Words With God, Krista Fassett

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

As a studio artist using multiple media, I investigate subjectivity of the female body as depicted within the context of evangelical doctrines and traditions. I explore misogyny and the absence of bodily autonomy in the bible, which designates women as property to be owned, purchased, and sold. Some overlapping themes include religious trauma, domestication, submission, and virginity. The intertwining of topics allows me to share my lived experience, and ignite conversation into certain religious doctrines that simultaneously live among cultural and political lines.

Emphasizing ‘holy’ scripture, my art varies through domestic materiality and includes crocheted textiles, oil paintings, installation with …

Artificial Intelligence's Ability To Detect Online Predators, Olatilewa Osifeso

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Online child predators pose a danger to children who use the Internet. Children fall victim to online predators at an alarming rate, based on the data from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children. When making online profiles and joining websites, you only need a name, an email and a password without identity verification. Studies have shown that online predators use a variety of methods and tools to manipulate and exploit children, such as blackmail, coercion, flattery, and deception. These issues have created an opportunity for skilled online predators to have fewer obstacles when it comes to contacting and …

Distribution And Conveyance Of Late Prehistoric Western Mojave Obsidian Artifacts, Nicholas James Shepetuk

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

There is a significant lack of publication, synthesis, and analysis of existing Late Prehistoric obsidian artifact sourcing data in the western Mojave Desert. However, a wealth of such data exists, especially in non-published archaeological reports produced mainly by cultural resources management firms. The purpose of this study was to test the validity of two regions which are divided roughly by the Mojave River and which are based on Sutton’s (1989) interaction sphere model. The Northwestern Region occupies the portion of the Mojave Desert to the north and west of the Mojave River, while the Eastern Region makes up the area …

An Empirical Study On The Efficacy Of Llm-Powered Chatbots In Basic Information Retrieval Tasks, Naja Faysal

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The rise of conversational user interfaces (CUIs) powered by large language models (LLMs) is transforming human-computer interaction. This study evaluates the efficacy of LLM-powered chatbots, trained on website data, compared to browsing websites for finding information about organizations across diverse sectors. A within-subjects experiment with 165 participants was conducted, involving similar information retrieval (IR) tasks using both websites (GUIs) and chatbots (CUIs). The research questions are: (Q1) Which interface helps users find information faster: LLM chatbots or websites? (Q2) Which interface helps users find more accurate information: LLM chatbots or websites?. The findings are: (Q1) Participants found information significantly faster …

Mishopshno: Remnants Of The Past A Midden Analysis From Carpinteria, California, Alyssa Del Rosario

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

For this study, my primary goals are to determine the depositional history of a shell midden at the archaeological site of Mishopshno (CA-SBA-07) through accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating, examine the artifacts found at the site, and analyze the midden contents. Mishopshno was initially recorded in the 1920s by David Banks Rogers with the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. The portions of midden analyzed for this thesis were excavated during construction monitoring of the sewer loop replacement in the Santa Rosa Campground at Carpinteria State Beach, Carpinteria, California.

Over time, significant disturbances have occurred to the site due to resource …

The Most Important Voices In The Room: Understanding The Academic Needs Of Us-Educated Latino English Learners In Higher Education, Lisa Davenport

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

US-educated English learners (US-ELs) immigrated to the United States as children and enrolled in school where they began learning English. Ultimately, they graduate from high school, and the majority of those wishing to continue in higher education begin in community college. These students face tremendous barriers and have lower rates of access to and completion of higher education than English monolingual students.

The study examines the transitions of US-ELs from high school to community college in the years since the implementation of California Assembly Bills 705 and 1705 and the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher used three theoretical frameworks – LatCrit, …

Automatic Speech Recognition For Air Traffic Control Using Convolutional Lstm, Sakshi Nakashe

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The need for automatic speech recognition in air traffic control is critical as it enhances the interaction between the computer and human. Speech recognition helps to automatically transcribe the communication between the pilots and the air traffic controllers, which reduces the time taken for administrative tasks. This project aims to provide improvement to the Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system for air traffic control by investigating the impact of convolution LSTM model on ASR as suggested by previous studies. The research questions are: (Q1) Comparing the performance of ConvLSTM with other conventional models, how does ConvLSTM perform with respect to recognizing …

Seeking Steatite: Analyzing The Spatial Distribution Of Southern California Arrow Shaft Straighteners, Christina Angela Livingston

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Arrow shaft straighteners are ground stone tools used in the production of arrows. Over the years, before Spanish colonialism, California Natives formed arrow shaft straighteners using various types of stone, such as granite or basalt. My thesis will focus on the arrow shaft straighteners made out of steatite. Steatite, or soapstone, is a metamorphic rock that is smooth to the touch. The smoothness makes steatite very easy to carve and modify. In California, there are many main sources of steatite. For my thesis, I will focus only on four of these sources: Inyo County, Santa Catalina Island, Sierra Pelona, and …

Cultural Awareness Application, Bharat Gupta

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In an increasingly interconnected global landscape, cultural awareness and competency have become indispensable skills for individuals and organizations alike. This paper introduces a pioneering cultural awareness application, grounded in the Cultural Orientation Model—a comprehensive framework devised by Dr. Walker [8]to guide individuals in understanding, appreciating, and effectively engaging with diverse cultures. The application encompasses ten primary dimensions, each representing fundamental aspects of social life shared by members of any socio-cultural environment. Through a combination of cultural education, interactive learning, guidance on cultural etiquette, and integration of cultural events, the application aims to foster empathy, tolerance, and effective cross-cultural communication skills. …

The Effects Of Parenting Styles On Communication Among Asian American Young Adults, Abigail Camarce

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between parenting styles and communication difficulties. Previous studies explored different types of parenting styles and their impact on both mental health and child behavior outcomes. However, the relationship between these styles and communication challenges has largely remained underexplored. This study aimed to fill this void by examining data collected from Asian American (AA) young adults aged 18 to 30, shedding light on how various parenting approaches influence communication difficulties in their families. Method: Quantitative data for this study was gathered through Qualtrics from participants meeting the criteria of AA aged 18 to 30, who …

Deconstructing Standard English Ideology: Elements Of Equitable And Inclusive Language And Literacy Education For Our Times, Gricelda Carbajal

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This thesis argues for the deconstruction of the standard English ideology, which holds that standard English is inherently superior to other English varieties. It examines the ideology’s detrimental effects on those who speak and use nonstandard English varieties, mostly minorities and people of color, who are linguistically profiled and marginalized because of the ways they speak. The ideology can also generate intensified reactions to perceived grammar and usage errors in those who subscribe to its prescriptivist views, and can promote judgments and stereotypes which impede communication and connection between people. To help dismantle the standard English ideology, the author …

Composing From The Margins: The Breaking Of Writing Barriers, Empowering Voices & Broadening The Work Of Feminist Composition Studies, Jasmin Salgado

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The concept of identity politics within Composition Studies acknowledge how a writer’s social identity (race, gender, sexuality, disabilities, etc.) influences their writing style and shapes their language. Understanding the relationship between social identity and writing practices means recognizing the diverse perspectives writers bring to the writing classroom. In alignment with this perspective, feminist composition studies emphasize the importance of centering marginalized voices and creating inclusive learning environments where students can safely express their identities through writing. However, research reveals that diverse perspectives haven’t always been welcomed in academic spaces. Feminist compositionists unveil how discourse around writing conventions and language norms …

Plagiarism And Original Authorship In The Age Of Ai: Present Complications And Future Directions, Sarah D. Lagioia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The concept of plagiarism, or the passing off of work produced by others as one’s own without appropriate acknowledgement of the source of creation, is not a new one. It is, however, being complicated in new and interesting ways by technological innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI)-based natural-language processing (NLP). In this paper, I investigate the present complications of defining and responding to plagiarism in the age of AI and suggest the future direction of our grappling with text-generative NLP programs such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This paper will describe perspectives on plagiarism and potential reasons behind the use of AI …

A Mixed Method Study Of Teachers' Perception Of Positive Reinforcement For Behavior Management, Maricela B. Aceves Ed.D., Debra L. Cote Ph.D., Sue Singh Ph.D., Ayako Shweikle Ph.D., Shannon L. Sparks Ph.D.

Journal of Critical Issues in Educational Practice

Abstract

Positive reinforcement is a behavior management technique supported by empirical evidence, known to enhance student performance and their outcomes (Alberto et al., 2022; Fabiano & Pelham, 2003; Scheuermann, 2022). However, many teachers encounter difficulties in effectively implementing this tool in their everyday classroom teaching practices. This mixed methods study aimed to contribute to existing literature focusing on instructional behavior of credentialed teachers. The findings revealed that teachers who received training in PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) observed the following: (1) the overall benefits of rewarding appropriate student behavior with activities, (2) the significance of having adequate resources and …

Does Personality Traits And Security Habits Influence Security Of Personal Identification Numbers? The Context Of Mobile Money Services In Tanzania., Daniel Ntabagi Koloseni

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Security is an important ingredient in financial transactions; as such, it is imperative that attention should be paid to enhancing the security habits and user behaviours of mobile payment services. Establishing a link between security habits, personality characteristics, and security behaviours provides a new dimension to studying security behaviours regarding mobile money services. Therefore, this study investigates how personality traits affect security behaviours and habits and how security habits mediate the link between personality traits and PIN security practices. The study found that conscientiousness, openness to experience, extroversion and security habits influence PIN security practices, while conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism …

Navigating Home Language Practice For Children With Disabilities: Insights From Korean-American Mothers' Online Communications, Jemma Kim, Young Suk Hwang, Yeon Kim, Sang Seok Nam

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

This study explores the home language practice (HLP) of Korean-American mothers with children who have developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder. Data was collected from an online forum where these mothers discussed their experiences and decision-making processes following their child's diagnosis. Thematic analysis was conducted on the collected data to identify and develop themes related to their experiences. The study's framework is based on family-centered practices, emphasizing the importance of equal partnerships, cultural responsiveness, and information sharing between families and early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) professionals. Factors that influence HLP decisions include mothers' perceptions of disabilities, professional …

Navigating Iep Meetings: Effective Approaches For Supporting Asian Families Of Children With Idd In Special Education, Kristina Rios, Wei-Mo Tu

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

Family involvement is an essential component of the special education process for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In addition to the legal requirement that parents should be equal partners in the decision-making of the student’s IEP program (IDEA, 2004), a bulk of empirical research demonstrates the positive impact of parent involvement on student outcomes. However, many families face barriers to participation in the special education process. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD), including Asian families, especially face systemic barriers when accessing services for their children with disabilities. In order to better understand parents’ perceptions of stress in relation to …

Editor's Note

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Muslim Communities In Easing The Challenges For Young U.S. Muslim Immigrant Children’S School Outcomes, Ghada Kassir

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

American Muslims have increasingly experienced Islamophobia-related discrimination and stereotypes, including unjust accusations of violence, hatred, and terrorism, especially since 9/11. This study investigates the experience of Muslim immigrants in the U.S. and its impact on their children’s school outcomes. Using the theoretical frameworks of segmented assimilation, acculturation, social identity theory, and critical race theory, post-9/11 Muslim immigrants and their elementary school children are the focus of this study. Specifically, this study examines the associations among the following constructs: Muslim identity, culture and traditions, community connectedness, and children's school outcomes. This study hypothesized that there is a negative correlation between Muslim …

“Yo Sí Soy Boricua, Pa’ Que Tú Lo Sepas”: A Decolonial And Intersectional Analysis Of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jocelin Monge

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Historically speaking, political representation in Congressional districts in the U.S. has been predominantly White and male. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) is an example of a type of new mestizaconsciousness (Anzaldúa, 1987) given she is the youngest Latina congresswoman ever been elected to serve New York’s 14th Congressional District. This study employs an intersectional analysis on AOC’s viral moments with ‘The Squad’, Puerto Rico, Vogue, and Met Gala. Through a theoretical lens composed of elements of intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991) and mestiza consciousness (Anzaldúa, 1987), this study focuses on three significant recurrent themes found in AOC’s estilos de resistencia or sensibilities …

Automated Medical Notes Labelling And Classification Using Machine Learning, Akhil Prabhakar Thota

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The amount of data generated in medical records, especially in a modern context, is growing significantly. As the amount of data grows, it is very useful to classify the data into relevant classes for further interventions. Different methods that are not automated are very time-consuming and require manual effort have been tried for this before.

Recently deep learning has been used for this task but due to the complexity of the dataset, specifically due to inter-class similarities in the dataset and specific terminology having different meanings in medical contexts has caused significant problems in having a definitive approach to medical …

Review Classification Using Natural Language Processing And Deep Learning, Brian Nazareth

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Sentiment Analysis is an ongoing research in the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP). In this project, I will evaluate my testing against an Amazon Reviews Dataset, which contains more than 100 thousand reviews from customers. This project classifies the reviews using three methods – using a sentiment score by comparing the words of the reviews based on every positive and negative word that appears in the text with the Opinion Lexicon dataset, by considering the text’s variating sentiment polarity scores with a Python library called TextBlob, and with the help of neural network training. I have created a neural …

Pathways Through Care Of Latinx Individuals Experiencing First-Episode Psychosis, Estevan Hernandez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Many individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) are unable to work or live independently due to the debilitating nature of their illness. Many individuals experiencing FEP fail to seek mental health treatment for their symptoms. The families of these individuals are often the first to notice early signs of psychosis and seek treatment for the individual (Bridges et al., 2012). there continues to be a high percentage of disengagement from mental health services which may, in turn, contribute to poorer outcomes across various areas in one’s life (Kreyenbuhl et al., 2009). There continues to be a high percentage of disengagement from …

Judge Paul J. Mccormick: The Prelude To Desegregation In The United States, Jose Luis Castro Padilla

History in the Making

Born into a Catholic family on April 23, 1879, in New York City, Paul J. McCormick became one of Los Angeles, California’s most important federal judges. On March 21, 1946, Judge McCormick’s judgment in favor of the Mendez v. Westminster case declared California schools must desegregate. Until that time, school segregation had relied on the 1896 court case, Plessy v. Ferguson, which justified it under racial segregation. McCormick’s singular decision marked a watershed in the fight for civil rights in the United States. While Judge McCormick promoted justice, equality, and civil rights, his court decision desegregating schools on behalf of …

Interprofessional Practice Aligns With New California Teacher Performance Expectations For Students With Complex Communication Needs, Kai J. Greene, M.C. Kate Esposito

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

Educators are bound to encounter students with a broad range of speech-language and communication needs in their respective classrooms. According to federal mandates, current and future teachers are required to implement inclusive practices, which involves providing access to communication for all students. This practitioner-focused article shares an interprofessional practice collaborative project developed between a university teacher preparation program and the speech-language pathology division of a large urban school district. As part of a requisite credential course on language development and early literacy skills, pre-candidate students in the education specialist credential program complete a course assignment led by a school-based speech-language …

Services Available In The Mixtec Community And The Barriers To Those Services, Currie Bailey Carmon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Purpose: While outreach and services continue to expand within marginalized communities, this research aims to identify services accessible to the Mixtec population within the North County of San Luis Obispo and identify the barriers to accessing those services. Methods: This study was conducted by interviewing service providers 18 years or older, who work within the Mixtec community in the private sector, child welfare services and within the school settings. The researcher utilized the post positivist paradigm, and data was gathered through semi-structured Zoom interviews with the service providers. Results: The study sample featured 6 participants who work within the Mixtec …

Transforming Black Students’ Higher Education Experiences And Lives: A Proposal For The Csu, Don Lundy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

For decades, a racial “achievement gap” has persisted in U.S. higher education. Specifically, White students have outperformed Black students on a number of indicators, including college admissions, standardized test scores, and graduation rates. This graduate project considers several explanations for this persistent inequity. The root of the problem, it argues, is U.S. higher education’s history of racism and exclusion and the oversaturation of whiteness in these institutions. In other words, U.S. higher education was built for and continues to serve White students at the expense of Black students. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) show us that when whiteness is …

Full Court Press: The Influence Of Midnight Basketball, Talk Radio, And Racial Coding On The Violent Crime Control And Law Enforcement Act Of 1994, George “Matt” Patino

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

During the latter half of the twentieth century, “dog whistle” rhetoric increasingly entered the common vernacular, normalized by politicians and media personalities. Initially, the terminology was ambiguous, but it became racially charged when the media started broadcasting images of African Americans alongside the “thug” label. This research explores how “dog whistles” were, in part, a neoconservative response to the liberal policies of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his “Great Society.”

This study explores how “Great Society” policies aimed to balance the liberal expansion of Civil Rights with neoconservative “law and order” policing strategies. This research also investigates how right-wing talk …

Effective Inclusive Strategies For Students With Disabilities: Guides For General Education Teachers, Lynda Hawkins

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The Disability Education Act 2004 (IDEA) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) had given students with disabilities the right to be included in the general education classroom. With that comes a challenge for teachers as they must find ways to reach every student. The purpose of this project is to provide a way of achieving that goal.. The Buddy System, for example, is a supportive method for teachers. General education students are paired up with students that need assistance. These students take on the role of assistant teacher/mentor to help guide their peers through classroom activities and assignments. With everyone …