Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Character Education On Independent Conflict Resolution, Emily Stein

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The inspiration for this project came as a response to the observations made by a lower elementary Montessori guide in a post-COVID classroom. It aimed to see how direct instruction of virtues affected students’ independent conflict resolution skills. This project lasted six weeks in a first through third-grade classroom of 22 students in an urban school. The guide introduced a new value each week through a read-aloud and a value affirmation. Students then had the remainder of the week to journal their thoughts on the virtue prompt of the week. The guide monitored student conflict using a tally sheet, marking …

The Impact Of Geometry Montessori Education On Students’ Skills And Mindsets, Laura E. Ledesma Ortiz

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Montessori education has gained recognition due to its long-lasting positive effects on students. However, no studies have targeted its effectiveness on geometry education. This action research project investigated the impact and effectiveness of switching a non-sequential geometry curriculum with the Montessori method and curriculum on students' attitudes and geometrical skills. During six weeks, a population of 16 grade 6 students received weekly lessons that followed the Montessori method and curriculum while their skills were measured and compared against the British Columbia (BC) geometry curriculum. Students were interviewed before and after the intervention to track changes in their learning attitudes. Teacher …

The Impact Of Direct Integration Of Social Emotional Lessons With Montessori Upper Elementary Children, Gina Awadallah

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research study aimed to analyze the impact of direct social-emotional lessons on students' emotional intelligence in a Montessori upper elementary classroom. This study explored the impact of combining social-emotional vocabulary with social-emotional learning (SEL) skill development. The study used quantitative and qualitative data, including pre- and post-assessments, follow-up work, observation logs, and SEL elements added to the students’ weekly work plans. SEL curriculum materials and follow-up work were created for this study following the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework and their SAFE acronym: sequenced, active, focused, and explicit. The data showed that teaching SEL …

Implementing Environmentally Conscious Skills Into Toddlers’ Routines, Martha Sanchez Romero

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research aimed to determine the effects of implementing environmentally conscious skills in the daily routine of toddlers in a Montessori classroom. Evidence supports that routine helps normalize and internalize practiced skills. I collected quantitative and qualitative data from a mixed toddler class, over eight weeks at an independent school setting with 24, 18 months to 36 months. I utilized through pre- and post-questionnaires, tally sheets, and observational record- keeping. The results showed that toddlers were more successful with activities that were part of their daily routine, in increasing their purpose and coordination versus those found on the shelf. …

Online Public Denunciation: A Preliminary Inquiry On The Experience Of Those Who Call-Out On Social Media, Margaret I. Montgomery

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Theses

Online public denunciations, colloquially referred to as call-outs, have become a prevalent way to expose perceived moral and social wrongdoing in our society. Posting a denunciation online welcomes debate on the in situ incident, the participants, preferred outcomes, and the morality of exposure - creating additional issues and embroiling the poster. Research on this phenomenon has focused on public figures, celebrities, or otherwise viral incidents, and despite the prevalence of social media call-outs, little is known about the experiences of those who initiate them. This preliminary study uses a phenomenological lens to understand the desires, experience, and outcomes for those …

Developing Self-Regulation, Terriann Vandeventer

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"Abstract This research seeks to determine if children can develop self-regulation through games and activities in early childhood. This research was completed over six weeks in a classroom of three- to six-year-old students in a Montessori school. The researcher presented weekly games to the students to develop self-regulation skills such as listening, following directions, and body awareness. The researcher completed student surveys using qualitative and quantitative data from teacher observations to support their findings. The research found that games and activities can develop self-regulation skills in young children, lead to positive self-regulation behavior, decrease negative regulation skills, and increase self-awareness."

The Impact Of Cognitively Guided Instruction On Students’ Mathematical Mindsets, Christina Keller

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to analyze the impact of an inquiry-based word problem-solving framework, known as Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), on students’ mathematical mindsets in an early elementary Montessori classroom. Students received one word problem-solving lesson per week over a six-week period. Students completed a pre-intervention and post-intervention mathematical mindset rubric, as well as CGI assessment. Both qualitative and quantitative results show that students had an increase in their variety of word problem-solving strategies, were able to solve word problems more accurately, and showed increased levels in self-efficacy, perception, and affinity towards math. Based on these results, CGI …

The Impact Of Role-Play On The Self-Regulation Of Preschoolers Following The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer Myers

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This Action Research Project examined the impact of role-play on preschoolers’ self-regulation development in a Montessori primary classroom. The class consisted of 18 students; ages 3-5 years old. Four of the nine students in the intervention had delays, disruptions, or modifications to their Montessori experience, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Role-play scenarios were performed by the students for four weeks. The results show that role-play positively impacted self-regulation in the primary classroom. The average percentage of self-regulated behaviors increased by 28.5% from the pre-intervention week through the last intervention week. Modeling of self-regulated behaviors increased, and modeling of dysregulated …

Leveraging Ai Tools To Reduce Teacher Stress And Workload, Kassidy Waddell

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research paper investigates the integration of AI-powered tools, specifically ChatGPT, to develop individualized lesson plans with the aim of alleviating teacher stress and reducing workload. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks such as Self-Efficacy Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the study explores the potential of AI technology to enhance classroom experiences. The research questions addressed in this study include 1) to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using ChatGPT in a classroom setting and 2) to assess whether integrating ChatGPT into a Montessori classroom can positively impact student and teacher learning. Qualitative data was collected over a five-week intervention …

The Impact Of Uninterrupted Work Periods On A School Leader’S Self-Efficacy, Heather Harvey

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research paper examined the impact of an uninterrupted work period on a school leader’s sense of self-efficacy. The subject of this self-study was the Assistant Head of School at a private, non-profit Montessori school in the Southeastern United States. The interventions took place over five weeks, each consisting of a planned 90-minute work period without interruptions or distractions. The participant was instructed to use the time to focus on a project that required concentration. The subject reported their feelings of self-efficacy and job satisfaction on surveys throughout the study period to measure if they increased their feelings of …

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In Occupational Therapy Curriculum: Implications For Students And Faculty, Ashley Fosness

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Introduction: The field of occupational therapy lacks diversity which furthers the importance for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and cultural humility learning outcomes for faculty and students.

Aims: This capstone project aims to improve DEI concepts and cultural humility within the St. Catherine University occupational therapy curriculum by educating occupational therapy faculty and students in the Human Occupation course.

Approach: This capstone project is completed with St. Catherine University’s entry-level occupational therapy program to meet the university’s strategic plan and AOTA’s Vision 2025. The participants of this capstone project included first year students taking the Human Occupation …

Effectiveness Of Team Member Education On Fall Prevention Techniques, Management Of Dementia-Related Behaviors, And Safe Transfer Completion, Maureen C. Doran

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Introduction: There is a significant need to address fall prevention in memory care/assisted living homes due to the high prevalence of falls that occur in these settings. Managing dementia-related behaviors and completing safe transfers support fall prevention in dementia populations. Fall prevention was expressed as a major need by BeeHive Homes of Mount Horeb, a memory care specific assisted living home that served as the community partner for this quality improvement project.

Purpose: The quality improvement project provided education and training to team members working at BeeHive Homes of Mount Horeb on safe transfer completion, management of dementia-related behaviors, and …

Adapted Motivational Interviewing Model For Mewinzha Ondaadiziike Wiigaming, Jordan Mills

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Not available.

Inclusive Education Within The Haitian Educational System, Ella Johnson

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Research has indicated that Haiti is troubled with low resources, extreme poverty, malnourishment, violence, and a poor health and educational system. People with disabilities face overwhelming stigma and discrimination, resulting in limited resources and services available. Haitian teachers do not have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide appropriate identification and intervention methods within the classroom setting. The purpose of this Doctoral Capstone Project was to provide an educational training program to teachers in Haiti with the intended outcome of improving their ability to identify and provide care for children with disabilities and trauma. The approach was through the collaboration …

Accessible Outdoors: Preparing Volunteers And Staff To Work With Diverse Populations, Ellen Hiestand

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Despite recent advances in outdoor recreation accessibility, many people still face barriers to spending time in nature. This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with outdoors equity organization Wilderness Inquiry to address outdoor accessibility through an occupational therapy lens. This project aimed to enhance knowledge and confidence of Wilderness Inquiry staff and volunteers on topics related to working with individuals with physical or neurodivergent abilities during Wilderness Inquiry activities. Needs for training topics were ascertained through survey, interview, and observation of organizational activities. The quality improvement project included the development, dissemination, and evaluation of educational modules on the topics …

Communicating The Need For Continued Funding To Non-Profit Stakeholders: The Impact Of Education On School-Aged Girls In Senegal, Allison Roehl

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Where would you be without an education? A safe place to call home? Or rather, where do you want your education to take you? These questions were asked to female students in Tambacounda, Senegal upon receiving funding for a newly built hostel wall and classroom resources. This portfolio describes the development of a Senegal program presentation that reflects the impact that Sisters Rising Worldwide (SRW) funding has on vulnerable communities and further the need for continued funding from donors to support these programs. This also includes the creation of student and Sister surveys as well as a SRW donor survey. …

Enhancing Cancer Care: Prioritizing Quality Of Life And Symptom Management, Bridgett N. Tegen

Graduate Projects & Research

Advancements in cancer treatment have led to increased survival rates, emphasizing the importance of quality of life (QoL) for cancer patients. One critical factor impacting QoL is the presence of symptoms and side effects from cancer and cancer treatments. Disjointed care and lack of information about managing symptoms are common issues reported by cancer patients. Rehabilitative services, particularly occupational therapy, can play a vital role in supporting cancer patients in self-management of symptoms and side effects. However, availability and access to these services are lacking, especially in community settings. To address this gap, an educational program was developed at a …

Implementing An Interprofessional Early Childhood Screening Program At The St. Paul City School, Stephen Schuster Ots

Graduate Projects & Research

Early childhood screening (ECS) is required with 30 days of starting kindergarten in the state of Minnesota. However, due to lack of access and barriers to access many current kindergartners have not been screened within the deadline. Low SES and minority students face barriers to access such as transportation and caregiver trust. This project was designed to create an ECS program at the St. Paul City School to address the barriers to screens that the students and families faced. Having the ECS program on-site at the school is more convenient for families and allows them to stay in the environment …

Increasing Accessibility To Autism Assistance Dogs: An Educational Module On Family Based Training Programs, Hailey Valencour

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Introduction: In the United States, one out of every 36 children will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by age eight (CDC, 2020). For parents with a child with ASD, their child’s safety and wellbeing can be a daily concern. An autism assistance dog (AAD), like those trained by Can Do Canines, can greatly improve the quality of life of the entire family. However, this type of assistance dog is limited due to many factors, leading Can Do Canines, and many other assistance dog training organizations, to have substantial waitlists for families wishing to receive an AAD.

Purpose: The …

Disability Accessibility And Inclusion Training For Adults Of Minnesota 4-H, Alexis Walsh

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Minnesota 4-H is an out of school program that promotes development of leadership skills and active civil participation of youth of all ages through its various programming options. Despite the involvement of thousands of youth participants and adult volunteers in 4-H programs across Minnesota, currently a gap in disability accessibility and inclusion resources for volunteers exists. This quality improvement project aimed to bridge this gap by developing three pre-recorded training modules designed for Minnesota 4-H staff, volunteers, and youth leaders about accessibility and inclusion best practices. Results of a pilot group and accessibility metrics indicated that the developed materials were …

Addressing Academic And Faculty Challenges: Empowering Success And Accessibility With An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Madisyn Anderson

Graduate Projects & Research

Introduction: The increasing presence of students with disabilities in higher education necessitates improved faculty support and awareness of on-campus support services and accommodations. Occupational therapists can play a vital role in promoting inclusion and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles by collaborating with faculty to enhance the academic experience and success of students with disabilities.

Purpose: The primary aim of this project was to evaluate and educate faculty on student support services at the University and share knowledge on Universal Design for Learning to enhance the existing literature on the significance of OT in higher education.

Approach: I completed an …

Increasing Access To Outdoor Play For Families Of Children With Disabilities, Tina Dalki

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Background. There are various benefits, supports, and barriers which contribute to participation in outdoor play for children with disabilities. Rainbow Tree Therapies (RTT) and its community face various accessibility challenges that limit outdoor play participation.

Purpose. The purpose of this project was to develop educational materials and resources for families of children with disabilities who have experienced accessibility concerns.

Approach. The approach of this project can be divided into 4 activities: (1) evaluation of RTT, (2) creation of accessible garden planters, (3) development of educational materials, and (4) analysis of survey results.

Outcomes. There were seven survey responses, all of …

Supporting Best Practice In Mental Health Occupational Therapy For Veterans: An Educational Resource For Staff On Evidence-Based Outcome Assessment Tools, Kaitlyn Huntley

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

The rate of mental health diagnoses in the veteran population in the United States (US) has increased in recent years, with approximately 1 in 3 veterans diagnosed with a mental health condition and experiencing unmet occupational needs as a result (Derefinko et al., 2018; Hunt et al., 2019; Inoue et al., 2023; Plach & Sells, 2013; Trivedi et al., 2015). The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes this as a critical issue and has identified mental health occupational therapy (MH OT) as a means of improving the overall wellness of veterans. This quality improvement project took place at the …

Providing Sensory Modulation Education To Shelter Staff Serving Adolescent Survivors Of Sex Trafficking, Sydney Hrastich

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Despite recent efforts to improve services, survivors of sex trafficking (SST) have numerous unmet support needs and barriers to achieving optimal quality of life due to the effects of complex trauma and other mental health diagnoses. Supporting the recovery journey of SST is an emerging practice area for the field of occupational therapy. Sensory modulation in particular is one intervention within the scope of occupational therapy that has shown promise as a bottom-up approach to support regulation and participation in meaningful occupations. A training module on sensory modulation and a Sensory Toolkit resource were developed and delivered to staff at …

Are You Safe At Home?: Rebuilding A Program, Zachary Wells

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to complete a program evaluation of the Safe at Home program provided by Rebuilding Together Minnesota (RTMN). The program evaluation assessed the efficiency of the program and identified areas for improvement. The program evaluation used the Framework for Program Evaluation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the conceptual framework. Four themes were identified by RTMN staff to guide the program evaluation activities: 1) operational efficiency, 2) funding and resource deficits, 3) future goals, and 4) relationship and communication. The key themes from the other participants that informed the …

Sensory Gardens: Supporting Families And Therapists Through Education, Mia Massaro

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Background: Exposure to and engagement with nature is an essential element of healthy physical, emotional, and social development for all children. Sensory gardens combine many of the supportive pieces of outdoor play to increase participation for children of all abilities. Additional resources and education are needed to support children’s engagement with nature.

Purpose: This portfolio outlines the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational materials for caregivers and nature- based therapists related to sensory gardens.

Approach: Educational materials were developed and distributed via an interactive online learning platform, Thinkific, and evaluated through surveys completed by participants.

Outcomes: At the time of …

Advanced Mental And Behavioral Health: Community-Based Practice, Erin Crouch

Graduate Projects & Research

The purpose of this Masters project was to emphasize community psychosocial practice through collaboration with a local mental health organization by conducting a needs assessment, implementing a project at the community site, and evaluating the outcomes. Prior to collaboration with the organization, a literature review was conducted analyzing the role of occupational therapy working with individuals with serious mental illness. From this, it was found that occupational therapists can work with individuals with serious mental illness to engage in meaningful occupations, increase a sense of accomplishment, competence, and satisfaction, and participate in community living. Additionally, it is within occupational therapy's …

The Impact Of A Technology-Based Intervention On Phonemic Awareness Skills In First Graders, Ashley M. Christenson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research study aimed to determine the impact of the use of a technology-based intervention, specifically with the use of an iPad application, on students' phonemic awareness skills. The intervention took place over six weeks using the Teach Your Monster to Read iPad application to practice skills. Sixteen first-grade students from a rural elementary school were the subjects of this study. Half the participants played the game twice weekly for 15-20 minutes for six weeks. Data was collected before, after, and during the intervention using multiple summative assessments and weekly progress monitoring. The data analysis suggests that there isn’t …

Enhancing Student Support In Higher Education: Occupation-Based Programming And The Vital Role Of Occupational Therapy, Emily M. Medcalf

Graduate Projects & Research

Introduction: With the higher education student populations facing greater prevalence of mental health conditions and greater presence of students with disabilities attending higher education, there is a greater demand than many higher education resources can meet. Therefore, there is a need to revise the current student support structure. This project advocated for the role of occupational therapy (OT) program development in higher education student disability services.

Purpose: The primary aim of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a virtual 4-week occupation-based pilot program. The initial pilot participants included students receiving accommodations from the Student Accessibility and Accommodations (SA&A) …

Improving Student Critical Thinking Skills Through Explicit Teaching Strategies, Danielle M. Miller

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project aimed at finding the impact of teaching critical thinking skills through teacher modeling, guided practice, and independent activities. The eight-week intervention took place with a third grade group of students in a midwest suburban elementary school. Data was collected before the intervention, at the midpoint of the eight weeks, and then after the intervention was completed. Student self-assessment surveys as well as teacher observations were used to gather data around both the application of skills and the student confidence levels of that application. Through the interventions that were implemented, students showed positive growth in both confidence …