Digital Commons Network^™

Empowering Educators: Enhancing Technology Integration For Engaging Learning Experiences, Jed Roelofs

Culminating Experience Projects

This project highlights the pivotal role of administrators in supporting teachers to effectively integrate technology into classroom instruction. Grounded in the Technology, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPCK) and Replacement, Amplify, and Transformative, (RAT) frameworks, administrators provide targeted professional development to enhance teachers' confidence and skills in utilizing technology. By fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, administrators enable teachers to engage in meaningful learning experiences and practice new technological approaches. The ultimate objective is to equip educators with the necessary resources and support to cultivate innovative teaching practices and optimize student learning outcomes in today's digital landscape.

Predominantly White Teacher Education Programs Are Stifling Black Preservice Students’ Teaching Experience: Now What?, Jasmine N. Wilson

Culminating Experience Projects

scholarship theorizes and discusses Black preservice teachers’ experiences in predominantly White teacher education programs as stifling. While many studies have explored ways to improve Black students' experiences in teacher education, few studies have sought to adapt Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ (HBCU) successful strategies to produce and retain Black teachers. In this project I have two goals. My first goal is to highlight the neglect and inequity that Black preservice teachers face in predominantly White teacher education programs. My second goal is to ensure that faculty members in teacher education programs effectively support and prepare Black preservice teachers for long …

Beyond The Bell: Rebuilding Care, Civic Learning And Creativity Within Youth Spaces, Michelle R. Haapala

Culminating Experience Projects

The purpose of this research is to investigate high school age students’ opportunities within formal classroom settings to engage in care, civic learning, and creativity within a suburban, publicly-funded charter school. This study used thematic analysis and coding methods to organize and find patterns in the qualitative data from surveys distributed to education professionals at Canton Preparatory High School in Canton, Michigan. The goal is to establish a foundation of the perception of care, civic learning, and creativity within school environments and classroom settings. Overall, education professionals rated these categories positively, but with a closer investigation, a disconnect is found. …

An Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Disciplinary Methods, William Hewitt

Culminating Experience Projects

The practice of punitive discipline is the most common response to misbehavior in American school systems, despite having no evidence to support its continued use. However, there is research that demonstrates its active harm to students in multiple capacities. Punitive discipline has been found to only exacerbate students’ behavior issues, as well as negatively impact their academic performance. Additionally, research has pointed out that punitive discipline impacts students of minority demographics at a significantly higher rate than students belonging to majority demographics. More research in the way of alternative restorative policies, such as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), is …

Culturally Responsive Education: Creating A Safe And Inclusive Environment For Lgbtq+ Students, Kassidi M. Adams

Culminating Experience Projects

This paper explores research that discusses the impact of a culturally responsive education and lack-of for LGBTQ+ students and recommends a solution to ensure all students are safe and represented in schools. The research cited varies in their definitions and uses of the term LGBTQ+. This paper will use the term LGBTQ+, an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more communities; however, the abbreviation used in the referenced research may be shortened to LG, LGB, LGBT, or LGBTQ to reflect only specific communities included in LGBTTTQQIAAP (VandenBos, 2015). This paper will also focus on inclusion, which refers to …

Chronic Absenteeism: Exploring Causes, Impacts, And Interventions In Education, Arlee M. Hoag

Culminating Experience Projects

Chronic absenteeism among students presents a significant challenge within the educational landscape, impacting academic performance and contributing to educational disparities. This research delves into the multifaceted issue of chronic absenteeism, aiming to identify its root causes, implications, and potential interventions. The study examines diverse factors influencing student attendance, including socioeconomic barriers, health conditions, transportation challenges, and their subsequent impact on academic achievement. Moreover, it explores the inequities prevalent in absenteeism, aiming to shed light on disparities among student populations.

Academic Outcomes Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: Awareness And Action, Tanner B. Howe

Culminating Experience Projects

Research has shown that the online learning implemented during the COVID-19-related school closures had impacts on academic outcomes among secondary students. As schools operate in proximity to this event, it is crucial to investigate and understand those academic outcomes. Research suggests that mathematics and reading/language courses displayed negative academic outcomes for the period of online learning. Through this investigation, stress was observed to have played a major role during this period for secondary students and may have also contributed to the academic outcomes observed. This project seeks to raise awareness of possible student educational needs by shining light on the …

Building Stronger Student-Teacher Relationships With Students Of Color, Diana Berlanga

Culminating Experience Projects

This project examines the racial disparity that exists among students of color and positive teacher-student relationships. Research shows that teacher bias influences teachers' perception of students of color. Teacher social identities play a role in how teachers build student-teacher relationships, which affects some students of color experience in school. For instance, students of color are less likely to experience academic recommendations and more likely to receive harsh discipline. However, research shows that teachers can improve their teacher bias by self-discovering their teacher’s social identity in the classroom. In addition, teachers could improve their interactions with students of color by exploring …

Widening The Aperture: A Case Study Of Widening The Definition Of Evidence For Strategy, Jennifer James, Sandra Hilliard

The Foundation Review

The need to “widen the aperture” to consider different types and sources of evidence is paramount to sharpening grantmaking strategies that are in service of those we seek to serve. This article describes an underlying process of identifying and applying equity considerations in the evidence considered for strategy development in the context of a large, national foundation.

The aim was to develop a “common evidence base” — the core of which was a database library — and what was understood from the evidence was synthesized to bring together what was currently known, the edges of the foundation’s understanding, and emerging …

Evidence-Based Writing Pedagogy, Patrick Misner

Culminating Experience Projects

Standardized tests continue to consistently show students performing below grade level on writing tasks. This project explores the history of the issue as well as research behind evidenced based writing pedagogy shown to improve students' writing abilities. It focuses on three key strategies: integrating reading and writing instruction, providing effective feedback, and using a process writing framework. The culminating project incorporates these three techniques in a writing unit, which can be used with high school English students. Also provided are pre- and post-assessments with grading rubrics taken from previous National Assessment of Educational Progress tests that teachers can use to …

Improving Breastfeeding Rates In A Rural And Medically Underserved Community, Kaylie D. Waters

Culminating Experience Projects

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports national breastfeeding rates that are inconsistent with the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life (CDC, 2020). The rate of infants receiving any breastmilk by six months of age in a rural Midwest County is only 16% in contrast to 55% nationally (CDC, 2020; XXXXX, 2021). This discrepancy was addressed by evaluating breastfeeding status in that Midwest community followed by strategies to improve breastfeeding rates.

Methods: A multi-intervention quality improvement project was implemented using the SEIPS framework. The project evaluated the effectiveness of documenting breastfeeding status in …

Formalized Diabetes Self-Management Education In A Safety-Net Clinic, Emanpreet Kaur

Culminating Experience Projects

Diabetes is a complex and chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial risk reduction strategies (American Diabetes Association [ADA], 2021). More than 37 million Americans are suffering from diabetes and 90% of them have Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DMT2) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). The purpose of this article is to review the background, an organizational assessment, a literature review, and the results of the quality improvement project that took place at a safety-net clinic in the Midwest. This project included 16 patients and data was analyzed through descriptive statistics. Results include improved hemoglobin (Hg) A1c, Body …

Addressing Bias From Faculty Through Implementing Bias Training, Tori A. Henning

Culminating Experience Projects

Research has indicated that college students experience bias from college faculty on a regular bias. However, there is no mandated training for college faculty on the various forms of bias and the impact that it can have on students’ ability to be successful. While bias influences many students, students of color, women, LGBTQ+ students, and students from of different ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds experience bias at greater rates than white students. This project explores how the various forms of bias, the training that college faculty receive, student development theory, and how bias impacts students’ success and their sense of belonging …

A Socially Innovative Curriculum For An Afterschool Program, Shelinda T. Knight Davenport

Culminating Experience Projects

ABSTRACT

Since the colonial days in what is now known as America, there has been the social problem of racism. Racism has always been and remains a cancer in America’s culture. From racism, a deep hatred has spawned for other races. To the extremes, it has led to violence and murder, and most Americans believe it is more prevalently outspoken today than it has been in the last 20 years (Schaefer & Edwards, 2022). This thesis project consists of a Disrupting Racism curriculum for approximately 3rd grade, which is situated in the literature on racism and education. Grounded in culturally …

Curriculum Development In Technical Education For Boys And Girls Club, Damanpreet Singh

Culminating Experience Projects

Technical education has been and will continue to be more and more important to succeed in the future. The Boys and Girls Club, founded in 1860, is a national organization of local chapters which provide voluntary after-school programs for young individuals. The Boys and Girls Club have life-changing programs that prepare the young individuals in the club for their future whether it’s for college, career, or life. The perfect way to prepare best prepare these kids for the future is to develop their technical education. Unfortunately, the boys and girls club of Muskegon has a lack of educational resources for …

Examining Teaching Practices That Increase Student Mathematical Achievement, Jonah P. Zimmerman

Culminating Experience Projects

The current data in the United States surrounding mathematics shows that there are issues that must be addressed with teaching and learning math in the K-12 setting. In the perfect world, all students would meet grade level expectations in math prior to moving to another grade; however, this is not what is taking place. Students are not meeting proficiency, and as a result teachers and students alike are not gaining confidence in teaching/learning mathematics. This project looks at the Math Workshop Model as being one alternative to the more traditional teaching practices that are used today in the ABC School …

Post-Covid-19 Teaching With Technology Support In Higher Education, Landon Nalepinski

Masters Theses

Using a mixed methods approach, this case study focuses on how technological support in higher education can encourage educators to continue using and developing their teaching with technology practices post-COVID-19. Data and information were gathered via an anonymous survey from faculty members at Grand Valley State University to gain a better understanding of what support is being provided to them and how we can expand on that in the future.

How Can Design Thinking Be A Tool For Inspiring Creativity Among Adult Learners, Nicole J. Brower

Culminating Experience Projects

This research will partner the best practices of creativity education and those of adult learners to answer how design thinking can inspire creativity among adult learners in higher education. This survey-based qualitative research project used thematic analysis to gather the impression of instructors who use design thinking in their teaching and adult students who have encountered design thinking in their higher education coursework. Gathering impressions and coding the data highlights a theme that may shed light on the research question.

Impacting Michigan Latino Students’ Perceptions Of Higher Education: How To Better Communicate And Promote 4-Year College Degree Opportunities, Michael A. Guerra

Culminating Experience Projects

In the state of Michigan, the marginalization of Latino students continues due to historical and social factors; this is ultimately reflected in higher education enrollment and graduation rates when compared to their White peers, the dominant group in the state (MI School Data, 2022). For varying reasons, not every student will seek higher education after high school, but it is worth ensuring opportunities and reasons to attend are properly communicated for sake of helping Latino students better explore all their college and career options. While the Michigan Latino population has the highest labor force participation compared to other racial or …

Mental Health Concerns In The Pediatric Population Following Covid-19, Kristina N. Yaczik, Ashley M. Komosinski

Honors Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to an increase in stress and mental health concerns in the pediatric population. Research indicates a decrease in pediatric mental health incidences in 2020, followed by an increase in 2021 and 2022. It is thought that the initial decrease may be due to the intensity of the pandemic at the time and a lack of hospital beds available. The increase suggests a response to the high levels of adversity and stress children and adolescents faced both during and after the origination of the pandemic. The evidence supports the idea that the COVID-19 pandemic had a …

Advocating For English Language Learners: The Role Of The Literacy Educator, Briana Asmus, Austyn Sabin

Michigan Reading Journal

The authors explore how place-based advocacy effects and pedagogies have provided a way to address the needs of students. Insights on the ways authors have confronted challenges in their elementary and secondary settings reveal strategies that can be carefully integrated by literacy educators into other “places” of learning.

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Culturally Responsive Teaching As A Way To Narrow The Opportunity Gap For African American Students, Emily Bazini

Culminating Experience Projects

Research reiterates the importance of implementing culturally responsive teaching and learning. Today, African American students and their families are in critical need for schools and teachers to support and implement characteristics of culturally responsive teaching and learning. The regular, standard curriculum is not benefitting African American students, as they are unable to make personal connections to their learning. In order to fully meet the needs of African American students, it is imperative that the teaching methods and the curriculum taught incorporate the cultural background and home lives of these students. It is important to note that the teaching workforce is …

Diversity In Educational Resources, Samantha Mae Howe

Culminating Experience Projects

Educational resources need to be more diverse to better reflect the populations of classroom communities. Students identifying as Lesbian Gay Bisexual and/or Transgender (LGBT), girls and women, and students from ethnically and/or racially marginalized communities are affected by the classroom content they consume and are taught. This project focuses on the impacts of diversity in educational resources and how intersectional Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) can alleviate the harmful impacts of a one-sided narrative in curriculum. The unit plan included at the end of the project details how teachers can embed diversity into content curriculum and include diverse perspectives while effectively …

Developing Coping Strategies For Early Elementary Students In Relation To Anxiety, Kayle M. Ogrodzinski

Masters Theses

There has been a growing concern about the number of students exhibiting anxiety in schools. Research shows that implementing interventions can help reduce the amount anxiety in students. School counselors can implement small group lessons with a focus on a theoretical approach using cognitive behavioral therapy to help address this concern. This method allows the student to be in control of their feeling and learn to cope with what is making them anxious. This project acts as a guide for school counselors to implement small group lessons. It provides an outline of seven weekly sessions for students in early elementary …

Financial Literacy: A Case Study On Current Practices, Briana Lee Hammontree

Masters Theses

In the last few years, the concern for financial illiteracy among teenagers has only grown as the economy has shifted. Many teenagers feel unprepared and unsecured moving forward with their finances as adults. This issue is intensified further among low-income and marginalized youths who deal with additional hardship in their lives. Accessibility is a huge issue among teenagers and the role of financial literacy of their lives in education is often predetermined by government officials and policies they can only really advocate for change for but cannot vote on. In this research I explore the concept of utilizing social innovation …

The Influence Of Dash Diet Education On Knowledge And Adherence In Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project, Paige Bekker

Culminating Experience Projects

Background/Local Problem: A rural family practice was concerned about the number of

patients with uncontrolled hypertension, 19.86% n = 56, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After several quality improvement (QI) initiates to lower the prevalence rate of uncontrolled hypertension, including proper measurement techniques and home monitoring, the modifiable risk factor of adapting one’s food intake was introduced using the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet as an intervention. The DASH diet is an evidence-based approach for lowering blood pressure. The QI project was completed with the purpose of implementing DASH diet education and …

Improving Patient Portal Enrollment Through Education And Technology At Rural Family Practice, Kelsey Crampton

Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Patient portals are available through many healthcare offices. They offer the opportunity to improve patient engagement and quality of patient care, but few patients enroll. At a small rural primary care office, less than 20% of the patients were enrolled in the patient portal.

Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to address the barriers reported by patients at this clinic and determine whether changes in portal enrollment volume occurred. Reported barriers included a lack of knowledge about the portal and difficulties with the sign-up process.

Methods: Over three months, strategies included the development of a …

Creating A Generalized Michigan School Constitution, Kurstin K. Frank

Honors Projects

Educational theories in the past have attempted to define, arrange, and design education to benefit society, institutions, and students of all ages. The conversations surrounding those educational theories, however, have consistently neglected to include those that the structures, policies, and purpose of education will benefit the most: the students. This research project was devised to include student voice within the conversations surrounding educational theories through the construction of a Generalized Michigan School Constitution. By delving into those theories of education, the researcher was able to dissect the five most common theories and beliefs within education to be able to decipher …

Anglo-American Nursing: A Historical Timeline Of The Field From The Renaissance To World War Ii, Carlyn Homann

Honors Projects

This timeline stands as an extensive- although not comprehensive- review of the evolution of Anglo-American nursing as a profession, but it will also explore the contributions of other nations where it is appropriate. It seeks to summarize the field and its limitations from the early 15th century to World War II, as well as the capability for upward movement within an existing hierarchy while also considering the education required of a nurse during the selected time period in order to provide context for current nursing students.

Standardized Testing And The Call For Alternative Assessment Methods, Rebekah Weiss

Culminating Experience Projects

Standardized testing has become the primary means of measuring success of students, educational stakeholders, and educational entities themselves, in turn permeating a practice of subsidiarity while further segregating educational opportunities for the American public. The research suggests this gap in practice is due to federal mandates enforcing standardized testing policies that hinder educational leaders from assessing students in more reliable ways. The experimental qualities of the research also contribute to this gap because the educational research holds a lack of generalizability and weak external validity due to subject and researcher bias’. This practice in subsidiarity could be addressed by taking …