Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The United States Higher Education System, Phoenix Daniel Van Wormer

University Honors Theses

In the spring of 2020, colleges across the United States rapidly transitioned to online/remote learning during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Since then, online and remote learning have evolved into an integral component of higher education. This thesis examines the extent to which COVID-19-mandated remote and online learning impacted students pursuing higher education in the United States. By utilizing research that compares academic structures before and after the pandemic, I demonstrate how the shift to online and remote learning has changed teaching and learning methods. I also evaluate the impact of these changes on student performance and engagement, with particular focus …

Nuanced Relationships Between Teacher Collaboration And Job Satisfaction, Olha Ketsman, Todd Reeves

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

This explanatory correlational study examined nuanced relationships between teacher collaboration and teacher job satisfaction in two school districts in Illinois. A total of N=231 K-12 teachers responded to established measures of teacher job satisfaction and teacher collaboration from the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS). Structural equation modeling revealed a small positive relationship between one form of collaboration among teachers—professional collaboration in lessons—and job satisfaction with the profession specifically. However, two other forms of collaboration, namely teacher exchange and coordination and professional learning community collaboration, were statistically unrelated to teachers’ satisfaction with both the workplace and the profession …

Maintaining Well-Being: Coping Strategies For Prolonged Traumatic Experiences From The Stories Of Ukrainian Educators During The Wartime, Natalya Rakevich

Educational Studies Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study aimed to better understand how and whether educators can maintain well-being during prolonged trauma. This study examines the experiences of Ukrainian educators living in non-occupied territories during wartime. The following research questions guided the study: What coping strategies do educators use to take care of themselves? What coping strategies do educators use with their students? How do educators perceive mindfulness and storytelling? A conceptual framework was created to better understand the topics of stress, trauma, being, well-being, surviving, suffering, and coping mechanisms through a literature review. Data collection occurred in February and March 2024, two years …

Towards Active Learning Practice: A Theory To Practice-Led Model. Part 2: Implementing The Al Classroom., Strutts Psyridis

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Part two of this monograph series  explores the implementation of Active Learning in praxis. Focused on facilitative teaching, it  positions educators as guided, responsive practitioners who actively balance explicit instruction with learner autonomy. The paper outlines principles for structuring units of learning, including clearly defined outcomes, participatory expectations, assessment transparency, and strategies for fostering a positive learning environment.

Understanding Ai In Education: Perspectives From Midwest School Stakeholder, Chelsea Feusner, Bryan Artman, Judy Henning, Michael Teahon, Chris Knoell

School Leadership Review

This research project aimed to delve into the perceptions and comprehension of artificial intelligence (AI) policy and usage among key stakeholders in Midwest schools, including superintendents, principals, teachers, and school librarians. This qualitative study explored the nuanced perspectives and insights of these individuals, shedding light on their understanding, concerns, and attitudes towards the integration of AI technologies within educational settings. Through in-depth focus groups and thematic analysis, the study endeavors to contribute valuable insights into the evolving landscape of AI in education, informing policy decisions and educational practices for the benefit of students and educators alike.

Classroom Teachers' Approaches To Values Education: Exploring Explicit And Implicit Strategies For Teaching And Modeling Values, Maria Ukamaka Clare Okeke

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This study explores the approaches Nigerian secondary school teachers in Anambra State use to teach values through explicit and implicit methods. Recognizing the need to understand how values are effectively communicated in the classroom, this research delves into the dual strategies employed by educators and their impacts on student moral development. The research used a qualitative interview study approach, which included semi-structured interviews with ten experienced secondary school teachers and a document analysis of teaching resources. This method allows one to investigate the explicit instruction and implicit modeling strategies applied in values education in depth. Findings reveal that teachers …

Storytelling As Research Methodology And Pedagogy: Connecting The Researcher And Practitioner Through Narrative Inquiry, David Wolff

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

The most effective teachers are reflective teachers. Reflective teachers are curious about their pedagogy and their impact on student learning and often seek out opportunities to formalize their reflective process and share their stories about their teaching practices. Teachers’ knowledge is founded in their stories of experience (Ciuffetelli et al., 2011). The author positions themselves as the researcher in this autoethnographic narrative inquiry, or self-study. As the researcher, they use the narrative inquiry methodology to study themselves and explore the learning process of using storytelling in their Social Studies methods course in a Teacher Education program while exploring the research …

Domino Effect: A Case Study On The Impact Of Education Legislation On The Emotions, Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, And Retention Of English Language Arts Teachers In A Rural Middle School, Melinda Palmer

Dissertations

This multiple case study uses the appraisal theory of emotions to examine how Georgia education legislation, the Georgia Parents’ Bill of Rights and Senate Bill 226, impacted the emotional experiences, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction of ELA teachers in a rural middle school. This study also examines how this legislation impacted the retention of ELA teachers at the site school. The study highlights the experiences of 3 veteran teachers who were teaching ELA during the year immediately following the passage of the legislation. The findings indicate that the subsequent procedural changes initiated unpleasant emotional experiences: anger associated with the loss of …

Mitigating The Negative Effects Of Over And Early Exposure To Media With Joint Media Engagement: A Literature Review, Mary K. Littlepage

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This paper examines the negative impact of over and early exposure to media on children’s developmental domains. Among other deleterious effects, early and over exposure to media has been associated with attention deficits, language delays, and interrupted social interactions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) addresses these concerns with recommendations, discouraging the use of screens for children birth to eighteen months and recommends that children over two years old limit their viewing to one to two hours or less per day (AAP Council on Communications and Media, 2016). For children within the recommended viewing and age parameters, many studies have …

Teacher Decision Making In Guided-Reading, Brittany Worthen

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Guided reading provides teachers the opportunity to support students in literacy learning. When planning for and implementing this instructional approach, teachers are required to make various in-advance and in-the-moment decisions that involve responding to students’ instructional needs through adaptive teaching. Grounded in sociocultural and social constructivist theories, this study was designed to understand teacher decision-making within the context of guided reading instruction.

This research was a collective case study aimed at providing a better understanding of the various decisions teachers make when teaching in a guided reading context. Findings pertaining to in-advanced decisions that emerged from the data can be …

Power Of Partnerships, Joni Meade

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

No abstract provided.

Collaborative Inclusion: Iep Team Perspectives On Supporting Students With Extensive Needs And The Implications For Teacher Preparation Programs, Deborah J. Amend, Amy E. Lein, Alexandra J. Taylor, Elizabeth G. Dinkins

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This mixed methods multi-case study explored the inclusion of students with extensive support needs, including multiple disabilities and autism, in a small elementary school setting. The study focused on the perspectives of school-based IEP team members regarding inclusive practices. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, the research incorporated raw score data from the Teacher Attitude Towards Inclusion Survey alongside individual interviews, a focus group, and the development of tailored student support plans. A ten-week coaching intervention was implemented, grounded in Kunz and Carter’s (2021) collaborative and consultative framework, to enhance the team's capacity for inclusive education. Findings suggest …

Scaffolding Learning In Science Class With Literacy Strategies, Katelyn Collins, Sue Lasky Dr.

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy of integrating literacy-based pedagogic strategies into science inquiry skills in a 6th-grade science classroom in Berea, Kentucky. This school district's student test scores are low in science, presumably tied to low informational literacy skills. This mixed-method study triangulated data from four weeks of lesson plans, two classroom observations, and four weeks of teacher analytic reflective notes. School i-Ready reading diagnostic data was also examined for pre-intervention and post-intervention conditions. Key findings of this research indicate increased student engagement and enthusiasm when practicing literacy pedagogical strategies in science class and a …

“I Don’T Remember One Thing About Civic Education”: Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Perspectives On Civic Learning And Civic Engagement, Daniela Kruel Digiacomo, Laura H. Darolia, Carly Muetterties, Stephanie Mobley

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

In this study, we examined elementary pre-service teachers’ perspectives on civic education and information and media literacy. We designed an intervention in an elementary social studies methods course to examine if pre-service teachers’ learning experiences shifted attitudes toward and imaginations about their future practice as teachers. Initial findings, based on interview transcripts and classroom artifacts, confirm the importance of bringing civic education and information and media literacy to young learners and offer insights into the kinds of support pre-service teachers may need to do so.

Teaching Vocabulary Graphic Organizers To Students With Disabilities Using The Constant Time Delay Procedure, Kera B. Ackerman, Channon K. Horn

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This study examined the effectiveness of constant time delay (CTD) as a systematic instructional technique to teach three elementary-aged students identified with mild to moderate disabilities how to complete a vocabulary graphic organizer using words identified from their grade level social studies textbook. The researcher used CTD to teach the participants how to complete the graphic organizer while embedding instructive feedback. A multiple probe design across three participants was used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results indicate that CTD was effective in teaching participants how to complete the graphic organizer. Additionally, participant acquired information through instructive feedback (e.g., …

Examining The Influence Of Digital Transformation On Organizational Culture And Employee Adaptability In Higher Education Institutions Across The Gulf Cooperation Council (Gcc), Hussein Elsayed Mohamed Ismail

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

The study aimed to explore the impact of digital transformation on organisational culture and employee readiness within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Conducted in 2024, it involved research that used a sample of employees and administrators from various universities across the region. Structured questionnaires served as data collection tools, allowing for an in-depth evaluation of the different dimensions of digital transformation. This study primarily utilises secondary data analysis, which involves examining data from existing studies, reports, and scholarly articles. This approach is selected for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as it allows access to extensive …

The Knowledge, Ability And Willingness Of Instructors To Accommodate Students With Disabilities In Higher Education, Hawa Allarakhia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the findings of a study investigating the knowledge, ability, and willingness of faculty at a large university to accommodate students with disabilities (SWD). It reveals that while many instructors demonstrate a solid understanding of disability legislation, variations in knowledge and confidence exist based on demographic factors, particularly years of experience. Accommodations like extended time and distraction-free testing environments are more likely to be received positively by instructors and granted easily, while there needs to be more inclination to offer resource-intensive options like note-takers. The study also recommends future research and practical strategies for higher education institutions to …

The Masters Program: A Model For Teaching Adolescents Soft Skills For Career Readiness, Jewrell Rivers

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This workshop will introduce conference participants to the MASTERS Program, a model for teaching adolescents soft skills for career readiness. Participants will engage in small group discussions, simulation activities and interactive exercises to fulfill learning objectives. Participants will be provided with guidance on how to implement the MASTERS Program at their school for preparing students for success in the workplace.

Non-Aversive Social And Academic Interventions For Youth With Challenging Behavior, Tom Clees

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Differential reinforcement procedures (DR) will be the focus of this presentation, including differential reinforcement of appropriate behavior that is alternative to (DRA), or incompatible with (DRI), targeted challenging behavior, and differential reinforcement of the absence of challenging behavior for specified intervals (DRO). In addition, combined strategies (DR with changing criteria and/or social skills instruction) will be presented. Novel applications will also be highlighted.

Importance Of Principal-School Counselor Relationship, Moya A. Pope Ed.S, Monica Y. Pace Ed.S

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Principals and School Counselors - y'all alright?!? What's your relationship like: Good? Bad? Ugly? The relationship between the school counselor and principal can affect the school as a whole - and when they have a strong relationship, the school community is stronger. This presentation will give you tips on how to strengthen your relationship, become better leaders and positively affect student achievement and school climate.

Guardians Or Bystanders? Examining School Shooting Responses In The Southern United States, Andre L. Tompkins Ed.D.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

School shootings challenge educational safety, demanding effective leadership strategies. The Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers, heightened concerns about campus vulnerabilities, urging administrators to prioritize student protection. I performed a qualitative study interviewing principals, teachers, parents, and community leaders to examine their experiences addressing campus threats. The findings revealed three themes: (1) ineffective leadership affects campus safety, (2) prompt actions enhance trust in leadership, and (3) connecting with others enhances safety. In this study, I spotlight the crucial role that proactive leadership plays in building the coalitions needed to …

Oer Learning In Disguise Toolkit, Alessandra Early, Nicole Mckenna

Open Educational Resources

The OER Learning in Disguise Toolkit, created by Doctors Alessandra Early and Nicole McKenna, is a series of learning materials that ask students to apply key criminal justice concepts to arenas like social media or popular culture, emphasizing media literacy, active reading, and creative thinking. The toolkit includes an introduction; five assignment descriptions (each divided into an instructor-facing section with notes on how to explain the assignment, and a student-facing section with the sample assignment description); one in-class activity; and an appendix with additional readings and materials.

Gatekeeper Perspectives On Suicide Prevention, Anne Woolston

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Suicide is a profound public health problem across the United States that has lasting effects on individuals, families, and their communities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.b). Suicide affects all ages and is a serious concern across the life span. However, rates of suicidality are higher among youth. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among people 55 to 64 years of age, the fourth leading cause of death for people 35 to 54 years of age, and the second leading cause of death for people 10 to 34 years of age (CDC, n.d.a). Recently, more attention …

Bridging The Knowledge Gap: Professional Development Connecting Educators And Caregivers Of Multilingual Learners, Mihaela Gazioglu, Emily Howell, Rebecca Kaminski, Victoria Pennington, Nicole Ferguson-Sams, Kavita Mittapalli, Amlan Banerjee

Publications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the professional growth of a cohort of teachers working with multilingual learners (MLs) during an MEd program and their recommendations for the development of a literacy course for ML caregivers. In addition, this study explores whether the school district capacity supports teacher growth, as reflected through district representatives’ feedback.

Design/methodology/approach – This design-based research study, informed by the culturally relevant pedagogy and dual capacity building frameworks, explores 30 in-service K-12 teachers and 11 district representatives. Data were collected through semestrial surveys and research logs over two years using mixed methods. …

From Awareness To Action: Caregivers’ Roles In Multilingual Learners’ Literacy Development, Mihaela Gazioglu, Lindsey W. Rowe, Emily Howell, Victoria Pennington, Nicole Ferguson-Sams, Kavita Mittapalli, Amlan Banerjee

Publications

This design-based research study, grounded in the theoretical framework of dual capacity building, explored the impact of a literacy course on multilingual learners’ caregivers, focusing on their knowledge and self-efficacy in supporting their children’s literacy development. Findings revealed a collaborative process between caregivers and researchers, where caregivers contributed insights into their learning needs and influenced the course’s development and implementation. At the end of the course, caregivers’ average self-efficacy score showed a statistically significant 21% increase, while their knowledge ratings increased by 15%. Beyond academic support, the course significantly increased caregivers’ confidence in navigating school systems, understanding school procedures, and …

Learning Lessons From Hard Truths: School Shootings, Devin Watson

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The American school system is plagued by violent attacks such as school shootings. Unfortunately, these events are incredibly difficult to predict. The security used for these schools is often found lacking and students aren’t getting the help needed. Part of the issue is the internal struggle of students in tough situations and teachers not being trained properly to help them. School security is more than just something at the gate. It’s about creating a safe environment that students can find sanctuary in. The solution is to provide better training for teachers and updating the physical security of the school.

Continuous Improvement: Resources To Support Teachers’ Professional Growth, Victoria Oglan, Lauren Gehr

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Being an effective teacher requires attention to a wide variety of factors. In addition to knowing the content, teachers need to address the following: planning and implementing curriculum, building a welcoming classroom where every student feels safe, developing healthy relationships with students, mastering the many forms of assessment strategies, understanding how to actively engage and motivate students in their learning, growing a repertoire of best practice instructional methods, and being a reflective practitioner to address next steps in their methodology. The books reviewed here will assist in professional development for teachers.

Attendance And Absenteeism: Can We Fix It?, Stephanie J. Bell

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This research project shows how consistent communication with parents of special education students regarding daily and weekly attendance can make a difference in decreasing absenteeism and increasing attendance in the virtual resource classroom. This study supports promoting access to special education services with parents as partners in the virtual environment. This approach can be adapted to fit various classroom environments.

Beyond The Four Walls: Understanding The Impact Of Inter-Industrial Learning Experiences, Walter Lee, Olivia Bobo, Shaekwon Heard, Nicole Patton, Lauren Thrasher

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The traditional learning environment for pre-service teachers most commonly reflects the banking concept, coined by Paulo Freire. The instructor teaches in the classroom and students are expected to learn, applying concepts during lesson planning and certification exams as proof of their learning (Freire, 1996). If authentic learning is occurring and skills are transferable, students should be able to identify educational concepts in other industries as validation that these practices are relevant. In this article, we propose a fresh, engaging approach to teaching pre-service teachers: inter-industrial learning experiences. Learn about our experience with Clayton Construction Company and how middle level pre-service …

An Exploration Of The Disproportionate Representation Of Youth With Learning Disabilities In The Juvenile Justice System, Kayla S. Cox

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This article examines the factors and potential remedial approaches to the longstanding overrepresentation of adolescents with learning disabilities in the juvenile justice system. As schools look to harden themselves and reduce their appeal as possible targets of violence, this group of students becomes more vulnerable to policies and decisions that can increase the risk of engagement with the juvenile justice system and prolonged criminality versus normal developmental adjustment into adulthood. This requires considering the unique challenges that this group faces, the impacts of the main hypotheses explicating the phenomenon, and considering ways that classroom educators can help to meaningfully divert …