Digital Commons Network^™

From Heuristic Approach To Agile Mindset, Miloslava Cerna, Anna Borkovcová, Simon K.S. Cheung

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Agile learning applies agile principles to education and fits the creation of the learning content. This article discusses ways to incorporate agile learning in undergraduate programs. It investigates the adaptation of the didactic scenario that utilizes the principles of agile learning, based on a case study conducted in an undergraduate program on tourism management in a Czech university. Through the case study, a variety of ways in cognition is explored, from a heuristic approach to an agile mindset, and from a tried-and-true scheme to agile ways. Didactic scenarios of content creation scheme are designed, visualized, and compared. Promising results are …

Reducing Transactional Distance In A Hybrid-Flexible Learning Environment In Higher Education: Interaction And Engagement Despite Asynchronous Communication, Natalie C. Nussli, Kevin Oh

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study explores the implementation of an asynchronous video-based guest lecture in an undergraduate teacher education program in Switzerland. It describes how the guest lecture was delivered to foster an interactive and engaging environment for learners and to mimic two-way communication. The study applies the tenets of the Theory of Transactional Distance in examining the student-teacher interaction in a hybrid-flexible learning environment to promote quality dialogue, participation, critical reflection, and to foster a caring relationship. It describes the instructional process and the use of video splicing to mimic interaction between the students, who were physically present on campus, and the …

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 …

Supporting Mid-Career Students’ Psychological Needs To Improve Motivation And Retention In Post-Graduate Courses, Gillian Kirk, Helen Adam, Fiona Boylan, Carly Sanbrook

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Currently Australia is experiencing an unprecedented teacher shortage. Increasing and retaining the number of mid-career Initial Teacher Education entrants has been identified as one strategy to combat the shortage. This study examines the psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) innate to autonomous forms of motivation to support retention. While there is much research investigating how universities support students’ psychological needs using questionnaires, few have gathered data examining how students articulate their lived experiences, and fewer have examined mid-career students’ perspectives. This paper contributes to the literature by sharing 26 Master of Teaching (Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary) mid-career student perspectives on …

Translating Knowledge Of Functional Cognition Into Occupational Therapy Practice, Mckenzie R. Behrendt, Emilea Rogers, Azia Ourada, Sara Mengler, Mackenzie Post, Stacy Smallfield

Translational Science in Occupation

Functional cognition is a critical component for safely and effectively performing daily occupations. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are uniquely positioned and trained to address functional cognition while considering a client’s abilities and environments. A multimedia e-learning module was developed as a teaching modality to enhance understanding and application of functional cognition concepts for OT students and practitioners. As educators, it is important to assess the effectiveness of the teaching and learning experiences we create. We evaluated the multimedia e-learning module for quality, value, and usefulness using critical reflection perspectives. These perspectives included a literature review, as well as from learner, …

Exploring How Nutrition Students Used The Relational Employability Framework To Reflect On Their Micro-Placement Experiences, Elizabeth J. Cook, Ros Sambell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As the world grapples with multiple challenges, workforces increasingly require university graduates who can navigate complexity to facilitate positive change. The relational employability framework (REF) is used by educators to help students develop an awareness of their human and more-than-human career interactions, contributions and possibilities, in addition to developing their foundational employability skills and attributes. This case study, situated in a third-year community nutrition unit at Edith Cowan University, explores how students applied the REF in their final written reflection assessment following a micro-placement. Eighteen students reflected on their micro-placement experience and developing relational employability using Gibbs’ reflective cycle. Codebook …

The Effects Of The Implementation Of State-Sponsored Free Community College Programs On Enrollment And Net Price, Kristafer Lee Adkins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

State-sponsored, free community college programs have been implemented with the goal of increasing access to higher education, especially for financially disadvantaged students. This study seeks to determine the impact of the implementation of the Tennessee Promise and the Oregon Promise on enrollment and net price by student family income level using a difference-in-differences methodology comparing in-state, public, two-year institutional outcomes with: in-state, public four-year institutions; national, public, two-year institutions; and, public, two-year institutions in states that border Tennessee/Oregon. Enrollment was, on average, found to have increased between 44 and 167 students at Tennessee public, two-year institutions for all students with …

Cinderella On The Path At Midnight: Students On Regional University Campuses And Equity, Colleen Carlon, Lucinda Aberdeen, Robyn Eversole, Merete Schmidt, Janet Congues, Kylie Wrigley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Just as Cinderella’s prospects for attending the ball seemed elusive, so does higher education for people living in rural, remote and regional locations in Australia. The concentration of university campuses in Australian capital cities systematically diminishes opportunities for people living in regional locations. Indeed, most regional communities in Australia do not have access to a local university campus. This article presents research that captures the voices and experiences of students studying on three small regional university campuses through semi-structured interviews. Acknowledging their intersectional diversity linked to gender, ethnicity, caring and cultural responsibilities, disability, and socio-economic status, a thematic analysis of …

Masculinism, Institutional Violence And #Metoo: Understanding Australian University Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Emily Gray, Jacqueline Ullman, Mindy Blaise, Jo Pollitt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article offers an analysis of data from the project Sexism, Higher Education, and Covid-19: The Australian Perspective. The authors argue that the gendered impact of the pandemic in Higher Education Institutions constitutes a form of institutionally perpetrated sexist harassment, and that raising awareness of the ways in which institutions themselves enable and perpetrate such harassment is consistent with the aims of the #MeToo movement. This article is intended to act as testament to the ways in which Australian universities function as masculinist institutions that, during this time of crisis, deployed tactics that were experienced by women and minority-identifying research …

Reimagining Higher Education: Navigating The Challenges Of Generative Ai Adoption, Laurie Hughes, Tegwen Malik, Sandra Dettmer, Adil S. Al-Busaidi, Yogesh K. Dwivedi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has disrupted academic institutions across the world, presenting transformative challenges for decision makers, and leading to questions around existing methods and practices within higher education (HE). The widespread adoption of GenAI tools and processes highlights an ongoing change to existing perceptions of the role of humans and machines. Academics have expressed concerns relating to: academic integrity, undermining critical thinking, lowering of academic standards and the threat to existing academic models. This study presents a mixed methods approach to developing valuable insight to the key underlying challenges impacting GenAI adoption within HE. The results …

Ghostbusters: Hunting Health Education Within Physical Education, Valeria Varea, Ana Riccetti

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The school subject of physical education (PE) has experienced a “health turn” globally. However, some university undergraduate programs may need to be revised to adequately equip pre-service teachers to teach about health in schools. The aim of this study was to explore the content of an undergraduate university program in PE and what is expected for pre-service PE teachers to teach about health in schools, according to the relevant curricula. Design/methodology/approach: A pragmatic discourse analysis was conducted, using the Argentinean PE school curriculum for primary and secondary schools in the province of Córdoba and the syllabus of an undergraduate …

Understanding The Identity Work And Aspirations Of Indigenous Males Navigating Elite Australian Higher Education, James A. Smith, Garth Stahl, Andrew Harvey, Braden Hill, Himanshu Gupta, Sam Moore, Jianing Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In Australia, there has been increased attention to attracting Indigenous peoples into higher education but, despite a recent growth in enrolment numbers, they remain severely underrepresented. This underrepresentation is particularly notable among Indigenous males, who are the least likely to attend. In this paper, we investigate the experiences of four Indigenous young men who attended an elite higher education institution. Aligned with other research on the experiences of Black and Minority Ethnic males in higher education, the article captures how their experience in privileged institutions compels them to reflect on their own positionality and the cultural interface between Indigenous and …

Transdisciplinary Work-Integrated Learning’S Contribution To Societal Transition: A Scoping Review, Denise Jackson, Claire Lambert, Sonja Coetzee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This scoping review explores the perceived value of transdisciplinary work-integrated learning (TWIL) for contributing to social change and the enablers of impactful TWIL offerings. TWIL is a pedagogy-based approach which connects students from diverse disciplines with external partners to engage in authentic, work-focused activities as a formal component of academic study. This review focuses on TWIL where students collaboratively explore and problem-solve on known local community and wider societal issues, such as climate, health, food, and water, to foster transformative practice. Thematic analysis of 31 academic sources highlighted the recognised worth of TWIL for fostering student skills for transformation, developing …

Relational Employability Matrix (Rem): A Guided Framework For Self-Reflection And Professional Growth, Ros Sambell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Relational Employability Matrix (REM) is a practical tool for self-assessment and planning, grounded in the Relational Employability Framework (REF). The REF was developed and tested by Cook through a body of research that includes a narrative review, doctoral thesis, and applied studies (Cook, 2022; Cook, 2023a; Cook, 2023b; Cook, Doherty, & Wallace, 2024; Cook & Sambell, 2025). It brings together three interconnected dimensions of relational employability: Foundational Career Development and Identities, Interactions with Others, and Contributions to Local and Global Challenges. The REF works as a reflective, practice-focused guide for building these capabilities over time. The REM takes these …

Work-Integrated Learning As A Landscape Of Practice, Denise Jackson, Karsten E. Zegwaard, David Drewery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article proposes that work-integrated learning (WIL) is a Landscape of Practice (LoP) within the wider higher education ecosystem. It applies concepts from the LoP literature to present a new perspective on WIL programs and ecosystems. It further emphasizes that students are central within the WIL LoP, developing knowledge as they traverse individual communities including industry partners, professional accrediting bodies, careers services, academics, curriculum, and support staff connected to WIL. Additionally, the article highlights the role of higher education institutions in addressing tensions of difference between communities comprising the WIL LoP. The article contributes to the literature on WIL and …

Teacher Wellbeing And Teaching Excellence In Higher Education: Exploring The Interplay Through The Lens Of The Perma Framework, Anna Golab, Tom Barratt, Jaime Yong, Tanzim Afroz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recognising the pivotal role of teacher wellbeing in fostering teaching excellence, this paper explores the intricate relationships in the context of higher education. Employing an abductive, qualitative methodology and expanding the use of the PERMA framework to in the realm of higher education, this paper investigates the associations between teachers' perceptions of excellence to five elements of wellbeing: positive emotions (P), engagement (E), relationships (R), meaning (M) and accomplishment (A). Drawing insights from a case study of an Australian business school, the findings of this paper reveal dynamic interactions among these elements. Contextual variations give rise to virtuous or vicious …

“Stay Afloat, Stay Alive”: Stories Of The Challenges And Perseverance Of Foster Care Alumni In Higher Education, Marshall S. Parrent

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this critical narrative inquiry was to collect the stories of foster care alumni (FCA) in higher education, and so that we may better understand how FCA describe their experiences and what colleges and universities can do to help FCA achieve their goal of degree completion. This study highlights the need for a culturally responsive and sustaining curriculum in order to create an environment supportive of FCA needs. Undergraduate FCA are considered one of the most underserved student populations in higher education (Johnson, 2021). While 70-84% of FCA wish to attend college and earn a two- or four-year …

Literary Homeplace As A Site Of Knowing And Healing, Shamonique Hassell

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The concept of literary homeplace serves as a locus of rhetorical healing for Black women, emphasizing their lived experiences and creative expressions as forms of resistance and restoration (Collins, 1986; hooks, 1990; Nettles, 2001). The labor of Black women within families, churches, and artistic endeavors contributes to the cultivation of a collective consciousness surrounding oppression and healing (Edwards, 2010; Carey, 2016; Morrison, 1992). Building upon hooks’ (1990) notion of homeplace, this dissertation examines how Black women foster spaces characterized by care, dignity, and resilience (Hersey, 2022; Tate, 1984). Using personal narrative and articulating Black women’s voices, I position homeplace as …

Examining The Experiences Of Student Veterans With Support Services At Their Higher Education Institutions, Alejandra Miles

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of student veterans with support services at their higher education institutions. Using a phenomenological design, it provided space for student veterans to share their stories and amplify their voices. Grounded in Astin’s (1984) theory of student involvement, the study conducted eight in-depth interviews with student veterans. The findings aligned with the theoretical framework and contributed to the literature on student veterans in higher education. Six key themes emerged: early preparation and planning for college, the impact of faculty interactions, peer connections with fellow veterans, understaffing of campus military-affiliated offices, awareness and use of …

Faculty Handbook, Georgia Southern University

Faculty Handbooks

Faculty Handbook for Georgia Southern University for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Faculty Handbook is published online by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and archived in Digital Commons@Georgia Southern.

Second Generation Immigrants In Higher Education: Experiences In Selective Liberal Arts Contexts, Brenna Paxton

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the educational experiences of second-generation students at a selective, predominantly white liberal arts institution, in order to better understand what types of factors and practices contribute to their success, and how successful educational trajectories intersect with racial, ethnic, cultural and gender identities. To explore this, hour-long interviews were conducted, diving deeper into the educational experiences of second generation immigrants, also considering the lives of previous generations such as parents and grandparents. Interviews were transcribed and coded, uncovering patterns and themes that existed across participants’ experiences. Findings revealed that second generation immigrants at …

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.

Addressing Economic Instability And Workforce Turnover In Early Childhood Education: The Role Of Stipends, Wage Supplements, And Professional Development, Lucinda J. Leffler

Endeavors: Mississippi State Undergraduate Research Journal

Child care workers are vital to early childhood education, yet they face persistent economic instability, low wages, and high turnover rates. To address these challenges, states and policymakers have implemented stipends, wage supplements, and professional development programs aimed at improving financial security, job satisfaction, and workforce retention. This literature review examines the effectiveness of these initiatives across the United States, drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Vroom’s Expectancy Theory and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory to contextualize their impact. Research indicates that financial incentives significantly reduce turnover, while professional development fosters job satisfaction and career advancement. However, sustainability concerns remain, particularly with …

Online Inclusivity: Mission And Best Practice, Colin P. Marks, Zoe Niesel

Faculty Works

This essay examines the role of inclusivity as a foundational principle in online legal education, arguing that it is essential to fulfilling institutional missions, aligning with established pedagogical best practices, and enhancing the overall learning experience. Drawing on the development of a fully online J.D. program, the piece outlines how inclusivity can be embedded at both the institutional and classroom levels. It highlights strategies for fostering a sense of community among geographically dispersed students, including integrating online learners into broader academic and co-curricular activities, designing courses that balance synchronous and asynchronous instruction, and implementing consistent instructional standards. The essay further …

Developing Mathematical Maturity By Solving A Given Quadratic Equation, Armando A. Amador, Nieves Angulo, Juan B. Lacay

Publications and Research

This article explores the instructional challenges faced by mathematics educators when addressing students’ limited background knowledge and underdeveloped mathematical maturity, two critical barriers to success in college-level algebra. Using the quadratic equation 2x2+x−3=0, which is reducible over the field of rational numbers ℚ ⊂ ℝ, we analyze how diverse solution methods—factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula—can support learning. An additional strategy, “Slide and Divide,” was introduced to promote procedural fluency and conceptual flexibility. To gain insight into students’ evolving mathematical maturity, an online survey was conducted to students at various levels of mathematics. The survey captured their perspectives …

Fostering Effective Practice: Using Metacognition Logs In The Private Voice Studio, Colleen C. Pingel

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this case study was to examine the short-term impact of metacognition instruction on the practice of a single voice student in a private studio. Across four lessons, the student received explicit instruction in metacognitive strategies and applied them through guided practice logs supporting planning, monitoring, adjusting, and reflecting. Each lesson began with a review and discussion of the practice logs. The teacher-researcher recorded these discussions to capture the student’s thinking and maintained a journal to document observations, instructional decisions, and reflections. Data analysis involved primarily qualitative methods focused on reflections, discussions, and practice logs. Quantitative measures, …

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 …

Nsu Health Professions Division 2024-2025 Course Catalog, Nova Southeastern University

HPD Course Catalogs

• Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy
• College of Optometry
• Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
• College of Dental Medicine
• Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing
• Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine

Smart Learning In An Ai-Driven World, Joseph R. Corbeil, Maria Elena Corbeil

TxDLA Journal of Digital Learning

SMART learning is an approach that combines sustainability, motivation, adaptability, results-oriented practices, and technology enablement. AI-driven SMART learning prioritizes flexibility, cost-efficiency, and knowledge retention, equipping teachers and students with the tools to adapt to an ever-evolving world. By envisioning AI's role in fostering SMART learning attributes, we pave the way for a future where technology and education intertwine to empower learners and redefine teaching practices.

Gamification In Education: Its Impact On Engagement, Motivation, And Learning Outcomes, Hansika Ukgoda

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Gamification, integrating game design elements into educational contexts, has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 41 peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2023, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of gamification in education. Following PRISMA guidelines, the review evaluates the effectiveness of gamification elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards. Key Findings indicate that while gamification can foster positive learning attitudes and competition, its effectiveness depends on the context. The impact of game elements on engagement and motivation varies based on the learning environment and …