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Realism, Instrumentalism, And The Language Of Science Teaching: A Quantitative Study, James M. Almand

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, correlational study was to investigate how science educators' epistemological orientations, specifically, their leanings toward realism or instrumentalism, influence the degree of certainty in their instructional language. The study addressed a significant gap in science education literature by empirically analyzing whether educators' philosophical beliefs about the nature of scientific knowledge predict the language they use when teaching science. Data were collected through a researcher-developed survey, the Science Educators' Epistemological Beliefs and Classroom Language Practices Survey, which measured participants' epistemological positions and linguistic tendencies across a sample of current and former science educators in the United …

Teacher Identification Of Learned Helplessness And Supportive Strategies, Kathleen A. De Jong

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Learned helplessness is a common problem in the upper grades of compulsory education. It creates frustration and has a significant negative impact on academic achievement. Teachers need to accurately identify learned helplessness behaviors before they can promote effective strategies for student autonomy, resilience, and academic success. Research has shown that appropriate strategies successfully mitigate or prevent learned helplessness, but misguided strategies will exacerbate the problem. This study aims to examine the behaviors that teachers currently associate with learned helplessness and the strategies they have found to be successful in mitigating its effects in their classrooms. After reviewing literature on learned …

Trauma-Informed Training For Early Childhood Educators, Tarah Bryant

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

More students are arriving in the early childhood classroom with trauma. This trauma can lead to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), ADHD and reactive attachment disorder. This leads to early childhood teachers feeling burned out and experiencing secondary trauma. Despite this, early childhood educators are not getting additional training that would help support children who have exposure to trauma. In addition, the training they have received doesn't include classroom strategies or social-emotional materials that would address the uptick in trauma-impacted children. The purpose of this study was to look at the perspectives of early childhood educators when it comes to their …

Instructional Design: An Overview Of Critical Sources, Robyn Hartman

Library Faculty Publications

Instructional design serves as the backbone of effective education and training across diverse learning environments. From traditional classrooms to corporate training programs and online learning platforms, thoughtfully designed instruction creates the foundation for meaningful learning experiences. This essay provides a comprehensive overview of key resources in instructional design in higher education, offering both historical context and contemporary applications for professionals in the field. This essay is intended for novice higher education instructional designers seeking to build their foundational knowledge and experienced subject-matter educators looking to deepen their understanding of design principles and practices for their courses.

The Impact Of Teachers’ Cultural Competence On Curriculum Development In Advanced English Courses, Rhine D. Kirkland

Theses and Dissertations

As student demographics become increasingly more diverse, it is imperative that classroom teachers are responsive to the needs of learners from varied backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of teachers’ cultural competence on their curriculum development in advanced English courses. This case study provided insight on the use of administrative instructional coaching as a professional learning approach to aid in teachers’ creation and implementation of culturally responsive curriculums based on the tenets of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. The analysis and triangulation of survey, interview, document, and observation data yielded key themes regarding the considerations and conditions …

Impact Of Simulation On Project Management Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Student Perceptions: An Action Research Study With Non-Traditional Undergraduate Students In A Project Management Capstone Course, Deborah Marindin

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effectiveness of a project management simulation in enhancing non-traditional undergraduate students' project management knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceptions in a project management capstone course. The simulation tool, SimulTrain®, provided an authentic, real-world context to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Utilizing mixed-methods action research, the study comprehensively evaluated the simulation’s impact on students’ learning. The research was guided by three questions: (1) How does a simulation activity affect non-traditional students’ project management knowledge in a capstone course? (2) To what extent does the simulation impact their self-efficacy? (3) What are students’ perceptions of learning …

Exploring Professional Development Of Expatriate Teachers In Kuwait Through Mentoring, Taji Abdul-Raheem

Theses and Dissertations

Professional growth as a teacher is fundamental for teacher retention and an overall determinant of favorable student outcomes. Academic research underscores professional development as an indicator of success for a school’s success as well. Expatriate teachers in Kuwait, who comprise a significant portion of the workforce, come from various backgrounds and levels of readiness for teaching in a contextually and culturally unfamiliar setting. Due to how teachers are hired and approved for teaching without induction, an implementation for continuous professional development has yet to be materialized for teachers in the private sector. This qualitative study leverages Improvement Science to diagnose …

The Effect Of Integrating Augmented Reality (Ar) Technology In Science Education Teaching On Improving The Biological Concepts Learning Among Kindergarten Children, Kawthar Habeeb

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

This quasi-experimental study explored the impact of AR on acquiring biological concepts among kindergarteners. The sample comprised 30 second-level kindergarteners from a school in Farwaniya Educational Directorate, Kuwait. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 15), taught using AR, and a control group (n = 15), taught traditionally. Results revealed statistically significant di erences in biological concept understanding, favoring the experimental group. Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement from pre-test to post-test stages. These findings highlight the potential of AR to enhance learning outcomes in kindergarten biology education. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating AR …

Gender Representation Of Composers In Recommended Wind Band Literature And Prominent Performances, Devon Alexis Gray Porter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate gender representation in recommended literature in wind band repertoire and prominent performances. I collected data from music lists approved by the National Band Association (NBA) state chapters, programs from the Midwest Clinic and College Band Directors National Association, music vendor catalogues, the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, and Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Music Performance Assessment (MPA) past performances. I evaluated names of composers to determine the male-female ratios and quantities for recommended works from these sources. I conducted further analysis to determine if trends existed in the relationships between composer …

Volume 34, Number 2, Summer/Fall 2025, Office Of Communications, Illinois Wesleyan University

Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine, 2018-present

VOLUME 34 | NUMBER 2 | Summer/Fall 2025

ON OUR COVER:

The Illinois Wesleyan University archives, housed on the fourth floor of The Ames Library, holds many artifacts of IWU history, including the original university charter and a gold medal awarded to John Marden, clas of 1909, for his breakthrough work in atomic science and engineering.

18 175 Years of Illinois Wesleyan University. Celebrate IWU's history with a timeline of the last 175 years of our community's milestones.

26 Alumni Award Winners. Meet our Award Winners John Camardella '03, Natalie Lalagos '12, and Carol Willis '68.

Impact Of Participation In Extracurricular Activities On Female Students’ Motivation, Noha Ibrahim

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of extracurricular activities (ECAs) on academic motivation among female high school students at a semi-governmental international school in the UAE. It addressed three research questions: (1) the effect of ECA participation on academic motivation, (2) students’ perceptions of how these activities influence their motivation, and (3) teachers’ perspectives on their impact. I conducted this action research in a school of 4,500 K-12 students predominantly local and from high-income backgrounds with an international teaching staff. Participants included grade 11 and 12 female students (ages 16–18) enrolled in one of four clubs (Reading, International, Sports, and Art) …

Essential Characteristics And Perceived Needs Of Teachers And School Leaders Of Steam-Focused Elementary Schools: An Exploratory Study, Christopher Abbaleo

Theses and Dissertations

While STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education has traditionally been emphasized at the high school level, there is growing recognition of its importance in elementary education. This exploratory, action research multiple-case study identified the essential characteristics of two STEAM-focused elementary schools and how they are operationalized as well as the perceived needs of teachers and school leaders working within the schools. Within-case analyses and a cross-case synthesis revealed both common and distinct STEAM-focused curricular approaches, along with other commonalities such as enriching co-curricular offerings, connections to STEAM careers, professional development, teacher collaboration, visionary leadership, and networking with external …

“Freedom Looks Different For Everyone”: Transforming Pre-Packaged Literacy Programs Through Critical Literacy, Theodore Reginald Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The Hartford Area Education Network (a pseudonym) adopted EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) in response to the passage of the Right to Read Act by the Connecticut General Assembly. Multinational Magnet School, (a pseudonym) which is operated by the Hartford Area Education Network, uses EL Education for its literacy instruction in all kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms. Module 3 of the fourth-grade sequence discusses perspectives of the American Revolution, though it minimally discusses people of color. Guided by a theoretical framework that incorporates critical pedagogy, Critical Race Theory, and decolonizing pedagogy, my qualitative action research study looked at how critical literacy …

Causes And Effects Of Science Tutor Attrition At The Colleges Of Education In The Northern Zone Of Ghana: A Qualitative Study, Collins D. Amadu, Rose Dognia, Solomon Boachie, Taarique-Ahmad Yahaya

Journal of Global Education and Research

The study investigated the causes and effects of science tutor attrition in the colleges of education in the Northern Zone of Ghana. Three science and mathematics colleges were used for the study. The study adopted a qualitative approach with 9 participants who volunteered to take part. The interview guide was the sole instrument for data collection. The interviews were conducted through face-to-face and phone calls. The recorded conversations were transcribed and categorized into themes. The study found that the science tutor attrition rate was caused by several factors. These factors could be grouped into unmet expectations of the tutors and …

Effectiveness Of Digital Learning Materials On Students' Achievement In Science: A Meta-Analysis, Bingo L. Aligo, Maricar S. Prudente

Journal of Global Education and Research

Researchers have been examining educational resources and content to enhance and support the learning experience. As technology continues to transform the way we learn and access information, digital learning materials have become increasingly popular in modern education. This study looked at how different kinds of digital learning materials affected science students’ learning achievement. The moderator variables used were grade level (kindergarten, primary, intermediate, and secondary), subject (biological sciences, general science, and physical sciences), and length of exposure (1 to 3 weeks, 4 to 6 weeks, and 10 to 12 weeks). A total of 14 studies were considered, involving 789 students …

The Impact Of The Flipped Learning Approach On Student Engagement In A High School Chemistry Classroom, Alana Lyn Hicks

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research study investigated the impact of the flipped classroom approach on student engagement and attitudes within a science classroom. Data was collected using student-reported responses on the Classroom Engagement Inventory, Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, student journal entries, teacher reflective journals, and an observation tracking chart kept by the classroom teacher. Findings revealed that the flipped classroom model significantly increased affective and cognitive engagement among students in a larger class size, as well as for medium-achieving students and girls. These results suggest that while the flipped classroom has the potential to enhance engagement, its effectiveness is influenced …

Lessons In Game Use: Examining Engagement And Content Knowledge With The Use Of Digital Game-Based Learning Lessons In Biology, Rebecca Anne Valencia

Theses and Dissertations

According to both national and local data, students in high school biology classes are disengaged in content learning and do not demonstrate sufficient understanding of the content taught during units focused on the mechanisms of heredity and gene expression. Traditional teaching methods do not hold their interest which leads to disengagement and missed learning opportunities. The purpose of this action research was to evaluate the effect of digital game-based learning lessons on biology 1 students’ engagement and content knowledge application regarding the mechanisms of heredity and gene expression, as well as on the students’ perceptions of their digital game-based learning …

Reassessing Readiness: Physical Performance Trajectories And Future Physical Military Readiness, Giovanna Leone

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three studies integrating frequentist and machine learning techniques to examine physical fitness trajectories and future physical military readiness. Study 1 consists of a cross-sectional examination of Physical Fitness Test (PFT) scores from four cohorts of first-year Cadets at a Senior Military College from 2019 to 2022. Study 2 consists of a longitudinal examination of PFT performance from one cohort of Cadets across a baseline test and three years of training at a Senior Military College. Study 3 examines predictive machine learning and growth curve modeling methods to project future physical military readiness based on motor competence …

The Relationships Between Expectancy-Value Beliefs, Communal Value Beliefs, Family Identity, And Academic Persistence Among First- And Continuing-Generation College Students, Douglas W. Snuffer

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

First-generation college students (students for whom neither parent has a 4-year college degree) have lower college graduation rates than their continuing-generation peers (Cahalan et al., 2021; Fry, 2021). First-generation students may experience barriers to higher education, leading to lower levels of academic achievement motivation for college. Two of these barriers may include 1) cultural mismatch (Stephens, Fryberg, et al., 2012) with colleges via communal value (a value set that emphasizes community and family over the self) and 2) a strong sense of family identity, which lends itself to perceived family obligations (Fuligni et al., 2007). To examine the relationships between …

Why The “Whole Language Approach” To Reading Fails Ell Students & Instructional Strategies To Employ Instead, Caitlyn E. Petrus

Journal of English Learner Education

The research presented in this article demonstrates a qualitative view of the science of reading for phonemic awareness instruction, phonics instruction, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension strategies for English Language Learners (ELLs) in PK-12 schools. The research builds upon esteemed writers Dr. Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Sylvia Linan-Thompson’s work in their book Research-Based Methods of Reading Instruction for Learners, Grades K-4 and other reading experts such as Dr. Wiley Blevins and Dr. Lisa Moats to apply to the growing population for ELLs in PK-12 schools and how to shift from a “whole language classroom” to a classroom built on the …

Interdisciplinary Comparison Of Verb Complementation Patterns In Selected Nigerian University Course Textbooks: Insights From Humanities And Natural Sciences, Scholastica Chinyere Amadi

Journal of English and Applied Linguistics

This paper describes the variation in the distributions and use of verb complementation types and patterns in selected academic textbooks. The theoretical framework is Chomsky’s phrase structure grammar. The data, obtained from the first chapters, titled, ‘General introduction’ and ‘Atom and its structure’ of purposively selected English Studies and Physics textbooks, comprising 473 transitive verb phrases are manually analyzed. The findings reveal that three verb complementation types, mono-transitive, intensive, and complex-transitive, vary in patterns across the two textbooks with the mono-transitive V+NP and intensive V+NP patterns being dominant in English while the complex-transitive V+PP pattern dominates in Physics. The findings …

Waterpod: Evaluating Learner Engagement And Conceptual Understanding Through Gamified Virtual Reality, Leeza Eimeria Duller

Theses and Dissertations

The water and wastewater industry faces a growing workforce crisis due to high retirement rates, limited public awareness, and underrepresentation of technical talent. Traditional outreach methods have struggled to engage students or convey the complexity of water systems. This study evaluates WaterPOD, an interactive virtual reality (VR) simulation designed to introduce users to wastewater treatment processes and careers through immersive learning. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), and Constructivist Learning Theory (ConLT), the study examined how VR influences conceptual understanding and career perceptions. A mixed-methods study with 138 college students measured SCCT constructs, CLT- and …

Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education: A Case Study Of Faculty Teaching Methodologies At A Private University, Ellen Ramsey, George Antoniou, Matteo Peroni, Brent Muckridge, Raouf Ghattas, Philip L. Fazio, Wendy Wallberg, Saidi Porta, Gary Solomon, Mary Smith, Kristen Migliano, Karima Lanfranco, Lianfen Qian, David G. Wolf

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

This qualitative case study investigates faculty perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) integration within a private university context, examining pedagogical, administrative, and ethical implications. Data collected through semi-structured interviews with faculty across four disciplines revealed ambivalent yet cautiously optimistic attitudes. Participants acknowledged AI’s potential to enhance personalized learning and reduce bureaucratic burdens through automation. However, three critical barriers emerged: (1) insufficient institutional technological infrastructure, (2) lack of systematic faculty training programs, and (3) unresolved ethical dilemmas surrounding data privacy, algorithmic bias, and academic integrity. Notably, while faculty welcomed AI as a supplemental tool, they unanimously emphasized the irreplaceable role of human …

Endovascular Management For Refractory Hepatic Encephalopathy After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (Tips) Creation, Jacob Schneider

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation In Patients With Valvular Heart Disease, Fouad Khalil

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Chronic Immunosuppression May Increase The Risk Of Coronary Artery Perforation In Patients Undergoing Cto-Pci, Mina Bhatnagar

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Health Disparities Among Patients Referred To Multidisciplinary Heart Failure Clinic: A Retrospective Analysis, Garima Bhandari

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Improving Diagnostic Precision In Thyroid Pathology By Synergistic Use Of Ai And Molecular Markers, Sarah Azad

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Double Trouble: Coexistence Of Hodgkin And Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma With Chronic Itp And Cryptic Brain Metastasis, Durva Masih

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Characterizing Prostate Cancer Stage Migration And Subsequent Treatment Implications In The Psma Pet Era, Joseph Carmicheal

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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