Education Commons^™

The Effects Of Dietitian Weight And Self-Disclosure About Weight On Women's Evaluations Of Registered Dietitians, Wendy Elizabeth Bounds

Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of dietitian weight status, dietitian self-disclosure about personal weight issues, and participant weight status on participants' initial perceptions and evaluations of registered dietitians. The research design was a randomized 2x2x2 factorial design consisting of 2 dietitian weight status conditions (normal weight and obese), 2 dietitian self-disclosure conditions (absence or presence of self-disclosure about personal weight issues), and 2 participant weight status conditions (normal weight and obese). A simulated nutrition counseling situation was developed in which participants were shown a photograph of a dietitian and then listened to an audio recording of an overview of nutrition …

Butterflies, Boundaries, And Breadfruit: The Shared Story Of A Service Learning Experience In Jamaica, Adam Renner

Doctoral Dissertations

This study documents the problematization of service learning, the activation of a practice for cultural studies, and the use of a particular framework and theory called critical service learning. The framework centers around praxis and is comprised of four-stages—pre-action reflection, theory, action, and reflection—which articulates Freirean, critical, and engaged pedagogies with cultural studies theory in the reflective and theory stages and targets social difference and resultant injustices in the action stage. The theory articulates the feminist ethic of care and social justice theory within a frame of the generalized and concrete other, and promotes caring solidarity as the ultimate ameliorative …

Theory To Practice: A Study Of Science Teachers' Pedagogical Practices As Measured By The Science Teacher Analysis Matrix (Stam) And Teacher Pedagogical Philosophy Interview (Tppi), Sherri Lynne Brown

Doctoral Dissertations

This study continued research previously conducted by a nine-university collaborative, the Salish I Research Project, by exploring science teachers’ beliefs and actions with regard to inquiry instruction. Science education reform efforts require that students learn science via inquiry. The purpose of this study was to determine and classify espoused teaching beliefs and observable teaching style. Reported are linkages between the teachers’ beliefs and styles, influential coursework from College of Education and College of Liberal Arts, and outcomes of increased classroom teaching experience. Eight participants were chosen from three separate preservice science education cohorts.

An implied assumption is that teachers are …

Effect Of Directed Online Pre-Instruction Module On Teacher Preparedness For Face-To-Face Instruction, Donna Lynne Henson-Boyers

Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the effects of a supplemental online discussion module prior to face-to-face training. Specifically, it investigated the impact on teacher preparedness, discussion and collaboration in the face-to-face training, and the amount of knowledge gained from the subsequent training.

Two groups of special education teachers received twenty hours of face-to-face training in the use of assistive technology. For four weeks prior to then training, both groups had access to online simulations, resources and materials.

The Treatment Group participated in a four-week supplemental online module. Weekly topics focused on a specific disability, and included online simulations, resources and assistive technology …

Student Use Of Rankings In National Magazines In The College Decision-Making Process, Michele Mcmanus Howard

Doctoral Dissertations

College rankings are widely depicted as vital tools for making informed decisions about the college selection process. Based on sales volume and the diversity of ratings currently in existence, there is little doubt that rankings are big business and are undeniably here to stay. On the other hand, very little factual information is available about students’ actual use of rankings in the college decision-making process.

It is clear that rankings such as those published by US News & World Report are now part of the landscape in our system of higher education. However, the problem is to establish the extent …

Teacher Motivation And The Use Of Computer-Based Interactive Multimedia, Katrina T. Toth

Doctoral Dissertations

The purposes of this study were (a) to describe the use of multimedia within a participating population of teachers, and (b) to identify factors that motivate teachers to use multimedia for instructional purposes. Teachers from the Oneida Special School District located in Oneida, Tennessee, were invited to participate in this study.

This study was conducted in two phases. Phase I used a questionnaire to collect data on the use and development of multimedia. Forty-six teachers participated in this portion of the study. Phase II used an interview process to identify the factors that motivated teachers to use multimedia in the …

Increasing Students' Awareness And Perception Of Peer Prosocial Behavior: An Investigation Of Tootling, Heather Lee Shelton

Doctoral Dissertations

In educational settings, elementary students often monitor and report peer antisocial behaviors. However, few systems have been designed to encourage students to focus on peers' day-to-day prosocial behaviors. The current study attempted to determine if a proactive prosocial behavior program (i.e., tootling) could increase students' awareness of peer prosocial behaviors while also leading to a more positive perception of classmates.

Participants included two control groups (one 3rd-grade and one 4th-grade) and two experimental groups (one 3rd-grade and one 4th-grade). All participating students were assessed pre and post with the Prosocial/Antisocial Attention and Recognition Measure (PAARM) and the Peer Perception Scale …

Secondary Teachers’ Attitudes And Perceptions Of The Inclusion Of Esl Students In Mainstream Classes, Jenelle Reeves

Doctoral Dissertations

The enrollment of English language learners (ELLs) in U.S. public schools has increased dramatically in the past three decades. With the predominance of pull-out ESL programs, ELLs spend much of their day in the classrooms of mainstream teachers who may have received little or no training to work with language minority students. The purpose of this study was to examine high school teachers’ attitudes and perceptions of ESL inclusion in mainstream classes. The research design included both quantitative and qualitative inquiries. First, a survey was administered to 279 subject area teachers in four high schools to measure teachers’ attitudes and …

The Relationship Between Creativity And Self-Directed Learning Among Adult Community College Students, Barry F. Cox

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between creativity and self-directed learning readiness in a sample of adult community college students in Tennessee. A cluster sample of 114 students enrolled in Walters State Community College evening school were participants. Participants were administered the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS), the Khatena Torrance Creative Perception Inventory (KTCPI), and a demographic questionnaire.

Demographic information substantiated a preponderance of female students with an average age of 25.5. Students were typically Caucasian and generally held a high school diploma.

A significant moderate positive correlation was found between creativity and self-directed learning readiness. …

Computer And Networking Technology Usage For World Language Education In Post-Secondary Education In Tennessee, Satoshi Hashimoto

Doctoral Dissertations

Technology has been rapidly and continually introduced into the world language classroom to teach both the target language and its culture. This study investigated what kind of computer/networking technology was available and actually used by the post-secondary world language teachers in Tennessee and how often this technology was used. The specific target language skills, which teachers using technology wanted to enhance, were also explored. The survey participants consisted of 102 post-secondary teachers of world languages (excluding English) who taught at 24 universities and colleges in Tennessee during the spring semester, 2002. According to the survey, 73% of the participants reported …

Seeking Community: Narrative Inquiries Into The Transition Experiences Of Intern Teachers Through Face-To-Face And Electronic Communication, Denise Michele Ousley

Doctoral Dissertations

Secondary education interns in fifth-year licensure programs assume a complex variety of identities: preservice teachers, graduate students, and licensed first-year teachers. Inspired by a dual interest in the complexities of the transition experiences of novice teachers and in the effectiveness of community building through communication, the purpose for this study was to examine four novice teachers’ transitions—from student to student-teacher to licensed teacher—throughout the internship year. The impact of participation in a peer learning community, through electronic and face-to-face communication, was also explored.

The study employed a qualitative research design, which provided the intern-participants with extended opportunities for anecdotal dialogue …

Carnitine, Choline And Caffeine Promote Fat Loss And Metabolism In Rats And Humans, Nobuko Hongu

Doctoral Dissertations

Interaction of two nutrients, carnitine and choline, has been reported. Choline supplementation causes a significant conservation of carnitine in normal healthy humans and guinea pigs. The choline supplementation promoted tissue carnitine accretion, particularly in skeletal muscle of guinea pigs, and livers of rats. Also, choline supplemented guinea pigs had lower percentage of carcass fat and higher percentage of protein but the body weights or the respiratory quotient (RQ) were not affected.

Based on these observations, we hypothesized that a combination of choline and carnitine may further increase carnitine accretion by tissues, and if energy needs were increased by exercise and …

Cross-Cultural Competencies In International Management Curricula: A Delphi Study Of Faculty Perspectives, Roxanna M. Senyshyn

Doctoral Dissertations

Colleges and universities have taken steps to add international dimensions to their business curricula and programs with which they expect to positively impact students’ cross-cultural knowledge, skills, and abilities, and prepare them to function effectively in the global arena. Since limited research had been done on identifying cross-cultural competencies that graduate business courses would produce as intended outcomes, this study was a first step to identify and reach consensus on the cross-cultural competencies considered essential for inclusion into international management curricula at the university graduate level. Specifically, this study sought to answer the following two research questions:

(1) What cross-cultural …

The Relationship Of Market Conditions, Management Practices, And Medical Staff Attributes To Operating Profit Of Small Rural Hospitals In The Carolinas, Larry Lee Isley

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship of the profitability of market conditions, management practices, and medical staff attributes of small, rural hospitals operating in North Carolina and South Carolina. The study included six research questions to measure the three independent variables.

Correlation coefficient using Spearman's Rho and Pearson Correlations were utilized to evaluate the relationship between profit and medical staff attributes and market conditions. A student's t-test evaluated management's decision to merge the rural hospital with a multi-hospital health system.

Results showed a statistically significant correlation (p < .05) between small, rural hospitals' profit and market conditions and medical staff attributes. The study concluded that rural hospitals in the Carolinas are in financial trouble, and senior leadership must broaden their understanding and involvement in the infrastructure of their local communities to form partnerships linking the success of each together.

The Development And Validation Of An Adult Students' Career Needs Questionaire, Connie Sylve Briscoe

Doctoral Dissertations

The number of adult students who are returning to universities and colleges continues to increase. Many of these adult students are attending colleges and universities for career-related reasons (e.g, to change careers, to enhance skills to receive a promotion). Researchers have found that adult students have different career-related needs than do traditional age students (Gianakos, 1996; Luzzo, 1999, 1993; Slotnick et al., 1993). An instrument that reliably measures career development needs of adult students would be helpful to career counselors as they strive to assist adult students with career development. Some instruments have been developed to measure adult students' career …

An Investigation Of The Relationships Between Accelerated Reader® And Other Factors And Value-Added Achievement In Tennessee Public Schools, Carl William Chaney

Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated the relationships between value-added achievement in Tennessee public schools that include grades one through five and selected independent variables. The schools’ use of the reading practice and monitoring software known as Accelerated Reader® (AR) was of particular interest, as considerable research has suggested its effectiveness in raising achievement in reading and other subjects.

Data were (1) the dependent variables, cumulative three-year average (1999, 2000, and 2001) Tennessee Value-Added Assessment scores in reading, language, math, science, and social studies; (2) independent variables school enrollment, per pupil annual expenditure for the system, percentage of students in the school eligible …

The Effects Of A Constructivist Intervention On Pre-Service Teachers’ Confidence And Perceptions Of The Experience, Kathryn Ann Dipietro

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was, first, to determine the effect of a constructivist intervention supported by technology on pre-service teachers’ confidence in their own ability to plan and create six constructivist learning activities supported by technology and, second, to understand their perceptions of the experience.

Participants were 23 pre-service teachers accepted into the College of Education’s Masters program at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and enrolled in an introduction to instructional computing course during the summer of 2001.

A survey was used to assess pre-intervention confidence levels and experience with six constructivist learning activities supported by technology. Students were …