Jamillah Grant | Grand Canyon University (original) (raw)

Papers by Jamillah Grant

ABSTRACT In this paper, we describe how new faculty members engaged in the creation of their e-... more ABSTRACT
In this paper, we describe how new faculty members
engaged in the creation of their e-portfolios over a period
of two half-day sessions. The goals of these sessions were
web page literacy and the construction of the e-portfolios.
Faculty members were first taught using online tools basic
web publishing and then using an HTML template
constructed their e-portfolios. During these sessions
faculty, as a collaborative group, shared their teaching
philosophies and methodologies for increasing student
engagement. They also reflected on their teaching
practices. The outcomes of these sessions were their

Abstract: In Barbados, a small island nation located in the West Indies, there is a shortage of u... more Abstract: In Barbados, a small island nation located in the West Indies, there is a shortage of
university graduates in the physical sciences, particularly in physics. The result is a limited
number of graduates entering the professional fields related to physics. Research has shown
that scientific phenomena are often difficult to comprehend without some visual aid.
Obtaining access to visuals such as simulation games, DVD recordings, or audio/visual tapes
via postal services are complicated by import fees, international exchange regulations, and
the length of transportation time it takes to receive goods. Utilizing videos that are readily
accessible over the Internet is one way to circumvent these problems.

Abstract: One of the challenges of teaching students to speak French in the Anglophone Caribbean ... more Abstract: One of the challenges of teaching students to speak French in the Anglophone Caribbean is the lack of opportunities to become immersed in the language. In an effort to increase opportunities to speak the language, two online mystery solving games, L’oreille coupée and Polar FLE were used during instruction. Two groups of students which were similar in respect to age, gender, nationality, first language and length of French studies participated in the study. The two groups were taught by two different teachers working closely as a team and following the same syllabus. The purpose of the study was to gain insight into whether students thought the games were useful. Pre-test and post-test surveys that estimated learning preferences were administered. Post-treatment interviews were conducted. Themes of student perceptions regarding their ability to speak French associated with the opportunity to learn French using online games were developed by axial coding of interviewees' comments. Students’ verbal abilities were assessed to measure the learning outcomes. Learning outcomes were then compared to students’ perceived learning preferences. Insight into whether online games are perceived as tools for learning will assist lecturers to plan instruction.

It is expected that university students are competent, to some degree, in the use of productivity... more It is expected that university students are competent, to some degree, in the use of productivity tools such as word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software and databases. The level of competency that most students possess in these productivity tools however is seldom reported in the literature. To determine these levels, a survey was administered to sophomore students who self-reported the activities they could perform. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the percentage of students that could perform each activity per productivity tool. Competency levels were ranked by five departments, namely Computer Science; Economics; Government; History and Philosophy; and Language, Linguistics, and Literature. Statistical tests were then used to determine if there were significant differences across these departments. The findings indicate that Computer Science and Economic students have comparable levels of competency, while Language, Linguistics, and Literature students have significantly lower competencies in the productivity tools examined.

Learning scientists are increasingly turning to computer and video games as tools for learning. S... more Learning scientists are increasingly turning to computer and video games as tools for learning. Simulation might not only motivate learners, but provide accessible ways for students to develop intuitive understandings of abstract physics phenomena. This study examines what learning occurs when an electromagnetism simulation game is used in a school for underserved students. Students in the experimental group performed better than students in the control group (guided discovery-based science) on measures for understanding. Game mechanics enabled students to confront weaknesses in understandings, and physics representations became tools for understanding problems. Implications for the design of educational digital media are discussed. Yet, it was also these very same game mechanics posed significant challenges in terms of student engagement, motivation, and learning of physics concepts.