Education Commons^™

Identifying The Optimal Pedagogy For Preparing Undergraduates For The Mcat Exam, Alyssa J. Black

ELAIA

Excelling on the MCAT is an essential step for undergraduate students preparing for a future as a physician in the medical field. Previous research has made links to MCAT performance and success in the medical field, yet there is a lack of research on how to best prepare undergraduate students for this extensive exam. Various research has been done on assessing the most effective studying strategies for undergraduates on typical collegiate exams, which students often translate to their MCAT studying. To assess the effectiveness of these practiced pedagogies on the MCAT, a social science experiment using a pre- and post-test …

Essential Or Optional? Effects Of Creative Writing On Expository Skills And Attitude In Middle School Students, Nicole Samuelson

ELAIA

Background: Although emotional benefits and general writing improvement have been shown to be benefits of creative writing, its effectiveness in relation to expository writing skills has not been clearly established through research. Methods: This study was conducted with two groups of middle school students at a rural middle school in Illinois. One group received ten creative writing interventions over a month and the other group continued with normal instruction. The goal was to discover if these interventions would improve students’ expository writing skills as well as their attitude towards and confidence in writing. Results: The data showed that although …

Persistence In Practice: A Review Of Evidence, Rachel A. Guimond

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Student persistence to graduation is a salient issue in higher education, especially for at-risk groups. Varied approaches to increasing student success and engagement have been tried across campuses throughout North America. The following literature review will highlight evidence-based practices used to increase student persistence at varying levels of organizational structure, including university-level, program-level, and multi-systemic interventions. Recommendations for the specific context of Olivet Nazarene University will be made based on the findings of the included research.

Recent Empirical Evidence On The Perceived Impact Of Covid 19 On Faculty And Students From 391 Faculty From 37 Cccu And Cic Institutions June-September 2021, Don Daake

Scholar Week 2016 - present

The presentation provides very recent data on the impact of COVID 19 from 391 Professors from 37 CCCU or CIC institutions. The data was gathered from June to September 2021- right at the height of COVID impacts. (This add-on set of scales was attached to the dissertation written by Dr. John Langenderfer, DBA, J.D. “The Role of an Academic Institution’s Organizational Culture in Retaining Employees during an Industry Downturn.”) Because of the time of the data gathering from June through September 2021, Dr. Daake saw this as a unique opportunity to study the impact of a BLACK–SWAN event …

Essential Or Optional? Effects Of Creative Writing On Expository Skills And Attitude In Middle School Students, Nicole Samuelson

Honors Program Projects

Creative writing's effectiveness has not been clearly established through research, especially in regards to expository writing skills. However, other benefits of creative writing have been shown such as emotional benefits and general writing improvement. This study was conducted with two groups of middle school students. One group received ten creative writing interventions over a month and the other group continued with normal instruction. The goal was to discover if these interventions would improve students' expository writing skills as well as their attitude towards and confidence in writing. Surprisingly, while the experimental group did not improve significantly in either area, the …

Comparison Of Alexithymia And Burnout Amid Perceived Stress Levels Of Nursing Students, Kamela Harmon

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Graduate level nursing students are exposed to overload and exhaustion due to academic and professional demands, increasing exposure to stressors resulting in elevated levels of perceived stress, burnout, and alexithymia. This quantitative research, utilizing an online methodology at a midwestern university, explored the prevalence of perceived stress, compassion satisfaction (CS), compassion fatigue (CF), burnout, and alexithymia among master’s level nursing students. The descriptive analysis utilized the Pearson correlation coefficient (Pearson r) by use of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The researcher discovered statistically significant negative correlations …

Assessment Of Strengths-Based Interventions On First-Year Medical Students, Linnette C. White

Scholar Week 2016 - present

In the quest for a doctoral degree many candidates fail to meet their milestone accomplishment. It is estimated that approximately 30% of individuals that pursue a doctoral degree will not finish. Medical school has been found to be a very intensive program to pursue for many who begin the journey. Despite its difficulty, 81.6 % to 84.3% of medical students achieve the status of medical practitioner within a three-to-four-year program. Despite the seemingly high completion rate, the achievement gap has future implications on physician shortages. The researcher conducted a quantitative study to determine the impact training first-year medical students using …

The Impact Of Teacher Methodology Training For Higher Education Faculty Members, Nicole Baker

Ed.D. Dissertations

Many college programs are designed to graduate individuals who are experts in their field of study, but not necessarily individuals who are trained in how to teach. This quantitative, quasi-experiment study examined college faculty member’s level of training in the area of teaching practices and methodology. The relation to student satisfaction, current course performance, attendance, the belief in the need for training, and faculty member’s sense of efficacy in teaching was explored. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to organize the data using a one-way ANCOVA to analyze the impact the level of training had on …

The Impact Of Teacher Methodology Training For Higher Education Faculty Members, Nicole R. Baker

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Many college programs are designed to graduate individuals who are experts in their field of study, but not necessarily individuals who are trained in how to teach. This quantitative, quasi-experiment study examined college faculty member’s level of training in the area of teaching practices and methodology. The relation to student satisfaction, current course performance, attendance, the belief in the need for training, and faculty member’s sense of efficacy in teaching was explored. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to organize the data using a one-way ANCOVA to analyze the impact the level of training had on …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Math Curricula And Students' College Readiness, Nancy A. Deluca

Scholar Week 2016 - present

State learning standards with increased rigor have required higher levels of achievement from students on standardized tests, high-school grades, and national percentile ranks which are used for collegiate acceptance and course placement. As a result, preparation of students for standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT have become increasingly more challenging. The current quantitative, quasi-experimental study examined the relationship between the tangible math curricula used for instruction and students’ readiness for collegiate coursework. From sample sizes of 128 and 169 high-school students in two consecutive school years, there were several statistically significant relationship differences. Analysis of test results indicated …

What To Do With All This Data? Using Competency Assessment For Advising, Rachel A. Guimond, Hillary Cole

Scholar Week 2016 - present

While assessment serves a critical role in providing direction for program development, student outcome data can also foster individual growth. This presentation will explore the existing research on different advising models and the ONU Social Work Program’s system for using assessment for accreditation to advise students toward professional growth.

The Urban Black Male: Early Indicators Of Algebra 1 Failure, Roy D. Harris

Ed.D. Dissertations

The meager mathematical performance of the Black male student has been a well-documented event that was well over 30 years in the making. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the literature on 9th grade urban Black Male Algebra performance and to identify the existence of any early predictors of high school Algebra I failure. Specifically, the study sought to identify any difference in the preferred learning styles, mathematics self-efficacy scores, and standardized test scores, among 31 urban Black males 14-16 years who passed high school Algebra I, first semester of the 2016-2017 school year and 11 urban …

The Impact Of Alternative Education: A Summative Evaluation Of The Achieve Program, Cathleen Bendicsen

Scholar Week 2016 - present

The consequences of dropping out of high school greatly impact both the individual student and society as a whole. Alternative education programs are designed to meet the needs of students who have struggled in the traditional setting and help prevent them from dropping out. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of one alternative program housed within a large Midwestern suburban comprehensive high school and to contribute to the limited research on alternative education program effectiveness using student outcome data. The researcher conducted a quantitative quasi-experimental study to compare the differences in student outcome data (GPA, attendance, office discipline referrals, …

Emotional Intelligence: The Effect On Social Media Use, Interpersonal Violence, And Gender, Gail Grabczynski

Scholar Week 2016 - present

This study investigated the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI), social media use, interpersonal violence and gender. EI is a relatively new topic of research that has been of interest to many organizations due to the proposition that EI assists in the development of individuals. With the proliferation of social media, interpersonal violence and women in the workforce, a determination of a relationship between EI and those variables was warranted. The study was conducted at a small private Christian university. An online survey was administered to 123 sophomores. This study was a cross-sectional quantitative design, that utilized three established instruments to …

The Impact Of Online Instruction On Fourth Grade Students’ Reading Self-Efficacy And Achievement, Chad Wickard

Scholar Week 2016 - present

This quantitative, quasi-experimental study examined the relationships between self-efficacy and reading achievement as mediated by an online instructional delivery system called MobyMax® over a period of time between a pretest and a posttest. The sources of self-efficacy were also investigated for the individual contribution of each of the four sources; process accomplishments or mastery experiences, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and physiological states. Finally, the current study explored the relationships across gender and ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, and other). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to organize the data using a mixed factorial ANOVA to analyze the interventions’ …

The Urban Black Male: Early Indicators Of Algebra 1 Failure, Roy Harris

Scholar Week 2016 - present

The meager mathematical performance of the Black male student has been a well-documented event that was well over 30 years in the making. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the literature on 9^th grade urban Black male algebra performance and to identify the existence of any early predictors of high school algebra 1 failure. Specifically, the study sought to identify any difference in the preferred learning styles, mathematics self-efficacy scores, and standardized test scores, among urban Black males 14-16 years who passed high school algebra 1 1^st semester of the 2016-2017 school year and urban …

Academic Advising Assessment: Phase One, Sue Rattin

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Retaining college students has emerged as a top priority for colleges and university administrator; however, colleges and universities fail to view academic advising as a key to student success. As an outcome of the 2014 HLC re-authorization of accreditation site visit, Olivet Nazarene University designed and and implemented a comprehensive academic advising assessment. Key findings suggested that advisors and students viewed academic advising as a series of loosely coordinated activities that may or not contribute to student success. There were statistically significant differences between student and and academic advisor perceptions of the nature and scope of academic advising sessions which …

The Implications Of Action Research For Literacy Instruction, Kathi Lippert, Cassie Bailey

Faculty Scholarship – Education

Action research is an ongoing, cyclical process in which the teacher has the autonomy and authority to make significant change in his or her classroom. The word research, however, may intimidate the novice researcher. It is important to remember that action research is not as formal as traditional research as it is conducted for a shorter duration, allows for more flexibility, and usually includes qualitative and quantitative data. This type of research enables the practitioner to make effective changes in literacy instruction. In action research, reflections drive inquiry, and the results of which, positive or negative, fosters insight into the …

Increasing Student Achievement In Advanced Placement Courses With Specially Designed Support Systems, Dana M. Krilich

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Cohort XI

Are Students Competent? Methods Of Assessing Bachelor Of Social Work Student Competence, Amber L. Bailey-Residori

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Author Abstract:

Higher educational institutions must demonstrate that their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students are competent prior to graduation. There are conflicting studies regarding the reliability of field instructor, faculty, and students’ self-assessment. The purpose of this study was to examine the consistency of how field instructors, faculty, and students assessed social work students' competence across three academic years. This quantitative research study examined historical data from one Midwestern University where students, faculty, and field instructors rated students’ competence in the last semester of their senior year using the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 13 core competencies (2.1.1-2.1.10d). …

Trending Emotional Disturbance: Strategies Through The Years, Hannah M. Rattin

Student Scholarship – Education

Teaching strategies and supports provided for students with emotional disturbance have evolved over the years. These changes are observed throughout three descriptive studies focused on specific writing strategies spanning three decades from the 1970s until the 1990s. Multiple changes are observed. For instance, terms other than the current “emotional disturbance” have been used over the years. The approach to schooling children with emotional disturbance has also shifted, from an emphasis on functional goals to focusing on academic progress. Additional changes include a more practical approach to implementing these writing strategies and an increased involvement throughout for these students. These changes …

Theological Coherence Of Church Of The Nazarene Youth Pastors In The U.S. With The Articles Of Faith, Gary W. Hartke

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Ethical Leadership Colloquium

Members of the Ed.D. Class of 2016-17, Cohort XII

The Experiences Of University Faculty Expected To Implement Edtpa Within A Teacher Preparation Program, Lance Kilpatrick

Faculty Scholarship – Education

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of university faculty expected to implement a teacher performance assessment called edTPA within a teacher preparation program. This study synthesized the experiences university faculty members have when preparing and implementing the edTPA. A deep examination of 12 university faculty members who teach in teacher preparation programs in a Midwestern state where the edTPA is required for licensure offer their experience through a questionnaire, an individual interview, and a focus group interview. The data were collected, organized, and analyzed by employing transcendental phenomenological systematic data analysis procedures positioned to …

Gender Bias In It Hiring Practices: An Ethical Analysis, Harmony L. Alford

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

With the current movement to increase the number of women in STEM-related careers, modified IT hiring practices may be considered debatably unethical. Studies cited in this work have asserted that female representation in STEM fields is integral not only to encouraging continued progression toward gender equality in the workplace but also to creating more inclusive products. In turn, some argue that when faced with reasonably comparable female and male candidates, a hiring manager should select the female candidate in order to increase the female representation in the company and provide a female perspective. However, it is simultaneously debatably unethical and …

Performance Appraisals For Special Education Teachers: Examining The Need For Separation And Alignment, Iyuna K. Harris

Ed.D. Dissertations

This study explored the current practices used to evaluate special education teachers in the Midwest in order to examine the need for separation and alignment as it relates to performance appraisals. There is limited research available regarding special education teacher evaluation. The research that has been accomplished shows that the roles and responsibilities between special education and general education teachers are different and therefore there exists a need to have different evaluation criteria. In order to accomplish the exploration of the current practices used to evaluate special education teachers, the researcher examined the current evaluation process, evaluation tools, and job …

Smaller Learning Communities As Comprehensive School Reform: A Quantitative Analysis Of Implementation, Jerry Doss

Ed.D. Dissertations

In recent years, smaller learning communities (SLCs) have emerged as a strategy to address the social problems and poor academic performance of students in large high schools. Smaller learning communities are structures such as schools-within-schools and academies that offer smaller settings and more personal environments and instructional opportunities for students in large high schools. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between student achievement and SLCs in a medium sized suburban high school district in order to determine whether SLCs accomplished the goals of school reform. The school district under investigation received a Smaller Learning Communities …

Scholarship Policies And Attitudes At Council For Christian Colleges And Universities (Cccu), Craighton Hippenhammer

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Ernest Boyer's research in the early 1990's has had a large impact since on how many schools of higher education define and conduct scholarship. Some research universities have broadened their requirements beyond publish or perish and universities who emphasize teaching over publishing have reported activities to broaden theirsl. This research project surveys the scholarship policies and attitudes of schools within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), contrasting the views of library directors and academic deans. Supported by a grant from CARLI (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois).

Alternative Assessments And Student Perceptions In The Foreign Language Classroom, Robin Barnard Bachelor

Ed.D. Dissertations

The paradigm shift in education with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards has created the opportunity for foreign language educators to evaluate appropriate and beneficial assessments for their students. This study investigated how first-year students in a Midwestern high school perceived three different alternative assessments in the foreign language classroom: Dynamic Assessment, Task-based Assessment, and Formative Assessment using self- and peer-evaluation. The researcher correlated the perceptions to the students’ assessment scores. Additionally, the researcher compared final exam scores of the control group to those of the experimental group. The results indicated that the experimental group students favorably perceived …

The Utility Of Local Norms In The Identification Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Reading, Brian C. Malliett

Ed.D. Dissertations

Third grade students were administered two universal screening reading measures at the beginning and end of the school year. In an effort to limit the misidentification of reading disabilities (RD) in lower socioeconomic community populations of the school district, local norms were established. The local and national norms were compared using the 10th percentile, or -1.27 Z-score, to identify discrepant scores. A diminished classification of RD was evidenced when local norms were utilized in contrast to the use of national norms. Locally-normed slope scores in conjunction with the benchmark testing scores showed a moderate level of correlation than when …

The Relationship Between Mobility And Student Achievement, Scott R. Buchanan

Ed.D. Dissertations

Mobility, at least sometime before a student graduates from high school, has become the norm rather than the exception in the United States today. The current study represented one high school administrator’s effort to examine mobile students’ academic performance. A quantitative, quasi-experimental design was utilized to examine the relationship between student mobility and academic achievement as measured by semester grades in mathematics and English classes, and raw scores on the state high school achievement examination. The results indicated that a statistically significant difference existed between the semester one grades in mathematics and English. However, the results further indicated that there …