Digital Commons Network^™

Factors Influencing Academic Recovery In Mathematics In Middle School Students After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jon A. Debord

Student Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption to K–12 education, with middle school mathematics among the most adversely affected subject areas. While prior research has documented pandemic-related learning loss, less is known about how recovery occurred in districts where mathematics performance rebounded. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore middle school mathematics teachers’ perceptions of factors influencing post-pandemic academic recovery in selected Illinois public school districts that demonstrated high levels of mathematics recovery. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory, this study examined how classroom, school, family, and district contexts shaped students’ recovery experiences. A basic qualitative research design was …

The Heart Of An Educator An Autoethnographic Study Of Homeschool Practices That Reflect Core Udl Principles, Kimberly Clinton

Dissertations

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework was at the heart of this study, which served as a critical lens for examining the instructional design practices embedded in the homeschool environment. Specifically, I examined how the three core tenets of UDL: representation, action and expression, and engagement were reflected within the Clinton Homeschool Instructional Learning Design (CHILD). The aim was to identify how homeschool instruction, as implemented by the researcher, parallels UDL principles in its responsiveness to learner variability, its emphasis on flexible instructional delivery, and its commitment to student-centered engagement. In contrast to the dominant educational paradigm, which often …

Building School, Family, And Community Partnerships That Support Rural Diverse And Exceptional Learners, Jerrie L. Brooks, Brooke A. Moore, Megan S. Finnerty

The Rural Educator

Research demonstrates that school, family, and community partnerships are mutually beneficial, holding the potential to foster positive educational, emotional, and behavioral benefits for all students, especially diverse and exceptional students. Our qualitative study examined survey responses from 109 administrators, general and special educators, and parents in rural schools across western Kansas. We identified common barriers and successes to building parent partnerships related to communication, access, and attitudes about working with diverse and exceptional families. One major finding was the importance of “place”—rural communities are often close-knit and connected across generations. We propose a model that can be used by rural …

Institutionalizing Inclusive Education In East Africa: A Mixed-Methods Synthesis Of Pedagogical Impact And Teacher Professional Learning, Nyagwegwe Wango, Jane Rarieya

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

East African teacher education reforms are placing a greater emphasis on inclusive and gender responsive pedagogy; yet, little research has been done on how these innovations are institutionalized outside of project cycles. In order to combine the results of two complimentary projects, the Strengthening Education Systems East Africa (SESEA) project and the Foundation for Learning (F4L) longitudinal research conducted in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, this study uses a comparative cross case synthesis design. Following the adoption of learner-centered and inclusive pedagogical practices, SESEA data shows moderate advances in numeracy and significant improvements in basic literacy. However, F4L evidence suggests that …

A Phenomenologically Informed Study Of Black Male Preservice Teachers’ Lived Experiences: Professional Socialization, Social Representation, And The Redesign Of Teacher Education For Equity, William A. Anders

Student Theses

This qualitative research explores the experiences of Black male preservice teachers in New York City’s teacher education programs. To examine the underrepresentation of Black male preservice teachers, the research employs Critical University Studies and Critical Race Theory to investigate the institutional barriers they face. Using semi-structured interviews with seven participants and reflexive thematic analysis, the findings revealed six paramount themes: Pathways in Teaching, Representation and Identity, Experiences in Teacher Education, Racial Bias and Institutional Challenges, the Role of Mentorship and Support Networks, and Teaching Philosophy.

Participants described the challenges that Black male preservice teachers face, including isolation, economic hardships, unsuitable …

Sit, Stay, And Teach: Exploring Teachers' Perceptions Of Facility Dogs' Impact On Stress And Retention, Dennis Powers

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The teaching profession remains at a high level of workplace stress, a factor contributing to teacher burnout and turnover. The study examines how teachers in K-12 public education perceived that facility dogs might reduce stress, increase job satisfaction, and aid in teacher retention in public schools of a southeastern state. The study employed a qualitative, cross-sectional survey that was emailed to 112,546 educators from a LISTSERV request. A total of 1,242 individuals provided informed consent and completed the survey, which consisted of Likert-scale measurement items, open-ended questions, and an informational video inserted to achieve a common understanding of the facility …

Cyber Science Education Meets Healthcare Technology, Angela Spencer

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The research investigates how cyber science education combines with healthcare technology during the digital age to resolve a fundamental research gap in these two advancing areas. A combined approach utilizing extensive surveys and detailed interviews evaluates the functionality of learning platforms as well as cybersecurity measures and potential uses of emerging virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools to improve both educational and clinical environments. The research document describes its methodologies thoroughly while. The research documents multiple quantitative and qualitative results before performing its analysis, which leads to strategy development for digit. The researchers worked to find ways that …

A Student-Centered Gis Classroom: Second Chances And Real-World Practice Teaching Portfolio For Nres218 Introduction To Geospatial Technologies, Ran Wang

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This course portfolio documents the design, implementation, and reflection of NRES218 Introduction to Geospatial Technologies, an introductory undergraduate geographic information system (GIS) course. This course aims to integrate basic and applied sciences to help students develop spatial thinking and spatial analysis skills for proposing spatial science–oriented solutions. Instructional strategies emphasize experiential learning through structured laboratory exercises and outdoor field activities that connects real-world observation with GIS analysis. To support student learning and persistence, the course also incorporated flexible assessment practices, including second-chance exams. Reflection on student engagement and performance revealed that while these strategies were highly beneficial for some students, …

Personal Resources Among Pre-Service Teachers: An Examination Of Links With Subjective Vitality And Occupational Commitment, Helena Granziera, Rebecca J. Collie, Caroline Mansfield

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The retention of pre-service teachers presents persistent and significant challenges for education and society alike. An emerging body of research suggests that the cultivation of personal resources may serve as a means to foster PSTs wellbeing, which is integral to fostering positive experiences within teacher education. We sought to examine this potential association in a sample of 664 Australian teachers by investigating the associations between five personal resources - adaptability, workplace buoyancy, psychological detachment, optimism, and social self-efficacy - and two teaching-related outcomes: subjective vitality at work and occupational commitment. Using structural equation modelling, analysis of data collected from PSTs …

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

Exploring The Perspectives Of Afl Teachers On Teacher Development Needs, With Reference To The Level Of Professional Experience, Fathiyya Refky Abdelwahhab

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the perceptions of teachers of Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL) regarding their training needs, with an attempt to examine whether those needs might vary according to the level of teaching experience. It also examines the views and reflections of AFL teachers about their training experiences; highlighting perceived strengths, weaknesses, and preferred training formats. The teaching competence examined in this study are based on the Cambridge Framework (n.d.) and the British Council CPD (1) Framework (2016). The key areas surveyed are Learning and the Learner, Teaching and Assessment, Arabic Language in the Classroom, Arabic Language Knowledge and …

Preparing English As A Medium Of Instruction (Emi) Lecturers: The Required Competences And Rationales, Harumi Manik Ayu Yamin, Sisilia Setiawati Halimi, Harni Kartika Kartika

International Review of Humanities Studies

Despite the increasing trend of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in higher education in Indonesia, studies focusing on professional development for EMI lecturers remains scarce. Given the pivotal role lecturers have in the success of EMI programs, it is essential that these lecturers are provided with the necessary training and support to effectively deliver their courses in English and make well-informed pedagogical choices. This paper aims to investigate necessary sets of skills and competences required by EMI lecturers and rationales for incorporating them in EMI teacher training programs. This study employed a qualitative approach. It involved a critical …

Stories From Former Foster Youth College Graduates: The Positive Impact Of K-12 Schooling And Related Educational Policy, Amanda Moon, Kristen D. Seay

Faculty and Staff Publications

Youth in foster care face disproportionate challenges when it comes to education and personal well-being. Many studies use a deficit lens when evaluating these challenges. In contrast, this study is asset-based, centering first-person accounts from five former foster youth college graduates. Using a counter-narrative framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants to reveal key supports in K-12 schooling participants believed helped them achieve academic and life milestones. These were relationships with teachers and coaches, access to extracurricular activities, and literacy-rich environments. We also reviewed 11 relevant federal educational policies to identify provisions and implementation needs that aligned with participant experiences. …

Hive Minds And Communities Of Practice: A Reflection On Implementing A Casual Peer Community Of Practice, Cathy Stephens

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Wenger’s (1998) Communities of Practice theory proposes that knowledge is constructed socially, within communities which share knowledge domains and mutual goals. These communities act as common spaces where knowledge is negotiated and professional identities are formed. While a sense of belonging is pivotal to learner success and engagement, learners in online spaces can experience scarcity of informative social interactions. In this reflective essay, I examine the implementation of a pilot project to facilitate informal communities of practice within an online design course, and utilise observations and informal student feedback to interrogate the effectiveness of the pilot and enable future refinements.

Humanizing Online Learning Through Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Preserving Cultural Identity And Human Connection In Digital Spaces, Michael Mills

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

The rapid shift to online and hybrid learning environments has highlighted the need for culturally responsive pedagogical approaches in digital spaces. While much research has explored culturally responsive teaching in traditional classrooms, less attention has been paid to how these principles can be effectively translated to online learning environments. This article examines how culturally responsive pedagogy can be meaningfully integrated into online learning spaces through intentional course design, assessment practices, and community building. Drawing from existing literature on culturally responsive teaching, online learning, and digital equity, this paper provides a framework for educators to create more inclusive and culturally sustaining …

Multimedia-Based Interventions To Improve Science Learning Outcomes For Deaf Students At Wangsel Institute For The Deaf., Cheten Tshering Mr., Tshering Wangchuk

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Efforts have been made to ensure inclusive learning opportunities for all students, including those from diverse backgrounds. One key strategy to enhance children’s learning and academic performance involves the thoughtful selection and application of instructional tools tailored to meet learners' specific needs. This study examines the impact of multimedia-based instruction on science achievement among deaf students at Wangsel Institute for the Deaf in Bhutan. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research compared pretest and post-test results between a control group and an experimental group. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (t-test) and ANCOVA. The findings indicated a statistically significant differences (p = …

Empowerment Pedagogy: A Mixed Methods Grounded Theory Approach To Developing A Pedagogical Framework For Empowering Middle School Aged Students, Henry James Bryant

Educational Studies Dissertations

The current state of adolescent well-being in “post-COVID” America demonstrates a need for widespread intervention to aid students in coping with trauma and mental health issues. In a review of the literature, feelings of empowerment have been found to be antithetical to feelings of trauma. Moreover, the benefits of empowerment in terms of adolescent mental health, academic achievement, and behaviors are well documented. However, strategies designed to impact students’ feelings of empowerment have not been well established, and programs that are presently offered are often inaccessible due to cost, public opinion, and a need for whole school adoption. In this …

The Characteristics Of A University And Urban Elementary School Partnership Project: Interventions That Impact Teacher Self-Efficacy And Their Emerging Social Network, Susan R. Cusack

Educational Studies Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to re-analyze and extend findings established by the 2011 – 2015 evaluation of a university partnership with an urban elementary school in the northeast region of the United States. While the original evaluation examined multiple domains related to the impact of the partnership’s effects on these elementary school teachers, my research will narrow and deepen the study of two domains: Teacher Self-Efficacy and Social Networks, both socio-affective variables that change over time. This research is grounded in theories related to teacher self-efficacy, social networks in education, and the emergence of a robust community of …

Complexity Mindsets, Complex Flow, And More: A Qualitative Grounded Theory Study On The Phenomenon Of Practitioners Working Within Complex Social Systems, Emma D. Stellman

Educational Studies Dissertations

This qualitative grounded theory study addressed gaps in the literature regarding the application of complexity theory to complex social phenomena (CSP), for which no straightforward solutions or simple interventions exist. While complexity theory has played an important role in groundbreaking innovations in quantitative fields such as medicine, engineering, and finance, its application remains limited in human-centered developmental domains including education, social work, and healthcare. Using a grounded theory design informed by phenomenological approaches, this study examined the lived experiences of a group of six CSP practitioners, each of whom participated in two individual, semi-structured video interviews. Interview data were analyzed …

From Automation To Imagination: Empowering Student Creativity In The Digital Age, Annie Yon

New Jersey English Journal

In today’s digital age, literacy extends beyond traditional reading and writing to encompass collaboration, multimodal communication, and the ability to create meaning through diverse media. As AI becomes more integrated into education, we must reconsider its impact on student thinking, work ethic, and writing, while redefining meaningful writing and assessments. Rather than relying on traditional five-paragraph essays, projects like literary magazines that blend writing with multimodal components showcase how educators can prioritize creativity, expression, and personal reflection. This approach ensures that even in the age of AI, students continue to create and engage in ways that are authentically their own.

Development Of A Structured Inquiry-Based Heat Transfer E-Module To Encourage Elementary School Students' Critical Thinking Skills, Chintia M. P Ati, Alvin J. Hano

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The study is undermanned by the students' lack of critical thinking skills and the lack of digital learning media. The purpose of the study is to produce credible, pragmatic, and effective e-modules to improve critical v-grade thinking skills. The study USES model development methods Lee and Owens, 2004. The 36 student classes vs. SDN oesapa small 2 mussels are traveling in kalor transfer content during the full term of year 2021-2022. Analysis shows that an e-module effectively enhances the student's critical thinking skills. Critical n-gain thinking skills by 0.7201. The conclusion that structured e-modules effectively promote critical thinking skills. This …

Threads Of Empathy: An Integrative Model Of Empathy In The Schools, Arthur J. Clark, Tara M. Simpson

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

Empathy has a distinctive and evolving history in education for cultivating human relationships and engendering mutual understanding. Within a school setting, empathic engagement is essential for the social and emotional development of children and adolescents. From an educational perspective, literature from multiple disciplines and specialties illustrate innovative practices to harness empathy in the classroom and beyond. The representative initiatives hold promise for developing an integrative model of empathy within a school or a school district through a program involving interprofessional collaboration.

Automating Academia: Implications Of Genai Use In Doctoral Research And Online Mentoring, Cheryl Burleigh, Andrea M. Wilson

Journal of Online Mentoring

This study critically examines the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), specifically ChatGPT, in the development of doctoral dissertation proposals, highlighting both its potential and its ethical implications. Through a content analysis of a dissertation proposal created using ChatGPT, the study investigates how GenAI supports structural organization, academic writing, and citation formatting while exposing significant concerns related to fabricated references, methodological misalignment, and diminished scholarly rigor. Although GenAI accelerates the proposal-writing process, its outputs often lack the depth, coherence, and originality expected at the doctoral level, thereby threatening the integrity of academic research. Findings reveal that GenAI-generated content may deceive …

Collaborative Autoethnographic Reflections On Genai In Higher Education: A Cross-Disciplinary Perspective, Xuexue Yang, Wen Wen, Yan Lang, Shiyi Chen

International Journal of Transformative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This study seeks to examine and understand the role of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and its influence on higher education through an autoethnographic approach. Through collective reflection on the observations and practices of four faculty members in a medium-sized public university, this study offers insights into the discourse on GenAI and its educational and cultural implications. The study’s conceptual framework integrates the New Literacies with the Micro-Meso-Macro levels, guiding four faculty members’ reflections, perspectives, and practices on AI use. Data sources include focus group interviews and journals. Findings show the four faculty members' varying levels of understanding and knowledge about …

Teaching Numeracy For Social Justice: Educational Equity, Esther Isabelle Wilder, Crystal C. Rodriguez, Caterina Shost, Eduardo Vianna, Frank Wang

Numeracy

The special collection, “Teaching Numeracy for Social Justice: Educational Equity,” focuses on how quantitative reasoning (QR) can function as a vehicle for equity, empowerment, and democratic participation. Building on a longstanding tradition that treats numeracy as inseparable from social justice, these contributions highlight how progressive pedagogies (e.g., active learning, authentic research, and equity-oriented assessment) have the potential to broaden access for students historically excluded from quantitative fields. The studies span a variety of conceptual frameworks, introductory and advanced quantitative instruction, and interdisciplinary applications, showcasing how inclusive QR practices can build confidence, agency, and real-world understanding. These articles demonstrate that when …

Biliteracy And Bilingualism: A Selected Annotated Bibliography For English Learner Research, Policy, And Practice, Center For Equity For English Learners

Annotated Bibliographies

Biliteracy and Bilingualism: A Selected Annotated Bibliography for English Learner Research, Policy, and Practice is comprised of 25 annotations from recent and seminal literature regarding biliteracy and bilingualism. These annotations build on the annotations regarding biliteracy and bilingualism in CEEL’s 2022 annotated bibliography, Ensuring Equity and Excellence for English Learners: An Annotated Bibliography for Research, Policy, and Practice (Center for Equity for English Learners, 2022) to include publications from 2022-2025. This selected annotated bibliography serves as a resource for researchers, policymakers, educators, and advocates who are working for equity and excellence for ELs.

The contributors provide a comprehensive selection of …

Teachers, Dispositions, And Classroom Management: Social Origins, Professional Development, And The Datafication Of School Discipline, Paul L. Poggemeyer

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

How do teachers’ social backgrounds and professional orientations shape the disciplinary and relational dimensions of their work? This dissertation takes up that question across three related but self-contained studies in the sociology of education, set in Central School District, a public school district in the southeastern United States. Each study examines a different facet of how teachers establish authority, manage behavior, and exercise care: the social origins of their orientations toward classroom management, the experience of becoming professionally competent in the early career, and the use of digital tools that increasingly govern how school discipline is recorded. Drawing broadly on …

Preparing Students For What Comes Next: A Qualitative Study Of District Approaches To Postsecondary And Career Readiness, Amanda C. Pelsor

Dissertations of Practice

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR WHAT COMES NEXT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF DISTRICT APPROACHES TO POSTSECONDARY AND CAREER READINESS

This qualitative study examines how Illinois school districts support students’ readiness for postsecondary success and career planning and exploration. Despite longstanding state and federal efforts to improve college and career readiness, many students continue to face challenges after high school, including lack of workforce readiness, underpreparedness for postsecondary education, unclear career pathways, and difficulty navigating complex transitions. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explores how districts conceptualize and implement career readiness frameworks, the ways readiness work is embedded within district systems, and the barriers …

Merger Crisis Role-Play: Organizational Behavior In Action, Jyro B. Triviño

Leadership and Strategy Faculty Publications

To advance professionally, students must be prepared to navigate dynamic and contentious organizational environments by articulating their varied views, protecting their personal and professional intentions, anticipating challenges, and then fostering consensus. This paper addresses a high-stakes, multi-round immersive role-play simulation of a company merger in an undergraduate Organizational Behavior course. Grounded in the core pillars of experiential learning, adaptive leadership, and organizational sensemaking, this classroom exercise places students in a pre-set, realistic post-merger leadership team facing immediate business challenges. Compared to traditional case studies, this method requires students to demonstrate real-time organizational behavior competencies, providing a powerful platform for negotiation …

Analyzing Educators’ Roles In Preparing Students For Civic Engagement In Arkansas Communities, Mia L. Hastings

2026 Honors Symposium

Young adults ages eighteen to twenty-nine make up a large portion of the voting age population but historically participate in elections at lower rates. Although most students take at least one high school civics course, civic education often emphasizes the memorization of governmental facts rather than preparing students with the skills needed for active civic participation. This gap highlights the need to examine how educators can better prepare students for meaningful civic engagement. The purpose of this study is to examine how educators prepare students for civic engagement in Arkansas communities. The study defines practical strategies educators can implement in …