Higher Education Commons^™

Engineering Education In Developing Nations: Progress On The School Of Engineering At Northrise University In Ndola, Zambia, Jeff Gladstone, Gitogo Churu, John Tixier, Nolan Van Gaalen

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The engineering and technology capabilities of developed nations continues to advance and to be a major driver of the economies of those nations. Developing nations recognize this reality, and they accordingly recognize the importance of nurturing the growth of their own countries’ STEM capabilities. Engineering education in developing nations is thus a critical need; but it is work that, for a variety of reasons, tends to be under-resourced by developing nations themselves as well as by potential participants from developed nations. As followers of Jesus, we sometimes find our hearts stirred on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ …

Cultural Learners: Dordt Students Reflect On Off-Campus Studies, Daniel Moe, Morgan Stoltzfus, Caden Zonnefeld

Student Work

Posting about three students' off-campus program experiences from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

https://inallthings.org/cultural-learners-dordt-students-reflect-on-off-campus-studies/

Test Drive Your College Major, Joe Bakker

Staff Work

No abstract provided.

Mentoring Undergraduate Research In Statistics: Reaping The Benefits And Overcoming The Barriers, Joseph R. Nolan, Kelly S. Mcconville, Vittorio Addona, Nathan L. Tintle, Dennis K. Pearl

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Undergraduate research experiences (UREs), whether within the context of a mentor-mentee experience or a classroom framework, represent an excellent opportunity to expose students to the independent scholarship model. The high impact of undergraduate research has received recent attention in the context of STEM disciplines. Reflecting a 2017 survey of statistics faculty, this article examines the perceived benefits of UREs, as well as barriers to the incorporation of UREs, specifically within the field of statistics. Viewpoints of students, faculty mentors, and institutions are investigated. Further, the article offers several strategies for leveraging characteristics unique to the field of statistics to overcome …

The Irony Of A Well-Presented Lecture, Tony N. Jelsma

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"My ultimate goal is for students to become independent learners so that they won’t need me or someone like me when they graduate."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­applying flipped instruction in the university classroom from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

https://inallthings.org/the-irony-of-a-well-presented-lecture/

The Future Of Higher Education, Brandon Huisman

Staff Work

"In a market where everyone seems to peddle the same brand of community and transformation, look for the colleges and universities that show, not simply tell."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­challenges in maintaining higher education enrollment from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

https://inallthings.org/the-future-of-higher-education/

5 Questions For Christians To Ask About Online Courses And Degrees, Leah A. Zuidema

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"Learners are whole people, and this should be reflected in online learning, too."

Posting about evaluating online courses and programs from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

https://inallthings.org/5-questions-for-christians-to-ask-about-online-courses-degrees/

Mastery-Based Testing In Undergraduate Mathematics, J.B. Collins, Amanda Harsy, Jarod Hart, Katie Anne Haymaker, Alyssa Marie Hoofnagle, Mike Janssen, Jessica Stewart Kelly, Austin Tyler Mohr, Jessica O'Shaughnessy

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Mastery-based testing is an assessment scheme that challenges students to provide complete solutions to problems derived from clear course concepts. Students are allowed multiple attempts to demonstrate mastery, which helps create a classroom environment where students value persistence toward thorough understanding. In this paper, we describe in detail the benefits and implementation of mastery-based testing in college mathematics courses. We also summarize student response data that show positive reactions to this testing method.

Implications Of Training In Incremental Theories Of Intelligence For Undergraduate Statistics Students, Valorie L. Zonnefeld

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This chapter documents the effects of training in incremental theories of intelligence on students in introductory statistics courses at a liberal arts university in the US. Incremental theories of intelligence examine the beliefs individuals hold of knowledge and how it is attained. An individual with an incremental theory of intelligence believes that intelligence can be developed. The research examined differences by gender in mastery of statistics and attitudes toward statistics for students who received growth mind-set training. A pre-test, post-test design utilised the Students’ Attitudes Toward Statistics© instrument and the Comprehensive Assessment of Outcomes in a first Statistics course. An …

Beacons Of Light In Christ's Kingdom, Derek Buteyn

Staff Work

"Even though most of us do not work in vocational ministry, we bear the responsibility to advance the cause of Christ in our given field."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­living out our faith in our work from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

https://inallthings.org/beacons-of-light-in-christs-kingdom/

What If Assessment Was A Gift?, Patricia C. Kornelis

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No abstract provided.

Finding Meaning In A Multivariable World: A Conceptual Approach To An Algebra-Based Second Course In Statistics, Karen Mcgaughey, Beth Chance, Nathan L. Tintle, Soma Roy, Todd Swanson, Jill Vander Stoep

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Although the teaching of the first course in statistics has improved dramatically in recent years, there has been less focus on a similarly conceptual-based second course aimed at non-majors. We present a curriculum for the second course, designed to expand statistical literacy across disciplines, which focuses on conceptual understanding of multivariable relationships through data visualization, study design, the role of confounding variables, reduction of unexplained variation, and simulation-based inference, rather than the mathematically-based discourse often used in the second course. Our curriculum uses a student-centered pedagogical approach, utilizing guided discovery activities based on real-world case studies, facilitated by student-focused technology …

Start A Math Teacher Circle: Connect K-12 Teachers With Engaging, Approachable, And Meaningful Mathematical Problems, Tom Clark, Mike Janssen, Amanda Harsy, Dave Klanderman, Mandi Maxwell, Sharon Robbert

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Many K-12 math teachers are not ready to teach from a conceptual and inquiry-oriented perspective because they have an algorithmic understanding of mathematics. One solution is to create a math teacher circle (MTC), which provides conceptual and inquiry-based learning activities and builds professionalism among the teachers. In this paper, we describe the origins of two such MTCs, highlighting the process of identifying leadership team members, submitting the grant proposal for seed money, and hosting launch events, intensive summer workshops, and monthly meetings during the academic year. We also share opportunities for professional development for college and university faculty, including research …

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself: Learning From Award-Winning Second Language College Teachers, Leendert Van Beek

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What can we learn from award-winning second language teachers so that we can serve the students at our Christian institutions better? A wide spectrum of college teachers was interviewed about their perspectives on the qualities needed to excel, their classroom practices, and their theories of teaching and learning.

Specifications Grading In A First Course In Abstract Algebra, Mike Janssen

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Specifications grading offers an alternative to more traditional, points-based grading and assessment structures. In place of partial credit, students are assessed pass/fail on whether or not they have achieved the learning outcomes being assessed on a given piece of work according to certain specifications, with limited opportunities for revision of non-passing work. This talk will describe the learning outcomes and specifications grading system I used in my Fall 2016 abstract algebra course, as well as student responses.

The Qualities, Practices, And Theories Held By Award-Winning Second Language College Teachers, Leendert Van Beek

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It is important for second language college teachers to know what kinds of teaching and learning approaches are most effective for their students. This basic qualitative study presents the perspectives exceptional second language teachers have regarding their own qualities of excellence, practices, philosophies of teaching, and theories of learning. The purpose of the study was to identify, describe, and understand these perspectives. Sixteen of such teachers, all of whom had won one or more awards of excellence from professional organizations, were interviewed, and the collected data were analyzed through three levels of coding. The main research question regarding the perspectives …

Case For Christian Higher Education: Two-Year Technical Programs, Too, Joel K. Sikkema

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"The importance of today’s professional-technical vocations is critical to the collective work for Christ in today’s world. People serving in these fields are truly at the front lines, responding to God’s word with their hearts, minds, and hands."

Posting about the need for Christian technical training from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/the-case-for-christian-higher-education-two-year-technical-programs-too/

Standards-Based Assessment In A Developmental Math Course, Valorie L. Zonnefeld, Michal Huizenga, Aaron Van Beek, Kate Van Weelden

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Learn why we decided to try standards-based instruction in an undergraduate, developmental algebra course and what we learned in the process.

Assessing The Association Between Quantitative Maturity And Student Performance In Simulation-Based And Non-Simulation Based Introductory Statistics, Nathan L. Tintle

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The recent simulation-based inference movement in algebra-based introductory statistics courses has provided preliminary evidence of improved student conceptual understanding and retention of key statistical concepts. However, little is known about whether these positive effects in courses using simulation-based inference are preferentially distributed across different types of students. Recent studies investigating predictors of student performance in traditional, algebra-based introductory statistics courses (Stat 101) have focused primarily on mathematical achievement or competencies in high school and early college. Little consideration has been given to how prior experience and competency with statistical thinking may be associated with student performance in college-level courses. In …

Effects Of Growth Mindset Training On Undergraduate Statistics Students, Valorie L. Zonnefeld

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Undergraduate introductory statistics courses have experienced numerous changes in the past century, for instance, increased enrollment and diversification of students required to take the courses. Promising research has been conducted on mathematical mindsets, however, no research is available for introductory statistics courses. This presentation addresses the effect of growth mindset training on students in mathematics.

How Serving Graduate Students Is Different From Serving Adult Undergrads, Steve Holtrop

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No abstract provided.

Mindset Training For Undergraduates In Developmental Mathematics, Valorie L. Zonnefeld, Kate Van Weelden

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This poster highlights the work of an individual study that student Kate Van Weelden did in Dr. Zonnefeld's Math 100 class. Kate was a teacher assistant who led a lab session for 6 of the students in the Math 100 course. Throughout the semester Kate implemented incremental mindset training for her 6 students. The results showed a promising avenue for improved achievement, especially among males.

Explorers And Immigrants, Nathan L. Tintle

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"In my research work I am regularly able to live life on the frontier of an unfamiliar land, as an immigrant and an explorer. Day-in and day-out I get to experience the unfamiliarity which is so rewarding and exciting, satisfying the insatiable appetite to do something daring."

Posting about new ways of thinking from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/explorers-and-immigrants/

Student Performance In Curricula Centered On Simulation-Based Inference: A Preliminary Report, Beth Chance, Jimmy Wong, Nathan L. Tintle

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"Simulation-based inference"(e.g., bootstrapping and randomization tests) has been advocated recently with the goal of improving student understanding of statistical inference, as well as the statistical investigative process as a whole. Preliminary assessment data have been largely positive. This article describes the analysis of the first year of data from a multi-institution assessment effort by instructors using such an approach in a college-level introductory statistics course, some for the first time. We examine several pre-/post-measures of student attitudes and conceptual understanding of several topics in the introductory course. We highlight some patterns in the data, focusing on student level and instructor …

Religion In The Early British Literature Classroom: The Challenges Of Teaching Religion And Literature To Students Of Faith, Bob De Smith

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No abstract provided.

Combating Anti-Statistical Thinking Using Simulation-Based Methods Throughout The Undergraduate Curriculum, Nathan L. Tintle, Beth Chance, George Cobb, Soma Roy, Todd Swanson, Jill Vanderstoep

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The use of simulation-based methods for introducing inference is growing in popularity for the Stat 101 course, due in part to increasing evidence of the methods ability to improve students’ statistical thinking. This impact comes from simulation-based methods (a) clearly presenting the overarching logic of inference, (b) strengthening ties between statistics and probability/mathematical concepts, (c) encouraging a focus on the entire research process, (d) facilitating student thinking about advanced statistical concepts, (e) allowing more time to explore, do, and talk about real research and messy data, and (f) acting as a firmer foundation on which to build statistical intuition. Thus, …

At-Risk Writer Program That Benefits Both The Students And The Educators, Bill Elgersma, Luke Hawley

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This session presented a small-college writing workshop model centered on increasing at-risk writers' persistence and motivation as they improved their writing through the use of pre-service teachers. An important component of the presentation was the one-on-one interactions that occurred and the value of these to both parties.

Does Gender Matter In The Academic World?, Neal Deroo

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Posting about how much gender matters in the academy and higher education from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/does-gender-matter-in-the-academic-world/

Dear Parents Of College Freshmen, Kim Brinkerhoff

Staff Work

"The transition to college is a dramatic change for most, and God is in all the details."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­sending a child off to college from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/dear-parents-of-college-freshmen/

Experiencing God's Presence In The Life Of Academia, Benjamin J. Lappenga

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"God's presence breaks through in good times and bad."

Posting about making time for spiritual reflection from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/experiencing-gods-presence-in-the-life-of-academia/