Digital Commons Network^™

Providing Oral Health Education To Underserved Children And Families Within An Interdisciplinary Team, Kiersten Anderson, Taylor Anderson, Emily Bendelsmith, Brittanee Despres, Colin Howe, Jenny Leaser, Ellen Minor, Delorianne Sander, Stephanie L. De Sam Lazaro

Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy Theses and Projects

This paper outlines the background literature, needs assessment process, and project activities of a master’s project focused on oral health outcomes through use of an interprofessional team. The project activities were based on recommendations from current literatures, including interprofessional education and teaming, as well as family-centered education to promote positive oral health outcomes for young children and their families. Recommendations for future collaborations and the occupational therapy role within interprofessional oral health care teams are shared.

Environmental Barriers And Supports To Participation For Individuals With Disabilities: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Ali M. Grinde, Ella V. Johnson, Anya H. Larson, Jordan A. Mills, Gretta N. Obeid, Bridgett N. Tegen, Julie D. Bass

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

This Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project considered the following question: What environmental supports and barriers influence participation for individuals with disabilities and are there disparities, inequalities, or inequities between disabled and non-disabled groups?

Evaluation Of Participation And Environments For Individuals With Disabilities: An Evidence-Based Practice Project Bailey, Bailey Allen, Abby Anderson, Natalie Bruno, Sydney Grohman, Katie Martinek, Cassidy Mattson, Maddie O'Reilly, Zachary Wells, Julie D. Bass

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

This Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project considered the following question: What measures are available to evaluate participation and environmental supports and barriers for individuals with disabilities and what are their psychometric properties?

Attitudes And Biases Of Health Professionals Toward Individuals With Disabilities: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Kelsey L. Colvin, Kelly J. Eckert, Payton V. Gilreath, Ellen M. Hiestand, Alexandra L. Jendersee, Rachel G. Kullas, Justene N. Martin, Sydney R. Mckenzie, Marissa K. Smith, Julie D. Bass

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

This Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project considered the following question: What are the attitudes and biases of health professionals toward individuals with disabilities and what are the implications for training?

Perspectives And Experiences Of Participation By Individuals With Disabilities: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Mckenzie Brink, Kelsey Holmer, Sydney Hrastich, Kelly O'Connor, Simon Olmstead, Stephen Schuster, Hailey Valencour, Mikael Viazcan, Julie D. Bass

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

This Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project considered the following question: How do individuals with disabilities describe their perspectives on and experiences with participation?

Mindfulness And The Virtual School: Effects Of Mindfulness Interventions In The Aftermath Of Emotional Trauma And Isolation., Kulliki Kuningas

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research studied the effects of mindfulness, meditation, and simple yoga exercises on children in the aftermath of emotional trauma and isolation due to COVID-19. The research further explored how these strategies interact with Montessori philosophy and whether a public Montessori school’s virtual upper elementary environment can accommodate such practices. The study took place over four weeks. Thirty-one upper elementary students in a public metropolitan Montessori school received daily guidance on mindfulness and mediation via Google Meet and instructional videos. The researcher used online pre- and post-surveys, checklists, and students’ journals to collect data. Over the course of the …

Reducing Surgical Site Infections In The Bariatric C-Section Patient, Shelley Rayborn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Background evidence of surgical site infections (SSI) among bariatric c-section patients identified four themes, including risk factors, assessment, interventions, and education. Each theme guided the project intervention and recommendations for practice improvement.

Purpose: The original purpose of the project included four aims: educate nursing staff on the obstetrics unit about post-operative surgical site incision care through a 30-minute education session during annual training, administer a knowledge survey pre-education session, post-education session, and toward the end of project implementation to assess post-operative surgical incision care knowledge, establish ability to recognize risk and initiate prevention strategies for surgical site infection, and …

Transitions Of Care For Geriatric Patients In Assisted Living Facilities: Acute Care Transfer Pilot Project, Hannah Frost Graffunder

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Information gaps for geriatric residents of extended care facilities transferred to the emergency department are prevalent, increasing the risk of adverse health events. Poor communication during care transitions is the leading cause of medical errors in healthcare systems, accounting for 50% of all communication errors in health care and 80% of severe medical errors (Britton et al., 2017, Joint Commission, 2017, Li et al., 2017, Rosenthal et al., 2018).

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement pilot project is to implement a standardized acute care transfer packet to increase the amount of essential patient health information shared with emergency …

The Perceived Benefits Of Participation In Community Drum Circles, Sean Cudd

Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy Theses and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of adults who participate in community drum circles. The act of striking a vibrating membrane or drum surface to produce a sound with a group of people comprises a drum circle. Drumming has been utilized for many different reasons for a large portion of human history. A phenomenological study was conducted to examine perceived benefits of participation in a drum circle. Six participants from two different drum circles were interviewed and data was coded inductively and deductively. Interview questions gathered data related to participants’ perception of the benefits and meaning …

Social And Community Participation Interventions For Individuals With Disabilities: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Madisyn Anderson, Alex Demarais, Vanj Ebel, Anna Foster, Tyler Hobson, Kaitlyn Huntley, Alli Park, Allie Roehl, Julie D. Bass

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

This Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project considered the following question: What measures are available to evaluate participation and environmental supports and barriers for individuals with disabilities and what are their psychometric properties?

The Effects Of Book Workshops On Emergent Reading Skills In Montessori Early Childhood, Antonia Rebori

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research study was to increase preliteracy skills, confidence, and interest in reading in a Montessori early childhood environment through a reading workshop model. Given the pressure on teachers to create stronger readers at younger ages, this work discusses developmentally appropriate language tasks for children ages three- to six-years-old using the Montessori method and emergent literacy theory frameworks. Research suggests children who exhibit confidence and interest in reading develop strong preliteracy skills. These factors predict capable and active readers. For six weeks, a Montessori early childhood classroom of 14 students and three adult guides participated in …

Literacy Approaches In Montessori 3-6: An Action Research Project, Margaret Beagle

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research study was to examine connections between the early introduction of Montessori phonograms and increased student-led writing with the Movable Alphabet. This paper discusses the politics of literacy instruction and common literacy approaches used in Montessori early childhood settings, and examines best literacy practices for early childhood students. The study gathered data from Montessori early childhood educators and 19 students in a Montessori early childhood classroom. The classroom data was collected over four weeks, introducing phonograms alongside individual Sandpaper Letters. Children were then given the choice between using objects to guide their writing with the Movable …

Teaching Peace: The Effects Of Concentrated Interaction With Anti-Racist/Anti-Bias Media On A Montessori Guide’S Practice, Sarah Streyle

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this self-study was to examine the effects of concentrated interaction with anti-bias/anti-racist media on a Montessori guide’s practice. It was conducted over a total of six weeks. The intervention included a pre- and post- survey of understanding, nightly media interactions, daily reflection journaling, daily tallies of anti-bias/anti-racist thoughts during the school day, and a daily confidence scale to measure the participant’s confidence to integrate anti-bias/anti-racist concepts into her teaching practice. The study was completed at a private Montessori school in a medium-sized midwestern town, with an early childhood classroom of fifteen three- to five-year-old students of diverse …

Mentoring And Its Impact On Young Adults In Church Congregations, Linnae Stole

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Theses

Young adults today yearn for purpose, connection, and authentic relationships (Lottes, 2005, p. 135-136). In this transitional age between adolescence and full adulthood, mentorship and encouragement from other adults in their lives can help them see the possibilities of their vocational calling (Price, 2013, p. 94). Church communities have the unique opportunity to support their young adult members in this work as it relates to their personal spirituality and God-given purpose. Through a survey of pastors and other church leaders, alongside a focus group of churchgoing young adults, this research project explored how churches can incorporate mentoring into their ministry …

Inclusion Of Special Needs Students In A Montessori Elementary Classroom, Sunny Day Talbert

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study project was designed to study the effectiveness of implementations to aid in the successful inclusion of special needs students in a Montessori elementary classroom. This study also looked at the impacts that inclusion has on special-needs students. This study took place in a small Montessori upper elementary classroom of fourth through sixth grade in the southern United States. The implementations included self-control building, self-regulating and calming activities, Grace and Courtesy lessons, team building activities and oral reading, discussions and journal entries of Wonder (Palacio, 2012) Data was collected using student journals, an observational tally, researcher’s field journal, discussion …

Minecraft And Montessori: Connecting In-Class And Remote Students During Covid-19 Restrictions, Dawn Lessoway

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to find out whether playing Minecraft: Education Edition would help in-class and remote students make personal connections. This action research project took place in a Grade 3, 4 and 5 public Montessori school during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Of the 23 students, 14 were present in the classroom, while nine others were transitional learners with separate online teachers. Students were asked to reflect on their interactions with other players through interviews, journals and surveys. Parents participated by completing a pre-and post-survey. Students reported an increase in friends and acquaintances matching quantitative data collected …

The Impacts Of A Revised Handwriting Curriculum On Independent Letter Formation And Motivation In A Montessori 3-6 Classroom, Rebecca Junnila Baldini

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to observe the impacts of a revised handwriting curriculum on motivation for handwriting and independent letter formation in a Montessori 3-6 classroom. Participants in the four-week study included eight students aged 3.6 to 5.9 in a private Montessori school located in a small New England college town. The revised curriculum utilized Orton-Gillingham sequencing, plus new handwriting materials and opportunities. Data sources included a daily tally sheet to track handwriting work, daily writing samples, student interviews, and lesson plan/reflection sheets. Data showed that the average daily participation rate for all optional handwriting work …

The Efficacy Of Google Slides On Adult Learning Outcomes In A Montessori Teacher Training Center, Devon Harper

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated how to establish effective instruction and learning tools, specifically, Google Slides within Google Classroom, in an online Montessori Teacher Training Center. Effective instruction includes ways to simulate the positive experiences found in an inperson model, such as community building and collaborative learning. This study investigated training modules, surveys, document collection, and interviews of enrolled adult learners and program instructors. Students and instructors had similar previous experience with Gmail and Google Docs, and less experience with Google Slides. Following the intervention, students reported that Google Slides worked well as an asynchronous learning tool, and the positivity …

The Effects Of Using Nature-Based Space & Materials On The Children’S Concentration Levels In An Early Childhood Montessori Environment, Mariana Villegas Ramírez

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This research study explored the effects of using nature-based space and materials on the children’s concentration levels in an early childhood Montessori environment. Nineteen 3-6-year-olds participated in the study for four weeks. The researcher designed and implemented two interventions, nature-based space and nature-based materials, inside an early childhood Montessori environment. The purpose was to holistically improve the children’s concentration levels by being exposed to a nature-based area and materials. The data collection process relied on four qualitative and quantitative data tools: tally sheets, general observational notes, rate sheets, and measurement notes. The data analyzed in this research study suggests exposing …

Work Participation Interventions For Individuals With Disabilities: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Tina B. Dalki, Maureen C. Doran, Taylor P. King, Paige M. Loy, Alex W. Manos, Mia R. Massaro, Emily M. Medcalf, Alexis M. Walsh, Julie D. Bass

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

This Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project considered the following question: What are the characteristics of interventions, programs, and services that are effective in supporting work participation for individuals with disabilities and their employers?

Best Practices For Women Seeking Sponsorship In Corporations, Kimberly Hayman

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Theses

Women are underrepresented in corporate leadership, and many sources recommend sponsorship as an effective strategy to increase the percentage of women in leadership. A sponsor uses his or her influence and advocates on behalf of an individual protégé’s career advancement. This thesis examines sponsorship through the lens of social capital theory and identifies best practices for women seeking sponsorship for career advancement in corporate leadership. Through interviews with eight women corporate leaders and a review of the published literature, I identified best practices for women in corporations to source, select, and secure effective sponsor(s) to advance in leadership roles.

Employee Benefits Managers’ Understanding Of Occupational Therapy And Their Influence On Employees’ Knowledge, Andrew D. Noble

Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy Theses and Projects

This study investigated what employee benefits managers know about occupational therapy and the influence they have on employees’ knowledge of, and access to, occupational therapy services. This qualitative research focused on what employee benefits managers know about occupational therapy, how they learned what they know, how they prefer to learn about healthcare services in general, and the reasons they would or would not recommend occupational therapy services to their employees. The study included ten semi-structured interviews with ten employee benefits managers who were employed at nine different organizations. The interviews were coded and analyzed to develop categories and themes in …

Implementation And Evaluation Of Culturally Sensitive Autism Education In The Somali American Population: Influence On Knowledge And Attitudes About Mmr Vaccine, Jessica Hanson Determan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this project is to implement and evaluate a culturally sensitive patient teaching approach to incorporate autism education during telehealth visits. The project will answer the following question: What is the effect of a culturally sensitive autism education intervention during telehealth visits on Somali-American parents’ knowledge and attitudes about measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine compared to standard care? The vision for this DNP quality improvement project is to empower families to make decisions rooted in evidence- 5 based information regarding MMR vaccination and the development of autism while respecting cultural beliefs.

Participants for this project consisted of …

Effects Of Video Modeling System And Ell Reading Fluency, Ingrid Wangaard-Tjornehoj

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Social-Emotional Learning And Teacher Relationships On Middle School Student Well-Being, Allison Beggs, Sara Olson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Where Are The Stem Girls: The Effects Of Gender Equitable Teaching Strategies On The Enrollment Of Female Students In Stem Courses?, Jared Sanger

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that Gender Equitable Teaching Strategies (GETS) has on young women and their interest in pursuing STEM electives and career pathways at our high school. The research was conducted in an eighth grade STEM course called Automation and Robotics and with a focus group of six female students at the high school in grades 9-12. All 65 eighth grade students received GETS interventions throughout the study, but data was analyzed for the 30 female students only. Data was also gathered from the discussion with the six girls that participated in the …

The Effects Of Play-Based Learning On Early Literacy Skills In Kindergarten, Katelyn Moore

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Kindergarten teachers instruct early literacy skills to some of our earliest learners. Providing effective literacy strategies that offer rich and developmentally appropriate instruction includes providing systematic instruction through play-based learning in phonemic awareness and phonics. This action research study examines different strategies that are developmentally appropriate for kindergartner’s early literacy skills.

Reducing System Barriers Within A Public Health Nurse And Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor Collaborative: An Evidenced-Based Quality Improvement Project, Christi Crego-Ritter

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Interprofessional barriers negatively impact services and quality of care to chemically-dependent pregnant women.

Acquired Brain Injury As A Chronic Condition: Self-Management And Clubhouse Programs, Kami Holst

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

In the United States traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health concern that results in death and disability for thousands of people each year (CDC, 2019b). Traumatic brain injuries were diagnosed in nearly 2.8 million of the 26 million injury-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths that occurred in the United States (CDC, 2014). The significance of this occurrence has launched TBI as being recognized more as a disease process, rather than a discrete event, because of the potential it presents for non-reversible and chronic health effects (Masel and DeWitt, 2010). These findings point to the chronic health …

Functional Cognition Assessments: Implications For Skilled Nursing Facilities, Logan Reinhiller,

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Functional cognition is a critical topic in occupational therapy practice. Functional cognition can be considered a client factor that impacts one’s occupations, performance skills, and patterns. As Giles (2017) stated: “Functional cognition is known as the interaction of cognitive skills and self-care, and community living skills” (p. 1). The purpose of this knowledge translation doctoral project was to educate occupational therapy practitioners and students on the importance of functional cognition assessments and interventions for older adults in skilled nursing settings.

Three knowledge translation projects were developed with an emphasis on functional cognition assessments and interventions for older adults in the …