The ongoing faculty development system: A case study exploring content methods teacher education faculty technological, pedagogical, content knowledge development

Society has changed from manufacturing to information-based, resulting in an emphasis in different knowledge and skills. When entering the profession, new teachers will be expected prepare learners for key 21st century skills using digital technologies. At a time when near technological ubiquity exists, development of these skills using digital tools has become an expectation. As teacher education programs have responded to the demands for more new teachers that can leverage technologies to develop 21st century skills, much of this preparation has occurred in instructional technology focused courses. However, in recent years attention has shifted to developing these skills in content methods courses, which have the potential to more deeply contextualize the use of digital technologies within individual disciplines. As faculty have requested more faculty development support, often decontextualized technology-focused workshops have been the misguided response. This has resulted in faculty disenchantment with development offerings due to a lack of applicability within their courses. The purpose of this study was to explore a different approach to faculty development grounded in Technological, Pedagogical, Content Knowledge (TPACK), social constructivism, adult learning theory, and systems theory. An embedded mixed method exploratory case study was used to examine a cohort- and design- based faculty development experience, how faculty implemented TPACK-based instruction, and changes to faculty and preservice teacher TPACK. Data was collected using faculty interviews, participant observation, and a candidate survey and was analyzed using Grounded Theory and Constant Comparison, as well as descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated the emergence of an ongoing faculty development system where faculty progressed through the entire instructional design process while engaging in development activities throughout the study. Key themes identified were the differences faculty described between “one shot” and ongoing faculty development, as well as the value of faculty developer support as being both personalized and dispositional in nature, allowing for more faculty comfort and risk taking. There were also increases in faculty TPACK, as well as statistically significant increases in some candidate TPACK domains. Given the ongoing nature of faculty development that emerged in this study, attention is given to the implications of this phenomenon within higher education

A phenomenological exploration of the role of digital technology and media in children’s subjective well-being

This phenomenological study examined children’s subjective well-being (N = 22) in rural and urban areas of the Midwestern United States, as part of a larger multinational comparative qualitative study of children\u27s well-being. Children (8 to 12 years old) completed an extended, semi-structured qualitative interview and mapping exercise that prompted them to draw and describe the scope, aspects of, and influences on their subjective well-being. Phenomenological analyses of children’s responses were conducted to identify aspects of their contexts, including their use of digital technology and media (DTM), that were linked to children’s subjective well-being. Two main themes emerged; 1) children reported that DTM is not essential to their well-being but 2) DTM is important to their well-being. Six sub-themes emerged under the DTM is important theme. Children reported that DTM is rewarding and valuable to them, and it contributes to their life satisfaction. They also reported that DTM use enhances their connections to others, self-acceptance, autonomy, and competence and skills. Results are discussed in regards to children’s self-identified hedonic and eudaimonic aspects of their well-being, and are placed within a contextual framework of child well-being. Implications, strengths, and weaknesses of the study are discussed

It’s fun!” Using students’ voices to understand the impact of school digital technology integration on their well-being

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to better understand children’s perception of their school-based educational technology use and its role in their well-being. Children (N = 23) from the Midwestern U.S. completed an interview and mapping exercise focused on the contexts and factors that impact their well-being, including schools and teachers. Phenomenological analyses of interview transcripts focused on children’s perceptions of 1) school educational technology use, and 2) the impact of school educational technology use on their well-being. Children described a variety of school educational technology experiences, which they perceived as having both positive and negative effects on their well-being. Findings are discussed in the context of the historical challenges to school educational technology integration and children’s well-being

Developing a Mobile Reduced Gravity Simulator

Master of ScienceDepartment of Mechanical & Nuclear EngineeringDale SchinstockThis thesis describes the design, development, and initial testing of the Mobile Reduced Gravity Simulator (MoRGS). MoRGS is a hoist with active force control, to be used in terrestrial environments with human test subjects for the simulation of partial gravity or zero gravity environments. It is to be used with the subject performing activities while being harnessed to the hoist. The following work here describes the mechanical design, structural and dynamic analyses, simulations used to aid in the control design and component selection, the development of unique control algorithms tailored to the objectives and uncommon dynamics of MoRGS, and initial testing performed without the use of human subjects. Major components of the MoRGS system include: AC servo motor, gearbox, custom-designed drum, pneumatic muscle, load cell, and a microprocessor. The system is designed to track the motion of the test subject over several meters of vertical travel at speeds of up to 2 Gs of acceleration. This allows for high performance during subject’s physical tests, including running on a treadmill and a climbing ladder. It is capable of offloading 50 lb. to 600 lb. and the level of desired reduced gravity is programmable. Results from testing of the system demonstrate that MoRGS system achieves its goals. It performs well, and the sensitivity of the force controller enables it to compensate for the most minute human motion disturbance

School climate, emotions, and relationships : children’s experiences of well-being in the Midwestern U.S.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore children’s perceptions of school relationships, and the ways in which those relationships supported or undermined children’s emotional well-being (EWB). This sub-study of a multinational comparative investigation of children’s well-being followed a semi-structured qualitative interview protocol. Rural and urban children (age 8 to 13, N = 23) from the Midwestern U.S. completed the interview and mapping exercise used to explore aspects of and influences on their subjective well-being (including school). Phenomenological analyses of interview transcripts focused on 1) the essence of children’s EWB (including emotional valence and arousal) within the context of school relationships and 2) children’s perception of the impact of school relationships on their EWB. A seasonal metaphor captured the essence of children’s experiences of EWB, which naturally clustered into four themes based on emotional intensity and valance: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Children’s emotional experiences with teachers and peers were similarly represented in the themes, with the exception of winter emotions, which diverged. Children expressed complex, multilayered emotions within the school setting that were connected to the quality of school relationships. Findings are discussed in the context of improving school relationships and climate to support children’s EWB.peer-reviewe

The auditory region of Artiodactyla : phylogenetical and ecological signal

La mise en évidence par la biologie moléculaire et par les données paléontologiques de l'appartenance des cétacés au groupe des artiodactyles constitue une des avancées majeures de ces 30 dernières années en mammalogie. Il n'y a cependant pas à l'heure actuelle de consensus quant aux relations phylogénétiques basales des artiodactyles fondées sur des caractères morphologiques et l'histoire évolutive du groupe est de fait, ponctuée de nombreux points d'interrogation. Cette thèse explore une source de caractères phylogénétiques prometteuse : la région auditive (os pétreux, bulle auditive, osselets de l'oreille moyenne, oreille interne) à partir notamment des nouvelles perspectives offertes par l'imagerie µCT Scan. Les principaux objectifs de cette thèse sont (1) de déterminer le signal phylogénétique porté par la région auditive chez les artiodactyles afin d’apporter une nouvelle source de caractères aux analyses et (2) d’explorer le signal écologique porté par les différents éléments de cette région sensorielle dédiée à l’audition (oreille externe, moyenne et canal cochléaire du labyrinthe osseux) et à l’équilibrioception (vestibule et canaux semi-circulaires du labyrinthe osseux). La première partie de cette thèse (I) nous emmène au Togo, où de nombreux restes inédits de la région auditive de « baleines à pattes » (Protocetidae Stromer, 1908) ont été récoltés. D’un point de vu anatomique, ces restes fossiles ont permis de documenter et de décrire pour la première fois le stapes, l’incus et le labyrinthe osseux d’un protocète ; des éléments indispensables pour comprendre leur audition. L’analyse morpho-fonctionnelle indique qu’une audition optimale était probablement possible dans l’air et dans l’eau pour ces cétacés semi-aquatiques. De plus, la morphologie de leur cochlée indique que leur capacité auditive était proche de celle de leurs cousins terrestres et que les spécialisations relatives aux capacités auditives remarquables des cétacés modernes (i.e. sensibilité aux infra- ou ultrasons) se sont opérées après la séparation historique entre les mysticètes et les odontocètes.La deuxième partie de ce travail (II) se concentre sur les origines de l’amphibiose au sein des Cetancodonta, à travers l’étude de plusieurs familles fossiles, connues pour leurs liens étroits au milieu aquatique. L’étude de la région auditive des hippopotamoïdes (Anthracotheriidae + Hippopotamidae), révèle que l’adaptation à un mode de vie semi-aquatique est apparue plusieurs fois, de façon convergente, dans son histoire évolutive et semble d’ailleurs indiquer une origine terrestre pour ce groupe. Quant au raoellidé Indohyus, son complexe pétro-tympanique présente une combinaison de caractères suggérant un certain degré d’adaptation au milieu aquatique, mais l’étude fonctionnelle de sa cochlée indique que ce taxon ne pouvait très probablement pas entendre de façon efficace sous l’eau. Pour finir, le dernier point de cette thèse explore également le potentiel phylogénétique de la région auditive à travers une analyse construite sur des caractères morphologiques du pétreux et du labyrinthe osseux à l’échelle des artiodactyles. Pour la première fois, les résultats de notre analyse concordent avec ceux des analyses moléculaires. Parmi les points les plus notables, le clade des Cetancodonta est bien soutenu par la morphologie du pétreux et la position d’Indohyus suggère fortement que les raoellidés sont des cétacés.Ainsi, la région auditive s’avère être un élément essentiel d’un point de vu phylogénétique et morphofonctionnel. En effet, comme nous avons pu le voir tout au long de cette thèse, lorsque la nature complexe et variée de la région auditive est appréhendée dans son ensemble, elle permet d’inférer l’écologie d’un taxon donné et d’en apprendre davantage sur ses relations de parenté. Par conséquent, la région auditive est encore loin d’avoir dit ses derniers mots... et nous n’avons pas encore fini d’en entendre parler.The discovery by both molecular biology and palaeontological data that cetaceans are artiodactyls constitutes one of the major breakthroughs in mammal’s evolutionary history of the past 30 years. However, no consensus has yet been reached regarding the basal relationship within the enlarged Artiodactyla clade and major questions of its evolutionary history remain to be solved. This thesis explores a promising source of phylogenetic characters: the auditory region (petrosal bone, tympanic bulla, middle ear ossicles, inner ear) from the new perspectives offered by µCT Scan imaging.The main objectives of this thesis are (1) to determine the phylogenetic signal carried by the auditory region in artiodactyls in order to provide a new source of characters to the analyses and (2) to explore the ecological signal carried by the different elements of this sensory region dedicated to hearing (outer ear, middle ear and cochlear canal of the bonny labyrinth) and to equilibrioception (vestibule and semicircular canals of the bony labyrinth).The first part of this thesis (I) brings us to Togo, where many fossil remains of the auditory region of ancient “legged whales” (Protocetida Stromer 1908) have been collected. From an anatomical viewpoint, these fossil remains document a nearly complete petrotympanic complex and allowed us to describe for the first time, the stapes, incus and bony labyrinth of a protocetid whale, which are crucial elements to understand their hearing. Morphofunctional analysis indicates that optimal hearing was probably possible both in air and underwater for these semi-aquatic whales. In addition, the morphology of their cochlea indicates that their hearing ability was close to that of their terrestrial kin and that the specializations related to the remarkable hearing abilities of modern cetaceans (i.e. sensitivity to infra- or ultrasound) occurred after the historical separation between mysticetes and odontocetes.The second part of this work (II) focuses on the origins of amphibiosis in Cetancodonta, through the study of several fossil families, known for their potamophilous tendencies. The study of the auditory region of hippopotamoids (Anthracotheriidae + Hippopotamidae) reveals that adaptation to a semi-aquatic lifestyle has emerged several times (i.e. in a convergent way) in its evolutionary history and seems to indicate a terrestrial origin for this group. As for the raoellid Indohyus, its petro-tympanic complex presents a combination of features suggesting some degree of adaptation to the aquatic environment, but the functional study of its cochlea indicates that this taxon probably could not hear efficiently underwater.The last point of this thesis explores the phylogenetic potential of the auditory region through an analysis built upon morphological characters of the petrosal and bony labyrinth at Artiodactyla scale. For the first time, the results of our analysis are consistent with that of molecular analyses. Among the most notable points, the Cetancodonta clade is well supported by the morphology of the petrosal and Indohyus’ position strongly suggests that raoellids are cetaceans.Thus, the auditory region turns out to be an essential element from a phylogenetic and morphofunctional viewpoint. Indeed, as we have seen throughout this thesis, when the complex and multifaceted nature of the auditory region is apprehended as a whole, it allows to infer the ecology of a given taxon and to clarify its phylogenetic relationships. Thus, the auditory region is still far from having said its last words… and we are not done hearing about it yet

Région auditive des Artiodactyles : signal phylogénétique et écologique

The discovery by both molecular biology and palaeontological data that cetaceans are artiodactyls constitutes one of the major breakthroughs in mammal’s evolutionary history of the past 30 years. However, no consensus has yet been reached regarding the basal relationship within the enlarged Artiodactyla clade and major questions of its evolutionary history remain to be solved. This thesis explores a promising source of phylogenetic characters: the auditory region (petrosal bone, tympanic bulla, middle ear ossicles, inner ear) from the new perspectives offered by µCT Scan imaging.The main objectives of this thesis are (1) to determine the phylogenetic signal carried by the auditory region in artiodactyls in order to provide a new source of characters to the analyses and (2) to explore the ecological signal carried by the different elements of this sensory region dedicated to hearing (outer ear, middle ear and cochlear canal of the bonny labyrinth) and to equilibrioception (vestibule and semicircular canals of the bony labyrinth).The first part of this thesis (I) brings us to Togo, where many fossil remains of the auditory region of ancient “legged whales” (Protocetida Stromer 1908) have been collected. From an anatomical viewpoint, these fossil remains document a nearly complete petrotympanic complex and allowed us to describe for the first time, the stapes, incus and bony labyrinth of a protocetid whale, which are crucial elements to understand their hearing. Morphofunctional analysis indicates that optimal hearing was probably possible both in air and underwater for these semi-aquatic whales. In addition, the morphology of their cochlea indicates that their hearing ability was close to that of their terrestrial kin and that the specializations related to the remarkable hearing abilities of modern cetaceans (i.e. sensitivity to infra- or ultrasound) occurred after the historical separation between mysticetes and odontocetes.The second part of this work (II) focuses on the origins of amphibiosis in Cetancodonta, through the study of several fossil families, known for their potamophilous tendencies. The study of the auditory region of hippopotamoids (Anthracotheriidae + Hippopotamidae) reveals that adaptation to a semi-aquatic lifestyle has emerged several times (i.e. in a convergent way) in its evolutionary history and seems to indicate a terrestrial origin for this group. As for the raoellid Indohyus, its petro-tympanic complex presents a combination of features suggesting some degree of adaptation to the aquatic environment, but the functional study of its cochlea indicates that this taxon probably could not hear efficiently underwater.The last point of this thesis explores the phylogenetic potential of the auditory region through an analysis built upon morphological characters of the petrosal and bony labyrinth at Artiodactyla scale. For the first time, the results of our analysis are consistent with that of molecular analyses. Among the most notable points, the Cetancodonta clade is well supported by the morphology of the petrosal and Indohyus’ position strongly suggests that raoellids are cetaceans.Thus, the auditory region turns out to be an essential element from a phylogenetic and morphofunctional viewpoint. Indeed, as we have seen throughout this thesis, when the complex and multifaceted nature of the auditory region is apprehended as a whole, it allows to infer the ecology of a given taxon and to clarify its phylogenetic relationships. Thus, the auditory region is still far from having said its last words… and we are not done hearing about it yet.La mise en évidence par la biologie moléculaire et par les données paléontologiques de l'appartenance des cétacés au groupe des artiodactyles constitue une des avancées majeures de ces 30 dernières années en mammalogie. Il n'y a cependant pas à l'heure actuelle de consensus quant aux relations phylogénétiques basales des artiodactyles fondées sur des caractères morphologiques et l'histoire évolutive du groupe est de fait, ponctuée de nombreux points d'interrogation. Cette thèse explore une source de caractères phylogénétiques prometteuse : la région auditive (os pétreux, bulle auditive, osselets de l'oreille moyenne, oreille interne) à partir notamment des nouvelles perspectives offertes par l'imagerie µCT Scan. Les principaux objectifs de cette thèse sont (1) de déterminer le signal phylogénétique porté par la région auditive chez les artiodactyles afin d’apporter une nouvelle source de caractères aux analyses et (2) d’explorer le signal écologique porté par les différents éléments de cette région sensorielle dédiée à l’audition (oreille externe, moyenne et canal cochléaire du labyrinthe osseux) et à l’équilibrioception (vestibule et canaux semi-circulaires du labyrinthe osseux). La première partie de cette thèse (I) nous emmène au Togo, où de nombreux restes inédits de la région auditive de « baleines à pattes » (Protocetidae Stromer, 1908) ont été récoltés. D’un point de vu anatomique, ces restes fossiles ont permis de documenter et de décrire pour la première fois le stapes, l’incus et le labyrinthe osseux d’un protocète ; des éléments indispensables pour comprendre leur audition. L’analyse morpho-fonctionnelle indique qu’une audition optimale était probablement possible dans l’air et dans l’eau pour ces cétacés semi-aquatiques. De plus, la morphologie de leur cochlée indique que leur capacité auditive était proche de celle de leurs cousins terrestres et que les spécialisations relatives aux capacités auditives remarquables des cétacés modernes (i.e. sensibilité aux infra- ou ultrasons) se sont opérées après la séparation historique entre les mysticètes et les odontocètes.La deuxième partie de ce travail (II) se concentre sur les origines de l’amphibiose au sein des Cetancodonta, à travers l’étude de plusieurs familles fossiles, connues pour leurs liens étroits au milieu aquatique. L’étude de la région auditive des hippopotamoïdes (Anthracotheriidae + Hippopotamidae), révèle que l’adaptation à un mode de vie semi-aquatique est apparue plusieurs fois, de façon convergente, dans son histoire évolutive et semble d’ailleurs indiquer une origine terrestre pour ce groupe. Quant au raoellidé Indohyus, son complexe pétro-tympanique présente une combinaison de caractères suggérant un certain degré d’adaptation au milieu aquatique, mais l’étude fonctionnelle de sa cochlée indique que ce taxon ne pouvait très probablement pas entendre de façon efficace sous l’eau. Pour finir, le dernier point de cette thèse explore également le potentiel phylogénétique de la région auditive à travers une analyse construite sur des caractères morphologiques du pétreux et du labyrinthe osseux à l’échelle des artiodactyles. Pour la première fois, les résultats de notre analyse concordent avec ceux des analyses moléculaires. Parmi les points les plus notables, le clade des Cetancodonta est bien soutenu par la morphologie du pétreux et la position d’Indohyus suggère fortement que les raoellidés sont des cétacés.Ainsi, la région auditive s’avère être un élément essentiel d’un point de vu phylogénétique et morphofonctionnel. En effet, comme nous avons pu le voir tout au long de cette thèse, lorsque la nature complexe et variée de la région auditive est appréhendée dans son ensemble, elle permet d’inférer l’écologie d’un taxon donné et d’en apprendre davantage sur ses relations de parenté. Par conséquent, la région auditive est encore loin d’avoir dit ses derniers mots... et nous n’avons pas encore fini d’en entendre parler

Covenant breaking : a way out of the dead-end according to the Deutero-Isaiah (ls 52,13 - 53,12)

Au début de l’Exil babylonien, les prophètes expliquent la correction infligée par Nabuchodonosor au peuple de Juda comme un châtiment voulu par YHWH. Leur vocabulaire se fait alors riche en termes techniques de la rupture d’alliance. La 1° partie de ce travail présente une brève synthèse de l’histoire de la recherche sur la théologie de l’alliance et son lien avec des traités de vassalité du Proche-Orient ancien. La 2° partie étudie le voc. de la rupture de l’alliance en Jr, Éz mais aussi dans le Dt- És afin de spécifier son usage à la fin de l’Exil. La 3° partie s’arrête sur la section d’És 52,13 - 53,12 et son paradoxe : 2 verbes hébreux de la rupture d’alliance au service d’un message d’espérance. L’étude linguistique et sémantique de ce passage révèle une notion de fin explicite de rupture d’alliance. Dans la conclusion, la sortie d’impasse théologique est suivie jusqu’à la découverte d’un lien théologique entre les trois derniers chap. du Dt-És : le concept d’alliance éternelle.The prophets see the Babylonian Exile as a punishment of God. Therefore, they use a rich variety of technical terms to describe the Covenant breaking. The 1st part of this work summarizes the history of research on the Alliance Theology in relation to the ancient Near Eastern vassal treaties. The 2nd part analyzes the words used to express the Covenant breaking in Jer and Ez. It carries on with this study in Dt-Isa as well, in order to tackle the problems posed by the use of the same words for a different purpose at the end of the Exile. Then, the 3rd part focuses on Isa 52:13 –53:12 and its inside paradox : whereas it shows 2 Hebrew verbs typical for the Covenant breaking, its core message speaks of a hopeful future. Through close linguistic and semantic scrutiny, this bright expectation reveals itself as the explicit end of the breaking of the Covenant. The conclusion of the work expounds the new theological idea which provides a way out of this theological dead-end (eternal Alliance)

3D models related to the publication: Early Evolution of the Ossicular Chain in Cetacea: Into the Middle Ear Gears of a Semi-Aquatic Protocetid Whale

International audienceThis contribution contains the 3D models of the ossicles of a protocetid archaeocete from the locality of Kpogamé, Togo, described and figured in the publication of Mourlam and Orliac (2019)