Digital Commons Network^™

“Learning To Ask The Deeper Questions Behind The Image That Most People Don’T See:” Teaching Critical Visual Literacy To History Teacher Candidates Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Heather Koopmans, Richard Hughes

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Despite the ubiquitous role of images in teaching history, few teachers have formal training in how to help students critically read photographs, paintings, and other images. The essay centers on research on how Critical Visual Literacy, which focuses on how images reflect complex issues of power in society, can assist emerging teachers in helping students think historically and better engage visual evidence associated with curriculum mandates to broaden historical narratives

Student Worksheets Based On The Local Wisdom Of Besilek Serawai For Sixth-Grade Elementary Science Learning, Mice Agustin, Tomi Hidayat, Irwandi Irwandi

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aims to develop a Student Worksheet (Lembar Kerja Peserta Didik [LKPD]) based on the local wisdom of Besilek Serawai for sixth-grade elementary science education and to evaluate its validity. The study employed the ADDIE development model, consisting of five stages: Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate. The developed LKPD integrates Besilek Serawai, a traditional martial art of the Seluma community, with the concept of the human locomotor system in science instruction. The worksheet was validated by two subject-matter experts and two media experts. Material validation yielded an average score of 4.26, equivalent to a validity percentage of 85.2%, …

Building Capacity And Inspiring Change: The Impact Of Louisiana’S Ucedd Across The Lifespan, Alicia Kowitz, Constance Alphonse, Phil Wilson, Maria Blanco

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Human Development Center (HDC), as the state’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), serves as a catalyst for inclusive systems change through interdisciplinary training, community engagement, and evidence-based service delivery. This manuscript highlights the breadth and impact of HDC’s initiatives across early childhood, education, transition, and community inclusion. Through programs such as Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood, PAYCheck, and LEND, HDC builds capacity among professionals, empowers individuals with disabilities and their families, and strengthens systems to be more responsive and equitable. The stories and outcomes shared illustrate how intentional, collaborative efforts …

Ai-Enhanced Digital Exhibits As Inquiry-Driven Civic Practice In The Great Lakes Region, Erik Kormos

The Great Lakes Social Studies Journal

This article presents a pedagogical framework for using AI-enhanced digital exhibits to support inquiry-based civic learning in the Great Lakes region. Students investigate meaningful community questions, use AI tools strategically for research and analysis, and create public-facing exhibits that develop civic reasoning and agency. The framework addresses grade-band applications (K–12) and emphasizes equity, ensuring all students, regardless of school funding, develop AI literacy and access authentic civic inquiry opportunities. The article articulates essential ethical considerations including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and teacher mediation, and provides a practical implementation framework for educators. Drawing on research in place-based education and inquiry learning, …

The Leveling The Playing Field Language Acquisition Program For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Children, Amy T. Andersen, Michelle Cline, Stephanie Renart, Tiffany Narciso

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Language deprivation is a nationwide epidemic despite Early Intervention (EI) programs for deaf babies. EI provides at-home services and assumes a caregiver is with their baby during the day to use the strategies they learn. However, most parents work full time, and their children attend daycare. This paper describes a pilot program for families whose deaf babies were in daycare without full access to a natural language. Deaf Language Acquisition Associates (DLAA) were placed in classrooms with deaf babies for twenty-five hours a week. The program's success resulted in funding through the state legislature and adoption statewide.

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.

Annual Report Of Undergraduate Research Fellows From August 2025 To May 2026, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs. Morehead State University.

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Reports and Publications

Annual Report of Undergraduate Research Fellows from August 2025 to May 2026.

Sae For All: Curriculum Guide, Emily Carpenter

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a critical component of agricultural education, designed to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. The SAE for All model ensures that every student participates in meaningful experiential learning tailored to their interests and career goals. By integrating SAE into the curriculum, students develop technical skills, career readiness competencies, and an understanding of real-world agricultural applications. This guide includes a teaching plan and a comprehensive set of assignments.

Visual Design In Instructional Design: Collaborating With Media Teams To Improve Online Learning, Ashley R. Salter

FDLA Journal

As online learning continues to grow and evolve, instructional designers (IDs) are increasingly called upon to create digital learning environments that are pedagogically sound, visually engaging, and accessible. Visual design—once considered a peripheral element of course development—is now recognized as a critical component of learner experience. This article explores how instructional designers collaborate with media teams or independently use tools like Canva and Adobe to enhance the visual quality of online courses. Through case-based reflection and practical examples, this piece highlights the value of intentional design, the supporting workflows, and the impact on learner engagement and instructional clarity.

Utilizing Interactive Ebook For Language Learning: Designing A Computer-Assisted Approach For Basic English Listening, Ita Sarmita Samad, Umiyati Jabri, Ismail Ismail, Mustakim Mustakim, Rahmad Risan, Imam Akbar

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The low listening skill ability of the students at Muhammadiyah University of Enrekang is a challenge because it is often making them failing to obtain an English competency certificate as a requirement for a proposal seminar. This research aims to develop an interactive eBook to help the students improve their listening skills by focusing on 2 things, doing needs analysis and designing eBook listening prototype. This research uses the research and development (R&D) design. There are 9 English lecturers and 40 students as participants which taken purpossively. The instrument used is a survey and analyzed qualitatively. The results show that …

Deaf Faculty Members’ Experiences In Higher Education Institutions, Stephanie Proctor Horvath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Deaf faculty members bring diverse perspectives to higher education, yet their experiences remain underexplored in academic research. The critical first year of teaching can shape their career experiences, revealing both opportunities for growth and systemic barriers. The purpose of this study was to understand deaf faculty members’ experiences, focusing on their transition into academic roles, the accommodations provided in their workplaces, and the challenges they faced. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological design, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 15 Deaf faculty members, whose teaching experience ranges from 1 to 30 years. In the reflexive thematic analysis and AI-coding of this data, …

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.

Differentiated Instruction For Students With Special Needs: “How Can We Better Equip Students, School Systems, And Society For Differentiated Instruction For Students With Special Needs In Career And Technical Educational Environments?”, Mikala A. Highsmith

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays a vital role in preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce by providing essential knowledge, technical skills, and industry-recognized certifications. As the number of students with disabilities, including neurodivergent learners, continues to rise, CTE programs face increasing pressure to adopt innovative, inclusive educational practices. Integrating creative teaching strategies and leveraging technology are now critical tools in addressing diverse learning needs that promote effective classroom management and enhance student engagement. Moreover, CTE programs emphasize the development of professional competencies, workforce protocols, and transferable skills that strengthen students’ employability across industries. This paper examines …

Developing Standard Operating Procedures For The Dewitt Town Clerk’S Office, Noura M. Osman

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

ABSTRACT OF PROJECT

Developing Standard Operating Procedures for the DeWitt Town Clerk’s Office

This project addresses the operational inconsistencies in the DeWitt Town Clerk’s Office in Syracuse, NY, by creating a structured Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) manual. The focus is on six high-impact processes: tax collection, water bill payments, dog licensing (new and renewals), marriage license transcript requests, and handicap parking permit issuance and renewal. Each SOP includes visual info-graphics to enhance accessibility and minimize errors. The final product is designed to improve on-boarding, reduce staff reliance on memory, increase efficiency, and align with creativity and change leadership principles.

Equipping Teachers To Support Comic Literacy: An Analysis Of The Educational Potential Of Toon Book, Kayla Whitlock, Jewel Yoder Kuhns, Sara Kersten-Parrish Dr.

SANE journal: Sequential Art Narrative in Education

Teachers frequently reach for leveled readers to help facilitate their guided reading groups; however, there can be limits in using these leveled readers. One such limit relates to enjoyment and engagement. An answer to this is using TOON books during guided reading time. TOON books are graphic novel leveled readers and were created in response to a need for high quality books for readers of all levels. However, in reading these books teachers need to be aware of the comics form and how those features impact the reading process. In this article, we outline the features common in graphic novels …

Secondary Mathematics Teacher Recruitment Campaign 2.0: Implementation Guide, Diane Barrett, Liza Bondurant, Tim Deis, Brittney Falahola, Dana Franz, Cheryl Ordorica, Derek Sturgill, Lexi Kornblum, Jeff Ranta, Ed Dickey

CoE Publications

This guide is designed to help faculty members and others within mathematics or STEM teacher education programs maximize their impact on teacher candidate recruitment. ...Intended to serve as a campaign implementation handbook for teacher recruitment for mathematics and other STEM fields, the elements in this guide were compiled to address general principles of marketing. Each module is designed to stand-alone addressing a specific recruitment topic, but with sufficient knowledge carry-over from one module to the other to allow those interested in recruitment to implement a comprehensive campaign.

Annual Report Of Undergraduate Research Fellows From August 2024 To May 2025, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs. Morehead State University.

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Reports and Publications

Annual Report of Undergraduate Research Fellows from August 2024 to May 2025.

First Portfolio - Alec 207: Communicating Science With Public Audiences, Heather Akin

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio investigates how collaborative group projects and structured peer reviews enhance undergraduate students’ science communication skills in ALEC 207: Communicating Science with Public Audiences. Drawing on mid-semester evaluations, peer review reflections, and overall course outcomes, the analysis highlights how group-based activities and peer critiques help students develop clarity, relevance, and confidence in their communication. ALEC 207 introduces core principles of strategic communication in food, agriculture, and natural resources contexts, and gives students opportunities to refine their writing through press releases, feature articles, visual communications, and audience-tailored messages. While the course predominantly emphasizes writing, it also leverages ongoing revisions to …

Three Characters And Me(Me): Positioning Popular Culture To Unpack Emerging Teacher Identity, Gillian E. Mertens, Henry (Cody) C. Miller

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

In this article we narrate an instructional practice we implemented in two different teacher education courses that facilitated conversations about teacher identity through the use of fictional characters who were educators. This practice served two purposes in our course work: firstly, this activity presents students with an opportunity to demonstrate their media interests and career goals; secondly, this activity provides a quick, baseline assessment of how aspiring teachers view their profession and future practice. We detail student responses to this activity and consider how their choices of fictional educators fit into broader patterns we see in popular culture, specifically depictions …

Growing Together: Cultivating The Social-Emotional Effects Of Art Education Through Trauma-Informed Pedagogy, Kaitlyn Lawrence

Masters Theses

In many societies, the process of art is recognized as a healing and transformative practice. In recent years, it has been emerging in tandem with social emotional practices and procedures in American education. However, it is also a fact that social emotional learning (SEL) does not account for all students due to its inability to account for the needs of all students in the classroom. SEL alone aims to teach healthy development and emotional management skills, but fails to account for students with varying experiences. While there are those who can and do integrate the skills from the Social Emotional …

A Peer Review Benchmark Portfolio For Architectural Design Studio: Situate, Matthew Miller

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio examines a third-year architectural design studio that emphasizes the development of designs that consider site and context. As part of a four-year sequence to gaining a Bachelor of Science in Design, this studio takes on a critical discourse of the impact designs may have on the environments they inhabit, the community of people that they interact with, and the cultures and practices followed within a region. This research examined how different modes of teaching could help with building narratives and identifying the measurable impact a design would have on its environment, community, and culture through repetition of verbal …

Key Benefits Of Small Group Instruction For Diverse Learners, Lydia Mcevoy

Master's Theses

Utilizing a mixed method approach this research study investigated the effects of small group instruction on the learning of diverse learners. Informed by a preliminary literature review that supports the use of small-group instruction, the researcher conducted a small-scale action research project to focus on three diverse learners in a 1st-grade classroom over four weeks. One of the findings of this project shows that small group instruction helps promote social and emotional skills as students feel more comfortable interacting with peers in a small group rather than in a whole group. Another finding indicates that students feel more encouraged by …

“I’M Going To Have To Be Far More Prepared": A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Teacher Candidate Discussion And Projected Teaching Of Literature., Taylor Rose-Dougherty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation study contributes to conversations around the practical knowledge gap–professional behaviors or practices which are underdeveloped in available research–between critically oriented literacy teacher preparation programs and praxis in early career classrooms. Critical literacy, or engaging with major texts, discourses, and ways of communicating in a culture or context, attempts to locate and disrupt power imbalances and encourage justice-oriented activism. While teacher candidates (TCs) often practice critical literacy in their training programs, they often struggle to facilitate critical literacy instruction in their own classrooms. Using Thematic Analysis (TA) for data reduction and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) for data analysis, …

An Interdisciplinary Experience, Reyna Vergara, Michael Dodson

OUR Assignment Repository

This proposal showcases the success of an interdisciplinary approach. It provides an overview of a project titled: "Cacao and Chocolate: A Powerful Legacy." It took place during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2023. The project aimed to explore the rich and multifaceted legacy of cacao and chocolate in Latin America, incorporating perspectives from various academic disciplines, including public history, chemistry, Spanish language, graphic design, culinary arts, and family science. The interdisciplinary nature of the project highlights the power of collaboration in research and education, serving as a model for integrating diverse fields of study.

The project was divided into two main …

Chapter 09: Web Conferencing Best Practices For Online K-12 Teachers, Mitch A. Cumings

Instructional Message Design, Volume 3

Web conferencing - the ability to hold live meetings from a distance through an online platform - has become an integral instructional tool to make learning more accessible and flexible. Although these technologies have been accessible for decades and utilized in both professional and institutional settings with degrees of regularity, they only arrived at a large scale onto the K-12 primary and secondary education scene out of necessity as prompted by the COVID pandemic. K-12 education systems had a crash course in web conferencing through the pandemic, and its value as a meaningful instructional tool persists.

Innovative Technologies In Teaching Art Disciplines In Educational Institutions, Natalia Ursu, Ivan Hutsul, Serhii Luts, Iryna Paur, Timur Takirov

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study concerns the urgent need for adaptation and introduction of innovative technologies for the education of creative personality, development of skills, and a deeper understanding of art forms in educational institutions in Ukraine. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of novel technologies in increasing student engagement, acquiring skills, and artistic expression in various art disciplines in educational establishments. The study applied analysis and synthesis, comparison, generalization of philosophical, psychological, and pedagogical methods, art history sources, and Internet resources to the problems under study. It was proven that the integration of innovative technologies in teaching …

Are Assignments And Assessments Necessary? — Influence Of Micro-Course Utilization Methods On Blended Teaching Effectiveness, Jing Zhao, Astri Yulia, Mohamed Ayob Bin Sukani, Rina Abdul Shukor

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The increasing convergence of online and offline teaching methodologies necessitates a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage micro-course resources for optimal educational outcomes. This research investigated the effects of various micro-course utilization strategies on undergraduate design students’ learning outcomes through comparative experiments in blended learning. The objective was to ascertain whether structured learning tasks, assessments provided by instructors, and monitoring of student progress could augment engagement and performance compared to an unstructured approach to micro-course content. A single-factor experimental design was employed, involving two entire classes from the same major over an 119-day period. The study concentrated on the influence …

Accelerate Beginner English Learner’S Writing Skills From Day One, Eugenia F. Krimmel Ed.D.

Journal of English Learner Education

This article addresses the customary practice of delaying teaching of writing for Beginner English Learners (BELs) which often results in slowing writing development. Barriers preventing teachers from earlier writing instruction include a belief BELs cannot produce written English before learned orally first, a lack of teaching writing know-how, and few level-appropriate materials for older BELs. The systematic approach ALL Beginner Learners of English (ABLE) Writing Method is a solution to build both teachers’ confidence and BELs’ phonics, spelling, and writing skills from day one. The basic premise of the ABLE Writing Method is that if one is able to think, …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Using Video Modeling On Increasing Positive Social Interaction In Academic Settings In Students With Learning Disabilities In Saudi Arabia, Ayman Abdullah Alamri, Ayman Abdullah Alamri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Video Modeling (VM) is a widely used intervention strategy to promote academic learning and positive social interactions in children with disabilities by watching a video clip modeled by a peer (peers) demonstrating the desired behavior. Limited research has been conducted on this topic to examine VM’s effectiveness on promoting positive social interactions in academic settings involving children with learning disabilities (LD). This study employed a single subject research design, specifically, a multiple baseline across participant design, to fill the void in the literature. The researcher invited three elementary students between 4^th to 6^th grade who met the inclusion …

Rethinking Graphic Design Pedagogy For The Cuny Academic Commons: On Process, Generosity, And Creative Collaboration In Mapping A Foundation Graphic Design Course For Faculty And Instructors, Suzanne Dell'orto

Publications and Research

The creation of an Open Education Resource with the CUNY Academic Commons for a foundation course in graphic communication at Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY) is a natural extension of the generous visual and written communication that is at the heart of Graphic Design. Graphic designers are inherently collaborative, working through a shared visual and written language to communicate. This Open Educational Resource (OER) serves as a base template to be shared department-wide with all instructors at CUNY and beyond to provide a framework for instruction for this studio course that is taught as a …