2023 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference: Education For Humanity, Academic Affairs

Spring Great Expectation Faculty Conference

The 2023 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference featured a speech by keynote speaker, Tamara Bilous, Professor of English, Rivne State University, Ukraine.

Professor Tamara Bilous is Educator in Residence at Otterbein University for spring semester (2023). While affiliated with Otterbein, she has engaged in professional development opportunities in the areas of multicultural education and ESL instruction with support from Professor Diane Ross and Erin Johnson.

She joins Otterbein while continuing her teaching and research responsibilities as a Professor of English at Rivne State University of the Humanities, in Rivne, Ukraine. Dr. Bilous is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian, and …

Building On Strengths: Empowering Struggling High School Readers Using Key Strategies, Jennifer Druggan

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The curriculum presented is for struggling high school readers so that they can use mastery experiences with two high yield reading strategies – self-questioning and summarizing – to improve their reading comprehension, which will build self-efficacy and help them to develop a growth mindset. The question that drove this research is what is the best way to meet the academic needs of a diverse student population in a remedial reading class in a way that helps them to build their literacy toolbox and develop a respect for and maybe even a love of lifelong learning? The curriculum is built upon …

Promoting Teacher Wellbeing: A Book Study, Katy Cooper

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to present a professional development curriculum that promotes teacher wellbeing through a book study. The curriculum was developed considering the following research question: How can a book study be used to support strategies for teacher wellbeing? The frameworks used to answer the research question and create the curriculum were PLC Book Study Guide (FLDOE, n.d.) and Professional Book Study (UFT Teacher Center, n.d.). The proposed book study is planned to take place over a six-month period and includes four meetings. A list of pre-selected books that promote teacher wellbeing, a sample book study invitation, …

Unlocking The Doors To Engagement And Accessibility: A Curriculum Development For Second Grade Learners In Social Studies, Jeanette Mcnair

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The goal of this project is to create a second-grade Social Studies curriculum that increases engagement and provides accessibility to all students. The intent is to pull from the instructional frameworks of Universal Design for Learning developed by CAST, Project-Based Learning by The Buck Institute and differentiation by Carol Ann Tomlinson. The following research question was used to propel forward the goal of this project: How can a second grade Social Studies unit unlock student engagement and universal accessibility by applying three educational frameworks? This question was answered by literature research on the topics of engagement and accessibility followed by …

News From The Graduate School - Educational Mathematics Fall 2022, Otterbein Office Of Graduate Programs

Graduate School

Newsletter that provides updates from the Graduate School and the Educational Mathematics Graduate Program.

Fall Faculty Conference 2022, Academic Affairs

Fall Faculty Conference

The Fall Faculty Conference featured a talk entitled Healing Through Connection: Lessons Learned from the Frontlines of Healthcare by Dr. Laurie Hommema, Senior Medical Director, Provider and Associate Well-Being, Ohio Health, Kristi McClure, MSN, RN, and Lois Sallee, MA, CCC-SLP.

Following the community conversation, faculty broke into different sessions that dealt with helping students become ready for Otterbein, advising success, immersive experiences, launching, and succeeding. After the breakout sessions, several faculty members showcased topics they had been working on. Jennifer Merkowitz (Music, 2022 Teacher of the Year) presented Making a Melody, Leesa Kern (Sociology, Criminology & Justice Studies) presented …

2022 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference, Academic Affairs

Spring Great Expectation Faculty Conference

The 2022 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference featured a talk about renewal in file drawers facilitated by Alison Prindle (Professor Emerita of English, INST Chair 1987-1994) and Beth Daugherty (Professor Emerita of English, INST Chair 1994-2000).

After the talk, various groups and departments offered programs that talked about the experiences of the groups, the use of Open Education Resources, and integrating ecological knowledge into the curriculum. The day finished out with a discussion of the 2022-2023 common book, What The Eyes Don't See by Mona Hanna-Attisha.

Authentic Low-Stakes Practice To Make Meaning Lasting For Ells: Creating Vocabulary Chants And Songs To Enhance The Word Generation Curriculum, Lori Cohen

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This curriculum creation is designed to supplement the Word Generation (WordGen) vocabulary program for middle school students. It adds songs and chants of the weekly focus words for use as a mnemonic device to remember and synthesize word meaning. The WordGen curriculum is heavily based on reading and writing and English Language Learners (ELLs) are at a disadvantage when tasked with learning and understanding academic vocabulary due to the short length of time for mastery (Cummins, 1999; Collier, 1987; Thompson, 2017). This curriculum is inspired by the desire to appeal to ELLs who would respond favorably to music or kinesthetic …

Early Childhood Intervention Curriculum Creation: Using Playful Project-Based Learning, Hannah Shullenberger Million

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to present an early intervention curriculum incorporating Project-Based Learning (PBL) and opportunities for play. The project aims to answer the questions: What does a Project-Based Learning curriculum model look like in high quality early childhood special education? How does PBL curriculum work in conjunction with play? The created curriculum answers these questions based on a review of research and guidance from three theoretical frameworks: a Vygotskian Tools of the Mind approach (Bodrova & Leong, 1996), implementation of PBL in early childhood (Lev et al., 2020) and the early intervention Building Blocks framework (Sandall et …

Heroes Like Harvey Milk: Using Lgbtq-Themed Literature To Promote Critical Literacy And Social Justice In Fifth Grade English Language Arts And Social Studies, Jamie Carmack

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this curriculum development project is to help practicing English Language Arts and Social Studies teachers in grade 5 construct and develop content-area curriculums that reinforce and support both critical literacy and social justice pedagogical frameworks for teaching and learning. This particular curriculum development project also addresses the ways in which English Language Arts and Social Studies teachers in grade 5 can use LGBTQ-themed curricular materials to not only promote critical literacy and social justice frameworks for teaching and learning but to also meet the Common Core State Standards (CCSS, 2010) for English Language Arts, Ohio’s Learning Standards …

2021 Fall Faculty Conference: Advancing & Strengthening Our Community Together, Academic Affairs

Fall Faculty Conference

The 2021 Fall Faculty Conference featured breakout sessions by Kera Manley and Andrew Sydlik (Academic Support Center, Disability Service), Joan Esson (Chemistry) and Melissa Gilbert (Center for Community Engagement), and Kathryn Plank (Academic Affairs) with Derek Burtch (TRHT, English), Carla Corroto (Sociology, Criminology & Justice Studies), Cornell Lewis (SYE), Nichelle McNabb (Communication) and Rachel Schwartz (History, Political Science & Modern Languages).

Following the community conversation an breakout sessions, the faculty broke into departmental meetings before the teaching showcases by Dee Knoblauch (Education, 2021 Teacher of the Year), Terry Hermsen (English, 2021 Retiree), Regina Kengla (Academic Support Center, 2021 Retiree), John …

2021 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference: Learning And Growing Together, Academic Affairs

Spring Great Expectation Faculty Conference

The 2021 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference featured several different breakout sessions hosted by various members of the Otterbein community including ones about inclusive leadership, supporting undergraduate research, DS accommodations, plagiarism, INST 300, and being uncomfortable.

The finished out with an all-group session and fellowship at the Otterbein Community Garden.

Writing Workshop In Kindergarten: A Multiple-Case Study Investigating The Nature Of Engagement And The Quality Of Students’ Writing Composition, Sarah Demichele

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of engagement and the quality of my students’ writing composition when I implement a writing workshop. To facilitate both specific and in-depth data collection and analysis, I conducted a multiple-case study, examining three of my kindergarten students with a spectrum of literacy skills (Mertler, 2019). The multiple-case study lasted 11 weeks and contained three phases of data collection. Data showed that the participants were most engaged in elements of the writing process that corresponded to their viewed strengths as a writer and preferences. For the participants’ writing composition, data showed …

A Curriculum Creation For Revolutionary Change: Using Diverse Mentor Text To Teach Literary Elements Through A Social Justice Lens, Sara Barkley

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to present a literacy curriculum designed specifically for fifth grade students. The curriculum utilizes Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (1995) and Learning for Justice (2018) social justice standards and domains, in order to provide best practices for all students to achieve academic success, celebrate diversity, and take action against injustices in the world. The following question framed the literature research that was conducted to develop this curriculum: How can we create a literacy based curriculum through a social justice lens that utilizes diverse children’s mentor text in order to create equitable school experiences? The question was …

2020 Fall Faculty Conference: Teaching & Learning For Everyone, Academic Affairs

Fall Faculty Conference

The 2020 Fall Faculty Conference was held virtually in Blackboard Collaborate. Lightning Round Resources sessions were held by Joan Esson, Paul Wndel, La Trice Washington, Diane Ross, and Jeremy Llorence.

Speak The Speech: Lessons In Projection, Clarity And Performance, James Hagerman

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This study compared two classes and their responses to a controlled curriculum versus an experimental curriculum based on teaching high school students in acting classes to project and speak with clarity during onstage performances. The experimental group had fifteen days of instruction, extensive feedback and an additional two lessons, while the control group participated in two out of the four lessons and had eight days of instruction with limited feedback. The driving question of this study was, “How do you get teenagers to project and speak with clarity on stage, so the audience is not left asking, ‘What did they …

2019 Fall Faculty Conference: Reflecting On Our Values, Purpose & Principles, Academic Affairs

Fall Faculty Conference

The 2019 Fall Faculty Conference featured teaching showcases b Jennifer Bennett (Biology & Earth Science, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program), Dave Sheridan (Biology & Earth Science), Amy Sheeran (Modern Languages & Cultures), Allison McGrath (Education), and Melissa Gilbert (Center for Community Engagement). Breakout sessions were held by Kathryn Plank (Academic Affairs) with Margaret Koehler (English) and James Prysock (Social Justice & Activism), Terry Hermsen (English) with Melissa Gilbert (Center for Community Engagement), Shannon Lakanen (English) with Sam Boch (Nursing) and Anthony DeStefanis (History) and Simon Lawrence (Biology & Earth Science) and Bridget Newell (Philosophy) and Kathryn Plank (Center for Teaching …

2019 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference: Seeing The "Us" In General Education, Academic Affairs

Spring Great Expectation Faculty Conference

The 2019 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference featured a keynote speech by Suzanne Tapp. Suzanne Tapp is the Executive Director of the Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center and an adjunct faculty member in the Integrated Studies Program at Texas Tech University. Suzanne is a former Board of Directors member for the Professional and Organizational Development Network for Higher Education (POD) and founding chair of the Texas Faculty Development Network. She is the co-editor of the new book, “Transparent Design in Higher Education Teaching and Learning.” Her research interests include organizational change, inclusive teaching practices, ePortfolio development, and digital storytelling. …

The Effects Of 'Number Talks' On Number Sense In A Second Grade Math Class, Mallory Mellott

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using ‘Number Talks’ intervention on students’ ability to use number sense to problem-solve and persevere in solving problems within a second-grade math class. The 22 participants were volunteers in my second-grade class. A quasi-experimental design method was used to compare results between a control group and intervention group using a pre-post test design. The intervention group received 15 minutes of ‘Number Talks’ a day for a total of 12 days while the control group participated in traditional daily math activities. Perseverance was measured using a tally chart to record …

Supporting Refugee And Emergent English Learner's Reading Ability Through A Story Dictation-Based Curriculum, Heather Sunday

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to present a literacy curriculum designed specifically for emergent English Learners (ELs) and refugee students. The curriculum utilizes the Language Experience Approach (LEA) to support ELs in their literacy learning as well as capitalize on student strengths in oral language. In order to design this curriculum, literature research was conducted with two questions in mind: 1. How can the strengths of refugee students’ be utilized in a literacy curriculum? 2. In what ways could a Language Experience Approach­based curriculum support emergent ELs in their literacy development? Once these questions were answered through thorough literature …

The Importance Of Collaboration Within Project-Based Learning In A Kindergarten Teacher Classroom, Moriah Weber

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research to is examine the impacts teaching collaboration tools within Project-based learning, in a Kindergarten classroom.  Data collection was taken by video recording two PBL projects, observing and reflecting on field notes, and recording students reflection how they collaborated during each project. This data collection compared two different half day Kindergarten classes with similar demographics. The AM class was taught collaboration by using different collaboration tools while the PM class was not.  Both classes did the same PBL projects with small groups and the data was collected on collaboration in comparison between the two groups. The …

2018 Fall Faculty Conference: Our Place In A Global Society, Academic Affairs

Fall Faculty Conference

The 2018 Fall Faculty Conference features teaching showcases by Gwendolyn DeRosa (ESL), Erin Johnson (ESL), Jonathan Jonson (Art), Amanda Kline (Art), Chaz O'Neil (Art), Diane Ross (Education), Suzanne Schier-Happell (Religion & Philosophy), Kevin Svitana (Biology and Earth Science), and John Tansey (Chemistry).

Breakout sessions were led by Ryan Brechbill (Center for Career and Professional Development), Kristy Drobney (Academic Support Center) with Tahsha Harmon (Information and Technology Services) and Kera Manley (Disability Services) and Sarah Whybrew (Courtright Memorial Library), and Joan Monahan Watson (Director of Education, Digication).

2018 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference: Otterbein University And The Public Good, Academic Affairs

Spring Great Expectation Faculty Conference

The 2018 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference featured a talk by John C. Burkhardt, drawing on his work to talk about how faculties can be more inspired and effective.

John C. Burkhardt is a professor of clinical practice in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan. He was the founding director and currently leads the National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good, which was established in 2000 to better understand and influence the changing role of higher education within a diverse, dynamic, democratic society. For three years, 2013-2016, John directed …

Do Pop Quizzes Have A Positive Effect On Exam Grades?, Victoria V. Frisch

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

A quasi-experimental study was conducted over a seven week period between two sections of a level two American Sign Language class to determine if pop quizzes better prepared students for their midterm exams than announced quizzes would. Data collected were four quiz scores and midterm grades. Analysis conducted consisted of calculating the mean of each assessment, and running a series of t tests to compare mean scores between the control group receiving pop quizzes, and the experimental group receiving announced quizzes. The analysis showed no significance between the two groups.

News From The Graduate School - Education, Otterbein Office Of Graduate Programs

Graduate School

Newsletter that provides updates from the Graduate School and the Education Graduate Program.

Best Practices: Supporting Refugee Students In The Classroom, Naima Ali

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This curriculum project explores best instructional practices that support refugee students in the classrooms. The questions that guided this project were: What are effective ways for classroom teachers to engage refugee students in learning? How can teachers foster a sense of belonging and demonstrate cultural competence when working with refugee students in the classroom? What research-based best practices provide academic support for refugee students in the K-12 classroom? The literature review provides background knowledge about the best practices that support of the existing literature on the best practices that support the education of refugee students in the United States (U.S). …

2017 Fall Faculty Conference: Telling Our Stories, Demonstrating Excellence In Teaching, Academic Affairs

Fall Faculty Conference

The 2017 Fall Faculty Conference featured teaching showcases by Kyriacos Aristotelous (Business, Accounting, and Economics), Phyllis Lynne Burns (English), Terry Hermsen (English), Mike Hudoba (Engineering), and Leesa Kern (Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies).

Breakout sessions followed.

2017 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference: Discovering The Life-Long Benefits Of General Education, Academic Affairs

Spring Great Expectation Faculty Conference

The 2017 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference feature a keynote speech by Dr. Richard Detweiler.

Rick. Detweiler is the president of the Great Lakes Colleges Association and the founder of the Global Liberal Arts Alliance, a coalition of 29 universities from 16 countries working to strengthen education in the tradition of the liberal arts and sciences.

His formative professional experience was time as a Peace Corps Volunteer on a small Pacific island, which led him to study social and intercultural psychology at Princeton University where he earned his MA and PhD. He began a faculty career at Drew University where …

2016 Fall Faculty Conference: Equity & Inclusion: Head Heart Hands, Academic Affairs

Fall Faculty Conference

The 2016 Fall Faculty Conference featured an interactive workshop by Kim Brazwell. Kimberly Brazwell is a diversity practitioner and trained facilitator with experience in designing experiential workshops through the practice of mindfulness and storytelling. Passionate service through social justice advocacy has opened doors for Brazwell as a highly requested speaker and dialogue facilitator with invitations ranging from training workshops to keynotes as far as Westphalia, Germany. Brazwell has over 15 years of experience in educational administration, diversity and inclusion efforts, wellness advocacy and community building. She is an alum of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Interpersonal Communication …

2016 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference: Inclusive Teaching, Diverse Classrooms, Academic Affairs

Spring Great Expectation Faculty Conference

The 2016 Great Expectations Spring Faculty Conference featured a keynote speech by Dr. Lisa Guion Jones.

Dr. Lisa Guion Jones has nearly 23 years of experience in higher education. She currently serves as Professor and Assistant Dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. In this role, she provides strategic leadership to Goal 2 of the College’s Strategic Plan, to "exhibit an inclusive and diverse environment where faculty, staff and students can each reach their full potential."

As a transformational leader, Dr. Jones has initiated innovative programs that have increased the recruitment and retention …