Digital Commons Network^™

Implementation Of Project-Based Instruction In Statistics Higher Education Courses, Jennifer A. Daddysman

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Project-based instruction is an instructional methodology based in constructivism that aligns with recommendations from the American Statistical Association for teaching statistics, including incorporating real-world data and examples, collaboration, and scaffolding (GAISE College Report ASA Revision Committee, 2016; GAISE Steering Committee, 2024; Krajcik & Blumenfeld, 2005; Tishkovskaya & Lancaster, 2012). This study examined current use of project-based instruction in United States higher education courses in statistics and the supports for and challenges to implementing this type of instruction.

This study used qualitative research methodology in the integrative pedagogy and diffusion of innovation frameworks. Voluntary response surveys were distributed via two sections …

Social Control And Inclusive Freedom: An Embedded Single Case Study Of Campus Expression At A Southern Public University, Christopher J. Ciarcia

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

This study examines how staff at a Southern public university experienced and interpreted their participation in the institution’s Open Expression Support Team (OEST), a campus initiative designed to maintain an educational environment where students feel free to engage in freedom of speech and expression without fear of intimidation or coercion. Using an embedded single-case study design, the research draws on interviews, documents, and observations to explore the OEST’s role in supporting inclusive freedom (Ben-Porath, 2017), which emphasizes the balance of free expression and inclusion in higher education.

Findings reveal that the OEST functions as a mechanism of social control, employing …

“Hard To Rememeber, Then Hard To Forget:” A Qualitative Exploration Into The Attitudes And Lived Experiences Of Black People With Black Names, Destin L. Mizelle

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Naming practices within the Black American community are vibrant and deeply rooted in cultural traditions and shared values. Much like other ethnic groups, these names tell stories, reflect heritage, and connect individuals to their community, making each choice meaningful and significant. However, due to the systemic effects of anti-Blackness, Black Americans often have a complex relationship with their names. While previous research has primarily utilized quantitative methodologies focusing on the negative associations and consequences of having a Black name, this study aims to amplify the voices of Black people who possess Black names. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this qualitative study …

Beyond Traditional Education: Graduation Rates At An Alternative High School, Kayla Dawn Marie Crook

Educational Leadership Professional Doctorate Dissertations

The study addressed the problem of practice of improving on-time graduation rates for students in alternative education settings. Traditional educational systems often fail to meet the unique needs of students in alternative education programs, which could lead to increased barriers towards on-time graduation. Based on improvement science principles, this research utilized Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to systematically test and refine prioritized change ideas to mitigate these barriers with the goal of increasing graduation rates at the focus school. These change ideas included improving social emotional learning through teacher coaching, personalizing attendance calls, and developing individualized student success plans. Through rapid iterative …

From A Child's Perspective: A Qualitative Study Of Elementary School Student Engagement, Deanna J. Springstead-Gonzalez

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Abstract

Background and Purpose. This study sought to investigate child engagement from the children's perspective, aiming to understand better what they perceive as factors that facilitate or constrain their academic engagement in classrooms. By centering children's voices, this research challenges traditional views of students as passive recipients of education, instead recognizing them as active participants with valuable insights into their learning experiences. This work builds on the frameworks proposed by Shirley and Hargreaves (2021) and Lawson and Lawson (2013) that utilize socio-ecological theory to better understand those factors impacting children’s learning experiences.

Method. The study was conducted at an elementary …

Hostos Community College Academic Bulletin 2025-2026, Hostos Community College

College Bulletins

This is the official college catalog for 2025-2026. It contains course descriptions as well as information on degree programs, college resources and services, financial aid, admissions, and the academic calendar.

Digital Stories Of Resilience: A Case Study Of Urban Community College English Learners, Patricia George Hunter

Journal of English Learner Education

This study utilizes a qualitative case study approach to learn how project-based, digital storytelling (DST) voices the resilience of post-secondary English language learners (ELLs) attending a minority-serving, open-access, community college in New York City. Along with many studies that have examined the usefulness of DST in oral production, this research investigates whether project-based digital storytelling enhances students’ understanding of academic content related to resilience and conventional composition. Narrative inquiry (NI) research technique is the basis of the digital story project in an English as a Second Language (ESL) course. In this case, the study relies on observations and artifacts to …

Volume 33, Number 3, Winter 2024/25, Office Of Communications, Illinois Wesleyan University

Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine, 2018-present

VOLUME 33 | NUMBER 3 | Winter 2024/25

ON OUR COVER:

Lauren Giannini '08 and Andrew Herrington-Gilmore '09 are the founders of the The Gilmore Family Foundation, which has raised more than half a million dollars to support research for rare diseases.

22 A Family for Care, For Lauren Giannini '08 and Andrew Herrington-Gilmore '09, receiving their children's diagnoses of rare and life threatening diseases became their life's greatest challenge and their new inspiration to help others.

The Kids Know What’S Up: Analyzing Student Poetry For Evidence Of Institutionalized Oppression, Sarah Straub

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

This article explores institutionalized oppression faced by students today. It incorporates student-created poetry as evidence of marginalization, sexism, racism, and discrimination based on legal status. The kids know what’s up. They are acutely aware of the effects of these systems on their own lives. It is the responsibility of the educator to acknowledge this truth and act on it.

Commencement [Program], December 21, 2024, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Commencement Programs

The program of the commencement ceremonies, including a list of institutional leadership, a list of the departments by college, awards given at the ceremonies, and a list of undergraduate and graduate degree candidates. This commencement program is not an official graduate list.

Contents:

Board of Regents --- 2
Institutional Leadership --- 2
Ceremony Symbols & Traditions --- 3
Academic Honorary Organizations --- 4
University Ambassador Organizations --- 5
University Honors Program --- 6
Graduation with Honors --- 6
Legacy Graduates --- 6
Military Science --- 7
Merchant Scholarship --- 7
Outstanding Student Leader --- 7
Commencement Student Speakers --- 7 …

I Want To Love How I Do Learn: A Phenomenological Study Of Adult Learners With General Learning Disabilities And Their Goals For Postsecondary Education, Diana Muller Katovitch

Dissertations - ALL

A subset of individuals with learning disabilities is currently prevented from accessing postsecondary education; these individuals experience general learning disabilities, or GLD (Greenspan, 2017, p. 117). GLD is not a formal disability category in K-12 special education; individual students might not be eligible for academic supports and accommodations in K-12 or in postsecondary education based on this description. Individuals with GLD encounter significant barriers both accessing and finding success in postsecondary education. Qualitative research involving adults with GLD is lacking in available literature, as is theoretical analysis of their experiences. My research is a phenomenological study based on the experiences …

Full Issue - Excelsior, V17-1

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Comparing The School Engagement Of Middle And High School Special Education Students Enrolled In School-Based Mental Health Services, Elizabeth Anne Mcphearson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a difference in student engagement scores amongst middle and high school special education students who are or are not utilizing school-based mental health services (SBMHS). To continue improvements in the effectiveness of school-based mental health services and to assist students in personal behavior management and school engagement, the impact of mental health services must be understood. The study participants were drawn from a convenience sample of middle and high school special education students participating in school-based mental health services located in Minnesota during the 2023-2024 school year. …

Equity In The Student Conduct System For First-Generation College Students, Kristin D. Ridge

JWU Dissertations & Theses

Student conduct administrators are charged with crafting and enforcing an institution’s code of conduct equitably for all students. Few administrators are in a position to disrupt or end a student’s college career. Public institutions’ administrators function as state actors and must uphold the student rights protected in the landmark 1961 Dixon v. Alabama Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Thus, conduct administrators have a professional obligation to act with integrity and balance the authority of the institution with the rights of the student. This balance includes enforcing policy while considering the context and lived experiences of students. Further, when working …

School Structure As A Mechanism For Crime Deterrence, Daniel Glenn Hennigan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An examination of the relationship between school structure and community strength will be conducted. School structure will be categorized based on the organizational structure of the institution. Schools are conceptualized and categorized as Kindergarten-12th grade (K-12th), 9th-12th grade schools (9th-12th) and Combination schools. Combination Schools are defined as any school that does not meet the criteria of either K-12th Grade or 9th-12th Grade, generally 6th-12th, 7th-12th or 8th-12th. Community strength will be examined through property crime rates, violent crime rates and individual crime statistics. Analyses will also include proportional or ratio examinations per 1,000 students. A literature review will be …

Mental Health And Police Response Criminal Justice Training Curriculum, Richard Watkins

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This course is designed to introduce criminal justice students to responding to calls involving residents with mental illness. It will instruct students to recognize indicators of mental illness as required by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board learning objectives. Indicators of said mental illness will be instructed based on the DSM-5 manual to acclimate students in this area. Students will be exposed to current levels of response as well as services offered by current Minnesota Police Officers. Dealing with residents in mental health crisis and the use of force will also be addressed. Students will also learn about …

Teaching Sociology Through Reality Tv: Understanding Society Through The Small Screen, Monica Bixby Radu

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

This article explores reality TV’s value in teaching sociological concepts and theories for a better understanding contemporary society. Reality TV serves as a rich canvas for illustrating key tenets of major sociological theories such as structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. By analyzing reality TV through a sociological lens, insights into societal dynamics emerge, revealing how individuals navigate social norms. Additionally, reality TV serves as a cultural mirror, reflecting and shaping societal values. Globally, it influences cultural attitudes and social dynamics, transcending geographical boundaries through adaptations and social media engagement. …

Embodied Cognition And Teaching Stem: Tenets To Explain And Enhance A Middle School Science Project, Jonathan E. Roberts, Joshua L. Williams, Robert A. Hodgdon, Caroline Payne, Gabriela Ruiz Emmanuelli

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

STEM pedagogy is a popular area for research and discussion. The empirical literature on this topic supports a variety of approaches (e.g., inquiry-based) to help instructors spark student interest create an effective learning environment, and foster long-term retention and transfer of information related to STEM topics. One potential approach is to use tenets of embodied cognition, in which behavior and cognition emerge out of real-time sensorimotor behavior of the individual situated within a particular context, to implement strategies to enhance STEM pedagogy. We applied the six lessons of embodied cognition to understand the beneficial aspects of a middle-school project on …

Winter Commencement, 2024, Marshall University

Marshall University Commencement

Program for the Commencement of Marshall University, Saturday, December 14, 2024 held at the Mountain Health Arena in Huntington, West Virginia.

2024 Commencement Program - Fall, Morehead State University. Registrar's Office.

Morehead State Commencement Programs

2025 Spring Commencement program for Morehead State University.

2024 Fall - Commencement Program, Office Of The Registrar, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Commencement Ceremonies and Programs

No abstract provided.

Reclaiming The Journey: A Phenomenological Study Of Black Lactation Professionals, Deandra Monet Kees

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined Black lactation professionals’ lived experiences navigating the human lactation workforce. Grounded in hermeneutic phenomenology and guided by Black feminist thought and critical race theory, this research unveiled the impact of various barriers that play a role in human lactation. While evidence cites the importance of human milk feeding, the voices of Black lactation professionals are often overlooked and marginalized, resulting in limited representation of Black lactation training practices. This study aimed to address a critical gap in the literature by centering the voices of Black lactation professionals. This research was conducted utilizing semi-structured interviews and a focus …

Examining Differences In Implicit Bias Towards Students Of Color Within The Higher Education System, Marlene Drake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental, static-group comparison design study aims to address the unknown factors of implicit bias within our public education system by examining the differences between the awareness of school staff towards students of color. The theories that guided this study were the Theory of Experience and the Theory of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory. The Theory of Experience emphasizes the need for a positive connection between the school staff and students of color to prevent social injustice through awareness and empathetic behavior. The LMX theory supports the need for positive behavior from the school staff to increase the motivation and …

Using Geogebra To Foster Imagination And Creativity To Build Mathematics Confidence In A Stem World, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math teachers can better prepare all student for a STEM world using computer software like GeoGebra to better prepare our youth for such high-tech careers like that of which Einstein was part of while also emphasizing and fostering creativity in the learning of mathematics. It is critical we have young learners who are confident in their ability to do math and be creative. Teachers today need to check dispositions toward mathematics and address math anxiety while building math confidence in their students. In an ever-advancing world of technology, math teachers need to incorporate such emerging technologies like GeoGebra into the …

Rachel’S Saga: Using Adolescent Literature In The Mathematics Classroom As A Form Of Bibliotherapy To Help Students Overcome Math Apprehension, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math anxiety is prevalent and an understanding of mathematics is critical in an increasingly technological/STEM society, teachers must play a role in reducing the levels of math anxiety of learners. More recently, children's and adolescent literature has been recognized now as a means to teaching mathematics to students through the use of stories to make the math concepts relevant and meaningful. Literature may be used as a therapy to reach students who may be frustrated with math and/or who experience math anxiety. Story and picture books such as Math Curse (Scieszka & Smith, 1995) and A Gebra Named Al (Isdell, …

Full Issue

Transformations

Full Issue

Transgender And Gender-Queer People Belong In Jesuit Higher Education, Morgan Keating, Konstantin Platonov

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This paper explores the intersection of Jesuit values and the experiences of transgender and gender-queer campus community members in Jesuit higher education institutions. Despite the adoption of inclusive policies, campus climates often lack the support of minorities, leading to discrimination and deterioration of their mental health. The core Jesuit values—cura personalis, magis, discernment and reflection, service rooted in justice and love, and solidarity and kinship—are examined as the principles that should drive more active inclusion and support. The paper also suggests practical steps to align institutional practices with these values better. By embracing these measures, …

The Role Of Equity Leaders In Implementing The Community School Policy Framework In California, Iris Zuniga

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the role of Equity Leadership in implementing the Community School Policy Framework in California, focusing on addressing systemic inequities. Using a qualitative approach, this research drew on six in-depth interviews with public sector leaders in the California Community School Partnership Program (CCSPP). Findings underscored the critical importance of equity-focused leadership, intentional collaboration, and data-driven accountability in advancing equitable practices within the community school model. The research highlighted that effective implementation of the framework depends on tailoring strategies to California’s unique community needs and centering on under-resourced students. Fostering cross-sector partnerships and actively engaging community partners were essential …

Stories Of Mothering: Autoethnography Of Generational Sexual Abuse, Karen D. Barley Dr

The Qualitative Report

Being a mother is both rewarding and challenging and most women seek to be the best mother that they can be. Despite best intentions, many find their ability to ‘mother’ has been tempered by their own mothering. This autoethnography encapsulates a series of vignettes describing poignant and melodic memories of my mother; and explores her neglect and inability to protect me because of sexual abuse in her life. Within my family heritage there has been a craven cycle of abuse that has perpetuated a lineage of multigenerational family sexual violence. This cycle has affected the mothers in my family’s ability …

Burnout, Stress And Its Effect On The Use Of Deadly Force, Charles Gutshall

School of Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Police officers encounter significant occupational stressors that contribute to heightened levels of burnout and stress, potentially influencing their critical decision-making during deadly force encounters. This dissertation investigates the relationship between selfreported perceived stress, burnout, and the frequency of deadly force application among officers in southeastern Florida. Drawing on the Professional Quality of Life Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Restraint in the Use of Deadly Force Scale, survey responses from 202 officers were statistically analyzed using regression and descriptive techniques.

Contrary to initial hypotheses, findings revealed no significant predictive relationship between perceived stress, burnout, and the likelihood of using …