Education Commons^™

Self-Service Technology And The Impact On Academic Libraries: A Perspective Piece By An Access Services Specialist, Crystal Hutchinson

Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings

Abstract

Self service technology (SST) is inundating the library world with more efficient forms of service for the library user experience. There are different types of SST and each type creates challenges and opportunities in the academic library. This multi-varied approach provides quality support to users who are unfamiliar with the technology, and offers time expediency to those who are adept at using SST. This persuasive paper will show what Kansas academic libraries currently have in the form of SST and encourage libraries to adopt new methods of service. The goal is to get you excited about SST and relieve …

Affordable Digital Signage With Raspberry Pi, H. Andrew Tincknell

Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings

Digital Signage is a great way to inform library users about programs, events, services, and other library news. Unfortunately, digital signage can be difficult to implement and come with pricey monthly charges. When looking for ways to implement versatile digital signage, Fort Hays State University’s Forsyth Library and Learning Commons discovered an affordable and easy to manage solution - the Raspberry Pi. In this paper, you will discover what Raspberry Pis are and how to purchase and install them. You’ll also learn about several methods for creating messages.

Imagination At Work: A Book Review Of The Power Of Practice-Based Literacy Research: A Tool For Teachers, Catherine Lammert

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This is a book review of of The Power of Practice-Based Literacy Research: A Tool for Teachers.

Implementing Personal Devices In Math, Jamie W. Mcdaniel

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This study examined the effect of implementing personal devices into a fifth grade mathematics classroom. Thirty-eight fifth graders participated in this eight-week project with a focus on six students to track their growth. During the study, students engaged in technology based stations that pertained to our geometry unit and coordinate unit. Students took pre and post test on paper to track progress. In addition, students completed online assessments within their practice websites and apps to track comprehension and growth of the content. Furthermore, students were interviewed to ensure they were staying engaged in the online activities and to track student …

Sharing Stories: Reflections Of Professors’ Literacy Identities And Beliefs, Christy M. Howard, Ran Hu, Johna Faulconer

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Teacher identities and beliefs influence instructional practices. In order to explore this process, this self-study was conducted by three literacy professors from different ethnic backgrounds including one African-American professor, one Chinese national professor and one White professor. The purpose of this study was to examine how professors' literacy identities are shaped and how sharing these identities, experiences and beliefs in meaningful professional dialogues influences instructional practice. We examined the role of our identities and beliefs on our instructional practices using multiple forms of qualitative data such as journal entries, digital stories, and critical group discussions. Despite the range of differences …

Reclaiming And Redefining Research, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Action research, practitioner inquiry, self-study, scholarship of teaching and learning, or practice-based research – there are numerous names for this work. Yet, whether you are new to action research or a veteran of classroom inquiry, I hope this issue of Networks continues to inspires you to “reflect on classroom practice through research ventures… alone or in collaboration, use inquiry as a tool to learn more about your work with the hope of eventually improving its effectiveness” (from the mission statement of Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research).

The Power Of Workshop, Stephanie Nagl

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This action research explores the use of Readers’-Writers’ Workshop (RWW) in the secondary English classroom. RWW often requires a paradigm shift on the part of the teacher to allow for more student autonomy and limiting direct instruction time. The researcher sought to discover whether or not this model would impact the engagement level and the attitudes toward reading of high school seniors. Findings suggest RWW can be an effective tool for engaging students, as well as, helping students to develop positive attitudes with reading practices.

The Impact Of Family Engagement On Student Achievement, Christina M. Hall

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This action research study explores the impact of family engagement on student achievement using three family/student pairs. Family involvement has an impact on student learning and achievement throughout the school year. Taking a look at how a family’s involvement in their student’s learning plays a part on the achievement the student has throughout the school year. Previous writing scores were used to compare the growth made within a three-month period after the families worked with students to give feedback through a classroom communication app. Families were able to work at home to give feedback while their students were in class …

Spelling Interventions For Students Who Show Signs Of Dyslexia, Caitlin N. Gritz

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This action research examines the impact of spelling interventions for students who show signs of dyslexia. The action research also shows how using growth mindset can help students with characteristics typical of low self-esteem. Students learned a new spelling pattern weekly and a growth mindset lesson to teach students how to have a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset related to spelling skills. A pre-spelling inventory test and a post-spelling inventory test were compared to see that word study activities help students remember specific spelling patterns.

Self-Care Amongst First-Year Teachers, Leia Baker

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This paper explores a study completed with two first-year teachers over a three-month period while self-care strategies were suggested and practiced. The paper discusses the impact that practicing and not practicing self-care has on first-year teachers’ attitudes and attendance. It also includes firsthand accounts from journal entries completed by both first-year teachers.

Editorial Introduction: Classroom Research: Catalyzing Education Through Inquiry, Shantel Farnan, Victoria Seeger

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

No abstract provided.

A Critical Look At Women's Role In Physical Education And Sport In The 1930s, Mark Ellner

Educational Considerations

This historical research focuses on the role of women in physical education and sport during the 1930s. The purpose is to explore the trends that led to a vast difference between men’s and women’s roles and expectations in physical education and sport during this time period. To engage in effective research of this societal difference, a Feminist Theoretical Framework was employed to analyze primary and secondary sources related to physical education and sports during the 1930s.

The research reveals that while sports and physical education became an increasing part of life in the United States during the 1930s, women’s roles …

The Power Of Please: How Courtesy Scripts Improve Self-Control And Reduce Peer Conflict By Creating New Language Patterns, Michael J. Haslip

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This teacher inquiry project describes how one first grade teacher learned to use coached language supports to improve children’s self-control and cooperation. Courtesy scripts were created in the process. The development of courtesy scripts and their application in early elementary classrooms is presented. Courtesy scripts are specific phrases explicitly taught (I do, we do, you do), reinforced, and used in conversations by both the speaker and listener. Children learned how to make requests while also honoring the needs of others. Use of these pragmatic language supports helped to create a peaceful classroom community. A practical method for teaching courteous language …

A Review Of The Reader Response Notebook: Teaching Toward Agency, Autonomy, And Accountability, Bobbie Kabuto

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

This book review examines two overlapping narratives in Ted Kelser’s The Reader Response Notebook: Teaching toward Agency, Autonomy, and Accountability. The first narrative is the reflective professional journey of Ted Kesler, who began re-envisioning the possibilities of reader response notebooks while he was an elementary and middle school teacher in New York City Public Schools. The second narrative is that of the students who used reader response notebooks in their classrooms. This review concludes with the idea of how The Reader Response Notebook is a comprehensive, practical book for teachers. The Reader Response Notebook exemplifies how inquiry lead to …

Enhancing Student Learning In The Online Instructional Environment Through The Use Of Universal Design For Learning, Kathleen A. Boothe, Marla J. Lohmann, Ruby Owiny

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

As college faculty who prepare future teachers, we strive to teach our students through instruction and modeling best practices in teaching. We constantly evaluate our teaching and make adjustments to include updated knowledge about effective instruction. The evaluation and adjustments made to our courses lend themselves to action research. We take what we learn from our research and make appropriate changes to better meet the diverse needs of students. This article provides an overview of a final project that used Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for assessing student knowledge. This research focused on the principle of Multiple Means of Action …

A Systematic Multisensory Phonics Intervention For Older Struggling Readers: Action Research Study, Elizabeth Henry

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

Upper elementary readers who persist with reading difficulties face both academic and emotional challenges when they do not make reading gains equal to their peers. Decades of research has shown that persistent treatment resisters respond positively to a systematic multisensory phonics intervention. In my action research study, I examined how 5th and 6th grade struggling readers responded to a multisensory phonics intervention. Following the eight-week intervention, students made gains in word reading accuracy and demonstrated increased confidence in word reading skills. Implications of the study bolster the importance of providing phonics instruction to older struggling readers.

Real-Life Nature-Based Experiences As Keys To The Writing Workshop, Margot Kinberg

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

For many years, research has supported the value of using real-life experiences as teaching opportunities (e.g. Noobanjong & Louhapensang, 2017; Powell, 2015). This is just as true of teaching writing as of anything else. In fact, when learners use writing (such as journaling) to share their experiences, they benefit in several ways, including their communication skills (e.g. Khanmohammad & Eilaghi, 2017).

Writing workshops have been shown to be effective approaches to coaching writing at several different levels (Williams, 2014). Such workshops provide the opportunity to reflect on drafts, collaborate with peers and work through the writing process. They are, therefore, …

Inquiries Into The Cognitive And Affective Domains Of Learning, Suzanne Porath

Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research

In this issue of Networks, we see educator-researchers inquire into the cognitive aspects of their students’ learning, but also explore the affective aspects of learning such as engagement, choice, and personal response.

Self-Acceptance Of Adolescent Latino Students With Disabilities, Diane Rodríguez, Kenneth J. Luterbach, Sara B. Woolf, Sabino Peralta Rivera

Educational Considerations

This study examines the relationship of 165 adolescent students who self-identity as Latino and have been identified as having a disability. The participants completed the Perceived Stigma in People with Disabilities (PSPID) and Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH) questionnaires to examine factors that may affect the academic engagement of adolescent Latino students with disabilities. The researchers investigated self-acceptance as a factor that may positively predict the academic engagement of adolescent Latino students with disabilities

'We’Re Like Family And Stuff Like That': Relationships In After-School Programs, Alan English

Educational Considerations

After-school programs have been demonstrated or theorized to be associated with a wide variety of positive youth outcomes and have become a more widely-accepted aspect of the greater educational system. One of the most commonly-cited vehicles for these positive outcomes is relationships developed within the after-school program. This paper investigated youth perception of after-school program relationships through a phenomenological case study. Analysis of interview, observation, and artifact data indicated the potential for the individual positionalities with which youth approach involvement in after-school program relationships to dramatically impact youth outcomes. Consequentially, these individual positionalities need to be considered when developing conceptualizations …