Higher Education and Teaching Commons^™

Visualization Without Vision – How Blind And Visually Impaired Students And Researchers Engage With Molecular Structures, Croix J. Laconsay, Henry B. Wedler, Dean J. Tantillo

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

This article examines the tools and techniques currently available that enable blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals to visualize three-dimensional objects used in learning chemistry concepts. How BVI individuals engage with and visualize molecular structure is discussed and recent tactile (or haptic) and auditory methods for visualization of various chemistry concepts are summarized. Remaining challenges for chemistry education researchers are described with the aim of highlighting the potential value of educational research in further enabling BVI students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Supplemental Online Learning Tools (Solts) To Support Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students In Introductory Statistics Courses, Jacqueline Mcclive, Keith Mousley, Carol E. Marchetti, David Simkins, Gary Blatto-Vallee, Jane Jackson, Sue Foster

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Research in most Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines uses statistical methods. Thus as students develop into research scientists, introductory statistics serves as a gateway course. If students struggle to incorporate statistics into their knowledge base, they may be effectively kept from careers that rely on statistics. DHH students learn differently and thus may lag behind their hearing counterparts in mainstream classrooms. In part, a gap in language knowledge can impede the understanding of statistics topics. What is a variable? What does it mean to have a distribution? With sign language interpreters and other support services, many mainstream instructors …

Jcctl Mailer – July 24, 2020, Josef Brandauer

JCCTL Mailers

Updates on training and support and useful pedagogical resources compiled and sent by the JCCTL on July 24, 2020.

Contents:

Reading Suggestions

• Small teaching online
• Tips on active learning while we are physically distanced
• Increase the effectiveness of instructional videos
• Syllabus review guide

Upcoming events

• Trauma-Informed Approaches in Teaching
• Exploring Research-Based, Inclusive Curricula for the Online or In-Person Classroom
• Zoom Training
• Camera/document camera equipped classroom demonstration
• Microsoft Teams demonstration
• Using Office 365 for grading and group work

Announcements

• Teaching and Learning Online
• Basic Moodle training

Creating And Teaching An Annotated Bibliography Class To Medical Students, Kevin R. Block

Libraries Scholarship

Background: A new curriculum implemented at the medical school for the 2019/2020 academic year includes a medical scholarship requirement. The scholarship course designed to support this requirement runs throughout the 4 years of medical school and culminates in a Capstone project. Goals for the course include exposing students to scientific inquiry, developing scientific literacy, and cultivating basic competency in written and oral scientific communication. In support of these goals Librarians were tasked during the first semester with teaching students sessions on formulating research questions, selecting and searching appropriate databases, using EndNote, and creating an annotated bibliography on a preselected topic. …

Using A Crosswalk To Organize The Literature Review, Shirley M. Matteson, Sheri L. Warren

The Qualitative Report

A literature crosswalk is a valuable tool for researchers, whether novice or seasoned scholars, that can be used in organizing and synthesizing existing literature. This article provides practical advice for creating a literature crosswalk and how to use the tool to develop a literature review. Benefits of using a literature crosswalk include organizing a great deal of information in an easily searchable format, developing deeper understanding of the literature, and finding trends across multiple research studies in regard to methodology, theories used, types of participants, settings, and so forth.

Jcctl Mailer - July 16, 2020, Josef Brandauer

JCCTL Mailers

Updates on training and support and useful pedagogical resources compiled and sent by the JCCTL on July 16, 2020.

Contents:

Reading Suggestions

• Thoughts on pragmatic and applied strategies to engage students in the classroom
• Are multiple-choice questions appropriate assessments of learning?
• Collaborative note-taking
• Small teaching online

Announcements

• Teaching and Learning Online
• JPI Planning Timeline
• Basic Moodle Training

Upcoming Events

• Workshops on Inclusivity in the classroom and trauma-informed pedagogy
• Camera/document camera equipped classroom demonstration
• Microsoft Teams demonstration

Jcctl Mailer - July 10, 2020, Josef Brandauer

JCCTL Mailers

Updates on training and support and useful pedagogical resources compiled and sent by the JCCTL on July 10th, 2020.

Contents:

Announcements

• Teaching and Learning Online
• JPI Planning Timeline
• Basic Moodle Training

Upcoming Events

• Assignment Tool in Moodle
• Introduction to Ensemble Video
• Screencast-O-Matic Training
• Advanced Grading in Moodle
• Camera/document camera equipped classroom demonstration
• The Gradebook Moodle
• Microsoft Teams demonstration

“I Wish I Knew What I Know Now”: Exploring Psychology Undergraduate Students’ Experiences When Learning About Qualitative Research And Caqdas, Neringa Kalpokaite, Ivana Radivojevic

The Qualitative Report

Learning to conduct qualitative research and use computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) can be challenging, which is why it may be more effective to introduce the craft of qualitative research to undergraduate students who have the time and space to learn, even make mistakes, and ultimately build a better understanding for their future studies and careers. There are relatively few published studies sharing insights on teaching qualitative research and CAQDAS to undergraduate students. This descriptive qualitative case study explores students’ experiences in a qualitative research course for undergraduate psychology students, with the aim of discerning how feasible learning both …

The Influence Of Instructor Mental Illness Disclosure On The Perceptions Of Mental Illness, Classroom Climate, Teacher Credibility, Homophily, And Social Attraction, Kirsten L. Bridgemen

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses the lens of Communication Privacy Management theory to analyze the impact an instructor’s depth of disclosure of their mental illness can have on mental illness stigmatization, classroom climate, as well as teacher credibility, homophily, and social attraction. Participants responded to a series of quantitative-based questions regarding a hypothetical syllabus with varied levels of a teacher disclosing their mental illness. Results indicated that none of the investigated dependent variables were negatively affected by the hypothetical instructor’s disclosure, and mental illness stigmatization was lessened. Implications, limitations, and areas for future research are discussed.

An Evolution Of Writer's Notebooks: Authenticity And The Power Of Writing In A Pandemic, Alex Ellison, Sarah Hochstetler

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

This article narrates how one assignment, the writer’s notebook, evolved when a writing methods course shifted online in response to COVID-19. In offering their early observations and selected reflections from course colleagues on the use of the notebooks, the authors emphasize the power of writing and echo the necessity of authentic writing assignments, especially when the commitment to these always-important values is disrupted.

Alternative Delivery Methods: A Reflection On The Semester That Almost Wasn't, Joshua J. Anderson

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

As educators we are by our very nature self-reflective practitioners. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 forced many of us to reconsider our approaches to remote learning, and this narrative describes my experiences with alternative delivery methods of instruction during the past two months. It is my hope that others can learn from both my successes and my failures. I encourage all educators to thoughtfully examine what they have experienced during this unprecedented time and consider how the lessons learned can positively influence their instructional approaches and readiness moving forward. The narrative begins by contextualizing my background, programs, classes, and institution. …

Modeling Adaptive Expertise Together, James E. Fredricksen, Amber Warrington

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

In this piece, we reflect on our pedagogical responses during the Covid-19 semester as we taught many of the same students in two different undergraduate courses in our English teaching program, namely Teaching Writers in Secondary ELA Classrooms and Assessing Readers and Writers in Secondary Classrooms. We apply the "adaptive expertise" framework to guide our reflections.

Career Pathways Program Annual Report, 2019-2020, Wie Yusuf

Career Pathways

Career Pathways launched in August 2017 as the university-wide initiative to provide graduate student professional development. It encompasses both the Preparing Future Faculty program and the Preparing Future Professionals Certificates. The Preparing Future Faculty Certificate was an existing program, started in 2007, while the Preparing Future Professionals Certificate was launched in 2017 concurrently with Career Pathways. The Career Pathways program prepares graduate students for successful transition into thriving careers. With the Preparing Future Professionals Certificate, specifically, the emphasize has been on filling the existing gap in career and professional development for master’s students and doctoral students with career plans outside …

Nefdc Exchange, Volume 34, Summer/Fall 2020, New England Faculty Development Consortium

New England Faculty Development Consortium Exchange

Contents

President's message, Marc Ebenfield

Bridging media: Shared referents to connect the unfamiliar to the familiar

Using flash activities to stimulate positive student engagement and promote critical thinking skills

Implementing a mid-semester assessment process (map) in your course: Using reflection to help reduce faculty and student anxiety

NEFDC Board members

Exploration Of Lived Experiences Of Science Teachers Of English Language Learners: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Uma Maheshwari Ganesan

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

English language learners (ELLs) are a talented pool of culturally and linguistically diverse students who are persistently increasing both in absolute size and percentage in the U.S. school population; however, they are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in college as well as in the workforce (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018). Although educational leaders, policy makers, and researchers have emphasized the importance of STEM for the country’s continued prosperity, both education and scientific communities have found it challenging to improve students’ participation in STEM fields (Martinez et al., 2011). Exploring science teachers’ experiences could …

Discovery Of Recombining Plasma Associated With The Candidate Supernova Remnant G189.6+3.3 With Suzaku, Thomas G. Pannuti

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

We present the results of an X-ray spectral analysis of the northeast region of the candidate supernova remnant G189.6+3.3 with Suzaku. K-shell lines from highly ionized Ne, Mg, Si, and S were detected in the spectrum for the first time. In addition, a radiative recombining continuum (RRC) from He-like Si was clearly seen near 2.5 keV. This detection of an RRC reveals for the first time that G189.6+3.3 possesses an X-ray-emitting recombining plasma (RP). The extracted X-ray spectrum in the 0.6–10.0 keV energy band is well fitted with a model consisting of a collisional ionization equilibrium plasma component (associated with …

Jcctl Mailer - June 29, 2020, Josef Brandauer

JCCTL Mailers

Updates on training and support and useful pedagogical resources compiled and sent by the JCCTL on June 29, 2020.

Contents:

Announcements

• JPI Resources
• Basic Moodle training

Upcoming events

• Introductory Zoom training
• Moodle - Appearance and Organization
• Moodle - Discussion Forums
• Camera/document camera equipped classroom (West 112) demonstration
• Introduction to Ensemble Video

Understanding Campus Support Programs: How Universities Are Assisting Foster Care Alumni In Achieving Success, Bonnie Wilson Brown

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Young adults with foster care experience encounter a number of challenges related to obtaining a college degree. To assist this population in reaching their academic goals, many colleges and universities have created campus-based support programs. These programs are designed to assist former foster youth through an array of services, which range from financial aid to mentorship. However, little is known about how these programs are designed or implemented, or how effectively they are meeting the needs of this population. This dissertation sought to build upon previous research that examined the barriers faced by former foster children who are pursuing a …

Doctoral Program Design Based On Technology-Based Situated Learning And Mentoring: A Comparison Of Part-Time And Full-Time Doctoral Students, Shaoan Zhang, Chengcheng Li, Mark Carroll, P. G. Schrader

Teaching and Learning Faculty Research

Aim/Purpose: Most programs are designed with full-time doctoral students’ characteristics and needs in mind; few programs consider the unique needs of part-time doctoral students, including time restrictions, experiences during the program, identity development, and different professional aspirations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential differences between part-time and full-time doctoral students in their scholarly development, and how technology may serve as a communication and organization tool for individual and program support. Background: Built on the application of communities of practice, information and communication technology, and situated learning theory, this study sought to evaluate the potential differences among …

Revolutionizing The Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum, Shelby Ann Mcneilly, Krishna Pakala, Donald Plumlee

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

As the age of technological advancement and occupational opportunity continues to progress, companies must be constantly adjusting and transforming in order to accommodate industry demands. With these quickly developing requirements comes an expectation of employee experience and skill sets. For individuals seeking a career in mechanical engineering, moving forward with the tools necessary for success in this continuously evolving world begins with higher education. This paper is the first of a three-part series to report on the progress of Boise State University’s Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Department’s mission to implement a revolutionized curriculum in their academic program. This paper will …

Is Qualitative Research In Education Being Lost In Spain? Analysis And Reflections On The Problems Arising From Generating Knowledge Hegemonically, Manuel Fernández-Navas, Noelia Alcaraz-Salarirche, Laura Pérez-Granados, Ana Yara Postigo-Fuentes

The Qualitative Report

In this paper we reflect on how qualitative research in education in Spain has become invisible, by asking a series of questions. What are the effects of this? What are the keys to understand this marginalisation of qualitative research? What are the implications for researchers and students? What challenges does qualitative research face in order to overcome this lack of visibility? To discuss these issues, we present a series of structured reflections in the form of an essay based on the preliminary impressions that have emerged in the course of a broader investigation that we are conducting and that focuses …

Faculty Perspectives On The Impact Of Virtual Office Hours In Engineering Courses, Brooke-Lynn Caprice Andrade, Krishna Pakala, Diana Bairaktarova, Douglas Hagemeier, Harish Subbaraman

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Instructor-student interaction is an important element of a course design, but office hours can be challenging to attend based on students’ commitments. They have time and space limitations that prevent students from getting the help they need and often garner poor attendance. Virtual office hours can address issues related to low attendance and provide a low stakes environment where unhindered learning can happen. Virtual office hours are flexible, yield productive interactions, and all enrolled students can participate. This study reports on three engineering instructors’ perspectives on the efficacy of virtual office hours compared to the traditional face-to-face interactions with the …

The Challenge Of Research Supervision: The Experience Of Lecturers In Various Academic Disciplines, Angela Wright

Conference Materials

Research supervision is the highest level of teaching for academics. Yet, in many cases, academics are allocated supervision without any formal training. For many supervisors, their supervision approach will be a mirror of what they have experienced themselves at post-graduate levels. Many supervisors consider that this form of teaching is stressful and onerous due to the responsibility placed on it by the Higher Education Institution and the student ultimately. What can be done to support supervisors in their supervisory journey? There is a void in the academic literature on research supervision with scant aids available to the supervisor (Cullen, 2009). …

Sjsu Erfa Board Minutes, June 1, 2020, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

SJSU ERFA Minutes

SJSU ERFA Executive Board Minutes

June 1, 2020

Academic Disciplinary Differences In The Perceived Value Of The Community Of Practice Model, Alyssa Marie Hill

Dissertations

Through a multi-layered review of United States University, a gap in professional development for adjunct faculty was identified. To ensure that students’ are best supported in the online classroom, ensuring that faculty are provided with training around pedagogical and instructional skills aligned with the University mission is essential. The perceived value of the Community of Practice model was assessed to address the gap in faculty development through a mixed-methods convergent design study. The quantitative data and qualitative data were merged under the unidirectional framework for convergent design integration, and presented in a narrative discussion format. Themes which emerged included knowledge …

Computer-Based Learning: Effects On Student Learning And Interpretation Of Curriculum, Hasani Jackson

Dissertations

ABSTRACT In 2010, the Superintendent of Prestige School District (a pseudonym) implemented online learning programs that would cater to student learning while increasing achievement. With the adoption of computer-based programs into Prestige School District System, curriculum specialists wanted to align programs to the Common Core State Standards initiated by the Department of Education. Through gathering quantitative and qualitative data on behalf of various stakeholders within Prestige School District, the goal of this study was to uncover the key elements of online learning programs that can be improved to enhance student achievement. Results provide a foundation for positive learning initiatives that …

“‘Curating Kisumu’ And ‘Curating East Africa’: Academic Collaboration And Public Engagement In The Digital Age”, J. Mark Souther, Meshack Owino

History Faculty Publications

This essay examines the origin, permutations, potentials, challenges, and implications of two successive, collaborative public history research, teaching, and learning projects undertaken by the Department of History at Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, and the Department of History and Archeology at Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya between 2014 and 2018. The two projects explored how opportunities created by the mobile revolution in Africa could be leveraged to generate new ways of acquiring historical information and knowledge between students and faculty in universities separated by enormous distances and by disparate social, economic, and political experiences. Specifically, the projects examined how the cellphone …

First & Second Cycles Final Report For: Educational And Workforce Development Through Creation Of Programs In Transportation To Generate Future Careers For Our Students In Navajo Nation Region, Gholam Ehteshami

Publications

Navajo Technical University (NTU) in New Mexico, has made a partnership with the Tran-SET regional center at Louisiana State University, LSU. We have provided learning and training the Native American students in transportation-related Industries to some of STEM students at NTU through these partnerships opportunities. The program was designed and supported by Native American students from high school to STEM undergraduate students. The program was implemented accordingly with four main components: (1). Selected eligible and interested Native American student to paid summer internships to the field and facilities of transportations industries and participate in research summer at LSU. (2). Directed …

Self-Determination Theory And Faculty Behavior: A Quantitative Study Of Faculty Leaders' Use Of Assessment Evidence, Joseph D. Levy

Dissertations

Despite assessment of student learning being essential work in higher education, a number of institutions have noted faculty could more effectively be using assessment results (Jankowski et al., 2018; Kuh et al., 2015; Metzler & Kurz, 2019; Suskie, 2014). This study applied Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework to provide context for faculty behavior associated with assessment actions (Fuller et al., 2016; Ryan & Deci, 2000). Mostly quantitative data were collected via electronic survey of faculty program leaders at a single institution, National Louis University (NLU). Results indicated a significant and positive relationship suggesting an increase in meeting the …

Overcoming Adversity In The Stem Classroom: Examining Learned Helplessness In First-Year Community College Students Using Salivary Cortisol, Surveys And Interviews, Diane M. Price Banks

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation seeks to determine whether a relationship between STEM attrition and Learned Helplessness exist in a group of first year STEM majors studied at an urban community college. STEM attrition rates have shown that 69% of the 20% of incoming STEM freshmen in associate degree programs, drop out or switch their majors to non-STEM curriculum within their first year of college (NCES, 2013). Learned helplessness is a behavioral phenomenon where some may become helpless as the conditions surrounding their success become adverse. Classic signs expressed with learned helplessness include: lack of motivation, depression, poor social skills, absence of control …