A Multiple Case Study Of Challenges And Successes Experienced By Founders And Directors Of Nature-Based Preschools In The United States,
2016
Liberty University
A Multiple Case Study Of Challenges And Successes Experienced By Founders And Directors Of Nature-Based Preschools In The United States, Alexandra Barnett
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Nature-based preschools are defined as educational settings in which children spend three or more hours per school day in natural environments such as woods, meadows, and beaches (Knight, 2013). The purpose of this qualitative, multiple case study was to obtain a deep understanding of the challenges and successes of nature-based preschool (NBP) founders and directors in the United States and to develop recommendations for those interested in establishing and operating NBPs in the United States. A rich description of the phenomenon of founding and directing NBPs was developed by first answering the primary research question: “What can be learned from …
Teacher Job Satisfaction In Public Schools: The Relation To The Years Of Teaching Experience,
2016
SUNY College at Buffalo
Teacher Job Satisfaction In Public Schools: The Relation To The Years Of Teaching Experience, Xiaoyan Gu
Elementary Education and Reading Theses
This study examined the overall teacher job satisfaction in public schools and whether there was a relationship between years of teaching experience and teacher job satisfaction in public schools. Thirty-six teachers from western New York State were surveyed using Spector’s Job Satisfaction Survey. The result showed that there was a moderate negative relationship between teacher job satisfaction of operating procedures and years of teaching experience, which means with the increase of the years of teaching experience, teachers in public schools were more dissatisfied about their heavy workload. However, there was no strong relationship between overall teacher job satisfaction and years …
Instructional Methods And Engagement: The Impact Of Gamification On Student Learning Of Apa Style,
2016
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Instructional Methods And Engagement: The Impact Of Gamification On Student Learning Of Apa Style, Joyce Elaine Terrell
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This research examined the effects of simple gamification on the instructional skill outcome and level of engagement as measured by time, repetitions, and responses to the Cognitive Absorption, Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness Scale (Saadé and Bahli, 2005). Participants were 70 graduate and undergraduate students randomly assigned to one of two instructional conditions: gamified or typical online instruction. Instruction consisted of three modules on the use of APA 6th ed. (American Psychological Association) citation and reference style in college level writing. Both groups received the same instruction but with different context and directions. Participants in the typical condition …
The Creative Entrepreneur Leading Innovation,
2016
State University of New York College at Buffalo - Buffalo State College
The Creative Entrepreneur Leading Innovation, Karina Loera Barcenas
Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects
The Creative Entrepreneur Leading Innovation is a course designed for undergraduate students. Students will learn the entrepreneurial mindset through the creative process triggering innovation and leading transformation to face and adapt in the current constant and fastest changing era. This course also has a skill development component through which students will be able to experience personal transformation towards positive change.
A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Teachers’ Implementation Of Formative Assessment Practices In A Semi-Rural Northwest Georgia District,
2016
Liberty University
A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Teachers’ Implementation Of Formative Assessment Practices In A Semi-Rural Northwest Georgia District, David Thacker
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this study was to understand middle school teachers’ implementation of formative assessment (FA) practices. The study used a transcendental phenomenological design to understand these practices, centering on the teachers’ lived experiences with the phenomenon of FA practices. Four essential questions guided the research and concentrated on middle school teachers’ implementation of FA practices, perceptions about FA theory and its practices, the obstacles hindering implementation, and beneficial resources and professional learning experiences. The study focused on the lone concept of FA practices and the shared lived experiences that shaped meaning for the participants, 17 middle school teachers as …
A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study On The Perception Of Second Language Acquisition And Personality Type By Adult Second Language Learners In A Formal Learning Environment,
2016
Liberty University
A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study On The Perception Of Second Language Acquisition And Personality Type By Adult Second Language Learners In A Formal Learning Environment, Rebecca Shisler
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the perceived experience of second language acquisition for adult second language learners in a formal learning environment at the Community College of Virginia (a pseudonym) and to describe how these learners perceived that their personality type either enhanced or inhibited their experience of second language acquisition. All students who were enrolled in an introductory-level Spanish course at the Community College of Virginia were invited to complete a preliminary questionnaire to determine their initial eligibility for the study. Prospective participants who met the initial eligibility requirements of the study took the …
The Effects Of Microblogging On Middle School Students' Engagement And Critical Thinking,
2016
Liberty University
The Effects Of Microblogging On Middle School Students' Engagement And Critical Thinking, Sondra Singleton
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of microblogging as an authentic real-world technology in a middle school classroom in response to the 2010 Department of Education’s call to provide students with more relevant digital experiences. The non-equivalent control group, pretest-posttest design study was used to determine if microblogging used in a writing activity affected middle school students’ engagement and critical thinking. This study was important as it addressed the heretofore understudied middle school sector. This research used a convenience sample of 119 sixth-grade and seventh-grade language arts students in a suburban northwest Florida public middle school. …
A Phenomelogical Study Of Reclassified Elementary School English Learners’ Perceptions Of Their Educational Experiences,
2016
Liberty University
A Phenomelogical Study Of Reclassified Elementary School English Learners’ Perceptions Of Their Educational Experiences, Fernando Betanzos
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this study was to provide an insight into how former English learners’ educational experiences allowed them to attain English language proficiency and meet grade level standards in English Language Arts. This study was informed by the theoretical frameworks of Albert Bandura’s social learning theory, and Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, as they pertain to English learners. The data collection procedures included student semi-structured interviews, elementary school principal semi-structured interviews, and review of site documents such as student work samples, report cards, attendance records, discipline records, state standardized test scores, Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment scores, and English …
Exploring Academic Persistence For Nontraditional Business Students At For-Profit Universities,
2016
Liberty University
Exploring Academic Persistence For Nontraditional Business Students At For-Profit Universities, Leroy Purdie
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This phenomenological study explored academic persistence for 10 nontraditional students pursuing business degrees at for-profit universities in southern Georgia and northern Virginia. The literature review provides a theoretical framework based on Tinto’s (1975) theory of persistence and Bandura’s (1993) self-efficacy theory. Data was collected through a demographic survey, timeline of significant events, in- depth survey, and a letter of advice. Data analysis included identifying significant statements, utilizing participant feedback to create structural and textural descriptions and ultimately describing the participant essences of their experiences. The decision to pursue a degree themes that emerged were career progression, family security, transferability, and …
Teachers’ And Administrators’ Perceptions Of The Under-Representation Of African American Males In Gifted And Talented Education Programs,
2016
Liberty University
Teachers’ And Administrators’ Perceptions Of The Under-Representation Of African American Males In Gifted And Talented Education Programs, Roy Sermons
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological case study is to explore the reasons for specific perceptions by urban middle and high school teachers and administrators about the underrepresentation of gifted African American male students in educational programs for the gifted and talented. Perceptions about gifted African American male students are generally defined as the views, thoughts, and patterns of educators pertaining to the characteristics of gifted students, recommendations for admission into gifted and talented education programs, and social and psychological factors that impede the enrollment of urban African American males into such programs. The phenomenological case examines social, cultural, and psychological …
A Correlational Analysis Of Test Anxiety And Response Time On A Computerized Adaptive Math Test Among Seventh Grade Students By Gender,
2016
Liberty University
A Correlational Analysis Of Test Anxiety And Response Time On A Computerized Adaptive Math Test Among Seventh Grade Students By Gender, Michael Brom
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Studies have shown that test anxiety has become more prevalent since the adoption of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001 and that test anxiety negatively affects student achievement. Early research viewed test anxiety as being a unidimensional construct; however, recent research has purported that test anxiety is a multidimensional construct. Consequently, test anxiety being viewed as multidimensional has changed how test anxiety is measured as evidenced by the development of multidimensional test anxiety measurement scales. Literature indicates that there is a gap in the study of K-12 test anxiety and response time data on assessments. A nonexperimental correlational …
Investigating Relational Aggression And Bullying For Girls’ Of Color In Oklahoma: A Phenomenological Study,
2016
Liberty University
Investigating Relational Aggression And Bullying For Girls’ Of Color In Oklahoma: A Phenomenological Study, Gayle Flynn
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative research study, applying aspects of van Manen’s framework for hermeneutic phenomenological research, was conducted to investigate the narratives of relationally aggressive girls of color. The study focused on nine adolescent girls of color who were ages 14-17 years old and exhibited aggressive/bullying behaviors representing the ethnic groups of Black/African American, Latina/Hispanic American, Native American, and other, which included two or more racial identities combined. The participants completed online protocol writing prompts, participated in open-ended interviews and an observation to gain insight regarding relationally aggressive issues that took place in the participants’ settings. An interpretational approach to the data …
Special Education Teachers’ Lived Experiences In The Implementation Of The Ipad As An Instructional Tool For Students With Intellectual Disabilities,
2016
Liberty University
Special Education Teachers’ Lived Experiences In The Implementation Of The Ipad As An Instructional Tool For Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Takisha Epps
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
he purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of 11 special education teachers, who implemented iPads as an instructional tool for elementary students with intellectual disabilities. This study was conducted in a North Carolina school district. The theories, which guided this study were Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural theory and Piaget’s (1954) cognitive development theory. Within the study, one central question and three sub-questions were used to guide the study. The research questions focused on special education teachers’ experiences, as they implemented the iPad as an instructional tool for students with intellectual disabilities. To address these questions …
Exploring Attitude Transformation: A Grounded Theory Study Of Romanian Teachers Of Roma Students,
2016
Liberty University
Exploring Attitude Transformation: A Grounded Theory Study Of Romanian Teachers Of Roma Students, Laura Jones
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this systematic grounded theory study was to explore the process of change in teacher attitudes toward including Roma (“Gypsy”) students in non-segregated schools in Romania. The theories guiding this study included Mezirow’s (1991, 2000) theory of transformation, Gay’s (2002, 2013) theory of culturally responsive teaching, and Bandura’s (1977, 1997) theory of self-efficacy. These three theories guided this research inquiry into how attitudes change, how teacher attitudes affect beliefs and actions, and how self-efficacy affects teacher attitudes. This study sought to answer the following questions: What is the process of transforming Romanian teacher attitudes toward including Roma students? …
A Grounded Theory Study On Building Positive Teacher-Student Relationships In Christian Schools,
2016
Liberty University
A Grounded Theory Study On Building Positive Teacher-Student Relationships In Christian Schools, Joy Stouffer
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this systematic grounded theory study was to understand how teachers and students from open-enrollment Christian schools in Guam and Hawaii described the process of building positive teacher-student relationships. The framework guiding this study was social constructivism and Vygotsky’s (1980), Bruner’s (1997) and Bandura’s (1993) theories on the influence of environmental factors on the perceptions of the teacher-student relationship. The central research question asked how teachers and students described the process of building positive teacher-student relationships in Christian schools. Data collection methods included online surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews. A systematic, grounded theory approach, data analysis, and …
Transitioning First-Career Skills Into A Second Career In Teaching: A Collective Case Study Of Effective Elementary School Teachers,
2016
Liberty University
Transitioning First-Career Skills Into A Second Career In Teaching: A Collective Case Study Of Effective Elementary School Teachers, Timothy Simmons
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to understand how first-career skills were utilized by highly effective second-career elementary school teachers in northeast Tennessee. The guiding research question for the study was: How do the skills acquired in a first career affect second-career elementary school teachers? The theories that guided this study were experiential learning theory developed by David Kolb and transformative learning theory developed by Jack Mezirow as they focus on the importance of experience and perspective in the learning process. The sample for this study was comprised of five second-career elementary school teachers, four elementary school …
Transformational Christian College And University Presidents: An Examination Of Fundraising Success,
2016
Liberty University
Transformational Christian College And University Presidents: An Examination Of Fundraising Success, Keith Barrows
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The nature of presidential leadership styles at Christian higher education institutions was examined through the lens of fundraising. There has been a growing understanding that college and university presidents are being called on to play a more significant role in the leadership of their institutions, particularly in light of the fiscal challenges facing higher education. More recently, research has begun to focus on the specific character traits and practices of transformational leaders in an attempt to discern if there are significant differences in organizational and personal outcomes in a variety of settings. By understanding what leadership practices are transformational in …
A Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Needs, Wants, And Desires From The Voices Of African-American Males Desiring To Graduate From Community College,
2016
Liberty University
A Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Needs, Wants, And Desires From The Voices Of African-American Males Desiring To Graduate From Community College, Yvette Harris
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore factors that could lead to academic success for African-American males enrolled in community college. By conducting a phenomenological study, those factors leading to graduation will be derived from the particular lens of perception of the participants’ lived experiences. The guiding theories are those of Derrick Bell’s Critical Race Theory (CRT, 1977), Vincent Tinto’s (1975) Theory of Departure, and John Bean’s (1979) Theory of Student Attrition. A convenience participant sample totaling 10 African-American males was comprised of students who were currently enrolled in a community college. The data collected for this …
The Effect Of Gender On The Attitudes Of Undergraduates Toward Young-Earth Creationism After Enrollment In An Origins Course,
2016
Liberty University
The Effect Of Gender On The Attitudes Of Undergraduates Toward Young-Earth Creationism After Enrollment In An Origins Course, Sean Vinaja
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Many Christian students graduate from secondary schools and enter Christian colleges with worldviews that are unbiblical or contain unbiblical components, many of which stem from their beliefs regarding origins. Little research has been done to study the effect of gender on the role of a young-earth creationist (YEC) origins course in shaping students’ worldview. Research has shown that males and females respond differently to science and religion instruction; because the origins discussion is an intersection of science and religion, the study of gender’s effect in developing a Bible-based worldview is important so that Christian colleges might more effectively guide their …
Exploring The Relationship Between The Freshman Academy Environment And Academic Achievement And Resilience,
2016
Liberty University
Exploring The Relationship Between The Freshman Academy Environment And Academic Achievement And Resilience, Taneesha George
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Student success or failure during the transition to high school is an accurate predictor of student success beyond the ninth grade. In an attempt to support students during this transition, many schools across the nation have implemented small learning communities called freshman academies to bridge the apparent gap in achievement between middle and high school. Research has linked freshman academies and ninth grade success in terms of test scores (Styron & Peasant, 2010). There is, however, little empirical research that examines the success of freshman academy students in terms of promoting resilience and other factors during this time of risk. …
