Computer-Based Learning: Effects On Student Learning And Interpretation Of Curriculum, Hasani Jackson

Dissertations

ABSTRACT In 2010, the Superintendent of Prestige School District (a pseudonym) implemented online learning programs that would cater to student learning while increasing achievement. With the adoption of computer-based programs into Prestige School District System, curriculum specialists wanted to align programs to the Common Core State Standards initiated by the Department of Education. Through gathering quantitative and qualitative data on behalf of various stakeholders within Prestige School District, the goal of this study was to uncover the key elements of online learning programs that can be improved to enhance student achievement. Results provide a foundation for positive learning initiatives that …

Creating Comprehensive Wrap-Around Services For The Homeless Community: Exploring Network Activity Among Shelters And Service Organizations Within The South-Side Of Chicago, Gloria West

Dissertations

We may not all agree that the homeless community is increasing and that their essential needs to survive such as food, healthcare and housing are quality of life rights for everyone. We must adopt the compassion of the medical industry and understand the importance of how community programs and services impact their survival. The sense of urgency to address the issues of homelessness does not appear to be moving as fast as other government agendas hindering families and individual’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency. It is expected that the priorities within this population are addressed immediately, it should be understood that …

Intergenerational Family Learning Programs: Stories Of Latinx, Immigrant Families And Their Journeys To And Through Higher Education, Monica Ramos

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This research presents the stories of three Latinx families who participated in an intergenerational family program. I endeavored to understand their experiences navigating the American system of education and their immigrant stories. Their narratives revealed significant details that can serve as integral elements in the development of an intergenerational learning curriculum based on culture, language, and traditions, and that steps away from the assumptions that perpetrate the deficit-based narratives about Latino families and higher education. Their hopes provide points for further research and advocacy. In this qualitative study, I collected data using semi-structured interviews, including documents and artifacts. The …

International, Remote Behavioral-Skills Training Of Discrete-Trial Procedures For Teachers In Saudi Arabia, Bayan Alsubaie

Dissertations

The current study sought to internationally expand the use of applied behavior analysis services by applying discrete trial training (DTT) to preschool students with autism, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). At a university setting in the United States, the trainer provided the training to three teachers at the KSA Qodrah Center, a center for special education, by using a remote communication technique. I, as the trainer, used the behavioral-skills training (BST) model to train the teachers; this involved instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. The training was three hours a day, three days per week. The teachers learned to …

Adjustment Issues As Students Transition From High School To The Dominican Republic's First Community College, Alexandra Julia Garcia Munoz

Dissertations

The vision statement of the first community college in the Dominican Republic (DR) notes that it is “an institution of higher technical level aimed at offering opportunities for development, forming competent, ethical and innovative professionals through a relevant curriculum assuming a solidarity integration with business and social sectors" (Instituto Tecnico Superior Comunitario [ITSC], 2012, para. 1). Each day, the institution tries to help individuals achieve their lifelong dreams by providing a quality education so that graduates may benefit economically, socially, and personally, and reach a better quality of life that expands those benefits to their community, country and the whole …

Community College Student Success: Connections To Student Perceptions Of Faculty Behaviors, And Classroom Motivators, Victor A. Henry Ubiera

Dissertations

This study explored how community college students perceive certain faculty behaviors, its relationship with students’ classroom motivators and how the perception of those behaviors and motivators predicts students’ persistence and academic success. The statistics about the low rates of completion in higher education institutions is an issue that researchers and educational organizations are concerned about (Apolinar, 2013; Kolodner, 2015). Addressing this issue, a body of inquiring is focusing on the student-faculty relationship (Kezar & Maxey, 2014) revealing that faculty behaviors and student motivation are related to several students’ outcomes (Lancaster & Lundberg, 2019; Wilson & Ryan, 2013). However, less is …

An Empirical Study Of Design Parameters For Planning Two-Level And Three-Level Cluster Randomized Trials To Detect Moderator Effects, Qi Zhang

Dissertations

In the last two decades, we have seen an increasing number of impact studies in education that are designed to detect a meaningful average treatment effect, which answers the what works question. Recently, researchers have started to consider how to expand the design of impact studies to answer questions regarding the treatment effect heterogeneity across different contexts, such as for whom and under what conditions programs work. Answering these questions is imperative in the quest to make evidence-based and context-relevant decisions to improve educational outcomes for all students.

Many of the impact studies utilize a cluster randomized trial (CRT). CRTs …

The Impact Of School Climate On Adolescents’ Sense Of Belonging In Al Ain Schools: A Mixed Method Study, Wafaa Mohammed El Zaatari

Dissertations

To compete internationally, Al Ain educational system, and the UAE education system at large, is directed by the UAE 2021 National Agenda and seems to be driven by results. The purpose of this study aims to explore the school climate factors that may impact on adolescents’ sense of belonging. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory is used as the framework in this study. The study employed a sequential exploratory research design, that started by using interviews to collect qualitative data from eight male and eight female students in grade 11, and eight of their teachers in schools in Al Ain. The NVivo …

Self-Determination Theory And Faculty Behavior: A Quantitative Study Of Faculty Leaders' Use Of Assessment Evidence, Joseph D. Levy

Dissertations

Despite assessment of student learning being essential work in higher education, a number of institutions have noted faculty could more effectively be using assessment results (Jankowski et al., 2018; Kuh et al., 2015; Metzler & Kurz, 2019; Suskie, 2014). This study applied Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework to provide context for faculty behavior associated with assessment actions (Fuller et al., 2016; Ryan & Deci, 2000). Mostly quantitative data were collected via electronic survey of faculty program leaders at a single institution, National Louis University (NLU). Results indicated a significant and positive relationship suggesting an increase in meeting the …

The Importance Of Leadership Activities In Addressing The Shortage Of African American Men Completing Doctoral Degrees, Lerita Watkins

Dissertations

Abstract

The focus in this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of African American men who obtained a doctoral degree and the role of leadership in their success. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 African American men from across the United States. The research develops an understanding of patterns of leadership within institutions of higher education from an African American male perspective. Elements of the critical race theory served as the basis for the conceptual framework. The significant statements made by the 10 African American men reflected their distinct perceptions of the role leadership plays in African …

Is Critical Thinking Really Critical? A Research Study Of The Intentional Planning For The Teaching Of Critical Thinking In The Middle Grades, Michelle Smith

Dissertations

Critical thinking is an integral part of human life. However, it is not intentionally planned for and implemented in most public educational institutions. Due to this lack of planning, not everyone thinks critically. Critical thinking is a skill that must be fostered and developed over a period for it to be applied consistently. Individuals who exhibit critical thinking are increasingly likely to be successful in life.

This study focused on the teaching of critical thinking and was conducted at Wildcat Middle School, located in a suburb of Chicago, IL. The research examined the extent to which teachers intentionally planned for …

The Study Of Black American Male School Principals’ Life Experiences And How They Affect Black American Male Students In Their Schools To Close The Academic Achievement Gap, Linda Palija

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study was conducted to inform the present educational system concerning what is known about Black American male former principals and district leaders and how they affected Black American male students in closing the academic achievement gap. The context of this inquiry was an examination of three Black American male former principals/district leaders in one region of the United States, and the study focused on how they used their life and professional experiences to help Black American male students in their schools to close the academic achievement gap. Three themes were acknowledged in this investigation: the impact of …

Transfer Learning: Bridging The Gap Between Deep Learning And Domain-Specific Text Mining, Chaoran Cheng

Dissertations

Inspired by the success of deep learning techniques in Natural Language Processing (NLP), this dissertation tackles the domain-specific text mining problems for which the generic deep learning approaches would fail. More specifically, the domain-specific problems are: (1) success prediction in crowdfunding, (2) variants identification in biomedical literature, and (3) text data augmentation for domains with low-resources.

In the first part, transfer learning in a multimodal perspective is utilized to facilitate solving the project success prediction on the crowdfunding application. Even though the information in a project profile can be of different modalities such as text, images, and metadata, most existing …

Identification Of Neurobiological Mechanisms Associated With Attention Deficits In Adults Post Traumatic Brain Injury, Ziyan Wu

Dissertations

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the major public health concerns with approximately 70 million new cases occurring worldwide per year. It is often caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head, resulting in brain tissue damage and normal brain functions disruption. All grades of TBI, ranging from mild to severe, can cause wide-ranging and long-term effects on affected individuals, resulting in physical impairments, and neurocognitive consequences that permanently affect their abilities to perform daily activities. Attention deficits are the most common persisting neurocognitive consequences following TBI, which significantly contribute to poor academic and social functioning, …

Building The Petro-Polis: Oil Capitalism, Imperialism, And The Making Of Abadan, 1908-1933, Reza Mortaheb

Dissertations

Abadan is the most prominent of all the oil company towns the British Petroleum Company built in Southwest Iran. Located at the border of Iran and present-day Iraq, by the mid twentieth century Abadan not only accommodated the world’s largest refinery, it had also become Iran’s most populous industrial city. This dissertation focuses on the process of urban development on Abadan Island between 1908 and 1933. Drawing on primary archival documents and secondary sources, this dissertation discusses how Abadan’s establishment and its changing urban form and spatial organization were the product of broader historical processes. Imperial intelligence and practical requirements …

Brasilidade In Built Form: Tracing National Identity In Modernist Architecture In Brazil, 1922–1968, Angela Starita

Dissertations

The conceptual framework of Brazilian national identity in built form changed drastically between the 1930s and the 1960s, from the Baroque of colonial-era Brazil to the improvised constructions of the poor. The advocates of these architectural imaginaries were not suggesting that these styles be copied. Instead, they used them as a type of hermeneutic for explicating how Modernism should be deployed in order for it to be authentically Brazilian. The transition from the colonial model to an aesthetics of poverty was a result of a confluence of factors. These included the country’s relatively new struggle to define itself away from …

Comparing Teaching Strategies Utilized To Enhance Self-Confidence Among Novice Nursing Students, Ashley N. Carter

Dissertations

Faculty play a considerable role in positively impacting the development of a novice nursing student's self-confidence through contemporary, innovative, and meaningful teaching practices that are data-driven. Employing effective confidence-building teaching strategies early in the curriculum supports the development of confidence as a professional attribute and is critical to student success, patient safety, and patient comfort (Blum et al., 2010; Bulfone et al., 2016; Lundberg, 2008; White, 2009). This prospective, cross-sectional, quantitative, comparison pilot study compared the effectiveness of a role-play (RP) physical assessment simulation with a new teaching strategy, an individual high-fidelity physical assessment simulation (HFS), to determine the impact …

Health Literacy Preparation Of Bsn Students: A Basic Qualitative Study, Robin E. Squellati

Dissertations

Understanding the complexity of multiple health conditions, treatment options, and medications requires a high level of health literacy. Yet, 88% of Americans have some deficiency in health literacy. The nursing literature is lacking in best practices for teaching nursing students how to address health literacy concepts with their patients. Therefore, this basic qualitative study explored Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) students' educational preparation to integrate health literacy in patient education. The primary research questions asked, How do BSN students describe their preparation to integrate health literacy in patient education?

The Effects Of Art Therapy On Hypertension In Black American Women, Ellen Layton Mullarkey

Dissertations

70 million Americans have hypertension affecting one out of three Americans. Heart disease was the leading cause of death in America in 2015. The American Heart Association published an algorithm for implementing alternative approaches to treating hypertension. Creative art therapy was not included. Art therapy blends the therapeutic process of psychotherapy with the art of painting, drawing and sculpture to help express emotions and beliefs that are too difficult to convey in verbal and written communication. The health belief model is a framework that examines why people do not follow the recommendations of health care providers due to real and …

The Relation Between Patient Education And Picc Line Occlusion And Infection, Patricia L. Cameron

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of using an electronic tablet to supplement patient and caregiver education about PICC line maintenance and to compare the percentage of PICC line complications in the intervention group with national percentage rates for patients and caregivers.

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

Dissertations

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.

Substance Use And Hiv Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (Msm), Raymond Austin Nation

Dissertations

In the United States, young Black men who have sex with men (MSM), between the ages of 13 and 29 years have the highest rates of new HIV infections. The prevalence of HIV among this population is three to four times higher than their White MSM counterparts. Research indicates substance use is strongly associated with HIV infection among young Black MSM. Twelve HIV-negative and HIV-positive participants from the Bay Area were recruited for this qualitative narrative study to explore the following three aims: (a) describe the role substance use plays in the lives of young Black MSM, (b) describe their …

The Nursing Practice Environment And Job Outcomes In Saudi Hospitals, Zainab Ambani

Dissertations

The nursing shortage is a challenging problem globally. In Saudi Arabia, the nurse shortage continues to be a critical problem in all healthcare sectors. International nursing research has shown strong relationships between poor practice environments and unfavorable nurse job outcomes, including job dissatisfaction, burnout, and intention to leave, which often precedes turnover, a leading cause of shortage. However, there is scarcity in this area of research in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to describe and compare the nursing practice environments and nurse job-related outcomes of nurses in two types of hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the study aims to test …

The Effectiveness Of A Chart Audit And Feedback Intervention To Improve Cardiology Provider Delivery Of Heart Failure Self-Care Education, Dorothy L. Murphy

Dissertations

Heart failure is a challenging disease process that presents a high risk of mortality, frequent hospitalizations, and an overwhelming economic burden to the health system. Patient self-care education has been shown to decrease unplanned hospitalizations, emergency room visits, hospitalized days, costs, and mortality rates. However, only 61% of adults with HF receive self-care education within a 12-month period. Under the framework of the Iowa Model for Evidence-Based Practice, the purpose of this project was to implement an electronic health record audit and written and verbal provider feedback intervention with the aim of improving provider delivery of heart failure self-care education …

Veteran Specific Risk Factors For Delirium, Allison Perkins

Dissertations

Purpose/Aims: This study explored the relationships between military characteristics such as combat experience, mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, anxiety and substance use disorder (SUD), physical comorbidities such as coronary artery disease (CAD), other risk factors, and delirium diagnosis among hospitalized veterans.

Background: Delirium is a common disorder experienced by 25% of all hospitalized adults 65 years and older. No published studies to date have examined whether combat, TBI and PTSD are associated with the incidence of delirium in the hospitalized veteran.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort design with a sample size …

Frailty And Post-Operative Outcomes In Adult Hip Fracture Patients, Melissa Yager

Dissertations

Abstract

Background/ Purpose: The majority of adult hip fracture patients never return to their pre-fracture functional level and have a poor quality of life (Kistler, Nicholas, Kates, & Friedman, 2015; Pioli et al., 2016; Sheehan et al., 2018). The prevalence of frailty in adult hip fracture patients is estimated at 51%. Frail patients with hip fractures are twice as likely to have a complication (Kistler et al., 2015). Extant studies have examined frailty and hip fractures independently, nonetheless, a gap in the literature exists with few investigations of the connection between frailty and post-operative outcomes after hip fracture. The purpose …

Skin And Soft Tissue Infections In The Emergency Department, Nicole Martinez

Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) represent a diverse group of infections varying in clinical presentation and degree of severity. The International Classification of Diseases codes for patients presenting with cellulitis or abscess account for $5.5 billion in annual health care costs and 1.4% of all hospital admissions nationally. Data are needed to inform admission and management decisions. The purpose of this study is to examine relationships among sociodemographic, physical examination findings, and treatment modality and management in patients with SSTIs.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework: Web of Causation Theoretical Framework explores multiple causative factors treated with equal prominence, thus …

Pain And Spiritual Distress At End Of Life, Kathryn Lee Robinson

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between unmanaged pain and spiritual distress in adults newly admitted to hospice.

Background/Rationale: Current evidence supports the presence of a positive relationship between increased physical pain and spiritual distress for those with advanced cancer and/or receiving palliative care services. Nonetheless, spiritual distress remains a relatively understudied area; anecdotally, assessment and management of physical symptoms often take precedence over interventions for spiritual distress in patients at end of life (EOL) on hospice. Research is needed to examine the relationships between physical pain, spiritual distress, and other relevant variables specific to …

The Role Of Socioeconomic Status And Prior Industry Exposure On The Attitudes, Career Goals, And Career Decision Self-Efficacy Of Undergraduates Studying Hospitality And Tourism Management, Laura Mckenzie Shroder

Dissertations

The hospitality and tourism industry struggles with high employee turnover, and many hospitality management students graduate and subsequently leave or choose not to enter the industry. Scholars have found it beneficial to study students’ industry attitudes, career goals, demographics, and career decision self-efficacy to further understand how these variables influence students’ perceptions, engagement, and retention. This quantitative study measured these variables as well as prior industry exposure, which is based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory. Results of an online survey of hospitality students in the Western United States (n = 315; response rate 79.9%) suggested that students’ prior industry …

Leadership Adapted: Towards An Understanding Of How Western-Developed Leadership Theories Are Translated And Practiced In The Modern Arab Middle East, Derek R. Olson

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to understand how western-developed leadership theories are translated and practiced in the Modern Arab Middle East (MAME). Over the past century the notion of leadership has progressed through phases of understanding, definition, and practice. This evolution continues today and is no longer contained to the academic and practice-oriented institutions of North America and Europe. Through western-styled educational institutions and professional industries, western-developed leadership theories have stretched around the globe, including the MAME. While this is known, what is much less understood is how these theories are adopted and adapted. This study’s objective is to …