Digital Commons Network^™

Conflict Clarity: How To Teach Students To Turn Disputes Into Growth Opportunities, Eileen Paige Petzold-Bradley

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Conflict is an unavoidable part of learning and working in today’s fast-changing industries. Faculty often observe students struggling with teamwork, communication breakdowns, and emotional self-management during group projects or internships. This session equips educators with practical strategies to help students build durable skills—conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness—that translate directly into professional success.

Drawing on research in conflict management, leadership, and organizational psychology, participants will explore the “Conflict Clarity” framework: a set of teaching tools, reflection prompts, and case scenarios designed for classroom use across disciplines. Faculty will learn how to integrate conflict styles, the CLEAR conversation framework, and role-play …

Fostering Entrepreneurial Thinking And Practice Through Teaching And Learning Integration, Mohammad G. Sabbir

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

This session explores an innovative, evidence-based approach to integrating entrepreneurial thinking into undergraduate neuroscience education through hands-on gene editing experiences. Using the commercially available Bio-Rad CRISPR/Cas9-based “Out of the Blue” kit for bacterial LacZ gene editing, students are guided not only through the scientific principles underlying modern gene editing technologies but also through the entrepreneurial challenge of replicating and manufacturing the kit using existing lab resources. This model empowers students to extend their learning beyond the classroom by engaging in cost-effective, scalable biotechnology practices—particularly valuable for institutions with limited funding. Classroom-based research demonstrates increased student engagement, deeper conceptual understanding, and …

Mixed-Methods & Ai For Methodological Literature Reviews, António Pedro Costa, Pablo Burneo, Judita Kasperiuniene

The Qualitative Report

In the Generative AI (GenAI) era, social researchers have explored different tools for different phases of research projects. Despite AI and GenAI being highly relevant topics in current literature, few researchers have addressed the question of how to explore GenAI tools based on human-AI collaboration to improve the quality of methodological literature reviews. Based on a real project as a sample, “a competence framework for social researchers integrating GenAI”, we propose a detailed analytical model that triangulates evidence from both quantitative and qualitative data analyses. A mixed-methods approach is looked at, with a focus on the qualitative dimension (quant-QUAL). The …

Sarah Lewis’ Terrific Toolkit: A Positive Psychology Perspective On The Practicality Of Appreciative Inquiry Application, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Sarah Lewis (2025) has made a strong contribution to the “How To” resources for conducting Appreciative Inquiry with her new book, Practical Appreciative Inquiry: A Toolkit for Applying Appreciative Inquiry to Organisational Challenges, Opportunities, and Aspirations. She has crafted the tome from a positive psychology perspective and her extensive experiences as an organizational consultant and facilitator, author, and postgraduate level lecturer in the United Kingdom. Her presentation is divided into two interrelated major sections - Background and Practice Theory and Applications, in which the backgrounding is full of practicalities and the applications are grounded in sound Appreciative Inquiry thinking. Through …

Qualitative Insights Into The Complexity Of Calling: Moving Beyond Quantitative Boundaries, Jeannel King

The Qualitative Report

Why are deeply personal and lived experiences often reduced to standardized measurements? Calling is one such experience. Although widely recognized as complex, personal, and contextually shaped, the concept of calling has most often been researched through quantitative methods over the past two decades. This study employed qualitative content analysis (QCA) to examine how calling was researched across 267 peer-reviewed journal articles, trace methodological patterns, and consider how those choices influence the field’s conceptualizations of the construct. The analysis integrated deductive coding of methodological features and inductive identification of conceptual themes, refined through abductive synthesis. This hybrid strategy positioned the study …

A Very Positive Review Of Positive Autoethnography: An Introduction To Theory And Practice, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Emerging from a creative marriage of positive psychology and autoethnography, Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky and Claude-Hélène Mayer (2025) present a wonderful addition to both families with their new book, Positive Autoethnography: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. The authors do an excellent job situating this new methodology in the rich traditions of both foundational areas and present the theoretical and practical qualities of a variety of positive autoethnography derivations. In what might be the most interesting variation of this evolving form of autoethnography is its promise as a form of therapy – a very positive development indeed.

Participatory, Project-Based Approach To Migrant Employment Research: Engaging Entrepreneurs Through Social Innovation, Sabina Kubiciel-Lodzińska, Jolanta Maj

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative research with entrepreneurs employing migrant workers poses significant challenges, particularly in recruiting respondents willing to discuss sensitive topics. This study explores an innovative method to overcome these barriers by engaging entrepreneurs through community-centered social initiatives. Specifically, we examine the "Opole Friendly Company for Migrants" project, a socially innovative competition conducted in the Opolskie Voivodeship from 2020 to 2024. The competition had two main goals. Firstly, it was aimed to foster participation in qualitative research by integrating respondents into a broader, socially meaningful context. The second goal was fostering community integration. The competition highlighted the role of entrepreneurs in supporting …

The Future Of Nursing Leadership: Incorporating E-Learned Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Pathways With A Precautionary Focus Of Patient-Centered-Care, Jamie Anne Marcus Dr, Bonnette Villalba Webb

FDLA Journal

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a data-driven mathematical process that incorporates machine-based-logic, usually in the form of algorithms. Education, training, and competencies are now conducted through virtual reality, robotics, simulation, and technology learning-based-platforms by healthcare organizations. This represents a significant change in the future of nursing practice. The adaptability of technology-based-learning platforms can impact the quality and efficiency of learning for some of the workforce population. Nurses' perception of technology and AI-driven nursing practice may vary based on generational orientation and can be a potential barrier to learning, practicing, and adaptability of this framework. The forging of well-trained resilient nurse leaders …

Global Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Higher Education In Physiology, Sean Mahajan, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

The Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the higher education sector worldwide in several disciplines, especially those in healthcare as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that require active, experiential learning via practical application of concepts centered around physiology. Dynamic instructional and technological interventions took place rapidly in an effort to minimize the adverse repercussions of moving away from traditional means of education in these critical scientific fields. COVID-19 necessitated administrators, faculty, students, and interns at colleges, universities, medical/healthcare science programs and residencies to pursue teaching, learning, and assessment of physiology courses/curricula through innovative strategies without compromising …

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Additions To Nursing Education: Accommodating The Complexity Of Today’S Populations And Assuring Evidence-Based Pathways Of Patient-Centered Care, Jamie Anne Marcus, Bonnette Villalba Webb, Abigail Pauline Batin Villarroya

FDLA Journal

Predicted demographic changes in the rising older than 65 populations with possible declining mental and physical health mandate adaptations to new professional nursing roles that will incorporate technology, and changing policy environments. Nursing experience, knowledge, and skills will transition to new cognitive pathways to think and process information. Nurses will be supported by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and become information integrators, health coaches, and continue to be deliverers of human caring. New transition pathways in nursing education to meet the needs of these diverse populations, and patient complex presentations will transcend to synergizing and optimize digital-age healthcare environments and assure …

Holistic Support For Online Learners: A Framework For Mental Health Integration, Charlotte A. Jones-Roberts

FDLA Journal

The mental health crisis among college students has been well-documented, with increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and other psychological distress. Online learners, in particular, face unique challenges related to social isolation, self-regulation, and access to mental health resources. Understanding mental health in the context of online education is critical due to the unique challenges posed by virtual learning environments (Saade et al., 2017; Kumari et al., 2021). This paper explores the importance of mental health support in higher education and proposes a three-level framework for integration: university-level, LMS-level, and course-level support. By addressing common concerns and utilizing a Universal Design …

Exploring Mental Health Stigma Among Law Enforcement Officers, Nicholas D. Chestnut

FDLA Journal

This applied dissertation investigates the prevalence and impact of mental health stigma among law enforcement officers (LEOs) in the United States. Despite growing awareness of the importance of mental health in the law enforcement community, stigma surrounding mental illness remains a significant barrier to help-seeking behaviors among officers. The study employed a research design that examined attitudes, perceptions, and experiences related to mental health stigma among LEOs.

Through online self-assessment surveys administered via a secure portal, participants provided insights into their attitudes toward mental illness, perceptions of stigma, and willingness to seek help for mental health concerns.

Data analysis revealed …

The Ai Reckoning: Why Higher Education Must Evolve — Now, David L. Hart Jr, Rebecca J. Armstrong

FDLA Journal

The transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on education possesses a wealth of potential advantages. AI has introduced new dimensions to teaching and learning, fostering personalized education, automating administrative tasks, and expanding access to resources worldwide. Through adaptive learning platforms, AI can customize learning experiences to meet individual student needs, making education more inclusive and accessible. AI-driven tools can also aid instructors by automating grading, attendance, and other administrative tasks, enabling them to focus more on engagement. Additionally, AI-powered data analytics offer insights into student progress and performance trends, facilitating targeted interventions to support student success.

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.

Holistic Support For Online Learners: A Framework For Mental Health Integration, Charlotte A. Jones-Roberts

FDLA Journal

The mental health crisis among college students has been well-documented, with increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and other psychological distress. Online learners, in particular, face unique challenges related to social isolation, self-regulation, and access to mental health resources. Understanding mental health in the context of online education is critical due to the unique challenges posed by virtual learning environments (Saade et al., 2017; Kumari et al., 2021). This paper explores the importance of mental health support in higher education and proposes a three-level framework for integration: university-level, LMS-level, and course-level support. By addressing common concerns and utilizing a Universal Design …

Integrating Ai-Llms Into Educational Practices: A Study On Pre-Service Teachers' Readiness And Concerns, Jayrome L. Núñez, Wendell A. Lived, Jomar M. Urbano, Mark Anthony F. Jamisal, Mariecres B. Hontiveros

FDLA Journal

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), into educational practices has become increasingly relevant, influencing pre-service teachers' preparedness and engagement. This study examines the readiness and concerns of pre-service teachers in adopting AI-LLMs for teaching, filling a gap in literature on AI's role in teacher education. Using a cross-tabulation analysis of survey data from 685 respondents across different educational majors and academic levels, the study highlights variations in AI adoption, familiarity, and ethical considerations. Findings indicate that AI engagement grows with academic progression, with Secondary Education majors demonstrating higher adoption rates than Elementary Education majors. While …

On The Influence Of British/American English In The Dominican Society/A Revisited Edition, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr., Fransheska Arias Reyes Lic., Ivanna Del Pilar Tavarez Vasquez Mag.

FDLA Journal

The present work is a historical/linguistic account of an unprecedented fact regarding the existence of two English Speaking Communities [British English and American English], in our country the Dominican Republic, where Spanish is the official and most used language, to the extent of being considered a monolingual nation or country. It is analyzed here, on how the Hispaniola Island was split into two different territories due to different treaties (Aranjuez, Ryswick, among others), held in the old European Metropolis and how the island came to be a French Colony (the territory of what is Haiti now), a Haitian Creole/French speaking …

Artificial Intelligence In The Efl Learning Process For Dominican Higher Education, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr., Fransheska Arias Reyes Lic., Ivanna Del Pilar Tavarez Vasquez Mag.

FDLA Journal

This research work, explores the important incidence that Artificial Intelligence has have in the development of modern higher education and education at all in our country, the Dominican Republic, before, during, and after the Sanitary Emergence brought by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Through this Documentary Research, we examine in details the case of the Dominican Republic as compared to those cases occurred in the international arena, as a means for reflection and understanding of this phenomena called Artificial Intelligence on its different modalities since Computerizing and Internet changed our lives, decades ago. It is the purpose of this work to bring …

Translanguaging Within The Scope Of Dominican Pre-College And College Education, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr., Fransheska Arias Reyes Lic., Ivanna Del Pilar Tavarez Vasquez Mag.

FDLA Journal

Our country, which is today the Dominican Republic, is a Spanish speaking country due to the historical and well known fact that the then Hispaniola Island or Santo Domingo was split into two different colonies by effect of the Aranjuez Treaty (1777), held between the two Colonial Metropolis of Spain and France thus establishing the French occupation of the territory of Haiti to the West and the Spanish territory to the East, and producing therefore the establishing of two different countries with two different languages (Spanish and French), in a land (Quisqueya) in which in pre-Colombian times was occupied by …

Sociolinguistics Approaches In Efl Teaching Methods For Dominican College Students, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr., Fransheska Arias Reyes Lic.

FDLA Journal

This work is concerned with the effects or pedagogical influences of the so-called Sociolinguistics Approaches on Dominican College education, specifically at three groups of advanced EFL Classes at the State College, that is to say the Universidad Autonoma of Santo Domingo-UASD-, during the last virtual and first semester of this year (2021-1), as a part of the Core Curriculum of the said institution. The emphasis was placed in determining how certain currents of the like had have a considerable influence in both the teacher’s population as well as that of the students, resulting with not a new discovery, that Constructivism …

Language Immersion Programs For Dominican College Students/From The Russian Experience To The Mescyt Experience, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr.

FDLA Journal

The following work consists of a comparative research of two of the most outstanding immersion programs for foreign languages (Russian/English) that Dominican college students have ever undergone. The first one, happened decades ago in the cold distant Union of Soviet Socialist Republic where thousands of our students were sent as scholarship’s recipient to study in different Russian universities, after being selected by the Dominican Communist Party, and sponsored by the Soviet Government. The second one, is still happening in our country with the offering of the so-called English Immersion Program sponsored since 2005 by the Ministry of Higher Education-MESCyT- The …

Globalization, Foreign Languages And National Identity In The Dominican Republic, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr.

FDLA Journal

Due to the fact of the transformation of the Dominican economy, jumping from a rural, sugar cane exporting-country to a more diverse economy, based in four pillars: The Remittance of US Dollars of Dominicans living in America, the Tourism Industry, the Duty-free Industrial Parks and the Major League Base-ball Players and Academies, it is not difficult to imagine that English has been the language par excellence behind those advancements. Those socio-political facts besides the phenomenon of globalization have had a tremendous impact in popularizing this language with the correspondent academic impact of modernizing and reforming our national curriculum, for both …

Methodological Discrepancies In The Teaching/Assessment Process Of Efl At The High School Level In The Dominican Public System, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr.

FDLA Journal

Discrepancies between the processes of Teaching and Assessment of English of the Middle Level. Dr. Pedro Tavárez DaCosta: 2016. Freelance Researcher, for the Regional Office of Education 11-02 in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Teacher's Evaluation / Evaluation Criteria / Summative and Formative Evaluation / Program for Evaluation Improvement in Language Teaching. This research work consisted in the implementation of a plan in which, by way of treatment, it was possible to improve the levels of assessment competences of the foreign language, of the non-qualified teachers of English of the middle level, Districts 11-01 and 11-02 of the Regional of Education …

Methodological Discrepancies In The Teaching/Assessment Process Of Efl At The High School Level In The Dominican Public System, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr.

FDLA Journal

Discrepancies between the processes of Teaching and Assessment of English of the Middle Level. Dr. Pedro Tavárez DaCosta: 2016. Freelance Researcher, for the Regional Office of Education 11-02 in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Teacher's Evaluation / Evaluation Criteria / Summative and Formative Evaluation / Program for Evaluation Improvement in Language Teaching. This research work consisted in the implementation of a plan in which, by way of treatment, it was possible to improve the levels of assessment competences of the foreign language, of the non-qualified teachers of English of the middle level, Districts 11-01 and 11-02 of the Regional of Education …

Effectiveness Of The G-T Method In Efl Monolingual Adult Classes At Private Institutes In The City Of Puerto Plata, D.R, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr.

FDLA Journal

The goal of this research is to determine the effectiveness of Grammar -Translation Method on EFL adult learners. The sample of this investigation was based on 30 graduated students as a universe and a sample of 15 which represent the 50% in which 9 of them were female who represent the 60% and 6 male who represent the 40% from Impact Languages Institute. The research used random sampling process to lead this investigation. The findings of this research indicated that there is a positive Correlation between the usage of Grammar Translation Method and both female and male EFL learners. This …

Effectiveness Of The G-T Method In Efl Monolingual Adult Classes At Private Institutes In The City Of Puerto Plata, D.R., Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr.

FDLA Journal

The goal of this research is to determine the effectiveness of Grammar -Translation Method on EFL adult learners. The sample of this investigation was based on 30 graduated students as a universe and a sample of 15 which represent the 50% in which 9 of them were female who represent the 60% and 6 male who represent the 40% from Impact Languages Institute. The research used random sampling process to lead this investigation. The findings of this research indicated that there is a positive Correlation between the usage of Grammar Translation Method and both female and male EFL learners. This …

Personality Features And Efl Learning Process Within The Dominican Society Context, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr.

FDLA Journal

Through this work we are focusing on discussing the relationship between the Traits of Personality and the performance of Students in EFL Learning (introversion/extroversion and other determining factors of the educational Process) within the Dominican´s Society context as largely perceived by Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. There have been a great number of international studies already published which had tried to explain the effects of such features of the student's personality, mostly introversion/ extroversion on the student‘s performance in foreign language learning, something , which from the teacher‘s perception have always been presumed as an unquestionable fact. Although …

Efl Programs For People With Special Needs In The In Different National Settings, Pedro J. Tavarez-Dacosta Dr.

FDLA Journal

The present work attracted our attention motivated by the need of seeking ways of helping people learning EFL, with certain disabilities than undertaking a research project by itself. The needs for implementing those special program in our country is out of the question, since to the extent that our society and country has been developing in economic, social and political terms, to that extent we have realized the need to become a more inclusive society, more open to sectors with special needs, not only in terms of urban planning, but also in the design of their own educational policies towards …

Facilitating Trauma Informed Practices In Intermediate Algebra, Ruthmae Sears, Kelley Cummings, Sandra Vernon-Jackson, Keisha Albritton, Alfredo Rodriguez-Vera, Chuqian Song

Transformations

As a programmatic evaluation effort, we examined the extent to which Intermediate Algebra instructors promoted trauma-informed practices. Data were garnered from 230 students enrolled in Intermediate Algebra in Fall 2024 via a Trauma Informed Practices Survey and a survey about the impact of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies, and the qualitative data were analyzed using open coding and thematic analysis. The results suggest that students generally perceive their instructors exhibited trauma-informed care. The results have implications for providing adequate support and resources to ensure all students learn mathematics.

The Current - Volume 36 Issue 4, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.