Education Commons^™

Using Personality Variables To Predict Academic Success In Personalized System Of Instruction, Kelly S. Petska

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Personality is a collection of emotional, thought and behavioral patterns that are unique to each person and relatively stable over time. How and why people differ from each other is a question that has been asked for centuries with various answers, hypotheses and theories. The five factor model (FFM) is the most-agreed upon personality model to date. The FFM consists of five factors that are used to globally describe personality: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. While personality has been studied fairly extensively in the traditional classroom; which typically involves face-to-face lectures, discussions, and in-classroom assessment of ability/comprehension, almost no …

Collegiality And The Academic Library, Michael Lorenzen

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This paper examines the concept of collegiality and how it can be applied to academic libraries. This includes a definition of what collegiality is, a review of the library literature which describes how other writers have seen this issue, and a discussion of how collegiality can be applied in libraries. This includes an examination of how faculty in a library and faculty on other parts of campus work differently which makes collegiality more important in the library. It also looks at why collegiality is important in academic libraries where librarians work hand-in-hand with support staff and student employees.

Collaborative Role Of The Academic Librarian In Distance Learning - Analysis On An Information Literacy Tutorial In Webct, Xiaoli Shirley Fang

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This article profiles a project to expand our general Information Literacy Tutorial into WebCT for students taking online courses. The Tutorial has provided online learners with a grasp of information competencies. The process of the project has confirmed the importance of academic librarians’ collaborative role in distance learning community. It presents both opportunities and challenges for academic librarians to collaborate with faculty and educational technology specialists in integrating information literacy education into the course management system. More active multi-aspect collaborations are required to ensure effective teaching information literacy via the courseware.

The Value Of Professional Development Activities In Advancing The Careers Of Women Chief Academic Officers In Community Colleges, Brent D. Cejda

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Previous research has shown that there are not distinct career lines leading to the chief academic officer (CAO) position in community colleges. Rather, it appears that a variety of skills and experiences contribute to advancement to this position. This paper examines the perceptions of women CAOs as to the importance of professional development activities to their career advancement. Responses from women community college CAOs from nine states (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming) indicate that current position holders perceive that a number of professional development experiences were important to their advancement to the CAO position.

The Art (Not Science) Of Grants Management, Doreen Gosmire

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Currently there are more than fifty thousand nonprofit agencies and organizations, including schools, that receive federal grants. These entities invest substantial time and money in seeking grant dollars (Schumacher, 2005). Recipients underestimate the investment and complexity associated with managing grants. The work of creating ownership, establishing and maintaining progress, spending funds wisely and living the grant cycle requires the creativity and diligence of the finest artist.

Friends Are Like Diamonds, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

In 2006, Bob Greene's And You Know You Should Be Glad: A True Story of Lifelong Friendship appeared. This book is the story of the same five fellows. It is a revealing portrait of the friendships that have endured in their lives. Families, careers, distance and years have not weakened the bonds of friendship for these five friends. Their commitment to each other in a time of great challenge is memorable and worthy of attention. They remind us how we have lived our friendships.

First Things First: Writing Strategies--Passion Is The Key, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

One of the longest and most tiring writing tasks is writing someone else's passion. This is the situation when you accept a writing assignment on a topic that is removed from your core interests and experiences. This is much like being given a writing assignment on a topic you know little about and care even less about-the result of such a writing activity is often dismal. The experience is dreadful for the writer and tedious for the reader. Save us from this misery!

Review Of Her Place At The Table: A Woman's Guide To Negotiating Five Key Challenges To Leadership Success By D. M. Kolb, J. Williams, And C. Frohlinger, Susan C. Davenport

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

The book, Her Place at the Table: A Woman's Guide to Negotiating Five Key Challenges to Leadership Success, discussed the challenges women still face as they transition to leadership positions. According to the authors, "with their numbers exceeding 50%, women are well represented in the middle ranks of management and the professions, yet, today they hold less than I % of the top leadership positions" (p. 2). The lack of women in these positions is attributed in part to research demonstrating that women lack "the presumption of credibility and competence when she takes on a leadership role" (p. 3). Because …

Women In History--Maria Poveka Martinez, Tina Koeppe

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Native American artisan Maria Poveka Martinez played a vital role in the revival of pottery making throughout the Southwest United States. Born in 1887 in the San Ildefonso region of New Mexico, Maria first made pottery as a child and received encouragement from her aunt, who was an excellent potter. 1907 is the year that Maria began her pottery career in earnest. During this year, Maria's husband Julian worked as a digger at an archeological site near their pueblo. Maria was at the* excavation site when the diggers uncovered shards of decorated black on cream pottery. She took great interest …

Breaking Perceptions Of "Old Boys' Networks": Women Leaders Learning To Make The Most Of Mentoring Relationships, Linda Searby, Jenny Tripses

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Women often perceive a disadvantage over similarly qualified males in professional advancement because they are not part of the "old boys' network." Based upon the assumption that women and minorities struggle to gain access into educational administration positions due to lack of professional networks and mentors, this phenomenological qualitative study sought to understand, from the protege perspective, how women develop the capacity to enter into mentoring relationships. Subjects in the study were 14 women participants in a mentoring conference sponsored by a statewide women's administrative organization. Conclusions from the study address ambivalence experienced by proteges in seeking out a mentor …

Top Ten Reasons To Seek Professional Challenges, Trudy A. Salsberry

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

When we first enter a new role in a profession, the challenges for growth are constant and almost overwhelming. As we gain experience and confidence, there is always a chance that what was once 'novel' becomes routine. Seeking professional challenges are the answer to remaining motivated and productive as we move from novice to expert. This past spring, I chose to take my own advice and engage in a role that was new me ... serving as an overseas school evaluator.

Journal Of Women In Educational Leadership, Vol. 4, No.3-July 2006

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Table of Contents: Friends are like Diamonds by Marilyn L. Grady; Women in History--Maria Poveka Martinez by Tina Koeppe; Top Ten Reasons to Seek Professional Challenges by Trudy Salsberry; The Value of Professional Development Activities in Advancing the Careers of Women Chief Academic Officers in Community Colleges by Brent D. Cejda; Breaking Perceptions of "Old Boys' Networks": Women Leaders Learning to Make the Most of Mentoring Relationships by Linda Searby & Jenny Tripses; Voices of Women in the Field-- Great Discoveries and Painful-at-the-Time Mistakes by Shari Cole Hoffman; First Things First: Writing Strategies--Passion is the Key; Book Review by Susan …

Cooperative Learning Groups In The Eighth Grade Math Classroom, Dean J. Davis

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my classroom of 8th grade mathematics students, I investigated whether cooperative learning would lead to a better understanding of the mathematical concepts and thus more success for the students. I used my three eighth grade classes with two using cooperative groups and the third not. I discovered that the students who wanted to work in cooperative groups were more successful than they had been. I also discovered that the grouping itself has a great effect on how the group works together. The wrong grouping of students can lead to disaster and many headaches for …

Using Math Vocabulary Building To Increase Problem Solving Abilities In A 5th Grade Classroom, Julane Amen

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my 5th grade mathematics class, I investigated how students’ understanding of math vocabulary impacts their understanding of the curriculum. I discovered math vocabulary plays an important role in a student’s ability to understand daily lessons, complete homework, discuss ideas in groups, take tests and be successful on achievement tests. A student’s ability to understand the words around him (or her) in math class seem very related to his or her ability to solve word problems. Word problems are what our national assessments are all about. I also discovered that direct instruction and support of …

How To Better Prepare For Assessment And Create A More Technologically Advanced Classroom, Kyle Lannin Poore

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my classroom of 8th grade mathematics, I investigated how to better prepare these students for quizzes and how technology can be used in the classroom. I discovered that there are many different ways to challenge students and help them prepare for assessments. There are also many ways to use technology in the classroom if one has the opportunities to use some of the tools, such as Power Point and Algebra Tiles. As a result of this research, I plan to increase the scores on state standards while also allowing the students to enjoy technology …

The Role Of Habits-Of-Mind Problems, Student Self-Assessments And Self Reflections In A 6th Grade Math Class, Garold J. Furse

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

The focus of my action research is to study the impact of student self-assessment and reflection on my 6th grade math students’ abilities to solve deep-thinking math problems, herein referred to as habits-of-mind, or HOM, problems. I investigated the way informal self-assessments and self-reflections impact student learning and motivation. I discovered that students are seldom stimulated to think about their own learning. When they are encouraged to do so, student self-assessments give students ownership of their own learning and provide them with a means for evaluating their growth. Students’ assessments of their work also gives teachers a meaningful indication of …

Discourse And Cooperative Learning In The Math Classroom, Karen Hillen

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

In this action research study of my 6th grade math classroom I investigated the effects of increased student discourse and cooperative learning on the students’ ability to explain and understand math concepts and problem solving, as well as its effects on their use of vocabulary and written explanations. I also investigated how it affected students’ attitudes. I discovered that increased student discourse and cooperative learning resulted in positive changes in students’ attitudes about their ability to explain and understand math, as well as their actual ability to explain and understand math concepts. Evidence in regard to use of vocabulary and …

Student Problem Solving, Michael A. Cobelens

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine if students solve math problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division consistently and whether students transfer these skills to other mathematical situations and solutions. In this action research study, a classroom of 6th grade mathematics students was used to investigate how students solve word problems and how they determine which mathematical approach to use to solve a problem. It was discovered that many of the students read and re-read a question before they try to find an answer. Most students will check their answer to determine if it is correct and makes …

Improving Mathematics Problem Solving Through Written Explanations, Janet Schlattmann

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

In this action research study of two classrooms of 7th grade mathematics, I investigated how requiring written explanations of problem solving would affect students ability to problem solve, their ability to write good explanations, and how it would affect their attitudes toward mathematics and problem solving. I studied a regular 7th grade mathematics class and a lower ability 7th grade class to see if there would be any difference in what was gained by each group or any group. I discovered that there were no large gains made in the short time period of my action research. Some gains were …

Symmetry Of Scale Expository Paper, Darla R. Kelberlau-Berks

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

A checkerboard, a beehive, a brick wall and a mud flat dried in the sun all have something in common. They are all examples of tilings or tessellations. Although you may think of mosaics or other pieces of artwork when you hear these words, in actuality you should also think of mathematics and science. I will describe in more detail the mathematics involved with tessellations and tilings, and discuss specific tilings such as the Pinwheel Tiling and the Penrose Tiles.

Heron, Brahmagupta, Pythagoras, And The Law Of Cosines, Kristin K. Johnson

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

The formula for the area of a triangle can be developed by making an exact copy of the triangle and rotating it 180°. Then join it to the given triangle along one side to obtain a parallelogram as shown above. To form a rectangle, cut off a small triangle along the right and join it at the other side of the parallelogram. Because the area of the rectangle is the product of base (b) and height (h), the area of the given triangle must be 1⁄2bh.

The Art Gallery Question, Vicki Sorensen

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

MAT question Suppose you have an arbitrary room in an art gallery with v corners, and you wanted to set up a security system consisting of cameras placed at some of the corners so that each point in the room can be seen by one of the cameras. How many cameras do we need? (See the example at right for a possible room with an interesting shape.)

Student Transition To College, Doug Glasshoff

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of recent graduates from my district, I investigated their level of readiness for college-level mathematics courses. I discovered that the students have a wide variety of experiences in college. There are many factors that determine success in college mathematics courses. These factors include size of college, private or public, university or community college. Other factors include students’ choice of major, maturity level, and work ethic. As a result of this research, I plan to raise the individual expectations in my classroom. It is our duty as high school educators to prepare the students for a …

Daily Problem-Solving Warm-Ups: Harboring Mathematical Thinking In The Middle School Classroom, Diana French

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my classroom of 8th grade mathematics, I investigated the use of daily warm-ups written in problem-solving format. Data was collected to determine if use of such warm-ups would have an effect on students’ abilities to problem solve, their overall attitudes regarding problem solving and whether such an activity could also enhance their readiness each day to learn new mathematics concepts. It was also my hope that this practice would have some positive impact on maximizing the amount of time I have with my students for math instruction. I discovered that daily exposure to problem-solving …

Bad Medicine: Homework Or Headache? Responsibility And Accountability For Middle Level Mathematics Students, Shawn Mousel

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my 5th grade mathematics class, I investigated the issue of homework and its relationship with students and parents. I made some interesting observations and discovered that the majority of students and parents felt that the math homework that was given was fairly easy, yet issues of incomplete assignments and failing homework quizzes were notorious for some individuals. Comments were also made to make homework even easier and have shortened assignments despite the already indicated ease of the work. As a result of this research, I plan to look more closely at the history and …

Motivating Middle School Mathematics Students, Vicki Sorensen

Action Research Projects

In this action research study I examined the relationship between the teacher, the students and the types of motivation used in mathematics. I specifically studied the mathematic teachers at my school and my seventh grade mathematics students. Motivating middle school students is difficult and the types of motivation can be as numerous as the number of students studied. I discovered that the teachers used multiple motivating tactics from praise, to extra time spent with a student, to extra fun activities for the class. I also discovered that in many instances, the students’ perception of mathematics was predetermined or predetermined by …

Acuta Enews July 2006, Vol. 35, No. 7

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Board of Directors for 2006-2007

From ACUTA Headquarters: Member Service Awards............ Jeri A. Semer, CAE, ACUTA Executive Director

ACUTA One-Day Workshop: Making Convergence Work

Tech Talk: Technology Makes PBXs "Open" for Business................... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

lnfo Links Randy Hayes, Univ' of Northern lowa

Board Report............... Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

DC Update.............. Jeanne Jansenius, University of the south

Web Tip: Telecom and VolP Listserv FAQ.................. Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA lnformation Tech. Mgr.

Welcome New Members

ACUTA Online Press Room

The Vigenére Cipher Expository Paper, Virginia L. Clark

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

French diplomat and cryptographer Blaise de Vigenére (1523-1596), developed the Vigenére Cipher in 16th century France in the mid-1580s. Vigenére was on the court of Henry III of France. Vigenére developed a polyalphabetic coding system in which one letter of plain text may be encrypted as different letters rather than one plain text letter represented as one cipher text letter throughout the encoded message.

The Game Of Nim, Dean J. Davis

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

The game of Nim is possibly one of the most frustrating games I have ever played. Just when I started to feel that I had figured the strategy out, my brother, who is a computer programmer, blew me out of the water. I should have known better than to take on a computer wizard.

Area And Perimeter Of Polygons, Bryan Engelker

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

A student comes to class excited. She tells you she has figured out a theory you never told the class. She says she has discovered that as the perimeter of a closed figure increases, the area also increases. She shows you two pictures to prove what she is doing. The first picture is of a 4 by 4 square. Of course, its perimeter is 16 and its area is 16. The second picture is of a 4 by 8 rectangle. Here the perimeter is 24 and the area is 32. What do you say to the student?