nick cutforth | University of Denver (original) (raw)

Papers by nick cutforth

Research paper thumbnail of Managing the Challenges of Teaching Community-Based Research Courses: Insights from Two Instructors

Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 2006

In community-based research (CBR), faculty, students, and community partners collaborate on resea... more In community-based research (CBR), faculty, students, and community partners collaborate on research projects. This emerging pedagogy presents numerous challenges to instructors teaching CBR courses, including: finding a disciplinary connection, building CBR into the curriculum, ensuring student readiness, and structuring the CBR experience . In this article, these challenges are addressed by the instructor of a new CBR course for undergraduates and the instructor of an established course for graduate students. This discussion is intended to help prospective or current CBR instructors anticipate and manage the challenges of their courses.

Research paper thumbnail of A Community-Engaged Approach to Translating Research into Practice: A Physical Education Story

Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 2015

The National Institutes of Health's Clinical and Translational Sciences A... more The National Institutes of Health's Clinical and Translational Sciences Award program emphasizes the need to speed up the process of putting evidence-based practices into place. One strategy they promote is community engagement; however, few studies describe a process for meaningfully engaging communities in the translation process. This article describes steps taken by a university- community partnership to create a plan for implementing evidence-based physical education (PE) practices in rural schools. This partnership's efforts resulted in the acquisition of a $1.86 million grant to implement the plan. Qualitative data collected during the planning process were analyzed using content analysis. Key steps included undertaking a baseline assessment of community needs, reviewing and selecting evidence-based practices, developing a multilevel, community-driven action plan and establishing its feasibility with community stakeholders. These steps could be applied to other health topics across a variety of settings. Several strategies that made the process successful are described. Recommendations are made for expanding the roles of Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) and local health foundations in supporting community-engaged translational research. University-community partnerships have the potential to create plans and obtain large-scale funding for translating evidence-based research into practice.

Research paper thumbnail of A Case Study of Institutional Visioning, Public Good, and the Renewal of Democracy: The Theory and Practice of Public Good Work at the University of Denver

Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 2009

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Research paper thumbnail of Principles of Best Practice for Community-Based Research

Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 2003

Community-based research (CBR) offers higher education a distinctive form of engaged scholarship ... more Community-based research (CBR) offers higher education a distinctive form of engaged scholarship and a transformative approach to teaching and learning. In this article, we propose a CBR model that is genuinely collaborative and driven by community rather than campus interests; that democratizes the creation and dissemination of knowledge; and that seeks to achieve positive social change. We demonstrate how this model translates into principles that underlie the practice of CBR in four critical areas: campus-community partnerships, research design and process, teaching and learning, and the institutionalization of centers to support CBR.

Research paper thumbnail of Disseminating Evidence-Based Physical Education Practices in Rural Schools: The San Luis Valley Physical Education Academy

Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 2016

To address childhood obesity, strategies are needed to maximize physical activity during the scho... more To address childhood obesity, strategies are needed to maximize physical activity during the school day. The San Luis Valley Physical Education Academy was a public health intervention designed to increase the quality of physical education and quantity of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during physical education class. Elementary school physical education teachers from 17 schools participated in the intervention. They received SPARK curriculum and equipment, workshops, and site coordinator support for two years. A pre/post/post within physical education teacher design was used to measure intervention effectiveness. System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) and a physical education teacher survey were collected three times. MVPA increased from 51.1% to 67.3% over the two-year intervention resulting in approximately 14.6 additional hours of physical activity over a school year and 4,662 kcal or 1.33 lbs. of weight gain prevention. More time was spent on skill drills and less time on classroom management and free play. The San Luis Valley Physical Education Academy succeeded in increasing rural, low-income students' physical activity. The multi-component intervention contributed to the program's success. However, cost-effective approaches are needed to disseminate and implement evidence-based practices aimed at increasing students' physical activity during the school day.

Research paper thumbnail of Reflections on Reflective Teaching in a Physical Education Teacher Education Methods Course

Research paper thumbnail of Community-Based Research and Higher Education: Principles and Practices

... Every year the legislature cuts our budget and says our faculty isn't doing any-thin... more ... Every year the legislature cuts our budget and says our faculty isn't doing any-thing. They're asking me what our outreach programs are. ... Responses to the crisis in highereducation have been varied and, in a few cases, far-reaching. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Cutforth, N. (2013). The journey of a community-engaged scholar: An autoethnography. Quest, 65(1), 14-30

Research paper thumbnail of Developing institutional practices that support engaged scholarship

Research paper thumbnail of Capitalizing on the Popularity of Sport and Physical Activity Among Underserved Youth

Research paper thumbnail of Dedication to the public good: A higher education conundrum?

Universities and colleges are increasingly providing internal grants to encourage faculty and sta... more Universities and colleges are increasingly providing internal grants to encourage faculty and staff involvement in community-based research and service-learning projects; however, little attention has been given to the impact of institutional support of these efforts. This qualitative study employed focus group interviews with 17 faculty and staff at one mid-size private research university (high activity) to explore the impact of institutional funding on their professional roles and practice of community engaged work. Findings revealed that community-based projects energized the participants, helped them make their academic work relevant in communities, created formal and informal university-community partnerships, and elevated the University’s public image. However, a conundrum was evident in the tension between the University’s public expression of the importance of community engagement and participants’ concerns that the traditional academic reward structure could jeopardize the...

Research paper thumbnail of Youth development and physical activity: Linking universities and communities

... what could be. In chapter 1, Jim Stiehl describes kids' realities and paints a bleak... more ... what could be. In chapter 1, Jim Stiehl describes kids' realities and paints a bleak picture of the challenges facing today's young people. In chapter 2, Missy Parker calls on us to serve these young people. She outlines several ...

Research paper thumbnail of Community-Based Research and Higher Education: Principles and Practices (review)

The Review of Higher Education, 2004

... Every year the legislature cuts our budget and says our faculty isn't doing any-thin... more ... Every year the legislature cuts our budget and says our faculty isn't doing any-thing. They're asking me what our outreach programs are. ... Responses to the crisis in highereducation have been varied and, in a few cases, far-reaching. ...

Research paper thumbnail of The Journey of a Community-Engaged Scholar: An Autoethnography

Research paper thumbnail of Local Wellness Policy 5 Years Later: Is It Making a Difference for Students in Low-Income, Rural Colorado Elementary Schools?

Preventing Chronic Disease, 2013

The federally mandated Local Wellness Policy (LWP) was intended to promote student health in scho... more The federally mandated Local Wellness Policy (LWP) was intended to promote student health in schools. This study assesses the 5-year effects of the LWP on the health practices of rural elementary schools in Colorado.

Research paper thumbnail of Beyond violence prevention in inner-city physical activity programs

Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 1996

... 1992), an alternative approach to discipline problems (Graham, HoltJHale, & Parker, 1993;... more ... 1992), an alternative approach to discipline problems (Graham, HoltJHale, & Parker, 1993; Rink, 1993), and an exemplary approach for special populations (Siedentop, Mand, & Taggart, 1986; Searle, Winther, & Reed, 1994; Winnick, 1990). Rovegno and Kirk (1995), in their ...

Research paper thumbnail of Adapted Intervention Mapping: A Strategic Planning Process for Increasing Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Opportunities in Schools via Environment and Policy Change

Journal of School Health, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Early Impact of the Federally Mandated Local Wellness Policy on Physical Activity in Rural, Low-Income Elementary Schools in Colorado

Journal of Public Health Policy, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of An Adapted Version of Intervention Mapping (AIM) Is a Tool for Conducting Community-Based Participatory Research

Health Promotion Practice, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Development of a National Survey to Assess Student Learning Outcomes of Community-Based Research

Journal of Higher …, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Managing the Challenges of Teaching Community-Based Research Courses: Insights from Two Instructors

Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 2006

In community-based research (CBR), faculty, students, and community partners collaborate on resea... more In community-based research (CBR), faculty, students, and community partners collaborate on research projects. This emerging pedagogy presents numerous challenges to instructors teaching CBR courses, including: finding a disciplinary connection, building CBR into the curriculum, ensuring student readiness, and structuring the CBR experience . In this article, these challenges are addressed by the instructor of a new CBR course for undergraduates and the instructor of an established course for graduate students. This discussion is intended to help prospective or current CBR instructors anticipate and manage the challenges of their courses.

Research paper thumbnail of A Community-Engaged Approach to Translating Research into Practice: A Physical Education Story

Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 2015

The National Institutes of Health's Clinical and Translational Sciences A... more The National Institutes of Health's Clinical and Translational Sciences Award program emphasizes the need to speed up the process of putting evidence-based practices into place. One strategy they promote is community engagement; however, few studies describe a process for meaningfully engaging communities in the translation process. This article describes steps taken by a university- community partnership to create a plan for implementing evidence-based physical education (PE) practices in rural schools. This partnership's efforts resulted in the acquisition of a $1.86 million grant to implement the plan. Qualitative data collected during the planning process were analyzed using content analysis. Key steps included undertaking a baseline assessment of community needs, reviewing and selecting evidence-based practices, developing a multilevel, community-driven action plan and establishing its feasibility with community stakeholders. These steps could be applied to other health topics across a variety of settings. Several strategies that made the process successful are described. Recommendations are made for expanding the roles of Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) and local health foundations in supporting community-engaged translational research. University-community partnerships have the potential to create plans and obtain large-scale funding for translating evidence-based research into practice.

Research paper thumbnail of A Case Study of Institutional Visioning, Public Good, and the Renewal of Democracy: The Theory and Practice of Public Good Work at the University of Denver

Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 2009

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Research paper thumbnail of Principles of Best Practice for Community-Based Research

Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 2003

Community-based research (CBR) offers higher education a distinctive form of engaged scholarship ... more Community-based research (CBR) offers higher education a distinctive form of engaged scholarship and a transformative approach to teaching and learning. In this article, we propose a CBR model that is genuinely collaborative and driven by community rather than campus interests; that democratizes the creation and dissemination of knowledge; and that seeks to achieve positive social change. We demonstrate how this model translates into principles that underlie the practice of CBR in four critical areas: campus-community partnerships, research design and process, teaching and learning, and the institutionalization of centers to support CBR.

Research paper thumbnail of Disseminating Evidence-Based Physical Education Practices in Rural Schools: The San Luis Valley Physical Education Academy

Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 2016

To address childhood obesity, strategies are needed to maximize physical activity during the scho... more To address childhood obesity, strategies are needed to maximize physical activity during the school day. The San Luis Valley Physical Education Academy was a public health intervention designed to increase the quality of physical education and quantity of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during physical education class. Elementary school physical education teachers from 17 schools participated in the intervention. They received SPARK curriculum and equipment, workshops, and site coordinator support for two years. A pre/post/post within physical education teacher design was used to measure intervention effectiveness. System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) and a physical education teacher survey were collected three times. MVPA increased from 51.1% to 67.3% over the two-year intervention resulting in approximately 14.6 additional hours of physical activity over a school year and 4,662 kcal or 1.33 lbs. of weight gain prevention. More time was spent on skill drills and less time on classroom management and free play. The San Luis Valley Physical Education Academy succeeded in increasing rural, low-income students' physical activity. The multi-component intervention contributed to the program's success. However, cost-effective approaches are needed to disseminate and implement evidence-based practices aimed at increasing students' physical activity during the school day.

Research paper thumbnail of Reflections on Reflective Teaching in a Physical Education Teacher Education Methods Course

Research paper thumbnail of Community-Based Research and Higher Education: Principles and Practices

... Every year the legislature cuts our budget and says our faculty isn't doing any-thin... more ... Every year the legislature cuts our budget and says our faculty isn't doing any-thing. They're asking me what our outreach programs are. ... Responses to the crisis in highereducation have been varied and, in a few cases, far-reaching. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Cutforth, N. (2013). The journey of a community-engaged scholar: An autoethnography. Quest, 65(1), 14-30

Research paper thumbnail of Developing institutional practices that support engaged scholarship

Research paper thumbnail of Capitalizing on the Popularity of Sport and Physical Activity Among Underserved Youth

Research paper thumbnail of Dedication to the public good: A higher education conundrum?

Universities and colleges are increasingly providing internal grants to encourage faculty and sta... more Universities and colleges are increasingly providing internal grants to encourage faculty and staff involvement in community-based research and service-learning projects; however, little attention has been given to the impact of institutional support of these efforts. This qualitative study employed focus group interviews with 17 faculty and staff at one mid-size private research university (high activity) to explore the impact of institutional funding on their professional roles and practice of community engaged work. Findings revealed that community-based projects energized the participants, helped them make their academic work relevant in communities, created formal and informal university-community partnerships, and elevated the University’s public image. However, a conundrum was evident in the tension between the University’s public expression of the importance of community engagement and participants’ concerns that the traditional academic reward structure could jeopardize the...

Research paper thumbnail of Youth development and physical activity: Linking universities and communities

... what could be. In chapter 1, Jim Stiehl describes kids' realities and paints a bleak... more ... what could be. In chapter 1, Jim Stiehl describes kids' realities and paints a bleak picture of the challenges facing today's young people. In chapter 2, Missy Parker calls on us to serve these young people. She outlines several ...

Research paper thumbnail of Community-Based Research and Higher Education: Principles and Practices (review)

The Review of Higher Education, 2004

... Every year the legislature cuts our budget and says our faculty isn't doing any-thin... more ... Every year the legislature cuts our budget and says our faculty isn't doing any-thing. They're asking me what our outreach programs are. ... Responses to the crisis in highereducation have been varied and, in a few cases, far-reaching. ...

Research paper thumbnail of The Journey of a Community-Engaged Scholar: An Autoethnography

Research paper thumbnail of Local Wellness Policy 5 Years Later: Is It Making a Difference for Students in Low-Income, Rural Colorado Elementary Schools?

Preventing Chronic Disease, 2013

The federally mandated Local Wellness Policy (LWP) was intended to promote student health in scho... more The federally mandated Local Wellness Policy (LWP) was intended to promote student health in schools. This study assesses the 5-year effects of the LWP on the health practices of rural elementary schools in Colorado.

Research paper thumbnail of Beyond violence prevention in inner-city physical activity programs

Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 1996

... 1992), an alternative approach to discipline problems (Graham, HoltJHale, & Parker, 1993;... more ... 1992), an alternative approach to discipline problems (Graham, HoltJHale, & Parker, 1993; Rink, 1993), and an exemplary approach for special populations (Siedentop, Mand, & Taggart, 1986; Searle, Winther, & Reed, 1994; Winnick, 1990). Rovegno and Kirk (1995), in their ...

Research paper thumbnail of Adapted Intervention Mapping: A Strategic Planning Process for Increasing Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Opportunities in Schools via Environment and Policy Change

Journal of School Health, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Early Impact of the Federally Mandated Local Wellness Policy on Physical Activity in Rural, Low-Income Elementary Schools in Colorado

Journal of Public Health Policy, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of An Adapted Version of Intervention Mapping (AIM) Is a Tool for Conducting Community-Based Participatory Research

Health Promotion Practice, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Development of a National Survey to Assess Student Learning Outcomes of Community-Based Research

Journal of Higher …, 2011