Spectral Embedding Norm: Looking Deep into the Spectrum of the Graph Laplacian

The extraction of clusters from a dataset which includes multiple clusters and a significant background component is a non-trivial task of practical importance. In image analysis this manifests for example in anomaly detection and target detection. The traditional spectral clustering algorithm, which relies on the leading $K$ eigenvectors to detect $K$ clusters, fails in such cases. In this paper we propose the {\it spectral embedding norm} which sums the squared values of the first $I$ normalized eigenvectors, where $I$ can be significantly larger than $K$. We prove that this quantity can be used to separate clusters from the background in unbalanced settings, including extreme cases such as outlier detection. The performance of the algorithm is not sensitive to the choice of $I$, and we demonstrate its application on synthetic and real-world remote sensing and neuroimaging datasets

Fighting the Formula: Adherence to Unspoken Rules Limit the Value of Individual Events

Forensics is one of the most valuable activities in which college students can be involved. However, the strict adherence to formula and unspoken rules diminishes the educational benefits. This article explores an extensive body of literature highlighting the concerns of formulaic practices in collegiate forensics. The author asserts that authenticity, genuine learning, transferability of skills, innovation, and high quality speaking are the biggest victims of stringent adherence to the forensic formula. Specific recommendations for competitors, judges, coaches, and organizing bodies are given, suggesting that there are alternatives which can mitigate growing concerns

Enacting Compassion: Enactment and the Theory of Image Restoration in Monica Lewinsky\u27s TED Talk, The Price of Shame

Cyberbullying is an ever-growing concern, and its effects are not escaping the public eye. Monica Lewinsky spoke at TED Vancouver in 2015 about the effects of cyberbullying and suggested a change in the cultural attitude online toward one of compassion. This paper argues that components of William Benoit’s Theory of Image Restoration (TIR) are relevant to understanding Lewinsky’s speech, but principles of enactment (Daughton, 1989) are more salient to her message and achievement of her mission. In light of the complexity of Lewinsky’s story, the author explores an expansion of TIR labeled image renovation that adds variance to the function of TIR strategies

An investigation of the relationships between technology use and teachers\u27 self-efficacy, knowledge and experience

Dramatic changes have occurred in the area of technology development and society\u27s use of technology in daily life and the workplace. Yet in many classrooms, technology integration remains a significant challenge for educators, creating a digital disconnect that threatens to handicap students as they graduate and compete for jobs in the 21st century. The purpose of this study was to examine whether teacher self-efficacy, teacher knowledge, and teaching experience influence levels of technology integration in the classroom. The research question asked was: How well do measures of self-efficacy, teacher knowledge and teaching experience predict teachers\u27 scores on a state measure of classroom technology use? More specifically: 1. What is the relationship among self-reported teachers\u27 self-efficacy, teacher knowledge, and teaching experience? 2. How well do they predict technology integration? Based on the existing literature on the topic of teacher integration of technology into classroom instruction, the study hypothesized that these factors would play a significant role in predicting technology use. Research was conducted using four knowledge subscales in the form of surveys to quantify the existence and extent of these relationships. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a correlational matrix, and hierarchical regression. There were 44 usable surveys (N=44). This study yielded mixed results. While technology knowledge was proven to be a significant predictor of overall technology proficiency, teacher self-efficacy and teaching experience were not. Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) variables were consistently a statistically significant predictor of all three dependent variables (Using Technology in the Classroom, Using Technology to Support Learning, and Overall Proficiency). The higher the teachers\u27 TPACK scores, the more technology use and proficiency they reported. The outcome of this research suggests avenues for teacher education programs, professional developers and administrators. Giving administrators, professional developers, and teacher education programs a better understanding of some of the factors that impact effective use of technology in the classroom may give them a better chance at equipping educators to take advantage of the technological tools available in the 21st century

Fighting the Formula: Adherence to Unspoken Rules Limit the Value of Individual Events

Forensics is one of the most valuable activities in which college students can be involved. However, the strict adherence to formula and unspoken rules diminishes the educational benefits. This article explores an extensive body of literature highlighting the concerns of formulaic practices in collegiate forensics. The author asserts that authenticity, genuine learning, transferability of skills, innovation, and high quality speaking are the biggest victims of stringent adherence to the forensic formula. Specific recommendations for competitors, judges, coaches, and organizing bodies are given, suggesting that there are alternatives which can mitigate growing concerns