Digital Commons Network^™

Theatre Education At The University Of Montana: Providing Innovative Solutions To A Complex Problem, Natalie Renk

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This paper is part of a larger project that aims to provide solutions to assimilate the University of Montana’s theatre education program with those across the United States by providing budget conscious innovations. The focus of this paper will be the creation of two methods courses: THTR 438: Content for Secondary Theatre Education and THTR 439: Skills for Theatre Education, this paper discussing the former. The latter was designed by my research partner, Ren Shepherd. This course would offer comprehensive coverage of theatre practitioners, both historical and modern theatrical texts, hands on design and budgeting experience, as well as teaching …

A Care Expansion Initiative: Providing Awareness And Access To Resources For Patients With Celiac Disease: A Quality Improvement Project, Jennifer Kumin

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is projected to be the most common genetic autoimmune disease in the world with 1% or 3 million people effected in the United States. It is estimated that as many as 70% of those effected are not aware. Diagnosis routinely takes 10-12 years from the initial onset of symptoms, exposing patients and the healthcare system to significant cost and stress through excess testing and misdiagnosis. One area that is often referenced in barriers around celiac disease is the lack of awareness and education specifically with patients, healthcare providers, and the community at large.

Methods: In this …

Implementation Of Formalized Education Of Ultrasound-Guided Intravenous Peripheral Line Placement In A Family Medicine Residency, Lucas Zadan, Gloria Travieso-Zadan, Sean Quinonez

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Digital Storytelling Across Disciplinary Horizons: A Bibliometric Exploration Through Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, And Social Sciences, Desmin Davis, Manoj Praveen G, Ashna K

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study aims to know the key publication trends and patterns in digital storytelling research and to find the most influential papers, authors, journals, funding sponsors, sources, and countries that contributed to digital storytelling research from 2013 to 2023. This was examined through a systematic bibliometric analysis conducted on 508 documents collected from the Scopus database based on particular inclusion and exclusion criteria. Bibliometric patterns were obtained using the VOS viewer software. The findings indicated that the digital storytelling research field is emerging and shows growing interest in this particular field. The increasing citation trend shows its importance across various …

The Wellness Connection January 2025, Roger Williams University School Law Office Of Student Life

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Exploring Laurier Health Sciences Students’ Knowledge Of Lgbtq+ Health, Grace Emma Henry, Todd Coleman

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In all health-related fields, the need for well-informed, holistic healthcare providers is paramount. For the heathcare field to be impactful in positive ways, providers should emerge from multifaceted academic backgrounds, equipped with an array of knowledge and skills to address the complex needs of different patients. Central to this is the idea that all aspects of an individual's identity and the intersectionality of these identities should be considered when providing care. Intersectionality recognizes that various social and personal identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status, intersect to shape individual experiences and health outcomes (Kelly et al., 2022).

Lesbian, …

Backyard Chimeric Microbiomes: K-12 Participatory Science, Abigail Saucier

Honors Theses and Capstones

The US education system has seen a recent push for more secondary school curriculum to include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) materials and activities. Middle and high school is a pivotal time when academic and personal experiences affect the development of student attitudes towards STEM (Christensen et al., 2015; Moreno et al., 2016). Teachers often utilize hands-on activities to promote student engagement with science curriculum (Brooks & Poles, 2021; Christensen et al., 2015). Hands-on activities improve student learning, but impacts vary by type of activity. When students work towards a known outcome they can feel disconnected from the work …

Understanding And Doing Research In Education & The Social Sciences, Phillip A. Olt, Yaprak Dalat Ward, Kevin Splichal, Reade L. Dowda, Elliot Isom

All Open Educational Resources

The purpose of this book is to provide an open-access, free textbook for initial learning about research for students in the social sciences and related professional fields (such as education, social work, business, or nursing).

This OER was updated in 2026 to include accessibility updates.

(2025) Curriculum Vitae Of David Kennedy, David Kennedy

Collected Papers of David Kennedy

No abstract provided.

Gamification In Education: Its Impact On Engagement, Motivation, And Learning Outcomes, Hansika Ukgoda

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Gamification, integrating game design elements into educational contexts, has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 41 peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2023, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of gamification in education. Following PRISMA guidelines, the review evaluates the effectiveness of gamification elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards. Key Findings indicate that while gamification can foster positive learning attitudes and competition, its effectiveness depends on the context. The impact of game elements on engagement and motivation varies based on the learning environment and …

Love In The Disabilities Paradigm: A Normal Person’S Need For Healing, Randy Lee

Touro Law Review

We function in a disabilities paradigm where people are broken in a multitude of ways and where, having recognized their brokenness, we seek in our benevolence to remake these broken people in our own image. There is, however, another paradigm in which one might live, a paradigm of love. In that paradigm, people are not divided between “normal” and “broken” but live together on a common spectrum of light. In this paradigm, people are not so much “disabled” as they are waiting to be believed in, and in this paradigm, the greatest need for healing is in the capacity to …

Fundamental Alteration Limits On Disability Rights: Spread, Specifications, And The Quality Of Education, Adam M. Samaha

Touro Law Review

Fundamental alteration limits are now remarkably prevalent in disability rights law, even if the underpinnings of those limits are not well understood. This article explores the spread, specification, and normative problematics of those limits on disability accommodation and modification claims, with special attention to claims involving education. Often legal sources are vague regarding the content of fundamental alteration limits, but the article suggests that leading options include preservation of a program’s (1) nature, (2) details, (3) purposes, or (4) quality, including training and competition. Although several of these options seem unproductive, directing attention to quality training and fair competition among …

Social Determinants Of Mental Health Outcomes, Ariana Fein

Honors Theses

Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, are a growing global concern with profound consequences on individuals' well-being and societal functioning. The burden of these disorders is not only psychological but also economic, affecting quality of life. Mental health outcomes are heavily influenced by a range of social determinants, such as financial status, education, and access to healthcare. While extensive research has focused on WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these determinants affect mental health in low-resource settings or non-WEIRD countries. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring the …

Emergency Action Plan Adoption Across Athletic Training Practice Settings, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Rebecca L. Stearns, Christianne M. Eason, Alicia M. Pike Lacy, Rebecca M. Lopez, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Rebecca M. Hirschhorn, Susan W. Yeargin

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context:

The 2024 NATA Position Statement provides updated recommendations for EAP adoption. Past research on the 2002 statement showed limited adoption by ATs. Assessing current adoption across practice settings offers a clearer picture of the EAP implementation landscape.

Objectives:

To examine ATs' adoption of new EAP best-practice recommendations across practice settings.

Design:

Cross-Sectional study.

Setting:

Online questionnaire.

Patients or Other Participants:

Clinically active ATs (n=614) working in any practice setting (Youth, Secondary School, Division 1 Power 4, Collegiate athletics – Not Power 4, Non-Major Professional Sports, Professional Sports, Non-Sideline).

Main Outcome Measures:

Prevalence of an EAP, adoption of recommendations, and …

Environmental And Climate Change Dictionary: Part Ii, Fozia Parveen

Books

When we published our first environment and climate change dictionary in 2023 at IED (https://ecommons.aku.edu/books/117/), I was surprised by the response we received. Many people reached out to us to tell us how they hear these terms in their workplaces and how our dictionary helps them understand the words better. I wanted to make sure that we continue to add words to the dictionary in order to increase the understanding of others but also our own understanding of many terms we hear on a day-to-day basis. This year with the participants of “Introduction to Climate Change” course at FAS we …

Introducing Education On Modified Bedside Nursing Handoff To Reinforce Patient Safety Across High-Risk Populations: A Quality Improvement Project., Sydney P. Hodgdon

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND:

The Modified Bedside Nursing Handoff (mBNH) is a process where nurses exchange patient information and responsibility at shift change, ideally at the bedside. A PRISMA-based literature review showed that mBNH may help improve communication, protect patient privacy, and enhance safety when done thoughtfully—sometimes at the bedside, sometimes just outside the room. This quality improvement project was launched on a busy unit that cares for high-acuity patients from across northern New England, including those recovering from strokes, motor vehicle accidents, and serious falls. The goal was to increase both frequency and how standardization that nurses reported using mBNH by at …

A Quality Initiative To Reinforce Nursing Staff Education On Fall Prevention Interventions To Enhance Patient Safety And Outcomes On A Medical-Surgical Unit, Jolena Senesombath

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background:

Patients are at an increased risk for falls on a medical-surgical unit due to a variety of factors such as increased age, medications, altered mobility, and more. Several fall prevention interventions are used to prevent falls, including use of call bells, bed and chair alarms, maintain a clutter free environment, using a fall risk assessment upon admission, and providing patient and staff education. Reinforcing education for nursing staff has been shown to be one of the most effective interventions in preventing and reducing the number of falls as it increases awareness of falls.

Local Problem:

Within the microsystem, patient …

Improving Intensive Care Unit Nurses' Knowledge And Confidence In Performing Effective Spontaneous Awakening Trials: A Quality Improvement Project, Sophia T. Merry-Carreiro

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Mechanically ventilated ICU patents often require sedation for comfort and ventilator compliance. However, oversedation is linked to negative outcomes such as delirium, prolonged ventilation, and increased duration of ICU stay. Current best practices now support the use of daily sedation interruptions such as Spontaneous Awakening Trials (SATs). Despite these recommendations, implementation of SATs remain inconsistent and suboptimal.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

Within the ICU in a northern new England hospital, there was a need to improve nurse confidence and knowledge in SATs practices through staff education.

METHODS:

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, a quality improvement project was developed to improve …

A Quality Improvement Initiative: Enhancing Knowledge And Confidence In Effective Eclamptic Seizure Management Among Maternity Nurses, Emma C. Donigian

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are leading contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality rates globally. Timely recognition and intervention are essential for improving maternal outcomes. However, evidence indicates that healthcare professionals often lack sufficient knowledge and confidence in managing these conditions, highlighting a critical need for ongoing education to ensure safe, effective care.

Local Problem: At a small maternity unit in Northern New England, nurses expressed concern about their preparedness to manage eclamptic seizures, a rare but high-risk obstetric emergency. Although preeclampsia is commonly encountered, eclampsia occurs infrequently, limiting staff exposure and hands-on experience. This combination of low frequency and …

Incorporation Of Citizen Science In Classrooms To Enrich Learning, Ryan Moellendick

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper explores the use of citizen science experiences as a method of enriching content in middle school and high school science classrooms. This article explores my own experiences working with the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative and the application of available citizen science experiences in the classroom in alignment with Ohio's Learning Standard's for Science.

Understanding The Impact Of Foster Care On Child Development, Catherine Pleska

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to explore the developmental impact of the foster care system on children, focusing on how early trauma and systemic factors influence emotional, social, and cognitive development. Through a systematic literature review, the project will highlight the unique experiences foster children face, examining how early adversity shapes their long-term outcomes. The project will emphasize the importance of trauma-informed care in educational environments, advocating for strategies that create supportive and empathetic classrooms. The objectives include identifying key challenges for foster children and offering recommendations for teachers and school administrators to effectively engage students impacted by trauma. The study also …

Purpose-Driven Curriculum For 9th-12th Grades For Adulthood Careers & Life Gratification, Destiny Krystle Chioma Nnadozie

Theses and Dissertations

A purpose-driven or purpose-based curriculum is not the standard required for high schools in the United States. Students in grades 9th-12th are educated based on a curriculum that covers mathematics, English, science, and social studies (De Roux & Riehl, 2022; Xiao et al., 2018). The unique individual purpose of each student, realized while in high school, is not considered a priority, leaving students to enter their adult careers lacking true career fulfillment due to this misalignment (Baroudi et al., 2017; S. Lyons et al., 2015; H. Wu, 2024).  Using a qualitative systematic review research design, this study aimed to explore …

Lifelong Learning And Perceived Quality Of Life: An Exploratory Study Of Older Adult Learners In Southern California, Guadalupe Salgado-Shower

Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory study examines the impact of lifelong learning programs (LLPs) on the perceived quality of life among older adults (OAs) against a global demographic shift towards an aging population (Narushima et al., 2018). With the number of people aged 60 and above projected to nearly double by 2050, understanding and enhancing the well-being of OAs has become imperative (United Nations, 2019). Lifelong learning (LL), involving the continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills irrespective of age, emerges as a promising avenue for improving cognitive functioning, social engagement, and emotional well-being among OAs (Longworth & Davies, 2017). This exploratory study adopts …

Student Success, Suicide Rates: A Correlational Study Of Pressures On, And Expectations For High School Students In The United States, Matthew Baham

Theses and Dissertations

Suicide among high school students has become a growing health crisis, with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation increasing at an alarming rate. The purpose of this quantitative research is to explore the correlation between high school graduation requirements, pressures associated with college applications, and rising suicide rates among high school aged students in grades 9 through 12. With the increase in academic demands, standardized tests, extracurricular activities and a competitive college admissions process, has created an enormously high-pressure environment in high school education. These stressors are shown to have an intense impact on high school …

Exploring Perceptions Of College Completion Obstacles Among First-Year Students With Disabilities, James Roshone Evans

Theses and Dissertations

Students with special needs encounter significant challenges that affect their development, social mobility, and ability to achieve personal and professional goals. Despite efforts to improve post-secondary education outcomes, enrollment rates among students with learning disabilities remain below average. This study examined the experiences of first-year college students with mild to moderate cognitive impairments to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers to degree completion. It examines mandatory education, California's special education laws, social support systems, and the theoretical frameworks of Tinto's theory on retention, Wahlberg's theory of academic achievement, and Astin’s scholarly roles theory. Interviews with 25 students with disabilities …

Exploring The Impacts Of Secondary/Foreign Language Development On Childhood Development, Malone A. Ingram

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The central topic of my research project explores the positive impacts that early second language acquisition has on childhood development . I examine its effect through the lens of bilingual education in Missoula County Public Schools, identifying possible shortcomings in the language education programs in elementary schools, as well as feasible solutions. I approach this research from two distinct directions: a literature review and original data collection. I will analyse existing studies and information relating to bilingualism and its positive impact on childhood development. This will provide context and support for my interview questions. Next, for my own independent research, …

Inclusive Approaches To Teaching African American History Rooted In Decolonial Pedagogy And Praxis, Anya Tassy

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This thesis critically examines the exclusion of LGBTQ+ and disabled voices in African American history curricula at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) in Ohio, advocating for a decolonial pedagogical approach that centers intersectional narratives. By analyzing course descriptions, syllabi, and faculty communications from PWIs such as Wright State University, it reveals a pervasive omission of queer and disabled Black experiences, reinforcing a narrow historical lens. The study proposes a 15-week, praxis-based syllabus that integrates critical pedagogy, intersectionality, queer and disability theory, and service learning to foster inclusive historical engagement. Using primary and secondary sources, multimedia, and community partnerships, the curriculum emphasizes …

Diving Into Watershed Science And Education: Blending Science, Storytelling, And Professional Practice In Northern Michigan, Mara Clare Pellerito

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio expands understanding of the relationship between watershed education and science through storytelling, lived experiences, and research. In northern Michigan, the invasive Myriophyllum spicatum threatens watershed health by forming dense patches that block sunlight, exclude native plants and wildlife, and retain harmful nutrients later released by herbicide treatment. The Lake Leelanau Lake Association has managed this species with preventative and restorative practices since 2020, and this portfolio examines their results through scientific study and practical experience from the summers of 2024 and 25. It also explores how education serves as a stepping stone from childhood curiosity to a lifetime …

How Overcoming Linguistic Discrimination Benefits The World, Joseph A. Stanley, Lisa Morgan Johnson, Eve Okura Koller, Vashti Wai Yu Lee, Hallie Davidson, Valeria Prieto Hurtado, Sam Keddington, Hazel Mattson, Abigail Mueller, Sydney Jo Pederson, Maryn Perschon, Reese Rugg, Eliza Whiting

Faculty Publications

What is linguistic discrimination?

• Restricting access or opportunities based on speech (e.g., accent, pronunciation, grammatical system, tone or pitch)
• One of the last socially acceptable discriminatory practices in the international community
• A source of injustice that impacts many of God’s children every day

Linguistic discrimination is real! Here’s what it looks like…

In Healthcare:

• More questions about insurance coverage; later appointments (Wisniewski and Walker 2020)
• Lower access to mental health services (Kugelmass 2016)
• More referrals for speech therapy (Charity Hudley et. al. 2018)

In Education:

• Students receiving negative judgments from teachers (Bowie & Bond 1994; Cecil 1988; Wheeler 2019)
• Teachers …

Does Money Matter? An Analysis Between Per-Student Funding And Its Link To Student Achievement In Florida, Chloe Zwetschkenbaum

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examined the relationship between per-student funding and student achievement within four counties in the state of Florida (Clay County, Duval County, Flagler County, and St. Johns County) and whether higher per-student funding resulted in higher student achievement. Florida recently changed from the usage of the Common Core Standards to the Florida Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) and from the Florida State Assessment (FSA) to the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T.) test in 2022 (Sabina, Hartikka, and Viola, 2023). This research focused funding on the results of the F.A.S.T. test and the per-student funding of each district …