Digital Commons Network^™

The Benefits Of Experiential Outdoor Learning For Elementary School Students, Jillian R. Witt

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project aims to delve deeper into the benefits of experiential outdoor learning that contributes to the growing body of knowledge and practical applications of this dynamic educational approach of elementary school students. Through the use of literature review, interviews with program workers and school administrators and survey with educators and past students, the result findings indicated that experiential outdoor learning benefits elementary school students despite some cost challenges, but provided them with more opportunities to learn from outdoor activities to increase their academic achievement, improve their cognition, and enhance their social skills with a deeper sense …

Educating After-School Program Staff On Trauma-Informed Care, Emma Lowery

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

After-school program staff often lack training on trauma-informed practices. Without a clear understanding of trauma-informed care, staff may not appropriately handle situations where a student's behaviors may be rooted in trauma, which can make emotional and behavioral outbreaks worse. By training after-school program staff on trauma-informed practices, the staff can more effectively support students and give them a sense of belonging in the program, while potentially decreasing negative behaviors. In order to address this issue, I created a two-day training session to educate staff at Barrett Elementary School in Morgan Hill, California on the principles and practices of trauma-informed care.

Impact Of Parental Involvement On The Academic Performance Of Elementary School Students, Natalia Rauda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone project examines parental involvement's impact on elementary school students' academic performance, focusing on the roles that teachers, school liaisons, and parents play in fostering engagement. The study utilized qualitative methods, including interviews with a kindergarten teacher, a school liaison, and a parent, to explore the various dimensions of parental involvement and its influence on student success. Key findings reveal that early involvement, such as practicing foundational academic skills at home, is critical for academic readiness. Ongoing support throughout the school year, including communication between home and school, enhances student learning outcomes. However, challenges such as time constraints, …

The Relationship Between Education And Entrepreneurship Within African American Women’S History As Evidenced By Eight Exemplary Success Stories, Louise C. Mckinney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The educational and economic achievements of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other institutions of learning parallel the rise of black entrepreneurial history in the 1900s. They contributed to the historical context of the African American narrative through individual development, political and social changes, educational advancement, and national and regional changes in the concept of black wealth. These institutions provided a new platform for African Americans to rebuild their lives and futures in the post-Reconstruction era. This study analyzes the connection between African American educational leadership and entrepreneurship by assessing the impact of black female educators and leaders who …

Understanding The Need For Gender Inclusiveness: A Case Study In Kolkata, India, Nilasree Dutta

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research focuses on examining the status of women in the selected Wards of Kolkata, India: Ward 59, 64, 65, 66, and 69. Three indicators are used to evaluate the status of women: education, nutrition, and religion. Data for this study was collected with the help of a Kolkata-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) named Ek Tara. A complete questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questions was followed to conduct the survey. 353 households were interviewed to obtain the data. Several statistical analyses have been conducted using STATA software to address research hypotheses. To assess the nutritional status of women, hand grip strength …

The Influence Of The American Association For Thoracic Surgery On Clinical Trial Development By Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Adishesh K Narahari, Taylor M Horgan, Anirudha S Chandrabhatla, Abhinav Kareddy, Ajami Gikandi, Marco A Zenati, David Harpole, David Jones, Leora T Yarboro, Bryan Burt, A Sasha Krupnick, J Hunter Mehaffey

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Clinical trials play a critical role in the rapidly evolving field of cardiothoracic surgery and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Clinical Trials Methods Course has provided a biannual symposium led by preeminent surgeons with vast experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing surgical clinical trials. This study hypothesizes that participation in the course is associated with future success in clinical trial leadership.

Methods: A list of course attendees (2014-2022) was queried in ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of clinical trials funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health. The type of clinical trial …

Investigating The Use Of Socio-Scientific Issues As Phenomena Through A Storyline Framework In A High School Biology Course, Dana Marie Delpha

Theses and Dissertations

This action research dissertation investigates the efficacy of a socio-scientific phenomena-driven biology curriculum in a Title 1 Massachusetts High School. Grounded in social constructivism, culturally relevant pedagogy, and self-determination theories, the study explores the impact of socio-scientific phenomena on students’ perceived importance of science education, motivation, engagement, and achievement. A mixed-methods approach was used, and data was collected through student engagement reflection, Science Motivation Questionnaire, and pre- and post-assessments to holistically evaluate the efficacy of the curriculum. The findings include increased student engagement, motivation, and achievement after participating in the intervention, which supports the motivation-engagement-achievement feedback loop. Student agency was …

Baccalaureate Nursing Students’ Beliefs About Peer Feedback In The Nursing Skill Lab: Value, Quality, And Importance, Danielle Elizabeth Fleming

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Peer feedback is an instructional method used in nursing education to support student success in the nursing program and professional practice. While a large body of evidence supports the merits of peer feedback as an instructional method, there is limited research on its use in nursing students, especially within the skill lab. The purpose of this study, guided by the feedback intervention theory, was to examine nursing students’ beliefs about peer feedback in the nursing skill lab and how those beliefs change over time. Archival data from the Beliefs About Peer Feedback Questionnaire (BPFQ) from a public midwestern university was …

The Effect Of School Classification And A Veteran-Friendly Rating On U.S. Veteran Graduation Rates, Melton Harvey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. colleges, universities, or trade schools enroll and graduate several veterans each year and receive extensive federal funding for doing so. Currently, there is little research on the difference between educational outcomes of veterans that attend publicly supported and private educational institutions or the potential impact of a veteran-friendly rating system. Grounded in Vincent Tinto's theory of retention, the purpose of this quantitative non-experimental study was to examine the effect of school classification and a veteran-friendly rating on veteran graduation rates among colleges and universities using descriptive statistics. The initial study design featured the gathering of archival data from the …

New Tricks? Understanding The Role Of Education, Incarceration, And Reentry On The Older Correctional Population, Angela S. Murolo Phd, Lena Campagna Phd

Journal of Prison Education Research

Abstract

Education in prison provides an opportunity for personal growth and increased professional opportunities upon release. As older people leave prison and return to communities, the need for education serves multiple functions including successful reentry and healthy aging. The aim of this research was to explore the current literature relevant to older people during incarceration and upon release. The authors conducted a systematic literature review on 15 years of research between 2008- 2023 to understand how education in prison impacts older people while incarcerated and upon release. Articles published prior to 2008 were excluded from this study. Twenty-seven articles were …

K-12 Special Education In The South: Where Are We And Where Should We Be Going?, Jack G. Walker

Honors Theses

Throughout the past century, special education has undergone significant transformation and increasing accessibility to those who need it. However, persistent challenges remain. Some of these challenges include but are not limited to teachers still challenged with job stress and paperwork overload, schools faced with lack of funding for the program, and the lack of importance seen by administration on close relationships with parents of said students. These problems can affect all involved and especially the students who deserve the best education experience they can receive. The purpose of this thesis is to look into what has gotten policymakers to where …

Les Outils Numériques Au Service Des Élèves En Classe De Français Du Second Cycle Qualifiant Marocain : Une Perspective Interculturelle, Safaa Daoudi

Dirassat

This article thoroughly explores the role of digital tools in the education of students in the qualifying second cycle in French class. Emphasizing an intercultural perspective, the study examines how technology can foster a deeper understanding of the cultural aspects related to learning French. We analyze the integration of digital tools into French lessons, highlighting the potential benefits they offer for strengthening linguistic skills while encouraging intercultural sensitivity. Students in the qualifying second cycle can thus benefit from a more enriching and contextualized learning experience. This exploration aims to demonstrate how digital tools can serve as catalysts for intercultural understanding, …

Les Humanités Numériques : Une Révolution Des Pratiques Dans L'Éducation, L'Art, L'Histoire, Les Langues Et La Sociologie, Yasmina Reghai

Dirassat

Digital humanities, an emerging field of research, combines digital tools and traditional methods to explore various domains such as education, art, history, languages, and sociology. In education, they promote personalized and interactive approaches, while in art, they enable new forms of expression and creation. For history, they offer new perspectives on the past, and in linguistics, they improve understanding and dissemination of languages. In sociology, they introduce new methods for studying societies. More than just a technological evolution, digital humanities challenge the epistemological foundations of disciplines and act as a lever for social transformation. They mark a decisive turning point …

Sesame Street: From Puppets To Pixels, Blaise C. Wingold

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Sesame Street has been around since 1969 and is still creating new episodes. Joan Ganz Cooney created the program in an attempt to use television to educate and entertain children simultaneously. The show set out goals to create smarter, kinder, and stronger kids. It uniquely featured a diverse cast and was targeted towards disadvantaged youth. However, the world has changed a lot since 1969. In this research, I use a qualitative content analysis to determine how exactly the show has evolved and adapted to target today’s children versus the children in 1969. Additionally, the paper hypothesizes reasons why the show …

Toledo Private High Schools: An Analysis Of Marketing Strategies, Tegan Ruttencutter

Honors Projects

Having a better understanding of private education is vital in a country where research on private schools outside of school choice literature is limited. This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the marketing strategies employed by Toledo private high schools, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the local education market and its broader implications. This study will delve into the websites of three prominent Toledo private high schools: one Catholic, one Christian/Religious, and one secular school. To better understand these websites and schools, marketing and education-related literature regarding marketing strategies and private education is reviewed. Additionally, to better understand …

Using Social Emotional Learning To Connect Social Awareness And Classic Literature, Erin Anderson

Honors Projects

The following case study explores how social-emotional learning (SEL) teaching strategies enhance seventh-grade students’ engagement with classic literature during English Language Arts (ELA) class. Using S.E. Hinton’s classic novella The Outsiders as a foundation for this research, this study examines whether SEL-based lesson plans help adolescents make deeper connections between literature and their own lives. Two groups of students were compared in the study: one group received traditional, comprehension-based instruction, while the other participated in SEL-based assessments, encouraging perspective-taking and personal reflection. This study utilizes qualitative assessments like character analysis, reflection, and surveys to affirm that students who are exposed …

Student Motivation - Traditional Vs. Nontraditional College Students, Marcus Lee Johnson

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Traditional-aged college undergraduate students are typically between the ages of 18 and 23 years and pursue their college education immediately after graduating from high school. Nontraditional undergraduate students tend to be older than 24 years in age or have taken time off from pursuing higher education. Many nontraditional students have reported having parental responsibilities, mortgages, or career responsibilities. Despite these perceived challenges, the nontraditional student population has tripled in size since the 1970’s and is projected to continue growing steadily in the coming years.

Sustainability Recognition Program: A Gamified Approach To Student Engagement On Campus, Sydney K. Gandolfi

Masters Projects

This project explores how gamification can be used to increase student engagement in sustainable practices on college campuses by creating a Sustainability Recognition Program. College students, though aware of environmental issues, may struggle to connect individual actions with meaningful change. By introducing a point-based system with digital badges, milestone rewards, and leaderboards, this recognition program is designed to make sustainability more accessible, visible, and motivating for students living in residence halls. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the program is designed to support students’ intrinsic motivation (autonomy), competence, and relatedness. By aligning sustainability goals with positive reinforcement and SDT, the overall …

Sundanese Culture Education Strategy At Sman 1 Depok, Fernandez Rayhan Al Asskari

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

This study aims to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of Sundanese cultural education strategies implemented at SMA 1 Depok. This research uses a qualitativeapproach with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The respondents of the study were students and teachers at SMA1 Depok who were involved in Sundanese cultural education programs. The results showed that the Sundanese cultural education strategy implemented at SMA 1 Depok has succeeded in increasing students' understanding of Sundanese culture. Students show a high interest in learning Sundanese culture and expressing it in various cultural activities at school. Teachers also …

Facilitating Student Advancement: A High School Toolkit For Developing Professional Skills, Makenzie J. Mccain

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice

Objective:

As students transition from high school to their next step, they are expected to demonstrate a different and often higher level of professional skills to successfully navigate their new roles. Existing research identifies these skills as highly valuable in industry and education, however there is a gap in research and resources that focus on high school students developing these essential skills. This quality improvement project focused on the development of a toolkit to fill this gap, providing an explicit, student-centered resource for professional skill development.

Methods:

The development of the Professional Skills Student Toolkit utilized established theoretical frameworks and …

Expanding Incoming First-Year Students’ Knowledge With Campus Sustainability Education And Efforts At Higher Education Institutions, Katie Gorman

Masters Projects

The purpose of this project is to address the lack of guidance, support, and opportunities incoming first year students have in learning about campus sustainability and environmental efforts and education despite increasing student interest regarding these topics. Providing more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming opportunities that are available to all students before their arrival on campus can support an easier transition for incoming first year students to their respective institutions. This project creates a plan for institutions to implement a set of interventions and initiatives that allow students the ability and opportunity to further their learning in these topics.

Lifesaving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Pilot Evaluation Of A Targeted Educational Intervention To Improve Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Provision In Volunteer Surf Lifesavers, David Reid, Katie M. Dixon, Leesa Equid, Chris Jacobson, Jasmin C. Lawes, Tracey Hare-Boyd, Andrew Chubb, Michelle Murphy, Kane Treloar, Pamela Simon, Ned Douglas

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Approximately 26,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in Australia each year, and only 13% of patients survive their event and return home. Survival variability from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests can be explained by a range of factors. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education quality-improvement programs focusing on identified elements of basic life support provision in concert with resuscitation system interventions have been associated with significant improvements in survival after cardiac arrest. Surf Life Saving Australia members respond to approximately 65 cardiac arrests per year in the community while on duty and have successfully resuscitated many beachgoers over the years. In addition to this, …

Cartoons From The 2000s: The Representation Of Disability And A Culture Of Inclusion, Alessia Rosa, Claudia Chellini

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Representations of diversity and otherness in cartoons offer metaphors for identity that can affect children’s perceptions and attitudes towards the potential and challenges associated with various forms of disability. This contribution analyses a corpus of animations made up of feature films, series, and short films with a focus on how disability is represented. It examines the role that characters with physical or mental disabilities play in the story, the structure of narratives in which disability is presented as an integral part of reality, and the types of disability explored in the stories. The image that emerges is one in which …

Promoting College And Career Ready Readers And Writers: A Guide For English, Science, And Social Studies Teachers To Support Instruction Of Sat Reading And Writing Skills, David Fitzpatrick

Masters Projects

In Michigan and across the United States, student scores on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT have been steadily declining. This project responds to this decline by developing a set of resources for skills-based literacy instruction that English language arts, social studies, and science teachers can use to revise their approaches to teaching literacy skills. Highly effective curriculum design and literacy instruction strategies were reviewed to design guides, templates, and models for practicing high school teachers at all grade levels to adapt in order to improve literacy instruction in their classrooms. By scaffolding literacy skills across …

Breaking The Silence: Confidence And Barriers In Raising Concerns Among Undergraduate Dental Students– “A National Study”, Layla Hassouneh, Kamran Ali, Rebecca Glanville, Hani Nazzal, Sanaa Aljamani, Nabilah Quadier, Manal Matoug-Elwerfelli

Peninsula Dental School

Background: Raising concerns in clinical settings, also known as whistleblowing, is vital for safeguarding patient safety and improving the quality of care. Despite research on whistleblowing in medical and nursing fields, there is limited evidence on this topic within dental education. This study aims to assess the self-reported confidence of undergraduate dental students in raising concerns and identify any barriers. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an online close-ended questionnaire distributed via Google Forms to senior undergraduate dental students from Jordan University of Science and Technology and the University of Jordan, Jordan. Data collection was voluntary, with subsequent analysis performed using …

Addressing Subjective Reasoning Through Renewed Pathways: Church Discipline, Anthony F. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Skyline Baptist Church adopts a subjective approach to the removal of members through its church discipline process. This means that decisions regarding church discipline and the removal of members are not strictly governed by objective doctrine or biblical alignment but are instead influenced by individual circumstances and the specific context of outside influence. This project seeks to establish objective measures grounded in scriptural understanding, promoting biblical alignment and mutual accountability within the congregation. The existing research provides valuable insights that contribute to the broader Christian mission; it aims to cultivate a more united and devoted commitment that reflects the teachings …

Are We Ready? A Phenomenological Study On Teachers' Perceptions Surrounding Readiness To Teach Diverse Communities And The Responsibility Of Teacher Preparation Programs, Ja'niece Tiara Whitehead

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover teachers’ lived experiences in their teacher education programs in regard to levels of preparedness to effectively teach racially, linguistically, and gender-diverse students. The theory guiding this study was Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), which refers to teaching students customs, characteristics, experiences, and perspectives as tools to enhance instruction and understanding of the complexities of society as well as the awareness that students dwell in varying circumstances. The central question directing this research study asked, “What are the lived experiences of teachers and their teacher education programs with diverse communities?” Participants of …

Worldview Development And The K-12 Christian School Bible Curriculum: A Dissertation-In-Praxis, Shannon Michelle Juris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis explored the development of a biblical worldview in K-12 Christian schools, focusing on how these institutions’ curriculum choices shaped students’ perspectives through intentional integration of faith and education. Drawing on theories of worldview formation, educational philosophy, and Christian pedagogy, the study investigated the methods and curriculum employed by Christian schools to foster a biblical worldview in students. The research aimed to understand how curriculum selection across all grade levels contributed to the development of a biblical worldview. The study examined both the intended and actual outcomes of biblical worldview education by creating a curriculum guide for the current …

Meanings And Understandings Of Racial-Ethnic Minority Prelicensure Associate Degree In Nursing And Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Students Who Experience Uncivil Faculty Behaviors In United States Nursing Programs: A Transcendental Phenomenological Inquiry, Lenora Valdez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the meanings and understandings of racial-ethnic minority (REM) prelicensure Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students who experience uncivil faculty behaviors in United States nursing programs. The literature points to a wide range of faculty behaviors that nursing students experience as incivility. However, little data was found in the literature regarding REM prelicensure ADN or BSN students’ experiences with nurse faculty incivility. Purposive snowball sampling was used to recruit 10 REM currently enrolled junior and senior prelicensure ADN and BSN students who experience …

Latino Parent-Daughter Relationships: Educational Motivation And Persistence In High School To Community College Transition, Marlen Vasquez

Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a qualitative exploration of the experiences of Latina daughters of immigrant parents during the critical transition from high school to community college. Focusing on the role that Latino parents have in affecting their daughters' educational motivation and persistence, the research employed semi-structured, in-depth interviews with Generation 1.5 (immigrated to the U.S. as children or youth) or second-generation (born in the U.S. to immigrant parents) Latina daughters. The interviews allowed for a comprehensive examination of the complex factors affecting these young women's educational journeys. These experiences did not occur in isolation. In addition to struggling with emergent ethnic, …