Digital Commons Network^™

Saudi Elementary Mathematics Teachers’ Knowledge For Teaching Fractions, Mona Khalifah A Aladil

Dissertations

Recent reform efforts in Saudi Arabia attend to mathematics instruction with a great deal of emphasis to improve Saudi mathematics education. Studies in different countries have confirmed that teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching plays an important role in mathematical quality of instruction and students’ achievement (e.g., Ball, 1990; Baumert et al., 2010; Hill, Rowan, & Ball, 2005). Yet few studies about mathematics teachers’ knowledge for teaching have been conducted in the Saudi context. This study investigates Saudi elementary mathematics teachers’ knowledge for teaching in the content strand of rational numbers with an emphasis on fractions, which is an important step …

A Study To Determine The Relationships Among Grit, Engagement, And Student Achievement, Jill Dennison

Dissertations

In the absence of high quality and impact interventions, undesirable consequences of poverty will be seen to fruition. In this study, the Golden Circle business model (Sinek et al., 2017) served as the framework to understand how students’ grit, engagement, and achievement are related in Title I elementary schools. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between grit and engagement, engagement and student achievement, and finally grit and student achievement. The relationship between grit and engagement was measured by teacher and student perceptions, respectively. Student engagement and achievement were analyzed using student self-perceptions of …

Phenomenological Study On The Impact Of Servant Leadership For Establishing A Culture Of High Performance As Perceived By Public School District Superintendents, Robin Stout

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe K12 public school superintendents’ perceived impact of the seven servant leadership constructs established by Patterson (2003) on establishing a culture of high performance.

Methodology: This phenomenological research study identified and described the extent to which superintendents perceived the impact servant leadership has on establishing a culture of high performance. Eight participants were selected through non probability purposeful and convenience sampling based on specific criteria including a minimum of three years of experience at their current district and a minimum of five years of experience as a superintendent. The …

Al-Baghdadi And The Art Of Terrorist Persuasion, Bandar Dawshi

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the rhetoric used by ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to persuade thousands of young Muslims around the world to join the organization and defend it until the end. The dissertation concerns the innovative methods used by the organization to reach thousands of young people around the world, and the role of misinterpretations of the Qur'an in supporting al-Baghdadi's rhetorical arguments. In order to provide a reasonable explanation for these speeches, the dissertation used Aristotle's rhetorical methodology, Gamal Abdel Nasser's rhetorical concept, Burke's concept of identity and social identity theory. The arguments focused on studying rhetoric within the …

A Library Of Low Molecular Weight Fluorescent Probes For The Detection Of Cu(Ii) And Fe(Iii) Ions, Ashley Johnson

Dissertations

This dissertation reports the synthesis and photophysical properties of a family of rhodamine dyes (compounds 3.9-3.13 and 4.6). The rhodamine dyes are prepared in two steps, and fully characterized by ESI-MS (Low and High resolution), X-Ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The coordination environment of the low molecular weight fluorescent probes (LMFPs) was systematically changed to investigate the thermodynamic behavior between the LMFPs and an array of metal ions (Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions) in protic and aprotic solvent systems. Upon coordinating to metal ions, the π-conjugation of the LMFPs changed, resulting in …

Diversity And Inclusion: Examining The Lived Experiences Of Lgbtq Students At Historically Black Colleges And Universities (Hbcus) In The Bible Belt, Steven Jones

Dissertations

Throughout the twentieth century, the Gay Rights Movement has gained momentum as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) individuals have fought for civil equality and social acceptance. However, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been slow to adapt, implement, and effect change that improves the quality of education for LGBTQ students. Strong religious beliefs derived from the church; especially in the South, may be the connection to understanding why homosexuality isn’t vastly accepted or celebrated in the Black Community and at HBCUs; particularly, in the Bible Belt.

Thus, this phenomenological qualitative study, guided by the theory of care framework, …

Editing The Double Bass Concerto Of Antonio Scontrino, Roberto Pineda

Dissertations

Antonio Scontrino (1850-1922) was an important Italian Romantic composer, virtuoso double bassist, and respected pedagogue who is relatively unknown outside of the Italian musical community. His compositional output is prolific and includes string quartets, operas, symphonies, concerti, solo pieces, songs, and religious works. Indeed, Scontrino was a compelling composer who deserves more attention from the international musical community. In addition to his compositional expertise, he was an artful double bass performer whose works for the instrument, while distinctly idiomatic, are compositions of high quality.

This dissertation provides a description of the composer’s life and the events that transpired around Scontrino …

Career And Technical Education Teachers’ Attitudes Toward And Their Participation In Technology-Based Professional Development Training In Mississippi’S High School Districts, Natalie N. Hill

Dissertations

The use of technology has become an essential part of daily interaction in Career and Technical education learning environments. There is very little research regarding career and technical teachers’ attitudes and participation in professional development, although previous studies have been conducted referencing K-12 teachers’ attitudes. A qualitative research methodology was employed to investigated the insight of CTE teachers’ attitudes toward the professional developments that they had attended. This study also investigated whether training was appropriate to teachers’ learning needs in high school districts in MS. The population for this study included seven high school career and technical teachers in five …

Practical Adhesion Measurements In Organic Coatings; Advancing Understanding And Mechanical Methods Development, Diana Gottschalk

Dissertations

“Adhesion” can be considered either a mechanical or chemical phenomenon. The mechanical interpretation describes the difficulty of separating surfaces and is useful for quantifying performance within applications that depend on bulk and interfacial properties. Chemical adhesion describes interfacial resistance to chemical attack and does not depend on bulk properties. Predicting chemical failure through mechanical measurement is confounded by the influence of bulk properties. However, the prospect is attractive because of the robust tolerance for sample geometries, allowing experiments to resemble an end-use system. The present work's primary goal was to elevate mechanical methods to provide a detailed interfacial characterization of …

Hierarchical Aggregation Of Multidimensional Data For Efficient Data Mining, Safaa Khalil Alwajidi

Dissertations

Big data analysis is essential for many smart applications in areas such as connected healthcare, intelligent transportation, human activity recognition, environment, and climate change monitoring. Traditional data mining algorithms do not scale well to big data due to the enormous number of data points and the velocity of their generation. Mining and learning from big data need time and memory efficiency techniques, albeit the cost of possible loss in accuracy. This research focuses on the mining of big data using aggregated data as input. We developed a data structure that is to be used to aggregate data at multiple resolutions. …

Development Of Functional Materials And Devices On Flexible Platforms Using Additive Print Manufacturing Processes For Biomedical And Environmental Applications, Dinesh Maddipatla

Dissertations

In recent years, considerable research has been vested into the development of printed electronics (PE) to explore the best ways of fabricating electronic devices on flexible platforms using additive print manufacturing processes. PE produces flexible devices that are compatible with complex geometries, foldable applications and conformal to curved surfaces, with a promising potential for large‐area device fabrication at relatively lower manufacturing costs. This dissertation focuses majorly on the design and fabrication of novel flexible functional materials and devices for biomedical and environmental applications using additive printing processes.

Initially, a simple paper-based low cost and rapid prototypable platform with oxygen sensors …

On The Local Theory Of Profinite Groups, Mohammad Shatnawi

Dissertations

Let G be a finite group, and H be a subgroup of G. The transfer homomorphism emerges from the natural action of G on the cosets of H. The transfer was first introduced by Schur in 1902 [22] as a construction in group theory, which produce a homomorphism from a finite group G into H/H^' an abelian group where H is a subgroup of G and H' is the derived group of H. One important first application is Burnside’s normal p-complement theorem [5] in 1911, although he did not use the transfer homomorphism explicitly to prove it. …

On Simes’S Second Conjecture: An Extended Single-Step Simes Test Procedure For Multiple Testing, Matthew G. Hudson

Dissertations

One of the major concerns with multiple tests of significance is controlling the family wise error rate. Various methods have been developed to ensure that the false positive rate be maintained at some prespecified level. One of the most well know being the Bonferroni procedure. Simes presented an improved Bonferroni procedure for testing the global hypothesis that is more powerful and less conservative, especially with positively correlated tests. While Simes’s procedure is more powerful, it does not allow for making inferences on the individual hypotheses. However, the Simes procedure has since become the foundation of many p-value based multiple testing …

Exploring The Relationship Between Student Online Discussion-Board Activity And Student Grades, Frank Robert Talbott

Dissertations

As students, instructors, and higher-education administrators delve further into cyberspace, scholarly literature and practice require further insights into the dynamics of online learning. This study examined the relationship between online student discussionboard activity and student grades and, consequently, addressed a dearth in the literature about this relationship. Student Involvement Theory provided the theoretical foundation of this research. This study’s sample consisted of 200 online undergraduate students in online business-analytics courses. Regression-analyses findings supported the relationship between student postings of certain mathematical-symbol references (e.g., for equalities, inequalities, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and student grades. Therefore, administrators, faculty, and course designers …

Incorporating Critical Thinking: Self-Perception Of Teachers’ Ability To Promote Critical Thinking Skills In Primary Grades (K-2), Courtney Milligan

Dissertations

The ability to think critically is a fundamental life skill and is an essential part of being a productive and contributing member of society. “Research shows that elements of critical thinking need to be taught explicitly” (Haber, 2020). The practice of developing critical thinking skills while students are initially "developing as thinkers" in primary grades is essential. According to Wagner (2008), his research finds that children should begin developing critical thinking skills as soon as they “are capable of abstract thinking” (p.17). Wagner (2008) argues that students need to develop these essential skills to effectively participate in our democracy and …

Narrowing Attainment And Achievement Gaps Of African American Third Grade Students Through Culturally Responsive Teaching, Phyteria Proctor, Phyteria Lashawn Proctor

Dissertations

Literature suggest culturally responsive teaching is one of our most powerful tools for accelerating student learning and helping students find their way out of the gap. Billions of dollars have been invested in creating educational equity, but the data have shown that inequality in achievement still exists. However, school districts are beginning to focus more on being aware of and sensitive to the cultural and social needs of African American students. When school communities accept the challenge of changing the culture within their schools to ensure all students reach their full potential, then the achievement gap can be eradicated.

The …

Are They Ready? Implementing 21st-Century Learning Skills Integration Into Indonesia Science Instruction, Esty Haryani

Dissertations

Science and technology education are essential subjects for achieving the desired workforce skills for the 21st century (Bybee & Fuchs, 2006). In 2017, Indonesia adopted the 21st century learning and innovation framework into its national curriculum to address the demand to improve students’ readiness for the complexity of the future whether for the work environment or in their personal lives. This learning and innovation skills framework focuses on the development the skills of creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration, and communication, known as the 4Cs. However, there is little knowledge on the integration of these skills into …

Enhancement Of Critical Current In High-Temperature Superconductors By Ion Beam Irradiation Induced Defects, Prashanta Mani Niraula

Dissertations

Particle irradiation is used to induce defects in high-temperature superconducting Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7-x (YBCO) coated conductors, containing predominantly c-axis oriented barium zirconate (BZO) nanorods as pre-existing vortex pinning defects. Samples are irradiated with 50.0 MeV Cu ions with doses of 2.5 x 10¹², 2.0 x 10¹², 1.5 x 10¹², 1.0 x 10¹², 0.75 x 10¹², 0.5 x 10¹², 0.05 x 10¹² ions/cm². The dose of 0.5 x 10¹² ions/cm² is found to be the optimal dose with a …

Monitoring Salt Diapir Related Land Deformation And Distribution: A Geophysical And Remote Sensing Approach Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia, Hannah G. Pankratz

Dissertations

Salt diapirs are rarely preserved on the surface and seldom considered as environmental hazards. The Jazan city diapir (JZD) is located in southwest Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea coastal plain and outcrops in the middle of a rapidly growing port city. The intrusion of the diapir (~ 2 km²) into the overburden sediments continues to cause uneven surfaces, compromises building foundations and infrastructure, caused dissolution sinkholes, and limits the expansion of the city along the coastline. This research aims to better understand the distribution and deformation associated with salt diapirs in arid environments.

Using integrated Interferometric Synthetic …

Female Graduate Students’ Experiences And Career Orientations In Stem: A Comparative Case Study, Jasvir K. Pannu

Dissertations

Regardless of implementation of government policies to promote STEM education and eradicate the underrepresentation of women and minorities, the number of women choosing STEM throughout their educational career remains low. In 2018 65% doctorate degrees were awarded to men and only 35% to women. Moreover, 40% of all students enrolled in doctorate programs drop out before completion. The process of socialization in graduate school and students’ non academic responsibilities play critical roles in graduate students’ success and future career orientations. Processes of socialization involve interactions with faculty, peers, and administration while taking courses and conducting dissertation research. Non academic engagements …

Atmospheric Turbulence Distortion In Video: Restoration Utilizing Sparse Analysis, Benjamin J. Sanda

Dissertations

The removal of atmospheric turbulence (AT) distortion in long range imaging is one of the most challenging areas of research in imaging processing with an immediate need for solutions in several applications such as in military and transportation systems. AT exacerbates distortion due to non-linear geometric blur and scintillations in long-distance images and videos, severely reducing image quality and information interpretation. AT negatively impacts both human and computer vision systems, compromising visibility essential for accurate object identification and tracking.

In this dissertation, a novel sparse analysis framework is developed to address efficient AT blur and scintillation removal in video. Operating …

Implementing A Professional Learning Community In A Private School In The Dominican Republic: An Instrumental Case Study, Miguelina Adelaida Coronado Cornelio

Dissertations

The initiative of turning schools into Professional Learning Communities (PLC) is being implemented by many schools and school systems in different countries. PLC processes have shown to be successful in enhancing teachers’ and students’ learning (Gumus, 2013; Michalak, 2009; Mullen & Schunk, 2010). The fact that the Dominican Republic (DR) is committed to improving the quality of education, the implementation of PLC processes seems to be a compelling option to reach this goal. The Dominican Ministry of Education has followed the guidelines that research in the U.S. and other countries have set and has recently adopted PLCs’ features and processes …

Program Evaluation Of Departmentalizing In Upper Elementary, Pamela Crabb

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of departmentalization as a strategy at the elementary upper grades to affect gains in the school’s accountability and gains in achievement performance. Based upon standardized testing measures, accountability for student achievement has dramatically increased in elementary schools; rigorous standards have increasingly affected teachers to become highly skilled in subject content areas. This increase in teacher content knowledge expertise requirements have caused many administrators to seek alternative instructional strategies to meet this need. Departmentalization is one of many potential methods that administrators and educators may implement in order to provide expert …

An Evaluation Of One School District Standards Assessment Program, Derrick King

Dissertations

This project focuses on how one school district uses quarterly assessments to identify standards students have not mastered. This project identifies how some schools utilize quarterly assessment data with varying results. One problem I have identified is a lack of a consistent expectation from district leadership, regarding the expectation for how schools should use the assessment program. In my research, I examine two schools that use the assessment program differently. The literature I present reveals how the program can help improve student achievement. The research reveals what is working well, and what is not. In closing, I recommend implementing a …

The Perceived Change In School Climate After Principal Turnover, Jessica Lyn O'Toole

Dissertations

Schools with positive school climate demonstrate higher student achievement (Brookover et al., 1978; Johnson & Stevens, 2006; MacNeil, Prater, & Busch, 2009; Thapa, Cohen, Guffey, & Higgins-D’Alessandro, 2013) and principals contribute to creating a positive school climate (Allen, Grigsby, & Peters, 2015; Cohen, McCabe, Michelli, & Pickeral, 2009; McCarley, Peters, & Decman, 2016). However, principal turnover happens frequently, with nearly half of all principals leaving their position by their third year at the school (School Leaders Network, 2014). When there is a change in the school’s principal, both student achievement and the school’s climate can be negatively impacted (Béteille, Kalogrides, …

The Mathematics Made Possible To Learn During Instruction On Exponential Functions, Alees Teel Lee

Dissertations

Exponential functions are an integral component of the secondary mathematics curriculum with which students struggle. Inherent difficulties students have had around the topic of exponential functions suggested a need for thinking about and examining the teaching and learning related to this content. This study presented the mathematical ideas made possible to learn during instruction related to exponential functions in two College Algebra courses offered at the high school level. Using the variation theory of learning (VTL) as an analytic lens along with thematic analysis, instructional themes, purposes, overarching ideas, and sub-ideas were identified within and compared across two teachers. The …

Experiences And Perspectives Of International School Leaders: A Case Study From Saudi Arabia, Ahlam Abdullah Alhudithi

Dissertations

Alhudithi, Ahlam Abdullah. Experiences and Perspectives of International School Leaders: A Case Study from Saudi Arabia. Published Doctor of Education dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2020. International schools have become an important educational sector in the last two decades due to the dramatic growth of these schools. Yet, very few studies have been conducted worldwide regarding international schools' leadership even though the number of these schools is rapidly increasing each year. This study aimed to explore the experiences of school leaders at international schools in Saudi Arabia. The research question guided this study was the following: What are the experiences …

Educational Leaders’ Role In Sustaining Achievement In Successful, High- Poverty Title I Elementary Schools: A Case Study On Practices And Actions Leaders Take, Jennifer Ann Fodness

Dissertations

An education system where every student is successful has been a primary goal for the United States. Increasing student achievement for student populations identified as at risk for not meeting educational goals is imperative for students, school leaders and educators, policymakers, businesses, and taxpayers across the nation. The purpose of this qualitative, multiple-case study was to explore and describe practices and actions used by educational leaders in two successful high-poverty Title I schools who influenced sustained achievement. Three themes were identified in each school through thematic analysis of interviews, observations, and documents. For one school, the three themes were (a) …

Time Series For The Boolean Random Sets, Kofi Kermah Wagya

Dissertations

Although Random closed sets (RACS) are rich in modeling complex objects, its model parameter inference is simple. The most important type of the RACS is Boolean random set (BRS). BRS is a parametric model that is formed by placing random closed sets (grains) at points of a Poisson process (germs), and taking union of these sets. The radius of these grains may be fixed and known, fixed but unknown, and random. Furthermore, the intensity parameter l, which is one source of randomness in the BRS model, has been estimated by the method of Intensity, method of Minimum contrast, method of …

Teacher Perceptions Regarding The Purpose Of K-12 Education, Peter M. Grostic

Dissertations

This study explored the perceptions of teachers regarding the purposes of K-12 education and the influence of belief sources on their perceptions. Purposes of K-12 education and the ways in which they have changed over time are topics for which researchers are concerned (Carpenter, 2005; Labaree, 2013). Addressing this concern, there is existing literature focused on understanding purposes through K-12 school mission statements (Schafft & Biddle, 2014; Stemler & Bebell, 2012), and a multitude of reflections regarding what K-12 education purposes should be (Biesta, 2015; Macallister, 2016; Robinson & Aronica, 2014). Less is known regarding what frontline K-12 education practitioners …