Digital Commons Network^™

How State Universities Are Addressing The Shortage Of Cybersecurity Professionals In The United States, Gary Harris

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Cybersecurity threats have been a serious and growing problem for decades. In addition, a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals has been proliferating for nearly as long. These problems exist in the United States and globally and are well documented in literature. This study examined what state universities are doing to help address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals since higher education institutions are a primary source to the workforce pipeline. It is suggested that the number of cybersecurity professionals entering the workforce is related to the number of available programs. Thus increasing the number of programs will increase the number of …

A Phenomenological Study Of Special Education Teacher Self-Efficacy For English Learner Instruction, Emilie Louise Jacumin-Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of special education teachers (SETs) who instruct English learners (ELs) at secondary public schools in the Southeast. In this research, SETs instructing ELs were generally defined as SETs responsible for the instruction of ELs with or without disabilities. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy. The qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of 11 SETs who teach in secondary public school districts in the southeastern United States. Data collection consisted of Teacher Self-Efficacy (TSE) Scale surveys, teacher reflections on their …

Engaging Students With The Fold-And-Cut Theorem, Amélie Schinck-Mikel, Elsa Medina

Colorado Mathematics Teacher

When students make geometric constructions through paper folding, it allows them to make geometric concepts come to life in their hands. In this article, we discuss a hands-on geometry activity based on the Fold-and-Cut Theorem that can help teachers enhance students’ engagement with geometry and deepen students’ geometric reasoning by paper folding.

Adolescent Autonomy In Book Selection, Katie Dredger, Zoe Mcdowell

Virginia English Journal

Books that have been on the shelves of classrooms in the commonwealth of Virginia are being removed by overzealous and misinformed parents and school board members. Supporting literacy development means allowing adolescents to read thought-provoking and edgy, high-quality texts, vetted by educated professionals, so that students can be critical curators and consumers of the wide range of media available today. Reading begets better reading, and varied texts build empathy for others. Improved literacy and empathetic criticality will benefit our commonwealth.

Course Correction: Examining 2020’S Middle Level Teacher Education Through A Critical, Antiracist Lens-A Collaborative Self-Study Of Teacher Education Practices, Kristie W. Smith, Kristina N. Falbe

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

The work of teacher education in a 2020’s context is challenging and filled with opportunity. With a diversifying P-12 student body (Love, 2020; Pitts, 2019) and the confluence of social, political, and educational factors (Nieto & Bode, 2018), the complexities of teacher education are vast and fluid. In a historical moment that has included teaching in a time of pandemic, national reckonings over race and injustice, and explicit legislation to guide teaching about social history (Kelly et al, 2023), effective middle level teacher education is multifaceted. It calls for the development of teacher candidates skilled in creating school environments that …

Get Fit! With Math And Lit: A Pilot Program Of Physical Activity, Mathematics, And Literacy With Middle Grades Students Through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Christine L. Craddock, Brittany Pinkerton

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

In an afterschool program at a university literacy center, we piloted the integration of physical activity with multimodal mathematics and literacy exercises. We aimed to incorporate the three tenets of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) including academic success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness with middle grades participants by utilizing a sports-based youth development model (SBYD), Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR). Participants participated in 30-minute sessions bi-weekly over two months, which included reflective discussions and journaling to begin and end activities, respectively. Participants were invited to suggest activities during sessions and interact cooperatively with facilitators and peers. They also engaged in …

Chatgpt Can Write My Class Assignments, Right?: A Guided Classroom Activity For Teaching The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Generative-Ai Tools, Dr. Peter J. Kalenda Assistant Professor, Elementary Science & Math, School Of Education

Artificial Intelligence, 2024-25

This module is designed to support your undergraduate or graduate students with developing an understanding of:

• How to use generative-AI tools, like ChatGPT,
• The strengths and weaknesses of generative-AI tools for completing different tasks,
• How to design and revise a classroom presentation that is aligned with course topics and objectives by using generative-AI tools as a resource, and
• How to engage in prompt engineering and prompt revision for generative-AI tools.

Your students are being tasked with creating an engaging presentation they will deliver to their peers that aligns with the topics and learning objectives of your course. However, they will …

Climate Change And Its Impact On Health: A Global Collaborative Learning Model, Harriet Okatch, Patricia Remshifski, Anita Fennessey, Haley Campbell, Sivia Barnoy, Jason Friedman, Stephen Kern, Rosemary Frasso, Cecilia Sorensen, Tami Bar-Shalita, Louis Hunter

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

To address the health effects of climate change, leaders in healthcare have called for action to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation into training programs for health professionals. However, current educators may not possess sufficient climate literacy and the expertise to effectively include such content in their respective healthcare curricula. We, an international and interprofessional partnership, collaborated with experts to develop and deploy curriculum to increase health educators' and graduate health profession students' knowledge and competencies on climate change. In a tri-step process, the first phase included recruiting interested faculty members from two institutions and varying health professions. In phase two, …

White Paper: Embracing Responsible Use Of Chatgpt In Education, Monica J. Weir

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This white paper presents challenges and opportunities for integration of ChatGPT, an artificial general intelligence (AGI) model developed by Open AI, in education. Drawing parallels to prior technological innovations in education including handheld calculators, the author asserts that the primary solution lies in guiding students to develop skills for responsible use of available resources. While debates surrounding the use of ChatGPT and plagiarism, misinformation, and ethics are valid, this paper stresses the importance for open conversations and growth mindset. The proposed solution includes a responsible use policy for ChatGPT in the classroom, which emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, continuous feedback, ethical …

Designing An Educational Robotics Curriculum To Teach Mathematical Concepts While Fostering A Growth Mindset: A Self-Study, Lauren Harter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the development and implementation of a five-day curriculum designed to enhance students' understanding of algebraic concepts through the integration of educational robotics and growth mindset principles. The study is structured around three research questions that investigate influences on decision-making in curriculum design, the alignment of teaching intents with practices, and the impact of self-study on integrating algebra, robotics, and growth mindset principles. Findings reveal themes focused on the importance of research and collaboration, using the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, intentional curriculum creation, starting somewhere, personal growth and self-reflection, and experiencing and embodying constructivism in action. The …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Secondary School Teachers Regarding Student Motivation Strategies: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Insight, Lakeita Lewis Lyles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to highlight the extent of missing student motivation guiding principles by describing the lived experiences of teachers in their efforts to bolster student motivation in United States secondary schools. The presence of disengaged and demotivated students in United States secondary school classrooms has become a common phenomenon. The theory guiding this study is Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory. The central research question used in this study was, how do secondary school teachers in Texas describe their experiences of the strategies they employ in bolstering student motivation? The study followed a qualitative inductive …

Teacher's Experiences Of The Response To Intervention Model Implementation In State-Ranked New Jersey Schools: A Qualitative Case Study, Kimberly Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to discover and describe teachers’ experiences of RTI implementation for kindergarten through grade five general education teachers at state-ranked suburban New Jersey schools. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, as it applies to teachers’ experiences of the effectiveness of the RTI process. According to Bandura, self-efficacy is the perception of how well one can execute a task. Self-efficacy can connect to teacher efficacy through the feeling of understanding the job requirements and the intended goals. This case study assessed how teachers’ experiences of the RTI process impact the overall …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Writing Motivational Constructs Of Students With And Without Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder In Online College Composition Courses, Michelle Bianco

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, causal-comparative study is to determine if there is a difference in the writing motivation of students with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and students without ADHD in online college composition I courses. The study of writing motivation in relation to ADHD in online college composition courses is significant as writing motivation is a crucial predictor of academic success and persistence. Data was collected from a population of approximately 1685 students enrolled in online college composition I at an accredited online university within a larger midwestern land-grant public university system. Using the Writing Motivation Questionnaire and …

Exploring The Role Of Innovation Across Social And Academic Integration For First-Generation Caribbean Undergraduate Persistence, Angelina Natasha Carvalhal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to understand how innovation across social and academic integration among first-generation Caribbean Undergraduates supports persistence at three public universities in the Northeast. The theory underpinning this study was Tinto’s dropout theory and theory of institutional departure. Tinto’s theory connected to this study of how supporting innovation through social and academic integration supports the persistence of first-generation Caribbean Undergraduates. The central research question guiding this study was: How has innovative academic content delivery affected the retention of first-generation Caribbean Undergraduates? Purposeful sampling was applied to interview students on-site, while random sampling was applied …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - Kindergarten - Importance Of Rules And Laws, Angelica F. Bryan, Juanita White

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will compare rules and laws, explore rules at school and home through role playing activities, and explore laws made for the community. Students will learn about the roles that individuals play in making or following rules and laws at school, home and in the community.

Success In Secondary Mathematics Courses, Victoria Klaas

Masters Projects

According to research, many students struggle to successfully complete required secondary mathematics courses. Not only are these courses require for students to graduate, the courses prepare students to use mathematics in their everyday lives. The demand for careers in the mathematics field continues to grow. Students will continue to miss out on careers in this field if they do not successfully complete their secondary mathematics courses. This project outlines some of the factors affecting student mathematical success and provides an Algebra II unit plan. The unit plan provides guiding lesson plans and other needed materials for teachers to help improve …

The Effects Of Online Chemistry-Themed Design-Based Stem Education On Preservice Science Teachers’ Stem Awareness, Emine Sahin Topalcengiz, Burcin Acar-Sesen

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

The study investigated the impact of Chemistry-Focused Online Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teacher education on the awareness of STEM among preservice science teachers. A one-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental weak design was used to determine changes in preservice teachers’ STEM awareness. During the study, a 14-week Chemistry-Focused Online STEM course was provided to preservice science teachers. As part of this course, the theoretical knowledge about STEM was explained to students, and afterward, they completed two modules. Furthermore, preservice teachers also developed their chemistry-themed STEM lesson plans at the beginning of the course, after explaining theoretical knowledge about STEM at the …

An Examination Of Positive Impacts On Students' Math Success, Lauren E. Bisher

Masters Projects

In today’s classrooms, some students struggle to achieve at high levels in math. Yet, recent research describing the neuroplasticity of the brain means that, with a mathematical mindset, all students can achieve in math at the highest levels in school. Unfortunately, some capable students disengage from the subject due to a fixed mindset or holding beliefs in math myths, such as only some people are born with a math brain or math is about speed. Achievement in math can open more opportunities in a student’s future. Entrance into college and various careers that require mathematical skills become possible when students …

The Perspective Of An Alumnus, Rifah Tasnim

Early College Folio

No abstract provided.

Editor’S Note, Amanda Landi

Early College Folio

No abstract provided.

Contributors

Early College Folio

Contributors, Early College Folio, Volume 3, Issue 1 (2024).

The Effect Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices On Preschool-Aged Children With Disabilities, Jocelyn N. Fox

Masters Projects

Speech and language needs are not being met effectively in preschool-aged children. These skills are incredibly important, as speech and language skills affect all other areas of development (Greenwood et al., 2013). To help solve this problem, professionals who work with this population of students need to have effective practices in place to address the needs of these students. This project aims to provide preschool-aged children who have speech and language needs the access to communication they deserve. Through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, many speech and language needs can be addressed. This project will provide training on AAC …

Assessment Of Inquiry-Based Learning Practice In Response To The Science Achievement Gap Of City Schools, Lexus K. Baxendale,

Masters Theses

Over the past few decades, many city schools have seen a decline in graduation rates, attendance, rates, and standardized test scores. Once high achieving schools, are now struggling to get students to attend school let alone graduate. One specific area that has experienced this decline is K-12 science education. As a secondary science educator working within a city district, I have witnessed firsthand the substantial gaps in knowledge that many students exhibit even as they transition into high school. These gaps are often profound and can be traced back to the early stages of their education, where foundational scientific concepts …

Impact Of Teacher Support Systems On Advanced Placement Achievement Outcomes, Yolanda Gomez

Education Theses and Dissertations

In the realm of Advanced Placement (AP) education, a persistent achievement gap exists, with low-socioeconomic students consistently underperforming compared to their affluent peers. This disparity is particularly notable in AP English Language and Composition, where 93% of students fail to achieve a score of three or higher, the score for earning college credit. This study hypothesizes that this gap is partly due to inadequate support for AP teachers, particularly the lack of collaborative planning time. In most high schools, AP English Language and Composition teachers have no dedicated time for collaboration, instead focusing on other areas like End of Course …

Voices From The Countryside: Unveiling The Stories Of Rural Teachers In Stem Education, Devan A. Jones

All Dissertations

This narrative study delves into the overlooked perspective of rural communities within the broader educational landscape, highlighting their unique and vital role in education. It primarily aims to gain insights from K-8 teachers working in multigrade, multi-curricular Sustained Deep Rurality (SDR) schools situated in the challenging terrain of the Northern Rocky Mountain area. Employing a methodology centered around episodic narrative interviews and small story analysis, the study uncovers the intricacies and challenges inherent in teaching under the extreme conditions of rural environments.

These SDR schools, situated in remote and isolated regions, serve as vital pillars in rural education, embodying qualities …

Don't Waste Our Time: Key Transformative Structures For Fast Track Learning, Carlita S. King

All Dissertations

Following a massive wave of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, educators found the need to be hyper-critical of how they spend their instructional time with students. Almost all students are expected to return nearly a full grade-level behind and would likely have to learn to navigate a completely new school environment. As a result, many educators were overwhelmed to cover unprecedented amounts of instructional content in less time. High-intensity tutoring programs have been known to have the potential to help struggling students advance their skills and gain up to three additional months of learning within a few sessions. The …

Lab To Leadership: How Do Women College Stem Students’ Classroom Experiences Inform Their Leader Identity Development?, Meredith Mcdevitt

All Dissertations

This dissertation is an exploration of leader identity development and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college academic classrooms. While there continues to be research promoting diversity in STEM professions, women remain underrepresented in STEM disciplines, leadership positions, and for this specific study, the college academic classroom. This dissertation represents an opportunity for women in STEM college students to reflect on their experiences in STEM academic spaces and communities, while self-exploring factors that shape their leader identity development. The research utilized a basic qualitative research design to understand the participant’s authentic experiences within the academic environment. Conducting semi-structured …

Opportunities To Learn In Rural South Carolina Schools: Rurality, Place, And Passion, Grig Sawyer

All Dissertations

High school principals can change the status quo of the current iniquitous disparities in the education system between South Carolina’s rural high schools and their more populated and affluent suburban schools. Using a non-standard structure and the resources in their control, these school leaders can find solutions so schools can offer rural students advanced math and science programs. Yet, there is a paucity of studies examining how small rural school principals make advanced math and science courses available to their students, particularly in rural South Carolina. Thus, studies must examine how South Carolina school leaders successfully offer advanced math and …

Teachers' Descriptions Of Their Professional Learning Networks And Spaces, Nathan Justis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The purpose of this study is to understand teacher professional learning through the eyes of teachers to assist them in improving their teaching and better support student learning. Teachers learn to improve their practice in many different ways and from many different sources. Researchers have studied teachers' descriptions of learning resources they value and have labeled this personal collection of resources a teacher's professional learning network (PLN). This study explored teachers' descriptions of their PLNs and closely examined what teachers do in professional learning spaces of their choosing. This study also provided teachers with an opportunity to voice what they …

Student Perceptions And Academic Performance When Taught With Multiple Active Learning Methods In A High Enrollment Undergraduate Human Physiology Course, Kate Ireton Walker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

When instructing very large groups of students in science, it can be difficult to engage all students in the content and measure their understanding. A major unaddressed challenge in science instruction is how specifically to design and implement strategies that engender active learning particularly in high-enrollment undergraduate courses. Active learning, which represents a diverse set of strategies, may include student engagement as part of instruction through discussions, active movement, and application (Bernstein, 2018; Cavanagh, et al. 2016; Michael, 2006 & Wilke, 2003). This study was designed to provide data addressing the gap in the literature regarding how the continual implementation …