Digital Commons Network^™

Play-Based Learning: A Motive Or An Impediment? A Historical Review, Osama Al-Salahat, Dina Al-Jamal, Raed Khdair

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aimed to identify the most critical periods that led to the emergence of play-based learning as a language instruction tool in the modern era. Additionally, it sought to investigate the effectiveness of using this method in English language instruction. Both chronological and thematic approaches were employed to present the data. The results indicated that the use of games to enhance language learning dates back to ancient societies such as Greece and Rome. However, key pioneers in this field include John Locke, Maria Montessori, Vygotsky, and Piaget. The study also found that utilizing play-based activities to improve language learning …

The Effectiveness Of Enrichment Activities On The Academic Achievement Of First Grade Students In The Arabic Language Curriculum In Schools Of Jenin Governorate, Nidal Ghawadreh

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of enrichment activities in the Arabic language syllabus on first-grade students' achievement in schools in the Jenin governorate. The research tools consisted of two achievement tests, along with enrichment activities designed by the researcher. The researcher employed an experimental method, and the study sample consisted of 90 randomly chosen students. The study revealed significant differences between the pre-test scores and post-test scores, favoring the post-test and benefiting female students. The results also indicated a high degree of effectiveness of enrichment activities in enhancing students' achievement and developing certain language skills, along with significant …

The Inclusion Of The Four Language Skills In English Textbooks For The Basic Stage In Jordanian Schools: A Content Analysis Of Action Pack Textbooks, Bilal Al-Zboun

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

The study aimed to examine the extent to which learning activities for the four skills (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) are included in the Action Pack textbooks for the basic stage, in comparison with the focus on these four skills according to the Bases of Success, Incompletion, and Failure (BSIF). Content analysis was utilized as a tool for data collection by analyzing the quantity of learning activities in a sample of three textbooks: those for the 2nd, 5th, and 8th grades. The researcher calculated the number, percentages, and ranks for each skill in the three textbooks. The Chi-Square Goodness of …

A Content Analysis Of The Reading Texts And Activities In Pupil's Book Of Action Pack 4 And Pupil's Book Of Better English Now 4 Considering The Specific Reading Outcomes Stated In The Guidelines, Ashraf Khatatbeh

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

The present study aims to analyze the reading activities in the Pupil's Book of Action Pack 4 and the Pupil's Book of Better English Now 4 to determine the extent to which these activities meet the specific reading outcomes outlined in the General Guidelines and the General and Specific Outcomes for English Language in Jordan (2006). Furthermore, this study seeks to analyze the reading texts in both pupil's books to assess their authenticity. Frequencies and percentages are used to present the results of the study's questions. The analysis reveals that the reading activities in the Pupil's Book of Action Pack …

Pandering With Worksheets: Graduate Professors’ Pedagogies, Chris Mayer

Journal of Graduate Education Research

This exploratory, arts-based study investigates how three tenured professors in a humanities department conceptualize graduate-level teaching and envision their ideal graduate classrooms. Through semi-structured interviews, qualitative coding, and arts-based interpretation, the study identifies three key tensions in their pedagogical thinking: balancing independence and structure, the stigma surrounding “undergraddy” approaches, and valuing long-term intellectual struggle as a means to master threshold concepts. Despite clear visions for ideal pedagogies, professors face significant barriers to implementing them, including time constraints and entrenched norms about what graduate education “ought” to look like. Findings suggest that despite strong pedagogical insight, professors struggle to bridge the …

“We Are Swans:” An Ecological Analysis Of U.S. International Students’ Experiences Of Higher Education Satisfaction, Eunsong Park, Corey S. Shdaimah, Yao Wang

Journal of Graduate Education Research

International students make important contributions to the US academic landscape and broader society; however, their numbers continue to decline in the face of an unwelcoming and unsupportive environment compared to their counterparts worldwide. This manuscript presents findings from a student satisfaction survey (n = 423) that included both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. We used the ecological model and the Spanning Systems Model as a framework, looking at how individual, community, institutional, and larger societal factors impacted the experiences of international students in the US. For quantitative analysis, hierarchical multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine factors associated with student satisfaction. …

Unmasking First-Generation Graduate Students’ Strengths: An Exploratory Literature Review, Hannah K. Walker, Latosha R. Hays, Trey Massingill, Akaari L. Gallagher, Evan W. Faidley

Journal of Graduate Education Research

First-generation graduate students encounter unique challenges in higher education, navigating systemic barriers and the hidden curriculum of graduate studies. These students rely on their strengths, such as resilience, adaptability, and cultural capital, to overcome inequitable access to resources and feelings of marginalization. This exploratory literature review examines the intersectionality of identities among first-generation graduate students and their implications for navigating academic and social barriers. The authors highlight research and practices that foster a sense of belonging and cultivate community support for the sake of deconstructing the hidden curriculum. Recommendations for policy, policy, and theorical application are provided for administrators and …

Mathematics Self-Efficacy And Achievement Among Elementary Students Who Participate In Extended Day Mathematics Programs: A Causal Comparative Study, Maria V. Kerr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study is to examine whether there is a difference in mathematics self-efficacy and achievement among fourth and fifth-grade students who participate in extended-day mathematics programs versus those who do not. The study utilizes the Mathematics Interest Inventory (MII) and the iReady Mathematics Program to measure these variables. Student performance in mathematics is influenced by various factors, including motivation, interest, and self-efficacy. In response to learning loss from emergency school closures, schools nationwide have implemented extended-day programs to help close the achievement gap. Federal and local governments have allocated over $8 billion to support these …

A Phenomenological Study Examining Self-Efficacy Experiences Of Urban Elementary Teachers Teaching Remotely During A Pandemic, Brandi L. Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of teachers who taught remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine their perceived self-efficacy in an urban school district in Western Tennessee. Bandura’s teacher self-efficacy theory guided the study as it explains how teachers’ self-efficacy plays a crucial role in academic outcomes such as student achievement, motivation, and teacher well-being in the work environment. The research question that guided the study was: How have remote teaching experiences of urban elementary teachers affected teacher self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic? Participants included 10 teachers from a public school district …

A Predictive Correlational Study Of The Relationship Between International School Teachers’ Interest, Self-Efficacy, And Attitudes And Their Use Of Differentiated Instruction, Abigail H. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational study was to examine the predictive ability of teachers’ interest, self-efficacy, and attitudes toward differentiated instruction and their use of differentiated instruction among teachers in international schools in Asia. This study is important because it adds to the existing literature regarding teachers’ use of differentiated instruction in international schools in Asia. The sample was composed of 111 participants across international schools in countries in Asia, including Cambodia (3.60%), China (8.11%), India (2.70%), Indonesia (7.21%), Japan (3.60%), Malaysia (6.31%), Myanmar (8.11%), Philippines (3.60%), Singapore (9.91%), South Korea (6.31%), Taiwan (11.71%), Thailand (27.03%), Vietnam (1.80%). …

Exploring The Impact Of Special Education Advocates On Service Acquisition For Racially And Ethnically Diverse Families In Virginia K–12 Public Schools: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Shelesha D. Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the influence that experienced special education advocates had on the acquisition of special education services for racially and ethnically diverse families with children who have disabilities in Virginia’s K–12 school system. In this study, the influence of an experienced special education advocate was generally defined as the ability to help parents navigate the special education process, advocate for children with disabilities, understand their rights, and obtain appropriate services. Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory guided the study. The central research question was: “What are the lived experiences of racially and ethnically diverse …

Learning Needs Of African American High School Students With Dyslexia Within An Inclusive, Co-Teaching Environment: A Holistic Single Case Study, Aigbovboise Ayo Ehabahe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic, single case study was to describe the experiences of special and general education teachers collaborating to support the learning needs of African American high school students with dyslexia within an inclusive, co-teaching environment. The theory guiding this study was Cole’s intersectionality theory on co-teaching, as it explains how the interactions and strategies between co-teachers influence the academic success of students with dyslexia. The central research question was: How do special and general education teachers describe their experiences collaborating with one another to support the learning needs of African American high school students with dyslexia within …

Awake And Alive: An Investigation Into Content For A Music Course Incorporating The Sciences, Harrison Boraas

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative, instrumental case study was to identify the content for an interdisciplinary course about music and the brain that educates collegiate students about the benefits of lifelong music engagement. Despite increasing awareness of musical relevance to the human brain, many institutions of higher learning continue to teach music as its isolated area of study without connecting it to other fields that could benefit from incorporating it or vice versa. The sample size consisted of four to seven experts that were either community experts or Liberty University faculty in the fields of science, medicine, or music within …

Gratifications That Contribute To Compulsive Youtube Use Among University Students, Mkhululi Tshepo Ncube, Zweithini Mabhena, Wallace Chigona

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

This study investigated the gratifications contributing to compulsive YouTube use among university students. Compulsive YouTube use, marked by an inability to regulate consumption despite negative impacts to the user, is analysed through the Uses and Gratifications Theory (U&G) and Compulsive Internet Use (CIU). Specifically, the study examined how different gratifications—such as emotional support, habitual viewing, and escapism—drive compulsive use patterns. A cross-sectional survey strategy was employed, collecting data from 175 university students through structured online questionnaires. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the relationships between the identified gratifications and compulsive usage behaviour. The findings …

The Effect Of A Multiple Intelligences Theory-Based Program On Tenth-Grade Students' Reading Comprehension Skills In Jordan, Musa Mayyas

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study investigated the effect of a multiple intelligences theory-based program on tenth-grade students' reading comprehension skills in Jordan. The researcher used a quasi-experimental design in which the participants were divided into four groups. The participants, chosen through purposeful sampling, consisted of 110 male and female tenth-grade students from two different schools in the Ramtha Directorate of Education. The first control group consisted of 28 female students, while the first experimental group included 27 female students from the same school. The second control group comprised 24 male students, whereas the second experimental group consisted of 31 male students from the …

The Effect Of The (Pq4r) Strategy On Seventh Grade Students' Acquisition Of Mathematical Concepts, Ali Abu Sabra

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the PQ4R strategy on the acquisition of basic mathematical concepts among seventh-grade students. To achieve this purpose, seventh-grade students were deliberately selected from a school in the Qweismeh Directorate of Education in Amman. The sample was divided into two sections: an experimental group consisting of 35 students who studied according to the PQ4R strategy, and a control group consisting of 35 students who studied using the traditional method. After confirming the reliability and validity of the tests, the results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the acquisition of mathematical concepts …

The Level Of Health Awareness Among Students Of The Applied Science Private University In Light Of Certain Variables, Omar Omair

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

The study aimed to identify the level of health awareness and certain eating habits related to food awareness among a sample of students at the University of Applied Sciences. The sample consisted of 477 students, including 250 males and 227 females, from different levels of study and colleges within the university. The participants responded to a specific questionnaire designed to measure their level of health awareness and certain dietary habits, which consisted of 61 items distributed across 7 domains: nutrition, personal health, importance of physical activity, body composition and functioning, family health, and medical conditions. The results indicated that the …

Master’S Of Education Self-Study Final Portfolio, Julia Gabrielle Kane

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership Portfolios

No abstract provided.

Rampes: Unveiling The Ideal Counselor Traits In The Sanghyang Siksakandang Karesian Manuscript, Ade Hidayat, Mamat Supriatna

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

This study aims to describe the ideal characteristics of a counselor based on the values contained in the Sanghyang Siksakandang Karesian (SSK) manuscript. A hermeneutic approach was employed to interpret the meaning of the text from the perspective of guidance and counseling grounded in local wisdom. The findings indicate that the concept of Rampes, mentioned 24 times in the manuscript, serves as the foundation for shaping a counselor’s professional, moral, and integrative character. This concept comprises three dimensions: (1) Bakti, which reflects religious awareness as a creature of God as well as a commitment to ethical behavior; (2) Wastu Siwong, …

The Effect Of Group Counseling On Hope With Diverse Undergraduates During Sustainability-Focused Internship, Hailey Spinks, Michael D. Hannon, Matthew Murray, Nina M. Goodey, Lora Billings, Amy Tuininga

PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Publications

Many adolescents report feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, and hopeless in the face of global climate change. These feelings are both valid and antithetical to the necessary hope and courage it takes to address real-world environmental crises and contribute to meaningful societal impact. The Green Teams Program, an internship-based experiential learning initiative, prepares young professionals with skills and knowledge needed to address these challenges and provides an intentionally inclusive and safe environment for students from all backgrounds to do so. This structured environment includes psychoeducational group counseling among other supports. Intern self-assessments revealed significant gains in measures of Hope, Agency, …

Comprehending Students' Experiences With A Language Learning Resource Center: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Of College Life And Belonging, Paulina Dzieza

Dissertations

This study explores the impact of Language Learning Resource Center (LLRC) services on college students' overall college experience and their sense of belonging on campus. In the constantly evolving world of higher education, higher education institutions work to provide welcoming spaces where students can flourish academically and socially. In higher education, where there is a growing focus on student support services, the LLRC is essential for promoting academic achievement, cross-cultural interaction, and social integration for foreign language learners. This qualitative study, guided by a combined theoretical framework of Community of Practice and Ethics of Care, aims to advance knowledge of …

An Early Review Of Generative Language Models In Automated Writing Evaluation: Advancements, Challenges, And Future Directions For Automated Essay Scoring And Feedback Generation, Yue Huang, Corey Palermo, Ruitao Liu, Yong He

Chinese/English Journal of Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 教育测量与评估双语期刊

Automated writing evaluation (AWE) has long supported assessment and instruction, yet existing systems struggle to capture deeper rhetorical and pedagogical aspects of student writing. Recent advances in generative language models (GLMs) such as GPT and Llama present new opportunities, but their effectiveness remains uncertain. This review synthesizes 29 studies on automated essay scoring and 14 on automated writing feedback generation, examining how GLMs are applied through prompting, fine-tuning, and adaptation. Findings show GLMs can approximate human scoring and deliver richer, rubric-aligned feedback, but fairness, validity, and ethical issues remain largely unaddressed. We conclude that GLMs hold promise to enhance AWE, …

Preparing Educators To Meet The Unique Needs Of Multilingual Learners, Anna Adamo

Masters Projects

Effectively educating multilingual learners requires knowledge of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching, as well as an understanding of translanguaging techniques. Research shows that the population of multilingual learners continues to grow in the United States, however, qualified educators with knowledge of the specific needs of this population are lacking. This project explores the need for ongoing support for secondary novice and non-ESL certified educators who teach multilingual students. Included in this project is a complete full year of professional development sessions ranging from culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices, guidelines for accommodations and modifications, opportunities for classroom observations, and technology …

Understanding Child Noncompliance In The Early Care Setting, Melody Mann

McNair Research Journal SJSU

This study examines how teachers respond to children’s noncompliance in

early care settings. This structured observational study will focus on the

moment-to-moment interactions occurring within the preschool classroom

between both the child and teacher. It is predicted that (1) teacher’s direct

bids to children will promote greater instances of child compliance than

indirect bids, and (2) teachers’ responsive language will promote greater

instances of child compliance than restrictive language. The results of this

study will contribute to existing knowledge about the nature of teacher

child interactions in the early care settings.

What Perceptions Do Esl- Endorsed Teachers In A Midwest-Urban School District Hold Regarding The Achievement Gap Between Their Ells And Non-Ell Students?, Hannah Jeanne Walling

Masters Projects

In today's diverse and interconnected society, the educational landscape is marked by a significant influx of students who are English language learners (ELLs). These students, while enriching the cultural tapestry of classrooms, face unique challenges in acquiring academic skills and achieving success in their educational journey. This thesis aims to delve into the achievement gap that exists between English language learners and their non-English language learner counterparts and what perceptions their teachers have on them, with a particular focus on the United States educational system. By examining the factors contributing to this disparity, exploring effective instructional strategies, and proposing targeted …

Introduction: 17(3) Emerging Scholar Summaries 2025, Rosalind Latiner Raby

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Exploring Culture Through Language: A Journey In The Humanities, Tetiana Zinchenko

Language Study as a Gateway to the Humanities

No abstract provided.

Project Overview And Reflections, David Lind, David Patent, Jessica Burke, Amy Walker

Language Study as a Gateway to the Humanities

The following reflections come from faculty and Working Group members who participated in the project. Their insights reveal how engaging with language instruction and interdisciplinary content sparked new connections—not only for students, but for educators themselves. These perspectives highlight the value of stepping outside disciplinary boundaries and embracing the exploratory potential of language-centered teaching.

Implementing A Questioning Strategy In Teaching Reading Texts In Efl Classes: A Qualitative Study, Mohammed A. Alzahrani Dr.

The Qualitative Report

Developed by Beck and McKeown in the 1980s, Questioning the Author (QtA) emphasises active engagement with texts to construct meaning rather than passive information extraction. Despite numerous studies attempting to solve challenges in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context, there is a lack of interpretive studies that investigate this issue from the actual field. This exploratory study investigated how EFL teachers' implementation of QtA and their perspectives toward the use of the QtA strategy in teaching reading comprehension in Saudi secondary schools through nine interviews and eighteen classroom observations, analysed thematically. Findings showed that effective QtA use requires …

Intercultural Interactions And Transcultural Competence In The Internationalized Classroom: A Mixed-Method Case Study, Andreana Pastena

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This study explores the relationship between intercultural interactions and the development of Transcultural Competence among first-year local and international undergraduates in a multi-dimensionally internationalized classroom at a university in Catalonia, Spain. Transcultural Competence accounts for cognitive, affective, linguistic, and identity dimensions within intercultural settings. It adopts a mixed-method approach, including three Transcultural Competence questionnaires, a contact generator, and individual interviews. Findings reveal that while students initially self-reported high levels of Transcultural Competence, they preferred interactions with classmates with a similar linguistic and cultural background. However, close intercultural friendships positively influenced Transcultural Competence and four patterns of the interaction between these …