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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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2021

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Perceived Attributes Of Diffusion Of Innovation Theory As Predictors Of Postsecondary Faculty Adoption Of Text Expander Technology, Katherine Ruthann Mckinney Jan 2021

Perceived Attributes Of Diffusion Of Innovation Theory As Predictors Of Postsecondary Faculty Adoption Of Text Expander Technology, Katherine Ruthann Mckinney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Postsecondary faculty do not provide detailed, individualized, and timely feedback to students, although faculty and students consider feedback an integral aspect of higher education. Text expander technology, or software programs that automatically convert snippets of predetermined text into longer phrases, can aid postsecondary faculty in providing digital written feedback, but little quantitative research exists regarding postsecondary faculty adoption of text expander technology. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the perceived attributes of Rogers’ diffusion of innovation theory that predict postsecondary faculty adoption of text expander technology. The research questions were related to the frequency at which postsecondary …


Strategies To Retain Call Center Employees, Michele Boston Jan 2021

Strategies To Retain Call Center Employees, Michele Boston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Call center executives who lack effective strategies to retain employees face a disruption in service, employee performance and productivity, as well as an increase in operational expenses. Ineffective retention strategies can negatively impact call centers by increasing cost, decreasing talent quality and loss of the customer experience. Grounded in Herzberg’s motivator-hygiene theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore employee retention strategies that call center executives use to maintain employees within their organizations. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, company documents, and physical artifacts. The interview participants comprised five call center executives, managers, or team leaders in …


Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives Of Professional Development Related To The Management Of Challenging Behaviors, Obioma Ijeoma Uche Jan 2021

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives Of Professional Development Related To The Management Of Challenging Behaviors, Obioma Ijeoma Uche

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMany young children enter preschool programs exhibiting challenging behaviors and are suspended from preschool at a rate 3 times more than K–12 students. Many preschool students who need help are instead suspended or expelled. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore private preschool teachers’ perspectives on past or existing professional development opportunities related to children with challenging behaviors and the resources/professional development needed to support these students. Knowles’ theory of andragogy served as the conceptual lens for this study. Interview questions were developed to elicit in-depth participant responses to answer the two research questions on preschool teachers’ …


Content Analysis Of Rn To Bsn Instructor Postings In Community College Online Discussion Boards, Judith Marie Koch Jan 2021

Content Analysis Of Rn To Bsn Instructor Postings In Community College Online Discussion Boards, Judith Marie Koch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Online community college instructors’ failure to effectively utilize asynchronous discussion boards negatively impacts student course outcomes. However, it is unclear exactly what practices instructors use in their discussion boards. The purpose of this qualitative content analysis study was to investigate community college instructors’ practices on their discussion boards. The community of inquiry’s (CoI) constructs framed the research questions of the social, cognitive, and teaching presences observed in online instructor comments. Data were the discussion boards posts of four online associate to baccalaureate degree nursing instructors from a southeastern United States community college. Data were inductively analyzed using open and a …


Social And Emotional Learning Program Implementation: Educators’ Perspectives Of Preparation And Support, Papani Saini Jan 2021

Social And Emotional Learning Program Implementation: Educators’ Perspectives Of Preparation And Support, Papani Saini

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers are not properly prepared and supported to implement social and emotional learning (SEL) programs in the United States. Teachers must be properly equipped to be successful throughout implementation, thereby allowing students to reap the benefits of SEL programming. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore K-2 educators’ perspectives regarding the preparation and support they need to implement SEL programming. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Scheirer’s program implementation theory. The research questions focused on the perspectives of K-2 educators regarding the preparation and support they need for SEL program implementation. Purposeful sampling was …


Strategies To Resolve Toxic Leadership Styles Which Impede Employee Innovation, Lilly Abdulrohman Mohamed Jan 2021

Strategies To Resolve Toxic Leadership Styles Which Impede Employee Innovation, Lilly Abdulrohman Mohamed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Toxic leaders micromanage, threaten, and discourage employees from sharing their ideas,causing a decline in innovation. Export-based company executives need to understand how to resolve toxic leadership to enhance their companies’ performance. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies export-based company leaders use to resolve toxic leadership styles. The participants were four senior and frontline leaders from export-based companies in Ethiopia. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and document reviews and were analyzed with thematic data analysis. Four themes emerged: open and transparent communication, sustained counseling and training, teamwork and joint …


Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Ability To Provide Equitable Instructional Practices In High-Poverty Schools, Angela Mary Davis Jan 2021

Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Ability To Provide Equitable Instructional Practices In High-Poverty Schools, Angela Mary Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Equitable instructional practices have a positive impact on the academic achievement of students living in high poverty. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of their abilities to implement equitable instructional practices in high-poverty schools. Gorski’s equity literacy framework was the approach used to guide the study and address the research question. In this qualitative study, teachers in high-poverty schools were asked to perceive and describe their abilities to implement equitable instructional practices. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 K-8 teachers of high-poverty schools located in the Southeastern region of the United States. …


The Effect Of Coding Classes On Mathematics Achievement Of Preschool Students, Ebru Hacer Erbilgin Jan 2021

The Effect Of Coding Classes On Mathematics Achievement Of Preschool Students, Ebru Hacer Erbilgin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that inspired this study is that Turkish students’ mathematics rankings on global exams such as The Program for the International Students Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) had been below the average for many years, a problem that may have rooted in children’s early experiences with mathematics. The purpose of this quantitative pretest posttest quasi-experimental control group study was to determine the effect of computer-programming classes with Code Studio on mathematics scores of preschool students. Siemens’s connectivism theory for the digital age formed the foundation for this research. A single research question regarding …


Middle School Teachers’ Use Of Differentiated Instruction Strategies, Felecia G. Prince Jan 2021

Middle School Teachers’ Use Of Differentiated Instruction Strategies, Felecia G. Prince

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMiddle School Teachers’ Use of Differentiated Instruction Strategies by Felecia George Prince MEd, Troy University, 2010 BS, Georgia Southern University, 1988 AA, East Georgia College, 1984 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University June 2020Abstract The administrators at the study site were concerned that teachers struggle with differentiated instruction (DI) in their classrooms, which involves strategies to support students’ levels. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to learn what DI strategies teachers used at the study site. The conceptual framework of Tomlinson on the differentiated strategies …


Correlation Between Moral Foundations And Students’ Attitudes Toward Concealed Carry Guns On College Campuses, Hengameh Hashemi Toosi Jan 2021

Correlation Between Moral Foundations And Students’ Attitudes Toward Concealed Carry Guns On College Campuses, Hengameh Hashemi Toosi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Correlation between Moral Foundations and Students’ Attitudes Toward Concealed Carry Guns on College CampusesAbstract Attitudes towards concealed carry of guns (CCG) on campus are diverse across society and within college and university communities. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate possible predictors of college students’ attitudes toward CCG on college campuses. Using the moral foundations theory, it was hypothesized that students’ types of moral foundations, political affiliations, and demographics would predict four dimensions of attitudes toward CCG at their college campuses. The prediction model included gender, race, political affiliation (PA), as well as scores for harm (H), fairness …


Stakeholders’ Communication During Learning Analytics Implementation In Higher Education, Grace Jackson Jan 2021

Stakeholders’ Communication During Learning Analytics Implementation In Higher Education, Grace Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Higher education institutions (HEIs) implementing learning analytics (LA) use student data to improve the learning experience. The problem for LA implementation originates from individuals responsible for analytic programs from different institutional departments and the lack of a framework for communication and productive dialogue about usages of data. As a result, LA implementation remains isolated and disparate, which impedes universal student benefit. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how HEI stakeholders use communication channels and engage in dialogue that occurs during the LA implementation process intended to improve student learning outcomes. The diffusion of innovation and let’s …


Principals’ Perspectives Regarding Their Leadership Roles In Smart Board Technology Integration, Donna Faith Nelson Jan 2021

Principals’ Perspectives Regarding Their Leadership Roles In Smart Board Technology Integration, Donna Faith Nelson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSmart Board Technologies (SBTs) are prevalent in K–6 schools and teachers are expected to use them to enhance student learning. The Smart Board (SB) may not be used effectively in the classroom. The effective use of the SB increases student engagement and performance. To ensure the effective use of the SB, the principal’s role is crucial. While the teachers’ perspectives about SBT use in pedagogy have often been researched, the literature concerning principals’ perspectives in SBT integration is scarce. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand principals’ perspectives regarding their leadership roles in SBT integration. Bass’s theory …


Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of Active Shooter Drills In Early Childhood Classrooms, Melissa Joy Racioppa Jan 2021

Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of Active Shooter Drills In Early Childhood Classrooms, Melissa Joy Racioppa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The threat of an active shooter is something early childhood educators need to prepare for, but a literature review regarding active shooter drills indicated a gap in the research focused on the perceptions the early childhood educators. Using a conceptual lens based on developmentally appropriate practice and the developmental theories of Piaget and Vygotsky, this qualitative case study aimed to explore the perceptions of early childhood educators on the current model of active shooter drills and the developmental appropriateness of these drills when used with an early childhood population. The participants were early childhood educators familiar with their school’s emergency …


Understanding Principals' Perceptions Of Leadership For Implementation Of Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Programs, Margaret Akinnusi Jan 2021

Understanding Principals' Perceptions Of Leadership For Implementation Of Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Programs, Margaret Akinnusi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School principals' leadership strategies and collaborative efforts contribute immensely to defining and managing goals in response to any educational initiatives, including social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. The problem prompting this study was the disproportionate special education referral and school suspension of minority students. Although the focus school district adopted an SEL curriculum and tasked principals with implementation to reduce disproportionality, these disparities continue to persist. This qualitative descriptive study explored 10 principals' leadership strategies and implementation challenges regarding SEL program implementation to close the disparity of special education identification and the suspension and expulsion of minority students at an urban school …


School Administrators’ Perceptions On Teaching Foster Children, Tisha Marie Hess Jan 2021

School Administrators’ Perceptions On Teaching Foster Children, Tisha Marie Hess

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children in foster care face multiple barriers compared to their nonfoster peers, especially as it pertains to their educational success. The problem was school administrators, such as principals and assistant principals, face greater challenges in meeting the educational needs of foster children in addition to balancing the extraneous issues foster children face. Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the experiences, perceptions, and challenges of elementary school administrators who work with foster youth in one school district in Illinois. The specific focus was on administrators’ role in curriculum design, support services, and ability …


Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities As Replacements For Traditional Professional Development, Antwonette Woodlon Jan 2021

Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities As Replacements For Traditional Professional Development, Antwonette Woodlon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Professional learning communities (PLCs) positively influence students’ and teachers’ success. Yet, traditional professional development, involving passive learning, is still widely used. The problem addressed in this qualitative case study is little is known about administrators’ perceptions about PLCs as replacements for traditional forms of professional development (PD). Administrators’ and teachers’ perceptions of PLCs should be explored to learn more about why PLCs are underutilized in schools, despite their proven effectiveness. The primary conceptual framework used for this study was Knowles’ adult learning theory supported by Contextual learning theory. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit eight participants – four administrators and …


Teacher Perceptions Of Culturally Relevant Strategies To Promote Black Student Achievement, Kimberly Elyse Hendricks Jan 2021

Teacher Perceptions Of Culturally Relevant Strategies To Promote Black Student Achievement, Kimberly Elyse Hendricks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A long-standing, race-based academic achievement gap between Black and White students has existed in a local district in the southwest United States for more than 5 years. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive case study was to explore teachers’ perceptions and experiences related to the use of culturally relevant or responsive (CRR) teaching strategies. The study was guided by Hale’s theory explaining how culture shapes a child’s cognition and learning styles, indicating benefits when the teacher used the students’ cultural assets during instruction. Research questions were written to address teachers’ perceptions of, experiences with, and the value of using CRR …


Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Using Social Media In Teaching, Naquai Ali Roundtree Jan 2021

Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Using Social Media In Teaching, Naquai Ali Roundtree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Secondary teachers and college instructors use social media to engage their students in learning; however, little is known about middle school teachers' use. The problem is that although middle school students intuitively use social media in their personal lives, it is unclear why and how teachers use it for instructional purposes with learners who are assumed to be digitally literate. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the extent to which eight middle school teachers from two schools in one school district used social media with students for teaching. The two conceptual frameworks used for this study …


Strategies Advanced Placement High School Teachers Use To Teach Diverse Learners, Patti J. Tate Jan 2021

Strategies Advanced Placement High School Teachers Use To Teach Diverse Learners, Patti J. Tate

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since Advanced Placement (AP) College Board’s 2002 implementation of the Equity and Access Policy, the number of students enrolled in AP courses has increased, but student success on passing AP exams has dropped. This signifies that the new populations of AP students are not well prepared with the skillsets necessary to succeed on AP exams. This qualitative exploratory case study focused on how high school AP teachers in one southeastern school district provided differentiated instruction (DI) through content and strategies to diverse learners. Data on the use of DI with AP students were collected through interviews of AP teachers at …


Lived Experiences Of Instructional Designers Who Designed Online Information Technology Courses With Hands-On Activities, Cheryl Bagshaw Frederick Jan 2021

Lived Experiences Of Instructional Designers Who Designed Online Information Technology Courses With Hands-On Activities, Cheryl Bagshaw Frederick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As part of the process for designing an online information technology (IT) course, hands-on activities may be included; however, the literature has not readily revealed the best practices and challenges instructional designers (IDs) face with including hands-on activities in an online IT course. Research has shown that hands-on learning increases student performance and engagement and prepares IT students for the workforce. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of IDs in the development of an online IT course when the course included hands-on activities. Constructivism and active learning were used as the conceptual …


Elementary School Principals’ Perspectives On Teacher Retention And Effective Leadership, Tiffany Antrez Jones Jan 2021

Elementary School Principals’ Perspectives On Teacher Retention And Effective Leadership, Tiffany Antrez Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low teacher retention negatively influences overall school culture, community, and student achievement. More specifics about what principals are doing to enhance teacher retention are needed. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how elementary school principals address challenges when trying to retain teachers and the leadership practices principals believe encourage teachers to remain in the profession. The conceptual framework included Burns’ transformational leadership theory and Fullan and Quinn’s coherence model. Ten experienced elementary principals with higher retention rates within a suburban school district in the southern United States participated in semistructured interviews in which they were asked …


Professional Nurse Attitudes Of Poverty Before And After Participation In A Poverty Simulation, Beth Mueller Jan 2021

Professional Nurse Attitudes Of Poverty Before And After Participation In A Poverty Simulation, Beth Mueller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Implicit bias in healthcare toward those living in poverty may contribute to inequalities in care and increase the likelihood of patient noncompliance. The purpose of this study was to determine if participation in a poverty simulation had an impact on the attitudes of professional nurses toward those in poverty. Mezirow’s transformational theory was used to guide the study by allowing the learner to examine meaning and revise perspective after participation in an online module. This module included an online poverty simulation created by The United Way of Connecticut titled Making Tough Choices as well as a pre- and post-simulation survey …


Musical Theatre Education’S Influence On High School Students’ Self-Esteem, Michael John Penna Jan 2021

Musical Theatre Education’S Influence On High School Students’ Self-Esteem, Michael John Penna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies have shown that middle school students’ involvement in performing arts classes helps to improve self-esteem, but there is a gap in understanding how high school students and teachers perceive the influence of musical theatre education on students’ self-esteem. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to extend research to include high school musical theatre students by examining how high school students and teachers perceive the influence of rehearsals, performance, and musical theatre education classes on students’ self-esteem and education goals. Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Kolb’s experiential learning theory were used as the conceptual framework. Eight students and …


Pk–12 District Administrator Perceptions About Career Readiness And Workforce Preparation Programs And Activities In Schools, Shawn Lee Dilly Jan 2021

Pk–12 District Administrator Perceptions About Career Readiness And Workforce Preparation Programs And Activities In Schools, Shawn Lee Dilly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of student career preparedness has increased the number of youths facing negative personal, economic, and social implications and have led to increased calls for public education to find solutions. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore West Virginia district administrators’ perceptions about career readiness and workforce programs. Underpinning the study’s conceptual framework was educational leadership. The two research questions focused on district administrator perceptions about the value and importance and the barriers, limitations, and successes of career readiness and workforce programs. A qualitative survey and semistructured interview were employed to provide data for an iterative, …


Use Of Critical Thinking Strategies By Nurse Educators, Josephine Tundun Akintonde Jan 2021

Use Of Critical Thinking Strategies By Nurse Educators, Josephine Tundun Akintonde

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractNew graduate nurses often lack the clinical decision-making skills that are essential for developing clinical competency. Critical thinking abilities are essential for nursing excellence and professional competency. However, little is known about nurse educators' techniques and teaching practices for developing students’ critical thinking. The purpose of this phenomenological study, guided by constructivist learning theory, was to understand the lived experiences of nurse educators who used critical thinking teaching strategies in a baccalaureate nursing program to develop critical thinking skills in nursing students. Thirteen nurse educators from baccalaureate nursing programs were interviewed using open-ended questions. Interviews were transcribed and manually coded. …


Increasing Staff Knowledge Regarding The Use Of Nonpharmacological Interventions With Long-Term Care Residents Diagnosed With Dementia, Larissa Latrice Anderson Jan 2021

Increasing Staff Knowledge Regarding The Use Of Nonpharmacological Interventions With Long-Term Care Residents Diagnosed With Dementia, Larissa Latrice Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a clinical syndrome of progressive cognitive decline. The prevalence of a dementia diagnosis increases with age, making it a common occurrence within the older population. In long-term care facilities, where 5% of the older population reside, antipsychotic medications are the first line of defense and the choice of treatment among patients diagnosed with dementia. Recently, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new goal of decreasing antipsychotic medication usage by 15% by the end of 2019. Guided by Watson’s Theory of Caring, this project was conducted to determine if an …


Perceptions Of Midwestern Msn Nps Of The Dnp Degree, Margaret Gallagher Jan 2021

Perceptions Of Midwestern Msn Nps Of The Dnp Degree, Margaret Gallagher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Strong professional forces have emerged within healthcare with expectations for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree for nurse practitioner (NP) practice. While NP contribution to societal healthcare is evident, most of these frontline workers are still only masters’ prepared nurses (MSN). A problem exists in that their views of the DNP have been minimally studied. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of Midwestern MSN NPs of the DNP. The study was supported by the self-determination theory (SDT) proposing that motivation for goal achievement was driven by perceptions of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, which set priorities …


An Integrated Approach To Hand Hygiene, Tarsha Renee Stewart Jan 2021

An Integrated Approach To Hand Hygiene, Tarsha Renee Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHealthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) threaten the quality and safety of the services provided. HCAIs are infections that occur while a patient is receiving treatment for another condition in any type of healthcare. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately one in every 20 inpatients will become infected with an HCAI during their hospital stay. Proper hand hygiene is the most significant intervention in preventing HCAIs. Despite hand hygiene's effectiveness, evidence suggests that only 50% of healthcare workers are compliant with proper hand hygiene techniques. The purpose of this project is to increase nurse’s knowledge the via education. Kotter's eight-step change …


Early Childhood Teachers' Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities, Andress Devon Carter-Sims Jan 2021

Early Childhood Teachers' Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities, Andress Devon Carter-Sims

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers are struggling to transfer newly acquired knowledge and skills from professional learning experiences into their classrooms. This study aimed to explore teachers' perceptions of how professional learning communities (PLCs) enhance elementary teachers' instructional practices based on interviews with teachers in a rural school district. Olivier and Huffman's theory of utilizing PLC to their fullest potential was used as a conceptual framework for the study. This framework highlighted five dimensions of meaningful collaborative learning to increase teaching and learning in schools. This was a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews of 10 certified elementary teachers who engaged in PLC. Interview transcripts …


Middle School Classroom Teachers' Use Of Technological Tools To Teach Scientific Inquiry, Victoria Gamble Jan 2021

Middle School Classroom Teachers' Use Of Technological Tools To Teach Scientific Inquiry, Victoria Gamble

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study focused on middle school science teachers' experiences in using technological tools to teach scientific inquiry skills in the middle school science classroom. Technological tools have been increasingly used in middle schools, but knowledge is lacking as to which tools are efficient in teaching scientific inquiry skills. The purpose of this study was to gather information about the technological tools that could be adopted to make the teaching of scientific inquiry skills in middle school science classrooms more meaningful and gainful to students. The conceptual framework applied in the study was the technological, pedagogical, content knowledge (TPACK) model, as …