Education Commons^™

Exploring The Nexus Of Community College Faculty And The Actual Application Of Generative Artificial Intelligence Technologies In Courses And Syllabi, Jamie Pang

Dissertations

This study's basis was examining the specific pairing of higher education and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies. For this study, Generative AI technologies is defined as technology that is prompted by text to produce text, images, media, or other end products. A survey was conducted with community college faculty members at a research site that did not have an institutional Generative AI technology policy or mandate on how Generative AI technologies can or cannot be used in the classroom or by students. In a quantitative analysis, this study looked at the convergence and relationship between community college faculty characteristics, perceptions, …

(Re)Envisioning Factors Contributing To Black Men’S College Success: An Ecological And Critical Reflection Using Photovoice, Collette Brown Rogers

Dissertations

This research uses modified photovoice combined with an ecological and antideficit approach to amplify the voices of Black men who have completed college degrees. The study explores the question: What factors contribute to college completion for Black men? Using a qualitative approach and the Ethos platform to collect images, photo captions, and critical reflection data from a purposive sample of five Black men. Data analysis included inductive and deductive coding, data organization within the ecological systems, and member checking to validate the findings. The study acknowledges the unique challenges Black men face in pursuing higher education. It emphasizes the importance …

How Prepared Are Educators To Work With Students Of Color, Ja're Thorn

Dissertations

From what I have experienced, there has been a lack of preparation when it comes to preparing educators to work with students of color. This research aimed to explore the importance of early childhood teachers’ cultural preparation programs when it comes to working effectively with students of color. Most of the time, teachers teach to the common core standards set in place by the state. They also implement a curriculum that is considered “best practices” for students instead of paying attention to and considering the individual student’s specific culture, family, and community values and ways of life before planning (Spies, …

Centering Culture And Relationships In Learning: Culturally Responsive Teaching In Higher Education, Valerie Vistain

Dissertations

In colleges and universities all across the United States, the amount of culturally and linguistically diverse students has increased significantly. Research has shown that when educators can develop educational practices and curricula that account for and incorporate students’ cultural frameworks, outcomes improve for culturally and linguistically diverse students. Culturally responsive teaching is a pedagogical approach that does just that. This research project aimed to bring to light the various ways that general education professors define and enact culturally responsive teaching practices. It further illustrates how students receive and interpret these culturally responsive approaches. Using the general education college within a …

Special Education Teacher Burnout: Examining The Role Of Educator Preparation Programs In Prevention, Brittany L. Straub

Dissertations

Teacher burnout is increasingly problematic, especially for special education teachers who have a unique set of job responsibilities. Survey and interview data was used in this phenomenological study to examine how the educator preparation program (EPP) experience and self-authorship journey of early career special education teachers impact their potential to experience burnout. Data findings regarding level of self-perceived burnout, recollections of being or not being taught stress management and coping strategies in their EPPs, recollections of the self-authorship journey, and intentions for remaining in the career are shared in this dissertation. The essence of this phenomenon can be summed up …

Focus, Drive, And Motivation In Secondary School Populations, Lakeshia Cook

Dissertations

This study, Focus, Drive, and Motivation in Secondary Populations, addresses the topic of middle and high school student motivation to succeed in school. The aim was to discover what motivates and inspires student success. In this study, I delved into issues of low levels of student motivation, drive, and focus and the relative effect of these issues on school performance. The central purpose of this research was to find ways to foster greater levels of student focus, drive, and motivation during their middle and high school experience. The context of the study was a medium-sized charter middle school and a …

Leader Development Of The Health Information Management (Him) Professional, Theresa Jones

Dissertations

This study contributes to the body of knowledge in leader development by examining how higher education programs in a female dominated profession assist learners in developing person-related characteristics that support leader development. A ten-part online survey was sent to directors of health information management (HIM) programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM). Results suggest an opportunity for improvement in the curriculum for development of person-related characteristics critical for leadership positions. In the interest of the progression of women these results should be taken into consideration.

Cuban Immigrants’ Experience With Acculturation And How They Cope In The United States, Lourdes Araujo

Dissertations

Objective: This research examines how Cuban immigrants experience cope and adapt to the United States. Cuban immigration is associated with specific stressors related to the immigration experience and the necessary process of acculturation and assimilation. These major stressors can result in mental health concerns among Cuban immigrants; however, no studies have examined how acculturation may influence Cuban immigrants’ coping skills and resultant mental health concerns. This unique study is the first to examine the coping skills Cuban immigrants use during acculturation and the effects of these skills on Cuban immigrants’ mental health. Methods: Seventeen participants completed a semistructured interview and …

Computer-Based Learning: Effects On Student Learning And Interpretation Of Curriculum, Hasani Jackson

Dissertations

ABSTRACT In 2010, the Superintendent of Prestige School District (a pseudonym) implemented online learning programs that would cater to student learning while increasing achievement. With the adoption of computer-based programs into Prestige School District System, curriculum specialists wanted to align programs to the Common Core State Standards initiated by the Department of Education. Through gathering quantitative and qualitative data on behalf of various stakeholders within Prestige School District, the goal of this study was to uncover the key elements of online learning programs that can be improved to enhance student achievement. Results provide a foundation for positive learning initiatives that …

Self-Determination Theory And Faculty Behavior: A Quantitative Study Of Faculty Leaders' Use Of Assessment Evidence, Joseph D. Levy

Dissertations

Despite assessment of student learning being essential work in higher education, a number of institutions have noted faculty could more effectively be using assessment results (Jankowski et al., 2018; Kuh et al., 2015; Metzler & Kurz, 2019; Suskie, 2014). This study applied Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework to provide context for faculty behavior associated with assessment actions (Fuller et al., 2016; Ryan & Deci, 2000). Mostly quantitative data were collected via electronic survey of faculty program leaders at a single institution, National Louis University (NLU). Results indicated a significant and positive relationship suggesting an increase in meeting the …

Academic Disciplinary Differences In The Perceived Value Of The Community Of Practice Model, Alyssa Marie Hill

Dissertations

Through a multi-layered review of United States University, a gap in professional development for adjunct faculty was identified. To ensure that students’ are best supported in the online classroom, ensuring that faculty are provided with training around pedagogical and instructional skills aligned with the University mission is essential. The perceived value of the Community of Practice model was assessed to address the gap in faculty development through a mixed-methods convergent design study. The quantitative data and qualitative data were merged under the unidirectional framework for convergent design integration, and presented in a narrative discussion format. Themes which emerged included knowledge …

Zeroing In On Providing Student Feedback As A Core Practice: A Study Of Its Potential Impact On Special Education Teacher Candidates, Xiuwen Wu, Kate Zilla, Kathy Kotel, Diane Salmon

NCE Research Residencies

Twenty-two high leverage practices (HLPs) specific to special educators have been identified by CEEDAR/CEC. We surveyed multiple stakeholders to determine which HLPs were most critical for preservice teachers to learn. Findings indicated overlap among stakeholders. The two most consistently endorsed HLPs were collaboration among professionals and establishing the learning environment.

Supporting Novice Teacher Enactments In The Field Class, Diane Salmon, Kavita Kapadia Matsko, Ryan Mccarty, Aleksandra Veselovsky, Lisa Mozer, Xue Han

NCE Research Residencies

Teacher preparation programs at NLU are developing practice-centered approaches to teacher education that entail a core set of teaching practices and intentionally designed field-learning opportunities. One addition to prior practice with this approach is the inclusion of a video coaching context where candidates receive feedback from field supervisors on their teaching videos. This study investigated candidate and supervisor perceptions of the feedback in the video coaching context affords in addition to the traditional contexts of face to face field visits and competency appraisal surveys. The findings point to a unique self-regulatory benefit to the video coaching context. They also suggest …

Examining And Expanding The Impact Of Practice-Based Teacher Education At National Louis University Faculty Research Residency Final Report 2017-18, Ryan Mccarty, Sophie Degener

NCE Research Residencies

This study investigated the perceptions about literacy preparation of recent graduates from NLU’s multiple teacher preparation programs. Specifically, the researchers surveyed NLU students who graduated between 2014-17 to determine which literacy concepts/practices they felt were most important in their first year of teaching and how well prepared they were to teach those concepts/practices. In addition, graduates were asked to consider the instructional practices they encountered during their NLU coursework and whether these practices were helpful in learning to teach literacy. Graduates were also asked to consider how well prepared they were to teach literacy in general. Initial analysis of data …

Investigating Nce Preservice Candidates And Graduates’ Visual Literacy Practices In Middle And High School Science And Social Studies Classrooms, Xiaoning Chen, Mark Newman, Vito M. Dipinto

NCE Research Residencies

The study investigates whether secondary education science and social studies candidates transferred what they learned about visual literacy in their teacher preparation program to their practicum/student teaching classrooms. The study included qualitative and quantitative methods to document the candidates’ visual literacy knowledge and practices. The findings indicate that the candidates did employ visual literacy strategies as visuals had already been regularly used in their classrooms. But, they had limited success in implementing the strategies learned in their methods courses. In addition, they showed a good working knowledge of what visual literacy is and acknowledged its value in the classroom. They …

Utilizing Principal Coach Reflections To Co-Develop An Effective Coaching Strategy In A Large Urban School District, Harrington Gibson, Gloria Mcdaniel-Hall

NCE Research Residencies

Our Educational Leadership (EDL) program collaborated with a large urban district to provide coaching support for 15 principals. Principals were identified by their supervisor based on specific coaching needs. This collaboration allowed program faculty to design a coaching strategy. Utilization-focused program evaluation (Patton, 2008) was used to examine coaching practices that acknowledged the context, challenges and opportunities present in the district. Our interviews revealed the need for specific attention focusing on the first-hand experiences principals’ encounter in the field. The importance of relationship building and trust informed a consultee-centered approach. A cycle of inquiry allowed for collaboration and refinement of …

Building Partnerships And The Adaptive Cycles Of Teaching Curriculum, Ruth Freedman, Debbie O'Connor

NCE Research Residencies

This paper reports research on the development of ongoing partnerships in relationship to the Adaptive Cycles of Teaching. Sustained, reciprocal partnerships with K-8 schools are a vital component of the National College of Education (NCE). For the Adaptive Cycles of Teachings, it is particularly important to supporting our teacher candidates through learning the core practices. ACT model offers a mechanism for initiating, deepening, and extending partnerships. The focus on a core set of high leverage practices allows us to support both teacher candidate learning and improve student learning progressions in partner school classrooms. Building partnerships with public schools is key …

Civic Education Training Promotes Active Learning With Real-World Outcomes, Becci Burchett Gauna, Michelle Paul

SPACE: Student Perspectives About Civic Engagement

The teaching of history is moving away from the rote memorization of textbooks and toward the development of civic skills. Illinois’ recent decision to require all students to complete a semester-long civics course brings us a step closer to measuring active citizenship. Typically harbored under the social studies umbrella, civics is now a stand-alone course. The state mandates that each civics course include service learning, controversial conversation, instruction regarding government institutions and procedures, and simulations.

The Role Of Mentor Teachers In The National College Of Education, Adaptive Cycles Of Teaching (Nce Act) And The Improvement Of The Nce Act, Ruth Freedman, Madi Phillips, Diane Salmon

NCE Research Residencies

This paper reports research on a practicebased curriculum, the Adaptive Cycles of Teaching (ACT), supported by a cloudbased technology that enables coaching and feedback to preservice teacher candidates as they engage in classroom instruction. Specifically, the research explored mentor teachers’ perspectives on the benefits and limitations of the ACT literacy model and if mentors’ own literacy instruction practices improved through their involvement with ACT. Ten mentor teachers (grades 16) were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed and thematically coded to address the research questions. Findings indicated that mentors had a positive view of the ACT literacy model, and saw an impact on …

How Are Teachers Using Primary Sources To Meet Common Core Literacy Standards In English/Language Arts, Social Studies, And Science?, Mark Newman, Sophie Degener, Xiuwen Wu

NCE Research Residencies

The implementation of Common Core standards has affected the instructional strategies of many teachers. Among other things, the standards require active student engagement, learning along a progressive sequence of higher proficiency, and heavy use of informational texts, especially primary sources. This study evaluates the impact that Common Core literacy standards have had on the proven primary source-based strategies and practices of five teachers.

Summer In The City: Respect And Autonomy In The Urban Classroom, Matthew Brill

SPACE: Student Perspectives About Civic Engagement

This article is a reflection on my time as a STEP-UP fellow. In the course of the article I discuss what I believe I have learned about education from my time in this program.The lessons learned about urban education are valuable to any educator.

Impact On P-12 Student Learning: Perspectives From Multiple Stakeholders, Xiaoli Wen, Geri Chesner, Ayn Keneman, Arlene Borthwick

NCE Research Residencies

Statement of Research Problem

It is essential for teacher preparation programs to be able to track teacher candidates’ impact on P-12 student learning in school sites in order to fulfill accreditation requirements and measure candidate and program success. Additionally, it is critical for us to understand how candidates’ opportunities to impact P-12 student learning are influenced by their host school sites, including their classroom cooperating teachers. Therefore, we conducted an exploratory study to collect qualitative input from multiple stakeholders, including teacher candidates, cooperating teachers, and school. The perspectives collected in this study has helped our program, the college, and the …

Adult Esl Oral Reading Fluency And Silent Reading Comprehension, Kristin Lems

Dissertations

A descriptive study of second language adults studying ESL at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels in a post-secondary academic program revealed that their oral reading fluency had a significant, low-to-moderate correlation with scores on a measure of silent reading comprehension. The correlation was slightly stronger for measures of accuracy than speed, and strongest for miscue ratio. The correlation increased as proficiency level increased. Among different first language groups, the correlation was highest for Hispanic learners, and lowest for Chinese. Furthermore, all fluency measures correlated better with a listening measure than with the silent reading comprehension measure. When a system …