Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Curriculum and Instruction

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Theses/Dissertations

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 13 of 13

Full-Text Articles in Education

The Impact Of Competency Based Education On Educational Equity, Ndifor Manjong Jan 2023

The Impact Of Competency Based Education On Educational Equity, Ndifor Manjong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

For centuries, minority groups, students from low socio-economic background, and girls in public schools especially K-12 educational institutions in the United States have experienced prejudice, injustice, and bigotry. Unfortunately, the conventional approach of education, based on a one-size-fits-all approach, has failed to deal with these obstacles. In the past decades, however, there has been an increasing demand for the adoption of the Competency-Based system of education, a personalized learning approach that focuses on the acquisition of concrete skills rather than abstract knowledge. In a Competency-Based model, students advance based on the demonstration of mastery of knowledge and skills other than …


Following Faculty Engaging In Collaborative Action Research To Approach Curricular Change In Undergraduate Biochemistry, Christopher Nix Jan 2023

Following Faculty Engaging In Collaborative Action Research To Approach Curricular Change In Undergraduate Biochemistry, Christopher Nix

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This study engaged in a curricular redesign of an undergraduate biochemistry course undertaken by a collaborative action research group. The initial portion of this study investigated student conceptual understanding of foundational concepts via a rigorously tested concept inventory. the impact of the redesign on the student foundational conceptual understanding was determined by comparison with a baseline data set. Findings suggest that students enter and exit the biochemistry course with little understanding of key foundational concepts. Examination of student performance after the incorporation of creative exercises showed a significant impact of the curricular changes on two of the concepts of interest. …


The Element Of Cognates And Its Impact On Second Language Learners, Azimeh Kazemian Jan 2022

The Element Of Cognates And Its Impact On Second Language Learners, Azimeh Kazemian

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

There are different factors associated with learning a second language such as English. Among the factors including motivation and socioeconomic is the element of cognates that may impact second language acquisition. Through exploring multiple studies, this secondary research paper aims to examine the impact of cognates on language acquisition among different participants with different language backgrounds. Through different research methodologies, the findings of each published study revealed that students whose mother tongues do share cognates with their second language have an advantage over speakers of languages that do not share cognates with a second language such as English. On the …


An Ethnographically Informed Case Study Exploring The Culture Of Writing Instruction In One Middle School English Language Arts Class, Misha Zaidi Jan 2022

An Ethnographically Informed Case Study Exploring The Culture Of Writing Instruction In One Middle School English Language Arts Class, Misha Zaidi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This qualitative, ethnographically informed case-study examines how social, psychological, and organizational factors of a culture impact writing instruction and practice within an English Language Arts middle school class. In order to explore possible reasons for stagnant writing instruction in middle schools, two research questions guided this study: (RQ1) What do the components of writing instruction look like in one middle school class?, and (RQ2) How does one middle school ELA class exhibit identity distinction, writing development, and discourse surrounding writing instruction? I examined how one middle school class exhibits identity distinction among students and teachers within writing, development of writing, …


Teachers' Perceptions Of The Reading Components Of The English Language Arts Florida Standards Assessment In Grades 3 To 8, Lorna Kesner Jan 2022

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Reading Components Of The English Language Arts Florida Standards Assessment In Grades 3 To 8, Lorna Kesner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This study investigated teachers' perspectives of the digital interface used in the English Language Arts (ELA) Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) Practice Test. The ELA FSA is a high-stakes, standardized, computer-based test used to assess student, teacher, and school performance Prior research has focused on the validity of the test items as opposed to how the interface may affect the response process. Survey and focus group data were collected from teachers and instructional coaches in grades 3 to 8 in one Central Florida school district. Participants expressed that the ELA FSA interface is not user-friendly, along with the students not being …


How Does A Veteran Teacher Implement A Prekindergarten Math Curriculum?, Heidi Butterfield Dec 2021

How Does A Veteran Teacher Implement A Prekindergarten Math Curriculum?, Heidi Butterfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this study was to explore how a veteran teacher implemented a state-approved commercial math curriculum in a prekindergarten classroom. In this action research study, guided by ethnographic principles, I employed Spradley's (2016) developmental research sequence to study what resources from the curriculum the teacher used, how the teacher adapted the curriculum, and what influenced the decisions the teacher made while implementing the curriculum. Data collected for this study included: the teacher guide provided by the commercial curriculum; teacher lesson plans; photographs of student created artifacts; the teacher's reflection journal and notes; and videos of a teacher implementing …


Secondary Teachers' Perceptions Of Teacher Authenticity, Robert Hovel Dec 2021

Secondary Teachers' Perceptions Of Teacher Authenticity, Robert Hovel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Teachers are confronted with many obstacles when learning to be the best teacher they can for their students. Teachers face challenges such as working with introverted students, developing activities that are fruitful and sustainable for varying students, and keeping students all focused on the goal of learning (Tasgin & Tunc, 2018). However, the authenticity of an instructor, while being researched in college and counseling settings, has not been sufficiently examined in high school settings. The authenticity of the instructor is a motivating factor for students at the college level (Kreber & Klampfleitner, 2013; Kreber & Klampfleitner, 2012; Kreber et al., …


Examining The Experiences Of New Manager Coaches, Theresa Greer Jan 2021

Examining The Experiences Of New Manager Coaches, Theresa Greer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this study was to examine new managers' experiences as they transitioned from an individual contributor and coachee to a manager and coach at Blue Sun Corporation (pseudonym). Understanding these experiences was essential to providing appropriate support to help new manager coaches acquire the coaching skills needed to consistently coach and develop their employees. This study's results will guide the design of future new manager training and organizational support initiatives by providing a deeper understanding of new manager coaches' experiences. A phenomenological research design was used for this study because it focused on understanding new manager coaches' experiences …


The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Traits Of Personality, And Performance On Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Kimberlea Dudzinski Jan 2020

The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Traits Of Personality, And Performance On Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Kimberlea Dudzinski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This mixed methods study explored the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), traits of personality, and performance on occupational therapy (OT) fieldwork. The purpose of this study was to determine whether EI or personality was predictive of student performance during the clinical portion of the academic program. In the first phase of this two-part study, 42 students enrolled in an OT program participated in two measures: The Genos EI (short form), and the Big Five Inventory. Student scores on these two measures were correlated with scoring on the AOTA Level II Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE) form. In the second phase of …


Law Enforcement In Schools: Evolving Roles In Florida, Tricia Bridges Jan 2020

Law Enforcement In Schools: Evolving Roles In Florida, Tricia Bridges

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

In response to several pieces of state legislation aimed at increasing safety in public school settings, school districts in Florida were provided state funding and given the autonomy to partner with local law enforcement agencies on school safety issues. One such issue is providing safety for students with disabilities, namely; autism. A school district in central Florida chose to ensure either a city police officer or sheriff deputy was placed in each public school within their zone, serving as a school resource officer (SRO). The purpose of this research study was to examine the lived experiences of SROs, including exploration …


Examining Graduate Student Perspectives And Use Of Web Resources And Tools For Academic Support, Kelly Grieneisen Tillotson Jan 2020

Examining Graduate Student Perspectives And Use Of Web Resources And Tools For Academic Support, Kelly Grieneisen Tillotson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This mixed methods study was conducted to examine University of Central Florida (UCF) graduate student use and perceptions of usefulness of Web resources and tools that may support academic work, research, and academic goals. The frameworks of Connectivism and Personal Learning Networks (PLN) were used as a foundation to support the importance of Web resources and tools in relation to student learning, academic support, and progression. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected from active UCF graduate students using an electronic survey, with 998 participants completing the survey. Data analysis was conducted using an ANOVA one-way test to compare program mode …


A Descriptive Study Of The Relationship Between Stress, Person-Environment Fit, And Turnover Intention Of Wait Staff In Central Florida Independent And Regional Chain Restaurants, Sejal Madhubhai Jan 2020

A Descriptive Study Of The Relationship Between Stress, Person-Environment Fit, And Turnover Intention Of Wait Staff In Central Florida Independent And Regional Chain Restaurants, Sejal Madhubhai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This descriptive study examined turnover intention for wait staff working at independent and regional chain restaurants in central Florida. The purpose of this dissertation in practice was to understand the role that stress, Person-Environment Fit, and demographics play in turnover intention. A self-report questionnaire was distributed to wait staff in central Florida via social media websites. The self-report questionnaire consisted of the Perceived Person-Environment Fit Scale (PPEFS), the General Workplace Stress Scale (GWSS), and the Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6). A total of 265 responses were collected from participants and the responses were analyzed using a stepwise regression and two multilinear …


Inquiry As Practice In The Implementation Of A Bachelor Of General Studies Degree In The College Of Undergraduate Studies At The University Of Central Florida, Devon Cadwell Bazata Jan 2020

Inquiry As Practice In The Implementation Of A Bachelor Of General Studies Degree In The College Of Undergraduate Studies At The University Of Central Florida, Devon Cadwell Bazata

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Prior to the Fall 2019 implementation of the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree at the University of Central Florida (UCF), the Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) degree programs were the primary option for students with a range of majors, accumulated credits, and diverse curricular interests. While the IDS degree required students to fulfill requirements in two disciplinary areas of study and a minor, the BGS degree program was introduced to provide students greater flexibility with coursework. The BGS degree was a solution to the complex educational problem of practice presented by the increasing number of undergraduate students with 120+ credit hours …