Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Ua64/2 The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 53, Fall 2022), Western Kentucky University, Elizabeth Joyce Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

Magazine created by and about the WKU Center for Gifted Studies.

Phys 141h: Elementary General Physics I (Honors), Stephen Ducharme

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Syllabi

Syllabus for PHYS 141H: Elementary General Physics (Honors) syllabus for Fall 2022.

The Impact Of Pltl In Four Introductory Engineering Courses: Improving Access And Opportunity For Students Underrepresented In Stem Disciplines, Kimberly Luthi, Mohua Kar, Lisa Macon

Publications

The performance assessment was a major component of the overall National Science Foundation-funded research project, Engagement in Engineering Pathways. The study examined underrepresented and female students’ abilities to translate cognitive knowledge into demonstrable performance-based proficiencies through engagement in Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) labs in post-secondary, undergraduate introductory engineering courses. Evidence from the study comes from 518 students enrolled in four engineering courses and PLTL labs. The research protocols, implementation process, and assessment of academic achievement of project participants are discussed. Data are analyzed across student demographics to identify performance indicators within PLTL activities that influenced students’ commitment and retention in …

New Approaches To Peer Leader Training, Nadia Kennedy

Publications and Research

This paper describes a Peer Leader training course that has been modified to include innovative components focusing on developing content and pedagogical knowledge, practicing rehearsals, generating action research projects, doing poster presentations, and writing a reflective letter to new Peer Leaders. Through these innovations, four types of reflection–on relevant research and theory, on students’ experiences, on peer practice, and on one’s own practice–have been incorporated into the course. The new course components promise to offer more opportunities for trainees to practice peer leading in a structured and safe environment in which immediate and supportive feedback is available, and group practice …

Sustainability Matters: Advocating For The Establishment And Continuation Of Peer-Led Team Learning, A.E. Dreyfuss

Publications and Research

The successful dissemination of the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) model at multiple institutions of higher education, in the United States and other countries, is reflected in the number of publications (see www.pltlis.org). However, many PLTL campus programs are no longer active or exist. This may be due, more recently, to the COVID pandemic and its disruptions. Historically, programs no longer exist because grant funding that supported the initiative ended; other reasons include the promotion, retirement, or even death of the practitioners whose work championing their PLTL program ended. What can sustain a campus PLTL program so that its benefits …

Assessing The Academic Impact Of Two Adaptive Learning Technology Math Programs Using Hattie’S Visible Learning Theory, Charles C. Swan

All Theses And Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the academic impact of two adaptive learning technology math programs (Espark and iXL) alongside the social validity of teachers in a rural western Maine school district who used the program in their classrooms. Using Hattie’s Visible Learning Theory (2008) as the theoretical framework, the study tested two different hypotheses. The first hypothesis stated that both Espark and iXL would have an effect size of .40 or greater when the pre and post tests were compared. The study used the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) assessment for its pre and post assessment because it is a nationally normed …

Teaching Elementary Mathematics With Educational Robotics, Yuling Zhuang, Jonathan K. Foster, Annamarie Conner, Barbara A. Crawford, Tim Foutz, Roger B. Hill

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

Current education reforms call for engaging students in learning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in an integrative way. This critical case study of one fourth grade teacher investigated the use of educational robots (ER) not only for teaching coding, but as an instructional support in teaching mathematical concepts. To support teachers in teaching coding in an integrative and logical manner, our team developed the Collective Argumentation Learning and Coding (CALC) approach. The CALC approach consists of three elements: choice of task, coding content, and teacher support for argumentation. After a cohort of elementary teachers completed a professional development course, …

Underrepresentation Of Minoritized Groups In Stem Education: A Metasynthesis Review, Kate Neally

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

This metasynthesis review analyzes the possible influences impacting the underrepresentation of People of Color (POC) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Underrepresented minoritized (URM) groups are defined in this article as Black and Latinx populations due to their low representation in STEM education professions (National Science Foundation, 2019). This review explores the possible influences at the high school and undergraduate levels in STEM and education. Previous research has explored the racism impacting the underrepresentation of POC in both STEM and education, but little research has examined the intersectionality of STEM education. The purpose of this metasynthesis review is …

Online Interdisciplinary Stem Education: A Case Of Co-Teaching For Social Justice, Rebecca G. Gault, Stacey Britton

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

This paper presents the process two professors engaged in to develop a co-taught model for two online graduate courses taught concurrently as part of a justice-oriented STEM education curriculum. Students in the courses, who are k-12 teachers, contributed to the development of the courses across iterations through feedback and discussions with the professors. Our previous co-teaching experiences in face-to-face courses supported by literature on co-teaching in higher education online environments were instrumental in preparing for the initial semester and ongoing development of these two co-taught courses. Development of the courses also relied on extensive cogenerative dialogue that resulted in a …

Developing E-Pub For Improving The Competence Of Bipa (Indonesian Language For Foreign Speakers) Instructor In The Digital Era, Susi Darihastining, Sujinah Sujinah, Umi Nur Qomariyah, Suyoto Suyoto, Chalimah Chalimah

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Efforts to internationalize the Indonesian language have resulted in the establishment of BIPA programs at several Indonesian and foreign universities. There is no doubt that Indonesian exists on the international stage. Numerous universities in Asia and Europe already include Indonesian as a required subject in their curricula. According to researchers' observations of the BIPA program at several universities in Indonesia, there are still numerous shortcomings of a good management system: lecturers' teaching materials do not reflect local culture, teaching strategies are not yet applicable, and media development is less diverse and innovative. The issue at hand is how to use …

Comparison Of The Contents Of Class Iv Mathematics Textbooks In Indonesia And Singapore In Terms Of Mathematical Literacy, Umi Salma Fauziyah, Siti Fatonah

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This research is a literature study research, the primary data source of this research is a mathematics textbook published by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture and Marshall Cavendish, the collection techniques used are observation and documentation, the analysis in this study uses quantitative and qualitative descriptive techniques. The results showed that the presentation of material in the Indonesia Ministry of Education and Culture book facilitated the development of mathematical literacy by 31%, while the Marshall Cavendish book was 26%, in presenting the material for the Indonesia Ministry of Education and Culture book it was superior by a difference …

Pengaruh Kepemimpinan Guru, Motivasi Kerja, Dan Efikasi Diri Terhadap Kinerja Guru Di Era Pandemi Covid-19, Husna Sabila, Cepi Safruddin Abdul Jabar

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The Aim of this research is to find out the effect of teacher leadership, work motivation, and teacher’s self efficacy either individually or simultaneously on teacher performance. Research was conducted in state junior high school in East Bekasi with total sample of 100 persons. Data were obtained using expost factor method and analyzed using multiple regression. There is significance effect of teacher leadership on teacher performance, and work motivation on teacher performance, teacher self efficacy has no significance effect on teacher performance, and there is significance effect of teacher leadership, work motivation, and teacher self efficacy simultanously on teacher performance

The Students’ Perception On Youtube As Online Learning Media For Indonesian Language General Course During Covid 19 Pandemic, Siti Mutmainah, Ora Gorez Uke, Dian Triana, Erisy Syawiril Ammah

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Covid 19 pandemic has had huge effect in both health industry and education industry. This phenomenon requires teachers or lecturers to use online learning media as an alternative to fulfill students’ cognitive, affective, and social skill. YouTube is one of many online learning alternatives available. The purpose of this research is to describe the utilization of YouTube as an online learning media during COVID-19. This research was conducted particularly to Indonesian language general course in Jember University. Based on the result, the students perceive prefer and do not prefer on YouTube as learning media. This research method uses cross-section design, …

Miskonsepsi Yang Disebabkan Misanalogi Pada Siswafield Independent Dalam Menyelesaikan Masalah Matematika, Ika Ujiana S Sugianto, Abdur Rahman As’Ari, Sukoriyanto Sukoriyanto

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The purpose of this study is to identify the causes of misconceptions in creativity produced by students who have a field independent learning style in solving math problems related to digit and numbers. This research is a descriptive qualitative case study. The research subject consisted of one student who experienced a different phenomenon than other students. The subject gave the most creative answer compared to other students but the subject made a conceptual error. This is contrary to the results of previous studies regarding errors made by field independent students. The results showed that there were misconceptions in understanding numbers …

Hubungan Supervisi Akademik Kepala Sekolah, Motivasi Kerja, Dan Sarana Prasarana Terhadap Kinerja Guru, Fajar Agung Pangestu, Tony Wijaya

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The study aims to identify teacher’s performance is influenced by the principal's academic supervision, work motivation, facilities and infrastructure. The type of this study is quantitative research with correlational descriptive. The sample involved are 150 teachers from 3 different schools which tested by multiple regression. The result from analysis shows that the headmasters’ academic supervision, working motivation and the facilities with infrastructure had positive effect on the teachers’ performance, either partially or simultaneously.

The Effect Of Academic Hardiness And Grit On Students Academic Stress In The Online Learning Process During Pandemic Covid-19, Yulia Hairina, Rika Vira Zwagery, Imadduddin Imadduddin, Muhammad Arsyad

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study was conducted to find out the significance of academic hardiness and grit on students academic stress students who have experienced the online learning process during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research method used is quantitative research methods. The number of samples in this study was 200 respondents who were selected using nonprobability sampling. Instruments used in this study there are three scales, they are Short Grit Scale (Grit-S) to measure Grit, Academic Hardiness Scale RAHS to measure academic hardiness and Perceived Stress Inventory for Academic Stress (PSI) to measure academic stress. While the data analysis using multiple regression techniques. …

A Generalized Method Of Undetermined Coefficients, James S. Cook, William J. Cook

CODEE Journal

The method of undetermined coefficients is used to solve constant coefficient nonhomogeneous differential equations whose forcing function is itself the solution of a homogeneous constant coefficient differential equation. In this paper, we show that the classical methods for tackling constant coefficient equations, including the method of undetermined coefficients, generalize to much wider class linear differential equations which, for example, include Cauchy-Euler type equations. This general method includes an explicit construction of the fundamental solution sets of such equations. We also briefly consider where this method can be applied by producing the most general second and third order differential equations that …

Different Conceptions Of Lines And Points In The Context Of Graphing, Halil Tasova

College of Education Faculty Publications

In this study, I identified important differences in how students conceive points and lines. For example, students envisioned points as a circular dot that represents two quantities’ measures and envisioned that points on a graph (e.g., a line) do not exist until they are physically and visually plotted. Therefore, they conceived the line as representing a direction of movement of a dot on a coordinate plane. On the contrary, students’ meaning of a line included a record of two covarying quantities with the result of the trace consisting of infinitely many points, each of which represents both quantities’ measures. I …

Access To Online Formative Assessments In Lower-Division Undergraduate Biology Courses: Investigating Barriers To Student Engagement, Allison M. Upchurch, Dana L. Kirkwood-Watts, Kathleen R. Brazeal, Lorey A. Wheeler, Brian A. Couch, Gabrielle B. Johnson, Sarah K. Spier

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Instructors use a variety of online formative assessment (FA) activities to support learning outside class. Previous studies have revealed barriers for students in online courses, but little is known about the barriers students experience when completing online FA assignments. Understanding these barriers to access is critical to fostering more inclusive learning for all students. Using a framework from previous work in online learning, we examined student perceptions of online FA access with respect to five barrier categories: technical resources, instructor organization, social interactions, personal engagement, and learning environment. We developed and administered a survey to more than 1,200 undergraduate biology …

2022 Presentation To The Imsa Board Of Trustees, Elizabeth Nyamwange '23

Exemplary Student Work

Elizabeth Nyamwange provided a narrative of her focus on Equity in STEM to the IMSA Board of Trustees at their regular meeting on 9.22.2022.

Elementary Students' Engineering Design Process: How Young Students Solve Engineering Problems, Euisuk Sung, Todd R. Kelley

Publications and Research

With the increasing importance of teaching STEM to young students, the engineering design process (EDP) has become a popular learning platform in K-12 STEM education. The engineering design process guides students in solving engineering problems, but there is a lack of understanding of how students utilize this process. In this study, we explored how iterative design activities form procedural patterns of the engineering design process using sequential analysis. We videotaped 48 engineering design sessions via the Concurrent Think-Aloud (CTA) protocol from elementary students grades 3–6 in the USA. The data was coded using Halfn’s codes. The sequential analyses identified the …

How Education On Climate Change Affects Consumers' Willingness To Participate In Carbon Offsetting Programs?, Leila Halawi, Deanna Demattio

Publications

If airlines could have a better understanding of how to induce sustainable behavior in their customers, they can use these methods when building sustainable initiatives such as voluntary carbon offsetting programs. The purpose of the study was to determine if education on the consequences of climate change affects how consumers behave related to their interaction with carbon offsetting programs. Regional Scenarios were introduced with a natural disaster comparable to the region under review. A multistage sampling technique was utilized in this study. Firstly, using a cluster sample, groups were used rather than individual units of the target population. The results …

“Math Talks Are Like An Alarm Clock Waking You Up”: Language’S Crucial Role In Mathematics, Gabriella M. Wasser

Journal of Practitioner Research

Whole group math talks, or number talks, are a common practice to get students talking about their own understanding of mathematical concepts. The purpose of this study was to implement math talks in small group settings to see what would happen, specifically to students’ conceptual understanding as well their general perceptions of math talks. This study took place in a fourth-grade math classroom, and math talks were implemented with the whole class for a week and then moved to small groups for the remaining three weeks of the study. During the study, a pre-and post-assessment was given, field notes were …

Student Motivations And Barriers Toward Online And In-Person Office Hours In Stem Courses, Jeremy L. Hsu, Melissa Rowland-Goldsmith, Elaine Benaksas Schwartz

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Office hours are one of the most common support mechanisms found in courses. Despite the prevalence of office hours in life sciences classes, there has been little investigation of how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students perceive office hours, particularly at non–research intensive universities or other institutions where a majority of students attend office hours. We surveyed more than 500 students, representing most life sciences majors at a comprehensive university, to investigate their motivations and barriers for attending office hours. We then compared instructors’ perceptions to students’ conceptions of office hours. We identified key themes in student and instructor …

Authenticity And Psychological Safety: Building And Encouraging Talent Among Underrepresented Students In Stem, Daphne E. Pedersen, Alena Kubatova, Rebecca Simmons

Biology Faculty Publications

The Undergraduate Scholarships with Mathematics and Science Training, Exploration, and Research Program (US MASTER) is a STEM scholarship program funded by the United States National Science Foundation. It was implemented at an upper-Midwest institution to target and provide structured support to low-income, academically talented undergraduates in biology, chemistry, geography and geographic information science (GISc), environmental sciences, and physics and astrophysics. In addition to providing financial support, the program features an integrated approach to mentorship and advising consisting of an ongoing seminar course in which students engage in collaborative projects, research experiences with a faculty mentor, and targeted academic advising. As …

Characterizing First-Year Biology Majors’ Motivations And Perceptions Of The Discipline, Jeremy L. Hsu, Lauren Dudley

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Understanding why students choose to major in biology provides important insight into the motivations of biology majors. It is similarly important to investigate how biology majors perceive the discipline, including associated activities, such as independent research, which can influence students’ interests in the field and likelihood to persist in science, engineering, technology, and math. However, there has been little work done examining biology student motivations and perceptions, particularly at non-research-intensive universities or after the COVID-19 pandemic started. To address this gap, we surveyed the first-year cohort of biology majors at a private, comprehensive university. We found that students largely reported …

Building Logarithms As Functions, Derek A. Williams

Colorado Mathematics Teacher

Students traditionally struggle to conceptualize logarithms as families of functions in their own right. I present an approach to support students' understanding of logarithmic functions. The common properties of logarithms become defining characteristics, which complements the traditional approach of studying logarithms as the inverses of exponentials.

An Account Of The Methodological Implementation Of Design-Based Research In The Chemistry Classroom Context, Esther Kibga, Emmanuel Gakuba, John Sentongo

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Design-Based Research (DBR) has recently received a significant amount of attention in the educational research literature of the 21st century. This work analyses the understanding of DBR as the research methodology, why, and how it can be applied in educational research to bring a practical outcome and improve educational practices. Besides, this work reflects on a step-by-step implementation of the Hands-on Instructional Model (HIM) designed to enhance the development of chemistry learners’ curiosity and problem-solving skills. Also, it gives a detailed description of the two prototypes of the first alteration cycle. A sample of 169 Senior Three chemistry students was …

Teaching Euclidean Geometry Using Proof And Dynamic Geometry Software, Cheryl Stoddard

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This paper examines incorporating proofs and dynamic geometry software when teaching Euclidean geometry to produce deeper understanding of geometric relationships for middle and secondary level students. The utilization of technology through classroom investigations and activities has shown to have an impact on the achievement scores on posttests and in the development of mathematical proof.

Hughes, B. S., Corrigan, M. W., Grove, D., Anintegrating Arts With Stem And Leading With Steam To Increase Science Learning With Equity For Emerging Bilingual Learners In The United States, Bradley S. Hughes, Michael W. Corrigan, Douglas Grove, Sage B. Andersen, Joseph T. Wong

Elementary & Secondary Education Faculty Research

Background: To inform STEM education for benefiting emerging bilingual (EB) and English fluent (EF) students, the present study evaluated the order effects of integrating science and arts within a large-scale, ongoing effort investigating the efficacies of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned Science Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) methodologies to provide more equitable opportunities to students to learn science through Arts integration (STEAM). The experiment examines the curriculum integrating order of implementing combinations of STEM and STEAM approaches in fifth grade life and physical science instruction, comparing (STEM → STEAM) vs (STEAM → STEM).

Results: T tests and a three-way between-groups …