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<h4>ABSTRACT</h4> <P>A generational age transformation is occurring in nursing classrooms across the United States. Nurse educators need to prepare for the different values and expectations of students from Generation X and the newly emerging Generation Y in the educational environment. This quantitative, descriptive research begins to examine the preferences and expectations of these generations regarding teaching methods. </P> <h4>AUTHORS</h4> <P>Received: September 29, 2004</P> <P>Accepted: May 20, 2005</P> <P>Dr. Walker and Dr. Elliott are Associate Professors, Dr. Martin, Ms. Norwood, Mr. Mangum, and Dr. Haynie are Assistant Professors, and Ms. White is Instructor, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing, Jackson, Mississippi. </P> <P>Address correspondence to Jean T. Walker, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, The University Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216; e-mail: <a href="mailto:jwalker@son.umsmed.edu">jwalker@son.umsmed.edu</a>. </P>

H uman populations in the state of Mississippi and the rest of the southeastern United States have historically been at risk for hookworm and other parasitic diseases (1,2). With improved sanitation and economic development, soil-transmitted helminths (STH), including the species Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, were presumed to have been eliminated. However, a recent report of continued hookworm and strongyloidiasis transmission in a community without access to proper sanitation in Alabama, USA, has challenged this assumption (3).

. Some recent studies suggest ongoing transmission of parasitic diseases in the American South; however, surveys in Mississippi children are lacking. We enrolled 166 children (median age 8 years, range 4–13 years) from the Mississippi Delta region and carried out multi-parallel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Necator americanus , Ascaris lumbricoides , and Strongyloides stercoralis on their stool samples. Dried blood spots were obtained for multiplex serology antibody detection. Of 166 children, all reported having flushable toilets, 11% had soil exposure, and 34% had a pet dog or cat. None had prior diagnosis or treatment of parasitic disease. Multi-parallel real-time PCRs were negative on the 89 stool DNA extracts available for testing. Dried blood spot testing of all 166 children determined the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to Toxocara spp . (3.6%), Cryptosporidium (2.4%), S. stercoralis , Fasciola hepatica , and Giardia duodenalis (all 0%). In conclusion, parasitic infections and exposure were scarce in this population. Larger studies of at-risk populations are needed.

These plans recognized that technology could be a powerful tool to assist learning and urged all education stakeholders to use technology effectively to improve American education. To better incorporate technology into education, many institutions in higher education are investing in redesigning traditional classrooms (TCs) into technology-rich active learning classrooms (ALCs), with the expectation of making an influential impact on student learning (Hunley & Schaller, 2006). These ALCs typically