Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Walden University

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 2791 - 2820 of 4344

Full-Text Articles in Education

Factors Related To Nursing Student Persistence In An Associate Degree Program, Patricia Ann Farley Jan 2017

Factors Related To Nursing Student Persistence In An Associate Degree Program, Patricia Ann Farley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The retention of nursing students remains a challenge in higher education, and the need for nurses in the United States is projected to increase. The purpose of this study was to investigate nursing student persistence in an associate degree program by examining differences in the presence of key social, environmental, and academic factors across 2 types of students: completers and non-completers of the 1st course in a registered nursing program. The study framework was based on Tinto's Student Integration Model and the Nursing Undergraduate Retention and Success Model, which identify key social, environmental, and academic factors as critical to student …


Impact Of The Southern State Teaching Program On The Preparation Of Teacher Leaders, Jenna Hallman Jan 2017

Impact Of The Southern State Teaching Program On The Preparation Of Teacher Leaders, Jenna Hallman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The roles and responsibilities of teacher leaders change as schools, districts, and states adopt new policies, procedures, and initiatives. However, little qualitative research has been conducted about how teachers develop leadership skills, particularly during preservice preparation programs. The purpose of this single case study was to explore how a community of practice prepared college graduates to be teacher leaders. The conceptual framework was based on the concepts of situated learning, communities of practice and legitimate peripheral participation. Four graduates from a state teaching program were purposefully selected as participants. Data were collected from multiple sources, including initial and follow-up interviews …


Inclusion In Jamaican Primary Schools: Teachers' Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, And Concerns, Jillian Samms Jan 2017

Inclusion In Jamaican Primary Schools: Teachers' Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, And Concerns, Jillian Samms

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inclusive education has become an international phenomenon; however, many developing countries struggle with its implementation. At last assessment of the Jamaican educational system in 2004, findings revealed exclusionary practices which are in contrast to international standards on education. Many children with special needs may not be receiving adequate support for education. Using Bandura's social learning theory as a foundation, this study examined whether there is a predictive relationship between grade level, type of school, location of school, access to support resources, perceived school climate, pedagogical beliefs, extent of inclusion training, attitudes to inclusion, and teachers' ratings of self-efficacy for inclusive …


Personality Factors That Influence Administrative Assistants' Participation In Continuing Education And Training, Rose Friend Schmitt Jan 2017

Personality Factors That Influence Administrative Assistants' Participation In Continuing Education And Training, Rose Friend Schmitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Administrative assistants (AAs) provide critical office support for modern businesses, yet many do not participate in the continuing education and training (CE&T) required for rapidly changing technologies and new office procedures. The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative correlational study was to investigate whether a significant predictive relationship exists between AAs' general self-efficacy (GSE), locus of control (LOC), and their participation in CE&T activities. The primary research question examined whether a significant predictive relationship existed among these variables, factoring in generation cohort and education level. Bandura's self-efficacy theory and Rotter's LOC theory provided the theoretical foundations. Volunteer AAs (n = 125) …


Virtual Learning Environments' Impact On Adult Learners' Motivation In The Workplace, Clarence Eugene Bashshar Jan 2017

Virtual Learning Environments' Impact On Adult Learners' Motivation In The Workplace, Clarence Eugene Bashshar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Virtual learning environments have become prevalent in the workplace to improve talent development. However, because there are so many different types of design options, not all learners are finding success in the virtual learning environment. This mismatch can negatively impact employees' motivation and learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore how design features of a virtual learning environment impacted adult learners' motivation in the workplace. Constructivist and self-determination theories were used as theoretical frameworks. The research question in this study explored how social and external contextual factors influence an adult learner's motivation to learn in a virtual …


Elementary Instructional Best Practices For English As Secondary Language Teachers, Terrance Michael Bigley Jan 2017

Elementary Instructional Best Practices For English As Secondary Language Teachers, Terrance Michael Bigley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A trending national concern is the increasing number of English language learners (ELL) who are being reclassified as long-term English language learners (LTELL) instead of progressing to the general education classroom. This trend is a local problem for the study elementary schools. Guided by sociocultural learning theory that outlined ESL best instructional practices, the purpose of this case study was to examine the instructional practices of elementary ESL teachers. Ten ESL teachers from each grade level from 1st to 5th grades were interviewed and observed. Analysis and organization of the data through its transcription and coding led to the emergence …


Relationship Between Teachers' Attitudes Toward Inclusion And Professional Development, Patricia Chatman Chatman Jan 2017

Relationship Between Teachers' Attitudes Toward Inclusion And Professional Development, Patricia Chatman Chatman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Integration of general and special education students in the classroom has become common in many educational systems. Researchers have found that some general education teachers may have negative attitudes of inclusion when they are inadequately prepared to instruct in an inclusion setting. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to investigate the relationship of teachers' professional development (PD) on their attitudes about teaching in an inclusive classroom at a northeast Georgia middle school. Using Vygotsky's sociocultural developmental theory, the research question examined the difference in teachers' attitudes toward inclusion as measured by the Scale of Teachers' Attitudes Toward Inclusive Classrooms …


Effect Of Response To Intervention On Developmental Education Students' Persistence, Retention, And Completion, Cheryl Garayta Jan 2017

Effect Of Response To Intervention On Developmental Education Students' Persistence, Retention, And Completion, Cheryl Garayta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2012, national rates of degree or certificate completion for students beginning college in developmental education courses were 35%. At a Midwestern state community college completion rates were even lower, with only 27% of developmental reading/writing (DRW) students completing their program. Therefore, the purpose of this causal- comparative study was to compare success rates for DRW students beginning college in a multileveled (MLI) program and in a response to intervention (RtI) based program. The MLI program was grounded in a scaffolded learning framework, and the RtI program was grounded in a transformative learning framework. Four research questions were posited to …


Business-Oriented Leadership Competencies Of K-12 Educational Leaders, Kevin Alan Kaufman Jan 2017

Business-Oriented Leadership Competencies Of K-12 Educational Leaders, Kevin Alan Kaufman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Contemporary K-12 educational leaders must fulfill many roles and responsibilities similar to those fulfilled by traditional business leaders. There is, however, a lack of information about the business-oriented competencies of K12 educational leaders in comparison with business executive norms. This lack of information places K-12 institutions at risk of selecting leaders who are not capable of accomplishing institutional goals and objectives, improving the efficiency and sustainability of business operations, meeting stakeholder expectations, managing social responsibilities, and improving the educational foundation of the next-generation workforce. Grounded in leadership theory, this nonexperimental study included the California Psychological Inventory 260 assessment to capture …


Development Of An Evidence-Based Practice Guideline For Prevention Of Diaper Dermatitis, Nanita Flavier Lim-Sulit Jan 2017

Development Of An Evidence-Based Practice Guideline For Prevention Of Diaper Dermatitis, Nanita Flavier Lim-Sulit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diaper dermatitis, an acute inflammatory reaction of the skin, is one of the most common forms of dermatitis among neonatal and pediatric patients. The problem addressed in this quality improvement project was the absence of an evidence-based practice (EBP) guideline for perineal care which resulted in 4 unexpected cases of diaper dermatitis per 100 hospital days at a non free standing children's hospital. Framed within Rosswurm and Larrabee's model for EBP, the purpose of this project was to develop an educational initiative encompassing an EBP guideline for perineal care, an educational curriculum plan for staff members, and a Power Point …


Competition And Academic Entitlement, Linda L. Parker Jan 2017

Competition And Academic Entitlement, Linda L. Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a university or college setting, academic entitlement occurs when a student thinks that he or she may deserve an acknowledgement that has not been earned. By understanding the potential contributions, negative effects on the student, faculty, and administration can be avoided. Using the social learning theory and cognitive evaluation theory as the framework, the purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between competition, an activity in which only one or several will win a contest or accolade. Amazon's Mechanical Turk was used for the recruitment of 552 students residing in the United States, from freshman to doctorate …


White Undergraduate Student Engagement At A Public Historically Black University, Janelle Simmons Jan 2017

White Undergraduate Student Engagement At A Public Historically Black University, Janelle Simmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have provided academic and social support to Black students; however, with an increase in White students attending HBCUs, HBCU leaders have been challenged to acquire a better understanding of the White student population to increase their retention and graduation rates. This phenomenological project study addressed how White undergraduate students' participation in curricular and extracurricular activities influenced their academic success. The conceptual framework included elements from Astin's involvement theory and Helms's White racial identity development model. Eight White undergraduate students at a mid-size public HBCU were interviewed over 2 weeks. Exploratory analysis of one-one interviews …


The Effect Of Secondary Teacher Personality On Educational Empowerment, Latoya Sharee Alexander Jan 2017

The Effect Of Secondary Teacher Personality On Educational Empowerment, Latoya Sharee Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Past research has shown a relationship between teachers' personalities and their ability to motivate students to perform, suggesting that teacher behaviors are the most important catalysts for student empowerment. This descriptive quantitative research bridged a knowledge gap by assessing the statistical significance of the relationship between secondary teacher personality types, as measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment, and their ability to academically empower their students, as measured by EDUCATEAlabama. A convenience sample of 334 secondary educators completed the MBTI assessment and reported EDUCATEAlabama empowerment scores. A comparison of Title 1 high school and non-Title 1 high school data, …


The Ethical Implications Of Plagiarism And Ghostwriting In An Open Society, Patricia I. Fusch, Lawrence R. Ness, Janet M. Booker, Gene E. Fusch Jan 2017

The Ethical Implications Of Plagiarism And Ghostwriting In An Open Society, Patricia I. Fusch, Lawrence R. Ness, Janet M. Booker, Gene E. Fusch

Journal of Sustainable Social Change

Plagiarism is the theft of intellectual property. Plagiarism has been a problem in academic settings and appears to be on the increase, now moving into areas including the medical and scientific fields as well as industry, manufacturing, military, and legal briefs. The ethical implications can have serious consequences for organizations, individuals, and society, resulting in harm being done to others in favor of expediency. In this scholarly essay, the authors explore and discuss the ethical implications of plagiarism and the increase of ghostwriting in a free society through the writings of Kant, Popper, Kostenbaum, Plato, Whedbee, and others. The conclusion …


Classical Music As An Instrument To Foster Leadership Skills For Social Change: The Case Of Venezuela’S El Sistema, Marco Aponte Moreno, Lance Lattig Jan 2017

Classical Music As An Instrument To Foster Leadership Skills For Social Change: The Case Of Venezuela’S El Sistema, Marco Aponte Moreno, Lance Lattig

Journal of Sustainable Social Change

El Sistema, the Venezuelan system of youth orchestras, is a program aimed at teaching and performing classical music through the development of a free network of symphony orchestras and choruses nationwide. Since its creation in 1975 by its founder José Antonio Abreu, El Sistema has given thousands of Venezuelan children, who often come from unprivileged socioeconomic backgrounds, the opportunity to receive free classical music education while promoting their personal, intellectual, spiritual, social, and professional development. The purpose of this article is to analyze El Sistema’s potential to foster leadership skills for social change. After providing an overview of …


A Qualitative Study Of Gender Issues Associated With Academic Mentoring In A Nigerian University., Oghoadena Clementina Osezua Dr Dec 2016

A Qualitative Study Of Gender Issues Associated With Academic Mentoring In A Nigerian University., Oghoadena Clementina Osezua Dr

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

There is an upsurge in the establishment of private and public universities in Nigeria. The development has opened up the need for quality and seasoned academics, but minimal opportunities exist for mentoring of young academics. This article explores the mentoring opportunities and challenges of young female academics faced in a male dominant university system. From an exploratory qualitative design, this article generates empirical evidence through structured a face-to-face interview with purposively selected 36 female academics. The participants were recruited from the Obafemi Awolowo University, a first-generation, public-owned university in Nigeria. A thematic analysis of the data revealed common challenges in …


Effect Of Vocabulary Test Preparation On Low-Income Black Middle School Students’ Reading Scores, Ingrid Mitchell, Nicolae Nistor, Beate Baltes, Michelle Brown Dec 2016

Effect Of Vocabulary Test Preparation On Low-Income Black Middle School Students’ Reading Scores, Ingrid Mitchell, Nicolae Nistor, Beate Baltes, Michelle Brown

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Black middle school students in the United States continue to perform poorly on standardized reading achievement tests in comparison to other racial and ethnic groups. The purpose of this research study was to examine the effectiveness of a vocabulary-focused test preparation program for Black middle school students. The theoretical framework consisted of Thorndike’s concept of test-wiseness, a test-taking capacity. Teachers at the research site were trained on Larry Bell’s 12 Powerful Words strategy that aims to make students test-wise, that is, to familiarize them with key vocabulary terms related to tests. An intact-group comparison was conducted, involving a total of …


Teaching Preschoolers To Self-Assess Their Choices In Pre-K, Bobbie Gibson Warash, Melissa Workman Dec 2016

Teaching Preschoolers To Self-Assess Their Choices In Pre-K, Bobbie Gibson Warash, Melissa Workman

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Young children have the capability of making decisions, informed choices, and self-assessing their progress on their choices. In this classroom of 4- and 5-year-olds, children used pictorial contracts, rubrics, and various self-assessment techniques as a method for continuous learning. Gathering and reflecting on their own evidence about their accomplishments created a reflective loop by which the child evaluated their work, made revisions and ultimately applied the criteria to other conditions. Children in this prekindergarten classroom learned to reflect on their own knowledge. It is not only intrinsically motivating but offers young children a systematic approach to further their involvement in …


Using Variable Interval Reinforcement Schedules To Support Students In The Classroom: An Introduction With Illustrative Examples, David Hulac, Nicholas Benson, Matthew C. Nesmith, Sarah Wollersheim Shervey Nov 2016

Using Variable Interval Reinforcement Schedules To Support Students In The Classroom: An Introduction With Illustrative Examples, David Hulac, Nicholas Benson, Matthew C. Nesmith, Sarah Wollersheim Shervey

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

When behaviors are reinforced with a variable interval reinforcement schedule, reinforcement is available only after an unknown period of time. These types of reinforcement schedules are most useful for reinforcing slow and steady responding and for differentially reinforcing behaviors that are incompatible with some problematic behaviors. This review helps define variable interval reinforcement schedules, uses the example of a strategy to manage thumb-sucking behavior to illustrate the implementation of these schedules, and describes potential applications in school and clinical settings.


A Comparative Analysis Of Mississippi Rural Schools’ Abstinence-Only And Abstinence-Plus Programs, Alonzo Jeffrey Williams, Brian Zamboni, Rachel Piferi Nov 2016

A Comparative Analysis Of Mississippi Rural Schools’ Abstinence-Only And Abstinence-Plus Programs, Alonzo Jeffrey Williams, Brian Zamboni, Rachel Piferi

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Mississippi responded to high teenage pregnancy rates by enacting a law requiring school districts to choose between an abstinence-only or abstinence-plus program. However, there is limited research on Mississippi’s sex education policies, creating a research gap that inhibits developing successful programs. There is a need to compare the two programs with a focus on rural areas. This study compared programs by examining students’ abstinent sexual attitudes, social norms, self-efficacy, sexual abstinence behaviors, and perceived effectiveness of sexual education and decision making to address whether those variables differed by programs and if there was an interaction between programs and students’ …


Experiences Of Middle-Level Students, Teachers, And Parents In The Do The Write Thing Violence Prevention Program, Sarah E. Peterson, R. Craig Williams, Rick A. Myer, Josefina V. Tinajero Oct 2016

Experiences Of Middle-Level Students, Teachers, And Parents In The Do The Write Thing Violence Prevention Program, Sarah E. Peterson, R. Craig Williams, Rick A. Myer, Josefina V. Tinajero

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

We examined experiences of participants in Do the Write Thing national violence prevention program for middle-level students. Using mixed methods, we conducted surveys and focus groups with students, parents, and teachers who attended the program’s National Recognition Week in Washington, DC. Results revealed important affective, behavioral, and cognitive impacts on participants, including improved relationships, increased understanding of violence, and commitment to reduce violence. Participants from cities where insufficient time and resources were devoted to the project did not experience significant change. Teachers reported developing greater empathy for their students and making substantial changes in their teaching, providing support for students …


A Content Analysis Of Images Of Novice Teacher Induction: First-Semester Themes, Jennifer R. Curry, Angela W. Webb, Samantha J. Latham Sep 2016

A Content Analysis Of Images Of Novice Teacher Induction: First-Semester Themes, Jennifer R. Curry, Angela W. Webb, Samantha J. Latham

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The powerful nature of novice teachers’ experiences in their first years of teaching has been well documented. However, the variance in novices’ initial immersion in the school environment is largely dependent on perceived personal and professional support as well as the environmental inducements that lend to novice teachers’ success in the classroom. For the purposes of this study, 72 participating novices, who were participants in an alternative certification program, drew representations of their current teaching environments. Of the 72 initial participants’ pictures, 58 were used in this content analysis. The interrater analysis involving multiple documentation of codes between and among …


The Promise And Limits Of Service Learning For Aspiring Teachers, Mary Louise Gomez Jul 2016

The Promise And Limits Of Service Learning For Aspiring Teachers, Mary Louise Gomez

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This text explores how service learning may offer aspiring teachers’ (those not yet admitted to teacher education programs) opportunities to interact with and support the learning of children from low-income families of color. The article shows the potential of service to impact how aspiring teachers talk and think and what they can do in community centers serving children living in challenging circumstances. It also critiques their understandings of who they are with regard to race, social class, and language background when conducting service learning. Implications for teachers and teacher educators’ practices when mentoring university students conducting service in communities of …


Identifying Evidence-Based Educational Practices: Which Research Designs Provide Findings That Can Influence Social Change?, Barbara R. Schirmer, Alison S. Lockman, Todd N. Schirmer Jul 2016

Identifying Evidence-Based Educational Practices: Which Research Designs Provide Findings That Can Influence Social Change?, Barbara R. Schirmer, Alison S. Lockman, Todd N. Schirmer

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

We conducted this conceptual study to determine if the Institute of Education Sciences/National Science Foundation pipeline of evidence guidelines could be applied as a protocol that researchers could follow in establishing evidence of effective instructional practices. To do this, we compared these guidelines, new drug development process, and our own research on major methodological designs and found that they show remarkable consistency in the process by which types of studies intended to answer different research questions build a body of evidence for practice, whether that practice is in the instructional environment or health care environment. However, none of the protocols …


Using Thinking Routines As A Pedagogy For Teaching English As A Second Language In Palestine, Majida "Mohammed Yousef" Dajani Dr. Feb 2016

Using Thinking Routines As A Pedagogy For Teaching English As A Second Language In Palestine, Majida "Mohammed Yousef" Dajani Dr.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study examined the results of promoting Palestinian students’ engagement and fostering their understanding in addition to their inquiry skills through the application of thinking routines. Six teachers teaching fourth and fifth grades participated voluntarily in this action research project during the school year 2014–2015. The researcher videotaped a number of classes, collected and discussed teachers’ and students' reflections, and analyzed classroom observation reports. During the data collection process, the researcher depicted and narrated common themes and issues retrieved from the different sources that were used to collect data. Results revealed that the implementation of visible thinking routines in English …


Serious Fun: The Perceived Influences Of Improvisational Acting On Community College Students, Ruth H. Yamamoto Jan 2016

Serious Fun: The Perceived Influences Of Improvisational Acting On Community College Students, Ruth H. Yamamoto

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Theatrical improvisation lacks investigation within higher education. The findings from this phenomenological study of seven students from a Mid-­ Atlantic community college lend credibility to other research supporting arts and extracurricular activities and provide insights into what they value in their educational experience. Positive social change can come from providing students with an education that includes fun, creativity, and socialization for a successful future.


Separating Home And Work For Online Faculty, Lee Stadtlander, Lori Lacivita, Amy Sickel, Martha Giles Jan 2016

Separating Home And Work For Online Faculty, Lee Stadtlander, Lori Lacivita, Amy Sickel, Martha Giles

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Through the lens of environmental psychology and photo voice, this study explores online faculty’s work vs. home environment. Results indicated many participants had previously considered separating work and home and developed methods to maintain separation. This is a preliminary exploration to a larger survey study.


Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Use Of Small-Group Tutorial, Karen Moaton Johnson Jan 2016

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Use Of Small-Group Tutorial, Karen Moaton Johnson

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This study addressed the implementation of the tutorial program currently in use at an urban school district in Mississippi. With focus on the implementation of the tutorial program, the perceived impact of the program on the academic achievement of at-risk students and what changes would benefit the program.


Predictors Of Latino English Learners’ Reading Comprehension Proficiency, David A. Hernandez, Theresa A. Grasparil Jan 2016

Predictors Of Latino English Learners’ Reading Comprehension Proficiency, David A. Hernandez, Theresa A. Grasparil

2010-2016 Archived Posters

There is a gap in reading comprehension proficiency between English learners and their English-speaking peers. This study examined the strength of three significant predictors of reading comprehension—oral English proficiency, oral reading fluency, and academic vocabulary knowledge. Spending more instructional time on developing students’ skills in the strongest predictor, academic vocabulary knowledge, may reduce the achievement gap.


Changing Embedded Student Attitudes Within A Mathematical Setting, Ruth Collins Jan 2016

Changing Embedded Student Attitudes Within A Mathematical Setting, Ruth Collins

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Existing student attitudes and beliefs about mathematics often block student learning and deep understanding of mathematical content in the college classroom (e.g. preservice elementary teachers). Changes in pedagogy, classroom participation, and curriculum were infused into two college mathematics classes for preservice teachers and the attitudinal beliefs of these preservice teachers were assessed to measure change after a course intervention.