Digital Commons Network^™

Care‐Ful Encounters: A Case For Empathetic Youthful Encounters With Coastal Environments, Mark Holton

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

This paper extends discourse of environmental stewardship and coastal management by examining the intersecting and overlapping relationships between notions of care and encounter in generating and maintaining forms of environmental empathy among young people at various socio-spatial scales. Exploring ‘care-ful encounters’ matters in terms of developing new ways of understanding how the choreographies of care and self-care shape, and are shaped by, encounters with human and non-human others, and prompts critical engagement and reflection with care as felt and experienced, that could otherwise be considered as distanced and ‘over there‘. Two key contributions emerge – first, that the combined role …

The State Of Temperate Rainforest In South West England, Thomas Murphy, Katerina Chernyuk, Marcin Roszkowski, Shaun Lewin, Paul Lunt, James Buckley

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Temperate Rainforest is a biome of global significance which is rare and declining, yet supports endemic biodiversity and offers a range of co-benefits including carbon sequestration, natural flood management, climate moderation, and human well-being. The UK hosts a very large proportion of European bioclimatic space suitable for the development of Temperate Rainforest, yet very little of this woodland remains. In SW England, Temperate Rainforest habitat is mostly dominated by oak woodland (NVC communities W11 and W17) and occupies a broad but fragmented distribution across the region. SW temperate rainforest is exposed to a range of current and future threats and …

Curated Bricolage: Questions Of Agency, Accuracy, And Complicity In Munich Holocaust Memorialization, Jamie Downing

Academic Affairs

As the birthplace of the Nazi movement, Munich has long struggled to reckon with its legacy from World War II and the Holocaust. While some museums in Munich document the rise of the Nazis, the war, and the Holocaust, unlike other European cities, Munich lacks a centralized Holocaust museum or memorial. Instead, across the city there are dozens of mini-monuments—plaques, sculptures, cobblestone markings—that reference different figures and events related to Munich's Nazi history. These sites comprise a decentralized, bricolage approach to memorialization, leaving individuals to happen upon these mini-memorials and make sense of them without much context.

While this approach …

Primary Prevention Of Incivility For Nursing Students, Krystal Canady, Joyce Norris Taylor

Academic Affairs

Background: Incivility in nursing education, including lateral violence and bullying, is increasing, negatively impacting student success and faculty retention. The Joint Commission (2021) reported that over 50% of registered nurses and nursing students experienced verbal abuse. Foreman (2023) used the epidemiological triangle to illustrate incivility in nursing students, identifying them as susceptible hosts. Primary prevention interventions are essential to reduce incivility.

Methods and Aim: IRB approval was obtained from the university review board. The sample included 41 first-semester baccalaureate nursing students. Data were collected in 2024 using the Clark Civility Index for Students and Classmates. The study aimed …

Design Thinking As A Theoretical Framework To Spark Innovation In Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects, Jessica D. Asiello, Sunny R. Winstead

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Contemporary occupational therapy (OT) practice is situated within healthcare, education, and community-based systems faced with increasingly complex problems. There is therefore a need to develop OT practitioners’ capacity for innovation to influence change. Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) students are seasoned clinicians with an understanding of the challenges of everyday practice, combined with an intrinsic motivation for professional growth that led to their return to higher education. Thus, PPOTD students are a sub-population of OT practitioners who are uniquely primed for development as innovators. Despite the prevalence of PPOTD programs in the United States, there is limited literature on …

Professionalism…What Is It Anyway? Researching And Communally Defining An Elusive Social Construct In Occupational Therapy Programs, Carol Lambdin-Pattavina

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

For its entirety, the profession of occupational therapy’s understanding of and approach to the development of professionalism in occupational therapy students (OTS) has remained relatively static and based largely on a White, Western, and male-dominated understanding of professionalism and how it manifests in academic environments. This understanding and approach are highly problematic in that it does not take into account the kaleidoscope of cultural differences that require occupational therapy practitioners to show up in different ways based on the needs and preferences of clients, communities, and populations. This research qualitatively analyzed existing documents containing references to professionalism utilized in one …

Assessing The Impact: Retrospective Analysis Of Department Initiatives On Students' Success In Standalone Occupational Therapy Anatomy Course, Rebecca Ozelie, Saba Elothman, Bridget Hahn

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Student success in anatomy courses is critical for entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs, yet many students struggle to master this foundational subject. Research on effective academic interventions to support anatomy learning in OTD programs is limited, leaving a gap in understanding the impact of supplemental resources. This study examined the effectiveness of targeted academic interventions, such as an anatomy bootcamp, peer-led tutoring, and the Anatomage Table for virtual dissection, in improving student performance in a standalone anatomy course. A retrospective cohort design compared two groups of students enrolled in the course during Fall 2022 (FA22; n=36) and Fall 2023 …

Exploring The Teaching Methods And Approaches Used By Australian Educators To Teach Occupation, Melanie J. Roberts, Barb Hooper, Bernadette Sebar, Jim Woodburn

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education standards for teaching occupation are inconsistently applied and there is a lack of evidence to inform teaching practice in Australia. This qualitative study explored what teaching methods and approaches Australian occupational therapy educators used in their classroom, and why those methods were used. The research was completed in two phases: narrative inquiry guided Phase I where educators were interviewed about the methods and approaches used to teach occupation. In Phase II video-reflexive ethnography was implemented, where a video recording of teaching was used as a prompt for a reflexive discussion about the educator’s teaching approaches. The interviews …

Effect Of An Elective On Preparation For Fieldwork In An Acute Care Setting, Abbey Glenn, Brandi Fulwider

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The current study evaluated the effect of an eight-day elective course on preparedness for the acute care setting. The course was offered to Master of Science in occupational therapy students before their second Level II fieldwork experience and focused on developing necessary skills for success in acute care. Course content was based on feedback from previous students, fieldwork educators in acute care, and faculty experiences in that setting. Specifically, the course combined case-based and skills-based simulations to help students develop skills and to build confidence. Small group activities involving role-playing communication scenarios were also included, where students played the role …

Exploring Perceptions Of Occupational And Physical Therapy Faculty Of Entry-Level Graduate Programs Post Covid-19: A Mixed Methods Study, Chelsea S. Reji, Anne M. Moscony, Dianna Lunsford

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study aimed to explore graduate-level occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) faculty’s perspectives on their academic responsibilities, well-being, and the needs of students following the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers hypothesized that a decrease in job satisfaction and overall well-being would be evident, indicating burnout syndrome in the faculty participants. A mixed-methods approach was utilized. Potential participants were recruited from websites of graduate-level OT and PT programs via email. Participants were included if they were currently teaching in a graduate-level OT or PT program, teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and working full-time. Data were collected through Google Forms from …

The Influence Of Student Personality Traits On Satisfaction And Success In Online Education In Higher Education: A Systematic Review, Elizabeth G. Hunter, Jayna Niblock, Samantha Barefoot, Jackson Miller, Jason Hughes, Lydia Kite, Edith Scarletto

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Online learning is a growing area in occupational therapy education. It is important for faculty to use the modality of online learning to understand the influence of student personality traits, defined as relatively stable characteristics that influence thinking and behavior, on student satisfaction and success in graduate level programs. By understanding the influence of personality traits, faculty can better develop online materials that are flexible enough to support individuals who may have a higher risk of low satisfaction and success. There has been plentiful research in the areas of education and psychology assessing the influence of personality on the online …

Belonging And The Lived Experiences Of Underrepresented Occupational Therapy Students, Daniel Cezar Da Cruz, Angela Murphy, Zara Mahmood

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Belonging has been explored in research in higher education with a focus on student engagement or performance and the impact of psychological aspects on individuals' learning. Few studies focused on underrepresented occupational therapy students’ belonging. Our research aimed to explore the lived experience of occupational therapy students regarding belonging at university. This phenomenological study was conducted with six occupational therapy students from the United Kingdom who volunteered to participate in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was carried out through Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Three themes were constructed: Theme 1: Representation and belonging - “I was the only non-white person in the …

Culturally Sensitive Mentorship In Occupational Therapy Education, Janet Njelesani, Shanteria Watson, Amanda Gahlot, Ayesha Ahmed, Grace Kim

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Mentorship provides crucial support and guidance for students, significantly influencing their academic and professional success. Mentorship experiences can vary considerably, with students from historically underrepresented groups facing racism, discrimination, and a lack of opportunities in their professional development. Despite the recognized need for culturally sensitive mentorship, there is a lack of literature within occupational therapy that focuses on the mentoring experiences of students from historically underrepresented groups. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring occupational therapy students’ mentoring needs and experiences to inform the future development of culturally sensitive mentoring programs. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, the study collected …

Financial Literacy Among Occupational Therapy Students: A Survey Study, Joanne Gallagher Worthley, Sarah Dimeo, Tanya Trudell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students face professional and personal financial literacy challenges. Professionally, financial management has been identified as an instrumental activity of daily living, and recent research has examined how occupational therapy has helped clients with these skills. Personally, occupational therapy students may face higher debt levels due to degree escalation and economic changes. The study aimed to determine the level of understanding of financial literacy among matriculating occupational therapy students in a combined baccalaureate and entry-level master’s program. Nineteen occupational therapy students completed a virtual survey distributed through Google Forms. The survey included demographic questions, the Financial Self-Efficacy Scale (FSES), …

Work Readiness Among Occupational Therapy Students In The Usa: Associations With Approaches To Studying, Adele Breen-Franklin, Colleen M. Maher, Tore Bonsaksen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Previous studies have looked at the association between study approaches and student grades with a focus on deep, strategic, and surface learning. This study used a cross-sectional design to examine the association between study approaches and students’ feelings of readiness to practice. Thirty-five students in master’s and clinical doctoral programs completed the Work Readiness Scale and the short 18-item version of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST). Using a linear regression analysis, higher scores on the strategic study approach (β=0.38, p<0.05) and lower scores on the surface study approach (β=-0.44, p<0.05) were associated with higher scores on the Work Readiness Scale. Studying harder (i.e. spending more hours studying) was not related to feeling ready to practice. Rather, studying wisely, meaning using a strategic approach to studying and avoiding using a surface approach, was associated with students’ increased feeling of readiness to practice.

Trauma-Informed Care In Occupational Therapy Education, Cristina H. Scionti, Mary Shotwell, Donnamarie Krause

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Students bring their life histories, including traumatic experiences, to their learning and education. Potentially up to 75% of the student body of occupational therapy programs may have experienced a traumatic event, which often leads to occupational disruption and challenges in academic performance. Thus, it is critical for occupational therapy educators to mitigate the impact of trauma by identifying the barriers and facilitators to occupational participation in education for occupational therapy students affected by trauma. Despite the high prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), research shows that few health professions education programs, such as occupational therapy, attend to ACEs or utilize …

The Re-Design Of Level I Fieldwork To Foster Professional Competence And Career Adaptability, Cara A. Lekovitch, Ann Marsico, Ketki Raina

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Professional competence and career adaptability are essential for preparing students to meet modern healthcare demands. However, there is a paucity of evidence to guide teaching and learning of these constructs in the context of Level I fieldwork (FW). This paper details a Level I FW program re-design using a professional competence framework to foster adaptability. The re-design’s impact was assessed through student surveys before and after their participation (n = 53) compared to a historical cohort one-year senior (n = 60) using the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale – Short Form. Significant improvements were found in total and concern, curiosity, and confidence …

Harnessing Social Media For Occupational Therapy Graduate Program Recruitment, Rebecca Ozelie, Annika Knuth

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The occupational therapy (OT) profession faces a national enrollment decline, with many United States graduate programs struggling to fill seats. As social media use continues to rise among young adults, OT programs may benefit from leveraging digital platforms to enhance visibility and attract qualified applicants. This study explored how prospective students engage with OT program social media accounts and what content influences their admissions decisions. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 161 current or incoming OT graduate students from programs across the United States were surveyed about their social media habits during the admissions process. Results revealed that 69.5% of participants …

Demographic Factors As Predictors Of Academic Performance In First- And Second-Year Occupational Therapy Students, Eileen Du Plooy, Daleen Casteleijn, Denise Franzsen, Gopika Ramkilawon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Significant disparities in academic performance that may be associated with specific demographics can be utilized for supporting diverse student cohorts. Strategies can be developed for students to enhance equity and inclusivity in undergraduate occupational therapy education to ensure student success. This study aimed to determine the predictive demographic factors influencing academic performance among first- and second-year undergraduate occupational therapy students at a university in South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was utilized, and the sample included 129 first- and second-year students. Data were collected retrospectively from university records and student dashboards. Key demographic and academic variables were analyzed, including personal …

Designing An Effective Online Study Abroad Program: Effects On Intercultural Communication, Sensitivity, And Professional Identity Development, Lynne Andonian, Megan C. Chang

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Research highlights the importance of cultural competence in occupational therapy (OT) education and practice, as emphasized by both student and practitioner perspectives. Previous studies in nursing and occupational therapy posit that short-term study abroad programs, supported by adequate faculty guidance, can significantly improve cultural competency. Within the OT context, this study aims to describe the development of an online faculty-led study abroad course and examine its effects on intercultural communication, intercultural sensitivity, and professional identity among OT students. The paper also provides a detailed course description, outcome assessments aligned with the course learning objectives, a discussion of challenges and opportunities, …

Navigating The Future Of Ot Education: Student Insights On Integrating Course-Specific Ai Chatbots, Laura E. Landon, Nicole Grames, Maggie Gannon, Addison Jarus, Annie Trezza

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has garnered much attention, prompting educators to thoughtfully examine its implementation within their curricula. This study explores the perceptions of occupational therapy (OT) students regarding the future integration of a novel, course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot: an innovative tool uniquely developed by our internal team to provi¬¬¬de personalized support and resources tailored specifically to the anatomy curriculum. The researchers sought to understand the desired features of a course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot and the factors that influenced student willingness to adopt this technology in their learning experience. Findings revealed that 79% of participants …

Theory-Driven Design, Theory-Integrated Learning: A Multimodal Approach To Teaching Occupational Adaptation, Anna B. Galloway, Lorrie A. George-Paschal, Linda Struckmeyer, Sara F. Israel, Nancy Krusen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored the effectiveness of a multimodal instructional module for teaching Occupational Adaptation (OA) theory. Implemented across three entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) programs, faculty designed and implemented asynchronous preparatory lectures, a face-to-face experiential lab, and guided discussions of the learning experiences. Researchers employed a convergent mixed-methods design, integrating qualitative and quantitative data. Students (n=108) completed a pre- and post-knowledge exam, the Relative Mastery Scale (RMS), and a Learning Experience Questionnaire. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences in pre-and post- knowledge scores and RMS ratings across all sites, with no differences based on university. Qualitative analysis yielded …

Understanding And The Perceived Value Of Contemporary Pain Neuroscience Education Among Occupational Therapy Students, Sue E. Curfman, Elicia Dunn Cruz, Diana A. Harrison, Will J. Best, Kathryn Schmidt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Chronic pain is a leading cause of global disability, yet occupational therapy education often lacks sufficient coverage of multidisciplinary pain management approaches. The purposes of this study were to 1) determine the level of understanding of contemporary pain neuroscience in occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students; 2) evaluate the effectiveness of instructional techniques to improve their knowledge of contemporary pain neuroscience; and 3) explore their perceptions of pain neuroscience and its implications for their future roles. This pre-post test within-subject experimental design study, involving 39 OTD students, assessed the impact and perceptions of a two-hour pain education module. The revised Neurophysiology …

Assessing The Impact Of High-Fidelity Simulation Experiences On Student Confidence In A Controlled Academic Environment, Jillian K. Pindar, Peyton Belton, Madison Griffin, Abbi Hancock, Lucero Limones, Kristi Self, Elizabeth K. Schmidt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A quasi-experimental one group pretest-posttest design was utilized with 19 first-and-second-year doctoral occupational therapy students at a university in Tennessee to evaluate confidence, performance, benefits, challenges, and recommendations from an acute care simulation experience. Student confidence was evaluated using a researcher-developed survey immediately before and after a high-fidelity simulation using a pre-programmed mannequin and standardized script. A performance assessment evaluated students' skills during the simulation. The post-test survey included open-ended questions on perceived benefits, challenges and recommendations. Overall, students demonstrated increased confidence in vital sign monitoring and modification (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate), medical equipment identification, and safe patient …

Comparing Occupational Therapy Students’ And Occupational Therapy Assistant Students’ Perceptions Of An Intraprofessional Class Session, Robyn Wu, Diane Tom, Domenique Embrey, Joyce M. Fries

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Intraprofessional education between occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students can be a valuable component of the entry-level curriculum. Comparisons of OT vs. OTA students’ perceptions are sparse, yet this information may yield important insights about intraprofessional learning needs. This mixed methods study explored student perceptions of a three-hour joint OT/OTA class session conducted via video conferencing. Learning activities were grounded in shared leadership and two-way feedback and included collaboration on a client case. A total of 172 anonymous post-class feedback surveys were received from 121 OT students and 57 OTA students over three academic years. The study …

The Effectiveness Of Blended Online Do-Live-Well Workshops For Occupational Therapists, Sungha Kim, Rebecca Gewurtz, Sandra Moll, Nadine Larivière, Lori Letts

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Do-Live-Well (DLW) framework was developed by occupational therapists (OTs) to demonstrate how engaging in various activities can impact health and well-being of people. The DLW team has provided education for OTs across the world, and there has been a need for online learning with synchronous features. This study aimed to examine the impact of blended online DLW workshops that combined asynchronous and synchronous educational formats for OTs. We evaluated changes in participants’ knowledge of the DLW framework, factors influencing framework adoption in practice, satisfaction with the workshop, and actual use of the framework. Descriptive statistics were used for the …

From Measuring Professional Behaviors To Developing Professional Identity: Use Of The Pie Tool In Occupational Therapy Education, Ashlea D. Cardin, Tara L. Boehne, Naomie Corro

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Defining and measuring "professionalism" in academic occupational therapy (OT) programs is a highly interpretative and formidable task, as evidenced in the literature and revised language in the 2023 ACOTE® Standards. Within the context of a university assessment workshop, a team of OT educators and students used an occupation- and strengths-based lens to consider “professional identity.” The team subsequently developed an innovative criterion-referenced, growth-tracking professionalism tool (“The Professional Identity Evaluation [PIE] Tool”) for use in didactic OT education and advisement. The team initiated a multi-year trial of the PIE Tool in periodic advisement and gathered students' perspectives of (1) the use …

From Civil War To Cold War: China, The Us, And The Korean Conflict, Ethan Paul Foss

Honors Theses and Capstones

This history honors thesis investigates US foreign policy in East Asia during the early Cold War, specifically from 1945 to 1953, focusing on the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War. This thesis argues that American policymakers misjudged Chinese communism, Korean nationalism, and regional dynamics due to ideological assumptions and Cold War anxieties. The research examines missed diplomatic opportunities with Mao’s China, the flawed occupation of South Korea, and the escalation of the Korean Conflict, revealing how rigid anti-communist policies contributed to the Korean War's outbreak and strengthened communist alliances. Ultimately, it argues that the Korean War was less an …

Sensory Need Or Treatable Behavior? Self-Stimulatory Behavior In Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematized Review, Anne Grace, Kathryne Brewer

Honors Theses and Capstones

This study examined the current dialogue about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and

self-stimulatory behavior (stimming), based on a systematized literature review. Stimming is

often framed as a maladaptive or disruptive behavior that negatively impacts autistic individuals.

It is important to investigate whether these claims are supported by current research. The

following research question was used to guide this paper: How does current research on ASD

conceptualize stimming, as a form of sensory self-regulation or a treatable behavior?

Developing A Ninhydrin Assay To Determine Methionine And Lysine Loss From Rumen Protected Amino Acid Supplements, Ashley K. Miske

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.