Education Commons^™

K–2 Teachers’ Perspectives On Managing Student Behaviors In Inclusive Classrooms, Hailey Camp Kilcrease

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since the start of the full inclusion movement, K–2 general education teachers have been overwhelmed with their behavior management due to the increased numbers of students with disabilities in their classroom who display emotional/behavioral challenges. This basic qualitative study aimed to explore K–2 teachers’ perspectives on having a broad range of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms, along with what barriers and facilitators K–2 teachers describe as affecting their ability to manage behaviors in the classroom. M.A. Barnes’ inclusive education conceptual framework supported and guided the research study and data analyses. The sample for this study was 12 K–2 general …

Professional Development In Technology Integration For Mathematics Teachers In Title 1 Schools, Nate-Nna Kalu Abba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For teachers to increase their instructional abilities, it is imperative they are provided with instructional support and an engaging technological professional work environment. The need is particularly great for math teachers at low socioeconomic status (SES) schools. The purpose of this basic correlational quantitative study was to explore teachers’ attitudes about professional growth and leadership, digital age work and learning, and digital age learning experiences and assessments, and their level of technology integration for high school mathematics teachers in Title 1 low SES schools. Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory provided a framework for understanding self-efficacy and stages of teacher’s adoption …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Technology Integration And Pedagogy In Kindergarten–Grade 5, Megan Alessandra Bailey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At a small, suburban elementary school in the western United States, teachers in kindergarten through fifth grade (Grades K-5) were not consistently implementing technology within instruction. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of Grades K-5 teachers at the elementary school regarding barriers and challenges of technology integration within classroom instruction. The study's conceptual framework consisted of Mishra and Koehler’s framework of technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and Bandura’s conceptualization of self-efficacy. The research questions concerned the perceptions of teachers who teach within a 1:1 classroom where there is one device for every student, regarding …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Technology Integration And Pedagogy In Kindergarten–Grade 5, Megan Alessandra Bailey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At a small, suburban elementary school in the western United States, teachers in kindergarten through fifth grade (Grades K-5) were not consistently implementing technology within instruction. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of Grades K-5 teachers at the elementary school regarding barriers and challenges of technology integration within classroom instruction. The study's conceptual framework consisted of Mishra and Koehler’s framework of technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and Bandura’s conceptualization of self-efficacy. The research questions concerned the perceptions of teachers who teach within a 1:1 classroom where there is one device for every student, regarding …

Issues Influencing The Certification Of Online Career And Technical Educators In The Western Pacific Region, Benjamin Borja Seman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this study addressed is Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers’ perceived concerns of the eTeacher certification process and perceived support needed to increase CTE teacher participation in the process. Although an eTeacher certification process is available and free of cost in the Western Pacific region, local secondary CTE teachers have resisted enrolling in certification courses resulting in few CTE offerings for the distance education program. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived concerns of CTE teachers, and the perceived support needed to increase participation in the eTeacher certification process to teach online CTE courses in …

Perceptions Of Science Teachers At Title I Middle Schools Tasked To Integrate Digital Interactive Textbooks, April C. Carpenter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the K-12 classrooms, science teachers are increasingly using digital interactive textbooks to improve instruction. However, limited research exists on the Title I science educators’ experiences with digital interactive texts in Title I middle schools. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of these Title I science teachers in middle schools tasked with integrating digital interactive textbooks. This study was guided through the lens of Fuller’s stages of concern, a component of the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM). Adopting basic qualitative methodology, purposeful sampling was employed to recruit nine Title I middle school science teachers through …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Technology Integration And Pedagogy In Kindergarten–Grade 5, Megan Alessandra Bailey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At a small, suburban elementary school in the western United States, teachers in kindergarten through fifth grade (Grades K-5) were not consistently implementing technology within instruction. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of Grades K-5 teachers at the elementary school regarding barriers and challenges of technology integration within classroom instruction. The study's conceptual framework consisted of Mishra and Koehler’s framework of technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and Bandura’s conceptualization of self-efficacy. The research questions concerned the perceptions of teachers who teach within a 1:1 classroom where there is one device for every student, regarding …

Perceptions Of Science Teachers At Title I Middle Schools Tasked To Integrate Digital Interactive Textbooks, April C. Carpenter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the K-12 classrooms, science teachers are increasingly using digital interactive textbooks to improve instruction. However, limited research exists on the Title I science educators’ experiences with digital interactive texts in Title I middle schools. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of these Title I science teachers in middle schools tasked with integrating digital interactive textbooks. This study was guided through the lens of Fuller’s stages of concern, a component of the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM). Adopting basic qualitative methodology, purposeful sampling was employed to recruit nine Title I middle school science teachers through …

Supplemental Education Services And Cultural-Linguistic Instruction For Hispanic Students To Improve English Language Proficiency, Joshua William Cochran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to low English language arts (ELA) state test scores among Hispanic students, district administrators in a Title I identified school district implemented a new literacy policy that included both supplemental education services for Hispanic students (SES-HS) and professional development in cultural and linguistic instructional practices (CLIP) for ELA teachers. But the ELA state test scores for Hispanic students who received the SES-HS and CLIP services had not been studied to see if there was any improvement related to the CLIP-HS training. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in Hispanic students’ ELA scores before and after …

Teachers’ Integration Of Writing In Career, Technical, And Agricultural Education Classrooms, Caryn L. Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers’ instructional practices of integrating writing into their courses can improve students’ writing abilities and better prepare students for postsecondary education and career success. At ABC College and Career Academy (pseudonym), career, technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) teachers were required by the Common Core State Performance Standards to integrate writing into their courses, but 60% of teachers were not complying with that requirement. The purpose of this study was to explore how CTAE teachers at ABC College and Career Academy integrated writing into their courses, their challenges regarding integrating writing, and needed aids for integrating writing. The conceptual framework for …

Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Development Effectiveness, Justin C. Hose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Through continuing education, educators improve their skills and become more proficient at their jobs. However, some educational leaders are unaware of the perception of teachers regarding professional development. Grounded in Desimone and Garet’s framework of best practices in teachers’ professional development, the purpose of this interpretive qualitative study was to compare that framework to what a sample of teachers believe is effective professional development based on their experiences. Data were interviews with 10 teachers with at least a year of experience in Virginia. The framework was used to compare the theory of what makes effective professional development to the actual …

Tech-Savvy Educators’ Perceptions Of Using Smartphones For Self-Directed Professional Development, Matinga E. Ragatz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The proliferation of the smartphone has encouraged educators, particularly the tech savvy, to seek personalized learning options in lieu of the absence of individualized professional development (PD) offerings provided by their academic institutions that are not based on short-term whole group instruction. Although smartphone use has attracted the attention of researchers, not much has been examined about how educators use the device to enhance their learning. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to investigate the perceptions of tech-savvy educators regarding smartphone use for informal self-directed PD. The conceptual framework of the study was the 3 x 3 model …

Core Subject Area Vocabulary Instructional Strategies For Middle School English Language Learners, Tiffany N. Waller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Academic vocabulary is one of the most important skills needed in language learning, but it may be difficult for students whose native language is not English. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate how classroom core subject teachers at Middle School 55 (pseudonym) perceive their ability to implement specific instructional model strategies to support explicit academic vocabulary building for ELL students. This study was grounded in Becker and Engelmann’s direct instruction framework for effective and efficient teaching and involved providing research-based principles for teachers supporting ELLs in middle school who are developing academic vocabulary skills. Open-ended semistructured interviews …

Engaging English Learners In Purposeful Discourse In Elementary Mathematics, Karlyn E. Davis-Welton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers are experiencing a change in practice, from teacher-centered to student-centered, which affects their work with English learners (ELs) in third through fifth grade mathematics classrooms. The implementation of student-centered discourse practices is essential to orchestrating productive mathematical discussions. However, the common practice is teacher-centered instruction where teacher talk is prevalent. Although the school district in this study provided professional development (PD) to address student-centered practices, PD for teaching ELs to interact in English in their mathematics classrooms remained to be addressed. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of teachers’ experiences with new discourse practices and …

K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Barriers To Implementing Service Learning, Cassandra Aiesha Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

K-12 teachers in a large metropolitan school district in the Northeast United States experienced difficulties integrating service learning into the curriculum due to state-based curriculum standards. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore K-12 teachers’ perceptions of barriers to, and best practices that support, implementation of service learning into the curriculum while considering state-based curriculum standards. Cooperrider and Srivastva’s theory of appreciative inquiry, which emphasizes assets rather than deficits within organizational structures, was used as the conceptual framework that guided data collection and analysis. Research questions were used to describe the perceived barriers to, and best practices …

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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

K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Barriers To Implementing Service Learning, Cassandra Aiesha Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

K-12 teachers in a large metropolitan school district in the Northeast United States experienced difficulties integrating service learning into the curriculum due to state-based curriculum standards. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore K-12 teachers’ perceptions of barriers to, and best practices that support, implementation of service learning into the curriculum while considering state-based curriculum standards. Cooperrider and Srivastva’s theory of appreciative inquiry, which emphasizes assets rather than deficits within organizational structures, was used as the conceptual framework that guided data collection and analysis. Research questions were used to describe the perceived barriers to, and best practices …

Alternative Certification Teachers' Perceptions About Teacher Preparation Programs, Mary Kathleen Huffman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to the teacher shortage in a U.S. southeastern state, administrators at Unified School District (USD, a pseudonym) hired alternative teacher certification program (ATCP) teachers enrolled in graduate level education courses through ATCPs while teaching full time. These ATCP teachers have bachelor’s degrees and work experiences in various professions. The problem investigated in this study was the high attrition rate of ATCP teachers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore ATCP teachers’ perceptions of their preparation program, previous degrees, careers, and family life experiences in preparation for teaching in USD’s K-12 schools. The conceptual framework was Shulman’s …

Perspectives On Professional Development On Common Core Standards For English Language Arts, Martin W. Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Middle school teachers at a rural site in a western state have faced problems in implementing Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts (ELA), as well as in resolving achievement gaps in ELA between regular education students, special education (SPED) students, English language learners (ELL), and at-risk students. The purpose of this case study was to obtain teachers’ and school leaders’ perspectives on how CCSS for ELA can be used to enhance learning for all populations of students using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. The CCSS for ELA and UDL comprised the frameworks employed in this …

Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports To Reduce Short Term Suspensions Of African American K-5 Students, Monisha Bynum

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated was the disproportionate suspensions of African American students in Grades K to 5 in an elementary school in Virginia despite implementing positive behavioral interventions support (PBIS) intended to reduce this disparity. Exploring the implementation of PBIS is important because an increased understanding may lead to the development of additional supports and training that may reduce the short term suspensions of African American students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore why implementing PBIS was not successful in reducing short term suspensions. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory served as the conceptual framework. Two research questions focused on …

The Alignment Of District And Campus Professional Development And Instructional Strategies In Reading, Dorothy Augustine

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The professional development (PD) for teachers on research-based reading practices has been ineffective in a Title I urban school district in the southeastern United States. Further, students’ reading proficiency levels have not improved, as students have underperformed on standardized tests for the last 4 consecutive years. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate teacher perspectives of reading PD and the alignment of classroom strategies to support student learning in Title I reading classrooms, and whether these strategies aligned with the reading pedagogical strategies presented in PD and implemented in the classroom. Guided by Guskey’s Five Levels of …

Middle School Teachers’ Experiences Implementing The Workshop Model In Their Classroom, Patience Ndidi Onyegwara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Due to the increasing diversity in U.S. schools, there is a need for differentiated and individualized educational models for these learners to be successful in the future. However, little is known about innovative educational models allowing differentiation and individualized education. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the experiences and perceptions of middle school teachers implementing the innovative Workshop Model (WSM) of teaching and learning. The conceptual framework for this study included the diffusion of innovation, sociocultural, and andragogical theories, and the principles of technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). The participants were 10 middle school teachers …

Developing Teacher Leaders Through Professional Development Offered In A District Teacher Forum, Suzanne T. Koty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher attrition is an ongoing problem in education, and the lack of leadership opportunities contribute to that problem. Teachers who serve in leadership roles are more likely to remain in the profession and positively impact students and the profession as a whole. However, there is little qualitative research to address how teachers develop the needed leadership skills to take on additional leadership roles. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of participants in a District Teacher Forum. The District Teacher Forum is a cohort of teachers identified as Campus Teachers of the Year led by the …

An Exploration Of Scaffolding Strategies In A Remedial High School Mathematics Course, Pauline Ofure Aikhuele

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a southeastern state school district, the educators understood little about the scaffolding practices of ninth-grade teachers of Foundations of Algebra (FOA), a remedial course. FOA is a mathematics course designed for students who need substantial help to master the required standards. An increasing number of students in 2 high schools failed FOA; hence, they were not prepared for Algebra 1. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the scaffolding strategies used by FOA teachers. Bruner's constructivist theory and Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD) theory were used to guide this study. The research questions addressed …

Case Study Of Teachers’ Instructional Practices Among Eighth Grade Students With Disabilities, Lashaundon Perkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Academic achievement of students relies heavily on a student’s reading proficiency. The college-and career-readiness reading test results of 8th grade North Carolina students did not meet expectations during the 2016-2017 school year. The overall reading performance of 8th grade North Carolina students who have shown achievement at or above proficient was 30%, which is below the national average. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the instructional practices of special education teachers in a low performing school in the eastern region of North Carolina. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory provided the conceptual framework for this study. Research questions addressed …

Understanding The Effects Of Mathematics Professional Development On Teachers’ Perceptions Of Mathematics, Mike Flynn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Negative mathematics perceptions may affect how teachers teach the subject, how much time they spend on the subject, and how well they teach it. The problem that grounded this study was that although anecdotal evidence showed that teachers’ experience with professional development (PD) courses in mathematics teaching improved their perceptions of mathematics, there was a lack of data regarding how PD affects changes in teachers’ perceptions. The study purpose was to gain a deeper understanding of what elements of a PD course have the greatest effect on improving teachers’ perceptions of mathematics. Piaget’s constructivist and Vygotsky’s socio-constructivism theories made up …

How Teachers And Counselors Collaborate Formally And Informally To Improve The Precollege Curriculum, Amanda Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers and counselors in a large suburban district in the Southeastern United States strive to collaborate to equip students with key skills needed to succeed in their first year of college. The problem is that little was known about the collaborative challenges teachers and counselors faced as they implemented the precollege curriculum in secondary schools. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine how teachers and counselors collaborate formally and informally to improve the precollege curriculum as recommended by the guidelines of the American School Counselor Association and adopted by the local district. Knowles’s theory of andragogy provided …

Developing Teacher Leaders Through Professional Development Offered In A District Teacher Forum, Suzanne T. Koty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher attrition is an ongoing problem in education, and the lack of leadership opportunities contribute to that problem. Teachers who serve in leadership roles are more likely to remain in the profession and positively impact students and the profession as a whole. However, there is little qualitative research to address how teachers develop the needed leadership skills to take on additional leadership roles. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of participants in a District Teacher Forum. The District Teacher Forum is a cohort of teachers identified as Campus Teachers of the Year led by the …

Success Stories: Community College Teachers Using Technology To Engage Online Students, Alice Louise Dieli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For online students to be engaged in learning process, best practices include teachers using appropriate technology. However, it is unclear how some teachers who initially face challenges to adopting new teaching technology have overcome those challenges, adjusted their instructional practices, and adopted innovative technology to successfully engage students online. The purpose of this case study was to describe how teachers overcame challenges of using instructional technology tools for online learning. Rogers’s diffusion of innovations theory and Kolb’s experiential learning model provided the framework for this study. The research questions explored why teachers initially resisted the use of technology tools in …