Papers by Sharon Lauricella
University of Ontario Insitute of Technology eBooks, Mar 1, 2022
Scenarios, case studies and role plays are examples of active and collaborative teaching techniqu... more Scenarios, case studies and role plays are examples of active and collaborative teaching techniques that research confirms are effective for the deep learning needed for students to be able to remember and apply concepts once they have finished your course. See Research Findings on University Teaching Methods. Typically you would use case studies, scenarios and role plays for higher-level learning outcomes that require application, synthesis, and evaluation (see Writing Outcomes or Learning Objectives; scroll down to the table). Purpose The point is to increase student interest and involvement, and have them practice application by making choices and receive feedback on them, and refine their understanding of concepts and practice in your discipline. These types of activities provide the following research-based benefits: (Shaw, 3-5) • They provide concrete examples of abstract concepts, facilitate the development through practice of analytical skills, procedural experience, and decision making skills through application of course concepts in real life situations. This can result in deep learning and the appreciation of differing perspectives.
Routledge eBooks, Feb 17, 2023
IGI Global eBooks, Jul 8, 2022
The online arena is rife with mansplaining, harassment, and intimidation of women. Similarly, wom... more The online arena is rife with mansplaining, harassment, and intimidation of women. Similarly, women in academia operate in a traditionally patriarchal, misogynistic environment. What happens when a female academic creates a vibrant online presence? This chapter is an autoethnographic account of the author's experiences managing the public, online performance of a female scholar (@AcademicBatgirl) with the objective to create and cultivate community. She argues that in the online landscape, prosocial behaviour is essential in creating community and sustaining cohesion. She addresses the prosocial effects of humour, including examples of memes that she created and posted on Twitter. She also addresses pitfalls relative to student shaming that she recommends academics avoid in any online or offline forum.
Schüren Verlag eBooks, 2018
Journal of Digital Life and Learning
In this introduction, guest editors Dr. Sharon Lauricella and Dr. Robin Kay summarize the article... more In this introduction, guest editors Dr. Sharon Lauricella and Dr. Robin Kay summarize the articles featured in this special issue of the Journal of Digital Life and Learning.
Journal of Digital Life and Learning
Well before the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated postsecondary students' mental health challenge... more Well before the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated postsecondary students' mental health challenges, students were already struggling with issues that were pervasive in higher education, including anxiety, depression, overwhelm, burnout, and difficulty accessing mental health supports. This paper examines 1007 Twitter posts pertaining to higher education students' mental health between February 2019 and March 2021. Students expressed feelings that their institutions did not care about sound mental health and that higher education is an environment primed for anxiety and depression. Students also expressed a desire for timely, online counselling and closer contact and communication with their instructors. Online/virtual therapy/counselling was particularly valuable for students, and they appreciated accommodations that faculty made for them during the pandemic. Students also used Twitter to offer support and encouragement to one another. This study has implications for pedagogical...
Thriving Online: A Guide for Busy Educators, 2022
Thriving Online: A Guide for Busy Educators, 2022
Educational Considerations
Thriving Online: A Guide for Busy Educators, 2022
Thriving Online: A Guide for Busy Educators, 2022
ABSTRACT Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Cambridge, 1997.
Global initiatives have directed education to emphasize science, technology, engineering and math... more Global initiatives have directed education to emphasize science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The purpose of this study was to assess elementary school teacher attitudes and behaviours with respect to using STEM-based apps in the classroom. This mixed-methods study involved 34 teacher-participants (14 males, 20 females) integrating a total of 24 apps with 1181 students. Teachers claimed that the overall impact of apps was to improve engagement and learning. App lessons took, on average, an extra 10 minutes to prepare for, and were approximately one hour in length. Over 90% of the teachers were comfortable using the apps, liked the support material provided by the app, and believed the app lessons were conducted effectively. The primary teaching strategy was to allow students to explore new concepts individually or in pairs, although some teachers presented apps or used them for either homework or reviewing concepts. Eighty to ninety percent of teachers rated the STEM-Based apps highly in terms of design, engagement, and learning value. Problem areas included difficulty level, technical issues, time, and clarity of explanations.
Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice, 2011
A majority of today's higher education students have been nurtured on a steady diet of technology... more A majority of today's higher education students have been nurtured on a steady diet of technology and Internet access, leading to the increased presence of laptops in higher education classrooms. However, many instructors are unsure whether or how to assimilate this technology into their lessons. The purpose of the following study was to examine the impact of unstructured (limited use) vs. structured (active use) use of laptops for 177 university students (89 males, 88 females). Both on-task (note taking, academic activities) and off-task (email, instant messaging, games, movies) behaviours were examined by surveying students. Paired-t-tests revealed that structured use of laptops resulted in significantly more time spent on note taking and academic activities and significantly less time spent on sending personal emails, instant messages and playing games during class. It is concluded that future research needs to focus on evaluating specific strategies that maximize the benefits and minimize the distractions of using laptops.
Spirituality across Disciplines: Research and Practice:, 2016
Contemporary work on spirituality in the field of communication and media studies consists of thr... more Contemporary work on spirituality in the field of communication and media studies consists of three principal areas: theoretical development, field praxis and pedagogy. Fundamental is the conceptualization of spirituality as the creation of meaning, the sharing of which defines the parameters of communication. In an age in which communication is increasingly practiced via social media, people are beginning to find, and to share, their own voices for gathering and disseminating news, creative arts, and community engagement and development.
This critical literature review considers how prayer is practiced throughout the life course, why... more This critical literature review considers how prayer is practiced throughout the life course, why it is practiced, and the influences upon prayer behaviours throughout different life stages. Specific age groups considered include children, adolescents, undergraduates, adults, and elders. Comparisons and contrasts in prayer behaviours are made amongst all of the life stages. Issues of particular import include coping, health, psychological development, learning, and familial influences. It is specifically suggested that the development of one’s prayer life is not necessarily linear, and that a variety of factors contribute to the how and why of prayer throughout the life course. Future research for each life stage is suggested.
This paper considers the content of Lil Wayne’s letters from Rikers, together with posted comment... more This paper considers the content of Lil Wayne’s letters from Rikers, together with posted comments from fans in the context of spiritual communication and participatory media. The blog posts are analyzed by considering that the act of writing—and in this case, blogging—is a performing art. For Lil Wayne, the performance of writing is a spiritual act, and it is argued that participatory media (in this case, a famous person’s blog from prison) can facilitate connections on a religious/spiritual level. The simultaneous expressions of spirituality and popular culture are considered in the context of Black music history, noting that the sacred (or religious) and the profane (popular or irreverent) have often coexisted in Black music and culture.
Mohandas Gandhi, one of the world’s best known vegetarians, demonstrated his conviction and dedic... more Mohandas Gandhi, one of the world’s best known vegetarians, demonstrated his conviction and dedication to the appropriate treatment of animals in accordance with the core principles of living as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras, including the yamas and niyamas, are instructions to individuals regarding personal conduct; they outline behaviours and practices which individuals should follow in order to live a fulfilling life. This paper considers the yamas and niyamas and how their interpretation demonstrates a clear direction toward vegetarianism. Interpretations of Gandhi’s moral code are applied to modern circumstances and give relevance to his conviction in current context.
Journal of Communication Technology and Human Behaviors, 2015
A variety of communication technologies are used in higher education classrooms, however, limited... more A variety of communication technologies are used in higher education classrooms, however, limited research has been conducted comparing the relative educational impact of these media. This paper explores four types of communication media: email, instant messaging, text messaging, and video chat. Comfort level, frequency of use, usefulness, reasons for using these media, and differences between peer-to-peer and peer-toinstructor interactions were examined. Over 90% of students were comfortable with email, instant messaging, and text messaging compared to a 50% comfort level using video chat. Email, instant messaging, and text messaging were used frequently and significantly more with peers compared to the instructor. Video chat was used infrequently with both peers and the instructor. Email was perceived as significantly more useful when used with the instructor vs. peers, while instant messaging was rated as significantly more useful when communicating with peers vs. the instructor. Text messaging was viewed as equally useful with peers and the instructor. Video chat was ranked as the least useful communication media with both peers and the instructor. Student comments described unique benefits and challenges for each type of communication medium.
Southern Communication Journal, 2011
Theoretical linkages between communication sources (mediated and interpersonal), prayer (public a... more Theoretical linkages between communication sources (mediated and interpersonal), prayer (public and private), and spiritual health are derived from Relational Prayer theory. These relationships are empirically investigated using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Participants (N = 151) completed a written survey for extra credit. Mediated sources predicted frequency of private and public prayer better than interpersonal sources. Private and public prayers predicted better levels
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Papers by Sharon Lauricella