Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 30 of 80
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Preservice Physical Educators' Stress And Instructional Effectiveness, Jingyang Huang
Preservice Physical Educators' Stress And Instructional Effectiveness, Jingyang Huang
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The primary purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between preservice physical educators' stress and their instructional effectiveness. The study sample included 25 preservice physical educators in the Middle School Block and Secondary School Block in a Physical Education Teacher Education program located in the mid-Atlantic area of the United States. A demographic questionnaire, the Teacher Stress Scale, the West Virginia University Teaching Evaluation System, and interview questions were administered during preservice physical educators' practice teaching period. The results indicated that preservice physical educators' stress was negatively correlated with instructional effectiveness. Curriculum model and noise were reported as …
Supports Of And Barriers To Pursuing A Natural Resource Degree And Career: Perspectives Of Culturally Diverse Young Adults, Kelly Balcarczyk
Supports Of And Barriers To Pursuing A Natural Resource Degree And Career: Perspectives Of Culturally Diverse Young Adults, Kelly Balcarczyk
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Federal natural resource agencies are facing a human resource crisis. Many natural resource professionals are reaching retirement and attracting young adults to fill vacancies may prove difficult. Although currently on the rise from a recent fall, enrollment in natural resource degree programs has not increased overall in the past three decades, which has resulted in a small and possibly shrinking pool of applicants for natural resource positions. In addition, increasingly young adults in the recruitment pool depart from the traditional background of current natural resource professionals (rural-raised, fisheries/wildlife/biology-educated, angler/hunter, white male) and agency workplace culture has not changed to match …
Examining Cohabitation In Emerging Adulthood, Jenica Dawn Hughes
Examining Cohabitation In Emerging Adulthood, Jenica Dawn Hughes
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Cohabitation has been repeatedly linked to negative relationship outcomes like low levels of commitment and relationship quality, but much of the current literature has utilized older data sets from the 1980s or age ranges from emerging adulthood, young adulthood, and older adulthood in the same studies. Supported by life course theory, inertia theory, and selection effects theory, the current study examined cohabitation specifically within the years of 18-25 to explore how demographic variables might be linked to the tempo of relationship transitions and the length of relationships. Additionally, the current study explored the associations between tempo of relationship transitions and …
Early School Leaving: A Narrative Inquiry Of The School Dropout, John E. Stallings Jr.
Early School Leaving: A Narrative Inquiry Of The School Dropout, John E. Stallings Jr.
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
In the field of education, student performance has become an integral component when determining the effectiveness of schools, levels of student engagement, and a measure of the learning that is occurring in schools. In particular, certain criteria have been identified as appropriate measures for monitoring the effectiveness of school systems, individual school programs, and teacher merit. Included in these specific areas to be monitored are graduation and or dropout rates. While these have become a part of the major focus of those monitoring the effectiveness of schools across the country, it seems that little has been done to investigate what …
A Developmental Perspective: Early Childhood Externalizing Behaviors Pathway To Delinquency In Adolescence, Tandra Nicole Sias
A Developmental Perspective: Early Childhood Externalizing Behaviors Pathway To Delinquency In Adolescence, Tandra Nicole Sias
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Early childhood externalizing behaviors are a known risk factor for future problem behaviors (e.g., poor achievement, delinquency). The present study seeks to illuminate the pathway of early childhood externalizing behaviors to five adolescent delinquency types (i.e., violent offenses, property offenses, illicit drug use, licit drug use, and minor offenses), in addition to overall delinquency. Study data came from two waves of the Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 (CNLSY-79; N = 855, 52.4% male, 24.1% Hispanic, 36.6% Black, and 39.1% white). Boys engaged in higher levels of violent and property crimes, and black youth were less likely to …
Parents' Value Of Play In Early Childhood: A Comparative Study Of Spousal Play Beliefs, Meghan C. Devito
Parents' Value Of Play In Early Childhood: A Comparative Study Of Spousal Play Beliefs, Meghan C. Devito
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Play is a vital tool for developmental growth and learning in early childhood. However, with the current focus on academics, there is less emphasis placed on encouraging children to play. The current study investigated parental beliefs on play. The sample consisted of 34 middle-class couples (34 mothers, 34 fathers) co-parenting a preschool-aged child (3-5 years) attending the laboratory school of a large mid-Atlantic university. Participants were surveyed about their beliefs on play. Results revealed mothers' value of play to be higher than fathers'. Although significantly different, both mothers and fathers perceived play positively. The findings suggest that early childhood professionals …
American Indian Adolescents Access To And Involvement In In-School Extracurricular Activities In Relation To Substance Use Frequency And Risk Behaviors, Elizabeth A. Jones
American Indian Adolescents Access To And Involvement In In-School Extracurricular Activities In Relation To Substance Use Frequency And Risk Behaviors, Elizabeth A. Jones
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This thesis looks at the protective benefits that involvement in adult-led in-school extracurricular activities had on the use of drugs and alcohol by 8th, 10th, and 12th grade American Indian adolescents in Arizona. This population has been chosen because they have a history of oppression, substance abuse, and prejudice. These adolescents represent an extremely at-risk population due to historical trauma and the present-day responses to this trauma. The researcher used data previously collected by the Arizona Youth Survey in 2010 and looked at it through the lens of Hirschi's Social Control Theory and the protective model of resilience. Hirschi's theory …
The Impact Of Service Learning On Leadership Skills Of Students Who Are Gifted And Talented In The Middle School, Patricia Anne Coon
The Impact Of Service Learning On Leadership Skills Of Students Who Are Gifted And Talented In The Middle School, Patricia Anne Coon
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This investigation relates to the impact of service learning on leadership skills of students who are gifted in the middle school while the students plan the project in-school and execute their goals out-of-school for their yearlong service learning project called Community Problem-Solving, or CmPS. Based on surveys, observations, and interviews from 25 students identified as gifted in the middle school, this study describes the student responses and observations from the researcher and teacher of the gifted. Findings show that most of the students in the study felt that their yearlong service learning project positively impacted their leadership skills. The data …
Institutional Integration As A Predictor Of Success In At-Risk First-Year College Students, Jan-Erin Miller
Institutional Integration As A Predictor Of Success In At-Risk First-Year College Students, Jan-Erin Miller
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
As earning a postsecondary degree becomes more necessary in the preparation for future employment, many of this nation's four-year colleges and universities are admitting underprepared students who are at-risk for poor academic performance and early departure from the institutions. There are a myriad of factors and characteristics that can cause students to be labeled at-risk, including being a first-generation student, coming from a lower socioeconomic environment, and having certain personality traits. At-risk college students have higher incidence of departure from the institutions, which can produce emotional distress and long-lasting financial obligations. Over the past thirty years, research in the area …
Resilient First-Generation College Students: A Multiple Regression Analysis Examining The Impact Of Optimism, Academic Self-Efficacy, Social Support, Religiousness, And Spirituality On Perceived Resilience, David F. Davino
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
First-generation college students (FGCS) have been identified as an at-risk population as evidenced by higher attrition rates, lower socio-economic backgrounds, and are less engaged in the college environment when compared to their college peers. Yet despite these stressors, many will graduate college demonstrating their resilience. This study examined optimism, academic self-efficacy, social support, religiousness, and spirituality as potential protective factors for FGCS who perceive themselves to be resilient. Two-way effects were examined in order to determine if any two-way combination of the five protective factors explored in this study explained more of the variance in perceived resilience of FGCS. Demographic …
The Effects Of Student Behavior Alteration Techniques On Student Motives To Communicate, Student Talk, And Student Learning, Christopher J. Claus
The Effects Of Student Behavior Alteration Techniques On Student Motives To Communicate, Student Talk, And Student Learning, Christopher J. Claus
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This dissertation addressed the effects of students' perceived effectiveness of and likelihood to use student behavior alteration techniques (BATs) on students' motives to communicate with their instructors, student talk (i.e., willingness to talk, out-of-class communication), and student learning (i.e., cognitive learning, affective learning, state motivation, and student communication satisfaction). Results revealed that student perceived effectiveness of, and likelihood to use, student BATs did not influence, student talk or student learning, but indicated some significant relationships with the students' motives to communicate with their instructors. Specifically, the relational, functional, participatory, and sycophancy motives were generally related to the perceived likelihood to …
The Effects Of The Environmental Design Instruction On The Students' Gymnastics Skill Refinement, Han Chen
The Effects Of The Environmental Design Instruction On The Students' Gymnastics Skill Refinement, Han Chen
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The study compared the effects of Direct Instruction (DI) with DI+Environmental Design Instruction (EDI) on the refinement of both simple and difficult gymnastics skills refinement. Four boys aged six to eight with two years of gymnastics training experiences participated in the simple skill experiment (running tuck jump on the springboard). Four boys aged 11 to 13 with more than three years of gymnastics training experiences participated in the difficult skill experiment (mushroom circles). Three dependent variables were measured in the experiment of running tuck jump and they were: (1) the participant's hip angle while they jumped at the highest point, …
Principles Of Learner Autonomy In Action: Effects And Perceptions In A College-Level Foreign Language Class, Heiko Everwien Ter Haseborg
Principles Of Learner Autonomy In Action: Effects And Perceptions In A College-Level Foreign Language Class, Heiko Everwien Ter Haseborg
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This study was designed to investigate how college learners of a foreign language perceived learner autonomy, its effects on student motivation, and its benefits to different parts of language learning. It utilized a mixed-methods design. Participants were 90 undergraduate students in German courses of different levels. During the course of instruction, principles of learner autonomy were implemented in the instruction. Qualitative as well as quantitative data were collected in the form of a self-assessment survey, learning journals, reflective statements, and an autonomous learning survey. The analysis was focused on (1) how students perceived the ability to make autonomous learning choices, …
Child Temperament As An Influence On Maternal Emotion Socialization In Preschool-Aged Children, Stephanie L. Clarke
Child Temperament As An Influence On Maternal Emotion Socialization In Preschool-Aged Children, Stephanie L. Clarke
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relation between child temperament and maternal emotion socialization practices (e.g., supportive/non-supportive). Data were gathered from mothers of 3- and 4-year-olds; 51 mothers participated anonymously via Facebook, and 33 were drawn from a larger study on emotion socialization. Mothers completed a series of questionnaires, including a demographics questionnaire; the Child Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ; Putnam & Rothbart, 2000) to assess maternal perception of child temperament, and the Coping with Children's Negative Emotions Scale (CCNES; Fabes, Poulin, Eisenberg, & Madden-Derdich, 2002) to examine maternal responsiveness to children's emotions. Pearson r correlation tests were …
Validation Of The Resilience Competencies Scale (Rcs) For Applications Among American Indian Youth, Melanie Hockenberry
Validation Of The Resilience Competencies Scale (Rcs) For Applications Among American Indian Youth, Melanie Hockenberry
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Historical trauma, poverty, educational inequalities, and discrimination are among the many factors contributing to current problems, such as substance abuse, experienced by some American Indian youth today. Much of the literature on American Indian adolescents has been problem-focused; but it is also important to identify factors that are associated with resilient outcomes, such as personal, social, and ecological factors highlighted in models of resilience. As a step toward conducting such studies, it is necessary to have measures that are valid, reliable, and culturally-applicable for American Indian adolescents. Therefore, a mixed methods study (focus groups; survey) was conducted to examine the …
The Arts-Integrated Curriculum (Aic) And Its Possible Impact On The Self-Concepts Of Adolescent Girls And Their Perceptions Of Beauty: A Phenomenological Study, Miriam Roth Douglas
The Arts-Integrated Curriculum (Aic) And Its Possible Impact On The Self-Concepts Of Adolescent Girls And Their Perceptions Of Beauty: A Phenomenological Study, Miriam Roth Douglas
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This study examines what phenomena may be associated with the self-concept and perceptions of beauty of adolescent girls who completed an Arts-Integrated Curriculum (AIC) in Elementary School. It is designed to add to the descriptive data on the perceptions of beauty that students, teachers, and parents have, especially with regard to girls' concept of self in relation to the AIC learning experiences. This work is driven by a qualitative research method known as phenomenology, which describes the lived experiences of a phenomenon for a group of people (Patton, 2005). The main research data were collected from interviews with ten participants: …
Identity And Self -Efficacy Development Of Adolescents In An Adult Sponsored Volunteer Program, Amanda Webster
Identity And Self -Efficacy Development Of Adolescents In An Adult Sponsored Volunteer Program, Amanda Webster
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The purpose of this study was to fill a current gap in the literature on the impacts of adolescents' participation in adult sponsored volunteer programs on identity formation and self-efficacy. Data were collected from 28 adolescents in grades 7-12 enrolled in an 11-week summer adult sponsored volunteer program. Participants completed pre-and posttest measures that included the Identity Style Inventory-Grade 6 (ISI-6G), the fidelity subscale of the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strength (PIES), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The current study proposed five hypotheses: (1) adolescents who participate in an adult sponsored volunteer program will have higher levels of the informational …
Relationships Among The Personal Fable, Drug Use And Parental Monitoring In Adolescents And Young Adults, Xin Liu
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Relationships among the personal fable, drug use and parental monitoring in adolescents and young adults were tested in this study. Participants were 56 students, with 25 from a small, suburban area in southern Michigan, and 32 from West Virginia University (87.5 % female, 94.6% Caucasian). Participants completed questionnaires about demographics, the personal fable, parental monitoring and drug use in an online survey. Results showed that there was a negative correlation between parental monitoring and youth drug use, but no correlation between the personal fable and drug use. There was some evidence that the personal fable had a moderated effect on …
The Impact Of A Modified Cooperative Learning Technique On The Grade Frequencies Observed In A Preparatory Chemistry Course, Bridget J. Hayes Russell
The Impact Of A Modified Cooperative Learning Technique On The Grade Frequencies Observed In A Preparatory Chemistry Course, Bridget J. Hayes Russell
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This dissertation explored the impact of a modified cooperative learning technique on the final grade frequencies observed in a large preparatory chemistry course designed for pre-science majors. Although the use of cooperative learning at all educational levels is well researched and validated in the literature, traditional lectures still dominate as the primary methodology of teaching. This study modified cooperative learning techniques by addressing commonly cited reasons for not using the methodology. Preparatory chemistry students were asked to meet in cooperative groups outside of class time to complete homework assignments. A chi-square goodness-of-fit revealed that the final grade frequency distributions observed …
Effects Of Fixed-Time Reinforcement Schedules On Resurgence Of Positively Reinforced Problem Behavior, Tonya M. Marsteller
Effects Of Fixed-Time Reinforcement Schedules On Resurgence Of Positively Reinforced Problem Behavior, Tonya M. Marsteller
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Resurgence of problem behavior following the discontinuation of DRA interventions may be prevented by response-independent reinforcer delivery. In basic research, response-independent reinforcer delivery following DRA prevented resurgence of the initially reinforced response and maintained alternative responding. The present study evaluated if these results were generalizable humans by assessing if fixed-time (FT) reinforcer delivery following DRA would prevent resurgence of problem behavior and maintain appropriate behavior with 4 children with disabilities. For all participants, EXT following DRA produced resurgence of previously reinforced problem behavior and reduced appropriate requesting, but FT reinforcer delivery following DRA did not produce resurgence of problem behavior …
Functional Impairments Of College Students With Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder And Necessary Modifications For Higher Education, Sylvia A. Wright
Functional Impairments Of College Students With Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder And Necessary Modifications For Higher Education, Sylvia A. Wright
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This study examines the impact of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) on college age students 18-25 years old. Qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews with students and significant others, writing samples and transcript documents, examine functional impairments of students with AD/HD as well as functional impairment impact on relationships, academics and work. This qualitative research, grounded theory, provides a model for future research studies confirming existing theory and provides a basis for new theory.;The conclusion was that functional impairments continue to exist in college age adults with impairments with issues in concentration, organization, time related issues, time management/scheduling and hyperactivity. These …
Associations Between Co-Parenting, Parenting Stress, And Military Deployment, Brittane L. Todd
Associations Between Co-Parenting, Parenting Stress, And Military Deployment, Brittane L. Todd
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in parenting stress and parenting alliance following a military deployment as a function of the level of co-parenting exhibited during deployment. Two co-parenting groups (high and low) were formed based on co-parenting practices during the deployment. A total of 31 participants comprised the sample (High = 16 and Low = 15) and completed the anonymous online surveys including The Co-Parenting Scale, the Parenting Alliance Measure, and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form. The groups did not differ in the levels of parenting alliance. Additionally, the low co-parenting group did not report …
Perceived Barriers To Persistence Related To Coping Strategies For Undergraduate Nontraditional Learners, Justin C. Griffith
Perceived Barriers To Persistence Related To Coping Strategies For Undergraduate Nontraditional Learners, Justin C. Griffith
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Nontraditional learners experience a variety of barriers to degree completion. These barriers affect graduation rates and the time it takes to graduate. The method(s) in which the adult learner deals with each barrier will determine if they persist through their program of study or fail to graduate. This study took place at a collaborative campus involving six institutions of higher learning with both a male and female population. Investigation determined, and subsequently reported, internal and external barriers to education persistence for current nontraditional undergraduate learners enrolled in a variety of majors. The investigation then determined and reported coping strategies each …
Text, Graphics, And Multimedia Materials Employed In Learning A Computer-Based Procedural Task, Kari Christine Carlson Coffindaffer
Text, Graphics, And Multimedia Materials Employed In Learning A Computer-Based Procedural Task, Kari Christine Carlson Coffindaffer
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The present research study investigated the interaction of graphic design students with different forms of software training materials. Four versions of the procedural task instructions were developed (A) Traditional Textbook with Still Images, (B) Modified Text with Integrated Still Images, (C) Onscreen Modified Text with Silent Onscreen Video and (D) Onscreen Narrated Video for four computer tasks. Two research questions guided the study: Research Question 1: Are there any significant differences in student learning of a computer-based procedural task due to the format of the training materials? Research Question 2: Do individual differences in prior knowledge and spatial abilities make …
Improving The Academic Self-Efficacy Of Middle School Girls Toward The Study Of Mathematics Through The Use Of Theatrical Infusion, Aimee L. Richards
Improving The Academic Self-Efficacy Of Middle School Girls Toward The Study Of Mathematics Through The Use Of Theatrical Infusion, Aimee L. Richards
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of theatrical infusion on the academic self-efficacy toward the study of mathematics in middle school girls. A group of middle school girls participated in a program entitled Starring...Math. This five session program presented mathematical concepts through the use of theatrical infusion. The group of participants was composed of twenty-one girls in sixth, seventh and eighth grades.;Part I: Everyday Math Tasks of the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale (Betz & Hackett, 1989) was administered at three occasions: (1) prior to the start of the program, (2) at the end of the program and, …
Differences In Learning Styles And Satisfaction Between Traditional Face-To-Face And Online Web-Based Sport Management Studies Students, Ellen Jo West
Differences In Learning Styles And Satisfaction Between Traditional Face-To-Face And Online Web-Based Sport Management Studies Students, Ellen Jo West
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Each student has a unique learning style or individual way of perceiving, interacting, and responding to a learning environment. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the prevalence of learning styles among undergraduate Sport Management Studies (SMS) students at California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U). Learning style prevalence was determined for traditional face-to-face students and online web-based students and differences in learning style prevalence between these two groups were explored. Finally, differences in student satisfaction between program delivery methods were examined by using an online questionnaire designed by the researcher.;The population for this study included 247 Cal …
Language Learning In Three Early Childhood Programs In Austria, Germany And The United States, Sandra Schoder
Language Learning In Three Early Childhood Programs In Austria, Germany And The United States, Sandra Schoder
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
In 2002 the European Union declared multilingualism and life-long language learning to be two goals that it will pursue for its citizens. As a result, member states have introduced language learning at the elementary school level, and have shown an ever increasing interest in implementing second language programs designed specifically for children under the age of seven. This is a welcome change for European educators who are already working in early childhood language programs or who plan to establish new programs and have been looking for support for their endeavors. Yet despite recent progress, scholarly research into this arena remains …
Self-Efficacy For The Self-Regulation Of Learning: An Examination Of A College Success Strategies Course, Brandon M. Agostini
Self-Efficacy For The Self-Regulation Of Learning: An Examination Of A College Success Strategies Course, Brandon M. Agostini
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Self-efficacy has been shown to be a good predictor of task performance. An area identified as needing further research is the influences of self-efficacy. The objective of this research project was to assess efficacy beliefs related to the regulation of learning for students enrolled in a semester long college success strategies course. This was done to determine if learning about the learning process and skills and behaviors that promote learning would positively influence efficacy beliefs related to the regulation of learning. The college success strategies course was designed to teach students various learning and time management skills. Efficacy beliefs were …
General And Emotion-Specific Parenting Styles As Predictors Of Children's Internalizing And Externalizing Behavior, Jessica W. Rupenthal
General And Emotion-Specific Parenting Styles As Predictors Of Children's Internalizing And Externalizing Behavior, Jessica W. Rupenthal
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between general parenting practices (e.g., authoritative and authoritarian) and emotion-specific parenting practices (supportive and non-supportive). In addition, a second goal of this study was to examine the manner which general parenting practices and emotion-specific parenting practices collectively contribute to children's displays of fear/anxiety and hostility/aggression. Data were gathered from 27 mothers (mean age = 34 years) and their preschool-aged children (14 boys, 13 girls; mean age = 3.5 years) in Morgantown, West Virginia. The majority (92%) of mothers were White (4% Black, 4% Bi-racial). Mothers completed a series of questionnaires. …
Increasing Rewards And The Impact On Student Behavior And School -Wide Discipline: A Mixed Methods Study, Lorri Rumburg
Increasing Rewards And The Impact On Student Behavior And School -Wide Discipline: A Mixed Methods Study, Lorri Rumburg
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This mixed method, embedded, correlational study's aim was to make explicit the relationships between changed procedures in one elementary school's PBIS universal program and student behavior as measured by office discipline referrals. A secondary aim was to use student and faculty responses on surveys to interpret participants' reactions to the increases in rewards, recognitions, and self-charting of daily behavior.;The type of data collected consisted of office discipline referrals generated over the course of the study year. Numerical data analysis also incorporated student totals for earned coupons, earned rewards and earned behavior points. Students surveys completed in October and May gauged …