Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Frances E. W. Harper, “We Are All Bound Up Together” (10 May 1866), Garth Pauley

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Frances Harper’s address at the 1866 National Woman’s Rights Convention was a visionary speech on civil rights, citizenship, and civic identity. In it, Harper skillfully negotiated the context of nineteenth-century reform politics while remaining true to her vision. The message of her speech was grounded in both her experience as a Black woman and her theological convictions. A close reading of the speech shows that key elements—including its signature line—have been misunderstood and unappreciated.

Student Perspectives On Universal Design For Learning (Udl): Q-Methodology, Taylor Rodriguez, Michelle Bartlett, James Bartlett

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This study aims to examine community college students’ unique viewpoints of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0 guidelines through Q-methodology. This study will provide the unique perspectives students bring toward UDL to better inform faculty when implementing UDL into the instructional process and instructional designers when designing learning for community college students. The findings revealed student viewpoints toward UDL. Due to the findings, it is recommended that curriculum designers and instructors consider these viewpoints when communicating about the course and the design of the learning.

Employers' Perceived Value Of High School Industry Recognized Credentials, Teri Harris, Mickey Kosloski, Philip A. Reed

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine whether industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) earned in secondary school led to quality employment and which IRCs should be integrated into career and technical education (CTE) high school courses. Using survey data from business leaders across the 14 nationally recognized Career Clusters (Advance CTE, 2024a), credentials were ranked by importance within five program areas (n = 257). Pareto analysis revealed 80% of respondents rated health sciences, family and consumer sciences, and agricultural sciences credentials highest, while business/marketing and skilled/technical sciences/STEM credentials did not rank in the top 20%. This research provides empirical evidence for …

The Impact Of A Synectics-Based Training Program On Enhancing Reflective Thinking Among Eighth-Grade Students In Jordan, Razan W. Mansour, Ahmed Y. Alziq

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a training program based on Synectics’ strategy on developing reflective thinking of eighth-grade students in Jordon. The research design used in this study was the Quasi-experimental method. The sample consisted of (52) female students from eighth grade in Al-Feker educational school In Amman, during the second semester (2020/2021). Two classes were chosen randomly, one of them was assigned as an experimental group (n=26), and the second was assigned as a control group (n=26). The training program which was developed and applied in this study is based on the Synectics strategy. The Reflective …

Resilience Among Undergraduate First-Year Students: The Differential Effects Of Gender, And Socioeconomic Status, Sahanowas Sk, Santoshi Halder

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

Resilience, as a multidimensional psychological construct, may vary with respect to personal characteristics such as gender and social context like socio-economic status, particularly in the Indian context. The researchers aim to explore the effects of gender (male and female) and socioeconomic status (low, moderate & high) on resilience and further investigate whether the effect of gender is independent of different levels of SES. The quantitative survey study included 490 first-year undergraduates (M = 18.97, SD = .83) from three districts of West Bengal. The questionnaire comprised socio-demographic data and the adapted Bengali version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The …

A Place To Talk About Family Change: A Guide To Creating An Affinity Space For Children Of Divorce, Eliza Kissick

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This independent study includes a rationale, a review of relevant related research, and a nine-session affinity space curriculum designed for children ages 6–8 who are navigating family changes such as divorce, separation, and blending.

Strategies For Success: Developing The Hero Within To Increase Persistence Of Community College Students Returning From Academic Dismissal, Angela Cavazos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students are enrolling in college at a higher rate than ever before, yet retention rates continue to be problematic for higher education institutions across the United States. Many students fail to persist beyond their first year and are often forced out due to academic difficulties. Students who return from academic dismissal are likely to be dismissed again. This quasi-experimental quantitative action research study aimed to evaluate the impact that a student success intervention course designed through an asset-based positive self-leadership framework and focused on the development of psychological capital constructs of hope, efficacy, resilience, and self-efficacy (HERO) had on the …

Clinical Pharmacology And Medication Safety: A Remote Learning Elective Designed For Senior Medical Students, Elizabeth B. Graham, William T. Wightkin, Curt R. Bay, Uzoma S. Ikonne

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

In the United States, medical educators have expressed concern that an integrated and condensed pre-clerkship curriculum risks leaving gaps in student pharmacology knowledge. This study evaluates a remote-learning clinical pharmacology elective that integrates fundamental pharmacology concepts and principles of medication safety and explores how the course impacts senior medical students' self-reported readiness for residency. Clinical Pharmacology and Medication Safety is a remote elective course for senior medical students. The course integrates a review of basic pharmacology with clinical pharmacology topics through case-based learning sessions led by clinical pharmacists and physicians. To evaluate the elective's effectiveness, students in the fall and …

1 Of 84 The Discursive Tactics Of Perpetuating White Normativity In Public Education: A Critical Policy Discourse Analysis Of Anti-Crt Policies Across 18 States, Alison Wilson, Alissa Blair, Jason L. Endacott, Christopher Giller, Christian Z. Goering

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

In recent years, state policies banning "divisive concepts" have proliferated as part of a coordinated effort to undermine racial justice by framing critical discussions of race as "indoctrination" and imposing ideological restrictions on curriculum and pedagogy. Using critical policy discourse analysis informed by a critical study of whiteness, this paper examines how 22 policy documents from 18 states operate discursively to shape the parameters of race-related discourse in public education. Our findings suggest that these policies employ three primary discursive maneuvers: (1) constructing false equivalencies that equate white discomfort with racial oppression, (2) appealing to "universal" values to obscure systemic …

“Stay Afloat, Stay Alive”: Stories Of The Challenges And Perseverance Of Foster Care Alumni In Higher Education, Marshall S. Parrent

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this critical narrative inquiry was to collect the stories of foster care alumni (FCA) in higher education, and so that we may better understand how FCA describe their experiences and what colleges and universities can do to help FCA achieve their goal of degree completion. This study highlights the need for a culturally responsive and sustaining curriculum in order to create an environment supportive of FCA needs. Undergraduate FCA are considered one of the most underserved student populations in higher education (Johnson, 2021). While 70-84% of FCA wish to attend college and earn a two- or four-year …

Stirring Up Foxfire: Rekindling Personal Passion For Teaching Through Storytelling, Frank E. Bird Iii

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

STIRRING UP FOXFIRE: REKINDLING PERSONAL PASSION FOR TEACHING THROUGH STORYTELLING.

by

FRANK BIRD III

Under the Direction of Robert Lake

ABSTRACT

There are two guiding questions for my dissertation and research. The first question pertains to the Foxfire program, a teaching program that originated in Rabun County, Georgia. What is Foxfire? Foxfire is many things. It is a glowing fungus in the mountains of North Georgia. It is fifty-plus years of publishing the Foxfire magazine, a high school class for fifty years, an approach to teaching, a museum, an intern program for high school students, and so much more (Smith, …

Literary Homeplace As A Site Of Knowing And Healing, Shamonique Hassell

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The concept of literary homeplace serves as a locus of rhetorical healing for Black women, emphasizing their lived experiences and creative expressions as forms of resistance and restoration (Collins, 1986; hooks, 1990; Nettles, 2001). The labor of Black women within families, churches, and artistic endeavors contributes to the cultivation of a collective consciousness surrounding oppression and healing (Edwards, 2010; Carey, 2016; Morrison, 1992). Building upon hooks’ (1990) notion of homeplace, this dissertation examines how Black women foster spaces characterized by care, dignity, and resilience (Hersey, 2022; Tate, 1984). Using personal narrative and articulating Black women’s voices, I position homeplace as …

Perceptions Of Agricultural Careers In African American School-Age Students Implications For Public Health Workforce, Brittany M. Prince

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study evaluated a six-week enriched agricultural education curriculum on African American students’ knowledge and perceptions of agriculture and agricultural careers in two selected populations. The study aimed to expand awareness about agriculture and diverse agricultural career opportunities in an effort to reduce perceived stereotypes. The study employed a pre-post-test design, implemented at one middle school and one high school that were intentionally selected based on their population demographics. Participants included 108 students across both schools, with the majority identifying as African American. Data analysis included paired-sample t-tests and One-Way ANOVAs and revealed statistically significant increases in knowledge for middle …

Motivating Students Through Problem-Based And Project-Based Learning, Dennis J. Moore

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT

As educators, motivating students can be a difficult task.Sixteen eighth-grade students discuss their perceptions of what makes educational programs motivating. In teacher-centered classrooms, teachers lecture while their students take notes, quizzes, and tests and practice memorization skills in preparation for high-stakes testing. Is this a fair assessment of a student's knowledge, and does this type of instruction fulfill students’ needs for a successful future? Research for this case study focused on students' perceptions of an agricultural program that utilizes problem-based and project-based learning with a sustainability focus.

In problem-based learning (PBL) classes, students are given real-world problems and asked …

Bringing A Missing Minority Into Focus: Foster Parents’ Voices And Their Impact On Foster Children’S Academic Experiences, Clair Rutherford

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Foster children face persistent educational inequities shaped by trauma, frequent placement changes, and systemic barrierswithin schools. This dissertation investigates how foster parents perceive and influence the educational experiences of the children in their care, emphasizing the intersection of advocacy, trauma-informed teaching, and institutional response. Grounded in trauma-informed pedagogy, critical ecology and curriculum studies, the study interrogates how schools both support and constrain foster children’s educational opportunities. An arts-based methodology was employed, combining fictionalized portraiture and digital ethnography. Data sources included foster parent social media posts, reflexive journalling, and researcher positionality as both teacher and foster parent. Composite narratives were constructed …

Beyond The Possible: Climate Justice, Global Citizenship, And Classrooms – Speculative Essays, Amanda C. Fanelli

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines the potential of speculative essays as pedagogical tools to inspire K-12 educators to integrate climate justice education within their classrooms, utilizing the framework of Global Citizenship Education (GCE). While climate change is often presented in schools as a scientific or technical issue, the literature on environmental justice demonstrates that climate change is inextricably linked to systemic inequities rooted in race, gender, colonialism, and economic oppression (Bullard, 2000; Shiva, 1988; Whyte, 2017). Yet educators frequently lack accessible, integrative frameworks for addressing these intersections in their teaching without overhauling existing curricula. This study addresses that gap by triangulating ecopedagogy, …

Exploring Lgbtq+ Competency In Healthcare, Jordan Whiteman

Honors College Theses

Marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community are known to face healthcare disparities that negatively affect their process of navigating healthcare systems. This project explores the perceived lack of representation and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community within healthcare settings, exposing the deficits in knowledge for unique challenges and inequalities these patients may face. By viewing the literature, a myriad of complications faced by LGBTQ+ people in clinical settings can be identified. They possess a generalized feeling of mistrust towards the healthcare system. Healthcare staff overall describe low confidence with caring for this demographic. Heteronormativity’s presence in the field of healthcare …

Relaciones De Las Competencias Docentes Con El Bienestar En Docentes De Ciencias Empresariales Bajo La Modalidad A Distancia En Una Universidad Privada En Colombia, Camilo Ernesto Aguirre Martínez

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de esta investigación consistió en determinar las relaciones de las competencias docentes con el bienestar en docentes de Ciencias Empresariales bajo la modalidad a distancia en una Universidad privada de Colombia. El estudio buscó identificar las relaciones entre las competencias docentes y el bienestar psicológico, el bienestar subjetivo y el bienestar social, cuáles de esas relaciones predominan, así como la identificación de cuáles elementos de estos tipos de bienestar contribuyen con el desarrollo de las competencias docentes.

El enfoque de la investigación fue el empírico analítico o cuantitativo, el diseño fue no experimental y su alcance fue de …

Perspectives Of Corporate Instructional Design Experts On Effectiveness, Personal Traits And Attributes, And Technology, Thomas A. Gant

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological descriptive study explored corporate instructional design experts' perspectives on effectiveness, personal traits and attributes, and technology that enhance their expertise. Three central themes emerged: "Mastering Instructional Design: The Journey of Continuous Learning and Skill Development," highlighting the importance of mentorship, lifelong learning, and professional development; "Accessing Instructional Design Expertise Through Individual Strengths," emphasizing adaptability, problem-solving, and empathy; and "Navigating Technological Integration and Innovation in Instructional Design," showcasing the transformative role of tools such as virtual reality, learning management systems, and authoring software. Semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom with 10 corporate instructional designers with at least 10 years …

Artificial Intelligence In Pharmacy Education: Balancing Technological Advances And Ethical Concerns Among Aspiring Pharmacists, Ubada Aqeel, Shibu John

Health Professions Education

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, including pharmacy practice, by enhancing access to information, reducing errors, and supporting decision-making. However, its integration into pharmacy education remains underexplored. This study investigated pharmacy students' perceptions of AI's impact on their profession and the need for curriculum reform. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 245 Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) students from Jamia Hamdard, India. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering knowledge, perceptions, and opinions on AI in pharmacy. Responses were analyzed using non-parametric tests, including the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests, to examine group differences. Exploratory …