Abstract In this article, the writer claims that properly administered, articulation agreements can provide students with the framework they need to ensure they receive credit for coursework accomplished at community colleges, while providing the receiving institutions with the reassurance they require to grant such credit. The writer notes however, that improperly performed, these agreements can actually do more harm than good. To determine how they are intended to operate in practice, this paper provides an overview of articulation agreements and their impact on community college enrollment in general, with an emphasis on North Carolina community colleges in particular. An analysis of the relevant literature is followed by a summary of research in the conclusion.
Contents
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Constraints to Developing Effective Articulation Agreements.
Conclusion
From the Paper "The role of the community college in the baccalaureate education process has traditionally been associated with the first two years of college; therefore, state policies and articulation agreements have focused on connecting a prescribed sequence of lower-division courses at the community college with upper-division courses at four-year institutions. In their traditional roles, community colleges provide a starting point to higher education; community college students earn at least 12 credit hours at the community college, then transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. This role recognizes that a substantial percentage of American students will begin their higher education and complete a substantial number of credits at the community college; 12 credit hours has been established as the minimal equivalent of full-time enrollment for one semester, as a basis for classifying a student as a community college transfer ."
Abstract This paper discusses the experience of a secondary school teacher presenting Earth Science coursework, covering the various teaching related tools and skills necessary for teaching science in the secondary school setting.
Contents:
Objective
Introduction
Inquiry-Based Instruction Defined
Development and Demonstration of Inquiry Based
Learning Activities in Science Instruction
National Science Education Standards and Grade Appropriateness
Classroom Dynamics for Secondary School Instruction
Assessment in Earth Science Teaching
Design of Curriculum
Example: High-School Earth-Science Activity
Original Middle-School Earth-Science Activity
Teacher Presentation
Lesson and Activity Objectives
Grading for Science
National Norm Referenced Testing for Science
From the Paper "Earth Science is particularly complicated in relation to instruction in the contemporary classroom. This is because of the many political and social issues involved in this area of study which, in the eyes of many, is an area of religious import as well. Furthermore, the initiative to teach in an inquiry-based manner further expands the research and examination in relation to providing instruction in Earth Science. When considering a method of instruction it is critical to take into account the grade-level appropriateness in relation to the curriculum and inclusive classroom activities when planning the instructional lessons and accompanying activities."
Tags: classroom, students, education, curricular, field, trip, chemical
Abstract This paper examines a body of coursework for a class in organizational anthropology. Twenty-five sources are included. Of these, each is examined briefly and a justification provided for its usefulness to the course. The paper also weighs in on the subject areas discussed, the tension between theory and practice, as well as the difference in definitions of the word culture.
From the Paper "Abram, 2001: I would not retain this article for future incarnations of this course. Though intriguing, the study itself was too pointed in my analysis. Demonstrating the tension between the "politics of policy-making and the technical competencies of 'experts', such as professional planners" did not provide much useful broad applicability (Abram, 2001: 184). This is a good example of organizational ethnography, but not necessarily a useful one. Aguilera, 1996: This article would be retained. It provides readers with an excellent sense of how anthropology can be employed to highlight processes within the business world and assess potential zones of improvement. Aguilera (1996) shows how anthropology can transcend theory and move into business intervention."
Abstract This paper discusses the long term benefits of a single sex education in high school. Measured in terms of academic performance, attitude towards academics, discipline while in school, aspiration of students, attraction to non-stereotypical coursework and career success after schooling, single sex schools provide a better education - particularly for girls in high school.
From the Paper "The education system in America is failing. American students test below most industrialized countries in standardized tests of math and science. More frightening than this however, are the various studies, which indicate that female American students are falling behind their fellow male classmates particularly in the areas of math and science. Despite the thirteen billion dollars Congress pored in into education programs in 2000, it is obvious the entire system needs to be transformed. Girls and boys are fundamentally different, and, therefore, it would serve to reason, that they would have fundamentally different learning styles. It would stand to reason that since obviously the world is not segregated by sex, neither should a high school education. Yet the long term benefits of a single sex education in high school, far out way those of a coed education. Measured in terms of academic performance, attitude towards academics, discipline while in school, aspiration of students, attraction to non-stereotypical coursework and career success after schooling, single sex schools provide a better education - particularly for girls in high school."
Tags: adolescence, america, coed, education, high, school, schools, sex, single
Abstract This paper examines how by using basic counseling techniques within the classroom, educators can help to increase the school's atmosphere of peace and understanding, which will help students learn not only the content of coursework, but also about effective human interaction and problem solving. It shows how behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy out of all the theoretical approaches to counseling, can be most directly applied to classroom management. Behavioral therapy is essentially a consistent use of reward to reinforce desired behaviors and person-centered therapy is a relationship-focused intervention that emphasizes authenticity and understanding. It analyzes how by combining these two approaches in interactions with students, educators can not only improve classroom behavior, but also generate a sense of fairness and cooperation in the classroom.
From the Paper "Behaviorism has been applied to the classroom setting, and may be done so with varying degrees of efficacy. Consistency of reinforcement will help ensure its usefulness. Although a great deal of evidence suggests that behaviorism is effective in producing behavior change, it is important to understand that certain aspects of the theory are inappropriate for the classroom. Few educators would desire to view their students as biological machines without internal emotional worlds, as behavioral theory advocates (Rogers, 1992). Few educators would systematically manipulate students? behavior without reference to their best interest or well-being, as operant conditioning research sometimes did (Rogers, 1995)."
Abstract Educators that provide instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) must provide students with the primary concepts of English in the early stages of language development. As students progress and become more familiar with the language and its idiosyncrasies, advanced training is likely to acclimate students to much of the daily slang as well as complex vocabulary that they hear from native English speakers in routine conversation. It is the responsibility of the ESL instructor to provide this teaching at the appropriate juncture, and the most advantageous route is specialized vocabulary. This paper provides a discussion of the concept of word elements in the English language. It continues with an analysis of the methods by which ESL instructors teach technical or specialized vocabulary in their coursework, including various learning strategies for students. Finally, a brief discussion of the importance of specialized vocabulary in ESL acquisition precedes a conclusion.
From the Paper "Gairns and Redman (47-48) describe three forms of word building: affixation, which is the process of adding prefixes and suffixes to the base part; compounding, which is the formation of two or more words that can also stand independently as a single word, and includes three types: adjective compounds, verb compounds, and noun compounds; and conversion, which is the process by which a word may be used in more than one way, such as a noun and a verb. Furthermore, Gairns and Redman (50) discuss the difficulties involved in word pronunciation, which often demonstrates the large disparity between the ability to write words in English and the ability to pronounce them correctly. Therefore, the importance of pronunciation must be expressed in student learning in order to achieve total mastery of the English language."
Abstract This paper looks at the reasons an internationalized curriculum will benefit community colleges and their students. We are an increasingly global society, and it is getting more and more difficult for people to function in the business world without some sort of international understanding. It is becoming clear that if this nation is to compete in a global market, our students must be taught an international perspective. There are many techniques for integrating international objectives into coursework, and if done properly, these objectives can be seamlessly introduced into the existing curriculum of almost any college class. Several community colleges across the nation are already making an effort to incorporate internationalization into their college environment. When internationalization of the community college curriculum takes place, everyone benefits.
Abstract This paper looks at whether the state of California should continue to give degrees in some colleges with all coursework in Spanish. The author of this paper believes that it does a disservice to those people by not preparing them sufficiently to defend themselves in the real world.
Abstract This paper examines the dynamics of the supervisor/supervisee relationship in psychology graduate students' internship experiences. Particular attention is given to how often bad internship experiences occur, why they occur, and what the role of the internship supervisor is in creating these bad experiences. In addition, the paper includes a careful examination of abuses of power in the supervisor/supervisee relationship and why they occur. Subsections of the paper deal with the discrepancies between what students know and what they are supposed to know when they enter their internships,and how their internship supervisor plays a role in this. Also explored are ways to remedy the imbalance of power in supervisor/supervisee relationships that often leads to problems in the internship experience. In addition, this paper looks at the history of mentoring, and what characteristics comprise a successful supervisor/supervisee pairing.
The History of Mentoring
Review of the Scholarly Literature
Ethical Issues in Mentoring
Access
Implications for the Psychology Profession
Mentoring in Psychology Internships
From the Paper "One of the most important and most demanding parts of the psychology doctoral student's educational experience is the mandatory internship. In this internship, often lasting a year or more beyond the completion of regular coursework, a doctoral student is expected to put all of what he or she has learned in the classroom into real world practice. It is a testing ground and a proving ground for those wishing to become practicing psychologists. It is during the internship that doctoral students get to find out first-hand just how well they have mastered certain techniques, as well as learning what things are much different in the textbooks than they are in actual practice. It is a challenging, yet rewarding time that makes a student ready to begin practice on his or her own."
Abstract This paper looks at how the advent of the Internet has revolutionized the traditional educational environment and how online learning has become the norm even at the most prestigious universities and institutions of higher learning. It evaluates several research methodologies, determining the success rate in learning styles for online education courses by focusing on past studies and the factors needed to strengthen future studies.
Outline
Introduction
Online Learning Courses
Advantages/Disadvantages
Success Rates in Learning Styles For Online Education Courses
Study of Graduate Students
Interactive Learning Style
Team Learning Approach
Self Paced vs. Instructor Led
Effective Curriculum Design
Distributed Learning Theory
Factors Equated With Success in the Online Learning Environment
What Factors are Needed to Strengthen Future Studies?
Discussion and Conclusion
From the Paper "Academic flexibility is so important because the independent that internet course provide are one of their main appeals. The article contends that this flexible learning style is important for adult learners. The flexibility is important because graduate students tend to be busy professionals that need to control their time. (Arbaugh 2000) In this particular study, flexibility was measured in terms of how well students were able to incorporate coursework into work and family life. There were two variables, which included course flexibility and program flexibility."
This paper reviews Asian-American history and provides a course outline for incorporating Asian-American literature studies into middle-school or high-school coursework.
Abstract This paper explains that Asian-American literature, which has grown considerably over the last several decades, is considered one of the subdivisions of multicultural literature. The author points out that scholarly and popular interest in Asian-American literature is of recent vintage, having found its direct roots in student activism at San Francisco State and the University of California, Berkeley in the late 1960s, which resulted in the creation of interdisciplinary ethnic studies programs; today, courses in Asian-American literature are common throughout U.S. higher education. The paper relates that Asian-American literature is an oft-contested field due to the wide variety of cultures and backgrounds in the Asian-Americans culture; however, this variety of backgrounds has given rise to writings reflective of cross-generational concerns and styles.
Table of Contents
Introduction
History
Course Outline
Course Abstract
Fiction
Group Project
Single Project
Survey
Conclusion
From the Paper "When considering the history of Asian-American literature, it is necessary to also look at the history of those who came to the United States since its formation. In reviewing the Asian-American literature, it is also important to note the history of Asian immigration to the United States. The Chinese first started immigrating to the United States during the mid- to late-1860s, as part of the gold rush. They provided cheap labor for farms and the transcontinental railroad. Other Asian groups joined them during this same time to work in the Hawaiian sugar plantations or California farm fields. The Asians were recognized as second-class citizens from their very first days in the country. However, they still had to contribute 50 percent of the taxes collected in California between 1850 and 1870 because of the Foreign Miners Tax of 1850. Other discriminatory events included the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1885, which initiated a ban on Chinese immigration."
Abstract This paper describes an interview with an acquaintance of the author about how the subject of the interview obtained her doctoral degree. The paper goes on to discuss the author's own plan to obtain a doctoral degree and how the subject of her interview helped influence her plans.
From the Paper "I interviewed my mother's friend Millie, who got a Ph.D. in educational psychology at the age of 45. I asked her why she did it. It was a lot of work, and she had a very good job as a social worker for special needs students. She said she had a master's in social work, and that she had specialized in mental health when she lived in California, but she felt that her position as a social worker in education wasn't terribly challenged. She also said that she was still very interested in psychology. However, in education, she said, the social worker doesn't do much with mental health. Mostly she helped parents deal with bureaucracies to get supplemental help they might need, such as social security assistance, or food stamps, or housing. While she knows these things are important, it wasn't what took her into social work. So she enrolled back in graduate school at the age of 42, while she had a child in middle school, to get her Ph.D. in psychology."
Tags: advantage, candidates, preparing, qualifying, exam, coursework, qualify, information
Abstract This paper presents the author's personal opinion about how he has benefited from the study of the bible at the university he is attending, including a look at how it has enhanced his personal and professional life. The paper also identifies what he believes to be are the weaknesses and the strengths of the university where he has studied.
From the Paper "Socio-religious growth should involve a better understanding of the society we live in and the role religion and spirituality play in our interactions with other members of society. I have learned through study at the university that there are many different ways of viewing the world, some more conducive to interaction and learning than others. My understanding of the Bible has inspired me to take my life in a new direction. It has provided me with an outlet of support and encouragement that I did not realize existed when I started my studies. In addition, I take away from the university an ability to actually understand and learn from the bible. Prior to my studies I would have examined the bible much like any other literary work. However I have taken away from my classes different techniques for actually learning from and studying the Bible to reap from it the most with respect to its messages and inspiration."
Abstract This paper explains that one reason colleges have been unable to handle effectively the problem of athletes with abysmal grades is that star players bring wealthy alums back to campus, along with their checkbooks. The author points out that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) approved a reform package, particularly for the big money-making sports of football and basketball, which require more stringent eligibility rules for recruiting; once in college, the athletes must graduate within five years, completing 20 percent of the coursework each year, while maintaining at least a 1.8 grade-point average as a freshman, and a 2.0 each year thereafter to be eligible to play. The paper relates that there is a correlation between lower grades (even lower than usual) among college athletes during their sport's season and that academically marginal student athletes respond less successfully to the increased demands of college.
Table of Contents
Abortive Mission
A Lesson from the High School
Poor Excuses
From the Paper "At least since 1998, high schools in wealth Northern Virginia have tightened academic standards for student athletes and for other students who participate in other extracurricular activities as well. Fairfax County coaches and teachers had begun monitoring student grades. In addition, in Fairfax County, the students cannot comply with the demand for a C average or better by taking only one or two easy classes; "students are required to take five classes and pass five classes in a previous school semester to be eligible to participate in athletics." If a student does drop two letter grades in a subject or his grade-point average drops below 2.0, he is counseled by coaches and offered help."
This paper examines the nursing profession's transition from hospital-based certification programs to a more comprehensive and demanding college based bachelor's degree program.
Abstract This paper focuses on the nursing profession's recent practice of demanding nurses obtain a BSN college degree as opposed to the traditional custom of completing a 4 year hospital-base nursing certification program. The writer of this paper discusses the subsequent productivity of registered nurses (RNs) who regularly report that the monotonous coursework required in obtaining a BSN creates learning circumstances that are costly, exasperating and unproductive. While associate and bachelor degree nursing faculty are designed to smooth the transition for RN to BSN students, researching the differences between RN and BSN graduates have shown little success.
From the Paper "There are contradictory outcomes associated to decisive thinking. The researchers found no differentiation in decisive thinking, self-reported apparent complexity with making decisions, or frequency of making decisions, though they found BSN students achieved higher on critical thinking skills than ADN students and found no distinction in patient ratings of care supplied by senior students from the two types of programs. One of the reason researchers may have had no accomplishment in finding a difference in practice is because there are no differences because the education programs are so similar. Specifically, in California, an RN who has graduated from an ADN program with 112 units and an RN who has graduated from a BSN program with 120 units could be very hard to distinguish in practice."
Tags: education, medical, health, nursing, degree, college, hospital, program
