Digital Commons Network^™

Initial Results From An Iterative Program Design For Educating Science Education Leaders, Elizabeth B. Lewis, Elizabeth Hasseler, Rachel Benzoni, Gina S. Matkin, Wendy Smith, Daniel R. Claes, David M. Harwood, L. J. Mcelravy, Dawn Jaramillo

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

Slides of a presentation given at the 2025 Annual International NARST Conference (March 23-26, 2025 : National Harbor, Maryland, United States) covering the initial results from an iterative program design for educating science education leaders.

Includes: Introduction, study rationale, grant-funded project and study focus, University of Nebraska-Lincoln National Science Foundation Noyce MTF project objectives, conceptual framework, ACESSES Framework for Equitable Science Learning, literature review overview, methodology, approach, research question, participants, data sources, analytic methods, research instrument, and overview of associated papers.

Dual Enrollment Course Location And Retention In Higher Education, Joanne Krueger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

College students in the United States begin their higher education journey intending to graduate, but almost 37% do not earn a degree. The problem addressed in this study is that while dual enrollment has been shown to affect graduation rates in higher education positively, it was unclear if the location of dual enrollment courses, high school or college campus, influenced retention at a southwestern United States community college. Using Tinto’s student integration theory, the research question sought to discover the extent to which the location of dual enrollment courses, high school or college campus, predicts student retention to the second …

The Lead, Mid-Spring 2025, Lindenwood University

The Lead

The Lead is an electronic newsletter produced by the Lindenwood College of Education & Human Services.

Changing Trajectory: An Academic Recovery Program For First-Year Students At Risk Of Non-Continuation At A Four-Year Public University, Cheryl Brattley

Education Doctorate Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of an academic recovery initiative implemented at a four-year public university to address the high attrition rates among first-year students not making satisfactory academic progress. The study employed quantitative methods to compare retention outcomes and academic progress between students who participated in the program and those who qualified but did not participate over a three-year time frame. Using archival data, including retention rates for both Fall and Spring semesters, cumulative grade point averages, and credit accumulation, the research also examined how demographic factors (race, gender, first-generation status, and Pell Grant eligibility) were associated with program …

The Kinematics And Aerodynamics Of Freely Flying Tiny Insects, Evan J. Williams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tiny insects are an extremely diverse set of organisms that have important engineering and economic applications. These organisms often fly and readily disperse distances that far exceed their body lengths. The mechanisms behind tiny insect flight are not well understood and present complex kinematics and unintuitive aerodynamics that depart from both fixed-winged mechanisms and larger insects. In addition, their tiny spatial and fast temporal scales make them exceedingly difficult to study, and to date, the field has relied on numerical studies and dynamic scaling. Herein, we describe three projects that significantly advanced our understanding of tiny insect flight and experimental …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The United States Higher Education System, Phoenix Daniel Van Wormer

University Honors Theses

In the spring of 2020, colleges across the United States rapidly transitioned to online/remote learning during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Since then, online and remote learning have evolved into an integral component of higher education. This thesis examines the extent to which COVID-19-mandated remote and online learning impacted students pursuing higher education in the United States. By utilizing research that compares academic structures before and after the pandemic, I demonstrate how the shift to online and remote learning has changed teaching and learning methods. I also evaluate the impact of these changes on student performance and engagement, with particular focus …

Human Research Ethics Policy, Munster Technological University, Ireland

Policies & Procedures Documents

This policy provides an overview of how human research ethics is governed at the University. All research activity that involves humans as research participants, as outlined in Section 3, is required to undergo a formal ethical review prior to commencement of the research.

Procedures For External Research Requesting Access To Mtu Research Participants, Munster Technological University, Ireland

Policies & Procedures Documents

The purpose of this procedures document is to specify the process of human research ethical (HRE) review of external research studies requesting access to MTU research participants. As per the Human Research Ethics Policy1 all research activity that involves humans as research participants, including the collection of biological samples from humans, is required to undergo a formal ethical review prior to commencement of the research.

Procedures For Review Of Human Research Ethics Application Forms From University Staff And Research Students (Masters And Phd), Munster Technological University, Ireland

Policies & Procedures Documents

The purpose of this document is to specify the procedures relating to human research ethical review of applications from University staff and research students (Masters and PhD). As per the Human Research Ethics Policy1 all research activity that involves humans as research participants, including the collection of biological samples from humans, is required to undergo a formal ethical review prior to commencement of the research.

Persistence, Mentorship, And Educational Achievement: Exploring The Daca Student Experience, Patricia F. Mejabi

Education Doctorate Dissertations

The study aimed to understand demographic, cultural, and ecological factors, as well as supportive assets like mentorship on the academic persistence and educational achievement of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students. DACA protects qualified individuals who arrived in the United States as children from deportation and grants them lawful permission to seek employment and educational opportunities.

Interviews of DACA students, and mentors and advocates of DACA students, were conducted to identify similarities, differences, and common themes. Despite DACA protection positively impacting the students' financial and academic success, limited socioeconomic conditions created a need for guidance or mentorship to help …

Cultivating Advanced Education For Christian Faculty In Higher Education Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Gary D. Hyrne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of cultivating advanced education for Christian faculty at higher education institutions in the United States. The central research question guiding this study asked: What are the experiences of Christian faculty cultivating advanced education in higher education institutions? The Christian faculty participants' research was guided by data on their lived experiences at private Christian institutions, state universities, or other secular institutions of higher education. Secular relates to the worldly or temporal, not overtly or specifically religious. Bandura’s social cognitive theory guided the study. The research design followed the recommendations of …

Interpreting The Re-Engagement Of Disenfranchised Youth With Disabilities Through The Lived Experiences Of Alternative High School Staff Members: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Stephanie Jean Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to interpret the lived experiences of re-engaging at-risk students with disabilities after disenfranchisement from traditional educational settings for non-compulsory alternative charter school staff members at Southwest Charter Academy in the Southwest United States. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner’s theory on bioecological systems, as it connects the influences of interactions to an individual’s development of behaviors. The central research question for this qualitative study asked: What are the lived experiences of non-compulsory alternative charter school staff members in the Southwest United States who work to re-engage at-risk students with disabilities after …

Lived Experiences Of High School Teachers' Professional Development Post-Covid-19 Pandemic In Rural Georgia: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study, Jesse Regalado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of high school teachers' professional development post-COVID-19 pandemic in rural Georgia, U.S.A. The theories guiding the research are Piaget's theory of disequilibration, addressing how one accommodates and assimilates to adapt to change, and Festinger's (1957) theory of cognitive dissonance, explaining how one adapts, assimilates, and accommodates to avoid disharmony. The study's central question is, what are high school teachers' perceptions on the practical or academic professional development they received post-COVID-19 pandemic in rural Georgia, United States, used to promote leadership, teaching mastery, or pedagogical practices? This study utilized …

Desired Student Learning Outcomes For Middle School Agricultural Education: A Modified Delphi Study, Jacob P. Englin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Middle school agricultural education programs across the U.S. have continued to increase, but modern systems have failed to provide support for the preparation of middle school agricultural education teachers. For instance, middle school teachers have expressed concern regarding the development and implementation of middle school agricultural curriculum. In response, this investigation sought to identify learning outcomes related to agricultural content, technical skills, and career readiness for middle school agricultural education. A modified, three-round modified Delphi study was used to identify these learning outcomes. The expert panelists consisted of 19 middle school agricultural education teachers who completed a teacher certification program …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And The Impact Of Resiliency On Child Behavior: A Quality Improvement Project, Macy Kraft

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences can have a significant impact on a person’s future health and wellness. Therefore, it is necessary for healthcare professionals to increase their understanding of possible mediating factors to lessen the impact of these experiences should they occur.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based quality improvement initiative designed to enhance the formal behavioral assessments of pre-school children following the participation of their caregivers in an ACEs and resiliency educational intervention.

Methods: Implementation of a two-armed intervention; a brief educational session aimed at providing an introduction to ACEs and a …

Raising Awareness About Hydrographic Careers Through Sea-Going Opportunities, Juliet Kinney, Rochelle Wigley, Sara Cardigos, Fahima Bellabad, Larissa Marques Freguette

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

There is a worldwide shortage of hydrographic personnel (van Wegen, 2021, Hydro International 2008).  Calls for action to address this issue include the IHO’s Hydrography at Sea opportunities, while intiatiative such as Seabed 2030 are bringing broader attention to the field and helping to catalyze new discussions and partnerships in hydrography (IHO, 2024).  The global sea floor mapping community needs to develop a broader workforce pipeline.  We would like to highlight the importance of providing time at sea and leadership opportunities in developing a robust workforce.  We start with an overview of a selection of current exchange and training programs …

“Burned At The Stake”: Unpacking Disinformation In The Story Of A Coach Allegedly “Terminated” For Expressing Anti-Transgender Women Athlete Beliefs, Ellen J. Staurowsky

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

On August 29, 2023, a video testimony entitled ‘Burned at the Stake’: One NCAA Coach’s Battle to Protect Women’s Sport was released. The film was part of a “female athlete storytelling series” developed and funded by the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) designed to support the IWF’s stated agenda to “fight to save women’s sports and counter the radical agenda that seeks to erase women” by allowing transgender girls and women on teams that match their identities. The central figure in the video is Kim Russell, then head women’s lacrosse coach at NCAA Division III Oberlin College, who claimed her right …

Fighting Instinct: The Brain, Emotions And Decision-Making In The Water, Jill Nash, Sam Hills

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This conceptual paper explores the complex interplay among the human brain, emotions, and decision-making processes, particularly in aquatic environments. Integrating insights from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioural economics, we investigate how instinctual responses and emotional states influence our decisions during water-related activities. By analysing both biological and psychological factors, the paper aims to illuminate the intricacies of human behaviour in various aquatic settings and highlights significant gaps in the research on emotional decision-making that warrant further investigation. Additionally, the paper suggests interventions, including plausible communication strategies, to mitigate the impact of instinctual responses and improve safety and decision-making efficiency.

Pain Education And Preparation Across Health Care Professions: A Scoping Review, Rodiel Kirby L. Baloy

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Introduction: There is an ongoing evolution in the understanding of pain biology and its underlying mechanisms. Healthcare professionals’ education and preparation must adapt to continue to provide effective management for individuals experiencing pain. A review of current studies in pain education and preparation across healthcare professions was performed. This scoping review provided theories and will be part of a larger study assessing pain preparation in physical therapy.

Methods: A scoping review of articles discussing pain education and preparation of healthcare professions, including dentistry (2), medicine (8), nursing (7), occupational safety and health (1), occupational and physical therapy (2), and …

The Supporting Role Of Physical Exercise In The Prevention And Treatment Of Neurodegenerative And Mental Diseases, Celestyna Grzywniak

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The aim of the article is to draw attention to the possibility of using physical exercises in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, dementia as well as mental disorders, particularly depression. This article emphasizes the significance of physical exercise in stimulating the nervous system, including the glial cells, as well as their role in the production of proteins called myokines and myostatins belonging to cytokines. It briefly characterizes the most common neurotrophins in the human body including the BDNF and their role in stabilizing and treating neurodegenerative and mental diseases. It presents the secretory functions of skeletal …

Community College Science Faculty’S Perceptions On Fidelity Of Implementation Of A Strategic Plan, Allison Santillo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The administration at a Mid-Atlantic regional community college in the United States created a strategic plan to increase students’ critical thinking and metacognition skills by focusing on improving students’ problem-solving skills with problem-based learning. However, the problem in this study was that the faculty’s fidelity of implementation (FOI) a strategic plan to implement metacognition instruction at a community college in the Mid-Atlantic U. S. region had not been effectively monitored. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate the FOI of metacognitive instruction to a strategic plan as perceived by the community college’s science faculty. Century et al.’s …

The Current - Volume 35 Issue 10, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Measuring Perceived Stress Levels And Physiological Variables In Undergraduate College Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Sarah J. Milner

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This study aimed to analyze changes in perceived stress and physiological variables in undergraduate students over one semester. A quasi-experimental study was conducted using non-random convenience sampling with 30 undergraduate students enrolled in an Introduction to Stress Management class at a small, regional institution in the upper Midwest in the fall of 2022.

Data collection included the use of the Perceived Stress Scale (i.e., PSS-10) and stress physiological variables (e.g., heart rate, breathing pattern, respiration rate). Participants were surveyed three times using pre-, mid-, and post-treatment assessments but ultimately, participants’ pre- and post-treatment surveys were compared. Both descriptive statistics and …

Investigating Racial Attitudes In Higher Education Student Affairs Professionals Using The Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (Cobras), Cindy Boe

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

Abstract

While the literature has documented the existence of colorblind racism in college students and faculty members, data about student affairs professionals (SAPs) are not yet clear. The purpose of this quasi-experimental interventional single group research was to assess SAPs using the Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS) to investigate whether colorblind racism is present within the culture of the student affairs profession. A pretest involved survey questions about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) statements and actions within higher education and reactions to quotations from public figures about race and society. Following a brief self-reflection about racial identity and related access …

Textbook Affordability Committee Minutes, March 12, 2025, Textbook Affordability Committee

Textbook Affordability Committee

No abstract provided.

The Lived Experiences Of Disabled Students In Inclusive Classrooms, Tanner Mizel

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of disabled students in inclusive classrooms, with a focus on those participating in extensive support needs (ESN) programs. Intentionally inclusive of students who communicate through diverse methods, including augmentative and alternative communication devices, picture exchange communication systems, American Sign Language, and other nonspoken forms, this phenomenological case study centers the perspectives of students in one middle school’s ESN program through mobile interviews and reflective document analysis. Student perspectives are triangulated through surveys reflecting the perspectives of parents, guardians, and school staff. Grounded in disability studies in education, this study challenges deficit-based approaches to inclusive …

اتجاهات أعضاء هيئة التدريس بكليات العلوم بجامعة طيبة نحو استخدام الجدل العلمي في تدريسهم, نواف بن مقبل السراني

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدفت الدراسة التعرف على اتجاهات أعضاء هيئة التدريس بجامعة طيبة نحو استخدام الجدل العلمي في تدريسهم، وقد استخدمت الدراسة المنهج الوصفي، من خلال استخدام مقياس اتجاه أعضاء هيئة التدريس نحو استخدام الجدل العلمي في تدريسهم تكون من (27) عبارة. تم تطبيقها على كليات العلوم والعلوم الطبية التطبيقية وكلية الصيدلة بجامعة طيبة وتكونت العينة من (445) عضو هيئة تدريس، وتم اجراء الدراسة في الفصل الدراسي الثاني من العام الدراسي 1444 ه. استخدمت الدراسة عدد من الاختبارات الإحصائية كالمتوسطات الحسابية والانحراف المعياري، وتحليل التباين الأحادي (ANOVA) واختبار ت. وقد أظهرت نتائج الدراسة أن هناك فروقاً ذات دلالة إحصائية لمتغير التخصص لصالح كلية …

Ai-Powered Education: Innovative Teaching Strategies To Elevate Student Learning, Karen J. Magruder, Ann M.L. Cavallo, Andrew M. Clark

Mavs Open Press Open Educational Resources - Archive

AI-Powered Education is a practical teaching resource crafted by educators, for educators, focusing on the integration of AI to enhance student learning. The book provides a collection of practical, step-by-step activities from a variety of disciplines in higher education. Each activity integrates AI tools and technologies into the classroom in innovative ways, with detailed guidance for instructors to seamlessly adopt these ideas.

Teacher Persistence: A Narrative Study On The Perceptions Of Career Oklahoma Teachers, Reggy Yount

Student Theses and Dissertations

The topic of this study identified characteristics of successful educators who had persisted as secondary classroom teachers in western Oklahoma. The problem that was studied was the teacher shortage that was impacting students in school districts throughout Oklahoma. The purpose of the study was to find the characteristics of individuals who had persisted in the field of education as classroom teachers. Human Capital Theory was the guiding theoretical framework, which provided a lens that views humans as the critical component in the success of systems. The methodology of this qualitative, narrative study included interviewing secondary classroom teachers in western Oklahoma …

Addressing The Disparity: Examining The Barriers To Success For Economically Disadvantaged Students In Advanced Placement, Brittany Culbreath

Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.) Dissertations

There are perceived barriers that impede students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who are identified as academically qualified for Advanced Placement coursework but do not enroll. Additionally, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds experience barriers to achievement while taking AP classes. These limitations impede students’ ability to perform optimally in a rigorous academic environment. The level of access students from low-SES backgrounds have once they enter AP courses is crucial. Equity can be an issue if there are barriers that need to be addressed for students and teachers. In terms of AP courses, existing gaps in the research need to be filled …