Digital Commons Network^™

A Study On Private Piano Curriculum Using Edwin Gordon’S Music Learning Theory, Cody Chandler

Masters Theses

This quantitative descriptive research study addresses the deficiencies in modern piano educational literature pertaining to aural development at the earliest stages of piano education. Contemporary piano methodologies often prioritize music notation over aural skill development during the initial stages of instruction. This study addresses this imbalance, offering insights into curriculum selection based on its influence on competition performance scores, music theory exam results, and student retention. The participants in this study are 329 piano students who began lessons between kindergarten and twelfth grade selected from five qualified piano teachers from 2010-2024. Data was collected by recording competition and festival scores, …

Administrators' Perception Of The Effectiveness Of Trauma-Informed Practices In Disciplinary Decisions, Rebecca Cahill

Dissertations

This research study examined administrators’ perceptions of the effectiveness of trauma-informed practices in disciplinary decision-making. Ten elementary school assistant principals were interviewed about their experiences with trauma-informed practices following a student referral. The participants also submitted behavioral expectation matrices and discipline flowcharts for analysis. The participants recognized and valued the underlying elements of trauma-informed practices (relationships, context, support, and cultural factors). However, they lack a clear understanding of and processes for full implementation of trauma-informed practices into disciplinary decision-making. Given the increase in negative student behavior and teacher requests for support, more research is needed to identify a process(es) for …

End-Of-Life Care Curricula For Respiratory Therapy Students: A Qualitative Study, Ginger Goff Coles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive case study was to understand the current end-of-life curriculum within didactic, laboratory, and clinical courses for entry-to-practice respiratory therapy students at Respiratory Therapy University (RTU), a pseudonym for the university. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s (1988) social cognitive theory. This study used the four constructs of observational learning, perceived self-efficacy, expectancies, and behavioral capability to explain and address the problem of limited end-of-life care curricula within an entry-to-practice BSRT program. Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews with 13 Entry-to-practice BSRT students advancing into their senior year. The findings aligned with existing theoretical and …

The Effectiveness Of Education Utilizing A Digital Patient Education Platform For Nursing Staff Working In A Military Medical Treatment Facility, Meki Bocage

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently, the use of digital health technology has been found to improve patients’ experiences, health outcomes, and quality of care. Furthermore, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is focused on leveraging cutting-edge technologies to optimize healthcare delivery and improve patient experiences. The purpose of this evidence-based practice process improvement project supports providing educational intervention to nursing staff through videoconferencing or lecture learning opportunities. The project focused on successfully educating nursing staff from at least three MTFs on the use of a patient education platform by the conclusion of the 30-day intervention through individual web-based pre and post questionnaires. Ultimately, 15 registered …

The Shared Experiences Of Silenced Struggles Of A Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Community In North Carolina Seeking Mental Health Services, Lindsey J. Laws

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the challenges members of a Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HOH) community in North Carolina have experienced when seeking mental health services. A major challenge is the lack of trained professionals to accommodate the needs of hard-of-hearing and Deaf clients. Barriers include a limited number of providers who know American Sign Language or offer hearing assisted devices to effectively communicate with clients. The theory guiding this study is the social learning theory initially presented by Albert Bandura in 1971. Specific emphasis is placed on learning by direct experience and motivational function of …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Retrieval Practice, Spacing And Interleaving, And Feedback-Driven Metacognition Tools For Learning And The Academic Achievement Of Students Living In Poverty, Angie Leigh Sholar Dutton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study evaluated the relationship between learning tools such as retrieval practice, spacing and interleaving, and feedback-driven metacognition tools for learning and the academic achievement of students living in poverty as measured by reading pre and post -assessments. This study utilized a quantitative approach using a between-subjects design to determine if the learning tools have an impact on student reading achievement. Additionally, this study explored if a positive interaction between learning tool conditions and the reading achievement of third grade students pre and post reading assessments would be evident. At the conclusion of this study, a factorial analysis of variance …

The Undoing Of Eve: A Biblical-Theological Critique Of John's Portrait Of The Female Image Of God, Melissa A. Fields

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation offers a fresh exploration of the Gospel of John through a biblical theological lens, tracing the dynamic motif of the female imago Dei and its development within the Johannine narrative. By merging literary analysis with a close examination of the biblical portrayal of femininity, the study sheds light on how the Fourth Evangelist reimagines the female image of God within the context of a new creation, presenting a vision that may reshape the complementarian-egalitarian debate within today’s Christian communities. Applying the “worldview-story” biblical-theological approach, the researcher asserts that John’s positive depiction of femininity suggests a restoration of woman’s …

Promoting Advance Care Planning In Primary Care: A Pilot Study On The Impact Of Clinician Education And Workflow Development, Lisa Nicole Turcotte

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although evidence supports the efficacy of advance care planning (ACP) in improving quality of care and the overall well-being of patients and families, there are many barriers to engagement in this process. Fortunately, clinician and patient education and workflow development in primary care settings have shown promise in their ability to overcome these obstacles to improve awareness of and engagement with the ACP process as part of preventative care. The purpose of this project was to apply current research on this topic to improve patient engagement with ACP in the primary care setting using the Iowa Model of evidence-based practice. …

Understanding The Effectiveness Of State Teaching Licensing For Deaf Instructors, Andrew Knox

Theses

This capstone research examines the systemic barriers that Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals face when pursuing state teaching licensure in the United States. Despite the growing need for Deaf educators, the current licensure process often marginalizes Deaf candidates by failing to provide adequate accommodations and relying heavily on standardized, English-based exams that disproportionately disadvantage non-hearing individuals. Using a mixed-methods approach that incorporates anonymous surveys of candidates’ experiences and a review of policy documents, this study uncovers key institutional biases and explores alternative pathways to licensure. These alternatives include performance-based assessments and innovative solutions such as video-based evaluations and …

Literary Structure Of Proverbs And The Stages Of A Righteous Life, Craig W. Babcock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The structure of Proverbs and the applied wisdom of the father and mother which begin with the son in the first chapter are present throughout the entire book of Proverbs creating an ongoing narrative literary structure connecting the individual proverbs. The narrative literary structure demonstrates the shifting nature of the moment of life for the son in life and beyond death. To demonstrate the more prominent literary structure, the son follows a hero’s journey, with the son ending as a sage. The theological understanding of the son and the fear of Yahweh guide him through the complex nature of life …

Created To Be Slaves: Reexamining The Doctrine Of Original Sin, William Daniel Gamble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

One of the earliest debates in the church was over the nature of Sin, its transmission to subsequent generations, and its effects upon man’s nature. Two terms, “sin nature” and “original sin,” have become the prevailing terminology, yet there remains debate concerning the meaning or appropriateness of these terms. This discussion will examine and assess the doctrine of Original Sin through the prism of the metaphor of slavery as found and utilized throughout the OT and NT. Ancient Slavery, in its various forms, serves as the background for understanding the idioms and metaphors employed concerning the power and role of …

Cognitive Learning Strategies And Candidates In Teacher Education Programs: A Phenomenology, Nicole Kircher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of graduates from teacher education programs in the Western United States and their exposure to cognitive learning strategy instruction. The theory that guided this research is cognitive learning theory, which focuses on the internal processes surrounding memory and information. The research questions explored the experiences of teacher education program graduates with cognitive learning strategy instruction, how these programs incorporated cognitive learning strategies into their curriculum, and how graduates applied their knowledge of these strategies to their own teaching post-graduation. The chosen design was hermeneutic phenomenology, which is …

God The Protector: An Exposition Of Psalm 68’S Thematic Coherence On The Warrior God’S Care For The Oppressed, Michal Lynn Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

From the beginning of the Creation saga, the Warrior God can be visualized taming the chaotic waters of the deep with the authoritative command of “Let there be light.” This theme catapults through the pages of Scripture and climaxes in the iconic scene of the end of the age as described in the book of Revelation where God as a warrior is meting out judgment against those whose faces have turned against him. Inherent in warrior character are aspects of strength, courage, righteousness, and sometimes even divine brutality. Within these warrior-istic characteristics of God is the trait of protector or …

Gatekeeping The Choral Classroom: The Existence Of Caste System Levels In High School Choral Singing, Amber J. Klein

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The high school choral music sector has become increasingly competitive in education, leading to selectively allowing certain students into the choral classroom and fostering exclusionary practices within choral music instruction. The term "gatekeeping" may evoke a sense of unease and concern, although it refers to a long-standing system that has existed for centuries. Gatekeeping, which excludes pupils who do not meet the standards set by the competitive choral world, is a growing concern in music education. The all-ability choir movement has experienced gradual growth in urban areas following years of challenges that originated from implementing the No Child Left Behind …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Faculty Perceptions Of A Humanistic Classical Education, Nils Ivan Borquist

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the descriptions of experiences for faculty members at classical education curriculum academic institutions at the PreK-12 school level. The descriptions of experiences were defined as phenomenal experiences of faculty through the subjective lens. The theory guiding this study was the humanistic learning theory of education as it focuses on self-directed and self-evaluative classwork as well as the common use of canonical works to cultivate a desire for students to learn and study great texts for their entire lives. The Central Research Question asked “How do faculty at classical education institutions …

Exploring The Impact Of Geographical Context On Higher Education Students’ Self-Efficacy In Occupational Decision-Making: A Causal-Comparative Study In Ghana, Daniel Opoku-Mensah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to explore the impact of geographical context on higher education students’ self-efficacy in occupational decision-making in Ghana. Understanding the rural, urban, and peri-urban factors influencing HESs’ self-efficacy in occupational decision-making in Ghana will be invaluable for higher education institutions, career-oriented programs, families, policymakers, stakeholders, leaders, Ghana’s Ministry of Education, and Ghanaians in the nation’s socioeconomic development. The study involved a convenience sample of 150 HESs in Ghana’s Ahafo and Ashanti Regions. This study utilized the social constructivism learning theory and the social cognitive career theory, which emphasized factors impacting HESs’ career decision-making. …

Presentation, Management, And Outcomes Of Central Nervous System Metastases In Africa: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Sean O'Leary, W. Elorm Yevudza Jr, Peace Odiase, Muhammad Ammar Haider, Takara R. Newsome-Cuby, Odesanya Okikioluwa, Kwadwo Darko, Hannah Weiss, Umaru Barrie, Mabel Banson, Teddy Totimeh

Student Publications

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) metastases are a significant health challenge, particularly in Africa. This study evaluates the preclinical characteristics, primary causes, management strategies, and outcomes of CNS metastases in Africa.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science following PRISMA guidelines to identify studies on CNS metastases in Africa.

Results: Thirty-one articles were reviewed, including 28 retrospective studies and 3 case reports. The retrospective studies comprised 12 552 patients, with 681 (5.42%) diagnosed with CNS metastases. Nigeria reported the highest number of cases (323), followed by Tunisia (180). The mean …

Review Of Epidemiology, Prevention And Management Of Blood-Borne Viruses Experienced By Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Katiska Davis, Eliza Lock, Laura Thum, Gemma Crawford, Roanna Lobo, Odette Aung Thein, Shane Kavanagh, Jonathan Hallett

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

This review examines the epidemiology, prevention, and management of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia with a focus on hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The review highlights the disproportionate burden of BBVs among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, influenced by historical, social, and cultural factors stemming from colonisation. Key findings include higher prevalence rates of hepatitis B and C compared to non-Indigenous Australians, with some progress in reducing new infections through vaccination and treatment programs. However, significant gaps remain in screening, linkage to care, and treatment uptake. The review …

Women’S Employment In Croatia From A Historical Perspective, Ljubica Kordic, Višnja Lachner, Dubravka Papa

Journal of International Women's Studies

This article analyzes the employment of women in the city of Osijek, the fourth biggest city in the Republic of Croatia, using a diachronic approach. The paper’s main goal is to analyze the social position of women in Croatia in relation to employment and their right to work and to examine whether that position has changed in the last two centuries. As exact and reliable historical data are limited, the authors analyzed job announcements and employment offers relating to women in two local newspapers in Osijek. The newspapers were printed from 1870 to the 1930s in the German language, which …

Unpacking Affect In Taylor Swift’S Feminism, Ophelia Xiner Tong

Journal of International Women's Studies

While affective feminism and Taylor Swift’s feminist engagement have been explored in various contexts, there remains a gap in scholarly research examining how Swift transitions affect into explicit feminist practice. This paper aims to investigate how Swift utilizes a range of emotions, from negative to positive, to express her feminist sentiments, while also examining the limitations of these expressions and possible complementary strategies from her fanbase. The first section of the paper employs a theoretical framework based on affective feminism by incorporating Chadwick’s (2021) concept of “discomfort” as a valuable epistemological tool in feminist practice to contextualize Swift’s political emergence …

Cultural Linguistics And Identity Negotiation Within The Singaporean Chinese Diaspora In Hwee Hwee Tan's Mammon Inc., Hanwen Wang, Halimah Mohamed Ali

Journal of International Women's Studies

This study explores the representation of Singaporean Chinese diasporic identity in Hwee Hwee Tan’s novel Mammon Inc. with the help of cultural linguistics. This article seeks to analyze how the novel contributes to understanding diasporic identity and cultural negotiation, with a focus on how the portrayal of the main character reshapes the delicate equilibrium between traditional values and global capitalist pressures. Drawing on Farzad Sharifian’s cultural conceptualization framework and Gary B. Palmer’s ethnosemantic analysis, this study focuses on cultural schemas and metaphors in the novel. We identify passages in Mammon Inc. that illustrate themes of identity negotiation, cultural displacement, and …

Screaming In Silence: Narrative Voice In Latvian Writer Gundega Repše’S Fiction, Sandra Meskova

Journal of International Women's Studies

The contemporary field of narratology delineates narrative voice as a complex effect of formal and pragmatic elements such as the point of view presented, focalization, tone, modality, and the spatiotemporal models of narrative. The intricate nature of narrative voice arises from its reliance on pragmatic parameters through which it articulates the author’s intentions, ideologies, and values. Consequently, the narrative voice reaches into the extratextual realm, assuming the role of a medium for thematization and value judgement. With a focus on the contemporary Latvian writer Gundega Repše’s novels Īkstīte (Thumbelina) (2000) and Alvas Kliedziens (The Tin Scream) (2002), this paper investigates …

5th Global Conference On Women’S Studies: Knowledge, Production, And Representation In Transnational Women’S And Gender Studies, Josann Cutajar

Journal of International Women's Studies

No abstract provided.

Pornography Commissions And The First Amendment: On Constitutional Values And Constitutional Facts, David A.J. Richards

Maine Law Review

The interlinked questions of free speech, obscenity, and pornography are contextually sensitive—as are many other great issues of constitutional principle—to both normative and factual arguments; that is, much of the disagreement in the discussion of these questions centers on the proper interplay of constitutional values and facts. To what extent, for example, should constitutional values be sensitive to empirical research about the consequences of pornography distribution and use? If sensitive at all, how sensitive? Must the state, for example, satisfy a heavy burden of justification in terms of showing harm caused if it is to abridge pornography distribution and use, …

Absent Presence, Or Before The Principle Of Contradiction: Blondel And Heidegger On Στέρησις, William C. Hackett

Duquesne Studies in Phenomenology

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Variable Learning Contexts On Novel Word Retention In Adults, Emily A. Badoni

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of decontextualized learning on memory recall and retention within virtual reality (VR) environments. Forty-six healthy young adult participants, both male and female, were randomly assigned to either a consistent VR learning condition (n = 23) or a diverse VR learning condition (n = 23). Both groups were exposed to the same set of 30 nonwords and their definitions across three learning phases. The participants in the consistent condition remained in the same VR environment throughout the study, while the participants in the diverse condition experienced three different VR environments. Immediate and delayed post-tests were conducted …

Adapting For Accessibility: How Secondary Humanities Teachers Modify Open Educational Resources Using The Universal Design For Learning Framework, Christine Nick

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how secondary humanities teachers modify Open Educational Resources (OERs) to align with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. Originally developed to democratize access to educational content, OERs have become widely used across K–12 settings in the U.S., particularly following initiatives such as the Common Core standards and the U.S. Department of Education’s #GoOpen Project. Despite the growing adoption of OERs, limited research has addressed how teachers adapt these materials to meet the diverse needs of their students, especially through the lens of accessibility and inclusivity. Using the UDL framework, this descriptive …

Review Of Teaching In A Digital Age: Guidelines For Designing Teaching And Learning – 2nd Edition, Alejandro Garcia

Open Educational Resources - Reviews

No abstract provided.

African Women Custodians: Teaching, Toponymy And Tacit Reverie In Heritage Education, Tokie Laotan-Brown

Wagadu: A Journal of Transnational Women's & Gender Studies

This paper investigates the critical role of women in African cultures as guardians of cultural heritage. It explores their central function in transmitting traditional ecological knowledge and practices across generations through established pedagogical methods, toponymic knowledge systems (place-names within cultural landscapes), and the cultivation of tacit knowledge. The paper emphasizes the significance of women's contributions to environmental education, often overlooked or undervalued within Western scientific paradigms. This marginalization restricts access to resources and participation in decision-making processes. It argues for the integration of traditional knowledge systems, informed by women's expertise, into formal education and pedagogy. This inclusion serves to validate …

Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Type Of Menopause And Cognitive Functions, Meltem Durakli Ulukök, Ufuk Atlihan, Onur Yavuz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim:Menopause is often accompanied by neurological symptoms, including cognitive difficulties, especially with memory and attention. In the present study, the purpose was to examine the relationship between the timing of menopause and the cognitive performance of menopausal patients who applied to our neurology clinic with complaints of forgetfulness.Materials and methods: The data of 538 women who applied to the neurology clinic with complaints of forgetfulness between January 2018 and January 2024and underwent neuropsychological evaluations were scanned retrospectively. A total of 96 patients who applied to neurology and menopause clinics were included in the study.Results: In the present study, attention orientation, …