scholarly journals Transfer Student Experiences and Identity Navigation in STEM: Overlapping Figured Worlds of Success

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. ar48
Author(s):  
Austin L. Zuckerman ◽  
Stanley M. Lo
Keyword(s):  
Community Colleges ◽  
Transfer Students ◽  
Figured Worlds ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Transfer Student ◽  
Degree Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The University ◽  
University Setting

Successful transitions from community colleges to the university setting are essential for increasing the number of transfer students who complete science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree programs. In this study, Holland’s framework of figured worlds was used to examine how transfer students pursuing STEM negotiated their identities in their transition to the university.

Fostering Persistence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Creating an Equitable Environment That Addresses the Needs of Undergraduate Students

2022 ◽  
pp. 152102512110735
Author(s):  
Jennifer Louten
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Real World ◽  
Hispanic Students ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Degree Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Stem Students ◽  
And Mathematics

Student retention is a critical issue for universities, and nearly half of the students who start degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) do not complete them. The current study tracks the progress of STEM students taking part in an entry-to-graduation program designed to build community, provide academic and social support, and promote engagement in academically purposeful activities. Although it had no effect on the number of students who changed their major, the program more than doubled the number of students who graduated in their original major. Black or Hispanic students taking part in the program also graduated at twice the rate of comparator students, largely attributable to the success of women in these groups. The results provide needed real-world insights into how to create an equitable environment that promotes the persistence and graduation of students, including those from groups historically underrepresented in STEM.

scholarly journals Does Latinx Representation Matter for Latinx Student Retention in STEM?

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca E. Rincón
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Stem Students ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship

Using student-level data, this study explores the relationship between Latinx student representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and student retention. Results revealed that a 1% increase in cohort-level Latinx student representation in STEM subfields is associated with a decrease in student departures from the university, but not STEM. Furthermore, Latinx STEM students may be more responsive to changes in the representation of their cohorts compared with increases in diversity for upper-division undergraduate or graduate students.

scholarly journals A Campus-Wide Investigation of Clicker Implementation: The Status of Peer Discussion in STEM Classes

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. ar6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin D. Lewin ◽  
Erin L. Vinson ◽  
MacKenzie R. Stetzer ◽  
Michelle K. Smith
Keyword(s):  
High School Teachers ◽  
Instructional Behaviors ◽  
Instructional Style ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Peer Discussion ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The University ◽  
University Science ◽  
Targeted Professional Development

At the University of Maine, middle and high school teachers observed more than 250 university science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes and collected information on the nature of instruction, including how clickers were being used. Comparisons of classes taught with (n = 80) and without (n = 184) clickers show that, while instructional behaviors differ, the use of clickers alone does not significantly impact the time instructors spend lecturing. One possible explanation stems from the observation of three distinct modes of clicker use: peer discussion, in which students had the opportunity to talk with one another during clicker questions; individual thinking, in which no peer discussion was observed; and alternative collaboration, in which students had time for discussion, but it was not paired with clicker questions. Investigation of these modes revealed differences in the range of behaviors, the amount of time instructors lecture, and how challenging the clicker questions were to answer. Because instructors can vary their instructional style from one clicker question to the next, we also explored differences in how individual instructors incorporated peer discussion during clicker questions. These findings provide new insights into the range of clicker implementation at a campus-wide level and how such findings can be used to inform targeted professional development for faculty.

Through three lenses: transfer students and the library

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sandelli
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Transfer Students ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Transfer Student ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Science And Education

Purpose The aim of this paper is to examine literature related to transfer students and students in transition through three interrelated lenses: student demographics and experiences, considerations encountered by institutions of higher education working to support these students and academic libraries’ interactions with this growing population. Design/methodology/approach Library and information science and education databases were searched for articles related to transfer student experiences and initiatives. Educational research and policy centers were also investigated for supplemental data and definitions. Findings Several key considerations for academic libraries interested in supporting transfer students emerged, including the growth and diversity of this population; academic, social and procedural experiences encountered during and after students’ transition; commonalities and differences with native first-year students; and the value of partnerships in fostering student success. Practical implications This review contextualizes conversations regarding transfer student experiences, providing a resource for librarians to understand this population from multiple perspectives and to use these perspectives to develop and enhance initiatives, resources and services. Originality/value Despite an increased emphasis on transfer students across higher education, there is little literature regarding libraries’ involvement with this population. This literature review also seeks to expand upon existing conversations by examining transfer student experiences beyond the library that could inform both their interactions with the library and the ways in which libraries connect and communicate with these students.

scholarly journals Understanding the transfer student experience using design thinking

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Whang ◽  
Christine Tawatao ◽  
John Danneker ◽  
Jackie Belanger ◽  
Stephen Edward Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Students ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Transfer Student ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time To Learn ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper aims to discuss a 2015-2016 University of Washington Libraries project focused on understanding the needs and challenges of transfer students on the Seattle campus and developing innovative ways to support transfer student success. Design/methodology/approach The study uses design thinking methods, including interviews and rapid iterative prototyping and feedback, to understand and emphasize the user experience. Findings Transfer students at the Seattle campus identify themselves as a unique group separate from other undergraduates because of their prior experience, shortened timeline at the university and their need to balance academic, work and family commitments. Because transfer students often have little time to learn about and effectively use campus resources, the authors found that working with campus partners to enrich transfer-specific student orientations and events with educational and practical content was the most effective means of supporting new students. Research limitations/implications This pilot study was conducted over an 11-month period with a small number of participants, but the iterative nature of design thinking allowed the authors to gather new feedback from a variety of students and staff at each phase. Originality/value This study showcases how design thinking methods can increase understanding of transfer student and other user needs. The design thinking approach can also enable the rapid development of library and campus services, as well as outreach efforts, to meet user needs.

scholarly journals Moving university hydrology education forward with geoinformatics, data and modeling approaches

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 2601-2628 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Merwade ◽  
B. L. Ruddell
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Curriculum Materials ◽  
Digital Curriculum ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Education Community ◽  
Visualization Tools ◽  
University Level ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The University ◽  
And Training

Abstract. In this opinion paper, we review recent literature related to data and modeling driven instruction in hydrology, and present our findings from surveying the hydrology education community in the United States. This paper presents an argument that that Data and Modeling Driven Geoscience Cybereducation (DMDGC) approaches are valuable for teaching the conceptual and applied aspects of hydrology, as a part of the broader effort to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at the university level. The authors have undertaken a series of surveys and a workshop involving the community of university hydrology educators to determine the state of the practice of DMDGC approaches to hydrology. We identify the most common tools and approaches currently utilized, quantify the extent of the adoption of DMDGC approaches in the university hydrology classroom, and explain the community's views on the challenges and barriers preventing DMDGC approaches from wider use. DMDGC approaches are currently emphasized at the graduate level of the curriculum, and only the most basic modeling and visualization tools are in widespread use. The community identifies the greatest barriers to greater adoption as a lack of access to easily adoptable curriculum materials and a lack of time and training to learn constantly changing tools and methods. The community's current consensus is that DMDGC approaches should emphasize conceptual learning, and should be used to complement rather than replace lecture-based pedagogies. Inadequate online material-publication and sharing systems, and a lack of incentives for faculty to develop and publish materials via such systems, is also identified as a challenge. Based on these findings, we suggest that a number of steps should be taken by the community to develop the potential of DMDGC in university hydrology education, including formal development and assessment of curriculum materials integrating lecture-format and DMDGC approaches, incentivizing the publication by faculty of excellent DMDGC curriculum materials, and implementing the publication and dissemination cyberinfrastructure necessary to support the unique DMDGC digital curriculum materials.

Diversamente scienza

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Career ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Research Staff ◽  
Gender Parity ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
The World ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Diversity Committee ◽  
University Of Florence ◽  
The University

This work originates from the conference organized by the Equity and Diversity Committee of the University of Florence and the National Conference of the Gender Parity Organisms of the Italian Universities held in Florence the 12th October 2018. The papers here collected illustrate the obstacles that women encounter in their academic career, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The issues the volumes deals with are still worth taking into consideration considering that women represent only the 30% of the academic research staff at the world level and that only the 30% of women students choose STEM faculties.

Extended reality interactive wall: User experience design research-creation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Siang See ◽  
Benjamin Matthews ◽  
Lizbeth Goodman ◽  
Donovan Jones ◽  
Craig Hight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
User Experience ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Experience Design ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
User Experience Design ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Academic Events ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Future Work ◽  
University Setting

This article presents the development of an extended reality (XR) interactive wall design that employs augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (AR) to display digital content in educational and exhibition settings. A wall design printed with a number of conventional graphical elements was enhanced with AR and VR, including AR-based video, a 360 virtual environment and 3D-scanned materials. The early design of the XR interactive wall was tested several times in a university setting during academic events designed to demonstrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-based content. This provided AR and VR experiences to participating visitors in an exhibition setting, where multimedia mobile devices were provided to aid these experiences. Inclusive design principles were employed, and elements integrated that allowed users (standing adults, children, wheelchair users) to view and interact with AR and VR content conveniently. After the initial introduction of the interactive wall design, the prototype was redesigned to fit both handheld and head-mount-device (HMD)-based mobile configurations. In this article we describe the prototype, a user experience study based on laboratory testing and directions for future work.

Preparing Students to Engage the Arts in the 21st Century

2015 ◽  
pp. 188-204
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Morris
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Performance Studies ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Stem Fields ◽  
Public Performance ◽  
Human Element ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
The Arts ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The University

The Department of Performance Studies at Texas A&M University is building a culture of innovation through strategic facility development, a focus on students sharing work through public performance, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The department has embraced the celebrated strengths of our university in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) by developing interdisciplinary experiences and inspiring facilities (through technology and curriculum grants). These experiences contribute to the university at large by demonstrating how technology can connect with the human element and how technology impacts human expression. Students benefit by joining faculty in exploring the new and also rediscovering the traditional.

Unique Challenges for Women of Color in STEM Transferring from Community Colleges to Universities

2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Elena Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Community Colleges ◽  
Transfer Students ◽  
Women Of Color ◽  
National Science Foundation ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Color Transfer ◽  
Transfer Rates ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Ethnicity And Gender

In this article, Marie-Elena Reyes presents the issues faced by women of color in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as they transfer from community colleges to universities. Community colleges offer a great potential for diversifying and increasing participation of underrepresented groups in STEM. Many women of color enter higher education through community colleges, but transfer rates are low, and retention rates of transfer students into STEM at universities are lower still. Through interviews conducted with participants in the National Science Foundation–funded Futurebound program, Reyes reveals an atmosphere in which women of color transfer students experience attitudes and treatment signaling that they do not belong because of age, ethnicity, and gender as well as preconceptions that transfer students are not adequately prepared. Reyes proposes that programs and policies to integrate responses to these challenges could improve the transfer rates and retention of women of color into STEM fields.

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