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Recipient Project Abstracts
Spring 2005
Technology-based Research Category:
Alternatives to Self-Report Measurement in Research on Religiousness/Spirituality
and Addiction
PI: Thomas J. Johnson, Psychology
The project will develop a methodology to assess Religious/Spiritual (R/S)
attitudes using the Implicit Associations Test (IAT) and assess the validity
of IAT ratings as predictors of alcohol use. Funds are requested to purchase
Inquisit 2.0 Web software that will enable measurement of reaction time via
the internet. Participants will be presented with visual images with R/S
themes and verbal stimuli (evaluative words) in a method (the IAT) that
assesses their attitudes towards the images. The IAT may provide a better
measure of attitudes than self report measures alone. The IAT method has
been used in alcohol research, but not in research on R/S. Obtaining the
software will help us obtain external funds for a larger scale project.
Programmable Logic Controller Distance Education Project
PI: Jeff McNabb, Manufacturing and Construction Technology
Currently there are only two methods employed for providing programmable
logic controller training. One is to have hands-on training with the actual
equipment; the other is to have a simulation program which closely
approximates a real PLC. The latter method has been utilized in distance
education. The void in pedagogy is to have real laboratories delivered at a
distance. An initial ISU institutional research grant was awarded in 2003 to
research, design, and develop an affordable programmable logic controller
trainer to be used as a prototype and platform for improving our
instructional capabilities with PLCs (programmable logic controllers). Once
the initial trainer was developed and tested in the classroom, the College
of Technology provided for nine more trainers to be built, for a total of
ten. We then nested an IP style camera on one of the trainers to explore
teaching laboratory based PLC training at a distance, and a true distance
laboratory was born. This project will provide nine IP cameras for the
completion of our Programmable Logic Controller Distance education project.
We will then develop the appropriate software interface which would provide
equipment scheduling and security.
Promoting Conceptual Change of Preservice Teachers’ Declarative and
Configurational Understanding of Biomes Using Animations and Digital Images
PI: Meredith Beilfuss, Geography, Geology, and Anthropology
Student alternative conceptions in physics and chemistry content have been
researched in recent years, but equivalent research in physical geography has not
been published. This research is important because most alternative conceptions
begin in a person's early years and persist into adulthood. In the proposed study,
interviews will be conducted with preservice elementary teachers to assess prior
knowledge and the presence or absence of alternative conceptions. Students will
then use a web-based module to mark locations on a world map that corresponded to
biomes, such as desert, rainforest, grassland, and tundra, pre and post
graphics-enriched instruction. Content analysis on interviews and student-generated
maps will be conducted. It is expected that spatial and content knowledge, ranging
from declarative (prior knowledge) to configurational (knowledge of the
relationships between and among locations), will be observed among the students
surveyed. It is hoped that the results of the proposed study will indicate that the
use of technology-based instruction will promote conceptual change. The proposed
study has implications for teaching elementary preservice teachers, as well as
teaching physical geography to undergraduates, from a causal perspective.
Using Blackboard Discussion Groups for Research: Creating Virtual Focus
Groups for Qualitative Data Collection
PI: Loretta L. White, Nursing; CoPIs: Mary Bennett, Nursing and Matthew Draper,
Counseling Psychology
Current literature demonstrates that relatively few qualitative studies have used
virtual focus groups as a method for data collection. The goal of this project is to
test the usefulness of Blackboard discussion technology to create virtual focus
groups as a means of collecting qualitative data from subjects across a variety of
geographical locations. It also will test the efficacy of this methodology to aid in
the transfer of subject experiences as textual data between Blackboard and a popular
qualitative data analysis software package. It is anticipated that the outcomes of
this project will provide (1) a basis for an extended program of study and (2) data
that will support future applications for external funding.
Emerging Technologies Category:
Developing Technology into Progressive Physics-Learning Modules
PI: Guo-ping Zhang, Physics
Physics is an important foundation of many other sciences, engineering and technology,
but it may be challenging for students who have no prior experience in physics and have
no strong math background. This proposal specifically targets those students by developing
a technology-based learning module. It has two objectives: (i) Combining the traditional
physics learning method with the technology to develop an interactive and user-friendly Web
site to assist students to learn physics. It has a built-in feedback system, which probes
the weakness of the student and makes suggestions to the student; and (ii) Compiling lecture
notes and student questions into an electronic textbook, possibly enhanced by the on-line
actual class videotapes. This textbook serves as the basic learning resource.
Digital Kit for Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
PI: M. Affan Badar, Industrial and Mechanical Technology
The goal of the proposal is to use an emerging technology in the form of a digital
kit for course IMT 413/513 Application and Gaging of Geometric Dimensioning and
Tolerancing (GD&T). The PI teaches this course. Effective Training Inc. has developed
a digital instructor’s kit (CD-ROM). The kit is window-based software requiring a
computer and an LCD projector which are available in the classroom. Free downloaded
demo covering one topic has been used by the instructor twice and the students found
it to be very effective for their learning. The kit ties course lessons with hands-on
experience (applications) and practice problems extremely well.
Digital Logic System for Rapid Prototyping
PI: Reza Raeisi, Electronics and Computer Technology
Students in the Electronics and Computer Technology department not only need sound
theoretical concepts but also practical background to bridge the gap between education
and industrial practice. A laboratory that supports digital designs would enhance
experiential learning in digital logic circuits. Toward this end, student version FPGA
(Field Programmable Gate Arrays) boards were purchased from the internal funding during
spring 2004. These programmable chips facilitate digital logic design. Adding Xilinx
based design resources and professional FPGA boards will enhance the use of student
boards and allow experimentation with other FPGA boards. This will lead to digital logic
system rapid prototyping lab where students can complete a number of simulated projects
in Verilog/VHDL.
Electronic Portfolios for Administration Interns
PI: Stephen Gruenert, Educational Leadership, Administration, and Foundations
In 2003-2004, a regional cohort of administration interns from the Principal Preparation
Program piloted the use of LiveText for the purpose of developing electronic portfolios.
The experiences from that pilot group provided; more interaction between supervisor and
student throughout the development of the portfolio, less paper shuffling for the
supervisor, and a resource for graduates to use as they continue their career path. We
would like to broaden this opportunity to the statewide cohort of 2005-2006. Additional
funds will be used to provide selected ELAF faculty access to LiveText, and to purchase
a projector to use as we conduct regional meetings across the state.
Emerging Technologies: Integrating Technology, Social Studies, and Language
Arts into Preservice Teacher Education
PI: Kathryn Bauserman, Elementary, Early, and Special Education; CoPI: Patricia Wheeler,
Elementary, Early, and Special Education
The focus of Block 3 classes (ELED 392, Teaching Social Studies and ELED 397 Teaching
Language Arts) is to integrate language arts and social studies in the elementary classroom.
This grant will furnish preservice teachers with the necessary tools to evaluate educational
social studies software programs, compare programs to social studies and language arts
academic standards, and create lesson plans that incorporate at least one software program
into their integrated teaching unit at the end of the semester.
Enhancing Experiential Learning Using Emerging Technology in Physical Education
Teacher Education
PI: Molly K. Hare, Physical Education; CoPI: Myung-Ah Lee, Physical Education
The purpose of this project is to improve the use of technology for teaching and learning
during physical education experiential learning (early field experience). Innovative
technology for assisting students with learning to teach is used to enhance both teaching
performance and the use of technology. Innovative social behavior analysis software program
and digital equipment will be used for the purpose of this project. For the project
evaluation, one survey assesses technology competency of students and the other assesses
the project participants’ satisfaction of the emerging technology into the teacher education
program. For assessing the improvement of teaching performance, students’ teaching
performance data will be used.
Establishing NetPal: A Cross-Cultural Collaborative Partnership Project
PI: Karen C. Y. Liu, Elementary, Early, and Special Education
This project intends to establish a cross-cultural collaborative partnership, NetPal, among
two kindergarten classrooms, one classroom is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and the other
one is in Taipei, Taiwan. Through the use of technology, kindergarten children from a
low-income neighborhood elementary school will be paired with a kindergarten child from Taiwan
as his/her NetPal to share writing and culture. Teacher candidates will assist children in
their writing and cultural sharing activities, which in turn, should increase children’s
interest in writing and enhance their cultural awareness. Through the participation in this
project, teacher candidates will demonstrate their technology competencies and develop an
appreciation of cultural differences and similarities across their lives.
Incorporating Voices from the Past into Introductory History Courses
PI: Lisa Phillips, History
The project will provide students enrolled in introductory history courses with access to the
voices of people who lived in the past. Archives, museums, and other repositories of historical
information are making their holdings accessible to students and researchers via the internet.
This project is designed to survey the vast amount of information available and incorporate
elements of that information (oral interviews, speeches, documentary footage, images, and
historical documents) into introductory courses delivered both in on-line and traditional
classroom formats. While the project focuses on improving the experience for students taking
on-line courses, the results should be transferable to students taking traditional courses if
the classroom has internet access.
Integration of Einstruction’s Classroom Performance System into Large Introductory
Classes for Majors and Non-Majors in Life Sciences
PI: William J. Brett, Life Sciences; CoPIs: James P. Hughes, Life Sciences and Timothy J. Mulkey,
Life Sciences
The goal of the project is to integrate Einstruction’s radio-frequency Classroom Performance
System into the large introductory classes for Life Sciences majors and non-majors. The system
would foster a “hands-on” interactive environment in courses that have suffered from continual
increases in enrollment. Experience has demonstrated that the system offers many unique features
that encourage student participation and interaction, including self-paced examinations and class
reviews. The system can be integrated seamlessly into the course website. Attendance can be
taken, which encourages turnout and fosters learning. It enables student participation without
student reluctance or embarrassment. Integration of this system should help Life Sciences meet
the University’s goal of active learning. Evidence of success would enable the University to
apply for outside support.
Internet Based Audio-Video Supervision Initiative
PI: Will Barratt, Counseling; Co PI: Denise Collins, Counseling
The primary goal of this project is to provide internet based audio-video supervision for graduate
students in the Student Affairs and Higher Education (SAHE) during their practicum class experiences
away from ISU. The SAHE program enrolls both on-campus and distance education students who take three
practicum classes during their graduate program. During the summer practicum class on-campus students
are encouraged to seek practicum experiences away from ISU to enhance the breadth of their experiential
learning. Supervision at a distance is a necessary component of these practicum classes. Effective
supervision requires effective communication between student and faculty; for students who cannot come
to campus the use of audio-video web based supervision conferences will enhance the effectiveness of
supervision over text-based or voice only supervision.
Video Projection and Recording of the IVASI “Video Conductor” System for Student Ensemble
Experience and Improving Ensemble Performance
PI: Brian T. Kilp, Music
This project utilizes an LCD video projector, sound equipment, a mini disc recorder and microphone,
and the unique IVASI “Video Conductor” System. With this equipment I will work with students to help
develop their ensemble and musicianship skills by practicing and performing with the IVASI “virtual”
orchestra. This experience, combined with the observations of the teacher and real world feedback
from digital recording, we will provide the student with regular opportunities for experiential
learning and the environment for growth and maturity as a musician.
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