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University Student Success In Graduation: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Of The “Aha” Moment, When A College Graduate Realized They Could Finish Their Degree, Justin M. Shannon May 2024

University Student Success In Graduation: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Of The “Aha” Moment, When A College Graduate Realized They Could Finish Their Degree, Justin M. Shannon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the college graduate experience of a junior officer who decided to finish their bachelor’s degree despite any temptation to drop out of school; participants were selected from a midwestern military installation. The guiding theory of this study was Duckworth’s grit theory; the study related to her theory by examining participants’ passion and perseverance and their relation to the motivation in the context of choice to finish the goal of graduating from college and commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army. This qualitative design used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach; data collection …


Multiple Perspectives Examining How A High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (Jrotc) Program Affects Student Development: A Case Study, Kurt Duane Barry May 2024

Multiple Perspectives Examining How A High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (Jrotc) Program Affects Student Development: A Case Study, Kurt Duane Barry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to examine how a high school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program affects student development of their personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment by fusing the perspectives of the school administrators, JROTC instructors, and school guidance counselors for a more holistic view. The theories guiding this study are Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation and Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, which relate to secondary student development for cadets in the JROTC program. The central research question focused on the benefits of a school’s JROTC program to the cadets enrolled. The research setting …


The Impact Of Covid-19 On Student Motivation In Secondary Instrumental Music, Martha Jane Robinson Apr 2024

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Student Motivation In Secondary Instrumental Music, Martha Jane Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to provide strategies to improve student motivation in band and orchestra programs in Elkhart Community Schools. The problem for band and orchestra teachers was declining enrollment and student participation in outside music activities such as audition opportunities since the COVID-19 pandemic. The rationale for this study was to examine student motivation and provide educators with immediately applicable strategies to improve student participation in instrumental music programs. Educators must understand why students continued to struggle with returning to normalcy by seeking strategies as to how to reach and help these students. Early research following the …


A Comparison Of Student Motivation Between Two Ukulele Curricula In A Multi-Age Classroom, Jill K. Moth Apr 2024

A Comparison Of Student Motivation Between Two Ukulele Curricula In A Multi-Age Classroom, Jill K. Moth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Motivation is a topic of high interest to music educators as they attempt to understand what makes their students want to continue learning. The use of the ukulele in the music classroom has grown over the last ten years due to its versatility. Despite its popularity and music educators’ support for its use, very little research exists on students’ motivation while playing it in a general music classroom setting. Therefore, the purpose of this current study is to compare the motivation levels of two groups of multi-age fourth through sixth-grade students learning the ukulele via different curricula in the music …


Exploring Time Management Decisions On Persistence Among Non-Traditional Learners: A Phenomenological Study In Online Learning, James Dale Lawrence Apr 2024

Exploring Time Management Decisions On Persistence Among Non-Traditional Learners: A Phenomenological Study In Online Learning, James Dale Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to understand the time management decisions of persistent non-traditional online learners over 30 at large institutions offering online programs in the United States. The central research question is: What are the shared time management experiences of persistent non-traditional online students over 30 enrolled in large institutions in the United States? Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, journal prompts, and focus groups. The sample comprised 12 participants. Saturation began to visualize after the ninth interview. Data collection continued until all 12 participants were interviewed and their journal prompts were completed. The study was conducted in a …


The Effects Of Communicative Language Teaching Methods (Clt) Of Teaching Ancient Greek On Student Motivation, Language Learning Experience, Self-Efficacy, Facilitating Anxiety, And Debilitating Anxiety Compared To The Grammar Translation Method (Gtm), Dustin J. Humphreys Dec 2023

The Effects Of Communicative Language Teaching Methods (Clt) Of Teaching Ancient Greek On Student Motivation, Language Learning Experience, Self-Efficacy, Facilitating Anxiety, And Debilitating Anxiety Compared To The Grammar Translation Method (Gtm), Dustin J. Humphreys

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if ancient Greek language programs that use communicative language teaching methods (CLT) produce different student motivation, language learning experience, self-efficacy, facilitating anxiety and debilitating anxiety scores than programs that primarily use the grammar-translation method (GTM) of teaching ancient Greek. This study is critical because the comprehensive teaching of the ancient Greek language has been on the decline in recent decades. This research aims to inform colleges, seminaries, and other language learning schools that teach classical languages, such as ancient Greek, about the potential positive effects of CLT on student motivation, …


Motivation In Student Retention: A Phenomenology Of Non-Traditional Undergraduate Students In Online Learning, Jasmine Monique Reynolds Nov 2023

Motivation In Student Retention: A Phenomenology Of Non-Traditional Undergraduate Students In Online Learning, Jasmine Monique Reynolds

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology study was to understand the experiences of non-traditional undergraduate students taking online courses at a public or a private university in Virginia. The self-determination theory, which guided this study, explained the motivated behaviors of intrinsic and extrinsic needs that affect the determination in non-traditional students completing a task. Self-determination theory provided the theoretical framework to answer the central research question for this study as well as the sub-questions: (1) What are the lived experiences of non-traditional students while taking online courses at a public or private university in Virginia? (2) What influences non-traditional students …


Measuring Motivation To Predict Perceived Success In E-Learning Courses For Pre-Service Teachers: A Predictive-Correlational Study, Erin G. Fleming Nov 2023

Measuring Motivation To Predict Perceived Success In E-Learning Courses For Pre-Service Teachers: A Predictive-Correlational Study, Erin G. Fleming

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined whether a predictive relationship exists between perceived success in e-learning courses for pre-service teachers and their motivation toward learning at the college level. In this post-pandemic, technology-driven world, e-learning is more prevalent than ever. Understanding who will be successful in these courses is imperative. This study aimed to determine whether perceived success in e-learning courses for pre-service teachers could be predicted by their intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation scores. This predictive-correlational study utilized logistic regression to test the predictor variables: intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, amotivation, motivation subsets, gender, age, sex, and program type against the criterion …


Motivation Within The Inclusive Art Classroom: A Phenomenology On Engaging Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Christina Marie Cox Sep 2023

Motivation Within The Inclusive Art Classroom: A Phenomenology On Engaging Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Christina Marie Cox

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of K-12 art teachers motivating students with emotional and behavioral disorders within the Central and Eastern Regions of the United States. The theory guiding this study is Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory which guides the understanding that students with emotional and behavioral disorders whose psychological well-being is supported by their art educators may develop higher motivation and reach their full creative potential. As this study was designed to describe the lived experiences of K-12 art educators who have enhanced motivation in students with emotional and behavioral disorders, the …


The Impact Of Instructor Immediacy And Social Presence On Online Students' Academic Success: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology Study, Colette B. Lazenka Aug 2023

The Impact Of Instructor Immediacy And Social Presence On Online Students' Academic Success: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology Study, Colette B. Lazenka

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of instructor social presence and immediacy on student success for asynchronous online students at universities that offer asynchronous learning in Southern California. The theory guiding this study was Short’s theory of social presence, as it explains the real and present interaction that affects the saliency and interpersonal relationships of the participants. The methodology for this qualitative study followed a hermeneutical phenomenological design of 10 asynchronous online students enrolled in universities in Southern California. Data were collected using individual interviews, letter writing, and a focus group. The data analysis …


The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Teachers Who Give Grades And Feedback: A Phenomenological Study, Brandon Miles Moore Aug 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Teachers Who Give Grades And Feedback: A Phenomenological Study, Brandon Miles Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of secondary teachers who grade student work, including their grading beliefs, decisions, and feedback practices at Discovery Hills Unified School District. The theory that guided this study was self-determination theory as it helps explain the motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, for teacher grading practices and the impact of teacher feedback on students. The central question was: What are secondary teachers’ lived experiences with grading student work? Sub questions were used to explore the beliefs, decisions, and practices secondary teachers employ when grading student work or providing feedback. …


College Students' Motivation When Acquiring A Language Other Than English, Maria Teresa O'Brien Jul 2023

College Students' Motivation When Acquiring A Language Other Than English, Maria Teresa O'Brien

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Foreign languages have been studied since the beginning of civilization; in the past few decades, there has been increased interest in understanding the role of motivation in learning a foreign language. Less than a quarter of studies on learning languages other than English (LOTE) have studied motivation. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there was a difference in motivation between college students enrolled in French 100, French 200, French 300, and French 400. The study consisted of 79 college students at the freshman to senior level enrolled in French at a novice to advanced level …


A Phenomenological Study Of Females With Adhd Who Experienced Non-Cognitive Academic Difficulty In High School, Monika M. Woods Jul 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of Females With Adhd Who Experienced Non-Cognitive Academic Difficulty In High School, Monika M. Woods

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the lived experience of women with ADHD who encountered non-cognitive difficulties in the academic environment while attending a U.S. public high school. At this stage in the research, non-cognitive difficulties in the academic environment will be generally defined as academic difficulties not related to academic ability. Non-cognitive characteristics are described as soft skills such as learning strategies, motivation, and personality traits that cannot be identified in scholastic aptitude tests. The application of the hermeneutic phenomenological method was guided using Maslow’s theory of hierarchal needs. Maslow’s theory provided a framework of reflective …


A Phenomenological Study That Examines The Perseverance Of Young Single Mothers Who Have Earned A College Degree, Christine Marie Kirkpatrick Jul 2023

A Phenomenological Study That Examines The Perseverance Of Young Single Mothers Who Have Earned A College Degree, Christine Marie Kirkpatrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand perseverance in young single mothers who have earned a college degree. The theory guiding this study is Duckworth’s theory of grit since many students who complete undergraduate degrees experience barriers related to the components of grit. Participants for this study were single mothers who have completed a college degree from an institution of higher learning in central Pennsylvania by the age of thirty. Data for the study were collected utilizing one-on-one interviews, personal timelines, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using Moustakas’ data analysis processes, including horizonalization, reduction, and …


Technology Elective Classes’ Effects On Middle School Students’ Self-Efficacy And Learning Engagement In Science, Rebecca K. Farrell May 2023

Technology Elective Classes’ Effects On Middle School Students’ Self-Efficacy And Learning Engagement In Science, Rebecca K. Farrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative design was to examine the technology classes’ effects on private middle school students’ self-efficacy, self-regulation, task value, and learning goal orientation between students in technology electives and non-technology electives. The topic was introduced using historical, theoretical, and societal backgrounds. Further literature review led to a synthesis of the literature investigating technology classes, STEM education, self-efficacy, task value, learning goal orientation, and self-regulation. Further investigations found and synthesized literature that focused on middle school students and their connections to the above topics. The sample for the setting was drawn from 136 participants enrolled in three …


Self-Determination And Student Persistence: A Case Study Of A Higher Education Institution Exclusive To Students With Disabilities, Nachole Marie Stewart May 2023

Self-Determination And Student Persistence: A Case Study Of A Higher Education Institution Exclusive To Students With Disabilities, Nachole Marie Stewart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative embedded single case study was to understand how the unique experience of attending a post-secondary school exclusive to students diagnosed with LD and ADHD affects student success in developing and using self-determination skills to increase persistence to graduation. Guiding this study is the theory of self-determination while seeking to explain the reasoning for student persistence to degree completion and the execution of self-determination skills autonomously. This study uses a qualitative embedded single case study design to examine a post-secondary educational institution that exclusively services students with learning disabilities from different perspectives. The research setting is …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences That Motivate Young People To Volunteer As 4 H Camp Teen Leaders, Ruth E. Wallace Apr 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences That Motivate Young People To Volunteer As 4 H Camp Teen Leaders, Ruth E. Wallace

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences that motivate teenagers to volunteer as 4 H Camp teen leaders in Virginia. The theories guiding this study were Lerner and Overton’s relational developmental systems theory (RDST) and Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory (SDT). They relate to the developmental connection between an individual and the surrounding context and internal and external influences as motivating factors, respectively. The two theories together informed this study which sought to answer the central research question “What lived experiences do teens identify that motivate them to volunteer as 4 H Camp teen leaders?” …


Special Education Teacher Burnout: A Phenomenological Study Of The Challenges That Influence Motivation, Sarah Margaret Vaughan Apr 2023

Special Education Teacher Burnout: A Phenomenological Study Of The Challenges That Influence Motivation, Sarah Margaret Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the challenges that lead to special education teacher burnout and how these challenges influence the motivation of special education teachers in North Georgia. In this study, factors that lead to special education burnout were generally defined as potential challenges, such as quality teacher preparation, inadequate professional development, and lack of administrative support, and how these challenges impact motivation and extrinsic influences of special education teachers. The theory that guided this study was Deci and Ryan's (1985) self-determination theory, which allowed for a deeper understanding of motivation and how intrinsic and extrinsic …


The Lived Experiences Of First-Time Homeschool Guardians In The Southeastern Region Of The United States During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Mary E. Higgins Mar 2023

The Lived Experiences Of First-Time Homeschool Guardians In The Southeastern Region Of The United States During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Mary E. Higgins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the motivation of first-time homeschool guardians who began homeschooling during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the southeastern region of the United States. The central research question is: What motivated first-time homeschool guardians in the southeastern region of the United States to homeschool their children during the COVID-19 pandemic? David C. McClelland’s motivational needs theory framed this study as it asserted individuals must satisfy four needs: achievement, affiliation, power, and avoidance. The relationship between McClelland’s theory and this study was the motivating factor behind the homeschool guardians’ decisions. This …


From Dropout To Doctorate: A Phenomenology Of The Self-Determination Of Individuals Who Persisted To Completion, Nancy Catherine Hamilton Mar 2023

From Dropout To Doctorate: A Phenomenology Of The Self-Determination Of Individuals Who Persisted To Completion, Nancy Catherine Hamilton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of former high school dropouts in the Continental United States who self-determined to persist to doctoral degree attainment. The theory that guided this study was the self-determination theory with support from the self-efficacy theory and adult learning theory. These three theories framed this study, which sought to discover the motivating factors, life influences, and perseverance required of former high school dropouts who determined to re-enter academia and pursue an education to the doctoral level. The problem this study sought to address was the need to discover the …


A Phenomenology Of Teachers’ Experiences With School Leaders On Workplace Motivation, Samantha Berger Hill Nov 2022

A Phenomenology Of Teachers’ Experiences With School Leaders On Workplace Motivation, Samantha Berger Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental qualitative phenomenological study examined how 10 teachers experienced workplace motivation from school leaders at one kindergarten – eighth-grade school in northern Virginia. The theory guiding this study was Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, as it explains the relationship between the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that influence workplace motivation. The motivation-hygiene theory provided the theoretical framework for this study to answer the central research question and sub-questions: (a) How do teachers who interact with school leaders experience workplace motivation; (b) What experiences, if any, with school leaders have promoted workplace motivation; (c) What experiences, if any, with school leaders have decreased …


Former College Athletes And Their Persistence In Medical School: A Phenomenological Study, Michael J. Woodson Oct 2022

Former College Athletes And Their Persistence In Medical School: A Phenomenological Study, Michael J. Woodson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of former college-athletes who persist in medical school. The theories that guided this study were the achievement goal theory by Nicholls and the self-determination theory by Deci and Ryan, as each theory relates to the motivation to succeed in academics, as well as athletic participation. Eleven participants were purposefully selected to address the question: How do former college student-athletes describe their experiences in relation to the attributes and characteristics that allowed them to persist in medical school? The sub-research questions investigated certain experiences that may have helped them …


A Correlational Study Of Noncognitive Variables And Student Success In Dental Education, Jennifer Lynn Keim Wibbeler Sep 2022

A Correlational Study Of Noncognitive Variables And Student Success In Dental Education, Jennifer Lynn Keim Wibbeler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 1995, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published Dental Education at the Crossroads: Challenges and Change, advocating for a revolution in dental education. Notably, it recommended that course content, structure, and delivery be modernized in response to graduating clinicians lacking the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required in a patient care setting. To help determine if current dental education trends are promoting these skills, the purpose of this cross-sectional, correlational study is to investigate the relationship between students' noncognitive variables (self-regulation, intrinsic motivation, autonomous functioning, learning strategies, and grit), as predictor variables, and self-directed academic performance (as measured by end-of-term …


Elementary School Teachers' Perceptions Of Student Motivation To Use Classroom Integrated Technology, Jason Lynn Webb Aug 2022

Elementary School Teachers' Perceptions Of Student Motivation To Use Classroom Integrated Technology, Jason Lynn Webb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The integration of technology into the classroom transforms curriculum design and instructional methods. Research suggests that the perspectives of teachers and students are not always in agreement regarding the influence of classroom integrated technology on learning motivation. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a significant difference in how teachers perceive the influence of technology integration on student learning motivation based on teacher gender, teacher weekly hours of computer use, and teacher years of teaching experience. The study used the Teacher Attitudes toward Classroom Computing Scale to collect data from 238 4th- and 5th-grade rural …


Promoting Self-Regulated Learning And Intrinsic Motivation In The Middle School Choral Classroom Through E-Portfolio Assessment: A Qualitative Instrumental Case Study, Melissa Legge Mauck Jul 2022

Promoting Self-Regulated Learning And Intrinsic Motivation In The Middle School Choral Classroom Through E-Portfolio Assessment: A Qualitative Instrumental Case Study, Melissa Legge Mauck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to examine the perceptions and experiences of middle school students who exhibit self-regulated learning and intrinsic motivation as they utilize e-Portfolio assessment in chorus. The theoretical framework for this study was Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory, which defines intrinsic and extrinsic sources of motivation with three psychological needs being met: competence, relatedness, and autonomy. Students who were engaged in various levels of a middle school choral program were selected as participants using purposeful sampling. Data were collected through field notes generated during individual interviews, observations, and focus group discussions with selected …


A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Motivational Experiences Of United States Service Members Attending College While On Active Duty, Sean L. Mulvaney Jul 2022

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Motivational Experiences Of United States Service Members Attending College While On Active Duty, Sean L. Mulvaney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the motivation of attending college through the experiences of active-duty Navy service members stationed at Naval Air Station East (NAS East). Specifically, the study sought to better understand how intrinsic and extrinsic motivators impact the behavior or actions that compel that small percentage of Navy service members to pursue a college education while balancing their military service requirements. With self-determination theory as the theoretical framework, the central research question asked, “What are the determining motivators that influence United States Navy service members to attend college while on active duty?” Data …


Actions Of The Principal: Influences On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Motivation, Amanda Maslen Conner Jun 2022

Actions Of The Principal: Influences On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Motivation, Amanda Maslen Conner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Classroom teachers are a significant influence on student achievement. Numerous studies indicate that teacher motivation and self-efficacy influence their effectiveness in the classroom. Furthermore, studies indicate that the leadership behaviors of the principal can influence the school culture and have a direct impact on teacher motivation and self-efficacy. This study sought to determine if a relationship exists between certain behaviors of administrators and a teacher's self-efficacy and motivation. The study used a correlational design using The Teacher Motivation & Job Satisfaction Survey (TMJSS), The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES), and the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI). There were 72 high …


Deciduous: Using Gamified Skill Trees And Mapping To Define Learning Opportunities For Students, Daniel Allen Burau May 2022

Deciduous: Using Gamified Skill Trees And Mapping To Define Learning Opportunities For Students, Daniel Allen Burau

Masters Theses

Students can have difficulty visualizing the end goals of units of study and how one learned concept impacts another. They will benefit from seeing their progress toward completion and are motivated by how far they have come in their class. Progress in a course can be measured with the implementation of gamification tools. Gamification involves the integration of game frameworks into non-gaming areas. This research seeks to find how these and other gamification systems help increase student motivation or classroom performance. Elements of gaming are already found in some areas of education. Some schools have access to various tools to …


Reflections On Lessons Learned During Covid-19: Re-Envisioning Middle School Band Programs After Covid-19, Mckinley Stinson Apr 2022

Reflections On Lessons Learned During Covid-19: Re-Envisioning Middle School Band Programs After Covid-19, Mckinley Stinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite increased accessibility regarding instructional technology for music education classrooms, an achievement disparity continued to broaden amid COVID-19. When school districts began to close their buildings, curriculum and instruction transitioned to online platforms. Varied student and teacher participation indicated multiple challenges. Experimental virtual learning concluded the 2019–2020 school year and continued in variations through summer 2021. This qualitative historical study examined perspectives concerning teaching during COVID-19 as held by music teachers, secondary band directors, school administrators, and university music educators. Individuals reflected on four periods between 2019–2021. The initial phase detailed instructional and experiential goals for the 2019–2020 school year. …


The Effect Of Ebook Reading On Overall Literacy Development, Beth Bosman Acosta Apr 2022

The Effect Of Ebook Reading On Overall Literacy Development, Beth Bosman Acosta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the effect of eBook reading, in contrast to traditional print reading, on developing overall literacy in lower elementary school students. It focused on student motivation, phoneme awareness, word recognition, and comprehension as they pertain to student achievement. This research study is important since it investigated a unique way to implement technology to assist both early and struggling readers. The study was designed to examine the effect of using an eBook application (Raz-Kids) instead of the traditional reading curriculum to engage the students through the interactive activities. The study involved 106 lower elementary school students in a private, …