Digital Commons Network^™

Integrating Web-Gis And Inquiry Learning To Enhance Spatial Thinking In Geography Learning, Nyokro Mukti Wijaya, Meri Herlina, Sugeng Widodo, Suhendro Suhendro

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study investigates the impact of integrating Web-GIS with Inquiry Learning on secondary school students’ spatial thinking skills. A 2×2 factorial experimental design was employed with 116 eleventh-grade students from SMA Negeri 13 Bandar Lampung, divided into four treatment groups: direct instruction with printed maps, direct instruction with Web-GIS, inquiry learning with printed maps, and inquiry learning with Web-GIS. The Spatial Thinking Ability Test (STAT), a widely validated international instrument, was used to measure outcomes. Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA. The findings indicate that the learning media had a significant effect, with Web-GIS outperforming printed maps, whereas learning strategies …

Speaking Up Online And Offline: The Effects Of Social Media-Based E-Portfolios In Empowering Efl Students' Speaking Performance, I Putu Indra Kusuma, Luh Indrayani

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Although e-portfolios are widely acknowledged for enhancing EFL students’ speaking skills, most studies assessed performances offline, leaving limited evidence of their impact across both modes. This study examined the effects of social media-based e-portfolios combined with classroom instruction on students’ speaking performance in online and offline contexts. A mixed-methods experimental design was employed, involving 46 Indonesian university students divided into an experimental and a control group. Data were collected through online and offline pre- and post-speaking tests, a speaking performance rubric, and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analysis using One-Way MANOVA, Univariate ANOVA, paired sample t-test, and effect size revealed significant improvements …

Case-Based Learning In Biology Education: A Systematic Literature Review, Elsje Theodora Maasawet, Jullya Christin Kolow

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Biology education often relies on content-intensive instructional materials that may encourage rote memorisation rather than conceptual understanding, potentially contributing to misconceptions. Case-Based Learning (CBL) offers an alternative by engaging students in applying biological concepts to authentic, real-life cases and promoting meaningful learning. Despite growing empirical interest in CBL, no systematic literature review has specifically synthesised its application in biology education. This study therefore examined publication trends, learning skills addressed, and conceptualisations of CBL in biology education. Relevant literature was retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science using “Case-Based Learning” as the search term. Following PRISMA-guided screening, 42 articles were included …

Research On Online Public Opinion Patterns Under The Boundary Between Local And Non-Local Students In Dse: A Case Study Of Social Media Texts And Comments, Yat Him, Eugene Chan, Chang Liu

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

This study focuses on the topic of local and non-local students in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE), collecting 1203 social media texts and comment data from Douyin and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) platforms, employing sentiment analysis and topic identification techniques to explore the characteristics of online public opinion patterns. The research findings reveal that overall public opinion exhibits a neutral tendency (79.8%), with an average sentiment score of 0.14. DSE-related discussions totaled 216 entries, local student-related discussions 146 entries, non-local student-related discussions 41 entries, and comparative discussions 35 entries. Significant emotional differences exist among different groups, with …

Integrating Digital Tools To Foster Soft Skills In Vocational Education: A Flipped Classroom Approach In China, Shanshan Wu, Renee Shiun Yee Chew, Yanhua Bi, Hui Jin

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Changes in the global demand for labor have highlighted the need for vocational education and training (VET) systems to develop not only technical skills but also soft skills like critical thinking, communication, and adaptability. This research investigates the use of digital technologies in a flipped classroom (FC) model and their impact on the development of soft skills in vocational students with particular attention to the growing VET ecosystem in China. With data gathered from a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 270 students from a Chinese vocational college, the research seeks to assess the impact of specific digital tools, such as video …

Engineering A Bioactive Pmma−Silica Hybrid Scaffold For Enhanced Bone Regeneration, Wai Ching Liu

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Bone health is crucial for maintaining mobility, structural integrity, and overall well-being. However, bone-related surgeries are the second most common type of tissue transplant worldwide. A reliable and bioactive material is needed to address these issues. This has led to growing interest in bone tissue engineering (BTE) as a viable substitute strategy. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a commonly utilized material in implant fixation and bone tissue applications due to its mechanical and chemical stability and ease of processing. However, its low bioactivity and poor osseointegration limit its effectiveness in bone repair, posing a significant technical challenge. In this study, we …

Theranostic Angiopep-2-Conjugated Fetaox@Au Core−Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles For Glioma Treatment And Dual Medical Imaging, Wai Ching Liu

Department of Food and Health Sciences

In this work, iron−tantalum oxide nanoparticles (FeTaOx NPs) with a gold coating modified by Angiopep-2 (FeTaOx@Au-ANG) were developed to achieve dual-modality imaging and magnetically induced hyperthermia therapy for glioma. The 13.5 nm sized FeTaOx@Au-ANG NPs’ exhibited superparamagnetic behavior with excellent dual T1/T2-weighted MRI contrast of Fe existence and enhanced X-ray attenuation for computed tomography (CT) imaging, enabling accurate tumor localization through complementary imaging modalities. The incorporation of Ta and Au not only improved biocompatibility but also provided a high CT contrast effect. Upon magnetic stimulation, the NPs efficiently elevated the intratumoral temperature, leading to a significant (∼90%) reduction in glioma …

Hiding An Ear In Plain Sight: On The Practicality And Implications Of Acoustic Eavesdropping With Telecom Fiber Optic Cables, Youqian Zhang, Zheng Fang, Huan Wu, Sze Yiu Chau, Chao Lu, Xiapu Luo

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

Optical fibers are widely regarded as reliable communication channels due to their resistance to external interference and low signal loss. This paper demonstrates a critical side channel within telecommunication optical fiber that allows for acoustic eavesdropping. By exploiting the sensitivity of optical f ibers to acoustic vibrations, attackers can remotely monitor sound-induced deformations in the fiber structure and further recover information from the original sound waves. This issue becomes particularly concerning with the proliferation of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) installations in modern buildings. Attackers with access to one end of an optical fiber can use commercially available Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems …

A Comparative Case Study Of Esg Integration Strategies In Hong Kong Region Using The Cepar Methodology, Xiaoying Lu, Xiaofang Liu, Chi Him, Alpha Tsang, Juan Zhang, Yuxi Chen

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

This study adopts the five-stage CEPAR (Challenge, Evaluation, Planning, Action, Review) methodology to conduct a comparative case analysis of ESG integration strategies across five key sectors (Real Estate, Financial Services, Technology, Logistics, and Retail) in Hong Kong region, based on simulated data of 15 enterprises. It explores sectoral differences in ESG implementation maturity, operational practices, developmental barriers, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The results reveal significant cross-sector maturity disparities: Financial Services ranks the highest (84.4/100) with robust evaluation and review mechanisms, followed by Technology (82.0), Retail (77.4), and Real Estate (73.2), while Logistics scores the lowest …

Integración De Dispositivos Móviles En El Proceso De Enseñanza En Educación Superior En Puerto Rico, Ayeisha Caraballo Caraballo

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de este estudio fue examinar el tipo de relación que podría existir entre las diferentes formas y usos de dispositivos móviles como innovación educativa, el conocimiento tecnológico-pedagógico y la percepción de docentes universitarios sobre la integración de estos dispositivos en el proceso de enseñanza en educación superior en el sur de Puerto Rico.

El estudio fue de tipo cuantitativo con un diseño descriptivo-correlacional. La muestra fue no probabilística y estuvo compuesta por docentes de distintas facultades de la institución en la cual se llevó a cabo esta investigación. Se administraron instrumentos de autoforme dirigidos a medir el nivel …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Successful Instructional Strategies To Improve The Language Arts Proficiency Of Third Grade African American Boys, Kristen Elena Gregg

Theses and Dissertations

The qualitative study examined instructional strategies that supported the academic achievement of African American boys. These are needed to increase reading proficiency. The study explored how K-6 teachers describe the unique academic needs of African American boys and the instructional strategies and activities teachers used to meet those needs to influence reading growth within the United States.

The study's theoretical foundation is guided by Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory. The qualitative study explored whether teachers’ perceptions of pedagogical strategies they use when teaching reading and language arts. The qualitative study identified what instructional strategies teachers find most successful when attempting to …

Nivel De Conocimiento Del Docente En Enfermería Sobre La Gamificación Y Su Actitud Hacia La Inclusión Como Estrategia Didáctica En Una Institución De Educación Superior En Puerto Rico, Elsa Geigel Landrau

Theses and Dissertations

La gamificación es una técnica de innovación que integra elementos de juegos para transformar la enseñanza en una experiencia activa en la modalidad presencial y virtual. Por ello esta disertación aplicada fue diseñada con el propósito de determinar el nivel de conocimiento del docente en enfermería sobre la gamificación y su actitud hacia la inclusión como estrategia didáctica en una institución de educación superior en Puerto Rico. Las bases teóricas que sustento este estudio fueron la Teoría Constructivista de Piaget (1980), la Teoría Social Cognoscitiva de Bandura (1977) y la Teoría de Autodeterminación de Ryan y Deci (2017); bajo este …

Percepciones De Los Terapistas De Habla Y Lenguaje En La Colaboración Con Maestros De Sala Regular Sobre La Alfabetización De Estudiantes De Nivel Elemental En Las Escuelas Públicas De Puerto Rico, Karma Marrero Torres

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de este estudio fue conocer el entendimiento que poseen los Terapistas del Habla y Lenguaje (THL) respecto a sus roles y responsabilidades como proveedores de servicios a estudiantes con impedimentos del lenguaje. De igual forma, identificar qué nivel de experiencia y conocimiento brindan los THL durante el proceso de colaboración al establecer metas y brindar alfabetización en el salón de clases y en la terapia e indagar cuáles eran las percepciones de los terapistas del habla y lenguaje con respecto a la colaboración con los maestros al brindar alfabetización a estudiantes con desórdenes del lenguaje.

Para esta disertación …

Crisis Fiscal Y Diáspora Docente: Un Análisis De Las Políticas De Austeridad Y Su Impacto En La Emigración De Maestros Puertorriqueños A Estados Unidos (2017-2024), Melissa Lamboy Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada examinó cómo la crisis fiscal en Puerto Rico ha influido en la emigración de maestros hacia los Estados Unidos entre 2017 y 2024. Utilizando un enfoque cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico, se entrevistaron maestros puertorriqueños que migraron recientemente al continente estadounidense. Los hallazgos revelan que factores económicos, profesionales y sociales impulsaron esta diáspora educativa. Entre ellos destacan los bajos salarios, la inestabilidad laboral, la falta de desarrollo profesional, el deterioro de la infraestructura escolar y la presión de políticas de austeridad.

A través del marco teórico de los factores de empuje y atracción, se analizaron las razones detrás …

Competencias Docentes Para La Implementación De Inteligencia Artificial En La Educación, Betsy I, Berríos Zayas

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada examinó las competencias docentes necesarias para integrar de manera efectiva la inteligencia artificial (IA) en el contexto educativo del nivel primario. El estudio se llevó a cabo en una escuela Segunda Unidad del municipio de Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, donde se identificó la necesidad urgente de fortalecer las destrezas tecnológicas del profesorado para responder a los retos de la educación digital contemporánea. La investigación se enmarcó en un diseño cuantitativo, utilizando cuestionarios dirigidos a docentes para explorar su nivel de familiaridad, habilidades, actitudes y percepciones sobre el uso de IA en el currículo.

Los hallazgos revelaron brechas significativas …

Factores Del Liderazgo Y Su Incidencia En La Toma De Decisiones Del Personal De Enfermería En Organizaciones Hospitalarias En Puerto Rico, Rebecca Rosado Adorno

Theses and Dissertations

El liderazgo en enfermería ocupa un lugar central en la atención al paciente y en la organización del cuidado. En este estudio se analizó la percepción del profesional de enfermería sobre su papel como líder servidor y su vínculo con el liderazgo ejercido por administradores y supervisores. El marco teórico se sustentó en la propuesta de Robert K. Greenleaf (1977), quien considera que el liderazgo servidor surge de un deseo genuino de servir a la colectividad y no al interés individual. Desde esta perspectiva, el profesional de enfermería orienta sus decisiones a las necesidades del paciente, procurando satisfacerlas de manera …

Factores Motivacionales, De Aprendizaje Y De Enseñanza Que Median En La Elaboración De Un Rediseño Instruccional Para Un Curso Práctico A Nivel Doctoral De Evaluación Cognitiva, Carlos F. Sellas-Hernández

Theses and Dissertations

La impartición de cursos de Práctica en Evaluación Cognitiva representó un desafío pedagógico, principalmente por la amplitud y complejidad de los contenidos que deben abordarse en un marco temporal limitado. Esta investigación exploró los factores motivacionales y las estrategias de aprendizaje y enseñanza que median en el diseño instruccional del curso integrando la estrategia del Aula Invertida como enfoque metodológico.

El estudio se enmarcó en un enfoque de métodos mixtos con un diseño tipo paralelo convergente. Se condujo un análisis de necesidades con estudiantes que estuvieron o hayan tomado el curso utilizando el Cuestionario de Motivaciones y Estrategias de Aprendizaje, …

Balancing Care And Chaos: A Phenomenological Study On The Emotional And Mental Health Challenges Of Emergency Department Nurses, Shantilee Green

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of emergency department nurses related to emotional and mental health challenges, coping with stress, and ways to provide them with better workplace support. Emergency department nurses are required to work 12-hour shifts in a high-stress environment with a significant patient load and an inadequate patient-to-nurse ratio. Emergency department nurses are exposed daily to patient events that can be traumatic and affect their mental and emotional health, and nurses may find it challenging to cope with the resultant stress.

The researcher created an interview protocol of 14 questions to …

Percepción De Docentes Del Nivel Primario Sobre La Inteligencia Artificial Como Herramienta Para Desarrollar Lectoescritura En Escuelas Ore De Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Joselyn M. Rodríguez Silva

Theses and Dissertations

El presente estudio aborda el problema del bajo rendimiento en lectoescritura de estudiantes de kínder a tercer grado en escuelas públicas del suroeste de Puerto Rico, así como la necesidad de integrar estrategias tecnológicas innovadoras como la inteligencia artificial generativa en el proceso educativo. El propósito fue analizar la percepción de los maestros sobre la integración de la inteligencia artificial para fortalecer la lectoescritura y mejorar el desempeño académico. Se utilizó un enfoque cuantitativo no experimental, con diseño transeccional de tipo exploratorio correlacional, permitiendo describir percepciones en un momento específico y examinar relaciones entre variables mediante la correlación de Spearman. …

Impact Of Job Demands On Performance, Satisfaction, And Environment, Michelle Chin Loy

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined the relationships between job resources, job demands, work engagement, perceived stress, and job satisfaction among university employees. The target participants for the study were employees at an academic institution in the South Florida area. The researcher e-mailed two surveys to the employees, and a response rate of 20% was achieved. One survey was conducted to assess the psychosocial work environment factors, and the impact on the employees’ well-being. The sub-scales used were Job Resources, Job Demands, Well-being outcomes, and Stress. The other survey measured the work engagement, the employees’ well-being, and how they experience enthusiasm, commitment, …

El Liderazgo Escolar En La Reconstrucción Educativa: Estrategias Para Mitigar El Impacto De Desastres Naturales En Escuelas Secundarias, Marisol Pardo Morales

Theses and Dissertations

Los terremotos ocurridos en Puerto Rico en enero de 2020 tuvieron un efecto devastador sobre el sistema educativo, particularmente en el municipio de Guánica, donde la destrucción de escuelas secundarias interrumpió la continuidad del aprendizaje y generó un marcado rezago académico. Este contexto crítico reveló la necesidad de explorar el papel del liderazgo escolar en la mitigación de las consecuencias de los desastres naturales sobre el rendimiento y la motivación estudiantil. El propósito de esta disertación aplicada fue analizar cómo las prácticas de liderazgo ejercidas por directores escolares influyen en la recuperación educativa de estudiantes en escuelas secundarias con ofrecimiento …

Nivel De Competencia Digital Del Profesorado De Enfermería En Puerto Rico Y Su Percepción Sobre El Impacto De La Tecnología En El Aprendizaje, Dimarys Cordero Pérez

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada tuvo como propósito analizar el nivel de competencia digital del profesorado de enfermería en Puerto Rico y su percepción sobre el impacto de la tecnología en el aprendizaje del estudiantado. Asimismo, se examinó la relación entre estas variables y se identificaron factores asociados con la competencia digital docente. El estudio se desarrolló bajo un enfoque cuantitativo, mediante un diseño no experimental de tipo correlacional. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 105 participantes, de los cuales 94 fueron incluidos en el análisis final tras un proceso de depuración de datos. La recolección de información se realizó mediante un instrumento …

The Continuity And Fluidity Between Emergent Literacy Skills And Literacy Acquisition, Shiesha D. Otokina

Theses and Dissertations

This research study was undertaken because emergent literacy skills are crucial in helping children develop their reading abilities. Research suggests that early intervention is a key strategy for closing the achievement gap, and that early literacy skills develop as early as when children begin to communicate verbally and nonverbally. Studies show that the larger a child's vocabulary is, the quicker they learn to read.This study examined the significance of reading development and a child’s ability to acquire reading skills across the stages of reading acquisition.

This study compared student scores in the experimental and control groups to determine whether the …

Bioprinted Scaffolds For Investigating Fibroblast Alignment, Lillian Thro, Daeha Joung Ph.D.

Undergraduate Research Posters

Fibroblasts play a vital role in tissue repair, ECM remodeling, and maintaining structural integrity in human tissues. However, their behavior in engineered 3D microenvironments remains poorly understood. Traditional 2D cultures fail to capture the complex cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions that govern fibroblast alignment, migration, and proliferation in vivo. To address this gap, this project uses bioprinted scaffolds that mimic native ECM structures and provide a platform for studying fibroblast behavior in controlled microenvironments. The project focuses on varying scaffold channel properties—such as width, depth, and geometry—to investigate how physical cues influence fibroblast organization and collective migration. A biodegradable gelatin-based ECM …

“A Couple Days In The Life Of What It’S Like In Washington Heights:” The Representation Of Latine Immigrants In Lin-Manuel Miranda’S In The Heights, Natalie M. Bowen

Undergraduate Research Posters

The United States of America is a nation built by and made up of immigrants, being home to one-fifth of all migrants across the world. Anti-immigrant prejudice and xenophobia have long defined the American people and national policy, but the target demographic is constantly changing to reflect current narratives and fears. In recent years, Latine immigrants have been a prominent topic of concern in American politics. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2021 movie musical In The Heights aims to celebrate the existence of immigrants in Washington Heights, a neighborhood in New York City. Using peer-reviewed scholarly sources and movie reviews, this comprehensive literature …

Exploring The Impact Of Skin Tone Satisfaction On Racial-Ethnic-Cultural Belonging Among Latiné Caregivers, Nithya Angadi, Raven J. Bacchas, Fantasy T. Lozada, Chelsea Derlan Williams

Undergraduate Research Posters

A sense of racial-ethnic-cultural belonging (REC-B) is a key process that supports wellbeing and ethnic-racial identity (ERI) development across the lifespan. Yet, little research has examined how phenotypic characteristics may shape belonging within caregivers. While the impact of skin tone on Latiné families has been examined, understanding caregivers' feelings towards their skin tone is essential due to its potential impact on their identity. The current study aimed to investigate whether skin tone and skin tone satisfaction predicts REC-B within Latiné caregivers. This study contributes to understanding how phenotypic factors shape belonging-related identity processes throughout adulthood.

Participants included 113 Latiné caregivers …

From Custody To Care: Understanding Mental Health And Recidivism In The Criminal Justice System, India Cox

Undergraduate Research Posters

Previous studies on genetic influences in mental health disorders have been shown to correlate with incarceration rates in families. Consequently, there are individuals within the criminal justice system under the clinical threshold of a mental health diagnosis; it has been found that almost half of the incarcerated population was arrested due to acting upon their mental health disorder, while 27 to 38 percent developed PTSD while imprisoned. Furthermore, the serious and exhausting cycle of recidivism within the criminal justice system highlights the failure to provide the necessary mental health treatment required to support rehabilitation while incarcerated and prevent reoffending upon …

Neuron-Enriched Extracellular Vesicle Micrornas Reflect Hormonal Suppression Associated With Oral Contraceptive Use In Young Women, Amulya Chowdhory, Rebekah Frye, Roxann Roberson-Nay

Undergraduate Research Posters

Hormonal contraceptives alter hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) feedback, but their impact on brain-associated molecular communication remains poorly understood. Neuron- enriched extracellular vesicle (nEV) microRNAs (miRNAs), isolated from plasma, provide a minimally invasive window into brain molecular activity. This pilot study examined nEV miRNA expression in young women (ages 18–22) who were either naturally cycling or using a combined monophasic oral contraceptive (OC) pill. To identify hormonally responsive miRNAs, we calculated effect sizes (Cohen’s d) between the two groups and selected those showing large between-group differences (|d| ≥ 0.8). These miRNAs were entered into a principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce dimensionality, and …

A Novel 3d Imaging Approach To Study Evolutionary Innovations In Solanaceae Inflorescences, Devin L. Jackson, Joonseog Kim, Wenheng Zhang Dr.

Undergraduate Research Posters

Understanding the relatedness of angiosperms and the evolution of their inflorescence remains challenging, as these structures are highly modified and prone to convergent evolution. The current research describing inflorescence architecture, whether genetically or morphologically focused, typically relies on text based explanations, 2D images, or 3D based models created with CAD modeling software. This creates a disparity in the reader's understanding of these models since descriptions rely heavily on the author's interpretation of the inflorescence. The goal of our study is to bridge this disconnection by producing anatomically and color-correct 3D inflorescence models using Solanaceae flowers that readers can explore directly, …

Using Nature-Inspired Sustainable Design Via Biomimicry Of The Peregrine Falcon To Improve The Development Of Japan’S F-X Fighter Jet, Tvisha Datta

Undergraduate Research Posters

Modern fighter jets face a persistent challenge when it comes to improving aerodynamic efficiency without having to sacrifice high-speed performance or long-term sustainability. These aircraft rely heavily on high thrust and agility, and in doing so, they consume substantial amounts of fuel due to aerodynamic drag and limited energy efficiency. As a result of these constraints, advanced military defense development projects, such as Japan’s Mitsubishi F-X fighter jet program, have been delayed. This highlights the need for more sustainable solutions. Biologically inspired design, or biomimicry, has emerged as a potential and promising alternative. The peregrine falcon, notably the fastest bird …