Education Commons^™

Learning Streams: A Case Study In Curriculum Integration, Mani Mina, Arun K. Somani, Akhilesh Tyagi, Diane T. Rover, Matthew Feldmann, Mack C. Shelley

Diane Rover

During 2004-2005, the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University in collaboration with educational colleagues in the Research Institute for Studies in Education piloted a new curricula model to improve student learning through vertical integration of educational activities using new program structures. We offered an experimental course sequence during Fall 2004 and Spring 2005, defined as a “learning stream.” A learning stream is a basic element of a novel program structure designed specifically to vertically integrate subject matter across courses. A learning stream merges and re-organizes material to more effectively present and reinforce key …

Best Practices For Facilitating Difficult Dialogues In The Basic Communication Course, Kristina Ruiz-Mesa, Karla M. Hunter

Karla Hunter

Effective facilitation of classroom dialogue can stimulate open discussion and debate, challenge students to consider diverse perspectives, and promote critical student reflection and growth. Unfortunately, some instructors may be hesitant to approach controversial topics, for fear of losing face or risking chaos in the classroom. By learning and practicing established facilitation techniques, teachers can develop confidence and competence in harnessing the pedagogical power of difficult dialogue while maintaining classroom cohesion and community. This article provides 10 best practices for facilitating difficult classroom dialogues. These practices equip instructors with resources for building community, maintaining classroom immediacy, and grappling with disagreements without …

Learning Through Play In Primary School Classrooms, Rachel Parker

Rachel Parker

New research offers a model for playful learning as an effective pedagogy for primary school-aged children. Rachel Parker discusses.

We The People: Elementary Pre-Service Teachers And Constitutional Readability, Lori T. Meier, Karin Keith, Edward J. Dwyer

Lori Meier

In light of increasing mandates to incorporate close reading of primary source historical documents at the elementary level, this study explored the reading difficulty level of the US Constitution with preservice elementary teachers using a traditional cloze assessment procedure. While best practice pedagogy of social studies has long included thoughtful reading of primary sources, new language arts guidelines situate the analysis of primary documents within formulaic quantifiable frameworks, often problematic to the pre-service teacher. With implications for reading and social studies, this paper explores several relevant issues to both pre-service teachers and the elementary classrooms they will teach in.

Accounting Education In Greece During The Gfc (2009-2016), Dimitrios V. Siskos

Dimitrios V. Siskos

The structure of accounting education in Greece, and in the world, is facing nowadays many significant challenges since the global financial crisis has left behind many critical educational burdens. At the same time, there is an increase in accounting omissions and malpractices of ethics both in the public and in the private sector of Greece. These undoubtedly contributed to massive unemployment, high poverty rate, crime and other social ills experienced in the country. This motivated the study on restructuring accounting education by devising a new educational framework that can be applied to Greek universities and colleges with the purpose of …

Run, Hide, Fight: Leveraging Academics To Enhance Emergency Preparedness Training For Active Shooter Events, Andrew S. Pyle, S. Paul Gennett, Darren L. Linvill

Andrew Pyle

College and university campuses are regularly faced with various types of crises. One category of crisis that is becoming a more regular event of concern is the active shooter event. Trainings exist that can help individuals respond more confidently in the event of an active shooter incident on campus. However, the authors were concerned that students with certain personality traits may be less likely to abide by active shooter training guidelines. We surveyed undergraduate students and compared the Big Five personality traits with perceptions of self and response efficacy related to the “Run, Hide, Fight” active shooter training video. Our …

It's Not A Fad: Incorporating Mobile Devices Into The Classroom, Makiba Foster, Jaleh Fazelian, Ron Cytron

Jaleh Fazelian

According to a 2013 survey, about 40% of college students have used tablets for coursework and two-thirds have used a smartphone. Students also report that they would like to use their mobile devices more often in their courses. This session will provide the opportunity to learn about strategies for incorporating the use of mobile devices in the classroom, including WU-texter, an application developed and implemented by Ron in a computer science course.

In-Service Teachers’ Understanding And Teaching Of Humane Education Before And After A Standards-Based Intervention, Stephanie Itle-Clark

Stephanie Itle-Clark, EdD, CHES

The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which credentialed educators conceptualized, understood, and perceived humane education, as well as their intent to include humane education in personal practice and their knowledge of strategies for integrating humane education concepts into their classroom work. The group of 25 educators participated in an online eight-week professional development course and completed pre- and post-surveys. The participants consisted of educators from the United States, British Columbia, and Vietnam. Participants were 11 secondary educators, 10 primary educators, 2 substitute teachers, 1 administrator, and 1 librarian. Results indicate that after an eight-week professional …

Political Science 202 Introduction To International Relations Syllabus Spring 2019, Dale Gardner

Dale Gardner

This is a sample syllabus for Political Science 202, International Relations submitted as part of the Global Studies Initiatives in Social Sciences Grant at Parkland College for the 2018-2019 academic year. Already a course with a global focus, the highlights indicate changes made in instruction that encouraged students to discuss global issues with each other.

Sociology 101 Introduction To Sociology Syllabus Spring 2019, Cristina Prestin-Latham

Cristina Prestin-Latham

This is a sample syllabus for Sociology 101 submitted as part of the Global Studies Initiatives in Social Sciences Grant at Parkland College for the 2018-2019 academic year. Highlights indicate changes and additions made that incorporate global studies into the curriculum.

History 105 History Of The United States From 1877 To The Present Syllabus Spring 2019, Aaron Walk

Aaron Walk

This is a sample syllabus for History 105 submitted as part of the Global Studies Initiatives in Social Sciences Grant at Parkland College for the 2018-2019 academic year. Highlights indicate changes and additions made that incorporate global studies into the curriculum.

History 105 History Of The United States From 1877 To The Present Course Project Instructions Spring 2019, Aaron Walk

Aaron Walk

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Final Report: Sociology 101: Introduction To Sociology Spring 2019, Dorie Geissler

Dorie Geissler

In this project report for the Global Studies Initiative at Parkland College, the instructor of Sociology 101 describes the inclusion of a module that focuses on comparing education systems in Finland and the United States and reflects on whether it enhanced the class and improved students global awareness.

Anthropology 101: Introduction To Anthropology Class Activities With Global Perspective Spring 2018, Jacob Skousen

Jacob Skousen

These three in class activities designed for Anthropology 101 incorporate a global perspective into themes of the course. The first activity, "Who Owns The Past," asks students to respond to the Elgin Marbles controversy. The second activity, "The Importance of Cultural Relativism," addresses the issue of female genital cutting, and the third activity, "Drag Queens: Performing Gender Norms," challenges perceptions of gender norms. These activities were created as part of the 2018-2019 Global Studies Initiatives in Social Sciences Grant at Parkland College.

Anthropology 101: Introduction To Anthropology Syllabus Spring 2019, Jacob Skousen

Jacob Skousen

This is a sample syllabus for Anthropology submitted as part of the Global Studies Initiatives in Social Sciences Grant at Parkland College for the 2018-2019 academic year. Highlights indicate changes and additions made that incorporate global studies into the curriculum.

Global Studies Initiative Final Report: Anthropology 101 Spring 2019, Jacob Skousen

Jacob Skousen

In this project report for the Global Studies Initiative at Parkland College, the instructor of Anthropology 101 describes the addition of three in class activities introduced to the course to enhance global awareness.

Global Studies Initiatives Final Report: Psychology 2017: Introduction To Child Psychology Spring 2019, Jennifer Gleason

Jennifer Gleason

In this project report for the Global Studies Initiative at Parkland College, the instructor of Psychology 207, Introduction to Child Psychology, describes how a global perspective on current topics in child psychology was integrated into the course.

Psychology 207 Introduction To Child Psychology Syllabus Spring 2019, Jennifer Gleason

Jennifer Gleason

This is a sample syllabus for Psychology 207, Introduction to Child Psychology, submitted as a part of the Global Studies Initiatives in Social Sciences Grant at Parkland College for the 2018-2019 academic year. Highlights indicate changes and additions made that incorporate global studies into the curriculum.

Teacher And Students' Perceptions Of A Modified Inclusion Classroom Environment, Elizabeth Kirby Fullerton Ph.D., Caroline Guardino Ph.D.

Caroline Guardino

The purpose of this study was to examine how modifying the inclusion classroom impacts teacher and students’ perceptions of their learning environment. Prior to intervention the teacher was interviewed providing information about her preferred modifications. Following the intervention the teacher completed a rating scale and a post interview. The students completed a classroom environment student survey (CESS), to assess their perceptions of the classroom before, during, and after modifications were made. Twenty fourth grade students, as well as their teacher participated in the study. Implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed.

A Field Study To Promote Undergraduate Student Learning Through Inquiry-Based Research, Thomas G. Henkel, James Paul, Debra T. Bourdeau

Tom G. Henkel

The purpose of this study was to explore methods to promote effective undergraduate student learning through inquiry-based research in the classroom and to determine what the benefits of doing so might be. The study begins by outlining how undergraduate inquiry-based research increases the undergraduate student learning model and then lists steps to accomplish this process. The study outlines two options offered as a workable process to promote faculty and student inquiry-based in-class research. The first option is for undergraduate students to engage in inquiry-based research with the assistance of one-on- one mentoring by the instructor. The second option allows for …

Assessing Computational Thinking, Daniel Duckworth

Daniel Duckworth

This paper provides some context for the role of computation thinking (CT) in the Australian Curriculum, an abridged literature review of CT as a problem-solving framework from the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 assessment framework and some examples of how CT has been used to solve real-world problems. Finally, this paper presents ways to teach and assess CT.

Contextualizing Information Literacy: Why “Why” Makes All The Difference, Wendy Doucette

Wendy C. Doucette

Graduate students require the same base knowledge of information literacy as undergraduates, but are less likely to receive in-class instruction. Rather than considering them as external, theoretical signposts or goals, this presentation will discuss the value of situating the ACRL Information Literacy Standards and Framework into the real-life graduate student experience. Explaining what it means to have membership in the academic community leads directly to a deeper understanding of scholarly dialogue, authority and peer review. This grounding leads to an understanding of ownership, copyright, and plagiarism. This high-level overview of the scholarly research process allows students to comprehend their own …

Facilitating Advanced Thinking Skills Through Problem-Based Learning, Charles T. Wynn Sr., Richard S. Mosholder

Charles Wynn

We will present a problem-based learning model (PBL) designed to promote postformal problem-solving skills among college students in a U.S. history survey course/first-year learning community and we will review results from two studies in which the outcomes of the PBL model were compared to the outcomes of the same course taught with traditional lecture/discussion. The PBL model was more effective in scaffolding students to recognize and practice postformal thinking dynamics and in facilitating self-reported student perceptions of increased course engagement and content relevance. A procedural overview of one of the PBL activities and the metacognitive reflection guide used in our …

Improv & Internships: Using Improvisation Techniques To Teach Vital Lawyering Skills, Leah Young, Alison Lintal

Alison Lintal

How students choose to collaborate and communicate can have a significant impact on the outcome of a workplace project as well as their legal career. Additionally, the importance of face-to-face communication, body posture, and learning to interpret body language cues is crucial for building professional relationships. Through these interactive exercises, students get the opportunity to practice responses in a setting that fosters student development and growth. Furthermore, improvisation provides the legal profession with tools that can be used to enhance communication, active listening, collaboration, agility, trust, authenticity, and resilience.

An important emphasis in externship courses is a focus on cultivation …

Teaching Data Literacy For Civic Engagement: Resources For Data Capture And Organization, Brandon T. Locke, Jason A. Heppler

Jason Heppler

Endangered Data Week emerged in the early months of 2017 as an effort to encourage conversations about government-produced, open data and the many factors that can limit its access. The event offers an internationally-coordinated series of events that includes publicizing the availability of datasets, increasing critical engagement with them, encouraging open data policies at all levels of government, and the fostering of data skills through workshops on curation, documentation and discovery, improved access, and preservation. The reflection provides an outline of the curriculum development happening through Endangered Data Week and encourages others to contribute.

Russian & Eastern European Studies Curriculum Map 2013-2014, Adam Rosenkranz, Maria Savova, Char Booth, Dani Brecher, M. Sara Lowe, Sean M. Stone, Natalie Tagge

Maria Savova

This map displays degree requirements, courses, faculty information, clubs & organizations, and Library resources associated with Russian and Eastern European Studies across the seven Claremont Colleges (7Cs) for the 2013-14 academic year. It was compiled using public information drawn from Colleges websites, course schedules and catalogs, and the Claremont Colleges Library website.

This project was completed as part of an IMLS Sparks! Ignition grant in 2013-14.

The Construct Is In The Eye Of The Beholder: School Districts’ Appropriations And Reconceptualizations Of Tpack, Judi Harris, Mark J. Hofer

Mark Hofer

Despite debates about the specific parameters of its eight subcomponents, TPACK is generally understood within university-based teacher education communities as the knowledge needed to incorporate technologies—especially digital tools and resources—effectively in teaching and learning. How do professional development providers working within primary and secondary schools and districts conceptualize and operationalize TPACK? Our study of educational technology-related professional development in seven North American schools and districts in seven states/provinces found that educational leaders’ discussion and operationalization of the TPACK construct differs from that of university-based researchers in intriguing and important ways. In these organizations, TPACK was both appropriated to reconnect curriculum …

Reinventing Powerpoint: A New Look At An Old Tool, Mark J. Hofer, Robb Ponton, Kathleen Owings Swan

Mark Hofer

Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerful, yet often underutilized, orchestration tool for learning. While its most common use may be no more powerful or effective than an overhead projector, the multimedia capabilities of the software open up powerful means to connect with diverse learners in the classroom. In this piece, we explore how PowerPoint can be used in ways that connect with Universal Design for Learning principles and make teacher and student presentations more engaging and effective. We offer several concrete examples of “thinking outside the slide” to leverage the unique potential of PowerPoint in the classroom.

Camera! Action! Collaborate With Digital Moviemaking, Kathleen Owings Swan, Mark J. Hofer, Linda S. Levstik

Mark Hofer

Broadly defined, digital moviemaking integrates a variety of media (images, sound, text, video, narration) to communicate with an audience. There is near-ubiquitous access to the necessary software (MovieMaker and iMovie are bundled free with their respective operating systems) and hardware (computers with Internet access, digital cameras, etc.). This easy access, along with the open-ended nature of digital movies, presents powerful opportunities to design student-centered, inquiry-based history projects. Engaging students as digital directors can not only help them develop historical questions and select and evaluate sources relevant to those questions, but can frame (literally and figuratively) and present historical interpretations. In …

Examination Of An Emerging Community Of Practice For Instructional Designers: A Descriptive Case Study In A Midwestern University, Jiaqi Yu, Connie Hargrave

Constance P. Hargrave

This study examined the functioning of a group of instructional designers (IDs) in higher education through the lens of Communities of Practice (CoPs). The study particularly focused on whether and how the grouping of experienced and novice IDs operated as an effective CoP from the perspective of novices. The findings indicated that a group of IDs working in a midwestern university was able to cultivate a CoP within a clearly defined domain, a well-established community, and the shared practice with a specific body of knowledge. Particularly from the perspectives of novices, they highlighted the positive impact while participating in the …