Kansas State University
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The Impact of Teacher Autonomy on Technology Skills Development among K-12 STEM Educators during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThis study aims to explore factors that have affected teacher autonomy in professional development and its impact on the development of technology skills among K-12 STEM teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic
A Literature Review of Geographic Representation in Adult Education Research
Get PDFThe purpose of this literature review is to determine how adult education research is geographically represented by topic and population in three adult education journals from 1998 through 2023
Examining School Social Work Certifications across the Midwest States
Get PDFSchool social workers are increasingly being recognized and employed in schools across the country to promote critical avenues of system-wide school-based support. However, limited research has explored state certification standards of school social workers to understand the implications on practice efficacy and roles to improve the overall capacity of practitioners. In this study, we examine licensing standards and practice across 13 Midwest states, leveraging key partners in each state of interest. Findings reveal a large variation in SSW preparation, certification, and licensing standards. Aspects discussed in the results include, degree requirements, preparation programs, state endorsement, pathways to licensure, evaluation components, board of education requirements, and direct service implications. We discuss the implications of our findings and delineate the complexities, inconsistencies, and outline strategies for future research. As schools increasingly come to rely and depend on school social workers, we must work to build consistency in state requirements, solidify training standards, and strive to build efficacy and strength of the field
Sewing Brand Messages on Social Media: A Content Analysis of Cotton Incorporated’s Instagram Content Stimuli
Get PDFCotton is the most significant natural fiber in the world and an important part of the global economy. Yet, the cotton industry faces several challenges in securing its place in the global fiber market share, reaching new consumers, and maintaining relationships with current consumers. Furthermore, the cotton industry has a unique opportunity to share evidence-based information with followers through its product marketing on social media. The study described herein used content analysis to explore Instagram content on the @discovercotton profile. Content included categories of promoted products (i.e. women, men, children, or home); comments, posts, and caption stimuli; and most frequently used word, hashtag, and retail partner stimuli. We analyzed 434 Instagram stimuli (244 single photos, 142 carousels, and 48 videos) from March 2, 2021, to March 2, 2023. Across all stimuli, there were 110,143 likes and 5,799 comments with total response (engagement: likes and comments) reaching 115,942. We found that women’s products were promoted most often followed by men, home, and children—only 8.48% of stimuli depicted cotton, a cotton plant, or the seal of cotton. We identified six major themes in caption stimuli on @discovercotton: qualities of cotton, style, sustainability, check the label, women, and cotton production. Cotton was the most frequently used word stimuli in captions, and cotton as a fabric was the most promoted theme
Wheat Variety Test Results for South Central Kansas – 2023
Get PDFSedgwick and Sumner County are two of the highest producing wheat counties in Kansas. This report summarizes the results of winter wheat variety tests for 2022- 2023 in four locations. The year 2023 was the second consecutive growing season with drought in Kansas that caused significant impacts on the wheat crop. Precipitation from sowing to harvest was minimal. A number of wheat acres in the state were terminated before harvest because of their poor potential. Yields in the four trial locations were below average
Process Evaluation of a Pilot Physical Activity and Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Implemented in a Summer Care Program for Child and Adolescent Girls
Get PDFPhysical activity (PA) and social-emotional learning (SEL) are critical for healthy development, yet few programs have evaluated integrated promotion efforts within out-of-school summer contexts. The EmpowerHER program was piloted in a summer care program for girls. This study aimed to conduct a process evaluation, assessing the program\u27s fidelity to curriculum design and theory to make recommendations for continuous program improvement. The EmpowerHER curriculum was tailored towards girls (n=11, 10-14 years old) and implemented through a community summer care program. The 8-week program consisted of 90-minute sessions conducted twice per week during the summer of 2023 in Texas, USA. Fidelity was evaluated using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT), which characterized participant PA levels, lesson context, social interactions, and instructor interactions. Participants wore ActiGraph GT9X accelerometers to measure PA and completed surveys to assess perceptions of activities. SOFIT observations revealed varying levels of PA across sessions, with peaks in Sessions 4 (26%) and 5 (12%). Accelerometer data showed higher light PA (M=18.3±6.1 min) compared to moderate-to-vigorous PA (M=9.6±4.9 min) per session. Surveys indicated high enjoyment (M=4.6±0.3), learning (M=4.1±0.1), and perceived PA engagement (M=4.5±0.2). Participants expressed preferences for interactive activities and more gym time. Triangulating multi-method process data enabled nuanced optimization of intervention components session-by-session. The curriculum balanced educational components with PA opportunities, but would benefit from more consistent PA. Positive social interactions and participant feedback highlighted the program\u27s potential to enhance SEL. Future iterations should prioritize activities that foster positive relationships and maximize PA
