Digital Commons Network^™

Smart Education Across Academic Disciplines: A Systematic Literature Review, Billy T.M. Wong, Kam Cheong Li, Mengjin Liu

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Smart education has been practiced in many academic disciplines. To investigate the relationship between the implementation of smart education and the nature of academic disciplines, this paper presents a systematic review to address the literature gap. The study synthesized 110 journal articles collected from Scopus, which were published between 2010 and 2022 and reported smart education practices in higher education. Academic disciplines involved in the practices were categorized into Hard-Pure, Soft-Pure, Hard-Applied, and Soft-Applied based on the Biglan’s classification. The results illustrated that the practices were implemented mainly at the undergraduate level, and most frequently in the language and computer …

5e-Flipped E-Learning: A New Interactive Framework Of Speaking Instruction For Efl Learners, Dewi Surani, Yan Mujiyanto, Rudi Hartono, Zulfa Sakhiyya

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This case study aims to investigate the implementation of the 5E-flipped approach combined with an interactive e-learning module (5E-flipped e-learning) as a novel framework for teaching speaking skills. It focuses on how this model creates an e-learning environment that enhances EFL learners’ speaking abilities. A total of 23 law students were selected as participants using a purposive sampling technique with some specific criteria. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, observation, and documentation techniques and were then thematically analyzed. The findings indicated that the 5E-flipped e-learning provides a new structured framework for improving law students’ speaking skills within a focused and …

Integration Of Design Thinking And Educational Technology Into Science Education: A Conceptual Framework For The Development Of Sustainability Competencies, Ashish Saseendran, Mary Vineetha Thomas

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study presents a conceptual framework that integrates Educational Technology (EdTech) and Design Thinking (DT) to develop sustainability competencies among secondary school science students. Grounded in UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), the framework promotes systems thinking, strategic action, collaboration, and critical problem-solving. It blends Design-Based Learning (DBL) principles with the iterative stages of the Design Thinking process—Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—supporting curriculum-aligned, competency-based learning. By incorporating advanced EdTech tools such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), gamification, and learning analytics, the framework enhances student engagement and enables comprehensive assessment practices. …

Assessing Teachers’ Conceptual Leadership Perceptions Of School-Site Administrators As An Approach To Improve Teacher Morale, Darlene C. Landy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to have teachers complete a self-assessment survey to assess their conceptual belief of the leadership styles of school-site administrators that are conducive to high teacher morals. The questions addressed how teacher morale affected the teachers according to the number of years they had been teaching, their college majors, their highest college degree, their gender, and their ethnicity. The teachers who participated in this study were volunteers who had to be teaching for 2 years or more.

This was a quantitative study that used the Teacher Rapport With Principal dimension of the Purdue Teacher Opinionnaire …

Gvsu Press Releases, 2025, Grand Valley State University

University Press Releases, 1961-Present

A compilation of press releases for the year 2025 submitted by University Communications (formerly News & Information Services) to news agencies concerning the people, places, and events related to Grand Valley State University.

The Path From Acceptance To Adoption For Linguistic Innovations Dealing With Gender In The Language Classroom, Juan Carlos Acevedo Fontecha

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the factors influencing the acceptance, rejection, or adoption of gender inclusive and gender-non-identifying forms among language users. The study draws on responses from 25 students in a linguistic class to evaluate innovations in English and from 23 instructors of Spanish to evaluate innovations in Spanish. Participants took part in a survey designed to evaluate existing forms endorsed by the United Nations, and gender-non-identifying forms, such as the -e morpheme in Spanish or singular they in English, promoted by community-generated guides. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed side by side to better understand the participants’ reasoning regarding these …

Savior To Ally: Exploring White Students' Decisions To Major In Social Work Through The Lens Of White Saviorism, Amy S. Dennison

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how white students chose social work as a major and how white savior ideology reinforced or challenged students’ choices. The study contributes to a gap in the literature regarding white saviorism and social work education. Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews from five undergraduate social work students at one Midwestern state university. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using Moustakas’ data analysis for phenomenology framework. The findings revealed that participants chose social work because of an intent to help others, as well as a desire for their work to have a meaningful impact. White …

Effectiveness Of Multimodal Communicative Practices In Higher Artistic Education: An Analysis Of Contemporary Approaches, Mariia Tkach, Alla Kozyr, Mykhailo Mymryk, Nadiia Holubytska, Iryna Khomych

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The relevance of the study is driven by the fact that in today’s world, higher education is increasingly oriented towards interactivity and the utilization of various resources. The aim of this article is to explore various aspects of multimodality and formulate key communicative practices in higher artistic education. Addressing the stated problem is based on theoretical methodology, including methods such as surveys, analytical approaches including historical and hermeneutic analysis, comparative methods, and systematization. Research findings demonstrate that multimodality effectively enriches the learning process, fosters critical thinking, and deepens understanding of subjects. Digital technologies contribute to enhancing students’ technological literacy, preparing …

Enhancing Key Digital Competence In Pre-Service Kindergarten Teachers: A Design-Centered Spoc Blended Learning Model, Lingming Lu, Jirarat Sitthiworachart, Sirirat Petsangsri

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

As our world becomes increasingly digital, educators must possess strong digital skills to effectively prepare their students for the future. However, traditional teacher education programs often neglect the cultivation of digital competence. To address this gap, this study developed a Design-Centered SPOC Blended Learning (DCSBL) model to enhance the digital competence of pre-service kindergarten teachers. The DCSBL model integrates elements of blended learning, design-based learning, and digital competency training strategies. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this model. The results indicated that the experimental group, which received DCSBL instruction, significantly outperformed the control group in terms …

The Effect Of Immersive Virtual Reality-Enhanced Experiential Learning On Middle School Students’ Knowledge Retention, Creativity, And Perceptions, Yang Liu, Xiaoxia Huang, Jing Lei

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

While immersive virtual reality (IVR) shows promise as an educational tool, its effectiveness in facilitating cognitive achievement and learning experiences among young learners remains underexplored. This study adapted Kolb’s experiential learning theory to design, develop, implement, and examine an IVR-supported experiential learning model (IVR-ELM) within middle-school Arts lessons. Using a quasi-experimental method, quantitative and qualitative data indicated IVR-supported experiential learning facilitated middle school learners’ cognitive and affective outcomes. Quantitative results revealed significantly higher knowledge retention, creative design abilities, engagement, interest, and perceived competency in the IVR group compared to a traditional classroom. Qualitative data revealed students’ overall positive learning experience …

Students’ Perceptions Of Higher Education Assessment Practices In The Context Of Artificial Intelligence In Ghana, Michael Owusu Tabiri, Opoku Gyabaah, Ivy Jones-Mensah, Patience Calys-Tagoe

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study aims to investigate the experiences of university students on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for assessment in higher education in Ghana. A quantitative survey approach was employed, using an online questionnaire administered to target participants across five public universities. The findings from a final sample size of 509 indicate varying levels of exposure to AI-based tools for assessment, learning, and research. It was found that the majority of the respondents have occasionally (n=218, 42.8%) been assessed using AI-based tools, while very few have very often (n=35, 6.9%) used AI-based tools for assessment as students. It was also …

Development Of Computational Thinking Tests On Genetic Concepts Using Bear Assessment System, Muhammad Rafik, Dewi Murni, Siti Gia Syauqiyah Fitri, Indah Juwita Sari

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study aims to develop and assess the feasibility of a computational thinking skills test instrument on genetic concepts for high school students. The method used is Research & Development (R&D) with the Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research (BEAR) Assessment System design, which includes construct maps, item design, outcome space, and measurement models. The study was conducted in seven public high schools in Banten and the Biology Education Department of Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa in January-May 2024. The instrument’s feasibility was assessed using expert assessments (materials, evaluation, and practitioners), analysis of trial data, and student assessments via questionnaires. The average …

Campesino World-Building: Stories Of Migration, Memory, And Care In The Tension Of The Colonial Frame, Chelsea Ríos Gómez

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Campesinos, often reduced to the label of “farmworkers”, are too often seen only through the lens of their labor within profit-driven systems. This thesis disrupts that limited narrative by illuminating the rich, expansive nature of vivencias campesinas, ways of being that transcend capitalist measures of value. These vivencias are lived, embodied experiences rooted in campesino lifeways, encompassing cultural, spiritual, and relational practices that nurture and sustain life.

My research is guided by four central questions: (1) In what ways have campesinos in pixley resisted exploitative labor systems, and how can this resistance be understood as a form of care labor? …

Backyard Chimeric Microbiomes: K-12 Participatory Science, Abigail Saucier

Honors Theses and Capstones

The US education system has seen a recent push for more secondary school curriculum to include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) materials and activities. Middle and high school is a pivotal time when academic and personal experiences affect the development of student attitudes towards STEM (Christensen et al., 2015; Moreno et al., 2016). Teachers often utilize hands-on activities to promote student engagement with science curriculum (Brooks & Poles, 2021; Christensen et al., 2015). Hands-on activities improve student learning, but impacts vary by type of activity. When students work towards a known outcome they can feel disconnected from the work …

Lead The Way: 2024-25 Report Of The President, Office Of The President, Gonzaga University

Office of the President Publications

Each year, Gonzaga University's Office of the President produces an annual Report of the President. This publication that highlights just a few of the many accomplishments over the previous academic year, and is intended to convey gratitude to our Trustees and Regents, benefactors, and many supporters.

Towards Supporting Undergraduate Students To Become Lifelong Learners: A Multimethod, Multimodal, And Multigranular Analysis Of Motivation And Self-Regulated Learning In Context, Sierra Outerbridge

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This publication-based dissertation includes three manuscripts with distinct statistical methods to investigate self-reported motivation, self-reported self-regulated learning (SRL), and enacted SRL processes in undergraduate student contexts towards understanding how students learn how they learn.

The first manuscript focused on 1248 undergraduate statistics students, utilized self-reported motivation, and interpreted logfile data of time spent within an online textbook through the lens of SRL using hierarchical cluster analysis followed by k-means cluster analysis to identify four distinct motivation clusters. Results from a repeated measures ANOVA suggest that students did not spend time differently within the textbook, whereas there were differences between motivation …

Educational Games For Science Learning: A Teacher`S Toolkit For Board And Card Games To Support Active Science Learning, Kiran Qasim Ali, Wadhwani Nimarta, Ruby Bano

Books

This booklet aims to restore science education to its roots in inquiry and exploration. By incorporating play into science teaching, it seeks to rekindle the interest and engagement that conventional methods frequently diminish. Play is not a mere break from learning; it involves experimentation, decision- making, and discovery - processes that are essential both to childhood and to understanding science.
The games presented here connect curriculum goals with interactive, purposeful activities. They provide teachers with structured yet flexible tools to promote active learning, deepen conceptual understanding, and foster student participation. Each game reflects the realities of local classrooms while offering …

Effects Of Active Learning In An Undergraduate Physiology Class Using Hands-On And Simulation Labs, Ainsley C. Frayer

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Increasing student engagement has shown positive effects on students and can be achieved by incorporating active learning strategies in the lab. Currently, the undergraduate human physiology lab at Missouri State University utilizes simulations to practice physiological concepts. The proposed project aims to evaluate if incorporating hands-on labs would improve student learning and/or their engagement. The hypothesis is engagement will be increased in hands-on labs, but grades will not differ significantly, based on previous literature. Three simulations were replaced with hands-on lab software to evaluate engagement and learning. Student engagement was assessed using a voluntary, anonymous survey. Exam average scores were …

Social Determinants Of Mental Health Outcomes, Ariana Fein

Honors Theses

Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, are a growing global concern with profound consequences on individuals' well-being and societal functioning. The burden of these disorders is not only psychological but also economic, affecting quality of life. Mental health outcomes are heavily influenced by a range of social determinants, such as financial status, education, and access to healthcare. While extensive research has focused on WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these determinants affect mental health in low-resource settings or non-WEIRD countries. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring the …

Big Tracks, Little Tracks: Following Animal Prints (1999) By Millicent E. Selsam, Maughn Rollins Gregory

Picture Books

Coming up with the most reasonable explanation of the available clues is something we all do on a daily basis. This book describes animal tracks as clues from which children can make inferences about what kind of animal left them and what they were doing when they did.

Reflections On Crafting A Framework Companion Document For And By Science And Technology Librarians, Dawn Cannon-Rech, Allison B. Brungard, Rachel Hamelers, Rebecca Kuglitsch, Rebecca Renirie

University Libraries: Faculty Publications

Abstract unavailable.

How Do Couples Of Autistic Children Perceive Their Quality Of Life? A Case Study Featuring Sequential Mixed Methodology, Amanda Duncan Dr.

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Families who have autistic children report significantly lower quality of life indicators than neurotypical families and those with other developmental disabilities (Bitsika & Sharpley, 2004; Brown et al., 2006; Charnsil & Bathia, 2010; De Sousa, 2010; Merkaj et al., 2013). However, the reports fluctuate between family members as mothers report more mental health challenges than fathers, including stress, anxiety, and depression (Dabrowska & Pstiula, 2010; Hodapp et al., 2003; Merkaj et al., 2013). Yet, these findings are based on the limited research that has been done on fathers and couples (Cheuk & Lashewicz, 2015; Osborne & Reed, 2008; Papageorgiou & …

Designing A Tpack-Based Mobile Learning Model For Biology Education Using Nominal Group Techniques, Cik Jamaliah Abd Manaf, Shakinaz Desa, Muhammad Ikhwan Mat Saad, Helen Crompton

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Mobile learning (m-learning) enhances STEM education, particularly in biology, by supporting visualization and interaction. However, a structured framework integrating technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) is essential. This study designs a TPACK-based mobile learning model for biology using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). A workshop with 10 experts identified seven key components and 67 elements, with nine elements rejected due to low consensus. The validated framework will guide model development using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) to enhance critical thinking, collaboration, and digital citizenship, ultimately fostering effective mobile learning environments for biology education.

Demystifying Misconceptions In Introductory Undergraduate Chemistry Education With 3d Printed Molecular Orbitals, Hiwot Endeshaw, Daniel J. O'Leary

Pomona Senior Theses

Spatial abilities are invaluable skills for the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. However, women, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and ethnic minorities are more likely to have less developed spatial abilities, which is one of the many contributing factors for the lack of diversity in STEM subjects like chemistry. Teaching spatial skills to undergraduate chemistry students may address this issue and help increase the diversity of students who go on to continue their education in the subject. 3D printing technology in higher education has exploded in recent years, presenting a unique opportunity to teach “hard to grasp” concepts …

“Nice To See You”: Addressing Plant Awareness Disparity With Locally Specific Ecological And Cultural Plant Education, Cecilia Muecke

Pomona Senior Theses

Plants form the basis of life on Earth. However, due to the phenomenon of plant awareness disparity, a self-perpetuating cycle whereby plants are overlooked on an individual and global level ensues. Lack of plant awareness leads to a lessened emphasis on plants in sustainability and conservation as well as biology education, resulting in negative impacts on biodiversity and food security. The severity of plant awareness disparity is dependent on cultural context, and Indigenous and/or traditional societies are less likely to experience plant awareness disparity because of they are typically more connected to plants for their everyday needs. Native plants are …

The Effect Of Need For Closure, Gender Essentialism, And Contact On Transphobia, Jacob E. Vargas

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Using a motivated social cognition framework, this study explores whether there is an indirect effect of need for closure on transphobia via gender essentialism and whether this relationship is moderated by transgender contact. Data were collected from an undergraduate sample of 405 cisgender participants (n_men = 159, n_women = 246). A simple mediation and a moderated mediation were used to examine the hypothesized relationships, controlling for participant gender. Results reinforced the positive correlation between gender essentialism and transphobia and the negative correlation between transgender contact and transphobia. However, the mediation and moderation hypotheses were not supported. Need …

Sticking Out And Fitting In: Experiences Of Black And Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Students At Scripps College, Grace Njoki Gitau

Scripps Senior Theses

There is a lack of research about the experiences of students of color at predominantly white women’s colleges. Women’s colleges are institutions that have evolved over hundreds of years to support the education of marginalized genders, including transgender women and nonbinary people in recent years. Many women’s colleges have a white majority of students, which can have adverse effects on students of color pursuing their education. Collecting data from Scripps College, a women’s college with 40% students of color, 12 interviews were conducted with students who self-identified as Black or Asian American. Results found that students of color who experience …

The Antibiofilm Efficacy Of Copper And Zinc-Enhanced Borate Bioactive Glasses On Polymicrobial Biofilms, Sarah Fakher, David J. Westenberg

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are a significant global challenge driven by biofilm-forming pathogens. Polymicrobial biofilms, involving interactions between multiple microbial species, exacerbate treatment difficulties due to their enhanced resistance to antimicrobial therapies. Borate bioactive glasses (BBGs) are an emerging class of biomaterials that have attracted significant interest in infection control. The incorporation of copper and zinc into the BBG matrix can effectively disrupt biofilm formation and bacterial colonization. This study investigates the antibiofilm efficacy of copper and zinc-doped BBGs against polymicrobial biofilms formed by S. epidermidis, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. Using static and dynamic biofilm models, BBGs were applied through …

The Role Of Organizational Routines In Perpetuating Disparities Among African American Students In Secondary Advanced Academic Programs: A Mixed Methods Study, J. Nichelle Wimbush

Theses and Dissertations

The academic excellence gap, which refers to the disproportionalities of minority groups in advanced academic programs, presents challenges for educational leaders striving to provide access to equitable educational opportunities for all students. This study, guided by Charles Tilly’s opportunity hoarding, examines the systematic underrepresentation of African American students in advanced academic programs. Using a transformative mixed methods design, the researcher analyzes enrollment patterns, the intersectionality of race and gifted identification in K-5, and teacher and leader perceptions of how organizational routines influence student enrollment in advanced academic courses, grades 9-12, in a school district in West Central Georgia. Redacted student …

How Do School Counselors And School Social Workers Support High School Bullying Victims: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study, Dalentina N. Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

Bullying and student aggression are increasing in public high schools. Bullying and cyberbullying are a safety concern, and victims of bullying have shown a decline academically and emotionally. Additionally, high schools need increased support with bullying behaviors. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to explore school counselors’ and school social workers’ insights and perspectives regarding the support they provided to bullying victims in two school districts in rural Georgia. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory was the framework used to focus research on understanding how environmental systems influence an individual’s development. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from a purposeful sample of …