Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Healthcare Students' Perceptions About Race And Privilege At A Large Academic Medical Center: A Pilot Study Of A Peer Education Program, Elizabeth A. Brown, Dante Pelzer, Katrina Black Reed, Chinieka Jackman-Rogers, Madison Kimmell

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Amid the racial unrest stemming from the summer of 2020, in the United States, many institutions had difficult conversations about race and the impact of racism with employees, students, and patients. In January 2021 and February 2021, we recruited undergraduate students for the Peer Education Program (PEP), a voluntary program conducted at a large academic medical center, and encouraged students to have a safe space to discuss controversial topics in healthcare. From April 2021 to July 2021 four interdisciplinary healthcare students met once a month for 1 hr to discuss privilege, race/racism, leadership, and advocacy and their influence on health …

Teacher-Guided Video Instruction For Dance Appreciation: A Design-Based Research Study, Cuiqing Meng, Tiantian Zhou

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Video is widely used in dance appreciation courses; however, unguided viewing often leads to passive observation rather than analytical understanding. Grounded in multimedia learning theory and instructional scaffolding, this study employed a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach to develop and evaluate a teacher-guided video instructional model in a dance appreciation course in a Chinese university. The DBR process involved iterative phases of design, implementation, analysis, and refinement within an authentic classroom context. A convenience sample of 23 undergraduate dance majors participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire consisting of Likert-scale items and open-ended responses. Quantitative data were …

Digital Transformation And Artificial Intelligence In Education In Vietnam: A Bibliometric And Systematic Review, Minh-Anh Thi Nguyen, Van-Quynh Ha

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Globally, digital transformation (DT) is reshaping education through data-driven innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging learning technologies. These transformative forces are influencing not only instructional methods but also governance, equity, and sustainability in education. Within this context, the study provides a comprehensive review of DT and AI in Vietnam’s education sector. Combining bibliometric mapping with a systematic content analysis, it synthesizes recent scholarly developments to reveal key research trends, methodological orientations, and conceptual structures. Five thematic clusters are identified, including digital competence, institutional transformation strategies, AI literacy, and learner engagement, potentially reflecting a shift from institutional readiness toward learner-centered innovation. …

Determinants Of Generative Ai Adoption In Teacher Education: A Ttf–Tpb Model Tested With Pls-Sem, Peter A. Partey Dr., Emmanuel Quayson, Samuel K. Adjei, Joseph Antwi

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Abstract

The integration of generative AI in education necessitates a clear understanding of the factors influencing its adoption by preservice teachers. This study examined the predictors of generative AI use and its impact on the academic performance of preservice teachers in Ghana, employing a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 783 preservice teachers using structured questionnaires measuring task characteristics (TskC), technology characteristics (TechC), task–technology fit (TTF), attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SJN), perceived behavioural control (PBC), use of generative AI (USE), and academic performance (AP). The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis revealed that TskC and TechC …

Enhancing Academic Literacy Through Ai-Supported Writing Analytics In Multilingual Higher Education, Riki Nasrullah, Septia Rizqi Nur Abni

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study examines the longitudinal impact of AI-supported writing analytics on academic literacy in multilingual higher education. Using a quasi-experimental design over two semesters with 124 undergraduates, the treatment group employed a GPT-based analytics tool, while the control group relied on conventional feedback. Using a longitudinal quasi-experimental design and repeated-measures analyses, the study found significant group effects and significant Group × Time interactions, indicating that the treatment group achieved larger and more sustained gains in academic literacy. Process-oriented indicators and learning analytics further showed a shift from surface editing to global revision, accompanied by deeper metacognitive engagement.

Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education: How Educators’ Perception, Readiness, And Well-Being Shape Performance, Fatimah Pohan, Dicky Aprillo Siregar, Muhammad Bangun Siregar

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education, but its effectiveness depends on how educators perceive, adopt, and psychologically respond to the technology. This study examines the effects of educators’ perception of AI and AI adoption on self-reported educators’ performance through AI readiness and psychological well-being. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, Readiness for Change Theory, and the Job Demands–Resources framework, the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 121 educators at private higher education institutions in North Sumatra, Indonesia, using purposive sampling of active educators. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. …

Coding, Machine Learning, And Game Engines In Initial Teacher Training, Sara Redondo-Duarte, José Manuel Sáez-López

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study evaluated the integration of coding, visual block programming, game engines, and machine learning (ML) modeling in initial teacher education. The aim was to examine the feasibility of this instructional approach and its association with pre-service teachers’ computational knowledge and attitudes toward programming and artificial intelligence (AI). A one-group pretest-posttest design was implemented with 129 undergraduate students enrolled in Primary Education degree programs at two public universities in Spain. Knowledge of computational concepts was assessed with a 10-item test analyzed using a paired-samples Student’s t-test, while attitudes toward programming and ML were evaluated with two Likert scales analyzed using …

Investigation Of Dean’S Transformational Leadership Profiles And Digital Transformation Maturity In Guangxi Public Higher Vocational Colleges, Lili Ding, Jamilah Binti Ahmad, Yuqiang Luo

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Background: As China builds an innovation-driven economy, vocational education provides essential skilled workers for key industries, helping to elevate vocational colleges into crucial centers for talent development and social mobility. In this context, the dean’s transformational leadership may play an important role in supporting institutional digital transformation.

Research Question: How do deans’ transformational leadership domains predict institutional digital transformation maturity across leadership and pedagogy in vocational education?

Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design combined a faculty survey with semi-structured interviews. Valid survey responses from 30 faculty members were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and regression, followed by thematic analysis of …

Perceptions And Practices Of Incorporating Student-Centered Menu Items In School Meals, Kristi L. Lewis Phd, Rdn

Institute of Child Nutrition, Applied Research Division

Student-centered menu planning prioritizes learners’ preferences, nutritional needs, cultural relevance, and engagement in the development of school nutrition program offerings. Menus that reflect student preferences and incorporate student input are associated with increased meal participation and consumption. This study examined school nutrition professionals’ perceptions, best practices, and strategies for incorporating students’ voices into school-based menu planning and modification.

Using a participatory research approach, school nutrition professionals, administrators, United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service representatives, and State agency staff participated as expert panelists and survey respondents. A literature review and qualitative expert panel responses informed the development of …

The Role Of Coursework In Promoting Doctoral Candidates’ Research Competence: A Case Study Of Professional Doctorates In Education, Fred Y. Mgata, Luqman Hakeem, Justo M. Lemesaya, Zhiyong Zhu, Huan Song, Jimmy E. Kihwele

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Doctorate programs with coursework aim to develop research-competent graduates who can contribute knowledge and work outside academia. This study explored the influence of coursework on doctoral candidates' development of research competence. The study employed a qualitative case study approach within the Professional Doctorate in Education programs at a Chinese university. The researchers interviewed 13 doctoral candidates, reviewed 10 course syllabi, and conducted a thematic analysis of the data. The findings revealed that coursework contributes to candidates' knowledge base, research direction, skills, and critical thinking. Instructors and peers promote candidates' research competence through instruction, mentoring, collaborative research projects, and peer feedback. …

Research-Based Learning For Pre-Service Teachers’ Meta-Reflexivity: Insights From English Language Teacher Education In Türkiye, İrem Çomoğlu, Eda Ceylan, Eda Akgün-Özpolat, Kenan Dikilitaş

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Drawing on Cramer et al.’s (2023) framework for meta-reflexive teacher education, we conducted a case study to examine how research-based learning (RbL) helps pre-service teachers (PSTs) develop meta-reflexivity. The data was collected in an undergraduate course in Türkiye where 81 PSTs engaged in RbL through developing, explaining, and exploring their pedagogical puzzles (PPs). Analysis of data from written reflections and class recordings generated themes indicating that PSTs began to adopt a meta-reflexive stance through a set of research and reflection practices involved in their puzzle exploration processes. The study suggests that RbL may be a promising approach for fostering PSTs’ …

Professional Standards For School-Based Behavior Analysts (2nd Edition), Selena J. Layden, Emily Muise, Karen L. Berlin, Samantha Gregory, Daniel Irwin, Kaylan Long, Daria K. Lorio-Barsten, Jennifer L. O’Berry, Hannah Riddle

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Public educational settings are unique and complex environments that require specific knowledge and skills for the professionals that work in these environments. School-based behavior analysts can be a great asset to public schools. However, these professionals must be able to firmly understand and perform the responsibilities of a behavior analyst in collaboration with educators and service providers in a public school setting. The presence of behavior analysts in public schools is still relatively new, when compared with other specialized services. Therefore, behavior analysts, teachers, administrators, and others should focus on collaboration to promote the success for all stakeholders with an …

Considerations For School Leadership In Leveraging School-Based Behavior Analysis For Systemic Improvement In Public Education, Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Network, Kira Austin, Elizabeth Boynton, Amanda K. Cash, Meredith Eads, Daniel Irwin, Selena Layden, Daria K. Lorio-Barsten, Emily Muise, Nadine Pittman, Felicia Shelton, Indya Watts-Graves

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Public schools face significant challenges, including rising student behavioral needs, chronic absenteeism, and high rates of teacher burnout. These issues are interconnected with and inextricably linked to a need for effective, evidence-based behavioral supports. Educators frequently enter the field lacking the necessary skills and training to manage complex student behavior, often resulting in a reliance on punitive practices that exacerbate problems.

This paper proposes that the expertise of school-based behavior analysts (SBBAs), who are Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBAs®) specializing in education, offers a powerful, underutilized solution. SBBAs are trained in applied behavior analysis (ABA), a data-driven science focused on …

Bilingual Teacher Advocacy, Agency, And Leadership: A Model For Teacher Education And Professional Development, Grace Jue Yeon Kim, Zhenjie Weng, Jingyi Zhu

Faculty Journal Articles

Research has examined bilingual teachers’ work and their

experiences through the theoretical lens of teacher advocacy,

teacher agency, and teacher leadership. This research synthesis

analyzes the current research on the three frameworks in bilingual

education and examines how they intersect. Bilingual teachers

advocated for educational change to address the needs of

emergent bilinguals. Despite various context-specific constraints,

bilingual teachers agentively created bilingual spaces for

linguistically diverse students. Furthermore, bilingual teachers

actively took up leadership roles, demonstrated increased

consciousness, and developed leadership identities. Through this

exploration, this paper proposes a model that integrates the three

frameworks for bilingual teacher education and …

The Relationship Of Federal Title V Funding To Retention And Graduation Rates Of Hispanic-Serving Institutions In The Southeastern United States, Julio Cesar Llanos Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The number of Latino/a or Hispanic students, also known as Latinx students, are expected to grow demographically in various regions of the United States over the next several years. To ensure Latinx students are progressing toward graduation in their respective cohorts, it may be beneficial to anticipate and prepare for the increase in this student demographic. This study focused on institutions in the Southeastern region of the United States. This study compared the relationship of federal Title V funding and retention rates and graduation rates of students; it also compared degrees awarded to Hispanic students and enrollment of Hispanic students …

Measuring Teachers’ Beliefs In Their Capacity To Use Differentiated Instruction In Their Classrooms: Development, Validation And Confirmation Of A Self-Efficacy Scale, Kathryn Gibbs, Stuart Woodcock, Nicole Dargue, Leah Le, Eunjae Park, Tom Porter, Gemma Scarparolo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this study was to develop, validate and confirm a scale to gain a better understanding of teachers’ beliefs in their capacity to use differentiated instruction in their classrooms. Differentiation is an effective approach to teaching, designed to enable equitable learning opportunities for every student. Teachers are recommended to differentiate aspects of teaching, instruction, learning, assessment and the learning environment due to the increasing student heterogeneity within classrooms worldwide. Emerging literature has suggested that teacher self-efficacy may influence how teachers use this teaching approach. It is unknown if there is an existing scale that measures teachers’ self-efficacy when …

Crossing Borders For Transformative Professional Learning About Health And Physical Education Policy Through The Policy Process Case Method, Jenna R. Lorusso, Kellie Baker, Chris Clark, Muhammad Jafar, Dylan Scanlon, Laura Alfrey, David Aldous

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Policy Process Case Method (PPCM) is a recent innovation for (health and physical) education professionals to transform their complex policy experiences into practical insights. This method engages professionals across roles and geographical borders in sustained reflexive dialogue to collaboratively interrogate their policy experiences through policy theories. In this ∼1.5-year PPCM investigation, our group (i.e. two curriculum officers, one department head, and one researcher, from four nations) engaged in the following process. First, each practitioner shared a policy experience, including advocating for school policy change, developing provincial/state curricula, and implementing provincial/state curricula. The researcher identified relevant policy theories through which …

Crafting The Inspirational Teacher: Governing Through Affect As Policy Response To Teacher Recruitment In Australia, Saul Karnovsky, Brad Gobby, George Variyan, Andrew W. Wilkins, Antonio Olmedo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As policymakers address a teacher attrition crisis, this paper examines how the Australian policy response mobilises affect to address and manage teacher recruitment. Drawing on affect theory and governmentality, we analyse a case study–the Australian Government’s Be That Teacher campaign–as a policy instrument that seeks to cultivate among would-be-teachers desirable feelings and aspirations aligned with state priorities. Our analysis shows how a sentimental and idealised figure of the ‘inspirational’ teacher is mobilised as a form of affective governmentality through two interconnected dynamics: (1) the construction of teaching as emotionally fulfilling and morally meaningful work through narratives of inspiration, care, and …

The Effect Of Occupational Roles, Burnout, And Efficacy On Job Satisfaction Among K-12 Teachers, Chloe Schwahn

Masters Theses

The aim of this study was to investigate variables that may impact the ratings of job satisfaction by practicing Illinois K-12 teachers specifically examining if the variables of occupational roles, burnout, efficacy, and other relevant covariates are correlated and/or have predictive utility on teacher job satisfaction. A secondary goal was to raise awareness about the stressors teachers face in their work environments. Survey materials included a demographics questionnaire, an occupational roles catalog, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale, and the Teacher Job Satisfaction Scale. Seventy-six practicing Illinois K-12 teachers completed the study. Results of the current …

Teachers' Perceptions And Professional Uses Of Artificial Intelligence In Education, Lexie Coartney

Masters Theses

This study explores Illinois teachers’ perceptions and professional uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. A mixed methods approach was implemented, including a survey completed by 137 Illinois teachers and four interviews. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions of AI, their professional use of AI, and their approach to students’ use of AI. Findings concluded that participants generally hold positive perceptions of AI, especially its time-saving abilities and being supportive, while also holding concerns including reliability, accuracy, and ethical issues. Results showed that 77% (n = 106) of teachers use AI tools mostly for lesson planning, creating assessments, differentiation, …

The Role Of White Racial Identity Development In Leadership Practices: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study In White Educational Leaders, Kaitlyn Ryan

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined how white educational leaders experience and make meaning of their racial identity development as they lead adult professional learning focused on racial equity and culturally responsive practice. Grounded in Helms’s White Racial Identity Development (WRID) model and guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study explored the lived experiences of ten white leaders across PK–12 and Institution of Higher Education (IHE). Data were collected through three semi‑structured interviews per participant and analyzed using IPA’s six‑step process. Five major themes emerged: transformational experiences that shifted leaders’ understanding of race and privilege; the critical role of white affinity …

Integrating Design Thinking In A Stem Methods Course, Demetrice Smith-Mutegi

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Design thinking, a problem-solving approach, has been offered as a strategy to address the challenges of growing and complex teaching expectations. In this narrative, I describe an adapted model of design thinking that was implemented in a secondary STEM methods course for teacher candidates in a graduate program. A description of the key activities, including the fundamental role of empathizing, is shared. Design thinking, when implemented by teachers and teacher candidates, allows the teacher to design and improve a lesson or unit based on student feedback and engagement. This is especially important in today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, where educators …

What Kids Have To Say About Math: Results From Focus Groups With Middle Schoolers, H. Colleen Sinclair, Kyle Wilson, Avery Ellis, Norma Martinez

Reports

Middle school mathematics achievement remains a critical concern in Louisiana. Despite notable recent gains in recovery and signs of resilience, students continue to perform below national averages (ranking 38th in the country). To better understand the factors that support or hinder student success, this report presents findings from six student focus groups conducted in spring 2025 with 39 middle school students at two urban schools in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The goal was to elevate students’ voices regarding their motivation, anxiety, classroom experiences, and ideas for improving math instruction. Overall, students expressed generally positive feelings toward math, and notably, a strong …

Teacher Burnout In 2026 - Context, Student Effects, And Interventions, Colin David Thies

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In order to aid teachers in 2026, this paper aims to identify what teachers and administrators can do to protect against and treat teacher burnout in K-12 schools. To achieve this, research was conducted on the post-pandemic context of teacher burnout, the secondary effects of teacher burnout on students, individual and organizational interventions. Teacher burnout is a multifaceted ailment, and many of the factors behind burnout can be beyond one’s control. There is no single answer, though there is an emphasis on emotions, as research suggests emotions may be greatly important to both succumbing to and treating teacher burnout. Thus, …

Developing A Socio-Ecological Thriving Resilience Model For Student Teachers In Myanmar, A Crises-Affected Context, Shwe Ye Phyo, Erika Kopp

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The teacher education journey of student teachers in Myanmar has become more challenging due to the combined effects of COVID-19 and political unrest. Preparing resilient teachers in such contexts requires an understanding of the challenges student teachers face and the strategies they employ. Through focus group interviews with 12 final-year student teachers, the study explored their challenges and strategies during their teacher education journey. Using constructivist grounded theory, data were analysed, and a Socio-Ecological Thriving Resilience Model was proposed. Student teachers overcame both professional and personal challenges through the active use of their own resources and contextual ones. This demonstrates …

Initial Teacher Education For Inclusion: Does Practicum Bring Pre-Service Teachers Closer To An Inclusive Approach?, Constanza Herrera-Seda, Constanza Cárdenas Alarcón, Carlos Vanegas-Ortega

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Practicum is considered an essential element of initial teacher education for inclusive education. In this article, we explore its contribution to the pre-service teachers' adoption of an inclusive approach. We conducted a qualitative, multicase study of three primary teacher education programmes in Chile. Through episodic interviews, we produced data from 18 pre-service teachers. The main results showed that practicum causes various emotions, cognitions, and actions that interact with the adoption of an inclusive approach. Overwhelming pre-service teachers’ emotions related to exclusion can undermine their self-efficacy, leading them to avoid an inclusive approach. Also, the practicum tends to reproduce deficit- …

Pre-Service Teachers’ Self-Perceptions Of Relationship Skills For Future Work In Schools, Melissa Newberry, Elizabeth B. Hinchcliff, Chelsea Cole, Michael Richardson

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This study focuses on the perceptions pre-service teachers hold about their own abilities to form relationships with four stakeholders of schools: students, parents, teachers and administrators. Survey data from 257 students enrolled in teacher preparation programs in a mid-sized, private university in the Western US were collected, including their beliefs about relationship skills, experience with children/youth, and conceptions of relationship formation as practicing teachers. Results indicate high confidence in relationship skills, yet few ideas on how to translate those into action when it comes to forming professional relationships. These findings suggest that pre-service teachers may be underprepared regarding the relational …

Investigating The Changes In Attitudes Towards Science Among Pre-Service Elementary Teachers Enrolled In A Science Methods Course Using A New Version Of The Test Of Science Related Attitudes, Christopher S. Long, Becky Sinclair

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This article examines the changes in student attitudes towards science among pre-service elementary teachers (PSETs), who were enrolled in a science methods course at a large public university in Texas, USA. A new version of the Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA) called TOSRA-3 was used to measure six dimensions of attitudes towards science. TOSRA-3 was created in an effort to create a more economical, 35 items versus 70 items, version of the original TOSRA. TOSRA-3 was found to be valid and reliable for use with PSETs. Factor analysis suggests a six scale structure with a Cronbach’s Alpha for each …

'Raissing’ Teacher Practice: A Case Study Of A Living Model Of Professional Learning In Mentoring Pre-Service Teachers, Joanne Yoo, Pauline Kohlhoff, Cathryn Moore, Susan Rowley

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Mentoring is essential for equipping beginner teachers with the skills to navigate the complexities of the classroom. It is paramount to any teacher education program, particularly in relation to learning the practical skills of teaching during placement. This current research presents a case study of a living model of professional learning undertaken within a practicum setting. It introduces a ‘RAISS’ model of professional learning in mentoring, which incorporates relevant, agile, impactful, sustainable and scalable activities that maximise learning for all stakeholders. This case study sheds insight into two pilot deliveries of a mentoring program that can be adopted by other …

(In)Visible Diverse Gender And Sexual Identities Of Pre-Service Teachers: Disclosure, Emotional Labour And Safety Work Within Initial Teacher Education(In)Visible Diverse Gender And Sexual Identities Of Pre-Service Teachers: Disclosure, Emotional Labour And Safety Work Within Initial Teacher Education, Saul A. Karnovsky, Matthew J. Phillips, Breeanna Melville

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Australia is currently facing a significant teacher attrition crisis, with early career educators increasingly leaving the profession due to burnout, demoralisation, and adverse working conditions. This issue is exacerbated for teachers of diverse genders and sexualities (DGS), who encounter heightened levels of discrimination, exclusion, and mental health challenges within educational institutions. Despite broader societal progress, Australian schools and universities remain sites of persistent queerphobia, contributing to unsafe and unsupportive environments for DGS individuals. This article focuses on pre-service teachers (PSTs) enrolled in initial teacher education (ITE) programs. The study addresses an important gap in the literature by exploring how emotional …