Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions Of School-Based Agricultural Education Teachers Toward Promoting Agricultural Education Teaching As A Career, Emmanuel Kwadwo Sekyere

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

School-based agricultural education has experienced a scarcity of qualified teachers over the years. To reduce the prevalence of school-based agricultural teacher shortages, research has led to the adoption of several approaches in schools across the country. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of school-based agricultural education teachers toward promoting agricultural teaching as a career. The theoretical framework for this research was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. The research objectives were to determine the perceived importance of career promotion activities, the frequency of career promotion activities, the perceived job satisfaction of SBAE teachers, and the …

K–5 Principal Challenges Supporting Classroom Teachers In Emergency Distance Education, Catherine Marie Mlodzik

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools and showed how unprepared school principals were for such a rapid pivot to online. According to recent studies, principals’ roles were managerial rather than instructional, and the pivot away from the manager role toward instructional leaders, specifically related to technology, revealed many principals were unprepared to support teachers. Research has yet to establish the specific challenges related to technology implementation that occurred in this role shift for principals. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore K–5 school principals’ perceptions about the challenges they faced relating to technology leadership during …

An Examination Of Differences In Course Satisfaction Between In Person And Remote Learning For Psyd Students, Alexandra Thrasher

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Many doctor of psychology (PsyD) students have chosen distance learning over in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite distance education’s novelty and the potential effect on student competency and satisfaction, little to no research to date explores PsyD students' experiences learning clinical concepts or seeing clients remotely during the pandemic. Previous research on online course satisfaction at the graduate level was conducted in 2020 and 2021, when pandemic-related stressors may have influenced results. Furthermore, research on online course satisfaction has yet to be conducted with PsyD students. Graduate students in PsyD programs may fall into the category of "non-traditional" students …

Enhancing Staff Satisfaction: Exploring The Efficacy Of Peer Observation As An Improvement Science Approach To Professional Learning For Elementary Educators, Brian Wood

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This research aimed to determine if introducing a peer observation system for professional development within an elementary school improved staff satisfaction with accessing and implementing professional learning. The Implementation Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) utilized a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) throughout a 90-day improvement science cycle. A network improvement committee (NIC) met monthly to establish a shared understanding of the current problem of practice within educational professional learning models, reviewed participant data, and made real-time adjustments to the research.

The study focused on study participants engaging in peer observations to acquire and implement new professional learning. Data collection methods included pre-, mid-, …

Student Employability-Building Activities: Participation And Contribution To Graduate Outcomes, Denise Jackson, Claire Lambert, Ruth Sibson, Ruth Bridgstock, Matalena Tofa

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Employability development has become a central concern of higher education, with many students attending university to enhance their employability and career development. Universities offer a range of curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular employability-building activities, including work-integrated learning, mentoring and career counselling. However, participation in these activities, barriers to engagement and their impact on employability are unclear. This paper examines student engagement in diverse employability-building activities, barriers impeding participation and their perspectives on how activities develop aspects of employability. The methodological approach encompassed an online survey of recent bachelor graduates (n = 324) from two Australian universities and focus groups to further …

Links Between Perceived Mother-Adolescent And Father-Adolescent Conflict And Low Self-Control: A Cross-National Comparative Study, Tory Thomas

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The influence of parent-adolescent relationships and adolescent adjustment have been well-documented. Self-control has emerged as a key probabilistic construct in understanding adjustment, well-being, and life success. The present study tests the links between adolescent perceptions of maternal and paternal conflict and self-control. In addition, to understand the extent to which cultural developmental context impacts these associations, the study will employ a cross-cultural comparative lens to test whether cultural context moderates these links. Self-report data were collected from N = 4,924 adolescents (Mage = 16.97 years, 54.08% female) across four countries (China, Czech Republic, Turkey, and the United States). In by …

A Systematic Review Of Preferred Practices To Reintegrate Male Opiate Addicts Into Family Relations While In An Evidence-Based Recovery Program, Arkaya Williams-Abbott

Theses and Dissertations

Active addiction strains family relationships. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to determine preferred practices to help reintegrate male opiate addicts into family relations while in an evidence-based recovery program. Twenty-three articles of various methodologies were reviewed. Findings indicated three themes: stigma and men with opioid disorder, how men seek help, and family relationships and role in substance abuse treatment. Findings showed evidence-based programming should ensure training for treatment providers on men’s socialization and how it affects their approach to treatment and lack of willingness to seek help. Effective communication and de-stigmatized language is another …

An Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Disciplinary Methods, William Hewitt

Masters Projects

The practice of punitive discipline is the most common response to misbehavior in American school systems, despite having no evidence to support its continued use. However, there is research that demonstrates its active harm to students in multiple capacities. Punitive discipline has been found to only exacerbate students’ behavior issues, as well as negatively impact their academic performance. Additionally, research has pointed out that punitive discipline impacts students of minority demographics at a significantly higher rate than students belonging to majority demographics. More research in the way of alternative restorative policies, such as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), is …

Phenomenological Study On Teacher Perceptions Of Tier 1 And The Adult Learner's Application Of The Knowledge, Michelle M. Stapp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine teachers' experiences of implementing professional development into Tier 1 instruction at three elementary schools in North Central Texas. Participating teachers had at least three years of experience in grades Pre-Kindergarten through fifth. The leading theory which guided this study was the theory of andragogy by Knowles. Moreover, when teachers had an opportunity to self-reflect and understand how the learned strategies would improve student academic success, the implementation were heightened. The problem with Tier 1 professional development was that teachers were not involved in planning for the instructional strategies, which had …

Academic Librarians' Opinions On Social Justice Advocacy, Judith L. Brink Drescher

Librarian Presentations

This session presented the results of 113 academic librarians surveyed regarding their views on social justice advocacy. As part of a mixed-methods exploration, quantitative, qualitative, and integrated elements were revealed. Beyond a comprehensive survey administered, librarian advocates describe how they approach issues of social justice, what the benefits are of addressing inequities within academic libraries, what barriers they've encountered in their advocacy efforts and initiatives, and what advice a more experienced advocate might offer to a peer with less knowledge who is interested in becoming more involved.

Investigating The Influence Of Assessment Question Framing On Undergraduate Biology Student Preference And Affect, Jeremy L. Hsu, Noelle Clark, Kate Hill, Melissa Rowland-Goldsmith

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Nearly all undergraduate biology courses rely on quizzes and exams. Despite their prevalence, very little work has been done to explore how the framing of assessment questions may influence student performance and affect. Here, we conduct a quasi-random experimental study where students in different sections of the same course were given isomorphic questions that varied in their framing of experimental scenarios. One section was provided a description using the self-referential term “you”, placing the student in the experiment; another section received the same scenario that used classmate names; while a third section's scenario integrated counterstereotypical scientist names. Our results demonstrate …

A Case Study For The Leadership Initiative For Supporting (Bilingual) Teacher Acquisition (Lista), Sarah M. Straub, Brian Uriegas, Tingting Xu

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

This paper presents a qualitative pilot study program evaluation of the Leadership Initiative for Strategic (Bilingual) Teacher Acquisition (LISTA) program in a rural region of Texas. The LISTA program aimed to empower bilingual leaders in education by addressing the limited availability of leadership coaching, particularly tailored to recognize and affirm the cultural capital of Hispanic/Latino leaders. The sessions were organized and developed by an experienced leadership coach with a strong focus on equity and social justice in the education and nonprofit sectors. Through a methodology encompassing open-ended survey questions, focus groups, and reflective journals, this evaluation assesses the program's impact …

Korean Immigrants’ Perceptions Of Library Services And Library Multicultural Programs For Asian Communities Before And During Covid-19, Yanghee Kim, Hyun Chu Leah Kim, Jihye Kim

Faculty Articles

This study explored 141 Korean immigrant parents’ use of local libraries to enhance their families’ social and cultural capital and adjust to the host country. We searched resources in Korean, and multicultural programs planned for the public and immigrants, Asian immigrants in particular, at two libraries before and during COVID-19. Parents reported dissatisfaction with library services because of language barriers (38%) and the lack of Korean resources (38%) and cultural programs (25%). Except for 18 books and 24 e-resources, no library resources in Korean were published after 2008. Before COVID-19, one multicultural program was offered for children. At Branches B …

The Invisible Brats: Bringing Attention To The Unique Experiences Of Coast Guard-Connected Youth, Cameron A. Marshall

Master's Theses

This thesis delves into the unique experiences of Coast Guard-connected youth, filling a gap in the academic literature by examining their challenges due to their nomadic upbringing. Utilizing in-depth interviews with 14 adults, including seven who grew up in Coast Guard families, the study underscores the effects of frequent relocations, isolation, and insufficient support on their lives. Although comparisons to military-connected children are drawn, the focus remains on understanding the distinct adversities encountered by Coast Guard-connected youth. Participants acknowledge the adaptability and social skills acquired from their upbringing while uncovering the emotional burden and difficulties in establishing a sense of …

Pilot Study Using Sideline Hand-Grip Dynamometry To Assess Strength Changes In A High School Baseball Season: A Feasibility Study, Thomas Munro, Jason D. Yoderq, Brian R. Lee, Brian S. Harvey

Research Days

Background: Upper extremity injuries are common in baseball players. Objective measurements could assist in determining early signs of fatigue before injury occurs. Using HGD to measure strength changes may help identify early signs in the injury process. To our knowledge, HGD has not been tested on high school baseball players in the sideline setting. It is feasible to perform hand-grip dynamometry on-site at the high school level and HGD measurements will change throughout the season in varsity baseball athletes. Secondary aim: Asses HGD measurement in the context of injury/pain/fatigue/pitching.

Objectives/Goal: It is feasible to perform hand-grip dynamometry on-site at the …

Word Analysis: Contemplating The Word La Madre To Develop An Approach For The Instruction Of Cultural Perspectives, Gregory De La Piedra

Dimensions

Word Analysis is an approach to teach second language (L2) students about cultural perspectives which are understood collectively as the ideas, values, beliefs, and experiences many native speakers have regarding cultural domains within their own cultures. Word Analysis is anchored on the relationships between language and communication, and language and culture. The present study researches the history behind the dual value of the term “la madre” [mother] in Mexican Spanish to deliver a practical method that language instructors easily could easily incorporate within their materials to teach L2 culture, or that publishers could integrate within their textbooks. The primary purpose …

Exploring The Impact Of Personal, Emotional, And Relational Elements That Influence The Decision To Speak Up During Critical Safety Moments, Kelly Rabah

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study focused on exploring the relationships between personal, emotional, and relational elements and the decision to speak up during critical safety moments. A phenomenological single site case study was employed using semi structured interviews to examine the healthcare professionals’ stories. The participants shared their lived experiences when making the choice to speak up or not, and the consequences – positive and negative, for themselves, their patients, and the organization. Results showed the decision to speak up is complex. There are many components that influence the decision to raise voice in the face of known risk. Personal elements, including …

Effective Model With Personalized Online Teaching And Learning Science, Kalani Hettiarachchilage, Neel Haldolaarachchige

Publications and Research

The recent development of science education leads educators to explore new teaching and learning methodologies and restructure classes and assignments to bring students' knowledge to the highest level of education by allowing learners to gain various skills that are reflected in their future. We are discussing how to develop and deliver effective online courses by personalizing the class and individualizing the assignments for learners to succeed in Physics. Various teaching and learning activities are aimed at effective learning and interaction to enhance student learning in this class structure. The students' performances and progress are analyzed in four large introductory Physics …

Generativity Development Among College Students Who Mentor: A Sequential Multi-Method Quantitative Study., Hannah Sunderman, Lindsay J. Hastings

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

Purpose Generativity, defined as care for the next generation, is a hallmark of developmental theory (Erikson, 1950). Mentoring is an antecedent to generativity (Doerwald et al., 2021), with college students who mentor demonstrating higher generativity than their peers (Hastings et al., 2015). Yet, no research has studied generativity development longitudinally among college students who mentor.

Design/methodology/approach Using MANCOVA analyses, Study One (N = 91) cross-sectionally examined the influence of years spent mentoring on generativity levels among college students who mentor in the United States. Study Two (N = 44) employed growth curve analyses (GCA) in multilevel modeling (MLM) …

The Impact Of Classroom Economies On Teacher Job Satisfaction, Amanda Hutchison

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The significance of this study lies in its focus on high school teachers' job satisfaction after implementing a classroom economy strategy, with no previous research available on this specific relationship. The study addresses the critical issue of teacher turnover and its financial and educational implications. It also offers valuable insights for teacher preparation programs, colleges and universities, state departments of education, and classroom economy nonprofit companies.

Gender Representation In Children's Media And Preschool-Aged Girls’ Internalized Beliefs About Gender, Jessica Lindsey Kanne Atkins

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The current study examines patterns of gender representation through three categories (distribution, presentation, and stereotyped behaviors) in children’s media and how these patterns relate to preschool-aged girls’ internalized beliefs about gender. Both historical and presently available children’s media tends to display high levels of stereotypical gender representation. By preschool age, children have already developed distinctions between boys and girls, and hold internalized beliefs regarding gender. The objective of the current study is to examine the relationship between these two factors. To accomplish this, preschool-aged girls were interviewed to assess their internalized beliefs about gender. Their caregivers completed questionnaires related to …

The Play Workforce In Wales – An Exploratory Demographic Study, Pete King, Justine Howard Dr

International Journal of Playwork Practice

An online survey of 211 playworkers, 90 childcare and early years workers, and 90 ‘other play’ professionals provided demographic data from 391 people involved in the play workforce in Wales. This was the first extensive survey of the Welsh play workforce since 2008 and was part of a larger Welsh play workforce study. Results of the study found the play workforce in Wales is predominately white, female with no disabilities. Differences within the play workforce exist in relation to the average age where playworkers are younger compared to childcare/early years workers and ‘other play’ professionals. There is a significant difference …

A Study Of The Perceptions Of Relationships Between Teachers And Students And Possible Effect On Standardized Test Scores, Rachel Quintana

Dissertations

This research study sought to determine correlations between the perceptions of teacher and student relationships and personality traits with academic achievement as measured by End-of-Course (EOC) summative exams in a rural midwestern high school. As a firm believer in the importance of relationships in the classroom, the researcher created a survey instrument and provided it to teachers and students who enrolled in courses that took End-of-Course (EOC) exams in the Spring of 2021. The researcher-designed instrument categorized teachers and students based on their perceptions of relationships and four common personality traits to determine if correlations to EOC scores existed.

The …

Demographic Trends In Educational Programs For Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Edward A. Polloway, Rosel H. Schewel, James M. Kauffman, Tom E.C. Smith, Antonia Charles

LC Journal of Special Education

This study analyzes demographic data in the field of emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). The data are from the most recent reports of the United States Department of Education on IDEA (USDOE, 2015, 2016). Findings focus on school prevalence, ethnicity, placement in educational environments, and school exit patterns. Implications focus in particular on attention to these respective demographic areas identified above as they relate to educational programs.

Intra-Operative Language Assessment For Adult Brain Tumor Survivors: A Systematic Review, Carissa Jolley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Awake craniotomy and language assessment procedures for brain tumor survivors can drastically affect patient outcomes and quality of life. The goal of intra-operative language mapping is to help preserve vital communicative functions. However, there is currently no standardized set of measures for intra-operative language assessment. This systematic review identified behavioral language measures used during intra-operative procedures and the resulting outcomes for adult brain tumor patients, with the aim of helping clinicians and researchers select intra-operative language assessments supported by the highest levels of evidence.

PRISMA guidelines were used to systematically identify articles. Patient demographic and medical information, neuroimaging data, intra-operative …

Healthcare Profession Students Of Color Participating In International Service-Learning, Ellyn Katherine Couillard

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative exploratory case study investigated the healthcare profession students’ of color experience and the perceived impact of completing international service-learning (ISL). Before this study, most of the research about healthcare profession students in ISL reported had mainly White participants or reported data and findings in the aggregate. To complete this research, I performed two semi-structured interviews with each of the five participants incorporating photo-elicitation techniques. Then I performed constant comparative methods and communicated with a peer debriefer about my findings. Five participants were selected using max maximum variation based on racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, programs of study, and …

Examining Digital Proficiency Perceptions And Differences In Achievement During The Covid-19 Pandemic In A Rural Mid-Western High School, Tiffany Rae James Young

Dissertations

In response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, schools worldwide were forced to react quickly to meet the needs of all students in an unprecedented time of change for all facets of society. Through a mixed-method approach, this study aimed to explore the effect of hybrid learning on student achievement, as well as the effect, if any, of teachers’ perceptions of their own digital abilities on student achievement. The research also examined the thoughts of students and teachers as it pertained to teaching and learning during the global pandemic. To analyze the effect of hybrid learning on student achievement, the researcher compared …

Health Care Provider Knowledge Of Human Trafficking, Bobbi Mccarthy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Human trafficking is a global public health crisis catastrophically threatening the health and well-being of those trafficked. Limited studies measure health care providers’ confidence in their ability to recognize, treat, and refer those being trafficked. This integrative review synthesizes current knowledge on human trafficking and identifies gaps in research on educational interventions aimed at increasing provider knowledge and awareness as well as confidence in treating and referring those being trafficked. A systematic search of five databases identified peer-reviewed published papers between 2015 and 2021. The integrative review followed the framework of Toronto and Remington (2020), and the systemic search was …

“Where Do We Fit In?”: Exploring A Sense Of Belonging Among Fat College Students, Kyle Loyd Holcomb

Masters Theses

Fat college students are an understudied demographic of students in student affairs research. This qualitative study interviews student affairs professionals about their experiences as fat undergraduate students to help student affairs professionals better understand specific challenges and experiences fat students face concerning finding a sense of belonging at their university and to further expand the literature where fat students' voices are at the center of the research. Five participants shared their experiences with co-curricular and academic engagement on campus. These participants were successful in social incorporation, however unique challenges faced this population of students. Participants expressed finding academic settings uncomfortable …

The Professional Constructor, Full Issue, Volume 47, Number 01

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.