Creating connections: Library instruction across campus

The Library Outreach Program Committee at Western Washington University serves as a coordinating body for outreach activities to the non-departmental campus community. Successful projects include collaboration with New Student Services/Family Outreach, Academic User Technology Services, and Residential Life. A database of outreach activities assists in tracking and assessing outreach activities.     

Impacts of Climate Change on Leisure Sports Golf Tourism For the World Leisure Sports Foundation Congress

According to the International Association of Golfing Tour Operators,the global golf tourism market is worth over $20 billion per year,countries are promoting golf as an important tourism activity, and golf tourism expanding rapidly. This study investigated the consumer trends and current situation ofgolf real estate in Caribbean area,revealed the impacts of climate change on golf course construction and on leisure sports golf tourism     

Kindergarten Teachers and Classrooms: A Transition Context

Demographic and structural features of kindergarten classrooms are described using data from the National Center for Early Development and Learning's (NCEDL) Transition Practices Survey, a nationally representative survey of kindergarten teachers (n=3595), as a first step in investigating the context of the transition to kindergarten. Findings indicate that kindergarten teachers have a lot of education and experience, but lack specific training on facilitating transitions to kindergarten. Kindergarten classrooms generally meet National Association for the Education-of Young Children (NAEYC) (Bredekamp & Copple, 1997) guidelines for class size, but are larger than some research indicates is optimal (Mosteller, 1995). All estimates are presented for the overall population and by metropolitan status, district poverty, and minority enrollment. Few differences were found between subgroups on teacher education, experience, transition training, or class size.     

Implementing individual and small group learning structures with a computer simulation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of implementing individual and small group learning structures with a computer simulation in accounting. College students used one of three learning structures with the simulation: (a) an individual structure, (b) a small group structure with extensive interaction, or (c) a small group structure with occasional interaction. Results indicated that performance scores were high regardless of learning structure. However, students who worked alone expressed significantly more continuing motivation for their learning structure than students who worked with a partner. Responses to student interviews revealed somewhat mixed feelings for the small group structures. Observation data indicated that students who used the extensive small group structure exhibited significantly more discussion and provided more answers to their partners' questions than students who used the occasional group structure. Implications for implementing small group structures with computer-based instruction are provided.     

A group math intervention: The modification of cover,copy, and compare for group application

A drill and practice intervention was applied in a small-group setting to improve students' fluency (accuracy and speed) with basic math facts. The Cover, Copy, and Compare intervention (Skinner, Turco, Beatty, & Rasavage, 1989) was modified and implemented with a small, middle school Chapter I math class. Data are presented showing digits correct per minute (DCPM) using a multiple baseline design across sets of division facts. Component parts of DCPM, speed and accuracy, are further discussed. Results of this study provide the scientist-practitioner with ideas about implementing group interventions using drill for math facts. Ways to refine the intervention based on baseline data are discussed.