SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AS A FORM OF VIABLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SECONDARY ENGLISH EDUCATOR

Social Networking Sites or SNSs have been used as a form of self-guided professional development (PD) by educators of all grade levels. However, there are limited students regarding Secondary educators using SNSs as a form of self-guided PD and there is also a lack of an examination of how those educators are using what the learn from SNSs within an English classroom. The purpose of this research was to determine not only what Secondary English educators seek on SNSs for self-guided PD but also if that what they learn is applied to their classroom practices and if they are successful. This study uses a mixed method approach with first a survey being sent out to Secondary English educators and from the survey participants were selected based on their social media usage and if they had tried what they learned from those platforms within the classroom. The survey was shared on social media and was presented at the 2024 South Carolina Council of English Teachers conference. The research revealed that not only do educators use what they learn in their classroom, but they also found some success. SNSs also fill the gaps left by traditional PD provided by the school and/or district level. Four themes developed during the interview process: adaptability, relatability, support and collaboration. One or more of these themes need to be presented within the content being presented or the professional learning community (PLC) for users to see the information as valuable

The Effects of Limb Occlusion on the Slow Component of V̇O2 during Intermittent, Heavy-intensity Cycling

This study examined the physiological responses to continuous, heavy-intensity (CONT), intermittent, heavy-intensity (INT), and intermittent, heavy-intensity cycling with limb occlusion (INT-LO). METHODS: Five young (23.2 ± 5.5 yrs.), healthy subjects participated in this study and completed a total of seven visits. Three conditions were completed by each subject: CONT, INT, and INT-LO. Each condition consisted of a 4-minute warm-up (20 W), 6 minutes of exercise, followed by 5 minutes of recovery cycling. For CONT, exercise was performed at Δ50% for the entire 6 minutes. INT and INT-LO alternated between 15 seconds of work at Δ50%, and then 3 seconds of recovery cycling (20 W). During the INT-LO condition, during the three seconds of rest, blood flow was occluded to the lower extremities. Oxygen uptake kinetics, sEMG, and pleasantness of exercise were all assessed during each condition. RESULTS: The amplitude of the V̇O2 slow component (A3’) was significantly lower in INT (219 ± 39 mL/min) and INT-LO (286 ± 45 mL/min) compared to CONT (391 ± 116 mL/min, p \u3c 0.05). End-exercise V̇CO2, V̇E, and HR were all greatest in CONT (p \u3c 0.05). There were no significant differences in sEMG between conditions. Pleasantness of exercise was lower in the 6th minute of exercise in the INT-LO condition (-0.3 ± 3.1) and CONT (0.3 ± 2.2) compared to INT (1.6 ± 1.6). CONCLUSION: The addition of limb occlusion to heavy-intensity, intermittent cycling does not significantly alter the overall V̇O2 response and the appearance of the V̇O2SC compared to INT and CONT

Collaborating to Implement SeamlessAccess: A library’s perspective

In the past two years an ever-increasing number of publishers have implemented SeamlessAccess resulting in a better user experience and increased usage. However, to ensure more users benefit from federated authentication and seamless access more collaborations among publishers, libraries, and SeamlessAccess are needed. This brief paper will include a library perspective on the challenges to implementing federated access, the benefits that federated access brings to libraries and to their end-users in their research experience, and a brief walk-through of the SeamlessAccess experience that demonstrates how it enhances federated access

The Chanticleer, 2024-02-01

The editorially independent student produced weekly newspaper of Coastal Carolina University.https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/chanticleer/1726/thumbnail.jp

Teacher Support for Virtual Instruction in the Social Studies Classroom

This research study focuses on providing professional development for teachers using virtual reality in secondary social studies classrooms. Literature surrounding virtual reality for education focuses on the effects of virtual reality on student motivation and engagement. However, there are no current studies available to help instructional coaches or academic leaders provide adequate professional development for their staff on this topic. The purpose of this mixed-methods exploratory case study is to design a professional development founded on best practices in VR and instructional coaching to help support social studies teachers integrate VR in the classroom. Research questions include: 1) How do teachers in the school district currently use VR in the classroom? 2) What relationship exists between self-reported rubric scores and post-survey data as a result of participation in VR coaching cycles? 3) What influence does VR professional development have on future VR implementation? The research participants are middle school social studies teachers in the school district in which I am employed, (N=4). The main phases of this research study include recruitment and consent, preparing the professional development according to the current understandings and needs of participants, coaching cycles, and debriefing. Data collection consists of using a pre and post survey, a focus group interview, a feedback rubric, and individual coaching conversations. Two statistical tests, Spearman’s rho and a paired samples t-test will help determine answers to the research questions along with the qualitative data collected. Although teachers have limited access to VR headsets, teachers are using less immersive formats of VR such as 360 degree videos and Nearpod. Based upon pre-survey data and focus group interview, teachers are excited to learn more about how to use VR in their class. However, they lack the experience in using headsets themselves. Participation in the professional development had a large effect on teachers. Based on coaching conversations, participants wish to implement VR in their lessons more frequently and feel more confident to do so. Spearman’s rho correlation test showed there were no statistically significant correlations between items on the rubric and the post-survey. However, when looking at the paired samples t-test, several statements from the pre and post surveys were statistically significant. The implication of this research is that educational leaders can use this type of professional development as a model to build capacity in teachers to use VR in their classes. Recommendations are made to streamline implementation and support teachers in using VR at the district and school levels. Future studies may consider comparing different models of professional development to further explore best practices in VR instruction

The Influence of Researcher Disturbance on Raccoon Predation of American Alligator Nests

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are a dominant predator of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests in the southeastern United States, using a combination of olfactory, visual, and tactile cues to identify nest locations. Studies on alligator nesting ecology typically require researchers to create paths through marsh habitat, potentially introducing visual and olfactory cues raccoons may use to locate nests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of human visitation to alligator nests on the frequency of raccoon nest predation at two sites in coastal South Carolina, Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (TYWC) and Santee Coastal Reserve (SCR). We hypothesized that human foot traffic associated with nest monitoring increases the frequency of nest predation by raccoons. We observed a non-significant trend toward higher predation of foot-visited nests compared to drone and non-visited nests independent of study site (Mehta and Patel, p=0.261). This trend was similar at both study sites (Mehta and Patel, TYWC p=0.106, SCR p=1). When comparing predation by nest access method (i.e. boat, drone, foot, no-access), there was an overall non-significant trend towards higher predation of foot-visited nests independent of study site (Mehta and Patel, p=0.255). TYWC experienced higher predation of foot-accessed nests (Mehta and Patel, p=0.031) while SCR experienced lower predation of foot-accessed nests (Mehta and Patel, p=1). These results suggest that at sites of long-term nesting research (e.g., TYWC), alternative access methods may be useful in mitigating olfactory or visual cues left by researchers. Post-hoc power analyses, however, indicate low statistical power for our comparisons (Nest Predation by Treatment Group: 33.15%, vs Nest Predation by access method: 29.62% predation). Overall, the results of this study suggest raccoons may use human cues to locate alligator nests; however, replication of the study across multiple seasons to increase sample size would help to further examine this hypothesis

Black Lives Matter and the Effects of a Social Media User’s Connection to Differing Ethnic and Racial Backgrounds

Millions of citizens, including a large number of whites, joined the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the summer of 2020. One of the most important factors that mobilized them toward BLM was the rise of social media. Recognizing the critical importance of social media, the present research explores the link between social media use and citizens’ behavior on the BLM movement in the United States. The focus of the analysis is on the issue of diversity. Because diversity on social networks can expose individuals to more diverse views, one can hypothesize that a higher number of one’s “friends” and followers being from different racial and ethnic backgrounds can lead to higher levels of activism in the BLM movement. In order to test the hypotheses, we conducted a survey in the United States specifically tailored for this study. A statistical analysis on the survey data reveals that diversity in one’s social networks on social media significantly enhances his or her likelihood of participation in the BLM protest. Yet, the significant effect disappears when the samples are limited to white respondents; it is clearly non-white respondents who are driving the significant result of diversity of social networks. This study makes an important contribution to the literature of social movements by dissecting the mechanism through which social media shapes citizens’ relations with BLM. Findings from this study generate critical implications that are essential in understanding dynamics of social movements in modern society

Effects of Urbanization on Eutrophication Parameters in three tidal creeks

Marshes and swashes are vital environments as a controlling barrier between land affected by various pollutants and the ocean. Eutrophication and the effects of this process can be detrimental for the areas experiencing it. I am interested in ways areas that have little contact with human interactions compare to areas that are heavily urbanized, and whether either of these locations is at a higher risk for eutrophication. Using spectrophotometry and fluorometry, I analyzed samples collected from the relatively undeveloped and restricted-access locations of Waities Island Beach and Dunn Sound monthly for dissolved nutrients, and chlorophyll. At the time of sampling, I also measured temperature, salinity and oxygen levels using a handheld device. These data were then compared to data collected from White Point Swash and Singleton Swash located in urbanized areas. Based on previous research done on this topic, the more urbanized locations should be more at risk for eutrophication due to their exposure to fertilizers and pesticides. This study showed that the two urbanized marsh creeks showed similar patterns in eutrophication parameters as the relatively undeveloped Dunn Sound, with largely similar patterns through the study time period. Further data analysis and research is needed to identify the reasons behind similarities and differences in these three marsh creeks

Life on the big screen: seasonal tidal creek habitat use and potential ecological effects of piscivorous fishes

Estuarine systems provide critical habitats for resident species year-round while transient species occupy these habitats seasonally. North Inlet estuary resident species include smaller benthic fishes like the striped blenny Chasmodes bosquianas that are preyed upon by larger piscivorous transient species. Adult male blennies have high fidelity for nest shelters year-round. Their shelter use patterns are easily monitored using underwater video cameras. Transient species habitat use patterns were quantified during winter (8-18°C) and spring (\u3e18°C) 2020. Digital video recorded between sunrise and sunset was analyzed for the presence and absence of blennies and transient fishes. Eight species of transient nekton were present between January and April. Five transient nekton species accounted for 69% of the total observations of non-blenny resident species and transient nekton between January and April. Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosuswas the most abundant species (n= 96 observations) and appeared exclusively in January and February at water temperatures between 8°C and 13°C. Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus were primarily observed in spring. Spotted seatrout observations significantly increased at water temperatures between 8°C and 12.5°C, salinities of 25.1 to 30, and depths less than 2.5 m. Sheepshead abundance significantly increased when water temperature was greater than 18°C. These video results document the trophic relay created when southeastern nekton seasonally use temperate fringing oyster reefs strategically for foraging and structure

Firm-Level Political Risk and the Cash Flow Sensitivity of Cash

We examine the impact of firm-level political risk on the cash flow sensitivity of cash. Using a large sample of U.S. firms from 2003 to 2018, we find that the cash flow sensitivity of cash decreases in political uncertainty and the impact of political risk is asymmetric to cash flow types (positive versus negative). Intensified political uncertainty induces positive/negative cash flow firms to reduce savings out of cash flows to finance investment opportunities/terminate unprofitable projects to retrieve cash. The results are robust to various model specifications, alternative variable definitions, and the control for non-political risks. In addition, we show that a firm’s financial status moderates the relation between the two, with financially constrained positive/negative cash flow firms saving more out of cash flows/decreasing existing savings as firm-level political risk increases. This article was published Open Access through the CCU Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund. The article was first published in The Quarterly Journal of Finance: https://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S201013922450004