Digital Commons Network^™

Human Rights In The News, Joseph Thorpe

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This honors thesis contains thirteen hard news stories that focus on human rights issues in the United States. The United Nations defines Human rights as including, but not limited to, “the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.” Human rights, the U.N. continues, “are essential for making life worth living and are the basis for a just and fair society.”

Between Exclusion And Empathy: Knowledge And Sentiments Of Jewish Youth In Buenos Aires About The “Jewish Community” In Argentina’S Collective Memory Of The Dictatorship (1976-1983), Rachel Colson

International Studies Honors Projects

Argentina has been considered a vanguard in engaging collective memory to confront violations of human rights during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. However, this memory often omits the experience of the Jewish community during these years, although its members faced increased persecution in military detention centers. Conflicting perspectives from within the Jewish community as well as the recent politics of President Javier Milei further complicate contemporary memory. Given these dynamics, how do current Jewish youth in Buenos Aires understand and relate to collective memory? What do they perceive as the most important aspects and outcomes of different forms of remembering? Semi-structured qualitative …

Increasing Occupational Therapists' Knowledge And Awareness Of Service Dogs, Emily Freyberg

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Capstone Posters

This capstone involved the development and dissemination of a resource manual on service dogs for children based on collaboration with the 4 Paws for Ability organization. This manual provides occupational therapists with education on the purpose and scope of service dogs to increase recognition and understanding in the profession.

Adolescent Girls Initiative–Kenya: Testing For Scale—Recommendations Report, Karen Austrian, Eva Ireri Muluve, Ruth Nanjekho, John A. Maluccio, Erica Soler-Hampejsek

Adolescents and Young People

The Adolescent Girls Initiative-Kenya, a randomized trial implemented between 2015 and 2021, was designed to test the short- and longer-term effects of two-year multisectoral and multilevel “cash plus” programs for adolescent girls aged 11–14 years. It was implemented in two marginalized areas of Kenya: Kibera, an urban informal settlement in Nairobi, and Wajir, a pastoralist rural county. Results showed that a multisectoral approach was an effective way to create positive change across a range of well-being factors for young adolescent girls, including education, health, and economic outcomes. The program had long-term sustainable effects. Throughout the testing for scale phase, PC-Kenya …

Extending Knowledge On Biosecurity In Small-Scale And Backyard Systems In The United States, Juliette Di Francesco, Amber Itle, Craig Mcconnel, Ragan Adams, Roselle Busch, Richard Van Vleck Pereira, Terry W. Lehenbauer, Beatriz Martínez-López, Alda F. A. Pires

Journal of Extension

The number of small-scale and backyard operations has increased in the United States during the past decade, but there is currently a lack of outreach efforts and readily-available educational materials targeting these farming systems. We developed a webinar series on biosecurity to provide training for small-scale and backyard producers, and training tools that can be used by local veterinarians and extension educators to disseminate knowledge and consistent recommendations more effectively. Fewer people attended the webinars than registered, suggesting a gap between interest in biosecurity and commitment to the topic. Participants in the webinar series reported a high level of satisfaction …

Amplify: Elevating Student Voice Of Youth Experiencing Homelessness Through Podcasting, Kimberley A. Silva

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Discover the synergy of student voice, podcasting, and equity. Empower the voices of students experiencing homelessness in your schools through podcasting with best practices and trauma-informed insights. Learn the basics of starting a podcast with students, access a comprehensive toolkit, and hear from youth speakers. Don't miss this opportunity to amplify diverse voices and break down educational barriers for students experiencing homelessness with podcasting.

Origami In The Mathematics, Education And Medical Fields, At-Ziry Torres

Young Scientists and Philosophers on the Border

No abstract provided.

Empathy, Education, And Awareness: A Vr Hackathon’S Approach To Tackling Climate Change, Noor Alqallaf, Dalia W. Elnagar, Sherif G. Aly, Khalil I. Elkhodary, Rami Ghannam

Faculty Journal Articles

Climate change education is crucial for fostering informed and engaged future generations. However, traditional pedagogies often fail to engage learners fully and provide real-world, experiential learning. This paper presents a novel approach to climate change education through a three-day virtual reality (VR) hackathon. The hackathon focused on four United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—Quality Education, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Climate Action. Using VR technology and game design software, engineering students worked in teams. They competed against each other in designing immersive environments that demonstrated their understanding of these SDGs and climate change. Our goal …

Social Identity And Self Determination: A Case Study Exploring What American Indian Elders' Perspectives Of Residential Boarding Schools Tell Us About The Lasting Effect Of Historical And Intergenerational Trauma, Jessica Boyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically, American Indian youth have faced educational challenges due to the lack of American Indian perspective in history, culture, and knowledge in public education. Distrust in public education due to Eurocentric educational policy, addressed in this study that provides American Indian elders' experiences for finding solutions to self-identity for American Indian youth. Investigating the historical trauma barriers further addressed implications on the high-school retention of American Indian students. This qualitative case study involved a group of 10 elders, both men and women, who self-identify as Little Shell Chippewa American Indian Elders. Through semistructured interviews, the results of this study spoke …

Development Of Forage Curriculum For Extension Educators In The Southeast Usa, L. S. Silva, L. Dillard, K. Mullenix, M. Wallau, J. J. Tucker, C. Vasco

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the Southeast USA, livestock production is one of the largest agricultural activities, and forages are the primary feed source. Most livestock systems are highly dependent on off-farm inputs to support forage production and animal performance, which elevates production costs and the activity's carbon footprint. There is a strong need to develop forage educational resources to enhance productivity, environmental sustainability, resilience, and profitability of agricultural systems in the region. This multi-disciplinary initiative was a collaboration among several land-grant Universities across the region. The objective was to develop decision tools and provide in-classroom training associated with hands-on demonstrations to Extension agents …

Culturally And Socially Responsive Teacher Professional Learning At The American Museum Of Natural History, Jessica Correa

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This capstone project consists of a series of professional learning sessions to support teachers in their implementation of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CR-SE) using the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) as a resource and case study. Through the lens of Historically Responsive Literacy, the series also seeks to reestablish social science as a critical element of natural history for teachers. This series can help teachers see the museum as not only a place to explore life and physical science, but also a place to explore identity, social/emotional development, cultural studies and American History. The project includes resources and directions for …

Development Of A Culinary Medicine Toolkit To Improve Implementation Of Virtual Cooking Classes For Low-Income Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, David Ai, Natalia I Heredia, Vanessa Cruz, Diana C Guevara, Shreela V Sharma, Dolores Woods, Melisa Danho, John Wesley Mcwhorter

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Culinary medicine (CM) addresses diseases through nutrition and culinary education. To promote access to educational material for people with diabetes and engagement in virtual classes, we created a virtual culinary medicine toolkit (VCMT) sensitive to literacy levels and language preferences. The VCMT was developed to accompany existing virtual CM programs and help improve participant interaction and retention, offering educational materials for providers and participants. The provider VCMT offers level-setting education to reduce mixed nutrition messaging, including educational resources discussing inclusive nutrition and mindful eating topics. Each handout has a QR code and link to engaging, animated videos that provide further …

Ohio Pastures For Profit Online, C. Gelley, E. Lyon, D. Bender, S. Boyles, M. Estadt, C. Finney, A. Gahler, J. Hartschuh, B. Hendershot, A. Holden, C. Jagger, D. Lima, C. Little, J. Morris, C. D. Penrose, R. Purdin, G. Ruff, M. Sulc, C. Turner, G. Wilson, B. Campbell, M. Joyce, T. G. Wiseman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Pastures for Profit program is an established course created through a collaboration between Ohio State University Extension, Central State University, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council. In 2021, due to COVID-19, the Pastures for Profit curriculum was adapted to a virtual classroom setting and was offered again in 2022. The virtual experience consisted of three live webinars pairing with corresponding modules in Scarlet Canvas. Enrolled students were also mailed traditional course materials for personal use. Module content was newly developed and compiled …

Using Poetics And Technology To Inform Pre-Service Educators’ Transformative Pedagogy Via Innovative Sociocultural Interactivities, Lindamichelle Baron, Xin Bai

Publications and Research

Using Poetics and Technology to Inform Pre-Service Educators’ Transformative Pedagogy via Innovative Sociocultural Interactivities

During the HICE workshop my colleague and I will demonstrate and engage HICE participants through learner centered practices we developed and studied during the Covid pandemic. We embedded oral and written poetic expression with a variety of technological practices to offer pre-service educators creative opportunities to learn and participate in the course through unique expressive movements, music, and media during on-line instruction. These approaches will show how to create a culture of care and Social Justice in a synchronous online classroom.

Baron, Lindamichelle –— York College, …

Reevaluating Positive Freedom Through The Philosophy Of Amartya Sen With A Focus On Education As A Catalyst For Freedom, Emilie Mathilde Vesten Haakansson

Theses and Dissertations

Education has since ancient times been used as a societal tool to develop and cultivate society’s individuals into participating members. Education which is considered a fundamental human right also holds potential transformative power to enable and empower individuals to exercise their freedom to create a life that aligns with their own values, ideas and goals. However, how effective an educational system can be, ultimately depends on the accessibility and quality of the education as well as the overall system the educational institutions operate in. This thesis explores how education can function as a catalyst for furthering individuals’ freedom through a …

Nurturing Minds And Hearts: The Positive Impacts Of Visual Art Education, Jacob A. Anderson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will explore the significance of visual arts education in the academic and personal development of students during their school years. It aims to define the critical role of visual arts education in enhancing students' academic journeys and overall well-being. It addresses two driving questions: How does visual arts education support students' overall academic achievement? How does visual arts education contribute to students' social and emotional mental wellness throughout their academic years? This is done through the review of existing research and literature on these subjects. This thesis begins by defining visual arts education and its impact on early …

Teaching In The Transpersonal Paradigm, Christopher M. Bache

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This article explores the transpersonal dynamics of teaching by presenting two core themes of The Living Classroom: 1) the synchronicities and energetic resonances that radiated invisibly around me as my spiritual practice deepened over time and 2) the “learning fields” that surround well-taught courses—fields of collective consciousness that can trigger new insights and powerful transformations in our students.

2024 State Of The Commonwealth Report, Vinod Agarwal, James V. Koch, Feng Lian, Anna Makhorkina, Melody Nguyen, Terry Parker, Mohamed Rahoui, Jay Walker, Leiu Yuenyong

State of the Commonwealth Reports

This is Old Dominion University’s 10th annual State of the Commonwealth Report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the university, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion, its president, Brian Hemphill, Ph.D., the Board of Visitors, the Strome College of Business or the generous donors who support the activities of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy.

Our work seeks to contribute to the conversation about how Virginia can foster growth across the Commonwealth without glossing over the challenges we face. We want to encourage difficult conversations to …

Sffa V. Harvard College: Closing The Doors Of Equality In Education, Ediberto Roman

Seattle University Law Review

The United States Supreme Court’s recent combined decision ending affirmative action in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina was hailed in conservative circles as the beginning of “the long road” towards racial equality. Others declared that “the opinion may begin the restoration of our nation’s constitutional colorblind legal covenant.” Another writer pronounced, “Affirmative action perpetuated racial discrimination. Its end is a huge step forward.” A Washington-based opinion page even declared: “[T]he demise of race-based affirmative action should inspire renewed commitment to the ideal of equal opportunity in America.” Despite …

Mental Health Among Somali Women In The United States, Khadra M. Hussien

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study examined depression, stress, and anxiety and explored the complex factors that may influence Somali women’s psychological well-being. The study surveyed 53 subjects identified as Somali women aged 18 to 69 years old living in a major Metropolitan area in the Upper Midwest United States. Three research questions focused on investigating whether a depressed mood correlates with the severity of trauma, identifying what causes elevated anxiety, and assessing the significance of stress among Somali women. This research was critical to identify the mental health perceptions and the obstacles these women may have. The surveyed subjects reported severe depression mood, …

Investigating The Relationship Between Politics And Education, Alaina M. Winrow

Honors Theses and Capstones

This paper looks into how politics plays a role in the public K-12 education system in the United States, specifically looking at the state of New Hampshire. Federal, state, and local governments provide important resources through funding to schools and create the laws that govern them. However, educational politics can be controversial at times. Within the past several years, there have been more tense school board meetings and divisive laws being passed or considered around the nation. Overall, the divisive political climate has influenced much of the discussion surrounding education and has created more stress for educators, administrators, school staff, …

Transcending The Taboo: Using Literature To Explore Depictions Of Suicide With Adolescents In Secondary Classrooms, Elizabeth M. Williams

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis examines depictions of suicide in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1597), Art Spiegelman’s Maus (1986), and Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred (1979) in the context of teaching literature in secondary classrooms during the developmental stage known as middle adolescence. Using an analysis of these literary works, this thesis advocates for incorporating self-regulation practices when addressing conceptually challenging and emotionally complex ideas. It proposes model lessons and emphasizes the responsibility of educators to facilitate discussions on weighty concepts. This thesis also emphasizes the need for an intersectional approach when examining trauma and suicide. Furthermore, it underscores the unique developmental and …

Assessing The Value And Knowledge Gains From An Online Tick Identification And Tick-Borne Disease Management Course For The Southeastern United States, Catherine A. Lippi, Holly D. Gaff, Alexis L. White, Sadie J. Ryan

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Tick-borne diseases are a growing public health threat in the United States. Despite the prevalence and rising burden of tick-borne diseases, there are major gaps in baseline knowledge and surveillance efforts for tick vectors, even among vector control districts and public health agencies. To address this issue, an online tick training course (OTTC) was developed through the Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (SECOEVBD) to provide a comprehensive knowledge base on ticks, tick-borne diseases, and their management.

Methods

The OTTC consisted of training modules covering topics including tick biology, tick identification, tick-borne diseases, and public health, personal tick …

On The Principles And Ends Of Education: A Thomistic Approach, Keith Parkinson

Theses and Dissertations--Philosophy

This dissertation develops an account of the nature of education from a Thomistic point of view. The thesis is that education is best understood as ‘human growth’—growth, because it is the natural development of potentialities inherent within the human person toward full actualization, and human, because it pertains in particular to those faculties of reason that are unique to human beings among all natural creatures, the intellect and will. The first three chapters provide an overview of Thomistic anthropology and virtue theory, from which I conclude that the final goal toward which all genuinely educational activity aims is the speculative …

We Shall Overcome: The Evolution Of Quotas In The Land Of The Free And The Home Of Samba, Stella Emery Santana

Seattle University Law Review

When were voices given to the voiceless? When will education be permitted to all? When will we need to protest no more? It’s the twenty-first century, and the fight for equity in higher education remains a challenge to peoples all over the world. While students in the United States must deal with the increase in loans, in Brazil, only around 20% of youth between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-four have a higher education degree.

The primary objective of this Article is to conduct an in-depth comparative analysis of the development, implementation, and legal adjudication of educational quota systems within …

Music Education Within An Autism Support Classroom: Building Community And Educational Skills, Emma Lamberti

Honors Theses

The purpose of this action research study was to explore how music education might provide a sense of community, develop educational skills, and discuss general best practices for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a middle school autism support classroom. To examine community, educational skills, and best practices, this study completed two cycles of action research. The curriculum in Cycle 1 consisted of typical music lessons for a general music classroom. Interviews with teachers and students, video observations, and researcher reflections after each lesson were used to inform the development of Cycle 2. Cycle 2 retained the overall …

Cat Way (2024) By Sara Lundberg, Maughn Rollins Gregory

Picture Books

When a human gives her cat a turn to lead the way on their daily walk, they encounter the unexpected. The philosophical quandaries this story raises – When do routines become too confining? How do domestic habits prevent us from experiencing the natural world? Can humans and pets have genuinely inter-species relationships? – can be discussed and experimented with by people of most ages.

African American Adolescent Suicidality And Prevention From An Urban School Counselor Perspective, Shannon Franklin

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

African American adolescent suicidality has become more prevalent, and urban school counselors are positioned uniquely to intervene. This research studied the overarching societal factors in the sociocultural, economic, and political spheres that influence increased suicidality behaviors in African American adolescents from the perspective of urban school counselors. The focus of this research was to hear the lived experiences of urban school counselors regarding the impact of racial discrimination on African American adolescent suicidality. The two theoretical frameworks that were used to support this study are the world-systems analysis theory and critical race theory. This study took a qualitative phenomenological approach …

Teaching Children Programming Concepts Through Video Games, Kayla Musleh

Master's Projects

Children have a tendency to lose focus when they are presented with something that does not entertain them or tailor to their personal interests; such as studying [1], [3], [10]. The research performed for this project focuses on studying how much more children can comprehend and focus on learning educational material if they are learning through playing a video game rather than being taught information directly in a typical classroom manner. For this study I created a computer game designed to introduce educational subjects such as mathematics and programming concepts to the child playing the game. By completing the tasks …

The Divine Digital Divide: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Effects Of Implementing Information And Communications Technology In The Black Baptist Worship Service Experience On Attraction And Retention Of Young Adults Post Covid-19, Ladonna Y. Boyd

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of using information and communication technology (ICT) in the Black worship experience for recruiting and retaining young adults in relation to church services, engagement (defined in this study as communication, community outreach, social activism and collaboration, and support services), and cultural identity within the community of faith. The relevancy and engagement for emerging generations and the cultural and ancestral ties of the Baptist church will be explored. Data analysis from these findings will be used to identify opportunities for faith and community leaders in relation to young Black adults, defined …