bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Should Armed Guards Be Allowed In Schools In Light Of The Recent Right-To-Carry Laws?
Authors: Neil Benjamin A.
Published: March 2016

The manuscript entitled Should Armed Guards Be Allowed In Schools In Light Of The Recent Right-To-Carry Laws? was retracted on December 5, 2014. Please contact our office at Journals@CluteInstitute.com for more information.
Sacrificing America On The Altar Of Mediocrity
Authors: Nunn Les
Published: March 2016

TYPES OF LEARNING William Glasser said we learn:               10% of what we Read               20% of what we Hear               30% of what we See               50% of what we See and Hear               70% of what we Discuss with Others               80% of what we Experience Personally               95% of what we Teach to Someone Else.
What Are The Alternatives To Student Loans In Higher Education Funding?
Authors: Stokes Anthony , Wright Sarah
Published: March 2016

In a period of student loan scandals and U.S. financial market instability impacting on the cost and availability of student loans, this paper looks at alternative models of higher education funding. In this context, it also considers the level of financial support that the government should provide to higher education.
Veterans Returning From War Into The Classroom: How Can Colleges Be Better Prepared To Meet Their Needs
Authors: Zinger Lana , Cohen Andrea
Published: March 2016

Colleges throughout the country are bracing for a large influx of returning veterans over the next couple of years and the question is whether they can meet the needs of this population. There is a paucity of empirical literature on Iraqi and/or Afghan veterans’ adjustment in the college arena and the factors that mitigate the attrition rate and facilitate success. This research offers a glimpse into the lives of the veterans returning into college life.  An important implication of this research is to better inform educators, mental health professionals and administrators with regard to policy making, program development and restructuring efforts. A qualitative research design using structured interviews to obtain information about returning veterans from Afghanistan and/or Iraq was used in this study. This study discusses the many challenges that soldiers face when they return into the classroom.  Experiencing symptoms of PTSD is an issue exacerbating the transition into student life.  Campus health and counseling officials should have knowledge regarding symptoms and treatment strategies for PTSD and have an extensive referral list for veterans.
Ageism And The Baby Boomers: Issues, Challenges And The TEAM Approach
Authors: Gibson Jane Whitney , Jones J. Preston , Cella Jennifer , Clark Cory , Epstein Alexandra , Haselberger Jennifer
Published: March 2016

This paper considers the issues and challenges associated with ageism relating to the Baby Boomer generation in Corporate America.  Stereotypes about older workers are examined along with types of discrimination facing Boomers.  The TEAM approach is proposed to combat ageism in the workplace.  The strategy includes using intergenerational teams, education and training, awareness, accountability, and accommodation and mentoring as key components.
Innovative Assessment For Learning Enhancement: Issues And Practices
Authors: Zacharis Nick Z.
Published: March 2016

Although summative assessment is indispensable for determining whether or not students meet the content standards, it alone is insufficient for providing teachers and administrators with the information necessary to make ongoing decisions about instruction. This article looks at the motivational impact of the assessment on students’ achievement and concentrates on methods of formative assessment that considered being innovative, such as assessment by objective tests, small group assessment, peer- and self-assessment.
Can We Have Fries With That, Please? Nutrition And Physical Activities Among College Students
Authors: Monteiro Andreia C. , Jeremic Miljana , Budden Michael C.
Published: March 2016

Obesity is a growing health and socioeconomic issue in the United States.  College students are an important part of the alarming statistics involving weight gain. This study investigated how nutrition behaviors and physical activity modified students’ perceptions of body weight and nutrition knowledge. Furthermore, the study assessed gender and ethnicity as modifiers of nutrition behaviors, self-perception of body weight, and exercising habits among college students.
Women In The World Of Corporate Business: Looking At The Glass Ceiling
Authors: Berry Priscilla , Franks Tommy J.
Published: March 2016

From a review of some of the literature and a brief compiling of statistics on women in positions of leadership and power, and with a quick look at the life and work of some contemporary women who have thought about and lived the life of corporate leadership, it is clear that women have made small progress into positions of power and influence.  Research shows that this is true because they did not desire the positions of leadership, did not want to pay the price of the loneliness of leadership, or were derailed in some way by sex.  A review of the timeline for the advances for women also shows the disconnect between what happens in legislation or social opinion and what really happens to the plight of women in the halls of power. Research indicates the alternative for women seeking positions of power in the corporate structure is as follows: Some women…who are the best qualified for leadership…leave the corporate ranks and never return. Some decide to become entrepreneurs. Some decide on other upward mobility enterprises. This paucity of women in the Boardroom and at the helm of corporate power definitely accounts for the lack of soul, ethics, and the general quandary in corporate America. The dilemma that leaders are now facing is:  What happened here, as evidence by corporate scandals and the fall of Wall Street, where do we go, and what do we do now? It is the focus of this paper to show that the greatest deterioration of the corporate structure is caused by the following: Not including and/or promoting women into the ranks of leadership…real policy making power…not providing a female friendly environment for women, not setting up legitimate and ongoing mentoring systems for women, not recognizing the different, but significant, voice of knowledge that women bring to the table.
Bullying: Dilemmas, Definitions, And Solutions
Authors: Long Teresa , Alexander Kristina
Published: March 2016

Bullying has become an increasingly serious problem in today’s schools.  Many states have passed legislation to ensure schools do all they can to prevent and address bullying.  Even though the school is a place that is to be safe for all children, in some instances this is not the case.  This paper discusses bullying and focuses on the different tactics students who bully use at middle levels.  Educators can prevent problems by becoming aware of where bullying takes place and how educators can cope and confront this problem.  Discussed are tactics to create new programs and policies and what process it takes to implement the most sound and fair policy in a school.   Different roles and procedures are discussed to help educators include all stakeholders in the process.  Detailed analysis and descriptions are presented and differentiated and various plans to be implemented are described.
Creating A Culture Of Academic Assessment And Excellence Via Shared Governance
Authors: Beckwith E. George , Silverstone Susan , Bean Debra
Published: March 2016

When a recent accreditation review report and an assessment consultant report both identified issues with assessment and shared governance, the three faculty governing bodies of National University met with the Provost and President to brainstorm and discuss a shared governance action plan to address these issues.  As a result of this meeting, the Faculty Senate, Graduate Council, Undergraduate Council, and the Council of Chairs (not a governing body) representatives made a presentation to the Provost and President to improve the academic assessment process at the University by implementing a shared governance plan that would revitalize the faculty and move both the faculty and the administration toward a culture of academic assessment and excellence.  The President concurred with the shared governance assessment plan approach proposed by the faculty governing bodies and approved implementation of the plan.  This paper explores relevant research on this subject and provides a chronology of the events that comprised the efforts to improve shared governance between the faculty and the administration at National University in order to achieve academic assessment and learning excellence.
Choosing A Wiki Platform For Student Projects Lessons Learned
Authors: Malaga Ross A.
Published: March 2016

Wikis offer many benefits, such as two-way flows of information, early and consistent feedback, and greater student group collaboration, in an educational setting.  Some researchers have already reported on the use of Wikis in their classes.  However, instructors must choose an appropriate Wiki platform in order to receive all of the benefits of their use.  Failure to do so can lead to significant frustration on the part of both students and the instructor.  Using a framework put forth by Schwartz et. al. (2004), this paper reports on the use of various Wiki platforms in an introductory information systems class.  Lessons learned from this experience are discussed.
Embracing Dissonant Voices In English Classrooms
Authors: Wang Ya-huei
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a pedagogy grounded in dialogical ideals has the potential to empower students to make changes in English classroom interaction. The study first scrutinized the traditional “banking” educational system in English classrooms in which students were passive learners to realize students’ silence and powerlessness in classrooms. Then, after realizing students’ silence and resistance in traditional English classrooms, with a vision of social change, the researcher proposed the dialogical interaction pedagogy to the English class to challenge the traditional view of authority and power, with an eye to exposing how dominant education was constructed through language and discourse. Unlike the traditional teaching-learning structures in which instructors act as authorities and subjects, and students act as objects and receivers, the dialogical English classroom, adapted from traditional classroom hierarchy structures, is a double-voiced or even multiple-voiced English learning environment in which both the teacher and students work together to overcome the estrangement and alienation that have long become the norm in the contemporary English classroom system.
The Need For Training Gender-Sensitive Teachers: Addressing Education Challenges For Gender Sensitive National Development
Authors: Lumadi Mutendwahothe Walter , Shongwe Sipho S.
Published: March 2016

This study reports on the extent to which colleges of education in Swaziland prepare student teachers to be gender-sensitive in their practice as teachers. Gendering in contemporary teacher education, both primary and secondary was approached from the curricular and agency perspectives. Gender-related differences in the first teacher education curriculum were highly visible. These have persisted and are still visible in the current curricular structures though the wording may have changed over time. Other major findings included factors perceived by lecturers and teacher education management as necessary for implementation of a gender-sensitive curriculum in teacher education colleges, and these include the need for gender-related initiatives to address gender issues and the need to address gender hierarchies.
Students Research Self-Efficacy During Online Doctoral Research Courses
Authors: Baltes Beate , Hoffman-Kipp Peter , Lynn Laura , Weltzer-Ward Lisa
Published: March 2016

This study will explore student skill development and research self-efficacy as related to online doctoral students’ first core research course experience. Findings from this study will be used to inform instructors in effective ways to support doctoral students during their early research experiences. This support will ensure that online graduate students will develop well-crafted dissertations and following graduation, continue to conduct research. The original research design was a grounded theory study where both qualitative and quantitative data were to be collected prior to students starting the course and following course completion. It was proposed to collect data through interviews, observations in the form of documented online discussions and correspondences, and the Research Self-Efficacy Scale (RSES). Course grades and final research outline projects were supposed to be examined to determine student mastery of key concepts. A convenience sample was to be drawn but due to a low response rate, the authors decided to apply an exploratory case study method and use this as a pilot to inform a larger study. The final result of the case study analysis will be detailed descriptions of each case with discussion of categories and themes along with the exploration of commonalities and differences.
Comparative Aspects Of Management Observed By Heads Of Public And Private Schools
Authors: Imran Muhammad
Published: March 2016

The major purpose of the research was to compare the managemet aspects in public and private schools. All the heads of secondary schools of public and private sector of the Punjab province, Pakistan constituted population of the study.  A sample of 216 head teachers (fifty percent from public sector schools and fifty percent private schools) was selected from nine didtricts. The questionnaire prepared and validated through pilot-testing, was used as the research instrument of the study. The data obtained was tabulated and analyzed by using simple percentage and two way chi square tests. Main conclusions of the study were: that private sector schools had actually less number of students and teachers at secondary level as compared to public sector schools.  In public sector schools student-teacher ratio was higher than that of private sector schools. Regarding involvement of subordinate staff in decision making, keeping themselves as a part of team while leading them and carrying out the well- organized tasks, heads of private sector secondary schools were better than heads of public sector secondary schools. The heads of public sector secondary schools were more qualified academically as well as professionally, having more administrative experience as compared to private sector secondary schools’ heads.
Study Abroad Perspectives On Institutional Operations
Authors: Boronico Christie , Boronico Jess
Published: March 2016

The twenty-first century has brought about an increased emphasis on the contributions in higher education by way of study abroad programs. This paper introduces components of these contributions as they apply within the context of the University of New Haven (UNH). As a private institution of higher education, UNH faces challenges not unlike its peer institutions concerning innovative and value-adding curricular and co-curricular initiatives that impact on issues related to revenue generation and cash-flow, capacity planning and resident hall availability, and overall academic high quality. These issues are discussed within the framework of study abroad programs and their benefits.
Exploring The Reliability, Validity, And Utility Of A Higher Education Faculty Review Process
Authors: Bradley Kelly D. , Bradley James W.
Published: March 2016

Institutions of learning face significant calls for accountability, leading to an increased interest in measuring faculty performance. The purpose of this research is to describe and analyze the process of faculty evaluation in a college of education at a southeastern university. The process is outlined with attention given to the reliability, validity, and utility through documenting strengths and weaknesses. Included is a detailed review of the instruments utilized in the process.  Suggestions for improvements and modifications are central to the outcomes, including plans for aligning the process with relevant research.  The degree to which the faculty review process is deemed credible, professional, and relevant may serve as an indicator of the link between theory and practice.  Potential ramifications of a weak or bias system, as faculty promotion and tenure are intertwined with this process, are of utmost importance. Legal issues, including challenges, rise to the forefront.  This topic is of importance to students, faculty, and administrators, as all involved and impacted by the review process, either directly or indirectly.  The applicability of this work beyond the example institution is also addressed.
Reforming The Madrassah System Of Education In Pakistan
Authors: Inamullah Hafiz Muhammad , Hifazatullah Hafiz , Sarwar Muhammad , Khan Naeemullah , Sultan Khalid
Published: March 2016

The unfortunate attacks of 9/11 forced the government to reform madrassah education programs. The aim of this article is to discuss the reform and its results and points of view, as well as the reaction of the Islamic seminaries toward these madrassah reforms.
The Impact Of Merit Pay On Research Outcomes For Accounting Professors
Authors: Campbell Annhenrie , Lindsay David H. , Garner Don E. , Tan Kim B.
Published: March 2016

Merit pay for professors to encourage better teaching, research and service is controversial. Its effectiveness can be examined empirically. In this study, the existence of a merit plan and ACT scores of incoming freshmen were strongly associated with measurable research outcomes. Additional study is needed to test the association with the other dimensions of faculty performance.
How Are Your Graduates Doing? Do They Still Love You?
Authors: Saunders Gary , Stivason Charles
Published: March 2016

Section 33 of the AACSB requirements for Specialized Accreditation of Accounting Programs requires that that each accounting program applying for specialized accreditation demonstrate its success with regard to the placement of students within three months of graduation and the career success of graduates at an appropriate later time (e.g., 5 or 10 years).  The accounting program in a medium sized Midwestern university recently applied for “Specialized Accounting Accreditation” and found that only anecdotal data was available to satisfy this standard.  In order to satisfy section 33 of the standards a questionnaire was developed and emailed to a list of accounting graduates.  A list of 1,026 email addresses for accounting graduates was obtained from the alumni office and questionnaires were sent by email to each of the graduates.  As expected, some of the email addresses were outdated and 269 were returned as undeliverable leaving 757 questionnaires delivered to accounting graduates.  A total of 212 were returned for a 28% response rate with 103 (48%) requesting a copy of the results.  The average age of the respondents was 44.2 years and the average graduation year was 1986, suggesting that the average age at graduation (21 years ago) was 23 years.  The oldest graduate was 74 and the youngest was 22.  More than one half of the graduates had obtained their first professional position before graduation and 90% had obtained a professional position within three months of graduation.  Respondents were asked how many times they had changed companies in their careers and, remarkably, 23% had never changed companies.  All of the graduates, except for one who had never changed companies, were satisfied with the progression of their careers.  Another requirement of standard 33 is to demonstrate “career success of graduates at an appropriate later time (e.g., 5 or 10 years).”  Graduates were asked if they were “satisfied with the progression of your career.”  Remember, on average they had been graduated for about 12 years.  Ninety seven percent indicated that they were satisfied with the progression of their careers.  That indicates that they have achieved career success as they define success.  Responses to whether graduates believe their education at Marshall adequately prepared them for their career were significantly (0.000) with whether they were satisfied with the progression of their career and with whether they would recommend the accounting program at Marshall to their children or friends (0.000 level).  These relationships suggest that graduates are consistent in their approval and support for the accounting program.
EINO The Answer
Authors: Hollister James , Richie Sam , Weeks Arthur
Published: March 2016

This study investigated the various methods involved in creating an intelligent tutor for the University of Central Florida Web Applets (UCF Web Applets), an online environment where student can perform and/or practice experiments.  After conducting research into various methods, two major models emerged.  These models include: 1) solving the problem for the student 2) helping the student when they become stymied and unable to solve the problem.  A storyboard was created to show the interactions between the student and system along with a list of features that were desired to be included in the tutoring system.  From the storyboard and list of features, an architecture was created to handle all of the interactions and features.  After the initial architecture was designed, the development of the actual system was started.  The architecture underwent a several iterations to conclude with a working system, EINO.   EINO is an intelligent tutoring system integrated into the UCF Web Applets.  The final architecture of EINO incorporated a case-based reasoning system to perform pattern recognition on the student’s input into the UCF Web Applets.  The interface that the student interacts with was created using Flash™.  EINO was implemented in three of the experiments from the UCF Web Applets.  A series of tests were performed on the EINO tutoring system to determine that the system could actually perform each and every one of the features listed initially.  The final test was a simulation of how the EINO would perform in “real life.”  Test subjects with the same educational level as the target group were chosen to spend an unlimited time using each of the three experiments.  A single experiment is designed to reinforce a topic currently being covered by the book.  Each of the test subjects filled out a survey on every lab to determine if the EINO system produced a helpful output.
Understanding And Confronting Alcohol-Induced Risky Behavior Among College Students
Authors: Dornier Lucien J. , Fauquier Katharine J. , Field April R. , Budden Michael C.
Published: March 2016

Confronting alcohol abuse is a challenge for most higher education institutions.  Each year, students are admitted to hospitals for issues arising from the misuse of alcohol.  The deaths of some engaged in alcohol related activities is especially worrisome.  Factors such as age and financial standing could impact the likelihood of abuse.  So-called drinking “games” have potentially altered student perceptions of alcohol consumption and may lead to reckless behavior.  This study looks at perceptions of alcohol use among college students and investigates the level of support a late night shuttle system might garner if offered to students on a college campus.
Getting To Finished: Strategies To Ensure Completion Of The Doctoral Dissertation
Authors: Holmes Barbara D. , Robinson Lillian , Seay Angela D.
Published: March 2016

This paper reports the results of focus group conversations with thirty-four doctoral students enrolled in an educational leadership program. Doctoral students were asked to provide suggestions and strategies used to complete the doctoral dissertation.  The results of these conversations reinforce the value of the collaborative cohort and the proactive interdependence students experienced as a result of working together. These findings highlight the need to examine how doctoral students experience the university context particularly as it relates to the dissertation phase of study.
Daily Practice1: Ethics In Leadership
Authors: DePree, Jr Chauncey M. , Jude Rebecca K.
Published: March 2016

The classic question, “Should business schools teach ethics?” is not often asked anymore given the drip, drip, drip of business corruption reported in the news. Even skeptics allow that business ethics education could not hurt and might improve the ethics of business leaders. Furthermore, universities, colleges, and business accrediting agencies prominently represent their ethics for all to see in standards, codes, handbooks, and advertisements. They seem to promote ethical conduct at their institutions. But how do faculty and administrators actually behave? And if not ethically, what are the educational lessons new professionals take to the workplace?
Understanding Arabic-Speaking Skill Learning Strategies Among Selected Malay Learners: A Case-Study At The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
Authors: Haron Sueraya Che , Ahmad Ismail Sheikh , Mamat Arifin , Mohamed Ismaiel Hassanein Ahmed
Published: March 2016

In Malaysia, studies have shown that most Malay learners learning Arabic Language exhibit weak Arabic speaking skill despite spending years of learning the language. However, given the same learning environment and experience, some of them could be considered as good Arabic speakers as revealed by the results of Arabic Placement Test conducted by the Center of Languages and pre-Academic Development (CELPAD) of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). These learners have successfully scored band 7 and above in Arabic speaking skill test. The researchers believe that being aware of certain learning strategies in enhancing their speaking skills would help these learners to become good Arabic speakers. This assumption is based on several theories in language learning strategies which postulate that learners’ success in language learning or lack of it is attributable to the various strategies which different learners bring to tasks and not solely relying on environment per say. Therefore this study attempts to understand the assumption by investigating the Arabic speaking skill learning strategies of selected Malay good Arabic speakers and Malay poor Arabic speakers at the (IIUM) within and outside the parameters of the educational settings. In addition, the research also seeks to explore the students’ perception on Arabic speaking skill in terms of the importance of Arabic speaking skill for the Malay learners, the required level of Arabic speaking skill for the Malay learners and the prerequisites to become good Arabic speakers.
Female Education As A Determinant Of Economic Growth: The Case Study Of Pakistan
Authors: Fatima Goher
Published: March 2016

The contribution of female education has been very important in the GDP growth of the country, but this very sector has been ignored by the Government. This paper focuses on the importance of female education and highlights its significance for national development. It also brings out some impediments, obstacles and barriers confronting female education, especially the low level of the investment on the sector in the rural areas of Pakistan. The study further identifies the effects of female contribution in labor force participation. The study explores the opportunities to encourage the role of female in the developmental activities.
A Note For Graphing Calculators In The Fundamental Finance Course
Authors: Chen Jeng-Hong
Published: March 2016

The financial calculator is incorporated in finance education. In class, the instructor shows students how to use the financial calculators function keys to solve time value of money (TVM) related problems efficiently. The fundamental finance course is required for all majors in the business school. Some students, especially non-accounting/non-finance majors, still want to use their graphing calculators rather than purchase financial calculators to save the cost. In fact, graphing calculators, such as TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus, also contain finance functions and many undergraduate students had owned TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus before they took the fundamental finance course in the junior year. This note provides a perspective that instructors of the undergraduate fundamental finance course may consider teaching students how to use finance functions of the graphing calculator in addition to teaching students how to use the financial calculator in class.
Faculty Perceptions Of Student Credibility Based On Email Addresses
Authors: Livermore Jeffrey A. , Wiechowski Linda S. , Scafe Marla G.
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate faculty perceptions of student credibility based on email addresses. The survey was conducted at an upper division business school in Michigan where all students have completed at least two years of college courses. The survey results show that a students selection of an email address does influence the facultys perception of their credibility. An email address that consists of a nickname reduces the facultys perception of student credibility as well as the domain name of the email service used by the student The reduced credibility may have a negative impact on the faculty members perception of the student.
An Interpretive Study Of Meanings Citizen Scientists Make When Participating In Galaxy Zoo
Authors: Mankowski Trent A. , Slater Stephanie J. , Slater Timothy F.
Published: March 2016

A particularly successful effort to engage the public in science has been to move the nearly countless galaxies imaged by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to citizen scientists in a project known widely as Galaxy Zoo (URL; http://www.galaxyzoo.org). By examining the motivations, methods and appeal of Galaxy Zoo to the participating public, other models of citizen science might be purposefully formulated to take advantage of the success exhibited in Galaxy Zoo. In addition, we want to understand the reasons people engage in science in informal settings in order to better enhance teaching methods in formal settings. We pursued an investigation of the underlying reasons for the success of Galaxy Zoo revealed by inductively analyzing contributors posts and discussions through the accompanying Galaxy Zoo online bulletin board. Using a grounded theory approach, we learned that many of these motivations originate in the aesthetic power of astronomical images or the opportunity to become an empowered and contributing scientist, which Galaxy Zoo successfully harnesses, while not compromising the scientific value of the project.
American Opportunity Credit: Key To Education For Lower And Middle Income College Students
Authors: Guerrero Robin , Tiggeman Theresa , Edmond Tracie
Published: March 2016

The Tax Relief Act of 1997 created an important tax provision which helped taxpayers offset the cost of higher education. This provision was in the form of education tax credits. Because a tax credit is a dollar for dollar reduction in tax liability, these education credits were designed to reduce the amount of tax due for college students or their parents. Introduced in 1998, and known as the Hope Scholarship and the Lifetime Learning tax credits, these credits were established to counterbalance the monies spent on tuition, fees, and some course materials during postsecondary education. While these credits proved to be beneficial to many taxpayers over the past decade, most recently, the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided a new provision which was intended to increase access to education and to stimulate the economy. The ARRA of 2009 established for two years (2009 and 2010) the American Opportunity tax credit as a replacement for the Hope credit. Similar to the previous education credits, the American Opportunity tax credit helps students and families pay for post-secondary education. However, the most significant condition of this credit is that 40% of the American Opportunity tax credit is refundable and therefore available to households with little or no tax liability. Since refundable credits generate refunds over and above the withholding amount instead of just reducing the tax liability, the American Opportunity tax credit is available to the lowest income tax payers. As a result, it is possible for many taxpayers to receive a maximum amount of refundable credit of up to $1,000. Unfortunately, the American Opportunity credit is proposed to be available only on a taxpayers 2009 and 2010 tax return. After this time, the credit is expected to revert to its original form prior to the ARRA of 2009. Many taxpayers will no longer be eligible for the refundable portion of the credit nor many of its other beneficial provisions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new American Opportunity Credit and to show the need for the continuance of this credit that is not only crucial for the welfare of the lower to middle income taxpayers but the larger, refundable credit would extend educational assistance to low to moderate income students, making it easier for them or their parents to afford college and thus encouraging attendance.
A Comparison Of Students Outcomes In Two Classes: Business Administration Students VS Communication Arts Students Based On Self-Directed Learning Activities
Authors: Orawiwatnakul Wiwat , Wichadee Saovapa
Published: March 2016

With research showing the benefits of self-directed learning, more activities are needed to provide learners opportunities for self-directed practice (Khomson, 1997; Lee, 1998; Phongnapharuk, 2007). A 12-week experimental study was performed with 80 EFL learners; one group contained 40 Communication Arts students and the other one consisted of 40 Business Administration students. All of them were taught through self-directed learning activities for twelve weeks. The instruments used in this study included an English proficiency test, a self-directed learning questionnaire, a learning style questionnaire, and an opinion questionnaire toward self-directed learning activities. The data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA, dependent and independent t-tests, mean and standard deviation. Results from the statistical tests revealed that students in both groups gained higher English mean scores and self-directed learning abilities at a significance level even with limited time spent practicing language skills in a self-directed environment. When dividing BA and CA students into four learning styles, it was found that language mean scores of students in all the four groups improved significantly; however, only two groups of BA students, namely pragmatists and theorists, improved their self-directed learning ability.
Considering Jumping Ship? A Pirate Looks At Retirement
Authors: Kilpatrick Bob G.
Published: March 2016

If youre like me, a senior faculty member at a public state university facing significant budget cuts, recently youve probably thought about leaving your current position for another faculty position in a different state. A possible reason for considering jumping ship is envisioning a clearer picture of your retirement as it nears on the horizon a retirement that does not look quite what you had projected ten years ago, due to the that fact that you elected the defined contribution (DC) plan (often referred to as an optional or alternate retirement plan at universities) rather than the traditional defined benefit (DB) state employee pension plan when you first arrived at your university 20-odd years ago (which was the right choice, at that time, given the information availablekeep reminding yourself of that), and then seeing the value of that retirement account drop considerably two-three years ago. Although your retirement account may have mostly recovered, there are still those lost years of growth that may have you second-guessing your previous decision. Alas, that decision cannot be undone, but a new decision can be created by moving to another state. It is this possible decision that is the topic of this paper. What factors should be considered in choosing between the traditional DB plan and the optional DC plan for an individual who cannot necessarily reach the maximum benefit under the DB plan?
Winning In NCAA Womens Soccer: Does The Gender Of The Coach Matter?
Authors: Brush Brian C. , Naples Gregory J.
Published: March 2016

While womens intercollegiate soccer has grown rapidly over the past three decades, men still hold nearly two-thirds of all head coaching positions in NCAA Division I womens soccer programs. This paper explores whether the gender of the head coach affects success in winning games. After considering various reasons why gender might matter, we undertake a multiple regression analysis using data from the 2001-2002 season to answer this question empirically. Controlling for other factors that would be expected to influence a teams success, including the quality of the head coach, the level of institutional support and the tradition of the program, we find that the head coachs gender, and also the head coachs age, have statistically significant effects on team success for schools in Divisions I-AA and I-AAA, but not for the major football schools in Division I-A. We close with possible explanations for these results.
Women In University Management: The Nigerian Experience
Authors: Abiodun-Oyebanji Olayemi , Olaleye F.
Published: March 2016

This study examined women in university management in Nigeria. It was a descriptive research of the survey type. The population of the study comprised all the public universities in southwest Nigeria, out of which three were selected through the stratified random sampling technique. Three hundred respondents who were in management positions were purposively sampled for this study. A questionnaire tagged Women in University Management Questionnaire (WUMQ) was used to elicit information from the respondents. Data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, t-test analysis and Pearson products for research questions and hypotheses raised for the study. Results showed that the level of women participating in university management in Nigerian University was dismally low; most of the high management positions were occupied by men. Results of the study further revealed that many women in the university system were being deprived of high management positions because they do not have the same opportunities for advancement as their male counterparts and also, the undue strictness of many women jeopardizes their chances of attaining high management positions in Nigerian universities. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the parochial belief of some people that women do not have what it takes to manage a university simply because they are women should be discarded. Women should also put a check on their undue strictness in the workplace and also, conducive working environments that will promote womens advancement should be promoted in Nigerian Universities.
A Link To The Future: A Pilot Study Look At How Historically Black Colleges And Universities With Journalism And Mass Communications Units Use The Internet In Recruiting
Authors: Crawford, II Jerry
Published: March 2016

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have had the ability to recruit African-American students since the 1860s by stressing a sense of inclusion and family through their mission statements and community outreach. There was little to no competition for African-American students from predominantly white institutions until integration was fully implemented a hundred years later in the 1960s. HBCUs, by their standing in the community, have been a gateway to first generation college students, regardless of race or social class status and "many continue to have 'open' admissions policies, welcoming all who wish to attend college, regardless of previous academic performance. Today, HBCUs have to actively recruit students students that can now apply and enroll in Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) with the use of technology that includes the Internet. How has the digital divide changed from its classification in the 1960s? How are African-Americans using the web and are HBCUs using the Internet to inform, recruit and enroll African-Americans today? This pilot study looks at HBCUs that have Journalism/Mass Communications units to examine if their websites have a good sense of usability and interactivity for African-American students looking to go to college, primarily as first-generation students.
Awakening Students Sociological Imagination
Authors: McCoy Craig
Published: March 2016

Students who experience a transcendent moment as they vicariously walk in the shoes of another person demonstrate the utilization of sociological imagination. Even though the concept of sociological imagination was advanced more than 50 years ago by sociologist C. Wright Mills, there is high value to revisit this concept and for its application to engage students in active learning in contemporary classroom environments. The objective is to better prepare students in the 21st century in order to better assess contemporary events and social problems with a more accurate and realistic understanding.
The Effects Of Africentric United States History Curriculum On Black Student Achievement
Authors: Duncan Worokya
Published: March 2016

Relationships between United States History curriculum design, self-efficacy, and test achievement of eighth-grade students and parents in the KIPP:STAR College Preparatory Charter School were examined in this study. An online questionnaire developed for the study, the Parental Questionnaire for United States History Curriculum, was pilot tested, revised, and used to collect data. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS (v.19) software. Descriptive statistics and frequencies regarding curricular design, test achievement, and self-efficacy were examined. Results revealed a need for an Africentric United States history curriculum, which by definition is more inclusive and comprehensive than the normative Eurocentric curriculum. The mixed-method study indicated that relationships exist between curricular design and test achievement and between curricular design and self-efficacy.
Students Perspectives Of Bullying In Schools
Authors: Gourneau Bonni
Published: March 2016

Bullying has proven to be a major problem in our society, one that can no longer be ignored. Unfortunately, every day children of various ages leave schools feeling scared, sad, anxious, and embarrassed, which greatly interferes with their ability to learn and to enjoy their childhood. This paper will review literature on bullying as well as the typical characteristics of the bully, the bullied, and the bystander. This paper will also describe a 2011 bullying survey and program that was presented to 500 middle school students by the author. In the Anti-Bullying Presentation, students were given short messages that could easily be remembered in the future when confronted with bullying situations. For example the scars that bullying leaves are like tattoos, everyone comes to school with a bag of chips; some bags are full and some only have crumbs left, everyone can make a decision on what kind of person they want to be in life, or what shirt they want to wear in life, etc. The term pro-respect was also emphasized with the students. If bullying is ever going to be a thing of the past, parents, students, and teachers must collaborate to overcome this epidemic of a lack of empathy for others feelings amongst todays youth.
Pre-admission Grades And Student Performance: The Malaysian Medical School Experience
Authors: Abidin Basir , Suliman Noor A , Din Salwa M , Manan Norhafizah A
Published: March 2016

Prior academic achievement is often considered the best predictor and therefore the preadmission criteria for highly competitive medical schools. Most studies that advocate this viewpoint analyzed cohorts based on results of a central examination taken by students who come from various pre-university setups and backgrounds. Far less is known about students who come from a common setup, sit for common assessments, and the effect on their achievement in medical schools. This study sets out to investigate the correlation and association of preadmission grades and various summative results during preclinical year medical program. The association of the whole group is investigated. The association of subgroups (low, intermediate, and high achievers) to preclinical achievement was also investigated to get insight about the consistency. As a group, the pre-university performance (especially in natural sciences) has moderate to high correlations to various results in preclinical phase. As subgroups: low achievers are less consistent and predictable; high achievers are best correlated to various results of preclinical phase; while intermediate achievers are in between. The cumulative grade point and performance in natural sciences in a common pre-university program can serve not only as a predictor of performance, but also as an indicator for consistency of performance in preclinical phase of medical programs. This information may be of use to medical school admission and selection committees.
A Lesson Of Lost Political Capital In Public Higher Education: Leadership Challenges In A Time Of Needed Organizational Change
Authors: Hilton Mark , Jacobson Rod
Published: March 2016

All higher education institutions are struggling with a rapidly changing market and financial landscape. Here is a management-centered analysis of what happened when a college president, recognizing the need to make a radical adaptation to those changes, tried moving a campus community to a new organizational model, without collegial consensus, and too quickly. The result was that the president lost political capital and the college underwent a change in leadership. Yet the need for a new management model still remains.