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- Title
- Changes in high school curricular offerings before and after the implementation of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
- Creator
- Eyerman, Gina L., Florida Atlantic University, Pisapia, John
- Abstract/Description
-
Changing the educational paradigm has been the focus of state legislatures in many states including Florida. Florida implemented a new version of a state-mandated test, which is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in 1998. A quantitative five-year study of secondary school curricular arrays was conducted to determine course scheduling trends before and after the implementation of the FCAT. Student enrollment was counted in specified courses for 23 comprehensive high schools in...
Show moreChanging the educational paradigm has been the focus of state legislatures in many states including Florida. Florida implemented a new version of a state-mandated test, which is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in 1998. A quantitative five-year study of secondary school curricular arrays was conducted to determine course scheduling trends before and after the implementation of the FCAT. Student enrollment was counted in specified courses for 23 comprehensive high schools in Broward County, Florida for two years before and three years after the implementation of the FCAT. Six contextual variables---dropout rate, ethnic makeup, scheduling platform, school grade, socioeconomic status, and stability rate---were used to determine their impact on the changes that occurred. The study found that student enrollment increased in English and math courses and decreased in remedial and vocational courses since the implementation of the FCAT. This research also found a significant inverse correlation between a stability factor and student enrollment in math courses. The stability factor is the percentage of students enrolled in the same school in October and February of a given school year. A linear regression of the contextual variables and the subject areas being studied found three significant relationships that could be used to predict course enrollment for the following year. The research found that math, social studies, and exceptional student education (ESE) English had a significant relationship with the contextual variables.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11992
- Subject Headings
- Education, Secondary--Curricula--United States, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A communication protocol for wireless sensor networks.
- Creator
- Callaway, Edgar Herbert, Jr., Florida Atlantic University, Shankar, Ravi, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Many wireless network applications, such as wireless computing on local area networks, employ data throughput as a primary performance metric. The data throughput on such networks has therefore been increasing in recent years. However, there are other potential wireless network applications, such as industrial monitoring and control, consumer home automation, and military remote sensing, that have relaxed throughput requirements, often measured in bits/day. Such networks have power...
Show moreMany wireless network applications, such as wireless computing on local area networks, employ data throughput as a primary performance metric. The data throughput on such networks has therefore been increasing in recent years. However, there are other potential wireless network applications, such as industrial monitoring and control, consumer home automation, and military remote sensing, that have relaxed throughput requirements, often measured in bits/day. Such networks have power consumption and cost as primary performance metrics, rather than data throughput, and have been called wireless sensor networks. This work describes a physical layer, a data link layer, and a network layer design suitable for use in wireless sensor networks. To minimize node duty cycle and therefore average power consumption, while minimizing the symbol rate, the proposed physical layer employs a form of orthogonal multilevel signaling in a direct sequence spread spectrum format. Results of Signal Processing Worksystem (SPW, Cadence, Inc.) simulations are presented showing a 4-dB sensitivity advantage of the proposed modulation method compared to binary signaling, in agreement with theory. Since the proposed band of operation is the 2.4 GHz unlicensed band, interference from other services is possible; to address this, SPW simulations of the proposed modulation method in the presence of Bluetooth interference are presented. The processing gain inherent in the proposed spread spectrum scheme is shown to require the interferer to be significantly stronger than the desired signal before materially affecting the received bit error rate. The proposed data link layer employs a novel distributed mediation device (MD) technique to enable networked nodes to synchronize to each other, even when the node duty cycle is arbitrarily low (e.g., <0.1%). This technique enables low-cost devices, which may employ only low-stability time bases, to remain asynchronous to one another, becoming synchronized only when communication is necessary between them. Finally, a wireless sensor network design is presented. A cluster-type architecture is chosen; the clusters are organized in a hierarchical tree to simplify the routing algorithm. Results of several network performance metrics simulations, including the effects of the distributed MD dynamic synchronization scheme, are presented, including the average message latency, node duty cycle, and data throughput. The architecture is shown to represent a practical alternative for the design of wireless sensor networks.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11991
- Subject Headings
- Wireless communication systems, Computer network protocols, Radio detectors
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Q methodology study: Perceptions of selected financial aid directors, financial aid recipients, and information technologists toward the use of technology in the delivery of financial aid services in higher education.
- Creator
- Brown, Stephanie Gail, Florida Atlantic University, Urich, Ted R.
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this exploratory study was to characterize commonalties in perceptions among financial aid directors, financial aid recipients, and information technologists toward the use of technology in the delivery of financial aid services in higher education. A Q methodology was the investigative technique utilized. The Q sort statements developed were administered to 20 financial aid directors, 20 financial aid recipients, and 20 information technologists specializing in financial aid...
Show moreThe purpose of this exploratory study was to characterize commonalties in perceptions among financial aid directors, financial aid recipients, and information technologists toward the use of technology in the delivery of financial aid services in higher education. A Q methodology was the investigative technique utilized. The Q sort statements developed were administered to 20 financial aid directors, 20 financial aid recipients, and 20 information technologists specializing in financial aid systems located at 20 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Factor analysis of the data gathered by the Q sort instrument provided three significant factors or types of people. The perceptions of these groups toward the delivery of financial aid services in higher education were varied. Financial aid directors were identified as humantechies. The humantechies believe that people are the key to providing good service and that technology should function as a tool of support for improving services. In doing so, technology should serve financial aid administrators so that they can efficiently service students and their families. Financial aid recipients were identified as neotechies. The neotechies have grown up with technology and feel that people and computers should work in tandem in order to provide good service. The neotechies understand and accept the complementary nature of the human, technological, and regulatory aspects of financial aid. Information technologists were identified as advotechies . The advotechies take an extreme position regarding the extent and the level to which technology should be implemented in financial aid offices. The advotechies feel strongly that financial aid offices should include technology whenever and wherever possible.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11990
- Subject Headings
- Student financial aid administration, Student aid--Information technology, Q technique
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Intuitive conceptions of dead agents' minds: The natural foundations of afterlife beliefs.
- Creator
- Bering, Jesse Michael, Florida Atlantic University, Bjorklund, David F.
- Abstract/Description
-
Little is known about how the minds of dead agents are represented. In Study 1, adult participants with different types of explicit afterlife beliefs were asked in an implicit interview task whether various psychological state types (psychobiological, perceptual, emotional, desire, and epistemic states), as well as pure biological imperatives (e.g., need to eat), continue after death. The results suggest that, regardless of one's explicit reports about personal consciousness after death,...
Show moreLittle is known about how the minds of dead agents are represented. In Study 1, adult participants with different types of explicit afterlife beliefs were asked in an implicit interview task whether various psychological state types (psychobiological, perceptual, emotional, desire, and epistemic states), as well as pure biological imperatives (e.g., need to eat), continue after death. The results suggest that, regardless of one's explicit reports about personal consciousness after death, those who believe in some form of life after death (and, to a certain extent, even those who do not) implicitly represent dead agents' minds in the same way: psychobiological and perceptual states cease while emotional, desire, and epistemic states continue. The findings are interpreted according to simulation constraints---because it is epistemologically impossible to know what it is like to be dead, individuals will be most likely to attribute to dead agents those types of mental states that they cannot imagine being without. In Study 2, the developmental emergence of such reasoning was investigated. In Experiment 1, 4--6-year-olds and 6--8-year-olds were asked a series of biological questions about a dead agent (e.g., "Does his brain still work?"). Even the youngest children were likely to reason that biological processes cease at death. In Experiment 2, different, similarly aged children and also a group of 10--12-year-olds were asked a series of psychological questions about a dead agent (e.g., "Does he know that he's not alive?"). The youngest children were equally likely to reason that both cognitive (e.g., knowing) and psychobiological states (e.g., hunger) continue after death, while the oldest children were more likely to reason that cognitive states continue. Finally, in Experiment 3, both children and adults were asked about a broad array of psychological states (those used in Study 1). With the exception of the youngest children (M = 5 years), who did not distinguish between any of the psychological state types, older children (M = 11-years) and adults were most likely to attribute to dead agents epistemic, emotional, and desire states, suggesting that developmentally based mechanisms underlie implicit accounts of deceased agents' minds.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11989
- Subject Headings
- Future life, Children--Death--Religious aspects, Cognition and culture, Cognitive psychology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relations of peer perceptions to children's academic achievement.
- Creator
- Ashley, Elizabeth A., Florida Atlantic University, Perry, Louise C.
- Abstract/Description
-
Two studies were conducted in which children's (Grades 3--8) perceptions of classmates' academic performance, school affect, and behavioral conduct were examined in relation to achievement outcomes as measured by standardized achievement test scores in language, mathematics, and science, and school grades in English, mathematics, and science. Study 1 was a longitudinal design and the main research question addressed was whether the way a child's peers perceive him or her with respect to...
Show moreTwo studies were conducted in which children's (Grades 3--8) perceptions of classmates' academic performance, school affect, and behavioral conduct were examined in relation to achievement outcomes as measured by standardized achievement test scores in language, mathematics, and science, and school grades in English, mathematics, and science. Study 1 was a longitudinal design and the main research question addressed was whether the way a child's peers perceive him or her with respect to school characteristics would be related to children's academic outcomes concurrently, and one year later. Support was found for several hypotheses advanced. Peers' perceptions were related to children's concurrent achievement test scores and school grades. Peers' perceptions were also generally predictive of the following year's school grades. Domain differences were found in that peers' perceptions of academic performance were more strongly predictive than affect or conduct domain judgments. Peers' perceptions were also more strongly related to school grades than to achievement test scores. The second study continued the examination of peers' perceptions with additional perceptions measured from children's self-judgments and teachers' ratings. In Study 2, the main question explored was whether peers' perceptions of children's academic qualities would be predictive of children's concurrent achievement outcomes beyond children's self-perceptions and teachers' perceptions. Results showed that even after controlling for both self and teacher judgments, peers' perceptions were strongly related to all school grades. Theoretical and practical implications of the research findings were discussed and suggestions for future research were offered.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11988
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement, Social perception in children, Age groups, Achievement motivation in children
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Faculty development centers in higher education: Incorporating diversity and technology.
- Creator
- Torrey, Evelyn Jeanne, Florida Atlantic University, Decker, Larry E.
- Abstract/Description
-
This descriptive study on faculty development centers, diversity, and technology was conducted by distributing e-mail surveys to 484 four-year colleges and graduate institutions accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Responses to the 25-item instrument were submitted electronically into a database and merged with institutional data on state, enrollment, tuition, affiliation, highest degree awarded, and selectivity ranking. Although pedagogical...
Show moreThis descriptive study on faculty development centers, diversity, and technology was conducted by distributing e-mail surveys to 484 four-year colleges and graduate institutions accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Responses to the 25-item instrument were submitted electronically into a database and merged with institutional data on state, enrollment, tuition, affiliation, highest degree awarded, and selectivity ranking. Although pedagogical training has always been an integral component of teacher education, disciplinary expertise has generally been the sole prerequisite for college teaching. Most universities offer travel support for faculty to attend professional conferences and provide sabbatical leave. Some academic units organize their own training activities. Consulting specialists may conduct specialized training. An individual or committee may voluntarily coordinate faculty development efforts. Since 1960, an increasing number of campuses have established faculty development centers with their own identities and reporting relationships, staff, budgets, and designated space, often with assistance from federal, state, or foundation funding. Centers focus on classroom instruction (instructional development), on faculty and their needs (faculty development), the overall needs of the institution (organizational development), and/or research. Of 185 respondents, 65 have faculty development centers, 5 have centers devoted to instructional technology, and 27 have active programs without formal centers; most belong to organizations or networks. Most centers have staff, budgets, and dedicated space. Centers are more likely found at large public institutions, report to the chief academic officer, and offer voluntary training to faculty, adjuncts, new faculty, and teaching assistants. Services focused more on andragogy and technology than on diversity. Most have Web sites, limited forms of evaluation, and expansion plans. Eight are women's colleges, 24 are Historically Black Colleges or Universities, and 9 are Hispanic Serving Institutions. Significant differences were found for enrollment, tuition, affiliation, and highest degree awarded and the scope of centers and programs. The study confirmed the value of faculty development centers and programs, the need to increase diversity and technology training, and the importance of evaluation and documentation of the contributions made by faculty development programs to the mission of the institution.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11987
- Subject Headings
- College teachers--Training of--United States, Multicultural education--United States, Educational technology--United States
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Career decision-making self-efficacy, occupational preferences, and gender: A study of undergraduate students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Creator
- Aleidan, Mohamed Abdullah, Florida Atlantic University, Nyhan, Ronald C., Thai, Khi V.
- Abstract/Description
-
After many years of substantial investments by the Saudi Arabian government in the education of its citizens, the results, especially in the area of employment, are felt by many to be less than satisfactory. While various factors may be contributing to the rising problem of unemployment in the country, the one focused on in this study was the relationship between self-efficacy and career choices. Specifically, the study examined the relationships between career decision-making self-efficacy,...
Show moreAfter many years of substantial investments by the Saudi Arabian government in the education of its citizens, the results, especially in the area of employment, are felt by many to be less than satisfactory. While various factors may be contributing to the rising problem of unemployment in the country, the one focused on in this study was the relationship between self-efficacy and career choices. Specifically, the study examined the relationships between career decision-making self-efficacy, occupational preferences, and gender. Career decision-making self-efficacy was measured with an existing scale (CDMSES-SF). An instrument was designed in this study to measure occupational preferences. The surveys were administered to 476 male and 424 female undergraduate students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The results of the study found no significant relationship between gender and career decision-making self-efficacy. There were, however, a significant relationship between gender and career preferences for such occupations as accounting/finance, administration, computer technology, engineering, security, and social services fields; while in the education, health, and law fields no significant relationships were found. Career decision-making self-efficacy was not related to occupational preferences for any of the fields in this study. The relationship between career decision-making self-efficacy and occupational preferences is not affected by gender. The results show that, for males and females, there is no relationship between career decision-making self-efficacy and occupational preference within gender for traditionally male-dominated fields, for traditionally female-dominated fields, or for the neutral fields. The negative results of the study provide evidence that the general level of CDMSE is low for males and for females. The study concluded that the results of this study were inconsistent with previous studies that have reported gender differences in career self-efficacy in general and in self-efficacy for the female-dominated versus the male-dominated occupations. The study concludes with policy recommendations directed at helping students improve their CDMSE scores. These recommendations are career development programs, career counseling, job fairs, database information, and government financial support. Further research is suggested to enhance the findings and validity of this study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11986
- Subject Headings
- College students--Saudi Arabia, Vocational guidance--Sex differences, Self-efficacy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An analysis of integrated science and language arts themes in software at the elementary school level.
- Creator
- Libidinsky, Lisa Jill., Florida Atlantic University, Kumar, David D.
- Abstract/Description
-
There are many demands on the elementary classroom teacher today, such that teachers often do not have the time and resources to instruct in a meaningful manner that would produce effective, real instruction. Subjects are often disjointed and not significant. When teachers instruct using an integrated approach, students learn more efficiently as they see connections in the subjects. Science and language arts, when combined to produce an integrated approach, show positive associations that can...
Show moreThere are many demands on the elementary classroom teacher today, such that teachers often do not have the time and resources to instruct in a meaningful manner that would produce effective, real instruction. Subjects are often disjointed and not significant. When teachers instruct using an integrated approach, students learn more efficiently as they see connections in the subjects. Science and language arts, when combined to produce an integrated approach, show positive associations that can enable students to learn real-life connections. In addition, with the onset of technology and the increased usage of technological programs in the schools, teachers can use technology to support an integrated curriculum. When teachers use a combined instructional focus of science, language arts, and technology to produce lessons, students are able to gain knowledge of concepts and skills necessary for appropriate academic growth and development. Given that there are many software programs available to teachers for classroom use, it is imperative that quality software is used for instruction. Using criteria based upon an intensive literature review of integrated instruction in the areas of science and language arts, this study examines science and language arts software programs to determine whether there are science and language arts integrated themes in the software analyzed. Also, this study examines whether more science and language arts integrated themes are present in science or language arts software programs. Overall, this study finds a significant difference between language arts software and science software when looking at integrated themes. This study shows that science software shows integrated themes with language arts more often than does language arts software with science. The findings in this study can serve as a reference point for educators when selecting software that is meaningful and effective in the elementary classroom. Based on this study, it is apparent that there is a need to evaluate software for appropriate use in the classroom in order to promote effective education.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11985
- Subject Headings
- Education, Elementary--Computer-assisted instruction, Language arts (Elementary)--Juvenile software, Science--Study and teaching (Elementary)--Juvenile software, Interdisciplinary approach in education
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Negligent tort liability of Florida higher education institutions.
- Creator
- Panayiotou, Chrysanthos Andreas., Florida Atlantic University, Jurenas, Albert C.
- Abstract/Description
-
During the last thirty years our society has increasingly become more litigious. The reasons behind the increase in legal actions were the enactment of the Tort Act by the Florida legislature, the Civil Rights Act, and Federal Tort Act by the U.S. government. The large monetary awards and the ever-increasing awards in punitive damages have fueled this increase in litigation. Lawyers motivated by the large monetary compensation, typically ranging between one third to one half of the total...
Show moreDuring the last thirty years our society has increasingly become more litigious. The reasons behind the increase in legal actions were the enactment of the Tort Act by the Florida legislature, the Civil Rights Act, and Federal Tort Act by the U.S. government. The large monetary awards and the ever-increasing awards in punitive damages have fueled this increase in litigation. Lawyers motivated by the large monetary compensation, typically ranging between one third to one half of the total awards, have been further fueling this litigation explosion. The majority of this litigation is directed to organizations with "deep pockets" which can pay the large monetary awards. Higher Education Institutions (HEI) with large budgets, and therefore "deep pockets", are becoming frequent defendants in negligence tort actions. This study examined the forty published negligence tort cases brought against Florida HEIs from 1845 until 2000. These cases were then classified by type of negligence, cause of action, and damage awards. The most frequently occurring type of negligence was the breach of duty of care. The most frequent cause of action was breach of duty to warn, and medical malpractice had the largest damage awards. A legal framework consisting of Florida and Federal statutory law, as well as Florida and Federal common law was created. The purpose of this legal framework was to identify the areas of the law that causes most of the litigation and help HEI minimize their liability to this legal activity. Based on this legal framework, a training program for HEI employees was outlined. The training program includes a section for all HEI employees, and a specialized section for administration, faculty, maintenance personnel, and security personnel. The findings of this study will be helpful to people working at Florida HEI in minimizing their liability to legal actions directed at them, personally. The results of this dissertation could also be useful to the administration or governing boards of HEIs by aiding them in identifying and reducing their liabilities to the tort of negligence. This study could also be used as a reference by HEIs of other states of the United States. Even though the law differs from state to state, findings that refer to federal statutory or common law are applicable to all states of the Union.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11984
- Subject Headings
- Tort liability of universities and colleges--Florida, Negligence, Education, Higher--Law and legislation--Florida, Torts
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Knowledge management: Processes and strategies used in United States research universities.
- Creator
- Coukos-Semmel, Eleni Dianne, Florida Atlantic University, Pisapia, John
- Abstract/Description
-
In the fields of organizational studies and business management there has been a growing emphasis on the practice of knowledge management (KM)---the process of generating, codifying, and transferring information assets for increased organizational performance. This once-theoretical discipline is expanding into other sectors such as higher education institutions. The purpose of this study was to (a) assess the use of KM and the strategies which further its use in research universities, (b)...
Show moreIn the fields of organizational studies and business management there has been a growing emphasis on the practice of knowledge management (KM)---the process of generating, codifying, and transferring information assets for increased organizational performance. This once-theoretical discipline is expanding into other sectors such as higher education institutions. The purpose of this study was to (a) assess the use of KM and the strategies which further its use in research universities, (b) examine relationships between use and efficiency of the strategies and the effectiveness of KM, (c) develop a classification model for KM effectiveness, and (d) determine the critical success factors for KM effectiveness. A 43-item survey (rating strategies and processes on two dimensions---"use" and "importance") was adapted from a benchmarking tool created by Arthur Andersen Consulting and the American Productivity and Quality Center. The field test concluded that the instrument was reliable (96%) and a panel of experts validated the content (72% agreement rate). The survey was distributed to 1285 administrators at the 257 public and private United States research universities. Three hundred (300) participants from 161 universities responded. The response rate, calculated by number of organizations responding, was 62.6%. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses (analysis of variance, correlational analysis, and discriminant analysis) were employed. Five key findings were discovered. First, universities demonstrated an above moderate level (above 3 on a 5-point Likert scale) "use" of strategies and a below moderate level "use" of processes. Second, technology was the most implemented strategy, and measurement was the least. Third, notable differences between public and private universities were found regarding use of leadership strategy and transfer process. Fourth, the proposed discriminant model for classifying institutions by KM effectiveness level was 76% accurate. Variance in KM Effectiveness ranged from 46.6% (measurement) to 30.1% (culture). Finally, the most critical factors for effective KM centered around technology and measurement strategies. Tactics within each of these strategies were further identified to enable higher education leaders to increase KM effectiveness. Other considerations are highlighted for organizations wishing to implement a KM initiative, and recommendations are made for further research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11983
- Subject Headings
- Knowledge management
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Individuals with cognitive exceptionalities and reported lifestyle satisfaction: The relationship of leisure awareness, participation, and barriers.
- Creator
- Ciccarelli, Diane D., Florida Atlantic University, Bryan, Valerie
- Abstract/Description
-
The primary purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable inventory to collect data on reported leisure/recreation awareness, leisure/recreation participation, barriers to leisure/recreation activities, and lifestyle satisfaction for individuals with cognitive exceptionalities. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between the leisure/recreation variables and reported lifestyle satisfaction for individuals with cognitive exceptionalities....
Show moreThe primary purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable inventory to collect data on reported leisure/recreation awareness, leisure/recreation participation, barriers to leisure/recreation activities, and lifestyle satisfaction for individuals with cognitive exceptionalities. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between the leisure/recreation variables and reported lifestyle satisfaction for individuals with cognitive exceptionalities. Leisure and recreation activities assist individuals to lead healthy lifestyles and benefit an individuals' physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. The dependent variable used in the analyses was lifestyle satisfaction. The predictor variables were leisure/recreation awareness, barriers to leisure/recreation, and leisure/recreation participation. Data were collected from responses ( N = 54) on the Leisure Recreation Access and Lifestyle Satisfaction Inventory (LRALS) and analyzed to determine if a relationship existed between the variables using a linear regression model. The coefficient alpha reliabilities were .90 to .98 for the leisure/recreation and lifestyle satisfaction variables. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were .83 to .98, p < .05 for the test-retest of the inventory. Results of the statistical analyses concluded that a positive relationship existed between reported leisure/recreation awareness and reported lifestyle satisfaction for the respondents. A negative relationship existed between reported barriers to leisure/recreation activities and reported leisure/recreation participation for the respondents. A positive relationship existed between reported leisure/recreation participation and reported lifestyle satisfaction for the respondents. The predictive accuracy of a model composed of (reported leisure/recreation awareness, leisure/recreation participation, and barriers to leisure/recreation to lifestyle satisfaction) R2 = .18 was significant, F(3, 50) = 3.67, p < .05. The predictive accuracy of a model composed of (reported leisure/recreation awareness, leisure/recreation participation, barriers to leisure/recreation and demographic data to lifestyle satisfaction) R2 = .32 was significant, F(10, 43) = 2.10, p < .05. The LRALS Inventory assists individuals to report perceived leisure/recreation and lifestyle satisfaction indices. The inventory can assist service providers to plan personnel, facilities, and equipment based on consumer choices.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11982
- Subject Headings
- People with mental disabilities--Recreation, Lifestyles, Leisure, Developmentally disabled
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The development of a community-school partnership in a Brazilian elementary school: A case study.
- Creator
- Carvalho, Renata Osborne, Florida Atlantic University, Decker, Larry E.
- Abstract/Description
-
This case study focused on describing the perspectives of educators and community members involved in a school-community partnership in an elementary public school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Their perspectives included what they saw as the partnership's history, influence of the Friends of the School Project, benefits, conflicts, processes, and future expectations. This research was significant because community involvement in Brazilian public schools has been growing recently. The researcher...
Show moreThis case study focused on describing the perspectives of educators and community members involved in a school-community partnership in an elementary public school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Their perspectives included what they saw as the partnership's history, influence of the Friends of the School Project, benefits, conflicts, processes, and future expectations. This research was significant because community involvement in Brazilian public schools has been growing recently. The researcher was a participant observer in the school, observing activities, interviewing adults, and collecting documents related to the partnership. The result was a holistic narrative of the case study from the triangulation of the methods of data collection and the views of participants. The research revealed a divided community, a previous abusive use of the school by the community, and a school open to constructive partnerships. The Friends of the School had a complementary role in the development of partnerships. The school had positive pedagogy, culture, and participation of parents and volunteers. The partnerships brought resources to the school and enriched the lives of people, particularly the children and the volunteers. There was an unequal distribution of partner activities per grade level and the roles of the citizens, educational professionals, and the state were questioned. Matching interests and respecting school's routines were important in the process of developing partnerships. Participants expected more participation from partners, more efficiency from the state, and better public schools. Their vision was of the children growing to be happy, critical, and able to compete in the world. The conclusions were that the public school was important in the fight against inequalities; the relationship between the school and the community could improve; the Friends of the School helped to make the partnerships official and brought more citizens in to participate in the school; the partnerships enriched the lives of children, parents, educators, and partners; Brazilians needed to demand their rights as stated in the Guidelines and Basis Law of the National Education (1996); and the volunteer action needed to be more organized.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11981
- Subject Headings
- Community education, Community schools
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The comparison of three eighth-grade-to-ninth-grade transition programs in a South Florida high school.
- Creator
- Black, Kris Janet, Florida Atlantic University, Urich, Ted R.
- Abstract/Description
-
This study compared three groups of ninth grade students in a selected high school in South Florida. The three groups were ninth grade students who attended Blanche Ely High School in Broward County, Florida during the 1999--2001 school years. The first program is the Ninth Grade Learning Community Academy or LCA. This program was housed on the north campus of Broward Community College. The second program is the Environmental Science Technology Program or ESTP. This program parallels the LCA...
Show moreThis study compared three groups of ninth grade students in a selected high school in South Florida. The three groups were ninth grade students who attended Blanche Ely High School in Broward County, Florida during the 1999--2001 school years. The first program is the Ninth Grade Learning Community Academy or LCA. This program was housed on the north campus of Broward Community College. The second program is the Environmental Science Technology Program or ESTP. This program parallels the LCA program, but was housed on the main campus of Blanche Ely High School. The third group was randomly selected from ninth grade students who attended Blanche Ely High School's main campus. This random sample served as the control group. Factors that were associated with academic success such as low socio-economic status, an urban community, and ethnicity were represented equally in all groups. Special education students and those students who were classified as limited language proficiency were eliminated from this study. The purpose of this study was to determine which school environment had the most positive impact on eighth graders transitioning into the ninth grade as determined by GPA, attendance, and school climate. The significance of this research was generated by the fact that 38.2 percent of Broward County ninth graders failed to achieve a 2.0 GPA during the 1997--98 school year. The primary means of data collection for this study was through (a) transcript evaluation using grade point averages, (b) attendance records and (c) school climate survey attitudes. The data collected covered August, 1999 through February, 2001. The School Board of Broward County, Florida may determine through this study which environment was most beneficial to increasing student achievement, attendance, and school climate at the ninth grade level. There are currently 23 high schools in Broward County. Each high school enrolls approximately 800 to 1000 rising ninth graders each year and the number is growing (Broward Schools, 1999). The goal of the School Board of Broward County, Florida is to increase student achievement at all levels. By creating alternatives to the large traditional high school environment, students at the ninth grade level might be more successful in their academic pursuits thus raising the standards of excellence in the county.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11980
- Subject Headings
- Student adjustment, Academic achievement
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- From one generation to the next: A case study of Holocaust education in Illinois.
- Creator
- Ellison, Jeffrey Alan., Florida Atlantic University, Pisapia, John, Berger, Alan L.
- Abstract/Description
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Currently a debate is underway concerning the current state of Holocaust education in the United States. Some scholars believe that its overall state is quite healthy, while others believe that it is in deep need of repair. To date, the literature about Holocaust education does not allow the debate to be answered because even the most basic analytic information is lacking: who teaches it, where it is taught, when it is taught, how it is taught, and why it is taught. For purposes of this study...
Show moreCurrently a debate is underway concerning the current state of Holocaust education in the United States. Some scholars believe that its overall state is quite healthy, while others believe that it is in deep need of repair. To date, the literature about Holocaust education does not allow the debate to be answered because even the most basic analytic information is lacking: who teaches it, where it is taught, when it is taught, how it is taught, and why it is taught. For purposes of this study a new Holocaust questionnaire was developed and sent to a random sampling of public high schools in Illinois. Two research questions were formulated. The first was to answer those aforementioned basic analytic questions. The second was to ascertain those factors that cause particular schools to emphasize Holocaust education more than other schools. Two major hypotheses were considered in relation to emphasis: school-related factors and teacher-related factors. Correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed in order to ascertain those factors most statistically associated with emphasis. Given the limitations of the model, most factors that related to emphasis were directly or indirectly related to teacher training and preparation in Holocaust education.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11979
- Subject Headings
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Study and teaching--Illinois, Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), in textbooks
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relations of gender identity to preadolescents' adjustment and friendship patterns.
- Creator
- Carver, Priscilla Rouse, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this study was twofold: first, this research was conducted in order to replicate and extend Egan and Perry's (2001) work linking four components of gender identity to adjustment; second, this research was intended to extend knowledge of the relation between gender identity and affiliational patterns in the peer group. Measures of gender identity were (a) feelings of gender typicality, (b) contentment with one's gender assignment, (c) felt pressure for gender conformity, and (d)...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was twofold: first, this research was conducted in order to replicate and extend Egan and Perry's (2001) work linking four components of gender identity to adjustment; second, this research was intended to extend knowledge of the relation between gender identity and affiliational patterns in the peer group. Measures of gender identity were (a) feelings of gender typicality, (b) contentment with one's gender assignment, (c) felt pressure for gender conformity, and (d) intergroup bias (feeling that one's own sex is superior to the other). Measures of adjustment included self-esteem, peer rejection, victimization by peers, and specific social behaviors. Participants were 206 children in Grades 3 through 8. Low gender typicality, low gender contentedness, and high felt pressure were all associated with maladjustment. Furthermore, children were especially likely to be at risk for poor adjustment when two of these factors occurred together (e.g., low gender typicality in combination with high felt pressure, low gender contentedness in combination with high felt pressure, or low gender typicality in combination with low gender contentedness). Intergroup bias was unrelated to adjustment. Analyses relating gender identity to characteristics of reciprocated friends and disliked peers indicated that children tend to choose friends with similar clusters of gender identity-linked characteristics and avoid children who do not possess those characteristics. Interpretations and directions for future research are offered.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11978
- Subject Headings
- Psychology, Social, Psychology, Developmental
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effect of professional development experiences on National Board for Professional Teaching Standards candidates' scores in Florida.
- Creator
- Warner, Kristen Lynne, Florida Atlantic University, Kerensky, Vasil M.
- Abstract/Description
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National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification is one way in which teachers can demonstrate excellence in teaching. This study was conducted in order to examine the effect of the professional development experiences on overall scores on the assessment of candidates for National Board Certification RTM in Florida. The study was conducted using the entire population of candidates in Florida (1,787) during the 2000--2001 assessment cycle. A survey was used to collect data from...
Show moreNational Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification is one way in which teachers can demonstrate excellence in teaching. This study was conducted in order to examine the effect of the professional development experiences on overall scores on the assessment of candidates for National Board Certification RTM in Florida. The study was conducted using the entire population of candidates in Florida (1,787) during the 2000--2001 assessment cycle. A survey was used to collect data from the candidates. Of the surveys sent, 62% were returned and used in the study. The survey included questions regarding the educational background, demographics, and professional development experiences of the teachers. To examine the effect of professional development experiences on the overall National Board Certification assessment scores, a multiple regression analysis was used. A predictive discriminant analysis was used to predict passing or non-passing group membership. The criterion variable used was the score on the National Board Certification assessment. Results indicated that professional development experiences coupled with background and demographics contributed significantly to a candidate's overall score. In the full model, controlling for all of the other variables in the model, holding an advanced degree in the field was found to contribute to the predictive accuracy of the model. Also, the number of hours preparing the portfolio and preparing for the assessment center also contributed to the predictive accuracy of the model. Bivariate correlations indicated that there was a positive correlation between candidates' overall scores and the number of hours of professional development. There was a positive correlation between the overall score and the amount of time preparing the portfolio entries and for the assessment center. The predictive accuracy of the full model for predicting passing and non-passing group membership was 58.7%. Tests of significance for the unique contribution of each subset of variables to the cross-validated classification accuracy of the full model were insignificant.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11977
- Subject Headings
- National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (U S ), Teachers--Training of--Florida, Professional socialization
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Rhythmicity, synchrony and resonance within the circuit of Papez.
- Creator
- Albo Angelus, Zimbul, Florida Atlantic University, Vertes, Robert P.
- Abstract/Description
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Single unit activity from the anterior thalamus (AT) was recorded in order to investigate discharge profiles during desynchronized (large amplitude irregular activity (LIA)), and synchronized (theta rhythm) patterns of the hippocampal EEG. Units were recorded in urethane-anesthetized rats in the anteroventral (AV, n = 96), the anterodorsal (AD, n = 44) and the anteromedial (AM, n = 48) thalamic nuclei. The majority of the units (n = 164, 87%) were theta-on and a small group (n = 24, 13%) was...
Show moreSingle unit activity from the anterior thalamus (AT) was recorded in order to investigate discharge profiles during desynchronized (large amplitude irregular activity (LIA)), and synchronized (theta rhythm) patterns of the hippocampal EEG. Units were recorded in urethane-anesthetized rats in the anteroventral (AV, n = 96), the anterodorsal (AD, n = 44) and the anteromedial (AM, n = 48) thalamic nuclei. The majority of the units (n = 164, 87%) were theta-on and a small group (n = 24, 13%) was theta-off. Theta-off cells were found in AD and AM nuclei but not in AV. Theta-on cells increased their discharge in presence of hippocampal theta. Mean discharge rate was 6.0 +/- 0.52 Hz and 14.48 +/- 0.96 Hz for AV theta-on cells during control and theta states, 4.43 +/- 0.52 Hz and 10.05 +/- 1.28 Hz for AD theta-on cells, and 2.60 +/- 0.3 Hz and 6.42 +/- 0.9 Hz for AM theta-on cells, respectively. We found that 40% of AV cells showed a rhythmic pattern that peaked significantly at 250--270 ms during theta, 21.9% of AD units and only 5.7% for AM units showed a rhythmic pattern. The majority of AT cells showed unit-theta phase-locked EEG oscillations in the crosscorrelogram, indicating that in spite of low rhythmicity most units firing were modulated at theta frequency. The coherence measured by spectral analysis between unit firing and hippocampal theta was statistically significant in 75% of cases. The anatomical distribution of the cells shows that coherence values were widely distributed across the anterior thalamus. In addition, the particular contribution of this diencephalic structure during theta was determined by applying measures of information flow in the neural circuit of Papez. Partial coherence (PC) analysis together with the computation of causality measures (DTF and DC) was used to study such interaction among AV, retrosplenial cortex and hippocampus. PC analysis revealed hippocampus as the synchronizing structure for rhythmic AV cells and retrosplenial cortex. A link between hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex was found for the non-rhythmic AV group. The DTF analysis showed flow of propagation from AV to hippocampus, hippocampus to retrosplenial cortex and AV to retrosplenial cortex for both groups. The strength of connection changed depending on the state of the animal. Behaviors that have been particularly related to the hippocampal theta activity refer mainly to learning and memory. Activation of large numbers of septo-hippocampal neurons during the generation of the theta rhythm has been proposed as a 'natural tetanizer'. Numerous cellular studies have linked long-term potentiation (LTP) and the hippocampal theta rhythm. The role of theta in memory has been evidenced through lesion studies in animals. Some observations in humans have proposed the anterior thalamus as pivotal for spatial memory. Perhaps the cellular theta activity found in AV plays an important role in the generation and control of the hippocampal theta rhythm and hence in memory and learning.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11976
- Subject Headings
- Neural circuitry, Electroencephalography, Hippocampus (Brain)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Statistical analysis of dynamic interdependence patterns in the cortex.
- Creator
- Truccolo-Filho, Wilson A., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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This dissertation is an investigation of the sources of commonly observed event-related transients in statistical measures of interdependence: variance, cross-correlation, power spectrum density and coherence spectrum density time functions. These measures are often employed in the analysis of spatio-temporal interdependence patterns in neural activity. In order to understand the phenomenon, the origins of the variability of event-related responses are revisited. The time series of single...
Show moreThis dissertation is an investigation of the sources of commonly observed event-related transients in statistical measures of interdependence: variance, cross-correlation, power spectrum density and coherence spectrum density time functions. These measures are often employed in the analysis of spatio-temporal interdependence patterns in neural activity. In order to understand the phenomenon, the origins of the variability of event-related responses are revisited. The time series of single trial cortical event-related potentials typically have a random appearance, and their trial-to-trial variability is commonly explained by the classic signal-plus-noise model, in which random ongoing background noise activity is linearly combined with a stereotyped evoked response. Here, we demonstrate that more realistic models, challenging both the linear superposition and the trial-to-trial stationarity of the event-related responses, can account for such event-related transients. In particular, two effects are considered: the nonlinear gain modulation in neural networks coupled through sigmoid functions and the trial-to-trial variability in amplitude and latency of the event phase-locked responses. An extensive analysis and characterization of both effects in interdependence measures is carried out through both analytical and numerical simulations in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 presents the outcome of testing the predicted effects on UP data recorded from implanted intracortical electrodes in monkeys performing a visuo-motor pattern discrimination task. Overall, the results point to a large contribution of the trial-to-trial variability of event phase-locked responses on the observed event-related transient in statistical interdependence measures. Because variability of the event-related responses is commonly ignored, event-related modulations in power spectral density, cross-correlation, and spectral coherence are often attributed to dynamic changes in functional connectivity within and among neural populations. It becomes then crucial the separation or removal of the trial-to-trial amplitude and latency variability effect from the statistical measures. In order to achieve this goal, the reconstruction of the single trial event phase-locked potentials is required. In Chapter 4, we approach this problem from a Bayesian inference perspective. The posterior probability density is derived for a specified number of event phase-locked components using data from single or multiple sensors. The Maximum A Posteriori solution is used to obtain the phase-locked component waveforms and their single trial parameters. The outcome is a further and definitive support for predominance of the effect of the nonstationarity of the phase-locked responses on the statistical quantities. Based on the theoretical and experimental analysis conducted in Chapters 2, 3 and 4, a framework for the statistical analysis of dynamic spatio-temporal interdependence patterns in Local Field Potential data is articulated.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11975
- Subject Headings
- Biology, Biostatistics, Biology, Neuroscience
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- CEO departure and discretionary accounting choices.
- Creator
- Mortimer, John William, Florida Atlantic University, Hopwood, William S.
- Abstract/Description
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Dechow and Sloan [1991] investigate the hypothesis that CEOs, during their final years of office (the "horizon" years), manage discretionary expenditures to improve short-term earnings performance. Using a sample of 261 firm-years, this study extends the Dechow and Sloan model by including additional control variables. It also examines whether the discretionary components of earnings (discretionary accruals, discretionary revenue, and capital expenditures) provide departing CEOs a monetary...
Show moreDechow and Sloan [1991] investigate the hypothesis that CEOs, during their final years of office (the "horizon" years), manage discretionary expenditures to improve short-term earnings performance. Using a sample of 261 firm-years, this study extends the Dechow and Sloan model by including additional control variables. It also examines whether the discretionary components of earnings (discretionary accruals, discretionary revenue, and capital expenditures) provide departing CEOs a monetary incentive (bonuses) to manipulate these income factors. The general results of this study do not support the hypothesis that departing CEOs have a greater monetary incentive than incumbent CEOs to manage discretionary earnings to maximize their bonus schemes. A possible reason this hypothesis is not supported may be due to the fact that previous research has treated incumbent and departing CEOs as separate, homogeneous samples a treatment that the extant income-smoothing and CEO turnover research suggests may be flawed. Income smoothing literature provides evidence that some incumbent CEOs manipulate earnings to a predetermined target to avoid a "ratcheting" of expectations while CEO turnover research suggests that the "relay" process mitigates some departing CEOs' manipulations of earnings. Since agency theory predicts that management of accounting earnings will vary between groups of incumbent and departing CEOs, as well as within these two groups, the present study partitions the sample on the median change in operating cash flows for departing CEOs. This study finds evidence that departing CEOs in the above-median partition do increase income-enhancing discretionary accruals in their final year with the firm, and they have a significant economic incentive to do so. However, there is apparently no economic incentive for departing CEOs with an above-median change in operating cash flows to reduce discretionary revenue or capital expenditures.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11974
- Subject Headings
- Chief Executive Officers--Salaries, etc, Accrual Basis Accounting, Disclosure in Accounting, Incentives in Industry
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Careers in crisis: The relationship between person-environment fit and job satisfaction.
- Creator
- Jackson, Craig Campbell, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
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Archival data collected from a private-practice career counseling center was analyzed to evaluate the extent to which situational constraint measures can be applied as moderators of person-occupation congruence. Demographic, personality, and career interest inventory responses, particularly those for the Strong Interest Inventory (SII), the 16PF, and the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory, served as the primary units of analyses. Data was collected by career counselors over a ten-year period for 202...
Show moreArchival data collected from a private-practice career counseling center was analyzed to evaluate the extent to which situational constraint measures can be applied as moderators of person-occupation congruence. Demographic, personality, and career interest inventory responses, particularly those for the Strong Interest Inventory (SII), the 16PF, and the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory, served as the primary units of analyses. Data was collected by career counselors over a ten-year period for 202 clients (125 men and 77 women; M age = 36.9). Difference score measures were calculated for clients by comparing SH scores to normative means for the general reference sample of the SH and appropriate occupational samples. Situational constraints such as age, income, marital status, having children, time spent in one's career field, and time spent in one's job were hypothesized to be positively associated with seeking career counseling for less voluntary reasons (i.e., terminations or lay-offs) than those who sought counseling for other reasons (i.e., career change, relocations, reentry, or resignation). Although situational constraint hypotheses were not supported, career counseled clients were highly incongruent with the occupational interests of their occupations. The magnitude of this finding exceeds that of those typical of the career-interest congruence literature. Despite clients' incongruence with the interests most commonly associated with their occupations, clients were more congruent on those interest dimensions when scores were compared to general reference sample means. That is, through selection practices or socialization, clients have achieved a minimal degree of congruence yet do not completely match the characteristics of the majority of others in their occupations. The results of this study suggest there is a maximum level of incongruence expected of interest congruence studies. Career-counseled clients in this sample spent considerable sums of money to find work situations that would improve their level of work satisfaction. Further research is necessary to verify whether the inclusion of career counseled clients provides a ceiling for the measurement of congruence-satisfaction relationships. Although situational constraint measures were not identified as effective moderators, their inclusion in future nonarchival studies may yield more sensitive tests of situational constraint hypotheses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11973
- Subject Headings
- Psychology, Industrial, Psychology, Personality
- Format
- Document (PDF)
