Teaching Students Effective Learning Strategies

Much research has focused on the effect of learning strategies such as completing practice testing and highlighting. Previous research has found that practice tests and distributed practice are the most effective while elaborate interrogative, self-explanation, and interleaved practice are moderately effective (Dunlosky et al., 2013). Other common strategies, such as summarization, are found to be ineffective. Many college students use these ineffective learning strategies, and it is therefore important to teach students to use good learning strategies. The current study compared a video-based teaching method on effective learning strategies versus a text-based method. Undergraduate students (n=109) were taught effective learning strategies via video or text instructions. Our results indicated that a text-based instruction method was more effective in conveying learning strategy information. Students’ enhanced understanding of learning strategies, however, did not translate into behavior—students still elected to utilize less-effective learning strategies likely because they required less effort. Implications for pedagogical practices are described in the discussion section

Literature Genre Effects on Memory and Influence

The current study examines the effect of text genre on students\u27 learning and level of persuasion. Findings from the current study have relevant implications for pedagogical practices in critical reading and learning.https://encompass.eku.edu/pedagogicon_postergallery/1003/thumbnail.jp

Literature Genre Effects on Memory and Influence

Superstructures are text structure relations commonly found in specific types of text such as narrative texts. Superstructures are important from a pedagogical standpoint because learners’ comprehension can be improved when they are taught about superstructures (Baumann & Bergeron, 1993; Calfee & Patrick, 1995; Dymock, 2005). The current study examined three types of texts with distinct superstructures—narrative, expository, and procedural. Undergraduate student participants (n=200) were randomly assigned to read a text that was written in the form of a narrative, expository, or procedural superstructure text. After reading, participants were asked to recall information from the text and rated their compliance level to the instructions provided in the text. Our results indicated a significant recall difference between narrative and expository superstructure texts. Future directions and implications are described in the discussion section

Leader Distance of Extension Specialists as Experienced During the Beef Cattle Short Course

This study sought to explore the concept of leader distance related to extension specialists as experienced at the 2013 Texas A&M AgriLife Beef Cattle Short Course. Participants’ perception of distance between themselves and extension specialists could affect their satisfaction with the instructors and the program overall. The perception of distance between participants and specialists was explored through evaluation of the Beef Cattle Short Course via quantitative survey data and qualitative interview data. Evaluations for the Beef Cattle Short Course included two measures of perceived distance. Participants perceive low levels of distance between themselves and specialists. The measure of distance relating to the availability of the specialists was not significantly correlated to the customer satisfaction rating of the instructors and of the Beef Cattle Short Course overall. The measure of distance relating to the approachability of the specialists was significantly correlated (p < .01) to the customer satisfaction rating of the instructors and to overall customer satisfaction with the Beef Cattle Short Course. Qualitative interviews with six of the beef cattle extension specialists who present at the Beef Cattle Short Course revealed a low level of distance between themselves and participants. Specialists intentionally create low levels of distance by being physically available and relating to participants with shared experience and shared language

The Evolution of Protoplanetary Disks: Probing the Inner Disk of Very Low Accretors

We report FUV, optical, and NIR observations of three T Tauri stars in the Orion OB1b subassociation with H$\alpha$ equivalent widths consistent with low or absent accretion and various degrees of excess flux in the mid-infrared. We aim to search for evidence of gas in the inner disk in HST ACS/SBC spectra, and to probe the accretion flows onto the star using H$\alpha$ and He I $\lambda$10830 in spectra obtained at the Magellan and SOAR telescopes. At the critical age of 5 Myr, the targets are at different stages of disk evolution. One of our targets is clearly accreting, as shown by redshifted absorption at free-fall velocities in the He I line and wide wings in H$\alpha$; however, a marginal detection of FUV H$_2$ suggests that little gas is present in the inner disk, although the spectral energy distribution indicates that small dust still remains close to the star. Another target is surrounded by a transitional disk, with an inner cavity in which little sub-micron dust remains. Still, the inner disk shows substantial amounts of gas, accreting onto the star at a probably low, but uncertain rate. The third target lacks both a He I line or FUV emission, consistent with no accretion or inner gas disk; its very weak IR excess is consistent with a debris disk. Different processes occurring in targets with ages close to the disk dispersal time suggest that the end of accretion phase is reached in diverse ways.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Defending your competency model: Sit back, relax and get comfortable

While commonly used in practice, some researchers have objected that competency models are not rigorously developed. The current study examines the utilization of development methods and the influence on the level of comfort with legally defending the competency model. Results indicated practitioners were more comfortable legally defending a model that was developed through SME interviews

Design of Online Lecture Videos by Non-Native English Speaking (NNES) Instructors to Promote Critical Learning

The current study seeks to investigate the effects of instructor presence in online lecture videos, focusing on non-native-English-speaking (NNES) instructors. NNES instructors should consider higher video presence during teaching to promote students\u27 learning outcomes.https://encompass.eku.edu/pedagogicon_postergallery/1005/thumbnail.jp

The DDO IVC Distance Project: Survey Description and the Distance to G139.6+47.6

We present a detailed analysis of the distance determination for one intermediate Velocity Cloud (IVC G139.6+47.6) from the ongoing DDO IVC Distance Project. Stars along the line of sight to G139.6+47.6 are examined for the presence of sodium absorption attributable to the cloud, and the distance bracket is established by astrometric and spectroscopic parallax measurements of demonstrated foreground and background stars. We detail our strategy regarding target selection, observational setup, and analysis of the data, including a discussion of wavelength calibration and sky subtraction uncertainties. We find a distance estimate of 129 (+/- 10) pc for the lower limit and 257 (+211-33) pc for the upper limit. Given the high number of stars showing absorption due to this IVC, we also discuss the small-scale covering factor of the cloud and the likely significance of non-detections for subsequent observations of this and other similar IVC's. Distance measurements of the remaining targets in the DDO IVC project will be detailed in a companion paper.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, LaTe

Perceived Stress Levels May Impact Upper Extremity Function Among Women Treated for Breast Cancer

Purpose/Hypothesis: Women treated for breast cancer report ongoing upper extremity disability with functional limitations; however, objective measures do not appear to explain the extent of perceived dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived stress level, fear of physical activity, self-reported upper extremity function, and objective measures of upper extremity function including range of motion (ROM), strength, and muscular endurance, among women treated for breast cancer. Number of Subjects: 25 Materials/Methods: Women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer in the past 12-60 months were evaluated using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Fear of Physical Activity/Exercise Scale - Breast Cancer (FPAX-B), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Breast Cancer (FACT-B). Bilateral arm flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation ROM and strength were measured with a digital inclinometer and a hand held dynamometer fixed to a stationary device. Bilateral arm muscle endurance was measured using the Upper Limb Lift Test. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and relationships between the PSS, FPAX-B, FACT-B and the DASH and objective measures were analyzed with Pearson’s r. Results: The mean age of participants was 52 (range 31-68), with a mean BMI of 28.07 (SD= 6.6). The mean ROM of shoulder flexion was ≥147°, ER ≥85°, and IR ≥70°. The PSS, FPAX-B, and FACT-B were significantly correlated (p=0.000) with the DASH (r= -.739; r= -.717 and r= .779 respectively). No significant correlation was found between any of the self-reported measures and the objective ROM, strength, or muscular endurance measures. Conclusions: The experience of stress and fear of physical activity appear to result in lower levels of self-reported upper extremity function despite adequate motion, strength, and muscular endurance. Perceived stress and other cognitive constructs may explain the apparent difference between objective and perceived measures of function currently observed in this population. Further exploration into the cognitive and psychological effect of a breast cancer diagnosis and the associated impact on self-perceived function is warranted. Clinical Relevance: Investigating the impact of stress and fear of physical activity on self-perceived upper extremity function in women treated for breast cancer may help clinicians identify and address barriers to recovery for this population

Self-Reported Arm Function Is Associated with Stress and Fear of Physical Activity among Women Treated for Breast Cancer

Background: Self-reported upper extremity function and objective measures are not strongly associated with each other in women treated for breast cancer (BC). It is not known if the lack of relationship between self-reported upper extremity function and objective measurements may be influenced by perceived levels of stress and fear of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between self-reported upper extremity function and the following: perceived stress levels (PS), fear of physical activity (FPA), health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and objective measures of upper extremity function among women treated for BC. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 23 women diagnosed with breast cancer 12-60 months prior to data collection. Self-reported upper extremity function, PS, HRQOL and FPA were assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B), and Fear of Physical Activity and Exercise for Breast Cancer (FPAX-B), respectively. Objective shoulder measures included range of motion (ROM), strength, and muscular endurance. Results: The DASH was significantly correlated (p\u3c0.001) with the FACT-B, PSS, and FPAX-B (r=-0.863; r= -0.733; r= -0.709 respectively). No significant correlation was found between the DASH and objective measures except non-dominant shoulder endurance (p\u3c0.05, r=-0.432). Conclusions: There is a significant relationship between the self-reported arm function, PS, HRQOL and FPA among women treated for BC. Further research should be done to understand the role that PS and FPA have on the perceived level of upper extremity function that women treated for BC report