Digital Commons Network^™

How Can Learning Management Systems Positively Impact Student Engagement In Online Courses?, Jerald P. Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The topic of this dissertation is learning management systems, specifically Canvas. Research has proven that student engagement is a strong factor in student achievement in both online and inperson courses. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a deficit in instructors’ ability to acquire and maintain student engagement in online courses. This study details why this problem exists and how instructors have successfully addressed it in higher-level online courses. The primary purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine how learning management systems, specifically Canvas, can increase student engagement in online courses in higher education. Qualitative research was the chosen paradigm for …

Identifying The Barriers Bilingual Parents Face In The Special Education Process, Miranda Leah Hernandez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing parental involvement in the special education process means parents, teachers, and school administrators can unite to educate the children. The problem that the researcher identified was that emergent bilingual families struggle to become meaningful participants in their children’s individualized education plans. This was a qualitative case study that identified the barriers that bilingual parents face within the special education process and the recommendations from bilingual parents on how to help them become more meaningful members of their child’s individualized education plan. The population within the research included bilingual families with children in the greater Houston, Texas area who have …

Conservation Communication In Web 2.0: A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Alveus Sanctuary's Strategies On Twitch.Tv, Hope Denison

Senior Theses

This thesis examines how environmental creators can effectively transmit conservation messages in the evolving Web 2.0 media environment. The case of Alveus Sanctuary, a virtual sanctuary and education center on Twitch.TV, is used to explore the strategies currently used to engage audiences and raise ecological awareness online. Thematic analysis of interviews with the sanctuary’s founder revealed that Alveus combines traditional environmental education with an influencer business model to engage online audiences, leveraging parasocial behavior, interactivity, and collaboration to garner support. A quantitative content analysis of social media posts revealed that these strategies effectively induce parasocial engagement in online spaces. These …

Beyond The Binary: Examining The Impact Of A Restorative Justice Intervention On Administrator Perceptions And Disciplinary Disparities For Black Male Students, Arianne A. Booker

Theses and Dissertations

For decades, black students have experienced educational inequalities, particularly when it comes to academic achievement and school discipline. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the factors leading to the racial discipline gap among Black male students in middle schools. Black males face more punitive consequences that often result in exclusionary practices than their peers. This problem is due to cultural differences between teachers and students, where teachers’ subjective interpretations of behavior—such as disrespect or defiance—lead to removal from the general education classroom. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Critical Race Theory and Culturally Responsive Teaching. …

Teacher Self-Confidence And Cultural Responsiveness With Multilingual Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Stasha Renee Grooms

Theses and Dissertations

This is an action research study that examined how an eight-week Culturally Responsive Instruction (CRI) Cohort influenced teachers' self-confidence when working with multilingual (ML) students. The primary objective was to explore changes in teachers' empathy toward ML students, uncover shifts in unconscious bias, assess the impact of translanguaging integration on teacher confidence, and evaluate overall self-confidence in serving ML learners. The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining pre- and post-intervention surveys, weekly reflective discussions, and practical classroom assignments to measure growth in teaching strategies and cultural mindset. Findings indicated that participants learned strategies to make instruction more accessible for ML …

“Properly Dependent”: Critical Feminist Narratives Of Wives Of International Students In The United States, Katherine Jane Hopkins

Theses and Dissertations

The F-2 dependent visa in the United States is for spouses and children who accompany a F-1 international student during their studies. One of the defining characteristics of the F-2 visa is that the holder is prohibited from holding any kind of employment. Limited demographic data indicate that the majority of F-2 visa holders are women accompanying their husbands. Many of these women hold advanced degrees and were employed in their home countries prior to relocating to support their husband’s academic pursuits. As a result of the visa restrictions, international student wives typically stay at home while their husbands work …

Effectiveness Of A Problem-Solving Framework That Incorporates Equitable Pedagogy, Three Reads Comprehension Strategy, Cra, And Schema-Based Instruction On Students’ Math Word Problem Solving Abilities, Amanda Julia Laborde

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a problem-solving framework that incorporated the Three Reads comprehension strategy, Concrete- Representational-Abstract instructional strategy, Schema-Based Instruction, as well as the implementation of equitable pedagogical practices. This mixed-methods action research study was guided by three research questions for which both qualitative and quantitative data had been collected. The first question focused on determining teacher or student strategies within the intervention course that would be a hinderance to the implementation of the prescribed intervention. The second question focused on the impact of the problem-solving framework. The third question focused on the …

Inclusive Postsecondary Education Practices & Staff Beliefs Related To Parent Engagement, Abigail Mojica

Theses and Dissertations

Inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are expanding across the United States, yet research on parent engagement in these settings remains limited. This study examined current practices related to parent engagement within U.S. IPSE programs and investigated whether specific staff and program characteristics were associated with variations in engagement. A national sample of IPSE program leaders (N = 106) completed an online survey assessing staff demographics, program features, and parent engagement activities. The survey was developed for this study, informed by literature on secondary transition, IPSE programs, and parent engagement in both K–12 …

Strengthening Competency-Based Grading Through Principal Leadership: Developing And Testing A Plc Support Protocol, Kristen Ann Holly

Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice addresses inconsistent scoring and grading practices during Charleston CUSD1’s transition to a competency‑based education (CBE) system. Using improvement science, the study identified root causes, including varied teacher interpretations of proficiency scales, limited resources, and a lack of principal‑led structures for support and accountability. In response, the researcher and an improvement team designed and tested a principal protocol aimed at strengthening Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) as the primary mechanism for developing shared understanding and consistent grading practices. Through three Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles, the protocol was refined for clarity, feasibility, and impact. Findings show that …

Teaching The Teachers: A Responce To Legal Illiteracy In Education, Landon Lee Kekoa Fielder

Theses and Dissertations

This action research dissertation aimed to examine the impact of teachers’ knowledge of education law and their perceived understanding of how it impacts their daily functions. This mixed methods study was conducted using digital data collection methods and analysis. The findings of this study revealed an increase in legal literacy among both pre-service and in-service teachers. Quantitative findings indicated an improved understanding of key legal concepts amongst participants. Additionally, qualitative findings expressed a heightened awareness and clarity surrounding legal responsibility for teachers. Across both in-service and pre-service teacher participant groups, participants identified gaps in their understanding and recognized the value …

Rock In Weary Land: The Educational Expertise Of The Black Church, Salondra Daniels Griggs

Theses and Dissertations

Due to a challenging political landscape, Black students receive less educational support from public institutions. As a result, other institutions such as the Black Church have become a “Rock” for Black students to lean on in times of distress. This study examines the educational expertise located within the Black Church. Through a qualitative comparative case study, this comparative case study examines how two Black Baptist Churches in the southeastern part of the United States use their community expertise to support the education of Black student

Principals As Disciplinary Decision Makers: Ethical Tension And The Use Of Exclusionary Discipline For Students With Disabilities, Sarah Te Scaffe Tew

Theses and Dissertations

Students with disabilities are suspended and expelled at disproportionate rates. Previous research regarding principal decision-making has focused on decision-making broadly, and it has been predominantly qualitative in nature. School-level administrators frequently make disciplinary decisions for students with disabilities and report experiencing ethical tension in the process. Stakeholder, organizational, legal, and personal interests have been identified in the research as sources of ethical tension. The purpose of this study is to identify which factors cause the greatest level of ethical tension for administrators when making disciplinary decisions for students with disabilities and to examine the relationship between administrator’s perceived level of …

Examining The Impact Of Active Learning Strategies On Self- Efficacy, Attitude, And Perceptions Of Social Studies Students, Stephanie Aaron Doyle

Theses and Dissertations

Elementary social studies instruction is often characterized by teacher-centered teaching methods, driven by accountability pressures and standardized tests. This approach can cause student disengagement and a decrease in confidence among learners. This action research study explored the effects of selected active learning strategies, specifically cooperative learning, think-ink-pair-share, and project-based learning, on fourth-grade students' self-efficacy, attitudes, and perceptions of social studies. Based on a social constructivist framework and influenced by the gradual release of responsibility model, this study aimed to challenge passive learning structures and promote equitable, student-centered teaching.

Using a convergent parallel mixed methods action research design, both quantitative and …

Supporting Stem Self-Efficacy Using Culturally Relevant Pedagogy For Historically Underserved Black Female Students, Rajdeep Young

Theses and Dissertations

The underrepresentation of Black women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields remains a persistent concern in education and the workforce. Research suggests that students’ beliefs about their ability to succeed in STEM, referred to here as STEM self-efficacy, may play a critical role in shaping STEM interest, persistence, and career pathways. Grounded in Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and informed by Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Intersectionality, this study examined the impact of a targeted intervention designed to support and strengthen STEM self-efficacy among Black middle school girls. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study investigated changes in participants’ STEM self-efficacy following …

The Affects Of Purposeful Play, Computer Based Instruction, And The Utilization Of Rotational Learning Stations, As An Intervention For The Academic Development Of Early Childhood Children, Jennifer Fanning Long

Theses and Dissertations

This case study explores how purposeful and structured play and computer-based instruction impacts the academic development of young children. Purposeful play and computer-based instruction positively impact children in so many ways. It impacts their cognitive, social, emotional, and academic development. Students are active learners who learn best while playing and participating in their learning. Play is often left out of Early Childhood classrooms due to time constraints and vast academic goals. This can negatively impact the social and academic development of young students. The following dissertation will examine how the intervention of purposeful or structured play and computer-based instruction positively …

Rethinking Career-Pathway-Based Programs In Career Technical Education Utilizing Improvement Science, Michael J. Parry

Theses and Dissertations

Career technical education (CTE) has traditionally been organized around distinct career pathways designed to develop deep technical expertise within a single occupational field. While this model has been effective in preparing students for entry- level employment, it increasingly limits students’ opportunities to develop transferable technical and professional skills that span multiple pathways—skills now essential in a dynamic, interdisciplinary workforce. This dissertation in practice examined how a career technical education system could redesign pathway-based programming to support cross-pathway skill development while preserving pathway-specific technical rigor.

Guided by improvement science, this improvement work was conducted at Grant Career Center (GCC), a rural …

Thank You For Being A Friend: Exploring Positive Peer Influence In Black Friendships Toward Academic And Social Success, Trini Victoria Woods

Theses and Dissertations

In this focus group study the researcher interviewed seven Black, Title I high school students to understand their experiences with positive peer influence within their friendships. In an effort to present a counternarrative to the majoritarian narrative that Black students are operating at a deficit and need policing, this research provides insight to the academic and social experiences of participants positive peer influence. This research responds to three questions: what do Black students believe is meaningful in friendship and how do they describe the impact of positive peer influence; how do Black students feel their friends’ behaviors and attitudes influence …

You Want A Fight? You Found It: Amplifying High School Students’ Voices To Combat Book Banning’S Silencing Effect, Alicia Sue Weaver

Theses and Dissertations

As a high school English teacher in South Carolina, I was concerned about the silencing of teachers and students through book banning, which limited students’ agency and threatened their perceptions of themselves and others. This mixed-method, embedded-design, action research dissertation tells the story of my effort to resolve this problem of practice and provides recommendations to practitioners facing similar challenges. To better understand the root of the problem, I examined research related to policy, self-censorship, loss of teacher autonomy, and harmful rhetoric. The theoretical framework grounding this study came from two primary lenses: treating literature as windows, mirrors, and sliding …

Leading Improvement In Physical Therapist Assistant Education: A Practice-Based Improvement Science Study, Carl Joseph Swearingen

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the persistent problem of poor first-semester success rates among Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) students at the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL). In the past five years, 25% of students entering the PTA program have been unsuccessful, either due to academic failures or non-academic withdrawals. Even more concerning, over 80% of these students did not persist past the first semester. A root cause analysis using the five whys, fishbone diagramming, empathy interviews, local data, and scanning outside the organization was used to help broaden our understanding of the problem and guide further research.

Based on the results …

Teaching English As A Living Language: An Action Research Study Of Communication And Learner Confidence, David Lawrence Brian Levy

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study examines the disconnect between language learning in schools and the ability to use the language as a communication tool. Unfortunately, many educational institutions teach language with an emphasis on grammar rules, written exams, and rote memorization instead of as a living language used for everyday communication. This results in students receiving grades which do not reflect their ability to speak the language effectively. The purpose of this study was to explore how instructional practices influence both students’ communicative competence and confidence levels. It also intends to examine ways to redesign classroom instruction to better support real-world …

The Implementation Of A Manufacturing Curriculum In Secondary Education, John Chieyung Kim Ii

Theses and Dissertations

American manufacturing cannot find workers. By 2030, 2.1 million positions will go unfilled, at a projected cost of one trillion dollars. Secondary schools are not solving this problem. At Ypsilanti Community High School, only 23.7% of graduates pursue postsecondary education. The rest enter the workforce without credentials or technical skills. No manufacturing curriculum existed at YCHS. This Dissertation in Practice built one.

The study used improvement science methodology. Two Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles designed, tested, and refined a precision measurement curriculum aligned to NC3 industry certification standards. Thirty-three students participated across both cycles. Cycle 1 used a traditional theory-first sequence over ten …

Examining Role-Play Simulation Effectiveness In Reducing Student Skill Gaps In An Interpreter Education Program, Nicole Nadine Morris

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods action research study was to identify students’ skill development in an interpreter education program using authentic role-play simulations. Three research questions guided this study. Two questions guiding the quantitative data collection centered on skill development during foundational interpreting courses and through the practicum semesters. The third research question guided the qualitative data collection, which focused on the participants’ perceptions of the usefulness of the role-play simulations in preparing them for their practicum placements. Together, the data indicate that the simulations provide significant benefits for students in interpreter education programs in terms of their professional readiness. …

Examination Of Metacognitive Strategies As An Intervention Supporting College Readiness For Students In Large Enrollment Introductory Biology Courses, Angela S. Mohrman

Theses and Dissertations

Students who meet traditional definitions of college readiness based on prior coursework, grades, and standardized test scores often continue to struggle in large-enrollment introductory STEM courses. These struggles are particularly evident in introductory biology, where high cognitive demands, rapid pacing, and content volume require learners to regulate their own studying in ways many students have never been taught. This action research study examined whether sustained, explicit instruction in metacognitive regulation—planning, monitoring, and evaluating learning—could support introductory biology students’ college readiness and learning of biology content.

Using a mixed-methods action research design, the study investigated a 15-week co-curricular metacognitive intervention taken …

Between What’S Promised And What’S Lived: Lgbtq Former College Athletes’ Experiences At Inclusive Institutions, Alyssa Morgan Edlin

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) inclusion in college sports, it remains unclear whether athletes find these environments truly safe, supportive, and able to live authentically. Institutional evaluations and rankings often focus on policies and public commitments, offering limited insight into how inclusion is experienced in everyday athletic settings. Consequently, little is known about whether institutions labeled as inclusive actually foster environments where LGBTQ athletes feel a sense of belonging, authenticity, and meaningful support.

Rooted in an interpretivist-constructivist paradigm and guided by narrative inquiry (Clandinin & Connelly, 2000), this study examines the …

Vocabulary Learning In High School Chemistry To Enhance Conceptual Understanding: An Action Research Case Study, David Thibodeau

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate application of the domain-specific language of chemistry is often a challenge for students. To address this problem of practice, an action research intervention was implemented in a suburban high school chemistry classroom. Integrated with the predict-observe-explain instructional sequence, students participated in a targeted vocabulary intervention designed to ground abstract chemistry terms in concrete laboratory-based learning experiences. In concretizing abstract terms, students had more access to challenging chemistry vocabulary, consistent with the principles of the dual coding theory of cognition. The study’s findings suggest growth in students’ conceptual understanding of chemistry topics and ability to accurately articulate explanations of chemistry …

Convivios Familiares: Interactions And Shifts In Language(S) To Support Teacher Efficacy And Parent Engagement Of Emergent Bilinguals, Lydia Claire Carnesale

Theses and Dissertations

Within early childhood classrooms of today, many languages and cultures are represented. Both caregivers and educators need to be aware of how to best support children who speak a language other than English to prepare them to be capable members of their home and school community.

This requires reimagined family engagement and professional development for both caregivers and teachers to support the growth of linguistic skills of early childhood Emergent Bilinguals. This study explores how through family engagement sessions, caregivers and teachers recognize the language development of Emergent Bilinguals. Through a qualitative research case study, the findings reveal how collaboration …

Role Of University Staff In Fostering Graduate Student Engagement, Elizabeth Ellen Caulder

Theses and Dissertations

Graduate student disengagement has increased in higher education, especially after changes from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as automation, remote work, and less face- to-face interaction. This dissertation-in-practice investigated whether relationship-focused interventions could boost student engagement. Guided by Social Exchange Theory and Improvement Science, it used a Plan–Do–Study–Act framework to develop and refine a professional development lunch program. The intervention aimed to promote reciprocal interactions between students and staff based on shared goals. Data from observations, attendance, surveys, and interviews were analyzed across three cycles.

This study illustrates how improvement science serves as a practical, systems- focused approach to tackling problems …

“Not Being Classified (English Proficient), Only Limits How Much I Can Learn”: An Action Research Examination Of The Elpac, Manuel De Jesus Acuna Jr

Theses and Dissertations

Emerging language learners across the United States face challenges in accessing equal educational opportunities because they are classified as not proficient, which holds them back. The emphasis on this classification compromises their performance on state exams, jeopardizing their educational future. The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California is a state-mandated exam that non- first-language English Speakers must take and pass in order to be classified as English proficient. Districts and educators must begin to challenge the educational system in California. This research outlines the difficulties faced by emergent language learners who are not classified and the repercussions on their future. …

When One Size Does Not Fit All: Helping Teachers Adapt Scripted Curricula For Students With Disabilities, Julie Elizabeth Broad

Theses and Dissertations

Special education teachers are responsible for differentiating instruction so students with disabilities can access the general education curriculum and meet their IEP goals. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that students eligible for special education receive specially designed instruction aligned with their individual needs, yet at the time of this qualitative action research study, I served as a special educator in a district that mandated the use of scripted curricula for math and language arts. To resolve this problem of practice, I sought to understand elementary teachers’ lived experiences with the scripted curricula, including their effectiveness for students with …

Financial Incentives And Substitute Teacher Job Fill Rates, Anna Ruth Graham

Theses and Dissertations

Since the return to full-time, in-person instruction following COVID-related school closure, our district, Madison County Public Schools (MCPS), has struggled with a consistently low substitute teacher fill rate. MCPS is a small, rural district with a student population hovering around 1,560 students, pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, and just under 300 total staff members. The county borders and is within reasonable driving distance to several higher-paying districts. As a result, we struggle to cover daily teacher absences. While the national average for substitute fill-rates is 80 percent, our substitute fill-rate at times averages below 50 percent. Kraft et al.’s study of …