Education Commons^™

Msym 109: Physical Principles In Agriculture And Life Sciences—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, David Mabie

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This benchmark course portfolio was developed for MSYM 109 - Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences. The class is a general service course taken by majors as a prerequisite for future coursework along with several other CASNR majors to fulfill their physics course requirement. MSYM 109 is a high enrollment course, with 115 students in lecture, along with four separate 30 person recitation sections. This portfolio was developed to assess the following objectives: 1. Identify, evaluate, and justify the course objectives 2. Assess and evaluate the course pedagogy and assessment methodology 3. Analyze the historical students assessment results against …

Span 202: Intermediate Spanish Ii (Focus On Literature & Culture)—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Kelly Kingsbury Brunetto

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

During Spring 2015 I undertook a curricular revision of UNL's fourth-semester Spanish course (SPAN202) with the objective of improving the materials to help the course better achieve its stated goal of moving students "away from knowledge about the language and expertise in using isolated skills into a practical and fluid use of the language in which [they] synthesize [their] isolated skills." As it existed at the time, in theory SPAN202 focuses on synthesis and helping students negotiate higher levels of discourse, but in practice it tended to get bogged down in a comprehensive grammar review. In reality, some grammar topics …

Phys 231: Electric And Electronic Circuits—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Xiaoshan Xu

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

In this portfolio, I employed a backward design teaching approach on the course PHY231 (Electric and Electronic circuit). I first decide the course objectives and choose the teaching strategies and activities emphasizing student engagement and feedbacks. The effectiveness of the teaching strategies and activities are assessed throughout the course; the adjustments are made accordingly. The results are analyzed at the end of the semester. The assessments indicate that the course objectives are fundamentally achieved and the teaching strategies are effective.

The objectives of the course are:

1. Students will reinforce their understanding in electricity and magnetism.
2. Students will learn theory of …

Edps 859: Statistical Methods—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Matthew S. Fritz

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

The key goal of creating this benchmark teaching portfolio is identifying what my course objectives for EDPS 859 really are and to revise my current course materials, activities, and evaluations to emphasize what I consider to be important in the class in order to better meet the course objectives. I would like this portfolio to serve primarily as a way for me to identify and address issues with my particular section of EDPS 859. The secondary purpose of this portfolio is to provide information regarding the purpose and placement of EDPS 859 as a service course within CEHS and the …

Teac 921b: Seminar In Literacy Studies (Special Topics: Schooling And The Multilingual Mind)—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Theresa Catalano

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio will document the creation and implementation of a new doctoral seminar in my department. This introductory course to multilingualism and schooling (TEAC 921B) will cover topics related to teaching and learning in the multilingual classroom. The key goals for creating this portfolio are to aid me in creating this new doctoral seminar that reflects and builds on departmental goals for graduate students. In particular I would like to document and address the implementation of two new activities to my teaching ; a language study/journal, and the creation of a documentary film. I foresee using this course portfolio as …

Teac 315: Teaching Science In The Elementary School—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Krista Adams

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

Teaching Science in the Elementary School (TEAC 315) is an upper-division course taken by elementary education majors as a requirement for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education. The peer review of teaching project had me identify concerns for teaching the elementary methods course. The concerns I wanted to address focused on eliciting teacher candidate’s views and experiences with teaching science as well as my ability to identify evidence of growth. The first area focuses on my needing to understand if I need to develop more instructional strategies to support teacher candidate growth. This involves both in terms of specific …

Teac 451p: Learning And Teaching Principles And Practices (Secondary Mathematics)—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Lorraine Males

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

The goal of my peer review portfolio was to better understand how to improve students' learning of how to teach secondary mathematics in reform-oriented ways. Most students that pursue admission into the Secondary Mathematics Teacher Education Program have little to no experience learning mathematics in reform-oriented ways. These preservice teachers (PSTs) were “successful” in mathematics courses in middle and high school, most of them taking honors or accelerated courses. However, many of these PSTs did not have opportunities to engage as active participants in their own learning and develop complex cognitive skills and processes, the focus of reform-oriented instruction. This …

Literacy Strategies Successfully Implemented By Secondary Social Studies Teachers, Kelly Killorn

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine which literacy strategies were used by secondary social studies teachers who were identified by their principals as having strong literacy integration skills. In addition, teachers' beliefs and purposes for utilizing said literacy strategies were examined. It was hypothesized that participants would incorporate literacy strategies into their instruction, and would utilize explicit vocabulary instructional methods and graphic organizers most frequently. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from five participants through three 50-minute behavioral observations apiece, followed by a 45-minute focus group discussion. Results indicated that these participants overwhelmingly utilized literacy strategies regularly …

Through The Looking Glass: Barriers And Coping Mechanisms Encountered By African American Women Presidents At Predominately White Institutions, Maria Louise Baxter-Nuamah

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research is to identify factors (experiences, career paths, and barriers) that influence the career advancement of African American women administrators in higher education. African American women's experiences in higher education are molded by both external factors and internal factors specific to "traditional" social roles within and outside of the university. This qualitative study examines the personal and professional growth of five African American women who rose to executive leadership positions as presidents at predominately white colleges or universities .

There are five main themes in this study. First, African American women who aspire to senior level …

Early Career Principal Development: A Qualitative Case Study Of Principals' Perceptions Of Participation In The Institute Of Engaged Principal Leadership, Teri Marie Preisler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines the perceptions of the participants in the Institute of Engaged Principal Leadership at the start and conclusion of their first year of sessions. The study used a single case study qualitative research approach incorporating semi-structured interviews questions, researcher observations, and review of documents throughout the 2012-2013 initial year of the Institute. The results indicate themes of growth within the participants' beliefs, confidence, focus on equity and student-centered school climate, and a need for networking within the educational leadership roles. Based upon these results, recommendations are provided for future Institutes as well as preparation programs for teachers and …

Traditional Methods Versus Tprs: Effects On Introductory French Students At A Medium-Sized Public University In The Midwestern United States, Rishani Samari Merinnage De Costa

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of introducing a Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) approach in a French immersion classroom in comparison with a method which does not incorporate a story context within the lesson. This research was conducted in an introductory college level classroom setting. It is hypothesized that the language skills of the students in the experimental group using the TPRS method would show greater improvements on measures of listening, vocabulary, culture, grammar and writing abilities than those taught using methods which do not incorporate the story context. The research utilized a …

Critical Velocity Is Associated With Combat Specific Performance Measures In A Special Forces Unit, Mattan Hoffman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over recent years, military research has focused on ways of being able to predict operational success and readiness through the development of simulated operational tasks measuring the physical limits of the soldier. Therefore, to properly prepare the tactical athlete for the demands and rigor of combat, accurate assessment of baseline physical abilities and limitations are necessary. Currently, western armies use a basic physical fitness test, which has been heavily argued to have no bearing on operational readiness, thus they are in the process of transitioning to a more specific combat readiness test. However, specific assessments to predict operational success/readiness are …

Re-Engaging Youth With The Protective Power Of Education, Daniel T. Satterberg, Violetta A. Stringer, Carla C. Lee

Seattle Journal for Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Vulnerability, Robert W. Spires

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

Vulnerability is susceptibility to, or risk of exposure to, hazards and stresses related to social problems, environmental problems, economic problems, or political problems. The word vulnerability is often used in conjunction with poverty and may specifically imply vulnerability to poverty or to poverty-related issues. Individuals, communities, groups, regions, and nations can be vulnerable and poverty increases this vulnerability.

The More Things Change: Reflections On The State Of Marketing In Continuing Higher Education, James D. Campbell, James L. Narduzzi

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

All of us can readily identify the major changes that have occurred in society over the past several decades and, more important, the manner in which these changes have affected the way we conduct the business of continuing higher education. For example, the telephone has been replaced by e-mail, which is now the most prevalent way we communicate with each other in the workplace. Social media and the web now dominate how we market our programs and communicate with our various constituencies. Instruction, once delivered primarily face-to-face in a classroom setting, is now routinely delivered utilizing various digitally mediated formats, …

Learning To Use, Useful For Learning: A Usability Study Of Google Apps For Education, Maury Elizabeth Brown, Daniel L. Hocutt

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

Using results from an original survey instrument, this study examined student perceptions of how useful Google Apps for Education (GAFE) was in students' learning of core concepts in a first-year college composition course, how difficult or easy it was for students to interact with GAFE, and how students ranked specific affordances of the technology in terms of its usability and usefulness. Students found GAFE relatively easy to use and appreciated its collaborative affordances. The researchers concluded that GAFE is a useful tool to meet learning objectives in the college composition classroom.

Use Of Root Cause Analysis In Nursing Education: Best Practice From The Quality And Safety Officer, Elizabeth E. Cooper, Susan Pauly-O’Neill

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Teaching nursing students to be safe in practice is a key element to any nursing curriculum. This article will discuss the use of a Root Cause Analysis (RCO) framework with prelicensure nursing students, by the Quality and Safety Officer (QSO) in a School of Nursing and Health Professions, as a method to enhance transparency and improve patient safety. The aim is to provide a rationale for using this strategy, to identify the steps of a root cause analysis, to disclose barriers to its successful use, and to explore dissemination to the partnering healthcare environments.

Let Us Pick The Organization: Understanding Adult Student Perceptions Of Service-Learning Practice, Susan C. Reed, Howard Rosing, Helen Rosenberg, Anne Statham

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Faculty and Staff Works

Service learning offers a pedagogy by which adult students are guided toward understanding their potential for leadership in civic life and community development, strengthening the impact that universities have in communities. In this study, qualitative data is analyzed to determine how adult students perceive their service-learning experiences and what the university could do to involve them more in the future. Respondents provide some evidence that they value opportunities to give back to communities where they have a connection; appreciate hands-on learning that is integrated with classroom learning; benefit from placement experiences that build upon prior knowledge and skills; and prefer …

The Effect Of Community Service Learning On Undergraduate Persistence In Three Institutional Contexts, Susan C. Reed, Helen Rosenberg, Anne Statham, Howard Rosing

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Faculty and Staff Works

This study explores the role of community service learning (CSL) in promoting undergraduate persistence relative to other experiences students have in college, their entering characteristics, and institutional features. By following the 2009 freshmen cohort at three Midwestern universities over three years, this study finds that students’ experiences while in college (CSL, full-time enrollment, and GPA) have a stronger effect on the likelihood of reenrollment than students’ entering characteristics (age, gender, and race). Our separate analyses for each institution allow us to consider how the differences between the three universities (student body composition, retention rate, CSL program) might lead CSL courses …

Teacher And Student Perceptions Of What Motivates Reading In African American Males Enrolled In Developmental Reading Classes: A Qualitative Multiple Case Analysis, Dominique Prince

All ETDs from UAB

TEACHER AND STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT MOTIVATES READING IN AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES ENROLLED IN DEVELOPMENTAL READING CLASSES DOMINIQUE PRINCE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP ABSTRACT Research has indicated that effective literacy skills are needed participate fully in society and become productive employees. Still, many high school graduates lack the essential literary skills needed. In spite of African American males continuing to value literacy, some are not performing to levels of proficiency. Understanding the impact teachers and educational leaders have on students’ reading achievement, attention has been placed on students’ motivation to read. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case analysis was to explore …

Applying Charlotte Mason's Philosophy To Early Childhood Education: A Qualitative Study Of Four Teachers' Experiences, Grace Mooney

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ experiences in applying Charlotte Mason’s (1842-1923) philosophy to early childhood education. Research regarding Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy is limited and no studies were found to address teachers’ application of her approach across various settings. In an attempt to fill this research gap, this study included four teachers from different settings; each of the teachers used Charlotte Mason’s approach in their classrooms. The research question was: How do teachers describe their experiences in applying Charlotte Mason’s philosophy to early childhood education? The research was conducted using a qualitative case study approach and …

Self-Perceptions And Social Comparison With A Primary Focus On Racial Identity In African American, Hispanic And Caucasian Fifth-Grade Children, Jeffrey G. Moore

All ETDs from UAB

Understanding the significance of one’s ethnic group is pivotal to comprehending and defining one’s overall process of self-perception, its influence on academic achievement, and probability for future success as well as personal fulfillment, especially among adolescents (Hill, Mance, Anderson, & Smith, 2012). Consequently, an adolescent’s view of self is often directly associated with personal interactions with individuals closest in nature and proximity. To explore the effects of self-perception among fifth-grade adolescents, a quantitative study was conducted to examine physical appearance and self-worth disparities among pre-adolescent Black, Hispanic, and White youth. For this research, three racial identity developmental theories were applied, …

The Effects Of 6 Weeks Of High Intensity Interval Training Vs. Moderate Intensity Training On Changes In Body Composition, Corey Noles

All ETDs from UAB

THE EFFECTS OF 6 WEEKS OF HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING VS. MODERATE INTENSITY TRAINING ON CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION COREY NOLES KINESIOLOGY ABSTRACT Background: It is important to identify strategies to promote exercise adherence and to identify an optimal exercise stimulus to prevent adverse health outcomes associated with obesity. Low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has recently been shown to improve a number of cardiometabolic health outcomes similarly to moderate intensity exercise training (MIT) despite requiring 1 hr of training per week for HIIT vs 6 hrs for ET. However, less is known about HIIT and its effects on body composition. …

Perceptions Of Elementary School Leaders In Supporting The Academic And Social Development Of African American Males In Torchbearer Schools, Tracy Brown

All ETDs from UAB

PERCEPTIONS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEADERS IN SUPPORTING THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES IN TORCHBEARER SCHOOLS TRACY HANDLEY BROWN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP ABSTRACT This qualitative multiple case study explored the perceptions of Alabama Torchbearer School leaders in supporting the academic and social development of their elementary African American male students. There is limited research to show how elementary school leaders support their African American male students. My study helped to provide insight into how elementary school leaders support their African American male student population. The study was conducted in 10 Torchbearer Schools in Alabama. The participants included 10 …

Exploring The Relationship Between Study Abroad And Emotional Intelligence, Michael Joshua Carter

All ETDs from UAB

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDY ABROAD AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE MICHAEL JOSHUA CARTER EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP ABSTRACT Given the increased interest in the academic and behavioral impact of university study abroad programs, the possible relationship between study abroad and emotional intelligence was evaluated. A paper-based survey packet consisting of a researcher-developed demographic questionnaire and the Bar-On EQ-i: 2.0 Emotional Intelligence Quotient Inventory (EQi) was administered to a convenience sample of 144 undergraduate students, ages 19-25, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The total sample consisted of two groups: (1) a sample group of undergraduate students who participated in the university study …

A Multiple Case Study Exploring Factors Promoting Nursing Faculty Satisfaction With Teaching Online In Three Schools Of Nursing In The Southeastern United States, Nancy Pope Wingo

All ETDs from UAB

To address nursing shortages in the healthcare workforce and expand access to higher education, many schools of nursing are offering academic degrees that can be completed mostly online. Nursing schools that consider online programs to be a key part of their strategic plan need faculty who are comfortable and satisfied with teaching online. Yet nursing schools nationwide are facing a shortage of nursing faculty, due to the retirement of aging instructors, high workload, low salaries, and other factors. To foster faculty gratification and promote long-term retention of skilled instructors to teach online, nursing schools need to learn more about factors …

Are Associations Between Parenting Style And Academic Achievement Moderated By Ethnicity And Individualism-Collectivism?, Thiago L. De Oliveira

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have long been concerned in documenting the nature of associations between parenting styles and academic achievement in adolescents. Social learning theory has shown how domains such as individualism, collectivism, and ethnicity are associated with parent behavior. Research suggests compatibility between individualism and authoritative parenting and collectivism with authoritarian parenting styles, which could have critical implications in the relationship between parenting styles and academic achievement. Despite the robust research on parenting styles, no research has investigated the moderating roles of individualism and collectivism. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the associations between parenting style and academic achievement …

Factors Associated With Graduation Among Latino Male High School Students, Judyann Watson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High dropout rates for minority students require additional educational research to understand and implement changes that will increase graduation rates. The purpose of this nonexperimental study was to examine factors that may be associated with graduation for Latino male students. Guided by Tinto's work, which holds that students remain in school when they feel academically or socially connected to an institution, this study addressed the impact of social factors, academic factors, and small learning communities (SLCs) on graduation rates. The research study used archival data and bivariate logistic regression to analyze the data for Latino male participants (n = 208) …

Community College Developmental Education Services: Perspectives Of Spanish-Speaking Latino Early Childhood Educators, John Edward Eberly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this single case study was to understand the perceptions of Latino Spanish-speaking English learners on the efficacy of developmental education services at a western United States community college. The conceptual frameworks used in the investigation included critical theory related to human emancipation, social learning theory aligned to second language acquisition, and contemporary adult learning theories. The goal of the investigation was to understand how students used and perceived the developmental education services to transition from Spanish language instruction to English coursework. Research questions focused on how the developmental education services contributed to the successful completion of the …

Cortisol Levels And Voltage Conditions Of College Students, Adriana Steffens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a limited research base on low voltage brain conditions, which are characterized by electrical activity being measured at below 20 microvolts. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between saliva cortisol levels and voltage using an EGG in a college student population. Illuminating this relationship is important to inform how low voltage conditions can affect daily memory and cognitive functioning of undergraduate college students that may be a result of stress. The college student population may be vulnerable to the low voltage condition because of stress from the transition between teenage and adult life and …