http://hdl.handle.net/2346/521 Texas Tech University Electronic Theses and Dissertations http://hdl.handle.net/2346/1418 Understanding an animated spaghetti western: a symbiosis of character and context Key, Brian Randall The symbiotic relationship between characters and context can be understood as a construct, which defines genre and ushers the storyteller’s vision to the audience in visualization, animation, and film. The relationship between character and context is symbiotic in the Spaghetti Western genre of film, and this thesis studies and presents that relationship through an analysis method that derives a construct. This construct can be used to further understand genre, film, and the symbiotic nature of characters and context. Tue, 05 Sep 2006 17:46:56 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2346/1419 The effects of computer assisted instruction on college algebra students at Texas Tech University Klein, Amanda M. A semester long study was conducted on the effects of the use of MyMathLab, an online computer assisted instruction (CAI) software program, on college algebra students. One section of College Algebra had access to the online CAI supplemental to traditional classroom instruction. The other section received only traditional classroom instruction. The students took a pre-test and post-test, filled out a pre-survey and post-survey, and completed a course evaluation and qualitative survey at the end of the semester. The change in test scores was not statistically different between the two sections. MyMathLab did not influence the students’ overall attitude toward math, but it did have a negative effect on the students’ beliefs concerning the time commitments involved in solving math problems. The students thought that entering the answer was too time consuming and frustrating. Tue, 05 Sep 2006 17:46:56 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2346/1417 Career lines of chief academic officers at rural two-year colleges Allen, Nathan There is evidence in the literature that two-year colleges will be facing a significant shortage of administrative leaders in the next few years. While the chief academic officer (CAO) plays a significant role in the academic agenda of an institution, a number of CAOs are expected to move vertically to the chief executive officer (CEO) position, move laterally to another CAO position at another institution, or retire in the next few years. However, to date only a few national studies have been reported in the literature that focus on the career lines to the CAO position. Nationally, nearly 70% of two-year colleges are rural thus constituting a large portion of the population of two-year institutions. Yet, none of the studies in the literature have focused on the career lines to the CAO position at rural two-year colleges. The purpose of this study was to examine the career lines of CAOs at rural two-year institutions, and the entry points and boundaries which shape those career lines. Four research questions were developed to investigate the entry points, job experiences, career lines, and boundaries of the rural CAOs. The data for this study was drawn from a larger study of CAOs conducted by the National Council of Instructional Administrators (NCIA). Career line data from 72 CAOs at rural two-year institutions was used for this study representing 63% of the CAOs in the NCIA database. Although no single point of entry for the CAO career line was found in this study, a faculty position in higher education was identified as the most frequent entry point. Additionally, division/department chair was identified as a common point of entry into higher education. Combined, faculty and division/department chair positions represented 52.1% of the CAO entry points. CAOs have held a variety of positions in higher education prior to becoming a CAO. Two-thirds of CAOs at rural institutions (66.7%) have been a dean or director prior to becoming a CAO. Half of current CAOs (50%) have been the CAO at another institution and nearly one-third (31.9%) have held an associate or assistant chief academic officer position. Seven career lines were found leading to the CAO position at rural two-year colleges. A total of only five positions were found in the seven career lines: CAO, associate academic officer, academic dean, division/department chair, and faculty. These seven career lines represented 73% of the population. In this study, two types of boundaries were observable: single institution (firm) and two-year institution (occupational). Both types of boundary become increasingly narrower the closer one moves to the CAO position. Of the CAOs in this study, 69.6% moved to their current position within the same organization. Including those moving within the same institution, 91.3% moved from either within the same organization or another two-year institution. While this study was the first study to focus on career lines of CAOs at rural two-year colleges, additional research is needed to fully understand the career paths to the CAO position. Tue, 05 Sep 2006 17:46:55 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2346/1416 Overcoming dormancy in Helianthus annuus achenes and Echinacea purpurea seed Smith, Crystal Lea In this study, seed quality factors of Helianthus annuus L. and E. purpurea were investigated as well as the effects of carotenoid inhibiting herbicides on their germination ability. The intent was to find a method of overcoming seed dormancy without compromising shelf life. Viability testing for H. annuus resulted in a germination percent of 57% and a germination percent of 63% for E. purpurea. Seed quality testing focused on size, density, Hull:Embryo (H:E) and age. Carotenoid inhibitors were applied to the seed as a soak for varying lengths of time and at differing concentrations to determine their effectiveness on overcoming seed dormancy. Volume of E. purpurea seeds and H. annuus achenes increased with increasing density. H:E of H. annuus increased with increasing achene density. The surface area of a H. annuus achene hull can be used to predict the surface area of an embryo. For H. annuus, between H:E, surface area and density, density appears to be the best predictor of germinability. Age had more of an impact on germinability of E. purpurea seed than density. Carotenoid inhibitor treatments alone were not sufficient in overcoming dormancy in H. annuus. Discoloration of treated seedlings that germinated showed signs of herbicide damage indicating that the herbicide is able to penetrate the seed coat. Further study is needed. Germination rate and percent were improved for E. purpurea seed treated with fluridone and norflurazon at concentrations between 0.005 g/L and 0.020 g/L at soak times between 4 to 8 hours. Tue, 05 Sep 2006 17:46:55 GMT