Dan MacIsaac, associate professor of physics, and Kathleen Falconer, former lecturer of mathematics,  presented an invited workshop, "Analyzing Physics Teaching Videos and the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP)," at the Cambodia 1st International Online Conference on Mentoring Educators (CICME-2020), hosted by the National Institute of Education, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, December 21–23, 2020. Their presentation slides and video are available on the CICME website.

Jason Knight, associate professor of urban and regional planning, has been awarded two grant contracts to provide housing research and policy recommendations to local governments and nonprofit organizations. The first, for $21,375, is to complete a housing needs assessment focusing on affordable housing in Erie and Niagara counties in support of the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) and the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG). The second, for $20,050, is to help the City of Tonawanda tackle vacant and abandoned properties under a New York State zombie and vacant property grant from the NYS Attorney General’s Office.

The Physics Department's David Abbott, instructional support specialist; Bradley Gearhart, lecturer; and Dan MacIsaac, associate professor, and colleagues presented a peer-reviewed abstract, "WG5-87: Fostering Physics Content and Pedagogy Learning by Future Physics Teachers via Student-Authored YouTube Video Projects" at the International Research Group on Physics Teaching's GIREP (Groupe International de Recherche sur l’Enseignement de la Physique) International Online Conference, hosted by the University of Malta November 16–18. Their abstract and presentation slides are both available from ResearchGate.

Daniel Cunningham, professor emeritus of mathematics, has been notified that his latest book, Real Analysis: With Proof Strategies, was published on December 14, 2020, by CRC Press. Typically, mathematics undergraduates view real analysis as one of the most difficult courses that a mathematics major is required to take. The main reason for this perception is twofold: students must comprehend new abstract concepts and learn to deal with these concepts on a level of rigor and proof not previously encountered. A key challenge for an instructor of real analysis is to find a way to bridge the gap between a student’s preparation and the mathematical skills that are required to be successful in such a course.

This text provides a resolution to this "bridging the gap" problem. The book not only presents the fundamental theorems of real analysis but also shows the reader how to compose and produce the proofs of these theorems.

CRC Press is a premier global publisher of science, technology, and medical resources. CRC offers unique, trusted content by expert authors, spreading knowledge and promoting discovery worldwide. CRC aims to broaden thinking and advance understanding in the sciences, providing researchers, academics, professionals, and students with the tools they need to share ideas and realize their potential.

Hermen Díaz III, assistant professor of higher education administration, was recently selected as one of seven faculty members in the country to participate in the Emerging Faculty Leader Academy, a faculty career development initiative through NASPA. Dr. Díaz was selected to represent NASPA Region II in this yearlong selective initiative.

In addition, Dr. Díaz's work "A Hierarchy of Environmental Design for Latin* Men at PWIs" was recently published in the New York Journal of Student Affairs 20 (1): 91–117.

Arjun Pathak, assistant professor of physics, published the peer-reviewed scientific article “Understanding the Origin of Magneto-Crystalline Anisotropy in Pure and Fe/Si Substituted SmCo₅” in the Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (vol. 522). The article reports the high-performance permanent magnet materials for electrical motors, wind turbines, and several other direct or indirect market consumer products. Published by Elsevier, JMMM is one of the reputed journals for a researcher working in condensed matter physics and magnetism.

John Cabra, professor of creativity and change leadership, converted two Joint Special Operations University face-to-face courses on creative problem solving to online courses. The Joint Special Operations University is the designated agency within the United States Special Operations Command to conduct joint special operations force education.

John Cabra, professor of creativity and change leadership, facilitated a virtual town hall meeting for the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) on November 20. The topic was Education, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. The goal of these virtual town hall events is to engage the larger biological and physical sciences in space research community and to identify key subjects and larger research campaigns.

John Draeger, director of the Teaching and Learning Center, and Brooke Winckelmann, instructional designer, published their article, "How Metacognitive Instructors Can Use Their Learning Management System to Facilitate Student Learning," in the Journal of Teaching and Learning with Technology 9 (1): 92–100. The article explores some of the ways instructors can be metacognitive about course design, including selecting tools in the learning management system (LMS) to support student learning. It offers strategies for being intentional about learning within the LMS and examples of online modules that can be directly incorporated into course instruction or can be self-contained, student-directed, and stand-alone. These examples serve as a blueprint for creating predictable structures that offer guidance and opportunities for students to learn about their own learning. The article also argues that the purposeful use of LMS tools can provide opportunities for instructors to monitor student progress toward learning goals and make adjustments to their instructional method when appropriate.

John Cabra, professor of creativity and change leadership, facilitated two conference breakout sessions for the Joint Special Operations University's Great Power Competition Forum: Compound Security Threats, conducted virtually November 4–6. The topic was "Achieving Intellectual Overmatch: Reconsidering Our Ways of Doing Business." The Joint Special Operations University is the designated agency within the United States Special Operations Command to conduct joint Special Operations Force (SOF) education.