Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Impact Of An Intervention To Promote Empathy For Patients With Substance Use Disorder In A Rural Emergency Department, Theresa Poling

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background

Negative attitudes of health professionals towards patients with SUD are common and contribute to suboptimal health care for this marginalized group of patients (Van-Boekel, Brouwers, Van-Weeghel & Garretson, 2013).

Objectives

Promoting empathy in the Emergency Department (ED) has the potential to increase nursing staff’s awareness of their attitudes and perceptions toward patients with SUD, thereby decreasing the stigma associated with addiction and improving patient care and patient outcomes. The rationale for implementing this project was to evaluate a tool to promote empathy. This tool was developed by the student researcher based on a literature search and analysis.

Design

This …

The Potential Promises And Pitfalls Of Using Local Norms For Gifted Identification, Marla S. Hartman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Who are the gifted? This question has plagued the field since its inception. Historically, gifted education has been predicated on the values of the Caucasian, upper- to middle-class majority. As a result, underrepresentation of students from economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse families have been well documented in the literature and continues to this day. Some scholars have suggested the use of expanded definitions of giftedness to increase participation of students from underrepresented segments of the population. This study used regression and hierarchical linear models to predict the proportion of students identified across various thresholds focusing on how definitions impacted differential …

Nuanced Narratives: Reporting With Critical Race And Feminist Standpoint Theories, Emily Margaret Pelland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The Google Expedition titled WWI Era Through the Eyes of the Chicago Defender explores African American experiences during the early years of the Great Migration (1910-1970). Conventional journalism relies on the false idea that journalists are meant to be, and can be, objective, outside observers. This report provides tools for journalists to create more nuanced, thorough storytelling endeavors. This report describes the theoretical framework and intent of the Virtual Reality (VR) project for students in grades 8 and above. It utilizes Feminist Standpoint Theory (FST) and Critical Race Theory (CRT) to cultivate a VR experience that acknowledges particular, overlooked aspects …

Movement In The Classroom: Contingent Factors Underlying Teacher Change, Annie E. Machamer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: Teachers' use of classroom physical activity (PA) has been found to significantly impact students PA participation, time on task, and academic performance. However, teachers have continued to identify barriers affecting delivery related to professional development opportunities, learning environment, and experiences in practice. An understanding of the connection between these experiences and their impact on teacher change is needed.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions of specific factors that have influenced their continued implementation of classroom PA. This study provides insight into the teacher perceptions, and aims to identify connections among orientation to learning and …

Promoting Sense Of Belonging And Interest In Geosciences Among Undergraduate Women Through Mentoring, Wenyi Du

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether students’ university sense of belonging mediates the relationship between mentor network diversity and students’ interest development among undergraduate women in STEM majors. The sample for this study was consisted of 277 undergraduate women majoring in a STEM discipline with initial interests in geosciences across nine universities within the United States. A regression-based mediation analysis was performed using the Hayes’ (2013) macro to test the indirect effect of mentor support on interest through university sense of belonging. Consistent with our hypothesis, the analysis revealed a statistically significant and positive indirect effect of …

The Relationship Between Social Skills And Problem Behaviors In Adolescent Males With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Amanda Armstrong Randall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Adolescent males with autism spectrum disorder commonly display an increased prevalence of problem behaviors and persistent deficits in social skills when compared to their typically developing peers. The present study deployed a single subject, multiple-baseline design to investigate the use of the social skills training program Super Skills: A Social Skills Group Program for Children with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism and Related Challengesto promote enhanced social skills and minimize problem behaviors. Two groups of adolescent males with autism (N = 6) participated in weekly social skills training groups also containing typically developing peers (N = 3) once …

Understanding Global Citizenship: Extension Employees’ Perceptions, Attitudes, And Opinions, Denis M. Scott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Extension services at land-grant universities typically deliver different aspects of global citizenship education for youth through a variety of activities and instructional methods. An examination of the literature reveals that although gaps in content areas and barriers to programming do exist, there are many types of experiences available in multiple settings for youth to learn about global citizenship. These activities vary in terms of content topics, duration, and delivery methods. The purpose of the study is to determine Extension employees’ perceptions about global citizenship education, their attitudes about what content students should learn, their opinions about how they learn about …

An Assessment Of The Methods Used To Teach Content Skill Sets Required For The Introduction To Agriculture, Food, And Natural Resource Course, Lee I. Wright

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Numerous studies have shown that students learn best when theory is applied to hands-on experiences. Traditionally, vocational agriculture, which evolved into agricultural education, has incorporated hands-on learning. For example, students typically raise livestock and crops as part of supervised agricultural experiences; learn to use chain saws, tractors, hay rakes, balers and other equipment found on farms; and basic metal working skills. They also sample soil and water to test for mineral levels and types of pollution that might affect agricultural practices. The purpose of this study, which incorporates a survey of agricultural education teachers in West Virginia, is to determine …

Using Machine Learning And Traditional Statistics To Explore Retention And Knowledge Structure In Stem With An Emphasis On Physics, Cabot Alexander Zabriskie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Retention of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students is a serious problem as STEM graduation rates continue to lag the growing demand for the skills taught by these degree programs. Critical to fixing this “leaky pipeline” is investment in improving retention in the first two years of college study and increasing and maintaining the interest of K-12 students in STEM. This thesis will address this in three parts. The first is through evaluation of conceptual tests used to evaluate course improvements to determine the structure student knowledge measured by them. The second part uses machine learning to construct early …

Use Of Reflective Practices To Improve Self-Awareness In Youth Sport Coaches, Stephanie R. Mcwilliams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In this dissertation, I explore the use of reflective practice among a group of youth sport coaches. More specifically, reflective practice as facilitated through use of videos and repeated interviews, with the intent to inspire greater awareness, malleability, and positive behavior change is presented. To synthesize this research, the following topics: coaching identity and the role of the coach, coach education and its misalignment with the goals of youth coaches, counseling as a means of mentoring, self-awareness and reflection, and behavior change, are discussed. In the current coach education literature, there is a gap in the types of education volunteer …

Using The Enrichment Triad Model To Explore Place And Support Curriculum In One Rural Gifted Program, Myriah Mae Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Using narrative inquiry, this case study explored how one teacher, who had deep connections to place, learned and utilized the place-based Enrichment Triad in her rural Appalachian elementary gifted program. Data collected included teacher, student, and parent interviews and classroom observations. Data were analyzed using a socio-cultural narrative analysis and narrative thematic analysis. Results from analysis created thick descriptions of the teacher’s journey to teaching, her existing practices, her experiences learning and implementing the framework, and her future curricular intentions. Developments in the teacher’s practice included establishment of scope and sequence, a sharing of power, and embracing students’ identities through …

Cash For Consideration? An Examination Of Academics, Demographics, And Student Socioeconomics In The Provisioning Of Institutional Aid., Matthew G. Matyasovsky

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This dissertation is an empirical investigation of student level observations of 11 cohorts of first-time full-time freshmen from a public, land-grant, research university in Appalachia. Complete with student financial aid offerings, socioeconomic status, and pre-college academic characteristics such as standardized test scores and high school GPA, I investigate the data to examine institutional behavior constrained by resource dependence. The variable of interest is institutional financial aid. Institutional financial aid awards are monetary concessions presented to students as a means to discount the overall price a student pays to enroll. As institutional aid is a direct mechanism through which the institution …

The Dirt Of Development: Nature's Role In Social-Emotional Development And Parent-Child Connectedness, Hayley Johanna Lindsey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between nature connectedness, parent-child connectedness, and the development of prosocial behavior. Nature connectedness pertains to the strong emotional affinity towards the natural environment and is linked with happiness, stress reduction, and good health. Prosocial behavior refers to actions or behaviors done with the intent to help others. This study consisted of 467 parent-informants that gathered information on the parent’s nature connectedness, the child’s nature connectedness, the parent-child connectedness, and the child prosocial behavior. Gaps in the literature were addressed by analyzing the role that parent nature connectedness has in predicting child …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Pete Master’S Programs In The U.S. And Their Alignment With Advanced Teaching Standards, Jamie K. Gilbert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: This study provided a descriptive analysis of PETE master’s degree programs in the United States. Program demographics and curriculum alignment with SHAPE America’s three advanced teaching standards and four guiding principles were the focus of this research.

Methods: This research utilized a non-experimental, cross-sectional descriptive research design and a two-phase approach to collect data. The quantitative survey component analyzed the demographics of programs (n=13) using descriptive analysis. Phone-based semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from program affiliates (n=4) concerning program adherence to three advanced PETE standards and four guiding principles.

Results: Public universities granting …

The Impact Of Student Facilitation On Student Engagement In Asynchronous Online Discussion, Robin Bowen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Lack of engagement in asynchronous online discussion is a common issue due to insufficient participation, disinterest in discussion, superficial discussion, and the influence of peer behaviors. The purpose of this study was to enhance student engagement in asynchronous online discussion by using student-led discussion and peer assessment. A mixed methods design was utilized in this study to offset quantitative and qualitative research weaknesses and to draw on the strengths of both (Plano Clark & Creswell, 2008). The control group participated in the discussion managed by the instructor, who posted weekly discussion questions to a class discussion board and facilitated the …

The Impact Of Using Selected Art Therapy Approaches On Students Diagnosed On The Autism Spectrum (As) Or With Behavioral Disabilities (Bd) In An Elementary School Art Classroom., Amie Dawn Perriello

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Students with autism and behavior disorders frequently have a difficult time communicating with their teachers and peers. Art can serve as a vehicle for communication while supporting strengths and encouraging self-esteem. Yet few art teachers have the specialized training needed to work with students on the spectrum, and we are often times left to our own intuition and devices on how to deal with these students. These students deserve greater individualized education, yet this can present a unique challenge to any classroom art teacher who does not have the training to deal with students who come from these special populations. …

Effects Of Teacher Training In Trial-Based Functional Analysis Via Video Modeling, Mary Haspel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) is an efficient strategy for assessing challenging behavior in the classroom and a necessary step in developing effective functional assessment- based interventions (FABI). However, researchers have identified several barriers limiting the applicability of this practice in schools, including difficulty in (a) training teachers to mastery; (b) assessing whether teachers can implement this practice independently, with fidelity, in natural settings; and (c) determining whether teachers can use functional analysis (FA) to identify functions of problem behavior and develop effective interventions. This study will address these gaps in the literature by using a novel approach for training teachers …

Technology Use By Teachers Of Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Students, Nichole K. Zirzow

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This nationwide study explored the types and frequency of technology used by

teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing (d/hh) students to design and deliver instruction, as

well as the types and frequency of technology being used by teachers of d/hh students to

promote communication and collaboration. It also examined the extent of professional

development in the area of technology use with d/hh students, and the related challenges

experienced by these teachers. The following research questions guided this study.

Research question 1. What kinds of technology do teachers of d/hh students use

to design and deliver academic content-based learning activities? With what …

West Virginia University’S Changing Mission In The 21st Century, Katlin Swisher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In the midst of the ongoing shifts of the perception of higher education and the public’s question of the role and value of public universities, West Virginia University has simultaneously experienced institutional change through five different presidential administrations in a decade. As seen through WVU’s historical context as the state of West Virginia’s land-grant, flagship, research university, the institution has and continues to face many administrative, policy, and contextual changes as it strives to meet its strategic goals and operationalize its mission. Through document analysis and interviews with key officials, this qualitative, multi-case study seeks to understand how WVU’s mission …

Computer-Assisted Instruction Compared To Traditional Instruction On Letter Recognition For Preschoolers With Special Needs, Jamie Nicole Harvey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The need to reach learners with disabilities in inclusive early childhood classrooms has grown with increasing legislative mandates. An essential area of focus is in early literacy and alphabet letter recognition. One such way to bridge the gap includes computer assisted instruction as an instructional method. A concurrent treatment single case design was used to compare the rate of letter acquisition in young children with disabilities (n=6) between computer assisted instruction program, Teach Town Basics™, and traditional teaching of concepts in early childhood inclusive classrooms. Participants received each treatment in random order and data were graphed daily on …

Stockmanship Education And Evaluation, John K. Yost

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This dissertation documents two separate works. The first is an evaluation of WVU SFMS/SOIDC Large Animal Module and the second is the development and use of the Stockman’s Scorecard. The WVU SFMS/SOIDC Large Animal Module provides foundational information on food animal husbandry and veterinary procedures to SOF Combat Medic candidates. A quasi-experimental design was used to determine if the module content resulted in an increase in food animal production knowledge for the participants. Seventy-five percent of the subjects had no previous livestock exposure and only seven percent had previously participated in 4-H or FFA. Matched pair analysis determined that the …

Promoting Cognitive And Fine Motor Development In The Art Room For Young Students With Exposure To Trauma: An Exploratory Case Study., Tiffany Marie Minuci

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Despite the overwhelming research that suggests visual artmaking experiences can produce positive outcomes for individuals, many state art education policies fail to implement and integrate the arts into core academic curriculums. Specifically in the state of West Virginia, kindergarten through twelfth grade students often lack the access to a quality and consistent art education. With high teacher-pupil ratios and inclusive learning environments, educators face the difficult task of meeting all the individual needs of their students’ in the classroom. This not only affects whole student populations, but also poses risks for children who have been exposed to trauma. Traumatic experiences …

Identity Formation Of Adolescents Who Are Homeschooled: Mothers' Perceptions, Peggy Joan Mcqueen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Homeschooling is a growing educational choice with very little research about the psycho-social outcomes associated with the process. This qualitative study sought to examine the potential facilitative benefit of homeschooling upon the formation of identity. The participants were 26 mothers of homeschooled adolescents in Pennsylvania. Parent responses were examined using thematic analysis. Constituent aspects of parental motivation and methodology were investigated to assess the presence of elements facilitative in the process of identity formation as identified by Erik Erikson (1959, 1963). In examining methods used in homeschooling, it was found that the mothers in this study are providing the support …

Persistence Of Undergraduate Women In Stem Through Timsi, Heather L. Henderson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

There is a need to increase the persistence of women in science careers. This study focuses on undergraduate women majoring in or interested in science. Despite interest early on in their academic careers, women are leaving STEM at higher rates than other fields. Through the framework of the Tripartite Integration Model of Social Influence (TIMSI), this study explores psychosocial factors leading to integration in science careers. 484 undergraduate women from 9 universities in the Colorado/Wyoming Front Range and the Carolinas were recruited into this study and surveyed through 8 waves of data collection. A model building process was performed using …