College of Education
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Item A "Literacy Awakening": The Role of Study Abroad and International Service Learning for Preservice Teachers' Literacy Engagement(Forum for International Research in Education, 2019-11-05) Lussier, Kristie O'Donnell; Czop Assaf, Lori; Hoff, MeaganThe purpose of this study was to explore how preservice teachers (PST) became aware of literacies in global and local contexts and to understand how PST conceive of literacy after experiencing an international service learning (ISL) study abroad program in rural South Africa. For this qualitative grounded theory study, we used critical literacy and humanizing pedagogy as theoretical frames for designing the program and analyzing data. Findings show PST experienced a “literacy awakening.” They became more aware of nuanced and complex ways literacies function in a community and imagined how their understandings would shape future teaching.Item A Broader Definition of Fragile States:The Communities and Schools of Brazil’s "Favelas"(Teachers College, Columbia University, 2012-01) Straubhaar, RolfThough the existing literature on the favelas (or shantytowns) of Brazil thoroughly documents the chaotic and violent nature of life within them, few connections have been made between the literature on favelas, fragility and small states, particularly with regard to the fragile state of educational institutions in favelas. This article summarizes the primary findings of prominent favela studies across the social sciences alongside the literature on fragility, drawing out a summative definition of fragility that easily applies to the context of education in Brazilian favelas. Primarily, this article argues that not only do the slums of Brazil qualify for classification as fragile small states, but such a classification by prominent multilaterals would open these areas to donor funding for educational programming that could greatly mitigate their fragility and advance educational equity, as occurs in other postconflict and fragile settings around the world.Item A Catalyst of Change: A Graduate Student’s Perspectives on Transformational Teaching.(Forum of International Research in Education, 2019-11) Le, Ni-La; Martinez Hinestroza, Jose; Kraus, Erika; Hassan, Azad; Plough, IndiaThis article interprets teachers as change agents in light of the Transformational Teaching (TT) framework (Slavich & Zimbardo, 2012). Contributing to the understanding of teachers’ transformation, we report on a case study that explores how of a graduate student’s conceptualization of and engagement with the core methods of TT emerged and developed through her teaching in the context of a locally situated Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum program. The analysis offers three findings. First, the core methods of TT are evidenced in the teacher’s practice. Second, specific program specifications facilitated her engagement with TT. Third, she was motivated to make changes in her teaching toward TT. We argue that the interaction among context, students, teaching practice and systematic reflection opportunities may act as a catalyzer of change in teachers’ understanding and engagement with TT.Item A Comparative Analysis of EFL and ESL Programs Regarding Curriculum Mandates and Program Directors’ and Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions: The Case of Turkey and the US(Scientific Research Publishing, 2014-06) Polat, Nihat; Cepik, SabanIn researching the comparison of ESL and EFL programs regarding curriculum mandates and perceptions of program directors and Teacher candidates, this study addresses the following research questions: How different are the competencies that are covered in the curricula of ELTE programs in Turkey from those that are covered in the curricula of ESL teacher education programs in the US? How do the program directors in ELTE and ESL teacher certification programs perceive the situation of their programs in terms of the content of the curriculum? How do the teacher candidates in ELTE and ESL teacher certification programs perceive the situation of their programs in terms of the content of the curriculum? Data include semi-structured interviews of four program directors and eight ELTE and ESL teacher candidates as well as the curricula of eight ESL teacher certification and eight ELTE programs. These programs were selected among private and public institutions in different cities and States (US) to represent a more comprehensive structure of the ELTE and ESL programs in the two countries. Results clearly indicate that program directors and teacher candidates do not see curriculum as a well-written prescribed document; rather, they argued for the learning outcomes resulting from the implemented curriculum. Besides, some critically needed competencies such as culture and assessment, and professional responsibilities are neglected in EFL programs.Item A Comparison of Blood Viscosity and Hematocrit Levels between Yoga Practitioners and Sedentary Adults(Berkeley Electronic Press, 2019-01) Shadiow, James; Tarumi, Takashi; Dhindsa, Mandeep; Hunter, Stacy D.Elevations in whole blood viscosity (WBV) and hematocrit (Hct), have been linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endurance training has been demonstrated to lower WBV and Hct; however, evidence supporting the efficacy of yoga on these measures is sparse. A cross-sectional study was conducted examining WBV and Hct levels between yoga practitioners with a minimum of 3 years of consistent practice and sedentary, healthy adults. Blood samples were collected from a total of 42 participants: 23 sedentary adults and 19 regular yoga practitioners. Brachial arterial blood pressure (BP) was measured and the averages of 3 measures were reported. The yoga practitioner group had significantly lower WBV at 45 s-1 (p < 0.01), 90 s-1 (p < 0.01), 220 s-1 (p < 0.05), and 450 s-1 (p < 0.05) than sedentary participants. No significant group differences in Hct (p =0.38) were found. A tendency toward lower systolic BP (p=0.06) was observed in the yoga practitioner group; however, no significant group differences in BP were exhibited. A consistent yoga practice was associated with lower WBV, a health indicator related to CVD risk. These findings support a regular yoga practice as a valid form of exercise for improving rheological indicators of cardiovascular health.Item A Counselor’s Tale: The Need for Cultural Awareness(Sage Publications, 2019-10) Cotman, Ann Marie; Enyioha, Jessica C.; Guerra, Patricia; Holmes, Analeasa LopezCulturally responsive (CR) leadership permeates all leadership practices and consists of several domains including: developing critical consciousness, supporting cultural knowledge development, and advocating for social justice within and outside of the school walls. This case focuses on the need to ground CR leadership in critical self-reflection and cultural consciousness by exploring the relationship between a White principal and his first leadership team member of Color who brings a different, bicultural perspective to his work. Assumptions that fill the void left by a lack of cultural knowledge lead to damaging effects including tokenism and stereotype threat.Item A Multidimensional Examination of Children's Endorsement of Gender Stereotypes(Wiley, 2023-11-08) Miller, Cindy Faith; Wheeler, Lorey A.; Woods, BobbiThe present research applied a multidimensional framework to the study of gender stereotypes by investigating whether elementary school children display different levels of endorsement when considering distinct gender stereotype constructs (ability, category, and interest) and feminine versus masculine stereotypes. Study 1 (N = 403) compared children's ability and category beliefs using a set of gender-neutral skill items. Study 2 (N = 539) extended this research by examining whether children showed different patterns of ability and category decisions for feminine versus masculine occupational items. Study 3 (N = 974) furthered our understanding of the construct dimension by comparing children's interest and ability decisions within the STEM domain. Findings revealed that older elementary school children endorsed ability stereotypes more strongly than category stereotypes and, across all age groups, children endorsed interest stereotypes more strongly than ability stereotypes. Findings also revealed age differences in how children think about masculine versus feminine stereotypes. For masculine stereotypes, younger children showed stronger endorsement than older children; however, for feminine stereotypes, the reverse pattern was found such that older children showed more stereotyped thinking than younger children. The present study illustrates the benefits of employing a multidimensional framework to gain a more nuanced understanding of how children apply their increasing knowledge of gender stereotypes.Item A Novel Medical Device that Relieves Anxiety, Depression and Pain While Improving Sleep in a Population of Teachers(Longdom, 2019-01) Price, Larry R.; Kirsch, Tracey B.; Kuhn, John; Marksberry, Jeff; Haltiwanger, Steven G.Objectives: This study was conducted to confirm the benefits of Alpha-Stim ® cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) technology as an effective non-drug treatment for anxiety, mood, sleep, and pain in teachers following a successful pilot study at the Leigh Academy, Dartford, United Kingdom. The second objective was to determine whether the new smartphone app was a reliable method of evaluating the effectiveness, based on the pilot study in the UK, other prior surveys, and more than 100 prospective research studies conducted on Alpha-Stim technology conducted from 1981 through 2019. Methods: Thirty-five teachers (29 females and 6 males) in the Mineral Wells, Texas Independent School District, volunteered to participate in a study to reduce anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain by passing a mild electric current with specific waveform characteristics through their brains via electrodes that clip on their ears. It was a six- week open-label design where participants tracked their progress using a new smartphone app to record their symptoms at least five days per week. The subjects were encouraged to use the device for 20-60 minutes any time of day and for any indication. Results: The statistical analyses revealed highly significant (p values <0.001) for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain. The effect size Cohen's d values from a total of 237 treatments were greater than two standard deviations for all outcome measures indicating a high level of practical change from baseline to posttest supporting the capability of Alpha-Stim CES technology in reducing self-perceived symptoms and the ability to monitor progress on the Alpha-Stim app. Conclusion: This treatment effect with Alpha-Stim cranial electrotherapy stimulation on anxiety, insomnia, depression, and pain was consistent with prior surveys and confirmed the precision of the new app in determining progress from a single treatment and a series of treatments.Item A Novel Method for Expediting the Development of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and an Evaluation Across Several Populations(Sage, 2016-01) Garrard, Lili; Price, Larry R.; Bott, Marjorie J.; Gajewski, Byron J.Item response theory (IRT) models provide an appropriate alternative to the classical ordinal confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) during the development of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Current literature has identified the assessment of IRT model fit as both challenging and underdeveloped. This study evaluates the performance of Ordinal Bayesian Instrument Development (OBID), a Bayesian IRT model with a probit link function approach, through applications in two breast cancer-related instrument development studies. The primary focus is to investigate an appropriate method for comparing Bayesian IRT models in PROMs development. An exact Bayesian leave-one-out cross-validation (LOO-CV) approach is implemented to assess prior selection for the item discrimination parameter in the IRT model and subject content experts’ bias (in a statistical sense and not to be confused with psychometric bias as in differential item functioning) toward the estimation of item-to-domain correlations. Results support the utilization of content subject experts’ information in establishing evidence for construct validity when sample size is small. However, the incorporation of subject experts’ content information in the OBID approach can be sensitive to the level of expertise of the recruited experts. More stringent efforts need to be invested in the appropriate selection of subject experts to efficiently use the OBID approach and reduce potential bias during PROMs development.Item A Novel Method for Expediting the Development of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and an Evaluation of its Performance via Simulation(Springer Nature, 2015-09) Garrard, Lili; Price, Larry R.; Bott, Marjorie J.; Gajewski, Byron J.Background: Developing valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is a critical step in promoting patient-centered health care, a national priority in the U.S. Small populations or rare diseases often pose difficulties in developing PROMs using traditional methods due to small samples. Methods: To overcome the small sample size challenge while maintaining psychometric soundness, we propose an innovative Ordinal Bayesian Instrument Development (OBID) method that seamlessly integrates expert and participant data in a Bayesian item response theory (IRT) with a probit link model framework. Prior distributions obtained from expert data are imposed on the IRT model parameters and are updated with participants’ data. The efficiency of OBID is evaluated by comparing its performance to classical instrument development performance using actual and simulation data. Results and Discussion: The overall performance of OBID (i.e., more reliable parameter estimates, smaller mean squared errors (MSEs) and higher predictive validity) is superior to that of classical approaches when the sample size is small (e.g. less than 100 subjects). Although OBID may exhibit larger bias, it reduces the MSEs by decreasing variances. Results also closely align with recommendations in the current literature that six subject experts will be sufficient for establishing content validity evidence. However, in the presence of highly biased experts, three experts will be adequate. Conclusions: This study successfully demonstrated that the OBID approach is more efficient than the classical approach when the sample size is small. OBID promises an efficient and reliable method for researchers and clinicians in future PROMs development for small populations or rare diseases.Item "A Piece of Sanity in the Midst of Insane Times": Girls on the Run Programming to Promote Physical Activity and Psychosocial Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic(Frontiers Media, 2021-10-11) Weiss, Maureen R.; Kipp, Lindsay; Riley, AllisonAfterschool programs have the potential to promote social, emotional, and physical health outcomes among youth participants. The positive youth development (PYD) framework argues that acquiring desirable attitudes and behaviors occurs when skill-building opportunities are explicitly provided within a safe and supportive climate guided by caring, competent, and compassionate instructors. Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a PYD program that uses running, motor skills, and other physical activities as a platform for promoting positive psychosocial outcomes and life skills learning among elementary- and middle school-aged girls. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged GOTR to modify lessons, coach training, and program delivery (in-person, virtual, or hybrid) to accommodate public health guidelines. The purpose of this study was to assess caregivers’ and coaches’ perceptions of program effectiveness in light of these changes. Following the Fall 2020 season, caregivers (n = 1,617) and coaches (n = 991) from 1,077 teams and 39 councils completed an online survey about program experiences. Both stakeholder groups positively rated program impact regardless of delivery mode, although in-person mode was rated higher for satisfaction with the end-of-season event. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses revealed that caregivers and coaches identified increased physical activity opportunities and life skills learning as well as improved social, psychological, and emotional development as a result of participating. Both stakeholders noted GOTR provided a sense of normalcy during this time of great need. Findings using mixed methods provide evidence of program effectiveness and recommendations for youth programming during challenging times.Item A Place for Organisational Critical Consciousness: Comparing Two Case Studies of Freirean Nonprofits(Taylor & Francis, 2013-04-14) Straubhaar, RolfOne of the primary goals of Freirean theory is the achievement of a higher level of political and social consciousness amongst participants in educational programming. Freire himself only loosely defined this sense of consciousness, and int erpretations of how this abstract concept might look vary widely. In some organizations, the politically radical goals of Freirean facilitators do not match the desired outcomes of participants. Other organizations may use Freirean methods to pursue their programming, but without subscribing to Freire’s revolutionary educational project. This article provides case study examples of both extremes in Brazil and Mozambique, concluding with the argument that applying Freire’s notion of critical consciousness o rganizationally can help to make sense of the diversity of interpretation among Freirean nonprofits.Item A Prospective Study of Nonmedical Use of Prescription Opioids During Adolescence and Ssubsequent Substance Use Disorder Symptoms in Early Midlife(Elsevier, 2019-01) McCabe, Sean Esteban; Veliz, Philip T.; Boyd, Carol J.; Schepis, Ty S.; McCabe, Vita V.; Schulenberg, JohnBackground: This longitudinal study assesses characteristics associated with adolescents' nonmedical use of prescription opioids (NMUPO) including: frequency, co-ingestion, motives, specific opioid type; sequence of initiation of medical use of prescription opioids and NMUPO in relationship to subsequent substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms. Methods: Twenty-one independent national cohorts of U.S. high school seniors (n = 8,373) were surveyed and followed 17 years from adolescence to age 35. Results: The majority of adolescents who engaged in NMUPO reported occasional/frequent NMUPO, non-pain relief motives for NMUPO, simultaneous co-ingestion involving NMUPO and other drugs, opioid analgesics with high misuse potential, and multiple types of opioid analgesics. Adolescents who reported NMUPO for pain relief, NMUPO involving opioid analgesics with high misuse potential, or multiple prescription opioids had significantly greater odds of SUD symptoms at age 35, relative to those who had no history of NMUPO during adolescence. In addition, medical use of prescription opioids after initiating NMUPO (or NMUPO only) during adolescence was associated with significantly greater odds of subsequent SUD symptoms at age 35 relative to those who reported the medical use of prescription opioids only or had no medical use or NMUPO during adolescence. Conclusions: This is the first U.S. national prospective study to examine the relationships between adolescents' NMUPO characteristics and later SUD symptoms in early midlife. Several characteristics (frequency, co-ingestion, motives, opioid type, and medical/NMUPO initiation history) were identified that could be used to screen and detect high-risk youth for indicated interventions to reduce prescription opioid misuse and SUDs.Item A Research-Based Sequential Job Interview Training Model(American Personnel and Guidance Association, 2019-01) Snodgrass, Gregory; Wheeler, Richard WadeThis article presents a sequential model for teaching interviewing skills based on research on the job interview. The model integrates objectives of interview training with methods. The model is adaptable to institutions of varying resources.Item A Source Book of Materials on the San Marcos Chautauqua, 1885-1895(1938-01) Henderson, RubyTerm paper prepared for the University of Texas course 384f, The history of education in Texas, taught by Dr. Eby, 1937-1938.Item A Yoga Program for Cognitive Enhancement(Public Library of Science, 2017-08) Brunner, Devon; Abramovitch, Amitai; Etherton, Joseph L.Background: Recent studies suggest that yoga practice may improve cognitive functioning. Although preliminary data indicate that yoga improves working memory (WM), high-resolution information about the type of WM subconstructs, namely maintenance and manipulation, is not available. Furthermore, the association between cognitive enhancement and improved mindfulness as a result of yoga practice requires empirical examination. The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of a brief yoga program on WM maintenance, WM manipulation and attentive mindfulness. Methods: Measures of WM (Digit Span Forward, Backward, and Sequencing, and Letter-Number Sequencing) were administered prior to and following 6 sessions of yoga (N = 43). Additionally, the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale was administered to examine the potential impact of yoga practice on mindfulness, as well as the relationships among changes in WM and mindfulness. Results: Analyses revealed significant improvement from pre- to post- training assessment on both maintenance WM (Digit Span Forward) and manipulation WM (Digit Span Backward and Letter-Number Sequencing). No change was found on Digit Span Sequencing. Improvement was also found on mindfulness scores. However, no correlation was observed between mindfulness and WM measures. Conclusions: A 6-session yoga program was associated with improvement on manipulation and maintenance WM measures as well as enhanced mindfulness scores. Additional research is needed to understand the extent of yoga-related cognitive enhancement and mechanisms by which yoga may enhance cognition, ideally by utilizing randomized controlled trials and more comprehensive neuropsychological batteries.Item Academic Help-Seeking and Achievement of Postsecondary Students: A Meta-Analytic Investigation(American Psychological Association, 2023-11) Fong, Carlton J.; Gonzales, Cassandra; Hill-Troglin Cox, ChristieNearly all college students require some academic assistance throughout their learning experiences. Rather than a dependent act, help-seeking is a self-regulated and motivated strategy; however, there are mixed findings regarding the relationship between academic help-seeking and academic achievement. Thus, the current study used meta-analytic techniques to assess the relationship between academic help-seeking variables and achievement (GPA, grades, test scores) among postsecondary students in 108 studies (119 samples, N = 37,941). Findings revealed a positive association between self-reported, need-contingent help-seeking behaviors and student achievement; the average weighted correlation was very small but potentially meaningful in the long run. Furthermore, the quality of help-seeking mattered, revealing small to moderate associations of greater consequence. Specifically, and executive help-seeking were negatively correlated to achievement; instrumental help-seeking along with formal help-seeking was positively correlated with academic performance. Moreover, a few factors significantly moderated the relationship between help-seeking and achievement. Implications for research and practice will be discussed.Item Achilles Tendon Cross Sectional Area Changes Over a Division I NCAA Cross Country Season(Berkeley Electronic Press, 2017-12) Sponbeck, Joshua K.; Perkins, Candace L.; Berg, Matthew J.; Rigby, Justin H.Tracking Achilles tendon cross sectional area (CSA) changes may help clinicians understand exercise adaptations and Achilles tendon injury mechanisms. To track adaptations in the Achilles tendon in response to a cross country season. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound images were obtained in a research laboratory. Cross country athletes ran with no restrictions outdoors and indoors. Participants were Division I NCAA cross country athletes (N = 24, age = 19.9 ± 2.1 years, mass = 61.32 ± 20.16 kg, height = 168.92 ± 17.16 cm, sex = 8 males and 16 females). Achilles tendon CSA was obtained through MSK ultrasound imaging at a pre-season baseline measurement, every 3 weeks throughout the season, and at post-season for a total of 4 measurements. Participants followed their normal running regimen outlined by their cross country coach. The dependent variable was Achilles tendon CSA measured by ultrasound imaging. We used a repeated measures ANCOVA to determine differences in CSA over the cross country season. CSA increased from baseline (0.439 ± .081 cm), to 0.466 ± 0.096 cm at 3-weeks, to 0.471 ± 0.092 cm 6-weeks, and decreased to 0.451 ± 0.104 cm at the post-season measurement. The 3-week and 6-week measures significantly increased from baseline (F3,72 = 8.575, p < .001). Achilles tendon CSA increased during the cross country season, but returned to baseline values at the end of a cross country season. Clinicians should be aware of the changing nature of the Achilles tendon CSA when treating cross country runners.Item Active Learning and Student Beliefs About Learning(International Society of Biomechanics in Sport Conference, 2019-07) Knudson, Duane V.This study documented the potential change in student epistemology of learning biomechanical concepts over a 5-week introductory biomechanics course implementing low-tech AL exercises. Twenty-five students agreed to participate and completed a pre- and post-test consisting of the Biomechanics Concept Inventory version 2 and two questions on their perceptions about the nature of learning. The active learning instruction increased mastery of biomechanical concepts over levels previously reported for lecture alone. Most students had positive perceptions of active learning experiences, however, some (4-12%) students had negative perceptions and decreased their interest in working with other students. Student epistemology did not change over the course and was not related to mastery of biomechanics concepts.Item Active learning classroom design and student engagement: An exploratory study(University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2021-02) Odum, Mary; Meaney, Karen; Knudson, Duane V.Three student engagement measures were collected for a class taught by an experienced instructor in two active learning classrooms with dissimilar seating arrangements. Student perception of engagement was similar between the learning spaces. However, instructor perception and researcher observation indicated greater engagement in the classroom with mobile tables compared to the classroom with mobile desks. STROBE classroom observations indicated qualitatively different student-to-student (8% greater), student-to-instructor (3% greater), and student self- (6.5% less) engagement in the mobile table classroom over the mobile desks classroom. Instructor and student perceptions may interact to affect student engagement with various designs of active learning classrooms.