.

• Anderson, Alexandria. Letter from the Editor – Science, Technology & Business
• Anderson, Alexandria. Women in STEM Make Advances
• Novoselia, Mariia. Turnover on Fountain Square: Local Businesses Share Concerns & Success Stories
• SOKY Rentals Offers New Apartments
• Walk2Campus: Where Home Meets Community
• Bush, Camden. Can a Baseball Team Reduce Their Goals to a Math Problem?
• Hawkins, Kaylee. Student Business Owners Share Experiences – Gatara Townsend, Andrew Garrett, Brittiny Sadler
• Ivory, Larkin. Bikewalk BG, WKU CHHS Offer Chances for Healthy Lifestyle – Health & Human Services

Engaging Women's Voices For Energy Justice, Beth Osnes

Colorado Environmental Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Alternating Source Of Co2 For Sustainable Power-To-Gas System Design, Cameron Corbin Gallups

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Tax Incentives For Investment Crowdfunding: A Comparative Analysis, Douglas J. Cumming, Sofia Johan, Robert S. Reardon

Colorado Technology Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Determining Art Teacher Success In The Art Classroom, Mark Jefferis

Art 895 Research Papers

The purpose of this research study which used historical research methods is to help develop criteria that can be used to determine the success of an art teacher in an art classroom and methods to assess the developed criteria. This research studied professional standards developed by national organizations for art teachers. Current and past art teacher assessment methods were reviewed analyzing their importance, their shortcomings, and their potential. Then criteria were created to more clearly define success in an art classroom and ways to assess the developed criteria were discussed to help school administrators and art teachers assess their practices …

The Distillers’ And Cattle Feeders’ Trust, Divisions In The United States Whiskey Industry, And The War Fought Over Massive Copper Worms, 1865-1895, Phoebe V. Matthy

Honors Program Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Far Beyond Words: Analyzing Information Gained Through Nonverbal Communication Across Neurologically Diverse Populations, Addison Bracken

Honors Theses

Nonverbal communication (NVC) refers to all communicative acts except speech that convey messages through signals. Humans perceive and express emotional information through nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, proximity, body language and movement, gestures, eye contact, and haptics. NVC can be just as if not more informative than verbal language as long as the observer is aware of the communication’s meaningful cues. Recognizing the varying nonverbal communicative abilities of a neurologically diverse population allows for more significant interpersonal communication. Despite the different trends of NVC comprehension for populations with varying levels of neurological ability, these paralinguistic cues prove to be …

Slow Cook Off Of Insensitive Munitions Test Final Design Report, Matthew Vaudrain, Ethan Twitchell, David Canavan

Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design Projects

The purpose of this capstone project is to create a device that can safely and accurately test the efficacy of an insensitive munition under constant thermal stress over a large period of time. Before the design of this capstone project the testing apparatus used by several branches of the military was not well thought out and often was made of materials found around the test site. This Capstone project brought a more analytical and effective approach to this problem to give a single slow cook off device that could be used universally for all applications of slow cook off testing. …

Navigating Towards Sustainability: Tackling Eu Transportation Carbon Emissions, Michael Andre Barajas

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Mobility plays an essential role in our daily lives, yet the consequences of transportation are often overlooked or misunderstood. Most people take transportation for granted, not considering the opportunity cost of our easy accessibility, namely carbon emissions. These emissions cause significant environmental damage, threatening the ability of future generations to enjoy what we have now unless we reduce and stop them.

The European Union has been a leader in sustainability over the past decade, expressing concerns about carbon emissions and exploring various ways to address the issue. To understand the EU's future plans, it is crucial to grasp the scale …

A Multi-State Look Into Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologists’ Confidence Identifying And Diagnosing Autism, Adelaide Parr

Honors Capstones

Although autism can be reliably diagnosed by 18 months of age, long wait times and limited access to qualified providers prevent families from obtaining diagnostic services. Trained speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are qualified to diagnose autism, ideally as part of a multidisciplinary team. SLPs working on early intervention (EI) teams are well-situated to help close this diagnostic wait time gap. The purpose of this survey study was to explore EI SLPs’ experiences serving autistic children on their caseloads, confidence in identifying and diagnosing autism, and potential barriers/facilitators to increasing diagnostic confidence and decreasing wait times. 287 EI SLPs from 23 states …

Addressing Stroke Care Disparities Through Patient Education, Christina Annerino

Honors Capstones

It has been found across current studies and evaluations of stroke care and patient outcomes that there is a disparity in disability and mortality between male and female patients who have experienced stroke. The aforementioned studies did not identify the cause of this disparity, although a number of hypotheses for this phenomenon were provided. This study then conducted a preliminary survey of 130 participants, both men and women, aged 18-80 years old, to evaluate potential barriers to accessing stroke care and receiving treatment effectively. Preliminary survey data demonstrated consistent gaps in knowledge related to stroke risks, stroke symptoms, and when …

Improving The Power Efficiency Of Woodward’S High-Power Inverter (Hpi) Using Algorithmic Part Selection., Jaron Holder, Ali Al Gazwi, John Childers, Jose Soublett

Honors Capstones

Woodward Inc. is a secondary aerospace manufacturer based in the USA that specializes in aircraft power and control systems. This senior design project was concerned with a power systems platform currently in development by Woodward, the High-Power Inverter (HPI) system. In this report, the senior design group from Northern Illinois University (NIU) demonstrated the creation of an algorithmic part selection process to choose more power-efficient electrical components, the prototyping using MATLAB Simulink, and the practical testing that showed an increase of 7% in the power efficiency of the HPI system.

Elementary Art And The Pride Program: Discovering Effective Practices For Enhancing Accessibility To Curriculum And Instruction For Students Who Are Severely Impacted By Autism, Kara Lynch

Art 895 Research Papers

In this case study, I use my position as the school’s art teacher to examine the challenges faced, while in the art room, by students who are severely impacted by autism. Our elementary campus has created a PRIDE program that comprises students in grades K-5 who are severely impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other disabilities. This case study considers how educators can provide better access to curriculum and instruction for students who are severely impacted by autism. It also examines the importance of understanding this population’s needs to achieve a higher rate of success in the art room …

Efficacy Of Intravesical Nadofaragene Firadenovec For Patients With Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-Unresponsive Nonmuscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: 5-Year Follow-Up From A Phase 3 Trial, Vikram M. Narayan, Stephen A. Boorjian, Mehrdad Alemozaffar, Badrinath R. Konety, Neal D. Shore, Leonard G. Gomella, Ashish M. Kamat, Trinity J. Bivalacqua, Jeffrey S. Montgomery, Seth P. Lerner, Joseph E. Busby, Michael Poch, Paul L. Crispen, Gary D. Steinberg, Anne K. Schuckman, Tracy M. Downs, Joseph Mashni, Brian R. Lane, Thomas J. Guzzo, Gennady Bratslavsky, Lawrence I. Karsh, Michael E. Woods, Gordon Brown, Daniel Canter, Adam Luchey, Yair Lotan, Brant A. Inman, Michael B. Williams, Michael S. Cookson, Sam S. Chang, Alexander I. Sankin, Michael A. O'Donnell, David Sawutz, Richard Philipson, Nigel R. Parker, Seppo Yla-Herttuala, Dorte Rehm, Jørn S. Jakobsen, Kristian Juul, Colin P.N. Dinney

Department of Urology Faculty Papers

Purpose: Nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg is a nonreplicating adenoviral vector–based gene therapy for bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)–unresponsive carcinoma in situ (CIS) with/without high-grade Ta/T1. We report outcomes following 5 years of planned follow-up.

Materials and Methods: This open-label phase 3 trial (NCT02773849) enrolled patients with BCG-unresponsive nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer in 2 cohorts: CIS ± Ta/T1 (CIS; n = 107) and Ta/T1 without CIS (Ta/T1 cohort; n = 50). Patients received 75 mL (3 × 1011 vp/mL) nadofaragene firadenovec intravesically once every 3 months with cystoscopy and cytology assessments, with continued treatment offered to those remaining high grade recurrence–free (HGRF).

Results: One hundred fifty-seven …

Test Anxiety Inflation, Brian Podkulski, David P. Valentiner

Honors Capstones

Mental health conditions are higher than ever worldwide, despite best efforts to increase public awareness and deliver informed solutions. To account for this rise, some suggested models argue that measures taken to ameliorate mental health problems are actually contributing to their inflation through iatrogenic effects. The current proposed study seeks to identify the possibility of iatrogenic effects on test anxiety as a product of psychoeducational material. The scope of this study includes the immediate effects of viewing a typical short-form informational video on core and adjacent symptoms of test anxiety. Participants will engage with our study entirely through an online …

Reimagining Work: Examining Work Under The Fair Labor Standards Act, Dustin W. Tucker

Honors Theses

The Fair Labor Standards Act is a document created in 1938 to protect workers in the United States. This literature review points to the idea that times have changed. The research presents a timeline to understand the fight for labor standards in the United States. Americans at one point in time were working 14-hour days leaving little to no room for anything else. The research presented offers context to working standards in America. The paper examines the Fair Labor Standards Act through a multi-perspective lens to understand how exactly the document meant to protect workers might be contributing to long …

The Missing Piece: How Should The Deaf Community Be Represented In Children’S Literature?, Sarah M. Williams

Honors Theses

Considering the impact of inaccurate representation on the Deaf community, the present study is focused on determining exactly what message about the Deaf community needs to be represented in children’s media. Using a standardized survey, it was expected that the most common responses would correlate with messages presented in past research. These common responses include, but are not limited to, a need for authentic representation of Deaf characters who do not rely on medical interventions to function in society (Emmett, 2022). Additionally, an increase in accurate representation of the Deaf community in early childhood classes, through children’s books and classroom …

Preschool Survival Guide: Gardening, Beth Ann Weaver

Honors Theses

Nature-based learning can be defined as utilizing nature in learning experiences to meet developmental domains. The benefits of nature-based learning and play in early childhood are significant. Children who engage in nature have active imaginations, learn new concepts and vocabulary, have respect for their environments, learn and understand biodiversity, have better problem-solving skills and so much more. Despite these benefits, the low prevalence of nature and science-based activities in early childhood classrooms continues to exist due to the lack of knowledge and confidence in these specific subjects. This thesis analyzes developmentally appropriate practices needed to effectively implement science and nature …

Expressive Therapies And Resiliency – Resistance In Mental Health: A Literature Review, Gabrielle Lopez

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This review evaluates the current literature on psychological resistance amongst human service professionals experiencing burnout and the effect of Expressive Arts interventions on resiliency. Concepts include identifying the main symptoms, risk factors, causes, and treatments for burnout in education faculty, medical staff, and clinicians. Qualitative, quantitative, and meta-analysis studies are included to identify the most prevalent intervention frameworks for reducing stress including Arts-Based and Mindfulness-compassion based techniques. The effectiveness of Arts-based tools on strengthening identity, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and meaning-making in combating burnout is presented. Based on analysis of the literature, the author proposes a three-step intervention framework for utilizing …

A Literature Review Examining Current And Future Directions Of Dyadic Expressive Therapies Work With Persons With Dementia And Their Informal Caregivers, Olivia Griffin

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The onset of dementia and resulting adjustment of the relationship between the person with dementia (PWD) and their family caregiver can result in stress and strain for both individuals. This relational adjustment, and the stressors caused by the symptoms of dementia can also lead to relational strain. Although research on the use of the arts with PWD and the use of the arts with caregivers exists, as well as research on various interventions with the caregiving dyad, research on the use of the arts specifically with the caregiving dyad is minimal. This paper reviewed the current state of the literature …

Culture Matching And Its Impact On The Therapeutic Relationship: A Literature Review, Taylor Marsyla

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

As cultural competency and cultural humility move to the forefront of therapeutic treatment so does a need for understanding the effects of culture on the therapeutic relationship. Often individuals who belong to minority groups are less likely to seek mental health care and more commonly receive subpar treatment. This project attempts to examine the effects of matching patients and therapists based on a shared identity and/or culture as a form of culturally responsive treatment – also known as culture matching. In this literature review, the selected peer reviewed articles considered the perspectives of both therapists and patients. Research was divided …

A Scoping Review Of Drama-Based Interventions With Migrant Populations For Health Outcomes, Cassandra Doria

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This scoping review investigates the breadth and nature of literature that currently exists on the topic of utilizing drama-based interventions with migrant populations for therapeutic goals. This author searched for empirical studies on the topic and charted data to understand the quality, number, and type of studies that have been done, and risk factors for epistemic injustice or misrepresentation of marginalized participants. A brief overview of methods, results, and discussions of articles revealed the most prevalent outcomes, limitations, and forms of data collection. Social connection and belonging, education, communication skills, empathy, identity reconstruction, meaning making, and adaptive adjustment to the …

An Expressive Arts-Based Community Well-Being Initiative For Intensive Care Unit Staff: Fostering Self-Compassion And Peer Support Through Patchwork Murals, Megan Bell

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This community engagement project, conducted at a large hospital complex in Northeast Pennsylvania, focused on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff well-being. A brief literature review explored the multidimensional challenges experienced by healthcare professionals, particularly amidst the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing an urgent need for integrated support systems. Supported by the Center for Professionalism and Well-Being (CPW), the initiative aimed to co-design and co-create an arts-based well-being initiative that met the direct needs of ICU staff. Through meetings with the Nursing Operations Manager (NOM) and staff interactions, specific concerns and preferences were identified, informing program design. Participants created individual …