Final MA Portfolio

This paper is submitted as the Final Portfolio for the Master of Arts in English degree. Included are three pedagogical papers and one research paper focusing mainly on developmental college composition and integrated reading and writing

Simulations in Inquiry-Based Learning

One of the largest school districts in the southeastern United States is implementing a district-wide rollout of simulation software to supplement traditional direct instruction in the middle school science curriculum. Practically every area of human existence in the industrialized nations has been impacted significantly by technology in the last twenty years ( (Robinson, 2011). The United States Department of Education (USDOE) has challenged the nations school districts to transition to interactive digital textbooks to all students by 2015 (FCC, 2012). In general, students are far more comfortable using computers, smart phones, and texting devices than their parents or teachers (Doyle, 2006). Students are becoming more computer literate, but not necessarily knowledgeable about the content being offered in our schools (Adams, Reid, S., LeMaster, McKagan, Perkins, Dubson, & Wieman, 2008). It is important that educators assess the effectiveness of computer simulations in aiding teachers to raise student achievement (Adams et al., 2008)

Effect of Computer-Aided Instruction on Grades in Middle School Algebra

Computers and targeted software are increasingly common in the middle school algebra classroom, but the efficacy of computer-aided instruction on classroom achievement in middle school algebra remains unclear. Participants were 1452 middle-school algebra students who were seldom, occasionally, or often exposed to the algebra modules of Destination Math, an interactive mathematics software designed to be appropriate for in-school use. Data were collected over three years (2002–04) and included the cooperation of the algebra teachers, who were subsequently interviewed. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, ANCOVA, and multiple regression. Statistically significant effects were localized using pairwise tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Findings were considered statistically significant at p \u3c .05. Students who received the greatest exposure to Destination Math achieved higher first and second semester algebra grades than participant groups who received less treatment, even when parent education, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program status, subsidized lunch status, teacher, and grade in which the student took algebra (7th or 8th) were included as covariates. No significant differences were seen in the California Achievement Test (CAT4SS), a standardized statewide test of general mathematics, possibly because of content validity in that the statewide test was not algebra specific. Multiple regression revealed that parent education, gender, exposure to Destination Math, and GATE program status may be predictive of higher first and second semester grades for middle school students in algebra. Interviews with algebra teachers (n=6) generally revealed support, and suggested that improved performance came from improved compliance, specifically because interactive software captures and holds student attention and thereby increases focused time on task. Increased exposure to Destination Math computer software was associated with increased first and second semester classroom achievement in middle school algebra students. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of developmentally appropriate computer-aided instruction on achievement in the middle school algebra classroom

Perceptions of the Persistent: Engagement and Learning Community in Underrepresented Populations

In an effort to characterize perceptions of learning community and engagement in relation to success for underrepresented populations of online learners at a public institution in southeastern United States, a survey was conducted in Spring 2016. The results of the survey were paired with institutional data to create a baseline engagement and learning community profile for the online student population, which comprised 22% of total enrollments. The subpopulations of interest were: Age, gender, race/ethnicity, disability, Pell grant eligibility, first-generation, and orphan. For all students, a very strong positive relationship was observed between student perceptions of engagement and learning community and student outcomes (grades). This strong and positive relationship was confirmed across the subpopulations, but there were a few noteworthy exceptions:  Hispanic and Black students were more engaged than Whites, but earned lower grades. Younger students and students with disabilities were less engaged than their counterparts, but earned equivalent grades. These patterns corresponded to withdrawal statistics, which revealed a higher percentage of young minority males withdrawing from online courses

Mathematics teachers’ work with resources: four cases of secondary teachers using technology

This study examines teachers’ work with paper-based, technology and social resources with the use of two theoretical frameworks: the Documentational approach and the Knowledge Quartet. The former affords looking at teachers’ resources and resource systems and how these are utilized under schemes of work. The latter affords a closer look at teachers’ work during lessons and at their knowledge-in-action. Specifically, the study investigates how four upper secondary teachers use, re-use and balance their resources by looking at their schemes of work in class, through lesson observations; and, by reflecting on the details of their work and knowledge-in-action in pre- and post-observation interviews. Analysis examines five themes in relation to teachers’ work. First, teachers use students’ contributions as a resource during lessons. Second, teachers connect (or not) different resources. Third, institutional factors, such as examinations requirements and school policy, have impact on teachers’ decisions and on how they balance their resource use. Fourth, when mathematics-education software is used, teacher knowledge of the software comes into play. Fifth, there is ambiguity in the identification of contingency moments, particularly regarding whether these moments were anticipated (or not) or provoked by the teacher. These five themes also suggest theoretical findings. In relation to the Knowledge Quartet, the findings indicate the potency of adding a few new codes or extending existing codes. This is especially pertinent in the context of teaching upper secondary mathematics with technology resources. In relation to the Documentational approach, this study introduces two constructs: scheme-in-action and re-scheming. A scheme-in-action is the scheme followed in class and documented from the classroom. Re-scheming is scheming again or differently from one lesson to another. Finally, the study discusses implications for practice and proposes the use of key incidents extracted from classroom observations towards the development of teacher education resources (e.g. for the MathTASK programme)

Getting Online With Generation Z: Learning Approaches

This e-Delphi study explored learning approaches, as defined by Generation Z (Gen Z) learners, in online academic settings and nonacademic settings. It also considered differences between the two panels (38 participants in each panel, representing 39 states) of learners (Academic and Nonacademic) and compared current literature-supported best practices to the learning approaches generated by participants in this study. The Academic panel participants reached consensus on six of the 56 learning approaches: (a) completing course material; (b) rely on self; (c) projects that I can choose what to do and learn material by myself; (d) search Internet; (e) ask expert; and (f) work/discuss with others in class. Additionally, two themes emerged: (1) Guidance with subthemes (a) clear expectations and (b) ask to get a response and (2) Reliance on Self. Thematic analysis of the Academic panel participant data identified two themes: (1) Guidance with subthemes (a) clear expectations and (b) ask to get a response and (2) Reliance on Self. The Nonacademic panel participants reached consensus on 10 of the 37 learning approaches: (a) search online; (b) search for online resources, which are detailed; (c) very detailed, written instructions; (d) try to learn a new skill by self; (e) projects that I can choose what to do and learn material by self; (f) visual examples of finished projects; (g) videos that show me how to do the project; (h) ask expert; (i) ask in social media group; and (j) watch video. Thematic analysis of the Nonacademic panel participant data identified two themes (1) Recommendations and (2) Search Online. The driving learning approach for the Academic panel participants was identified as seeking a guide, while the Nonacademic panel participants sought recommendations to aid them in the learning process. This study added to the limited literature on Gen Z, and offered suggestions for educators to enhance Gen Z learning experiences. Key words: Generation Z, Gen Z, learning approaches, online learning, deep learning, deep learning for transfer/application outcomes, higher education, pedagogical practices, The Delphi method

Open Pedagogy Approaches: Faculty, Library, and Student Collaborations

Open Pedagogy Approaches: Faculty, Library, and Student Collaborations is a collection of case studies from higher education institutions across the United States. An open educational resource (OER) in its own right, it offers a diverse compilation of OER and open pedagogy projects grounded in faculty, library, and student collaborations. Open Pedagogy Approaches provides ideas, practical tips, and inspiration for educators willing to explore the power of open, whether that involves a small innovation or a large-scale initiative. Particularly during this pandemic, as libraries struggle against publisher limitations to offer traditional print texts in e-format, libraries are a natural partner in the creation and facilitation of open educational resources and practices. “Going open” offers innovative alternatives that can equitably shift the culture of student access and empowerment in learning. List of chapters: Editor\u27s Preface / Alexis Clifton Foreword / Robin DeRosa Introduction / Kimberly Davies Hoffman, Robert Berkman, Deborah Rossen-Knill, Kristen Totleben, Eileen Daly-Boas, Alexis Clifton, Moriana Garcia, Lev Earle, and Joe Easterly Evolving into the Open: A Framework for Collaborative Design of Renewable Assignments / Stacy Katz and Jennifer Van Allen Informed Open Pedagogy and Information Literacy Instruction in Student-Authored Open Projects / Cynthia Mari Orozco Approaching Open Pedagogy in Community and Collaboration / Caroline Sinkinson and Amanda McAndrew Open Pedagogy Big and Small: Comparing Open Pedagogy Efforts in Large and Small Higher Education Settings / Shanna Hollich and Jacob Moore Adapting Open Educational Course Materials in Undergraduate General Psychology: A Faculty-Librarian-Student Partnership / Dennis E. Schell, Dorinne E. Banks, and Neringa Liutkaite Reading British Modernist Texts: A Case in Open Pedagogy / Mantra Roy, Joe Easterly, and Bette London Humanities in the Open: The Challenges of Creating an Open Literature Anthology / Christian Beck, Lily J. Dubach, Sarah A. Norris, and John Venecek A 2-for-1 Deal: Earn Your AA While Learning About Information Literacy Using OER / Mary Lee Cunill, Sheri Brown, and Tia Esposito Mathematics Courses and the Ohio Open Ed Collaborative: Collaborative Course Content Building for Statewide Use / Daniel Dotson, Anna Davis, Amanda L. Folk, Shanna Jaggars, Marcos D. Rivera, and Kaity Prieto Library Support for Scaffolding OER-enabled Pedagogy in a General Education Science Course / Lindsey Gumb and Heather Miceli Sharing the End of the World: Students’ Perceptions of Their Self-Efficacy in the Creation of Open Access Digital Learning Objects / Sarah Hutton, Lisa Di Valentino, and Paul Musgrave Teaching Wikipedia: A Model for Critical Engagement with Open Information / Amanda Koziura, Jennifer M. Starkey, and Einav Rabinovitch-Fox “And Still We Rise”: Open Pedagogy and Black History at a Rural Comprehensive State College / Joshua F. Beatty, Timothy C. Hartnett, Debra Kimok, and John McMahon Building a Collection of Openly Licensed Student-Developed Videos / Ashley Shea Whose History?: Expanding Place-Based Initiatives Through Open Collaboration / Sean D. Visintainer, Stephanie Anckle, and Kristen Weischedel Scholarly Bridges: SciComm Skill-Building with Student-Created Open Educational Resources / Carrie Baldwin-SoRelle and Jennifer M. Swann Harnessing the Power of Student-Created Content: Faculty and Librarians Collaborating in the Open Educational Environment / Bryan James McGeary, Ashwini Ganeshan, and Christopher S. Guder Open Pedagogical Practices to Train Undergraduates in the Research Process: A Case Study in Course Design and Co-Teaching Strategies / Stephanie N. Lewis, Anne M. Brown, and Amanda B. MacDonald Open Pedagogical Design for Graduate Student Internships, A New Collaborative Model / Laurie N. Taylor and Brian Keith Adventures in a Connectivist MOOC on Open Learning / Susan J. Erickson Invitation to Innovation: Transforming the Argument-Based Research Paper to Multimodal Project / Denise G. Malloy and Sarah Siddiqui “What If We Were To Go?”: Undergraduates Simulate the Building of an NGO From Theory To Practice / Kimberly Davies Hoffman, Rose-Marie Chierici, and Amanda Spencehttps://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/geneseo-authors/1010/thumbnail.jp

The art and architecture of mathematics education: a study in metaphors

This chapter presents the summary of a talk given at the Eighth European Summer University, held in Oslo in 2018. It attempts to show how art, literature, and history, can paint images of mathematics that are not only useful but relevant to learners as they can support their personal development as well as their appreciation of mathematics as a discipline. To achieve this goal, several metaphors about and of mathematics are explored

Stakeholders\u27 voices : A socio-cultural approach to describing and extending an understanding of primary education in Mauritius

This study describes and expands an understanding of primary education in one developing country, Mauritius. The need for the study was argued from a review of literature which brought to notice the lack of social action perspectives in analysis of education in and about developing countries and the necessity and importance of knowing about the reality of schooling in developing countries. The research was conceptualised as a socio-cultural approach. It gave analytical priority to the actions, experiences and perceptions of teachers, pupils, parents and educationists in order to create an account of what Mauritian education was like and meant to individuals involved in or closely associated with Mauritian primary educational processes and functionings. The research was conceptualised on the premise that, as a social construction, Mauritian primary education was to be understood in its social milieu but also was located and had to be understood in the broader context of national and global circumstances, influences and pressures. The research can be taken as an attempt to integrate micro and macro levels of analysis. Data was collected in Mauritius over a period of four months, for the most part in two primary schools and also in participants\u27 places of work and homes and methods were triangulated to ensure validity. They comprised: (a) observation to describe people and educational settings and to document school routines and processes; (b) in-depth interviews to elicit participants\u27 constructs and document the issues and priorities they brought to their understanding of Mauritian primary education and; (c) stories and drawings to elicit pupils\u27 own views. Data analysis has been emergent and inductive and the research findings were presented through diverse instrumental short case studies. The findings of the study showed that Mauritian primary education was construed by participant stakeholders as a means to an end, a credential enabling the achievement of a cultural aspiration for individual social upgrading and to succeed at an examination Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) which put pupils in competition to rank for a restricted number of \u27good\u27 secondary colleges. The findings highlighted teacher-centered instructional methods, the valuing of encyclopedic knowledge, hard work and uniformity and the practices of \u27ability privileging\u27 and \u27differential treatment\u27 of pupils as prominent characteristics of Mauritian primary education. They also revealed a polarisation between the \u27official\u27 intent of Mauritian primary education and their realisation at school level with regard to educational opportunity and the degree to which Mauritian primary education promoted and provided the appropriate attitudes, skills and knowledge for individuals and for the social and economic good of the nation. The study concluded asserting that the research exemplified a conceptual and theoretical approach that may be replicated for collecting rich micro data, useful for pursuing a quality agenda for basic education in developing countries. The study has provided an illustration of the interactions between context, educational processes and the ways in which primary education was experienced by participant stakeholders. It has also located Mauritian primary education within the framework of international educational ideals and principles. In doing so, the study has served to remind that one way of looking at education is to see it as a developmental undertaking that should serve childrens\u27 immediate as well as future interests and has brought to light foundational and detailed information about Mauritian educational processes that could be useful for educational change trying to achieve a developmental objective in Mauritius