{"title":"Corn Rootworm: Small Insect, Big Impact","authors":"Leah Sandall, D. Lee, L. Meinke, B. Siegfried","doi":"10.4195/nse2013.05.0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4195/nse2013.05.0015","url":null,"abstract":"Corn rootworm can cause devastating effects to corn yields. The focus of this lesson is the ongoing research of scientists as they work to combat the resistance of corn rootworm to control measures. The importance of this research in developing Insect Resistance Management strategies is discussed.","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74703449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jacob C. Domenghini, D. Bremer, S. Keeley, J. Fry, C. Lavis, Steve J. Thien
{"title":"Assessing Student Learning with Surveys and a Pre-Test/Post-Test in an Online Course","authors":"Jacob C. Domenghini, D. Bremer, S. Keeley, J. Fry, C. Lavis, Steve J. Thien","doi":"10.4195/nse2014.03.0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4195/nse2014.03.0008","url":null,"abstract":"Distance education and the number of courses offered online have grown rapidly in recent years. A survey method was developed to measure student learning in an online course entitled “Water Issues in the Lawn and Landscape” offered at Kansas State University. This course examines critical water issues related to irrigation in urbanizing watersheds and is designed for students and industry professionals who want to enhance their knowledge and careers through distance education. This class is co-taught by four professors, each contributing from their area of expertise. In addition to conveying relevant content to students, the instructors focused on the process in which the material was presented. Specifically, they emphasized creating sense and meaning while developing each assignment and lecture. If a lecture makes sense and has meaning for the learner, the probability of retaining information may be higher. A pre- and post-test was used to measure the level of student learning in each of seven course modules, and surveys were used to evaluate the level of sense and meaning that each lecture, assignment, and exam had for the students. Scores increased from pre- to post-test, indicating the students learned concepts presented in the modules. Survey results revealed that 87% of the course content made sense and 80% had meaning for the students. Within these high values of sense and meaning, student learning improved as meaning increased but was unaffected by sense.","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90397364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"JNRLSE Editorial Board Minutes for 2011","authors":"J. Doe","doi":"10.4195/nse.2012.0001m","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4195/nse.2012.0001m","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80255165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carol D. Hanley, Hilarie B. Davis, Bradford T. Davey
{"title":"The Impact of Professional Development in Natural Resource Investigations Using Geospatial Technologies","authors":"Carol D. Hanley, Hilarie B. Davis, Bradford T. Davey","doi":"10.4195/jnrlse.2011.0008k","DOIUrl":"10.4195/jnrlse.2011.0008k","url":null,"abstract":"<p>As use of geospatial technologies has increased in the workplace, so has interest in using these technologies in the K–12 classroom. Prior research has identified several reasons for using geospatial technologies in the classroom, such as developing spatial thinking, supporting local investigations, analyzing changes in the environment, and interesting students in technology and geography. The National Research Council (NRC) advocates spatial thinking instruction across the K–12 curriculum and instruction in geospatial technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS), is one way to increase understanding in spatial thinking. Many educators agree that GIS can be a useful tool for student learning; however, if GIS is going to be successfully integrated into the classroom, many issues need to be addressed, including those related to professional development. Many of the characteristics of effective professional development apply to professional development in geospatial technologies but researchers continue to identify best practices. The professional development objectives for the NSF ITEST (Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers) program at the University of Kentucky were threefold: (1) to increase knowledge of geospatial technologies, including GIS, GPS, and remote sensing; (2) to develop spatial thinking; and (3) to apply that knowledge to community-based natural resource investigations, a localized form of project-based learning (PBL). The UK team hypothesized that the unique components of this professional development program would be an effective way to increase teachers’ knowledge of new technologies and spatial thinking and to instruct teachers how to apply that knowledge to community-based investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87070920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Science Teacher Preparation Revisited","authors":"Marvin Druger","doi":"10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0999","DOIUrl":"10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0999","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88794762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Introduction to Plant Breeding Learning Activity: Wheat","authors":"Amy Kohmetscher, Don Lee, Deana Namuth-Covert","doi":"10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0007w","DOIUrl":"10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0007w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This learning activity guides students/learners through the basic process in a wheat breeding program. Wheat is a self-pollinated crop that breeders improve by crossing different cultivated varieties. Through careful crossing, observation, and further selection, breeders make better plants for producers. Biotechnology such as molecular markers aids breeders in the selection process by allowing them to observe the genes present in the DNA of wheat. Using the information from DNA and data collected in the field allows breeders to select plants with traits of interest. This activity uses wheat as a case study to uncover concepts such as pollination, inheritance of traits related to a single gene, selection for herbicide resistance, and molecular marker technology for selecting genes leading toward high protein level expressions. There is an interactive feature called the “breeder's notebook,” which allows users to review concepts while completing the activity. A discussion of genetic engineering and its relation to wheat breeding programs is also provided in the activity. The education material is designed for introductory-level college students and is also useful for extension education.</p><p>Running this activity requires Adobe Flash Player. To ensure your internet browser has the most up-to-date version of Adobe Flash player, visit the following link: get.adobe.com/flashplayer/.</p>","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88155524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrew C. Thoron, Brian E. Myers, Amy Harder, Nicole Stedman, T. Grady Roberts
{"title":"An Analysis of Teaching Competencies of Junior Faculty with Different Levels of Graduate Teaching Assistant Experiences","authors":"Andrew C. Thoron, Brian E. Myers, Amy Harder, Nicole Stedman, T. Grady Roberts","doi":"10.4195/jnrlse.2011.0011g","DOIUrl":"10.4195/jnrlse.2011.0011g","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This casual–comparative study was conducted to determine the professional development needs of teaching faculty with fewer than 6 years of university teaching experience (<i>n</i> = 67). Faculty were compared on the level of teaching assistantship responsibility during their graduate degree program. The purpose of this article is to provide faculty development officers with fundamental considerations for achieving quality professional development with junior faculty based on previous teaching experience. This study found professional development needs should be tailored based on teaching assistant experiences.</p>","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91539793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Deana M. Namuth-Covert, Heather L. Merk, Courtney Haines
{"title":"Chi-Square Test for Goodness of Fit in a Plant Breeding Example","authors":"Deana M. Namuth-Covert, Heather L. Merk, Courtney Haines","doi":"10.4195/jnrlse.2011.0014w","DOIUrl":"10.4195/jnrlse.2011.0014w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In plant breeding and genetics research, plant breeders establish a hypothesis to explain how they think a particular trait is inherited, such as if it is due to one gene with complete dominance, an interaction of more than one gene, or quantitative inheritance, with many genes contributing, etc. Next the breeder sets up some crosses and observes the resulting progeny to test that inheritance hypothesis. However, when the data is collected, oftentimes the breeder discovers the number of plants observed in each class is not exactly what was expected from the hypothesis. The question then is how do plant breeders determine if the data supports their hypothesis or not? Following a tomato disease resistance example in this lesson, you will learn a simple statistical test that breeders can use to conclude if the experimental data supports their hypothesis. This lesson is written for undergraduate and graduate students studying plant breeding, as well as agriculture professionals unfamiliar with the use of the chi-square analysis. After completing this lesson module you should be able to:\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4195/jnrlse.2011.0014w","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87096921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Can Benefit Heavy Metal Tolerance and Phytoremediation","authors":"David Forgy","doi":"10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0001se","DOIUrl":"10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0001se","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sites contaminated by heavy metals, such as industrial waste sites, create unwelcoming environments for plant growth. Heavy metals can have a wide range of toxic effects such as replacing essential elements or disrupting enzyme function. While some heavy metals are essential to plant nutrition at low concentrations, high concentrations of any heavy metal(s) has the effect of reducing or preventing plant growth. Despite the obstacles to plant growth, revegetation of these sites is important because wind and water erosion can transport heavy metals from contaminated sites, thereby spreading these potentially toxic pollutants. Phytoremediation techniques which use plants to remediate contaminated soil may provide a solution to problems of revegetation and contamination. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may enhance phytoremediation, especially phytoextraction and phytostabilization, by reducing heavy metal stresses on plants, increasing heavy metal uptake, and affecting translocation of metals within plants. This paper provides a review of the effects of AMF colonization on heavy metal tolerance in plants and the potential for utilizing AMF in phytoremediation techniques.</p>","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0001se","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80539834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Managing Abiotic Factors of Compost to Increase Soilborne Disease Suppression","authors":"Deirdre E. Griffin","doi":"10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0003se","DOIUrl":"10.4195/jnrlse.2012.0003se","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Soilborne pathogens can devastate crops, causing economic losses for farmers due to reduced yields and expensive management practices. Fumigants and fungicides have harmful impacts on the surrounding environment and can be toxic to humans. Therefore, alternative methods of disease management are important. The disease suppressive abilities of composts have been recognized for several decades, and significant research has been done in order to identify substrates with effective suppression. The mechanisms of suppression are mainly biological, but abiotic aspects of the composts, such as pH, carbon to nitrogen ratio, and maturity, interact with pathogenic and biological control processes and determine efficacy of suppression. For example, <i>Fusarium</i> wilt is aggravated by high ammonium-N composts (Cotxarrera et al., 2002), and mature composts with low levels of labile compounds more effectively suppress <i>Rhizoctonia</i> damping-off (Trillas et al., 2006). Identification of these abiotic factors can increase efficacy of disease suppression of composts. In addition, inoculating composts with biological control agents, such as <i>Trichoderma</i>, has been found to increase suppressive ability in many cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":100810,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81819218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}