Digital Commons Network^™

Master’S Students: Experiences, Transitions, And Needs In The College Of Education, Brandi L. Sanchez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explores the experiences, transitions, and needs of first-year master’s students in education. Guided by Schlossberg’s Transition Model, the study examines how students perceive shifts in academic rigor, workload, and the increased self-direction required in graduate education. The case study used three data collection methods: semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observations that provided insights into the student perception of master’s students studying education’s experience, transition, and needs. Additionally, this case study enabled exploration of the research questions across six types of master’s programs within the College of Education. By focusing on the first year of graduate study, …

The Ai Litmus Test: Humanize, Deepen, And Delight K12 Learning, Scott H. Sorvaag

Essays in Education

This article introduces the AI Litmus Test, a practical framework designed to help educators evaluate when artificial intelligence meaningfully enhances K–12 learning. Grounded in a human-centered leadership stance, the framework asserts that effective AI use in schools must humanize learning, deepen student thinking, and reduce unnecessary burdens. Through conceptual framing, implementation guidance, and classroom snapshots, the article shows how AI can support connection, cognitive rigor, and joy when used with intentional pedagogical and ethical design. It also highlights risks such as dehumanization, cognitive offloading, and over‑automation, offering safeguards including verification routines, human‑authored feedback, and transparent ethics notes. The article concludes …

Master Scheduling: What And How School Leaders Prioritize, Patricia Bourgeault

JWU Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this Q-Methodology study was to investigate what school leaders with varying years of experience with master scheduling prioritize when building a master schedule, compare their similarities and differences, and explore how these school leaders described the prioritization process. This study was conducted in two phases. The participants in Phase I were identified using purposeful sampling from the Northeast, and the participants in Phase II were a subset of the Phase I participants. Phase I used a Q-sort of 32 priority statements about building a master schedule. Phase II used follow-up interviews to further explore how school leaders …

2026 March 11 - Undergraduate Curriculum Council Minutes, Undergraduate Curriculum Council, East Tennessee State University

Undergraduate Curriculum Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Utilizing School-Based Extracurricular Activities: An Embedded Single Case Study On How An Urban School District Combats Community Violence, Justin Errol Conyers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single-embedded case study was to understand how school-based extracurricular activities (SBEAs) were utilized to combat community violence among students in an urban school district. Social learning theory guided the study, providing a framework for examining how participation in extracurricular activities influenced students’ behaviors and attitudes through the modeling and reinforcement of positive social interactions. The central research question asked: How were school-based extracurricular activities utilized to model and reinforce behaviors that combat community violence among students? This qualitative study employed a single-embedded case study design. The sample consisted of teachers and administrators from one urban school …

Interpreting Public School Administrators' Experience Of The Transformational Leadership Style During An Educator Shortage: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Jennifer Rose Sweet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to interpret public school administrators' experiences with transformational leadership during an educator shortage. The research employed a hermeneutical-phenomenological approach, utilizing van Manen’s methodological data analysis procedures to capture the essence of the lived experiences of school administrators. Bass’s transformational leadership theory provided the framework for this study. Previous research has examined multiple factors related to leadership's connection to an educator shortage. This study aimed to explore administrators' lived experiences with the transformational leadership style and its impact on a teacher shortage in public schools. Using purposeful, convenience, and snowball sampling, school administrators were selected …

Analysis Of Student Satisfaction With The Ppg Student Registration Process At Universitas Negeri Malang Using The Servqual And Delone & Mclean Models, Dedi Prestiadi, Darmawan Satyananda, Dedi Tiarno

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims to analyze student satisfaction levels with the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) registration system at Universitas Negeri Malang using an integration of the SERVQUAL and DeLone & McLean models, as well as to develop a strategy for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) using Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. This study uses a descriptive quantitative approach with 10,701 student respondents from three registration stages (BGT 1, Kemenag, and BGT 2). The data collection instrument is a 1–5 Likert questionnaire covering three main aspects: requirements, process, and registration application. Data analysis was conducted through validity and reliability tests, multiple linear regression, and Principal …

Internal Quality Enhancement: Case Of A Uae Business School, Valentine Matthews

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

This paper presents a case study of a quality enhancement process of a small business school in the United Arab Emirates. The research explores this specific quality enhancement process with a focus on why it is implemented by the case institution and how it achieves quality improvement. The case quality enhancement process is an internal institutional approach that deviates from the Scottish Enhancement-Led Institutional Review approach. Articulation of the process is conducted from policy and practice. The articulation provides deeper and clearer understanding of the approach to quality enhancement, how it achieves quality improvements, and the leadership’s justifications for adopting …

Exploring The Experiences Of Physically Challenged Students Enrolled In Path-Fit Courses: A Case Study, Princess Jhoarn A. Sarael, Shermina C. Yusop, Jessel A. Lapinig, Chandelyn C. Linto, Vanessa Lynne C. Seville

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

This qualitative case study explores physically challenged students’ experiences in PATH-fit courses within Philippine higher education, investigating their challenges and adaptive strategies. Through in-depth interviews with five students and two instructors in Pagadian City, researchers uncovered significant barriers, including exercise difficulties, physical discomfort, and social exclusion that profoundly impacted course participation. Despite facing substantial obstacles, students demonstrated remarkable resilience by developing innovative coping mechanisms such as proactive instructor communication, creative alternative activity engagement, and strategic leveraging of written assignments. Employing Resiliency Theory, the research challenged conventional disability perspectives, emphasizing that students’ true potential lies in psychological flexibility and problem-solving skills …

An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Resilience And Self-Perceived Leadership Effectiveness In Academic Leaders In Higher Education, Jessica Ann Richards

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study presented a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between resilience, as measured by the Resilience in Midlife (RIM) scale, and self-perceived leadership effectiveness, as measured by the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI Self) scale, among a sample of 24 academic leaders from University A in the Midwest and University B in the Midsouth, guided by two research questions. The conceptual framework for this study included Positive Psychology Theory, Transformational Leadership Theory, and Resilience Theory. A quantitative correlation approach was employed, which aimed to explore the relationship between resilience, defined as the capacity to persevere and adapt in the face of …

The Need For Developing Psychologically Informed Physical Therapy Education, Dustin Cox

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Chronic pain presents a multifaceted challenge for healthcare providers, often impacting patients' physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Research indicates that individuals with chronic pain process pain through emotional and reward pathways in the brain, underscoring the need for integrative treatment approaches. Evidence supports the effectiveness of combining psychological interventions with physical rehabilitation to improve outcomes. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based behavioral therapy, has shown promise in addressing the psychological dimensions of chronic pain. However, physical therapists often lack formal training in ACT. This study protocol was designed to explore effective methods for educating physical therapists in ACT principles …

Provost’S Scholarly Dissemination Report: Une Authored Publications November 1, 2025, Through January 31, 2026, Une Office Of The Provost, Sonya Durney

UNE Provost's Reports

Scholarly dissemination report of UNE-authored publications during the period of November 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026. Prepared for the Academic, Student, and Research Affairs Committee Provost’s Report, March 2026.

Simulation Culture And Organizational Readiness In Social Work Education: Examining Faculty Perspectives., Kate Whitney

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Despite the growing emphasis on simulation-based learning (SBL), faculty perceptions of organizational readiness for this approach in social work education remain understudied. This exploratory mixed-methods study examined faculty readiness across two CSWE-accredited programs using the Simulation Culture Organizational Readiness Scale (SCORS) and qualitative open-ended questions (𝑁=21). Findings revealed modest and uneven readiness across both programs, with full-time faculty reporting significantly lower readiness scores than adjunct and part-time faculty. Qualitative data identified critical needs for foundational dialogue on SBL principles, strategic institutional investment, and targeted faculty development. Participants also expressed concerns regarding the pace of adoption and potential conflicts with the …

Digital Maker Education In Project-Based Learning Through Design For English As A Second Language Skills Development, Pratima Rani Banick

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating a Maker Education (ME) approach within the PLT design, assisted by Computer-Mediated Tools (CMT), in enhancing the reading skills of Grade 10 ESL learners (aged 15–16) in an online ELT setting. Motivated by the growing need to foster creative and critical thinking and to address learners' lack of interest in traditional approaches to teaching academic reading, the study adopts an experimental design. Students were divided into two groups—a control group (n = 10) and an experimental group (n = 10)—using random sampling. The control group received instruction using the conventional teaching approach, while …

Examining The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership Behaviors And Faculty Job Satisfaction At Hbcus: An Explanatory Correlational Study, Demissie L. Karorsa, Monica E. Allen

Journal of Research Initiatives

By inspiring followers to pursue and attain exceptional levels of performance, transformational leadership (TL) has been associated with high levels of follower job satisfaction and organizational commitment (Asencio, 2016; Banks et al., 2016; Bass & Riggio, 2006). The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine faculty perceptions of transformational leadership behaviors of their department chairs and their own job satisfaction at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the southeastern United States. The transformational leadership dimensions examined were idealized attributes (IA), idealized behaviors (IB), inspirational motivation (IM), intellectual stimulation (IS), and individualized consideration (IC). Data were collected using …

Theorizing The Potential Of Lo-Fi Music And Ai-Driven Innovations To Foster Academic Focus And Well-Being, Oksana Karapetian, Simone Elias, Linda Wilson-Jones

Journal of Research Initiatives

This conceptual paper examines the potential of lo-fi music as a tool for enhancing academic focus and well-being among students. Drawing from cognitive and psychological perspectives, as well as historical and educational frameworks, this study explores the implications of integrating lo-fi music into learning environments. Research suggests that background music can influence cognitive performance, memory retention, and emotional regulation (de Witte et al., 2019; Fancourt et al., 2016), making it a compelling subject for investigation. Additionally, advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), and automation have introduced new possibilities for personalizing and optimizing background music in educational settings. …

The Campaign For Motivation: Comparing Tabletop Role-Playing Game Running With Classroom Instruction, Arpit Bawa

Journal of Research Initiatives

Motivation is a cornerstone of effective teaching and learning, influencing student engagement, satisfaction, and academic performance. This descriptive case study examines Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TRPGs) as an underutilized pedagogical approach in higher education and compares the motivational processes involved in TRPG game running with those in classroom instruction. Leveraging the mere exposure effect (Zajonc, 1968), the study proposes that faculty unfamiliar with TRPGs can lower perceived barriers to adoption by identifying familiar motivational elements shared with classroom teaching. The study draws on self-determination theory, motivational frameworks, and case study methodology to analyze structural parallels between TRPG game mastering and instructional …

Work Environments Matter: The Impacts Of Interpersonal Relationships On Student Affairs Professionals, Lawrence R. Daniel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined how everyday workplace relationships influence engagement, professional identity, and retention among student affairs professionals in higher education. Guided by relational leadership theory, the study explored how leadership is experienced not only through formal position or authority, but also through relational presence, psychological safety, and advocacy. Seventeen student affairs professionals representing diverse institutional types, geographic regions, and career stages participated in in-depth semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and incorporated both in vivo and line-by-line coding to ensure that findings remained grounded in participants’ voices and lived experiences. Nine themes emerged from the analysis. …

Intersecting Identities: The Leadership Journeys And Challenges Of Black Women Senior Leaders In Southern U.S. Predominantly White Institutions, Quizanae' Yvonne Cooper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study looked at what Black women in high‑level leadership roles are experiencing at predominantly White institutions in Texas and Florida now that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies have been rolled back. Using Black feminist theory and intersectionality as the foundation, the research focused on how race and gender shape their leadership, their decision‑making, and the ways they navigate their careers. Through in‑depth interviews with 10 Black women in executive positions, the study uses a narrative approach to understand their stories. Eight major themes emerged, and many participants explained that losing DEI initiatives created new obstacles, reduced support systems, …

Braving Ai In Tertiary Education: Generative Artificial Intelligence And Chatbots In Civics, Magdalena Brzezinska

Journal of Research Initiatives

This article explores tested strategies for the responsible and inclusive use of text- and video-generating artificial intelligence (GenAI) and educational chatbots in university classrooms, with a focus on foreign language learners, including students from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Drawing on case studies from WSB Merito University in Poznan, Poland, the author presents methods for integrating AI in civics education in a culturally relevant and equitable manner, emphasizing the importance of responsible technology use. The strategies discussed are adaptable to various tertiary education settings and aim to enhance global skills, foreign language proficiency, AI literacy, and visual literacy among college students. …

Pennies In The Bank: Building Background Knowledge, Brooke Lee Webster

Journal of English Learner Education

Abstract

Across the United States, teachers are met with stringent time requirements that may not align with the needs of the students inside the classroom. This paper explores the efforts of condensing and prioritizing in a diverse classroom. Through a reflective narrative of teaching comprehension to emerging bilingual students, this paper presents a structure that leverages morning meetings and discussion as prongs for maximizing the benefit of students within limited instructional minutes. Tasks that build competence, confidence, and connection cycle to foster the environment that students need to thrive. Additionally, this paper investigates the role of building background knowledge in …

Differentiated Instruction For Multilingual Learners: A Thematic Analysis Of Research And Practice, Mohsine Bensaid, Jiayuan Jiang

Journal of English Learner Education

Differentiated instruction (DI) is widely promoted as a means of supporting diverse learners, yet its enactment for multilingual learners (MLs) remains uneven and under-theorized in mainstream classrooms. This study examines how DI is conceptualized and implemented to support MLs by attending to learners’ linguistic, cultural, and academic profiles. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this qualitative synthesis examines 20 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2010 and 2024 in English-medium K–12 contexts in the United States, with particular attention to elementary settings when specified. Analytic interpretation was supported by practitioner-based reflection functioning as an interpretive lens rather than a separate data source. Four …

A Quasi-Experimental Study On The Effectiveness Of Achieve3000 On The Reading Comprehension Scores Of Ells With Ld, Paula P. Fields

Journal of English Learner Education

The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was to determine if a significant difference existed in the comprehension scores of secondary English Language Learners with learning disabilities after treatment. The problem addressed is that a significant correlation exists between English language learners and learning-disabled students’ low reading proficiency scores and student achievement, leading to decreased graduation rates. Schema theory served as the theoretical foundation of this research because when the appropriate schema is activated, it helps increase comprehension. The research question guiding this study was: Is there a significant difference between the reading comprehension scores of high school English language …

Reading Comprehension Interventions For Multilingual Learners With Disabilities: A Systematic Review, Sariya Shabnam, Jennifer E. Smith, Samiratu Bashiru

Journal of English Learner Education

Multilingual learners with disabilities (MLWDs) face substantial barriers to reading comprehension given the intersecting challenges of language acquisition and disability (Artzi et al., 2022; Frates et al., 2024). Students with disabilities often need explicit, strategy-based instruction with modeling, guided practice, and scaffolding (Frates et al., 2024; Wawire et al., 2024; Moura, 2024). When learners are also multilingual, interventions must be linguistically accessible and responsive to diverse cognitive profiles (Moura, 2024; Sarisahin, 2020). MLWDs comprise 15.8% of English learners in U.S. public schools (NCES, 2024), yet research on effective comprehension interventions remains limited; most studies treat multilingual learners or students with …

Institutionalizing A Culture Of Respect For Teaching And Professional Faculty, Laura E. Sponsler

Higher Education: Faculty Scholarship

The University of Denver has made great strides in improving faculty work and culture with the creation of full time non-tenure track lines – the Teaching and Professional Faculty. In 2015, DU’s faculty senate and Board of Trustees approved and created professional pathways with promotion, longer term contracts, and defined responsibilities for Teaching and Professional Faculty. Compared to other universities and colleges, our current strengths include multi-year contracts, participation and leadership in university governance, opportunities for advancement and promotion, and collegiality amongst faculty members.

This white paper serves to examine the institutionalization of these lines and the current status of …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Graduate Council Meeting, February 27, 2026, Marshall University Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Justice Implications Of Public-School Discipline For African American Students In The Usa, Dr. Demeka Denay Simmons, Dr. Festus Obi

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

National data illustrates that using exclusionary discipline practices has resulted in disproportionality and overrepresentation in school discipline. Additionally, research also illustrates that African Americans have been overrepresented in exclusionary discipline at higher rates than their White counterparts. This study aimed to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in the percentage of exclusionary discipline practices between African American and White students based on school district settings within Texas. The researchers analyzed archival data from 673 students in grades 3-12 enrolled in a Texas public school. The statistical tests used to analyze the research questions included Chi-Square and multinomial logistic …

The Role Of Self-Awareness, Advocacy, And Support In Stem Success: Stories From Landmark College's Aie-Stemplos Program, Anastasio Bonhomme, Jaden Clark, Madison Wan, Gabrielle Woolgar, Rebecca Matte, Christin B. Monroe

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Neurodivergent individuals bring unique perspectives and talents to STEM fields while facing distinct challenges, particularly in higher education environments that often rely on traditional learning models. Landmark College’s AIE-STEMPLOS program provides an innovative framework to empower neurodivergent STEM scholars by fostering self-awareness, advocacy, and community support. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and strengths-based approaches, the program leverages tools like the Birkman Method® to help students articulate their strengths and communication styles in professional terms. This paper examines how accessible learning strategies, peer mentorship, and individualized advising cultivate belonging, confidence, and resilience among neurodivergent STEM scholars, offering a …

The Role Of Campus Symbols In College Student Belonging: A Photo-Elicitation And Photovoice Qualitative Study, Abigail W. Bradley-Tyler

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the impact of campus symbols on the sense of belonging among second-year students at a public, four-year institution in Florida. This topic is relevant as there is a lack of research about positive or neutral campus symbols. Using sense of belonging and symbolic interactionism as theoretical frameworks, this study investigates how students interpret and emotionally connect with university symbols, including campus mascots, monuments, personnel, and campus traditions and rituals. Using photo-elicitation and photovoice interviews, participants engaged with photographs of official university symbols and captured images representing their campus experience. Using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, the …

Collaborative Learning In Clinical Education As A Catalyst To Support Foundational Professional Competencies In Speech-Language Pathology: A Theoretical Framework, Lori-Ann Ferraro

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

As a part of every speech-language pathology graduate program in the US, clinical education is an integral and required element for both academic accreditation and the eventual clinical certification for students. Clinical education is significantly important when considering overall educational models because it is an aspect of a student’s education that contributes to their ability to make connections between what is learned in the classroom and its real-world clinical application while contributing to the acquisition of competencies. The 2:1 collaborative learning model is supported by sound learning theories and evidence from the literature. A theoretical framework was created to demonstrate …