Problems and Possibilities: Public Online Learning and How Universal Design for Learning Mitigates Its Unique Challenges

While online learning has been around for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic thrust it upon nearly every student enrolled in the public education system in America. For some students, this style of self-regulated learning is perfect for personalizing the curriculum to better pace, instruct, and implement content based on their individual needs. However, as the pandemic showed both students and teachers, children who are not cognitively developed enough to handle independent learning severely struggle to learn without the presence of a physical instructor. Despite these struggles from thousands of teachers and students, online learning is here to stay as administrators and school districts support and implement fully virtual schooling into their catalog of education options. If this is a format here to stay, then it is the responsibility of educators to develop and implement new frameworks of teaching that accommodate the unique problems online school presents. This literature review takes online back to its roots to examine past and present weaknesses in online schooling and examine direct feedback from teachers and students who have experienced online learning during and after COVID-19. From these issues, solutions present themself, mostly tied to the Universal Design for Learning framework and its ability to meet the needs of students while encouraging them to develop self-regulated learning strategies

Investigating Outcomes of Emerging Treatments for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy presents a complex neurological challenge affecting movement and posture, with significant implications for individuals' quality of life. This essay provides a thorough examination of cerebral palsy, covering its prevalence, types, and associated health conditions. It explores current treatment modalities, including constraint-induced therapy, gait focused physical therapy, and cell-based therapies, highlighting their effectiveness and cost considerations. Ethical dilemmas in stem cell research for cerebral palsy are being discussed, alongside ongoing clinical trials and their potential impact. Through a multidisciplinary approach, this essay sheds light on the evolving landscape of cerebral palsy treatment, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention for improved outcomes. Ultimately, it underscores the need for continued research and collaborative efforts to address the multifaceted needs of individuals living with cerebral palsy

Cybervictimization and Depression: A Cultural Standpoint

The author’s aim was to investigate the relationship between cybervictimization and depression, as well as using peer attachment and culture as moderators by giving questionnaires to 1347 participants (age range = 11-15 years) from India and the United States. Through four questionnaires, adolescents reported their levels of endorsement in either individualism or collectivism culture, levels of cybervictimization, levels of depression/depressive symptoms, and their levels of peer attachment. Adolescents reported that there is a significantly positive correlation between cybervictimization and depression. Differences were found according to culture and peer attachment, as well. Cybervictimization has begun to erupt worldwide as internet usage begins to skyrocket. It is considered to be a widespread, national issue that continues to affect the development and well being of adolescents on more levels than one and has been seen to trigger the development of depression and other maladaptive social skills among adolescents (Wei et al., 2024; Hawker, & Boulter, 2000). As the use of social media continues to increase, cybervictimization can occur more frequently among adolescents and their peers. As adolescents rely predominantly on peer engagement to develop their social skills, cybervictimization can cause adolescents to have lower peer attachment than adolescents who are not involved in cybervictimization (Kamble, 2015; Burton, Florell, & Wygant, 2012). There is little to no research regarding cultural values with cybervictimization and depression among adolescents. To address the gap in research, this study aims to analyze the role of culture and peer attachment with levels of cybervictimization and depression among adolescents in India and the United States

The Flutie Effect at Indiana State

Indiana State University has recently had a surge of success in their men's basketball program, bringing attention to the school that it has never seen in the era of social media. This success has led to a massive increase in undergraduate applications to the school, a result from the spotlight being on the team all last season and new people wanting to experience it. This is called the Flutie effect and dates back to 1984 when Doug Flutie was a football player at Boston College. We will look at the origins of the first Flutie effect and how much it affected Boston College and some other examples of this phenomenon. We will also dive into how the transfer portal and NIL deals have impacted the Flutie Effect and how these factors make the effect prominent in much more than just one school. This includes talking about how athletic programs market their athletes during their rise to stardom and how NIL has made players into superstars overnight. Universities also use athletics initially as a lure to attract new students and this happens every year and not just when they are experiencing the Flutie Effect. This is a persistence that schools are looking for to where they can market their teams to new students based on past results and the culture that surrounds the program. Finally we take a look at how individual athletes have elevated a program and schools status as they become more popular by their on court play and their social media presence. This leads also into how the Flutie Effect impacts current students and its effect on incoming students who will have a completely different experience than their predecessors

Uncovering the Dark Side of Technology: Exploring the Connection of Conflict Minerals, Child Labor, and the Global Supply Chain in the Electronics Industry

A topic that has recently come to light over the past few years is the conflicts with the electronics supply chain. With the increasing amount of technology, people are wanting more and more electronic devices that satisfy all their needs and make their lives easier. With this increase in demand for these devices, minerals such as tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold are being sourced at a rapid rate. This leads to conflicts within the supply chain as the minerals are being sourced from countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo where minerals are being mined by children and women in very poor working conditions. This is where the term “conflict minerals” stemmed from. Laws and regulations have been put in place to try and reduce the amount of conflict minerals being sourced. A good example is the Dodd-Frank Act that was created in 2010, more specifically section 1502 which addresses the topic of conflict minerals. The goal of section 1502 is to increase the traceability among companies that are part of the stock exchange to ensure they are not sourcing their minerals from conflicted countries. Progress is being made; however, there are still thousands of companies that have no idea where the source of their raw material comes fro

The Effects of High and Low Corporate Income Tax: Comparing and Contrasting

As the first federal tax was created in 1861 leading to the corporate tax rate being put in place, it is important to understand where the corporate income tax comes from and how it is used within corporations is a common matter that Americans may have now analyzed closely. From how the government spends the additional revenue after the corporate income tax is paid to how large corporations prepare for the upcoming financial period. This is a topic that is used in one's everyday life. This paper will analyze what the government does with the extra revenue when the corporate income tax rate is high. It will also analyze the effects the corporate income tax rate has on large and small businesses, the economy, and civilians

The Female Athlete Triad: Understanding the Why and How

The Female Athlete Triad consists of 3 disorders that do not necessarily have to happen in a specific order. The 3 disorders that form the Female Athlete Triad are amenorrhea, eating disorder (which coincides with low energy levels), and/or bone mineral density (osteoporosis). An athlete will most likely experience these disorders in a “slippery slope” metaphor, if you will, which we will dive deeper into later in this paper

Financial Literacy: Should it be included in high school curriculum?

In this paper, there will be a discussion as to why financial literacy classes should be included in high school curriculum. There is a significant issue between lacking financial knowledge and being able to perform financially smart. Throughout this paper, there will be examples of the basic knowledge that adults struggle to understand and how this results in several consequences. These consequences are in several categories such as debt, poor credit scores, a financial generation gap, and the loss of opportunities. There is also a discrepancy with financial illiteracy and different identities such as race, socioeconomic class, and even age. Some other issues that can have a greater effect with financial literacy are the generation gap, student loan debt, and the economic issues that financial illiteracy brings. Lastly, there are several ways that financial literacy can work with the results that a financial literacy program should have. With these programs, there are many strategies that schools can adopt or adapt to facilitate this type of program. Overall, the lack of financial literacy skills is negatively affecting young adults and their transition into adulthood that will result in not being financially healthy and stable

An Examination of Benefits Between Massage Therapy and Mental Health

Mental health affects millions of people every year, which is why finding effective treatment methods are important. This paper goes into a deep dive into the practice of massage therapy and its promising intervention for treated mental health disorders. Studies on the physiology of psychiatric disorders on the mental and physical states of the body will be reviewed. Following the examination of the effect the disorders have on the body, an examination of the effects of massage therapy on the physical and mental aspects of a psychiatric disorder will be provided. The findings show that massage therapy works to reduce tension and pain in the physical body which begins to release neurotransmitters that effectively reduce symptoms of mental health disorders. Beyond the physical aspects of benefits, massage therapy has been shown to create a sense of calm and comfort in the environment of a massage room, ultimately reducing symptoms of mental health disorders. Massage therapy has become a valuable method for promoting mental health and well-being. The holistic approach addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of mental health disorders