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Category: Affiliate Research

Project VIEW aims to sharpen writing instruction for the visually impaired

Using a Braille writing machine, a student writes a paper at the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired in Nebraska City.
Using a Braille writing machine, a student writes a paper at the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired in Nebraska City. See gallery.

Nebraska researchers are exploring ways to better understand how students with visual impairments are being taught to write, and how that instruction can be enhanced and tailored to each individual student’s needs.

Michael Hebert, associate professor of special education and communication disorders, and Mackenzie Savaiano, assistant professor of practice of special education and communication disorders, are the principal investigators in Project VIEW — Visual Impairments Education in Writing. The four-year study focuses on identifying factors that influence teachers’ writing instruction practices in an effort to improve outcomes among visually impaired students. Full Article

Research suggests family mealtimes essential to lifelong health

Dipti Dev, principal investigator, shares some healthy eating ideas with children.
Dipti Dev, principal investigator, shares some healthy eating ideas with children. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

For centuries, families have served up good conversation around the dinner table.

Sharing advice, planning events and recounting the day’s highs and lows are key mealtime ingredients to connecting families and building support systems — all while cooking up valuable learning opportunities for the youngest family members. Full Article

‘Coach Approach’ builds preschool teachers’ capacity to foster mathematics reasoning

From left, Rachel Schachter, co-principal investogator; Holly Hatton-Bowers, project consultant; and Kelley Buchheister, principal investigator
From left, Rachel Schachter, co-principal investigator; Holly Hatton-Bowers, project consultant; and Kelley Buchheister, principal investigator. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

Although kindergarten is widely recognized as the beginning of a child’s formal academic journey, preparation for that journey is crucial. Research shows that solid early childhood experiences provide substantial benefits for children’s success.

High-quality, early mathematical instruction is particularly important. Children’s early mathematical knowledge also predicts reading achievement even beyond kindergarten. Full Article

Identifying, controlling selection bias in tests of differential item functioning

Marc Goodrich and Natalie Koziol are exploring ways to identify and combat selection bias in differential item functioning.
Marc Goodrich and Natalie Koziol are exploring ways to identify and control selection bias in evaluations of differential item functioning. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

As demand increases for employees with expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, representation of Latinos in STEM fields continues to lag.

As of 2011, Latinos represented only 7 percent of the American STEM workforce, despite accounting for more than 16 percent of the U.S. population. Full Article

Brain imaging brings predictors for cochlear implantation success into focus

From left, Randa Ismail adjusts an fNIRS cap on Grace Oh.
From left, Randa Ismail adjusts an fNIRS cap on Grace Oh. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

For someone with hearing loss, a successful cochlear implant can change their world.

But because results vary among implant recipients, it is crucial to determine strong candidates for whom an implant will likely be successful.

A cochlear implant (CI) is a complex electronic device that can effectively restore hearing in individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. While the CI does not restore normal hearing and differs from hearing aids, which amplify sounds, it does provide a useful representation of sounds by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. The CI’s success depends on how well the auditory nerve functions. Full Article

Video available for Ed Daly presentation

Ed Daly, professor of educational psychology, leads a Fall 2019 Methodology Applications Series presentation on single-case experimental designs.
Ed Daly, professor of educational psychology, leads a Fall 2019 Methodology Applications Series presentation on single-case experimental designs.

Ed Daly, professor of educational psychology, led a Nov. 15 presentation in the Fall 2019 Methodology Applications Series. His presentation, “Single-Case Experimental Designs: Can You Really Conduct a True Experiment With So Few Participants?” is now available on video. Full Article

Promoting cultural understanding through the dialogue of dance

Student and Yazidi participants inspect part of the “Unquiet Harmony: The Subject of Displacement” exhibit at the Sheldon Museum of Art.
Student and Yazidi participants inspect part of the “Unquiet Harmony: The Subject of Displacement” exhibit at the Sheldon Museum of Art. See photo gallery.

While constantly evolving technology such as the internet, smartphones and social media have connected the world like never before, various polls and surveys reveal that many people feel more isolated than ever.

In many ways, society has become polarized in recent years. For educators, the growing challenge is to find effective ways to ensure their schools are places where all students’ voices are heard and welcomed. Full Article

Interpersonal Violence Research Lab works with communities to drive change

The new Interpersonal Violence Research Laboratory strives to reduce interpersonal violence and to promote recovery among survivors.
The new Interpersonal Violence Research Laboratory strives to reduce interpersonal violence and to promote recovery among survivors, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

Interpersonal violence affects an untold number of Nebraskans. Too often, victims of physical, sexual and psychological violence, especially among youth and minority populations, do not have adequate support. And communities may lack appropriate training to safely intervene when those they care about are at risk for intimate partner abuse. Full Article