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A Phenomenological Study Examining The Experiences Of Single Parents Who Are Rearing Elementary-Aged Children Enrolled In A Public School In A Rural Community, Jenine Lavonne Cotman Apr 2022

A Phenomenological Study Examining The Experiences Of Single Parents Who Are Rearing Elementary-Aged Children Enrolled In A Public School In A Rural Community, Jenine Lavonne Cotman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of single parents who are rearing elementary-aged children enrolled in a public school in a rural community. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development was used to guide this study. Vygotsky’s theory focuses on cognitive development being fundamentally framed by social interaction. Vygotsky also believed that cognitive development is strengthened when a child is encouraged to learn within their zone of proximal development, which refers to a person’s current cognitive space that can be further developed with social interaction and help from a teacher, peer, or parent. …


A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers’ Motivations To Use Instructional Technology, Aishia Nicole Daffin Apr 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers’ Motivations To Use Instructional Technology, Aishia Nicole Daffin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to identify and describe the factors that motivate teachers to integrate instructional technology in a district that has a 1:1 Chromebook program and tech-rich classroom environments. The research questions guiding this study were: How do middle school teachers describe the impact of access to contemporary technology resources on their motivation to integrate technology in their classrooms?; What are middle school teachers’ perceptions of how professional development experiences impact their motivation to integrate technology in the classroom?; How do the lived experiences of middle school teachers impact how they integrate technology in …


A Qualitative Phenomenological Study In Perceived Experiences That Enhanced Gospel Zeal In Christian Educational Leaders, Arlynne Gail Perley-Huebscher Apr 2022

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study In Perceived Experiences That Enhanced Gospel Zeal In Christian Educational Leaders, Arlynne Gail Perley-Huebscher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate and reveal the perceived experiences that enhanced Gospel zeal in Christian educational leaders in ministry. Scholarly studies reflect that contemporary ministry trends affect Christian educational leaders' longevities (Barna, 2020a) but do not address effects on Gospel zeal. The researcher cites Ryle (1880, Chapter One, Para. 2) regarding the Gospel zeal phenomenon, “Zeal in Christianity is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way. It is a desire, which is not natural to men or women. It …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Student Engagement Experiences Of African Americans Formerly Attending Urban Public High Schools, Sohn A. Butts Apr 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of The Student Engagement Experiences Of African Americans Formerly Attending Urban Public High Schools, Sohn A. Butts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to interpret the student engagement experiences of African Americans formerly attending urban public high schools in a major city in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Self-determination theory, established by Ryan and Deci (1985), is the theoretical framework for this study, and was used to understand motivation in terms of basic psychological needs satisfaction and fulfillment, and how those motivations influence human behavior. The central research question was: What were the student engagement experiences of African Americans formerly attending urban public high schools? The three research sub-questions were: (1) what instructional …


A Missing Link: Exploring The Connection Between School Climate And Teacher Retention, Christine Lynn Whitt Apr 2022

A Missing Link: Exploring The Connection Between School Climate And Teacher Retention, Christine Lynn Whitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined the strength of the correlations between school climate and teacher retention in rural, low-income elementary schools in North Carolina. In addition to identifying the overall relationship of school climate to teacher retention, this study examined the relationships between the overall climate factors (autonomy, community, induction, shared leadership, responsibility, and recognition) and teacher retention. Utilizing data from the North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey (NC TWCS), 150 teachers were surveyed. Teachers included in the data collection were identified as working in low-income and rural schools, serving pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. Existing data was requested from school …


Attrition In United States Air Force Mq-9 Instructor Pilots: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Isabelle Ione Perry Apr 2022

Attrition In United States Air Force Mq-9 Instructor Pilots: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Isabelle Ione Perry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology was to describe the shared experiences of MQ-9 instructor pilots who were considering discontinuing military service at the USAF’s MQ-9 FTU. Discontinuation of military service was defined as separation at the expiration of their Active Duty Service Commitment. The theories guiding this research were Vroom’s expectancy theory, as it connects the relationship between military members’ expectations from their employers and resultant attrition rates, and Herzberg et al.’s (1959) motivation-hygiene theory, as it explains the disconnect between a military member’s motivation, well-being, and work environment. This research followed a transcendental phenomenological design. Purposive and snowball …


Rural Teachers’ And School Leaders’ Perceptions Of School Climate And Student Achievement In Math And Reading: A Multiple Case Study, Matthew James Dolegowski Apr 2022

Rural Teachers’ And School Leaders’ Perceptions Of School Climate And Student Achievement In Math And Reading: A Multiple Case Study, Matthew James Dolegowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to investigate teachers’ and school leaders’ perceptions of how school climate affects student achievement in math and reading at rural schools. The conceptual framework guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory intertwined with the U.S. Department of Education’s School Climate Surveys (EDSCLS) (2019) school climate model to influence student academic achievement. Purposeful criterion sampling was used to select 13 teachers and school leaders from two rural schools in Western New York. Data was collected through a survey, teacher interviews, and school leader interviews. The data was triangulated and analyzed using …


Understanding Student Perspective Of Undergraduate Cybersecurity Programs And Experiences Across Christian Colleges And Universities, Brandon P. Grech Mar 2022

Understanding Student Perspective Of Undergraduate Cybersecurity Programs And Experiences Across Christian Colleges And Universities, Brandon P. Grech

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The number of Christian colleges and universities that are offering cybersecurity four-year degrees is rising. The workforce is in dire need of cybersecurity professionals; however, has anybody asked the new cybersecurity professionals in the workforce how their recent academic experience prepared them for such a global need? Research is well-documented about what industry currently needs in cybersecurity professionals; however, this research focused on asking graduates what students need for the workforce. The purpose of this explorative qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the phenomena of the holistic experience (technical, nontechnical, and whole-person) strengths and shortcomings (if any) recent …


How Can Education Support Prepare Students For A Workforce Focused On Innovation? A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Scott Allen Myers Dec 2021

How Can Education Support Prepare Students For A Workforce Focused On Innovation? A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Scott Allen Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand how faculty members and administrators describe their experiences in preparing their students for an innovation-focused 21st century workforce. The guiding theories associated with this study were Kolb’s experiential learning theory (ELT) as a gauge for modeling the learning process and Bloom’s taxonomy to assess learning levels. The relationship between Kolbs ELT, Bloom's taxonomy, and this study was conceptualized as a gauge to assess learning skill effectiveness. The central research question associated with this study was: How do faculty members and administrators describe their experiences preparing their students for an innovation-focused …


International Schools And Third Culture Kids Identity Development: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study, Jacob Daniel Huff Nov 2021

International Schools And Third Culture Kids Identity Development: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study, Jacob Daniel Huff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the qualitative multi-case study was to explore K-12 international teachers' and school administrators' perceptions concerning Third Culture Kids' (TCK) identity construction in Asia. The theory guiding this study is place identity construction theory regarding the need for third culture kids to develop a personal identity in an international context. The central question is, How do educators and schools meet the identity construction needs of TCKs in international schools? The study's participant pool involved two international schools in South East Asia. It included each school's teachers and administrators. The data collection for two research sites involved semi-structured interviews …


The Impact Of Repatriation On Third Culture Kids And The Role Higher Education Institutions Play In Supporting Repatriating Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Kylee Rae Spangler Nov 2021

The Impact Of Repatriation On Third Culture Kids And The Role Higher Education Institutions Play In Supporting Repatriating Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Kylee Rae Spangler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand, as a lived experience, the impact of repatriation on Third Culture Kids (TCKs). For this study, repatriation was generally defined as the transitional process of an individual moving from a host country back to the home country to attend college. The central research question for this study was aimed to gain insight into the lived experiences of TCKs whose lives were impacted by repatriation for higher education. The research sub-questions were designed to gain an understanding of the perceptions TCKs have about the preparedness of higher education institutions to meet …


The Predictive Relationship Between Paramedic Student Clinical Encounters And Performance On The Pre4, James Frederick Mitchell Aug 2021

The Predictive Relationship Between Paramedic Student Clinical Encounters And Performance On The Pre4, James Frederick Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study was conducted to assess for the predictive relationship between the number of patient encounters a paramedic student has during their initial education and their scores on a summative exam that has been linked to national exam pass rates. To date, little research has been conducted within the field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with a focus on education. Despite the lack of research, the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions has established recommended patient contact minimums that paramedic students must obtain during their initial education. The sample for this study included paramedic …


An Instrumental Case Study Of The Student Perspective Of A Smart Phone Meditation App In Rural Virginia, James Allen Eggleston Jun 2021

An Instrumental Case Study Of The Student Perspective Of A Smart Phone Meditation App In Rural Virginia, James Allen Eggleston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to explore how an introduction of a mindfulness meditation app (Calm) affects students in rural Virginia. The theory that guided this study was that of emotional intelligence, popularized by the efforts of multiple researchers including Salovey and Mayer (1990), and Goleman (1995), as it may influence and be influenced by the specific characteristics observed (Brown, Ryan, & Creswell, 2007; Charoensukmongkol, 2014; Waters, Barsky, Ridd, & Allen, 2015). Data was collected from 12 students by way of multiple methods including interviews, focus groups, journaling, an art project, researcher reflections, and field notes. …


Traditional And Nontraditional Leadership In Higher Education: A Qualitative Case Study, Jihna Racquel Jenkins Jun 2021

Traditional And Nontraditional Leadership In Higher Education: A Qualitative Case Study, Jihna Racquel Jenkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Higher education is experiencing unprecedented challenges in a rapidly changing educational landscape. Leaders are charged with transforming their institutions to demonstrate their formidability by successfully responding to change. It is integral that leaders understand the happenings within the external environment as they guide their institutions. Institutions are adopting business postures and there is an increase in nontraditional leaders in administrative roles. The increase in nontraditional leaders is providing an opportunity for institutions to implement contemporary approaches to leadership. This study identified the predominant changes impacting liberal arts institutions in the Midwest, leadership behaviors contributing to successful change adaptation, and existent …


There Is A Need For A Biblically Sound Education For Developing Healthy Blended Families At Healing The Broken Hearted Ministry, Canuta Daganio Price May 2021

There Is A Need For A Biblically Sound Education For Developing Healthy Blended Families At Healing The Broken Hearted Ministry, Canuta Daganio Price

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Blended families experience repeated divorce and contribute to the growth of dysfunctional families because churches do not have a dedicated biblically sound education that is specifically designed for blended families. Such an education, addressing issues representative of what blended families experience, will help establish blended families that follow the biblical model as stated in Colossians 3:18-21, with a submissive wife, a loving husband, and obedient children. Blended families will continue to struggle if they cannot access additional resources that will help them in dealing promptly with blended family issues as they surface, using God’s precepts. Family therapists and counselors, including …


A Phenomenology Of The Experiences Of Secondary Athletic Trainers With Athletic Training Student Aides In A Sports Medicine Career Technology Education Pathway In Texas, Amanda Marie Andrews Apr 2021

A Phenomenology Of The Experiences Of Secondary Athletic Trainers With Athletic Training Student Aides In A Sports Medicine Career Technology Education Pathway In Texas, Amanda Marie Andrews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The intended purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experience of athletic trainers in the secondary school setting who supervise career technology education (CTE) health science students in the sports medicine pathway at high schools in Texas. Through the lens of the social cognitive career theory (Lent, Brown, & Hacket, 2006) as a theoretical framework, this study will answered the central research question: What is the lived experience of secondary school athletic trainers in Texas supervising CTE pathway athletic training student aides? Sub-questions sought to further explore the participants’ relationship to student self-efficacy in career exploration …


The Perceived Effect Of Promoting A Sense Of Community In Online Doctoral Courses Through Intentional Course Design, Lucas Austin Farmer Jan 2021

The Perceived Effect Of Promoting A Sense Of Community In Online Doctoral Courses Through Intentional Course Design, Lucas Austin Farmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the sense of community experienced in online courses for Doctor of Ministry students at Liberty University. At this stage in the research, sense of community will be generally defined using Rovai’s (2002a) definition. Rovai (2002a) defines classroom community using four dimensions: “spirit, trust, interaction, and commonality of expectation and goals, in this case, learning” (p. 4). Essentially, members of a classroom community, according to Rovai (2002a), experience each of these four dimensions. A number of authors argue that a sense of community can be promoted in online classrooms (Rovai & Baker, …


Reducing Out-Of-School Suspension In Title I Middle Schools: An Applied Study, William Thomas Hatten Aug 2020

Reducing Out-Of-School Suspension In Title I Middle Schools: An Applied Study, William Thomas Hatten

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Out-of-school suspension is a growing concern in the United States education system and affects students at the three Title I schools in the Central School System at a particularly high frequency. The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of high-frequency out-of-school suspension for three Title I middle schools in the Central School system and to formulate a solution to address the problem. A multi-method design was used, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The first approach was structured interviews with two administrators from each school. The second approach was the analysis of archival data using …


Love Your Neighbor: An Educational Strategy To Cultivate Compassion In Adolescent Males, James Allan Benson Jr Jun 2020

Love Your Neighbor: An Educational Strategy To Cultivate Compassion In Adolescent Males, James Allan Benson Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When challenged to identify the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus Christ famously included “love your neighbor” in his response, making love foundational for all followers of Christ. Compassion is a key element that serves to demonstrate biblical love; sadly, today’s culture often minimizes or discourages compassion. In ten years of chaplaincy at the secondary school level, this author has seen too many Christian young men finish their high school journey without a foundation in love through compassion. This thesis project will utilize existing resources for academic and biblical research, as well as interviews of 25 high school males, to …


A Multiple Case Study Examining How Christian Education Has Influenced A High School Graduates’ Worldview, William Lawrence Lorigan Jun 2020

A Multiple Case Study Examining How Christian Education Has Influenced A High School Graduates’ Worldview, William Lawrence Lorigan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand how the Christian education offered by Country Lakes School System (CLSS; pseudonym) has influenced the worldview of its graduates. CLSS defines a biblical worldview as follows: “The entire process of education is seen as a means used by God to bring the student into fellowship with Himself, to develop a Christian mind in him and to train him in Godly living so that he can fulfill God’s total purpose for his life.” The theoretical framework that guided this study was Sire’s three-dimensional concept of worldview, which served as a basis …


Poverty And Education: An Educator's Perspective, Elizabeth Leigh Rogers Ghent Apr 2020

Poverty And Education: An Educator's Perspective, Elizabeth Leigh Rogers Ghent

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study was developed to increase awareness on educators’ perspectives at a Title I middle school in Lancaster, SC. The purpose was to determine which educational barriers, according to the teachers’ perspectives, have the highest impact on students. Using the survey results, it was determined which school initiatives play the largest role in mitigating the educational barriers. Data was collected through an anonymous online survey distributed in February of 2020. The results indicated which poverty related educational barriers were noteworthy. Having an effective meal program was determined to be the most effective way to combat poverty. Clubs, sports, and parental …


A Phenomenological Study Of North Carolina Elementary Teachers' Lived Experiences With Google Classroom Integration, Hilary Elizabeth Dodson Apr 2020

A Phenomenological Study Of North Carolina Elementary Teachers' Lived Experiences With Google Classroom Integration, Hilary Elizabeth Dodson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand North Carolina elementary school teachers’ perceptions of Google Classroom technology integration as a lived experience. Google Classroom is a learning management system and component of the technology integration that many teachers use to organize their classroom content. The discovery learning theory by Bruner guided this study. The problem of this study was North Carolina elementary teachers experience difficulties integrating technology, using applications like Google Classroom, in combination with more traditional curriculum and instructional strategies. The central research question was: What are North Carolina elementary teachers’ perceptions of the ways in …


Examining The Role Of On-Campus Experiences: A Phenomenological Study Of Persistence For Limited-Residency Doctoral Graduates, Kaitlin Elizabeth Yourous Apr 2020

Examining The Role Of On-Campus Experiences: A Phenomenological Study Of Persistence For Limited-Residency Doctoral Graduates, Kaitlin Elizabeth Yourous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the residential experiences of individuals who completed a terminal degree in education within a limited-residency program from various institutions of higher education. Tinto’s theory of integration provided the theoretical framework for the study to answer the central and research subquestions: (a) How do individuals who completed a terminal degree in education in a limited-residency program describe their residential experiences? (b) How do limited-residency doctoral graduates describe the role, if any, of their residential experiences in relation to their ability to conduct independent research? (c) How do limited-residency doctoral graduates describe …


Virtual Classes: A Comparative Study On The Overall Effect Of Virtual Science Classes On High School Students' Course Grade, Melinda Lee Maier Dec 2019

Virtual Classes: A Comparative Study On The Overall Effect Of Virtual Science Classes On High School Students' Course Grade, Melinda Lee Maier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to the rapid growth of technology and implementation of virtual learning into the lives of students, there is a push for the evaluation of virtual educational programs. The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to compare the impact of traditional, face-to-face instruction and virtual instruction on students’ course grades. The sample included 272 high school students in Florida; 125 students were enrolled in a virtual honors-level course and 147 students were enrolled in a traditional, face-to-face honors-level course. The students were enrolled in honors biology, chemistry, or physics. The theories guiding this study were social learning theory, self-determination …


Student Perceptions Of Learning Introductory Mathematics In An Online Environment In Higher Education, Jamie Lynn Brooks Nov 2019

Student Perceptions Of Learning Introductory Mathematics In An Online Environment In Higher Education, Jamie Lynn Brooks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the essence of student perception of learning introductory mathematics courses in an online environment at the college level. The central research question was, “What are the lived experiences of students who have completed introductory college mathematics courses in the online learning environment?” The phenomenon described was that of the beliefs and attitudes of the students who participated in introductory mathematics courses on the college level. The ideas explored were if students believe they learn effectively in this environment and how they believe they can best learn. Student beliefs and attitudes …


An Examination Of The Relationship Between Academic Entitlement And Education Financing Among Undergraduate Students, Nicola Ifill-Fraser Oct 2019

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Academic Entitlement And Education Financing Among Undergraduate Students, Nicola Ifill-Fraser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Academic entitlement among students is a growing problem and concern for universities. Students with a sense of entitlement towards their education believe that positive academic outcomes are owed to them and should be awarded, not based on mastery of educational content, but on non-academic aspects of education, such as attending class, participating in class, or paying tuition fees. Additionally, academically entitled students have unrealistic expectations about the role of instructors and demanding attitudes and behaviors toward faculty. The factors precipitating these actions and behaviors appear to be multi-facted and remain unclear. To add to the growing body of literature on …


The Impact Of A Felon's Overall Well-Being On Education, Employment, And Recidivism, Shandrika S. Mcnair-Williams Aug 2019

The Impact Of A Felon's Overall Well-Being On Education, Employment, And Recidivism, Shandrika S. Mcnair-Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the relationship between the self-reported mental well-being of a felon concerning their educational choices, employment opportunities, and recidivism. The study is a correlational quantitative study that used a multiple regression to analyze the data. Data were examined from visitors to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission. The data were collected from the convenience sample of 106 unemployed or underemployed felons seeking employment and/or training. The study found that there was no statistical significance between the self-reported mental well-being of a felon and their employment choices or recidivism. A significant regression equation was found with a statistically significant …


A Phenomenological Study Of Advanced Age Individuals Pursuing A Doctoral Degree, Elaine G. Phillips May 2019

A Phenomenological Study Of Advanced Age Individuals Pursuing A Doctoral Degree, Elaine G. Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of advanced age individuals 62 years and older who chose to return to academia and pursue doctoral studies in accredited doctoral programs in the United States. The theories that guided this study are the self-determination theory by Deci and Ryan and Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, specifically stage eight, Integrity versus Despair. These two theories framed this study investigating the central research question: What are the experiences of advanced age individuals pursuing a doctoral degree? These advanced age individuals pursued, experienced, and completed doctoral degrees or are in the …


A Case Study Of Elementary Education In Burkina Faso: What's Working, What Isn't, And Why It Matters, Georgia Gerard-Reed Apr 2019

A Case Study Of Elementary Education In Burkina Faso: What's Working, What Isn't, And Why It Matters, Georgia Gerard-Reed

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the education system of Burkina Faso to better understand how it impacts the lives of the people who live there. The study examined possible reasons of under-education in Burkina Faso and the impact of poverty on the Burkinabé people as it is related to education. The research questions are (1) what are the barriers to education, (2) how does under-education impact the ability of the Burkinabé to earn an income that is sufficient to meet basic human needs such as adequate food, clothing, and medical care, and (3) what are …


Developing A Strategy To Vitalize Volunteering For Successful Community Service In Korean Churches: Focusing On The Korean Baptist Church Of Blacksburg, Daijoong Park Apr 2019

Developing A Strategy To Vitalize Volunteering For Successful Community Service In Korean Churches: Focusing On The Korean Baptist Church Of Blacksburg, Daijoong Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Volunteering is a practical method of community service which is an essential ministry of the church’s mission as the salt and light of the world. In order for a church to fulfill its mission of community service, the volunteer work of church members should be activated. However, many church members are still not participating in community service, and some volunteers have difficulty in continuing their volunteer work due to the lack of volunteer management for volunteering properly. The purpose of this study is to develop a viable volunteer management process to vitalize volunteering for community service of a church properly …