Our Common Ground, 2005-1

Understanding Iowa’s geology and hydrology provides the critical information needed to ensure that our natural resources are properly utilized and protected. Gaining this knowledge and helping Iowans apply it is the core function of your Iowa Geological Survey (IGS).

Our Common Ground, 2005-2

Iowa Department of Natural Resources fact sheet on water.

Our Common Ground, 2005-3

Iowa Department of Natural Resources fact sheet on IGS Rock library

Our Common Ground, 2005-3

Iowa Department of Natural Resources fact sheet on IGS Rock library

Our Common Ground, 2006-2

Iowa Department of Natural Resources fact sheet on exploring the mid-continent rift.

Our Common Ground, 2005-4

Iowa Department of Natural Resources fact sheet on Geographic Information Systems.

Our Common Ground, 2006-1

Using LiDAR to Scan Iowa from Aircraft

The Social Enterprise as an Alternative Work Option for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: A Case Study of Staff Perspectives at Common Ground Co-operative

Traditional employment options for persons with developmental disabilities are lacking. Employment options available for persons with developmental disabilities are reflective of the medical and social model perspectives of disability; with segregated and supported employment reinforcing the idea that persons with developmental disabilities are incapable and competitive employment missing the necessary accommodations for persons to be successful. This study examined social enterprises as an alternative employment option that can balance both medical and social model perspectives by accommodating for weaknesses or limitations and recognizing the strengths and capabilities of persons with developmental disabilities in the workplace. Moreover, this study is part of a broader case study which is examining the nature and impacts of a social enterprise, known as Common Ground Co-operative (CGC), which supports five social purpose businesses that are owned and operated by persons with developmental disabilities. This study is part of the Social Business and Marginalized Social Groups Community-University Research Alliance. To date, a case study has been written describing the nature and impacts of CGC and its related businesses from the perspectives of the Partners, board members, funders and staff (Owen, Readhead, Bishop, Hope & Campbell, in press & Readhead, 2012). The current study used a descriptive case study approach to provide a detailed account of the perceptions and opinions of CGC staff members who support each of the Partners in the five related businesses. Staff members were chosen for the focus of this study because of the integral role that they play in the successful outcomes of the persons they support. This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase five staff members were interviewed. During this stage of interviews, several themes were presented which needed to be examined in further detail, specifically staff stress and burnout and duty of care for business Partners versus the promotion of their autonomy. A second phase of interviews was then conducted with one individual participant and a focus group of seven. During both interview phases, Staff participants described an employment model that creates a non-judgemental environment for the business Partners that promotes their strengths, accommodates for their limitations, provides educational opportunities and places the responsibility for the businesses on the persons with developmental disabilities cultivating equality and promoting independence. Staff described the nature of their role including risk factors for stress, the protective factors that buffer stress, and the challenges associated with balancing many role demands. Issues related to the replication of this social enterprise model are described.

The art of conversation is coordination: common ground and the coupling of eye movements during dialogue

When two people discuss something they can see in front of them, what is the relationship between their eye movements? We recorded the gaze of pairs of subjects engaged in live, spontaneous dialogue. Cross-recurrence analysis revealed a coupling between the eye movements of the two conversants. In the first study, we found their eye movements were coupled across several seconds. In the second, we found that this coupling increased if they both heard the same background information prior to their conversation. These results provide a direct quantification of joint attention during unscripted conversation and show that it is influenced by knowledge in the common ground.

Child Maltreatment Prevention – Finding Common Ground with Unintentional Injury Prevention

Child Maltreatment Prevention – Finding Common Ground with Unintentional Injury Prevention

Sharing common ground on western rangelands : proceedings of a livestock/big game symposium : Sparks, NV, February 26-28, 1996 /

"September 1996"--Cover.