Digital Commons Network^™

Developing Self-Determination Through Physical Activity Courses In Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs, Shannon P. Zimmerman, Samantha Ross-Cypcar, Peter R. Giacobbi, Lesley Cottrell, Emily Murphy, Andrea Taliaferro, Jeanette Garcia

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience low physical activity levels, with only 23% meeting recommended guidelines, increasing their risk for secondary health conditions. Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) programs in the U.S. present an opportunity for physical activity promotion. This study examined physical activity strategies across a national sample of IPSE programs (n = 27) using a sequential mixed-method approach, including surveys and follow-up interviews, focusing on alignment with Self-Determination Theory (SDT). While 70.37% of programs offered formalized physical activity courses, all promoted physical activity informally. Common practices included peer mentorship (96.3% of programs), goal setting (100%), and …

Impact Of Ai-Assistance In Writing On Independent Writing Self-Efficacy, Kelsey Barendregt

Master of Education Program Theses

Students and educators alike are impacted by the release of ChatGPT, particularly in the humanities fields. This study aims to explore the impact human-centred AI use during the writing process has on student self-efficacy for independent writing, focusing on writing aesthetic texts while receiving writing support from ChatGPT. Writing programs should help students develop writing skills and self-efficacy, enabling them to complete writing tasks independently rather than becoming dependent on AI tools. Self-efficacy was explored through four categories: overall self-efficacy, ideation, conventions, and self-regulation. Results indicate that AI tools have a neutral effect on students’ overall self-efficacy for independent writing, …

Sense Of Belonging And Self-Efficacy Of Women In Stemm At The University Of South Alabama, Emilie Dedeaux

Honors Theses

Despite decades of calls and initiatives to diversify science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) disciplines, females are still more likely to leave STEMM career paths compared to their male peers, which is often depicted as a 'leaky pipeline'. Females in STEMM often report greater social alienation, greater selfdoubt, lower sense of belonging and academic satisfaction due to a mismatch in values in STEMM disciplines. STEMM values have traditionally been normed by cisheteronormative, white, male ideologies . While extensive research has focused on the barriers females experience in STEMM that reduce sense of belonging , less research has focused on …

Experiences Of Hispanic/Latine Graduate Students In Unco’S Audiology And Speech-Language Pathology Programs Within A Hispanic-Serving Institution Context: Qualitative Thematic Analysis From A Moderated Focus Group, Ashley Fuhrman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Existing literature has examined workforce diversity in healthcare as a factor that may shape patient rapport and the delivery of culturally responsive, patient-centered care. Given the increasing demand for audiologists (AuDs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with diverse and multilingual backgrounds, it is important to understand how graduate programs prepare students to serve linguistically and culturally diverse populations. This qualitative study examines the experiences of Hispanic/Latine graduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), a recently designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The study explores students’ perceptions of training, support, and experiences in serving diverse populations. …

Chicago Southland Work-Based Learning Report, Alexia Santiago

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

In 2025, Education Systems Center (EdSystems) at Northern Illinois University partnered with Prairie State College, South Suburban College, and local school districts to build a strong and comprehensive system of work-based learning opportunities. This report shares information collected on existing opportunities and identifies opportunities to scale work-based learning across the region.

Cultivating Connection: A Culturally Responsive Mental Wellbeing Curriculum For Latine Youth In Santa Cruz County, Suzzy Landeros

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Latine adolescents experience high rates of stress, depression, and stigma surrounding mental health, in part due to limited access to culturally responsive support and safe spaces for connection. The purpose of this internship project was to develop and implement a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, mental wellbeing curriculum to address barriers related to stigma, limited culturally responsive support, and disconnection, while supporting emotional awareness, connection, and use of grounding strategies among youth. The project was implemented through United Way Santa Cruz County in partnership with Watsonville High School and Soquel High School and served high school-aged youth. Development of the curriculum included …

Benefits Of Being Bilingual On The Academic Success Of The Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners, Shary Vaca

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Reframing bilingualism as an academic asset rather than a limitation, this senior capstone research project examines how bilingualism supports the academic success of Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs) in early education within California’s diverse and growing Hispanic student population. Using a combination of literature reviews, teacher interviews, and surveys from former English language learners, the findings indicate that bilingualism is one of three key benefits for English language learners: enhancing communication skills, strengthening critical thinking, and increasing language competence. In addition, bilingual students demonstrate a unique ability to collaborate effectively, think flexibly across languages, and transfer linguistic knowledge to support …

What We Want The Decision Makers To Know About First-Generation College Student Success: Insights From Students’ Perspectives, Monique N. Legendre

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

One-third of all undergraduates in the U.S. are first-generation college students (FGCS) (Center for First-Generation Student Success, 2020). Due to barriers such as inequitable access to rigorous college preparatory programs and coursework, limited resources and access to college and career counseling, financial constraints, and a lack of college knowledge such as the expectations, norms, and language of higher education, FGCS often arrive less prepared for college than continuing-generation students, impacting first-generation student success and persistence in post-secondary education (Broadhurst et al., 2023; Campoverdi, 2023; Cataldi et al., 2018; Hamilton et al., 2016; Katrevich & Aruguete, 2017; Osborne, 2023; Pratt et …

Creating Space For Pleasure: The Effects Of Alternative Reading Environments On Secondary Students' Reading Attitudes, Kari Rushmer

Master of Education Program Theses

This study examined how dedicated, free-choice reading time influenced student perceptions of and enjoyment of reading in a 10th-grade classroom. The purpose of the study was to determine whether providing weekly free-choice reading time within a comfortable, book-rich, library/café-style environment influenced reading enjoyment among 10th-grade students. Results indicated modest positive shifts in students’ comfort in the reading environment and their desire for in-class reading time, with qualitative data suggesting an increase in students’ enjoyment of reading. These findings suggest that environmental factors and dedicated reading time may support increased student engagement, even over a short intervention period.

Future Ready Young Adults: Building Creative And Adaptive Thinkers, Robell Yeung

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Abstract of Project

Future Ready Young Adults: Building Creative and Adaptive Thinkers addresses a developmental gap in educational practices that prioritize technical proficiency over the psychological frameworks necessary for navigating systemic ambiguity. This project introduces an interdisciplinary, modular curriculum specifically designed for the challenges of emerging adulthood. By synthesizing Creative Problem Solving (CPS), James Clear’s habit architecture, and Martin Seligman’s PERMA model, the curriculum provides a structured pathway for cultivating creative self-efficacy and financial capability. Moving beyond traditional views of innate creativity, this model employs asset-based frameworks to treat cognitive agility and ambiguity tolerance as developable competencies. The project culminates …

Mississippi Early Childhood Math Resource Guide: Supporting Mathematical Development From Birth Through Age Eight, Melissa Luckett, Systems Change Lab, Mississippi State University, Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University

Books

The Mississippi Early Childhood Math Resource Guide is a comprehensive, research-informed digital publication designed to support the development of foundational mathematical skills in children from birth through age eight. Developed by the Systems Change Lab at Mississippi State University's Social Science Research Center, the guide translates evidence-based early mathematics concepts into practical, accessible strategies for educators, families, and caregivers. 

Organized by developmental stages, the guide integrates learning domains, age-appropriate math skills, and everyday instructional practices to promote the use of "math talk" and embedded learning opportunities across settings. It incorporates activities, instructional strategies, and resources aligned to support both formal …

The Effects Of Fluency Building On Undergraduate Student Performance, Lauren B. Shibley

Dissertations

Online learning has become integral to higher education, with enrollment steadily increasing over the past decade and accelerating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research highlights the importance of flexibility, learner autonomy, and self-regulated learning skills in this environment, with studies demonstrating that strategies such as mastery-based, self-paced instruction, fluency training, and timely feedback support student engagement and academic success. Early work adapting personalized instruction for online use (Pear & Crone-Todd, 1999) and subsequent studies on fluency practice (Quigley et al., 2018; Urbina et al., 2019) emphasize how these supports can improve concept retention. Despite these advances, more quantitative research is needed …

Leading With Intentionality: A Prek-12th Grade Public School District's Initial Journey Of Ethical Artificial Intelligence Integration, Michael J. Lucas Dr.

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This article chronicles the intentional and evolving approach of Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, toward integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning. Grounded in historical parallels to earlier technological shifts such as calculators, the Internet, and search engines, the district emphasizes ethical implementation, transparency, and ongoing professional learning rather than restriction or avoidance.

Through the development of an AI Task Force, differentiated professional development, and community engagement initiatives, Westside seeks to promote AI literacy while preserving academic integrity and human-centered decision-making. The district’s framework prioritizes safety, equity, and responsible use, positioning AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—critical …

Leading Artificial Intelligence Integration: Trust, Tension, And Decision-Making, Teresa G. Perkins Ed.D.

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Artificial intelligence integration in education is advancing faster than shared trust and understanding are being established. Educational leaders are responding in real-time to questions of risk and efficacy while navigating conditions that are still forming. This article situates artificial intelligence integration within the paradox of educational leadership, identifying trust as the critical condition shaping leaders’ interpretations of the tensions.

Leveraging paradox and trust theory, the article explores how competing demands are not problems to be solved, but tensions to be navigated. When trust is present, leaders respond to tension points through both/and sense-making; when trust is absent, decision-making collapses into …

Harnessing Ai In Legal Education: Opportunities For Innovation, Leadership, And Student Success, Peculiar Awa, Grant Shostak

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming the practice of law, from predictive analytics in policing and algorithmic sentencing to generative AI-assisted drafting and research. Despite this technological shift, legal education remains predominantly doctrinal, inadequately preparing graduates to function effectively in an AI-mediated environment. This paper contends that law and legal studies programs must integrate AI literacy, applied AI skills, and ethical instruction into curricula. By leveraging experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, AI-driven simulations, and critical inquiry, institutions can produce graduates who are both technically competent and ethically grounded, ready to navigate the evolving legal profession.

Artificial Intelligence Tools And Job Performance Among Secondary School Administrators, Adebola Oladiji Alaba, Abosede Boladale Olukayode

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This study investigated the relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and job performance among secondary school administrators in Egbedore and Osogbo Local Governments, Osun State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study assessed the extent of AI tools usage, the relationship between AI tools usage and administrators’ job performance and differences in AI tools usage between public and private secondary school administrators. The study was motivated by the growing expectation for school administrators to improve administrative effectiveness through digital technologies. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving 252 respondents comprising 162 administrators and 90 teachers drawn from 18 secondary schools (nine schools …

The Impact Of Iterative Scientific Modeling On The Development Of Scientific Reasoning In Middle School Students, Dan Tinklenberg

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research study examined the impact of iterative scientific modeling on the development of scientific reasoning in middle school students. Twenty-five 7th and 8th grade students participated in an eight-week intervention in which they built, tested, and then revised scientific models followed by reflection questions. A pre- and post-assessment was used to measure growth in student ability to explain science phenomena, to make predictions, and to construct evidence-based arguments. Quantitative data shows a statistically significant improvement in post-test scores (p = 1.067E-9). Qualitative data from student interviews shows increased attention to detail, improved clarity in scientific communication, and enhanced …

Flipping The Format: A Comparative Analysis Of Pedagogy’S Performance On Comprehension In Introductory Financial Accounting Education, Allison Drozd

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Education is an ever-evolving field, and accounting education is no different. Introductory financial accounting is a required business course at universities that is characterized by high failure rates (Kealey et al., 2005). Evidence suggests that active learning and constructivist approaches improve comprehension of introductory financial accounting concepts as measured by exam performance. All methods studied produced statistically significant positive results on comprehension learning outcomes. Many professors' experiences support the studies' sentiment that active learning is important for teaching course concepts. The evidence reviewed in this thesis supports positive learning outcomes for comprehension of accounting concepts through active learning and constructivist …

Skill Growth And Development In An Honors Experiential Learning Course, Julia D. Lyashevskiy

Honors Theses

Problem-solving skills are crucial for students in both schoolwork and the workforce as they help individuals and groups work through obstacles and come up with solutions to a problem. To help prepare students, the Innovation in Honors Lab at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a hands-on, interdisciplinary course that provides an experiential learning opportunity to practice skills while working directly with community partners to find and solve a local issue. This research tracks the development of six specific skills that students use throughout the class. The skills included communication, creative thinking, decision making, problem solving, conflict resolution, and …

Techno-Imagination: Elevating Creativity Through Xr And Ai, Christopher Spitzer

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Techno-Imagination: Elevating Creativity Through XR and AI explores the history of creativity and computing technology, supported by research and academic literature, and looks at the possibilities of a convergence between the two. In parallel, a brief biographical story of the author shares how a passion for creativity emerged, along with a growing interest in science and technology—specifically extended reality—which ultimately came together in the creation of this master’s project. The project also highlights how the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process was used alongside AI bots and twenty research-based creative thinking skills in developing the business model canvas. Finally, the outcome …

Empowering Latinas In Computer Science: Success Stories And Challenges, Martin Jalomo

Theses and Dissertations

Latina women remain significantly underrepresented in computer science, and limited research centers their lived experiences within the field. This qualitative narrative inquiry examined how Latina women who completed computer science degrees and secured employment persisted in predominantly male and non-Latina environments. Guided by Yosso’s (2005) Community Cultural Wealth framework, the study explored how participants leveraged forms of capital to navigate structural, relational, and psychological barriers. Data were collected through narrative interviews with five Latina graduates and analyzed using thematic and cross-case analysis. Findings indicate that underrepresentation shaped participants’ sense of belonging while persistence was supported through aspirational, familial, social, navigational, …

“Sometimes I Feel That Going To College Was A Waste Of Time”: Latinas’ Lived Experiences Navigating Culture, Gender, And Marriage Post-College Degree, Nancy Peña

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative critical narrative study explores how Latinas navigate and make meaning of gender roles within their heterosexual marriages post-college graduation. Data are collected via semi-structured interviews with 10 Latina participants: an initial plática focus group, followed by individual interviews, and a final plática focus group for member checking. Key findings reveal that despite Latinas acquiring autonomy, stability, negotiated power, personal growth, and social development as a result of attaining a degree in higher education, overall development is limited due to heightened responsibilities, persistent gender hierarchies, continuous religious norms, and constant gender role guilt. The evidence suggests that although attaining …

Skills, Challenges, And Career Outcomes: A Quantitative Study Of Early-Career Experiences In Research Administration, Jennifer Juliet Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Research administration as a field lacks clearly defined entry pathways, with many professionals entering through indirect routes. These conditions contribute to variation in early-career experiences and may influence long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine how entry pathways and skills at entry relate to early-career challenges in research administration, and how those challenges are associated with career dissatisfaction.

This study used a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Data were drawn from the U.S. subset of the Research Administration as a Profession (RAAAP-3) survey. Key variables included entry pathways, skills at entry, early-career challenges, and career dissatisfaction. Findings indicate that …

Typing Proficiency And Its Relationship To Outcomes In Online Writing Assessments, Agustin J. Cantu

Theses and Dissertations

As writing assessment increasingly occurs in digital environments, students must demonstrate not only composition skills but also sufficient transcription fluency to produce responses under timed conditions. This quantitative study examined the relationship among structured typing practice, transcription fluency, and writing performance among students in Grades 3 and 4 at IDEA Public Schools. Specifically, the study investigated whether engagement with Typing.com was associated with improvements in words per minute (WPM) and accuracy, and whether transcription fluency was associated with performance on Internal Assessment (IA) Writing Percent Correct.

Archival district data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, hierarchical regression, moderation analyses, …

Developing Digital Literacy And Online Safety Skills For Middle Schoolers, Alana Rose Rowley

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The increasing use of technology and social media among adolescents has introduced a range of risks, including cyberbullying, mental health challenges, and physical health concerns related to excessive screen time. Many young students lack the digital literacy skills necessary to navigate online environments safely and responsibly, and remain unaware of the risks. This project addresses this issue by developing a one-day educational lesson for students in grades five through eight at the YMCA of the Central Coast in Monterey, California. The lesson focuses on building digital literacy, promoting mental health, and educating students about the physical effects of excessive technology …

The Impact Of Representation In Sex Education On Gender And Sexual Minority Youth, Piper A. Ellison

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this capstone project is to examine the representation of gender and sexual minority youth in sexual education. Given that, not all representation is good representation, this senior capstone examines the effects of both a lack of representation and misrepresentation. Through a literature review, administrator interviews, and college student surveys, the findings showed that there is often little to no practical representation of gender and sexual minority students in sexual education. Further findings show that when there is representation, it is often either at the superficial level, meaning that the identities exist, but do not provide detailed health …

Bridging The Gap: Educating Students On The Neurodiverse Experience, Riley Axtell

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Neurodivergent students face misunderstanding, stigma, and systemic barriers that impact academic and emotional well-being. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a curriculum-based project designed to educate college students about neurodiverse experiences and improve knowledge, empathy, and understanding. The curriculum was administered in two formats: an in-person format with pre- and post-survey measurements and an online “choose your own adventure” implementation utilizing post-survey measurements. Participants engaged in simulated cognitive and sensory activities that represented experiences associated with dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Although limited by a small sample size, reliance on self-report measures, lack of a pre-survey …

Exploring Student Sensemaking During A Collaborative Biology Lab, Rebecca Kollipara

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Collaborative learning environments offer valuable opportunities for students to construct scientific understanding through dialogue, yet the conditions that support sustained conceptual reasoning in group settings remain incompletely understood. While prior research has identified discourse moves associated with productive collaboration, less attention has been paid to how those moves function together across turns and conceptual boundaries, or how individual student characteristics shape their emergence. This thesis examines collaborative sensemaking in an undergraduate General Biology II course, drawing on two complementary analyses of student discourse during a bryophyte life-cycle modeling activity.

Chapter 1 investigates how student groups participated in sensemaking and how …

Critical Improvisation: Black Secondary Graduates’ Experiences Of Student Voice, Lauren Malara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe Black secondary graduates’ experience of improvisational comedy through the framework of Student Voice. Amid silencing legislative bans in education, the study aimed to critically make meaning of participants’ shared experiences of Theater Games and provide insight into the critical applications of improvisation as a tool to develop student leaders. The study employed a hermeneutical phenomenological design, sampling six Black graduates that participated in improvisational courses as part of the secondary curriculum. Data collection included a demographic questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and participant journals. The findings of a thematic analysis indicate that improvisation developed …

The Impact Of Career And Technical Education Teacher Certification Preparation Programs On Student Industry-Based Certification Examinations, Kaneesha Chameka Celestin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are designed to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand industry jobs. However, there is limited research on Career and Technical Education teacher preparation programs (traditional, alternative, and industry-based) and the impact on student outcomes on industry-based examinations, such as ACT WorkKeys. This quantitative study analyzed Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher preparation programs (traditional, alternative, and industry-based) and 12th -grade students’ outcomes on the 2023-2024 ACT WorkKeys examination and whether relationships exist between the two. Additionally, the research examined each Career and Technical Education teacher certification preparation program individually to determine the differences among traditional, …