Instructional Media Design Commons^™

Creating Children’S Literature Teac 854: Fall 2019 Tuesday 5 – 7:50 Pm, Judy Diamond

Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education: Department Information

Participate in the experience of becoming a published children’s book author. What are the elements to writing a successful children’s book? Class members will develop and evaluate original stories targeted to a particular young audience. The stories can be written for print or digital formats, and they can be text-based and/or illustrated, including comics. The class will access appropriate print and digital publishing venues, and stories will be submitted for publication by the end of the semester.

Instructor: Judy Diamond PhD, Professor and Curator, University of Nebraska State Museum

Does Class Size Matter?: An Exploration Into Faculty Perceptions Of Teaching High-Enrollment Online Courses, Patrick R. Lowenthal, Rob Nyland, Eulho Jung, Joanna C. Dunlap, Jennifer Kepka

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Class size has been a popular topic for decades. There is renewed interest in this topic now with the growth of online learning. Online courses can accommodate hundreds, if not thousands, of students in a single course. Very little research, though, has been conducted recently on class size in online courses and the research that has been conducted is mixed. As the demand for online courses increases, so likely will class size. In this exploratory study, we investigated the perceptions and experiences of 37 faculty teaching high-enrollment online courses. In the following article, we report the results of our inquiry, …

Online Course Design: A Review Of The Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist, Sally Baldwin, Yu-Hui Ching

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The evaluation of online courses is an important step in providing quality online courses. There are a variety of national and statewide evaluation tools used to help guide instructors and course designers of online courses (e.g., Quality Matters, OSCQR). This paper discusses a newly released course evaluation instrument from Canvas, the second largest learning management system (LMS) used by higher education institutions in the United States. The characteristics and unique features of the Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist (CCEC) are discussed. The CCEC is also compared to established national and statewide evaluation instruments. This review is helpful for those interested in …

Studying Teachers’ Self-Efficacy And Experience While Empowering Technology Use Through Personalized Professional Learning, Allison Hall, Lida Uribe-Flórez, Kerry Rice

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the impact and experiences of teachers who had engaged in a personalized professional learning program to promote ICT integration in preK-12 classrooms. Survey results (n=344) showed that teachers’ perceptions of their ability to use technology tools and their self-efficacy towards using technology in the classroom improved significantly after the training. Interview results indicated support, choice, and coherence as positive aspects of the program with content support, community, and the overarching struggles of teaching as challenges to improvement. Overall, being able to have their individual needs met empowered teacher progress towards their …

July 2019, Marci Grant

The CETL Correspondent

Please welcome Lisa Friesen as CETL’s new Director beginning July 1, 2019. I will be retiring at the end of June. I have enjoyed working with each of you during my 31 years at SWOSU. - Marci

Utilizing Ipad Applications To Increase Preschool Students’ Knowledge Of Rhyme, Trisha Whelan

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if utilizing iPad applications (apps) in a preschool classroom can increase students’ phonemic awareness skills, specifically knowledge of rhyme. Research completed by Hornsby and Wilson tell us that rhyme is a great opportunity for students to practice phonics, which in turn enhances literacy skills. Rhyme allows them to play with the sounds within words and helps them to understand the sounds that letters make. A classroom of ten preschool students were allowed to utilize ABCmouse (2005) and Montessori-Rhyme Time learning games for kids (2013) applications on iPads during free choice times for …

Designing Visually Interactive Learning Modules To Promote Students' Critical Thinking In Mathematics, Linda Vu, Ying Xie

Master of Science in Computer Science Theses

This Innovative Practice Full Paper presents our study of promoting critical thinking and achievement in mathematics with the use of technology via easily accessible resources. We believe that creating easy-to-use learning modules that are accessible for students everywhere is a great way to help students comprehend abstract logic process in problem solving. More specifically, we developed a series of learning modules that interactively visualize and illustrate the steps of Geometry proofs by using GeoGebra, a dynamic learning platform for mathematics [5, 10]. Survey study shows that our interactive learning modules are beneficial in promoting students’ learning interests and ability of …

Elementary Students’ Computational Thinking Practice In A Bridge Design And Building Challenge (Fundamental), Dazhi Yang, Youngkyun Baek, Bhaskar Chittoori, William H. Stewart

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The increased focus on computational thinking (CT) has grown in recent years for various reasons, such as a general concern about (a) a lack of global competitiveness among American students and general literacy in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields (Hsu & Cardella, 2013), (b) maintaining the economic competitiveness of the U.S. (Yadav, Hong, & Stephenson, 2016), and (c) preparing students adequately for a society that is increasingly technological (NRC, 2011). CT can help individuals analyze and understand multiple dimensions of a complex problem and identify and apply appropriate tools or techniques to address a complex problem (Wing, 2010). …

“Be A Liberation Whatever”: Social Justice Literacy In A Living-Learning Community, Faith Kurtyka

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

This article describes an assessment of a living-learning community— part residence life, part community service, and part academics—to understand how students learn “social justice literacy.”

Jaepl, Vol. 24, 2018-2019, Wendy Ryden, Peter H. Khost

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

ESSAYS

“Be a Liberation Whatever”: Social Justice Literacy in a Living-Learning Community, Faith Kurtyka

Racial Literacy Is Literacy: Locating Racial Literacy in the College Composition Classroom, Mara Lee Grayson

SPECIAL SECTION: ENCOUNTERING THE NATURAL WORLD: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Swamps, Flat Earthers, and Boughs of Holly: “Encountering” the Natural World and the Poetics of Environmental Literacy, Wendy Ryden

Containing the Jeremiad: Understanding Paradigms of Anxiety in Global Climate Change Experience, Brian Glaser

Seeking a Language that Heals: Teaching and Writing from a Ruined Landscape, Amy Nolan

Teaching Animals in the Post-Anthropocene: Zoopedagogy as a Challenge to Logocentrism, …

Swamps, Flat Earthers, And Boughs Of Holly: “Encountering” The Natural World And The Poetics Of Environmental Literacy, Wendy Ryden

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

"Encountering” the Natural World and the Poetics of Environmental Literacy

Containing The Jeremiad: Understanding Paradigms Of Anxiety In Global Climate Change Experience, Brian Glaser

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

This essay uses Bion’s concept of “containing” to read the psychological dynamics of jeremiads about global climate change, arguing that their structure reveals a strategy of communication that may be useful for more broadly raising awareness about this challenging state of the planet. More specifically, I argue that contemporary global climate change jeremiads have a structure that first elicits alarm and then moves to discuss solutions, and that this structure may be beneficial to those who are awakening to the reality of global climate change by rendering anxiety bearable and therefore open to purposive and creative response.

Teaching Animals In The Post-Anthropocene: Zoopedagogy As A Challenge To Logocentrism, Anastassiya Andrianova

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

This essay examines a theory and practice of zoopedagogy that encourages exploring non-logocentric mode(l)s of communication while promoting environmentalism, critical thinking, and empathy.

Writing About Wolves: Using Ecocomposition Pedagogy To Teach Social Justice In A Theme-Based Composition Course, Michael S. Geary

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Elements of ecocomposition are employed to construct a course that uses the relationship between wolves and humans as a social justice metaphor. Students explore how mythmaking leads to dire consequences for any population being exploited. This approach to teaching first year composition allows students to acquire new knowledge about conservationism while focusing on developing their critical reading, writing, and researching skills.

Connecting, Christy I. Wenger, Monica Mische, Kristina Fennelly, Laurence Musgrove, Lindsey Allgood

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Finding Meaning in our Work and Writing, Christy I. Wenger

Response from Beyond, Monica Mische

Reflecting on Arguing and Listening in Digital Spaces, Kristina Fennelly

Sunday Morning Before Midterms, Laurence Musgrove

Honoring Impulse, Attending to Gesture, Lindsey All-good

Transforming School Hallways Through Critical Inquiry: Multimodal Literacies For Civic Engagement, Tiffany A. Dejaynes, Christopher Curmi-Hall

Publications and Research

The authors examined the research and activism of 10th graders (ages 15–16) involved in a youth participatory action research project in a course in qualitative research at their small public school in New York City, New York. The authors, a classroom researcher and a high school teacher, looked closely at how the youth researchers used photography, collage, and videography to transform their school hallways into a space for critical conversations about race and gender. The authors examined how the hallways became a civic space shaped by collective youth resistance, multimodal counterstories, and negotiated civic engagement.

Front Matter, Wendy Ryden, Peter H. Khost

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Front Matter

Seeking A Language That Heals: Teaching And Writing From A Ruined Landscape, Amy Nolan

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

I first heard Iowa referred to as a "ruined landscape" when I was riding a shuttle bus from an airport to a conference... The statement led me to wonder... what does "ruined" mean?

Racial Literacy Is Literacy: Locating Racial Literacy In The College Composition Classroom, Mara Lee Grayson

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

In order to develop pedagogies around racial literacy, we must first define the goals and bounds of racial literacy as praxis. In this paper, I synthesize the findings of a year-long teacher research project to explore the significance of racial literacy in the college composition classroom. Drawing from existing scholarship and my own research into racial literacy instruction, I offer four visions of racial literacy in the English classroom, the last of which is Racial Literacy as Literacy. I conclude by arguing that a racial literacy curriculum can teach students foundational concepts of textual analysis, audience awareness, authorial choice and …

Back Matter, Wendy Ryden, Peter H. Khost

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Back Matter

Relational Literacy, W. Kurt Stavenhagen

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

In this paper, I propose literacy practices that further shift us from subject-object dichotomies and exclusive language practices to a focus on relationships and multimodality. Based in large part upon Indigenous Scholar Shawn Wilson’s concept of relationality, I define a relational literacy wherein we counter an undue abstraction of the environment by mapping interspecies relationships and placing them within kinship narratives.

Book Reviews, Irene Papoulis, Dan Mrozowski, Jacquelyne Kibler, Christy I. Wenger, Mary Leonard, Sharon Marshall

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Present and Feeling, Irene Papoulis

Newkirk, Thomas. Embarrassment and the Emotional Underlife of Learning. Heinemann, 2017, Dan Mrozowski

Young, Shinzen. The Science of Enlightenment: How Meditation Works. Sounds True, 2016, Jacquelyne Kibler

Peary, Alexandria. Prolific Moment: Theory and Practice of Mindfulness for Writing. Routledge, 2018, Christy I. Wenger

De Luca, Geraldine. Teaching toward Freedom: Supporting Voices and Silence in the English Classroom. Routledge, 2018, Mary Leonard

Cooper, Brittney. Eloquent Rage, A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower, St. Martins, 2018, Sharon Marshall

The Impact Of Snapchat Use With Structured Peer Teaching Strategy On Developing Practical Computer Skills Among Students’ And Their Attitudes Towards It, Noura Saud Alhazzani Dr, Nouf M. Alsuwilmi Ta

International Journal for Research in Education

Abstract:

This study aimed to identify the impact of using a structured peer teaching strategy based on SnapChat on the development of practical skills for secondary school second-year female students in a computer course unit. The study focusses on the attitudes of female students towards the use of SnapChat as a systematic peer teaching strategy. The sample of the study consisted of (50) female secondary school students in Riyadh in the second semester of the year 1438/1439 H corresponding to 2017/2018 AD. To achieve the goals of this study, the researchers used the semi-experimental method and used the following tools: …

Fragile Strength: Math Self-Efficacy Of High Achieving Girls, Tristan Tang

Education | Master's Theses

Math gender gap research shows girls’ math self-efficacy to be correlated with their interest in pursuing higher levels of math education and STEM career opportunities. Most math gender gap studies have used only quantitative approaches, thereby missing the opportunity to gain deeper perspectives directly from girls who are steadfastly facing the math gender gap. This study centered around two small focus groups of girls attending a unique secondary school where every afternoon is fully dedicated to deep engagement with higher-level mathematics. Additionally, parents of girls at the school were surveyed to provide further insight into possible sources of their daughter’s …

"Our Stories" Developing A Virtual Community Of First-Year Voices, Sandra Cheng, Jennifer Sears, Karen Goodlad, Ashwin Satyanarayana, Mery Diaz, Philip Kreniske

Publications and Research

First Year Learning Communities (FYLC) at City Tech is structured to provide first-year students in linked courses an interdisciplinary learning experience. This approach creates opportunities for students to form bonds within the college community. A shared belief among faculty leaders in the potential for writing to transform the student experience led to the development of the “Our Stories” digital writing project. “Our Stories” offers FYLC students the opportunity to express their experiences in classes, seminars, lectures, study groups, and labs on the OpenLab, a digital platform for teaching, learning, and sharing. Through this project, students shared their stories and revealed …

Finding Connections: Making An Existing Biology Course Interdisciplinary And Using The Experience For The Traditional Course And Oers, Tatiana Voza

Publications and Research

Adapting an existing introductory biology course to make it interdisciplinary and successful is an interesting experience and process. With imperatives such as lecture and lab components, a dense curriculum, preexisting learning outcomes and students with different levels of interest, adding material to provide relevant context show how both scientific and social knowledge relate to broader aspects of the human experience, can be challenging. However, once achieved such a course provides epistemological value, real-world context and a rewarding and enriching experience for both students and faculty. In this presentation, the steps involved in designing and implementing an interdisciplinary biology course (Biology …

Reimagining First-Year Experience: Strategies For Supporting The Success Of The 21st Century Community College Student, Jennifer A. Puniello

Instructional Design Capstones Collection

Across the nation, higher education institutions are assessing and redesigning their first-year experience as efforts to retain students. Community colleges, especially, are piloting and implementing evidence-based practices that have proven to be successful at four-year institutions. Bristol Community College, located in southeastern Massachusetts, is among one of these community colleges. While the research presented in this Capstone does not address non-cognitive issues, as critical as they are to understanding student attrition, this Capstone, backed by primary research and empirical data, focuses on curricular and co-curricular pedagogy imperative to the success of first-year community college students. Using Bristol as a subject, …

Communicating Computational Concepts And Practices Within High School Students’ Portfolios Of Making Electronic Textiles, Debora Lui, Justice T. Walker, Sheri Hanna, Yasmin B. Kafai, Deborah A. Fields, Gayithri Jayathirtha

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Portfolios have recently gained traction within computer science education as a way to assess students’ computational thinking and practices. Whereas traditional assessments such as exams tend to capture learning within artificial settings at a single point in time, portfolios provide more authentic opportunities to document a trajectory of students’ learning and practices in everyday contexts. Furthermore, because communication itself has been defined as an important computational thinking practice, portfolios give students a place to practice this skill in the classroom. In this study, we report on the implementation of a digital portfolio with a class of 21 high school students …

Assessment And Evaluation In Online Learning, Ross A. Perkins

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Humans are evaluative by nature. It is quite likely one of the essential characteristics of our species that has allowed us to persist for hundreds of thousands of years. Despite what might be considered our almost instinctual inclination to assess or evaluate, we do not always do it well. There are any number of examples of the wrong questions being asked, or the wrong data being collected, or the wrong analysis being conducted, or the wrong conclusions being drawn. An aphorism, perhaps especially well known to readers of this text, warns, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The maxim …

May / June 2019, Marci Grant

The CETL Correspondent

I just wanted to let you know that I will be retiring on July 1, 2019, and Lisa Friesen will be the new Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.