Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Forming Institutional Values: An Exploratory Investigation Of The Interinstitutional Logics System And National Collegiate Athletic Association Embedded Agents, Jay Martyn

Dissertations

The institutional logics perspective is a metatheoretical framework utilized to examine the interrelationships between institutions, individuals, and organizations in a social system (Thornton et al., 2012). A developing thought in the institutional logics perspective is the concept of the interinstitutional system, which is a framework for understanding a levels metatheory of institutions. Undeniably, there has been a growing demand for literature in the sport management field pertaining to Institutional Theory and scholars have emphasized the necessity to examine institutional logics in the sport industry (Washington & Patterson, 2011). Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the logics …

Getting Online With Generation Z: Learning Approaches, Letha Marie Mellman

Dissertations

This e-Delphi study explored learning approaches, as defined by Generation Z (Gen Z) learners, in online academic settings and nonacademic settings. It also considered differences between the two panels (38 participants in each panel, representing 39 states) of learners (Academic and Nonacademic) and compared current literature-supported best practices to the learning approaches generated by participants in this study. The Academic panel participants reached consensus on six of the 56 learning approaches: (a) completing course material; (b) rely on self; (c) projects that I can choose what to do and learn material by myself; (d) search Internet; (e) ask expert; and …

Parent Perspectives On Their Role In The Transition Planning Process Of Children With Significant Support Needs, Elizabeth Elaine Osborne

Dissertations

Legally coordinated transition plans have been the expectation since the Individual with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA, 1990). Research is firm that parent participation and high expectations are evidence-based practices supporting improved outcomes in post-secondary environments (Mazzotti et al., 2016; Test, Mazzotti et al., 2009). Yet, these two expectations, which should work synchronously, often seem to be out of sync. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to give voice to the parents of children with significant support needs (SSN; Colorado Department of Education, 2017). The researcher explored the parent’s perceptions in the transition planning process, specifically evaluating their role in …

Rural Cochlear Implant Services: Reflections From Parents And (Re)Habilitation Professionals, Natalie J. Austin

Dissertations

Austin, Natalie J. Rural cochlear implant services: Reflections from parents and (re)habilitation professionals. Published Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2020. The idea of what “rural” means and the influence of this setting is very complex. The impact on the resources and services available to the family, school district, and community goes beyond geographic barriers. Despite there being known problems with service provision for children with hearing loss in rural areas, little is being done to improve the support offered to families and professionals working to meet the needs of children who have cochlear implants. The purpose of …

Three In One: The Style, Structure, And Sound Of Thad Jones As A Jazz Trumpeter, Shawn Edward Williams

Dissertations

Thad Jones’s role as a big-band composer, arranger and leader of the famed Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra formed the basis for his international reputation in the jazz world. However, it can be demonstrated that Jones’s improvisational style as a jazz trumpet soloist directly informed his composition and arranging style. Long before Jones became an active composer and arranger, he spent decades performing as a soloist with various small groups. Jones spent his formative years in Pontiac, Michigan playing with the Arcadia Club Band, a family band formed by his uncle, where he worked alongside his brother Hank Jones. Jones continued …

An Intensive Longitudinal Functional Lineary Model With Multiple Time Scales, Mostafa Zahed

Dissertations

In this study an intensive longitudinal functional model with multiple time-varying scales with scalar outcome, multiple functional predictors, one or more scalar covariates and subject-specific random intercepts through mixed model equivalence was proposed. The framework consists of estimating a time-varying coefficient function that is modeled as a linear combination of time-invariant functions with time-varying coefficients. The model uses information structure of the penalty, while the estimation procedure exploits the equivalence between penalized least squares estimation and a linear mixed model representation. The process is empirically evaluated with several simulations. The simulation suggested that as the sample size and level of …

An Index Of Graded Piano Repertoire To Support Undergraduate Music Theory And Secondary Piano Sequences, Jesse Michael Pierson

Dissertations

Secondary piano and music theory are typically taught in two parallel and required sequences within the Undergraduate Music Major curriculum. The overlapping concepts presented in these sequences provide frequent opportunities for mutual reinforcement; however, due to a variety of issues, course content is not always aligned across theory and piano curricula. As a result, many reinforcement opportunities are lost due to discrepancies in the sequencing of concepts within the respective curricula. The present study seeks to remedy this by indexing elementary and intermediate piano repertoire appropriate to both curricula according to level of technical difficulty, type of technical difficulty, and …

Understanding The Influence Of Interdisciplinary Research: An Examination Of Carol Hirschon Weiss’S Scholarship, Gregory Dee Greenman Ii

Dissertations

Research evaluation is the subfield of evaluation that examines the processes and products of scientific and technological research. This dissertation explores the case of interdisciplinary research evaluation by reviewing the publications of one of the most influential and highly cited scholars in evaluation, public administration, and knowledge utilization: Carol Hirschon Weiss. As one of the foundational theorists of evaluation, the evaluation perspective of Weiss's work typically pervades discussions. That approach ignores her influence in other fields, particularly her centrality to the knowledge utilization field. Prior research indicates that the influence of interdisciplinary research is challenging to ascertain because research evaluation …

A Phenomenological Study Of Faculty Members’ Experiences With Attempting To Integrate Religion And Spirituality Into Counseling Psychology Doctoral Training, Theresa M. Nutten

Dissertations

Religion and spirituality (R/S) are two of several multicultural variables salient to some clients seeking counseling, therefore psychologists are expected to be sensitive to and respectful of R/S in professional duties (APA, 2017a; APA, 2017b). However, research has shown that the integration of topics of R/S into the training of psychology graduate students has been minimal at best (Brawer et al., 2002, Hage et al., 2006, Saunders et al., 2014; Schafer et al., 2011; Schulte et al., 2002; Vogel et al., 2013). There are potential logistical and personal barriers to the inclusion of religion and spirituality into mental health training …

Life And Legacy Of Luis Gianneo: A Comprehensive Study Of His Compositions For Violin, Maria Belen Hernandez

Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to promote the complete works of composer Luis Gianneo (1897–1968) through the analysis of his pieces for violin, including the Aymara Violin Concerto, the Sonata for Violin and Piano, Cinco Piezas for violin and piano, and Tres Piezas for violin solo. These pieces represent the wide variety of the styles and compositional techniques that Gianneo explored during his lifetime. In his violin concerto and works for violin and piano, Gianneo cultivated Argentine nationalism as well as European influences such as Neoclassicism. Later in his life, in Tres Piezas for violin solo, he experimented with …

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 …

Evaluation Of Reading Intervention Programs For Students With Disabilities, Diana Greer

Dissertations

The purpose of this evaluation is to identify a delivery model for reading intervention services that can provide successful support for Students with Disabilities in reading. The participants in this study, general education and exceptional education teachers who teach reading content in grades K-5, answered survey and interview questions related to the current delivery of intervention services at ABC Elementary (pseudonym). The results of this evaluation revealed that addressing additional time for reading intervention and using materials that provide a multi-component of reading elements can improve the delivery of reading intervention services for Students with Disabilities. Based on these findings, …

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 …

An Evaluation Of The Trauma-Informed Approach Implemented At A Title I Elementary School, Aleli Vazquez

Dissertations

An Evaluation of the Trauma-Informed Approach Implemented at a Title I Elementary School assesses the merits of the implementation of an intervention to support the social emotional ability and stability of students within elementary schools; called the Trauma Informed Approach. Many children attending elementary schools bring diverse and complex experiences to the classroom setting. Students with multiple adverse childhood experiences attend the educational system. Many students have a more difficult time concentrating and succeeding due to anxiety and lack of physiological needs being met. These needs must be met to secure positive learning gains for these students.

For data gathering …

A Program Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Fundations And Reading Strategies Professional Development, Cecile Amy Farino

Dissertations

This program evaluation focused on a research-based reading intervention program implemented in a public school district. It also considered the professional development provided in reading strategies and the use of the program to increase students’ reading achievement levels. A problem I identified with using a reading intervention program was it did not identify student deficiencies, and educators lacked the knowledge of basic reading foundational skills to help identify students’ deficiencies. In my research, I examined one elementary school and the administrative team members’ implementation of the reading intervention program. The literature I presented focused on two phases of reading: the …

Impact Of Tier 2 Intervention Program On Student Achievement And Self-Efficacy, Barbara L. Georges

Dissertations

To address the challenges of drop-out rate and achievement gap, high schools have begun to implement intervention programs. Schools bear responsibility in addressing factors such as poor academic performance, lack of course credit, and low motivation to encourage post-secondary success. Intervention programs show promise in mitigating these factors despite variation due to lack of state or federal requirements. The most common frameworks used to address the skill gaps and deficiencies that prevent graduation are Response to Intervention (RtI) or Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of academic interventions on student achievement …

Trust In Leadership To Develop Collaborative School Culture And Effective Implementation Of Professional Learning Communities, Kara Mieszanek

Dissertations

DISSERTATION: TRUST IN LEADERSHIP TO DEVELOP COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL CULTURE AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Kara N. Mieszanek National Louis University

ABSTRACT

In education, we are constantly working toward increasing student achievement. Often, we pursue technical elements such as implementing programs, data analysis, utilizing assessment tools, embedding evaluation systems, etc. However, there is another critical element that may all too often get overlooked—the culture. The purpose of this study was to strip away all the layers required to achieve systemic change by observing what is at the core of it all: trust. Through qualitative and quantitative research, I took …

African American Women Attaining And Maintaining The Position Of Superintendent, Twyla Harris

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

There is an underrepresentation of African American women in the position of school district superintendent. The purpose of this research was to uncover the barriers and challenges African American women face both as aspiring and sitting superintendents. To gain a lived experience perspective on the problem, five African American women superintendents were interviewed. The primary research question was: How have African American female superintendents attained and successfully held the superintendent position? Using narrative inquiry, interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded for the discovery of common themes. Findings include the value of networking for mentoring and support, accepting and bearing …

Dispositions Of Emotional Intelligence In School Principals, Efrain Martinez

Dissertations

School principals address problems that extend way beyond the classroom. This qualitative study is about dispositions of emotional intelligence in school principals. The participants interviewed were novice school principals or principal coaches. The results showed that principals tend to address the needs of others more than their own. Strategies are shared on how to improve emotional intelligence. Additionally, the study provides recommendations that school districts can implement to ensure the success of school principals.

The Implementation Of A Two-Way Dual Language Program And The Impact On Teaching And Learning, Annetta Spychalski

Dissertations

Dual language programs satisfy the requirement of mandated bilingual programs for English Language Learners in the state of Illinois. This qualitative program evaluation focused on a school district that entered into an adaptive change process with respect to creating a two-way dual language immersion program that would increase student language acquisition in English and Spanish as well as increase cultural competency and professional development for teachers. The program evaluation provided the opportunity to diagnose the system through an examination of the challenges and the quality of the current state of the district leading to the identification of the 4c’s; context, …

The Underrepresentation Of Hispanic Female Educational Leaders And Their Perceived Barriers, Angela J. Schmitz

Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceived barriers faced by 15 Hispanic women who were current or aspiring educational leaders or employed in K-12 public education. This research highlights the underrepresentation of Hispanic female leaders in American K-12 schools compared to that of Hispanic students, the fastest growing minority population in the United States. The study incorporates the literature supporting the importance of diversity among women leaders in education. The pertinent literature identifies historical barriers to diverse representation among educational leaders and emphasizes the value of mentoring for Hispanic female leaders in terms of strengthening representation …

A Management Strategy Evaluation Of The Impacts Of Interspecific Competition And Recreational Fishery Dynamics On Vermilion Snapper (Rhomboplites Aurorubens) In The Gulf Of Mexico, Megumi C. Oshima

Dissertations

In the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Vermilion Snapper (Rhomboplites auroruben), are believed to compete with Red Snapper directly for prey and habitat. The two species share similar diets and have significant spatial overlap in the Gulf. Red Snapper are thought to be the dominate competitor, forcing Vermilion Snapper to feed on less nutritious prey when local resources are depleted. In addition to ecological pressures, GOM Vermilion Snapper support substantial commercial and recreational fisheries. Over the past decade, recreational landings have steadily increased, reaching a historical high in 2018. One cause may be stricter regulations for similar target species such as …

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 …