Digital Commons Network^™

Secondary English Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences With The Ela Guidebooks Curriculum: A Phenomenological Study, Bodie Dufrene

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

As standards-based curriculum reforms expand across the United States, school districts have increasingly adopted scripted curricular materials to promote coherence across classroom practice and strengthen alignment to standardized assessments. Within Louisiana, efforts to align English instruction to the Common Core State Standards manifested in the creation of the ELA Guidebooks curriculum by the Louisiana Department of Education. Guidebooks provides teachers with sequenced units of instruction organized around a central novel, explicit directions, pacing guidance, and cumulative writing tasks aligned to central unit questions. This qualitative study explored how secondary (i.e., grades 6-12) English teachers perceived and described their experiences implementing …

Reconceptualizing Educational Technology Integration In A Middle Level Teacher Preparation Program, Deborah H. Mcmurtrie, Bridget K. Coleman, Gary J. Senn

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

Our middle level education (MLE) faculty recently engaged in a self-study guided by this research question: How is our university preparing our MLE teacher candidates to integrate technology in teaching and learning? There were two overarching goals: 1) identify where we can introduce, practice, reinforce, and master technology skills and concepts. 2) reconceptualize our technology integration course. Our process included collaborating with stakeholders, surveying teacher candidates, examining theoretical underpinnings, exploring research-based best practices, and analyzing our programs. Data was collected through multi-year technology surveys and semi-structured focus group interviews. We grouped survey data into three broad technology categories: instructional delivery, …

Research Proposal, William H,

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

My Life Is An Obstacle, Alberto Carbajal

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Front Matter, Courageous Cuentos

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Full Issue, Courageous Cuentos

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Survey: Performance Assessments For Higher-Order Sustainability Literacy In Higher Education, Gregory Vincent Massara, Courtney B. Ryan, Mary Ellen Mallia

Educational Policy & Leadership Other Graduate Student Scholarship

Purpose This study explores how a performance-based assessment measures students’ higher-order sustainability competencies in ways that multiple-choice or scaled-survey tools, common ways to assess sustainability literacy, may not.

Design/Methodology/Approach This exploratory case study created a performance task for a first-year honors writing and critical inquiry course. Students (n=9) analyzed a scenario across environmental, social, and economic domains. A rubric measured students’ abilities to address all three domains and articulate a feasible and balanced solution supported by credible evidence.

Findings Students demonstrated proficiency in defining the three sustainability domains but tended to struggle to balance them. Choosing scenarios in familiar local …

Clinicians’ Perceived Preparedness To Support Clients Who Have Co-Occurring Disorders, Jessica A. Love Jordan, Joseph Day

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are prevalent, yet many clinicians feel underprepared to provide integrated care for this population. This study explores the factors influencing clinicians' perceived preparedness and objective knowledge in treating clients with co-occurring disorders. Data were collected from 131 clinicians using the CODECAT EZ 2.0 and TIP ZIP assessments to evaluate their competence in co-occurring disorders treatment. Results indicate that while participants held positive attitudes toward integrated care, their practical knowledge and skills were often rated as average or below. Education, clinical experience, and continuing education were found to significantly influence both perceived preparedness and …

Culturally Responsive Stem Teaching With Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Eun Kyung Ko

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

This study examines how integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, specifically ChatGPT, into teacher education can enhance culturally responsive teaching (CRT) in STEM education. AI's potential to support lesson planning, streamline administrative tasks, and offer personalized learning paths is explored alongside its challenges, such as ethical concerns and contextual adaptation. The study involved pre-service elementary teachers who used AI modules to design CRT-aligned STEM lessons, reflecting on their experiences through surveys and journals. The findings reveal that AI enhances efficiency, generates creative ideas, and fosters inclusivity by providing culturally relevant materials. However, the study emphasizes that AI cannot replace human expertise …

The Ai Litmus Test: Humanize, Deepen, And Delight K12 Learning, Scott H. Sorvaag

Essays in Education

This article introduces the AI Litmus Test, a practical framework designed to help educators evaluate when artificial intelligence meaningfully enhances K–12 learning. Grounded in a human-centered leadership stance, the framework asserts that effective AI use in schools must humanize learning, deepen student thinking, and reduce unnecessary burdens. Through conceptual framing, implementation guidance, and classroom snapshots, the article shows how AI can support connection, cognitive rigor, and joy when used with intentional pedagogical and ethical design. It also highlights risks such as dehumanization, cognitive offloading, and over‑automation, offering safeguards including verification routines, human‑authored feedback, and transparent ethics notes. The article concludes …

Development Of A Problem-Based Learning Model Assisted By The Interactive Canva Application To Improve Critical Thinking And Collaboration Skills Of Fourth Grade Elementary School Students, Fitri Dwi Utami, Heris Hendriana, Galih Dani Septyan Rahayu

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Penelitian ini dimotivasi oleh rendahnya kemampuan berpikir kritis dan kolaborasi siswa kelas empat sekolah dasar yang disebabkan oleh pembelajaran konvensional dan kurangnya penggunaan media pembelajaran interaktif. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah (PBL) yang dibantu oleh aplikasi interaktif Canva yang layak dan efektif untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis dan kolaborasi siswa. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah model Penelitian dan Pengembangan (R&D) Borg & Gall yang meliputi tahapan analisis kebutuhan, perencanaan, pengembangan produk, validasi ahli, revisi produk, dan uji lapangan. Subjek penelitian terdiri dari 21 siswa pada uji terbatas, 30 siswa pada uji luas, dan 60 siswa pada …

A Quantitative Causal-Comparative Study Of The Effect Of Dynamic Versus Static Visualization And Gender On Middle School Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety, Daniel Kobina Lindsay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a significant difference in teachers' mathematics anxiety on the effect of instruction-based dynamic versus static visualization and gender among teachers in middle schools. This study is critical because it addresses policies and pedagogical practices that address mathematics anxiety among middle school teachers. The gender of teachers and the medium of instructional delivery play a crucial role in assessing these teachers' engagement and achievement in the United States educational system. The sample (n = 293) was composed of teachers, divided into groups based on their instruction method and …

Infusing Indigenous Knowledge Into Eurocentric Educational Systems In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology, Assane Ba Faye

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of participants from Mills Elementary School and the Kao-Kao School District (pseudonyms) regarding the integration of pre-colonial traditional pedagogies into post-colonial Eurocentric education systems in sub-Saharan Africa. The guiding theory for this research is Jean Piaget’s constructivist theory, which emphasizes active learner involvement and knowledge development based on prior experience. The main research question asks: What are the lived experiences of community members at Mills Elementary School and the Kao-Kao School District (pseudonyms) concerning the effects of incorporating Indigenous pedagogies into Eurocentric education systems in sub-Saharan Africa? …

Building Competence And Confidence Through Experiential Learning: A Case Study Of The Bengal Triathlon, Caroline E. Faure Edd; Atc

The COSMA Journal

This descriptive case study examines the perceived effectiveness of the Bengal Triathlon, an experiential learning (EL) activity integrated into a sport management course at Idaho State University. Drawing on student reflections over three years, the study highlights how this experience enhanced students’ confidence and skills in planning and managing sport events, particularly in high-pressure areas such as risk management, event logistics, and customer service. Despite participation being a course requirement, a noticeable shift in student attitudes was observed. Students moved from seeing the event as a mandatory task to taking full ownership, driven by increased motivation and enjoyment. This case …

Reliability Of Chatgpt-Based Essay Scoring: A Teacher–Ai Comparison In Economics Education, Ramadzan Defitri Pratama, Khresna Bayu Sangka, Cicilia Dyah Sulistyaningrum Indrawati

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Essay assessment in economics education plays an important role in measuring students' conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking skills, but is often hampered by subjectivity and teachers' workload. This study aims to analyze the reliability and level of agreement between teacher assessments and the ChatGPT-based automatic essay grading system (EsyGrade). The study uses a quantitative approach with a comparative reliability study design involving 60 high school students in grades 10 and 11. Data were analyzed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Pearson's correlation, and paired sample t-test. The results show that EsyGrade has a very high level of reliability and is …

Introducing The Aasspectq Framework: A New Typology For Assessing Quality, Pedagogy, Outcomes, And Learning In Micro-Credentials, Felix Quayson

Journal of Research Initiatives

Micro-credentials have gained increasing attention as a flexible and competency-based approach to bridging the gap between formal education and workforce demands. Unlike traditional qualifications and degrees, micro-credentials focus on discrete, demonstrable skills that can be rapidly developed, assessed, and recognized across industries. I proposed the Auditing, Avoidance, Specificity, Skills, Personalization, Efficiency, Competency, Technology, and Quality Assurance (AASSPECTQ) conceptual framework to examine the current state of micro-credential implementation, highlighting the tools, learning outcomes, and assessment instruments necessary for effective program design. The challenges of quality assurance, portability, and recognition that continue to limit widespread adoption were also explored. By …

Theorizing The Potential Of Lo-Fi Music And Ai-Driven Innovations To Foster Academic Focus And Well-Being, Oksana Karapetian, Simone Elias, Linda Wilson-Jones

Journal of Research Initiatives

This conceptual paper examines the potential of lo-fi music as a tool for enhancing academic focus and well-being among students. Drawing from cognitive and psychological perspectives, as well as historical and educational frameworks, this study explores the implications of integrating lo-fi music into learning environments. Research suggests that background music can influence cognitive performance, memory retention, and emotional regulation (de Witte et al., 2019; Fancourt et al., 2016), making it a compelling subject for investigation. Additionally, advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), and automation have introduced new possibilities for personalizing and optimizing background music in educational settings. …

Effects Of Peer-Assisted Reading To Enhance Reading Proficiency For Learners With Mild Hearing Impairment Included In A South African Mainstream Classroom, Gaone Molapisi, Nareadi Phasha

Journal of Global Education and Research

This paper reports on the findings of a case study investigating the effects of peer-assisted reading in relation to learners identified with mild hearing impairment included in South African general education settings. These learners are often confronted with considerable challenges in developing proficient reading skills, which are crucial for curriculum access. In this study, peers with no hearing loss assisted learners with hearing impairment in reading activities to enhance their reading proficiency. The study involved two female educators and 15 learners in Grade 8 presenting with hearing impairment. The study employed a case study design, with data gathered through direct …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Women In Undergraduate Stem Core Expansion Pathways, Lizzie L. Evans Martinez Alvarez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of social incongruence in the film Hidden Figures, which juxtaposed with STEM education as the most powerful in contrast with Black women as the least powerful, supported the argument for the specific problem of practice to examine the unmet need for socially and ethnically diverse student populations in U.S. STEM higher education and careers. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological research study was to identify and analyze the lived experiences of Black women regarding barriers they perceive in the STEM educational and career decision-making processes, while exploring transformational pathways to STEM academic success. The study specifically analyzed …

Braving Ai In Tertiary Education: Generative Artificial Intelligence And Chatbots In Civics, Magdalena Brzezinska

Journal of Research Initiatives

This article explores tested strategies for the responsible and inclusive use of text- and video-generating artificial intelligence (GenAI) and educational chatbots in university classrooms, with a focus on foreign language learners, including students from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Drawing on case studies from WSB Merito University in Poznan, Poland, the author presents methods for integrating AI in civics education in a culturally relevant and equitable manner, emphasizing the importance of responsible technology use. The strategies discussed are adaptable to various tertiary education settings and aim to enhance global skills, foreign language proficiency, AI literacy, and visual literacy among college students. …

Breaking Barriers, Transforming Digital Literacy, And Creating Immersive Learning Environments In The 21st Century, Romero D'Souza

Journal of Research Initiatives

This paper explores the future of educational technologies with a focus on breaking systemic barriers, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering immersive learning environments. Using Maharashtra, India as a case study, it examines disparities in infrastructure, internet access, and teacher readiness across government and private institutions. Local challenges are analyzed alongside initiatives like the Digital India Mission, while national policies and international best practices are reviewed for broader context. Cross-cutting themes of equity, access, and professional development highlight the need for inclusive technological integration. The pedagogical implications of emerging technologies—particularly AI and AR/VR—are assessed alongside ethical concerns around data privacy and …

A Quasi-Experimental Study On The Effectiveness Of Achieve3000 On The Reading Comprehension Scores Of Ells With Ld, Paula P. Fields

Journal of English Learner Education

The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was to determine if a significant difference existed in the comprehension scores of secondary English Language Learners with learning disabilities after treatment. The problem addressed is that a significant correlation exists between English language learners and learning-disabled students’ low reading proficiency scores and student achievement, leading to decreased graduation rates. Schema theory served as the theoretical foundation of this research because when the appropriate schema is activated, it helps increase comprehension. The research question guiding this study was: Is there a significant difference between the reading comprehension scores of high school English language …

Reading Comprehension Interventions For Multilingual Learners With Disabilities: A Systematic Review, Sariya Shabnam, Jennifer E. Smith, Samiratu Bashiru

Journal of English Learner Education

Multilingual learners with disabilities (MLWDs) face substantial barriers to reading comprehension given the intersecting challenges of language acquisition and disability (Artzi et al., 2022; Frates et al., 2024). Students with disabilities often need explicit, strategy-based instruction with modeling, guided practice, and scaffolding (Frates et al., 2024; Wawire et al., 2024; Moura, 2024). When learners are also multilingual, interventions must be linguistically accessible and responsive to diverse cognitive profiles (Moura, 2024; Sarisahin, 2020). MLWDs comprise 15.8% of English learners in U.S. public schools (NCES, 2024), yet research on effective comprehension interventions remains limited; most studies treat multilingual learners or students with …

Why Are There Microscopes In The Art Room?, Joyce Symoniak

Professional Learning Day

During this presentation we will explore how working cross curriculum enhances learning within the visual arts, science and mathematics. We will discuss how the visual arts curriculum can be created in order to bond with STEM courses for student success. Through exploration we will discuss how collaboration within these courses can be used to solidify cross curriculum understanding and learning.

Smarter, Faster Lesson Planning With Ai: Supporting Math Instruction Without Sacrificing Quality, Marti Shirley

Professional Learning Day

This session demonstrates how AI can streamline lesson planning for secondary mathematics without reducing instructional integrity or depth. Teachers will learn how to use AI tools to generate hooks, worked examples, misconceptions, guided practice sets, and exit tickets that are all aligned to specific mathematical standards. The focus is on using AI to save time, generate ideas, and support differentiation while maintaining teacher control over content accuracy and pedagogical intent. Teachers will learn how to use a predeveloped prompt to create and refine a complete lesson plan, and leave with a bank of effective lesson-planning prompts and editable mini-lesson templates.

Enhancing Science Accessibility And Engagement For Students With Visual Impairments: A Randomized Trial Of The Talking Labquest In Nigerian Schools, Sariat A. Adelakun Dr

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Students with Blindness in Nigeria are often erroneously perceived as incapable of engaging with science at the basic education level, contributing to their low enrolment in science-related careers. Although various techniques and materials have been proposed to support students with blindness in science, many lack empirical validation. This study investigated one such approach by examining the impact of the Talking LabQuest on the interest of Students with blindness in science subjects.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in inclusive junior secondary schools in Nigeria, involving 20 classrooms over an 18-week period. Twelve classrooms were randomly assigned to the intervention group, …

Teaching Leadership In The Classroom: Peer To Peer Learning, Leadership Theory, Unsd Goals, And Community Building, Emma Wilson Parker

Professional Learning Day

Teaching LEADership in the Classroom: Peerto-Peer Learning, Leadership Theory, UNSD Goals, and Community Building highlights IMSA’s LEAD program, where students engage in leadership-centered activities that connect theory to practice. Participants will explore how peer-to-peer teaching, reflective dialogue, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals create intentional spaces for growth. This session offers strategies to implement peer-led models, build community, and design meaningful learning experiences that develop empathy, self-awareness, and purposeful leadership in and beyond the classroom.

Sensemaking In The High School Science Classroom, Matt Bulman

Professional Learning Day

When students investigate phenomena that spark curiosity, science learning transforms. This session highlights how to design lessons where students ask their own questions, construct models, and revise ideas through evidence-based reasoning. Participants will explore real high school examples of sensemaking in action and leave ready to shift instruction from “covering content” to fostering authentic scientific thinking. The session features classroom shifts and resources developed at St. Charles East High School. *Participants may consider bringing a favorite lab, activity, or assessment to this session.*

Client Feedback Effects On Enjoyment, Motivation And Self-Efficacy In A Project-Based Learning Course, Krista Stacey, David M. Bourrie

University Faculty and Staff Publications

This paper reports a mixed-methods evaluation of how feedback/project source (faculty-led versus client-led) shapes student outcomes in a two-course undergraduate game and simulation development sequence (N = 29 across two academic years). Quantitative measures (enjoyment, intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy) were collected with a six-point Likert survey and analyzed, but due to small sample sizes were not used to empirically evaluate the constructs. Instead, qualitative data comprised of de-identified focus-group transcripts and open-ended survey responses were analyzed with a keyword-assisted codebook and manual validation. Year 1 (faculty feedback) exhibited more consistent post-course gains, especially in self-efficacy, while Year 2 (client feedback) produced …

Cultural Science Night, Jiyoon Yoon

Mavs Open Press Open Educational Resources - Archive

This book is to learn water and weather by integrating with other cultures. This textbook is organized around two interconnected components. The first component provides cultural knowledge of China, India, Korea, and Mexico. The second component focuses on culturally responsive science instruction created for the Cultural Science Night event, an occasion in which teachers present hands-on, culturally responsive science activities in collaboration with students.

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