Digital Commons Network^™

Notetaking Reimagined: The Impact Of Combining Text And Visuals For Effective Learning, Sarah J. Mussetter

Art 895 Research Papers

This Mixed-Methods Narrative Case Study examines previous research on the effects of visual/ illustrative notes and their effect on knowledge coding, retention, and retrieval processes. It adds to current research in the form of a case study of a high school advanced photography course in Livingston, MT and the effect that adding visuals to notetaking practices affects student performance and memory throughout the semester. This study also proposes a method of introduction to visual notetaking that can be implemented in classrooms regardless of subject matter.

Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceived Importance Of The Holistic Framework For Professional Development Elements: Survey Research, Adrianna Cate

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study researched the six elements of the Holistic Framework for Professional Development (HFPD) to understand administrators’ and teachers’ perceived importance and how demographic variables impacted those perceptions. This was done to contribute to the current gap in the literature regarding how to design and carry out effective professional development. The quantitative survey research utilized exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling to recruit participants. Fifteen administrators, 64 teachers, and six participants working in ‘other’ roles in their school participated. These participants were citizens of fifteen different countries and worked across eleven countries worldwide. Even given this diverse sample, the results of this …

First Annual Advances In Business Education Conference 2025 Proceedings, Kelsey Metz, Joshua Ray

Advances in Business Education (ABE) Conference Proceedings

Conference Overview: The First Annual Advances in Business Education (ABE) Conference was held on May 16, 2025, at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. Hosted by the LMU School of Business, the ABE Conference was established to promote teaching excellence through innovation and collaboration in business education. With a focus on fostering meaningful dialogue among educators, researchers, and students, the conference welcomed participants from across disciplines and institutions. The event was structured around three key tracks:

Pedagogy & Teaching Excellence: Showcasing innovative teaching methods and strategies for enhancing student learning and engagement.

Business Research: Presenting research focused on advancing knowledge …

A Qualitative Look At Relationships From A Teacher’S Perspective, Shayna Vastila

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study examines the role of teacher-student relationships grounded in the Social Learning Theory, Social Support Theory, as well as the Attachment Theory. The research explored how teachers perceive, establish, and maintain supportive relationships with their students, and how these relationships contribute to student engagement and academic motivation. Fifteen first-grade teachers from elementary schools participated in semi-structured interviews, sharing personal insights and practices around relationship building. Using key factors that foster positive relationships, including empathy, active listening, individualized support, and culturally responsive communication. Findings also highlight systemic barriers such as large class sizes, behavioral challenges, and the emotional …

A Correlational Study Of The Relationships Between The Big Five Aspects Of Personality And Career Interest: Practical Implications For Teachers In Guidance Counseling Roles, Mary J. Haberman

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Classroom teachers are often required to teach advisory courses that include career counseling and social emotional learning components. The author used a combination of personality and career assessments to guide students into careers that were a good fit, not only for their interests but their temperaments as well. This holistic approach to advising allowed the author to address a wide variety of personal issues (e.g., unmet needs) that students were having and help them to discover their own motivations for approaching these issues. While the study is focused on collecting information from working adults, the results of this study could …

From Insights To Action: Implications And A Professional Development Framework For Early College High School Teachers, Angelica Sanchez, Kenyetta Martin, Kelly Brown

School Leadership Review

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of Early College High School (ECHS) adjunct instructors teaching dual enrollment college courses in a southern region school district. Through interviews with ten ECHS adjunct instructors, the study examined the factors contributing to their success, their professional development needs, and the challenges they faced in teaching dual enrollment courses. Findings of the study were that ECHS adjunct instructors succeed when they provide strong student support, maintain open communication, demonstrate flexibility, and actively engage students. The study highlighted the need for comprehensive training in learning management systems, curriculum design, and …

Not All Superheroes Wear Capes: Understanding The Lives Of Asian American Student Caregivers, Angela Ji

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

There exists an invisible army of children who sacrifice their childhoods and shoulder responsibilities expected of adults; these children are called young caregivers. Young caregivers provide significant assistance for their family on a regular basis. The existing literature shows that youth caregiving is associated with negative physical and mental health impacts that vary depending on the cultural background associated with families. It is also clear that the complexities and nuances of different ethnic groups influence the lived experiences of young caregivers. Unfortunately, there is limited information exploring racial and cultural implications of caregiving for children. This study sought to address …

New Teachers’ Mentoring Expectations And Experiences: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study, Preston Maurice Blakely

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how the expectations of new teachers, about their mentoring program and their mentoring experiences can be used to improve the structural design and procedures of mentoring programs to better support new teachers. Socio-historical and sociocultural theories were used to guide the study and purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit five participants who were in the first years of teaching. Based on a rich set of data sources which included a pre-interview and a post- interview, the findings revealed that despite the existence of mentoring programs in the participants’ …

Policy Analysis Of Assessments To Award Seals Of Biliteracy In Spanish In The United States, Lisa J. Harmon-Martínez

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

The Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) honors high school graduates demonstrating proficiency in two or more languages, yet its policies often perpetuate inequities. Focusing on New Mexico and Spanish language assessments, I explored how the SoBL's recognition of bilingualism intersects with biases against Spanish speakers. While the SoBL aims to celebrate bilingualism, disparities arise from state-to-state variations in assessment requirements, particularly affecting Spanish-speaking students and those receiving English Language Development services. Many states rely on standardized exams that inadequately capture students’ linguistic abilities, exacerbating inequalities. Using an Open Systems policy framework and Translanguaging theory, which values students’ full linguistic repertoires, I …

A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding Athletic Training Preceptorships Through Measuring Situational Leadership, Jordan R. Dawson

Dissertations, 2020-current

Athletic Training preceptorships play a crucial role in student education as they heavily influence student learning and progression in the academic program (Mazerolle et al., 2015). The problem that arises from preceptorships is the inconsistencies athletic training students experience in leadership. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate athletic training student perceptions of situational leadership as it relates to student satisfaction with the development of a measurement tool. An exploratory mixed methods design composed of a qualitative phase one, pilot testing quantitative phase two, and quantitative phase three. The qualitative phase provided insightful perspectives on preceptor leadership from …

Navigating The Moral Landscape: Courage, Cowardice, And The Educator's Call To Action, Scott H. Sorvaag

Essays in Education

Contemporary educators face an increasingly complex and challenging landscape. This essay explores the vital role of courage and the influence of cowardice in shaping educators' moral leadership and professional practice. By integrating insights from human development reports, leadership theory, and educational philosophy, this essay argues that understanding the internal continuum between courage and cowardice is crucial for educators seeking to create transformative learning environments. The essay provides actionable strategies for fostering courage in daily practice and nurturing partnerships between schools, parents, and communities.

Toward Discussion Facilitation That Enacts Collective Care. A Response To “Teaching Dobbs Where Divisive Concepts And Abortion Are Restricted”, Jenni Conrad

Democracy & Education

For both teacher candidates and teacher educators, facilitating discussions of contested issues in hyper-polarized climates remains a heavy lift. This response to “Teaching Dobbs…” celebrates the successes apparent in Geller’s team’s work and identifies key features that supported it. While cautioning readers against adopting avatar rehearsals elsewhere, I distill four themes of planning and enactment that show clear promise for broad transference in teacher education. Drawing from research exploring the interfaces of justice-oriented, practice-based, and democratic social studies scholarship, I offer pedagogical and logistical considerations for other teacher educators and researchers engaged in this ambitious and necessary work to sustain …

Teaching Dobbs Where Divisive Concepts And Abortion Are Restricted: Teacher Learning, Controversial Issues, And Mixed-Reality Technology, Rebecca C. Geller

Democracy & Education

Though scholarship has long championed the positive impacts of classroom considerations of controversial or difficult issues, teachers have often hesitated to broach divisive topics for numerous reasons, including legislation purporting to limit controversy in classrooms and, often, that they had limited or no preparation to teach controversies, especially not politically contentious sociopolitical contexts. I worked with a research team to use a mixed-reality teaching simulation of a controversial issue discussion as a low-stakes learning context for developing skills for collective pedagogical reasoning. The teaching simulation centered on Dobbs v. Jackson, the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. …

Joy In Lifelong Learning: An Introduction To Planning For Learning Disabilities In Museum Education, Elaine L. Davis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For over a century, the role of museums as learning institutions has been considered alongside that of schools. However, special education practices are rarely adapted for museum education, requiring educators in museum contexts to undertake extra work to accommodate those with learning disabilities. This thesis used Qualitative Comparative Analysis and Textual Analysis to review pedagogical white papers and academic research on museum programs aimed at neurodivergent audiences. The findings were used to create a professional development guide for museum educators at a range of different types of museums.

Implementation Of A Weaning Protocol For Inhaled Nitric Oxide In A Level Iv Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Elizabeth Loughman, Julie Weiner Do, Maryam El Tawil, Chris Nitkin Md

Research Days

Background: Decrease time to begin iNO weaning from 13 hours to 9.75 hours by 31 December 2024 in patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

Methods: Countermeasures include (1) provider education at each disciplinary level, (2) badge reminder cards and laminated copies of the protocol available at the bedside, (3) order set modifications, (4) abnormality tracking at huddles. Data collection will be automated through weekly Business Objects report. The main outcome measure will be time to first wean of iNO after meeting protocol criteria. Feedback regarding the ease of weaning will be generated via Gemba Rounds.

Results: These …

Perceptions Of Bullying In A Public Charter School, Ana I. Perea

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

ABSTRACT

Bullying is perceived in different ways according to the experience or training of individuals. In my practice, adults often misidentify disputes or incidents as bullying due to a lack of evidence or varying perceptions. This problem must be a theme of reflection for all stakeholders in traditional or charter schools. My study aimed to understand how teachers and parents perceive bullying in terms of social implications, cultural factors, and professional training. In my research, I provided insight into how the stakeholders in a public charter school perceive this phenomenon. The participants highlighted their perceptions and topics of communication, exclusion, …

Navigating Structural Behaviors To Education: A Qualitative Analysis Of Attendance, Behavior, And Academic Outcomes Among African American Scholars In Grades K-5, Tony E. Howard

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

This qualitative study explores the structural behaviors within public K-5 education that affect African American students' attendance, behavior, and academic outcomes. With a persistent achievement gap disproportionately affecting African American learners, the research investigates how systemic inequities and institutional practices hinder equitable access to quality education. Using a phenomenological approach, the study draws on the lived experiences of educators, administrators, and support staff across several school districts to understand the nuanced challenges African American students face.

Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and document analysis, yielding rich insights into how disciplinary policies, culturally unresponsive teaching practices, and inadequate support services contribute …

Science Of Reading Professional Development: The Perceptions Of Secondary Teachers In Arkansas, Teresa R. Moka

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

ABSTRACT SCIENCE OF READING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE PERCEPTIONS OF SECONDARY TEACHERS IN ARKANSAS

Teresa R. Moka

The study addresses the critical issue of low literacy proficiency among secondary students in Arkansas, where National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data reveals declining reading scores. Despite scientific consensus on reading instruction, many teachers lack professional development in evidence-based reading strategies, particularly at the secondary level. Although Arkansas secondary teachers have received initial Science of Reading (SoR) professional development from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the perceptions of secondary teachers regarding SoR professional development is not well documented. The purpose …

Sjsu Erfa Board Minutes, April 7, 2025, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

SJSU ERFA Minutes

SJSU ERFA Executive Board Minutes

April 7, 2025

Fostering Intrinsic Motivation In A Kindergarten Classroom Setting, Cally R. Cook

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Motivation plays a critical role in the development of young children. This action research study had two purposes: to understand the role of intrinsic motivation in a kindergarten classroom, as well as to gather student and teacher perceptions of motivation strategies already being implemented. To guide the research, the researcher formulated two questions: 1) What is the role of intrinsic motivation in learning in a kindergarten classroom setting? 2) What are teacher and student perceptions of strategies designed to foster intrinsic motivation in the classroom? Qualitative data was gathered through survey responses, student and teacher transcribed interviews, and observation notes. …

Learning Contracts In A Fourth-Grade Math Classroom, Kaylyn M. Hays

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This study explored fourth-grade students’ and their teacher’s perceptions of learning contracts in a math classroom, as well as their potential impact on assessment scores. Over four weeks, students alternated between using and not using contracts. During week three, participants completed a survey of Likert scale and open-ended questions; select students and the teacher were then interviewed. Field notes were taken weekly. Initial data was coded with level 1 codes, followed by level 2 codes derived from the first round. Themes were developed through indexing and analytical memos. Findings showed that students’ opinions of learning contracts were mixed: roughly equal …

Ableism And Museum Art Education: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Museum-Based Visual Studio Art Teachers, Elizabeth W. Buck

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

All people, including individuals with disabilities, who participate in hands-on visual art can experience various benefits. However, visual studio art teachers, especially museum-based teachers, have various backgrounds that do not always include education or training in serving individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how museum-based visual studio art teachers perceived that their training and preparation informed their awareness of ableism and ability to serve students with disabilities in art museums in the New England region of the United States. Twelve museum-based, visual studio art teachers participated in this study through semi-structured interviews. Through …

‘I Don’T Know Which Fire To Put Out’: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of First Year Teachers In Title I Schools, Crystal P. Glover, Erin Hamel, Koti Hubbard

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

For many early childhood and elementary educators, the early years of their professional career can prove to be the most challenging. Not surprisingly, approximately 30% of teachers leave the classroom within the first five years (Sutcher, Darling-Hammond & Carver-Thomas, 2019). That rate is even higher (~50%) for teachers in Title I schools (Miller, 2018). Despite a plethora of research regarding the causes of teacher attrition, very little has been done to specifically investigate the experiences of beginning teachers in Title I schools. This study seeks to identify and document the factors that positively and negatively affect those experiences.

The Future Of Coaching: Empowering Prospective Educators In Speech And Debate, Willow Keller

Honors Projects

This project addresses a clear and pressing gap in the Ohio Speech and Debate Association’s current strategic plan: the need for formal coach preparation and recruitment. This project combines academic research with actionable, real-world solutions, ensuring that the proposal is both credible and feasible. It is grounded in data and educational best practices, making it highly relevant to the immediate challenges facing Ohio’s forensics community. This project advocates for the creation of a state-approved coaching curriculum, which will be offered to education majors and certify that they are qualified to coach high school and middle school Speech and Debate.

Guidance And Lessons Learned For Instructors Seeking To Add Video Creation To Their Skill Set, Wendy A. Swenson Roth

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

Videos have entered the classroom, whether for online asynchronous courses or as supplementary information in synchronous classes. COVID-19 accelerated the pace of online and video learning but left instructors with little time to explore the optimal use of this technology. Nonetheless, videos are here to stay, raising questions about what unique choices faculty must make when implementing them and what new skills are required as videos become additional content delivery sources. The following article provides implementation guidance and lessons learned for instructors seeking to add video creation to their skill set.

Design, Implementation, And Reflection From An Interdisciplinary Course In Museum Studies, Brenna L. Decker

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

In Spring of 2023, I developed a special topics course titled Collection Material Handling to introduce students to museum management using Utah State University collections on the Logan, UT campus. The cross-listed upper-level course brought 16 USU students together from two disciplines: anthropology and natural sciences. The publication details how I used various learning theories to guide the creation of course content and how I structured and implemented activities in the classroom and in the collections. Examples of worksheets, activities, student feedback, and recommended improvements to assignments are provided. I encourage …

Learning A Little Bit Harder: The Intersecting Experiences Of First-Generation And Single-Mother College Students, Natalie Lecy, Elizabeth Hendrix, Brian A. Droubay

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

This study examines the experiences of nine first-generation, single-mother college students, focusing on these intersecting, double-jeopardy identities. Participants’ difficulty navigating college varied; contributing factors included family background, social capital, the type of college attended, and whether they established a mentor. The following themes were established: 1) realizing college is an option, 2) caught between two worlds, 3) college wasn’t designed for us, 4) economic barriers, and 5) disparities in social capital. Our findings indicate colleges were unprepared to meet the unique challenges faced by this group. We present recommendations for the …

The Role And Influence Of Faculty As Predictors For Retention And Satisfaction Among Generation Z, Katelyn Romsa, Stephani Jarecke, Jessie H. Hendricks, Bryan Romsa

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

While previous research has established that faculty and their interactions with students have had the greatest impact on student retention and satisfaction for centuries, limited studies have been done to understand how faculty are influencing Generation Z, our newest generation of students in higher education. This study examined how the quantity of faculty interactions is impacting student retention and satisfaction among 342 Generation Z first-year college students at a public land-grant institution in the Midwest using the National Survey of Student Engagement instrument. In a Mann-Whitney U test, significant difference was …

Full Issue: Journal On Empowering Teaching Excellence, Volume 9, Issue 1, Spring 2025

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

The full-length Spring 2025 issue (Volume 9, Issue 1) of the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version (with downloadable EPUB format) here.

The issue includes five articles addressing challenges in higher education: faculty-student interactions with Generation Z students, experiences of first-generation single-mother college students, implementation of an interdisciplinary museum studies course, guidance for creating educational videos, and a book review on resistance to change in higher education. The journal emphasizes practical strategies for effective teaching, inclusivity, and innovative approaches to pedagogy across various educational contexts.

Making Visible Leadership Characteristics And Actions In Fostering Collective Teacher Efficacy: A Cross-Case Study, Donald R. Mendenhall, Suzanne H. Jones, Leann G. Putney

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

Poverty can contribute to students' struggles with academic success, yet these struggles may be mitigated in schools with high levels of collective teacher efficacy (CTE). The purpose of this study was to identify effective Title I-eligible schools, serving a high percentage of financially disadvantaged students, while also maintaining high levels of CTE. Two schools were selected for cross-case analysis to explore how leadership characteristics and actions nurtured and sustained schoolwide CTE. The methodology used in this study was a qualitative cross-case analysis. The researchers purposefully selected the schools as cases based on the level of CTE existing in the schools. …