Digital Commons Network^™

Formación Del Docente En Medios Tecnológicos Y Audiovisuales Para La Enseñanza De Inglés Como Segundo Idioma A Través De La Lectura, Waleska Rivera Santiago

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada fue diseñada para determinar la formación tecnológica del docente de inglés como segundo idioma del Departamento de Educación en tecnología. Además, la revisión de literatura presentada mostró una variedad de términos como el uso de las TIC en el aula, el uso de tecnología para la enseñanza y aprendizaje en la sala de clases. A su vez, la revisión de literatura presentó sobre el uso de la tecnología para la adquisición lingüística de inglés como segundo idioma. Por consiguiente, la investigación tuvo como fin cuantificar la formación docente de inglés como segundo idioma y sus competencias tecnológicas …

Homeschooling And Online Learning Technologies From A Parent’S Perspective, Karla M. Forti

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational research study was to examine the relationship between homeschooling parents’ use of educational technology tools and their instructional behaviors and perceptions, with additional consideration of virtual school participation. Survey-based data from 22 parents of over 40 homeschooled children were used to examine technology adoption and instructional preferences across non-traditional learning settings. The study addressed four research questions through descriptive statistics and correlational analysis, while quantitative themes from open-ended responses enriched the findings. Results provided insight into parental motivations and trends influencing homeschooling and virtual school choices, highlighting the expanding role of online learning …

Tech-Forward Learning: Text-To-Speech Impact On Catholic High School Students, Dennise A. Leyva

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study was conducted to improve instructional support for diverse learners in a Southeast Florida Catholic high school by exploring teachers’ use of the Apple iPad accessibility feature, text-to-speech (TTS). Although this Catholic high school implemented a 1:1 iPad program, many teachers had limited experience using the built-in TTS feature to meet the diverse needs of students, including English Language Learners and those with reading difficulties. Teachers often used conventional approaches that failed to integrate assistive technology for inclusive and equitable learning.

The researcher conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with six high school teachers to examine their experiences implementing the …

The Disengagement Of Black High School Students In English Language Arts Classrooms, Michelle Chanda Singh

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explored how high school English Language Arts (ELA) teachers understand and respond to the disengagement of Black students. Racial disparities in literacy achievement persist across the United States. Despite reform efforts, many Black students continue to experience academic and emotional disconnection in ELA classrooms. Few studies have centered on teachers’ perspectives to understand the classroom-level conditions contributing to this disengagement. This qualitative study addressed that gap by examining the beliefs, practices, and experiences of four veteran ELA teachers in the southeastern United States.

Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the study examined how teachers make sense of Black student …

La Percepción Del Docente Sobre La Efectividad Del Liderazgo Del Director En La Gestión De Conflictos En Una Escuela Pública Secundaria En Puerto Rico Con Diversidad Generacional, José Pérez Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de esta investigación fue explorar la percepción del docente en cuanto al liderazgo del director escolar y la gestión de conflictos en un entorno educativo caracterizado por la diversidad generacional. Se realizó un estudio exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo, llevado a cabo en una escuela pública de Puerto Rico. La muestra se conformó con ocho docentes de cuatro generaciones diferentes. Para la realización de las entrevistas semiestructuradas, se utilizó un protocolo que incluyó un cuestionario guía diseñado por el investigador. Luego de concluido el ciclo de entrevistas, los audios se transcribieron textualmente. Para analizar las evidencias que aportaron los …

Motivación Y Su Efecto En La Eficiencia De Equipos De Trabajo Remoto En Una Organización Privada, Ysabel Quintana

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada con enfoque cualitativo y diseño fenomenológico fue diseñada para analizar cómo las estrategias motivacionales implementadas por líderes influyen en la eficiencia de equipos de trabajo remoto en una organización privada dedicada a la protección de niños y adolescentes. Se seleccionó una muestra de diez líderes de distintos departamentos que gestionan equipos remotos.

Para la recolección de los datos se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas para explorar sus experiencias, herramientas tecnológicas utilizadas y enfoques motivacionales. Los datos recopilados se analizaron mediante el método de análisis temático, permitiendo identificar patrones comunes relacionados con la motivación, la productividad y el estilo de …

When They See Us: The Lived Experiences Of Bglo Members At A Pwi, Brittany Harris-Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explored the lived experiences of members of Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLOs) at a predominantly White institution (PWI) in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. BGLOs have historically served as critical spaces for leadership development, cultural expression, and community support. However, within PWIs, these organizations often encounter systemic barriers related to visibility, funding, and institutional engagement.

The purpose of this study was to center the voices of BGLO alumni who graduated between 2020 and 2024 to better understand how they navigated their membership experiences during a time of social, institutional, and cultural transition. Using a qualitative research design, …

Perceptions Of Mental Health School-Based Team Members On Addressing Suicidal And Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behaviors: A Qualitative Inquiry Into Policy Implementation And Practice In School Settings, Ashlande Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of mental health school-based team members regarding the effectiveness of current prevention and intervention practices for addressing suicidal and non-suicidal self-harming behaviors among school-age children in a large suburban school district in the southern United States. Despite the alarming increase in self-injurious behaviors, with crisis calls rising from 144 incidents in the 2022 school year to 736 incidents in the 2025 school year, the district lacked comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies to effectively address this critical issue.

The researcher used a qualitative phenomenological approach to capture the lived experiences and …

Estudio Fenomenológico Sobre La Relación Entre El Liderazgo Transformacional Y La Efectividad De Las Iniciativas De Gestión De Cambio En Las Organizaciones, Greilyn Soto-Perez

Theses and Dissertations

Esta Disertación Aplicada tuvo como propósito explorar la relación entre el liderazgo transformacional y la efectividad de las iniciativas de gestión del cambio en organizaciones de diversos sectores. Este estudio cualitativo se centró en comprender, desde el punto de vista de diferentes lideres transformacionales en distintas áreas e industrias, cómo los líderes y empleados experimentan y perciben el impacto del liderazgo transformacional en la implementación de cambios significativos organizacionales.

Este estudio de naturaleza cualitativa se enmarcó en un enfoque fenomenológico. Mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas en profundidad, se exploraron cuatro dimensiones del liderazgo transformacional: influencia idealizada, motivación inspiradora, estimulación intelectual y consideración …

Legislative Impacts On K-12 Social Studies Teacher Identity, Curricular Decision-Making, And Receptiveness To Professional Development, Staci Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examines how K-12 public school social studies teachers are navigating their instructional decision-making regarding content about marginalized groups in response to state legislation. Quantitative data were collected through an online Likert-scale survey to measure teachers’ reported agreement on how state legislation has impacted their instructional decision-making, job satisfaction connected to their professional and personal identities, inclusion of instructional materials, and receptiveness to professional development.

Following data collection, the researchers analyzed whether factors of district political context and teachers’ personal and professional identity characteristics predicted their responses. Survey results showed most teachers reported feeling that state legislation has …

Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Concrete; Synthesis, Development And Characterization, Heba Fouad

Theses and Dissertations

Geopolymers are rendered as an essential sustainable replacement to the widely used Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) which causes immense carbon dioxide emissions, hence a detrimental impact on society’s health and the environment. Geopolymers are three-dimensional networks of polymerized tetrahedral silicate and aluminate in the form of Q4(4Al), Q4(3Al) and Q4(2Al) which act as the principal binding phase in concrete. Past research has reported the synthesis of geopolymers from different aluminosilicates precursors, their characterization, and their wide range properties. However, previous studies still have not properly investigated effective range of synthesis ratios for a particular source material, optimum curing regimes, short- …

Experimental Insights Into Friction Losses Of Post-Tensioned Precast Full-Scale Girders, Mostafa Serry

Theses and Dissertations

The use of post-tensioning in construction has revolutionized the construction industry and made way for several construction and structural applications that were unattainable before. One of the most important topics that are synonymous with the use of post-tensioning is the matter of accurately calculating the short-term and long-term losses that arise in pre-stress. One of the prominent types of losses is the friction losses that occur during the jacking of the concrete elements due to its impact on structural integrity and longevity.

The thesis examines this critical aspect of friction losses in post-tensioned concrete structures. The study focuses on full-scale, …

A Comparative Study Between Soft Structures And Hard Structures For The Protection Of Egypt’S Coastlines Against Climate Change, Donia Eldwib

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal communities worldwide face unprecedented threats from climate change, with rising sea levels, increased storm intensities, and accelerated coastal erosion posing significant risks. Egypt, with over 3,000 kilometers of coastlines along the Mediterranean and Red Seas, it is particularly vulnerable due to its densely populated and economically critical low-elevated coastal zones. With the Mediterranean Sea, and the Nile Delta specifically under huge threats, this study examines the different coastal protection strategies used to address these climate change impacts. Different coastal protection structures have been used throughout the years starting with the well-known hard structures moving on to greener alternatives such …

End-To-End Autonomous Quadcopter Using Reinforcement Learning, Mohamed Marwan Chawa

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the potential of Reinforcement Learning (RL) for achieving robust and adaptable quadcopter control, focusing on trajectory and attitude stabilization. We compare state-of-the-art RL algorithms, specifically Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO), against traditional Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers across three tasks: hovering, slow trajectory following, and fast trajectory following. To enhance realism, we employ a modified PyFlyt simulation environment with a high-fidelity Crazyflie 2.x model, accounting for motor dynamics, noise, wind disturbances, and aerodynamic drag.

The challenge of operating a quadcopter can be divided into two distinct parts: planning a flight path and actually following that path. Our focus is on …

Community College Faculty Use Of Universal Design For Learning (Udl): A Participatory Action Research Dissertation Study, Marjorie Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

This participatory action research (PAR) dissertation study investigates the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles by community college faculty in first-year writing courses to support students with learning disabilities at a New Jersey community college. Through a collaborative approach involving faculty as active participants, the study explores how UDL guidelines are integrated into writing assignments for ENG 101 and ENG 102. Through iterative cycles of planning, action, observation, and reflection, the research explores how faculty implement UDL guidelines to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in their writing assignments. Data collection methods include focus group interviews, document analysis, and the …

Narrative Engineering: Tools, Computational Structure, And Impact Of Stories, Michael A. Debuse

Theses and Dissertations

Computational Linguistics has a long history of applying mathematics to the grammatical and syntactic structure of language; however, applying math to the more complex aspects of language, such as narrative, plot, scenes, character relations, causation, etc. remains a difficult topic. The goal of my research is to bridge the narrative humanities with mathematics, to computationally grasp at these difficult topic, and help develop the field of Narrative Engineering. I view narrative and story with the same mathematical scrutiny as other engineering fields, to take the creativity and fluidity of story and encode it in mathematical representations that have meaning beyond …

Promoting And Developing Industrial Organic Clusters In Egypt: Case Study Of Damietta Furniture Cluster, Nermen Abdelmoula

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the development of industrial clusters in Egypt, with a specific focus on the Damietta Furniture Cluster, an organic industrial cluster known for its rich tradition in furniture craftsmanship. These industrial clusters, which are primarily composed of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are characterized by the geographical concentration of interconnected firms and institutions, play a critical role in fostering economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness, particularly in emerging economies. The research explores the key factors affecting the development of the Damietta Furniture Cluster, identifies the challenges it faces, and provides policy recommendations to enhance its growth and global …

An Exploratory Analysis Of Within And Between-Testlet Local Item Dependence In A Medical School Admission Situational Judgment Test Using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling, Ester Sampson

Theses and Dissertations

To use a Cronbach's alpha coefficient or IRT methods on measuring instruments, both unidimensionality and local item dependence (LID) conditions need to be met. Moreover, LID can potentially introduce an unintended additional dimension into the test at the expense of the constructs of interest. Situational judgment tests use testlet structures, and thus likely present degrees of LID. We explored the latent structure and degrees of local item dependence in a situational judgment test (SJT) used by a Western United States medical school (WMS) for admission purposes. I used a fully deidentified data set from a group of 560 examinees who …

A Comparison Of Polymers By Layer Deposition And Open Molding Additive Processes Through Fused Granulate Fabrication, Alexander Ray Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

Additive manufacturing (AM) continues to offer new possibilities in both production and economics. Various industries have quickly adopted AM to rapidly produce parts that would be difficult or cost prohibitive otherwise. Despite ongoing innovations that expand the technology's capabilities, significant limitations persist. Most AM processes are restricted by materials available, an inability to produce large parts, or by not achieving material deposition speeds and volumes to allow for certain products feasible. In addition, tight tolerances for features and surfaces cannot be produced without substantial post processing. Some of the post-processing techniques can even affect the material properties of the finished …

Enhancing Concrete Sustainability With Self-Healing Technologies, Al Shimaa Abdullatif

Theses and Dissertations

Thanks to its strength, durability and affordability, Portland cement concrete is the most commonly used building material worldwide. However, concrete cracking is inevitable due to numerous factors including shrinkage, exposure to external chemicals, internals reactions, excessive loads, to name but a few. Self-healing is a promising technique that can enable concrete to autogenously heal cracks and alleviate much of the damage. Such healing can without a doubt extend the service life with less need for external repair works therefore it contributes to sustainability. Over the years, several means of self-healing agents have been explored including bio-based procedures and the incorporation …

Knighthood In The Wilderness: Ecocritical Readings Of Nature And Chivalry In The World Of Sir Gawain And The Green Knight, Dajana Memko

Theses and Dissertations

Many interpretations of the Green Knight portray him as a personification of nature or as nature’s embodiment. Ecocriticism, however, challenges a more anthropocentric approach, calling into question deeply ingrained ideals of chivalry and human dominion over nature. The Green Knight is a hybrid creature whose striking features mark his otherness; yet, through his familiarity, he challenges the knight of Camelot and asks them to consider their chivalric identities as well as the nature of their Trojan ancestry and legacy. Among them, Gawain is forced to confront his identity as he ventures into the wilderness of Wirral, and his interactions with …

The Ghostly Angel In The Haunted Home: The Haunted House As A Metaphor For A Woman's Body In Crimson Peak, Andrea I. Amado-Fajardo

Theses and Dissertations

Crimson Peak (2015, dir. Guillermo del Toro), often overshadowed by del Toro's more critically acclaimed filmography, deserves to be acknowledged for its central trauma metaphor and its nuanced approach to gender. Far from being merely a horror movie fueled by disturbing sequences such as those found in contemporary supernatural horror films, Crimson Peak slowly unravels how Allerdale Hall parallels the film's female leads as they house and live with ghosts, revenants of a traumatic past. This essay explores the personification of the haunted house as a metaphor for the personified trauma that resides in a woman's body using Crimson Peak …

Development Of A Real-Time Convolution System To Simulate Speech In Different Rooms For The Study Of Vocal Strain, Bethany E. Wu

Theses and Dissertations

Due to prevalent vocal health issues in teachers, the acoustics of K-12 classrooms has become a topic of study in acoustics. One way to understand the effects of a classroom's physical space on speech is with vocal effort studies. This thesis aims to enable these studies, without the need to move a talker from room to room, by creating auralizations through real-time convolution of speech with oral binaural room impulse responses (OBRIRs). These auralizations can be used to test talkers inside an anechoic chamber as they experience speaking in different acoustical environments. A system that can successfully execute convolution in …

The Role Of Innovation Hubs In Driving Local Entrepreneurial Behavior: The Case Of Creativa Innovation Hubs In Qena And Aswan, Lamees Koura

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the role of innovation hubs in driving innovation and entrepreneurial behavior among local communities, ultimately contributing to the development of better national entrepreneurship ecosystems. The researcher employed a qualitative methodology using a case study approach to conduct an empirical investigation to obtain deeper insights into the innovation hubs phenomenon using the Creativa Innovation Hubs initiative in two governorates in Upper Egypt, Qena and Aswan. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty individuals between beneficiaries and managers of Creativa innovation hubs. The study demonstrated that government efforts to promote entrepreneurship through the Creativa Innovation Hubs Initiative significantly influence …

Tensile Strain Validation Of Welded Wire Reinforcement, Alvaro Montes

Theses and Dissertations

There have been historical concerns regarding the ductility of welded wire reinforcement (WWR). Recent changes in ACI 318-19 now require all grades of A615 and Grade 100 A706 nonprestressed steel reinforcement to have a ratio of tensile strength to yield strength greater than 1.10 and 1.17 respectively. Although this code requirement does not currently apply to WWR, this preemptive study investigated the current state of the art of WWR manufactured in North America in preparation for such a possibility. This project included the tensile-testing of approximately 365 WWR material specimens of various cross-sectional sizes to determine the ratio of tensile-to-yield …

Post-Processing National Water Model Long-Range Forecasts With Random Forest Regression In The Cloud To Improve Forecast Accuracy For Decision-Makers And Water Managers, Jacob Matthew Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Post-processing bias correction of streamflow forecasts can be useful in the hydrologic modeling workflow to fine-tune forecasts for operations, water management, and decision-making. Hydrologic model runoff simulations include errors, uncertainties, and biases, leading to less accuracy and precision for applications in real-world scenarios. We used random forest regression to correct biases and errors in streamflow predictions from the U.S. National Water Model (NWM) long-range streamflow forecasts, considering U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge station measurements as a proxy for true streamflow. We used other features in model training, including watershed characteristics, time fraction of year, and lagged streamflow values, to help …

Geochemical Characterization And Predictive Soil Mapping Of Ice-Free Regions In Antarctica, Rachel Willmore

Theses and Dissertations

Antarctic soils are formed by extreme climate, minimal biological activity, and diverse geological settings. This study analyzes 201 soil samples across four ice-free Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions - North-west Antarctic Peninsula, Transantarctic Mountains, South Victoria Land, and North Victoria Land - to create a geochemical database (pH, EC, CEC, C and N, and ion concentrations) as well as to determine if there are consistent trends between geochemical properties and soil forming factors (SCORPAN). Despite variation in geochemical properties and SCORPAN covariates, some consistent trends emerged across all regions and individual Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions. Using SCORPAN covariates and multiple linear …

Local Food System Planning On Multiple Governance Scales: A Grounded Theory Analysis, Decker Ure

Theses and Dissertations

Local food systems (LFS) comprise the people, policies, infrastructure and practices of food production, distribution, and consumption in localized areas. LFS are becoming an increasingly important part of urban sustainable development and have recently gained significant traction in the urban planning and sustainable community spheres. Worldwide shocks to global food systems such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war have further elevated global interest in LFS, bringing local food to the forefront of many communities as they try to insulate themselves and their food supply from future risk. However, despite this growing interest in and policy momentum for local …

Contributions Of Glacier Meltwater To Water Resources And Water Quality Below The Ablating Coropuna Ice Cap In The Arid Peruvian Andes, Alexis Rowley

Theses and Dissertations

Rapidly retreating glaciers in the arid tropics are an invaluable resource for communities that depend on meltwater to support drinking water, agriculture, hydropower production, and mining. There is limited understanding of how glacier loss will impact regional water resources, groundwater flow paths, and water quality, especially during the dry season. The Nevado Coropuna volcano in Southern Peru has one of the largest remaining ice caps in the tropics, but has experienced rapid ice loss in the past few decades and is projected to disappear in the next century due to climate change. Located in the northern Atacama Desert, the arid …

Using Two-Dimensional Terahertz Spectroscopy To Explore Vibrations, Magnetism, And Their Coupling, Megan Faux Biggs

Theses and Dissertations

Terahertz (THz) light is at the resonant frequency of important fundamental excitations within crystalline materials such as carrier dynamics, phonons, and spin-wave excitations called magnons. THz light can be produced at high field strengths using optical rectification in nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals. N-benzyl-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (BNA) is one such crystal commonly used to produce THz when pumping with 800 nm light. Here, we improve upon the design of the molecular building blocks of BNA by replacing a hydrogen atom with a fluorine atom, leading to improved THz generation and a higher crystal damage threshold. Later, we focus on using THz light to …