Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Teachers’ Feedback Practices And Its Influence On Students’ Learning In Competency-Based Curriculum: A Case Of A Selected Secondary School In Central Division, Arua City., Anziku Sunday Oyeeson

Master of Education

This study explored teachers’ feedback practices and its influence on student learning in Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in a selected lower secondary school in Central Division, Arua City. The study aimed at exploring how teachers’ feedback impacts on students’ competency development and its related challenges in CBC. The study used a qualitative research approach to engage two school administrators, three lower secondary class teachers and five students through interviews, lesson observations, focus group discussion and document analysis. The data was transcribed using Ms Word, coded using colors and themes derived through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that in addition to written …

Exploring The Influence Of Standardized Assessment As A Tool For Enforcing Teacher Accountability On Teaching And Learning In Selected Public Secondary Schools In Nanyamba Town Council, Mtwara, Charles White Mbunga

Master of Education

This research study aimed to explore the influence of standardized assessments as a means of enforcing teacher accountability in public secondary schools in Nanyamba Town Council, Mtwara region, Tanzania. The study employed a qualitative research approach and a case study design, focusing on two public secondary schools. Purposive sampling, simple random sampling, and stratified random sampling techniques were used to select two heads of schools, ten teachers, and four parents, respectively. Data collection methods included face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. The findings emphasize stakeholders' support for a collective and holistic approach to education accountability, emphasizing the role …

A Looming Crisis: Exploring How Human-Wildlife Conflict Affects Provision Of Quality Education In Kenya., Raphael Mugho Maghanga

Master of Education

This research aimed to investigate the impact of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) on the provision of quality education in Kenya, with a particular focus on schools in Taita-Taveta County near Tsavo National Park. To achieve this objective, a mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, observation, and document analysis. The quantitative data collected were analyzed using SPSS, while the qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed several significant outcomes. First and foremost, HWC resulted in high levels of learner absenteeism, primarily due to parents' inability to pay school fees as a result of the …

Caregivers' Perceptions Of Covid-19 Educational Disruptions On Children With Developmental Language Disorder And Typically Developing Peers, Katherine Radville, Danika Pfeiffer, Karynn Sheranian, Julie Wolter, Jessie Ricketts, Tiffany L. Hogan

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose: Understanding the experiences of families of children with developmental language disorder (DLD) during COVID-19 educational disruptions is essential for designing responsive supports during pandemic recovery efforts and beyond. This qualitative study describes the experiences of families of first-and second-grade children with DLD during the pandemic as compared to the experiences of families of typically developing (TD) peers.

Method: A conventional content analysis approach was used to analyze caregivers’ written responses to open-ended questions regarding their perceptions of COVID-19 educational disruptions. Responses were analyzed separately by group: caregivers of children with DLD (n= 23) and caregivers of TD children (n= …

Multifaceted Challenges And Opportunities: Concurrent Mixed Methods Research To Investigate Chinese Exchange Students' Experiences In The Us Transnational Online Learning Ecology, Xinyue Ren, Yi Zhou

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Transnational online education has become an emerging trend in promoting academic collaboration and exchange in higher education during and after the pandemic. Guided by the learning ecology framework, we conducted concurrent mixed methods research by distributing an online survey to Chinese students (N=51) to collect quantitative and qualitative data. This helped us deeply understand their experiences and perceptions of a cross-cultural online learning environment in the United States. We applied multiple regression and thematic analysis to analyze the data. The merging of both types of data analysis indicated the confirmation of the importance of discipline-based English learning environments, the transformation …

Redefining The "Good Kids": A Mixed Methods Improvement Science Study In Mitigating Implicit Bias In Behavior Management Practices, Gabrielle Renee Delgado

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) focused on the problem of educator bias as it pertains to behavior management and discipline, specifically for Black and Hispanic/Latine students as well as students with disabilities. A root cause analysis coupled with a review of existing literature situated this problem within Clark High School and justified further intervention. This study used an improvement science framework, action research methodology, and a convergent mixed-methods design to explore the implementation of tier II of school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS) at Clark High School and its potential impact on educators’ awareness of implicit biases …

An Improvement Science Dissertation In Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring The Impact Of Trauma Literacy And Mindfulness On Perceptions Of Educator Work-Related Stress, Carla Ann Roland

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice study aimed to examine a possible solution to reducing the negative effects of trauma and toxic stress on a child’s education through an intervention aimed at advancing educators’ trauma literacy inclusive of educator self-care. Using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential research design, the researcher investigated the impact the Trauma Literacy Professional Development and Mindfulness Educational Group had on the educators’ perceptions of educator work-related stress. The researcher utilized a pre- and post-intervention survey measure, group discussion group field notes, and semi-structured interviews with participants to answer the proposed research questions. Quantitative results of this study …

An Improvement Science Dissertation In Practice: Promoting Teacher Retention And Preventing Burnout Among Elementary And Middle School Educators, Jacki L. Spring

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This study aims to increase retention by providing teachers with strategies to decrease teacher burnout. Specifically, it sought to provide Tier I trauma-informed and restorative practice classroom management strategies through coaching cycles to reduce classroom disruptions and provide education on better managing challenging student behaviors. Based upon an intervention driven by weekly professional learning communities (PLC) sessions with the SEL coaching team and classroom-based coaching opportunities, this mixed-methods convergent design study utilized the improvement science framework. Quantitative data showed that although there were average decreases, there was no statistically significant difference in occupational exhaustion (EE) depersonalization (DP). Similarly, although there …

An Improvement Science Dissertation In Practice: Examining The Use Of Professional Learning To Build Capacity For Teachers To Use Practices That Support Sel, Carlos Lawrence

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This mixed-methods study examined the impact of professional learning on the effectiveness of integrating Second Step®, an evidenced-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program that focuses on school climate by promoting bullying prevention and social-emotional skills. Teacher efficacy and classroom culture at a prekindergarten through fifth-grade Interdistrict magnet school in the Northeastern Region of the United States was also explored. Improvement Science, a theory developed by the Carnegie Foundation that focuses on a user and problem-centered approach to improving learning outcomes and teaching, guided this study. Defined outcome measures, including study participants’ completion of surveys, participation in professional learning, classroom …

Fact Book, Academic Year 2023, Systems Intelligence And Data Analytics, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Fact Book

The Fact Book presents important campus information in data tables and charts. Included are details regarding students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Generally, data are broken out by college, rank, level, gender, age and ethnicity for both spring and fall semesters, past to present. There are a few academic year tables that include information on tuition & fees, student credit hours by program, and degrees conferred. We wish to thank the many individuals and departments at the University for their contributions to the Fact Book.

Manrrs Advisors And Their Perceptions Of Their Mentor Strategies, Dallas L. Cooks

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences, also known as MANRRS, is an organization with chapters nationwide. Their main focus is to provide professional development, academic advancement, and networking to those in agriculture and related sciences. This research focuses on the advisors of MANRRS chapters across the country and at various institutions. Advisors were asked a series of questions through a Qualtrics survey about their mentor strategies with their students. Chapter Advisors were asked demographic, Likert Scale, and questions based on their personal MANRRS experience. As a result of the data, five research questions were answered. Chapter Advisors and …

Young Student’S Views Of Naplan: Impact On Wellbeing Through Drawn Responses, Pauline Roberts, Lennie Barblett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Standardized testing of academic knowledge is common in many developed countries. In Australia, the process implemented is the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). The stand-alone tests were introduced in 2008 for several educational and political reasons, and since that time, the results of this assessment have been used beyond their initial purpose and brought about an unintended consequence of making the tests high-stakes. The pressure of these assessments has the potential to impact student’s wellbeing, but little research has been done in this area and even less where the student’s perspectives are considered. This research examined the …

Examination Of The Reliability And Validity Of The Japanese Version Of The 10-Item Reflective Practice Questionnaire, Daichi Sugawara, Atsumi Iikura, Syohei Miyamoto, Akihiro Masuyama, Kanako Nakazawa, Keigo Hatto, Ayaka Matsumoto, Lon J. Van Winkle, Shane L. Rogers

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While various self-administered instruments measure reflective practice, the Reflective Practice Questionnaire (RPQ) can be used across multiple professions. We evaluated the Japanese version of the 10-item Reflective Practice Questionnaire (RPQ-10-J). In Study 1, 300 Japanese interpersonal assistance professionals were surveyed, and the RPQ-10-J was found to conform to a single factor via confirmatory factor analysis. We also found evidence of high internal consistency and adequate test-re-test reliability. High internal consistency was replicated in Study 2. In Study 2, 83 and 80 practicing interpersonal assistance professionals were surveyed physically and online, respectively. Additionally, the RPQ-10-J was correlated with the Japanese version …

Building Teacher Resiliency To Alleviate Burnout: An Action Research Study In An Urban Middle School, Alyssa Christine Barrett

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This mixed-methods research was completed as part of an Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) study, which implemented a peer coaching cycle intervention that sought to build resiliency and alleviate teacher burnout in an urban middle school. The resiliency intervention was created based on the results of environmental scans, Maslach (2018) Burnout Inventory results, and a teacher survey which informed root causes. The research questions explored how the peer coaching intervention influenced teacher burnout and what components of the intervention were perceived as most useful. The study used non-probability convenience sampling of seventh-grade teachers. The intervention included six resiliency categories …

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Writing Across The Curriculum, Amie M. Wright

Dissertations

This research study examined the relationship between school leadership style and the use of writing across the curriculum (WAC) in secondary classrooms. Writing practices and the use of writing as a form of assessment in subject areas other than ELA is thought to be a way to better prepare students to meet the literacy expectations of the 21st century. For writing practices to be integrated across the curriculum in secondary environments, school leadership support is essential. This study aimed to answer the following questions: How can school leaders in secondary educational settings support writing across the curriculum? What are the …

Toward The Next Generation Of Research In Adult Literacy Instruction, Rebecca Clark-Stallkamp, Barbara B. Lockee

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

In November 2019, the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) from 2017 (Institute of Education Sciences [IES], 2019) depicted no significant change in the concerning status of adult literacy in the US. More than 52% of adults between 16 and 45 scored below functionally literate levels. While shortcomings are attributed to various factors such as high attrition rates in program, ill-conceived policy planning, and more, significant focus is placed on the impact of effective instruction. The study reviews core cognitive component theory experimentation and instructional intervention research in adult literacy to explain contributions and limitations in current …

Factors That Influenced Faculty Satisfaction With Transition To Online Classes During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ramaprasad M. Unni, David Ma Baker, Shantia Kerr-Sims, Mohammad Galib

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The swift transition to remote learning in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic presented substantial challenges for faculty at many universities. This study explores faculty perceptions that influenced their satisfaction with the transition to online classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges relating to teaching online classes and the supportive environment provided by the institution had the strongest effects. Other important factors were comfort with online teaching and perceived quality of interactions with students. Teaching experience, tenure status, and other demographic variables had no significant effect on satisfaction with transition to online teaching. Application of lessons learned to future …

The Impact Of Instructional Modality On Student Course Evaluations: A Comparative Analysis, Matthew R. Aldeman, Celeste M. Calkins, Theodore J. Branoff

Faculty Publications – Technology

The fall semester of 2020 brought a range of instructional modalities to university classrooms. Instructors at a large, public institution in the Midwest were allowed to choose between face-to-face, hybrid, online-synchronous, and online-asynchronous formats. The purpose of this study is to examine how students rated the effectiveness of courses using each of these different course instructional modalities. This investigation uses the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test to examine how the distribution of student ratings changed for courses in the fall 2020 semester by using the fall 2019 semester as a baseline. The results show that online-synchronous and online-asynchronous courses received lower …

Students With Learning Disabilities Lived Experiences, Barbara Wucherpfennig, Shannon Sparks, Hannah Kivalahuna-Uddin, Amanda Bentley

Journal of Critical Issues in Educational Practice

No abstract provided.

Forging Connections In A Digital World: Are Educational Organizations Maximizing Their Position In The Twittersphere?, Ruoxi Qi, Ana-Paula Correia, Chenxi Liu, Fan Xu, Tianqi Li

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study aims to investigate how educational organizations utilize social media, specifically Twitter, to interact and communicate with their audiences. Using text mining techniques, the researchers analyzed messages from top Twitter accounts of educational organizations in the U.S. The study sheds light on which types of messages receive more engagement on Twitter, such as likes, comments, and retweets. Furthermore, the study examines the characteristics of the most popular tweets. The findings of this research provide insights to educational organizations on how to improve their social media strategy for effective communication and audience engagement.

Performance And Perception Disparities In Blended Learning Across Varied Vocational Academic Backgrounds, Yujie Cao, Azhan Abdul Aziz, Wan Nur Rukiah Mohd Arshard

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

With rising popularity of vocational education in China, the study investigates how academic backgrounds influence vocational students’ perceptions and learning outcomes in a blended SketchUp course, guided by Blended Learning framework and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Quantitative data from 71 undergraduate and 71 junior college interior architecture students was analyzed using statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and t-tests. The analysis showed no significant differences between academic groups in academic achievements, but differences in several perceptions, suggesting equitable learning experiences in the blended course. Tutorial videos may have contributed to personalized pacing, reducing variations among learners. Applying TAM to …

The Role Of District Superintendents In Technology Integration: A Systematic Review And Framework Synthesis, Ebrahim Azarshab, Mohammad Ghahramani, Mahmood Abolghasemi, Esmaeil Azimi

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The necessity to achieve the catalytic advantages of technology is continuously transforming the traditional roles of district superintendents to align with the digital learning environment. A meta-synthesis was undertaken to identify the roles of district superintendents in technology integration within public school districts and to compare them with traditional roles. This research followed the methodological approach outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The eligibility criteria comprised studies that explored the role of district superintendents in technology integration in public school districts. The data search was carried out in March 2023 across various databases …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Formative Assessment For Students With Disability: A Case Study From India, Anannya Chakraborty, Amit Kaushik

Assessment and Reporting

India has made significant progress in improving the enrolment of students with disability but still has a long way to go before schools can be called inclusive. Despite the widely acknowledged relevance of assessments in shaping teaching and learning practices, little research has been done in disability-inclusive assessment in the Indian setting. In this paper, we explore teachers’ perceptions of disability inclusion in formative assessments, including the use of various kinds of accommodations and adaptations, factors that affect the implementation of disability-inclusive formative assessments, and challenges. It is argued that teacher professional development and teacher–parent partnerships are essential for ensuring …

Empowering Children With Special Needs (Cwsn) In Computer Science: An Interactive Hand Gestures Approach To Number Conversion Teaching, Renjith P.R., Jeeva Jose

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

It is essential for teachers to effectively address the diverse needs of students within the classroom environment, encompassing variations in IQ, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical proficiency. Ensuring the inclusion of CwSN (Children with Special Needs) is imperative to prevent social division in the classroom. While the department offers accommodations such as scribes, interpreters, or extra time for examinations, these measures may not fully address the specific needs of CwSN. This study explores the efficacy of employing hand gestures as a teaching tool for CwSN in computer science, particularly in the realm of number conversions. A machine learning-based tool …

The Co-Curriculum Of College Student Employment: Perspectives From Supervising Practitioners, Brittany Begley Wildman

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

College student employees are not only serving the overall mission of their institutions, but also developing career readiness skills through daily interactions while at work. In this study, I explore the perceptions of the supervisors of student employees as both managers and student affairs professionals. Through one-on-one interviews with supervisors, discussing their interactions with students, I explore the implicit and explicit curricula they provide to their students using a curriculum analysis framework. I then compare the resulting learning outcomes against those identified in industry standards. The supervisors described supporting student employees' personal development during the student employment experience as well …

An Evaluation Of Statistical Approaches Within A Higher Education Research Framework: How Does Online Distance Learning Impact Student Outcomes?, Nathaniel P. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

Appropriate methodology choices are of the utmost importance in research, particularly in measurement and education research. When higher education administrators and researchers study topics related to student outcomes, choosing a statistical approach that produces unbiased estimates is of primary concern. Additionally, studying student outcomes in the context of nationally representative samples provides valuable insights into the state of higher education in the U.S. When examining these data, it is critical that the nested structure be taken into consideration prior to making methodological decisions.

The purpose of the following manuscripts is to demonstrate how education researchers can develop, implement and evaluate …

De Aquí, Y De Allá: Education, Culture, And Identity Development Of Transnational Latinas, Elizabeth Harris-Medina

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

De Aquí, y De Allá: Education, Culture, and Identity Development of Transnational Latinas This ethnographic case study examines the experiences of three transnational Latina women, descendants of families from Degollado, Jalisco, Mexico, exploring how their migration history and educational backgrounds influence their life trajectories. Focusing on these three women, the study aims to better understand their challenges and inform the development of resources to support their success in the U.S. education system. Using ethnographic interviews and Ecological Systems Theory, the research highlights how places and social systems shape views and life paths, offering insights into how best to support these …

A Profile Of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2024, Rowanna L. Carpenter

University Studies Assessment Research

In order to better understand the students enrolled in Freshman Inquiry (FRINQ) courses and identify areas where they may need support, University Studies (UNST) began collecting and compiling data on these students. This report presents a profile of FRINQ students from Fall 2024. It presents an overview of all students enrolled in FRINQ during Fall 2024 and then summarizes information from the Prior Learning Survey.

An Exploration Of Misconceptions In Introductory Physics, Christopher Mattthew Wheatley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study of student misconceptions about physics concepts has long been an important area of inquiry in physics education research (PER). The research discussed in this dissertation builds upon the developments in PER by exploring the prevalence of consistently held undergraduate student misconceptions in introductory calculus-based physics. This thesis explores the nature of student misconceptions, mistakes, and naive answering patterns in both introductory undergraduate Newtonian mechanics and electromagnetism by applying a network analytic technique called module analysis to student responses to different concept inventories from institutions of various levels of incoming physics preparation. Each study applying these methods also demonstrates …

From Fixed To Growth: How A Mindset Transforms Student Learning, Andrew Fabo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Placing labels onto young learners, such as “smart” and “gifted,” impacts their brain growth and mental health tremendously; rarely in a positive manner. This way of thinking, formed by separating students into “accelerated” and “normal” categories, can instill what is known as a fixed mindset of learning. Believing that there is no room to grow, or being afraid to make mistakes, largely due to the impact of these labels, learners quickly become less likely to attempt more challenging tasks; as well as persevere through difficult obstacles. Through extensive research within the Akron-Summit County Public Library, The University of Akron’s Bierce …