Digital Commons Network^™

Dual-Task Exercise Protects Healthy Older Adults Against In-Creased Risk For Dementia: A Controlled Trial, Helen Tatiane Santos Pontes, João Bento-Torres, Naina Yuki Vieira Jardim, Victor Oliveira Da Costa, Josilayne Patricia Ramos Carvalho, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço-Diniz, Natáli Valim Oliver Bento-Torres

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Functionality in aging is closely linked to the ability to divide attention during multitasking activities, which are essential for activities of daily life. However, coordination between motor and cognitive simultaneous tasks decreases with age, impairing functional ability and restricting older adults' participation and healthy aging. This study aimed to assess the effects of a multimodal dual-task exercise intervention on motor and cognitive dual-task costs and its potential to mitigate age-related declines in healthy older adults. Materials and Methods: A controlled trial was conducted with community-dwelling older adults assigned to either the Dual-Task Exercise group, which participated in a 24-session …

'Coming Here, It’S Just Weird': 'Making The Familiar Strange' Through Exploring Experiences Of Sexism And Feminisms, Emilia A I Little

Plymouth Interdisciplinary Education Open Journal

This paper explores personal experiences with gender and how these experiences changed whilst attending university as an undergraduate student. The paper uses gender and feminist theory to guide a critical and auto-ethnographic exploration of personal experiences of a young woman within a patriarchal system. The paper uses journal excerpts to recount past and current experiences through feminist lenses. Through exploring gender theory, binary and performativity, personal experiences are validated and explained. The force of patriarchal oppression and privilege were illuminated as personal conceptions of gender were disrupted. The paper argues for much-needed feminist education in schools, centring around: avoiding the …

Exploring The Impact Of Inpatient Mental Health Care On Adolescents, Alexandria M. Mckahan

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Adolescent psychiatric hospitalizations continue to rise, yet there is limited research on which daily practices inside inpatient units genuinely support engagement and recovery. This project examined how structure, staff tone, and therapeutic programming influence adolescents’ participation and emotional stability within a real inpatient setting. The study focused on three questions: how structured routines affect recovery, what challenges staff face when supporting adolescents with complex needs, and how adolescents’ engagement patterns reflect their perception of care. Using a mixed-methods case study at Mesa Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, I conducted approximately twenty field observations, semi-structured staff interviews, and descriptive engagement tracking across …

Behavior Analytic Food Reinforcement Use And Guidelines In Interventions For Children With Autism, Christopher Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Reinforcers create opportunities to increase behaviors in applied behavioral analysis, with healthy and unhealthy foods offering high reinforcing value. The use of food raises ethical and health concerns, so researchers and behavior analysts often avoid food reinforcement altogether. Kronfli et al. (2024) indicate healthy food alternatives bring about similar rates of responding as snack foods, potentially reducing ethical and health concerns. This research presents the question: To what degree are food reinforcers used in behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder? This review analyzes behavioral research articles containing the words “food,” “edible,” “autism,” and “children” in the context of …

Factors Influencing Hispanic Students Obtaining A Post-Secondary Degree, Amy Paz

Masters Theses (Archived)

This qualitative case study explored the factors influencing Hispanic students’ decisions to pursue post-secondary education. Guided by the research question, What factors influence Hispanic students’ decision on obtaining a post-secondary college degree? the study examined the lived experiences of five participants who pursued various pathways, including two- and four-year institutions, vocational training, and workforce entry. Semi-structured interviews revealed four central themes: (1) influence and motivation, (2) cultural and educational background, (3) challenges and barriers, and (4) the importance of a college degree. Findings highlighted the significant role of family as both motivators and guides, the influence of cultural values, and …

Play, Instruct, Lead: Investigating The Influence Observing Same-Gender Role Models Has On Leadership Development Of Collegiate Women Student-Athletes Coaching At Youth Sports Camps: A Phenomenological Study, Mercy-Nora Osei

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe how observing same-gender role models influenced the leadership development of collegiate women student-athletes (CWSA) when coaching at youth sports camps (YSC) at NCAA institution campuses in the United States. The theory that guided this study was Albert Bandura’s theory on social learning, as it explained the relationship between observational learning and the influence role modeling had on leadership development. The central question was: How does observing same-gender role models influence the leadership development of collegiate women student-athletes when coaching at youth sports camps? This study used a transcendental phenomenological design to …

Leading From Within: Integrating Ignatian Pedagogy Into A Theoretical Framework For Leadership Preparedness, Vivian A. Amu

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

In Jesuit higher education institutions, enduring principles and values invite educators and students from all backgrounds to consider integrating the essence of Ignatian pedagogy into their own practices as well as develop leaders who are prepared to confront, transform, inspire, and participate in leadership globally. It requires both institutional investment and student involvement in the learning process. Using the Ignatian pedagogical model, constructivism theory of learning, Dewey’s theory of experience, and past literature on leadership preparedness, this article presents a dynamic self-exploration for leadership preparedness (SELP) framework. It is a theoretical framework rooted in self-discovery through reflection and growth. The …

'That All May Be One’: Incarnation, Solidarity, And Anti-Racism In Jesuit Education, Yancy Hughes Dominick

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Jesuit colleges and universities in the US have been striving to become anti-racist. This work is often tied to mission and to a shared commitment to Jesuit and Catholic values like a faith that does justice and the dignity of all persons. At the same time, however, many Jesuit institutions frame their commitment to anti-racism in language that does not appeal to specific aspects of Jesuit tradition; likewise, mission and Jesuit identity is often described in ways that make no overt reference to anti-racism. A robust anti-racism, I argue, arises necessarily out of Jesuit Catholic thought, and fully realized Jesuit …

The Ethics Of “Educational” Prison Tours, Alessandra Milagros Early, Nicole Mckenna, Alison Colby, Lucas Alan Dietsche, Ashley Kilmer

Feminist Pedagogy

Research examining undergraduate student attitudes toward corrections suggests that criminal justice majors hold more punitive sentiments in comparison to their peers in other fields (Mackey & Courtright, 2000). While taking criminal justice courses can shift attitudes (Farnworth et al.,1998; Lane, 1997), how classes are taught can impact student sentiments. Experiential learning, for example, expands learning beyond the classroom (Stacer et al., 2017). Although disciplines have embraced this method, incorporations in criminal justice curricula sometimes manifest as tours of active correctional institutions (Smith et al., 2009) which can be extractive and dehumanizing for people who are incarcerated (C. Agans, personal communication, …

Modeling The Mojave: A Multiphase, Mixed Methods Phenomenological Investigation Of Novice Understanding Of A Complex Ecological System, Nicole Juliana Thomas

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research explores early college science majors’ conceptions of the Mojave Desert ecosystem as a complex system. A multi-level, explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed to study college science majors’ understanding of the Mojave Desert ecosystem to better inform science pedagogy. The first level, the quantitative phase of the study, consisted of developing a mathematical representation of twelve ecosystem variables present within the Mojave Desert. The second level, the qualitative phase of the study, consisted of phenomenological semi-structured interviews with 23 early college science majors. The findings of this research suggest that the Mojave Desert operates as a complex, …

The Implementation Of Tact And Bidirectional Intraverbal Training In Teaching A Foreign Language: A Systematic Replication, Karen Parra Caballero

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The current study replicates and extends Yamaguchi and Matsuda (2024) to evaluate the effects of foreign tact and bidirectional intraverbal training on teaching foreign-language vocabulary to adults. An adapted alternating-treatments design was used to evaluate the effects of learning vocabulary of a foreign language through tact teaching (tacting a picture in French), foreign-native intraverbal teaching (vocalizing a French word in the presence of the Spanish word), and native-foreign intraverbal teaching (vocalizing a French word in the presence of the Spanish word). Each teaching condition had an assigned stimulus set for teaching, and an additional stimulus set was included as a …

Liminal Arts And Business: An Autoethnographic Analysis Of A New Arts Venture In An Entrepreneurial Startup Accelerator Program, Jill Schinberg, Rebecca A. Ferrell, Dan Sandfelder

Journal of Arts Entrepreneurship Education

In this study, we explored the intersection of performing arts and entrepreneurship through an autoethnographic study of a new arts venture, theLAB*, which participated in the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship's accelerator program at the University of Kentucky. In creating theLAB*, we investigated the feasibility of establishing a dance-forward performing arts presenting organization within a profit-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a multi-generational team of arts managers, we analyzed the experience utilizing scenario-planning and the DIEP (Describe, Interpret, Evaluate, Plan) model of reflection to assess the challenges and benefits of participating in this environment. Key findings reveal a significant disconnect between the …

Needs Analysis: Ar As An Innovative Learning Media Solution For Elementary School Students, Rosfaniarti Rosfaniarti, Makmum Raharjo, Meilinda Meilinda

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims to identify the need for the development of Augmented Reality (AR)-based learning media as an innovative solution in elementary school learning. The needs analysis method was conducted using a mixed methods approach through questionnaires and interviews with 103 students and 5 teachers. The data were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively to obtain a comprehensive picture of instructional needs. The results showed that student needs were in the high category, with a percentage of 80.64%-85.30%. The socio-cultural aspect was the highest need (85.30%), followed by the pedagogical and technical aspects, while the cognitive aspect had the lowest value (80.64%). …

Editor's Note, John B. Craig

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Libraries Accessibility Plan 2025-2027

Accessibility Committee

Two-year plan providing a roadmap for committee projects and goals. Authored in 2025 by the University Libraries Accessibility Committee as an internal document.

Relationship Between Working Memory And Reading Comprehension: A Secondary Meta-Analysis, Gennadi Mikhailik

Doctoral Dissertations

Although working memory (WM) capacity has been highlighted in many theories of first-language (L1) and second-language (L2) reading comprehension, some scholars argue that its importance may be overstated and that existing findings are still inconclusive. Even with extensive research since 1995, the literature has lacked a thorough quantitative review of these results. This study shows that WM capacity is positively related to reading comprehension. The current secondary meta-analysis examined the relationship between WM capacity and reading comprehension in both L1 and L2, using two authoritative meta-analytic datasets: Daneman and Merikle’s (1996) for L1 and Jeon and Yamashita’s (2022) for L2. …

Building From The Ground Up: Informing Inclusive Curriculum Design Through Qualitative Inquiry: Development Of An Early Childhood Curriculum For Children In Mississippi, Alicia Deaver

Theses and Dissertations

Curriculum is a vital component of high-quality early care and education programs. Barriers such as cost, limited education and training, and restricted access to materials often make it difficult for many programs to adopt or implement developmentally appropriate curricula. Effective curriculum implementation relies on individualization and cultural responsiveness to be fully inclusive of children of all abilities. This study addressed the formative and summative processes of the My Mississippi Adventures project, a curriculum developed for use by early childhood educators throughout the state. The curriculum was designed with direct input from early childhood educators to address the unique challenges faced …

Neurodivergence-Affirming Practice In The Classroom: Critical Reflections Of An Autistic Artist And Educator, David Prescott-Steed

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

This paper provides insight into the author’s lived experience as an autistic artist and educator within the creative arts. Attention is drawn to how personal, creative, and professional encounters, combined with formal education in the field of autism studies, can inform a neurodiversity affirming learning environment that drives reflective practice.

The author is an educator at the Hester Hornbook Academy (HHA), delivering the Certificate 2 in Visual Arts as part of their Vocational Education in Schools program (VETiS). A human-centred and inclusive school, HHA engages learners from across the neurodiversity paradigm. As such, VETiS Visual Arts is well-positioned to support …

Education In The Planetarium: A Practical Approach, Matthew Fyfe

Honors Projects

This project proposes live planetarium programming built within the 5E instructional model. It creates a practical application of this with lesson modules surrounding topics in observational astronomy. Specifically, there are investigations into instrumentation through CCD cameras and data collection and processing through spectroscopy and photometry with light curve folding with activities highlighting each. Each module is broken down into segments corresponding to the learning cycles of the 5E model, and as they are self contained in this way can be used piecemeal in different combinations.

Guest Editors’ Introduction, Maurits Bastiaan Meerwijk, Nicolo Paolo P. Ludovice

Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints

This introduction examines the historical evolution of health messaging in the Philippines, tracing its roots from early twentieth-century colonial public health campaigns to contemporary pandemic responses. It argues that health messaging, initially termed “medical propaganda,” has consistently served as a tool for persuasion and governance, intertwining communication, politics, and medicine. The introduction highlights how visual technologies and simplified narratives have been used to normalize biomedical authority, often obscuring complex realities. It concludes by emphasizing the need for a broader epistemic repertoire to navigate health knowledge in an era of misinformation.

Sustainability In Culinary Arts Education, Nimra Farooqui

Education Department Student Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Using Food As A Fun And Effective Teaching Tool In Preschool, Kelly Furr, Melani Duffrin, Eugene A. Geist

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

Food is one of the most engaging, hands-on materials for preschool classrooms. This article highlights research from the Food FAN Academy (Furr, 2023), which demonstrates how food can be used as a teaching tool across early childhood learning environments. Practical strategies are provided for preschool teachers, including detailed lesson plans that connect to early math, science, literacy, and social development. The article emphasizes the importance of using everyday materials, cultural inclusivity, and active learning methods to promote curiosity, health awareness, and foundational skills in young learners.

Creating A Decision-Making Curriculum For Students With And Without Disabilities In Grades P-12, Gina Riley, Elizabeth Klein, Alfonso Perez, Imani Irving Perez, Adriana D. Nathan

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Learning To Love Science: Preservice Elementary Teachers Conceptualizations Of Science Teaching And Self-Efficacy To Teach Science, Christine Mcgrail, Stephanie B. Purington, Alicia Gonzales

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Interview With Orca Award Winner John J. Janovy, Jr., Unl Biological Sciences; Parasitologist And Author, Mark Griep, John J. Janovy Jr.

UNL ORCA Interview Series

Professor John Janovy, Jr., was awarded the ORCA in 1998. John was born in Louisiana, but his family moved to Oklahoma, where he grew up in Tulsa and then Oklahoma City. Something in his youth must have sparked an interest in science because he earned three degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Norman: a bachelor of science in math in 1959, a master of science in zoology in 1962, and doctoral degree in zoology in 1965. Next, he ventured 1400 miles east to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he did post-doctoral work for about a year. …

From The Margins To The Center: The Transformative Promise Of Philosophy For Children, Maughn Rollins Gregory, Megan Jane Laverty, Joe Oyler

Department of Educational Foundations Scholarship and Creative Works

What began as an innovative idea in the late 1960s—the recognition that even very young children are philosophically disposed—is no longer considered novel. While philosophy for children has transitioned from a fledgling initiative to a worldwide movement, it remains on the margins of education. In this article, we look back at key initiatives that have advanced its growth before looking ahead to what can move philosophy for children to the center of education. We consider the introduction and development of materials that invite children into philosophical spaces, the community of philosophical inquiry as a model of teachers' and children's philosophical …

Mapas, Marcos Y Meta-Comunicación: Bases Epistemológicas Para Una Teoría Del Juego Derrol De Mesa En Las Industrias Creativas / Maps, Frames, And Metacommunication: Epistemological Foundations For A Theory Of Tabletop Role-Playing Games In The Creative Industries, Cristo Leon Ph.D.

STEM for Success Resources

Artículo académico de Cristo León (2025) sobre juegos de rol de mesa, teoría de marcos y meta-comunicación en las industrias creativas. El estudio propone una base epistemológica para comprender cómo los juegos de rol coordinan identidades, ficciones, acciones, agencia múltiple y niveles diegéticos mediante procesos colaborativos de creación narrativa. Publicado en Game Studies e as Indústrias Criativas, 5(2).

Elephant In The Classroom: How Ethical Ai Can Improve Student Success, Ibrahim Kocaman, Daniel A. Cutrer

Publications

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning in higher education without compromising academic integrity is a pressing issue. To make the benefits of generative AI (GenAI) available to students while upholding principles of ethics and academic honesty, the authors implemented an ethical use of AI policy in their Introduction to Research Methods at Embry-Riddle University. The authors hypothesized and found that allowing ethical utilization of AI would lead to higher student engagement and academic success. These findings offer valuable insights for higher education programs and educators, particularly in security studies.

Library Guides For Graduate Students: A Content Analysis, Maria Kiriakova, Junli Diao, Joan Kelly Castro

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

This study looked at 117 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic library websites and identified 48 library guides that consider graduate students in general as their target audience. The broad and systematic content analysis of these library guides resulted in the discovery of four different types, which we categorized as Checklist, Orientation Module, Directory, and Comprehensive. We identify and describe content patterns that address the different roles graduate students might play as advanced library users, novice researchers, and teaching assistants/instructors. Academic librarians who have already created library guides for graduate students could use the results of …

The Importance Of A Pressure Injury Prevention Program In Acute Hospital Settings, Sarah Orial

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: The identified practice problem for this project was the lack of a standardized pressure injury prevention program in a 350-bed acute care hospital. The lack of a standard program could be leading to increased hospital-acquired pressure injuries. PICOT: In adult inpatients in a medical/surgical unit (P), does the implementation of a standard unit-based pressure injury prevention program (I) compared to the current practice (C) increase the percentage of nursing skin risk assessment documentation (O) over a 10-week period (T)?

Evidence: The literature supports the development of standard pressure injury prevention programs and continuing education to …