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Previously Approved Summer Projects (2006)
Below are selected examples of previous summer projects
Carlotta Abrams
Estrella Mountain Community College
To Learn More About the Culture, Language, and Issues in Guatemala and Brazil
From May 15-May 26 of 2006, I visited Rio de Janiero Brazil and Guatemala. I visted with Professor Pierre Ohayon of the Federal University of Rio de Janiero. I attended a conference on campus presented by the center for Philosophy, science, and humanities, which primarily dealt with literature. I also visited with the international programs office at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janiero, meeting with Daniel Castro, who works with international exchanges. I toured both campusses and met professors.
I met with representatives of the Green Party of Brazil, publishers of the Aspasia publication. I also visted "not so safe" areas of Rio on the public buses. I went to a senior citizens home in such an area where I met with older Brazilians, including one who is 104 years old.
I went to the Banco do Brazil Museum, where I viewed a Cuban art exhibit. I went to the Caixa Cultural Teatro Nelson Rodrigues, and viewed an exhibit by artist Vestindo Nelson. I also went to the Centro Cultural Candido Mendes and viewed an exhibit by Iso Millman Folhas. At the Centro Cultural Correiros, I viewed an exhibit by Manfredo de Souzanetto. In addition, I went to the "Feito Amao" or place that sells handmade products made from natural goods in Brazil. I also went to a club run by the Brazilian Navy, Clube Naval, where I attended a French class and a classical music concert.
I met with Brazilian professionals, such as a chiropracter and a Black psychotherapist. I went to the offices and saw how medicine and therapy are conducted in Brazil (in translation). I also met with American Barrett Cieutat, the principal(president) of Environmental Resources management of Metarie, Louisiana; we discussed Brazilian environmental and legal matters. I also met with MTV's Tiffany Mills, who was producing MTV's Real World in Brazil. I met the cast of Real World.
In Guatemala, I met with diplomat Olliver Griffith, who is the economic counsel. We discussed the politics and economics of Central and South America, as well as issues of healthcare. I visited colonial Antigua, Guatemala, where I met with local artists and indigenous people. I also visited the Francisco Marroquin University Campus. I talked with people there about Guatemalan education, history, and economics. I visited the Museo Ixchel, a museum of Indigenous textiles. In addition, I visited the Museo Popol Vuh, where I viewed pre-Hispanic art, pre-classic, classic, and post classic art, including the Mayan era. I visited the Museo Nacional de Arquelogy y Ethnology, which had exhibits of ancient Mayan and indigenous ruins. I also went to the National Museum of Modern Art, which featured an exhibit of Latin American Art from all over Latin America.
 Final Report  More Details in MLX
Valerie Akuna
Estrella Mountain Community College
Learning Maya 7 3D computer software
My summer project focused on the learning of Maya 7, a 3D modeling and animation software. I used an excellent textbook entitled Learning Maya 7 by Alias Learning Tools. The text moved at a fast pace and the learning curve was considerable. I covered the Maya interface, how to work in 3D space, build characters and props with polygons, create organic structures with BURBS, use Trax non-linear animation, apply forward and inverse kinematics, set cameras and lights, use Trax non-linear animation, and use Maya Embedded Language. I worked at home and quickly established a routine. I followed the step-by-step textbook tutorials then created small projects of my own which reinforced the textbook material taught. My knowledge and overall ability with this software has improved enormously to the point where I will be able to demonstrate how Maya deals with modeling, animation, and rendering to my students in a number of multimedia classes.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Mary Al-Saleh
Mesa Community College
Purposeful Learning Through Multiple Intelligences
This course was a 6 day intensive workshop which engaged participants in Howard Gardners theory of Multiple Intelligences. Faculty from all sectors were represented, elementary, middle, high-school and college. The diveristy of the group was enriching and powerful. The course began with detailed information about the nature of intelligence and various individual learner differences. Participants engaged in self reflection and introspection. Research tools and surveys were utilized as each participant explored and developed an understanding of their unique intelligence. The Teele Inventory of Multiple Intelligences provided participants with information about each of 7 intelligence patterns. The TIMI data scoring sheet provided a visual graphic of what a participants unique intelligence preferences were. Considerable time was spent exploring the various intelligences and discussions about the intelligences took place as they related to famous people in history such as Einstein, Poe, Martin Luther King, etc. Hands on practical experiences were explored, practiced and developed over the workshop period.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Mary Aldridge
Mesa Community College
Globalizing the Humanities: a study in theory, technique, and practice
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the ghost of Hamlet’s father notes, “O Hamlet, what a falling-off was there!” While he was not speaking of the current state of the Humanities in higher education, his words eerily reflect its current state. Indeed, as Ann Kirschner in “The Future of The Liberal Arts: Alma Mater in the Time of TiVo” writes, “It is the liberal arts that are most at risk now. If the rapidly expanding career colleges that are eagerly catering to the ‘new students’ with flexible and technologically advanced programs become the dominant role for the future, we will be saying goodbye to the liberal-arts education for all but the most privileged students” (3).
From 15 May to 23 July 2006, I researched the role of the humanities in a global curriculum. I interviewed faculty at New College Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, University College Dublin, and the Athlone Institute of Technology to ascertain the state of the humanities in their curriculum and in their classrooms. In addition, I interviewed students from select classes. I also attended classes and workshops, including the Dublin Writers Festival, to view the theories of the humanities in practice and to discover how writers view their role in a society that may not assign economic importance to their work.
I undertook this project to discover if and why the humanities are “falling-off” in England and in Ireland as they seem to be in the U.S. In addition, I wanted to see how globalization affects the humanities and how, and if, instructors are using the humanities to further globalization in the classroom and in the curriculum.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Jed Allen
Phoenix College
Poet as Witness: Poetry and Social Critique
My purpose for my Summer Project 2006 was to research poetry as social and political critique, specifically in contemporary American poetry and in poetries of eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South America. I explored two questions: Why does the American literary establishment commonly dismiss “political” poetry (as distinguished from “literary” poetry), whereas such poetry flourishes in other parts of the world?, and 2) How can poetry contribute to the social and political betterment of the human condition? This five-week project was carried out at home and in libraries, with print and electronic sources. This study was in partial response to the increasingly polarity of American politics and to my developing conviction that my own poetry and my teaching as well must be witness to major concerns in our time and place. My project speaks to the “global village” aspect of Phoenix College)and to my ability to help students develop the social political awareness necessary for effective citizenship. The questions addressed are central to my writing and teaching. I discovered geographies of poetry new to me; furthermore, I see clearly now that my poetry and my teaching must openly engage the issues of our time.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Brent Alvar
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Sport Performance – NSCA National Conference and Olympic Collaboration
My summer project was composed of 4 distinct parts.
First I finished 5 research projects that included 5 adjunct faculty members. The focus of the research was as follows:
1. Movement Analysis of NBA referees
2. A Meta-Analysis to Determine the Effect of Frequency Volume & Intensity of Resistance Training on Muscular Hypertrophy in Highly Trained Individuals
3. The Heart Rate Response in Elite Walking Golfers To Variable Ambient Temperatures.
4. The Influence of Resistance Training Volume on Firefighter Performance Outcomes
5. The Use of Grip Strength as a Predictive Indicator of Softball and Baseball Swing Velocity.
The second part of my summer project involved attending the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) National Conference in Washington, D.C. (July 12 – 15, 2006) where the adjuncts and I presented our research findings. I gained new insights from attending other presentations and made contacts with other strength and conditioning professionals from around the world.
The third part involved writing a proposal to the United States Olympic Training Center and meeting with them during the conference to discuss possible future research projects.
The fourth part of my summer project was to meet with the editors of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. As an Associate Editor with the group, I have a voice on how I think the journal as well as our profession should proceed.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Debbie Anderson
Estrella Mountain Community College
Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires
Living three weeks in Buenos Aires Argentina helped me learn Spanish and learn how it feels to be a stranger in a foreign country where you do not speak the language or know the culture. This experience was invaluable to me as a librarian and an educator because we have many students that speak Spanish and are challenged to communicate and achieve at the Community College. I was hoping to learn more Spanish. I learned so much more. I learned how it feels to try and explain something in a different language. I learned that how it feels not to be the ‘mainstream’ or dominant culture. Unlike learning Spanish in the United States where you can revert to English– I learned so much more than just Spanish.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Linda A. Austin
Glendale Community College
Educational Travel and Shakespeare Plays in London and Stratford-upon-Avon
My Summer Project consisted of two parts: the first part included attending the Shakespeare play Titus Andronicus at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London, and the second part included attending the play Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of the playwright. During the week I spent in England, I was able to visit historical locations relating to the life and culture of Shakespeare. In London I visited the original location of the Rose Theater which existed at the same time as the first Globe Theater, and the Tower of London, the famous prison in English history.
Of course, the most informative location was the Shakespeare Globe Theater, which is built exactly as the original theater (e.g., no metal nails). In Stratford, I visited Shakespeare’s birth house and burial ground.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Marianne Auten
Paradise Valley Community College
Leadership Development Studies Certification
My colleague Jim Rubin and I attended the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Cerification Seminar in Henderson, NV, June 8 - 11, 2006. We will be using the curriculum in a new learning community this fall: "Leadership That Makes A Difference", that combines Honors Forum (HUM 190) with Dynamics of Leadership (CPD103BL). We chose this highly rated curriculum because it combines academic, intellectual endeavor with skill development.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Joseph Bednorz
Glendale Community College
C.J. Jung Institute: Intensive Summer Program.
This program, which was started by C.G. Jung, in 1987, was attended in order to learn more about the life and work of the noted psychiatrist, C.G. Jung. The program was offered at the C. G. Jung Institute, in Zurich, Switzerland. It was a two week conference, from July 3, 2006 to July 14, 2006.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Cynthia Bingham
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Study of Alpine Europe's Languages and Cultures
This proposal seeks $2234.40 each for three CGCC faculty members to support 17 days of research and development of a multicultural/interdisciplinary perspective of the contributions of Alpine Europe to language and communication. Four days of the project will be campus based with thirteen days scheduled for travel and study in Alpine Europe (6-11-06 to 6-23-06). Cynthia Bingham is the group project leader and main archivist of Alpine Europe’s languages and cultures. As college instructors who serve on the college International/Intercultural Education Committee (IIE chaired by Bingham), we are supporting the district and college goals of diversity, internationalizing the curriculum and participating in the global community. Since the Iraq War began in 2003, understanding other cultures has become a global necessity.
Derek Borman
Mesa Community College
Learning Flash Actionscript 2.0
The goal of this project was to learn the basics of the Macromedia Flash authoring language, known as “Actionscript 2.0.” The primary resource that I used was the “Flash MX 2004 Actionscript Bible,” authored by Robert Reinhardt and Joey Lott and distributed by Wiley Publishers. Over the course of four weeks (100+ hours), I learned basic Actionscripting and practiced extensively with the following components of the Actionscript language: functions, objects, arrays, and classes. More specifically, I learned the basics of scripted navigation and timeline control, as well as the Sound, Video, LoadVars, XML, and TextField classes.
This project was completed using my home and office computers, as well as regular consultation via the Center For Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Mesa Community College (MCC).
I chose this project primarily because I wanted to learn more about dynamic methods for the delivery of online course content. I knew a little bit about creating Flash animations, but really nothing about the Actionscript language that is part of Macromedia’s Flash software. Over the course of this project, I became increasingly convinced of and excited about the potential for creating interactive, online content via Flash animation and scripting. In fact, I am already experimenting with Actionscript in my online course.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Ilene Borze
GateWay Community College
Cancer Pain Control in the 21st Century
This summer I spent 5 Fridays from 7-7 to 8-4 learning about Cancer pain management. In preparing myself for this experience I was able to view via the internnet several cancer pain and related pain control modules from exerts in this field prodcued by both Purdue Pharma and MD anderson Cancer Center in Texas. With a foundation established I was then ready to go into the clinical area at St. Josephs Hospital and spend time with a nurse certified in Pain Management. It was during this time that I was able to help assess patients and observe her pain control approaches in the clinical setting. I was able to shadow serval other pain control specialists as well as attend Grand Ropunds and several inservices dealing with Pain Management.I was able to learn aboiut all the new pain management medications including 2 new Morphine formulations and watch a clinical trial on another transdermal pain method. I had the opportunity to see new assessment tools being used as well as see actual interventions and follow-up eavualtionson these approaches. In addition , I was able to observe a non tradtional practitioner use methods such as aroma therapy and massage therapy for pain management on a few select patients.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Paul Bosch
South Mountain Community College
Student-Centered Computer Learning for the Health Sciences
This project is designed to create student-centered computer activities to help students master some of the more difficult concepts related to the health sciences. Student centered activities generate feedback between participant and program, so that the nature of the information provided changes as learning takes place. In the first phase of this project I will be using the internet and other academic sources to access what types of student-centered learning experiences are currently available. Next I will take six upper division classes related to this topic at NAU during the summer to increase my understanding. Lastly I will adapt or create programs to meet the specific learning needs of students in health science classes, pathology, or human anatomy and physiology.
David Bradley
Paradise Valley Community College
Cast glass workshop
I spent a week in beautiful San Miguel de Allende learning techniques for casting molten glass into sand molds in the studio of internationally known artist Ana Thiel. I have been a ceramic artist for over 30 years, and have been interested in glass combined with clay for sometime, but this is the first time I have been able to study with anyone knowledgeable on the subject of glass. Glass is a ceramic material but has very specific characteristics that set it apart from clay and pottery.
I was part of a group of 11 participants who worked together to prepare the sand molds, open the 2200 degree furnace, ladle out the glass, and pour it into the molds. We learned how to recognize the working properties of the glass by its color, and how to control the forms and appearance of the glass by manipulating it with wooden and metal tools.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Marie Brown
Mesa Community College
2006 Loex of the West Conference
For my summer project, I attended the Loex of the West Information Literacy/Library Instruction Conference from June 8-10th in Hawaii.
As the Instructional Services Librarian at MCC, one of my primary responsibilities is the coordination of the non-credit library instruction program. This conference was directly applicable to my daily responsiblities.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Analicia Buentello
Estrella Mountain Community College
Maricopa Writing Project
The Maricopa Writing Project will be held at CGCC between June 5-29. The MWP is an interdisciplinary writing institute through which participants work on their own writing skills and learn methods for infusing writing into their classes. We will be attending the WMP Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. In addition, participants will be required to engage in intensive writing activities during the sessions,including homework assignments.
Mario Castaneda
GateWay Community College
Updates on Environmental Monitoring
I spent 20 hours as a part-time intern with the Arizona Department of Health Services State Laboratory and indirectly 24 hours with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in Phoenix, AZ during the week of May 22-26, 2006 and June 5-9, 2006 to learn about the new sampling and analytical techniques developed to detect emerging contaminants in water. I learned how these contaminants are being analyzed and observed the quality assurance and quality control involved with these new analytical methodologies. Also, I attended the USEPA-sponsored national forum in Washington DC during the week of May 16-18, 2006. The Forum highlighted the relationship between our environment and public health, and included discussions on issues as diverse as the impact of understanding the human genome and the impacts of the built environment.
I attended an USGS Data Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on June 13-15, 2006. This workshop was attended by field hydrologic technicians performing the water monitoring activities in the eastern part of the US. I learned about the new and emerging monitoring technologies for determining the emerging contaminants in water and attended several workshops within the conference to learn to use the latest monitoring equipment and to learn new software being used by the USGS on field data management.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Albert Celoza
Phoenix College
Pilgrimage:Journey of Faith (A Multimedia Presentation
Pilgrimage: Journey of Faith is a multimedia archival project about religious pilgrimages. It will include pictures of religious sites, people, churches, maps, sketches, music, and sounds that relate to religious journeys. In various religious traditions, pilgrimages are undertaken by the faithful to seek divine favors and intervention and to encounter the spirit. Many places in the world have become cultural and religious centers because they are spiritual resources for needy souls. This project is meant to enhance my own understanding of sacred sites by bringing together research: printed, visual, and sound resources. As a result, I will gain better understanding of religions and cultures as well as the personal faith journeys of believers. This archive will serve as a professional portfolio of my work and achievements in documenting religions and cultures.
Paula Cheslik
Glendale Community College
Applied Pulmonary Mechanics:Basic Principles
The short course in Advanced Pulmonary Mechanics offered at the University of Minnesota Medical School in collaboration with the Lillehei Heart Institute is taught by faculty of the University of Minnesota Medical School. The course will meet from 8am - 5pm daily for one week from May 15-19, 2006. The course includes lectures demonstrations and laboratory exercises related to pulmonary structure, function and disease. The focus of the course is to provide Biomedical Engineers with an understanding of systems physiology. The following link is to the Course Description: http://physiology.med.umn.edu/shortcourses/5520.htm
Linda Collins
Mesa Community College
Study of Diverse Educational Cultures and Instructional Practices of Western Europe
I spent three weeks in central Europe visiting various colleges, universities, and businesses to research and learn about globalization practices, international cultures, and educational approaches in Europe. As I teach in the Business department at Mesa Community College and am the lead faculty for our international business program, it was a valuable experience as it provided me with a keen perspective on how both our business and educational approaches align with each other. In addition, I found my discussions with local businesses interesting as they discussed their perception of the United States business practices, educational approaches, and culture.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Charles Cooper
Scottsdale Community College
Sketching Valley Landmarks
Quick-sketch, drawing and rendering are tools used in the design industry to study design concepts and present them to clients, contractors and artisans. These tools need to be practice to keep them sharp and valid. As a graphic instructor it is important for me to keep my drawing skills current. This summer project will enable me to practice and refine my personal illustration skills and in turn will make me a better instructor. I propose to complete my summer project during the second summer session from July 17 – August 4. The completed project of ten illustrated architectural Valley landmarks will be put on display in our department to inspire student drawing excellence.
Renee Cornell
Paradise Valley Community College
Exploring Connections in the Global Community
A Learning Community (http://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/project.asp?pid=73 ) is an innovative approach to learning that links and integrates two or more classes. Two courses are integrated to create a broader understanding of both. The same community of students experience common readings and assignments in order to learn the material in a deeper sense. I currently teach ENG102 (Freshmen Composition) in a Learning Community with ASB102 (Cultural Anthropology). This project would allow me to learn more about the underlying concepts of the course (ASB102) to enhance the Learning Community in which I am involved. In order for me to effectively write about cultural anthropology and help my English students write about the subject, I will need to become more knowledgeable about this course. I would be working at home July 2006 and conferencing periodically with the Anthropology instructor, Jan Downey.
Marilyn Cristiano
Paradise Valley Community College
Learning Spanish Using RosettaStone Level 1
I worked through the thirteen lessons in the U.S. Institute of Languages Spanish I Visual Link dvd and cd program. These lessons are as follows: Basic needs; Greetings; Survival Expressions; Grammar; Comprehension; Communication; Locations; Becoming Acquainted; Describing Characteristics; Restaurant; Telephone; Travel; and the Bonus Section that includes months, days of the week, seasons, colors, numbers, and telling time. I did this during the timeline of my summer project.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Pam Davenport
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Facilitator Preparation Retreat--Center for Formation in the Community College
With my colleague Darby Heath, I attended the Facilitator Preparation Retreat offered by the Center for Formation in the Community College (CFCC), in Taos, NM, May 22-28, 2006. I learned through the retreat how to better facilitate groups of people in classes, workshops, meetings, and retreats, using the concepts of “Formation,” as outlined in the writings and teachings of Parker J. Palmer. The concepts of Formation, according to the CFCC “make connections between the renewal of the educator’s spirit and revitalization of education.” I gained tools I have already used in my capacity as co-director of the Maricopa Writing Project in June and which I will infuse into the courses I teach and the faculty development activities I lead. These tools include techniques for engaging others in formative and reflective activities.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Asha Dey
South Mountain Community College
Enhancing Flickr Skills With Active Engagement
21st Century Students are ready for innovative active learning ways of communicating, and making connections. Flickr is a great way for students to expand their schemas by creating their own Flickr Galleries. Flickr is a practical way for students to store, search and share their photos online. As a 21st Century Instructor, it is important for me to keep abreast with the latest technologies and services. Therefore, the purpose of this project is for me to explore ways to use Flickr in my reading discipline. I will learn the operation of the service and complete “Hands On” active learning activities by utilizing the website (http://www.flickr.com/help/general/#1). I will conduct this project in Phoenix, Arizona between May 16 and June 16, 2006.
Diane Dietz
Mesa Community College
Work Experience - Nursing
The new MCCDNP curriculum, effective Fall 2006, incorporates content from what were prior prerequisites to the nursing program: NUR156 and NUR157 (Nurse Assisting). It also integrates theoretical content from the former program-required courses NUR163 (Health Promotion and Assessment I), HCR 240 (Pathophysiology), and FON241 (Food and Nutrition). Content from the former program-required courses have since been rolled into the new NUR111 (Nursing Process and Critical Thinking I). In addition, the new NUR117 (Pharmacology and Medication Administration I) includes expanded content and increased credit hours. And finally, the new NUR119 (Nursing Science I), has been expanded to include clinical components of the former NUR163 and the theory and clinical components of Nurse Assisting (NUR156 & NUR157). As a result of the addition of new content (Nurse Assisting) and the integration of content from former required program courses (NUR163, HCR240, FON241) the goal of the project was to implement interactive teaching stategies to enhance student learning.
Ronald Dinchak
Mesa Community College
A Learning Experience With National Wildlife federation's Utah Conservation Summit
I participated in the National Wildlife Federations Utah Conservation Summit located at Snowbird, Utah. The activities occurred from July 1 to July 8, 2006. All days involved outdoor field activities which included:
1. Avian studies of Little +Big Cottonwood Canyons
2. Flora of the Wasatch Mountains
3. Alpine Ecology
4. Riparian experiences of the Weber River
5. Service Project - Creating a Wildlife Habitat - Half Day
indoor classes included:
1. Digital Photography
2. Bear Ecology
3. Mountain Lion and wolf Ecology
4. Mammal Tracking
5. Environmental Literature
I introduce my students,especially in Natural History(BIO109) to the art of bird watching and the ecological significane of riparian communities. Being with a professional ornithoogist, Brette Griffin, was a great experience for me. Plant photographs of the alpine and mountain ecsystems will be a great improvement to what we are currently using in BIO 105
Mountain lion and wolf ecology were presented by Dr. James Halfpenny, who has worked with carnivores his entire career. We learned about the amazing physiology of these species and how they are interacting with humans.
The numerous nature hikes and riparian studies brought together basic ecological and environmental principles. I took numerous photographs for classroom use and sharing with colleagues.
Very useful information was obtained from mammal tracking, digital cameras, and green concepts. I will use this information in the classroom, for the Environmental Action Club and share it with colleagues. Facts on the affects of pesticide usage and habitat fragmentation are useful in explaining the current status of our planet.
Finally, my involvement in a service project, creating a wildlife habitat, reinforced my commitment to this important activity. During our MCC intersession, I teach a class for education majors, in which we focus on creating a school yard habitat. I also do a similar activity in BIO 109 Natural History of the Southwest. By helping in this project I've learned more about organizing and installation of such projects. Learning about the array of children's nature literature and meeting Lynn Cheery(author of 30 such books) will asist me as I network withM.C.C. education majors.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Carole Drachler
Mesa Community College
Educational Study Tour of Peru
This project was inspired by the decision to transform the art history survey into a global curriculum. By researching and visiting unique sites in Peru over a twelve day period, I was able to bring back to the classroom a first hand perspective of historical pre-Inca, Inca, and Spanish colonial architecture and artifacts as well as Peruvian art museums. The study included the gathering of pertinent literature and the photographing of major art sites. Eight days were spent following the excursion to study the materials and organize the slides for classroom presentations.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Geoffrey Eroe
Phoenix College
3D Animation Post-Production Editing with Combustion
I was able to further my computer modeling and animation skills through a series of tutorials with Combustion, a 3D post-production editing software. Through the tutorials I gained specific skills in the general post production process in the following areas: using and adjusting color; composting: paint operators: tracking: particles: text; and compositing. Starting literally from scratch in terms of animation post production skills, the tutorials walked me through the post production process and I have gained many useful editing skills through this project. The project was done mostly at home on my studio desk top or on my laptop when traveling. I enjoyed the process and found that I could work comfortably at my own pace. Overall time was approximately 100 hours between Summer I and Summer II, although I’m still reviewing some of the tutorials!
Final Report More Details in MLX
Brooke Estabrook-Fishinghawk
Mesa Community College
Best Practices in Mobile Computing
I conducted research to determine what role emerging technologies for internet connectivity are playing in my discipline, Computer Information Systems. My goal was to learn about these technologies, interview industry professionals about the technologies, and demo as many technologies as possible. The overarching purpose of my project was to research various options for internet connectivity in different regions around the world. The purpose of my project is to familiarize myself with various connectivity technologies so that I can stay up-to-date in my field and share my knowledge and experience with my colleagues and my students. The outcomes of the project provided first-hand knowledge and experience with mobile technologies and written results from my research that I am sharing with colleagues. The project took place during the month of July 2006. Internet access must be dependable and reliable if you plan on traveling during instructional time. There are certain technologies that are stable while others have empty promises that need more time to develop stable reliable access.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Ann Ewing
Mesa Community College
2006 American Psychological Association 114th Annual Convention
I attended the 2006 Convention of the American Psychological Association (APA) in New Orleans Louisiana, from August 10-13, 2006. I had the opportunity to represent the Mesa Community College Chapter of Psi Beta, the national honor society for students of Psychology, which received the National Anne Garret Robinson College Life Award. I am the advisor for the MCC Chapter and I had written the nomination for this award. I also had the opportunity to hear outstanding presentations on the teaching of Psychology and on content areas in my teaching field.
I attended at least four sessions per day which provided me with new ideas for teaching as well as added to my knowledge of the wide variety of topics in the field of Psychology. One session that I found particularly interesting was the Charles Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Address by Dr. Randolph Smith. Dr. Smith Kennesaw State University, is a renowned teacher of Psychology and in his address titled Lessons Learned: Getting By With a Little Help From My Friends. He offered suggestions for teaching derived from his 30 years of experience. Another session that I found to be extremely fascinating was presented by Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, from Stanford University. The session was entitled Psychology of Evil: Humanity Transformations at the Abu Ghraib and Stanford Prisons. Since I spend a full week in my Social Psychology class talking about Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment, having the opportunity to hear him describe the parallels between his research and Abu Ghraib was extremely valuable. This information is very relevant to my classroom presentation.
I also attended two sessions devoted to the twenty-fifth anniversary celebration of Psi Beta. This was important to me because I chartered the MCC chapter of Psi Beta in 1991 and have served as chapter advisor for the past 15 years, working with the founder of Psi Beta, Carol Tracy, who was honored at that session. During that 15 years, I have also served as National President of Psi Beta and on the National Psi Beta Council for five years. Additionally, I also nominated Armando Salazar for the National Ruth Hubbard Cousins Outstanding Community Service Award which he was awarded at one of those sessions, as was the College Life award which I mentioned previously.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Peter Facciola
South Mountain Community College
A Conflict Mediation and Communication Annotated Bibliography
My teaching assignment is focused on conflict communication and mediation. Since it has burgeoned over the last several years, my goal is to familiarize myself with this growing conflict communication and mediation scholarship. Therefore, the purpose of my project is to become familiar with the latest literature on conflict communication and mediation by creating an annotated bibliography. I expect to obtain valuable professional growth through this project, including the development of an annotated bibliography and a conversational knowledge of this literature that I can later apply to the creation of learning experiences for the students I teach. The project will take place in between May 30, and June 22, 2006, in Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona.
William Farrar
Estrella Mountain Community College
Exploring the Multicultural Dialogue between Buddhism and Cognitive Neuropsychology
Psychology is generally understood as a Western science that emerged from philosophy in the final decades of the 1800s. However, a more global understanding of psychology recognizes that many psychological insights had been discovered and encoded in the literatures of other cultures. My summer project aimed to contribute to this broader, multicultural perspective by synthesizing and integrating the academic literature on relationships between the Buddhist meditative tradition, cognitive neuropsychology, and the philosophy of psychology. This project May 29 to June 30.
The project resulted in a set of resources and recommendations integrating the insights of eastern traditions into psychology.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Gene Fazio
Mesa Community College
Writing and Being
The goal of this summer project was to discover methods for taking our classroom instruction to the next level of making a difference in our students’ lives as they expand their writing capacities. Writing is often seen as a descriptive process. We say what we see. However, Dr. G. Lynn Nelson in the GWAP Summer Writing Project would emphasize that writing is also a creative process. We see what we say. Writing is an excellent way to help students to make connections between their use of language and their ability to manage their emotions. As Dr. Nelson would often say, “We can publish with paper or publish with pills.” As a result, we can make a difference for our students in their life skills as part of the writing instructional process. The project consisted of attending the 2006 Conference for Global Transformation from May 19-21 in San Francisco, California and studying books and tapes authored by Eckhart Tolle, best selling author of the Power of Now.
This project began at the end of the spring semester and was completed at the end of the first summer session.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Karen Fehr
Paradise Valley Community College
Summer Technology Fun Week Plus More
The summer project started with the PVCC Summer Technology Fun Week. I attended:
1. Blackboard Course Set Up
2. Blackboard Communication Tools
3. Blackboard Assignments, Assessments, and Gradebook
4. ePortfolio
5. PhotoShop Elements
Thee classes were in the morning and then I was able to spend the afternoon practicing what I had learned. This was a critical element for me. I often have taken technology workshops, and then was not able to apply the new skills soon enough after completing the workshop resulting in loss of understanding and confidence in use of the new technology.
The second week was spent researching the reusable learning objects that are already available to educators through share systems such as Merlot. In addition I read 3 books on the "best online practices" that were available through the PVCC Library and one that was recommended from Jennifer Strickland, our Instructional Technologist.
I was able to put all of the reusable learning objects that were helpful for our discipline on a Blackboard course template in order that all of our adjuncts that do not have time to research Reusable Learning Objects, could easily access these resources.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Doug Ferguson
South Mountain Community College
Researching Prevention Programs for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The project was a three and a half week timeline to gather research information on prevention programs for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The information was gathered by doing research on articles, books and websites at the ASU Hayden Library and community centers. Included in the research were personal interviews with doctors and health experts in the field of STDs. The information gathered and data generated indicated there are preventative programs in place but much more work needs to be completed.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Miguel Fernandez
Phoenix College
Training for Advanced Computer & Technology Security Measures: CEH, Certified Ethical Hacker
Completing CEH training translated into learning to see security risks, dangers, threats, and vulnerabilities from the potential hacker’s opportunistic point of view. This skill set allows me to sit on a technology committee and see potential security issues of initiatives from the concept level, all the way to the role out of projects. Potential problems such as down time, privacy violations, intrusions, and unauthorized access can be anticipated and countered. New technologies and methodologies such as wireless access or use of blogs and WIKIs can be secured before threats occur. Having at least one person with this specialized training is invaluable for a technology committee. Focusing on social engineering also allows me to design and offer end-user training, which is vital, as the end-user is the most vulnerable spot on the security hierarchy.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Karen Flanigan
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Beyond the Hosptal Wall: finding community health care resources.
My summer project goal is to explore the community of the Chandler-Gilbert Community College area and find health care resources available beyond the traditional healthcare sites, of hospitals and long term care facilities. I hope to share this knowledge with students and utilize the sites for nursing students to gain learning experiences in their community. Nursing students need over 200 hours a semester to practice their nursing skills. Skills include hands on skills as well as the ability to communicate, assess, screen and provide teaching for many different populations. Being a new nursing program, we have limited contacts within our community to place nurses. I plan on spending four weeks this summer making contacts with appropriate sites in the community.
Marlene G. Forney
Mesa Community College
Literacy - Crossroads of Infromation, Communication, Technology and Global Literacies
In reading over 20 articles and web documents on SoTL and literacies pertaining to global learning, information, communication and technology my reflections focused on 3 areas- if I could identify commonalities for teaching these literacies; if there were ways to incorporate global literacy in my library instruction and if there are aspects of my addressing these literacies with students that would make a worthwhile contribution to the Scholarship and Teaching and Learning.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Tom Foster
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Connecting Blackboard Advanced Features to Higher-Level Teaching Methodologies
I will explore the advanced features of Blackboard and connect these features to higher-level instructional strategies. I will conduct primary and secondary research on how advanced teaching strategies can be achieved using an online course management system. I will also teach a summer course for CGCC using Blackboard while integrating these strategies into that course.
Research will take place in June and the course will be taught during the eight-week summer session. Development of materials and web site highlighting best practices will take place in July. The project will take nine weeks and 100 hours to complete.
Irene Gaither
South Mountain Community College
AMATYC (American Mathematical Association of Two-Year College) Summer Institute
I participated in a 4.5-day,38-hour, AMATYC (American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges) Summer Institute at the US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility, Outer Banks NC, with 22 other math instructors in the east coast. The theme was "Developmental Algebra Using a Function Approach." It was the integration use of technology with TI-84 Plus SE graphing calculator, CBR, CBL-2, Cabri Jr, TI-Navigator version 3.0, Flashcard, TI-Smart View version 2.0, Easy Link from Vernier, Vernier LabPro-DataMate, and and various Apps (applications). The workshop emphasized the teaching process and building patterns by looking at behaviors and parameters. Based on recent research in the cognitive sciences, algebra should be taught through a function approach implemented with a graphing calculator so that we can enhance learning. At the same time, we could hold to a higher standard of mathematical understandings through an appropriate level of rigor.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Dianne Geddis
Phoenix College
2006 ACSM Conference and Body Worlds 2 Exhibit
Between 5/31/06 and 6/5/06 I attended the Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the BodyWorlds2 exhibit in Denver Colorado. At the ACSM Conference I attended many interesting sessions including: 1). Neurobiology of Appetite: Exercise and Energy Intake, 2). Exercise Adherence: Culture to Genes, 3). Nutrition Strategies to Promote Adaptations to Training, 4). Running Injuries: Latest Trends in Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, 5). Carbohydrate Metabolism and Exercise Performance, and 6). Respiratory Muscle Training: From Spontaneous Adaptations to Specific Ergogenic Aids. I was able to review the most current textbooks in the field of Exercise Science while visiting the Vendor area. In addition, I spent several hours reading the many hundreds of research posters on display each day.
Also in town during the ACSM Convention was the BodyWorlds2 Human Cadaver exhibit from Germany. I spent a full day touring the anatomical exhibit and also was able to purchase several highly quality visual aides and activities to enhance student learning in my Applied Anatomy and
Final Report More Details in MLX
Marian Gibney
Phoenix College
18th Annual Convention Association for Psychological Science
The purpose of this project was to attend the 18th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, located in NYC from May24-28, 2006
There were three specific goals and each of them was accomplished
1. Continue to update my knowledge of the field of psychology. To achieve this goal, I attended workshops, seminars and talks that presented research into various psychological topics. Three primary themes for this convention are Memory and Consciousness, Plasticity and Change, and The Psychology of Terrorism. The first two themes relate directly to my Introduction to Psychology course and to my Developmental Psychology course. The last topic is newer to psychology and is one of increasing interest to students and researchers.
2. My second goal was to renew and expand my contacts with fellow professionals in the field of psychology. This was accomplished by attending the sessions as well as attending informal discussions with conference attendees. The exposition portion of the convention allowed me to review the most current texts, media, technology, and other pedagogical devices important to the teaching of psychology.
3. The third goal was to improve my teaching. This was accomplished by attending the pre-conference Teaching Institute. It will included specific sessions in the teaching of Pyschology.
Professional Growth
Final Report More Details in MLX
Steve Griffiths
Estrella Mountain Community College
World Pastry Forum
Over the period of one week in July, I attended the World Pastry Forum in Phoenix, AZ. The conference takes place on an annual basis, and brings together professionals from all over the world in an educational format that shares ideas and creates networking opportunities for all who attend. This conference was of interest to my professional growth in that it allowed me to see firsthand what is currently happening in the baking and pastry industry. Although I am now an instructor, I still feel a bond with the chefs who attended the conference in that we all share the common ground of pleasing our guests with good food and professionalism. It is my duty as an occupational instructory to remain updated on new skills and techniques that are taking place in the industry. The instructors were well recognized individuals who have made a large impact on the industry through their job and competition resumes. Several of them were M.O.F.'s, which is the highest level of pastry chef that can be obtained in Europe, and others have traveled the globe working in different countries and cultures. Ten classes were given, and each one lasted 3-4 hours. They included discussion and thorough demonstration on Japanese confections, French pastry, chocolate tempering, bread fermentation, isomalt and gumpaste sculpture, and frozen desserts. With the time spent in these courses, I was able to update my own skills and techniques that are important in the classroom. The class on breads encouraged me to begin using sponges and preferments as a foundation for classroom production.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Terry Grygiel
Paradise Valley Community College
Learning Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
In this project I mainly learned how to use the Express Edition of Microsoft’s Visual C++. I learned how to develop, compile, debug, and run C++ programs using the Express Edition of Microsoft’s Visual C++. I also updated my knowledge of C++.
I did the project at home, working on it for seventeen days from May 21 to June 10.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Paul Harasha
Mesa Community College
Sustainable Development: Implications for Human Society
My research project examined the implications on society of sustainable development from the perspective of the Baha’i Faith. The Baha’i Faith is an independent world religion offering a unique global perspective of human society and its relationship with the environment that is worthy of scholarly research.
As an international non-governmental organization, the Baha'i International Community is involved in a wide range of activities, including peace-building, human rights, women’s rights, education, health, and sustainable development. The Baha’i Faith calls for the creation of a system of international governance, based on the principle of collective security, which would encompass all of the nations of the world and lay the foundations for a lasting and universal peace.
My research was inspired by my personal interest and curiosity of the Baha’i Faith and by the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-14). The UN has dedicated this decade to promoting unified and diverse societies, healthy ecosystems and prosperous economies now and for the future.
Research took place during the Summer I 2006 timeline. The majority of my research was done through the Wilmette Institute’s Online Baha’i Learning Center which offers academic programs related to the Baha’i Faith.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Tawn Hauptli
Mesa Community College
Researching and Applying Best Practice with Technology Integration in Preservice Teacher Education
My project was an exploration of best practices in regard to technology integration into preservice teacher education. I conducted the research at home using texts I had acquired and dissertations and journal articles I located using electronic resources. I began the project in June and completed it in August of 2006. I used the research as springboard for collaboration with other education faculty who teach EDU 221: Introduction to Education. My role in the collaboration was to integrate technology into the curriculum and demonstrate to faculty how modify their current instruction and assignments to utilize technology to accomplish course competencies.
Final Report More Details in MLX
RaNae Healy
GateWay Community College
Maintaining Exceelence Conference for Mental Health Professionals
The "Maintaining Excellence Conference" for mental health professionals provides quality and advanced continuing education for professionals in the mental health field. This will be held in Kauai, Hawaii from May 21-26, 2006. The conference provides practical and applied strategies for treatment as well as educational and instructional purposes. Kauai's world class environment can be enjoyed for esentially the same cost as other educational programs.
Darby Heath
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Facilitator Preparation Retreat/Center for Formation in the Community College
My colleague, Pam Davenport, and I participated in the Formation for Community College Facilitator Preparation Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, May 21-27, 2006. This intensive retreat focused on the work of Parker Palmer in order to discover the authentic teacher in each of us. Through readings, discussions, activities, reflection, and writing we explored the strengths in our teaching, as well as the internal and external barriers, that impact our role as teachers in the community college. This collaborative retreat re-energized and renewed my passion for the art of teaching and the scholarship of learning with its emphasis on academic leadership and vision. This approach engendered the union of who we are spiritually—the why we became teachers, our passion for the discipline—with our academic roles in meaningful ways that can be revisited individually, as well as implemented and shared on a larger scale among colleagues.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Clifford Heide
South Mountain Community College
Alternative Energy Sources
During the summer of 2006, I attended a wind energy conference in Pittsburgh, PA and visited various solar energy sites in Arizona. Profitability and technology related to alternative energy is complex. Wind energy revenue is dependent upon the wind intensity and duration. In addition, wind proximity to an electrical grid and population areas are essential factors. In general, wind is not a viable source of energy for Arizona. APS has an experimental wind farm in the Winslow, AZ area.
Industrial Solar energy produced by electrical companies are very expensive and not a financially practical source for producing electrical energy. The APS Star Demonstration sites are primarily experimental research facilities.
Residential home solar hot water heaters and photovoltaic panels are practical alternative sources if tax credits or rebates are provided.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Nancy Hellner
Mesa Community College
The Maricopa Writing Project
Writing is an important part of learning because it helps students process their own learning, assess subject matter content, and transfer information into meaningful knowledge. The goal of this summer project will be to discover various methods for teaching students how to "learn to write" as well as how to "write to learn" for use in my own teaching. In addition, I would like to supplement my present knowledge and share it with other English, Women’s Studies, and other faculty members from various disciplines. The Maricopa Writing Project will take place from June 5 through June 30, 2006, at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
Kay Hilder
Phoenix College
Interpreting Techniques for the Deaf-Blind Population Seminar
I attended the seminar, “Interpreting Techniques for the Deaf-Blind Population” August 7 – 11, 2006 in Sands Point, NY at the Helen Keller National Center. I learned more about the types of deaf-blindness, anatomy of the eye and common eye diseases, and techniques in interpreting for those who are deaf and partially sighted (with differing types of visual needs), for those who are blind and but have some hearing, and for those that have no residual hearing or sight. I also learned about state of the art technology, some deaf-blind related signs and acronyms, orientation and mobility issues, and the role of support service providers. I also was provided with a significant amount of resources for more information. It was wonderful to be at the Helen Keller National Center as well and to see what services are provided there and to meet a variety of people with various needs that receive their services.
Final Report More Details in MLX
John Hogue
Estrella Mountain Community College
Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires
For three weeks in July, 2006 I attended the Daniella Wasser School of Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I attended classes as a student five days a week. Classes began at 8:30 am and concluded at 1:30 pm. The classes were conducted exclusively in Spanish and provided a full emersion experience including discussions, explanations and assignments. If students had questions they needed to be framed in Spanish and students were required to understand the responses also given in Spanish. Assignments were given daily and most evenings were spent completing those assignments. The intervening time was spent in greater Buenos Aires. My free time seemed to be spent eating out, taking taxis, spending time shopping, doing the laundry and always speaking the Spanish we had learned during the morning and were studying at night. I did find time during the three weeks for two tango experiences offered by the school - again all conducted in Spanish.
Primary emphasis during the class time was put on actually speaking Spanish in the class with secondary emphasis being placed on being able to read and write. Most lessons dealt with learning verbs. Thus, regular verbs, irregular verbs and reflective verbs became the emphasis daily.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Julie Holston
South Mountain Community College
20th Anniversary Conference of the Association of Theatre in Higher Education
I attended the 20th Anniversary Conference for ATHE (the Association of Theatre in Higher Education) in Chicago, Illinois from August 2 to August 6, 2006. This year's theme was "Theatrical Milestones: Past Legacies, Present Possibilities, Future Strategies." The keynote speaker was award-winning playwright, director and actor Moises Kaufman, whose plays are included in the college theatre curricular canon and have been produced here at SMCC. As a conference participant I attended several workshops, roundtable discussions, and performances facilitated by well-known Chicago theatre companies as well as by university faculty members in the areas of acting, directing, movement, dramaturgy, pedagogy, and ethics.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Charles Hulihan
Glendale Community College
Arte Flamenco: El Toque
I spent this summer studying the flamenco art of El Toque, or the art of guitar accompaniment in Flamenco. Until recent years when notated musical examples, well researched texts, and high quality audio and video examples have become readily available, the art of flamenco guitar was open only to those able to travel to its birthplace, Spain, and dedicate years to its study. The focus of my project was to learn specific guitar techniques and musical forms, listen to and view audio and video recordings, read literature on the subject of flamenco, and transcribe and notate the musical language. As a result, I now enjoy a deeper understanding of several traditional flamenco forms as well as an ability to perform and communicate this style. The project took place in my home studio in Glendale, Arizona, and was widened to include several trips to Flagstaff, Arizona where I benefited from the instructional help of an accomplished flamenco musician. I was able to master several strumming patterns or rasgueados, memorize several forms or compas, and perform a variety of phrases or falsetas that I transcribed from recordings. This project has enriched my musicianship as a result of intense focus and dedicated time.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Stephen Hustedde
South Mountain Community College
My Summer Project: The (Digital) Movie
The goal of my project was to gain basic understanding of and practical efficiency in two popular software packages used in the production of professional digital video - Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe AfterEffects. The methods employed consisted of viewing interactive DVD training tutorials (published by Total Training) and working through several trade books (The “Adobe Classroom-In-A-Box” series for both products, and Trish & Chris Meyer’s text on “Creating Motions Graphics with AfterEffects”). Given my previous computing skills, I anticipated that I could master both packages in 80 hours of study. Both packages were more difficult to learn than expected. In those 80+ hours, I managed to gain important foundational skills, but expertise and mastery is still further away than I had hoped or expected. But the all-important foundation has been laid and I anticipate making steady progress, especially as I begin to use the skills in some actual projects.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Cinthya Ippoliti
Mesa Community College
Research on Information Literacy Tutorials
The goal of this project was to research existing information about online tutorials in order to get a feel for what is currently available to help students in doing research. In order to accomplish this goal, I:
Researched the literature
Analyzed approximately 100 library tutorials for criteria such as interactivity, design, usability, content and overall look
Created a survey to gather further data
Compiled my findings into a recommendation report
My findings indicate that most of the tutorials in existence are:
Text based
Home grown and maintained
Not interactive
Do not allow for free user input
Linear
In order to create a truly interactive tutorial that allows students to maximize their learning, the following elements would have to be present:
Free form navigation
Varying levels of difficulty
Facilitate the acquisition and use of strategies
Encourage and develop inductive learning
Help is provided, but the answer is not given
In addition, this environment should also ideally include:
Educational objectives
Course or assignment related functions
Branching capabilities
Problem based-students have to create a product or analysis
Concept based elements
Assessment and Feedback
Final Report More Details in MLX
Eileen Johnston
Glendale Community College
A Ten Year Retrospective on Sexuality Issues in the United States: (Group Project)
This interdepartmental cooperative research project focuses on the impact that the Clinton and Bush presidential administrations had during the past 10 years on issues related to sexuality in the US from a scientific and public policy perspective. Topics include emergency contraception, public funding of sexuality related topics, marriage rights for gays and lesbians, AIDS prevention in the US, effectiveness of abstinence only education, US policy on homosexuals in the armed forces, RU486, increasingly limited access to abortion services and changes in the membership of the supreme court. This information will allow for our professional development by increasing our awareness knowledge of many different current issues
Alex Joncas
Estrella Mountain Community College
Recognizing and Promoting the Perspectives of African-American Women
I facilitated my own learning in the realm of multicultural awareness by reading over a dozen non-fiction books about and/or written by African-American women over several weeks time between spring 2006 and summer 2006 academic sessions while at home, on vacation or at my office.
I clearly enriched my knowledge of the lives and perspectives of African-American women. I am now more mindful than ever before of the need to address issues of diversity on a daily basis in my teaching, professional and personal life. The most exciting gain from this summer project has been that I have been able to share highlights of my learning from my reading with my students as I teach them this semester.
My sharing sparked questions from students, generated discussion, and led to my creating a reading list for my students of the books that I read for my project. On a voluntary basis, many of my students took copies of the list and have been reading selected books from the list of interest to each individually.
Finally, I have had fun sharing tidbits of my reading knowledge with my colleagues, several of whom have also asked for copies of my reading list.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Elijah R. Swift Jr.
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
The Investigations of Competitive Mathematics Contests
This project will look at the setup, implementation, and content of competitive mathematics contests at schools from around the world. This information will then be linked to local schools, examining how the curriculum in local schools relates to information on the national mathematics contests. Additionally, the data will be analyzed with an eye towards professional development for mathematics educators. Elijah R. Swift, Jr. will analyze the data at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and present findings to local curriculum specialists and submit a proposal to national conferences to present the results of the analysis.
Rita Kasapis
Mesa Community College
The 5 Most Powerful Tools For Essential Life Wisdom
"The 5 Most Powerful Tools You Need in Life for Essential Life Wisdom" involves a workshop presented by Dr.Carolyn Myss. This is a workshop designed for college counselors and educators who want to help students to be able to change their lives in some way: to heal something, to move forward on a project, to get to their "highest potential". The workshop will take place in Denver, Colorado at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, August 10-13, 2006. All workshop information, agenda, and presenter bio can be found at http://www.conferenceworks.com/speaker.php with links to Carolyn Myss'website at myss.com (Carolyn Myss Education Institute) info@ConferenceWorks.com.
Dolores King
Phoenix College
Learning Theories & Instructional Technology
The purpose of the class project was for me to learn to approach learning from different perspectives to enhance the probability of success among my students.
Here are some of the things I was introduced to and/or learned this summer:
• Assessed three different learning theories as they relate to effective pedagogy utilizing instructional technology (Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism).
• Applied current research on the psychology of learning with technology, and on instructional design principles when planning learning environments and experiences.
• Integrated instructional technology in teaching using multimedia, hypermedia and telecommunication tools based on each of the learning theories discussed above.
• Developed the skill to address and include materials that integrate multiple intelligences, address learning styles, and integrate technology that is appropriate for each of the learning theories discussed in class.
• Learned the skills to develop authentic assessments utilizing instructional technology to evaluate the progress of learners based on ISTE standards.
I completed the class successfully as it relates to learning the three theories and meeting the course objectives. The activities of the course included writing three separate lesson plans to incorporate both technology and one of the learning theories. What I would have liked was more time to focus on research, learn the terminology associated with the theories, and more time to take this class. Understanding all that is entailed in knowing how people learn and the technology available to assist with the learning or instructional process needs a bit more than twelve weeks in my opinion. I also wished that there were more resources out there that have been tried and tested on adults, since my focus is on our adult learners at the community college level.
What went well is that I do have a foundation to build on as I develop my future lesson plans. Good lesson plans that will give our students what they need require research and planning, and the time to make it happen. I plan to continue my research for resources that will both promote the three learning theories and the use of technology as content in my lesson plans.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Kelly Lambert
Phoenix College
Gaming in Education
Technology is an integral part of the everyday lives of today’s students and many students are very interested in online and video gaming. There is a movement to incorporate this affiliation with gaming into education in order to teach today’s students through a medium they are accustomed to and enjoy. Online gaming is proving to be a successful vehicle for learning and not just for play. Part of the draw for students to online gaming is the high level of engagement with the content as well as collaboration with their peers. I learned more about gaming in education and how it is being successfully incorporated in education today, from elementary school classrooms to online college courses.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Rosemary Leary
Estrella Mountain Community College
Exploring Chemistry Visualization Tools
The Biennial Conference on Chemistry Education is sponsored by the American Chemical Society (Division of Chemistry Education). It is an international gathering of chemistry educators and was held at Purdue University from July 30 to August 3. Many of the leaders in the field of chemistry visualization were present as attendees, presenters, and keynote speakers. The conference was subdivided into various strands. Each of these strands then presented symposia related to their specific topic. Some of the strands presented only one symposium while others presented multiple symposia. In keeping with the focus for my sabbatical I attended the symposia on “Computation, Modeling and Molecular Visualization Across the Chemistry Curriculum.” These symposia were presented as four different sessions and consisted of a total of 23 different papers. I attended the presentation of 16 of these. These 16 were relevant to student learning in the first two years of college chemistry. Topics included “Dispelling myths and misconceptions through the visualization of quantum concepts in general chemistry,” “Using excel spreadsheets to enhance student understanding in the general chemistry course,” and "Computational chemistry on a shoestring budget.” Other strands of relevance to my sabbatical were “Research in Chemistry Education,” “Research in Chemistry Education Using Computers,” “Best Practices in e-learning Design and Delivery” and “Web Based Applications for Chemical Education.” As is the case with many good conferences there were frequently times when I wished there was a way to be present at more than one session at a time. Fortunately the BCCE website provides a list of all presenters and their contact information so that attendees can contact them after the conference has ended. I came away from these sessions with some specific ideas to follow up on during my sabbatical as well as with new ways of looking at the use of computational chemistry in the general chemistry classroom. For example the session on using Excel provided some very visual ways to demonstrate to students mathematical concepts such as equilibrium, acids-bases, and kinetics with which students usually struggle. I learned about some features of Excel with which I was not previously aware. This is definitely one author I will be contacting for additional information.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Dmitri Logvinenko
Phoenix College
Application of Situative Learning and “Authentic Activities” in teaching of low-level college mathem
My project goal is to explore the power of situative cognition, learn aspects of situative cognition theory and using the results of this research, I will have the knowledge and skills to begin to develop “authentic activities” and problems to help students connect real-life experience with mathematical concepts and publish an article in Mathematical Education periodicals. Great importance of situative learning in teaching of mathematics is well documented in Mathematical Education research (Brown, Collins, Duguid, 1989).
It will take me approximately 100 hours to complete this project and most of the research and work will be done at home and at the Hayden library at ASU.
Pat Lokey
Scottsdale Community College
Experiencing Peru: Lima, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu.
This project allowed us to continue our study of South America by visiting Peru for 10 days. We had the opportunity to meet with administrators and faculty at the Instituto Norte Americano Peruviano and Universidad de Lima to learn about their ESL programs, libraries, and how they teach information literacy and intercultural communication. We visited historical sites in Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu and the surrounding communities.
Our time in Peru was very productive. We were able to complete our Summer Project as written. Because of the first hand knowledge we have gained about the Incas and their very sophisticated culture, we are better able to serve our students. The information that we gleaned from our cultural guides and our experiences gave us reams of anecdotal data to analyze and use in the classroom.
One of the words that international travelers are well served to heed is: flexibility. In Spanish the word is flexibilidad, and that was an important element of our visit. Schedules changed regularly and we became quite comfortable with adapting to the changing needs of our hosts.
One of the surprises of our experience occurred at Machu Picchu. Serendipitously it was full moon. Can you even imagine the wonder of being in this incredible Incan city, and then for it to be full moon?
The research we had done about this civilization did not prepare us for the intricate details that our guide was able to impart. The stories that she told and the mythology that she relayed have created for us a rich knowledge base that will make South America come alive for our students. I could tell you ten stories right now that would captivate and engage you, and I intend to use every one of them on my students.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Mary Long
South Mountain Community College
Oxford Round Table and Educational Travel in England
The general purpose of my project was to learn about the philosophical and religious history and culture of England by undertaking educational travel in England this summer. My travel was to include educational events at Oxford University and travel to educational sites in London, Oxfordshire, and Wales.
Sharon Luczu
GateWay Community College
Increase Professional Knowledge in field of Electroneurodiagnostics
Over the course of (6) weeks I personally spent (7) days at two different hospitals in Phoenix with large Electroneurodiagnostics(END) Departments to view a variety of specialty testing and talk with END technologists. On seven other days, through internet research,I expanded my knowledge of this testing which better prepared me to contact and request information from colleges across the United States who offer these programs.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Zoe Luter
Mesa Community College
Library Outreach & Marketing: American Library Association Conference & research
For this summer project, I attended the American Library Association conference from June 23rd to June 28th, this year located in New Orleans. I also spent some time researching and reading about academic library outreach and library marketing at my home and at the ASU library from July 6th-11th.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Kam Majer
Glendale Community College
A Ten Year Retrospective on Sexuality Issues in the United States:
This interdepartmental cooperative research project focuses on the impact of the Clinton and Bush presidential administrations during the past 10 years on issues related to sexuality in the US from a scientific/public policy perspective. Topics include emergency contraception, public funding of sexuality related topics, marriage rights for gays and lesbians, AIDS prevention in the US, effectiveness of abstinence only education, US policy on homosexuals in the armed forces, RU486, increasingly limited access to abortion services and changes in the membership of the supreme court. This information will allow for our professional development by increasing our awareness knowledge of many different current issues in the field of sexuality and increasing our research skills. We’ll work locally, during Summer I /II.
Jason Mallory
Estrella Mountain Community College
Social Philosophy Conference
I will be presenting a paper at and attending the North American Society for Social Philosophy (NASSP) International Conference, which is meeting from August 3-5, 2006, at the University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. (Canada). This is a rare chance for me to meet with other social philosophers and present my dissertation research. Their website can be found here:
http://www.pitt.edu/~nassp/call.html
Susan Malmo
Estrella Mountain Community College
Visual Learning Design for Online Instructional Materials
I had the opportunity to explore the impact of the visual element of online materials by working for five weeks at Estrella Mountain Community College. I researched the field and saw that, indeed, the importance of the visual element of online design is becoming more and more recognized. The majority of my work was exploring two programs: OpenMind 2—a program that helps students develop and organize material for writing projects—and SoftChalk—a program that packages online lessons is a user-friendly and visual interesting format. I found both of these programs to be worthwhile, and I’m currently working on using both in lessons for online and hybrid English 101 courses. I’ve already had great feedback from students on the SoftChalk-packaged lessons that they have used.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Pat Manarin
South Mountain Community College
Scottsdale Community College Study Abroad-Paris, City of Light
My project was to make an educational trip to Paris from May 13 to May 27. I was able to view art masterpieces in art museums and various cultural sites. Many of these works are part of my lectures in my art humanities and art studio classes. I was also able to obtain technical and aesthetic skill in digital photograhy.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Patti Marsh
Paradise Valley Community College
Global Engagement: The Czech Republic
Global Engagement: The Czech Republic Faculty Development Program in Prague was developed by the Maricopa International & Intercultural Education office in partnership with Prague College in the Czech Republic. The program included two weeks in the Czech Republic (July 15 – 30, 2006). Most of the time was spent in Prague. However, we also traveled to Pilsen and on to Cesky Krumlov for two nights as well as a day trip to Karlstejn Castle just outside of Prague. The purpose of the program was to enrich each participant’s understanding of the history, politics, economics, society and culture of the Czech Republic as well as the role of the Czech Republic within the European Union. The program provided the opportunity for faculty from many different disciplines to engage in a series of meetings, seminars, and roundtable discussion which promoted interaction with educational, governmental and business leaders. The program had just the right balance of presenters, cultural events, tours, visits, travel and cuisine. Every presentation was outstanding.
Final Report More Details in MLX
B. Matar
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Learning How to Program FPGAs and CPLDs with Altera Software
The purpose of this project was to learn the leading industry computer software, Altera, to implement Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs). Altera has become the most widely used software package in academia and industry for testing and debugging a digital design before programming devices on production boards. Learning how to use the software to program devices has increased my depth of knowledge and allowed me to better answer student questions.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Robin McCord
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
CGCs Role in International Education
How can CGCC develop programs that prepare their students for a global environment and attract future student leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences? The answer to this question, as in every report on this topic, consistently supports exchange as the finest investment in public diplomacy that the United States can make.
This project proposes the creation of partnerships between CGCC (in the pilot phase and eventually all interested campuses) and agencies in Eastern Europe that facilitate faculty summer and sabbatical exchanges. The model for the partnerships will be the Academic Training Association - an independent not-for-profit foundation, based at the University of Amsterdam and their processes for application, participation and assessment.
http://www.eaie.org/
http://www.usaid.gov/
http://www.exchanges.state.gov/
Cate McNamara
District Office
Learning New E-learning Software
This project facilitated new learning in the areas of e-learning software; specifically Respondus and Softchalk. The project took place in my office on the Glendale Community College campus and in my home (Phoenix) during the time period of May 15, 2006 to May 25th, 2006.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Larry A. Miller
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Educational travel through Spain
I spent 10 days in June on an escorted educational tour of Spain. The tour included the major Spanish cities of Madrid, Toledo, Zaragosa, Barcelona, Peniscola, Valencia, Granada, Seville, and Cordoba. I visited many significant cultural, historical, and architectural sites including the Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Toledo Synagogue, Cathedral of El Pilar, Montserrat Monastery and Bascilica Real, Toledo steel workshop,Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and Guell Park, Valencia’s City of Science and Arts, Columbus’ Tomb, Alhambra Palace, and the Mosque of the Caliphs. I attended a professional flamenco dance presentation in Seville and enjoyed Zambra dancing in a gypsy family’s cave home in Sacromonte, Granada. The cultural expert guides during the tour made the trip not only memorable, but also provided important insights into daily life in Spain.
The project also provided me the opportunity to learn how exhibits are created and apply these skills to my own photo exhibit of Spanish architecture. Through the exhibit and book purchases, which I have asked the Library to make, I will share with colleagues what I have learned during this trip.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Shirley Miller
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Technology study of Spain
My Summer Project is to take an educational trip through Spain from June 22nd-July 2nd in order to observe and document technology utilization in Spain. This trip will expand my knowledge of global business and allow me to observe the use of technology in Spain.
Jonelle Moore
Mesa Community College
Exploring Literacy Expectations for English Language Writing in the People's Republic of China
My summer project was developed in two phases:
1. I attended a conference: Invitational Symposium 2006: Language Issues in English-Medium Universities Across Asia from June 8-9 at Hong Kong University, HK, PRC.
2. I conducted interviews with faculty, both native speakers and L2 speakers, and observed classes at Wuyi University, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, PRC, from June 1-23
Teaching writing and literature in view of today’s proclivity for international perspectives and globalism, my summer project was informative and expanded my understanding of the fervor to learn English.
I am currently writing a paper for publication about my summer experiences. The symposium on English-median schools was informative, but also intriguing, in that Asian countries – China, especially in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Shr Lanka – are considering English-only curricula in all college courses, but some are talking about beginning exclusive English instruction as early as elementary schools. I now have contacts in these countries for assistance with additional research. What will the appropriation of English mean for L2 learners? How does as student continue studies in his or her native language if English becomes the primary language of education? There were no definitive answers forth coming, but my Asian colleagues showed less concern than I had anticipated.
As for my research project, I interviewed 15 English teachers, both Chinese and “Foreign,” from two universities, Wuyi University. It was interesting to discover more concern about the impact of English language learning on Chinese culture from U.S., Canadian and Australian teachers, than Chinese teachers. I also conducted a survey of about 25 teachers. From these efforts I discovered that most of the emphasis is on speaking and listening, rather than English composition. When writing is taught, it is generally taught as a skill rather than a thinking process or a form of expression.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Donna Mosher
Paradise Valley Community College
Grief Recovery Certification Training
I attended the 4 day Grief Recovery Certification Training in Sherman Oakes, California, July 27 – July 31, 2006. This intense training is designed to give mental health professionals the most effective skills possible for helping people who have been affected by loss. I counsel students dealing with all kinds of loss: divorce, death, lay-offs, failed dreams, health challenges, moving or even the loss of a cherished role. In addition, I coordinate the Adult Re-Entry program and teach the class Women in Transition. It is common that a major life loss is the impetus behind an adult returning to education. The Grief Recovery Certification Training is experiential and required that I take the same emotional actions that I will be asking my students to take. Looking at my own losses and working through the process of healing them enabled me to better understand the concepts of incomplete losses from the “inside out.” The experiential nature of the training helped deepen my comprehension of the recovery process beyond mere intellectual awareness. This training conducted by Russell Friedman, a nationally known expert in the field of grief recovery, helped me integrate counseling knowledge and skills to help those with broken hearts retake a productive place in the mainstream of life.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Regi Munro
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) 2006 National Conference and Exhibition
The purpose of this project was to attend the NSCA 2006 National Conference and Exhibition. This conference took place from 7/12/06 to 7/15/06 in Washington, D.C.. As wellness faculty I teach a breadth of courses in health and exercise. This Fall 2006 I will begin teaching BIO 201 Human Anatomy for the first time. Interestingly, movements performed health care settings and sports are very similar, namely lifting, restraining, and supporting patients. This conference offered lectures on anatomical principles that increased my knowledge on practical teaching applications, critical thinking strategies, and provided networking opportunities with leaders in the field. The presentation The Physiology of Periodization described the physiological adaptation of muscle fibers as a result of aerobic and anaerobic training in a periodization program. Second, the lecture Research Trends in Lower Back Pain: Rethinking Our Approach to Exercise and Rehabilitation Protocols provided a tutorial on anatomical and physiological pathologies that lead to common low back injuries in athletes and individuals in physically demanding occupational fields. Third, the lecture Athletic Body in Balance presented simple and practical biomechanical tests that can identify musculoskeletal imbalances. I found this session to be the most practical and the highlight of the conference.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Mark Nielsen
South Mountain Community College
PERL Scripting
My project was a study of PERL Scripting (a scripting language used to automate numerous tasks within a computer network). I completed most of it from my home office where I read, studied, research and wrote PERL Scripts (although some was completed at SMCC).
This project included reading the book “Teach Yourself Perl in 21 Days” and completing all the associated hands-on assignments (in completing the 21 chapters I wrote in excess of 175 Perl scripts). In addition, I researched PERL on the Internet and used five other textbooks as recourses.
The project spanned more than the 8 weeks I anticipated and I spent well over the 128 hours I projected it would take to complete this project.
This was the best Summer Project I have completed so far. With the knowledge that I gained this summer I most certainly have the knowledge now to teach a Perl Scripting class at SMCC.
Final Report More Details in MLX
Michael Osborn
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