Digital Commons Network^™

Innovation In Practice: Embracing Multilingualism In An Intensive English Programme, Hengzhi Hu, Lu Zhang

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to delineate and substantiate the adoption of multilingualism within an intensive English programme (IEP) conducted at a public Malaysian university. The target audience comprises international students categorised as English as a Foreign Language learners.

Innovation: A model encompassing multilingualism was formulated and applied in the specific context, involving various stakeholders. While acknowledging the primary purpose of IEPs is to develop English language proficiency, this model transitions from monolingualism to multilingualism by raising participant awareness of multilingualism, adopting translanguaging strategies, encouraging comparisons of different languages, and facilitating target language production that acknowledges the role …

Democratic Education As Expressed In Practice: An Integrative Literature Review, Rachel L. Wadham, Lynnette Christensen, Heather Leary

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Despite a strong theoretical foundation, teachers’ pedagogical practices that represent the principles of democratic educational theory are not holistically understood. This qualitative integrative literature review provides a more complete view of the practices used by those who define themselves as democratic educators. By analyzing and integrating existing literature on classroom practice this review discusses four pedagogical approaches that engage democratic educational practices including inquiry, artistic, oral, and student-centered methods.

English Language Learning At Tertiary Level In A Central Mexican Public University: A Case Study, Irasema Mora-Pablo, Edgar Emmanuell Garcia-Ponce

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: Our objective was to examine the perceptions regarding the teaching and learning of English of students in 16 undergraduate programs at a state public university in Mexico.

Method: In our qualitative case study, participating students responded to queries about their experiences learning English at the university, as well as their educational aspirations upon completion of their university studies.

Results: Despite their relevance to language immersion and competency, students struggle to combine prior experiences with current learning. Given Mexico’s English education system and past national initiatives, most participants say they still speak basic English. It is also clear that the …

Closing The Early Literacy Skills Gaps Through Supplemental Phonics Instruction, Jeremy Pichany

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Third And Fourth Grade Teachers' Perceptions And Experiences About The Writing Process, Zsarona Gremeka Calhoun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Importance Of Nonprofit Board Training On One Organization’S Efforts To Raise Funding Through Foundations, Marsha Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploring Barriers To Ophthalmic Clinical Research Care Delivery, James William Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Lexia Reading Core5 On Non-Ell Upper Elementary Students’ Reading Comprehension, Jane Jordan Carroll

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Childcare Center Principals’ Decision-Making Regarding Participation In A Quality Assurance Program, Rosa M. Flores

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Challenges To Implementing Culturally Competent Mental Health Practices With African Americans In Hospital Settings, Eric Ejem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Grades 6-12 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Targeted Professional Development Needed To Support Esol Reading Instruction, Esmeralda V. Villarreal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Impact Of The Lived Experience Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Adult Homelessness, Arlene Marcellette Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Black Male Initiatives’ Effect On Black Male Persistence And Graduation, Eric Devon Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Environmental Health Assessments For Foodborne Illness Outbreaks In The United States From 2017- 2019, Alyssa Shontel Woods

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individual cases of foodborne illness can lead to outbreaks that result in severe morbidity and fatality. As the United States’ food scene continues to evolve and diversify, there is a need to consider cultural variations and how they may affect food safety practices. This quantitative study, based on the National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS) data, grounded in the socio-ecological model, examined the prevalence and factors associated with salmonella outbreaks in ethnic versus non-ethnic food service establishments (FSEs) in the U.S. from 2017 to 2019. The research questions involved understanding the relationship between the primary language spoken, food safety training, …

A Comparison Of Public, Private, And Charter Educator Beliefs About Autistic Students Abilities, Jodene Ruth Jensen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With the incidence of autism on the rise, it is imperative to identify factors that contribute to education. Despite the accessibility and low cost of public institutions, many parents choose to educate their autistic children in private and charter school settings. This study examined the difference in beliefs among public, private, and charter school educators toward the abilities of autistic students. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory guided this study. Through a mixed-methods approach, surveys were employed to special educators within the Walden Participant and Survey Monkey Pools. There was a total of 209 survey respondents. Surveys were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis …

Black Social Workers Use Of Racial Identity And Self Concept In The Workplace, Shielah Monique Deblanc

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Navigating the Black professional identity in U.S. work environments poses challenges for social workers, with limited research addressing racial salience, power dynamics, and self-concept within their specific workplace contexts. Using self-concept theory, and the multidimensional model of racial identity as theoretical and conceptual frameworks, the purpose of this research was to examine Black social workers’ attitudes about self-concept using racial salience, power distance, and employee tenure as predictors. Using web-based surveys to collect data, a purposive sample of 77 participants were used to complete demographic information, a measure of centrality to gauge racial salience Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity, a …

Revitalizing Public Health Policy And Legislation For Effective Management Of Sickle Cell Disease, Elvelyna B. Beaubrun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transition of care from childhood to adulthood can impact young adults with chronic conditions. U.S. public health policy and legislation can mitigate the challenges with the transition of care through education and policy guidelines. There was a lack of information on the public policies that evaluate continuing care practices, education, and the competence of young African American (AA) adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) living in Pennsylvania. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of 10 AA adults ages 18–25 with SCD to understand what education was necessary for policymakers to reform legislation and …

Project Study Secondary Teachers’ Perspectives In Supporting English Language Learners, Yushica T. Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem for this study was that an average of 60% of eighth-grade English Language Learners (ELL) in one Virginia county were not meeting reading proficiency based on Virginia Standards of Learning. A basic qualitative design was used to explore teachers' perspectives on their successes, challenges, and the resources they need to teach eighth-grade ELLs in reading. The resulting project was a three-day culturally responsive professional development training for English language (EL) teachers. Krashen's language acquisition theory was the conceptual framework used to explore teachers' perspectives on their successes, challenges, and the resources necessary to teach eighth-grade ELLs. Learning should …

Association Between Medication Adherence And Asthma Among Latinos In The United States, Denisse Silva

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior research has shown that Latinos in the United States face disproportionate challenges in managing their asthma symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors that may influence medication adherence and asthma episodes among Latinos in the United States and was guided by Andersen’s health behavior theory. Data from 2020 Latinos who participated in the National Health Interview System in 2020 were analyzed. Findings indicated that nearly 23% of respondents reported an asthma episode. Approximately 25% of the sample reported an asthma episode during the last 12 months. A total of 43.6% of the sample reported not taking medication every …

Examining Technology Use And Competence Of Higher Education Academics During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Devrim Akgunduz, Aysegul Kinik Topalsan

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The present study describes the utilization frequency and competencies of educational technologies among academics at a university in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Participants were 391 faculty members and lecturers working in the faculties and vocational schools of a Turkish university during the 2020–2021 academic year. A survey included questions regarding the use of educational technologies and perceived competency in the use of those technologies.

Results: Academics are more familiar with distance education than hybrid or blended learning. Academics reported that blended learning, hybrid learning, and distance education provide more effective education on integrating technology but report that …

Investigating Effective Instructional Strategies To Increase Reading Comprehension Of Ells, Caroline Kosho

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High school classroom teachers with English language learners (ELLs) assigned to their classrooms might not be using effective instructional strategies to increase reading comprehension scores of ELLs. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the use of strategies that high school classroom teachers use to teach cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) to ELLs who have difficulty reading for understanding. The conceptual framework guiding this study was Cummin’s second language acquisition theory. The basic qualitative research design was guided by two research questions intended to determine the effectiveness of strategies used by the high school classroom teachers to …

Stigma On Mental Illness And Help-Seeking Among Nigerians In The United States, Olabode Akinbobola

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although the number of Nigerian immigrants to the United States has increased in the past few years, few studies have explored their mental health experiences. This study explored the lived experience of Nigerian immigrants living in the United States (US). Belief perseverance theory was utilized as a lens of analysis to understand if prior experiences, perceptions, and/or stigma can influence help-seeking behavior and expectations through face-to-face, semi-structured, and audiotaped interviews. The study explored a sample of 10 Nigerian immigrants lived experiences, understanding, perceptions, and stigma of mental illness and whether or not they seek psychological help. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) …

Elementary Teacher Perspectives Regarding Leadership Practices That Supported Creation Of A Dual Language Public School, Angelica Ozuna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An increase in the enrollment of elementary school students who do not speak English as their first language has led to initiatives to provide effective instruction for these students which require effective leadership. The problem is that leadership practices have been unsuccessful in supporting dual language elementary school teachers, and minimal research has explored teachers’ perspectives of leadership in this area. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore perspectives of rural public school teachers regarding leadership practices they found effective and ineffective in creation of a new dual language elementary school. Eleven participants answered 10 semistructured interview …

Challenges Of Cameroonian Immigrants When Accessing Mental Health Services In Los Angeles, Christiana Bibish Onjeme Elad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The California Pan- Ethnic Health Network has been undertaking community-driven research projects aimed at evaluating the immigrant communities’ barriers to accessing mental health care. The Department of Healthcare Services in Los Angeles County provides healthcare services to anyone and everyone in Los Angeles irrespective of their immigration status. My Health LA provides free healthcare services to immigrants 26 years and older who do not qualify for public health insurance like medical. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the challenges of Cameroonian immigrants when accessing mental health services in Los Angeles. The theoretical foundation of this study …

Qualitative Study Of Public Policy Affecting Public University Students: How Positive Psychology May Lessen Racism, Russell F. Peck

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Racism, racial inequity, and racial violence, including micro-aggressions (slurs and fearful glances) are endemic in modern American society. Finding ways to eliminate or at least mitigate racism and racial violence is important, not only for public safety but also to ensure equality, fairness, and social harmony among every stratum of American society. The purpose of this study was to determine if teaching positive psychology in Boston, Massachusetts (MA)-area university college classrooms helped improve race relations. The primary research question involved determining factors that create racism and racial violence in society. The second research question was about if an education policy …

Exploring The Experiences And Practices Of Midwestern High School English Teachers, Melea Shimkus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem under study was that in a state in the midwestern United States, there was a disparity in reading scores between secondary schools of similar demographics. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the strategies and approaches used by secondary teachers whose students’ reading achievements exceeded those of other students. Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge and Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy were used as the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected from one-on-one interviews with 10 participants and analyzed with open coding. The findings indicated how to combine content and pedagogy; feeling efficacious about teaching had …

Educators’ Perspectives Of How To Support Mathematics Achievement Of Grade 3 Through Grade 5 At-Risk Students, Shanerron Fordham-Knox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that teachers are struggling to support the instructional needs of at-risk students Grades 3–5 in mathematics in a Southern state. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of Grades 3–5 teachers of the instructional supports, approaches, and recommendations to support the mathematics achievement of at-risk students in Grades 3–5. Bruner’s theory on the stages of representation informed this study. The research questions focused on Elementary teachers' perspectives and recommendations of instructional supports and approaches to support the mathematics achievement of at-risk students in Grades 3–5. Data were collected …

Strategies Managers Use To Integrate Autistic Employees Into A Diverse Workforce, Eloise Victoria Chambers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some managers lack strategies to integrate autistic employees into a diverse workforce. A manager's poor integration strategies prevent autistic employees from successfully entering the workforce leaving positions unfilled, services unprovided, and qualified employees unemployed. Grounded in the attribution theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies managers use to integrate persons with autism spectrum disorder into a diverse workforce successfully. The participants comprised five managers from Southern California who successfully integrated autism spectrum disorder employees into the workforce. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews, videos, and publicly sourced documents. Six themes emerged from the thematic analysis: …

Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Closing The Math Achievement Gaps Between Black And White Students In Grades 3–5, Carla Shantell Waller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem underpinning this study was a pronounced achievement gap between Black and White students, evident in standardized test score pass rates of third through fifth graders, in a school district in the U.S. state of Virginia. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the extent to which culturally responsive instructional practices influence elementary teachers' perceptions, approaches, successes, and challenges in closing the differences in standardized math scores between Black and White students in Grades 3 through 5. Gay’s work on culturally responsive teaching, which encompasses theory, research, and evidence-based instructional approaches teachers can implement to address …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Practices That May Contribute To Reading Proficiency In Massachusetts Elementary Schools, Melinda Bentley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sixty-eight percent of fourth-grade public school students in the United States performed below the National Assessment of Educational Progress proficient level on the 2022 reading assessment, yet Massachusetts fourth-grade students demonstrated better reading outcomes. The problem addressed through this study was a lack of knowledge regarding the practices used by third- and fourth-grade teachers that they perceive to improve reading proficiency in Massachusetts elementary students. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to describe the practices perceived by third- and fourth-grade teachers to improve the reading proficiency of Massachusetts elementary students. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory framed the study because it …