Digital Commons Network^™

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Adoption Of Social Networking Platforms To Achieve Digital Literacy For All Learners, Anila Sweitzer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this proposed phenomenological study was to investigate the perceptions and experiences of teachers, administrators, and instructional technology professionals during integrations of social networking platforms for educational purposes to enhance classroom instruction focused on improved academic achievement and digital literacy. Specifically, the study focused on understanding the experiences of teachers, administrators, and instructional technology professionals within K-12 public school districts responsible for having implemented 21st-century technology skills into classroom instruction with the use of online interviews. This study was grounded on Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory as a framework with social networking platforms being the innovation.

The study …

Habitual Offender Monitoring Enforcement (H.O.M.E.) Task Force: Combating Auto Thefts Committed By Habitual Juvenile Offenders, Anika Marie Dzik

Theses and Dissertations

Pinellas County was combating a juvenile auto theft-problem evidenced by a major increase in juveniles breaking into and stealing cars across all city jurisdictions. Due to the auto theft-problem, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office created the Habitual Offender Monitoring Enforcement (H.O.M.E.) Task Force that includes multiple law enforcement jurisdictions within the county to address the problem. The purpose of the H.O.M.E. Task Force is to strictly enforce court-ordered sanctions by intensively supervising juveniles to decrease the likelihood of them committing more crimes. The H.O.M.E. Task Force focuses specifically on habitual juvenile offenders and the auto theft-problem, which is currently one …

Stakeholders’ Perceptions Of An Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program In Special Education In Jamaica, Keitha Ava Marie Osborne

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was that stakeholders (i.e., graduates, cooperating teachers, principals, and heads of special education departments) of a teacher preparation program in special education at a teachers’ college in western Jamaica had not been asked their perceptions of the effectiveness of the undergraduate program that was started in 2011.

The purpose of the study was to determine stakeholders’ perceptions of the preparedness and effectiveness of graduates of a teacher preparation program in special education at a teachers’ college in western Jamaica. The stakeholders were the recent fulltime graduates of the program, cooperating teachers, principals, and heads …

Competency-Based Clinical Supervision In Applied Behavior Analysis, Yulema Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation evaluated a new method that provided a systematic way of training and evaluating supervisors in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Using a single-case multiple- baseline across supervisors and supervisees research design, this study assessed the use of a modified behavioral skills protocol (BST) in the training of master’s and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs/BCBA-Ds) in the supervision of DTT. Additionally, this study evaluated supervisee’s performances before and during the implementation of the modified BST protocol. Included in the new supervisor training curriculum outline (2.0) released by the BACB in 2019, BST is an evidence-based protocol whose efficacy …

Measuring Employee Job Satisfaction During Workplace Downsizing, Trina Sanders

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the effects of workplace downsizing on employee job satisfaction among men and women and employees of different age groups. Results from an employee survey conducted annually by the organizational site indicated that employees had high stress levels, low employee satisfaction and morale, negative attitudes, and a lack of trust of leadership following employee downsizing at the company. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the effects of workplace downsizing on employee job satisfaction to determine any differences by gender or age group.

The study utilized a quantitative, descriptive, comparative methodology using …

Acceptability And Usability Of E-Books For Digital Immigrant Teachers In A Title I Elementary School, Allatesha Denise Cain

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to discover the factors that affect digital immigrant teachers’ acceptance and usability of e-books in a Title I elementary school. The term digital immigrant describes individuals born before the adoption of digital technology in 1980. The participant teachers will be interviewed to identify their perception of usefulness of the e-book to improve the reading skills of their students. Data from the interviews will be analyzed to identify the relationship between teachers’ perception of usefulness and ease of use of e-books and their intention to use e-books in a Title I elementary school.

This study …

The Effect Of Training And Institutional Support On Title Ix Coordinators' Responses To Sexual Violence On College Campuses, Mercedes M. Pino

Theses and Dissertations

One out of five women in college are victims of sexual assault. The uptick in cases being brought before the US Department of Education for the mishandling of sexual assault cases on college campuses raises a question about the adequacy of the training and support being received by Title IX Coordinators. This study was designed to determine whether Title IX Coordinators are receiving adequate support and sufficient training necessary to adhere to the federal mandates regarding sexual assault on campus, as well as how the Title IX Coordinators’ years of experience relate to the challenges they face.

Using SurveyMonkey, a …

A Qualitative Study Of Common Faculty Perceptions Of Online Healthcare Graduate Students’ Writing Challenges, Latazia Stuart

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to understand and explore common faculty perceptions of why some faculty engage their online healthcare graduate students who are deficient in writing skills to improve and what interventions they used. This study utilized a case study qualitative approach to collect and analyze the data. This study explored online faculty perceptions of online graduate healthcare students writing deficiencies, exploring how they defined it, what beliefs and motivations underlie their decision to engage these students in the improvement of their writing skills, and what interventions they used to address this problem in an online learning environment.

The …

Improving Student Achievement Through The Implementation Of A Classroom Performance System, Stacy Maria Artis

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to implement and examine the impact of a classroom performance system (CPS) on student achievement for Grade 9 mathematics students. Seventy-five students in 4 Coordinate Algebra classes were observed during the regular school day for 9 weeks. The treatment group received CPS-based instruction, and the control group received traditional mathematics instruction without the use of a CPS. The teacher was the same for all classes.

Data from benchmark assessments as well as quarterly grade reports were compared for both groups. The findings of this study showed mixed results in relation to the impact of CPS-based …

Exploring Experiences Of Diverse Faculty With Diverse Students In Distance Education, Theresa West

Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to explore faculty’s experiences regarding teaching methods and student-teacher interaction. The interaction between the majority groups and diverse (minority) groups on the college and university campuses needs to be addressed in order for colleges to achieve the universal goal of education for all (Akombo, 2013). Such interactions can be achieved through a curriculum that fosters cultural perspectives within the college communities (Akombo, 2013). Due to the diversity and pluralism of educational environments, academic faculty must be able to discuss multiple cultural perspectives in the classroom (Akombo, 2013). For this reason, the Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory will …

Violent Offenders And Assaults On Staff Members, Lisa Gentry Long

Theses and Dissertations

Violent Offenders and Assaults on Staff Members. Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Fischler College of Education, School of Criminal Justice Department. Descriptors: Violence, violent offenders, violent inmates, corrections, prisons, assaults, correction officers, staff members.

Prison facilities are an integral part of the criminal justice system. Prisons are meant to provide punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation for inmates that are serving time. Prisons across the country are understaffed due to many reasons. It is important for staff members to be trained on how to keep themselves and inmates safe when they are behind the walls of these facilities. Staff members are in positions …

Implementing Edward De Bono’S Six Thinking Hats Intervention For Improving Reading Comprehension Skills For Students With Learning Disabilities (Sld), Annaliese Rosalie Hightower (Rollins)

Theses and Dissertations

This study proposed Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats as an intervention to enhance SLD students’ reading comprehension skills. The study described the Six Thinking Hats intervention as a method that used six diverse thought processes. A narrative review further discussed how the compilation of strategies is needed to help improve reading development skills for SLD students. Additionally, the study described several theoretical frameworks for the study: construction-integration model, event index model, and the metacognitive theory.

The study used a quantitative approach to answer the research questions that focused on comparing statistical differences between an experimental group and a control …

Implementing Technology Enhanced Mathematical Instruction In An Algebra I Course To Increase Students’ Academic Achievement In Mathematics, Carlos Marrero

Theses and Dissertations

In July 2015, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics established its position about the use of technology in teaching and learning mathematics. This important step forward opened a promise for many students and teachers that deserve the excellence of high-quality education in one of the most difficult educational subjects. In the 21st century, mathematics education can be one of the greatest recipients of all technological benefits reached by the most advanced societies of the earth.

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to measure the effects in mathematics academic achievement of implementing technology-enhanced mathematical instruction to a group of …

Exploring Factors Related To Customer Service Representatives’ (Csrs) Performance In Call Centers., Ruth R. Jayson-Polk

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides critical research on individual change and its impact on individual performance using the ADKAR change management model. This applied dissertation was designed to research improvement in call monitoring performance scores between two groups of customer service representatives’ (CSRs): the experimental group receiving the ADKAR change management intervention, and the control group, who did not receive the ADKAR change management intervention. The ADKAR change management model (Hiatt, 2006) provided the theoretical framework for the study.

The literature review revealed that change management is a critical component of organizational change but is driven by individual change. The literature informs …

Cyclic Constant Normal Stiffness Tests On Sand, Javier Fernandez Scarioni

Open Access Master's Theses

Pile-supported jacket structures were used for the Block Island Wind Farm project, the first offshore wind farm in the United States (DEEPWATERWIND 2012). Due to the significant length of the piles (60 m in some cases), the frictional resistance along the sides of these piles, termed shaft friction, is the main component of axial capacity. Shaft friction can be degraded due to cyclic loading from wind and waves, and understanding this behavior is critical for safe design. It is hypothesized that degradation of shaft friction can occur due to the contraction of a thin layer of soil, called the shear …

Optimizing Recommendations For Clustering Algorithms Using Meta-Learning, Adam Jilling

Open Access Master's Theses

The field of machine learning (ML) has seen explosive growth over the past decade, largely due to increases in technology and improvements of implementations. As powerful as ML solutions can be, they are still reliant on human input to select the optimal algorithms and parameters. This process is typically done by trial and error, as researchers will select a number of algorithms and choose whichever provides the most desirable result.

This study will use a process called meta-learning to evaluate and analyze datasets and extract a series of meta-features. These features can then be used to intelligently recommend an optimal …

The Relationship Between Personality Of Students In An Intergenerational Program And Attitudes Toward Older Adults, Maryam Marzban

Open Access Master's Theses

With the rapid aging of the population as well as increasing diversity in United State, research on ageism and intergenerational relationships is increasingly warranted. Ageism, or the prejudicial attitudes towards older adults, is seen as one of the most prevalent preconceived judgments that can cause poor treatment, and may even decrease levels of confidence, happiness, and health for older adults (Bishop, 2016). Intergenerational programs can provide many benefits for both younger and older adults, including developing positive changes in attitude towards aging (Wescott & Healy, 2011). Currently, the University of Rhode Island (URI) Engaging Generations: Cyber-Seniors program was developed to …

Growth Of Saccharina Latissima In Aquaculture Systems Modeled Using Dynamic Energy Budget Theory, Celeste T. Venolia

Open Access Master's Theses

Aquaculture is an industry with the capacity for further growth that can sustainably feed an increasing human population. Sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) is of particular interest for farmers as a fast-growing species that benefits ecosystems. However, as a new industry in the U.S., farmers interested in growing S. latissima lack data on growth dynamics. To address this gap, we calibrated a Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model to data from the literature and a 2-year growth experiment in Rhode Island (U.S.). Environmental variables forcing model dynamics included temperature, irradiance, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration, and nitrate and ammonium concentration. …

State Machine Approach For Gesture Classification, David O. Cipoletta

Open Access Master's Theses

There are many new developments in technology in the last decades. Even though the world is moving towards more autonomy, the human in the loop control of technology is still crucial. To improve efficiency and advance the technology further, there are new ways of human to machine interfaces (HMI) being developed: for example, eye control, voice control, brain control interface (BCI), gesture control, etc. All of these new paradigms of control face some common issues such as adoption, learning curve, and reliability. The goal for this project is to demonstrate a new state machine approach for gesture classification and demonstrate …

Rhode Island’S Agricultural Production And Climate Change: Practices, Perceptions, And Limitations, Mishreky N. Lawandy

Open Access Master's Theses

Climate change is projected to have significant impacts on the productivity and sustainability of agricultural production in coming years. In order to safeguard agricultural productivity and strengthen the resilience of regional food systems, farmers and other agricultural stakeholders will need to explore and adopt on-farm practices that are adaptive and/or mitigative. Understanding how farmers perceive and respond to climate change on their farms is essential to resilience building efforts.

The goal of this research is to address the lack of information on the concerns and response strategies of food-producing specialty crop growers in the U.S. Northeast, specifically the state of …

Comparative Effects Of Tolfenamic Acid And Donepezil On Behavior And Tau Pathology Biomarker Levels, Abdullah G. Alharbi

Open Access Master's Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and is considered the predominant cause of dementia worldwide. Pathologically, the disease has been attributed to excessive accumulation of amyloid-β peptide and hyperphosphorylated tau protein leading to the formation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, respectively. Currently, management of AD is extensively based on cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil (DPZ), which provide symptomatic improvement. While there is no disease-modifying treatment, our lab has shown that tolfenamic acid (TA), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has potential disease-modifying properties independent of its anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, here we intended to compare it with DPZ, the …

Development Of Bayesian And Non-Bayesian Melphalan Pharmacokinetic Model From Literature-Generated Data, Enoch Cobbina

Open Access Master's Theses

Published articles constitute a huge repository of population pharmacokinetic (Pop PK) models that can be repurposed to answer dose-related questions. We present a Simulation-Informed-Statistically-Aided (SISA) method that can be used to select population pharmacokinetic models from literature for repurposing.

Seven published melphalan PK models, and 1 reference model from FDA NDA submission documents were selected. A 30 minute IV infusion of 140 mg/m² of melphalan was simulated using each of the 7 models. The predictive performance of each of the models were evaluated using a proposed method called modified standard normal deviate (mSND). Five models, M1, M3, M4, M5 …

Nanostructured Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Sensor For Marine Pollutants, Timo Küster

Open Access Master's Theses

Excess concentrations of nitrate and phosphate in seawater can lead to harmful algae blooms that damage coastal ecosystems, pose health risks and adversely impact commercial activity. Early in situ detection of over-nutrification is necessary for rapid response and mitigation plans. Commercial nitrate and phosphate sensors utilize UV-Vis spectroscopy methods. Those sensors show interference with ions present in seawater and are prone to biofouling, necessitating new approaches for in situ monitoring. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a technique theoretically capable of single molecule detection, and therefore may be a promising approach for nitrate and phosphate detection. However, there are clear …

Data Analytics For Wearable Iot-Based Telemedicine, Rassoul Diouf

Open Access Master's Theses

Parkinson’s disease (PD, Parkinson’s) is a common neurodegenerative disease affecting over 10 million individuals worldwide. Its main marker is the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, an area of the midbrain. The root cause of PD is currently unknown. Besides, the disease is progressive, and the symptoms worsen as the ones affected grow older. Motor symptoms such as tremors, slowness of movement, and muscular rigidity, along with other non-motor ones, such as trouble with sleep, may occur. The current solutions for PD are medication and, in cases when the disease does not respond to it as much as …

Evaluation Of Ifqs In The Pacific Halibut Fishery In Alaska: Were The Management Safeguards Successful?, Jessica Menges

Open Access Master's Theses

Alaskan fisheries are steeped in centuries of tradition and decades of innovative management. The Pacific halibut fishery is the oldest fishery in the United States managed under an individual fishing quota (IFQ) system. As such, the Pacific halibut fishery serves as an ideal system to study the long-term impacts of an IFQ system. A frenzy of research focused on the system after its implementation in 1995, which created an excellent baseline. However, interest in the halibut fishery faded as other IFQ programs began popping up around the world.

Over two decades later, the Pacific halibut fishery remains understudied in its …

Wiki-Based Collaborative Writing In Esl Classrooms: A Study On Teachers And Students Perspectives And Attitudes., Mirella Gomes Da Silva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Computer-mediated collaborative writing has drawn attention from second language researchers and instructors for a few decades, and due to recent developments in Web 2.0 technologies, the possibilities of wikis for collaborative writing have increased enormously. However, few studies have explored the nature of wiki collaboration and interaction, especially with small group writing activities using wikis. This study investigated how intermediate-level international ESL students at an urban U.S. Mid-South university interacted within the wiki-based collaborative writing platform Pbworks.com. Students and instructors perspectives toward the integration of wikis in writing assignments addressed. Sixty-four students, grouped into twenty-five groups of three, were asked …

The Effects Of Self-Leadership On The Job Satisfaction And Job Performance Of Online Instructors, John Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

AbstractHall, John R. Ed. D. The University of Memphis. July 2019. The Effects of Self-leadership on the Job Satisfaction and Job Performance of Online Instructors. Major Professor: Dr. Wendy Griswold.Innovations in technology and media have led to changes in the way that higher education is experienced. Today, the convenience, accessibility and flexibility of online learning are embraced by students across the globe. In response to these progressive advancements along with increasing competition for enrollment growth and budgetary concerns, many college and university leaders are framing online education as key element of their strategies for the future. Rising demands for online …

Pregnancy And The Voice: Surveying Effects From The Singer's Perspective, Sarah Elizabeth Harper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Hormonal challenges and physical encumbrances tax a womans body during pregnancy. If that woman is a vocalist, these changes will affect her ability to sing. Assumptions exist about what can happen to a womans voice during pregnancy, but these assumptions are based on theoretical predictions of what happens to the voice during pregnancy. This investigation aimed to gain information on what women were told about the effects of pregnancy on the voice in comparison to what they actually experienced. An anonymous mixed-method survey was distributed to 321 professional women singers; results will be discussed.

The Black Experience And Responses To Anti-Black Racism, Samaiyah Jahaan Jones Scott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

In this dissertation, I focus on aspects of the Black experience concerning African American responses to anti-Black racism in the United States. The ideas I examine allow me to further the dialogue concerning quintessential questions pertaining to anti-Black racism that arise from the Black experience in America that are now reformulated to help African Americans respond to current forms of anti-Black racism. Have Black intellectuals historically accepted shared responsibility for racism? Do contemporary shared responsibility models hold African Americans responsible for anti-Black racism? Is national minority status a viable response to anti-Black racism? In each chapter, I enter the respective …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Associate Degree Program Preadmission Grade Point Average (Gpa), American College Test (Act) Scores And Degree Completion And Success On The National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurses (Nclex-Rn), Anthony Jouvenas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

AbstractAN EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM PREADMISSION GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA), AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST (ACT) SCORES AND DEGREE COMPLETION AND SUCCESS ON THE NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION-REGISTERED NURSES (NCLEX-RN).Associate Degree Nursing programs in Alabama have more applicants than available spots, making them highly competitive programs to gain entry. The community colleges that offer these programs are facing many challenges including performance-based funding, open-enrollment policies, and high attrition rates. Given these conditions, program directors institute an application grading process in an effort to select applicants whom the programs believe is most likely to graduate and to be successful …