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

Education Commons

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

Articles 1 - 19 of 19

Full-Text Articles in Education

Remedial Reading: Teacher Input Student Output: The Impact Of Teacher Education On Post-Secondary Remedial Reading Students, Deb Davis Sep 2018

Remedial Reading: Teacher Input Student Output: The Impact Of Teacher Education On Post-Secondary Remedial Reading Students, Deb Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite evidence that enhanced teacher education provides enhanced learning opportunities, there is little research on the impact for remedial college students. This study addresses this issue. Reviewing students assigned to remedial reading based on placement test scores, a series of t-tests compared students after one term based on COMPASS scores and compared between the courses provided with teachers of bachelor’s or master’s degrees grouped by gender. This study used a non-experimental, causal-comparative quantitative ex post facto design to study the difference between the education level of the teaching staff and the student achievement at completing the prescribed remediation course within …


The Relationship Between Teacher Pedagogy Skills, As Reported By The Network For Educator Effectiveness Teacher Evaluation System, And Eighth Grade Science Achievement Scores In Missouri, Grant Stock Jul 2018

The Relationship Between Teacher Pedagogy Skills, As Reported By The Network For Educator Effectiveness Teacher Evaluation System, And Eighth Grade Science Achievement Scores In Missouri, Grant Stock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Every year in thousands of schools across the United States high stake decisions are made regarding the retention, promotion, professional development, and training of staff using teacher evaluation instruments. Therefore, it is vital to determine if these evaluation instruments as well as the teaching strategies they measure are effective in improving student achievement. The purpose of this study was to see if there is a correlation between the scores eighth grade science teachers receive on the Network for Educator Effectiveness observation instrument for the teaching practices of cognitive engagement, problem solving and critical thinking, and formative assessment and how well …


Case Study: Moral And Ethical Decisions Some Students Make Pursuing Their Doctoral Degrees From Accredited For-Profit Universities, Anne Pinchera Jan 2016

Case Study: Moral And Ethical Decisions Some Students Make Pursuing Their Doctoral Degrees From Accredited For-Profit Universities, Anne Pinchera

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to identify issues some doctoral students face in obtaining their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from accredited for-profit colleges and universities. The three participants attended for-profit universities in the past five years and failed to obtain their doctoral degrees. Data collection is through an initial demographics survey, qualification survey, vignettes, and the interview itself. Data analysis from the Coding Manual for Qualitative Research by Johnny Saldana is used to analyze the data collected from problems doctoral students encounter in pursuit of their doctoral degree (Saldana, 2013). The theoretical foundations for this project come …


A Program For Persistent Integration Of Faith And Learning In A Christian University Online Environment, John Norris Oct 2015

A Program For Persistent Integration Of Faith And Learning In A Christian University Online Environment, John Norris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia has expanded since 1971 to become the largest Christian university in the world. Liberty will be used in this paper as a contemporary example of a Christian university that has maintained its Christian commitment. Liberty will be contrasted with numerous Christian colleges and universities that had similar missions but have eventually lost their religious affiliations and their Christian-oriented focus. This paper will explore how and why other universities have drifted from their original religious affiliations and doctrines. The reasons and processes will be examined and used to develop a program for online Christian education that …


A Comparative Analysis Of Worldview Development And Religious Commitment Between Apostolic College Students Attending Apostolic Christian And Secular Colleges, Carolyn Potts Simoneaux Jun 2015

A Comparative Analysis Of Worldview Development And Religious Commitment Between Apostolic College Students Attending Apostolic Christian And Secular Colleges, Carolyn Potts Simoneaux

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Among young people of college age in the United States a growing number who come from Christian homes are embracing a humanist/socialist worldview. The prominent purpose of a Christian education is to mold students into biblical thinking, or a biblical worldview as part of developing spiritually. The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to examine the difference between worldviews and religious commitment of students who attend an Apostolic Christian college and Apostolic students who attend secular college, and to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in the two groups. The PEERS instrument was used to measure biblical …


A Comparative Study Of Undergraduate Upperclassmen Students' Perceptions Of Student And Faculty Incivility In Three Academic Disciplines: Nursing, Education, And Business, Rebecca Wagner Sep 2014

A Comparative Study Of Undergraduate Upperclassmen Students' Perceptions Of Student And Faculty Incivility In Three Academic Disciplines: Nursing, Education, And Business, Rebecca Wagner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Incivility, defined as rude, discourteous, and disrespectful behavior, in higher education and in nursing education, is a growing problem and concern as it affects the college learning environment and professional preparation for the workplace. Healthcare institutions and accreditation bodies require interventional actions to address the prevalence of incivility in healthcare, nursing practice specifically, and in nursing education as a precursor to the professional workplace. The purpose of this causal comparative study was to explore Heider's attribution theory using the Incivility in Higher Education (IHE) survey to compare undergraduate upperclassmen students' perceptions of student and faculty incivility among the three academic …


University Administrators' Perception Of Online And Blended Doctorate Degrees, Ashley Tharpe Aug 2014

University Administrators' Perception Of Online And Blended Doctorate Degrees, Ashley Tharpe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of university administrators regarding prospective faculty candidates with online or blended doctoral degrees from accredited institutions located in Central Virginia. Administrators were interviewed to gauge their perceptions and completed a survey adapted from DePriest (2009) who adapted it from Levernier (2005). Data were collected through questionnaires, documents, and individual interviews. Data were analyzed using Creswell's (2007) data analysis spiral. Analyses were conducted using transcription, thematic coding, textural and structural descriptions, and a description of the essence of the experiences. The results indicated that administrators had a positive perception of …


Examining Adjunct Instructor Characteristics, Perceived Fit, And Teaching Modality To Determine If They Predict Organizational Commitment And Job Satisfaction At A Mid-Western Career College, Randy Hill Jun 2014

Examining Adjunct Instructor Characteristics, Perceived Fit, And Teaching Modality To Determine If They Predict Organizational Commitment And Job Satisfaction At A Mid-Western Career College, Randy Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, multiple regression study was to examine the relationship between 10 adjunct instructor characteristics and organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Part-time instructors who taught for the institution during the 2012-2013 academic year completed an electronic survey with questions from three valid and reliable instruments: perceived person-organization fit (Cable & DeRue, 2002), part-time faculty job satisfaction survey (Hoyt, Howell, & Eggett, 2007), and organizational commitment questionnaire (Fields, 2002). Data from the survey was analyzed using separate hierarchical regressions to answer the following research questions: (a) Do adjunct instructor characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, education level, teaching experience, teaching …


International Undergraduate English Language Learners' Perception Of Language And Academic Acquisition Through Online Learning: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Olga Dejesus May 2014

International Undergraduate English Language Learners' Perception Of Language And Academic Acquisition Through Online Learning: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Olga Dejesus

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many institutional programs are changing to incorporate more online opportunities as a way to meet the needs of their students. Therefore, international English language learners are being encouraged to take online courses in order to complete their programs of study at United States colleges or universities (Tan, Lee, & Steven, 2010). In this qualitative phenomenological study, the researcher sought to investigate international undergraduate English language learners' perception of and experiences with language and academic acquisition through online learning. This study was conducted with a selected group of 10 undergraduate international students enrolled in the Liberal Arts program at a private …


Moderate To Vigorous Physical Activity As A Protective Factor In The Context Of Risk: A Moderator Model Predicting Institutional Commitment, Brianne Kilbourne May 2014

Moderate To Vigorous Physical Activity As A Protective Factor In The Context Of Risk: A Moderator Model Predicting Institutional Commitment, Brianne Kilbourne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental correlational study was to determine if cumulative risk is associated with undergraduate student institutional commitment. Additionally, moderate to vigorous physical activity was investigated as a moderator of the association between cumulative risk and institutional commitment, specifically serving as a protective factor for students experiencing high levels of cumulative risk factors. Data were collected through anonymous, online surveys from a convenience sample of undergraduate students enrolled at a large, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)-accredited, 4-year private university located in Virginia. The statistical program, SPSS 22.0 (2013) was used to analyze the descriptive analysis …


The Effect Of Student Conduct Practices On Student Development In Christian Higher Education, Mark Hyde May 2014

The Effect Of Student Conduct Practices On Student Development In Christian Higher Education, Mark Hyde

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Student development professionals seek to address student behavior in a manner that facilitates whole student development and whole community development. Traditional student conduct models focus on addressing the behavior of the offending student through punitive sanctions. Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused to the community and how the offender can restore trust. This study asks the question what student conduct practice produces greater student development outcomes at a Christian institute of higher education. This study used static group comparison to identify if there are statistically significant differences in student development outcomes generated by student conduct practices at a …


The Correlation Of Social, Financial, And Academic Supports To Military Benefit Recipients' Persistence In College, Bruce Mentzer Apr 2014

The Correlation Of Social, Financial, And Academic Supports To Military Benefit Recipients' Persistence In College, Bruce Mentzer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study sought to determine the strength and nature of the relationships between social, academic, and financial support and the intent of military students to persist in higher education at a large private non-profit university. The study also collected data from nonmilitary students to note contrasting relationships and looked at overall results for the two groups combined. Multivariate stepwise models confirmed the emphasis on academic support for persistence towards degree completion with all groups. Financial aid effects varied by military, nonmilitary, and for the overall population; military students were negatively impacted by loans, nonmilitary by university scholarships, and the overall …


The Student Experience: The Effects Of Three College Retention Strategies On First-Generation Student Success Outcomes, Erica Woods-Warrior Apr 2014

The Student Experience: The Effects Of Three College Retention Strategies On First-Generation Student Success Outcomes, Erica Woods-Warrior

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the growing importance of post-secondary degree attainment, existing research indicates that first-generation students (FGS) at 4-year colleges and universities are twice as likely as their peers to drop-out of school before their second year of study, and a great proportion of these students never return to complete their undergraduate degree. The present study collected and analyzed institutional data to determine the impact of three programmatic strategies on student retention and academic outcomes for FGS. The strategies are: lower/upper-level student integration, faculty mentorship, peer mentorship, and Communities of Learning (CoL). Each was investigated in the context of a student retention …


The Leadership Practices Of Non-Traditional Students Pursuing A Bachelor's Degree: A Predictive Study, Michael Ammons Mar 2014

The Leadership Practices Of Non-Traditional Students Pursuing A Bachelor's Degree: A Predictive Study, Michael Ammons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This non-experimental, regression study examined the relationship between leadership practices and academic achievement for a non-traditional student population. The study was conducted at a small, four-year private college in Eastern North Carolina. The sample consisted of N=146 (73 male, 73 female) non-traditional students enrolled in an accelerated bachelor's degree program. Volunteer participants completed the survey which consisted of the Leadership Practice Inventory-Self (LPI) (Kouzes & Posner, 1998) assessment and a demographic questionnaire. Kouzes and Posner's (2007) model of Transformational Leadership Theory is used to explain the leadership practices of non-traditional students. The results of the survey were analyzed using hierarchal …


Articulation Agreements: Academic Success, Persistence And Graduation From Online And Face-To-Face Degree Completion Programs, Darnette Hall Jan 2014

Articulation Agreements: Academic Success, Persistence And Graduation From Online And Face-To-Face Degree Completion Programs, Darnette Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this causal-comparative study is to examine whether differences exist in the retention and persistence of articulation participants based on face-to-face or online degree completion. The study will determine the rate of completion of articulation participants who transfer from a North Carolina Community College to a state university in North Carolina and enroll in traditional face-to-face classes versus articulation participants who enroll in online degree completion. There is considerable literature on articulation from the perspective of student satisfaction and an administrator's perception. Substantial research on policies and procedures as well as comparison to native and transfer students. There …


Efficacy Of Hybrid Coursework On Retention Rate In Online Higher Education, Kevin Struble Jan 2014

Efficacy Of Hybrid Coursework On Retention Rate In Online Higher Education, Kevin Struble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Recent developments and technological advances in online education have provided the adult learner with new opportunities to obtain a college education. However, online coursework offers new challenges particularly for online student retention, as these rates are lower than traditional students on a college or university campus. The following research outlines a quantitative study for the perceived effect of social learning for adult online learners through hybrid coursework on undergraduate retention rates through two research questions using a causal-comparative design for research question one and a correlational design for research question two. This study examined retention theory in regards to social …


Online Attrition At A Community College In Rural Appalachia: A Phenomenological Approach, Victoria Sue Ratliff Aug 2013

Online Attrition At A Community College In Rural Appalachia: A Phenomenological Approach, Victoria Sue Ratliff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The education attainment level of residents in rural Appalachia has consistently ranked below the remaining populous of the United States. Although distance education initiatives have attempted to bridge the disparities between rural Appalachia and the rest of the nation, online community college students in this region are likely to drop out or fail their classes. To understand the phenomenon of online attrition in rural Appalachia, a phenomenological study was conducted to determine what students experienced from the time they chose to enroll in online classes through the point of failure or withdrawal from their courses. This triangulated study utilized surveys, …


Exploring The Spiritually Formative Experiences Of Female Seminary Spouses: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Benjamin Forrest Jul 2013

Exploring The Spiritually Formative Experiences Of Female Seminary Spouses: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Benjamin Forrest

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a qualitative research study exploring the spiritually formative experiences of nonstudent, female, seminary spouses whose student spouses are beyond the halfway point in their pursuit of an M.Div. at a large evangelical seminary in the eastern United States. Fifteen participants (twelve online nonstudent spouses and three residential nonstudent spouses) were purposefully sampled. The data, which was collected through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and discussion forums, was analyzed using transcendental phenomenological analysis. Through this analysis it became apparent that seminary spouses did in fact experience spiritual formation through their husband's education. …


An Examination Of The Effects Of Intrusive Advising And Support Services On Academically At-Risk Students, Earl Jones Apr 2013

An Examination Of The Effects Of Intrusive Advising And Support Services On Academically At-Risk Students, Earl Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study compared the effects of the intrusive form of developmental academic advising (IDAA) and the influence of additional academic support services on the mean cumulative Grade Point Averages (GPAs) of 4 randomly assembled groups of academically at-risk college students during 2 separate semesters. Academically at-risk students are defined as those students whose cumulative GPAs are below academic good standing at a university. The mean cumulative GPA of each student group was averaged prior to the beginning and at the end of the Spring 2012 and Fall 2012 semesters, respectively. All of these students were enrolled in a private …