Digital Commons Network^™

Transcultural Experiences Of Becoming A Teacher Educator : Using Self-Study To Understand The Identity Development Of A Sojourner Doctoral Student In The U.S., Kate Meza Fernandez

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

As I became a teacher educator abroad, I wondered how my teacher educator identity changed since becoming a Ph.D. student in the U.S. This self-study focused on understanding my teacher educator identity development using arts-based methods to generate data and then narrating the intricacies of my transcultural in-depth and analyzed journey. Using a third space construct, my self-study contributes to the body of literature on the becoming of a teacher educator from an international perspective. It presents the analysis of my learning experiences as an international student, originally from Peru and enrolled in a teacher education and teacher development Ph.D. …

Beyond Print : The Web Of Egan’S Narrative Universe, Cassandra Sardo

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Jennifer Egan’s website greatly rewards readers and literary critics interested in A Visit from the Goon Squad and The Candy House. It hosts an interactive timeline filled with details like when and where she wrote each chapter of Goon Squad, a digital counterpart to her famous PowerPoint chapter, and excerpts from her handwritten first drafts of The Candy House. These digital epitexts, however, have been largely overlooked by critics, and a comprehensive analysis and close reading of Egan’s work in this important context remains uncharted territory. My thesis aims to bridge this gap by exploring the technological elements within Egan’s …

Southeastern Law Librarian Winter 2024, Seaall

Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Constructed Language (Conlang) Audio Honing, Ronald B. Oakes

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

An important aspect of a constructed language (conlang) is how it sounds when spoken. This dissertation designs and implements a tool to allow the user to hear how their conlang sounds when spoken. This tool will generate spoken language based on sample text in the constructed language. Further, it will enable the user to manipulate the phonetics of the language and hear how these changes impact the language in its spoken form.

This tool also allows users to assess the preferability of the language’s phonetics using Net Auditory Distance under the framework of Beats-and-Bindings Phonology. It was shown that the …

Overview Of Diversity Imbalance On Boards Of European And American Listed Companies And Possible Remedies, Raluca Papadima

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

The Role Of The Symbol In The Formation Of Plot, Günay Aghamuahmmed Garayeva, Melake Agasaf Elyasova-Rajabova

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Along with its own component of the plot, the symbol can be considered as one of the active components in its construction, development and illuminating (clearing). The symbol, which initially acts as an image, realizes the dynamic development of the artistic text, the process of bringing the language components together and realizing the idea. In the article, the role of the symbol, which has a multifaceted and complex function within the plot, in the construction of the literary text, in revealing thoughts and ideas, and the author’s object and purpose is considered. At the same time, image-symbol relations, the function …

A Validation Study Of The Occupational Depression Inventory In Poland And Ukraine, Krystyna Golonka, Karine O. Malysheva, Dominika Fortuna, Bożena Gulla, Serhii Lytvyn, Leon T. De Beer, Irvin Sam Schonfeld, Renzo Bianchi

Publications and Research

This study examined the psychometric and structural properties of the Polish and Ukrainian versions of the Occupational Depression Inventory (ODI). We relied on two samples of Polish employees (NSample1 = 526, 47% female; NSample2 = 164, 64% female) and one sample of Ukrainian employees (NSample3 = 372, 73% female). In all samples, the ODI exhibited essential unidimensionality and high total-score reliability (e.g., McDonald’s omegas > 0.90). The homogeneity of the scale was strong (e.g., 0.59 ≤ scale-level Hs ≤ 0.68). The ODI’s total scores thus accurately ranked individuals on a latent occupational depression continuum. We found evidence of complete measurement invariance …

Mental Health Challenges And Resilience Among International Graduate Students In The United States, Md Rejaul Haque

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This research examines the experiences of international graduate students in the United States. It focuses on the challenges they face that can lead to mental health issues. I conducted in-depth focus group interviews through Zoom. Participants shared their stories, highlighting the stigma around mental health. I transcribed the interviews and analyzed them for themes. The findings show that international students deal with various difficulties, such as cultural differences and homesickness. They often find better support from informal peer networks rather than from institutional resources. The study highlights the importance of community engagement and cultural exchange in helping these students build …

Early Screening Of Alzheimer’S Disease Through Verbal Communication And Using Large Language Models (Llms), Venkatanand Ram Addepalli

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

With advancements in technology and the growth of artificial intelligence, the gap between healthcare challenges and solutions is narrowing. This study explores the use of large language models (LLMs) to screen for Alzheimer's disease through patient-physician conversations. Fine-tuning and instruction-tuning techniques were applied to improve predictions. The performance of fine-tuned open-source models like LLaMA and GPT-3 was compared to smaller models such as TinyLLaMA and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) models. The models were tested to determine their ability to classify individuals as cognitively normal (CN) or at any stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reinforcement learning through human feedback was used to …

Eastern Michigan University, Spring Commencement, April 27, 2024, Eastern Michigan University

Commencement Programs and Materials

No abstract provided.

A Case Study To Determine The Literacy Needs Within Remediation Practices For Students In Grades 1-3, Miranda M. Gillis

Doctor of Education Dissertations

In order to effectively teach reading, it is not enough for a teacher to possess knowledge and skills alone. It is equally important to use evidence-based instructional approaches and interventions, especially when working with at-risk or struggling students. Without appropriate instructional materials and contexts, even the most competent teacher may fail to teach essential literacy skills, such as phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, spelling, and writing processes. As the importance of teacher quality gains attention at the state and federal levels, lesson structure and allocation of lesson time for literacy-related activities have become a focus. The emergence of structured literacy underscores …

Digital (Re)Production: Spatial Mediations Through Augmented Reality Landscapes In ‘Pokemon Go’, Brigitte Pulminar Perkins

Theses and Dissertations--Geography

Since 2016, the mobile augmented reality game Pokémon GO has renewed interest within communities by mediating spatial engagement using in-game markers that must be engaged with throughout physical urban landscapes. This thesis identifies factors that influence the spatial distribution of digital markers used by this game to help inform analyses of urban gamification, urban spatial distribution, and cultural knowledge production processes. Drawing specifically on theories of urban spatialization and digital media studies, I highlight features of physical and digital legacies of redlining within Lexington, KY that are reproduced via Pokémon GO. I argue that the urban racialized landscape of Lexington …

Examining Implementation Of Science Of Reading Practices In North Carolina Public Schools, Brittany Ramsey Evans

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine teacher reactions to the adoption and implementation of the Science of Reading (SoR) in North Carolina public schools. In 2021, North Carolina mandated a shift in literacy instruction that started a change initiative beginning with a 2-year professional development for all PreK-5 public school teachers. As other states implement literacy movements aligned with SoR instruction, findings from this study may help them determine their best course of action. Using the theoretical foundation of change theory, I completed a mixed methods convergent parallel design study to explore the implementation process through the lens …

An Initial Investigation Of Measuring Change In Reading Proficiency During Letrs Implementation, Beverly Hart

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study aimed to investigate the impact of LETRS professional development on reading proficiency. I used ANOVA tests to analyze third- through fifth-grade EOG assessment scores for changes in proficiency from 2021-2023. The results indicated a statistically significant change in the means for all grades. Third-grade results reflected the most impact from the professional development. The analysis also showed that the third-grade achievement gap had declined slightly. A dependent t test was conducted to ascertain any change in the growth index scores of schools. The test results showed no statistically significant change. The study's limitations include the lingering impact of …

Program Evaluation Of Big Ideas Math Among Third-Grade Students In Polston School District Title 1 Schools, Melissa Pollard-Hudson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This quantitative study explored how well the Big Ideas Math (BIM) curriculum helped third-grade students in Title I schools within the Polston School District (pseudonym) improve their math skills and high-stakes testing scores. Thirteen elementary schools were selected based on factors such as diversity, poverty rates, and academic performance. The study addressed 2019-2023 except for the COVID-19 year, 2020. Using the logic model and constructivism as the conceptual framework, the study assessed student progress through quarterly benchmarks and the SC READY exam. This analysis was performed using repeated measures and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The analysis showed progressions …

The Impact Of The Science Of Reading Required Training On The Reading Proficiency Levels Of Third-Grade African American Male Students, Tonya Campbell

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Proficiency in reading is an essential skill for achieving success in the modern era, and African American students have struggled with reading due to insufficient support during literacy instruction. Through the implementation of the Science of Reading™ course, this research aimed to examine the effect of the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS™) curriculum on the success of African American third-grade males based on the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready (SC READY™) summative assessments and Northwest Academic Evaluation Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP™) data. This study followed the year before LETRS™ was introduced (2019), the 2 …

A Program Evaluation Of The Building Blocks Of Comprehension, Jessica H. Monroe

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation is a program evaluation of the Building Blocks of Comprehension vocabulary program, which was first implemented during the 2019-2020 school year by the English department at the school site. The study aimed to investigate the impact of morphological instruction on student vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension. Chomsky’s (1975) Linguistic Theory, Marzano’s (2004) Six-Step Model of Vocabulary Introduction, and the Active View of Reading (Duke & Cartwright, 2021) were identified as theoretical frameworks for the program evaluation. Quantitative data from this mixed methods study were collected from pre and posttests, weekly quizzes, and unit assessments, and qualitative data were …

The Impact Of Spanish Language Training For Labor And Delivery Nurses On Postpartum Depression Incidence Among Hispanic Women, Leilani Gutierrez

Nursing | Senior Theses

Postpartum depression and anxiety are experienced by 70-80% of new mothers, and the likelihood is twice as high for Hispanic women compared to caucasian women. Supportive techniques to help monolingual mothers in labor are lacking. A translator's assistance on the hospital floor, such as a video call from an iPad, is often impersonal and lacks the supportive atmosphere that women preparing to give birth need. The primary objective of this study is to explore the potential benefits of providing Spanish-speaking courses to labor and delivery nurses, particularly in cultivating a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for Hispanic mothers during childbirth. By …

Housing Equity In Golden Gate Village, Nicole White

Social Justice | Senior Theses

For generations, the African American community has faced many forms of housing discrimination that have created major inequalities in their everyday lived experiences (Lockwood, 2020). This study explores the long-lasting effects of discriminatory housing policies in creating disparate housing conditions within the public housing community in Marin City called Golden Gate Village, as well as the role of the Marin Housing Authority in practices of displacement and neglect. The methodology for the study included seven different interviews with Golden Gate Village residents to obtain knowledge about the community as well as grasp an understanding of the lived experiences of the …

Framing Online Speech Governance As An Algorithmic Accountability Issue, Mehtab Khan

Indiana Law Journal

Automated tools used in online speech governance are prone to errors on a large-scale yet widely used. Legal and policy responses have largely focused on case-by-case evaluations of these errors, instead of an examination of the development process of the tools. Moreover, information on the internet is no longer simply generated by users, but also by sophisticated language tools like ChatGPT, that are going to pose a challenge to speech governance. Yet, legal and policy measures have not responded adequately to AI tools becoming more dynamic and impactful. In order to address the challenges posed by algorithmic content governance, I …

Using A Decision-Making Process To Determine Where To Relocate A Newer Dual Language Program, Laura C. Weiss

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This qualitative research study used culturally responsive protocols to provide stakeholders in a small rural community access to a district’s decision-making process. Community stakeholders were tasked with making a recommendation for relocating its dual language program (DLP). The committee identified three themes to guide their decision making: (a) keep the school in one location, (b) maintain the culture, and (c) provide access to resources. Despite intentional protocols used, barriers remained that impacted committee members’ level of engagement and participation. Key factors contributing to a lack of engagement included insufficient time and lack of trust. Additionally, native Spanish speakers (NSS) and …

Supporting New Teacher Self-Efficacy In Two-Way Immersion Programs, Jordan Mills

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) aimed to address the persistent challenge of training and supporting five new-to-the-profession Two-Way Immersion (TWI) teachers using instructional coaching to strengthen their teaching skills and self-efficacy. TWI programs require that teachers possess a specific set of instructional and language skills, yet must frequently onboard new teachers who have not been trained to teach in such programs. In this ISDiP, school leadership sought to support five new TWI teachers using a coaching model centered on Spanish language development strategies with the goal of improving teacher self- efficacy. Individuals representing school and district leadership formed …

Natural Language Processing And Neurosymbolic Ai: The Role Of Neural Networks With Knowledge-Guided Symbolic Approaches, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

Neurosymbolic AI (NeSy AI) represents a groundbreaking approach in the realm of Natural Language Processing (NLP), merging the pattern recognition of neural networks with the structured reasoning of symbolic AI to address the complexities of human language. This study investigates the effectiveness of neurosymbolic AI in providing nuanced understanding and contextually relevant responses, driven by the need to overcome the limitations of existing models in handling complex linguistic tasks and abstract reasoning. Employing a hybrid methodology that combines multimodal contextual modeling with rule-governed inferences and memory activations, the research delves into specific applications like Named Entity Recognition (NER), where architectures …

The Bourgeoisie Black Church: An Analysis Of The American Black Church's Aspirations And Imagination, Alexander Robert Booker

Seattle Pacific Seminary Theses

I am a product of the Black church. It is my home, my heart, and it has helped me spiritually, financially, and emotionally in many ways throughout my life. However, the church that I love dearly and has provided me with many opportunities has also provided spaces of harm, exclusion, and the promotion of an imperialistic Christ. This tension is not a unique tension for many institutions born in America, but what I see so clearly is the tension between the Black church’s countercultural and resistant roots that started in the brush harbors of the antebellum south and into what …

Exploratory Study Of Students’ Creative Mindset, Perceived Values Of Open Educational Resources, And Flow, Hungwei Tseng, Mark Sciuchetti, Yingqi Tang

Research, Publications & Creative Work

As the awareness, benefits, and adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) in various fields have increased, so have efforts to conduct research on its impact on students learning behaviors, experience, and engagement. However, limited research has been conducted regarding the efficacy of using OER on students’ perceived enjoyment in learning and interactions with educational materials. This study aimed to examine the relationships between creative mindset, flow experience, and perceived values of OER among 88 online undergraduate students. First, results revealed that students who have a growth-oriented creative mindset are more likely to understand and embrace OER’s intrinsic worth. Their willingness …

Exploratory Study Of Students’ Creative Mindset, Perceived Values Of Open Educational Resources, And Flow, Hungwei Tseng, Mark Sciuchetti, Yingqi Tang

Research, Publications & Creative Work

As the awareness, benefits, and adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) in various fields have increased, so have efforts to conduct research on its impact on students learning behaviors, experience, and engagement. However, limited research has been conducted regarding the efficacy of using OER on students’ perceived enjoyment in learning and interactions with educational materials. This study aimed to examine the relationships between creative mindset, flow experience, and perceived values of OER among 88 online undergraduate students. First, results revealed that students who have a growth-oriented creative mindset are more likely to understand and embrace OER’s intrinsic worth. Their willingness …

Accommodating Religion After Groff, Charles A. Sullivan

SMU Law Review

At the end of last term, Groff v. DeJoy “clarified” an earlier Supreme Court decision that had largely nullified Title VII’s duty that employers reasonably accommodate their workers’ religious practices by virtue of a very broad interpretation of a statutory exception. That exception permitted denying accommodation when the result would be “undue hardship,” and the Court in the earlier case had described that defense as triggered whenever the accommodation would impose “more than de minimis” costs. This atextual reading had the effect of largely erasing the duty, and over time became increasingly out of sync with the Court’s religious liberties …

Promoting Intercultural Competence And Cultural Responsiveness: The Impact Of Short-Term Study Abroad On In-Service Teachers, Jung Won Hur, Hyeon Jean Yoo, Sangah (Sunny) Lee, Suhyun Suh

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

While the benefits of study abroad experiences for pre-service teachers are well-documented, research specifically focusing on in-service teachers is limited. The study addresses this gap by exploring the experiences of 51 American teachers who participated in a short-term study abroad program in South Korea. This research investigates how the immersive learning experience impacted participants’ development of intercultural competence and their ability to create culturally responsive learning environments. Analysis of participant applications, reflections, individual interviews, and field notes reveals that immersion in an unfamiliar setting fostered greater empathy for immigrant students, strengthened relationships with minority students, and enhanced their ability to …

Community Cultural Wealth And Its Impact On Pandemic Relief Funding For Small Businesses, Brett Smith

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

This dissertation investigates the impact of social, navigational, familial, aspirational, and resistant capital on the ability of small business owners in Pennsylvania to access relief funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily the period from March 2020 to December 2020. Utilizing Dr. Tara Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth framework, the study explores systemic barriers within relief initiatives and how they affect marginalized communities.

To meet business owners where they were, and to utilize technologies born as a result of the pandemic, this study utilized Asynchronous Video Interviews (AVI) and online surveys, to capture the lived experiences of these small business owners. Not …

Demystifying Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis Using Interpretable And Understandable Artificial Intelligence, Krishnaraj Chadaga, Varada Vivek Khanna, Srikanth Prabhu, Niranjana Sampathila

Open Access archive

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a dangerous illness that strikes the central nervous system. The body's immune system attacks myelin (an entity above the nerves) and impairs brain-to-body communication. To date, it is not possible to cure MS. However, symptoms can be managed, and treatments can be provided if the disease is diagnosed early. Hence, supervised machine learning (ML) algorithms and several hyperparameter tuning techniques, including Bayesian optimization, have been utilized in this study to predict MS in patients. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis has been conducted before training the classifiers. The most essential markers were chosen using a technique called …