Digital Commons Network^™

Cross-Cultural Validation Of The Perceptions Of Stigmatization By Others For Seeking Help (Psosh) Scale, David L. Vogel, Patrick J. Heath, Kelsey E. Engel, Rachel E. Brenner, Haley A. Strass, Fatima Rashed Al-Darmaki, Patrick I. Armstrong, Niall Galbraith, Victoria Galbraith, Makilim Nunes Baptista, Marta Gonçalves, Hsin-Ya Liao, Corey Mackenzie, Mark Rubin, Mark Rubin, Nursel Topkaya, Ying-Fen Wang, Alina Zlati

All Works

Social network stigma refers to the perceived negative views about seeking help for mental health problems that are held by those closest to an individual, such as family and friends. This form of stigma predicts help-seeking attitudes and intentions beyond other forms of stigma, and is predominantly measured using the Perceptions of Stigmatization by Others for Seeking Help scale (PSOSH; Vogel, Wade, & Ascheman, 2009). However, the PSOSH was normed using samples from the United States and, until the cross-cultural validity of this measure is established, it cannot reliably be used within other countries (Miller & Sheu, 2008). As such, …

Estimating Electromagnetic Emissions From A Site Installation With Multiple Racks Of Server Equipment, Ze Sun

Masters Theses

“There are hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of servers working simultaneously inside a data center. Their radiation can be a problem and cause EMI issues. However, it is not feasible to perform full-wave simulation of these racks because of the large electric size of the model. In this thesis, an algorithm is proposed to predict the emission form rack array. The equivalent dipole source is extracted from EMI measurement data of a single rack and used as the radiation source in the multiple rack model. The coupling between racks cannot be ignored, but through the simulation, it is also found that …

Laser Machining Countersinks In Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, Leon James Neely Hill

Masters Theses

“Laser machining countersinks with a frequency doubled Q-switched diode pumped Nd:YAG laser is demonstrated. Tests were conducted in 0.100" thick IM7 prepreg CFRP with [0,90]3S orientation. The HAZ is minimized to avoid stress concentrations in the epoxy matrix. A chamber and filtration system was designed and built to contain the byproducts produced in the machining process. The variables investigated are the number of repetitions in the offset path, the plunge rate, and the line energy. The research was performed over one baseline study, one parameter space exercise, two full factorial experiments, and one repeatability study. Assessment was done under an …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Physics

No abstract provided.

Family Volunteers As Alternative Future Resources: School Leaders' Beliefs And Practices, Hazar Hekmat Malluhi, Nayel Musa Alomran

All Works

© 2019, Kassel University Press GmbH. Schools and community engagement are seen as effective factors for making schools a thoughtful place. This case- study employed mixed methodology to explore the phenomena of parent involvement and to know the exact characteristics of the leadership style in the school. This case study examined and described school leaders' perspectives, attitudes and practices towards parents' involvement in an Abu Dhabi primary school using a variety of data sources including, interviews, open-ended teachers' questionnaires, school selfassessment surveys and mothers' council self-assessment surveys. The findings revealed that the school leaders effectively employ multiple collaborative, shared and …

African-American Male Teachers: Examining The Insight, Encounters, And Best Teaching Practices, Brandon Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

The experiences students have in schools has a large effect not only on their career choices but also on the way they interact with other members of society in the future. Specifically, the K-12 education system has an objective of ensuring that all students are adequately prepared to become responsible and productive members of society. Unfortunately, research shows that African-American male students and teachers face comparatively high levels of societal challenges compared to their Caucasian counterparts. General demographic trends reveal a serious concern.

While the number of black students entering the education system is increasing, there is a reduction in …

The Deaf & Law Enforcement Listening Though Deaf Eyes: A Grounded Theory Approach, John L. Garner

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines the perceived and practical schism between deaf society and the police when the deaf attempt to obtain police services. The paper challenges current police culture and operating procedures, which tend to marginalize deaf society and largely ignore the mandates contained in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This qualitative research project is focused upon perceived law enforcement practices and culture through a multi-layered study of police customs, law, policy, and standard operating procedures as experienced, perceived, and reported by deaf individuals.

A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to examine the way law enforcement is perceived by …

Utilization Efficacy Perceptions Of Telepractice For Speech-Language Pathologists And University Faculty And Administrators: A Qualitative Delphi Study, Cybele Wu

Theses and Dissertations

Telepractice (or telehealth, teletherapy, tele-rehabilitation) is becoming more common. Speech-language pathology entered the world of telemedicine later than other fields of medicine. With the increasing size of the aging population with the baby boomers, the need for speech-language pathology can be achieved through practitioners using telepractice. Despite the need, barriers such as reimbursement, licensing, privacy and confidentiality, technology and technology acceptance are hindering the adoption of telepractice. This study uses the Delphi methodology with qualitative data collection and analysis to come to a consensus on how to best regulate and operate telepractice with speech-language pathology so that it is more …

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 …

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 …

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 …

A Qualitative Study Of The Factors Impacting The College Transfer Experience Of High Achieving Hispanic Graduates, Jennifer Bravo Candelaria

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to understand the factors impacting the college transfer experiences of high achieving Hispanic transfer graduates along their path to earning a bachelor’s degree in less than six years in the Florida Public Post-Secondary System. Existing higher education literature places emphasis on Mexican born and Mexican American students since they make up the largest Hispanic group represented in the United States. The Hispanic community will be the largest minority group in the United States by the year 2060. It is vital for the social mobility and economic progress of Hispanics to earn a post-secondary …

Teacher Perspectives On Performance Pay In One Southeastern State, Wendy B. Firtell

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated teachers’ perceptions of a teacher performance-pay initiative. Despite implementing a performance pay initiative at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, the target school district had not investigated teachers’ perceptions of the initiative. The researcher included a convenience sample of 54 teachers who worked at a Title 1 elementary school located in the southeastern United States.

This applied dissertation used a descriptive survey research design. The researcher found Pre-K, kindergarten, and Grade 1 teachers were slightly more supportive of performance pay initiatives than Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5 teachers (TPPP difference of 0.17 …

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 …

Investigating The Improvement In Science Achievement Among Fifth Grade Science Students When Using The Instructional Design Model, Kisha J. Jarrett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine if the Instructional Design Model will improve science achievement. The study addressed the problem of low science achievement among 93 Grade 5 students. The theoretical framework that was applied to this study was developed by Ralph Tyler in 1949. The researcher believed that Tyler’s four-process curriculum planning approach guided teachers to look differently at teaching and learning. This model assisted teachers in developing lessons that used the Instructional Design Model and produced objectives that reflect their classroom goals, impacted curriculum, and increased the understanding of science concepts. The school administered a multiple …

Doing The Math: Building A Foundation Of Joyful And Authentic Math Learning For All Students, 100kin10, Jeff Kennedy

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

The report offers a fresh analysis of the issues surrounding foundational math - including a focus on the highest-leverage places for change - and spotlights models and immediate actions that offer clear strategies for equipping elementary teachers to enable authentic and joyful math learning for all students.

A strong grasp of math concepts at an early age is not only a foundational building block and a gateway to STEM learning, it’s also a major predictor of success later in school and in life. Teachers, proven to be the most important factor in a student’s in-school learning, are a critical lever …

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 …

A Case Study: Meeting The Needs Of English Learners With Limited Or Interrupted Formal Education, Michelle Ivette Marrero

Theses and Dissertations

Increasing numbers of English-language learners with limited or interrupted formal education are entering schools across the United States. This new trend is affecting school districts with new challenges as high school teachers of English speakers of other languages are not prepared to address the beginning literacy needs of students with limited or interrupted formal education. In addition, students with limited or interrupted formal education are encountering challenges in high school as they are simultaneously learning a new language and academic content in a new culture in addition to learning how to read and write for the first time in their …

Kindergarten Parent Engagement And Student Reading Literacy In Title I Schools: A Systematic Literature Review And Meta-Synthesis, Stacy L. M. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to systematically review research on the relationship between parent engagement and student reading outcomes in Title I schools at Kindergarten level. The following research questions guided this study:

1. What is the relationship between parent engagement and student reading literacy outcomes in low socioeconomic students in kindergarten? Findings show that parent engagement brings parents together with the school staff working with one another to promote a child’s reading literacy. Parent engagement includes the parent as an active member who shares responsibility for a child’s achievement. A need for teacher professional development for teachers on building …

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 …

Implementation Of The Instructional Practices Inventory – Technology Process With Fidelity: The Impact On Technology Use And Student Cognitive Engagement, Mekca Rae Wallace-Spurgin

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to determine if students were using the recently purchased Chromebooks as well as if they were cognitively engaged when using the technology. Data collected using the IPI-T process suggested teachers were typically the users of the technology, students were often disengaged, and teachers were asking students to participate in lower-order surface activities. Missing from the process was the implementation of the faculty collaborative sessions.

The writer scheduled dates to collect data three times during the 2018-19 school year. In addition, faculty collaborative sessions were planned and facilitated within one week of collection data. Participating in …

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 …

Gecnawan Thou Geweorth- To Know Your Worth: Examining Variations Of Wergild In Anglo-Saxon England: 600 C.E.-850 C.E., Kelse Bright Merrill

Open Access Master's Theses

Literally translated, Wergild is an Anglo-Saxon word that means “man-price.” Wergild can broadly be defined as the compensation owed for the injury of another. Wergild grew exponentially between the formation of the first written law code and those that followed. The later laws emphasized both material wealth as well as land ownership in the settlement of disputes. They also integrated oaths into the legal system. Later wergild laws also gave more power to the king within society, allowed the king to secure revenue through additional means, protected the population from decimation, prevented needless feuding over murder and assault, as well …

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. …

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 …

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 …

A Quantitative Study On The Construct Of Planning And Designing Instruction For Early Childhood Teachers Professional Development In Selected Tennessee Schools, Jennie Gibson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Abstract The purpose of this study is to evaluate early childhood teachers perceptions regarding their specific needs and the job-embedded professional development training they have been provided. The study will explore two core areas regarding the program planning of early childhood teacher professional development: planning context and designing instruction. In this study, planning context includes opportunities for reflection, collaboration and feedback, and choices regarding structure and content. As these are key components of job-embedded professional development, they are included to measure teacher perceptions of prior professional development. Designing instruction involves the following concepts: topics of student teacher relationships, child development …

Elementary Literacy Teachers Perceptions On The Impact Of Literacy Job-Embedded Professional Development, Racquel Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This qualitative case study focused on exploring elementary literacy teachers perceptions on the impact of literacy job-embedded professional development (JEPD). The study was guided by the following research questions: RQ1. What are elementary literacy teachers perceptions of literacy job-embedded professional development in which they have been participants?RQ2. What are elementary literacy teachers perceptions of the benefits of literacy job-embedded professional development in which they have been participants?RQ3. How does literacy job-embedded professional development, in which elementary literacy teachers have been participants, impact literacy teachers? RQ4. What are elementary literacy teachers perceptions of what makes literacy JEPD effective?A demographic survey and …