Authentic Research Experience and “Big Data” Analysis in the Classroom: Maize Response to Abiotic Stress

Integration of inquiry-based approaches into curriculum is transforming the way science is taught and studied in undergraduate classrooms. Incorporating quantitative reasoning and mathematical skills into authentic biology undergraduate research projects has been shown to benefit students in developing various skills necessary for future scientists and to attract students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. While large-scale data analysis became an essential part of modern biological research, students have few opportunities to engage in analysis of large biological data sets. RNA-seq analysis, a tool that allows precise measurement of the level of gene expression for all genes in a genome, revolutionized molecular biology and provides ample opportunities for engaging students in authentic research. We developed, implemented, and assessed a series of authentic research laboratory exercises incorporating a large data RNA-seq analysis into an introductory undergraduate classroom. Our laboratory series is focused on analyzing gene expression changes in response to abiotic stress in maize seedlings; however, it could be easily adapted to the analysis of any other biological system with available RNA-seq data. Objective and subjective assessment of student learning demonstrated gains in understanding important biological concepts and in skills related to the process of science.     

Leadership characteristics and training needs of women and men in charge of Spanish universities

This article discusses the results obtained by two consecutive enquiries into the leadership styles and training needs of women and men leading higher education organisations. It compares the findings of the first stage of two studies, based on ad hoc questionnaires responded to by 136 women and 129 men. Results showed only subtle differences between the leadership styles deployed by the two groups. Both groups viewed organisations as social constructions; they preferred characteristics such as responsibility, ability to get on well with people, motivation capacity, communication and empathy, capacity to tackle difficult situations, and ethical issues. Consistent with this both groups identified similar training needs, which included the acquisition of abilities to deal with interpersonal conflicts and the construction of personal criteria to select the best strategy to face every situation. As no significant differences between male and female leaders were found, it is suggested that research into higher education organisations and their management training needs from a gender perspective should focus on the way both men and women managers tackle problems and situations.     

Influence of shod/unshod condition and running speed on foot-strike patterns,inversion/eversion,and vertical foot rotation in endurance runners

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of barefoot running on foot-strike patterns, eversion–inversion, running speed and vertical foot rotation in endurance runners. Eighty healthy recreational runners (age = 34.11 ± 12.95 years old, body mass index = 22.56 ± 2.65 kg · m^?2) performed trials in shod/unshod running conditions on a treadmill at comfortable and competitive self-selected speeds. Data were collected by systematic observation of lateral and back recordings at 240 Hz. McNemar’s test indicated significant differences between shod/unshod conditions and foot strike at comfortable and competitive speeds (P < 0.001). Speed was related to vertical foot rotation type for shod (P < 0.01) and unshod conditions (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found between shod/unshod conditions in foot rotation at comfortable running speeds (P < 0.001) and competitive running speeds (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in inversion or eversion (P ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that running kinematics, in terms of foot-strike patterns and vertical foot rotation, differ between shod/unshod conditions, while the inversion or eversion degree remains unchanged.     

Crowdsourcing as an Approach to Customer Relationship Building in Academic Libraries

Library initiatives to first-year students not only present an opportunity to offer information literacy instruction for student advancement, but they also serve a key marketing function by communicating the library's ongoing value and building customer relationships. Library orientation tours are an example of how to effectively market to first-year students. Combining peer-to-peer learning and user-generated content via social media known as crowdsourcing, Newman Library sponsored a contest challenging first-year students to create a video sharing a useful library tip. The contributions and benefits of this cocreation approach to fostering relationships are examined, and the implications to strengthening other library-user bonds are explored.     

Social Perspective Taking: Advancing Empathy and Advocating Justice

Note: An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 1993 American Education Research Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA. My thanks for critical comments on earlier drafts to Patricia Campbell, Carol Anne Dwyer, Kathy O'Neill, Diane Pollard, and Donald Powers.     

Solving Problems in Genetics II: Conceptual restructuring

This paper presents the results of part of an investigation carried out with fourth‐level Spanish secondary education students (15 years old), in which we implemented a teaching unit based on problem‐solving methodology as an investigation to teach genetics and human inheritance curricular contents. By solving open problems, the students experienced a conceptual restructuring that stayed with them over time and involved the following specific theories: the location of hereditary information, the transmission of hereditary information, and the appearance of new characteristic. The learning connections between these specific theories were also studied. Furthermore, these results were compared with a control group that worked with closed problems, the usual approach to genetics teaching in Spanish classrooms. Consequently, we were able to verify that our methodology results in better learning.     

Sprint performance and mechanical outputs computed with an iPhone app: Comparison with existing reference methods

The purpose of this study was to assess validity and reliability of sprint performance outcomes measured with an iPhone application (named: MySprint) and existing field methods (i.e. timing photocells and radar gun). To do this, 12 highly trained male sprinters performed 6 maximal 40-m sprints during a single session which were simultaneously timed using 7 pairs of timing photocells, a radar gun and a newly developed iPhone app based on high-speed video recording. Several split times as well as mechanical outputs computed from the model proposed by Samozino et al. [(2015). A simple method for measuring power, force, velocity properties, and mechanical effectiveness in sprint running. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12490] were then measured by each system, and values were compared for validity and reliability purposes. First, there was an almost perfect correlation between the values of time for each split of the 40-m sprint measured with MySprint and the timing photocells (r?=?0.989–0.999, standard error of estimate?=?0.007–0.015?s, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)?=?1.0). Second, almost perfect associations were observed for the maximal theoretical horizontal force (F₀), the maximal theoretical velocity (V₀), the maximal power (P_max) and the mechanical effectiveness (DRF – decrease in the ratio of force over acceleration) measured with the app and the radar gun (r?=?0.974–0.999, ICC?=?0.987–1.00). Finally, when analysing the performance outputs of the six different sprints of each athlete, almost identical levels of reliability were observed as revealed by the coefficient of variation (MySprint: CV?=?0.027–0.14%; reference systems: CV?=?0.028–0.11%). Results on the present study showed that sprint performance can be evaluated in a valid and reliable way using a novel iPhone app.