Scholarship & Research
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Item Implementing computer devices in a private catholic high school(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Lauzon, Nicholas Paul; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisHoly Cross High School is transitioning to allow more computer devices in the classroom for the 2019-2020 school year. During the 2018-2019 school year teachers allowed computer devices in their classroom as they saw fit. I wanted to know about how these computer devices impacted students in their achievement and engagement in the classroom. Surveys, student interviews, faculty interviews, and test grades were used to compare previous years with less computer use to computer use at the time of this study. The study showed that after content chapter tests were analyzed student achievement in honors chemistry classes stayed the same while the college preparatory advanced classes showed positive achievement improvement when students used a learning management software. Learning management systems indicated that they could improve the scores of lower achieving students. Students felt more engaged with the use of computer devices in both honors and college preparatory advanced classes. Throughout the school students and faculty agreed that computer devices help improve the achievement and engagement levels of students.Item The effects of homework style on completion and test scores in high school biology(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Gibson, Chelsea Elise; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter WoolbaughStudents doing poorly on summative assessments have long been a concern for teachers. I, and many fellow teachers, believe that homework has a direct effect on student test scores. We tend to believe that if students do their homework, they will be prepared and do well on their tests. This got me thinking about ways to improve student test scores using different styles of homework assignments. The purpose of this study is to determine if the style of homework; paper or digital, have an impact on student homework completion and summative test scores. Students experienced altering styles of homework during four biology units, these included: all paper, all digital, and half paper and half digital, and student choice. Data was collected using post-unit surveys, interviews, unit assessments, and homework checks. The results suggest that simply completing homework itself remains the most important factor of success. Homework style did not significantly influence homework completion or student performance on assessments for all students, but did impact select individuals. Data also shows that student choice had a positive impact on motivation overall.Item Triplicated instruction set randomization in parallel heterogenous soft-core processors(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2019) Gahl, Trevor James; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Brock LaMeresToday's cyber landscape is as dangerous as ever, stemming from an ever increasing number of cybersecurity threats. A component of this danger comes from the execution of code-injection attacks that are hard to combat due to the monoculture environment fostered in today's society. One solution presented in the past, instruction set randomization, shows promise but requires large overhead both in timing and physical device space. To address this issue, a new processor architecture was developed to move instruction set randomization from software implementations to hardware. This new architecture consists of three functionally identical soft- core processors operating in parallel while utilizing individually generated random instruction sets. Successful hardware implementation and testing, using field programmable gate arrays, demonstrates the viability of the new architecture in small scale systems while also showing potential for expansion to larger systems.Item Design and implementation of a real-time system to characterize functional connectivity between cortical areas(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2017) Parsa Gharamaleki, Mohammadbagher; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Brendan MumeyDespite a thorough mapping of the anatomical connectivity between brain regions and decades of neurophysiological studies of neuronal activity within the various areas, our understanding of the nature of the neural signals sent from one area to another remains rudimentary. Orthodromic and antidromic activation of neurons via electrical stimulation ('collision testing') has been used in the peripheral nervous system and in subcortical structures to identify signals propagating along specific neural pathways. However, low yield makes this method prohibitively slow for characterizing cortico-cortical connections. We employed recent advances in electrophysiological methods to improve the efficiency of the collision technique between cortical areas. There are three key challenges: 1) maintaining neuronal isolations following stimulation, 2) increasing the number of neurons being screened, and 3) ensuring low-latency triggering of stimulation after spontaneous action potentials. We have developed a software-hardware solution for online isolations and stimulation triggering, which operates in conjunction with two hardware options, Hardware Processing Platform (HPP) or a Software Processing Platform (SPP). The HPP is a 'system on a chip' solution enabling real-time processing in a re-programmable hardware platform, whereas the SPP is a small Intel Atom processor that allows soft real-time computing on a CPU. Employing these solutions for template matching both accelerates spike sorting and provides the low-latency triggering of stimulation required to produce collision trials. Recording with a linear tetrode array electrode allows simultaneous screening of multiple neurons, while the software package coordinates efficient collision testing of multiple user-selected units across channels. This real-time connectivity screening system enables researchers working with a variety of animal models and brain regions to identify the functional properties of specific projections between cortical areas in behaving animals.Item The paperless classroom in high school physics(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2017) Pascual, Catherine Anona; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisAt my high school, many of the classrooms have class sets of devices, such as laptops, Chromebooks, or iPads. As the school purchased more and more technology, the administration also cut back on our paper availability and began to limit our copies. Due to the influx of technology and the decrease in paper availability, I decided to study the efficiency and effectiveness of a paperless classroom. In my high school physics class I taught one unit traditionally, all on paper, the next unit was taught nearly paperless, with work being distributed and turned in electronically. I surveyed students about their feelings towards paper versus paperless assignments, notes, and exams. Classwork completion rates were compared between the two units. I gave a pre-test and post-test for each unit to compare achievement. I also kept a time log and teacher journal each day. Many students did not have positive attitudes towards going paperless in the beginning, but by the end, most students had a positive attitude towards the paperless classroom. The classwork completion rates showed a gain from the paper unit to the paperless unit. The test results were also better in the paperless unit. The time log showed that time spent taking out and putting away devices was saved by not having to pass out papers and transitions were quicker. The journals showed that making the switch to paperless was frustrating for both the teacher and the students at first, but the experience became more and more positive as the unit progressed. This project had a positive outcome and I will continue to head towards a nearly paperless high school physics classroom.Item Evaluating the effects of using tablets on motivation and engagement in a seventh grade citizen science field trip(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2016) O'Neill, Steven; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.In the field, students constantly desire to bring their own devices with them, however, some outdoor educators and teachers feel the devices will be a distraction as the students will be checking social media apps or playing games. The teachers also may not want to be responsible for devices that might be damaged or lost. To engage with students that are always plugged in, it is necessary to create a bridge that connects the students' interest in technology with a tool that creates positive outdoor educational experiences. To create this bridge, the use of tablets during a part of our instruction during the citizen science program would be used to help students connect to the environment in a new and easy way as they use tablets to view an osprey nest.Item The effects of using the iPad to zap zeros and increase student comprehension of science(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2016) Rogers, Tina Kristine; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.This study implemented the use of the iPad in a middle school science classroom to give students digital options for the completion of assignments to lower the frequency of zeros. In Addition, student comprehension of science concepts was measured. The results suggested that the use of the iPad successfully reduced the frequency of zeros and increased science literacy in the 7th grade science classroom setting.Item Software applications on microcomputers in secondary marketing education programs(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Business, 1985) Painter, John E.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinThe purpose of the study was to identify the ways that secondary Marketing/Distributive Education Programs are using computers and the specific software employed. The survey instrument was mailed to 180 National DECA member Marketing/DE Programs which represented 50% of the member programs in the states of MI, ND, SD, WA, VA, and OR. Ninety usable returns were received on which sixty-six instructors indicated that they were utilizing computers in some way. These replies were tabulated and analyzed. From this data and a review of literature it was concluded that computers are a very new part of the majority of Marketing/DE programs in the states surveyed. The amount of time that most students use a computer for Marketing classes was reported as less than one hour per week. The most common computers in Marketing are the Apple II series (II, II+, IIe, and IIc ) and the software designed to run on these machines. Word Processors, spreadsheets, and simulations are the most common types of software being utilized. The following programs were the most frequently mentioned by name as being used successfully: Appleworks and Applewriter by Apple, the DECA contest series, Enterprise Sandwich Shops from Gregg/McGraw-Hill, Gadgetronics from Southwestern, Jeans Factory from Phillips Petroleum Company, the CDEX training programs, and Free Enterprise from SRA Software. The recommendations made by the researcher include the following: that provision be made for students to have more hands-on-time, machine purchases for Marketing should reflect the ownership patterns of the local busines community and not be based solely on what a school district has or on price, a national clearinghouse should be established to exchange information about computers and software in Marketing, and the types of usage should be expanded. It is also recommended that additional studies be conducted to establish if there is a correlation between usage of computers and enrollment in Marketing classes.Item Initializing successful computerized systems in schools(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of School of Business, 1982) Graham, Vern Ann; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Virginia HartmanMicrocomputers are becoming an important part of equipment in many schools today. In order for schools to make the most of this equipment, planning and organization has to take place before the computer is installed. Information was gathered from numerous sources. These sources included library research, demonstrations of hardware and software, courses taken, and interviews with students, teachers, and vendors. The information was interfaced to cover all major factors that influence a successful system. This project gives guidelines on how establishing a successful computerized system could take place. The five major factors presented are personnel, vendor selection, hardware selection, software selection, and site preparation. If these areas are handled correctly the computerized system at the school will be an asset to all involved. Personnel were found to be the key factor in all computer-oriented systems. Enthusiasm in using the new system is more important than actual knowledge. Purchasing software that is well documented enables the teachers to get involved quickly with making the computer useful in the classroom. Hardware should be easy to use and easy to maintain. Maintenance is the responsibility of the vendor; therefore, vendor selection is also very important.Item A model for implementing microcomputers into a business education program(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Business, 1988) Uggetti, John Michael; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinMany school districts have purchased microcomputers without really designing a sound plan for use in their districts. Business educators have also purchased microcomputers for their programs without analyzing all of the options that are available with a microcomputer. An enormous amount of literature is available for use of microcomputers in various curricula. However, less information is available on specific guidelines for implementing microcomputers, into the business education curriculum. Standards for selecting hardware, software, facility planning and teacher training could be beneficial to all persons involved in designing a microcomputer laboratory. Research into this area provides school boards, administrators, teachers and students with critical information for designing a microcomputer laboratory.