|
The Landmark College Office of Grants & Sponsored Projects offers mini-grants to Landmark faculty and staff to support innovation and improvement in instruction, student support services, and scholarship. Landmark has many exciting mini grant projects currently in progress.
Project Title: Changing the Self-Defeating Language of Procrastination
Work completion difficulties are frequently cited by Landmark College students, their parents, and professors. The term "procrastination" is still used frequently by students to describe the situation, and it is seen by some as having a connotation of moral failing and laziness. This project will use Thomas E. Brown's model of Executive Functioning (see image below) to determine if there is a correlation between use of the model and increased work completion.
Total Award Amount: $120
Period of Performance: 09/01/07 – 06/30/08
Project Director: Ann Wheeler, Assistant Professor
" [Currently] I am intervieiwng my advisees about their work completion goals, making note of those who used what I have defined as "self defeating" language. So far , however I have identified several advisees new to the college who seem to be using "self defeating language" and several who use positive language. There seems to be a preliminary correlation between Self defeating language and work completion."
- Ann Wheeler 9/26/07

Thomas E. Brown's model of Executive Functioning
Project Title: The Effects of Hatha Yoga on College Students with ADHD
It is important to investigate alternative or complementary therapies for the treatment of ADHD. Many adults with ADHD struggle with the efficacy and side effects of taking psycho-stimulant medications. Finding an effective means to manage ADHD symptoms without medication or in conjunction with medication would therefore be of high value to these adults. This project will investigate if hatha yoga practice positively affects any of the following symptoms of ADHD: focus, distractibility, procrastination, and difficulties with mental effort.
Total Award Amount: $520
Period of Performance: 09/01/07 – 05/01/08
Project Director: Rich Grumbine, Associate Professor
"Currently, 19 students have signed on to the study and have filled a first round of surveys and questionnaires. There are no findings yet, [however] the study just started and will continue for two semesters."
- Rich Grumbine 9/26/07
Project Title: Pilot Study to Investigate the Effectiveness of Print Media versus Electronic Media as Delivery modes of Introductory Biology Content to College Students, Including Those with Language and/or Attention Disabilities
This study will investigate differences in the effectiveness of two content delivery modes, print and electronic media, in the subject area of cell structures and functions for students with any language disorder and/or any attention disorders. The project directors believe that evidence gathered in this study will support the hypothesis that different content delivery methods will support the learning styles of different segments of the Landmark College student population.
Total Award Amount: $1,452
Period of Performance: 01/19/2007 – 12/31/08
Project Directors: Abigail Littlefield, Associate Professor; Bruce Lord, Associate Professor; and Cindy Tolman, Associate Professor
Project Title: Providing an Effective Dictation Mask for In-Class/Mobile Note-taking
Technology Learning Services has been exploring alternatives to dictation masks which have proven to be troublesome. We requested a mini-grant to test and evaluate additional options for which departmental funding is not available. Our intended outcome is to evaluate and document the ease and effectiveness of using the Mini-Mask to take notes in public places. This information will be formatted using a spreadsheet of benefits/limitations and will be published on the TLS web page and shared with other departments, such as Transfer Services, Advisors, and LCIRT.
Learn more about the initial tests using the Mini-Mask (PDF)
Total Award Amount: $250.95
Period of Performance: 7/01/07 – 12/31/07
Project Director: Kathy Burris, Assistive Technology Coordinator

Student explores the use of the Mini-Mask dictation system.
Project Title: Students with Learning Disabilities Networking Behavior and Grade Performance
This study tests the hypothesis that a student’s learning disability impacts their networking behavior and consequently their academic (grade) performance. This research will provide insight into the impact that learning disabilities has on an individual’s networking behavior and subsequence performance. The results of this study will provide information to educational institutions on the design of supportive infrastructure which would facilitate students with learning disabilities efforts to achieve academic success.
Total Award Amount: $750
Period of Performance: 12/1/06-11/30/07
Project Director: Bill W. Godair, Associate Professor
Project Title: Usability Evaluation of Landmark College’s Library Website
The Library website provides Landmark students and personnel with access to Library resources and databases. The website has been redesigned to address a number of issues that are believed to have caused usability problems for users of the website. Before launching the redesigned website, we propose to conduct a usability evaluation to determine the relative usability of specific elements of the old versus new websites, for students as well as personnel
Total Award Amount: $320
Period of Performance: 12/1/06 – 11/30/07
Project Director: Jessica Olin, Research Services Librarian (at time of award)
|