Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Perceptions Of Home Notes: Parental Involvement In Teaching Social Skills, Ryan H. Shatzer, Sue A. Womack, Paul Caldarella, Michael Adams

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of a Home Note program as a way to involve parents in teaching and reinforcing social skills as a universal level positive behavior support intervention, and to examine stakeholder perceptions of a Home Note program.

Navigating From The Local To The Cosmopolitan: Expanding The Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning Commons, Paul Savory, Amy M. Goodburn

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

This collaborative poster highlights how "Expanding‐the‐SOTL‐Commons" is composed of nine collaborating institutions from the US and Canada. Situated within the Carnegie Academy for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning’s Intuitional Leadership Program, our initiative seeks innovative ways to sustain and advance the teaching commons both on our own campuses and across the broader ISSOTL community. Our diverse group of institutions of higher education acknowledges the multiple dimensions of work that communities and individuals contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning and recognizes that common interest reside in how individuals and institutions enter into this area of scholarship, and how they …

Increasing The Social Involvement Of Withdrawn Adolescents: Effects Of Peer Praise Notes, Julie Nelson, Paul Caldarella, K. Richard Young

Faculty Publications

Research has shown that those students who are socially withdrawn or isolated have difficulty learning appropriate social conduct which places them at risk for difficulties later in life(Oden, 1980; Patterson, Reid, & Dishion,1992).

Can School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Be An Evidence-Based Practice?, K. Richard Young, Paul Caldarella, Lynnette Christensen, Tyler Renshaw

Faculty Publications

Our Conclusions: School-Wide Positive Behavior Support is not yet an Evidence-Based Practice; School-Wide Positive Behavior Support can be reconceptualized (outside of the Evidence-Based Practice paradigm) as a “student-support framework”; As a framework, it can employ the Evidence-Based Practice paradigm; This reconceptualization may have real-life implications: setbacks and benefits.

Civility In Schools: An Emerging Paradigm For Behavioral Problems And School Violence, Keely Wilkins, Paul Caldarella, K. Richard Young

Faculty Publications

What is Civility? Modern: courtesy, politeness, consideration, decorum (Hinckley, 2000; Peck, 2002, Ferriss, 2002). Historical: ability to work as a citizen, a sense of membership in a community with its attendant rights and responsibilities (Shulman & Carey, 1984; Boyd, 2006).

New Knowledge Through New Skills, Sultana Ali Norozi

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Family Myths, Beliefs, And Customs As A Research/Educational Tool To Explore Identity Formation, William E. Herman

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

This paper outlines a qualitative research tool designed to explore personal identity formation as described by Erik Erikson and offers self-reflective and anonymous evaluative comments made by college students after completing this task. Subjects compiled a list of 200 myths, customs, fables, rituals, and beliefs from their family of origin and then reflected upon the relevance and meaning of such items. The research and instructional tool described in the paper should be of considerable interest to teachers who work to promote self-reflection amongst adolescents as well as case study researchers and therapists who wish to study identity formation and values.

Measuring College Student Satisfaction: A Multi-Year Study Of The Factors Leading To Persistence, Felice D. Billups

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

Using Tinto's (1987) social integration theory as a framework, this study measured student satisfaction in six transformative areas: educational experience, skills development, faculty interaction, personal growth, sense of community, and overall expectations. Emerging as a strategic planning process priority, this project sought to identify those areas where students succeeded or were at risk. Employing a three-phase mixed methods approach, this descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted from 1990-2004 at a highly selective specialized college and assisted college administrators in developing or modifying programs that would enhance student satisfaction to ensure degree completion.

Anxiety And Depression As Comorbid Factors In Drinking Behaviors Of Undergraduate College Students Attending An Urban Private University In The Northeastern United States, Charles J. Vohs, Robert K. Gable, Cynthia V.L. Ward, Ronald L. Martel, Joseph Barresi, Dameian Slocumb

Higher Education

High-risk drinking is the number one public health concern on college campuses (Berkowitz, 2003; Kapner, 2003; Wechsler, 2002). To date, high-risk drinking prevention programs have met with limited success (Kapner, 2003).

This study examined differences among four drinking behavior groups: non-drinkers [(ND), (n = 128)], low-risk drinkers [(LRD), (n = 252)], high-risk drinkers [(HRD), (n = 272)], and frequent high-risk drinkers [(FHRD), (n = 290)] with respect to anxiety and depression for male (n = 457) and female (n = 485) undergraduates (N = 942) attending an urban private university in the northeastern United States; and, the perceptions of two …

Learning About Self Far From Home: A Pre-Service Teacher’S Intercultural Development During An International Program, Helen A. Marx

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

Preparing teachers to effectively teach culturally diverse students, teacher educators advocate for the use of cross-cultural field experiences, including international study abroad programs. This paper reports on a qualitative case study of two pre-service teachers’ intercultural development during a semester-long teacher education study abroad program in London, England. Findings indicate that international experiences provide a catalyst to move pre-service teachers forward in their intercultural development. Implications include the need for multicultural teacher educators to take a developmental approach to pre-service teacher education informed by theories of intercultural development and cultural learning developed within intercultural communications.

Addressing Misconceptions About Heat Transfer In Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Instruction, Katharyn E. K. Nottis, Michael J. Prince, Margot A. Vigeant

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

Understanding heat, energy and temperature can be difficult. Misconceptions about heat transfer have been found to persist, even after instruction. New instructional methods are needed to address them. This pilot study examined whether researcher-developed, inquiry-based activities could increase conceptual understanding of heat transfer. Twenty-two undergraduate chemical engineering students were assessed before and after instruction with inquiry-based activities. Participants had significantly higher scores on the post-test. An examination of assessment questions revealed substantial improvement on questions closely related to activities. However, participants had difficulty applying concepts in new and related contexts. Educational implications and suggestions for future research will be discussed.

Attitudes Of University Students Toward Individuals With Exceptionalities And Inclusive Practices: A Baseline Analysis Of Students Enrolled In The Introductory Course, Maureen Walsh, Sheila Dove Jones, James Krause, Emeka Obiozor, Angela Pang, Deborah Stryker, Barbara Wert, Barbara Wilson, Walter Zilz, Eileen Astor-Stetson

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

This research is investigating Bloomsburg University students’ attitudes toward individuals with exceptionalities and inclusive practices. Members of the “Introduction Course Teaching Team” are collaboratively conducting a mixed methodological study using pre and post-survey data from the Sentiments, Attitudes and Concerns about Inclusive Education Scale (quantitative data) and content analysis data of students’ essays entitled Personal Belief Statements on Inclusive Practices (qualitative data) in order to determine the variables that influence attitudes. Since the Introductory Course at Bloomsburg University includes a large number of students from various academic backgrounds, this large, diversified sample may be reflective of attitudes of the general …

Professional Development Initiatives That Bridge, Develop And Support Learning Environments For Culturally And Linguistically Diverse School Communities In The Us And Guatemala, Miriam Pepper-Sanello, Adrienne Andi Sosin, Michelle Zucaro, Cynthia Rainbow

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

This paper describes action research initiated by members of the Alpha Upsilon Alpha Literacy Honor Society of the International Reading Association at Adelphi University. In an ongoing service project sponsored by the Nassau Reading Council (NRC) and sanctioned by the Minister of Education in Guatemala, the participants are teacher educators and teacher-researchers studying their own professional learning as they provide literacy pedagogical techniques for colleagues in the US, as well as observing the effects of the NRC professional development initiative in literacy for Guatemalan teachers. Educational insights will resonate in improved literacy practices in the US and Guatemala.

Learning To Lead: Examining The Moderator Role In Debrief Conversations Among Professional Developers, Heather K. Harkins

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

This paper reports on a study wherein the author examined her own practice when moderating debrief conversations. The analysis applied a multifaceted theoretical framework from professional learning. The findings suggest that the moderator's role as it was implemented primarily arranged organizing circumstances (Spear and Mocker, 1984) provoked by her own basic psychological needs (Deci and Ryan, 2000), her mental models (Seel, 2001), and her perception of these individual attributes in others. The implications for her future practice as a moderator are discussed.

An Activity Theoretical Approach To Designing Curriculum And Instruction That Shift The Means And Ends Of History Education, Thomas H. Levine

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

Reformers want history education to help students learn to engage in historical inquiry, read critically across conflicting sources, and engage in civil discussion of controversial issues. How can we help teachers and students shift the roles, norms, and activity in history classrooms to achieve these aims? An activity-theoretical framework suggests the value of explicitly attending to multiple aspects of human activity when designing and presenting reform-oriented pedagogies or curricula. Such attention increases the odds that teachers who implement new approaches or curriculum will achieve significant shifts in the means and ends of history education.

Rigorous Curriculum And Sat, Feifei Li, Thanos Patelis, Robert Lissitz

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

The main purposes of this study are to investigate the relation between course-taking pattern and the SAT score, and examine the invariance of this relation across subgroups. In addition, we are also going to verify the accuracy of self-reported information from the SAT Questionnaire by examining the actual high school transcripts, and build the link between SAT and the achievement by correlating SAT scores with state assessment scores. If the SAT score is a function of high school course-taking behaviors regardless of students' gender, socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnicity, every student should be provided with equal opportunity for rigorous curriculum.

Preservice, Secondary Social Studies Teachers' Perceptions Of Gender Equity, Margaret M. Monaghan

NERA Conference Proceedings 2008

This study examines preservice, social studies teachers’ perceptions of gender equity. The assumption that preservice teachers recognize gender as an important issue and are willing and able to take the initiative to remedy inequities in their classroom structures and content is considered. Six participants were interviewed using Seidman’s (2006) three-round, interview protocol. A focused life history was compiled to situate participants’ perceptions within their personal and professional experiences. Findings suggest a disconnect between preservice teachers' intentions and their practice in regards to gender equity. More explicit attention to gender equity in teacher education programs is recommended.

Wilona Sessions, Keith Brockie Team Teaching Project Spring 2008, Wilona Sessions, Keith Brockie

Innovative Course Redesign Grant Reports

Supports faculty to redesign or develop a course in ways that implement high-impact, evidence-based, and/or innovative teaching strategies to improve student learning.

Relationship Among Essential Leadership Preparation Practices And Leader, School, And Student Outcomes In K-8 Schools, Donna Braun, Robert K. Gable, Stacey L. Kite

K-12 Education

A questionnaire was administered to school principals (N=88). The questionnaire data, along with student data, were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression to investigate the relationships among leadership preparation practices, self rated leader behavior, the school learning environment, and student achievement. After controlling for demographic variables, the amount of variance explained was incremented a statistically significant degree between: preparation practices and leader behaviors ( R2 = 5%); preparation practices and student achievement ( R2 = 5%); preparation practices and leaders’ instructional knowledge ( R2 = 6%); and leaders’ instructional knowledge and instructional practices in schools ( R2 = 5%).

Relationship Among Essential Leadership Preparation Practices And Leader, School, And Student Outcomes In K-8 Schools, Donna Braun, Robert K. Gable, Stacey L. Kite

K-12 Education

No abstract provided.

Relationship Among Essential Leadership Preparation Practices And Leader, School, And Student Outcomes In K-8 Schools, Donna Braun, Robert K. Gable, Stacey L. Kite

Teacher Education

A questionnaire was administered to school principals (N=88). The questionnaire data, along with student data, were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression to investigate the relationships among leadership preparation practices, self rated leader behavior, the school learning environment, and student achievement. After controlling for demographic variables, the amount of variance explained was incremented a statistically significant degree between: preparation practices and leader behaviors (R2 = 5%); preparation practices and student achievement (R2 = 5%); preparation practices and leaders’ instructional knowledge (R2 = 6%); and leaders’ instructional knowledge and instructional practices in schools (R2 = 5%).

Measuring College Student Satisfaction: A Multi-Year Study Of The Factors Leading To Persistence, Felice D. Billups

Higher Education

How satisfied are students with their college experience? Do they receive the academic and social benefits they expect when they enroll? At what point do they decide that their institutional choice is a “fit” or not? Numerous researchers have investigated these questions for decades (Astin, 1977; Noel, 1978; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Peters, 1988; Tinto, 1987). In the end, most researchers agree that highly satisfied students are more likely to remain in, and ultimately, graduate from college. One of the ways that colleges measure student satisfaction is through the administration of student satisfaction surveys. Satisfaction survey programs emerged in the …

Ua64 Negotiating Cultural Values In A Learning Environment, Michael Rowland, Editor, Wku College Of Education & Behavioral Sciences

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Publications

This conference provides a forum for practitioners and researchers to discuss practices, concepts, evaluation, and research studies in order to improve practice in Adult Education. It facilitates dialogue and the initiation and pursuit of projects among individuals and groups working in various fields of Adult Education. Through such discussion and collaboration, participants contribute toward the realization of a more humane and just society through lifelong learning.

The Impact Of High-Stakes Testing: Recommendations For Professional School Counselors And Other Support Personnel, Gerra Perkins, Nelda Wellman

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The positive and negative effects of high-stakes testing are well-documented (Gratz, 2000; Heubert and Hauser, 1999). The development of an accountability system that is based on the results of students’ tests has intensified the pressure to perform for students and schools (Gratz). Many policy decisions and often the promotion of students are determined by these test results – hence the term “high-stakes testing” (Heubert and Hauser). Because of the high stakes involved, pressure for improving scores has an impact on teachers and their practices (Heubert and Hauser; Merrow, 2002).

Kentucky Teacher Standard 10: Developing And Supporting The Leadership Competency Through Constructive Field Trip Planning, Kimberlee A. Sharp

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

With gasoline prices skyrocketing out of control and school districts having to determine possible cuts in their annual budgets, one would be justified in questioning the efficacy of school field trips as a means to broaden students' cultural experiences. After all, most modern classrooms (or school libraries) are equipped with computers that can provide students vitiual cultural excursions that are, to some degree, equal to their real world counterpart. More importantly, preparing students for high - stakes standardized tests has helped to relegate the once revered field trip to the back-burner.

Intellectual Property, Copyright, And Fair Use In Education, Shaheen Lakhan, Meenakshi Khurana

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

As with other rights, such as liberty and organization, intellectual property (IP) rights are often overlooked or disregarded simply because they are intangible. Yet, IP rights are essential to the workings of our society, and upholding them means greater freedom to invent, create, and advance. IP is an emerging issue within the education arena. While many people think of it as a new concept, its origins date back to the sixteenth century. In 1557, Great Britain began to awaken to the idea of copyright, and the idea took firm root. The creators of the American Constitution included it in Article …

Nature And Application Of Knowledge And Its Significance To Organizational Management Leaders, Heidi Gregory-Mina

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Epistemology is a branch of philosophy, which provides an individual with tools for understanding what he or she knows, but epistemology cannot be separated from an individual’s metaphysics. It is almost impossible to separate a thinker’s epistemology from his or her metaphysics, because epistemology connects with specific ethics and politics and metaphysics connects all of that, in a coherent philosophical system. Metaphysics connects the philosophical system because epistemology does not fit well with randomness but does connect with specific ethics and politics. In 1854, the term epistemology appears to have been used for the first time, correlating with an intense …

Participative Management, Michael Rivera

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The theory behind participative management originated in the 1930s as a result of a business study conducted by Elton Mayo, who explored Frederick W. Taylor’s scientific management principles. His findings challenged Taylor’s views, which emphasized the importance of social norms, such as communication, participation, and leadership (Marchant 1976). Decades later, renewed interest in participative management hinged upon the desire for seeking better management practices, namely top-notch quality management systems, better employee relations, and integrated design and production teams (Lawler 1996).

The Symbiotic Nature Of The Leader-Follower Relationship And Its Impact On Organizational Effectiveness, Jillian Gilbert, Sergio Matviuk

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The field of leadership studies is overflowing with discussions and explorations of leadership contribution and influence (Winston & Patterson, 2005; Miller, 2007). Unfortunately, as some researchers such as Frye, Kisselburgh & Butts (2007) point out, discussions and research on the full capacity and capabilities of followership are scarce. This lack of research limits our understanding about the impact of followership in organizations. The lack of research derives from a leader-centered approach that has traditionally dominated the field of leadership studies (Lord and Brown, 2003). Also, out of the academic circles society still tends to focus on leadership as positions contained …

Urban Versus Rural Community Colleges: A National Study Of Student Gender And Ethnicity, Sharon Waller, Tara Tietjen-Smith, Jason Davis, Michael Copeland

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Approximately half of the U.S. population currently lives in suburban locales, one-fourth in big cities, and another fourth in small towns and rural areas. Hodgkinson (2003) indicates that the U.S. population is undergoing an increasing migration into rural areas. This relocation holds many challenging and ominous implications for urban and rural higher education as colleges and universities struggle to meet the divergent needs of shifting demographics. Public community colleges are especially impacted by these changes in student populations.