Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Plate 12: Cannon River Sheet 2
No full texthttps://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/maps-mn-river-surveys-volume2/1011/thumbnail.jp
Exploring Facilitators’ Experiences Addressing Students’ Needs in a Higher Education Work-Based Engineering Program
No full textThis study addresses a critical gap in higher education by examining the unique facilitator position at Iron Range Engineering (IRE), a work-based program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Facilitators are full-time teaching staff in support roles that focus on helping students achieve positive outcomes, such as students successfully transitioning into working professionals. No formal research has been conducted to explore the comprehensive support and overall implications of this role. This qualitative study focused on phenomenography to capture the different experiences of 12 facilitator participants. Data collection was guided by role theory to explore the expectations and perceptions of facilitators, and this included the use of qualitative surveys and follow-up, semi-structured interviews. A codebook was collaboratively developed to guide the thematic coding process when analyzing the responses. Themes were identified across the six pre-defined facilitator roles and the pre-defined job functions within each role. The six facilitator roles include: career development, instruction, formal mentorship (learning coach), recruitment, student life, and other duties. Three overarching themes emerged in the findings that helped to define the contributions of facilitators: direct formalized student support and mentorship, community building and support, and program development and maintenance. The findings suggested that all institutions considering implementing the facilitator position should carefully plan work and set expectations within these three distinct components to ensure student needs are being met, a strong culture and community are being developed, and the program continuously improves. A time allocation analysis was also conducted, and the results indicated that there were discrepancies between reported and expected responsibilities. This included higher engagement in student recruitment efforts and underreported instructional work. Recommendations include creating clearer role definitions, recalibrating time budgets, and adopting the facilitator model across other programs in higher education to improve student retention and increase student success. Future work includes exploring the perspectives of students, faculty, and other stakeholders to identify best practices and the effectiveness of each role
Designing IDEA Interventions in Project-Based STEM Curriculum
No full textThis paper presents an overarching design and structure of the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) curriculum, developed for a project-based engineering and computer science program to address social inequity in STEM education and beyond. Grounded in social justice principles and informed by cognitive psychology and social constructivist theory, the curriculum weaves targeted interventions into everyday coursework. A nine-part analytical framework guided the development of sixteen modules organized into four thematic areas, with each module following a three-week cycle across four semesters. This paper introduces one IDEA module as a case study to demonstrate alignment with the framework and the impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. The paper concludes with a discussion of implementation challenges, and strategies for improving accessibility and adapting content for broader academic and professional contexts
Whale
No full textSubmerge yourself in the wild world of the whale with this middle-grade title from the Spotlight on Nature series. Perfect for wildlife lovers eager to uncover more about their favorite ocean animal’s life cycle, the book weaves an enchanting narrative about a single whale family, reminiscent of classic nature shows, into the informational text. It includes captivating photographs, infographics, a timeline of developmental milestones, and features such as a glossary, index, and resources for further learning. To underscore conservation, it also includes a listing of where to see the marine mammals in captivity and the wild.https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/university-archives-msu-authors/1490/thumbnail.jp
Disability as Identity
No full textThis chapter will focus on disability as an identity category: who gets to claim it, who gets to refuse it, and who has it thrust on them against their will. It will also talk about the power that comes from claiming disability identities and being in community with disabled people. This chapter will not discuss nondisabled as an identity category, nor will it discuss caregiver identities. With that basic understanding, we can work to move conversations about disability in libraries beyond the minimal expectations of inclusion and to a more joyous celebration of disabled people as full participants in library work and beyond
A Light-Dependent Resistor Based Embedded Image Acquisition System for use in Low-Resolution Application-Specific Data Processing
No full textThis paper proposes an efficient hardware-based approach to image acquisition & processing to replace complex camera systems in simple industrial & commercial applications
The Impact of Class Size on Students’ Learning Outcome and Educational Experience: A Comprehensive Examination of Students at MSU, Mankato
No full textThe topic of class size and its relationship to students\u27 learning outcomes and educational experiences has been extensively examined in the field of education. While prior research has explored associations between class size and academic performance, less is known about how class size shapes professor-student and student-peer interactions and how these interactions relate to students\u27 perceived learning outcomes and overall educational experiences. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study conducted a comprehensive examination of undergraduate students at MSU, Mankato, combining quantitative survey responses with qualitative reflections. Findings suggest that class size is closely tied to patterns of engagement, with smaller classes offering more opportunities for meaningful interaction. These interactions, in turn, contribute to students’ perceptions of learning and educational satisfaction. By illuminating these dynamics, this research contributes to social science literature and offers insight into policies and practices aimed at supporting more inclusive and engaging learning environments
Oral History with Christine Moeller
No full textOral history with Christine Moeller, who talks about working as an academic librarian, transitioning to a doctoral program, and their research on neurodivergent library workers
Building Student Historians: A University Archives Research Apprenticeship Program
No full textThis session focuses on the development of a student historian program in the University Archives at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In 2024, the University Archives at Minnesota State University, Mankato participated in the Undergraduate Research Center’s Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP). The RAP provides students new to research with opportunities to collaborate with faculty and staff on mentored research, scholarly, and creative projects. Daardi Mixon, University Archivist will discuss the development and implementation of the RAP program within the archives and how library and university strategic plans were incorporated into the outcomes with a focus on high-impact learning practices and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals. Heidi Southworth, Digital Initiatives Librarian will discuss the Minnesota Digital Library Wikimedia project and how it was used as a foundation for the RAP. Jamison Vierstraete, senior undergraduate student will share his experiences in the RAP and how it helped advance his research and collaboration skills. The presenters will also share how they implemented the program as part of an internship