Digital Commons Network^™

Hailey's Hearing Aids, Hailey Marie Garcia

Whittier Scholars Program

Individuals from the deaf and hard-of-hearing community are likely to experience more anxiety and depression due to defective cognitive, social, communicational, and emotional skills (Azizi et al., 2019). The word “disability” is embedded with historical negative connotations with phrases such as “deaf and dumb” because if they were deaf or mute then they were automatically labeled as inferior (Horovitz, 2007). Since the 18th century, the DHH community has been seen as incapable, even inhuman, hence the development of emotional deficiencies that bleed into one’s perception of society and their self esteem (Gallaudet, 1886).

How do you navigate a hearing world …

Impact Of Career And Technical Education Among High School Students In Texas, Tammy Ridgway

Theses & Dissertations

Existing research documents the importance and relevance of career and technical education (CTE) throughout American history. Beginning with the passage of the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 to the passage of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21^st Century in July of 2018, federal and state legislation continue to shape vocational education within our public-school systems. The literature provides strong evidence between student success, in terms of high school graduation rate and post-secondary educational attainment, and the participation in career and technical education during the high school years. This dissertation analyzes whether dual credit career and technical education …

Understanding The Significance Of Building A School In Belize Through Action Research, Stephen Todd Speer

Theses & Dissertations

Research Focus. In Central America, the country of Belize shares its border with Guatemala and Mexico. These countries, with El Salvador and Honduras, are known as the most dangerous areas in our world outside active war zones (Dudlry, 2012; Edwards & Gill, 2002; UNODC, 2019). Crime is the largest contributor to instability in the region and creates a dangerous environment that must be reduced. Reduction of crime can correlate to an increase in available educational opportunities (Edwards, 2002; OSAC, 2019). The U.S. government conducts foreign humanitarian programs that increase educational opportunities in hope of reducing crime and stabilizing the region …

Juan Crow: A Discriminatory Past With Contemporary Consequences Against Mexican Americans, Alicia Delaney

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This paper will focus on the past and contemporary systemic discrimination of the Mexican and Mexican American communities in Texas and California. I will first discuss how, despite being considered citizens at the federal level since the enactment Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, Mexicans and their descendants were subject to de facto segregation policies, discriminatory economic and social practices at the local and State levels, and numerous acts of violence. They were racialized as “others” in terms of language, customs, and supposed inferior morality. In addition, I will explain the numerous factors that have, in the past and present, …

The First Surs World Congress Of Robotic Surgery At Mount Sinai Hospital In New York City: A Tribute To The Past And The Future Of Robotic Urologic Surgery, Raghav Gupta, Deepak Chopra, Ashok K. Hemal, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Craig G. Rogers, Chandru P. Sundaram, Ashutosh K. Tewari

Urology Articles

No abstract provided.

Training Program For Occupational Therapists Working With Skilled Caregivers In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Lovegifty Dudero, Mai Huynh, Ridhee Patel

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Dementia impairs one’s ability to live independently and participate in everyday activities (CDC, 2019). Individuals with dementia (IwD) are often referred to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for around-the-clock care to receive support for their everyday challenges brought on by dementia symptoms. Although certified nursing assistants (CNAs) help IwD with everyday self-care tasks, they frequently lack specialized dementia care training. Consequently, CNAs experience low self-efficacy when providing care and managing challenging behaviors IwD may have. OTs have expertise and understanding regarding the stages of dementia and how the symptoms of dementia impact participation in daily occupations. OTs working in SNFs are …

Medication Compliance And Decreases In Viral Load Status In Patients With Hiv, Tangela Woodland- Ballard

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has been a worldwide challenge for several decades. Proper medication adherence, following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, has proven effective in decreasing patients’ viral load, thus improving their quality of life, and reducing the spread of the disease. The current literature identifies a lack of knowledge, support, and resources as barriers to medication compliance.

Purpose: To increase medication compliance among persons with HIV.

Methods: This evidence-based practice project utilized the Modified Morisky Scale to help minority HIV patients adhere to strict medication regimens. Repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to …

Textbook Affordability At Smith College: Affirming Smith's Commitment To Creating An Inclusive, Equitable And Accessible Educational Community, Natalie Laroche

Other Student Projects

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group’s (PIRG) Education Fund, notes that “in 2020, 65 percent of students surveyed reported skipping buying a textbook because of cost” (Vitez & Nagle, n.d.). The costs of course materials are rising at astronomical rates. According to the Student PIRGs, “the cost of textbooks and course materials has increased at three times the rate of inflation since the 1970s” (Xie, 2023). Textbooks are unnecessarily expensive and are increasingly a barrier to education access and student success. Extensive research has demonstrated that while publishers can get away with (and profit off of) high prices, students who …

Early College High School: A Study Of Dual Enrollment Students' Academic Success Based On Classroom Environment, Cynthia A. Johnston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This ex post facto, causal-comparative, quantitative study examined variations in academic success of Early College High School (ECHS) students who completed a dual credit course in two separate classroom environments, specifically a high school classroom environment and a college classroom environment. The researcher sought to determine if a relationship existed between classroom environment and final grades of students enrolled in an ECHS. Students in the high school classroom environment sample completed a dual credit English 101 course in a high school classroom located in an ECHS, taught by a high school teacher who had been credentialed by the partnering community/technical …

Design And Development Of A Virtual Reality Training Platform For Fiber-Reinforced Composite Manufacturing, Taufiq Rahman

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Theses - Archive

This study presents the design and development of a virtual reality (VR) training platform for manufacturing fiber-reinforced composites, a sophisticated and high-demand material in various industries. Due to the high costs and safety concerns associated with compression molding machines - essential equipment for this manufacturing process, the VR platform offers a promising alternative for training to educational institutions and manufacturing industries. The platform provides an immersive, interactive training and cost-efficient learning environment, allowing users to gain practical experience without the risks and expenses of physical training. The VR training module was developed using the Unity game engine and deployed on …

Recognizing The Unique Health Care Needs Of Pregnant Afghan Refugees, Catherine Mcelroy

Senior Honors Theses

Healthcare providers in the US, specifically in areas of high refugee resettlement, have recently been overwhelmed by the recent influx of Afghanistan refugees. This increased demand has exposed the lack of culturally competent care that healthcare workers are able to provide, leading to the question: How can healthcare providers in the United States (US) recognize the unique health care needs of pregnant Afghan refugees? This research paper addresses the question through the collection of previous research surrounding medical care for pregnant Afghan refugees already in databases. First, background information was obtained about the situation from which pregnant Afghan women are …

Utilizing Edtpa As A Student Teaching Tool To Ensure Future Teaching Success, Matthew Aspinwall

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) is an educator preparatory program that students complete at the end of their pre-professional experience. This assessment is often met with fear and apprehension for pre-service teachers leading up to its completion. With edTPA being completed during the student teaching experience, it can become a large burden on the student. This thesis will outline how changing your perspective of the edTPA process from an extensive assessment into using edTPA to make student teaching a more meaningful experience that expands your impact on your school and community. With that, the research question asks: How can student …

Curriculum Connectivity In Montclair State University’S Undergraduate Mathematics Program, Ana G. Da Silva Jesus

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

According to Piaget’s cognitive development theory and the constructivism learning theory of education, real learning occurs when students establish long term connections between disciplines by either adapting or redefining previously acquired knowledge. These ideologies have important teaching and learning implications that directly influence curriculum development and the design of a course of study. This thesis explores the interconnectedness of the subjects required for the successful completion of an undergraduate math program at Montclair State University. More specifically, it models students’ unique connections through a learning network and investigates the correlation between the interconnectivity of subjects and students’ overall performance. Results …

A Comparison Of Approaches To Closing The Achievement Gap In Public, Charter, And Catholic Urban High Schools In New York State, Kiante' Eli Jones

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Throughout the history of the United States there have existed gaps in the educational achievement outcomes of different groups of students. One of the most well-known and persistent achievement gaps is seen in the academic performance of Black versus White students, which is also known as the Black-White student achievement gap (BWSAG). The BWSAG is manifest in data such as grades, standardized test scores, course selection, school dropout rates, and college completion. This study examines how three schools with significant Black student populations, including an urban traditional public school, a Catholic school, and a charter school narrow the BWSAG among …

Lavoo, E. M., Collection, 1922-1923, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

The E. M. LaVoo Collection contains research material on education and public schools mostly in Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa, conducted by an “E. M. LaVoo” of Kansas City, Missouri in the early 1920s.

The Impact Of A Tailored Nutrition Education Program On Maximal Oxygen Consumption And Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors In Adolescent Male Hockey Players, Kerianne M. Shine

Student Projects for Graduate Degrees

During adolescence, athletes are at risk of failing to meet dietary recommendations due to their bodies' demand for additional energy during physical activity. For adolescent athletes, data on sport nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) are limited, especially when studied collectively. This project analyzed the impact of nutrition education on KAB of adolescent male hockey players with the incorporation of measurement of maximal oxygen consumption. A single arm trial was conducted with participants and parents/guardians from the Team Alaska 16U and 18U hockey teams. Pre intervention, the participants completed a demographics survey, the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ), …

Passive Education, Passive Users: A Research-Informed Elementary Curriculum For Media Literacy, Surveillance, And Technology Engagement, Jocelyn Elizabeth Brooks

Communication Honors Theses

While media scholars have established that media literacy is imperative to strengthen media’s positive effects and limit its negative effects, elementary-aged children continue to be underserved in current and relevant media literacy education. To address this disparity, this thesis created an age-appropriate media literacy curriculum for children aged seven to nine, bolstered by a comprehensive review of the current literature, which was then taught to a second-grade class at a San Antonio charter school. Results found that students’ current knowledge of contemporary media literacy concepts is minimal, but students made significant improvements through implementation of the proposed curriculum. This project …

Improving Breastfeeding Rates In A Rural And Medically Underserved Community, Kaylie D. Waters

Masters Projects

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports national breastfeeding rates that are inconsistent with the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life (CDC, 2020). The rate of infants receiving any breastmilk by six months of age in a rural Midwest County is only 16% in contrast to 55% nationally (CDC, 2020; XXXXX, 2021). This discrepancy was addressed by evaluating breastfeeding status in that Midwest community followed by strategies to improve breastfeeding rates.

Methods: A multi-intervention quality improvement project was implemented using the SEIPS framework. The project evaluated the effectiveness of documenting breastfeeding status in …

Education, Beliefs, And Health Literacy Of Care Providers On Mouth Care Of Older Adults, Molly Lakin

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Oral health is important to one’s overall health and quality of life as it can lead to chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and neurodegenerative disorders (Haumschild et al. 2021). In long-term care facilities, it is important that dependent older adults are provided mouth care to maintain their oral health and decrease their chances of developing a chronic illness; however, there are barriers affecting the level, quality, and quantity of mouth care being provided in these facilities. A survey was developed to look at the education, beliefs, and health literacy of care providers on providing mouth care in hopes …

An Assessment Of Dietetics And Nutrition Graduate Program Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors Regarding The Subject Of Microplastics, Gabrielle M. Arnes

Student Projects for Graduate Degrees

Microplastics exist in every aspect of our lives, from the ground and ocean to food and clothing. It is becoming more and more evident that microplastics can have negative effects on the environment, human health and food safety. This study examined Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited graduate program (GP) students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards microplastics. An electronic survey was sent to ACEND GP program directors (n = 56) to forward to their GP students. Among the 30 students who completed the full survey, 83.3% had previously heard of microplastics. Although almost all participants had …

Preoperative Pain Management Education And Narcotic Use: A Quality Improvement Project, Sarah Scheller

DNP Projects

Introduction: Comprehensive preoperative education is an important aspect of pain management and helps empower patients prior to their surgery. Evidence supports the use of a combination of the teach-back method, videos, and pamphlets to educate patients prior to their surgery. A quality improvement project was initiated for patients having total shoulder arthroplasty surgery with an orthopedic surgeon in Connecticut.

Methods: An educational video and handout were created, and preoperative education sessions using the teach-back methods were performed. Postoperative phone calls were placed at 24 and 72 hours to assess the patient’s use of narcotic pain medication, alternative pain management medication …

Systematic Barriers To Success: The Impact Of Redlining On Modern Educational Outcomes In Omaha Public Schools, Sarah Sedivy

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The systemic denial of mortgages, loans, and other financial services to specific neighborhoods on the basis of race, a practice known as redlining, has continued to have a disproportionately negative effect on communities of color since its inception in the 1930s. The contemporary impacts of redlining can be seen in ongoing disparities in household income, property values, generational wealth, and more. This paper uses a three-pronged approach to extensively examine the history, application, and implications of redlining, with an emphasis on how the practice affects modern educational outcomes in Omaha public schools. The paper analyzes statistical data from the Nebraska …

Nurse Practitioner-Led Hepatitis C Virus Education In A Central Valley Opioid Treatment Program, Nikiesha Thomas Redus

Doctoral Projects

Introduction Viral hepatitis has been classified as a worldwide public health threat and it is estimated that 130-150 million people worldwide are infected with viral hepatitis. In the United States, increases in hepatitis C infections can be attributed to intravenous drug use and associated behaviors. Many people who inject drugs are unaware of their serostatus and access to accurate hepatitis C virus (HCV) information and education is limited. However, opioid treatment programs are well positioned to fill hepatitis C services gap among people who inject drugs by providing education, to raise hepatitis C awareness and lead to services and treatment …

English Language Arts (Ela) Textbooks In School Districts And Charter Schools, Tennessee. Comptroller Of The Treasury.

Office of Research and Education Accountability

No abstract provided.

A Narrative Inquiry Of Selected Women’S Career Pathways To State-Level Leadership In Agriculture, Timothy Keown

All Dissertations

In this study, I used a qualitative narrative inquiry to examine stories from three individually selected state-level agricultural sector women leaders as they described their career paths to leadership roles. This purpose of the study was to address the problem of a lack of practical understanding of women leaders’ experiences in pursuing, achieving, and keeping leadership roles within the agricultural industry. The existing literature shows that women are less likely to hold an agriculture leadership role in their career. To establish the research question, I used feminist educational theory. This theoretical framework and the associated epistemology of narrative inquiry served …

The Creativity And Humility Guidebook: Fostering A Community Filled With Creativity Through Humility, Samantha Monaghan

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Although an often-under-explored cognitive skill, humility has an important relationship with a person’s creative capacity. Due to its inherent focus on honesty, flexibility, and openness, intellectual humility significantly increases an individual’s problem-solving abilities. This paper will detail the development of The Creativity and Humility Guidebook, which will be used to provide a thorough overview of both creativity and humility to the Roberts Wesleyan University community in order to equip faculty and staff with a fuller understanding of the symbiotic relationship between the two. Due to the turbulent climate of higher education in today’s world, coupled with the countless social, economic, …

The Influences Of The Public Health Care System And Education System On The Economic Growth Of Swaziland, Grace Greer

International and Global Studies Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Kingdom of Eswatini, also known as Swaziland, has one of the youngest populations in the world with over 70% of citizens being under the age of 18 years old. This creates a substantial opportunity for economic, social, and educational growth in a country previously plagued with diseases such as HIV/AIDS, poor health care infrastructure cutting off thousands from basic care, and an educational system with a very low attendance rate and an even lower graduation rate. By evaluating the root causes of such issues dating back to the colonial era there is an opportunity to reprioritize health care and …

The Past Close Behind Us: A Comparison Of Anti-Integrationists’ Rhetoric From The 1960’S With Anti-Critical Race Theory Rhetoric Today, Te'keyra Shelton

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research study is to analyze whether there are similarities and differences between how conservative organizations and leaders against integration in the 1960’s and Critical Race Theory today discussed and reacted to these advances for civil rights. While there are drastic differences in the context of both eras, arguments used to justify segregation are still used to justify banning Critical Race Theory. Through research on social movements, rhetorical framing, and white racial and conservative ideology, I was able to understand how these movements are structured to best gain success. And, through a comparative, content analysis of rhetorical …

Understanding Romania's Poverty: A Historical Overview Of Economics And Politics And Their Implications On Poverty Today, Benjamin Bucur

Senior Honors Theses

Romania is a country with a high-income economy that is experiencing considerable growth following its economic reforms of earlier decades. With growth, tendencies for an unequal society are prevalent. Therefore, appropriate economic policies that are specifically targeted toward bottlenecks are essential. This thesis seeks to outline the major types of poverty in Romania while also offering actionable entrepreneurial and educational insights that practically combat poverty at its roots.

Black Fatherhood: A Critical Component For Urban African American Student Success, Cameron Steel

Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal

A multitude of studies express that father involvement has an impact on student achievement and learning outcomes for urban African American students (Palm & Fagan, 2008). Although biological fathers are extremely vital to our community, a biological connection between a parental figure and their student is not essential to these correlational outcomes. The absence of fathers in the urban African American community has had a negative impact on students' self-esteem, academic efficacy, and general livelihood. Realistically, it is not a viable solution to place fathers in homes or force them to stay and remain active participants in their child's K-12 …