Northwestern College - Iowa
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Implementation of Virtual Nursing
Full text linkA literature review was conducted between the months of August 2024 and November 2024 to explore how virtual nursing can improve quality of care. Ten articles focusing on the implementation of virtual nursing were reviewed and analyzed. The purpose of this review is to assist Spencer Hospital in their goals of decreasing the number of staff onsite and offloading the tasks of medication checks, admissions, and documentation to virtual nurses. In the literature review below, we compile resources to explore how virtual nursing influences workflow, patient safety, finances, and satisfaction of both patients and providers. Although many benefits regarding the implementation of virtual nursing have been discussed in the literature, more research must be done in order to better understand the potential of a virtual nurse model, as well as the degree to which it could benefit rural facilities. While keeping these things in mind, a plan was developed to assist Spencer Hospital in the implementation of virtual monitoring as a preliminary step
Complete Genomic Annotation of Bacteriophage CoveyB
Full text linkAntibiotic resistance is on the rise and has become a serious problem in recent decades. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, can be used to help address antibiotic resistance through phage therapy. Phage therapy is a process that uses lytic bacteriophages to kill bacteria. Before a phage can be used for phage therapy, it\u27s must be well understood. Annotation using bioinformatics accomplishes this. CoveyB is a bacteriophage that was found by a Northwestern student and was the phage that was used during this genomic annotation research. The work done on CoveyB will be a significant contribution to not only the phage database but may also make an impact in the medical community
Subcutaneous Infusions for Hydration and Nutrition
Full text linkSubcutaneous (SC) infusions deliver fluids or medications into the body\u27s fatty tissue using small needles. They are cost-effective, easy to use, comfortable, and carry a low risk of serious complications like infections. In hospital settings, IV access can be challenging, and oral fluid intake may be insufficient for proper hydration. Spencer Hospital was interested in the potential benefits of SC infusions and what population would benefit most. The purpose of this project was to examine SC infusions as an alternative for hydration when IV access is unavailable, focusing on pediatric, geriatric, and palliative population. It compared Hydration, nutrition status, and length of stay to determine the greatest benefit
Student Perceptions of Standards-Based Grading in High School Biology
No full textStandards-based grading (SBG) redefines the reporting of student achievement by focusing on proficiency in explicitly defined learning standards rather than the accumulation of points. Although SBG has the potential to improve student learning, variation in implementation can create student confusion and hinder effectiveness. This inquiry-based research project investigated student perceptions of SBG in high school biology classrooms at Cedar Falls High School in Iowa to determine whether the system helps students gain the necessary skills and accurately measures their academic ability. The researcher utilized a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data through surveys of 23 high school biology students and qualitative data through in-person interviews with eight participants. Findings revealed that students understood the learning standards and the expectations for proficiency. Teacher feedback and reassessment opportunities emerged as the most valued practices that support learning. While most students perceived SBG as fair and reflective of their understanding, concerns centered on the grading scale, in particular the perceived gap between proficient and mastery, and on the inconsistencies in teacher communication and rubric clarity. The study concludes that students viewed SBG positively, reported that it supported their learning, reduced stress, and believed it prepared them for future science courses. Findings suggest that clearer rubrics, consistent communication, and refinement of grading scales may strengthen the effectiveness of SBG in high school classrooms
SEL Integration into the Kindergarten Curriculum
No full textThis inquiry-based research project investigates the effectiveness and efficiency of integrating social emotional learning (SEL) into the kindergarten curriculum. With a growing number of young learners entering school lacking foundational emotional regulation and social skills, the study examines how explicit SEL instruction can be embedded meaningfully into daily academic routines. The researcher used qualitative methods, including teacher surveys, reflective journaling, literature review, and analysis of classroom behavior artifacts from a rural Iowa school district. Six kindergarten teachers participated in the survey, providing insight into current SEL integration strategies, perceived effectiveness, and common barriers. Results showed that while all teachers integrate SEL to some degree, none reported using a formal SEL curriculum. Teachers rated their integration efforts as moderately effective but cited lack of time, training, and ready-to-use resources as major challenges. The study emphasizes the need for professional development, curriculum-aligned SEL tools, and structural support to ensure consistency and fidelity in implementation. Findings suggest that teacher motivation is high, but long-term student outcomes depend on systemic changes. Future research should explore student-based data and broader educator demographics to inform equitable SEL practices across early childhood classrooms
Trauma-Informed Training for Early Childhood Educators
No full textMore students are arriving in the early childhood classroom with trauma. This trauma can lead to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), ADHD and reactive attachment disorder. This leads to early childhood teachers feeling burned out and experiencing secondary trauma. Despite this, early childhood educators are not getting additional training that would help support children who have exposure to trauma. In addition, the training they have received doesn\u27t include classroom strategies or social-emotional materials that would address the uptick in trauma-impacted children. The purpose of this study was to look at the perspectives of early childhood educators when it comes to their desire for additional trauma-informed training and their access to social emotional materials that are trauma sensitive. This study was carried out using a comprehensive literature review, a survey given to early childhood educators and a reflective journal that looked deeper at the implications of the current literature surrounding this topic. The results of the inquiry-based research indicate that while early childhood educators feel confident in their ability to support students with trauma, they would feel more confident if they were given additional training in trauma-informed care. Moreover, early childhood educators indicate that they would like access to targeted social -emotional materials that can support trauma-impacted children. Lastly, findings show that some early childhood educators are not utilizing social-emotional materials that extend beyond the calm-down corner and calming down tools. These findings highlight the importance of giving early childhood educators a variety of social-emotional materials that can help trauma-impacted children
Porcine vs Human Hepatocyte Metabolic Characterization
Full text linkFor patients with chronic liver disease, receiving a transplant is the only lasting option for treatment. However, few patients receive transplants from viable human donors due to limited availability. Additionally, various challenges are posed when conducting hepatocyte research, specifically in isolating quality human hepatocytes for reliable, consistent pharmaceutical testing.By developing a consistent, high-quality line of pig cells, Cytotheryx can provide an alternative option for pharmaceutical testing. In the future, the cloned pigs could serve as potential bio-incubators to support human liver cell expansion and regeneration. At this stage of research, the main objective is to determine metabolic consistency in Cytotheryx pig liver cells. By comparing the metabolic profiles ofpig and human liver cells, we can determine their similarities in function and evaluate their efficacy for research purposes
Classroom Environment: How Seating Effects Student On-Task Behaviors
Full text linkSchools across the nation have seen an uptick in the number of students who struggle to stay on-task and focus during classes in which they are seated for long periods of time. With the increase in distracting behaviors, teachers are left looking for ways to help students engage in lessons and stay on-task. There are many tools that are advertised and claim to help students focus. However, to what extent are these tools effective? This study aims to determine the effect the classroom environment has on student on-task behaviors. The particular focus of this study is the effect different seating environments have on student on-task behaviors. The study was conducted over three weeks with 7th grade students in a math classroom. Each week the seating environment changed, and students completed surveys regarding how the new seating environment affected their ability to stay on task. The different seating environments tested included traditional desks, bouncy bands, and flexible seating. The results indicate that seating environment does affect student on-task behaviors. Students expressed a preference for bouncy bands and flexible seating. As a result, student surveys revealed that students are better able to remain on-task when sitting in a desk with a bouncy band or flexible seating options. On this basis, it is recommended that schools implement bouncy bands or flexible seating options to help students stay on-task in class. Further research is needed to expand the ages of participants in the study and help determine the age groups that benefit most from bouncy bands and flexible seating
Improving Mathematical Achievement and Engagement Through Technology Integration
Full text linkEngaging students effectively requires continuous effort from educators to improve their classroom learning experiences. Research has demonstrated the benefits of educational technology in enhancing student learning outcomes. Nonetheless, there is a lack of research in the United States on how the integration of technology affects students\u27 engagement and comprehension of mathematical concepts in elementary education. This inquiry-based research aims to investigate the impact of technology integration on the understanding and engagement of fourth graders in mathematics. This study aims to address the following questions: How does integrating technology in fourth-grade mathematics impact students\u27 understanding of math concepts? What impact does technology have on student engagement in math? Conducted in two fourth-grade math classes at an elementary school in Iowa, the research involved student surveys, classroom observations, and assessment data to compare outcomes between an experimental group using educational robots and a control group receiving traditional instruction. Findings revealed students in the experimental group demonstrated higher levels of engagement, including increased enjoyment and improved focus during lessons that incorporated robotics. While achievement scores were slightly higher in the experimental group, the differences were not statistically significant. These results suggest although educational robotics may not dramatically impact academic performance, they contribute meaningfully to a more engaging and interactive classroom environment. The study highlights the importance of integrating technology meaningfully into instruction and supports the potential of robotics as a tool for fostering interest, focus, and hands-on learning in elementary mathematics
