Digital Commons Network^™

Navigating Ethical Ai Use In Online Education: Leveraging The Framework For Information Literacy For Higher Education, Grace Kaletski-Maisel

FDLA Journal

As generative AI transforms online education, students are confronted with the many ethical quandaries that this technology poses. A document known as The Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (Framework) has great potential to serve as a tool for educators who strive to guide students towards ethical decision-making in AI use. Information literacy is “the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.” This definition was posed by the Association of College …

Enhancing Nutrition Communication Skills Through Community-Based Learning To Create Cooperative Extension Resources, Elizabeth Lucas Combs, Anna Cason, Courtney Luecking, Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Journal of Dietetic Education

Strong communication and transferable skills are essential for future dietitians. This Best Evidence Teaching Strategy describes a community-based approach within an upper-level community nutrition course that partnered with the Cooperative Extension Service. Over six weeks, scaffolded assignments emphasized written, oral, and digital media skills, aligning with current trends in scientific communication. Students created information releases, podcasts, and short videos to translate evidence-based nutrition content into accessible formats for public audiences. Collaboration with Extension provided authentic context and motivation, as high-quality projects could be disseminated statewide.

The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist’S Implementation Of Dysphagia Screening In Clinical Practice: A Commentary, Nicole Wiksten, Holly Estes-Doetsch, Laura C. Boucher, Sarah Rusnak, Kristen M. Roberts

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) amended the competencies for the future education model (FEM) in dietetic education to include competency 3.6 stating that the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) must be able to "Initiate and conduct bedside swallow screenings". There is no clear process for RDNs to implement dysphagia screening in practice or academia. The aim of this review is to inform clinicians and educators on current literature discussing current RDN and speech language pathology approaches to dysphagia screening and to provide a proposed curriculum for implementation of competency 3.6 in clinical practice and academia.

Measuring The Empathy Of Nutrition And Dietetics Students With The Jefferson Scale Of Empathy – Health Professions Student Version: A Pilot Study, Sara Tamsukhin, Youn Seon Lim

Journal of Dietetic Education

The purpose of this study was to learn about undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students’ empathy scores. The study was a descriptive quantitative design with a web-based, cross-sectional survey. Participants were undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students from two universities who completed a survey with demographic questions, clinical experience questions, and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy – Health Professions Student version (JSE-HPS©). Seventy-one nutrition and dietetics students completed the survey. Most respondents were female, white, and non-Hispanic. The mean total empathy score was 114.69 (SD=11.09) with a range of 81 to 137. Welch’s t-test did not show significant differences by gender, ethnicity, …

Disability-Related Educational Content In Nutrition And Dietetic Programs: An Exploratory Study, Wendy Medunick, Allison Gomes, Joachim Sackey, Laura Byham-Gray, Jane Ziegler

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: Health disparities experienced by people with disabilities (PWD) are partly attributed to inadequate knowledge, training, confidence and competence regarding disabilities among health professionals. While registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are key members of the healthcare team, it is unclear how pre-professional nutrition and dietetics (ND) programs prepare future RDNs to care for PWD. This study examined the status of disability-related education within ND programs in the United States. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to 570 directors of accredited ND programs. The survey, which adapted questions from a previously validated instrument and published studies, included questions assessing disability-related …

Assessing And Addressing Cultural Competence And Cultural Humility In Dietetic Education, Zoe Duran, Nicholas Slagel, Lisa Caldwell, Katie Kage

Journal of Dietetic Education

Limited theory-informed, dietetic-specific resources are available to guide the development, evaluation, and refinement of culturally competent (CC) curricula. This pilot study used a mixed-methods, theory-informed approach to evaluate CC integration within an undergraduate dietetics curriculum and examine the applicability of existing CC self-assessment tools for dietetic students. A senior-level undergraduate community nutrition curriculum was evaluated using the Tool for Assessing Cultural Competence Training (TACCT), guided by the Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competence in Healthcare Delivery. James Banks’ Model of Multicultural Curriculum Reform was then applied to refine curricular content and learning activities. In addition, 74 students enrolled in a didactic …

Virtual Reality: The Future Of Didactic And Experiential Education For Nutrition And Dietetics, Michael Holik, Dexter Richardson

Journal of Dietetic Education

The integration of virtual reality (VR) into nutrition and dietetics education provides an innovative answer to challenges in accessing experiential learning. This study examined student perceptions of immersive VR experiences designed to simulate hospital foodservice operations and nutrition counseling sessions, guided by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI). A quasi-experimental design involved 55 participants who engaged with 360° VR modules featuring interactive elements, avatars representing key healthcare roles, and embedded critical-thinking questions. Results demonstrated strong support for VR’s educational value across DOI’s five key attributes: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. Participants reported enhanced understanding of registered dietitian roles, …

Editors' Message, Volume 4, Issue 2, Diana Cuy Castellanos, M Elizabeth (Beth) Miller

Journal of Dietetic Education

In this edition, you will find research on the use of virtual reality in experiential food service learning, instruments to assess cultural competency and humility in dietetic students, and tools for measuring empathy—an area of growing importance in dietetic pedagogy. Additionally, this issue explores the inclusion of disability-related curricula in education programs and features a commentary on RDNs implementing swallow screenings within clinical practice, highlighting how this procedure falls within an RDN’s scope of practice when supported by proper training and demonstrated competency.

Cover, Table Of Contents, About The Journal

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

August 5, 2026 Blazer Weekly, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Blazer Weekly (student newsletter)

No abstract provided.

From Reluctance To Resilience: The Link Between Attitude And Growth Mindset In Calculus Students, Olivia Valente, Kathryn E. Pedings-Behling, Amy N. Langville

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Many postsecondary students enter general education mathematics courses with negative attitudes, shaping their willingness to engage with the content. This study explores the relationship between students’ attitudes towards mathematics and their growth mindset, revealing effective strategies to enhance learning experiences, particularly for students who are reluctant learners. The research investigates two questions: (1) How do students’ Attitude Toward Mathematics Inventory (ATMI) scores and Growth Mindset Scale (GMS) scores relate? and (2) Do gender or course modality affect this relationship? This study addresses a gap in literature by examining how enjoyment, motivation, self-confidence, and perceived value connect with growth mindset. The …

Fast Class: A Transition Program Supporting The Transition Of Incoming Freshman Division Ii Football Student-Athletes, Andrew S. Beck

Masters Projects

Division II football student-athletes often experience academic, social, and athletic challenges in the midst of their transition to college, particularly due to their college journey beginning without well-established academic habits, intentional learning behaviors and strategies, and awareness of campus support services and resources. This project examines the array of transitional experiences of incoming Division II football student-athletes and the imperativeness of intentional, proactive intervention prior to their college journey beginning. The project is rooted in research related to student-athlete transition, academic preparedness, resource utilization, help-seeking behavior, and first-year transition programming and intervention. Schlossberg’s (1984) Transition Theory serves as the primary …

A Poetic Call For And A Reflection And Commentary On Clarity, Understanding, Hope, Courage, And Compassion, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Finding a published poem I had written as a teenager, titled “The Heavens Weep.” this article uses that poem as the basis for a commentary that reflects on the state of the world today (2026),  As a commentary, the article uses the poetic and metaphoric words in the poem as a relevant "reality check" for what is still going on today.  In essence, the commentary is about a call for Clarity, Understanding, Hope, Courage, and Compassion, or what I call Archetypal Energies, Higher Vibrational Energies that operate deep within our individual and collective psyches to creatively urge us to "see" …

“Caring Makes Students Learn English More Easily And Enthusiastically”: Exploring The Emotional And Academic Outcomes Of Experiencing Teacher Care In Medical Sciences University Efl Classes In Iran, Kiyana Zhaleh, Shima Azizbeigi

The Qualitative Report

Previous research on teacher care in university second/foreign language (L2) classes have primarily concentrated on non-medical sciences students, resulting in a lack of insights into its effects in medical sciences education. This is surprising considering the field-specific challenges of medical sciences education, potentially influencing teacher caring behaviors in this context. Addressing this gap, this qualitative study employed the emotional response theory (ERT) and positive psychology to explore how Iranian medical sciences undergraduates perceive teacher care in university EFL classes, how they emotionally respond to it, and how their experiences of care impacted their academic outcomes. In this descriptive qualitative research …

Using Creativity Tools To Improve Perception Of Mental Health Resource Access On A College Campus, Laura Reindl

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This paper outlines the planning and implementation processes for executing a Creative Problem Solving (CPS) session at Binghamton University, with the goal of developing new ways to communicate accurate information about mental health resources available to students on campus and refuting common misconceptions. Led by communications and marketing staff in the Division of Student Affairs, the process included staff from Health and Counseling Services, staff involved in delivering health promotion and prevention services, and students with an interest in health and wellness. The project focused on the ideation and development stages of CPS and offered ideas for future implementation.

Our Honors Impact: Evidence Of Honors Student Experience And Outcomes, 01 - The Initial Evidence Review, Brian Hoey, Honors College

Publications of the Honors College at Marshall University

Our Honors Impact, 01: Evidence of Honors Student Experience and Outcomes presents an initial review of student-centered evidence collected by the Honors College at Marshall University through its developing Honors Impact Evidence Bank. Drawing on student reflections, supported-project deliverables, program assessments, profiles, and other documented experiences, the report examines how honors education is experienced in practice and what becomes possible through integrative and experiential learning, mentorship, peer connection, financial support, global engagement, and opportunities for independent inquiry. Student narratives illustrate recurring patterns of intellectual growth, confidence, belonging, professional development, and connection to Appalachia and West Virginia. As the first edition …

Aligned But Disengaged: Self-Estrangement Weakens Citizenship Behavior In Higher Education, Andrew Krouse, Rob E. Carpenter

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Higher education depends on discretionary employee contributions that sustain coordination, service continuity, and institutional functioning. Yet contemporary governance and accountability pressures can reconfigure higher education work in ways that erode autonomy, line-of-sight, and intrinsic reward, elevating the risk of work alienation, weakening the discretionary behaviors institutions rely on. This study tests whether person–organization fit (POF) predicts organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and whether multidimensional work alienation mediates this relationship through powerlessness, meaninglessness, and self-estrangement. Using survey data from 325 employees across four U.S. higher education institutions, we applied confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling with bias-corrected bootstrapping. Model comparisons were …

A Word From The Writing Team (August 2026), Pam Walter, Mfa, Laura Deloretta, Phd

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Uab Libraries News, 08/09 2026, Uab Libraries

UAB Libraries News

No abstract provided.

Language Learning Under Pressure: Rethinking Anxiety, Assessment, And Support In Second Language Classrooms, Bryn C. Cole

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This portfolio examines the role of anxiety in second language acquisition (SLA) and its impact on student performance, assessment, and overall participation. Drawing on both the author’s classroom experience and SLA research, it argues that language anxiety should be understood as a structural feature of classroom environments rather than an individual learner deficit. The paper explores how traditional assessment practices may obscure students’ underlying competence by prioritizing performance under pressure. It proposes two key shifts in response: reformatting assessments as a more flexible and context-sensitive process, and integrating peer mentorship as a form of interpersonal instructional support. Together, these approaches …

Evaluating The Motivations Of Participants In Online Equine Extension Courses, Sarah Vos

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Traditional program evaluations emphasize participant demographics, knowledge gain, behavior change, and program impact. However, evaluating participant motivation can provide addition insight into why participants enroll in extension programs and help explain participant engagement and persistence throughout a program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate participant motivation in two online equine extension courses and examine potential relationships between motivation, demographics, and course delivery method, and describe participant engagement in Virtual Horse Judging Camp (VHJC). This cross-sectional study utilized convenience sampling of participants in two online equine extension courses, Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource (HALTER) and VHJC. The …

Faculty Tenure Program Book Selections 2026, Leatherby Libraries, Office Of The Provost

Faculty Tenure Program Book Selections

The Leatherby Libraries Faculty Tenure Program, in collaboration with the Office of the Provost, recognizes Chapman University faculty who have recently been awarded tenure. Each newly tenured faculty selects a book of their choice and a brief statement on why this book was selected. This collection of monographs are accessible in physical format and located in the Book Nook on the 1^st floor of the Leatherby Libraries.

Empowering Future Educators: How Service-Learning Shapes Teacher Candidate Self-Efficacy And Understanding Of Book Access, Nancy F. Hulan, Morgan S. Major

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Literacy rates are historically low in areas where access to books is limited. Thus, students with limited exposure to books prior to school pose a unique challenge to teachers, who often feel unprepared to teach students from underserved populations. To help remedy this, teacher candidates need preparation that builds their abilities to provide both access to books and quality literacy instruction for students who live in poverty. The study described in this article investigated the impact of literacy-related community engagement on teacher candidates’ self-efficacy, their understanding of book access, and their perceptions of teachers’ roles in providing book access. Participants …

Staying The Course: Community College Student Lived Experiences On Program Completion And Motivation, Jessica Leigh Mills

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of former community college students who successfully completed an associate degree, certificate, or program of study and to understand how they experienced the personal, institutional, and environmental factors that supported their persistence to completion. The study, guided primarily by Tinto’s (1975,1988) Model of Student Departure and was complemented by Bandura’s (1988) Social Learning Theory (SLT), and Maslow’s (1943) Hierarchy of Needs, explored the extrinsic and intrinsic motivations students attributed to their successful completion of their associate degree, certificate, or program of study. Twelve former community college students who …

From Gatekeeping To Opportunity: Authentic Assessment In Natural Resources Education, Aradaryn Marsh

All Dissertations

Assessment practices play a central role in shaping how students engage with learning, demonstrate understanding, and participate in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Despite increasing calls for more inclusive and professionally relevant educational practices, undergraduate STEM assessment remains heavily dominated by traditional examinations emphasizing memorization, speed, and standardized performance. These concerns may be particularly important within Natural Resources (NR) education, a field that requires students to integrate scientific knowledge with communication, collaboration, and applied problem-solving. This dissertation explores authentic assessment within undergraduate NR education through a multi-phase investigation examining assessment prevalence, student experiences, racially marginalized (RM) student perspectives, …

Unlocking Potential: How High-Fidelity Plcs Protect First Graders From Over-Identification In Tiered Placement, Tomeka D. Love

All Dissertations

Nationally, the demand for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has reached an unprecedented peak, serving 7.5 million students (representing 15% of all public school students) in the 2022–23 school year. While national academic discussions regarding socioeconomic hurdles and systemic inequities frequently center on urban environments, minoritized students in rural communities face a persistent and disproportionate over-representation in special education. This trend is driven by complex intersections of geographic isolation, systemic resource allocation issues, and cultural misalignments in assessment practices.

At the local level, Love and Logic Elementary School [pseudonym], a rural K-5 institution, faces …

A Critical-Constructivist Grounded Theory Exploration Of The Mental Health Experiences Of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities In Post-Secondary Settings, Alyssa L. Decker

Dissertations, 2020-current

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) now have access to higher education, often through inclusive post-secondary education programs (IPSE), to increase employability and quality of life. IPSE programs, historically, have provided academic and life skill support and not mental health support within programs’ curricula. A recent review of IPSE programs reveals that if mental health services are included, they are often accessed through university health services. Transitioning from high school to college induces high levels of stress, which can exacerbate underlying mental health conditions. Mental health care is defaulted to an already overburdened college counseling center without the knowledge and skills …

2026 August, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for August of 2026.

University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 2025-2026, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

The Relativity Of Education: Student Perspectives On Artificial Intelligence In Community College, Ashley Greta Magana

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This hermeneutic phenomenological study examined how diverse community college students experience and make meaning of the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) into their educational contexts. Although AI is quickly transforming higher education through automated grading, personalized learning systems, and new models of assessment, the discourse surrounding its implementation remains dominated by administrators, faculty, and institutional stakeholders, while the perspectives of students, specifically community college students who are often historically underrepresented and economically marginalized, are systematically excluded. Most existing research is quantitative and centered on universities, leaving a critical gap in qualitative understanding of the most diverse population in higher …