Adult and Continuing Education Commons^™

Gardening Through The Pages: Making A State-Specific Catalog With Community Science Data, Stephen Stresow, Stephen Reiners, Ashley Miller Helmholdt

Journal of Extension

Taking a page from commercial seed catalogs, Cornell Garden-Based Learning created a state-specific catalog using top-rated vegetable varieties. Taste, yield, ease-to-grow, and overall ratings were collected over the past decade through community science garden programs. The catalog combines the reputable, research-backed information Extension information with the marketability of a seed catalog. This project streamlined information across multiple sites into a single document while presenting it in a novel way (for Extension). We note how we collected data, created it, feedback from gardeners, and offer suggestions for improvements.

Education Behind Bars: Overcoming Barriers To Improve Outcomes, Daniel Costello

Counseling Psychology | Master's Theses

This thesis explores the transformative potential of correctional education in reducing recidivism and improving post-release outcomes for incarcerated individuals, nearly 68% of whom lack a high school diploma. Without foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking, reintegration into society becomes daunting, perpetuating cycles of poverty and incarceration. Despite its proven effectiveness, access to correctional education remains inconsistent, particularly for marginalized populations.

To address this gap, this project develops two specialized tutoring manuals: one for inmate peer-to-peer tutors and another for external volunteer tutors. The manuals provide culturally sensitive, practical strategies for teaching foundational skills and fostering personal growth. Peer …

Joy In Lifelong Learning: An Introduction To Planning For Learning Disabilities In Museum Education, Elaine L. Davis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For over a century, the role of museums as learning institutions has been considered alongside that of schools. However, special education practices are rarely adapted for museum education, requiring educators in museum contexts to undertake extra work to accommodate those with learning disabilities. This thesis used Qualitative Comparative Analysis and Textual Analysis to review pedagogical white papers and academic research on museum programs aimed at neurodivergent audiences. The findings were used to create a professional development guide for museum educators at a range of different types of museums.

The Role Of Popular Culture In Decolonial Transformative Learning: A Racially Minoritized Adult Educator's Journey, Riyad Shahjahan

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

While a growing body of literature examines the role of popular culture in transformative learning, much of it centers on fostering transformative experiences among learners, rather than educators themselves. This paper addresses that gap by exploring how popular culture enhances transformative learning for racially minoritized adult educators. Drawing from my experiences as a graduate instructor at a predominantly white institution, I reflect on how engaging with popular cultural texts facilitated my own transformative learning within my teaching practice. Grounded in decolonial theory, which emphasizes the inclusion of Indigenous and marginalized knowledges while confronting contemporary colonial oppressions, my reflexive approach highlights …

Visualizing Success: The Role Of Visual Mathematics In Higher Education, Taylor-Paige M. Winslow

Education Dissertations

Despite being well-documented methods for supporting deeper understanding of complex mathematical concepts, visual mathematics remains underutilized in undergraduate higher education, where traditional equation-driven and memorization-focused approaches dominate instruction. Using data collected from pre- and post-intervention surveys and written reflections from 24 participants, the purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine how implementing visual representations into a college algebra course influenced students’ mathematical self-efficacy, confidence, perceived understanding of the material, and attitudes toward mathematics. Findings revealed that students who experienced the visual mathematics intervention reported notable improvements in their sense of preparedness, confidence in performing mathematics both numerically and visually, …

Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities By K-5 Alternative Licensure Teachers In Arkansas Elementary Schools, Brandy A. Howell

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

ABSTRACT

PERCEPTIONS OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES BY K-5 ALTERNATIVE LICENSURE TEACHERS IN ARKANSAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Brandy Howell

The ongoing teacher shortage in the United States has prompted an increased reliance on alternative licensure pathways to fill vacancies, particularly in elementary education. Alternatively licensed teachers bring diverse experiences and backgrounds to the classroom, but their professional development and integration into school communities remain critical challenges. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have emerged as a widely adopted model for teacher collaboration and professional growth; however, little research has explored how alternatively licensed K-5 teachers perceive their participation in these communities. This qualitative phenomenological …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

Ableism And Museum Art Education: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Museum-Based Visual Studio Art Teachers, Elizabeth W. Buck

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

All people, including individuals with disabilities, who participate in hands-on visual art can experience various benefits. However, visual studio art teachers, especially museum-based teachers, have various backgrounds that do not always include education or training in serving individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how museum-based visual studio art teachers perceived that their training and preparation informed their awareness of ableism and ability to serve students with disabilities in art museums in the New England region of the United States. Twelve museum-based, visual studio art teachers participated in this study through semi-structured interviews. Through …

Recent Trends In Medical Education To Sustain An Effective Practice - A Systematic Review, Sharon Pricilla Jeevan Kumar Leela Ms., Amtuz Zehra Dr, Ayesha Siddiqhha Mukthar Ms

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Learning processes in medical practices in medicinal schools put more emphasis on the hard sciences than they do on developing soft skills like empathy and communication. For this reason, the medical humanities emerged to provide a "different" take on the creative process. Medical ethics, the doctor-patient relationship, clinical research, mental illness, and professionalism are just a few of the topics that have been utilized to discuss in medical school. A strong connection between classroom learning and clinical experience is crucial for medical school graduates. Students graduating from a medical program are expected to have experience with patient care, clinical procedures, …

Learning A Little Bit Harder: The Intersecting Experiences Of First-Generation And Single-Mother College Students, Natalie Lecy, Elizabeth Hendrix, Brian A. Droubay

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

This study examines the experiences of nine first-generation, single-mother college students, focusing on these intersecting, double-jeopardy identities. Participants’ difficulty navigating college varied; contributing factors included family background, social capital, the type of college attended, and whether they established a mentor. The following themes were established: 1) realizing college is an option, 2) caught between two worlds, 3) college wasn’t designed for us, 4) economic barriers, and 5) disparities in social capital. Our findings indicate colleges were unprepared to meet the unique challenges faced by this group. We present recommendations for the …

Childhood Experiences Of Care, Emotional Abuse And Self-Esteem Among University Students, Shaymaa Riyadh Harbi, Yousef Jamal

Effat Undergraduate Research Journal

Childhood abuse is a global issue with deep-rooted consequences. In addition, childhood abuse causes stress associated with early mental health interruption. Child abuse also causes children to suffer and can lead to long-term outcomes such as low self-esteem in their teenage years. Thus, this work has examined the relationship between childhood experience and self-esteem. The sample population of this work was comprised of public and private university students from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The sample size of this work was 155 students. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaire. In addition, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and Family Relationship in Childhood Questionnaire …

May 2, 2025 Minutes, Swosu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Cultivating A Sense Of Belonging: Pathways Of Support In Higher Education, Tanya M. Tarbutton, Lori B. Doyle

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Institutions should proactively consider the need for cultivating a sense of belonging among online adult students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Hispanic and first-generation learners face unique challenges to overcoming potential barriers associated with obtaining an advanced degree. The impact of higher education institutions (HEI) on the overall development and betterment of society cannot be overstated which adds a level of importance regarding the experience of all learners from any context. A conceptual framework, based on research specific to supporting diverse learners, will be explored. In addition to drawing on the tenets of the sense of belonging framework, facets of …

Developing Education To Improve Confidence And Competence In Handling Physical And Mental Health Emergencies For Ambulatory Care Nurses, Teresa Nathan, Cathrine Robak

Nursing Posters

With over 60 clinics employing over 600 nursing staff, the educational needs for the CentraCare clinic system are vast and diverse. We conducted a learning needs assessment, identifying confidence and competence gaps in the subjects of physical health and mental health emergencies as a theme across the clinic system.

Exploring The Efficacy Of The Comprehensive Institutional Model (Cim) In A Post-Covid-19 Hyflex Higher Education Environment: An Instrumental Case, Pamela Mccray

Theses & Dissertations

This instrumental case study examined the efficacy of the comprehensive institutional model, a pre-existing conceptual framework addressing the challenges of HyFlex teaching and learning in the post-COVID-19 environment at one private university in South Texas. The model was constructed using longitudinal data from a two-year pilot study (2021-2023) and focused on improving teaching effectiveness, investing in instructional technology and infrastructure, supporting graduate students’ academic needs, and executing institutional sustainability actions across three stakeholder groups: administrators, faculty, and graduate students. The study also addressed key gaps in the literature, including the lack of tested HyFlex models in real-world settings. A qualitative, …

Creating Spaces For Civic Engagement: A Qualitative Action Research Study On Sustaining Engagement And Generating Power Through Relational Community Organizing, Virginia Mata

Theses & Dissertations

The purposes of this action research (AR) study were threefold. First, to explore the key ingredients that Communities Organized for Public Service and the Metro Alliance (COPS/Metro)—a broad-based community organization in San Antonio, Texas—uses to keep ordinary citizens civically engaged. Secondly, my AR study aimed to use a critical pedagogy approach to leverage and amplify the same COPS/METRO process to increase civic engagement, raise awareness of redlining, and engage in actions to address the present-day effects of redlining. My third purpose was to understand the connection between the two better—in other words, how COPS/METRO civic engagement and awareness-raising lead to …

Exploring Contributions Of Partnerships Between Employers And Disability Organizations On Recruitment, Hiring, Training, Retention, And Accommodation Of Individuals With Disabilities In Mississippi, Peter Oluwadare Kalejaiye

Dissertations

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provides equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities (IWDs) by prohibiting discrimination in employment. However, one out of four IWDs face discrimination in employment in the United States (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Additionally, despite establishing the Office of Disability Employment Policy and enacting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help integrate IWDs into the workforce, IWDs face barriers to equal and equitable employment (NASEM, 2017). Previous studies recommend partnerships between employers and disability organizations (DOs) to provide employment opportunities and benefits for IWDs through recruitment, hiring, training, retention, and …

The Digital Incorporated Worker Narrative: A Mixed Methods Study Of Digital Capital, Work Selection, And Outcomes In The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Tracie King

Dissertations

Digital technology permeates society and industry, making digital-ready workers necessary for firms of all sizes as a firm seeks competitiveness in the market (Bergson-Shilcock et al., 2023; de Ruyter et al., 2018; Gorski et al., 2022; Karaboğa, 2023; Kim et al., 2017; Qureshi Zia, 2019). Firms seeking digital-ready workers face a complex digital divide that creates a worker shortage (Bergson-Shilcock et al., 2023; Karaboğa, 2023; Qureshi Zia, 2019). This study aims to describe workers' work selection, work experience, and outcomes in a complex digital society.

Most digital divide research focuses on the individuals excluded from owning, accessing, and having skills …

A Qualitative Study Using An Interpretive Description Methodology On The Cognitive Process Used By Subject Matter Experts Preparing To Train Job Skills, Steven R. Linley

Theses & Dissertations

Many U.S. companies, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, rely on subject matter experts (SMEs) to train employees rather than hiring professional training specialists. While SMEs possess deep expertise in their fields, they often lack formal preparation for training. This study focused on how SMEs develop their instructional approach without having a formal training background. This qualitative study incorporated interpretive description methodology to examine the possibility of an unintentional observational learning process among SMEs. Seven pharmacy teaching assistants without formal training credentials participated in semi-structured interviews to describe how they prepared for their training roles. The findings presented a consistent cognitive …

2025 Summer - Veterans Upward Bound Newsletter, Veterans Upward Bound, East Tennessee State University

Veterans Upward Bound Newsletters

No abstract provided.