Digital Commons Network^™

Innovative Instruction To Cultivate Young Adolescents’ Creativity In A Virtual Environment, Stacie K. Pettit, Christi L. Pace, Dawn Jeffers, Emily Harrison

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

The unique needs of high-ability young adolescents should be met just as those students with other diverse needs even when instruction becomes virtual. This paper highlights the work of two teachers who overcame the challenges of remote and hybrid learning to provide quality lessons on creativity, logic, and problem solving. They are accomplishing this for 4th and 5th grade students in their gifted program through project-based learning and other lessons situated around creativity. The strategies presented that encourage students to exercise creativity would be beneficial for all students.

Internet Addiction And Academic Fatigue, Engagement, And Performance Among Undergraduates In Southwestern Universities In Nigeria, Mensah Prince Osiesi, Olutoyin Olufunke Fajobi, Sikeade Mercy Adegboyega, Abiodun Adesope Fadiya, Olaitan Titilayo Akinola, Folasade Oluyemisi Olayinka, Muyiwa Sunday Ajimuse, Sunday Nnamdi Okocha, Tolulope Oluwatoyin Olayiwola-Adedoja, Oladipo Adeyeye Olubodun Phd, Atinuke Titilope Babalola, Valentina Grion

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: Internet addiction among university undergraduates may deeply impact their academic lives. This study investigated the association between academic fatigue, academic engagement, academic performance, gender, and internet addiction and how the variables jointly and relatively predict internet addiction among undergraduates in southwestern universities in Nigeria.

Method: The correlational research type of the non-experimental research design was adopted for this study. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 1,157 students. The main variables were the Internet Addiction Test (r = 0.82) and the Academic Fatigue Questionnaire (r = 0.85; both adapted), as well as the Academic Engagement Scale …

The Everyday Heroism Of A Neurodiverse Teacher In Aotearoa New Zealand, Lindsay Fish, Therese Eberhard

Heroism Science

This article works to demonstrate the utility of everyday heroism as a construct to understand the work of teachers as heroic. The first part of the article makes connections across literature that establish the everyday work of teachers as heroic. This is done by connecting banal heroism, bureaucratic heroism as it is explored in academic literature and film, and the notion of the hero as companion. Teaching as everyday heroism is then demonstrated through a case study of one neurodiverse teacher’s inquiry into her practice. Using three critical moments from an autoethnographic case study, the teacher is shown to be …

Imperative Duality Of Music Teacher Technological Education, Drew X. Coles, Cato Zane

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

Referencing the TPACK (Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge) framework articulated by Mishra and Koehler, this article explains the need for educators to acknowledge and educate themselves regarding different proficiency tracks within the world of music technological content knowledge. We argue that our concept of “Imperative Duality” elaborates upon, and works to balance, the three elements of the TPACK framework: content knowledge, technological expertise, and pedagogical skills. With imperative duality, we explore the idea that educators must possess both content and technological knowledge to facilitate effective and comprehensive music tech instruction. This article also explores some music technology content and technological …

Developing Active Listening In Csd Undergraduates: A Pilot Comparison Of Computer-Based Simulations And Immersive Virtual Reality, David M. Rehfeld, Payton Demeyer, Abby Kugler, Kristin Pelczarski

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Simulated learning experiences (SLEs) are becoming increasingly popular in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) training programs. This pilot study examines the relative effectiveness of delivering a SLE via standard computer or using virtual reality headsets for a more immersive learning experience. Seventy undergraduate CSD students were randomly assigned to complete the same SLE using one of these two modes of delivery to explore the technology’s effect on learning outcomes and self-confidence. Although no statistically significant difference in outcomes was observed, medium effects of intervention were observed on all outcomes, suggesting further is research is needed into the impact different technologies …

Embracing Language Diversity: An Exploration Of Elementary Teachers' Perception Of African American English, Manijeh Hart

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Students of African descent often speak in a dialect that differs from the Dominant American English (DAE) dialect, known as African American English (AAE). Since this dialect is not considered mainstream, students who speak and write in this dialect may be at a disadvantage when being assessed on literacy skills and responding to literacy instruction. However, it is possible to address this issue by preparing and supporting teachers in recognizing AAE use in literacy activities and providing them with instructional strategies to support students who use AAE. The goal of this research was to investigate the perceptions that elementary school …

Toward A Critical Pedagogy Of Assessment Integrating Social Studies Education: The Proposed Socio-Critical Assessment Integration Framework (Scaif), Caroline O. Alordiah, Regina Arisi

Journal of Research Initiatives

The Socio-Critical Assessment Integration Framework (SCAIF) and its consequences for social studies education are examined in this study. The results emphasize the advantages of developing inclusive learning environments, encouraging comprehensive evaluation procedures, encouraging applicability to the real world, and giving students agency by allowing participation in the evaluation process actively. Teachers can promote social justice, question prevailing narratives, and foster critical discourse in the classroom using a critical pedagogy lens. Student learning outcomes are improved by authentic assessment activities that reflect real-world problems and demand that students use their knowledge in meaningful ways. Inclusive learning settings respect student diversity, encourage …

Teacher Retention And The Future Of Learning: Alarming Concerns About Preparing The Next Generation Of Citizens, Dejuanna M. Parker, Barbara D. Holmes

Journal of Research Initiatives

Research is robust in detailing the various reasons teachers leave the profession. There is scant literature on why teachers stay and what should be done to improve teacher retention. Teacher retention is a primary concern nationally and internationally. The inability to retain teachers has resulted in a teacher shortage and significantly affects student learning. Sorenson and Ladd (2020) This study yielded three emergent themes related to integral factors of teacher retention: changing attitudes on administrative support, workplace collegiality, and persistence of passion and purpose. Recommendations offered include encouraging administrators to leverage the passion and commitment of the educators to create …

Factors Influencing Jordanian College Understudies' Impressions Of Learning Through Emergency Distance Learning (Edl), Abdelnaser Sanad Alakayleh

Journal of Research Initiatives

In this study, which used a quantitative and correlational approach, the variables influencing Jordanian university students' perceptions of their education under emergency remote learning scenarios were investigated. An online survey was administered to a sample of 765 male and female education stage students. Jordan offers higher education for both genders and at different levels in different regions. Many criteria connected to perceived learning were taken into consideration when administering the study questionnaire. It was discovered that the economics students had a more positive perception of learning than the education and science students, followed by deep learning, avoiding superficial learning factors, …

An Investigation Of Ninth Grade Students’ Perceptions Of Equitable Grading Practices, Sarah Ruth Morris, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Jonathan Wai, Robert Anthony Maranto

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study investigated students’ perceptions of grading equity practices, focusing on preferences and the influence of student characteristics on support for grading equity. Through surveys and open-ended questions involving 256 ninth-grade students, the research highlighted a general preference for fair and supportive grading systems that consider individual circumstances and offer retake opportunities. Multivariate OLS regression analysis reveals that while Pre-AP students show resistance, students experiencing high-stress levels favor equitable grading practices. The findings suggest the need for educational reforms prioritizing transparency and fairness, including student voices in policy development, and emphasizing grading systems that support holistic student development.

Student-Conscious Practice And Pathways For Student Success, Anthony Walker, Sara Mata

Journal of Research Initiatives

This paper shares evidence of how four programs enhanced students' pathways from high school through bachelor's degrees. Each program expanded students' networks, fostered a sense of belonging, and developed critical thinking skills. Ten years after participation, we looked back to gain insights into key elements that impacted students' learning experience. Data from student voices highlighted the importance of inclusiveness in action, institutional responsibility, and culturally relevant pedagogy in student success and program impact.

Chatgpt Didn’T Write This: Evaluating The Impact Of Llms With A Case Study In Grading Cuny Language Immersion Program Student Essays, Benjamin Inbar

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This study evaluates the capabilities and limitations of large language models (LLMs), specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o, in grading essays from students in the City University of New York’s Language Immersion Program. The program serves English language learners with diverse linguistic and demographic backgrounds, offering intensive language instruction to prepare students for academic success in college. Using a dataset of 30 pre- and post-program essays scored by program instructors and ChatGPT-4o under three paradigms, this research explores the alignment between human and AI-generated scores across five rubric-based competency areas. Findings reveal that ChatGPT-4o aligns moderately with human grading, with the strongest agreement …

Faculty As Ambassadors Of Diversity Initiatives: Promoting Inclusive Pedagogy Through Innovative Professional Development Program And Community Of Practice, Hyunjin Jinna Kim, Rose Tirotta-Esposito, Luis Colón, Yi Zhang

International Journal of Transformative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

The national and global demographic trends call for attention to advance efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in U.S. higher education. Incorporating DEI initiatives in higher education institutions (HEIs) is more important than ever as accelerated globalization increases student mobility. Implementing effective and inclusive pedagogical approaches in higher education classrooms is also more emphasized as meeting students’ diverse needs is proven to increase students’ engagement, achievement, retention, and even sense of belonging (Barnett, 2020; Kim et al., 2023a; Maguire et al., 2017). This brief paper presents preliminary findings of the data collected from a Faculty as Inclusive Teaching Ambassador …

Autonomy And Relatedness: Motivating Kindergarten Teachers In An Online Professional Development, Xuanyi Eliza Wu, Alfredo Bautista, Marc Clarà

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Drawing on the self-determination theory, this paper focuses on two factors that are essential for individuals to be motivated, namely the psychological needs of autonomy and relatedness. We implemented three different iterations of an online PD course, entitled Chat with Children. While content was identical, the designs of autonomy and relatedness varied. Participants of this exploratory study were 417 in-service Hong Kong kindergarten teachers. We analyzed teachers’ enrollment, participation, and completion in the three iterations, and also interviewed teachers to explore their experiences of different autonomy and relatedness designs. We found that participation and completion were significantly higher in the …

Generative Ai Highlights The Contrast Between Students’ Dualistic Epistemic Practices And Teacher Education Learning Objectives, Tellervo Härkki, Tarmo Thorström, Miika Leino, Henriikka Vartiainen, Matti Tedre

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This study examines student teachers’ capabilities when adopting a generative AI system as a new cognitive tool. In our pedagogical intervention, students used ChatGPT 3.5 to support a small research task. Consistent with decades of research on higher education students’ epistemic positions, most students approached the knowledge-building task (and, respectively, ChatGPT) with dualistic epistemic practices. Notably, ChatGPT’s polished interface invites naïve dualistic interpretations. However, teacher education learning objectives and effective knowledge-building with generative AI tools require more sophisticated epistemic stances: understanding knowledge as contingent and context-bound and knowledge-building as an activity that requires validation. This suggests that the central challenge …

Project-Based Flipped Classroom (Pjbfc) For Enhancing 4c Skills In Geography Learning, Ika Listiqowati, Budijanto Budijanto, Sumarmi Sumarmi, I Nyoman Ruja, Exsa Putra, Nor Asniza Ishak

Jurnal Pendidikan Geografi: Kajian, Teori, dan Praktek dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Ilmu Geografi

This study aims to develop a Project-Based Flipped Classroom (PjBFC) learning model to enhance geography education students' 4C skills when submitting research projects related to geography and geography education. It also seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the PjBFC model in improving these skills during the submission of research proposals in the field. The development process follows the ADDIE framework, consisting of assessment, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Two validators validated the PjBFC learning model, along with the learning materials and tools. The implementation phase, or field trial, involved observing the product in use, with 60 students from the Geography …

In Memoriam - Nora Sabelli: Master Orchestrator Of Grant Programs And Mentor For Advancing The Interdisciplinary Learning Sciences Field, Eric Hamilton, Jeremy Roschelle, Roy Pea, Barbara Means, Louis Gomez, Kim Gomez, Nancy Butler Songer

Education Division Scholarship

On Friday, September 6, 2024, the learning sciences field lost a giant in Dr. Nora Sabelli, 87 years old, a personal mentor to many researchers and an inspiration to so many learning scientists and STEM leaders. Nora’s first professional career was as a computational chemist, and later she became a passionate leader in research for improving STEM education. Nora’s time as a senior program officer at the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Education and Human Resources (EHR) directorate was legendary; she was a force of nature who reshaped funding priorities for stronger science and a stronger connection of science to education …

Exploring School Teachers' Cyber Security Awareness, Experiences, And Practices In The Digital Age, R Ravichandran, Sonam Singh, P Sasikala

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This study investigates the awareness and practices of cyber security among school teachers, exploring their understanding of cyber threats, online behaviours, and response mechanisms to cyber incidents. A structured questionnaire was administered to gather data on demographic information, cyber security training, online practices, and experiences with cybercrime. The findings reveal varying levels of awareness among teachers, with many reporting limited knowledge of prevalent cyber threats such as phishing and identity theft. Despite the increasing reliance on digital tools for teaching, a significant number of respondents indicated a lack of formal training in cyber security. The study highlights the necessity for …

Developing Adolescent Word-Level Knowledge: Challenges And Opportunities In Professional Learning With Secondary Educators, Jenelle Williams

Michigan Reading Journal

This article aims to highlight the research base for disciplinary literacy approaches, emphasize foundational literacy components that apply to the majority of adolescent learners, and propose tangible approaches to attend to morphological development in multiple academic disciplines. The article will conclude with a call for additional research into the role of morphological awareness in strengthening adolescent reading comprehension, as well as further study of the implications for systemic approaches across all disciplines in secondary educational settings.

Examining The Creative Process Of Visual Artists: A Phenomenological Study, Filiberto Vargas

Dissertations

Creativity fuels problem solving and innovation, driving both economic growth and individual success. Yet, many schools and organizations fail to nurture it. Today, there is a decline in creativity scores among U.S. students. This is concerning since many of these students will be the future leaders of organizations and communities. For this reason, this dissertation explores the creative process of visual artists to better understand how creativity can be cultivated. Visual artists' perspectives and sense-and-meaning-making processes offer a unique view of innovation and creativity. However, there is limited research on the creative processes of contemporary visual artists from culturally diverse …

Autoethnographic Action Research As A Contemplative Practice: Awareness And Transformation Of Inner And Outer Selves, Jiju Varghese, Bal Chandra Luitel, Niroj Dahal

The Qualitative Report

Contemplation as a spiritual practice has taken various forms across different religious traditions and regions worldwide. Over the years, various contemplative practices have evolved and become popular even outside religious traditions to promote the well-being of all for inner and outer selves’ transformation. In education, many scholars worldwide have expounded on the benefits of contemplative practices in the classroom for students and teachers. Contemplative practices have penetrated research practices in the form of contemplative inquiry considering performative, philosophical, and artistic transformations, where researchers enter into a deep, thoughtful, and reflective introspective journey to see the connection between what is seen …

No Sugar-Coating: Advice For Future Teachers Of Students With Behavioral Challenges, Carolyn C. Mitchell, Steven J. Kenis, Tracy Gershwin

Journal of Educational Research and Innovation

Many special education teacher preparation programs overlook behavior-based instruction, leaving teachers ill-prepared for students with challenging behaviors. This qualitative study interviewed special education teachers to explore their experiences acquiring behavioral knowledge and managing challenging behaviors. Results highlighted the necessity for targeted preparation and continuous professional development, reliance on peer support, utilization of proactive behavioral interventions, and specific advice for future educators. The implications for practice underscore the importance of enhancing teacher education in behavior management while suggesting avenues for further research to address this critical need in special education training.

The Student Becomes The Teacher, Kaycee Johnson

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Leveraging Emotional Contagion With An Attitude Of Gratitude, Adrienna Bartnicki, Rachel Tindall

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Did 'Flipping The Script' Flip Perceptions? The Impact Of A Student-Led Teaching Conference, Alivia "Liv" Overbee, Trinity Perkins

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

From Car Conversation To Collaborative Conference: Building Faculty-Student Partnerships At Eastern Michigan University, Jeffrey L. Bernstein, Alivia "Liv" Overbee

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Teaching And Learning Together At Eastern Michigan University, Jeffrey L. Bernstein, Alivia "Liv" Overbee

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Right Choice For Me: An Executive Function (Ef) Focused Intervention Program For Teachers, Brisa E. Kress

Education | Graduate Culminating Projects

In every classroom, students face choices. These choices can look like how to approach a non-fiction text, how to plan a narrative, how to pick the right spot in the room for reading, or how to reflect on their experience during a group project.

Right Choice For Me is an Executive Function (EF) focused toolkit. It follows a flexible 10-week timeline and offers educators of any grade customizable tools and strategies to teach essential EF skills in ways that honor each student's voice, choice, and unique learning style. Right Choice For Me focuses on three core EF strategies:

• Planning/Goal-Setting

• Self-Monitoring …

  ---

  Go to article

The Impact Of Administrator-Led Walkthroughs On Teacher Self-Efficacy, Kerri Templeton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how administrator-led instructional walkthroughs influence teacher self-efficacy in one public school district located in West Virginia. Guided by Bandura’s (1977) framework of self-efficacy, the research examined the lived experiences of teachers and administrators who participated in regularly scheduled walkthroughs as part of a district-wide instructional leadership initiative. Data were collected through open-ended surveys with PK–12 teachers and administrators and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to the perceived impact of the walkthrough process.

Findings revealed that when walkthroughs were conducted with clear purpose, relational trust, and consistent, meaningful feedback, they …

An Exploration Of Change In Teachers’ Sel Pedagogical Content Knowledge And Beliefs After Participation In A Sel Professional Development Course For Uruguayan Teachers Of Secondary Schools, Sheila Coli

Dissertations of Practice

This convergent mixed-methods study explored how secondary school English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in Uruguay changed their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of social emotional learning (SEL), and their beliefs about their role in SEL integration, after participating in a six-week online professional development (PD) course. Amid increased international emphasis on the importance of social and emotional competencies (SECs) for students’ academic and personal success, Uruguay’s EFL national curriculum calls for the promotion of these competencies, yet offers limited guidelines or training for their EFL educators. The PD course was designed by the researcher to address this gap, providing …