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Full-Text Articles in Education

Course Difficulty And Its Association With Student Perceptions Of Teaching And Learning--Research, Amanda Joyce Jun 2017

Course Difficulty And Its Association With Student Perceptions Of Teaching And Learning--Research, Amanda Joyce

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Grade inflation has long been an issue in academia, and with this comes the concern that instructors will feel pressured to inflate grades in order to improve student evaluations of their teaching. Many historical studies have demonstrated associations between higher grades and higher teaching evaluations. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between high grades and high teaching evaluations, and their association with other indicators of course difficulty. Anonymous, end-of-semester, teaching evaluations were collected from 156 studentsin 6 sections of 3 unique courses in the Psychology department of a large Southeastern University between 2011 and 2014. Students …


Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Mathematics Through Drawings--Research, Adam Akerson May 2017

Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Mathematics Through Drawings--Research, Adam Akerson

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Research indicates that mathematics anxiety is particularly high in pre-service teachers (Bekdemir, 2010; Gresham, 2007; Hembree, 1990). These future teachers will soon be entering classrooms of their own, responsible for teaching mathematics to young children, who need strong teachers. A 2013 report from The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), found that 42% fourth-graders performed at or above the proficient level in math (NCES, 2013. The purpose of this study was to examine elementary pre-service teacher candidates (PSTCs) perceptions of mathematics, through drawings. Drawings were analyzed before and after a semester-long field experience in a constructivist mathematics environment. The participants …


Measuring Student Satisfaction In Online Mathematics Courses -- Research, Antoinette Davis May 2017

Measuring Student Satisfaction In Online Mathematics Courses -- Research, Antoinette Davis

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

For many years, various colleges and universities have found it difficult to measure student satisfaction in online courses. This study examined the growth of math courses that are delivered in the online format. This study looks to address the gaps in the research literature concerning online, hybrid, and traditional education. In particular, it is the intention of this study to investigate satisfaction and its effect on the performance of students as a result of enrolling in online mathematics courses. Many researchers have sought to find ways to determine student satisfaction in online courses. Satisfaction and performance in distance education have …


Faculty Inter - Rater Reliability Of A Reflective Journaling Rubric -- Research, Mari Alschuler May 2017

Faculty Inter - Rater Reliability Of A Reflective Journaling Rubric -- Research, Mari Alschuler

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

There has been a lack of research regarding faculty training in the grading of student reflective journals (RJs). Whether or how one should evaluate RJs remains contentious. This quasi-experimental study assessed whether providing faculty in-service training on scoring RJs using a rubric would result in statistically significant inter-rater reliability.Prior to the study, faculty raters received training on reflective practice and scoring RJs with a rubric based on five levels of reflection. Percent agreement between rater pairs, with 80% set as the inter-rater reliability benchmark, was utilized. Faculty raters scored anonymous BSW and MSW RJs assigned in cultural diversity and oppression …


Compassion Leads To The Creation Of The Backpack Program In Kentucky--Research, Katrina Sexton, Sherwood Thompson Jan 2016

Compassion Leads To The Creation Of The Backpack Program In Kentucky--Research, Katrina Sexton, Sherwood Thompson

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Children all over the United States currently endure food insecurity, which presents significant issues for their academic performance and general quality of life. This paper examines how the generosity of compassionate individuals and agencies helpsto improve the wellbeing and self-motivation of students who go without food. To this end, we review the literature oncompassion, particularly how it is theoretically described by positive organizational scholarship (POS). We also review some of the major programs and agencies that have arisen in recent decades to counter the problem of food insecurity and its related concerns—programs such as the Backpack Food program, which exists …


An Investigation Of Student Performance, Student Satisfaction , And Learner Characteristics In Online Versus Face-To-Face Classes--Research, Jennifer L. Vansickle, Chien-Chih Peng, Terry G. Elliott, Karen J. Pierce Jan 2016

An Investigation Of Student Performance, Student Satisfaction , And Learner Characteristics In Online Versus Face-To-Face Classes--Research, Jennifer L. Vansickle, Chien-Chih Peng, Terry G. Elliott, Karen J. Pierce

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

The purpose of this study was to investigate student performance, student satisfaction, and learner characteristics in online versus face-to-face delivery formats in accounting. Forty-four students, enrolled in either the face-to-face or online section of an accounting course, completed a survey assessing satisfaction, learning outcomes, and learner characteristics. Significant differences were found regarding satisfaction with learning and perception of the instructor. However, online learners displayed similar traits as their face-to-face counterparts. In addition, researchers compared pre-test / post-test, homework, quiz, and exam scores to determine if delivery method affected learning. A significant difference was found between face-to-face and online students in …


Preservice Teachers And Writing: An Analysis Of Academic Performance--Research, Laurie A. Sharp Jan 2016

Preservice Teachers And Writing: An Analysis Of Academic Performance--Research, Laurie A. Sharp

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

It is necessary to address literacy throughout the curriculum, and writing is an effective tool for achieving it. This study sought to compare the academic performance of undergraduate students (n= 121) who sought teacher certification at elementary level (pre-kindergarten –6th grade) andsecondary level (7th grade –12th grade).This study used a causal-comparative, quasi-experimental research design to compare the academic performance between these two groups in five university courses that were common among all education majors and contained a strong writing component. Data were collected in the form of final grades earned after completion of each of the five courses and analyzed …


Creating Culturally Considerate Schools: Educating Without Bias Book Review, Samuel Hinton Jan 2016

Creating Culturally Considerate Schools: Educating Without Bias Book Review, Samuel Hinton

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

This book review first discusses the book’s major content divisions and follows with a general analysis of concepts. The

book is structured into phases of equity development namely, self-examination, reflection, integration, actualization, and educational equity (p. 12). The phases are further subdivided

into eight manageable steps of personal and professional growth

that would empower teachers to operate in culturally considerate classrooms, galvanized by school climates and cultures that support individual and collective student achievement. The

eight stages of personal and professional growth are: acknowledgement of bias, assessment of current equity skills, acceptance of limitations, cognitive restructuring, expanding knowledgebase, skill building, …


A Collaborative Model For Implementing State Common Core School Standards, Ann Larson, Maggie Mcgatha, Sue Peters, Penny Howell, Jean Wolph, Joanne Webb, Starr Lewis, Seth Hunter Feb 2014

A Collaborative Model For Implementing State Common Core School Standards, Ann Larson, Maggie Mcgatha, Sue Peters, Penny Howell, Jean Wolph, Joanne Webb, Starr Lewis, Seth Hunter

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

In this early part of the 21st century, education leaders are increasingly challenged to improve P-12 teaching and learning to increase student achievement and to prepare all students for college and career success. Education reforms such as the adoption of the Common Core Standards within existing policies and practices of state department, district and school bureaucracies requires the repurposing and refocusing of existing resources and structures. This article describes the efforts in one state to employ collaboration to meet the requirements of legislated mandates for implementation of the Common Core Standards in English language arts and mathematics and the implications …


Preparing Principals For Instructional Leadership: Integrating The Common Core Standards--Research, Gary Houchens, Jill Cabrera Feb 2014

Preparing Principals For Instructional Leadership: Integrating The Common Core Standards--Research, Gary Houchens, Jill Cabrera

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Western Kentucky University has structured its own P-12 school principal certification program with a heavy emphasis on instructional leadership, starting with a strong understanding of the Common Core Standards and their role in providing a firm foundation for effective instruction. Educational research from the past 40 years reveals that effective school principals are “learning leaders” (Hallinger, 2011). Principals in high-performing schools devote much of their focus to the process of teaching and learning and dedicate their efforts to the improvement of both. Principal training programs must then make fostering instructional leadership a top priority (Jackson & Kelly, 2002). The purpose …


Holistic Responses To Campus Violence In The United States: Understanding The Needs Of Campus And Community - Based Service Providers--Research, Jennifer R. Wies, Caroline Reid, David C. May Dec 2013

Holistic Responses To Campus Violence In The United States: Understanding The Needs Of Campus And Community - Based Service Providers--Research, Jennifer R. Wies, Caroline Reid, David C. May

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Campus violence is a significant social and public health problem in the United States and poses a unique situation for service provision. Victims often have access to both campus-based and community-based services, as they are simultaneously students and citizens of a larger community. Therefore, understanding the needs of campus violence service providers is essential for enhancing responses to campus violence. This research identifies knowledge and service delivery needs among service providers to support a comprehensive approach to ending campus violence. Situated in the social-ecological model, this article discusses the results of a survey to identify knowledge and service delivery needs …


Evaluating Co - Teaching In Performance Incentive Systems: Implications For Teacher Education--Commentary, Theresa Quigney Dec 2013

Evaluating Co - Teaching In Performance Incentive Systems: Implications For Teacher Education--Commentary, Theresa Quigney

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

One of the most controversial areas of focus in the reform movement relates to the appraisal of K-12 level teachers’ instructional effectiveness, particularly as measured by the achievement levels of their students. While one would expect teachers to be accountable for student learning and be evaluated for their instructional efficacy, the discussion has now expanded into the domain of performance-based pay for teachers—directly based, at least in part, on student growth factors. This issue is critically relevant not only to the K-12 educational workforce, but also to teacher educators involved in preparing these teachers to be effective and successful in …


Using Critical Self - Reflection And Resistance Strategies In Preparing Culturally Responsive Teachers--Research, Winston Vaughan Dec 2013

Using Critical Self - Reflection And Resistance Strategies In Preparing Culturally Responsive Teachers--Research, Winston Vaughan

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

As our country becomes more racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse, pre-service teachers must be fully prepared to deal with these changes. As the demographics change, the majority of teachers continue to be white, middle-class females having to teach students who are different from themselves. Ladson-Billings (1995) suggests that schools of education must prepare teachers with the knowledge, skills and values that will enable them to be culturally competent in the classroom so as to meet the challenges of a pluralistic society. According to Brown(2004) and Sleeter (2001), many pre-service teachers simply lack cross-cultural competence and attitudes regarding diversity that would …


Promoting Excellence Within Early Care And Education Providers: A Teacher Education Program Story--Research, Jaesook L. Gilbert, Helene Arbouet Harte Dec 2013

Promoting Excellence Within Early Care And Education Providers: A Teacher Education Program Story--Research, Jaesook L. Gilbert, Helene Arbouet Harte

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

This paper shares the process and experience of a university community partnership to improve the quality of care and education in the region by enhancing teachers’ early childhood knowledge. A hybrid course for both university students and childcare providers, The Academy for Early Childhood Excellence sought to provide intense and supportive professional development for early care and education providers as well as access and an introduction to the university setting. The hybrid format necessitated some level of competence with technology and more emphasis on writing as a mode of communication. Some of the Academy participants, especially the more experienced and …


Pre - Service Teachers’ Perceptions Of Disability As Represented In Children’S Television Programs--Research, Laura S. Clarke, Dusty Columbia Embury, Anna Epperly, Jennifer Christensen Dec 2013

Pre - Service Teachers’ Perceptions Of Disability As Represented In Children’S Television Programs--Research, Laura S. Clarke, Dusty Columbia Embury, Anna Epperly, Jennifer Christensen

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

As colleges and universities prepare pre-service teachers to teach in inclusive classrooms, it is important to understand college students’ schema of diversity. Part of creating an inclusive classroom culture is to understand how children view similarities and differences in others, and how to create a culture of acceptance. One way to create a culture of understanding is to use media representations and popular children’s television shows as a springboard for conversation and acceptance, but before pre-service teachers can use media, they have to first understand the characteristics and qualification criteria for students with disabilities, and also how the community at …


Using The Depth Of Knowledge Model To Create High School Mathematics Assessments--Research, Lynne Gannon Patterson, Meagan Musselman, Joel Rowlett Dec 2013

Using The Depth Of Knowledge Model To Create High School Mathematics Assessments--Research, Lynne Gannon Patterson, Meagan Musselman, Joel Rowlett

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

This study examined the midterm exams of six high school math teachers and sought to (a) determine if teachers could accurately identify which level of Norman Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) model their test items aligned to, and (b) compare the actual percentage of test items at each DOK level to the targeted percentage based off Webb’s research. The study revealed that teachers were not accurate with their alignment of test items with Webb’s DOK model. They also came up short in comparison to the targeted percentages of test items at each level. Comprehensively, they were asking more questions at …


Collaborating To Meet Challenges Of Co - Teaching Common Core Standards--Research, Dottie Willis Dec 2013

Collaborating To Meet Challenges Of Co - Teaching Common Core Standards--Research, Dottie Willis

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Kentucky has led the nation in adopting Common Core Standards to revitalize education for next-generation learners and schools. To improve preparation of the state’s next-generation teachers, Kentucky has also mandated reform in training student teachers. This article reviews experiences of teacher educators from four Kentucky universities that are collaborating to ensure both quality and consistency in Co-Teaching Training, a new state requirement for all P-12 cooperating teachers and university supervisors who mentor student teachers. The author reports cooperating teachers’ responses to their initial Co-Teaching Training; analyzes educators’ perceptions about a complementary relationship between Co-Teaching strategies and achievement of Common Core …


How Well Are Mathematics Common Core Standards Reflected In Mathematics College Readiness Expectations?--Research, Lisa Conn Dec 2013

How Well Are Mathematics Common Core Standards Reflected In Mathematics College Readiness Expectations?--Research, Lisa Conn

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

On February 10, 2010, Kentucky made history by being the first state to adopt the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The CCSS were designed to be more rigorous, focused, and applicable (Holiday, 2010) than previous standards. The adoption of these standards was predicated by Senate Bill 1, Unbridled Learning. This bill required legislative bodies to develop a unified strategy to reduce the high college remediation rates of recent high school graduates by at least fifty percent before 2014. Along with high schools being required to address underprepared college students, state universities were to align their remediation courses with the new …


Middle Level Teacher Preparation: Principals’ Perceptions Of New Teacher Preparedness--Research, Chris M. Cook, Penny B. Howell, Shawn A. Faulkner Dec 2013

Middle Level Teacher Preparation: Principals’ Perceptions Of New Teacher Preparedness--Research, Chris M. Cook, Penny B. Howell, Shawn A. Faulkner

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Drawing on the Framework for Effective Middle Level Teaching(Faulkner, Howell, &Cook, 2012; Howell, Cook, Faulkner, 2013), this interpretive, exploratory study utilized survey methodology to analyze 38 middle level principals’ perceptions of effective teaching practices and the preparedness of newly hired middle level teachers. The findings suggest there is difference in perceptions of new teacher preparedness between principals with middle level teacher certification and principals that were prepared to teach at other grade levels. While both groups acknowledged the need for better teacher preparation, principals with middle level teacher certification reported that newly hired teachers were less prepared for effective middle …


Essential Elements For Preparing Future Teachers In Early Childhood Education Using Common Core Standards--Research, Jaesook L. Gilbert, Susan Griebling Dec 2013

Essential Elements For Preparing Future Teachers In Early Childhood Education Using Common Core Standards--Research, Jaesook L. Gilbert, Susan Griebling

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

The purpose of this paper is to discuss suggestions on what pre-service teachers need to know in order to be ready to teach in today’s kindergartens where the implementation of the Common Core State Standards reflects best practice. The introduction of the Common Core State Standards in Kentucky has ushered a new culture in kindergarten. Kindergarten used to be seen as a preparation year in which children could be equipped in listening, walking in lines, getting along with others and learning letters. Today, children in kindergarten are expected to

begin reading, writing, adding and subtracting. Rigor begins early in the …


First In Reform: The Adoption Of Common Core State Standards In Kentucky, Richard Day Nov 2013

First In Reform: The Adoption Of Common Core State Standards In Kentucky, Richard Day

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Kentucky first drew national attention when its Supreme Court declared the entire system of schools to be unconstitutional in Rose v Council for Better Education, 790 S. W. 2d 186 (1989). The Rose case, argued by former Kentucky Governor Bert Combs, launched a third wave of school reform litigation based on both equity and adequacy as expressed in state constitutions (Day 2011, 2-4). On February 11, 2010, in an unprecedented joint meeting, the chairs of the Kentucky Board of Educat ion, the Council on Postsecondary Education, and the Education Professional Standards Board signed a resolution directing their respective agencies to …


Creativity To The Core: How The Ky Core Academic Standards Can Enhance Creativity--Research, Dorie Combs Nov 2013

Creativity To The Core: How The Ky Core Academic Standards Can Enhance Creativity--Research, Dorie Combs

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governor’s Association in response to concerns about the poor performance of US students in comparison to students in other industrialized nations. A lack of understanding of the standards has led some to assume that any standards-based curriculum is going to focus on lower-level thinking skills and therefore impede critical and creative thinking. While Kentucky’s English language arts and mathematics standards are derived from the CCSS, Kentucky’s learning targets and standards are not limited to the CCSS standards. That is, there …


“Without Contraries”: Casting A Critical Eye On The Common Core--Commentary, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blythe Nov 2013

“Without Contraries”: Casting A Critical Eye On The Common Core--Commentary, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blythe

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

A year ago we, as members of the Executive Committee at a Kentucky state institution charged with aligning college academics to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), created a report for KJECTL (Summer 2012) about our progress in complying with Senate Bill 1 (SB1), even detailing a website we jointly created with the state. Interestingly, our institution has a current Quality Enhancement Plan that it “will graduate informed critical and creative thinkers who communicate effectively.” This year we want to demonstrate some of that critical thinking by evaluating the CCSS argument both through our experience and with what various commentators …


Changing Landscapes And Paradigm Shifts: Integrating The Common Core With Educator Preparation--Commentary, Verna Lowe Nov 2013

Changing Landscapes And Paradigm Shifts: Integrating The Common Core With Educator Preparation--Commentary, Verna Lowe

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Educator preparation and P-12 education are on a trajectory of changing landscapes and shifting paradigms to meet the needs of providing a world-class education to our children and youth who will be prepared to thrive in their personal and professional lives in this century. This shift moves from the “yesterday of schooling and educator preparation” involving a system of good intentions that worked for a percentage of learners to a holistic structure designed for all students and stakeholders.


Editorial Note From The Guest Editor, Terry Holiday Nov 2013

Editorial Note From The Guest Editor, Terry Holiday

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Not that long ago, K-12 education and postsecondary education were mutually exclusive clubs. Each set their own agenda, strategies and goals – without input from the other and at times in direct conflict. Occasionally, they blamed one another for failures, yet most of the time they kept to themselves.


Private Institutions Collaborate In Implementing Senate Bill 1 Initiatives, Linda P. Young, Brenda Priddy, Jan Lantz Jan 2013

Private Institutions Collaborate In Implementing Senate Bill 1 Initiatives, Linda P. Young, Brenda Priddy, Jan Lantz

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Funds were made available to each of our institutions, Campbellsville University, Lindsey Wilson College, and St. Catherine College through the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities for faculty training for the implementation of Senate Bill 1. By pooling the funds available to each of our institutions, we designed a Senate Bill 1 Symposium, an initial six-hour workshop to introduce Senate Bill 1, tailored to the needs of our institutions that provided rich resources and a quality experience. From the core of faculty trained at the initial workshop, each institution was able to build additional training for faculty and to …


Reflection On Carte As Eastern Kentucky University’S Response To Senate Bill 1, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blythe, Dorie Combs, Ginni Fair, Jessica Hearn Jan 2013

Reflection On Carte As Eastern Kentucky University’S Response To Senate Bill 1, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blythe, Dorie Combs, Ginni Fair, Jessica Hearn

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Using a grant from the Council on Postsecondary Education to respond to specific mandates of Senate Bill 1, Eastern Kentucky University created the Curriculum Alignment for Retention and Transition at Eastern initiative (CARTE). In its first phase, CARTE developed a hybrid professional learning community, an organizational network of embedded professional learning communities whose major task consisted of aligning sixty-four syllabi identified as key University courses in General Education and Teacher Preparation with the Kentucky Common Core Standards, and a chart for insuring deep learning on the part of the faculty. In addition to meeting 100% of our major goal, the …


A Commentary On Senate Bill 1: Kentucky’S Architecture Of Implementation, John Deatley, Sue Cain Jan 2013

A Commentary On Senate Bill 1: Kentucky’S Architecture Of Implementation, John Deatley, Sue Cain

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

In 2009, a coalition of states began moving toward fewer, clearer, and higher standards for P-12 education and entry-level courses in postsecondary education. Spurred by the evidence that most state standards were not consistently providing students with the knowledge and skills to be ready for college and careers, the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State Schools Officers (CCSSO) began a process of developing standards that would align with college and work expectations; be clear, understandable, and consistent; include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills; build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards; …


Incorporating Best Practices Of Highly Effective Teaching Into Common Core-Aligned College Courses, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blythe Jan 2013

Incorporating Best Practices Of Highly Effective Teaching Into Common Core-Aligned College Courses, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blythe

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

While aligning the Common Core Standards with Eastern Kentucky University’s General Education and Teacher Preparation courses has been the main focus of Curriculum Alignment for Retention and Transition at Eastern (CARTE), another way we responded to Senate Bill 1 was to identify ways in which to teach this new alignment at the college level. Our solution was to partner with Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education to create a website on best teaching practices and to task each of our Professional Learning Communities with adapting the best teaching practices to its specific discipline (e.g., teacher prep). The result was the creation …


Hidden Strength: Encouraging Spiritual Leadership Attributes Among School Leaders, Sherwood Thompson Jan 2013

Hidden Strength: Encouraging Spiritual Leadership Attributes Among School Leaders, Sherwood Thompson

Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Today, district and school leaders are being recognized for their contributions to improving schools and enhancing student achievement, and this recognition is coming at a pivotal time in the evolution of education in the United States. The need to educate a new generation of learners that are capable of transforming the United States is paramount. Each state has a responsibility to provide the best education it can to its population. Kentucky has made great strides with its education reforms. The state’s alignment of Senate Bill 1 Core Academic Standards with the national Common Core Standards offers great promise (Holliday, 2012). …