Digital Commons Network^™

An Instrumental Case Study Of The Student Perspective Of A Smart Phone Meditation App In Rural Virginia, James Allen Eggleston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to explore how an introduction of a mindfulness meditation app (Calm) affects students in rural Virginia. The theory that guided this study was that of emotional intelligence, popularized by the efforts of multiple researchers including Salovey and Mayer (1990), and Goleman (1995), as it may influence and be influenced by the specific characteristics observed (Brown, Ryan, & Creswell, 2007; Charoensukmongkol, 2014; Waters, Barsky, Ridd, & Allen, 2015). Data was collected from 12 students by way of multiple methods including interviews, focus groups, journaling, an art project, researcher reflections, and field notes. …

Teachers As Global Transformers•Engaging Students Through Culturally Responsive Actions, Ana I. Berdecia, Med;, Caitlin Kosec, Mpp;, Kamili O. Leath, Ms;, Ashley Reid, Ma, Mdiv

Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children

Each cohort began with professional development to provide instruction around cultural competency and how to incorporate cultural pedagogy into the classroom. During the professional development institute, participants had to fill out pre- and post-assessments that measured knowledge of the core program concepts. To measure comprehension of these concepts we utilized a rubric allowing responses to fit into four categories: basic, competent, proficient, and advanced.

Analyzation of the pre-and-post assessments concluded that participants improved their comprehension of the Institute’s core concepts over the course of the Learning Institute (21 hours of professional development). According to the pretests, participants from all three …

Information Literacy Skills As A Correlate To The Use Of Library Resources Among Polytechnic Students In Delta State Nigeria, Gabrieline Onyedikachi Obaro, Godstime Umusor

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examined information literacy skills as a correlate to the use of library resources among Polytechnic students in Delta State Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study aimed at determining the level of information literacy skills, ascertaining the extent to which the students information literacy skills affect their use of library resources, and finding out the relationship between information literacy skills and library resources among Polytechnic students in Delta State Nigeria. Two research questions were postulated, and one hypothesis tested for the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The Population of the study was 16,050 respondents …

Immediate Effects Of An Adlerian-Based Group Drumming Intervention On Mood And Social Interest Among College Students, Jon Sperry, Gerardo Casteleiro, Abbigail Rinard, Adrienne Apple, Julia Miller, Ashley Hayden

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Measuring The Impact Of Ict On Students’ Academic Performances: Evidence From Higher Educational Institutions Of The Remote Areas Of Pakistan, Shahzadi Humbhi, Shabbir Tareen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate students’ perceptions and attitudes towards the usage of ICT and its challenges in the higher educational institutions of Balochistan. A convenient sampling method was used to select 420 students from the top 6 higher educational institutions of Balochistan. Moreover, a Lickert-based closed-ended questionnaire was used for data collection purposes. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS Software. The results showed that 150 (39.5%) respondents were using ICT for academic events and 142 (37.4%) respondents were using ICT for their assignment completion. Furthermore, the study also highlighted some major challenges preventing students …

The Current: Orientation Issue - Volume 32 Issue 1, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Manipulatives In Math Education, Jade Monte

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Pre-existing literature has shown that the education system needs to re-evaluate mathematical teaching practices in a manner that can boost students’ confidence in mathematics. Thus, the research is to investigate the use of manipulatives in reducing students’ anxiety by increasing their learning experience and engagement in mathematics. Furthermore, the purpose of this thesis is to explain the interconnectedness of math manipulatives, student engagement, and problem-solving. An in-depth literature review is conducted, which contains definitions, important benefits and methodologies of manipulatives, as well as the teacher’s role regarding these three terms. When manipulatives, student engagement, and problem-solving are in harmony, students …

Anxiety In Elementary Classrooms, Stephanie Kane

Honors Program Theses and Projects

As the number of students with anxiety increases, elementary school professionals are becoming more aware of the signs, behaviors, and negative outcomes that are shown in a young student with anxiety. This study examined the impact that anxiety has on elementary students’ social and academic growth in the classroom. Interviews were conducted with seven elementary school teachers, two school counselors, and one school nurse from a variety of districts in Eastern Massachusetts. The purpose of the study was to identify the different ways that young students express their anxieties and the effect that this has on their schooling. Several different …

Learning Readiness As A Predictor Of Academic Resilience In Online Learning During School From Home, Maulana Rezi Ramadhana, Assas Putra, Twin Agus Pramonojati, Rizca Haqqu, Pradipta Dirgantara, Oki Achmad Ismail, Dimas Satrio Wijaksono

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Learning readiness is considered as a supporting factor in academic resilience. Since the situation of school closure and learning from home due to the COVID-19 pandemics, there have been changes in learning methods that require students to readily use online learning. Unfortunately, students' readiness in online learning has not been widely discussed in terms of its effect on the student’s academic resilience. The purpose of this study was to provide information on whether there was a significant relationship between online learning readiness and students' academic resilience during the school-from-home period. Participants in this study consisted of 1.681 students from five …

2021 Spring Commencement Schedule: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Spring 2021 commencement schedule. Commencement was on Friday, May 7, 2021 This commencement occurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

A list of graduates, WSU President's letter, Commencement announcement documents are available in the supplemental documents.

Where They Live: Homelessness, School Location, And Academic Success, Alison Knoll

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The trauma and stress of homelessness on both children and their families can be devastating and damaging, especially to elementary school children. A teacher’s understanding of the social emotional needs of housing insecure children is critical to their student's social emotional and academic well-being. This study will map the location of schools in major urban areas in Eastern Massachusetts and identify the homeless shelters, transitional homes, and community resources within the area. The purpose of this research is to make clear the relationship between a school's locations and the needs of the children they serve. This study will also provide …

Factors Affecting Academic Motivation Of Medical Library And Information Science Students: A Case Study Of Hamadan University Of Medical Sciences, Iran, Hossein Vakilimofrad, Mohammad Ahmadian, Leila Masoumi, Monavvar Mohammadiani Halaj

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Purpose: Academic motivation is one of the most essential psychological concepts in education and one of the most important issues affecting academic achievement. Lack of interest and motivation is the main educational problem. Therefore, in order to improve the quality of education, studying the academic motivation and the factors affecting it seems necessary.

Methods: This study was conducted via an analytical survey method. The study population included all students of the Medical Library and Information Science at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (Iran) who were studied by census method. The data collection was done through a questionnaire. For …

You Are What You Think: The Impacts Of Body Weight Perception In Young Adolescent Women, Olivia Ceja

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

While research suggests a multifactorial array of contributors to adolescent obesity including lack of physical activity, dietary behaviors, psychosocial factors including the perception of being overweight and body dissatisfaction have been more recently associated with unhealthy weights, unhealthy behaviors and amplified risk of obesity. At an all girl’s private college preparatory middle and high school in Los Angeles, amid a competitive and rigorous academic environment, students face additional pressure to succeed and strive for perfection. Although body weight perception can be used to identify students who are at risk for eating disorders at the middle and high school levels, the …

Happy Faces, Lisa Tucker

Master’s Theses and Projects

“Happy Faces” is a series of sculptural masks which explore the layered facades people construct to hide their vulnerabilities or to please others. Each mask represents a vice; these are the unhealthy habits that allow people to escape their everyday lives and pressures. I have created these masks out of found materials which relate to each vice in question. Through this work, I examine the concepts of escapism and duality. My studio investigation influences my pedagogical approach in the way I interact with my students and manage my classroom, both in how I embrace process and experiment with my use …

Mackenzie Glaser Honors Portfolio, Mackenzie Glaser

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Mackenzie Glaser's honors portfolio captured in May 2021.

Exploring The Prevalence Of Social Isolation In Students At A Christian College In West Texas, David Bryan Elliott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The concept known as “social isolation” is a problem that affects many people, but there are certain populations that do not have adequate research performed on them. Specifically, college students face a risk of social isolation that is detrimental to their well-being and academic success, and there is a gap in the literature about this relationship. This study explored the prevalence of social isolation in college students at a Christian college in West Texas and examined various factors to determine whether any protective factors or at-risk factors existed. An online survey was sent out that used 11 demographic factor questions …

Utilization Of Disability Services By Students With Nonvisible Disabilities, Cristina A. Figueroa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative case study was conducted to examine ways to increase the use of disability services at 4-year universities. Individual interviews were conducted to see how students and staff members felt the use of disability services could be improved. Five students with nonvisible disabilities and four disability and student services staff members participated in the study. Interviews focused on transition, use of campus services, self-advocacy, and knowledge of disability services. A thematic analysis was conducted on the data, and a total of 20 themes were derived from the interviews. Themes focused on the following topics: self-identification is personal, faculty attitude …

An Analysis Of The Effects Of Covid-19 On Students At The University Of Mississippi: Family, Careers, Mental Health, Hannah Newbold

Honors Theses

This study analyzes the effects of COVID-19 on students at the University of Mississippi. For students, COVID-19 changed the landscape of education, with classes and jobs going online. Students who graduated in May 2020 entered a poor job market and many ended up going to graduate school instead of finding a job. Access to medical and professional help was limited at the very beginning, with offices not taking patients or moving appointments to virtual only. This would require that each student needing help had to have access to quality internet service, which wasn’t always guaranteed, thus producing additional challenges.

These …

Experiences Of Urban School Counselors: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study, Jennifer A. Meador

Dissertations

Urban School Counselors (USC) are continuously making decisions, prioritizing responsibilities, and acting in ways that best serve the needs of students, while up against complex factors and challenges (Dye, 2014). Though research has explored critical factors and provided conceptual understanding of the school counselor role, few studies have offered specific ways USCs actually implement and navigate their role in its full context (Dye, 2014; Lee, 2005; Mitcham et al., 2009). Thus, this study differed from other empirical literature in that it aimed to understand USCs holistic experiences, rather than focusing solely on one aspect of their role (e.g., leadership activities). …

The Discipleship Band : Evaluating The Transformative Potential And Best Practices For Seedbed's Model Of Discipleship Bands Among Students At Asbury University, Mark A. Benjamin

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Incorporating Multiculturalism, Mayra Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper explores the importance of including multicultural awareness in school classrooms. Multiculturalism has been defined as the process of recognizing, understanding and appreciating cultures other than one's own. This study answers the following research questions, What is multiculturalism? Why is multiculturalism beneficial to students? How can teachers incorporate multiculturalism into classroom instruction? In a review of literature on the importance of incorporating multiculturalism, the research shows that there are many benefits and reasons to why multiculturalism should be incorporated in classrooms. This qualitative research study investigated the understanding of multiculturalism by a cohort of pre-service teachers through a survey …

Factors Influencing Student Retention At A Rural Institution In The Southeast, Angela May Jowers

College of Education

For institutions serving rural students, retention must be a priority. This quantitative, descriptive comparative study examined the existence of a relationship between types of services accessed by rural students ( tutoring, peer mentoring, and centralized advising) and their retention, and the number of accessed services and retention. The study also examined an association between a sense of belonging and support services accessed by students. Vincent Tinto's (1975; 1993) Social Integration Theory and Bean and Eaton's (2000) Psychological Model of Student Retention provided the theoretical framework for this study. The records of 486 students who participated in one or more of …

Increasing Bully Awareness Among 2nd And 3rd Graders, Anacristina Juarez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many elementary school age kids may be unaware of how to address bullying. I have created a two-day lesson, which covers addressing bullying and tactics for preventing bullying with second and third graders

Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Knowledge Of Endometriosis: A Pilot Study, Stephanie Schlorke

Honors Theses

This descriptive post-test design study was conducted to assess knowledge level of undergraduate nursing students regarding risk factors, clinical manifestations, age of diagnosis, common psychiatric co-morbidities, treatment methods, and pathophysiology of endometriosis. An author-created 8 question multichoice and select all that apply questionnaire was used to collect the data. Twenty-eight students responded to the questionnaire. The results were divided to compare knowledge differences between second-semester and fifth-semester students.

It was determined that the undergraduate nursing students have a working knowledge of endometriosis, but there are knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. Fifth-semester participants scored higher than the second-semester participants …

Student Well-Being Matters: Academic Library Support For The Whole Student, Marta Bladek

Publications and Research

In response to a marked increase in the prevalence and severity of mental health problems among college students over the last decade, colleges and universities have been expanding their well-being initiatives and programs. No longer limited to health services departments, the support of student well-being has been taken up by multiple campus units, including academic libraries. As well-being has been shown to impact academic outcomes, the well-being initiatives libraries develop fit in with their commitment to enhance learning and student educational experience overall. A comprehensive review of wellness interventions in academic libraries, this article presents findings on student well-being and …

Impact Of Covid-19 Confinement On Physical Activity And Dietary Habits In Physical Therapy Students And Professionals In Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study, Rami A. Abbas, Sarah Al Omari, Ayman El Khatib

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

COVID-19 pandemic caused radical changes to the daily living activities of Lebanese population since it led the government to adopt restrictive measures and force obligatory confinement. This study aimed to identify the dietary, using Prevention with Mediterranean Diet (PREDIMED), and physical activity, using International Physical Activity Questionnaire- short form (IPAQ-SF), among physical therapy students and professionals residing in Lebanon before and during the COVID-19 confinement period. A cross-sectional descriptive study based on self-administered questionnaires was carried out from late January to the beginning of February, which coincides with the third home confinement period. Surveys were disseminated through multiple social media …

Strategies For Increasing Attendance For Identified Student Populations Via Online Engagement Methods During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Catherine Douglas

Counselor Education Capstones

This Capstone literature review discusses a school counselor’s role in increasing attendance in schools. The review discusses the common risk factors of absenteeism and the new risk factors that arose after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic changed the strategies that school professionals should use to increase engagement in learning, increase school attendance, and check on the well-being of identified student populations. The review brings light to several strategies that may help counselors increase school attendance with online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies include: incorporation of gameplay into lessons, keeping consistency with the …

The Effects Of Fictional Literature On Real-World Perceptions Of Students, Dylan Dowty

Honors Theses

The ways in which fiction affect the perceptions of high school students’ realities are many, and they vary widely depending on the book read. While lessons can be learned from every fictional book, certain types of books are more beneficial and relevant for students. Young adult literature, while often overlooked, is a significant source of students’ perspective shifts and metacognition. Every book has a lesson that it can teach students, but contemporary young adult literature deserves to be taught in schools alongside the classics in order for students to make personal connections with the texts they read and take an …

Psychiatric Symptoms, Risk, And Protective Factors Among University Students In Quarantine During The Covid-19 Pandemic In China (Vol 17, 15, 2021), Shufang Sun, Simon B. Goldberg, Danhua Lin, Shan Qiao, Don Operario

Faculty Publications

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has made unprecedented impact on the psychological health of university students, a population vulnerable to distress and mental health disorders. This study investigated psychiatric symptoms (anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress) during state-enforced quarantine among university students in China (N = 1912) through a cross-sectional survey during March and April 2020.

Results

Psychiatric symptoms were alarmingly prevalent: 67.05% reported traumatic stress, 46.55% had depressive symptoms, and 34.73% reported anxiety symptoms. Further, 19.56% endorsed suicidal ideation. We explored risk and protective factors of psychological health, including demographic variables, two known protective factors for mental health (mindfulness, perceived …

Simulation's Effect On Self-Efficacy In Nursing Students, Brendan A. Williams

Honors Capstones

High levels of self-efficacy in nursing students increases their confidence and willingness to perform a skill or action in each situation. There is gap in the literature that addresses the negative or undesired effects of clinical simulation on the development of self-efficacy in nursing. This study was conducted to explore if student’s confidence levels in completing nursing skills decreases after unsuccessfully completing the skill in clinical simulation. This quasi-experimental study utilized pre-simulation and post-simulation surveys through Qualtrics to measure self-efficacy levels among nursing students. Participants (N = 17) were nursing students from a baccalaureate program. Overall, successfully completed nursing skills …