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Full-Text Articles in Education

Accessible And Inclusive Online Course Design In Higher Education, Amy Lomellini Dec 2022

Accessible And Inclusive Online Course Design In Higher Education, Amy Lomellini

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The growth of online learning has expanded the reach of higher education to more diverse students than ever before; however, students often face barriers to equitable access to online instructional materials, course activities, and assessments. The challenge of meeting the needs of diverse learners was both highlighted and exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to remote teaching and learning at many institutions. Disabled students were one group that was particularly affected. Research has explored faculty and students’ (with and without disabilities) perceptions of online learning; however, less is known about instructional designers’ and their team leaders’ roles …


Video Communication: Explorations Of Community And Connectedness, And Closeness In Online Courses, Eric S. Belt Dec 2021

Video Communication: Explorations Of Community And Connectedness, And Closeness In Online Courses, Eric S. Belt

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Educators and students are using synchronous and asynchronous video communication technologies in unprecedented ways given the ongoing global pandemic. Despite continued educational research on video communication technology, less is known about the social implications of these forms of communication. Online learning has faced challenges (e.g., learner isolation, technological competency, and time management) since its inception; these challenges have been exacerbated in the rapid transition to emergency remote teaching. Given problems like these, additional research is needed to better understand how video communication technology can be used to improve communication and interaction in online learning. The following dissertation presents a series …


Measuring Faculty-Student Interaction In Online Courses Using Asynchronous Discussion Boards: A Campus-Wide Analysis, Crystal Gasell May 2020

Measuring Faculty-Student Interaction In Online Courses Using Asynchronous Discussion Boards: A Campus-Wide Analysis, Crystal Gasell

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Online learning is growing. As such, institutions want to grow programs, while ensuring quality. Part of ensuring quality in online courses is ensuring that there is regular and substantive interaction (RSI) between students and instructors. Discussion boards are often used in online courses as a way to promote social exchange, interaction, and the discussion of course concepts. Therefore, discussion board activity can provide a glimpse into the RSI that occur between students and instructors. Until recently, data from learning management systems was difficult to access and analyze. However, advances in technology and an increased interest in learning analytics provides researchers …


Faculty Perceptions Of Online Teaching At A Mid-Sized Liberal Arts University In The Pacific Northwest: A Mixed Methods Study, Dana Shreaves Aug 2019

Faculty Perceptions Of Online Teaching At A Mid-Sized Liberal Arts University In The Pacific Northwest: A Mixed Methods Study, Dana Shreaves

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Faculty resistance to online teaching is a problem that can affect institutions looking to increase online learning options for students. Prior research has identified a number of encouraging and discouraging factors that may affect faculty motivation to teach online. Given limited institutional resources, it would be difficult for an institution to address all of the factors identified in prior research. Furthermore, faculty at liberal arts colleges have not been studied as a specific population of interest in prior research. Therefore, to increase acceptance and participation in online teaching at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), this study employed a convergent, parallel mixed-methods …


Faculty Perceptions Of Smartphones And Smartphone Integration In Faculty Development And The Classroom: A Case Study, Jeanna R. Cronk May 2019

Faculty Perceptions Of Smartphones And Smartphone Integration In Faculty Development And The Classroom: A Case Study, Jeanna R. Cronk

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the perceptions of university faculty on the integration of smartphones in faculty development programs. The literature on higher education smartphone integrations has focused almost exclusively on individual courses or mobile learning implementations limited to pre-service teacher education departments. Current practice indicates that faculty are electing to use smartphones for their own professional learning. This study advances our understanding of faculty perceptions, outside of education departments, to provide insight for faculty developers designing programs that incorporate smartphones by addressing the following research questions: (1) What are faculty perceptions of smartphones? (2) How are faculty using smartphone technologies for …


Using The Technology Acceptance Model To Determine Student Perception Of Elearning Readiness In Kazakhstan, Anthony Ray Hetrick May 2019

Using The Technology Acceptance Model To Determine Student Perception Of Elearning Readiness In Kazakhstan, Anthony Ray Hetrick

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Researchers widely accept the technology acceptance model (TAM) to determine behavioral intention that leads to actual technology use. However, researchers are advised to exercise caution when applying TAM to different cultural contexts. This study used TAM to assess the readiness of students to engage in elearning in Kazakhstan, which is classified as a developing nation. This project then compared the results of the TAM analysis of student perceptions of a learning management system (LMS) to elearning studies in developed countries to ascertain if the determinants are the same. This study determined that TAM was unpredictable, and that perceived ease of …


Congolese Refugee Students In Higher Education: Equity And Opportunity, Refik Sadiković May 2018

Congolese Refugee Students In Higher Education: Equity And Opportunity, Refik Sadiković

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore Congolese refugee students’ experiences in higher education in the United States. In order to understand the challenges Congolese students face in higher education, this study used narrative inquiry methodology to investigate Congolese students’ lived experiences that affected their educational endeavors before and after resettlement to the United States. The study examined personal stories of 10 Congolese students in the Pacific Northwest using semi-structured in-depth interviews, one-on-one follow-up interviews, field notes and two focus group interviews. Using narrative analysis five reoccurring themes were identified and discussed in the findings. The study findings indicate …


Adaptation And Acceptance In Online Course Design From Four-Year College And University Instructors: An Analysis Using Grounded Theory, Sally J. Baldwin May 2017

Adaptation And Acceptance In Online Course Design From Four-Year College And University Instructors: An Analysis Using Grounded Theory, Sally J. Baldwin

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the perspective of tenured and tenure-track instructors at public four-year colleges and universities involved in online course design. Using a classic grounded theory approach, 21 tenured and tenure-track instructors who had designed online courses for public four-year colleges and universities were interviewed about their experience. A pilot study was performed on this subject earlier that tentatively suggested instructors rarely use formal instructional design principles, yet their design tasks show a striking similarity to those formalized in the ADDIE model. In this study, the findings of the pilot study were expanded. Additional data helped develop a theory of …