Education Commons^™

Psychological Effects And Treatment Of An Injury On An Athlete: Suggested Treatment Plan For Athletic Trainers And Physical Therapist, Odell Miller

Honors Theses

Injuries that force athletes to lose participation in their sport and or training have a tremendous impact on their mental health. Mental health issues can be detrimental, but often times go unnoticed. For example in 2010, Kenny McKinley, a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, was found dead after killing himself with a gun. After suffering a knee injury, he had become progressively depressed. Investigators reported that there are statements saying that McKinley didn’t know what he would do without football. According to NCAA’s Sports Science Institute (2017), the psychological response to injury can trigger mental health issues ...

The Effects Of Exercise On The Cognitive Function Of Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease, Amanda Savitski

Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is America’s most common neurodegenerative disease affecting over 5.4 million Americans (Fernández et al., 2017). A literature review was completed to assess the possible relation between physical activity and the progression of AD. Articles were collected from various peer-reviewed, published journals using the available databases of Western Michigan University library which included PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Keywords used for the database searches included “Alzheimer”, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, “neurodegeneration”, “aging brain”, “exercise”, and “physical activity”. Based upon the literature reviewed, aerobic exercise appears to slow the progression of AD ...

Effective Teaching Methods For Elementary Students With Add/Adhd, Jane Bensen

Honors Theses

This paper first describes ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, then discusses the effects on students with ADD/ADHD when elements of choice (specifically alternate seating and book choice) and strength-based strategies are used in the classroom. Research is conducted as a literature review through peer-reviewed articles on ERIC educational database. The literature shows that incorporating choice in the classroom, including offering alternative seating, is a beneficial practice for students with ADD/ADHD. Additionally, strengthbased strategies are a beneficial way to highlight and work with traits that students with ADD/ADHD possess in the classroom in a positive way. Some ...

The Importance Of Athletic Trainers At The High School Level And Barriers To Hire, Nathan Southerington

Honors Theses

The goal of the study is to unveil the significance of the athletic training profession at the high school level and identify any barriers that restrict high schools from employing athletic trainers (ATs). While ATs are a commodity in collegiate and professional sports, many high schools around the nation struggle to employ these health care professionals. Surveys were sent to both superintendents and athletic directors (ADs) throughout the state of Michigan, to establish common hindrances to hiring athletic trainers in secondary schools. The survey covered topics such as common barriers to hiring ATs, reasons they prefer to hire ATs, school ...

A Survey On The Effectiveness Of The Flipped Classroom In The Communication Sciences, Amanda Bange

Honors Theses

This study examines how the flipped classroom model impacts student performance in the communication sciences. The flipped classroom is defined as an educational technique that utilizes technology to provide lecture materials outside of class time, while students complete projects and engage in discussion in class with the professor. Twenty-six participants responded to a survey regarding their flipped classroom experiences in four spring semester speech­ language pathology and audiology classes. Responses were mixed, indicating a dislike of the formatting of the style while appreciating the extra practice, question-and-answer time, and thorough engagement with the topic that the flipped classroom model provided.

Mirror Therapy, A Pain Management Therapy, Gabriella Andrews

Honors Theses

This project was undertaken to explore the use of mirror therapy (MT) as a palliative for stroke patients and amputees experiencing phantom limb pain. MT is a relatively new treatment and while it has limited research, it is starting to be used more within the rehabilitation setting. Research suggests MT has beneficial effects occur with phantom limb pain as well as post-stroke patients. This study will explain the history, uses, and research behind MT not only as a form of therapy but also a non-medicinal pain reliever.

Included are interviews from physical therapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) along with ...

A Past Never Past: An Analysis Of Slavery And Reparation At The University Of Mississippi, Allen Coon

Honors Theses

The University of Mississippi was built using slaves, but the enslaved and their descendants were willfully denied admission to the university until forced desegregation in 1962. This interdisciplinary study employs a qualitative content analysis of antebellum university board of trustees and faculty minutes to investigate the benefits that slavery conferred to the university and the harms that slavery inflicted upon the campus enslaved. Analysis finds that slavery was a standard operation, that extrajudicial violence against slaves was a campus tradition, and that white supremacy was an institutional ideology at the University of Mississippi. This thesis integrates African American reparations literature ...

Alternative Strategies For Solving Subtraction Problems Generated By Third Grade Students Proficient With The Standard Algorithm, Joelle Young

Honors Theses

This study explores third grade students’ mathematical understandings by examining the strategies they generate to solve subtraction word problems. Ten students proficient with the standard subtraction and addition algorithms were individually observed and interviewed while using as many different methods as they could to solve three multi-digit subtraction and addition word problems. The students were found to rely excessively on algorithms and class-taught methods, even when inappropriate, and were divided in the sophistication of their modeling strategies, with half only using direct modeling with ones, while four successfully modeled with grouping. The creativity of the strategies used by some students ...

The Effects Of Stem Education On Economic Growth, Mallory Croak

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to build on existing studies of human capital and returns to education with a focus on innovation-fueling, STEM-based education, to answer: How does STEM education affect macroeconomic growth across different countries? A review of literature reveals that many studies account for human capital in growth equations, measured as average years of education. However, educational attainment as a measure of human capital leaves out the additional impact of research, technological know-how and innovation on growth. This thesis seeks to bridge some of the overlap between education and innovation as it affects productivity by focusing on education in STEM ...

L'Éducation Comme Activisme: Comment Des Associations Françaises Lgbt Actuelles Utilisent Des Interventions En Milieu Scolaire Pour Sensibiliser Des Élèves Aux Identités Lgbt, William Garner

Honors Theses

Plusieurs communautés à travers le monde deviennent plus tolérantes des personnes LGBT, comme en témoignent les nations qui légalisent le mariage entre des personnes de même sexe et qui passent des lois qui protègent contre la discrimination basée sur l'orientation sexuelle ou l'identité du genre. Mais les attitudes ne changent pas toujours aussi rapidement que les lois. Cette étude concerne la France, un pays qui a passé la législation soutenant la communauté LGBT mais qui nourrit encore beaucoup d'homophobie, de biphobie et de transphobie. Je m'intéresse aux programmes éducatifs aux niveaux de collège et de lycée ...

Environmental Clearinghouse Of Schenectady, Kate Van Patten

Honors Theses

This paper analyses Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady, a local nonprofit environmental organization. The paper investigates the history of the organization as well as the effectiveness of its organizational and funding habits. A literary review was conducted to analyze the success of ECOS mission as well as the positive effects ECOS has on society using elements such as environmental education, the importance of early environmental education, how well the organization connects urban residents with the outdoors and the effectiveness of environmental programs. This research promotes the importance of early environmental education on our future generations health and environmental conditions. Additionally, through ...

Exploring Issues Of Diversity Experiences In Student Organizations Sponsored By The University Of Southern Mississippi, Cornelia Welch-Dick

Honors Theses

Colleges and universities are becoming increasingly racially/ethnically diverse. Previous studies have noted that an increase in racial/ethnic diversity has positive outcomes for minority and majority groups. Additional research supports that positive diversity experiences in student organizations have benefits for college students (Kuk & Banning, 2010; Cheng & Zhao, 2007; Antonio, 2001). While the benefits of increased diversity are clear, no previous study was found to have looked at diversity experiences at USM or more specifically, USM’s student organizations. The current study examined the degree to which leaders of each organization perceived experiences of diversity as positive compared to the members’ perception of diversity ...

Benefits Of Veterans’ Oral History On Gifted Students, Katelyn Watkins

Honors Theses

To combat boredom and negative sentiments, all students need to be provided with engaging experiences in history. This is especially the case with gifted students. One strategy that has proven beneficial to students is oral history, which brings people who have lived through history into the classroom. Research supports the use of oral history in the classroom; however, research on the benefits of veterans’ oral histories on gifted students in particular is scarce. This study describes research on how a veteran’s oral history might benefit gifted students. Qualitative research methods consisting of case study and narrative research were used ...

Positive Discipline As A Part Of Effective Classroom Management, Allison Stevens

Honors Theses

This study was driven by the researcher’s interest in learning more about classroom management, and in particular, how experienced teachers thought about positive discipline as part of a management system. The researcher was a teaching intern in an elementary suburban school, where she interviewed 5 teachers and the building principal about classroom management and positive discipline. Interviews were transcribed, and patterns across responses were sought. Findings revealed common pieces of effective classroom management: 1) setting clear expectations and rules, 2) consistency in applying rules and expectations, and 3) having good parent communication. All teachers used tangible extrinsic rewards to ...

Impacts Of Representation On Increasing Flexibility In Understanding Number Composition, Abigail Carr

Honors Theses

Place value is a mathematical concept that young children struggle to understand. A common misconception for children is that the digits that make up multi-digit numbers represent the quantity of that number itself, instead of the number according to its place value (i.e. the 1 in 18 represents 1, instead of 10). The base-ten representation is an efficient way to represent numbers and quantities, but it is not easily learned. One reason children may struggle to fully understand place value is the English language does not make the value of the number known and has hidden base-ten meanings. To ...

Inter-Professional Education: A Literature Analysis And Description Of Pacer Study At Western Michigan University, Kari Scholten

Honors Theses

Inter-professional education is a topic that is widely gaining popularity throughout the healthcare field. Because inter-professional practice in the hospital and beyond has proven its value time and time again, universities must take it upon themselves to train their healthcare students to work efficiently and communicate effectively with other disciplines in the healthcare field. Through a thorough literature review, it was demonstrated that inter-professional education studies and simulations that were performed in a range of settings have had positive effects on a variety of factors, including communication, quality of care given, and perceptions of professional roles. A study performed at ...

An Examination Of School Shootings And Mental Health: A Comparative Case Study, Emily Kaufman

Honors Theses

School shootings have become more relevant in our society over the past few decades, yet the debate over the cause of these shootings never seems to reach a conclusion. The current study looks at the connection between mental illness and school shootings, as well as the roles that media, gun control, violence, and masculinity play in the common phenomena. Prior literature has debated over the main causes of school shootings, but many researchers state differing opinions regarding the motivations for perpetrators. This study found that severe mental illness is the main cause of school shootings, and while mental illness may ...

Launch-Explore-Summarize In High School Calculus, Nate Mattis

Honors Theses

Current research on high school calculus instruction indicates that students often possess a procedural knowledge of differentiation and integration as opposed to a conceptual knowledge (Orton, 1983; Ferrini-Mundy & Graham, 1994). Given the prominence of traditional lecture and textbook-based calculus classes in the United States, students are not always given the opportunity to expand their conceptual knowledge of essential calculus concepts. This project introduces calculus students to a more active and communal method of teaching: Launch-Explore-Summarize (LES) (CMP, n.d.). This methodology places students at the center of their learning and emphasizes inquiry-based thinking during a class. Specifically, two LES lessons ...

The Impact Of Modern Aesthetics: Stained Glass In The Chapel Of The Holy Spirit, Assumption College, Julia Goyette

Honors Theses

This analysis will look into the design and function of the fifteen abstract alcove windows in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on the campus of Assumption College. An image and visual analysis of each will be provided followed by an explanation of how the modern aesthetic of art has impacted the above-mentioned windows.

Hot, Warm, Cool: The Ymca And You, Tatiana Correia

Honors Theses

In order for children to self-regulate themselves in situations that may escalate their emotions, children must be able to identify their emotions and understand how they affect their body. This can be challenging as de-escalation strategies typically go against our natural reactions to situations, but as parents and educators, we can retrain a child’s minds to cope with their emotions. Breathing, taking a break, communication, etc. are all elements that children can learn as a skill to cope with their emotions. The following children’s book will have a dual purpose of providing families and their children with what ...

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Students Based On Socioeconomic Status: A Literature Review, Chelsea Rowe

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research was to determine whether teachers’ perceptions of students are affected by students’ socioeconomic status (SES). It was hypothesized that teachers perceive students from lower socioeconomic classes as less capable than students from higher socioeconomic status, and that teachers unconsciously set lower achievement expectations for low SES students, based on these original perceptions. All empirical studies conducted in the last decade on the topic were reviewed, including studies that used both naturalistic methods and those that used hypothetical scenarios. The hypothesis was supported through the analysis of past research, finding the presence of classism in teacher ...

“Is The End Game All The Same?”: Analyzing The Importance Of German Schools And The Hitler Youth Under The Third Reich, Jillian Rubin

Honors Theses

Was the German public education system or the Hitler Youth more influential in the indoctrination of children in Nazi Germany? The German school system promoted a rhetoric built upon a Nazi ideological framework, with the end goal of having children passively think within that framework. In contrast, the Hitler Youth emphasized physical training and militarization as a critical component of the indoctrination process. Ultimately, both proved vital in the success of Nazi Germany’s re-education program and allowed for the full integration of youth into the Nazi State.

An Examination Of Mississippi Teachers' Likelihood To Report Child Sexual Abuse And The Potential Effect On The Rates Of Victim Disclosure, Marjorie M. Cox

Honors Theses

Within the last year alone, hundreds of news reports have swept the United States about the experiences of sexually abused children, shocking citizens with chilling accounts from both perpetrators and victims. Once their initial reaction plays out, many people resume their daily lives with little thought to the details or repercussions of the abuse; after all, incidents of that nature only befall other peoples' children. How does this secondary response affect child victims? Are children more or less likely to divulge their abuse with a societal response such as this? These are questions that the researcher sought to answer within ...

Creating Effective Mental Health Programs In Rural Middle Schools: A Case Study Of Challenges, Policy And Programming, Katelyn Kempf

Honors Theses

Using a case study approach, this study investigated the current status of mental health programs and resources within a specific middle school in Eastern Rural Pennsylvania. Interviews were conducted with a school counselor, principal, teacher, social worker and mental health liaison in order to uncover the perceived strengths and weaknesses of mental health resources at this school, and the perceived barriers to providing mental healthcare. Data analysis revealed that the main barriers included parental involvement, parental follow-through, transportation and funding. Further questions were identified for future research within this school in order to create specific recommendations for improvement. Additionally, a ...

Self-Monitoring Of Reading Comprehension In Secondary English Language Arts Classrooms, Rachel E. Ford

Honors Theses

This thesis consists of a literature review focusing on self-monitoring and reading comprehension and a capstone project creating a unit plan to integrate self-monitoring into the secondary English Language Arts classroom. The literature review showed that self-monitoring is an effective practice to improve student's comprehension and creates a more mindful learning experience. The capstone project, a set of lesson plans, has a variety of worksheets and tools to allow teachers to utilize self-monitoring while still meeting Common Core State Standards.

Philosophies In Action: A Personal And Analytical Look Into Reflective Teaching, Ryley Blomberg

Honors Theses

In this thesis, I will address the implementation of reflective teaching into everyday practice and how this reflective teaching impacts teacher actions and decisions in classrooms and schools. I engaged in reflective teaching for a semester of my student teaching practicum experience, focusing extensively on my philosophy of education, its evolution, and its implementation. Additionally, I interviewed in-service teachers at a rural Mississippi high school on how they engage in reflective practice and implement their philosophies into their teaching daily. The research from both the journals and interviews was uploaded into a qualitative data analysis software where it was analyzed ...

The Impact Of Various Instructional Strategies On Student Engagement With Mathematics, Sidney Scott

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to investigate the variation of student engagement with mathematics depending on the instructional method implemented in a secondary classroom. I looked into the strategies of lecture, group sessions, and direct instruction. In order to compare the student engagement among the methods, I developed a checklist instrument to verify when students were engaged based on seven indicators of engagement — teacher-led questions, student-led questions, showing work on the board, group work, growth between formative assessments, nonverbal engagement, and the use of differentiation. My findings show that the group sessions scored higher on the engagement indicator checklist ...

The Impact Of Expectations On Student Perceptions, Taylor A. Huey

Honors Theses

The impact of expectations on student achievement has been researched for decades. My study began with the intention of researching and recording the impact of my own expectations on low-achieving students. However, the focus of my research evolved after meeting and building relationships with my students. After observing the exceedingly low standards my students held for themselves, my interest shifted to how expectations impacted students' self-perceptions. I recorded my observations of their attitudes, behaviors, and work ethic throughout the year; I also gave them an anonymous survey at the end of the year questioning them about their aspirations for the ...

Using Their Own Voices: Exploring The Writing Of English Language Learners In A Mississippi Middle School, Gabrielle Lynn Vogt

Honors Theses

In the United States, and particularly Mississippi, the number of K-12 English Language Learners is growing rapidly. Writing scores are on a national decline, and ELLs are struggling to acquire the language and literacy skills to become proficient writers in English. However, there are various instructional approaches that provide ELLs the opportunity to use and expand their writing skills beyond a basic ability. Despite this, little is being done to give ELLs the opportunity to express themselves and their identities while also acquiring stronger writing skills. As a preservice teacher, I developed a mixed methods research study that explored the ...

The Impact Of Social Wellness Integration On Fifth Grade Students' Positive Social Behaviors, Kathryn Harrison

Honors Theses

In recent years, schools across the United States have encountered increased pressure to focus solely on academic performance (Dillow & Snyder, 2007). Therefore, time allotted to developing fundamental social skills needed to improve the well-being of children in elementary school has decreased. However, social skills are essential to educating the overall well-being of children (Clinton, West, and Wilson, 2017). Benefits associated with social wellness education include relationship skills, responsible decision making skills, and consideration of well-being of self and others. These are all important to lifelong success (Burrow, Patrick, Kyzer, & Mckelvey 2016). To address these concerns, this study examined the impact ...