Educational Methods Commons^™

Implications Of Learning Styles As A Tool On Universal Course Design, Laura Sacchetti

Instructional Design Publications

Creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all learners helps ensure the educational benefits can be enjoyed by the largest population possible. The theory of learning styles was developed as a response to the belief that learners respond better to educational stimulus that serves to their unique strengths. Learning styles cater to the strengths of each learner, whereas Universal Course Design accommodates all learners' needs. When used together, this symbiotic relationship can benefit learners in several ways. The implications of learning styles on Universal Course Design should be investigated to best determine its validity and usefulness in the classroom.

Investigating Factors Influencing Chinese Private College Students’ Engagement In Emergency Online Learning, Limei Cao

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Online learning has witnessed a rapid growth following its widespread adoption across global higher education throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic. Although online learning was intended to maintain continuity of education during the public health emergency, the issue of student engagement in emergency online learning (EOL) has risen to prominence. Given the close association between student engagement and academic outcomes, investigating factors influencing student engagement in EOL is crucial for informing effective educational policies and interventions that support student success. In the absence of a comprehensive theoretical model for understanding student engagement in the unique context of EOL, this study proposed …

Key Practices In P-6 Integrated Stem Education: A Delphi Panel Investigation, Leah R. Cheek

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the past two decades policymakers, practitioners and researchers have been summoned to pursue best practices to address and implement improvements in STEM education for P-12 students (Archer, Moote, MacLeod, Francis, & DeWitt, 2020; Emrey-Arras, 2018; Hodson, 2003; National Research Council, 2012). Irrespective of the longstanding investment of time and resources towards STEM education, students’ patterns of STEM involvement in schools continue to be persistently unchanged (Archer, et al., 2020; Ro & Knight, 2016) and even fewer Americans are entering STEM disciplines in the workforce (National Science Foundation, 2018). The purpose of this three-article dissertation study is to support effective …

Defining Experiential: Higher Education Educator Perspectives On Experiential Education Criteria And Experiential Learning Forms, Paul Gaszak

Dissertations

In the field of experiential education, there is a general understanding that concepts and definitions of experiential education and experiential learning differ by individuals, departments, organizations, and institutions. The purpose of this quantitative descriptive research study was to gather the perspectives of individual experiential educators across higher education (n = 121) on what they perceive to be experiential education’s criteria and what forms of educational methodologies qualify as experiential learning forms. The findings demonstrated inclusive perspectives regarding both criteria and forms, such as receptiveness to experiential education being able to occur within classrooms, in short durations, and without third-party participation. …

Analyzing Diverse Student Experiences: The Intersection Of Equity, Inclusivity, And Biomedical Engineering Education Through A Clinical Observations And Needs Finding Course, Jacquelynn Horsey

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the field of biomedical engineering, needs identification and solution development are an important element of the design process. In our undergraduate curriculum, a course was designed to allow clinical observation and provide an opportunity for students to learn about engineering design and engage with clinicians via completing rotations in medical facilities near our campus. While this type of course is not unique, evaluating its efficacy is not simple. Given the broad range of institutional resources available- such as proximity to a medical school, or residency programs- reporting the quality of such courses within the context of such available resources …

Exploring Teacher Agency And Student Engagement: A Case Study Of An Urban High School In The United States, Alexandra M. Kirby

Educational Studies Dissertations

Using a mixed-methods case study design, this study explored teacher agency, student engagement, and the relationship between these two complex constructs at a Northeastern urban high school, “City High School” (CHS). Teacher agency refers to the level of control or power teachers have in their classrooms and in a school system as well as to feelings of belonging, of being supported, and of competency. Fredricks et al. (2004) suggest student engagement is an intricate construct that includes behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement. A social constructivist and critical theory lens informed the research. Three guiding research questions focused on teacher agency …

Parity In Higher Education In Prison Programs: Does It Exist?, Michael Lee Griggs, Vianey Luna

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The expansion of college-in-prison (CIP) programs, especially in California, where incarcerated college enrollment increased from 11,472 students to over 15,000 in two years, has spotlighted higher education for incarcerated individuals. This increase, supported by legislation that expands funding for CIP programs and allows time off sentences for successful course/degree completion, is further bolstered by the restoration of Federal Pell funding for incarcerated students after a 28-year ban. Despite the acknowledged benefits of CIP programs in reducing recidivism and enhancing post-release outcomes, existing research highlights the need for additional exploration into the quality of CIP programs. Senate Bill 416 further emphasizes …

Setting Events And Their Effects Upon Students' Behavior Goals, Linnea Hilderbrand

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study investigates the impacts that setting events have upon the behavioral outcomes of students on a Check-In, Check-Out (CICO) intervention. Research was conducted through participant interviews each day, which were then translated into quantitative graphs for data analysis. The analysis has shown that there is not a significant correlation between the setting events studied and student behavioral outcomes. Although it was not statistically significant, there appeared to be some degree of correlations. Quantitative data shows that the effects of setting events upon each individual student are varied, which allows us to conclude that the effects of setting events upon …

The Impact Of Healthcare Interprofessional Education On Collaboration., Mya Winjum

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Interprofessional relationships are important to the productivity of healthcare teams, especially as collaborative approaches become increasingly common in the healthcare setting. This paper focuses on the impacts of interprofessionalism and interprofessional education on healthcare teams collaborations. Drawing from a mixed-methods approach, data was gathered through an online survey and interviews conducted at the UNMC GOODLIFE Clinic, a student-run clinic. Findings reveal differences in perceptions between post-graduate professionals and students regarding the role and importance of interprofessionalism. While professionals demonstrate an understanding of IP collaboration, students express a need for more comprehensive IPE. Barriers to effective teamwork, such as professional hierarchies …

Gamification Of Speech Therapy With Pronunciation Pal, Parker Zbylut

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone report examines the theory and implementation behind applying game design principles to educational applications, and explores their implementation in an educational game through the Pronunciation Pal application. The gamification of learning tools aims to increase learners' engagement and attentiveness with a subject by restructuring content using game design principles of challenges, rewards and feedback. Feedback can be delivered via visuals and/or sounds, as well as regular indicators of player progress and accomplishment. In addition, a successful game implementation establishes challenges to facilitate a player's intrinsic desire to continue playing and improving at the skills presented by the game. …

Phonics In Kindergarten: Introducing Digraphs Using Scaffolding And Manipulatives, Courtney Brink

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

In my capstone project, I incorporated multiple strategies that supported students’ learning of and engagement with lessons on three digraphs: sh, th, and ch. My objective was not to teach to mastery, but instead to expose students to higher level literacy concepts and build their background knowledge for future lessons. Based on student artifacts, students gained multiple opportunities for exposure and practice of reading and writing words with digraphs. The assessment data does not directly support an improvement in student performance with independent writing. This capstone will highlight the instructional and assessment strategies I used, the data I collected, and …

Implementing Instructional And Assessment Strategies To Improve Student Success In Art, Hayden Thomaier

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

For my honors capstone project, I taught a 3-week unit to my Art III class at a suburban high school in Nebraska. This unit covered concepts such as color theory, composition, and how to create the illusion of depth within a piece of art. This unit ended with the students creating a 24x30 in. painting of a space that was personal to them. The instructional strategies that I used throughout the unit included learning objectives, providing feedback, and nonlinguistic forms of representation. The assessment strategies I used included a pre and post-assessment at the beginning and end of the unit, …

Teaching Addition And Subtraction Story Problems To Second Grade Students Utilizing A Differentiated Instructional Strategies, Rene Gold

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports the effectiveness of four instructional strategies and two assessment methods that were integrated into a second-grade mathematics unit. The unit focused on addition and subtraction within 1,000 with missing numbers and story problems. The unit was taught over five days. The unit included both a pre-and post-assessment to assist in documenting student growth from the first to the last lesson. In my capstone, I will discuss the most effective instructional and assessment strategies and their impact on students' learning. After the completion of this unit, I analyzed the pre- and post-assessment data. I discovered that using …

Simulacra Alligoría Spílaio Socráti A Reconsideration Of The Allegory Of Socrates Cave: Game-Based Theory In Inclusive Higher Education, Barry Karrh

Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the use of Game Based Learning (GBL) and Game Based Pedagogy (GBP) implemented in higher education and considers what effects may be measured on retention and learning.

Using the allegory of Socrates Cave, a story which challenges how learners’ perspectives differ according to each individual’s unique understanding, this study considered how participants reacted in similar scenarios during ‘serious games’ implemented in college level classes to reinforce and review material before testing. This study used a pre- and post-test model to assess the difference games used as an intervention had on short-term retention. The final credential scores of …

Inside Out Creativity: Nurturing Teachers As Creative Catalysts To Transform Education, Katie Ravich

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This project is a thought piece aimed at re-evaluating and clarifying the potential of activating transformational creative change leadership in teachers. By embracing creativity as a human process, teachers can become catalysts for change within themselves and their students. This approach requires a nurturing and relational co-creative process, fostering a learning environment that values emotional well-being alongside intellectual growth for everyone. For teachers to stimulate others to be creative and innovative, they must challenge their own beliefs about creativity. There needs to be an explicit process that underpins these behaviors, integrated with a high level of emotional intelligence to nurture …

Native American Choral Music: Strategies For Celebrating And Incorporating Music Of Indigenous People, Mary Ruth Young

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

*Language usage is fluid and evolving, representing past and present people groups. During my discussions with my Indigenous composer colleagues, I've found that they hold varying preferences regarding how they wish to be addressed and the terminology they prefer. Because of this, I use the terms Native, Native American, First Nations, Indigenous, American Indian, and First Peoples interchangeably.*

This document will discuss the historical exclusion of Native American music in the Western art forms, specifically the choral tradition, and provide solutions to incorporate it in modern choral performances. Considering first the wars, disease, displacement, colonization, and missionization, it is no …

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Into Adult Education: Opportunities, Challenges, And Future Directions, Valerie A. Storey, Amiee Wagner

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This conceptual article provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration and its influence on adult education. It discusses generative AI technologies and their potential applications in adult education settings, examines the opportunities and ethical challenges associated with integrating AI, and provides insights into emerging trends. The article consists of five sections. The introduction provides a rationale as to why AI should be integrated into adult education. Second, it describes evolving AI technologies such as Large Language Models (LLM) for personalized learning, Machine Learning Algorithms for adaptive learning systems, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality …

Examining Attitudes Towards Scientific Research, Charles Ian Johnston

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Undergraduate students are often anxious about participating in a research experience. In this study, students conducted research as part of their introductory biology course and were then surveyed using the Attitudes toward Research Scale, to understand their views on research. Students were surveyed at the beginning and end of the semester, and their scores in five attitudinal categories were compared. The attitudes examined were usefulness of research, positive attitudes towards research, relevance of research, difficulty of research and anxiety towards research. We hypothesized that participation in research as part of a course would improve students’ attitude toward research. Initial analysis …

Re/Writing Identity: A Narrative Inquiry Exploring Stereotype Threat, Sense Of Belonging, And Self-Efficacy Among Young Men Of Color In First-Year Writing Courses, Jenny O. Arras

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

This narrative study explored the ways in which two Black male undergraduate students experienced and situated their identity in their first-year composition (FYC) courses. The study sought to reveal how the participants experienced stereotype threat in both the classroom and larger community and the ways in which this perceived threat impacted their self-efficacy and sense of belonging. The participants, enrolled in an FYC course for underprepared writers at a southeastern university, were both performing well in the class, thereby providing insight into the factors and experiences that helped mitigate the potential of stereotype threat. In order to more fully understand …

Exploring The Relationship Between Anxiety And Virtual Reality Sickness, David Wesley Woolverton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

As virtual reality (VR) becomes more commonly used in education, it is important to understand the technology’s weakness and mitigate any potential negative effects on student success. One adverse side-effect of VR use is simulation-induced motion sickness, known in the context of VR as VR sickness. Previous research by Howard and Van Zandt (2021) found that possessing a phobia had a significant positive correlation with VR sickness, but only if the phobia is triggered by the simulation, suggesting that symptoms are actually connected to the anxiety the phobia induces. This study explored the hypothesized correlation between anxiety and VR sickness, …