Education Commons^™

Creativity And Humor: An Investigation Of Humor As A Creative Stimulus, Mikala Joly

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

This thesis project is based on the belief that humor can be utilized as a creative stimulus within art education. The aim of this thesis project is to prove that humor can be used to promote creativity through an experimental study that tests for creativity before and after humor exposure. This thesis research also analyzes and reflects on a mix of art education literature pertaining to the correlation between creativity and humor. This investigation views humor as a tool used to enhance student creativity. The primary method of investigation for the thesis project is action research (May, 1993). This method …

The Juxtaposition Of Film Education: Explorations For Implementing A Film Curriculum In Public Schools, Maria Zapasnik

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

This thesis is based on the belief that film should be treated with the same respect and inclusion that the fine arts receive in public school curricula. Also, this thesis is based on the belief that as technology and media expands in our society students should be further prepared to work in a world that utilizes this technology. This thesis is approached from personal and professional interests in both the film and art education fields and investigates whether film classes should be more present in public schools’ curricula and, if so, what are some of the best ways to offer …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of How Public School Administrators Balance Teacher Evaluation And Support Of Teacher Growth, Mary F. Slattery

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Educational reform efforts over the past several decades have focused on different ways to address student achievement. Since the quality of the teacher that students have is one of the biggest in-school factors that impact student achievement, schools have focused on identifying, measuring, and improving teacher quality. Some of those reform efforts have focused their attention on teacher evaluation as a way of increasing student achievement. There has been much research on the components quality evaluation tools. There is also research on ways to impact and change teacher practice. Unfortunately most evaluation tools do not impact teaching practice. Rhode Island …

Teachers' Experiences Of Induction: A Narrative Retrospective Inquiry, Jodi L. Clark

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

It is well established that beginning teachers need support to bridge the gap from college teacher preparation to the classroom setting (Fletcher & Strong, 2009; Wong, 2003). In fact, lack of support in this transition has been identified as a leading factor that causes beginning teachers to leave the profession at high rates early in their careers (Andrews, Gilbert & Martin, 2006). Research suggests that coaching is an effective way to support beginning teacher’s learning (Ingersoll & Strong, 2011). The purpose of this qualitative research is to tell the lived experiences of nine teachers who took part of in a …

Investigating Predictors Of Academic Success In A Foundational Business Mathematics Course, Brooke Elise D'Aloisio

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Research reveals that the majority of students are unprepared in making the transition from high school to college mathematics. Many students choose majors outside of STEM and business fields to pursue degrees with less rigorous mathematics requirements. According to recent findings, it is likely that over 25% of all freshmen will fail their first mathematics course. Few studies examine student success in business mathematics courses, and business is currently the most popular major in the United States. Thus, the purpose of this research was to examine what factors predict success in a foundational business mathematics course (BUS 111) at a …

World Class(Ed) Talk, Thomas J. Hospod

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

As American higher education proceeds with the internationalization process of the undergraduate curriculum, college and university campuses continue to advocate for higher levels of study abroad participation among the student population. Originating from a tradition that perceived involvement as a luxury for a select few, these experiences are now commonly viewed as a means for the general student body to develop the knowledge and the 21^st century skills required to fully engage the global context in which we live. Despite the continued expansion in the number of students participating, the general profile of participants has remained stubbornly similar, with …

Studying School Improvement Teams To Analyze Multiple Stakeholder Engagement In Decision-Making In Public Education, Julie A. Dibari

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Since the Industrial Revolution, when schools became larger and the missions broader, there has been an attempt by a wide range of stakeholders to have a voice in public education. More recently, through No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, the federal government began to increase requirements for multiple stakeholder engagement in decision-making for schools requesting Title I funds. As the need for a more educated workforce has grown, businesses have also sought to have a voice in improving education. Additionally, experts in the field of parent, school and community engagement, have called for the inclusion of parents, …

Teachers' Self-Directed Informal Learning For Technology Integration In 1:1 Device High Schools, Mary Moen

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Public schools are implementing 1:1 computing programs in the hopes of

transforming education to provide students with the digital literacy competencies that

will enable them to be successful in our technology driven world. Continuous

professional learning is critical in helping teachers develop the knowledge and skills

for effective educational technology integration. Research has found however, that

formal professional development, commonly implemented as one-time workshops

with outside facilitators, are ineffective due to the multi-dimensional nature of

technology integration. Teacher continuous professional learning outside of the formal

context needs be considered. This survey study explored the self-directed informal

online and offline learning …

A Pre-Service Art Educator's Explorations Of Design Education, Emily Woratzeck

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

This research was meant as an exploration of design education from a variety of angles. These investigations informed me, a pre-service art educator, in how I can teach design within my curriculum as well as advocate for design education in my professional career. I focused on two aspects of design: designed products representing the human made world that surrounds us, sometimes referred to as applied arts; and the design process, or design thinking, a reflective process. In an attempt to get a full view of the importance of and applications for design in the art education classroom, I researched through …

Teaching Under Pressure, Laurie H. Sklar

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

The purpose of this comparative case study was to investigate, explore, and describe the methods and practices of secondary instrumental music education in a public school setting. Two sites, a Rhode Island public school and a Rhode Island community music school, were chosen for observation. Two major ensembles, a jazz band and a concert band, were observed at each site on four different occasions. Observations were organized by the National Standards of Music Education, although the study did not focus on whether or not the programs “met” the standards. Data was also placed into the category of non-musical factors. Observations …

Instruction Design Towards The Promotion And Integration Of Movement In The Visual Arts Classroom, Kathryn B. Adams

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

My research project focuses on the integration of movement into the visual arts classroom. I explore two questions: “How can the teaching of movement enhance and strengthen learning in Visual Art Education?” and then, “How can I design powerful Visual Art Education learning experiences by incorporating movement”? It is my hope to encourage students in the art classroom to become healthy, life-long learners by engaging the mind and body. This study explores ideas and strategies for integrating the teaching of art with movement for both Elementary and Secondary level students.

Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Educating Emergency Room Nurses, Dana M. Ferrazzano

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common hospital acquired infection and is primarily found in the intensive care units. The presence of an endotracheal tube is the primary risk factor for developing VAP. Many times the process of intubation occurs pre-hospital, in the emergency room (ER) or in the operating room. Ventilator associated pneumonia is associated with increased hospital stay and costs. Evidence-based guidelines have been developed to decrease the occurrence of VAP and decrease patient mortality. Preventative measures are initiated on the intensive care unit once the patient is transferred. The purpose of this study was to evaluate …

Engaging Students In Art Beyond The K-12 School Environment, Melanie Ducharme

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

This purpose of this thesis is to investigate a unit of instruction for a mural project with a community organization.

The question I sought to answer through this research was: How can I design a unit of instruction in collaboration with a local organization that will potentially engage students in a community-based work of art while also promoting a sense of community among the students?

Though this thesis research, I learned to collaborate with an organization to create a hypothetical unit of instruction. Also, I wanted to discover how I can create a learning experience that is engaging and personally …

Educating Nursing Students On Emergency Preparedness: A Pilot Program, Sandra N. Burnock

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

The purpose of this project was to determine if a disaster preparedness educational intervention for nursing students’ could engage students in personal preparedness and enhance their willingness to respond during a public health emergency. The United States (U.S.) is among the top five countries in the world that experience frequent natural disasters (Guha-Sapir et al., 2012). With over 3.1 million nurses in the U.S. (AACN, 2011) and their importance to healthcare, the nursing profession plays a crucial role in the ability of the nation to prepare for and respond to disasters. Currently, however, nurses in the U.S. lack the knowledge, …

The College Experience Of Commuter Students And The Concepts Of Place And Space, Marissa Weiss

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

The demographics of the college student population, the dearth of research on commuter students, and the pervasive negative stereotypes of commuters indicate that an appreciation of the commuter student experience is important for the future of higher education (Dugan et al., 2008; Jacoby, 1989; Krause, 2007). The Digest of Education Statistics 2011 reports that in academic years 2003-04 and 2007-08 85.8% of all students enrolled at postsecondary institutions did not live in on-campus housing (Snyder & Dillow, 2012). Despite their status as the numerical majority, commuter students are still considered nontraditional (Orgren, 2003). Due to the variations in commuter student …

Helping Students Gain A Better Understanding Of Writing, Jessica L. Ulmer

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

The primary purpose of this study is to develop a curriculum for first-year writing that can be taught at the two-year college to help students transfer writing skills to courses taken afterwards. The second chapter aims to define what transfer is and identify a few different approaches to teach for transfer, which led to the discovery of the Writing about Writing pedagogy as developed by Douglas Downs and Elizabeth Wardle. This research was influenced heavily by Anne Beaufort’s College Writing and Beyond as well. Following this, the third chapter examines the nature of the two-year college that makes it uniquely …

A Study Of High School Teachers' Experiences Of The Phenomenon Of Effective Instructional Leadership, Cheri A. Guerra

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Instructional leadership is focused on elevating teaching and learning for the purpose of improved student achievement (King, 2002). There are many styles of school leadership represented in educational leadership research, yet there is not an abundance of research on high school teachers’ perspectives regarding instructional leadership. The purpose of this study was to examine the phenomenon of effective instructional leadership through teachers’ experiences. Using six core practices of effective instructional leadership as the frame for the phenomenological study, eight teachers were interviewed from two high schools in two school districts in Rhode Island. Four teachers from each school shared their …

A Case Study Of Student And Teacher Relationships And The Effect On Student Learning, Patricia Brady Gablinkske

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

This research study explored the affective domain of teacher-student relationships using a single case study design. This single case study produced a synthesis of information that guides a classroom teacher in the development and maintenance of her relationships with her students. The resulting analysis and interpretation provided a description of major themes that developed regarding strong teacher student relationships, as well as, specific components to the interactions considered essential for the student’s learning environment.

The outcome of this study is an account of experiences and procedures that guide the development and maintenance of relationships between a teacher and her students. …

Engaging Students In Authentic Discussion In The Secondary English Classroom, Lisa Ann Carpenter

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Using the social constructivist lens, I frame a call for action that advocates for the use of critical literacy and a protocol for discussion in the English language arts classroom. Salon authentic discussion will present teachers with a powerful new pedagogy for critical literacy instruction in the secondary ELA classroom especially in this critical time when standards and accountability for both students and teachers is being redefined.

As a teacher-researcher, I am in the best position to investigate how students can become equipped to meet proficiency in speaking and listening a standards based era. Using grounded theory methodology, I examine …

Critical Inquiry In Developmental Mathematics, Roxanne Tisch

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Critical mathematics literacy is a necessary but often overlooked portion of developmental mathematics. This exploratory study focuses on the experiences of students in a developmental algebra course at a community college in New England. The theoretical framework combined critical pedagogy, teacher research, and critical discourse analysis resulting in a qualitative analysis. The analysis found that students who completed a social-justice oriented developmental algebra course increased their perception of their ability to understand math. The analysis also indicated that developing a sense of solidarity within the classroom was beneficial to students. Other issues for future study that surfaced during the analysis …

Studying Science, Renee Johnson-Thornton

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Although nearly equivalent percentages of black and white students entering college aspire to earn degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), a much smaller percentage of black students than white undergraduates complete STEM degrees (HERI, 2010). Thirty-six percent of black undergraduates who initially pursue STEM fields and go on to earn bachelor’s degrees switch to non-STEM majors, and 29.3 percent leave college before graduating, a rate 10 percentage points higher than that of their white counterparts (19.8 percent) (Chen, 2013). In the environmental sciences, of the 4,802 degree recipients in 2010, 81 percent (3,879) were white and only 2 …

Exploring Nurses' Knowledge About Heart Failure Before And After The Implementation Of A Heart Failure Education Program, Suzanne H. Richmond

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Heart failure (HF) has become a national epidemic, with 5.7 million Americans currently living with HF. Although HF is incurable, it is manageable if health care professionals apply current practice guidelines to patient teaching. Nurses are charged with providing comprehensive education about HF self-­‐management and it is imperative they stay abreast of evidence-­‐based guidelines. The purpose of this project was to explore the current HF knowledge of Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) registered nurse Care Managers employed at the Providence Veterans Administration Medical Center (PVAMC). The logic model and Knowles andragogy theory assisted this researcher in the creation of a …

Exploring A "Mor-In-Touch" Approach To Art Teaching, Micaela E. Morin

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

How can students be more in touch with their artistic process through materials, decisions, social interactions, and environment when creating a work of art about identity for a collaborative mosaic relief installation?

This thesis explored an opportunity for my students to work together to create a collaborative art installation in our high school. This was important to do because the school had just been recently renovated and the new environment felt devoid of any art or personality that once reflected its former students. The important factors behind the installation design were to bring the visual dialogue of community into the …

Nurses' Knowledge Related To Heart Failure Essentials, Ann Mary Garris

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Heart Failure is a complex syndrome which continues to be a major health issue in the United States and worldwide. Strategies and educational interventions implemented by hospitals to reduce hospital admissions and readmissions for this costly chronic disease have not been consistently successful. Patient education is an important strategy for the management of HF to improve quality of life, optimize patient outcomes, and reduce the use of healthcare resources by reducing readmissions. The purpose of this program development was to increase nurses’ knowledge regarding HF education to be provided to HF patients prior to discharge from the acute care setting. …

Surgical Skills For The Aprn Student: A Low-Fidelity Simulation Experience, Jason C. Heath

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

There are many contemporary areas of practice available to the ACNP to date that encompass a surgical component of practice. Surgical specialty settings require a practitioner to be competent in a specialized base of knowledge as well as possess a fundamental set of psychomotor skills to practice competently. Unlike the training of the PA, ACNP programs do not typically address surgical theory or skills. The purpose of the program was to increase graduate nursing student confidence in basic surgical skills. The review of the literature examined the differences between the educational preparation of the PA and the NP, expansion of …

Educational Innovation Brief: Educating Graduate Nursing Students On Value Based Purchasing, Kristen M. Farrell

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act implemented value-based purchasing to raise the bar on quality care and patient satisfaction in healthcare facilities. The time has come to educate graduate nursing students on the reality of quality indicators and the impact that advanced practice nurses will have on these initiatives. This educational brief describes implementation of an educational session developed for graduate nursing students on VBP and the APN role. The content for the education was derived from an extensive literature review, The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing, and the clinical experience of the author. The education was …

Girl Talk, Carey Delauder Bledsoe

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

This dissertation is a qualitative study of an all-girls’ advisory in a coeducational,

urban middle school located in a mid-sized city in the northeast.

The advisory group met daily over the course of the 2010-2011 academic year.

Drawing from data collected over one year of fieldwork--including participant

observation, analysis of discourse, dynamic interviews, and the analysis of

social constructs --this study explores how a group of mostly African

American and Latina students created a caring community in order to increase

their academic and social success.

Gender-Twisting And Bros Talking, Odile Mattiauda

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

In American Schools, students are rarely offered educational experiences about gender and sexuality. Programs that do address sexuality are rarely based on moral beliefs and democratic values of tolerance and inclusivity. Sexuality education is predominantly taught by health teachers, rather than human sexuality educators, and their focus is on facts, statistics, and controversial issues such as the prevention of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. This limited perspective on sexuality neglects the important role of gender identity and sexual orientation (Donovan, 1989; Haffner & De Mauro, 1991; Nelson Trudell, 1993)

Using teacher-researcher-participant-observer qualitative methodology, I examined the discourse …

Professional Development In Historical Inquiry, Thalia Wood

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Educators in the social studies content area have struggled for over a century with how to best instruct their students in critical thinking. A growing group of researchers in the discipline of history, one of the major components of social studies education, support teaching the domain-specific skills of historical thinking through the process of historical inquiry. Nevertheless, many social studies teachers lack the pedagogical content knowledge to instruct their students in historical thinking skills through historical inquiry. This multiple case study sought to examine how two social studies teachers might change their knowledge, beliefs and practices after engaging in eight …

Connecting School And Child Welfare Systems To Students In Foster Care, Tonya Glantz

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Barriers to collaboration between professionals in the school and child welfare systems are impeded by poor communication, a lack of cross-disciplinary language, and confusion regarding professional practices. This study, the Education Collaboration Project (ECP), addresses the importance of understanding school success for students in foster care through the voices and actions of the key constituent groups: students with foster care histories and professionals from the school and child welfare systems. Also included in a small component of this study were foster parents who participated via an anonymous survey. The theoretical framework combined critical pedagogy, elements of critical discourse analysis, adaptive …