Digital Commons Network^™

Leadership In Higher Education Instructional Design, Shihua Brazill, Travis N. Thurston, Pat Munday

Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Articles

No abstract provided.

Catalogs, 2025-2026, Anderson University - South Carolina

Catalogs

The 2025-2026 graduate & undergraduate academic catalog and introduction to the university.

From Paper To Pixels: How Covid-19 Changed Teachers’ Perspectives Toward Technology, Nora Knight

Honors Theses

As schools transitioned to virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers faced numerous instructional, technological, and emotional challenges. The purpose of this research study is to explore how K-5 elementary school teachers navigated the transition to remote instruction during all stages of the pandemic. Additionally, it examines teachers’ perspectives on technology integration in their classrooms throughout COVID-19, focusing on their preparedness, confidence, and instructional decision-making as they adapted to online teaching. A mixed-methods survey was distributed to 108 elementary school teachers in Madison County, Kentucky. The results revealed educators’ feelings and experiences with educational technology before, during, and after the …

Friend And Foe: Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized But Heavily Restricted, Monica Ronkainen

Honors Theses

Marijuana legalization has become prevalent in the United States, sparking discussion about the positive and negative effects of marijuana and marijuana legalization. Although the legality of marijuana has varied in the past, many states are passing legislation that attempts to address the negative and positive effects of legalization and form policies that keep communities safe. Current research clearly indicates harmful effects of marijuana use, including driving under the influence, undesirable later-life circumstances, cognitive deficits, mental health issues, and developmental issues resulting from marijuana use during pregnancy. Marijuana use and legalization also have benefits, including advanced treatment of medical issues, decreases …

Curiosity, Intention, And Reflection On Teaching And Learning Edps 967 Motivation In Education: A Teaching Portfolio, Mary G. Zeleny

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

The intention of this course portfolio is to reflectively explore more deeply the teaching and learning of the Educational Psychology graduate course, EDPS 967- Motivation in Education. This course provides a foundation of theories and concepts related to motivation from a psychological perspective, including the interrelatedness of affect and emotion, with an emphasis on the learning environment. The course focuses on different theories of motivation, motivation in education, and considering theoretical applications in education, as well as professionally and personally. The class explored motivation, including the impact of emotions in motivation, through reading, course activities, assignments, and discussion. Goals included …

Attachment Styles Connection To Teacher Burnout, Erica Jaeschke

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Teacher burnout has become a concern, as teachers are leaving the classroom more frequently than in the past. A teacher's attachment may be associated with the development and persistence of teacher burnout. The problem with this topic is that teachers are leaving the classroom at alarming rates, which is problematic because schools will not have the support they need to educate future generations. This study aims to determine whether teacher burnouts are associated with specific attachment theories. A quantitative method was employed through voluntary survey questions, and 18 teachers participated.

An Animal Interest Approach Method As A Gateway To A One Health Educated Pipeline, Meghan C. Wulster-Radcliffe, Sarah A. Reed, James N. Macleod, Rebekah B. Epps, J. Scott Radcliffe, Robert J. Coleman, Steven A. Zinn

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Inspiring Girls To Fill The Blank Space In Stem: The Impact Of An After-School Coding And Robotics Club On Elementary Female Students' Engagement And Self-Efficacy In Computer Science, Lisa Guenther Wilbanks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research was to describe how participation in an after-school coding and robotics program influenced elementary female students’ engagement and self-efficacy in computer science. According to a 2023 report from the National Science Foundation, in 2020 women earned only 21% of computer science degrees and 24% of engineering undergraduate degrees in the United States. As two of the fastest growing fields, the lack of female perspectives and experiences will continue to limit innovation in these areas. Studies show that gender gaps in engagement and self-efficacy in STEM begin long before students enter college and the workforce, …

Making Sense Of The Role Of Chatgpt In Education: An Examination Of Student Views In China, Italy, Kenya, Uruguay, And The U.S., Leopoldina Fortunati, Autumn P. Edwards, Weiming Ye, Anna Maria Manganelli, Chad Edwards, Soledad Caballero, Lusike Mukhongo, Giovanni Ferrin

Human-Machine Communication

This article investigates the diffusion and adoption of ChatGPT among college students from a multinational convenience sample, informed by the scholarly literature on the diffusion and progressive appropriation of ChatGPT by students and teachers within the education sector and the strategies adopted by academic institutions. We applied a figurational approach to this study, offering two theses that try to understand the societal meaning of ChatGPT diffusion in the educational sector. Operationally, we explored university students’ behavioral intentions, practices of use, and opinions toward ChatGPT in five countries (China, Italy, Kenya, Uruguay, and the United States of America) through an online …

Sustainability In Dentistry.. Rosy Dreams Or Attainable Reality?, Rim Wally

COP30

The dental sector is a significant carbon emitter globally, with each clinic emitting the same emissions as multiple cars do over a year, and each visit contributing tangible environmental impacts. The biggest emitters are patient and staff travel, clinic utilities, and supply chain activities like single-use plastics. Despite this extensive contribution, there is still low dental awareness. That is why this policy briefing includes a framework for integrating oral health with environmental sustainability aims, foregrounding multi-stakeholder engagement and using the UK as a case study. Climate literacy and dental education reform are the most significant and recommended basis for starting …

Exploring Teachers’ Self-Perceptions: A Case Study Unraveling The Influence Of Professional Learning On Practice, Lindsay Goldsmith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand how professional development affects elementary educators' self-perceptions in the K-12 setting within American schools overseas. The theory guiding this study was Jack Mezirow’s theory on transformative learning as it explains the relationship between learning and practice. How do overseas teachers' engagement in professional learning activities contribute to transformative learning experiences, and how does the social learning context influence the development of their teaching practices? The present study utilized a case-study approach to explore how current teachers perceive their practice is affected by professional learning. Interviews, surveys, and document analysis were used …

Psychological Safety And Its Impact On Teacher And Staff Morale, Yvonne R. Crace

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Psychological safety is a concept that has been around since 1965. Psychological safety exists when employees feel safe to share their ideas and opinions without fear of retaliation, retribution, or belittlement. Studies on psychological safety have mainly focused on businesses and corporations and work team learning behaviors. In recent years, it has become evident that psychological safety is needed in additional types of industries, including all stages of education, from primary to graduate school. In education, teachers and staff often feel isolated and have concerns about voicing their opinions which creates relational stress and conflict, thus lowering staff morale. This …

Patient Education Following Acute Stroke And Transient Ischemic Attack, Elizabeth Amma Vincent

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Background: Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), have an increasing impact on society through medical costs, low wages, and the burden on society and individuals. To prevent stroke or TIA reoccurrence, education needs to be accessible and presented in a way that gives patients the tools needed to make necessary lifestyle changes and recognize signs and symptoms of when to seek medical attention.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if providing an educational program on stroke and transient ischemic attack resulted in increased knowledge about the importance of adopting lifestyle behaviors following stroke or transient ischemic attack, …

"The One Bright Spot Where All Else Is Dark And Hopeless." Images Of Class, Race And Culture In Britain's Imperial Education System During The Nineteenth Century, Jeff Grooms

The Ozark Historical Review

This paper outlines the ideologies that underpin the language of education, and the relationship between this language and educational policy in Britain and abroad. These topics illustrate that the abstraction of ‘civilization,’ and the themes of ‘darkness’ and ‘light’ that surround it, are an essential part of how nineteenth century sociocultural relations should be studied.

Promising Strategies For Impacting Youth Development Systems From Christian Summer Camps, Rachael Botting, Jacob Sorenson, Karen K. Melton, Rob Ribbe Dr.

Journal of Youth Development

As research on summer camp continues to expand and both scholars and practitioners gain a better understanding of the impact of the experience, it has become important to explore how the experience of summer camp is connected to the larger ecology of youth development. This study explores strategies of Christian summer camps for impacting faith in the home through interviews with 20 Christian summer camp leaders across three faith-based camping organizations: Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA), Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM), and United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries (UMCRM). Using semi-structured interviews and an appreciative inquiry approach, this study identified …

Quality Improvement Project The Role Of Targeted Education And Its Impact On Self-Efficacy And Cognitive Impairment Recognition Among Medical Assistants, Jicky Guzman

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Primary care teams develop lasting relationships with patients that can reveal subtle cognitive changes during routine visits (e.g., identity verification and brief mobility checks). Yet, cognitive decline often goes unnoticed and poorly documented, which can lead to delayed care. This quality improvement (QI) project addressed a gap in the detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), among frontline staff. It assessed whether an educational intervention could improve self-efficacy in recognizing early cognitive impairment, measured by the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Guided by Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and Lewin’s change model, a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study was conducted at …

Balancing Acts: Student Rights, Parental Authority, And State Interests In Modern Sex Education, Linda S. Anderson

Marquette Benefits and Social Welfare Law Review

The article explores the complex interplay between parental rights, state authority, and student interests in the context of sex education in American public schools. It highlights the ongoing tension between abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education approaches, emphasizing the need for a student-centric framework that balances the rights and responsibilities of all stakeholders. The current legal landscape is examined through historical development, seminal court decisions, and recent legislative trends. Empirical evidence is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education in promoting public health and supporting adolescents' development. The article advocates for a framework that incorporates student autonomy, age-appropriate content, …

Good Vibrations: Folk Circles As Communication Environments, Missy Alexander

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

For over 25 years, I have participated in the creation of music and community through what are commonly called folk circles. Typically run as monthly gatherings, participants who range from complete beginners to seasoned pros, join together and share their favorite songs. These environments have clearly defined rules for participation (although rarely stated overtly), a strong ethos of mutual support, and frequently function as a path to friendships for people new to a community. This essay examines the folk circle as a communication environment and posits an explanation of why it is impervious to digital invasions.

Educator Perceptions Of Devops Teaching Recommendations And Their Alignment With Common Challenges, Marcelo Romulo Fernandes, Pablo Paiva, Samuel Lucas De Moura Ferino, Roberta Coelho, Christoph Treude, Eduardo Aranha, Uirá Kulesza

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

DevOps education presents unique pedagogical challenges due to the diversity of tools, rapid technological change, and the multidisciplinary nature of the field. Although previous work has proposed recommendations to address these challenges, it is unclear how educators perceive these recommendations and whether they align with the challenges encountered in practice. In this paper, we present a quantitative and qualitative methods study involving 11 DevOps educators who interacted with Improve, a tool that presents a curated set of educational challenges and recommendations derived from previous literature. Educators indicated which recommendations they already use, which they intend to use, and which challenges …

Native Spaces: The Struggle For Colleges To Incorporate Native Frameworks Into Curriculums, Eleanor A. Gelb

Honors Scholar Theses

Out of the thousands of universities in America, there are only thirty-seven Native American Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTIs), schools with ten percent or more of the total student population being of Native American descent. While many typical American colleges offer courses on Native American history for students with Native American studies majors and minors, the students involved in these programs are often taught through the lens of traditional schooling, which negates the full effectiveness of these classes. Native leaders across the country are pushing for Native frameworks to be adopted by universities so that past and contemporary Native histories may …

Troubling Trigger Warnings: Toward An Informed Praxis Of Care Within Intercollegiate Forensics, Grace P. Smith, Mallory L. Marsh

Studies in Debate and Oratory

In light of widespread (mis)use of trigger warnings, content warnings, and content notes in intercollegiate competitive speech, in this essay we interrogate the implementation of these devices and propose an intervention to ensure the activity moves toward a better-informed praxis to accomplish its goal of community care. By identifying the activity’s current propensity for misused warnings, missed messages, a misrepresentation of safety, and misguided performances, our intervention aspires to ensure these important warnings are more thoughtfully employed so as to limit potential harm to our messages, our community members, our activity, and our collective educational aim toward advocacy.

The Impact Of Cello Training On Spatial Orientation Abilities In Adult Learners, Circe Diaz Gamero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Academic discourse lacks exploration of the effects that musical training during adulthood has on spatial orientation abilities through their connection between cognitive science and music education. This study seeks to address this knowledge gap through research that evaluates cello training effects on spatial orientation abilities in adult learners. The rising interest in non-medicine-based methods for brain function improvement and recovery establishes the urgent need to research possible cognitive advantages that occur when adults participate in music education. This research study adopted a convergent mixed-methods approach that studied adults with minimal musical background in an eight-week structured cello training program, aiming …

Comparing The Effects Of Numerical Versus Syllable-Based Pedagogy On Kindergarten Academics, Tocorey C. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of numerically based and syllable-based pedagogical approaches on kindergarten students in a school located in Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida. The Kodály Method, a well-established and effective music education strategy, offers numerous classroom benefits. Teachers can utilize both numerically based and syllable-based approaches within the Kodály framework. However, additional data are required to ascertain whether these approaches can enhance academic performance among kindergarten students. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of syllable-based music training on kindergarten reading scores and numerical-based music training on kindergarten math scores. The initial …

A Phenomenological Qualitative Study: The Lived Experiences Of Women Diagnosed With Substance Use Disorders And The Stigma Associated With Their Disorder, Emily E. Fitzgerald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of women with the stigma of being diagnosed with substance use disorders within the Northeastern United States. Women diagnosed with substance use disorders who experience significant barriers to recovery were defined as a vulnerable population that experiences significant adversities and hardships navigating stigma and the wellness process. Substance use disorders have been a rising public health issue that affect millions of Americans across the United States, and societal and self-perceived stigma have continued to mitigate recovery efforts and individuals’ access to treatment and healthcare. This study focused …

Awake And Alive: An Investigation Into Content For A Music Course Incorporating The Sciences, Harrison Boraas

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative, instrumental case study was to identify the content for an interdisciplinary course about music and the brain that educates collegiate students about the benefits of lifelong music engagement. Despite increasing awareness of musical relevance to the human brain, many institutions of higher learning continue to teach music as its isolated area of study without connecting it to other fields that could benefit from incorporating it or vice versa. The sample size consisted of four to seven experts that were either community experts or Liberty University faculty in the fields of science, medicine, or music within …

Exploring The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Biblical Organizational Culture Of A K-12 School In Kansas, Michael Jacob Wiebe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative research design was to understand the lived experiences of K-12 Christian school teachers regarding the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the biblical organizational culture of a school in Wichita, Kansas. A qualitative interview methodology was utilized for teachers to answer questions pertaining to their own experiences in changes within the school, the school’s environment, and the school’s level of involvement in a biblical culture during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed to understand the effects and the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has had on K-12 Christian school biblical organizational culture, …

Evaluating Mental Health Providers’ Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Stigma Among Teenagers Aged 13 To 19 Years With Mental Illness, Fredrica Murray-Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Limited knowledge and poor attitudes among mental health providers contribute to stigma towards individuals with mental illness, adversely affecting treatment experience and outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving mental health providers’ knowledge and attitudes toward stigma-based practices. The clinical question stated: Among mental health providers, does an educational intervention, compared to standard practice, improve knowledge and attitudes of stigma and promote evidence-based care delivery to teenagers aged 13 to 19 with mental illness within six weeks? The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) was used as a framework for implementing this study. The quasi-experimental …

Accelerating The Fusion Workforce In The Usa, Carlos Paz-Soldan, Eva Belonohy, Troy Carter, Laleh E. Coté, Evdokiya Kostadinova, Calvin Lowe, Subash L. Sharma, Sybil De Clark, Jaydeep Deshpande, Kate Kelly, Bobbi Makani, David A. Schaffner, Kathreen E. Thome

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The fusion energy research and development landscape has seen significant advances in recent years, with important scientific and technological breakthroughs and a rapid rise of investment in the private sector. The workforce needs of the nascent fusion industry are growing at a rate that academic workforce development programs are not currently able to match. This paper presents the findings of the Workforce Accelerator for Fusion Energy Development Conference held in Hampton, Virginia, United States of America (USA), on 29-30 May 2024, which was funded by the National Science Foundation of the USA. A major goal of the conference was to …

Analyzing The Relationship Between Diabetes Duration And Self-Management In Adults With Diabetes, Caroline Noel Stroo

Master's Theses

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that affects 14.7% of adults in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Prevalence of diabetes increases with age, with rates for adults aged 65 and older reaching 29.2% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Factors such as age, race, obesity, physical activity level, and genetics strongly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, 2016). Diabetes requires complex and comprehensive management to reduce the risk of developing comorbidities (Al-Shabeeb et al., 2021). Factors such as education, familial support, …

Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Kyla Wright

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Identifying all learned ten competencies of social work incorporated into educational settings. Utilizing theoretical practices and an integrated, justified intervention for mental health success.