Digital Commons Network^™

Empowering Teachers: Cultivating Agency In A Post-Pandemic Educational Landscape, Clifford Davis Jr.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Creating an environment where teachers feel trusted and responsible is not just a suggestion but a necessity. In this essay, I underline the indispensable role of school leaders in balancing autonomy and accountability and acknowledge the fact that empowered teachers are the cornerstone of engaging and successful learning environments. I discuss the crucial role of teacher agency in fostering effective education and strongly advocate for the primacy of trust building, collaboration, tailored professional development, and teacher leadership within schools and districts. It is expected that restoring teacher agency will yield positive student outcomes like clear goal setting and expectations, supportive …

Member-Reported Benefits Of Three Alabama Educator-Focused Professional Organizations, Meredith L. C. Sides

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Professional organizations can play an important role in the lives and work of educators. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Alabama educators’ experiences with membership in statewide professional organizations and to determine what benefits, if any, members feel their organizations provide them. Four main benefits that respondents identified were community, broadening of knowledge and practice, leadership opportunities, and personal growth.

Staff Perspectives Of Deaf And Hard Of Hearing College Students’ Alcohol Use, Christine L. Gannon, Theresa H. Gibble, Retta Evans

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

A predominant health issue at colleges and universities is alcohol use. This is also true for deaf and hard of hearing college students. Key stakeholders who observe and witness this alcohol dynamic are staff. Researchers used a semi-structured qualitative guide to interview Gallaudet University staff (N = 26) to learn about their perspectives on and experiences with student alcohol use. Through thematic analysis, they identified several dominant themes that were then grouped into the three levels of the social-ecological model. First, they identified intrapersonal factors, including fear of missing out and coping strategies. Second, they identified interpersonal factors such …

Teacher Outcomes Of An Intensive Stem-Focused Professional Learning Initiative: An Examination Of Their Beliefs, Practices, And Perceptions, Elizabeth L. Adams, Leanne R. Ketterlin-Geller, Caitlin T. Cox, Karen Pierce

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The purpose of this paper is to describe teacher outcomes from participating in an intensive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professional learning (PL) initiative for middle school science teachers in the United States. The initiative included intensive summer coursework and ongoing support (e.g., individual coaching, professional learning communities), and focused on enhancing teachers’ STEM instruction and their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), with the ultimate goal of improving student outcomes.

In this mixed method study, we examine change across time in teachers’ beliefs, use of STEM instruction, and PCK. In general, we did not observe statistically significant change in teachers’ …

Teacher Knowledge And Confidence Integrating Social Change Concepts In K–12 Classrooms, Amy White, Fran Reed, Tina Marshall-Bradley, Kathy Strang

Journal of Sustainable Social Change

The purpose of this survey research was to examine the perspectives of K–12 classroom teachers about their knowledge of social change concepts and their confidence in implementing these into their existing curriculum. A questionnaire was used to (a) examine the perspectives of K–12 classroom teachers about the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to implement social change concepts into their teaching and (b) define areas of social change that teachers struggle to implement in K–12 classrooms. We employed Wilcoxen signed rank tests to determine if differences existed between what teachers reported they knew and their confidence in integrating 11 social …

Faculty’S Role In Creating A (Remote) Sense Of Community Among Faculty And Facilitating Contexts Of Care For Students, Jesus R. Nunez, Jesus Cisneros, Isela Pena

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This qualitative study employed a sensemaking approach to understand faculty members’ sensemaking of their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergency transition to remote teaching and learning.

Methods: An email invitation to participate in the study was sent to faculty who taught in an MBA program during both the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 academic school years. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 faculty members who self-selected to participate in the study.

Results: Two salient themes emerged from the research: creating a (remote) sense of community among faculty and facilitating contexts of care for students. These …

Language Equity In The Undergraduate Classroom: Fostering Language Diversity In The World Of Standard Academic English., Gabriela Johnson

Higher Learning Research Communications

In this essay, I explore the complex intersection of language, identity, and education with a particular focus on the importance of fostering linguistic equity in higher education settings. It is imperative for higher education institutions to reevaluate language-related practices and foster linguistic diversity and equity. Drawing upon linguistic theories and real-world examples, I highlight how language is deeply intertwined with personal identity, culture, and heritage. Various English dialects, such as African American Vernacular English, Chicano English, and others, are highlighted as valid linguistic expressions rather than deviations from a supposed standard. The role of standard academic English (SAE) in academia …

Attitudes Of Algerian Emi And Non-Emi Lecturers And Students Toward English, Sana Touahmia, Farhana Bakar

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the attitudes of English medium instruction (EMI) lecturers and students and non-EMI lecturers and students toward English in Algeria. The Algerian government plans to implement English as a medium of instruction in higher education.

Methods: The research was carried out at an Algerian university where French is the primary language of instruction, but English is used as the medium of instruction for certain courses in the engineering department. Data were gathered through a questionnaire, which was distributed to a group comprised of 52 EMI lecturers, 226 EMI students, 70 …

Challenges Black Males Face At Predominantly White Institutions, Jerrell Lamon Starling

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem is that Black males in higher education have declining retention and graduation rates compared to other ethnic groups. Over the past two decades, Black males have declined in enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. Colleges and universities have struggled to attract, keep, and graduate Black male students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent research has shown that Black male students have experienced the most challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's educators and practitioners have emphasized the need to do more to keep Black male students and help them complete college. Framed by Critical Race Theory, this study investigated first-generation, …

The Global Impact Of The Hlrc Journal On Digital Teaching And Learning Research And Best Practices In Higher Education, Erwin Krauskopf, Gary J. Burkholder

Higher Learning Research Communications

We are pleased to publish the first regular issue (Volume 14, Issue 1) of Higher Learning Research Communications (HLRC) for 2024. Because of our strategic decisions, the journal has advanced in the Scimago journal rank (SJR), which measures the frequency with which content published in a journal was cited in other journals during the three previous years. The SJR provides a numerical indicator of a journal's relative importance and impact within its field. We announce that HLRC has been ranked 612 out of 1,506 journals among all education journals indexed by Scopus, classifying HLRC as within the second quartile of …

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives Of Differentiating Social And Emotional Learning, Anya Kayne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers face challenges in differentiating social emotional learning (SEL) to meet the diverse needs of their students. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives of strategies and challenges to differentiating SEL curricula to meet students’ diverse needs using the theory of social constructivism. The research questions focused on teachers’ perspectives of strategies they use and challenges they face when differentiating SEL curriculum. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 participants with 3 or more years of teaching experience in kindergarten through third grade in the United States. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed, resulting in …

Instructional Perspectives To Providing Corrective Feedback For Advanced Second Language Writers, Christina Torres, Elif Saribas

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate how tutors approached second language (L2) errors when working with advanced graduate students in structured one-on-one feedback sessions.

Method: The longitudinal, qualitative case study used data from immediate, retrospective tutor reflections and in-session interactions to follow two tutors as they worked with four advanced L2 writers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: Three themes emerged: Error identification, error focus, and learner uptake. The treatment of error in advanced L2 writing necessitated negotiation with the students and deviation from the set tutoring protocol to serve student needs. Tutors took …

Effect Of Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program On Fourth Graders’ Foundational Reading Skills, Kathleen Michelle Fox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem is that fourth-grade students in the United States are not meeting reading proficiency benchmarks. Phonemic awareness is a strong predictor of reading success; however, few studies have investigated its effectiveness for intermediate elementary students who are at risk or struggling readers. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental causal-comparative study was to find whether fourth-grade students who are identified as at-risk or struggling readers will show improvement in phonemic awareness and word recognition skills when taught with the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program as a supplement to regular reading instruction as compared to students who received traditional core reading instruction. …

Teachers’ Perspectives Of Using Assistive Technology When Writing Individual Education Plans With Parents, Garland Keith Voss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers of children with disabilities are not providing consistent opportunities for assistive technology (AT) services, even when mandated to do so. This phenomenon contributes to children with disabilities not receiving services that help their educational growth and development. The purpose of this study was to explore perspectives of K-2 teachers of children with disabilities in a rural Western school district about using AT when writing individualized education plans (IEPs) with parents. The conceptual frameworks for this study were Piaget’s constructivism theory and Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Eleven K-2 teachers of children with disabilities participated in semistructured recorded interviews. Data were …

Gender Differences In Kindergarten Students’ Internalizing And Externalizing Behaviors And The Role Of Inhibitory Control, Joy Ann Stickney-Mcdonald

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disruptive classroom behaviors are on the rise in U.S. classrooms. Children with early behavior difficulties are at an increased risk of school dropout, incarceration, and mental illness. A review of the literature indicates gender is a significant variable that can influence students’ behaviors, social skills, and academics. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of gender differences in externalizing behaviors and internalizing behaviors and the role of inhibitory control in a sample of neurotypical and neurodiverse kindergarten students. Bem’s gender schema theory was the structural framework used in this non-experimental study. The research question explored the …

Prekindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Kindergarten Readiness In Childcare Centers, Adrienne Dominic Stephens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prekindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Kindergarten Readiness in Childcare Centers by Adrienne Dominic Stephens MS, Walden University, 2016 BGS, University of Arkansas at Monticello, 2011 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2024

Primary Grade Teacher Perspectives About The Challenges Of Teaching Remotely, Jennifer Brooke Sample

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this basic qualitative study addressed was that primary grade teachers, who taught different curricula, were not prepared to teach in a fully remote environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perspectives about the challenges they experienced teaching primary-grade students remotely and to explore their perspectives on providing remote instruction training to teachers. This was accomplished using the conceptual framework of Garrison et al.’s community of inquiry model. Two research questions explored primary teachers’ perspectives on the challenges of teaching primary grade students in a remote platform and explored teachers’ suggestions for training in remote instruction. …

Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of Practicum And Its Relationship To Self-Efficacy In Teaching, Terri Gray Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited research exists on the factors that contribute to community college students’ development of self-efficacy (SE) while serving as preservice teachers (PSTs) during their early childhood education (ECE) practicum. This lack of research is concerning because educators who have high SE enhance the educational well-being of all children. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences in practicum that early childhood educators perceive contribute to the development of SE among PSTs. The conceptual framework was derived from Bandura’s theory of SE. The focus of the research questions was on understanding the development of SE during practicum experiences and …

Formerly Incarcerated Women Describe Study Habit Challenges Within Adult Education Programs, Milan Kiana Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transitioning back into society successfully after incarceration comes with its downfalls, but educational support could potentially address transitional success, especially for formerly incarcerated women. Previous research mainly focused on exploring education options and recidivism outcomes for formerly incarcerated men. There is limited research regarding formerly incarcerated women and their educational needs within adult education programs. The purpose of this qualitative inquiry study was to describe study habit challenges for formerly incarcerated women within adult education programs. A further aim was to develop educational recommendations to promote successful study habits and potentially further educational attainment for formerly incarcerated women. Malcolm Knowles’ …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Challenges Of Integrating Technology In Math Instruction, Jennifer Denise Mcclellan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although teachers agree that technology is beneficial for enhancing math education and pedagogy, there are concerns about incorporating technology into their teaching practices. The problem addressed in this study was that high school teachers are challenged to integrate technology into math instruction. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school teachers’ perceptions of the challenges in integrating technology into math instruction to answer the research questions regarding those challenges and viable strategies for infusing instructional technology into math classrooms. The theoretical framework was based on the technological pedagogical content knowledge framework, which combines content knowledge, technology …

The Relationship Between New Jersey Primary Teachers’ Perceptions Of One-To-One Device Programs And Their Stage Of Adoption, Frances Amato

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Interest in one-to-one (1:1) device programs, where schools provide each student with their own computing device, has increased across the United States. The problem this study addressed was whether primary teachers’ perceived usefulness, ease of use, organizational support, and technical support of a 1:1 device program is related to their reported stage of adoption. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between primary school teachers’ perceptions of a 1:1 device program and their self-reported stage of adoption. The theoretical framework guiding the study included the diffusion of innovations theory and the technology acceptance model. Data were …

How Faculty And Students Understand And Experience The Development Of Critical Thinking In The Online Classroom, Katarzyna Peoples, C. Todd Correa, Gary J. Burkholder

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: There are essentially three schools of thought regarding critical thinking—humanistic, cognitive, and behavioral. Given the disagreement among them, confusion continues about what critical thinking means, and how it can be taught to students.

Methods: In this qualitative phenomenological study, researchers interviewed students and faculty in a distance education master of public health program about their perceptions and experiences of what critical thinking means and how it is developed in the online classroom.

Results: Themes emerging from student interviews included (a) differing thoughts on the meaning of critical thinking; (b) learning and meeting course requirements as students’ …

Use Of Integrated English Language Development To Improve Long-Term English Learner Instruction, Rosanne Reid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2023, California schools served 1.2 million students designated English learners (EL-classified students). Most EL-classified students in grades 6-12 were considered long-term English learners. The problem addressed by this study is that LTEL-considered students have historically had the lowest academic achievement of any student group, despite federal and state mandates for instructional support through designated and integrated English language development (ELD). The purpose of this case study was to explore how content-area teachers at one California high school used components of integrated ELD to support LTEL-considered students in learning language, literacy, and content knowledge and how site and district administrators …

K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy In Ontario, Canada, Heather Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) is an approach to teaching that emphasizes students’ cultural backgrounds in classroom learning to improve student success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness in culturally diverse learners. Research highlights that using CRP in multicultural classrooms supports the engagement, learning, and achievement of culturally diverse students around the world, but less is known about how K-12 teachers’ perceptions of CRP impact the usage of this practice in their classrooms. This basic qualitative study examined K-12 teachers’ perceptions of CRP in Ontario, Canada, to address this gap in practice and determine why educators are not widely using CRP in …

Teachers' Experience Serving Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders In Distance Learning, Mireya Escalante Torres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders forced millions of students attending schools in the United States to shift to distance learning. As pandemic restrictions lifted and schools reopened, an emerging trend was observed: many parents of children with disabilities chose to continue distance learning. This decision gains significance in the context of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs) who are at a higher risk of disengagement from school. Educators need to understand how to address social, emotional, and behavioral needs within online learning frameworks. However, increasing engagement for students with EBDs in distance learning has not been well-researched. Drawing …

Examining Barriers To Technology Integration Practices Of K-12 Teachers, Sherri N. Brackett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this study addressed is that K-12 teachers inconsistently implement technology into classroom instructional practices. The use of technology influences every aspect of our daily life. In fact, schools now have a responsibility to integrate technology into teaching and learning. This qualitative study aimed to investigate how K-12 teachers’ perceptions of technology integration and barriers influence the integration of technology into their classroom practice. The technology acceptance model and the barrier to technology integration were the frameworks for this study. The research questions explored teachers’ perceptions and barriers that influence the integration of technology into classroom instructional practices. The …

Parents’ Perspectives On School Readiness In Preschool-Age Children In Idaho, Courtney Painton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over half of Idaho’s incoming kindergarteners lack the necessary school readiness skills. The environment in which the child lives and grows, which includes the child’s parents, determines the child’s readiness for school. This study addressed Idaho parents’ roles in preparing their preschool-aged child for kindergarten, and their current ability to access resources and information on school readiness. The study was grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which provided a framework for the influence of parents on a child’s school readiness outcomes based on the idea that a person’s behavior evolves based on the relationship between the person and their environment. …

Jamaican Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of The Tablets In School Project On Their Literacy-Teaching Practices, Valri Leonie Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There have been many innovations targeting literacy teaching and learning in small countries such as Jamaica, but changes to literacy teaching practices are rarely sustained beyond the life of the initial projects. The purpose of this study was to understand teachers’ rationale for changes to literacy teaching practices that were and were not sustained beyond the life of the initial Tablets in Schools (TIS) project of 2014 in Jamaica. Grounded in Lewin’s and Rogers’s change theories, the study’s conceptual framework communicated that impactful innovation leads to sustainable change. The two research questions sought to establish how primary school teachers explained …

Equality In Programming For Girls And Boys: Adolescents' Shared Experiences From An After-School Support Program In Urban Nairobi, Nelson Muhia, Benta Abuya

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

There has been marked progress in access to education, representation of women in leadership, sexual reproductive health, and gender-based violence as a result of gender equality initiatives. However, there is still a strong focus on interventions targeting girls only. Through the adolescents’ lens, this study sought to establish if there is a preference for interventions targeting girls compared to boys in two urban informal settlements; and what benefits were realized from programming for both adolescent boys and girls enrolled in an after-school support program. We employed a thematic analysis approach to answer the research questions. Results showed that most interventions …

An Empirical Study Of Student Satisfaction At Selected Private Universities In Bangladesh, Mubina Khondkar, Abureza M. Muzareba

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Satisfying students in higher education has proven to be a difficult task, although universities are striving to meet student needs and expectations. Private universities are trying to become more student-oriented and are seeking to understand students’ perceptions of higher education facilities. This research was designed to measure the gap between students’ expectations and perceptions of various aspects of private universities in Bangladesh. It uses a SERVQUAL framework and the Gaps Model of Service Quality. The population of students at private universities in Bangladesh is represented by a sample of 412 respondents from five top-tier private universities. Findings indicate that the …