Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 27 of 27
Full-Text Articles in Education
Unveiling Trends, Terminology, And Teaching Competencies Of Blended Courses In Higher Education, Jennifer Lynn Ramsey
Unveiling Trends, Terminology, And Teaching Competencies Of Blended Courses In Higher Education, Jennifer Lynn Ramsey
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation has been written in a three-article journal-ready format and centers on competencies for blended teaching in higher education. I use the PRISMA process and thematic coding to analyze 34 articles from 2002 to 2022, highlighting strategic combination, learner-centered approaches, and additional support. I also use the Google Search API and content analysis to suggest that blended, digital, and flexible may be post-secondary institutions' most frequently used terminology to describe contexts incorporating online and in-person components. I also gather qualitative data from interviews with faculty to highlight the context and nuances surrounding blended teaching competencies, including creative innovation, technology …
Benefits And Challenges Of Computer-Assisted L2 Chinese Learning In Higher Education, Min Hu
Benefits And Challenges Of Computer-Assisted L2 Chinese Learning In Higher Education, Min Hu
Theses and Dissertations
The first article is a literature review that analyzed 32 articles on computer-assisted L2 Chinese learning in higher education from 2005-2021. Findings revealed current trends, such as mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) and the use of Web 2.0 technologies, and the importance of speaking as the most researched language skill. Most studies employed mixed methods and showed the positive effects of computer-assisted learning on L2 Chinese skills. Challenges identified included limited access to technology, technical difficulties, lack of time and support, and insufficient online/blended pedagogies and competencies. The second article used Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior to examine L2 Chinese instructors' …
Effects Of A Self-Monitoring Tracking System Combined With Blended Learning Intervention Time On Students’ Self-Regulated Learning Skills And Academic Performance, Jennifer E. Augustine
Effects Of A Self-Monitoring Tracking System Combined With Blended Learning Intervention Time On Students’ Self-Regulated Learning Skills And Academic Performance, Jennifer E. Augustine
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this action research was to evaluate the effects of the implementation of blended learning combined with a self-monitoring achievement system on students’ self-regulated learning (SRL) skills and academic performance in an eighth-grade English language arts classroom. SRL has been linked to higher academic achievement and success in and out of school. However, many students lack SRL skills, especially at the middle school level. This study addressed three research questions in order to better understand how students’ SRL skills and academic performance could be improved: (1) How and in what ways does the implementation of blended learning, combined …
Accessibility Of Blended Learning For Special Needs Students In Higher Education, Reem Yaseen Al-Sulaimani
Accessibility Of Blended Learning For Special Needs Students In Higher Education, Reem Yaseen Al-Sulaimani
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis investigated the experiences of visually impaired students and their faculty members with blended learning at University X. Qualitative research methods were employed to gather data through interviews with six visually impaired students and six professors. The study analyzed the data using two frameworks, Universal Design of Learning (UDL) and Community of Inquiry (CoI). The findings indicate that the course design, personalization of accessibility, social inclusion and classroom dynamics, university support and resources, and technology accessibility and digital literacy have an impact on the experiences of visually impaired students and their professors. The study provides recommendations for improving the …
Understanding The Role Of Institutional Support For Student Academic Engagement In Higher Education Online And Blended Learning Settings Through The Lens Of The Academic Communities Of Engagement Framework, Sara Hirschi Tuiloma
Theses and Dissertations
This multiple-article dissertation explores institutional support for student academic engagement through the lens of the Academic Communities of Engagement (ACE) framework. A literature synthesis explores the current research on teaching assistant (TA) support in online and blended environments in higher education, with a special emphasis on their role in providing support for affective engagement, in addition to supporting cognitive and behavioral engagement. The review suggests that additional research needs to be done in this area to better understand the role of TAs in online environments and how institutions can prepare them for this role through meaningful training. The second article …
Informing Professional Development To Support K-12 Blended Teaching: A Study Of Practices Of Seasoned Blended Teachers And Coaching Experiences Of Emerging Blended Teachers, Michelle Jensen
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation is presented in a journal-ready format and aims to inform professional development designed to support blended teaching. The first is a qualitative study of the practices of secondary educators currently using blended teaching strategies. Thematic analysis of the interviews identified activities teachers use in the online space and how they are connected to in-person activities. Activities aligned with two prior frameworks. Moore's (1989) interaction framework supported classifications of student interactions with content, other learners, and instructors. Kimmons et al.'s (2020) technology use framework supported classifications of student use of online technology in passive, interactive, and creative ways. Participants …
A South Texas Elementary School’S Transition To A Constructivist Blended Learning Model Of Instruction In Math: Perceptions Of Students And Parents, Ana Holland
Theses and Dissertations
This exploratory transcendental phenomenological study delved into the perceptions of selected South Texas public elementary school parents and students as they transitioned from traditional math practices to a personalized pedagogy which incorporated the constructivist model of instruction—blended learning. This study focused on fourth and fifth grade students engaged in the transition to blended learning for a minimum of two years and their parents. The exclusion and inclusion parent and student survey data facilitated the selection and organization of participants into focus group interviews, which aligned with a purposive sampling (Rubin & Rubin, 2012a; Mills & Gay, 2016; Creswell, 2013). Along …
The Impact Of Using An Online Learning Management System On Student Biology Achievement In A Hispanic Rural High School, Brent J. Burkott
The Impact Of Using An Online Learning Management System On Student Biology Achievement In A Hispanic Rural High School, Brent J. Burkott
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose for this study was to determine the effect of using online Learning Management Systems with a Blended Learning pedagogy on state assessment achievement of high school biology students with interactions analyzed based on teaching method (Face-to-Face/Blended Learning), course type (Honors/Regular) biological sex (Male/Female), risk factor (At-Risk/Not At-Risk), and socioeconomic status (High/Low). The research questions were: (1) What is the difference in achievement scores between students taught in a Blended Learning environment with a Learning Management System verses a traditional Face-to-Face learning environment, and (2) What differences in achievement exist on the Texas assessment based on teaching method, course …
Using Blended Learning And Writing Conferences To Develop High Schoolers’ Writing Skills And Self-Regulated Learning, Ashley Nicole Galloway-Speight
Using Blended Learning And Writing Conferences To Develop High Schoolers’ Writing Skills And Self-Regulated Learning, Ashley Nicole Galloway-Speight
Theses and Dissertations
Strong writing skills are an essential element in all areas of life. Written communication is pervasive in both daily life and the workplace. Yet nationwide studies reveal that many students in America graduate from high school with insufficient writing skills. Studies on writing instruction suggest that a shift to teaching writing as a process rather than a product, presentation of quality individualized, focused feedback, and teaching of metacognitive writing skills can help improve writing skills in high school students. The purpose of this mixed methods action research was to determine how the supplemental use of face-to-face writing conferences combined with …
Preparing K-12 Teachers For Blended Teaching: An Exploration Of Peer-Reviewed Research, Important Practices, And Teacher Experiences, Cecil R. Short
Preparing K-12 Teachers For Blended Teaching: An Exploration Of Peer-Reviewed Research, Important Practices, And Teacher Experiences, Cecil R. Short
Theses and Dissertations
This multiple-article dissertation explores K-12 blended teacher preparation. A literature review describes research trends from 88 articles published in peer-reviewed journals. It reports that current K-12 blended teacher preparation research focuses on explorations of blended teaching literature; professional development and coursework used for blended teacher preparation; defining, developing, and implementing blended teaching competencies; and measuring blended teaching readiness. The literature review suggests that additional work is needed to uncover specific practices that K-12 blended teachers are using across disciplines and grade levels, as well as whether there are specific pedagogies that seem to be effective within specific disciplines and grade …
Student Preferences And Decisions For Online Or In-Person Class Sessions In Blended Learning, James Max Christensen
Student Preferences And Decisions For Online Or In-Person Class Sessions In Blended Learning, James Max Christensen
Theses and Dissertations
Online learning sessions are becoming increasingly common. In this study, we reviewed over 150 studies of online and blended learning, revealing that the factors that affect student preferences for online or in-person learning vary widely and compiled a table of these factors. They can be categorized as either learning preferences or current lifestyle conditions. To better understand these preferences, we implemented an intervention in which college-level engineering students were given the choice to attend either an online or in-person session for a class they normally attended in a different modality. We compared college students' stated preferences with demonstrated attendance for …
The Impact Of Blended Learning Upon Mathematics Attitudes And Academic Achievement: An Action Research Study, Aronda Yvette Frazier
The Impact Of Blended Learning Upon Mathematics Attitudes And Academic Achievement: An Action Research Study, Aronda Yvette Frazier
Theses and Dissertations
Negative attitudes toward mathematics can adversely impact student achievement in the subject area. Successful development and implementation of blended learning in high school mathematics has the potential to positively impact student attitudes towards mathematics and towards their ability to do mathematics and their mathematics achievement. Developed out of my concern for the mathematical challenges that my students face, this convergent mix-methods action research study was conducted to determine if blended learning would positively affect my students’ attitudes toward mathematics and their mathematics achievement. Guided by the research questions, ‘What impact does learning have on students’ attitudes towards geometry, specifically two …
The Impact Of Blended Learning On Student Motivation And Achievement In Reading And Writing, Kimberly Eish Tiedemann
The Impact Of Blended Learning On Student Motivation And Achievement In Reading And Writing, Kimberly Eish Tiedemann
Theses and Dissertations
This action research project, based on 15 days of study, examined the impact of blended learning on student engagement and achievement in a high school Reading Seminar classroom. This action research study answered three research questions: 1) What impact do blended learning strategies have on student motivation in a Reading Seminar elective course classroom? 2) How does the implementation of blended learning strategies in a Reading Seminar elective course affect student writing skills? 3) How does the implementation of blended learning strategies in a Reading Seminar elective course affect student reading skills? The participants included 13 high school freshmen in …
The Digital Reading Experiences Of Middle School Readers: A Phenomenological Study, Laura A. Hayward
The Digital Reading Experiences Of Middle School Readers: A Phenomenological Study, Laura A. Hayward
Theses and Dissertations
Reading digitally is part of the 21st century New Literacies, residing in the curriculum as a comprehension skill developed with print reading skills. Differences exist between purpose of digital reading and print reading, manifested in the association of digital reading as a mostly non-fiction genre, the immediacy to digital information and its relevance to a reader’s decision about the usefulness of the information. Contrastingly, print reading can be fiction or non-fiction with access to all the text. The differences suggest that learning focused on immediate evaluation, synthesis, and application of information while reading digitally should be taught in the context …
Implementing The Flex Model Of Blended Learning In A World History Classroom: How Blended Learning Affects Student Engagement And Mastery, Kristin N. Davis
Implementing The Flex Model Of Blended Learning In A World History Classroom: How Blended Learning Affects Student Engagement And Mastery, Kristin N. Davis
Theses and Dissertations
In the following action research plan, an explanatory sequential mixed methods research study of the implementation of the Flex model of blended learning in a World History classroom is presented. The study and its findings are used to measure mastery of, engagement with, and understanding of historical concepts presented in a six-week unit on the Enlightenment and the various revolutions this period in history caused. Data collection and analysis, including data from pre- and post-tests, Likert scale surveys, exit tickets, and student artifacts, are discussed. The pre- and post-tests were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics (minimum and maximum score, average …
An Analysis Of High School Students' Self-Efficacy In Second Language Acquisition Through Digital Language Lab Learning: Exploring New Pathways To Proficiency, Lorna A. Fairess
An Analysis Of High School Students' Self-Efficacy In Second Language Acquisition Through Digital Language Lab Learning: Exploring New Pathways To Proficiency, Lorna A. Fairess
Theses and Dissertations
Students are often faced with barriers acquiring a second language due to various factors such as language anxiety, learning differences, and a lack of speaking time with the language. The purposes of this qualitative study were to: a) determine students' perceptions of the effectiveness of a digital language lab on their self-efficacy in second language acquisition at the secondary level, and b) discern teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of the lab as well as recommendations for best practices in teacher training and implementation. Twenty-seven Italian and Spanish students and 12 world language teachers from two fairly rural high schools in …
K-12 Blended Teaching Competencies, Emily Bateman Pulham
K-12 Blended Teaching Competencies, Emily Bateman Pulham
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation centers on competencies for K-12 online and blended teaching. Article 1, published in Distance Education, is the literature review, which compares K-12 online and blended teaching competencies. We found that online and blended teaching share personalization as the most salient competency, but that blended teaching competencies emphasize pedagogical skill sets and online teaching competencies emphasize managing the online course. Article 2, published in the Journal of Online Learning Research, is an analysis of selected literature from Article 1, which analyzes the modality in which competencies occur (online or digital context, face-to-face context, generic, or blended). Over half of …
Blended Learning And Its Effect On Student Achievement: An Action Research Study, Christopher Michael Turpin
Blended Learning And Its Effect On Student Achievement: An Action Research Study, Christopher Michael Turpin
Theses and Dissertations
This action research study seeks to determine the effects of blended learning on student achievement in a social studies classroom. The research focus is centered on the idea that students are not reaching their full potential on assessments, and a question about how to most effectively assist them in realizing their potential through a new teaching method. This action research study follows Mertler’s (2014) action research framework to find an answer to the research question. The participants of this study were a group of 10th grade students enrolled in an Honors World History course. Students were taught using a blended …
Emotional And Cognitive Engagement In Higher Education Classrooms, Kristine C. Manwaring
Emotional And Cognitive Engagement In Higher Education Classrooms, Kristine C. Manwaring
Theses and Dissertations
This is a multi-article format dissertation that explores emotional and cognitive engagement in higher education classrooms. Student engagement in higher education classrooms has been associated with desired outcomes such as academic achievement, retention, and graduation. Student engagement is a multi-faceted concept, consisting of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive components. A deeper understanding of how these components interact would allow instructors and course designers to facilitate more engaging learning experiences for students. The first article is an extended literature review that investigates the extant empirical research on the relationship between emotional and cognitive engagement, and between emotional engagement and academic outcomes in …
A Virtual Learning System’S Impact On Student Achievement In A Secondary Biology College Preparatory Course; An Action Research Study, Jamie Ankney Whitlock
A Virtual Learning System’S Impact On Student Achievement In A Secondary Biology College Preparatory Course; An Action Research Study, Jamie Ankney Whitlock
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this action research study was to describe the effectiveness of a virtual learning system (VLS) on college preparatory biology students’ pre- and posttest scores. Data were gathered from observations of students using the VLS for video lectures, practice tests, reviewing, and other online simulations in the spring of 2017. Data were also collected using a pretest and a posttest designed by the participant-researcher before and after the implementation of the VLS. A t test was used to analyze the pre- and posttest quantitative data, and the constant comparative method was used to analyze the qualitative data from …
Conceptualizing Blended Learning Engagement, Lisa R. Halverson
Conceptualizing Blended Learning Engagement, Lisa R. Halverson
Theses and Dissertations
Learner engagement, or the involvement of the student's cognitive and emotional energy to accomplish a learning task, has been called "the holy grail of learning" (Sinatra, Heddy, & Lombardi, 2015, p. 1) because of its correlations to academic achievement, persistence, and satisfaction. In the 21st century, learning will be increasingly "blended," combining face-to-face with computer-mediated instruction. Research is already exploring learner engagement in blended contexts, but no theoretical framework guides inquiry or practice. Developing models and measures of the factors that facilitate learner engagement is important to the advancement of the domain. This multiple-article format dissertation addresses the theoretical gap …
Patterns In Impact, Publication And Themes In International Blended Learning, Kristian Joy Spring
Patterns In Impact, Publication And Themes In International Blended Learning, Kristian Joy Spring
Theses and Dissertations
This research has found that the field of international blended learning (BL) is prepared for stronger communication and collaboration. Collaboration is currently limited, and regions vary greatly in terms of citations. However, BL is growing worldwide and each region has much to offer to the community. Greater collaboration among researchers and practitioners can be profitable regardless of location. In the first article the authors compared the top cited BL articles to understand which articles from each region are the most cited, how the regions compare in terms of citations and which journals publish these highly cited articles. The authors used …
Institutional Adoption Of Blended Learning In Higher Education, Wendy Woodfield Porter
Institutional Adoption Of Blended Learning In Higher Education, Wendy Woodfield Porter
Theses and Dissertations
Relatively little research on blended learning (BL) addresses institutional adoption in higher education. Graham, Woodfield, and Harrison (2012) proposed a framework for institutional BL adoption, identifying three stages: (a) awareness/exploration, (b) adoption/early implementation, and (c) mature implementation/growth. The framework also identified key strategy, structure, and support issues universities may address at each stage. In this series of articles, the authors applied that framework to institutions of higher education implementing BL. In the first article, the authors applied the framework to 11 Next Generation Learning Challenge (NGLC) grant recipients transitioning from Stage 1 to Stage 2 of BL adoption. The authors …
Online Student Discussions In A Blended Learning Classroom: Reconciling Conflicts Between A Flipped Instruction Model And Reform-Based Mathematics, Lewis L. Young
Theses and Dissertations
Two ideas are prevalent in teacher professional development today. Teachers are finding new and innovative ways to incorporate technology into their classroom. The use of video and social media is increasing. One type of pedagogy that has emerged among the blended learning pedagogies is flipped instruction, where students participate in some of the instruction outside of the classroom. Another prevalent idea is the focus on inquiry learning and reform-based mathematics instruction. This pedagogy adheres to the idea that students can use their problem solving skills to understand complex mathematics. This qualitative content analysis outlines how one researcher sought to find …
Sense Of Community In A Blended Technology Integration Course: A Design-Based Research Study, John Buckley Harrison
Sense Of Community In A Blended Technology Integration Course: A Design-Based Research Study, John Buckley Harrison
Theses and Dissertations
This design-based research study explored whether Sense of Community was maintained while flexibility in the course was increased through an adoption of a unique blended learning model. Data collected in this study show a significant drop in the sense of connectedness score from a mean of 50.8 out of 66 to a mean of 39.68 in the first iteration. The score then began to gradually increase, reaching 50.65 in the third iteration. Results indicate that transitioning to a blended learning environment may be a suitable option to increase flexibility while maintaining a Sense of Community in a project-based course. Future …
Understanding Learner Interactions In The Home-Study And Technology-Mediated Seminary Program For Youth In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Bradley G. Boyce
Understanding Learner Interactions In The Home-Study And Technology-Mediated Seminary Program For Youth In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Bradley G. Boyce
Theses and Dissertations
Interaction is a core element in the design of blended and distance learning environments. The importance of understanding these interactions and what might increase effectiveness of such interactions in education is paramount for meaningful learning. This dissertation consists of two qualitative case studies designed to provide a rich, descriptive look at interactions in a high school distance/blended-learning context in the home-study and technology-meditated seminary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the study article, Moore's (1989) interaction framework was used as a lens for understanding the learner experience. Thematic narratives were used to highlight themes related …
The Design Of A Blended Approach For Teaching The Tpck Framework In A Technology Integrated Course, Andrea Velasquez
The Design Of A Blended Approach For Teaching The Tpck Framework In A Technology Integrated Course, Andrea Velasquez
Theses and Dissertations
This report describes the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of a web-based unit that was designed to enable blended learning in a course for pre-service teachers learning about technology integration. The unit aims to teach students about the TPCK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) framework and how to incorporate it in their teaching designs to make their instruction more effective. The report describes the process of design and development using the rapid prototyping technique. The evaluation section describes the results of the implementation of the design. Finally, the conclusion provides a critique of the project's strengths and weaknesses.