Digital Commons Network^™

“They’Re Just Kinda Fun”: Action Research Evaluating The Impact Of Gamification Tools On Secondary Social Studies Students’ Academic Self-Efficacy, Motivation, And Perceptions Of Learning, Anthony Wayne Blair Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study evaluated the implementation of a gamification strategy to improve academic self-efficacy and motivation in social studies students at Azul Mountain High School (a pseudonym). Keeping students engaged in school is a top priority for educators at all levels. However, students’ lack of engagement at the high-school level has become more detrimental. Improving self-efficacy has been linked to increased motivation, academic achievement, and improved learning outcomes. By making the learning experience more engaging for students, gamification may be a viable approach to the challenge of keeping students in high school. This study addressed three research questions: (a) …

“We Don’T Know What We Don’T Know”: Improving The Quality Of Stem Teaching In A British International School By Developing Teachers’ Stem Pedagogical Knowledge And Stem Instructional Practices, Matthew James Fagg

Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed at improving the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching at a British international school in Brunei Darussalam. Evidence from a range of sources suggested that teachers at the school were not employing common STEM instructional practices when giving their pupils STEM problems to solve. The purpose of the two research questions was to identify how STEM lessons were being taught in Grades 2 to 7 in the school, and to measure the influence of STEM-related professional development sessions on teachers’ STEM pedagogical knowledge and STEM instructional practices. The researcher followed an eight-stage action-research cycle …

A Flipped Classroom Approach For Algebra 2 Students Who Have Struggled In Previous Mathematics Courses, Abby Suss

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed method study examined the effect of a flipped classroom approach on the engagement and attitude of Algebra 2 students who had struggled in previous mathematics classes. Videos for students to watch at home were constructed with adherence to the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia. Class time then focused on students working together and with teacher support in accordance with active learning theory. Qualitative sources of data - pre and post intervention interviews, pre and post student questionnaires, and teacher anecdotal notes and quantitative sources of data - the SEMs and the ATMI - were gathered and analyzed. Results showed …

Ashs To As: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Mandatory Athletic Study Hall In Improving High School Athletes’ Academics, Angela Pilson

Theses and Dissertations

During the 2023-2024 academic year, this action research study was conducted at local, mid-sized high school in South Carolina using a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the efficacy and impact of a mandatory athletic study hall (ASH) program on high school athletes’ academic performance. Through this program, during each academic quarter, any in-season athletes with any grades below 69% to either attend after-school study hall sessions or complete tutoring. The study both reviewed the academic performance of athletes and nonathletes and collected qualitative data from stakeholder surveys completed by nonathletes, athletes, teachers, coaches, and parents. The findings revealed a significant difference …

Beyond Narrow Views On First-Grade Reading Instruction In Saudi Arabia: Insights From First-Grade Saudi Reading Teachers, Ali Alzughaibi

Theses and Dissertations

Recent development in reading research and instruction has highlighted the need to unpack certain claims about how children learn to read and how reading is taught. These claims where challenged by different scholars in the field, pointing to the complexity of reading. Much of this research, however, was done where English is taught as a first language (e.g., United States, UK). Lacking supporting evidence, a review of the literature on early Arabic reading instruction in Saudi Arabia has highlighted different claims about how Arabic early reading is taught and what teachers know about early reading. For example, teaching Arabic early …

Empowering Science Educators: A Study Of Self-Efficacy, Phenomenon-Based Instruction, And Community Of Practice In Arabic Language Classrooms., Rolla Elsaiary

Theses and Dissertations

In the dynamic realm of science education, a crucial demand exists for customized teacher professional development (PD) initiatives that address diversity and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These programs should be designed to accommodate varied student demographics, explicitly addressing the needs of those engaging with science education in less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), such as Arabic. Four fundamental questions guide this research. First, it should assess teachers' self-efficacy in teaching science in the context of Arabic instruction. Secondly, it needs to explore the impact of phenomenon-based instruction (PBI) on elevating teachers' self-efficacy in delivering science education in Arabic. Thirdly, …

Exploring Culturally Relevant School Leadership Practices: An Autoethnographic Study, Kezia Myers

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this autoethnographic study was on the implementation and impact of Culturally Responsive School Leadership (CRSL) within an elementary school. The school is comprised of approximately 400 P-5 students, with a predominantly Black student body (77%), along with students who identify as Hispanic, multiracial, White, and other ethnic backgrounds.

Three research questions were posed: 1) In what ways have I, as a school principal, integrated culturally relevant leadership practices into the decision-making framework at the school? 2) How might what I learn about other principals’ implementation of CRP in their respective schools inform my understanding of its effectiveness …

From Colonial Frontier To A Slave Society: "Second Slavery" And The Former Backcountry Of South Carolina In The Early Republic, 1780-1833, Elisabeth Zoe Horecny

Theses and Dissertations

Although the South Carolina backcountry was labeled pre-modern by contemporaries and, later, by some historians, it was the model of a modern, “second slavery” in the Atlantic World as evidenced by cultural, economic, and political changes there to accommodate and promote the expansion of slavery. The former backcountry was exemplarily of “second slavery” because the region modernized to create a slave society, instead of modifying the existing colonial system of mass enslavement in the region. Enslaved people responded to these changes in the former backcountry by spreading their oral traditions in healing and religion, maintaining African traditions, and creating communities …

If We Only Had A Wheelbarrow: Asset-Based Pedagogy In The Elementary Classroom, Elizabeth Bedell

Theses and Dissertations

The challenges facing today’s educators are much and many. Among them ranks the persistent underachievement of students from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds. Attempts to remedy this have historically taken a deficit approach, one that attempts to “fix” students by melding them to the norms of the dominant culture, ultimately diminishing their cultural ways of knowing and being and perpetuating inequity. Although educators want to do better, most have simply not been provided with the professional learning that would support their centering students’ voices and experiences as essential to learning

With a focus on asset-based pedagogy, this convergent mixed methods …

Impact Of A Mathematics Review On Students' Chemistry Self-Efficacy And Problem-Solving Skills In An Undergraduate Chemistry Course, Antoinette Marie Gayle

Theses and Dissertations

Mathematics is an integral part of chemistry courses, and the application of arithmetic and algebraic knowledge is important for solving calculation-based problems in undergraduate general chemistry. Students begin undergraduate chemistry with varying levels of mathematics skills and experience which may impact their ability to solve problems and understand the content in chemistry courses. Utilizing a convergent mixed methodology, this action research study evaluated the impact of an in-class mathematics review intervention on students’ chemistry self-efficacy and problem-solving abilities in general chemistry. Mathematics review sessions were conducted in undergraduate general chemistry classes with 40 first-year students at a small university college …

Incorporating Digital Tools In A Social Studies Course: An Action Research To Support High School Students’ Critical Thinking And Collaboration Skills, Tara Grant

Theses and Dissertations

Digital tools have the potential and ability to develop and support critical thinking skills in high school students, as they provide interactive and engaging platforms for learning. The purpose of this action research was to implement digital tools for student collaboration in two high school Social Studies classrooms, to evaluate the tools’ potential impact on students' critical thinking skills, and to assess the participant’s perceptions of the impact and use of digital tools for collaboration in the classroom. This study focused on two overarching questions: (1) How, and to what extent, does the use of digital tools for student collaboration …

Increasing Engagement And Self-Efficacy Levels In Underachieving 5Th Grade Students: A Qualitative Study, Raney Altman

Theses and Dissertations

Student achievement and mastery of content taught in reading is measured each year in the state of South Carolina. A pattern of low achievement was identified, but more specifically, there were patterns of low engagement and self-efficacy levels in 5th grade students in this study. Because reading is a critical tool needed to participate in all life necessities such as finding work and experiencing interviews, paying bills, and following simple everyday directions, it was evident in student behavior in the classroom that adjustments needed to be made instructionally to ensure success for all students in school and in future endeavors. …

Music Production And Girls: A Phenomenological Study Of The High School Music Technology Classroom, Mary Angel Cleary

Theses and Dissertations

Female representation in public spheres and organizations is a continuing topic in American research. Females have historically been left out of all aspects of computer technology and the technical sides of the music industry. In upper echelons of music making, from composition to production, they remain vastly under-represented. People begin forming ideas about who they are, their abilities, and their future career interests in high school, especially in elective courses like music technology that are geared towards allowing students to explore their creative skill sets to determine if these elective experiences are something for which they have a life-long passion. …

Keep Your Friends Close And Your Enemies Closer A Theory Of Welfare Provision In Authoritarian Regimes, Sanghoon Park

Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation examines the determinants and dynamics of welfare provision in authoritarian regimes and the influence of welfare provision on autocrat’s survival. It argues that the social and class-based explanations for welfare in democracies can also apply to autocracies, though the specific challenges faced by autocrats can lead to different outcomes.

Nurturing Multiracial Identity: A Community Of Practice Approach To Developing Culturally Responsive Pedagogy And Seeking Curriculum Justice For Multiracial Learners, Laura Althea Mosman Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This action research dissertation examines the impact of participation in a community of practice on teachers' beliefs and behaviors regarding the selection of representative curriculum and building culturally responsive pedagogy, especially when considering the growing population of multiracial learners in U.S. classrooms. The study involved 4 English Language Arts teachers in an Upper Elementary School engaging in a comprehensive text audit followed by the application of the critical redesign cycle to modify the curriculum, aiming to better address the needs of multiracial learners. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, and observations over six Community of Practice meetings to assess changes …

Pedagogical Relationship Between Written And Taught Curriculum In Private Schools, Melissa Andrews

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study explores the impact of teacher-selected instructional strategies on the implementation of a standardized written curriculum across different academic levels for 11th grade students at Bishop Thomas Academy, an all-boys Catholic school in Rhode Island. The aim was to better understand how teachers' instructional autonomy impacts the successes or challenges in delivering curriculum. Grounded in Social Constructivist theories and aligned with Bishop Thomas Academy’s school mission, the research aimed to determine how the written English curriculum defines and measures desired student outcomes; how the taught curriculum aligns with or deviates from the written curriculum; and how instructional strategies …

Teacher Perception Of International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Implementation, Lorene Michelle Lloyd-Peay

Theses and Dissertations

The rural, Title I, underperforming, priority schools in the study encounter several challenges when implementing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) framework. Successful implementation is contingent on how the teachers perceive these challenges. This research aims to understand how teachers' perspective on the IBMYP affects programme implementation. Understanding the experiences and perspectives of teachers increased my and the school district’s ability to support the effective implementation of the IBMYP framework. The research questions focused on gathering data to determine teacher perspectives about the IBMYP, how those perspectives affect programme implementation, and the factors that appear to enhance or impede …

The Impact Of Pbis Programs On Discipline Referrals In A Secondary School, Tameika Shantrelle Valentine

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the impact of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) on discipline within a secondary school setting. PBIS is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success. The research focuses on a comprehensive analysis of disciplinary records before and after the implementation of PBIS, comparing metrics including the number of disciplinary referrals, suspensions, and expulsions. Additionally, qualitative data from teacher surveys provided insights into changes in school climate and perceptions of behavior management. Preliminary findings suggest that the adoption of PBIS impacted a significant …

Topics In Beyond The Standard Model Physics, Sapan Karki

Theses and Dissertations

Standard Model and General relativity are two pillars of modern physics, and their reconciliation would bring a long-sought harmony in physics along with insights into the secrets of the universe. It is then natural to try and modify these theories by searching for the fundamental symmetry describing our world. In this work, I work on the implication of breaking of Lorentz symmetry and the existence of topological objects called solitons. In chapter 3, I show how a cosmologically generated Lorentz- Violating model has instability issues. I then show how the quantum corrections on Lorentz-Violating models can produce ambiguity in β-function …

Utilizing Project-Based Learning To Improve Statistical Literacy, Edward Sabat

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study examined the impact of Project-Based Learning (PBL) on statistical literacy among community college students enrolled in introductory statistics courses. The study addressed the challenge students face in interpreting statistical results in real-world contexts, despite achieving correct numerical answers. Utilizing a PBL approach during the hypothesis testing unit, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, incorporating a pretest and posttest using the Reasoning and Literacy Instrument (REALI), followed by structured interviews. Quantitative results demonstrated improvement in statistical literacy in all areas assessed on the REALI, particularly in the area of hypothesis testing and p-values. Qualitative …

Why Are We Reading In This Class? A Qualitative Action Research Study On Implementing Critical Historical Literacy In A Humanities Classroom, Jerry Allman Goodnight

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to investigate the barriers to the acquisition of, and examine the impact of implementing, critical historical literacy in a middle school “humanities” classroom. This classroom, the first of its kind within the school district, blended the teaching of both 8th Grade Social Studies and 8th Grade English/Language Arts. Three research questions served as the foundational points of inquiry: 1) What are students’ perceptions of critical historical literacy practices in social studies? 2) What barriers prevent middle school students from acquiring historical literacy and critical literacy skills? and 3) In what ways …

Why He Sings: An Action Research Study Using Counternarratives To Affect The Deficit Narratives Attributed To Students Of Color, Tiffany Jones Early

Theses and Dissertations

There is ample research that shows that students of color are less likely to graduate from college than their White peers. Meanwhile, the demographics of students who enroll in college continue to be more diverse than previous generations. As universities struggle to understand retention disparities, the voices of the students are often eliminated from the discussion. Many university staff members, instead, opt for a deficit narrative to blame what they believe students of color lack that inhibits them from persisting in college until graduation. The purpose of this study is to use narrative inquiry to better understand the educational experiences …

Syntactic, Semantic, And Stylistic Variation In Old English Periphrastic Passives, Anyssa Joann Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation establishes a new method for better understanding the Old English (OE) periphrastic passive (PerPass) system by bridging the gap between traditional qualitative methods and contemporary corpus-based methods in Historical Linguistic research. In doing so, this research resists the tendency in modern scholarship to extract agency and personhood from OE speakers, and instead approaches them as agentive and creative participants in their language and its grammar.

The OE PerPass is understood to be constructed with a BE-verb (beon and wesan ‘be, was’ or weorðan ‘become’) and a coordinated past participle (ex. 1-2).

1. And wearð sona gehæled þurh þæs …

Dignifying Queerness, Ryan Thoreson

Cardozo Law Review

In recent years, courts that have affirmed the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to engage in same-sex activity have often invoked the value of dignity. They have done so in spite of the fact that same-sex activity, and many other kinds of sex, have historically been deemed undignified and subject to criminal prohibition. This Article examines a rapidly growing body of comparative jurisprudence to examine how dignity has become an unlikely cornerstone of efforts to decriminalize same-sex conduct. By invoking dignity, courts have persuasively struck down some of the most immediate and egregious restrictions on sexual …

Anyone You Are Related To Can Be Used Against You: Criminal Discovery Statutes And Investigative Genetic Genealogy, Caroline Levine

Cardozo Law Review

The use of investigative genetic genealogy (“IGG”) as a basis for arresting suspects in complex and dormant investigations is raising serious concerns about whether the due process rights of criminal defendants in these cases are being violated. This Note provides a comprehensive look at the role of this groundbreaking, yet little-understood technology in criminal prosecutions. Technological advances have historically necessitated that courts expand and reinterpret legal principles. As a novel derivative of traditional DNA testing, this Note argues IGG should similarly require that discovery statutes be amended or rewritten to adapt to this cutting-edge technique, which is so new that …

On The Nature Of Transverse Waves In Marginal Hydrogen Detonation Simulations Using Boundary Layer Loss Modeling And Detailed Chemistry, Joshua Smith, Curran Schmitt, Brian Maxwell

Student Scholarship

Historically, it has been a challenge to simulate the experimentally observed cellular structures and marginal behavior of multi-dimensional, thin-channel hydrogen detonations in the presence of losses, even with detailed chemistry models. Very recently, a quasi-two-dimensional inviscid approach with a calorically perfect gas and two-step chemistry was pursued, where losses due to viscous boundary layers were modeled by the inclusion of an equivalent mass divergence in the lateral direction using Fay's source term formulation with Mirels’ compressible laminar boundary layer solutions. A similar approach was adopted for this study, but with the inclusion of thermally-perfect detailed chemistry in order to capture …

Using Genai To Teach Information Literacy In Engineering Technical Writing, Lauren Todd, Eliot Boden, Sam Lindgren

Generative AI Teaching Activities

Students will use GenAI to generate keywords to research their possible final project topics. Then students will use the library's quicksearch to find possible books, articles. Students will reflect on their research process throughout the class.

Rrh Library Newsletter, Fall 2024, Libraries At Rochester Regional Health

Rochester Regional Health authored publications and proceedings

Newsletter sections include: St. Lawrence Health New Library Access; Meet with a Librarian; Library Partnership; RRH Archives

Relationship Between Hip And Groin Pain And Hip Range Of Motion In Amateur Soccer And Australian Rules Football Players, Andrea B. Mosler, Joshua J. Heerey, Joanne L. Kemp, Adam I. Semciw, Matthew G. King, Rintje Agricola, Peter R. Lawrenson, Mark J. Scholes, Benjamin F. Mentiplay, Kay M. Crossley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The relationship between hip/groin pain and hip range of motion (ROM) is unclear. Purpose: To explore the relationship between hip/groin pain and hip joint ROM and examine the influence of sex and cam morphology on this relationship. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Included were 184 amateur soccer and Australian Rules football players (276 hips; 20% women; median age, 26 years; interquartile range, 24-30 years) with hip/groin pain >6 months and a positive flexion-adduction-internal-rotation (FADIR) test, and 50 matched asymptomatic control players (98 hips; 28% women, median age, 26 years; interquartile range, 23-31 years). Hip ROM …

Impact Of Supportive Leadership On Work Stress: An Empirical Research In The Ministry Of Iraqi Interior / Human Resources Management, Hussein Adil Al-Gburi, Mohsin Rashed Musaheb, Nawfal Ghazi Zghair

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to discover the effect of supportive leadership on work stress in the Ministry of Iraqi Interior / Human Resources Management in order to achieve a happy life for its employees and hence achieve the desired level of performance. Theoretical Framework: The current research deals with introducing the Ministry of Iraqi Interior / Human Resources Management to the latest developments in the administration field through supportive leadership style and work stress, as well as presenting the latest concepts, importance, and models that previous researchers have arrived at. It contributes to expanding the researched organization's …