Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Identifying Early Intervention Needs In Infants And Toddlers, Jennifer L. Mcgregor

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Brain research conducted on infants and toddlers through the past 20 years has resulted in the widely held knowledge that most brain growth occurs in the first three years of a child’s life. That knowledge reinforces the importance of providing early interventions to children as early as possible in order to maximize the brain’s potential for learning. This study analyzes a set of data collected from an area of a midwestern state that encompasses both urban and rural populations as well as a diverse socio-economic population and aims to confirm whether it makes a difference in the learning trajectory if …

Strategies For Prevention And Management Of Non-Communicable Diseases Among Community Women In Nigeria: Insights For Family Social Welfare, Abiola Adiat Omokhabi Dr

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

In this study, modifiable risk factors, prevention and management plans for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women were examined. This study examined published and grey literature that was gathered from a number of sources, such as open data portals on the five major illness categories that make up the NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, malignancies, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental health. Literature shows that the primary behavioural risk factors for NCDs, including CVDs, diabetes, and cancer(malignancies), can be largely avoided. Inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol use, and unhealthy eating habits (often high in processed sugar, fats, and salt) are a …

Teacher Self Efficacy And The Work Environment, Marium Carpen

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In a time of uncertainty, teachers have been the backbone of the educational world. They provide a sense of consistency to many students who may need positive role models in their life. Teachers take on roles as caregivers, educators, friends, and are often a “safe place” for students. Yet, how have teachers been supported during times of crisis? With the recent COVID-19 pandemic shifting the world of education, elementary school teachers have had to adapt to new changes within their daily work environment. From transitioning to immediate virtual learning and returning to in-person learning with safety protocols, understanding teacher self-efficacy …

Ashs To As: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Mandatory Athletic Study Hall In Improving High School Athletes’ Academics, Angela Pilson

Theses and Dissertations

During the 2023-2024 academic year, this action research study was conducted at local, mid-sized high school in South Carolina using a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the efficacy and impact of a mandatory athletic study hall (ASH) program on high school athletes’ academic performance. Through this program, during each academic quarter, any in-season athletes with any grades below 69% to either attend after-school study hall sessions or complete tutoring. The study both reviewed the academic performance of athletes and nonathletes and collected qualitative data from stakeholder surveys completed by nonathletes, athletes, teachers, coaches, and parents. The findings revealed a significant difference …

Workforce Education And Labor Market Demands For North Carolina Community Colleges, Christina Anne Bunch

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

In response to evolving labor market demands, community colleges play a crucial role in providing accessible, high-quality education that addresses regional workforce needs. However, they face challenges such as declining enrollments, misalignment with local market needs, and limited resources for curriculum adaptation. These obstacles threaten the ability of community colleges to prepare students for the rapidly changing workforce. This study examines how workforce development administrators collaborate with local industry partners to align programs with labor market demands, ensuring community colleges remain relevant and adaptable. Grounded in Human Capital Theory, which links education and economic growth, this qualitative study focuses on …

Differential Effects Of Physical Activity On Social Interactions Of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christianna Blanchard-Alworth

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience challenges with communication, social interaction, and motor skills, which can contribute to social isolation. A growing body of research suggests physical activity (PA) may improve social, physical fitness, and gross motor outcomes for adolescents with ASD. Although exercise and PA have been identified as an evidence-based practice (EBP) for this population, limited research has specifically examined the relationship between PA and social interactions. This study used an alternating treatment design, replicated across four adolescents with ASD, to compare the effects of two interventions – soccer instruction and fitness instruction - on social …

Scoping The Literature On Professional Development For Educators And Educational Leaders In The Uae, Zeina Hojeij, Shayma Ali Alsuwaidi, Shanzila Ahmed

All Works

This comprehensive scoping review aimed to identify and synthesize the existing research on professional development (PD) for educators and educational leaders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between 2018 and 2023. Fourteen scholarly articles covering a wide range of topics related to education in the UAE were collected and analyzed. The review revealed that PD initiatives in the UAE often focus on enhancing teacher effectiveness and leadership skills, particularly in the context of educational reforms and inclusive education practices. However, significant challenges were identified, including implementation gaps, cultural barriers, and resistance to centrally imposed PD programs. The findings suggest that …

Volume Cxliv, Number 1, September 27, 2024, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

2024 - Faculty & Staff Research Symposium, Elizabeth Outka, Lidia Radi

Faculty and Staff Research Symposium Programs

[Excerpt from the "Welcome"]

"Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the second Faculty and Staff Research Symposium!

We are delighted to see such enthusiasm for this event, following the extraordinary response to last year’s inaugural Symposium. It is truly a testament to the vibrant, engaged community we have here — a group of colleagues deeply committed to ideas, creativity, and collaboration. Across our campus, faculty and staff continue to push the boundaries of research, to design and maintain new learning and gathering spaces, to craft remarkable art and performances, and to develop innovative programs that enrich our collective experience. . . . …

The Current - Volume 35 Issue 3, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Revealing The Key Ingredient: Understanding How Teachers In Challenging School Environments Navigate School Culture To Enhance Learner Retention, Babalwa Kafu-Quvane Dr

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

This paper explores teachers’ professional practices to gain a thorough grasp and a deep understanding of what it takes to retain learners in an environment where most schools fail to do so. I approach the study using a qualitative multiple case study design and position it within the interpretive paradigm. I purposively selected 50 post-level one teachers from five schools. Cavanagh and Dellar’s theory on culture of school improvement, which emphasizes the transformation of schools into learning communities through social interaction, interpersonal relationships, and support among various stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and learners, was used as theoretical lens for this …

Emotional Overeating And Eating Motives During Covid-19 In Polish Women: Intergroup Comparison Among Participants In Various Body Mass Index Categories, Adriana Modrzejewska, Justyna Modrzejewska, Kamila Czepczor-Bernat, Julia Wyszomirska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Taking into account the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ac-companying lockdown resulting in increased negative emotions, it is interesting to learn about eating motives and behaviors and check their intensity. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between Polish women in various body mass index categories in terms of eating motives and emotional overeating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: This study sample comprised 1,447 women (M_age = 31.34 ± 11.05; M_BMI = 23.79 ± 4.59). The research used the following tools: the Eating Motivation Survey, the Emotional Overeating Questionnaire, and …

Teachers’ Perspectives On Creating Secondary Attachments With Infants And Toddlers Experiencing Toxic Stress, Cheryl A. Hovey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of infants and toddlers experiencing toxic stress in the United States has increased significantly. Toxic stress, characterized by prolonged exposure to adverse experiences, has significant implications for the development of infants and toddlers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives on the successes and challenges to create secondary attachments with infants and toddlers exposed to toxic stress. The conceptual framework was Bowlby’s attachment theory. Two research questions addressed the perspectives of early childhood teachers’ successes and challenges to create secondary attachments with infants and toddlers experiencing toxic stress and what they …

Secular Trends In Underweight, Overweight, And Physical Fitness Of Girls And Boys Aged 16–18 In Eastern Poland From 2006 To 2016–2021, Agnieszka Wasiluk, Jerzy Saczuk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Significant changes in the nutrition and physical fitness of children and adolescents have been observed in many countries around the world. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in the prevalence of underweight, normal BMI, and overweight, as well as in the physical fitness of girls and boys from eastern Poland. Materials and methods: The study was conducted over the years 2006–2021. BMI was calculated, and physical fitness was assessed using the EUROFIT test. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: Minor changes in underweight were observed, and even a re-duction in its prevalence among girls was …

Scientific Programs In The Arab Media - Reality And Gap, Najm Abed Khalaf Aleessawi

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

The article aimed to reveal the level of Arab media coverage of specialized scientific topics and to know the actual need for such programs, especially with the tremendous developments in various fields of life. The descriptive analytical approach was adopted, and a questionnaire tool was used, which was distributed to (205) Arab academics and researchers who were selected by a simple random sampling method. The study found that coverage of scientific programs in the Arab media at the local level is not at the required level. Social media platforms are the most widely used media means for accessing scientific programs …

The Effects Of Intermittent Fasting On Working Memory With A Covariate Of Exercise Among The Perimenopausal Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Karen Marie Veltri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Intermittent fasting and exercise are tools to improve health. Current literature focuses on their impact on metabolic health and weight loss, leaving a gap in the research examining their effects on working memory during the menopause transition. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by recruiting perimenopausal participants and randomly assigning them to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group followed an 8/16 intermittent fasting regimen for two consecutive weeks. Both groups ate ad libitum without dietary restrictions. Participants completed a pre- and post-study Working Memory Questionnaire and self-reported average hours of exercise per week. …

A Phenomenological Study On Emerging Adults' Lived Experiences With Financial Technology, Tracey R. Morrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of emerging adults’ interactions with financial socialization and financial technology. This study examined various forms of financial mentoring emerging adults encounter before fully entering adulthood. The essential question is: What are emerging adults’ lived experiences with financial technology? The theory guiding this study is Gudmunson and Danes’ family financial socialization theory (2011) (FFST), which rationalizes how emerging adults obtain financial knowledge based on lived experiences. The researcher intentionally constructed this study as a qualitative transcendental phenomenological investigation gathering individuals’ experiences with a specific phenomenon through quality interview sessions, …

Low To Moderate-Intensity Exercise On Blood Pressure Response In Hypertensive Older Adults, David Farrell Robinson Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aims to investigate the blood pressure response of a single bout of exercise at low to moderate intensity in older adults with normal/grade 1 hypertension. 120 physically active adults (74.80 ± 6.3 years) randomly completed two aerobic exercise sessions of 30 minutes at low (30% heart rate reserve [HRres]) and moderate (50% HRres) intensity. Blood pressure was assessed pre-exercise, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the completion of the exercise bout. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased after both exercise intensities without significant differences. Both exercise intensities saw a proportionate decrease in post exercise blood pressure response compared …

Exploring School Counselors’ Perceptions Of How Poverty Impacts Elementary School Students’ Capacity For Academic And Emotional Success: A Phenomenological Study, Latesha Dixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate school counselors’ viewpoints regarding poverty’s influence on elementary school students’ executive functioning, self-regulation abilities, and academic performance. The impact of poverty on children’s academic achievement is widely acknowledged, and school counselors’ assistance to students from low-income families is considered paramount. The study provided a unique viewpoint regarding alleviating poverty by highlighting the crucial significance of education and skills. The guiding theory in the research study was the social cognitive theory that offers a conceptual structure for comprehending how school counselors’ observations and experiences within the educational setting influence their perspectives regarding …

Differences In Algebra I End-Of-Course Exam Performance Of African-American Girls As A Function Of Their Economic Status: A Texas, Multiyear Analysis, Latonia Amerson, Cynthia Martinez-Garcia, John R. Slate

School Leadership Review

The extent to which differences were present for African American girls as a function of their economic status in their performance on the Texas state-mandated Algebra I End-of-Course exam was examined. Specifically addressed was the extent to which African American girls differed in their performance on three Grade Level performance standards: Approaches Grade Level, Meets Grade Level, and Masters Grade Level. Inferential statistical analyses of Texas statewide data revealed that statistically significantly lower percentages of African American girls who were economically disadvantaged met the three Grade Level standards than African American girls who were not in poverty. Implications and recommendations …

2024 September 17 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Use Of Lesson Study As A Professional Development Model For 4-H Educators At 1890 Land Grant Universities, Cynthia Pierfax, Travella Free, Tiffany Franklin, Manola Erby, Lynn Schmitt-Mcquitty, C L. Meehan, Martin H. Smith

Journal of Extension

There is a defined need to provide accessible and effective professional development for 4-H educators. Lesson study is a Community of Practice-based approach to educator professional development. Prior research has shown lesson study to be effective with 4-H staff, adult volunteers, and teen volunteers. This inquiry, a multi-site case study, was designed to investigate the application of lesson study in authentic contexts with 4-H county agents from 1890 land-grant universities. Quantitative and qualitative measures revealed improved preparedness, participation, and camaraderie among participating educators. Other benefits to participants included improved lesson planning and implementation.

What Inclusive Instructors Do: A Book Review, Marlene Graf

Empowering Teaching Excellence Conference

In the book, "What Inclusive Instructors Do" (published in 2021), authors Tracie Addy et el focus on principles and practices for excellence in college teaching and offer several recommendations for creating an inclusive classroom. In the preface, they explain to the reader that this book emerged as a result of changes to the educational landscape as a result of COVID and online instruction. This book was also a courageous response to the racial tension and violence that escalated during the pandemic.

Unleashing Potential: Strategies For Online Learners To Conquer Procrastination And Maximize Engagement, Maria Givler, Nikki Kendrick, Lacie Peterson

Empowering Teaching Excellence Conference

As the landscape of education continues to evolve, the shift towards online learning has become more prevalent. While online courses offer flexibility and accessibility, it also presents unique challenges, with one of the most common hurdles being procrastination. In the absence of traditional classroom structures and weekly deadlines, students may struggle to manage their time effectively. This session aims to address the critical issue of procrastination in online learning environments and explore innovative strategies to enhance student engagement. We will delve into the development of tools and techniques that empower learners to stay on track, maintain motivation, and successfully achieve …

The Courage To Teach: How To Keep Showing Up In Ways That Matter, Marlene Graf, Christian Bolander, Rose Judd-Murray, Alyssa Reidhead, Lance Stott

Empowering Teaching Excellence Conference

This workshop will ask you to think about ways that you can incorporate study strategies so that students can become more active and successful. Join us as we embark on the path toward enriched learning experiences and sustained academic success.

2024 September 13 - Board Of Trustees Academic, Research, And Student Success Committee Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Evaluation Of Exercise Habits And Stress Management Strategies Among Exercise Physiology Freshmen, Lori A. Sherlock, E J. Ryan, Miriam E. Leary

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Transitional phases of life (i.e., the passage from high school to college) can promote heightened stress levels resulting in physical and mental challenges. College students are at an elevated risk for common mental health disorders with 20-45% of all college students being impacted within a given year. This may be, in part, due to their exposure to a multitude of new stressors related to academics, social challenges, personal concerns, and economic issues. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine exercise habits and stress management strategies among incoming freshmen in an exercise physiology program. The overall goal of …

Student Engagement In The Asynchronous Learning Model: A Qualitative Study Of K-5 Arkansas Public School Caregiver Perspectives, Angela Maize

Student Theses and Dissertations

In 2019, a coronavirus strand, SARS-CoV-2, caused a global pandemic of respiratory illness, also referred to as the coronavirus (Covid-19). The U.S. government implemented massive school closures as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to mitigate the spread of the virus. The abrupt pivot to the asynchronous learning model resulted in low levels of engagement for many students. As a result of the pivot, students were expected to return to onsite instruction with a fraction of the learning gains, compared to a pre-pandemic school year. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore caregiver perspectives of the level of engagement exhibited …

Factors That Influence Third-Grade Reading Performance On The State Of Texas Assessments Of Academic Readiness (Staar), Angela Monette Long

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study aimed to research factors that influence third-graders’ reading performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness is a standardized test used to measure the proficiency of students in various subjects. The independent variables of this study were student attendance, teacher’s professional background, and campus implementation of the Effective Schools Framework. Three years of data were collected from twenty elementary schools in the same North Texas School District. The theoretical framework used to explore the impact of the Effective Schools Framework was organizational learning theory. The theory explored …

Opportunities For Extension Educators To Support Caregivers Feeding Infants And Toddlers Through Nutrition Education, Elizabeth I. Kielb, Kameron J. Moding, Susan L. Johnson, Barbara A. Beaulieu, Blake A. Connolly, Stephanie J. Faroh, Laura L. Bellows

Journal of Extension

The 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans now include recommendations for infants and toddlers. Extension educators can use these expanded guidelines to provide feeding recommendations for caregivers of infants/toddlers. The purpose of this study was to explore 1) the infant and toddler feeding topics that Extension educators discuss with caregivers through formal curricula and informal conversations, 2) educators’ perceived barriers to teaching and discussing topics with caregivers, and 3) the optimal format of resources for educators and the communities they serve. Findings from this study confirmed a need among educators for infant/toddler feeding programs and resources offered through Extension.