Education Commons^™

Historical And Legal Considerations In Development Of A For-Credit Internship Program, Nichole Zumbach Harken, Shelley Price-Williams

Faculty Publications

Background: This research outlines important factors in the development of a for-credit internship program by providing a historical context of internship work dating back to the original case of Walling v. Portland Terminal (1947), which outlined acceptable non-paid work of trainees, to more current applications of these labor laws in Wang v. Hearst (2016) and Glatt v. Foxlight Pictures (2016) then connects those legal precedents with current research in best practices.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to examine legal implications on for-credit internship programs and create recommendations based on United States law. Methodology/Approach: This work uses peer-reviewed research …

Shifting Preservice Teachers’ Sources Of Mathematics Teaching Efficacy Through Scaffolded Reflection: Fostering Commitment To Reform-Based Mathematics, Brooke Krejci, Elana Joram, Anthony J. Gabriele

Faculty Publications

Efforts to promote reform-based mathematics instruction in schools are pervasive, yet many teachers continue to use more traditional, procedural methods (Paolucci, 2015). In this chapter, the authors suggest that to achieve sustained adoption of reform-based instruction in mathematics, it is essential for professional development programs to draw teachers’ attention to sources of mathematics teaching efficacy afforded by reform-based teaching, such as enhanced student thinking. Educator preparation programs are ideal settings in which to begin this process, and the authors describe how scaffolded reflection activities within a mathematics methods course were used to focus preservice teachers’ attention on sources of mathematics …

Predicting And Explaining Pre-Service Teachers’ Social Networking Technology Adoption, Nandita Gurjar, Stephen Sivo

Faculty Publications

This research study examined pre-service teachers’ (N=250) intentions to adopt Twitter for professional development. The study used the Technology Acceptance Model to test research hypotheses grounded in the literature. The data were collected with a survey questionnaire and analyzed with Structural Equation Modelling. Findings indicated that ease of use, subjective norms, and perceived connectedness explained the variability in intentions to use Twitter. Perceived mobility, mediated through perceived behavioral control, explained participant differences in the perceived ease of use. Implications for stakeholders include highlighting the role subjective norms and mobile applications play in facilitating the ease of use and connectedness because …

Bridging The Informal And Formal Learning Spaces With Whatsapp, Tutaleni I. Asino, Nandita Gurjar, Perien Boer

Faculty Publications

When it comes to digital-based learning, the question of engagement and presence is often focused on online learning involving traditional computing devices such as desktop computers or laptops. However, in areas where mobile devices are the most widely used computing technology, engagement and interaction between teachers and students looks different. In many parts of the world, interactions between individuals takes place through mobile texting applications to bridge formal and informal learning spaces.

One of the most popular mobile tools is WhatsApp, a free cross-platform mobile application that allows users to make calls (voice) and send messages (text). The app averages …

Rural High School Principals And The Challenge Of Standards-Based Grading, Tom Buckmiller, Matt Townsley, Robyn Cooper

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to better understand how principals in rural schools are thinking about assessment and grading practices and if they anticipate implementing policy changes in the near future that may require increased support. Principals of schools in rural areas often face challenges that are significantly different from those of their urban and suburban counterparts. The researchers used a mixed-method survey to better understand if progressive grading policies were a part of the vision for principals of rural high schools, if they possessed conceptual underpinnings of such practices, and if they believed they had the capacity within …

Losing As And Fs: What Works For Schools Implementing Standards-Based Grading?, Matt Townsley, Tom Buckmiller

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this essay is to document what works when K-12 schools implement standards-based grading through a deep dive into related literature and to suggest areas for future considerations. To ignore what others are doing and what is presented in the research literature on teaching and learning is not only inefficient, it is also irresponsible and unprofessional (Gupton, 2010). As more schools work to implement a robust teaching, learning and assessment system, K-12 teachers and administrators in the early stages of redesigning their grading practices will be looking towards the successes and struggles of early adopters in order to …

Considering Standards-Based Grading: Challenges For Secondary School Leaders, Matt Townsley

Faculty Publications

Rather than awarding points for a combination of worksheet completion, quiz performance, in-class participation, and essay writing, standards-based grading separates academics from non-academic factors and communicates students' nonprogress towards mastery of course or grade-level standards. Some secondary schools are moving towards standards-based grading (SBG) in an attempt to produce more consistent grading practices, however the empirical evidence resulting from this change is mixed. The purpose of this article is to describe principles of standards-based grading, empirical support of SBG, and several common challenges secondary school leaders may face when considering this philosophical shift. Future research recommendations include exploring the perspectives …

Walking The Talk: Embedding Standards-Based Grading In An Educational Leadership Course, Matt Townsley

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to provide a model for educational leadership faculty who aspire to walk the talk of effective feedback by embedding standards-based grading (SBG) in their courses. Rather than focusing on learning, points are the currency of K-12 classrooms across the country. Over 100 years of grading research suggests typical grading practices are subjective at best. Some schools are responding by implementing SBG, yet few articles describe how higher education embeds this philosophy in educator preparation coursework. In this essay, the author documents how to design assessments, align rubrics, and provide feedback to aspiring school leaders …

The Impact Of Brain Breaks Classroom-Based Physical Activities On Attitudes Toward Physical Activity In Polish School Children In Third To Fifth Grade, Agata Glapa, Joanna Grzesiak, Ida Laudanska-Krzeminska, Ming-Kai Chin, Christopher R. Edginton, Magdalena Mo Ching Mok, Michal Bronikowski

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Brain Breaks^® Physical Activity Solutions in changing attitudes toward physical activity of school children in a community in Poland. In 2015, a sample of 326 pupils aged 9–11 years old from 19 classes at three selected primary schools were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups within the study. During the classes, children in the experimental group performed physical activities two times per day in three to five minutes using Brain Breaks^® videos for four months, while the control group did not use the videos during …

Spirituality And Contemporary Higher Education, Michael D. Waggoner

Faculty Publications

Though religion played a central role in the founding of U.S. higher education, over the centuries, its influence was diluted by competing secular emphases. In recent decades, religion has seen a resurgence in academic and co-curricular attention on campuses. In addition, a spirituality not based on religion has gained increasing attention. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the phenomenon of spirituality in contemporary higher education. The author discusses the recent appearance of spiritualty on campus, relates what research says about the potential benefits of and challenges in addressing spirituality in higher education, and examines some …

Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Cheating, Anita M. Gordon, Helen C. Harton, Emma Welch

Faculty Publications

Students and faculty at a mid-sized masters comprehensive university completed a survey regarding their perceptions of student cheating and other academic misbehavior. A total of 656 student surveys (22%) and 303 faculty surveys (35%) were analyzed to determine the perceived prevalence of cheating across campus, which behaviors are considered cheating, and how wrong they are perceived to be. Results demonstrated less consensus among faculty than expected on which misbehaviors violate the academic ethics policy as well as considerable variation in the perceived frequency that the policy violations occur, for both students and faculty. Increased education about plagiarism and cheating is …

Perceptions And Predictors Of Questionable Research Practices In The Biological Sciences, Anita M. Gordon, Helen C. Harton

Faculty Publications

A nationally representative sample of 429 biology researchers (40% response rate) from 107 R1 and masters universities assessed the features of six research scenarios and reported the probability they would take the same (questionable) action as the actor in the scenario. Results suggest that individual factors such as moral judgment and perceived internal and external consequences may play a larger role in research misbehavior than perceptions of organizational justice or other features of the research environment.

Perceptions And Predictors Of Questionable Research Practices In The Social Sciences, Anita M. Gordon, Helen C. Harton

Faculty Publications

Conclusions

■ As expected, moral judgment, anticipated shame, and perceptions of harm were the strongest and most consistent predictors of the perceived likelihood of misconduct.

■ Perceived likelihood of detection only predicted for one scenario, and sanctions had no overall effect (sanctions did affect how strongly moral judgment affected likelihoods).

■ There were no differences in perceived likelihood of misconduct by type of university.

■ Early career faculty reported higher likelihoods.

■ Organizational justice was not related to likelihoods.

What Does The Research Say About Standards-Based Grading? A Research Primer, Matt Townsley, Tom Buckmiller

Faculty Publications

Traditional grading practices have been used for over one hundred years, and to date, there have been no meaningful research reports to support it. As such, some schools are transitioning to standards-based grading, a practice based upon several evidence-based principles. The purpose of this research primer is to provide an overview of the research literature on standards-based grading.

Reliability And Concurrent Validity Of An Alternative Method Of Lateral Lumbar Range Of Motion In Athletes, Mark D. Hecimovich, Jeffrey J. Herbert

Faculty Publications

Background: Cricket bowling involves combined spinal movements of side bending and rotation and, consequently, injury to the low back is a common problem. Therefore the assessment of lumbar spine kinematics has become a routine component in preseason screening. This includes static measurement of lateral spinal flexion as asymmetrical range of motion may predispose an athlete to low back injury.

Objectives: This study examined intra-rater reliability and concurrent validity of the fingertip-to-floor distance test (FFD) when compared to a criterion range of motion measure.

Methods: Thirty-four junior-level cricket players aged 13‑16 years were recruited. Lumbar spine lateral flexion …

Perceptions Of Questionable Research Practices In Social Work And Other Disciplines, Anita M. Gordon, Cindy Juby, Helen C. Harton

Faculty Publications

Outline

 Background on research misconduct

 Study purpose and method

 Overview of descriptive results

 Regression results

 Limitations

 Implications for reducing misconduct

Teachers’ Efficacy For Supporting At-Risk Students And Their Perceived Role In Dropout Prevention, Kimberly Knesting-Lund, Brent O'Rourke, Anthony Gabriele

Faculty Publications

Research on the construct of teacher efficacy has demonstrated its positive relationship to a number of student outcomes, such as improved academic achievement, increased levels of self-efficacy, and a stronger belief in their ability to solve a math task and their motivation for completing it. Based on these findings, this research considered the possibility that teacher efficacy for supporting at-risk students could be related to their understanding of high school dropout, potentially suggesting ways to improve schools’ dropout prevention efforts. This study was an initial exploration of the relationship between high school teachers’ perceived efficacy for supporting at-risk students and …

University Faculty Perceptions Of Research Practices And Misconduct, Anita M. Gordon, Helen Harton

Faculty Publications

This poster presentation shares preliminary results from a national survey, funded by the U.S. Office of Research Integrity, to investigate the perceptions of research misconduct by faculty researchers from four disciplinary areas (biology, social work, sociology, and psychology). About 4,500 faculty from 107 randomly selected researchintensive and master’s universities were invited to participate. Respondents assessed scenarios depicting more and less serious researcher misbehavior and reported how likely they would be to take those actions under the same circumstances. They also rated their perceptions of how wrong the actions were, how likely the actions were to become known to others, and …

Perceptions Of Research Misconduct: Pilot Data From A National Survey, Anita M. Gordon, Helen Harton

Faculty Publications

Studies have shown that serious misconduct in academic research (e.g., data fabrication) is uncommon, whereas questionable research practices (e.g., courtesy authorship) occur on a fairly regular basis (Fanelli, 2009; John, Lowenstein, & Prelec, 2012). Yet limited research has been undertaken to understand why researchers engage in these behaviors (Martinson, Anderson, Crain, & DeVries, 2006; Mumford, Connelly, Murphy, Devenport, Antes, Brown, et al., 2009), in spite of the critical attention that misconduct cases bring from scientists, policymakers, and the public. As in other areas of human endeavor, understanding the complex causes of misbehavior is critical in formulating appropriate prevention structures or …

Special Speciation, Lyn L. Countryman, Jill D. Maroo

Faculty Publications

Considerable anecdotal evidence indicates that some of the most difficult concepts that both high school and undergraduate elementary-education students struggle with are those surrounding evolutionary principles, especially speciation. It’s no wonder that entry-level biology students are confused, when biologists have multiple definitions of “species.” We developed this speciation activity to provide clarity and allow students a hands-on experience with a speciation model.

Recognizing Campus Landscapes As Learning Spaces, Kathleen G. Scholl, Gowri Betrabet Gulwadi

Faculty Publications

American higher education institutions face unique twenty-first century changes and challenges in providing good, holistic learning spaces for the diverse and evolving needs of today’s college student. Continued enrollment growth, societal and technological changes, financial challenges, and a need for increased universal and open access create ever more diverse, changing and complex US university systems. In 2009, 20.4 million students were enrolled in 2- or 4-year colleges and universities. By 2019, enrollments are expected to rise 9% for students under age 25, and rise 23% for students over the age of 25 (Snyder & Dillow, 2011). Questions of where, when, …

Rational And Moral Perceptions Of Research Misconduct, Anita M. Gordon

Faculty Publications

Previous research has shown that a variety of factors may be implicated when researchers engage in misconduct, typically falling within three broad categories of personal background or disposition, immediate situational factors, and environmental variables related to peers, departments, fields, universities, or larger scientific systems. The goal of this project was to examine how faculty researchers elect to engage in more or less serious forms of misconduct, grounded in two theoretical frameworks: a) Rational Choice Theory, which posits that individuals are rational beings who select options that promise the greatest rewards and fewest drawbacks possible (Tittle, et.al., 2010); and b) the …

Simulated Learning In Musculoskeletal Assessment And Rehabilitation Education: Comparing The Effect Of A Simulation-Based Learning Activity With A Peer-Based Learning Activity, Mark Hecimovich, Simone Volet

Faculty Publications

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases are leading causes of pain, physical disability, and doctor visits throughout the world. Health professionals must be trained to assess, treat through rehabilitation and monitor patients with these disorders. Yet, due to overcrowded curricula, some health education programs struggle to accommodate more than minimal training in musculoskeletal conditions. Consequently, educators in these professions must consider how traditional instruction could be complemented effectively to enhance students’ preparation for the diverse musculoskeletal disorders and pathologies they may encounter. The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits that can be obtained from laboratory practice in musculoskeletal …

Development And Psychometric Evaluation Of Scales To Measure Professional Confidence In Manual Medicine: A Rasch Measurement Approach, Mark D. Hecimovich, Irene Styles, Simone E. Volet

Faculty Publications

Background: Health professionals in athletic training, chiropractic, osteopathy, and physiotherapy fields, require high-level knowledge and skills in their assessment and management of patients. This is important when communicating with patients and applying a range of manual procedures. Prior to embarking on professional practice, it is imperative to acquire optimal situation-specific levels of self-confidence for a beginner practitioner in these areas. In order to foster this professional self-confidence within the higher education context, it is necessary to have valid and reliable scales that can measure and track levels and how they change. This study reports on the development and psychometric analysis …

What Would My Avatar Do? Gaming, Pathology, And Risky Decision Making, Kira Bailey, Robert West, Judson Kuffel

Faculty Publications

Recent work has revealed a relationship between pathological video game use and increased impulsivity among children and adolescents. A few studies have also demonstrated increased risk-taking outside of the video game environment following game play, but this work has largely focused on one genre of video games (i.e., racing). Motivated by these findings, the aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between pathological and non-pathological video game use, impulsivity, and risky decision making. The current study also investigated the relationship between experience with two of the most popular genres of video games [i.e., first-person shooter (FPS) and …

How Mathematics Teachers Can Help Curb Childhood Obesity, Elana Joram, Anthony J. Gabriele

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Tracing The Evolution Of Chiropractic Students’ Confidence In Clinical And Patient Communication Skills During A Clinical Internship: A Multi-Methods Study, Mark Hecimovich, Simone Volet

Faculty Publications

Background: Anecdotal evidence points to variations in individual students’ evolving confidence in clinical and patient communication skills during a clinical internship. A better understanding of the specific aspects of internships that contribute to increasing or decreasing confidence is needed to best support students during the clinical component of their study.

Methods: A multi-method approach, combining two large-scale surveys with 269 students and three in-depth individual interviews with a sub-sample of 29 students, was used to investigate the evolution of change in student confidence during a 10-month long internship. Change in levels of confidence in patient communication and clinical skills was …

The Influence Of Teacher-Initiated Reminders On The Attainment Of Students' Aerobic Fitness Goals, Ross Chakrain, Jennifer J. Waldron

Faculty Publications

Goal setting in the physical education classroom can be a successful technique to enhance motivation, increase effort, and improve performance. A critical component of effective goal setting is providing feedback. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine the influence of teacher-initiated reminders of the goal on the attainment of self-set aerobic goals in physical education classes. This study was quasi-experimental in nature and used a nonrandomized pretest-posttest, control group design to carry out the procedures. Participants were from two fifth grade classes: one class was designated the experimental group (n = 15) and the other was the …

Providing Preservice Teachers With Worthwhile Field-Based Experiences In Mathematics, Glenn Nelson

Faculty Publications

Providing preservice teachers with worthwhile field-based experiences is recognized as an important component in their development as good teachers. Because mathematics instruction in general has moved from a teacher-directed, procedurally-focused process to a more student-centered, conceptually-oriented approach, preservice mathematics education classes – especially methods courses - should reflect this shift as well. Field-based opportunities can be instances for preservice teachers to personally experience such a shift to real-world relevance.

Perspectives Of Fitness And Health In College Men And Women, Jennifer J. Waldron, Rodney B. Dieser

Faculty Publications

Because many college students engage in low levels of physical activity, the current study used a qualitative framework to interview 11 college students to examine the meaning physically active college students assign to the practice of fitness and health. Students discussed the importance of healthy eating, but that it was difficult to accomplish at college. Additionally, students intertwined health and fitness with physical appearance and attractiveness. In particular, the media shaped many of their perceptions of health and fitness. Implications of these findings to policy making in higher education, in particular wellness programming, are highlighted.