Digital Commons Network^™

Teaching Preschoolers To Self-Assess Their Choices In Pre-K, Bobbie Gibson Warash, Melissa Workman

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Young children have the capability of making decisions, informed choices, and self-assessing their progress on their choices. In this classroom of 4- and 5-year-olds, children used pictorial contracts, rubrics, and various self-assessment techniques as a method for continuous learning. Gathering and reflecting on their own evidence about their accomplishments created a reflective loop by which the child evaluated their work, made revisions and ultimately applied the criteria to other conditions. Children in this prekindergarten classroom learned to reflect on their own knowledge. It is not only intrinsically motivating but offers young children a systematic approach to further their involvement in …

Correlates Of Satisfaction With Life For People Who Identify As Transgender And Sexual Minority, Christopher C. Bober, Kristen L. Suing, Dustin K. Shepler

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Researchers have focused on understanding factors such as resiliency, medical concerns, and coping skills in the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming people. However, little research has examined how transgender and gender-nonconforming people cognitively evaluate their own lives. Furthermore, many people who identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming also report a sexual minority identity status. In this study, we sought to understand how aspects of sexual self-concept (i.e., sexual esteem and sexual anxiety), internalized homonegativity, and level of outness about sexual identity correlated to self-appraisals of satisfaction with life (SWL) in a sample of transgender and gender-nonconforming people who identified as sexual …

Using Variable Interval Reinforcement Schedules To Support Students In The Classroom: An Introduction With Illustrative Examples, David Hulac, Nicholas Benson, Matthew C. Nesmith, Sarah Wollersheim Shervey

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

When behaviors are reinforced with a variable interval reinforcement schedule, reinforcement is available only after an unknown period of time. These types of reinforcement schedules are most useful for reinforcing slow and steady responding and for differentially reinforcing behaviors that are incompatible with some problematic behaviors. This review helps define variable interval reinforcement schedules, uses the example of a strategy to manage thumb-sucking behavior to illustrate the implementation of these schedules, and describes potential applications in school and clinical settings.

Experiences Of Middle-Level Students, Teachers, And Parents In The Do The Write Thing Violence Prevention Program, Sarah E. Peterson, R. Craig Williams, Rick A. Myer, Josefina V. Tinajero

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

We examined experiences of participants in Do the Write Thing national violence prevention program for middle-level students. Using mixed methods, we conducted surveys and focus groups with students, parents, and teachers who attended the program’s National Recognition Week in Washington, DC. Results revealed important affective, behavioral, and cognitive impacts on participants, including improved relationships, increased understanding of violence, and commitment to reduce violence. Participants from cities where insufficient time and resources were devoted to the project did not experience significant change. Teachers reported developing greater empathy for their students and making substantial changes in their teaching, providing support for students …

Death Anxiety, Depression, And Coping In Family Caregivers, Veronica Semenova, Leann Stadtlander

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Along with the increase in elderly patients with chronic and disabling conditions, the number of family caregivers continues to rise. Caregiving has been associated with negative physical and psychological impact on the caregivers’ health, as well as, with higher prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and a higher risk of mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine if death anxiety would be a significant predictor of depression and coping in the sample of adult family caregivers of adult patients. Participants were 46 family caregivers recruited through caregiver websites. Participants completed the Revised Collett–Lester Fear of Death and Dying Scale, …

Examining Nigerian Banking Governance, Leadership Style, And Performance During The Financial Crisis, Adeola O. Agbato Dr, Kevin J. Davies Dr

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The 2008–2009 global financial crisis of financial systems negatively affected about 30% of Nigerian banks, leading to profitability issues. The profitability issues led to operational challenges, downsizing, and liquidation of some banks. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between corporate governance structure, perception of leadership style, and bank performance. This study was grounded in agency theory and used survey and archival data. Survey data were collected from 11 participants employed by commercial banks located in Nigeria, using the Multifaceted Leadership Questionnaire. Corporate governance and bank performance data were collected from annual bank reports. The model …

The Promise And Limits Of Service Learning For Aspiring Teachers, Mary Louise Gomez

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This text explores how service learning may offer aspiring teachers’ (those not yet admitted to teacher education programs) opportunities to interact with and support the learning of children from low-income families of color. The article shows the potential of service to impact how aspiring teachers talk and think and what they can do in community centers serving children living in challenging circumstances. It also critiques their understandings of who they are with regard to race, social class, and language background when conducting service learning. Implications for teachers and teacher educators’ practices when mentoring university students conducting service in communities of …

Identifying Evidence-Based Educational Practices: Which Research Designs Provide Findings That Can Influence Social Change?, Barbara R. Schirmer, Alison S. Lockman, Todd N. Schirmer

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

We conducted this conceptual study to determine if the Institute of Education Sciences/National Science Foundation pipeline of evidence guidelines could be applied as a protocol that researchers could follow in establishing evidence of effective instructional practices. To do this, we compared these guidelines, new drug development process, and our own research on major methodological designs and found that they show remarkable consistency in the process by which types of studies intended to answer different research questions build a body of evidence for practice, whether that practice is in the instructional environment or health care environment. However, none of the protocols …

Implications Of Traffic Analysis To Homeland Security, Bob Duhainy

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

One of the biggest challenges currently faced by the Department of Homeland Security is guaranteeing cybersecurity. Each and every day some type of cybercrime occurs. Such crimes have the potential to affect the country’s national security. This paper investigates the significance of internet traffic and analysis to Homeland Security. It will look at the importance of internet traffic and analysis to Homeland Security as well as encrypted traffic and its implications to cyber-security. The manner in which the U.S. has handled cybersecurity over the past twenty years and the methods that the government has used in this time period will …

Physical Activity Improves Depressive Symptoms In Older Adults, Karen Lee Fahey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Engaging in physical activity can help older adults to take part in community activities, maintain relationships, and initiate new friendships, thus preventing loneliness and depression. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate whether participation in physical activity improved depressive symptoms in 15 older adults at a local senior center. Pender’s health promotion model was used to determine nursing and behavioral science views on components that affect health behavior. The Exercise Benefit/Barrier Scale (EBBS) survey was evaluated before implementation of the walking program to measure the benefits of and barriers to exercise. The EBBS results showed that …

Health Literacy Among Elderly Hispanics And Medication Usage, Wilda Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health literacy among the elderly Hispanics is a problem for 44% who read at the lowest level due to issues with recognition, cognition, or vision. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent that elderly Hispanics have problems with medication adherence due to health literacy. The social cognitive theory was the framework for this study. Inclusion criteria consisted of being 65-75 years of age, and speaking and/or reading English and/or Spanish. Questionnaires from 156 individuals were completed in Cobb County/Atlanta GA and analyzed using multiple regression to determine the relationship between health literacy and medication usage. Medication adherence …

Small Enterprise Strategies In An Unstable Public Environment, Daryl Green, Thomas Kohntopp

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Many small business owners in the United States dream about getting a large contract with the federal government, feeling that their lives would be easier if they did. Ironically, there have been numerous occasions where small businesses have gone out of business after being overwhelmed by a government contract. This case study addresses how small businesses can improve their survival and success rate in the public sector with a strategic approach to their operations. It begins by discussing the preparation that goes into federal contracting by small businesses. Case examples of four American companies involved in contracting with the Department …

Health Care Clinicians' Compliance With Conducting Spiritual Assessments And Providing Spiritual Care To Infertile Women, Lesa Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Infertility is a disease that can cause psychological impairments in women, and the inability to achieve motherhood brings about cultural and social stigma. Spirituality is a protective element that may provide consolation to women experiencing infertility, yet the literature has shown that few clinicians conduct spirituality assessments or provide spiritual care to patients. The objectives of this scholarly project were to conduct an assessment to determine the needs of health care clinicians in regard to spirituality and spiritual patient care and to develop an educational module based on identified knowledge deficits. Guided by the knowledge-to-action cycle, a needs assessment was …

Using Thinking Routines As A Pedagogy For Teaching English As A Second Language In Palestine, Majida "Mohammed Yousef" Dajani Dr.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study examined the results of promoting Palestinian students’ engagement and fostering their understanding in addition to their inquiry skills through the application of thinking routines. Six teachers teaching fourth and fifth grades participated voluntarily in this action research project during the school year 2014–2015. The researcher videotaped a number of classes, collected and discussed teachers’ and students' reflections, and analyzed classroom observation reports. During the data collection process, the researcher depicted and narrated common themes and issues retrieved from the different sources that were used to collect data. Results revealed that the implementation of visible thinking routines in English …

Transforming Care Of The Behavioral Health Patient In An Emergency Department Setting, Theresa J. Kubiel

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract

Transforming Care of the Behavioral Health Patient in an Emergency Department Setting

by

Theresa J. Kubiel

MSN, Walden University, 2009

BSN, Bloomfield College, 2002

AAS, Ocean County College, 1992

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

January 2016

Abstract

Behavioral and mental health issues contribute to the needs of many patients presenting to emergency departments, and yet these needs often go unrecognized. Patient processing procedures in emergency departments may not include mechanisms to consistently identify and triage patients whose care is complicated by behavioral illness. The purpose of …

Knowledge Management And Innovation On Firm Performance Of United States Ship Repair, Cynthia Jane Young

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Labor forces continue to decrease in the United States. If the ship repair industry’s leadership does not incorporate knowledge sharing and innovation into business practices, knowledge will be lost resulting in decreasing performance. This was a study to determine if there was a correlation between knowledge management, innovation, and firm performance. Knowledge was found as more influential than innovation in predicting firm performance.

Serious Fun: The Perceived Influences Of Improvisational Acting On Community College Students, Ruth H. Yamamoto

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Theatrical improvisation lacks investigation within higher education. The findings from this phenomenological study of seven students from a Mid-­ Atlantic community college lend credibility to other research supporting arts and extracurricular activities and provide insights into what they value in their educational experience. Positive social change can come from providing students with an education that includes fun, creativity, and socialization for a successful future.

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Use Of Small-Group Tutorial, Karen Moaton Johnson

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This study addressed the implementation of the tutorial program currently in use at an urban school district in Mississippi. With focus on the implementation of the tutorial program, the perceived impact of the program on the academic achievement of at-risk students and what changes would benefit the program.

Changing Embedded Student Attitudes Within A Mathematical Setting, Ruth Collins

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Existing student attitudes and beliefs about mathematics often block student learning and deep understanding of mathematical content in the college classroom (e.g. preservice elementary teachers). Changes in pedagogy, classroom participation, and curriculum were infused into two college mathematics classes for preservice teachers and the attitudinal beliefs of these preservice teachers were assessed to measure change after a course intervention.

Hotel Managers’ Motivational Strategies For Enhancing Employee Performance, Vanessa Lizzette Barbosa-Mccoy

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This multiple case study using census sampling was to explore motivational strategies three hotel general managers used for enhancing employee performance in South Florida. The findings revealed that recognition and guest satisfaction unveiled a positive effect on employee performances and community engagement gave employees reasons to perform well.

Integration Of Place-Based Education Into Science Classes From Prekindergarten Through Grade 5, Terri A. Wade-Lyles

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract In a large urban district in Ohio, 29.2% of Grade 5, 28.7% of Grade 8, and 45.7% of Grade 10 students passed the state test in science. School district administrators formed a community partnership with local science institutions in order to provide students with hands-on place-based learning experiences intended to improve science academic achievement in PK-Grade 5. The purpose of this qualitative program evaluation was to determine the level of implementation of that place-based program by examining the efficacy of the teachers’ embedded professional development and their experiences with the training components. Bruner’s theory of cognitive development was used …

Professional Doctorates 2016: Updates And Further Recommendations, Walden University Professional Doctorate Working Group 2

White Papers

The charge to this second working group was to examine the 2012 recommendations and clarify Walden’s position on professional doctorates. Unlike the first effort that addressed differences between professional and academic doctorates, the expectations for this group were to focus on the commonalities in the university’s professional doctorates; set clear and consistent definitions, standards, and requirements for our professional doctorates; and link those programs to employment paths more directly. From the outset, the working group acknowledged that any outcome will be a “living document” that continues to be refined as discussion continues in the university community.

Evaluation Of A Temporary, Immersive Learning Community Based On Worldschooling, Aimee Ferraro

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Learning communities are a proven method for engaging groups of people who share common goals for personal growth and knowledge acquisition (Gabelnick, MacGregor, Matthews, & Smith, 1990; Taylor, Moore, MacGregor, & Lindblad, 2003). However, little is known about the usefulness of this approach in the context of alternative education. This article describes the evaluation of a temporary, immersive learning community for self-directed teen learners, Project World School (PWS), which was based on a new, pedagogical approach to learning called worldschooling. Findings indicate that regardless of demographic characteristics and personal interests, PWS attendees experienced learning and progress in three main areas: …

Parents And Teachers’ Perceptions And Clinical Diagnosis Of Autism Among White And Non-White Groups, Margaret Gopaul

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The pervasiveness of autism has significantly increased over the past 2 decades with the 2014 Center for Disease Control and Prevention report indicating 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Early intervention is recommended as the most effective treatment approach. Nevertheless, previous research has indicated that White children are diagnosed with ASD about 1.5 years earlier than are Non-White children. A current gap remains in literature regarding ASD and different racial groups, and evidence has been inconclusive regarding disparities in identifying and diagnosing ASD. To fill this gap, this study investigated the relationship between child race, …

Multilingual Multicultural Multimedia: Transforming Higher Education Through Transdisciplinary Action Research Projects, Melda N. Yildiz

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Situated within the context of higher education, this study outlines of use of participatory action research in developing global competencies, critical thinking, and 21st-century skills among students and showcases their transformative, inclusive, multilingual, multicultural research projects across content areas. This participatory action research study aims to advance scientific knowledge of transformative critical pedagogy as a means to promote heutagogy through the lens of innovative technologies in a global education context while redefining education and developing a “transformative educator model.”

Using Multi-Theory Model For Physical Activity Behavior Change, Manoj Sharma

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem. College students are a vulnerable group. This study was aimed at using multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change to predict physical activity behavior change in college students. Regression revealed that 26% of the variance in the initiation of physical activity was explained by advantages outweighing disadvantages, behavioral confidence, work status, and changes in physical environment. About 30% of the variance in sustenance of physical activity was explained by emotional transformation, practice for change, and changes in social environment.

Tribal Gaming Leader Strategies Toward A Sustainable Future, Janie A. Hall

2010-2016 Archived Posters

One aspect of leadership strategy is the need to account for the core values of the organization. The purpose of this case study was to explore the perceptions of tribal gaming leader strategies toward sustainability, an action that leads to tribal economic development and stability. This research explored the strategies necessary for tribal gaming leader choices that could have a significant influence on social progress, environmental protection, and economic growth.

Examining The Credibility And Influence Of Agile Leadership Blogs On Transformation, Gail Ferreira

2010-2016 Archived Posters

The use of online sources for decision information continues to grow among consumers. One of these sources is the blog, a venue for user-generated content that simulates word-of-mouth communication. The growth and influence of blogs create opportunities for marketers to use them as part of strategy development. To facilitate an understanding of blogs and their potential influence on consumers‘ decisions, this study was an examination of the influence of the credibility of blogs on blog readers‘ behavioral intentions (e.g., agile transformation), as mediated by trust and moderated by involvement. The appraisal of blog credibility was characterized as tri-dimensional – assessed …

Evolution Of Physician-Centric Business Models Under The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act, Tanya Nix, Lynn Szostek

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

For decades, the cost of medical care in the United States has increased exponentially. United States citizens spend twice as much as their European counterparts on medical care. Congress enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to ensure affordable healthcare to the citizens of the United States. PPACA legislation is creating a new paradigm in healthcare delivery and provider business models. The purpose of this case study was to explore physicians’ perspectives regarding physician-centric business models evolving under the requirements of the PPACA legislation. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews and questionnaires with a purposive sample of 75 …

E-Government Initiatives Case Study: New Models For Success, Douglass P. Smith

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

This case study examines the efforts of a mid-tier, cabinet-level state agency to transform its constituency services to be more effective using information technology. The agency, based in a rural Midwestern state, faced increased scrutiny to raise accuracy, lower wait times, decrease expenditures, increase constituency satisfaction, and expand services to the state. To meet these challenges, the agency conducted a series of meetings to determine best possible opportunities for change and decided that technology solutions, which supported their business vision of the future, would be the foundation for that change. Redesigning core organizational processes—using several technologies such as e-commerce, content …