Education Commons^™

Impact Of Professional Development On Primary School Teachers' Practices And Student Engagement, Tracy Hartley Clark

Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.) Dissertations

Prioritizing student engagement in the classroom, where students want to learn more and be challenged, can lead to future success. This study investigated the effectiveness of providing teachers with professional development focusing on student engagement. The study utilized a mixed-method methodology that examined the effects of professional development on student engagement levels. The participants were 19 teachers who attended professional development at ABC Primary School. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to test the study's hypotheses. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through observations before and after the professional development sessions. The data collected was used to determine whether …

How To Spark Bio Curiosity: An Innovative High School Biology Curriculum, Audrie Charles

Graduate Research Showcase

This project is a researched creative endeavor focused around the creation of an exemplary high school biology course. This presentation will showcase an original high school biology curriculum designed to ignite students’ innate curiosity and empower meaningful learning of core concepts like cell structure, genetics, evolution and ecology. Students revisit key ideas through a spiral curriculum that builds complexity, tackling open-ended problems and collaborating on hands-on inquiries like formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting data and drawing evidence-based conclusions. Tangible projects allow students to demonstrate content knowledge in addition to critical thinking abilities like synthesizing concepts, evaluating claims and applying learning …

University Student Engagement And Mobility From One University To Another In Private Universities In Kenya, Mercy Igoki, Kibaara Tarsilla, Paul Maku Gichohi

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

The purpose of this study was to determine whether student engagement influences students’ choice of mobility. This study employed a descriptive quantitative survey design. The target population of this study was 26 registered private universities (including private university constituents where mobility rate records are too high) in Nairobi County, Kenya. The research sample size was 180 private university students and nine registrars. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Descriptive analysis, inferential statistics, and regression analysis were used to analyse the findings. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, mean scores and standard deviation were computed …

The Cause-Effect Relationship Between Student Engagement And Numerical Scores In Residential Higher Education Facs Courses, Chelsea Jade Milks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The presence of student engagement is believed to increase student achievement. Student achievement can be measured by school attainment, student attitudes, retention rates, course depletion, and numerical grades. Studies have examined the effect of student engagement on student achievement in online and blended modalities, but minimally in face-to-face learning. Researchers have inspected the relationship between student engagement, achievement, and program retention in residential Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) programs, with the belief that greater engagement in these programs can improve retention and achievement scores. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to examine the relationship between student engagement and …

Use Explicit Instruction, Kristen R. Rolf, Timothy A. Slocum

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

Highly effective instruction for struggling learners requires both excellent instructional materials and excellent interactive teaching that delivers instruction clearly and responds to students’ unique needs and strengths. Explicit Instruction is an evidence-based approach to both designing materials and delivering instruction that is effective for a wide range of learners. It has been shown to be effective for teaching many types of academic content (e.g., reading, writing, mathematics, science) and with students ranging from kindergarten to high school. It is comprised of 16 inter-related elements (see Table 1) that contribute to the effectiveness of the overall system (Archer et al., 2011). …

Examining Spaces For Integrating Physics And Computing Through Classroom Inquiry, Colby Tofel-Grehl, Kristin Searle, Douglas Ball, Soojeong Jeong

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

As computing becomes an essential component of professional practice across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, integration of computing across content areas in K-12 classrooms is also becoming important. Particularly within science classrooms, computer science and computational thinking (CS/CT) are novel and necessary skills for modeling, working with data, and other foundational science skills. Finding ways to engage students in practicing and learning CT within authentic science learning is challenging for most teachers. In this article, the authors report on one teacher’s efforts to engage high school students in maker-based physics education, integrating computational thinking by designing and building …

The Effects Of Critical Literacy Theory On Listening Comprehension And Student Engagement, Jay Girvan

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The purpose of conducting this study is to better understand and assess the current critical literacy practices of classroom teachers and to gain a better understanding of how well these strategies increase engagement and reading comprehension of texts, especially those that address social justice issues. As outlined by the principles of critical literacy theory, teachers are encouraged to help readers understand the author’s intent. By comparing read-alouds not using critical literacy strategies and others with the preferred approach, researchers will be able to examine the differences in both student engagement and listening comprehension. Alongside anecdotal records and post reading comprehension …

Active Collections, Passive Collecting: Revitalizing Library Displays To Diversify Collections & Increase Student Engagement, Erin A. Sulla, Wendy Lee Spaček, Bridgette Flamenco, Elizabeth Kuykendall

Library Scholarship

After a year of limited outreach and collection development activities due to COVID, staff and librarians at one university revitalized their library displays to both address gaps in the collection and increase student engagement with monographs. By activating the collection through monthly themed displays, librarians have increased holdings related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, thus improving representation on the shelves. Participants will discover how active displays that incorporate both academic and recreational holdings can serve a dual purpose as collection development and outreach activities, making the most of limited funds for monograph acquisitions. Attendees from academic and public libraries should …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Student Engagement Experiences Of African Americans Formerly Attending Urban Public High Schools, Sohn A. Butts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to interpret the student engagement experiences of African Americans formerly attending urban public high schools in a major city in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Self-determination theory, established by Ryan and Deci (1985), is the theoretical framework for this study, and was used to understand motivation in terms of basic psychological needs satisfaction and fulfillment, and how those motivations influence human behavior. The central research question was: What were the student engagement experiences of African Americans formerly attending urban public high schools? The three research sub-questions were: (1) what instructional …

Engaging Middle School Students Through Music History Mini-Lessons: A Mixed-Methods Study, Jessica Bentley Frerich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Understanding history is a vital part of learning. Nearly every question asked in a music classroom about musical context involves its history, from notation to gestures or technicality to aural listening. History can bring music to life for both the performers and listeners. Despite multiple studies on specific historical music events, music history perspectives have not been addressed in the choral classroom. Moreover, research forums have yet to explore engagement factors of middle school students through a music history curriculum in the choir classrooms. Such research could provide a valid model for educators. This mixed-methods research study seeks to determine …

Exploring The Level Of Engagement Of Capstone Students In An Active Learning Center, Carol Ann Sharicz

Instructional Design Faculty Publications

This study provides a qualitative exploration of the level of engagement of Capstone students attending course meetings in an Active Learning Center (ALC) during their own respective semester at a public research university in the Boston area. A design-based research methodology was employed to study innovative learning environments encompassing learning in context. Study results uncovered three themes regarding the impact of the learning space on students’ perceptions of learning and levels of engagement; revealed that one particular tool, the use of small white boards, encouraged deep thinking and reflection; and indicated that the ALC provided a highly collaborative experience.

2021-2022 Student Engagement Assessment Model, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Assessment Center Reports

2021-2022 Student Engagement Assessment Model produced by the SWOSU Assessment Center.

Increase Student Engagement In Online Writing Environments, Jonathan Balzotti, Jason K. Mcdonald, Kevin Haws, Amy Allen Rogers, Matthew J. Baker

Faculty Publications

This case study explores a type of educational simulation, an alternative reality game we call a playable case study (PCS), and how its use influenced student engagement in an online writing classroom. The goal of the simulation was to help students create professional communication artifacts and experience real-world professional communication situations. This article reports the effectiveness of the playable case study as a tool specifically for online writing instruction (OWI). The context of our research was a PCS called Microcore. Acting as interns for a company, students are asked to investigate a serious problem that occurs and present a solution …

Look Alive! Tips For Engaging Students In The Physical And/Or Virtual Classroom, Samantha E. Robinson

TFSC Publications and Presentations

During this presentation, Dr. Samantha Robinson (Teaching Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences) discusses the realities of remote instruction and provides practical tips to increase student engagement in the physical and/or virtual classroom. Primarily focused on larger classrooms, where typical engagement strategies feel more onerous, this presentation offers advice on how instructors (even in the remote classroom environment) can increase emotional and cognitive student engagement without feeling overburdened.

The Relationship Between Secondary Teachers' Grit And Self-Efficacy Beliefs On Classroom Management And Student Engagement, Laurie White Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teaching as a profession is becoming more and more difficult. School districts are facing a teacher shortage, creating greater focus on recruitment and retention efforts. The majority of these efforts focus on novice teachers (within the first five years) providing support and assistance to help keep them in the classroom. Less effort is placed upon assisting the veteran teacher in maintaining effort in the classroom and avoiding burnout. Those who experience burnout or become disheartened show a reduction in effort negatively impacting student achievement. The purpose of this correlational study was to explore the relationship between teacher passion and perseverance …

Community College Academic Advising: A Study Of Effects On Gpa, Retention, And Engagement, Christy Lynn Genova

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although research shows the utilization of advising services can impact academic performance and provide students with a point of connection to postsecondary institutions, the effect of advising services in the experiences of traditional-aged college student attending community colleges has only recently been explored. This causal-comparative research study was designed to address the gap in literature concerning the use and effectiveness of academic advising services in community colleges. The study included a convenience sample of 99 community college students, between the ages of 18 and 24 years, from a small community college. Participants completed an online version of the Community College …

Understanding The Relationship Between Student Engagement And Persistence Among Community College Students, Thomas E. Chatman Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Community colleges enroll large numbers of students each year. However, their retention rates are dismal and have remained stagnant for more than 30 years. The low retention rates have serious implications for community colleges and the community at large. Low retention rates impact such things as individual health and well-being as well as funding for colleges to operate. As such, this correlational study was designed to understand the relationship between student engagement and specific student characteristics and persistence in college. The specific student engagement variables examined were student-faculty interaction, college GPA, academic self-efficacy, late registration, and sense of belonging. Moderation …

Curating The Campus Nightlife Experience: Documenting A Program Model For Late Night And Weekend Programming., Derrick Gulley Jr

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study provides a comprehensive definition of the elements that make a campus programming board. This is important to understand because it provides a framework to talk about campus programming boards as organizations and it provides a model that other organizations could utilize. While this study is specifically looking at the CNL program model for late-night and weekend programming it provides a framework for practitioners to critically review and document aspects of their organization if they choose too. The program model encompasses all of the operational, structural, and shared philosophical beliefs implemented in the approach or design of campus activities …

Online Engagement And Overall Performance: Tmfd 123: Clothing & Society Benchmark Portfolio – A Peer Review Of Teaching Portfolio, Claire Nicholas

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This benchmark course portfolio examines TMFD 123: Clothing & Society, a large enrollment, online delivery course offered in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to detailed discussion of existing course materials, activities, and assessment tools, the portfolio focuses on the issue of student engagement and peer-to-peer interaction. It also tracks the impact of the introduction of a Yellowdig discussion forum assignment in an effort to boost engagement, create a sense of community, and foster connections between course materials and concepts and students’ everyday lives. The latter objective intersects with several of …

Electrifying: One Teacher’S Discursive And Instructional Changes Through Engagement In E-Textiles To Teach Science Content, Colby Tofel-Grehl, Eliza Jex, Kristin Searle, Douglas Ball, Xin Zhao, Georgia Burnell

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

This paper shares findings from the first of its kind quasi-experimental mixed methods study exploring the potential impacts on teacher instruction through engagement with making and e-textiles. Because engagement in hands-on inquiry has demonstrated strong promise for increasing student interest and engagement in STEM careers, finding curricular approaches that engage students in project-based learning remains important. As such, the Maker Movement and making has gained traction as a possible effort to improve such outcomes. This study shares outcomes from analyses of one teacher’s first engagement with teaching eighth-grade science through e-textiles. Four of his classes were taught using his traditional …

Perseverance Of Gifted And Talented Graduates From International Baccalaureate Diploma Programmes: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jeannie Marie Steelreed

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the perseverance of gifted and talented graduates of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programmes. At this stage of the research, persevering factors are generally defined as characteristics such as academic rigor, family support, and community service, which lead to successful completion of the IBDP upon high school graduation (Atkas & Guven, 2015; Fitzgerald, 2015; Monreal, 2016; Ryan et al., 2014; Saavedra, 2016; Wright & Lee, 2014). Guiding this study was the social cognitive theory, by Albert Bandura, and the social development theory by Lev Vygotsky, as they relate the learning atmosphere to …

Differences In Engagement Of Online Doctoral Students Based On Gender And Race, James E. Kuczero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Student engagement is considered to be one of the most important indicators for success at all levels of education. Engagement in doctoral students is poorly understood, and the least researched area of engagement. As online programs become increasingly available, it is important to have insight into doctoral engagement and interventions which improve academic success while decreasing attrition. The purpose of the present study was to understand differences in engagement based on gender and race/ethnicity. Students in the dissertation phase of their doctoral candidacy in an online program based at a private, mid-Atlantic, Christian university were invited to participate anonymously. Self-reported …

The Relationship Between Teacher Self-Efficacy And The Quantity Of Office Discipline Referrals They Write, Brian Patrick Conary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teachers’ levels of self-efficacy affect not only how they view themselves, but also how they view their students. Some students receive more discipline referrals than others, leading to higher retention and dropout rates for those students with a significant number of discipline referrals. Discipline referrals are subjective. Therefore, each person’s viewpoint attributes to how student behavior is perceived and reported. In addition to a disproportionate number of referrals received by certain students, some teachers are more prone to write a large number of referrals. Social cognitive theory states that an individual’s self-efficacy influences his or her actions. Individuals with a …

Student Engagement And Retention Of Minority Students In A Faith-Based Institution, Stephanie Ann Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although there is research in student engagement and retention in higher education institutions, there is little predictive research that study minority students attending faith-based institutions. Due to the established relationship between student engagement and retention, it was important to understand what aspects of student engagement may predict the retention of minority students in order to establish programming and possibly raise the retention rates of these populations. Using the theoretical framework of student involvement and persistence, this predictive, correlational study used archival data to determine if any of the National Survey of Student Engagement’s (NSSE) engagement indicators predicted the retention of …

The Predictive Relationship Between Student Engagement Scores And Pass/Fail Rates Of A Credit Recovery Course Among High School Students, Tara Douds

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this predictive correlational study was to examine the relationship between Finn’s conceptual framework of student engagement as it relates to the pass/fail rate of an online credit recovery course. A logistic regression was utilized in this study. The predictor variable was student engagement of high school students. The criterion variable was the pass/fail rate of a credit recovery course. The participants included a nonrandom sample of 49 students from two public high schools. The students completed the Motivation and Engagement Scale – High School (MES-HS) survey comprised of 44 questions, which measured student motivation and engagement. The …

The Relationship Between Teacher Pedagogy Skills, As Reported By The Network For Educator Effectiveness Teacher Evaluation System, And Eighth Grade Science Achievement Scores In Missouri, Grant Stock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Every year in thousands of schools across the United States high stake decisions are made regarding the retention, promotion, professional development, and training of staff using teacher evaluation instruments. Therefore, it is vital to determine if these evaluation instruments as well as the teaching strategies they measure are effective in improving student achievement. The purpose of this study was to see if there is a correlation between the scores eighth grade science teachers receive on the Network for Educator Effectiveness observation instrument for the teaching practices of cognitive engagement, problem solving and critical thinking, and formative assessment and how well …

The Impact Of Student Engagement, Instructional Strategies, And Classroom Management On Self-Efficacy Of Christian Private School Teachers, Monica Cason

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative correlational research study was to investigate variables that best predict Christian private school teachers’ efficacy. Specifically, the study addresses the question of how the predictor variables of gender, age, ethnicity, professional qualification, and school status relate to efficacy in student engagement, instructional strategies, and classroom management. The present study contributes to the limited resources for research concerning efficacy of a teacher. Approximately 138 teachers from northeast Florida Christian private schools completed the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form. The instrument developed for assessing efficacy also targeted instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. A target sample was …

Using Facebook To Promote Student Engagement In Authentic Learning For Vocational Education And Training (Vet), Kin Ho, Benson Hung

Staff Publications

The popularity of online social media has had a significant impact in education and has brought an amazing potential in promoting authentic learning. Authentic learning engages learners by the opportunities of actually participating and working on real-world problems that links the classroom theories. However, it can be a difficult shift without an adequate involvement of students. FaceBook due to its popularity and usefulness, teachers can not only introduce motivational authentic learning tasks but also allow students to come together to discuss, collaborate and resolve real-life problems. In this study, teachers gain the advantages of using Facebook as a tool to …

Students' Perceived Value Of The Community College Experience: A Mixed Methods Study, Robin A. Duncan

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceived value of their community college experience and its relationship to other factors often related to student persistence in college, namely satisfaction, academic quality, service quality, and engagement. The research was guided by three focused questions: How do students describe and define perceived value of community college; what components emerge from exploratory factor analysis of items designed to measure perceived value; and how, if at all, is a student’s perception of the value of a community college experience different from related measures such as satisfaction, engagement, or quality? Data were collected …

Learning: It's Personal, Angela Atwell

Publications

If you have any questions about this presentation or would like a copy of the handout, please contact Angela Atwell. Her information can be found at the end of the presentation.

Contrary to popular belief, teaching and learning in an online environment is not easier or less work than a traditional classroom. It takes intentionality, discipline and commitment from both the instructor and the student. However, the flexibility offered by online programs makes this option increasingly appealing. With this growing demand, online instructors must think critically about the content, strategically plan activities and align outcomes with diverse student goals. All …