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Journal of Vincentian Social Action

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A Cure For Cmb: Empowering Undergrads With Course-Based Research, Aisling Macaraeg

Senior Honors Projects

The Cell and Molecular Biology Department at the University of Rhode Island has a gap between introductory and advanced laboratory courses offered to undergraduate students. The implementation of a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) catered towards second- and third-year undergraduate students would benefit both students and faculty. A CMB-based CURE would allow for the integration of all four tracks within the CMB major through hands-on laboratory experience and create a low-stakes environment for students to practice independent experimental thinking. Students

will reinforce basic laboratory skills and be exposed to novel concepts that can be further explored in detail through advanced …

Meeting, Moving, Mastering - A Text Analysis Of The Aesthetic Attractions Of 'Wild Swimming', Dagmar Dahl, Åsa I. Bäckström

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Why are people fascinated by swimming in nature? This article addresses the aesthetic experiences of wild swimming as expressed by five wild swimming authors in their books. Drawing from aesthetic philosophy, we analyze the ways in which the appeal of wild swimming is described on three levels: the allure of water in the environment, the sensory encounter between water and the body, and the experience of moving in water. Furthermore, with reference to Seel’s concept of nature aesthetics (1996), the experience of wild swimming is analyzed in terms of contemplation, correspondence, and imagination. We can conclude that the special intensity …

In This Issue (14:1), Stephen J. Langendorfer Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

In This Issue 14:1 introduces and overviews the research and education articles and position statement associated with the first issue of the fourteenth volume of the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education.

Aquatics For Individuals With Disabilities: An Analysis Of Publication Trends, Susan J. Grosse

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This study investigates the published literature in the field of aquatics with disabilities; more specifically, it examines literature published during the most recent two decades, 2000 through 2019. Considerations include the content focus of published articles relating to aquatics with disabilities, distribution of articles over the specified time period, publication opportunities for authors, barriers as well as enhancements to development of literature in the field, and summary recommendations.

Towards A Globalised Vision Of Aquatic Competence, Rita F. Pinto, Juan Antonio Moreno Murcia

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Human interaction with the aquatic environment has always taken different forms to meet the needs of pleasure, survival, therapy or performance. The diversity of existing aquatic spaces presents itself as a challenge, due to their variety, dynamism, unpredictability and unrepeatable conditions. These factors potentiate an infinite number of possibilities for human response in interaction with the aquatic environment, with aquatic competence being the one that will be able to sustain all types of interaction. Thus, the aim of the proposal has been to present a new approach to the contextualisation of aquatic competence. After a literature review on the concept …

Revisiting The Metaphorical Concept Of “No Strokes First - All Strokes First”: Part One - Beginning Strokes, Robert Keig Stallman Ph.D., Alex Mwaipasi, Ebbe Laakso Horneman, Nils Olof Vikander, Bente Wäinösdatter Horneman Laakso, Haakon-Paavo Laakso Nysted, Toni Ongala

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The aim of this article is to address the familiar question “Which swimming stroke should be taught first?” The discussion is usually focused on breaststroke versus crawl. Provoked by these naïve discussions of which stroke should be taught first (as if stroking equals swimming, which it emphatically does NOT), the question was answered metaphorically in an earlier article “No Stroke First – All Strokes First” (Stallman, 2008a). Here in Part I we identify and describe six strokes, all of which might be a candidate for any learners ‘very first’ stroke. We describe them as beginning strokes. Having identified and learned …

An Exploratory Study Of Aquatic Walking On Symptoms And Functional Limitations In Persons With Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 1, John M. Coons, Brandon Grubbs, Vaughn W. Barry, Ryan T. Conners, Sandra Stevens

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This paper represents Part 1 of a study that explored the effects of an underwater treadmill (UT) walking program on pain and function in adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS), timed up-and-go (TUG), and 10-m walk were assessed in 6 adults (62.7 ±14.2 years) who participated in an 8-week (3x/wk) UT walking intervention based on the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) program. Walking pace was self-selected, and walking duration of each session was increased from 10 to 45 minutes throughout the study. Knee pain and function were …

An Exploratory Study Of The Effects Of Aquatic Walking On Function And Muscle Activity In Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 2, John M. Coons, Brandon Grubbs, Conor Theiss, Vaughn W. Barry, Sandra Stevens

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This paper presents Part 2 of a study that investigated the effects of an 8-week (3x/week) underwater treadmill (UT) walking intervention on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) outcomes in 6 adults with KOA (62.7 ± 14.2 years). The Knee Outcome Survey (KOS) for activities of daily living and muscle activity during a 10-m walk and a 20 cm step down were measured before and after the intervention. The following KOS measures improved after the UT walking program (p < 0.05; g > 0.8): stiffness, swelling, weakness, walking, going up stairs, going downstairs, kneeling on the front of the knee, squatting, and sitting with the …

The Halliwick Concept: Practical Applications, Susan J. Grosse

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The Halliwick Concept has become a very popular method for use by professionals involved in instructional swimming and in therapeutic aquatics. Through a detailed look at the principles of Halliwick, this article expands on Halliwick theory by detailing applications of Halliwick to specific population groups. The practicality of implementing Halliwick methodology with and for individuals experiencing a variety of limiting challenges, both physical and cognitive/sensory, are discussed. Hints for success- oriented implementation are provided. For those unfamiliar with the Halliwick Method background resource material is included.

Analysis Of Attitudinal Student Learning Benefits From A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (Cure) Adapted For Online Format, Ambika Kapil, Luis C. Gonzalez Isoba, Niraj Pathak, Arthur Sikora, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) are an increasingly utilized model for exposing students to research. The lack of robust assessments is a major hurdle to wider adoption of CUREs. The Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated a drastic shift of in-person courses to the online format. Using the Participant Perception Indicator (PPI) survey, we measured students’ self-reported changes in learning from such a biochemistry course at a large university in south Florida based on the Biochemistry Authentic Scientific Inquiry Lab (BASIL) model. By doing this, we were able to better understand the student-benefits of CUREs and how these benefits …

Multilingual Zambia - Language Issues In Primary/Secondary Schools Of The Eastern/Southern Provinces, Kenzie Steiner

NUTR/GLST 498b: Global Research Experiences in Nutrition and Health

Introduction: Zambia is a multilingual country that uses 8 different languages for instruction including English and 7 other indigenous languages.

Methods: Survey research conducted between May-June 2022 on 6-7th graders within 9 Zambian schools. Classroom observations made and teachers interviewed.

Results: In Eastern and Southern Provinces, Zambian teachers speak an average of 5 languages while students speak an average of 2. Both teachers and students say English remains the most important language followed by first languages.

Conclusion: Continued research on language-in-education policies and impacts on student performance must be conducted if “One Zambia, One Nation” is meant to promote all …

Responsiveness Of Higher Education Programs To Policy And Recommendations In The Biopharmaceutical Sector, Maeve Scott

Other resources

This essay will review the business and government policies relevant to the biopharmaceutical sector which influence higher education programs. The mechanisms which enable higher education to adapt to policy will be summarised and the pace of the response estimated.

Higher education (HE) programs need to respond in a timely manner to dynamic industries to maximise opportunities for graduates and support the Irish economy. The author manages internships and teaches on pharmaceutical science programs and aims to ensure the program is current to maximise student success. This review intends to identify the most relevant policy sources that can inform the Pharmaceutical …

The Real-Time Classification Of Competency Swimming Activity Through Machine Learning, Larry Powell, Seth Polsley, Drew Casey, Tracy Hammond

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Every year, an average of 3,536 people die from drowning in America. The significant factors that cause unintentional drowning are people’s lack of water safety awareness and swimming proficiency. Current industry and research trends regarding swimming activity recognition and commercial motion sensors focus more on lap swimming utilized by expert swimmers and do not account for freeform activities. Enhancing swimming education through wearable technology can aid people in learning efficient and effective swimming techniques and water safety. We developed a novel wearable system capable of storing and processing sensor data to categorize competitive and survival swimming activities on a mobile …

Can Tilt Be Used To Teach Study Tactics? A Case Study In A Biology Classroom, Anne Jacobs

Perspectives In Learning

Recently, there has been a movement encouraging instructors in higher education to use the Transparency in Teaching and Learning (TILT) framework when designing assignments. This framework helps instructors clarify their expectations and evaluation criteria. Making assignments more transparent may result in greater student success. However, it is less clear how this framework can be applied to classes that use exams as a main method of assessing student learning. One option might be to use a TILTed assignment to introduce students to learning tools to improve their studying. I did this by giving students in an introductory biology class an assignment …

Challenge-Based Learning & Steam Curriculum, Diana Lockwood

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

STEAM education is being integrated into elementary schools as a way to engage more students in creativity, hands-on learning, and problem-based learning also referred to as Challenge-Based-Learning (CBL). This article focuses on elementary educators’ curriculum design for STEAM and presenting students with open-ended questions phrased as a challenge as a way to raise student interest and achievement (DeJarnette, 2018; Hunter-Doniger, 2018). When students received challenges to solve, they felt more open to sharing their ideas since there was more than one potential right answer (DeJarnette, 2018; Drake, 2012). When implementing CBL, teachers act as facilitators using a constructivist approach as …

A Swimming Program For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Assessing Critical Parameters From Caregivers’ Perspectives, Abir K. Bekhet, Norah Johnson, Tana Karenke, Amy Van Hecke

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

One in 54 individuals is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Swimming can impact the physical and mental well-being of persons with ASD, which in turn may improve their caregivers’ well-being. The purpose of this qualitative evaluation study is to assess the necessity, acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and beginning effectiveness of a 12-session swimming training program (STP) at an indoor university pool designed to teach persons with ASD how to swim, and to teach caregivers precautions for safety around water. Participants included 7 boys, and 3 girls with ASD [mean age 7.05 years (SD 1.17)] and their caregivers. Results indicated that …

Enhancing The Quality Of Life For Senior Citizens: A Facilitator’S Guidebook For Mindful Music And Movement, Shannon Sexton

Mindfulness Studies Theses

Music appreciation and enjoyment enhance well-being throughout the lifespan. The challenges and constraints that people experience as they age can lead to lack of access to music, decreased physical activity, and fewer avenues for creative expression. Group music and movement interventions created for older populations offer opportunities for social connection and improved quality of life. Mindful practices add further benefit when combined with these interventions. Current available programs are scarce and most often do not encompass mixed modalities. In addition, the benefits of these programs do not show long-term sustainability. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the effects …

Insight From Biology Program Learning Outcomes: Implications For Teaching, Learning, And Assessment, Noelle Clark, Jeremy L. Hsu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Learning goals and objectives are a key part of instruction, informing curricular design, assessment, and learning. These goals and objectives are also applied at the programmatic level, with program learning outcomes (PLOs) providing insight into the skills that undergraduate biology programs intend for their students to master. PLOs are mandated by all major higher education accreditation agencies and play integral roles in programmatic assessment. Despite their importance, however, there have not been any prior attempts to characterize PLOs across undergraduate biology programs in the United States. Our study reveals that many programs may not be using PLOs to communicate learning …

Integration Of Disability Studies And Culinary Instruction Into Nutrition Curriculum Development, Joanne Sullivan, Regina Subach, Janice Goldschmidt

Journal of Dietetic Education

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is currently promoting the advancement of cultural humility as a means for nutritional professionals to better appreciate the lived experience and identities of others as well as the power dynamics that create health inequalities. At the same time, the Academy has struggled to advance services to underserved populations such as those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and autism spectrum disorder. Here the authors argue that both goals can be achieved by involving nutrition students in the teaching of food preparation skills to individuals with IDD. Dietetic students emerge with an enhanced understanding of …

It Turned Into A Bioblitz: Urban Data Collection For Building Scientific Literacy And Environmental Connection, Kelly O'Donnell, Lisa Brundage

Publications and Research

In 2013, Macaulay Honors College redesigned its required science curriculum to focus on scientific literacy skills rather than content. Central to this shift was inclusion of a data collection event, a BioBlitz, to provide students with the basis for their own semester-long research projects. Students are teamed with naturalists in an urban green space to find as many species as they can in 24 h and to contribute to a global biodiversity database via the app iNaturalist. We have learned two important lessons: (1) developing an interdisciplinary curriculum with a high degree of experiential learning is more successful when both …

Following Faculty Engaging In Collaborative Action Research To Approach Curricular Change In Undergraduate Biochemistry, Christopher Nix

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This study engaged in a curricular redesign of an undergraduate biochemistry course undertaken by a collaborative action research group. The initial portion of this study investigated student conceptual understanding of foundational concepts via a rigorously tested concept inventory. the impact of the redesign on the student foundational conceptual understanding was determined by comparison with a baseline data set. Findings suggest that students enter and exit the biochemistry course with little understanding of key foundational concepts. Examination of student performance after the incorporation of creative exercises showed a significant impact of the curricular changes on two of the concepts of interest. …

Why Ask That? Low Stakes Questions Build Engagement, Van Whaley

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

A few low-stakes questions during the term build engagement, encourage persistence, and can improve learning outcomes.

During labs, students work together to learn Anatomy & Physiology… plus answer these Engagement Booster Questions.

The Need
/="/">Students need to meet classmates. After two years of online-only education, returning to in-person labs is a new experience many students find uncomfortable and challenging.

The Existing Resources
/="/">Students in the same lab have several similarities that include enrolling in the same lecture section, similar schedules, the same completed prerequisites, similar majors, and career aspirations.

The Goal
/="/">Building engagement between students should help …

Middle Savannah River: An A/R/Tographic Ecopedagogical Ethnography Experimenting With Rhizomatic Perspectives, Lisa Augustine-Chizmar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This research is an experiment in perspective. Using the four commonplaces (Schwab, 1978), I practiced letting the Savannah River teach me what there is to know about the water, the land, the people, and the other entities that depend on ki through artistic, ethnographic, and ecopedagogical lenses. The ethnographic findings describe the social actors that depend on ki and give a voice to the River. The a/r/tographic findings display the River on a canvas map through two hundred years using paint, clay, photography, video, abstract acrylics, and fabric. Together, these methods contribute to a unique ecopedagogical journey. This word cloud …

Potential Risks Inherent In Robotic Process Automation, Colin L. Robinson, David Y. Chan

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

Robotic process automation (RPA) uses automation technologies to perform tasks typically performed by humans. Although such technology has been instrumental in expediting business operations and lowering costs, it has also created several risks that warrant scrutiny. When discussing the drawbacks of automation, many will point to the number of jobs lost to the influx of automation. However, there are technology risks that organizations must consider such as fraud and cybersecurity. Fraudsters may utilize RPA to commit more novel and subtle technological and cyber security fraud. Organizations may implement internal control measures to prevent or mitigate such schemes, segregation of duties, …

Consumer Boycotts In The Time Of War Crisis: An Efficient Citizenship Strategy Or A Temporary Spurt Of Solidarity, Jolanta Zralek

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

By drawing from the theory of consumer citizenship, collective activism, and consumer boycotts, this article strives to understand the nature of the current calls for consumer resistance and the following consumers’ actions that resulted from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In particular, by utilizing Friedman’s (1991) taxonomy of boycotts, we aimed to identify the character, motives, and tools of ongoing boycotts and thus estimated their actual and probable effectiveness. The main research questions in this paper concern what type of consumer boycotts we currently observe, what the aims and motives are of current boycotting, and whether the noticed boycotting attempts …

Leveraging Next-Gen Technology For Supply Chain Security, Thomas Drape, Reginald P. Parker

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

Global supply chain disruptions continue as part of both a national and global discussion. There is a need for a greater focus on supply chain security as part of this discussion as there is an increasing amount of counterfeit parts and goods within global supply chains. While counterfeit activity is an economic burden to companies and the global market, there are also legitimate concerns on consumer safety, consumer trust and company brand management.

The aim for this paper is to identify the concern and extent of the counterfeit problem and identify the use of next-gen technologies to provide brand protection …

Sustainability Across The Supply Chain: A Case Study In The Automotive Industry, Jane Siegler, Angelyn Bidlack, Sarah Harrison

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have been widely adopted and implemented by organizations worldwide. However, with 17 goals and 169 targets, the decision on what to focus on and invest in are not trivial tasks. This research focuses on a major Tier-1 automotive supplier, here identified as CMF. With annual sales of 16 billion euros (2021), one in every three vehicles in the world is equipped with some form of CMF technology. The objective of this research was to evaluate CMF’s value chain and understand the challenges and opportunities related to the United Nations 17 Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). …

Covid-19 And Culture: Individualism Versus Collectivism, Short-Term Versus Long-Term Orientation, And Indulgence Versus Restraint, Charles Lanier, Navpreet Pooni

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

To some degree, all social behaviors may be affected by cultural influences. So which national cultures could be positive influences or negative influences on the prevention of a contagion? (Roser et al., 2020). This paper explores regression models for predicting initial Covid-19 cases per capita by country utilizing only Hofstede’s six Cultural Dimensions (Hofstede et al., 2010).

Regression techniques were applied to develop predictive models for initial Covid-19 rates. Two proposed models were found that explained 54% and 60% of the variability in numbers of initial Covid-19 cases by country: The first model included only Individualism, and the second included …

Study Of The Impact Of Working At Home And The Fears Of Returning To Work Among Managers And Professionals Who Are In Virtual Congruent Jobs And Who Are High Growth/Achievement Oriented, Carmine Gibaldi, Gerald Cusack, Niall Hegarty

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

Using two surveys, this article examines employee opinions on working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. In March 2020 we chronicled the experience and reactions of 478 managers and professionals to the mandate they work at home. We found that a large portion of the respondents felt no significant loss in productivity and no reduction in job satisfaction. Most of the challenges they faced had involved efforts required to establish a facilitating home working environment and disruptions in the ease of collaboration with others. The opportunities overwhelmingly focused on the benefits of having more time to rebalance their work and …