Digital Commons Network^™

Using Randomization To Compare Ai And Expert-Generated Formative Assessment Questions In Medical Education, Akshat Kumar, Katie Stinson, Litao Wang, Elizabeth Nugent, Yongsu Lee, Mark Hormann, Latanya Jones Love, Toufeeq Ahmed Syed

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: AI-generated content is being used across the education spectrum and is beneficial for creating complex multiple-choice questions, such as those used in medical education. However, evaluating AI-generated content is challenging, and existing testing and evaluation methods are falling short. This study uses randomization to compare medical students' performance on and subjective evaluation of AI versus expert-generated questions. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in student performance or subjective evaluation of AI vs expert-generated questions.

Methods: We designed a single-center, randomized study where medical student participants received either one AI- or expert-generated question per day over four weeks. …

Student Senate Meeting Minutes September 23, 2026, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for September 23, 2026.

Understanding Career Path Decisions: Student Perceptions Of Working In School-Based Slp Settings, Joanna Scoggins, Michelle Jordan, Suzanne M. Adlof

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Currently, in many parts of the United States, there are dire shortages of SLPs working in school-based settings (ASHA 2024; Edgar & Rosa-Lugo, 2007).  While the perceptions of school-based SLPs have been explored (Edgar & Rosa-Lugo 2007; Marante & Farquharson, 2021), there has been little work on the perceptions of students that lead toward their choice of career path. The current study aimed to gather information on SLP student perceptions to determine: 1) How do graduate students perceive working in a school setting as an SLP compared to other employment settings? 2) How do student perceptions and career intentions change …

Best Practices For Supporting Occupational Therapy Students With Disabilities During Clinical Education: Results From A Three-Round Delphi Study, Courtney Gohean, Katie Mclaughlin, Aster Harrison

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Disabled occupational therapy students face systemic barriers in clinical education. Although legal mandates require reasonable accommodations, implementation is often inconsistent, and few standardized guidelines exist for fieldwork education. This study is aimed at establishing best practices for supporting occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students with disabilities during fieldwork.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three-round Delphi study was conducted with a panel of 30 experts, including disabled occupational therapy students, disabled occupational therapy practitioners, academic fieldwork coordinators (AFWCs), fieldwork educators (FWEs), disability services staff, and researchers. In Round 1, participants answered open-ended questions about challenges, accommodations, and environmental supports. Responses …

Standardized Training Methodologies For Medical Laboratory Science Students And Their Importance For Student Success, Maria Simpson

Medical Laboratory Science Independent Study Projects

Clinical education is a critical component of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programs, serving as the primary bridge between academic instruction and professional practice. However, traditional clinical rotation training models often struggle to keep pace with rapid advancements in laboratory technology, expanding professional responsibilities, workforce shortages, and heightened patient safety expectations. The purpose of this capstone project is to examine the key factors driving the need to update training methodologies in MLS clinical rotations and to evaluate contemporary educational approaches that better prepare students for entry-level practice. This project addresses systemic challenges faced by clinical laboratories, such as staffing constraints, heavy …

A Phenomenological Study On Secondary School Leadership Perceptions Of Self Efficacy Based On Student Vaping Infractions, Tara N. Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The intent of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore how secondary school leadership perceive their self-efficacy in regard to overseeing student vaping infractions. Youth vaping has grown in the past few years, leading to an increased presence in school communities. Adolescents are faced with electronic vaping through a variety of interactions during the school day, expanding on opportunities to vape. In response o the uptick in “at-school” vaping, secondary school leaders are now tasked with responding to this growing influx in addition to other duties and demands within their job role. In addition to overseeing disciplinary measures for students …

Exploring Student And Faculty Perspectives On Professionalism In Occupational Therapy Education, Mary Roduta Roberts, Jilaine Barton, Amy Janzen, Carolina Johnson, Lauren Painchaud

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The development of professionalism is critical for occupational therapy (OT) students to become competent occupational therapists. This paper reports on the first phase of a multi-phase project to develop and pilot a situational judgement test to support teaching, learning, and development of professionalism in an OT program. The purpose of this study was to explore faculty and students’ perspectives on professionalism and OT. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were completed with students (n = 18) and faculty (n = 4). The main insights shared included challenges in defining professionalism in OT, the importance of context, and differing perspectives on the effectiveness of …

Application Of Assistive Technologies And Rendering Assistive Services To Students With Special Needs By Federal University Libraries: A Survey, Emmanuel Chidiadi Onwubiko

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The world as of today, is being said to be witnessing what one may tagged a technological revolution as never before and is transforming for the better, the future of global education in which case, every learner is considered. These newly created technological tools and plans did place librarians as information managers and digital literacy drivers in better position to come up with environments that are inclusive for all learners to achieve their desired goals. The study therefore is a survey on the application of assistive technologies and rendering assistive services to students with special needs by federal universities libraries …

Building An Academic Tenacity Scale For Students In Some Faculties Of Physical Education And Sports Science, Khaldoun Hamad Ali Hussein, Saad Abbas Abd

Modern Sport

This study aimed to develop an academic tenacity scale for students in Faculties of Physical Education and Sport Sciences and to identify their level of academic tenacity. Given the theoretical and practical nature of study in these faculties, which may influence students' academic engagement, and the lack of standardized tools to measure this construct in the field, the need emerged to develop a valid and reliable measurement instrument and to answer the main research question: Is it possible to develop a scientific tool to measure academic tenacity among students in some Faculties of Physical Education and Sport Sciences. The researchers …

The Gut Microbiome, The Gut-Brain Axis, And College Student Well-Being, Idi Mckay

University Honors Theses

This literature review examines how diet, stress, environmental exposure, and food accessibility may influence college students' mental health and academic performance through the gut microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA). Current microbiome research often focuses on early childhood development, clinical disease populations, or older adults, while overlooking college-age students who experience significant social, environmental, and biological transitions. College students frequently face food insecurity, irregular eating patterns, chronic stress, inconsistent sleep schedules, and reduced access to nutrient-dense foods, all of which may influence microbial diversity and overall gut health.

This thesis explores how modern campus environments and lifestyle factors may contribute …

Disability Experiences Of University Students: An Interview Study, Cece Austin

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores the experiences of college/university students with disabilities within the educational system. Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with students who identify as disabled or having disabilities in order to explore impacts of disability on their lives, with a focus on experiences navigating academic environments and accessing accommodations. Findings revealed two recurring themes: 1) the importance of both registered accommodations and accessibility efforts from faculty, and 2) difficulties with accommodations, internalized ableism, and disclosure. This research contributes to broader discussions on disability, inclusion, and educational equity by highlighting the lived experiences of students with disabilities …

Exploring The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Dorothy Elaine Rolling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the role of self-efficacy for nursing students whose primary language was not English and who were enrolled in higher education in the northeastern area of the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory on self-efficacy. The major tenets of the self-efficacy theory aligned with the metaparadigm of nursing (person, health, environment, nursing) and with the study’s focus, which was to explore how English as a second language (ESL) nursing students could successfully complete the registered nursing program at an institution of higher learning. The central research question was: …

Experiences Of Perceived Sexism Among Female Doctoral Counselor Education Students, Laura Smestad, Keiko Sano

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of sexism among female counselor education and supervision doctoral students. Fourteen participants completed a semi-structured interview. The following themes were identified: in-class experiences of sexism, intersection of gender and other identities, power differentials, exclusion, female networks, silence, lack of university support, and self-minimization.

A Survey Of Health Professions Learners’ Attitudes Towards Social Media In Medical Education: A Substance Use Disorders Education Case Study, Gregory A. Jaffe, Sarah Lawson, William Leach, Mallika Kodavatiganti, Erin Avanzato, Katherine Fesperman, Heather Klusaritz

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Social media is a ubiquitous part of the modern world and plays a key role in the dissemination of information. While utilizing social media for educational purposes has been repeatedly demonstrated as feasible, it has been underutilized in medical education and remains a critical opportunity to integrate microlearning and stigma reduction curricula.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on social media usage, attitudes, and beliefs was sent to medical and nursing students at two large academic institutions within Philadelphia. Descriptive statistics are reported, and non-parametric tests were utilized for exploratory analyses.

RESULTS: Health learners were low consumers of social media, reporting …

Ideas For Learning Newsletter: Mid May '26, Iwasaki Library

IDEAS for Learning Newsletters

This special edition IDEAS for Learning Newsletter reached the faculty of Emerson College on May 11th, 2026. This is the first and only published issue of May 2026. This is the sixteenth issue of the third volume. It includes various AI topics and was created with the help of Brooke Knight. It opens with a letter from Brooke to the faculty with quick access to resources: a course AI policies guide, AI training videos, and a list of campus partners. The first story in the newsletter encourages faculty to set some sort of AI guidelines in their classroom and to …

2026 Spring Commencement Program: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Spring 2026 commencement program. Commencement was on Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, 2026.

During the Commencement event, a complete list of graduates was provided online. This program was not published during the Commencement event. This digital copy is maintained in the repository for archival purposes.

Descriptive Analysis: Effects Of Insufficient Sleep Among College Students Ages 18-22, Divine Ighalo

Honors Theses

Background: Not getting enough sleep is common among college students and is often linked to habits such as screen time, caffeine intake, stress, and irregular routines. This study examined how these lifestyle factors are associated with insufficient sleep among college students ages 18-22 and how poor sleep affects their overall wellbeing. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data through an anonymous 25 question online Qualtrics questionnaire. This was completed by 150 participants. The survey was designed to be completed in about 5-7 minutes. It included a mix of multiplechoice questions, frequency-based responses and select all that …

Jessica Heinsch Honors Portfolio, Jessica Heinsch

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Jessica Heinsch's honors capstone portfolio captured in May 2026.

Engaging College Students With Eating Disorder Symptoms In Digital Mental Health Interventions, Emily Judd

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Background: Most college students with elevated eating disorder (ED) symptoms do not receive mental health treatment. These students commonly report preference for self-management and lack of perceived need for therapy as barriers to seeking help and engaging with mental health services. Screening surveys and digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) may help address these perceived barriers to treatment. Evidence suggests that DMHIs can be effective at reducing ED symptoms. However, student engagement (e.g., uptake and adherence) with DMHIs is low, which significantly limits their effectiveness. Objective: We adapted an engagement strategy for DMHIs, known as the Supporting Technology Engagement for Prevention …

Attendance, Engagement, And Community Building: Supporting Unhoused 6th Grade Girls Through Leadership Program, Efren A. Duarte

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Unhoused youth experience higher rates of chronic absenteeism, heightened by lack of support and student engagement. The project objective was to improve school attendance in the participants and see a positive shift in student engagement. This took place at the Family Resource Center at Sherwood Elementary in Salinas, California. The participants involved in the program were 19 6th-grade girls, with 13 of those being youth facing some form of housing insecurity issue. The program consisted of 9 sessions teaching leadership skills as well as allowing students to work as a team and share their experiences with other unhoused students. The …

Improving Attendance: A Data Analysis On The Salinas City Elementary School District Initiative, Andy S. Yanes-Majano

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Chronic absenteeism is a significant challenge for the Salinas City Elementary School District (SCESD). The SCESD has a high rate of chronic absenteeism on Mondays and Fridays especially surrounding a holiday or three day weekend. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. Missing school at a young age can lead to poor academic outcomes while increasing dropout risk. To combat this, the SCESD created an Initiative called Power Day. Power Day is an effort where schools offer incentives to encourage students to arrive on time …

Addressing College Students Stress Through Coping Strategies, Daisy Valdez Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

College students often experience stress due to time management, responsibilities, and finances. This stress can negatively impact them by leading to mental health issues and affecting their academic performance. This capstone focuses on creating a plan in which students are able to handle stressful situations and have greater awareness of stress. The workshop taught students about common stress factors, the impact they have on students, how to manage negative thoughts, and coping strategies. Participants completed activities such as creating their own stress bubbles, a negative and helpful thought worksheet, and a Kahoot quiz on coping skills. Results showed that students …

Kiera Laney Honors Portfolio, Kiera Laney

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Kiera Laney's honors capstone portfolio captured in May 2026.

Jenna Shoultz-Thao Honors Portfolio, Jenna Shoultz-Thao

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Jenna Shoultz-Thao's honors capstone portfolio captured in May 2026.

Bethel Zegeye Honors Portfolio, Bethel Zegeye

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Bethel Zegeye's honors capstone portfolio captured in May 2026.

Addressing Chronic Absenteeism In Unhoused Elementary Youth Through Leadership Training, Jocelyn Ornelas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Outreach groups and after-school programs have been shown to contribute positive reinforcement and guidance to students who suffer from chronic absenteeism. The Salinas City Elementary School District Family Resource Center at Sherwood Elementary School provides resources to homeless and foster families. Several facilitators began conducting an outreach group with the sixth-grade unhoused population. Sessions were focused on spreading leadership knowledge surrounding the transition from elementary school to middle school. Expected outcomes included increased student leadership knowledge and overall attendance through observations, data collection, and feedback. At the conclusion of the program, 68% of the participants experienced an increase in their …

Navigating Higher Education: Waves Of Success Mentorship Initiative, Roberto M. Davila

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many undocumented students and students from mixed-status backgrounds face obstacles and don’t receive enough support while navigating higher education. Undocu-Success at CSUMB orients its services to meet the needs of undocumented students and students with mixed-status backgrounds. In collaboration with Undocu-Success Center staff, the Waves of Success mentorship initiative is a new resource to increase students' preparedness during their academic journey and increase awareness of resources accessible to CSUMB students through mentor-mentee relationships. The capstone project was to create a new program which involved conducting research, recruitment, management, and building campus partnerships. Evaluation included an interview conducted with the …

Impact Of Nutrition Programs In Schools On The Well-Being Of Elementary School Students, Sophia Perea Manriquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone explores the impact of school-based nutrition programs on the well-being of elementary school students. This research draws on the experiences and perspectives of four teachers, one principal, and three food service staff members who provide insight into how these programs are implemented and perceived within the school environment. Through the use of literature review and surveys the findings indicate the importance of school nutrition programs and the value of children having access to healthy, nutritious food, which is important for their learning and academic success. Therefore, schools should recognize the importance of nutrition programs and continue to …

Belongingness And Motivation Among College Students, Noah Seiter

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background/Introduction: Student motivation is influenced by a plethora of variables and factors in educational settings which include the student’s sense of belongingness; however, belonging is often treated as a single construct rather than a dimensional idea. This study addresses the need to differentiate student belongingness into its distinct components of peer belonging and institutional belongingness and examine their unique contributions to levels of student motivation in the collegiate level. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine this distinction between levels of institutional belongingness and peer belongingness as well as their independent and collective influences on motivation among college …

The Biased Divide: Perceptions And Challenges Of Esports Within Universities, Alexzandra O'Neal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how institutional framing and student motivations influence the development and perception of collegiate Esports programs within higher education. The research explores how Esports is positioned as either a legitimate academic and competitive pursuit or a low-priority extracurricular activity, and how these perceptions impact program growth and student experience. This non-traditional thesis is presented as a documentary film utilizing a qualitative, semi-structured interview methodology. Data were collected through interviews with students, faculty, and program leaders, focusing on a comparative analysis between University of Oklahoma and University of Arkansas. Findings indicate that institutional support and framing play a significant …