Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Gifted Children, Justin Burgess, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Children can be gifted in a variety of different areas, including musical talent, athleticism, and artistic ability among others. The focus of this entry will be solely on those children who are gifted in intellectual ability and academic achievement. Identification of intellectual giftedness usually requires an individually administered intelligence test, achieving a Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) of 130 or higher, which is a threshold that dates back to Lewis Terman’s research at Stanford in the early to mid 20th century. Although this seems like an arbitrary score, an IQ score of 130 and above is where an individual scores two …

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 …

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 …

Interventional Education Program Improves Family Nurse Practitioner Students' Knowledge Of Heart Disease Prevention Practices: Lead With The Heart Dnp Project, Ava Hatfield-Lomache

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Heart disease is a major clinical problem in the U.S. today, and it continues to be costly to American lives, healthcare expenditures, and the U.S. economy. Heart disease prevention is key to affecting positive change. The Doctor of Nursing Practice project was designed to create awareness and an education-based platform for heart disease prevention. The heart disease interventional educational program was delivered to students enrolled in a university’s family nurse practitioner program. The project included a pre-test survey, a podcast series, a post-test survey, and a handout. The project focused on heart disease prevention methods, causes, and disease processes associated …

The Effect Of Patient-Centered Discharge Instructions In Reducing 30-Day Readmission Rates In Heart Failure Patients, Ashley Spiering

Nursing Capstones

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospital readmissions, with nearly one in four patients experiencing rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge. Readmissions within this timeframe present a significant clinical and economic challenge for patients and healthcare services. Reducing 30-day readmissions has become a central goal for hospitals aiming to improve patient outcomes and minimize financial burdens.

Purpose: To evaluate whether patient-centered discharge instructions are an effective tool in reducing 30-day readmission rates for patients with HF.

Method: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and CINAHL databases. Keywords such as heart failure, readmission, education, discharge, and instructions …

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 …

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 …

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, …

Obstacles To Integrating Deterrence, Jeffrey A. Larsen, James J. Wirtz

Joint Force Quarterly

Integrated deterrence is a concept introduced by the Biden administration in 2022 that calls for a whole-of-government, whole-of-alliance approach to deterrence. It responds to an increasingly complex world with new warfare domains, new and emerging technologies, highly sophisticated weaponry, and multiple regional and global actors, including two peer nuclear competitors. Nevertheless, the concept remains vague, especially when it comes to who is responsible for its implementation. This article describes the conceptual, organizational, and operational obstacles and considerations likely to be encountered by the effort to integrate deterrence. It concludes with some recommendations for operationalizing the concept across the US government …

Haunted Savannah: Dark Tourism And The Afterlives Of Slavery, Amelie Pelletier

Madison Historical Review

This paper examines the transformation of places associated with slavery in Savannah, Georgia into central sites of tourism, particularly focusing on the rise of ghost tours. The Sorrel-Weed House, a mid-19th century mansion, epitomizes this phenomenon, where historical narratives intertwine with paranormal allure to attract visitors. Despite lacking historical basis, stories like that of Molly, allegedly a slave involved in a tragic affair, are crafted to captivate tourists. This paper explores how the Savannah tourism industry obscures the unsettling histories of these sites in favor of Southern opulence and spooky intrigue. It investigates the commodification of slave narratives as ghostly …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Firefighter Knowledge Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors And Prevention, Scott Richardson, Andrew Haight, Kassandra Sanchez, Madison Jepperson, Kelsey Houston, Lauren Schembs

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Organized firefighting began in ancient Rome in 300BC, with the first fire engines in the 17^th century. Modern firefighters face extreme personal risk, responding to emergency situations and providing life-saving public support. Cardiovascular disease events account for 45% of on-duty fatalities among firefighters. Cardiovascular health in firefighters is not only important for immediate job performance but also for long-term health. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of an educational intervention to influence firefighter knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and prevention. Method: A literature review determined that cardiovascular health was the leading knowledge deficit among firefighters …

Personal Narrative As Pedagogy: A Model For Socially Responsive Narrative-Based Education In Occupational Therapy, Johnna Belkiewitz, Sally Wasmuth

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The practice of occupational therapy relies on the collection and analysis of life narratives to provide responsive client-centered care. As developing holistic practitioners, occupational therapy students are taught to consider these shared stories within a larger context of historical and societal systems by acknowledging such factors as social determinants of health. Case studies are a frequently used tool to teach these skills; however, evidence supports that the identities of these educational stories’ authors can influence which perspectives are shared and, ultimately, impact developing occupational therapists’ perpetuation of or opposition to existing systems of oppression. Critical Race Theory and qualitative methodology …

The Neonatal Care Project: Empowering Parents Through Education And Support, Waverleigh Jenkins

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and provide an informational and evidence-based resource for parents to utilize after discharge from the Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital (SJCH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). An in-depth needs assessment showed a need for increased parental support and better resources to improve parent mental health outcomes due to feelings of unpreparedness following a NICU stay. To support this goal, and in collaboration with the occupational therapy team at SJCH, two informational websites were created, one in English and the other in Spanish. The website is entitled “The Neonatal Care Project” and contains …

Forever Tree, Alyse A. Petersen

Healy Poetry Prize

No abstract provided.

Future Of Academic Libraries And Lis Professionals In India, Vinayak Savatagi, Umesha Naik

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Libraries authentically and authoritatively acquire, process, conserve, and make knowledge of all human endeavours accessible to all, regardless of sex, status, religion, race, or colour. Serving the information needs of its users & society as a whole is its principal function. Academic libraries & LIS professionals in India are going through a major transition because of new technology, changing user expectations, & different ways of teaching. In this study, we take a look at what the future holds for university libraries and the people who work in them. Digital curation, data management, or IT expertise are becoming increasingly important for …

Another Gap On The Rota: A Scoping Review Of Attrition From Specialty Training In Secondary Care, Hannah Gillespie, Megan E.L. Brown, Nicola Brennan, Bryan Burford, Gillian Vance

Peninsula Medical School

Background The healthcare workforce is in crisis. Despite a competitive selection process, a substantial number of doctors leave specialty training (ST) programmes prematurely. This attrition causes increased costs for the National Health Service, exacerbates workforce shortages and threatens quality and safety of care. It also increases pressure on trainees who remain, further compounding the risk of attrition. There is an urgent need to understand why doctors leave ST in order to find ways to maintain the training pipeline from ST to consultant. Objectives We aimed to understand what is known about why doctors choose to leave ST programmes in secondary …

The Succession Plan: Using Competency-Based Curriculums To Educate A New Generation Of Nurse Leaders, Cheryl Green, Evelyn Jacovino Msn, Rn, Cmsnl, Beth Boyd Dnp, Rn, Cne, Amy Ashman Msn, Rn, John Cooper Rn, Michele Velush Bsn, Rn, Pccn

Posters

Framework:

The guiding framework for this study was Mentoring Up (Hale & Phillips, 2019), a grounded theory of nurse-to-nurse mentoring. The Mentoring Up Theory identifies five phases of mentoring: seeding, opening, laddering, equalizing, and reframing.

“Like A Fish Being Judged By My Ability To Fly”: Barriers To Accessibility In Postgraduate Study, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This research paper explores the unique accessibility challenges faced by disabled postgraduate students and what can be done to address them. Testimonies and formal studies alike show how disabled graduate students have to deal with stigmatizing attitudes from their instructors (especially if they hold intersectional marginalized identities) on top of systemic barriers such as strict deadlines, unsustainably heavy workloads, inaccessible travel requirements, and disability services that are not suited to undergraduate needs. These problems are especially prominent in medical school where demands on time and energy are especially rigorous. To address these issues, disability service programs must be reformed to …

The Impact Of Equine-Assisted Services Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Caitlyn Espinosa

Capstone Projects

The topic of this capstone project is the role of occupational therapy in Equine-Assisted Services. This field is currently dominated by physical therapy because occupational therapists report a lack of knowledge and training involving this unique treatment strategy. Another common issue for equine-assisted programs is funding because insurance often denies coverage for these unique and expensive services. Therefore, objectives for this project include development of three educational visuals, submission of three grant proposals, completion of two continuing education opportunities, and service provision. Results of this project include educational visuals on (1) the basics of Equine-Assisted Services, (2) the impact of …

The Three Ps: Political Polarization, Perception, And Pedagogy, Tianka Renee Sheard Mitchell

Student Theses and Dissertations

Political polarization significantly impacts modern education, especially within social studies, where teachers confront sensitive issues in their curricula. This study addressed two research questions: RQ1 examined teachers’ perceptions of the influence of political polarization, and RQ2 explored how these perceptions affect their pedagogy. Through the lens of Reconstructionist Educational Theory, this research highlights the necessity for social studies education to cultivate critical thinking and civic engagement among students. The study aimed to determine whether social studies teachers modify their instructional approaches in response to political polarization, as avoiding "hard history" could jeopardize students’ critical thinking and cultural literacy. Participants shared …

What Happens When Teachers Explore Choice In Low-Choice Educational Environments? A Holistic Case Study On Classroom Autonomy., Jamie Renee Millican Johnson

Student Theses and Dissertations

Scripted curricula are standard in most classroom environments to provide classroom equity and standard alignment for student success. While scripted curricula are used in classrooms, student achievement is stagnant. The purpose of this holistic case study is to examine how teachers who work within the constraints of a mandated curriculum plan find and enact ways to offer students choices. It will assess whether teachers observe a shift in students’ attitudes, engagement, and motivation as their teachers participate in such work. This study will explore the significance of choice through nine teachers' experiences in book study sessions on classroom choice and …

Play With Purpose? Examining How Structured And Unstructured Play Shape Learning And Behavior In Elementary School, Izabela Gaworski

Honors Theses

This study explores various factors that impact elementary students' academic performance and behavior in Kentucky classrooms, with an emphasis on the effects of structured and unstructured breaks. This research analyzes key challenges and opportunities within the state's education system by examining the influence of physical activity, different types of play in classroom environments, structured/unstructured activity procedures, and instructional methods and perspectives on student outcomes. Surveys were distributed to educators from urban, suburban, and rural schools across Kentucky. Educators shared their perspectives on student engagement, classroom behavior, academic achievement, and the effectiveness of different instructional strategies through structured and unstructured play. …

Let's Talk Menopause, Aidee Moreno

Cohort XIII

Rio Bravo Medical Home is a primary care clinic in El Paso, TX. A portion of the patient

population consists of women seeking care for various health concerns, including menopausal

symptoms. The clinic lacks a standardized approach to menopause management, contributing to

delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and increased healthcare costs. Educating patients and

providers is crucial for improving symptom recognition and treatment.

This project aimed to introduce an evidence-based pamphlet to enhance patient identification and

education regarding menopause over six weeks. Women aged 40-55 in a primary care setting

participated in a pre- and post-education assessment. The pamphlet covered symptom

identification, …

Teaching As Advocacy: Bridging The Gap Between World Language Classrooms And Community, Xinquan Liu, Guy Trainin, Chunmei Guan, Hangxin Yu

Research and Evaluation in Education, Technology, Art, and Design

World Language education in the United States faces significant challenges, including declining enrollments and diminished community support. This paper introduces Teaching as Advocacy as a proactive framework to address these issues, proposing a mindset that integrates advocacy seamlessly into teaching practices. By leveraging community engagement and emphasizing "Connection" and "Community," the framework extends classroom learning into real-world contexts. Strategies such as cross-disciplinary collaborations, service-learning projects, partnerships with ethnic communities, and strategic use of social media amplify the impact of language education, demonstrating its value through tangible outcomes. This paper offers practical examples to showcase how Teaching as Advocacy revitalizes World …

Interprofessional Education And Collaboration In The Philippines: Current Landscape, Gaps, And Propositions, Arvie Vitente, Michael Sy, Reeva Ann Sumulong, Anna Causapin, Jocel Regino

Rehabilitation Sciences Department Faculty Articles

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a forward-looking strategy in healthcare education that unites students and professionals from various disciplines to enhance interprofessional collaboration (IPC). IPE is designed to prepare future health and social care professionals to navigate and address the complexities of modern healthcare systems. In the Philippines, despite being a developing country with a fragmented healthcare system, there have been efforts over the last 15 to 20 years to introduce and institutionalize IPE and IPC in both higher education and healthcare settings. However, significant challenges persist, including the dominance of medical professionals, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, and a lack of strong …

The Role Of Dialogue In Education Within A Divided Society, Tetta Askeland, Niesha Conely, Lance Davis, Kristen Fenlason, Mandy Fletcher, Allison Grainger, Britni Hardy, Anastasia Hodges, Kari Johns, Kateri Johnson, David Kline, Dillon Martinez, Jordan O'Connell, Michael Ongie, Alyssa Pape, Dawn Pereda, Lisa Schlosser, Rebecca R. Simataa, Scott H. Sorvaag, Ixchell L. Tolentino, Angelica Torralba-Olague, Nicholas Wysocki

Education Doctorate Books

In a world increasingly characterized by polarization and division, the need for meaningful dialogue and empathetic engagement is more urgent than ever. This compelling collection of essays, selected from doctoral students of the 2024 Winona State University’s Education Doctoral Program Residency, explores how education can respond to these challenges. The authors critically assess the current state of public discourse and propose ways that schools can serve as spaces for constructive, civil engagement. They examine the broader responsibilities of educators in bridging divides, fostering a culture of empathy, and listening. Through their reflections, these aspiring scholars encourage us to reconsider the …