Digital Commons Network^™

Factores Que Inciden En La Retención De Los Estudiantes En Cursos A Distancia En Las Instituciones De Educación Superior De La Región Sur De Puerto Rico, Edwin Manuel Colon Marrero

Theses and Dissertations

Esta investigación tuvo el propósito de evaluar los factores que inciden en la retención de los estudiantes en cursos a distancia en las instituciones de Educación Superior de la Región Sur de Puerto Rico. Luego de realizar la revisión de literatura, se escogió el Modelo Compuesto de Persistencia de Rovai (2003) como marco teórico de este estudio. Este establece que los factores que inciden en la retención se agrupan en tres categorías: (a) Características Previas del Estudiante, (b) Factores Externos, y (c) Factores Internos.

Con el objetivo de cumplir el propósito de la investigación se utilizó la metodología cuantitativa con …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Instructors Establishing Teaching Presence In Online Higher Education Programs In Jamaica, Venesse Morrison-Leon

Theses and Dissertations

Online programs are growing exponentially; the structure, program design, and instructional strategies used determine learner success and the viability of online programs. Instructors are expected to demonstrate competence as online facilitators, creating an educational experience that meets the demands of 21st-century teaching and learning. In turn, learners are expected to demonstrate readiness for learning. The community of inquiry (CoI) model was used as the framework to understand the phenomenon of establishing teaching presence and the implications in improving learner success.

There is a paradigm shift in teaching and learning online, and many universities and colleges see this as an opportunity …

Teacher Attrition Rates In A Large Urban Elementary School In The Southeastern United States, Yvonne Joy Russ

Theses and Dissertations

Educational organizations were experiencing increasing teacher attrition rates, thereby impacting teacher self-efficacy, workplace continuity, and student achievement levels. With this national crisis unfolding, schools struggled to recruit and retain high-quality teachers necessary for organizational success and student mastery of standards-based instruction. The increasing levels of teacher attrition were affecting both novice and veteran schoolteachers. The purpose of this applied dissertation was to understand the experiences of teachers impacted by the problem of increasing teacher attrition, as well as identify retention strategies to employ. Scholarly research on the topic of teacher attrition highlighted factors and issues related to this dilemma; however, …

Exploring Challenges Of Undocumented Students In Their Pursuit Of Post-Secondary Education, Yveline Gaspard Dulis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the mindsets and challenges faced by undocumented Latino students who are pursuing a post-secondary education. The study sought to explain the challenges of the DREAM Act and DACA and its challenges for approval in Congress. This study also sought to examine how undocumented students pursue a college education without financial assistance. Understanding immigration laws helped shape Americans’ perception of undocumented Latino students’ status, struggles, and financial hardships. Three leading factors that contribute to undocumented students’ persistence were analyzed in this study: financial assistance, academic issues, and legal issues. This study was conducted …

An Examination Of A Traditional Business Curriculum And Its Effect On Students’ Level Of Moral Decision Making, Brian M. Rothschild

Theses and Dissertations

The questionable decisions of prominent business leaders in major industries in the last two or more decades has called into question the ethical training corporate leaders receive and their ethical decision-making abilities. The research has been extensive but inconclusive as to whether a traditional business curriculum has the effect of developing the moral decision-making abilities of business majors at universities who may end up in industry leadership positions. Therefore, this applied dissertation was designed to contribute to the literature by providing additional information regarding using ethics as a theme throughout a traditional undergraduate business curriculum.

The study included 141 freshman …

Technological Tools And Methods Used In Formative Assessment Activities, Lisa E. Goldsmith

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined the use of technological tools in formative assessment activities. These phenomena have left teachers searching for timely methods to perform formative assessment or assessment for learning activities. The problem addressed by this study was that standardized testing, large class size, and increasing distance learning at all educational levels, achieving formative assessment tasks necessary for successful learning can be a challenge. The sample from which data was gathered was 189 studies and academic articles. The target of the assessment process became apparent in many of the sections studied, which led to information about the impact of the …

How Subordinates Describe Their Leader’S Political Skill And Their Organizational Citizenship Behavior (Ocb) During A Merger In The Airline Industry In Arizona: A Descriptive Perspective, Conrado Dela Cruz Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how subordinates describe their leader’s political skill and their organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) during a merger in the airline industry in Arizona. This study aimed to provide further exploration on leader political skill relating to mergers in the airline industry and if leader political skill can positively influence merger outcomes by increasing subordinate OCB levels during a merger through the breadth of information provided by the participants of this study.

The study used a qualitative methodology with a descriptive design to capture the rich descriptions of how subordinates from a …

Comparing 1:1 And Small-Group Instruction With Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Danyel Hen

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate alternative and effective forms of instruction for young students with autism spectrum disorder. The researcher examined and compared the difference in the instructional formats of 1:1 discrete trial teaching and small-group discrete trial teaching. Targets were chosen in receptive language and preacademic concepts, and differences were compared based on skill acquisition, speed of acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of skills. The participants engaged in the 8-week intervention phase of the study by following an alternating treatments design schedule during their designated center time rotations in the classroom. All participants engaged in 1:1 discrete trial …

A Phenomenological Study To Explore Educators’ Perceptions Of Recruitment And Retention Of African American Teachers In Advanced Placement Courses, Tangela Lashon Allen

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation was designed to provide positive perspectives regarding recruitment and retention practices in an urban school district. Recruiting and retaining African American teachers for Advanced Placement (AP) courses is a vital educational issue in the U. S. The number of African American teachers teaching AP courses was low.

A phenomenological research design guided the study’s investigation. The phenomenon in the investigation was the underrepresentation of African American instructors of AP courses. Zoom semi-structured interview data for 15 AP teachers were analyzed with a thematic analysis approach to answer six qualitative research questions.

The theoretical framework was the Critical Race …

A Generic Qualitative Study Of District, School, And Teacher Leader Experiences With Increasing Reading And Writing Achievement, Jennifer Fowler

Theses and Dissertations

English Language Arts (ELA) test scores have declined since the 2020 COVID-19 virus caused schools and districts in the United States and around the world to shut down for substantial periods of time. School and district leaders and teachers across the country are working to increase ELA achievement.

In this generic qualitative research study, local district, school, and teacher leaders were interviewed and asked questions about their experiences with increasing reading and writing achievement using semi-structured interview protocols.

Four research questions were addressed. They concerned the challenges, successes, supports, guidance, mandates, and advice offered by district, school, and teacher leaders …

The Lived Experiences Of 911 Telecommunicators: Life Outside Of The Call Center, Mary's Dariela Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

911 operators are tasked with solving the caller's problem by promptly and efficiently decoding a cry for help, collecting pertinent information, quickly deciding its priority level, and dispatching the appropriate assistance. These employees are responsible for what happens on that line, internalizing their problems to solve those of the callers, which often result in stress disorders, trauma, and personal, professional, and social issues. Their job duties are extensive, the responsibility is vast, and the overall environment can be overwhelming. Aside from the environmental stressors, the details of each critical incident leave the employee susceptible to various risk factors and other …

Evaluating The Effects Of Video Modeling And Visual Supports On Preschoolers’ Compliance With Dental Procedures, Karly L. Orsi-Cordova

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with autism are reported to visit the dentist infrequently. Infrequent visits to the dentist may result in a higher occurrence of caries, and it is, therefore, imperative for children with autism to visit a pediatric dental practice routinely. Some basic behaviormanagement techniques, such as live modeling and reinforcement strategies, have been used with patients with autism. The addition of techniques derived from applied behavior analysis, such as video modeling and visual supports, may increase patients’ compliance with dental procedures. Specifically, the use of visual supports and video modeling warranted further investigation on the efficacy of improving behavior during dental …

Qualitative Study Of Influences Of An Educational Support Program For Novice Teachers Relative To Their Feelings Of Support, Job Satisfaction, And Teacher Self-Efficacy, Sonya Welch

Theses and Dissertations

A problem in the field of education is a high rate of teacher turnover. Because the problem is reaching a crisis level, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive dissertation study was to describe influences of an Educational Support Program for novice teachers relative to their feelings of support, job satisfaction, and teacher self-efficacy. The program is designed to support and provide induction activities for new educators and to enhance teaching competence that promotes student learning according to state and district guidelines. Participants were 10 novice teachers working in two middle schools in one Florida school district. Participants were teachers currently …

Enhancing Cultural Intelligence In Global Leaders Through Global Leadership Development Programs: An Exploratory Case Study, Dalmarie Lawrence

Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory single case study aimed to gain an understanding of the best practices of the types of global leadership development programs that organizations are offering mid-level leaders and the effectiveness on developing cultural intelligence. Additionally, how these mid-level leaders transferred the knowledge and skills acquired from these programs were examined.

Globalization has led to diverse workforces in organizations, requiring leaders to possess specific competencies. These include inspiring and motivating employees, showing empathy, taking risks, managing change, and leading diverse teams. Global leaders must adapt to the evolving roles by developing skills in diverse effectiveness, managing paradoxes, measuring employee experiences, …

The Lived Experience And Perceived Challenges Of Child Protective Investigators Who Place Children In Foster Care, Elizabeth Presume

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined the difficulties and coping mechanisms associated with child welfare professionals’ interactions with vulnerable children who provide vulnerable populations with emotional, physical, mental, and psychological support. This responsibility impacts their personal life and professional performance since their regular involvement with the children and the following aspects, such as case resolution, in-depth discussions about trauma, and home visits, are emotionally and mentally taxing. The researcher conducted a phenomenological study with nine child protective investigators via an asynchronous online focus group on the Google Groups platform. The participants were all employed in the United States child welfare department, held …

Assessing Organizational Policy: Preferred Practices For Regulating Vaping In The Work Environment, Ayesha Temeka Kirk

Theses and Dissertations

Employee vaping negatively affects organizations in terms of costs, productivity, employee health, and workplace safety. The purpose of this qualitative dissertation study was to assess organizational policies to determine preferred practices to regulate vaping in the work environment. Open-ended questionnaires with 18 human resources administrators, combined with a literature review, yielded data on best practices for organizational policies regulating vaping in the work environment.The data collected in this qualitative dissertation study were extracted from a structured survey questionnaire comprising 16 questions about vaping and tobacco usage in the workplace. The findings demonstrated that vaping and the use of tobacco products …

Examining Teachers’ Experiences With Mindfulness Practices To Promote Positive Relationships And Student Engagement In The Classroom, Hiram Ortega

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years mindfulness practices in the classroom have become increasingly relevant to bring awareness to the present moment, the here-and-now. The literature indicates that mindfulness reduces stress/anxiety in the classroom, and promotes self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, self-compassion, and empathy that contributes to positive classroom behavior, communication, and effective instructional practices. The purpose of this qualitative research is to analyze teachers’ experiences with mindfulness practices in promoting positive relationships and student engagement in the classroom. A group of teachers from an at-risk school district in the southwestern region of the United States were interviewed. The teachers answered 10 open-ended questions about …

Evaluación De Las Competencias Digital Y Emprendedora En Estudiantes De Una Universidad Colombiana, Luis Eduardo Buitrago Rojas

Theses and Dissertations

La presente investigación tiene por nombre la Evaluación de las Competencias Digital y Emprendedora en Estudiantes de una Universidad Colombiana, el investigador Luis Eduardo Buitrago Rojas realizó la presente investigación en el año 2023 Disertación Aplicada, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Palabras clave: competencias digitales, competencias emprendedoras, estudiantes universitarios, educación superior Este estudio evaluó las competencias digital y emprendedora de estudiantes universitarios en un programa transversal en una universidad colombiana. El objetivo de la investigación fue identificar el nivel de competencias digitales y emprendedoras de los estudiantes. El estudio utilizó dos …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Professional Development On Communication On District And School Leaders, Paul Curtis

Theses and Dissertations

This program evaluation study used an objectives-oriented evaluation to determine the impact of professional development on effective communication to enhance leadership skills of school and district leaders in a southwestern Florida school district. Professional development is offered by the district to teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and staff members. Effective communication is the key to facilitating an impactful professional development training.

Participants were 27 teachers, administrators, and support staff in the district who completed a survey and an interview. Results showed the professional development increased communication and collaboration between and within schools in the district. School leaders showed more engagement, …

La Percepción De Los Consejeros Escolares Como Líderes Educativos En Las Escuelas Privadas Del Área Este De Puerto Rico, Sol Yary Rivera Rosario

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de esta investigación fue explorar la percepción de los consejeros escolares de escuelas privadas del área este de Puerto Rico en relación con sus experiencias como líderes educativos y las estrategias que asisten a este profesional en el ejercicio del liderazgo. Específicamente, se determinó desde la perspectiva de sus propias experiencias y ámbitos de trabajo, cuáles son los roles y deberes de los consejeros escolares y si son considerados como líderes educativos en sus respectivas instituciones docentes. El estudio se fundamentó en el Modelo Relacional de Competencias Directivas de Liderazgo que considera que los conocimientos aprendidos, las competencias …

Percepción De Los Maestros De Educación Especial El Director Escolar Y Los Consejeros Escolares Sobre El Rol Administrativo De La Escuela Secundaria Para Cumplir Con El Proceso De Transición En Jóvenes Discapacitados, Yelitza Maldonado Santiago

Theses and Dissertations

Esta Investigación tiene como propósito determinar la percepción de los maestros de educación especial, el director escolar y el consejero escolar, sobre el rol administrativo de la escuela secundaria para hacer valer y cumplir el proceso de transición en jóvenes discapacitados, de acuerdo a las disposiciones y terminos institucionales. De igual forma, se pretende proveer información y herramientas necesarias para que el director escolar realice de forma efectiva los procedimientos de un plan de transición en la escuela secundaria.

Para lograr el propósito de esta investigación se utilizó un enfoque cuantitativo, con un diseño de carácter no experimental descriptivo. Además, …

El Uso Del Modelo De Aula Invertida En La Educación Superior: Revisión Sistemática De Sus Ventajas Y Retos, Gabriel Zepeda Martínez

Theses and Dissertations

El modelo de aula invertida (flipped classroom) se ha empleado cada vez con mayor frecuencia en la educación superior. No obstante, hay poca evidencia de estudios que sinteticen los resultados obtenidos en las investigaciones. En consecuencia, la presente investigación tuvo como fin realizar una revisión sistemática de las ventajas y retos del uso del modelo de aula invertida en la educación superior, incluyendo las actividades que se han usado dentro y fuera del aula, así como las opiniones de profesores y estudiantes sobre este modelo educativo.

Se revisaron las teorías que fundamentan el modelo de aula invertida, así como de …

A Qualitative Case Study On Perceived Readiness For The Diffusion Of Blended Learning In Tvet Institutions In Jamaica, Roxanne M. Hinds

Theses and Dissertations

Blended learning is seen as a promising innovative instructional approach for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to reduce costs, increase flexibility, and reach marginalized learners in developing countries. However, lack of understanding about how key stakeholders who are expected to adopt and implement the innovation perceive readiness for the innovation can make it difficult for institutions to maximize its benefits. This qualitative case study sought to understand the perceptions of students, instructors, and administrators about the readiness of the key stakeholder groups, institutions, and the organization for blended learning and the role of readiness in the diffusion process. …

A Qualitative Study Of Library Staff’S Understanding Of Disability And Attitudinal Barriers In Libraries, Lisa A. Ferrara

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine how library staff understand disability and attitudinal barriers, and to learn how they use this information when planning and implementing library programs and services. Individuals with disabilities are an underserved population in libraries. Although they could benefit from the programs and services that libraries have to offer, individuals with disabilities often experience barriers to participation that prevent them from using libraries. One area that has been understudied is that of the attitudinal barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities.

Participants were recruited through professional library associations throughout the United States using a screening questionnaire. …

The Conflict Among African American Penal Interests: Rethinking Racial Equity In Criminal Procedure, Trevor George Gardner

Scholarship@WashULaw

This Article argues that neither the criminal justice reform platform nor the penal abolition platform shows the ambition necessary to advance each of the primary African American interests in penal administration. It contends, first, that abolitionists have rightly called for a more robust conceptualization of racial equity in criminal procedure. Racial equity in criminal procedure should be considered in terms of both process at the level of the individual, and the number of criminal procedures at the level of the racial group—in terms of both the quality and “quantity” of stops, arrests, convictions, and the criminal sentencings that result in …

Lessons Learned In Prison, Daniel Keating

Scholarship@WashULaw

One way that I have tried to stay fresh as a teacher through the decades is to periodically force myself outside of my teaching comfort zone by trying something completely different. Sometimes these initiatives will end up being a one-time experiment. That was the case a little over ten years ago when I decided to teach a new course (Contracts) in a new format (online, but well before Zoom had become commonplace). Other times, my teaching experiment will prove to be more than just a frolic and detour, as was true eight years ago when I began offering a free …

After The Criminal Justice System, Benjamin Levin

Scholarship@WashULaw

Since the 1960s, the “criminal justice system” has operated as the common label for a vast web of actors and institutions. But, as critiques of mass incarceration have entered the mainstream, academics, activists, and advocates increasingly have stopped referring to the “criminal justice system.” Instead, they have opted for critical labels—the criminal legal system, the criminal punishment system, the prison industrial complex, etc. What does this re-labeling accomplish? Does this change in language matter to broader efforts at criminal justice reform or abolition? Or, does an emphasis on labels and language distract from substantive engagement with the injustices of contemporary …

Felon Disenfranchisement: An Attack On Democracy In The United States, Katie Rodrigues

Student Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

How Does Religious Faith Impact Positive Youth Outcomes, Michael A. Goodman, W. Justin Dyer

Faculty Publications

This study investigates the protective aspects of religiosity in young adolescents and explores the potential processes involved. Specifically, we examine the influence of three measures of religiosity—religious salience, intrinsic religiosity, and daily religious experiences—on delinquency and anxiety. The study sample consists of 636 families located in the state of Utah. Additionally, we explore how positive youth development (PYD) constructs may mediate the relationship between religiosity and adolescent outcomes. The findings indicate that religious salience and daily religious experiences are directly and indirectly associated with lower levels of delinquency and anxiety. Furthermore, two PYD constructs—character and connectivity—serve as mediators between religious …

Idle Hands Are The Devil's Workshop? Exploring The Connections Between Prison-Work Release Programming, Post-Release Employment And Recidivism, Ryan Maranville

Student Research – Stevenson Center

This paper focuses on evaluations of employment-based reentry programs. It begins with an overview of recidivism, touching on the both theory and empirical research framing employment as a pivotal factor in the reentry process. Next, it reviews the limited assessments of work-release programming and their findings. The final sections examine the structural factors which complicate reentry, specifically low wages and community disorganization. And identifies the benefits of incorporating qualitative methods in criminological research as it relates to evaluating programs, their impact, and tying findings to program adaptations and future implementation.