Interactive Elements to Boost Motivation in a Self-Paced Online Course

This applied research project aims to deliver specific recommendations for JMU Libraries to consider implementing in its self-paced online onboarding program to increase completion rates, satisfaction, and the perceived relevance of its training for new employees. This qualitative research design uses an interpretive/inductive approach and informant sampling strategy—interviews with five instructional designers—to collect, analyze, and create practicable suggestions for interactive, non-graded activities that can be added to increase the adult learners’ motivation to engage with the content. The themes that emerged in these interviews pointed to three types of activities: reflection, discussion, and authentic tasks. These activities are well supported by the literature as effective strategies for supporting motivation in adult learners, and the final report for the client includes suggested activities in these three categories for each of 30 pages of the onboarding training. The project also explores the role of knowledge check questions such as multiple choice, true/false, and matching and how they may affect motivation in adult learners completing an optional course or training program. The final product of this applied research study is a collection of themes and hermeneutics that can be applied across all the modules of the Libraries onboarding training, as well as examples of non-graded activities that may be added to specific modules

The JMU Lab Band Initiative

The primary objective of the JMU Lab Band is to facilitate equitable access to music education within the Shenandoah Valley while providing JMU music education students with an authentic and well-supported teaching environment. This initiative offers a fun platform for collaborative ensemble experiences and musical skill development aimed at band students in grades 7-10. No formal application, fee, or audition process is required for participation. All local students within the specified grade range are welcome in the program, which is hosted by JMU students, faculty, and staff. The conception and implementation of the JMU Lab Band, beginning in Spring 2023, stemmed from my vision to mitigate educational barriers for young musicians and aspiring music educators alike. Today, the program flourishes, catering to a diverse cohort of over 70 middle and high school students across six school districts, spanning four adjacent counties: Rockingham, Augusta, Page, and Shenandoah. My presentation will explore the launching, development, and maintenance of this creative project, a comprehensive community music education engagement program

The Efficacy of ASIST Training for Students in Allied Health and Related Fields

Background/Problem: Suicide remains a significant public health concern, claiming 45,979 lives in the United States in 2020 alone. The importance of addressing this issue is reinforced by its ranking as the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., with a prevalence among individuals aged 15-24. Research shows only few states have current mandates for suicide prevention training for health professionals, which leaves most without the necessary training to help those at risk. While primary care providers play a crucial role in suicide prevention, current data indicates a gap in their training, which emphasizes a need for a comprehensive approach to education and intervention for health care professionals. Objectives: The primary objective of this research project is to evaluate the effectiveness of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), an evidence-based gatekeeper training that has been found to improve participants attitudes, knowledge, and comfort levels regarding suicide. Additionally, it aims to improve allied health students\u27 attitudes towards suicide and ensure they maintain competence in suicide intervention by enhancing their confidence levels. The study aims to bridge the gap in formal education in relation to suicide prevention. Methodology: A non-experimental mixed method design was employed, involving allied health students from the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. Two quantitative assessments, the Attitudes Towards Suicide Scale (ATTS) and the Suicide Response Intervention Inventory (SIRI-2), were utilized to measure participants\u27 attitudes and intervention competency. Assessments were administered pre and post ASIST training, along with a follow-up three months post-training for the SIRI-2, to evaluate the sustainability of acquired skills. Impact: This research project aims to contribute valuable insights into the effectiveness of ASIST Training in enhancing suicide prevention attitudes and competency among allied health students. By applying established theoretical frameworks and robust methodology, the study aspires to address the critical need for comprehensive suicide prevention training in the formal education of future health practitioners. The outcomes of this research may pave the way for broader integration of suicide prevention training into allied health academic curricula, ultimately playing a pivotal role in reducing suicide rates and improving the overall mental health field. Results: Through data analysis processes, significant change in overall attitudes towards suicide were found (p=0.007); however, no significant differences were observed in individual attitude categories, or in regards to maintaining intervention competency (p = 0.223) regarding suicide prevention. Conclusion: This study indicates that a collective shift in attitude regarding suicide improved among participants; however, this change was not constant across all individuals. Further, in regards to maintaining competency in retained skills, results suggests that participants did not exhibit significant improvement in their perceived skills for intervening in suicide situations. Our findings align with prior research on emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts in suicide prevention education. Further research is required to enhance greater clarity on the effectiveness of ASIST training for healthcare professionals

Student Success Dashboards with the Adult Degree Program

Presentation of the collaboration between Student Success Analytics and the Adult Degree Program (ADP) for designing a student success dashboard that meets the needs of ADP students and program

Developing, Implementing, and Improving Data-Informed Student Success Campaigns RNL 2025

Using our experiences of developing and implementing data informed student success campaigns, members of the Office of Student Success Analytics at James Madison University will discuss how they developed and implemented data-informed student success campaigns to improve retention and reduce equity gaps. With a focus on email and text campaigns, the presentation will discuss the value of integrating data-informed campaigns, explain the process for designing, implementing, and assessing campaigns, and help higher education professionals identify and design a student success campaign

Aceptación de la variedad hispanounidense: Un paso hacia la descolonización de la lingüística española en los Estados Unidos.

Resumen La emergente variedad de español que se habla en los Estados Unidos (EE. UU.). carece de prestigio entre la lingüística española a pesar de que cualquier crítica dirigida a ella pueda ser dirigida a otras variedades aceptadas. Esto lleva a la conclusión de que los lingüistas no reconocen la variedad hispanounidense a causa de la historia de colonización y la mente colonizada de ambos: los hablantes de esta variedad y los lingüistas que la estudian. Hay que tomar un paso hacia la descolonización de la lingüística española para producir grandes cambios positivos tanto personales como sociales en los EE. UU. Abstract The emerging variety of Spanish spoken in the United States (U.S.) lacks linguistic prestige despite the fact that whatever criticism that could be directed at it could also be directed at other accepted varieties of Spanish. This suggests that linguists fail to validate the variety of Spanish spoken in the U.S. due to the history of colonization and the colonized mind of both the speakers of this variety and the linguists who study it. We must take the step of decolonizing Spanish linguistics to produce numerous positive personal and social changes in the U.S

Academic support student focus group

Student focus group report on exploring student experiences and strategies around academic support at JMU

Study to Understand the Effects of Biofouling and Corrosion on Underwater Munitions: Implications for Risk Management and Resource Allocation

The project\u27s primary objective is to understand the impacts of the underwater environment on munitions as a means to identify the residual risk these munitions pose, so people undertaking detection and clearance efforts can reliably assess operational risk and make informed decisions