Education Commons^™

Community Circles In Response To Restorative Justice Research And Critique, Hannah Edber

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Zero-tolerance discipline in schools has resulted in disproportionate referrals, suspensions, and expulsions for Black students, students with disabilities, and low-income students of color. Restorative Justice (RJ) seeks to intervene in these patterns by emphasizing community interconnectedness and a discourse of harm, accountability, and repair. Although RJ has been shown to increase school connectedness and decrease suspensions and expulsions, teachers and students using RJ (as a response to discipline issues) report varying degrees of satisfaction with the framework. Frustrations can include limited time and limited depth of conversations with students who have caused harm, so that root causes of behavior are …

Effective Teaching Of Literature-In-English In Nigerian Secondary Schools: The Persistent Problems, Eucharia Okwudilichukwu Ugwu

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Literature-in-English is a major school subject that equips students with language and other soft skills needed for entry into the workforce. For students to acquire the skills, effective teaching, which is dependent on the availability of basic teaching–learning resources, is essential. Education is underfunded in Nigeria. This affects the quality of teaching and impedes learning. The rate at which students fail Literature-in-English, which is getting worse each year, indicates that there is a problem in the teaching–learning process. Using a mixed-method research design, this study investigated the problems of teaching Literature-in-English in 51 public senior secondary school in Ibadan metropolis, …

A Winning Approach: Teaching Science Communication Skills Through Small-Group Workshops, Serena B. Gumusoglu, Maria Noterman Soulinthavong, Jennifer Barr

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: Research almost always culminates in the communication of findings. Despite the necessity of grant and manuscript writing throughout academic careers, scientific trainees often receive little guided practice in written communication. To fill this gap, we designed, implemented, and evaluated a voluntary writing initiative for biomedical students at a research-intensive (R1) university in the midwestern United States called Writing Initiative in Neuroscience (WIN).

Method: WIN consisted of didactic and workshop components. The didactic component included discussions with topic-specific experts on writing grants and manuscripts for the public and for non-academic scientific careers. The workshop component consisted of small group-based peer …

Synchronous Communication Technology For Remote Academic Advising At A State University, Charles Xiaoxue Wang, Michael Houdyshell, Matthew Plescia

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The use of synchronous communication technology has significantly increased in recent years for communications in online learning and instruction, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Synchronous communication technology, such as Zoom, Google Meets, and Microsoft Teams, is widely adopted by academic advisors to continue their advising services as many universities were forced to move their traditional in-person academic advising to remote academic advising (RAA) in an online format. In this context, we explored the knowledge, experiences, and perceptions of students and academic advisors at a state university using synchronous communication technology for RAA during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study includes data …

Global Issues Spanning Higher Education, Gary J. Burkholder, Erwin Krauskopf

Higher Learning Research Communications

We are pleased to publish the first regular issue (Volume 12, Issue 1) of Higher Learning Research Communications (HLRC) for 2022. While the pandemic waxes and wanes, students in many parts of the world are returning or have returned to face-to-face instruction. It will take some time to fully understand the impact of the pandemic on higher education and what lasting changes will result from it. The Special Issue, Education Technologies and COVID-19: Experiences and Lessons learned, for which we are continuing to review manuscripts, should provide some insight into this question.This letter also contains article summaries.

Perceptions Of Employability Skills Of Undergraduate Business Students In A Developing Country: An Exploratory Study, Wise Mainga, Reuben M. Daniel, Luis Alamil

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of different employability skills for business graduates seeking initial employment.

Method: Semi-structured survey questionnaires were administered to human resources representatives from industry, business lecturers, and graduating business students to determine gaps in perceptions between the three stakeholder groups.

Results: There was some alignment and moderate discrepancies in perceptions of the relative importance of different employability skills between the three stakeholder groups. There were statistically significant differences in perceived importance of communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills between graduating students and employers. There is evidence that employers were satisfied with …

The Effects Of An Undergraduate Research On Pre-Service Teachers’ Notions Of Stem Education And Educational Research, Erin Pearce, Jesse Brock, Phillis Bunch

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Pre-service teachers (PSTs) often lack the self-efficacy necessary to effectively implement STEM education into their classrooms. Undergraduate research experiences (URE) can help fill this void by providing opportunities for PSTs to engage with STEM content and K–12 students in a field-based research context. This case study details the impact a URE had on PSTs’ STEM self-efficacy and views on research. The URE consisted of STEM curriculum development, teaching the curriculum at a local middle school, gathering research data, and presenting results at academic conferences. Participation in the URE positively influenced the PSTs’ self-efficacy in STEM and changed their perceptions regarding …

Elementary Teachers’ Use Of Data-Driven Instructional Practices, Kristi Cathcart Tucker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A school in South Carolina developed a strategic plan to implement a professional learning community structure in the school, where teachers work together to evaluate student data to improve instruction. However, teachers at the school did not understand how to use data-driven instructional practices to drive classroom instruction. The purpose of this study was to explore understanding of elementary teachers at this school in South Carolina how to use data-driven instructional practices. The framework for this study was the learning target theory of action, focusing on researching the data-driven instructional practices teachers used when working with data. The research questions …

Assessment Literacy Of Middle School Music Educators, William Gordon Daines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a school district in the Southwestern region of the United States, middle school music educators did not participate in district-wide initiatives to improve teacher assessment literacy, which encompasses the assessment knowledge and practices of teachers in support of student learning. The educators varied widely in their grading and assessment knowledge and practices. The purpose of this qualitative explanatory case study was to explore the middle school music educators’ perspectives of their assessment knowledge and practices in the classroom and how they used assessments to evaluate students’ knowledge and skills in music. Xu and Brown’s teacher assessment literacy in practice …

Nigerian Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences Of Integrating Literacy Strategies Into Science Instruction, Joy Oghogho Isa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reading problems among students in Nigeria prompted the implementation of a literacy across the curriculum initiative in a cluster of schools within a district, where all teachers were required to integrate literacy strategies into their lessons. The problem investigated in this study was that the teachers’ instruction of science at Beta Schools had not produced the expected results with respect to integrating literacy strategies into the science lessons. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the teachers experiences and perceptions of literacy integration in science lessons. Grounded in the content area literacy conceptual framework, the research questions …

Perspectives Of Adult Esl Teachers On The Use Of Direct Vocabulary Instruction With Adult Ells, Erica N. Pettis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractWith the growing number of non-native English speakers, improving communication through direct vocabulary instruction (DVI) is important. The problem investigated in this study was that English as a second language (ESL) teachers were not using the strategy DVI, in the ESL classroom. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore ESL teachers’ perspectives about DVI for adult English language learners (ELLs) in a Midwestern state. The conceptual framework was drawn from Vygotsky’s constructivist theory because ESL teachers construct meaning from their experiences and what they have learned about vocabulary to improve reading comprehension for adult ELLs. The research …

K–12 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Development In Instructional Technology, Angel Ann Hunt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educational organizations have experienced a transition from traditional to digital, online, or blended learning instructional platforms. Scholarly literature lacks research studies pertaining to the perceptions of kindergarten–12th-grade (K–12) teachers regarding professional development (PD) to support use of instructional technology. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate K–12 teachers’ perceptions of PD that supports the use of instructional technology. The conceptual framework for this study was Puentedura’s substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition model. Research questions were designed to explore K–12 teachers’ perceptions of PD to support the use of instructional technology. Participants included nine K–12 teachers who participated …

International Teachers’ Perceptions Of Mandated Curriculum And Instructional Practices, Jasmine Audrey Matterson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractInternational teachers who arrive in the United States from developing countries often experience challenges adjusting to the U.S. classroom environment. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of international middle and high school teachers at a rural school district in the southern United States on the challenges that they face with adjusting to mandated curriculum and instructional practices that may influence classroom management and effective instruction for student achievement. The conceptual framework for the study was self-determination theory which indicates that when individuals have autonomy, relatedness, and competence, they will perform at their highest level …

Developing Soft Skills: Faculty And Employer Perspectives And Recommendations, Naveen Ramnanan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many employers are concerned that recent business graduates lack expertise in soft skills needed to be effective in their professional roles. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the urgent need for workers with soft skills competence in communication, flexibility, and resilience. Guided by Goleman’s conceptual framework of emotional intelligence, this qualitative study examined potential solutions to reduce this gap among business graduates. The research questions investigated faculty and employer perceptions of and experiences with soft skills development and their recommendations to improve graduates’ soft skill proficiency. Eight semistructured interviews were conducted after purposeful sampling. The data were analyzed using open, …

Effects Of Scaffolding On Reading Comprehension, Renee L. Rose Latson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractReading comprehension in high school involves students developing knowledge, skills, and experiences to understand, retain, and apply concepts of English as a written language. For ninth grade students to gain mastery in reading comprehension, ninth grade teachers implemented scaffolding teaching techniques to support their students. This study addressed how English language arts (ELA) teachers support ninth grade students’ reading comprehension and retention through instructor-led scaffolding in high schools in the Happy Valley Independent School District (HVISD). The purpose of this narrative analysis qualitative study was to investigate how ELA teachers support ninth-grade students’ reading comprehension and retention through instruction using …

Elementary Teacher Perceptions Of Blended Learning In The Digital Classroom, Sarah Cummings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Blended learning is an instructional model in which instruction is delivered using a combination of traditional teaching methods and online learning materials such as digital textbooks, virtual textbooks, and teacher-made videos. The problem was that elementary teachers in local schools were not implementing blended learning as intended by the school’s improvement plan. The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of elementary teachers in Grades 3-5 who have experience using blended learning. The framework for the study is the complex adaptive blended learning system (CABLS) because it helps examine the blended learning elements and the changes that result …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Use Of Cognitively Guided Instruction In Mathematics Classrooms, Irin Sultana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elementary teachers in California were tasked to use cognitively guided instruction (CGI) strategies in mathematics classrooms, but it was uncertain if they had the self-efficacy, confidence, resources, and support to do so consistently. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate K-5 teachers’ perceptions about their self-efficacy and confidence in using CGI strategies in the mathematics classroom and what resources or support they felt needed to implement CGI strategies successfully. Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which emphasizes four sources of self-efficacy, was used for the framework analysis. Research questions supported teachers’ self-efficacy and confidence through research questions- What challenges …

The Effect Of Instructional Coaching On Third-Grade Reading Achievement, Jane Ann Schmidt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Instructional coaching has been implemented in schools to improve student achievement; however, literature shows a lack of evidence of the efficacy of improving student reading achievement. The problem addressed in this study was that school districts have implemented instructional coaching to improve student reading achievement, but the effectiveness was unknown. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the effect of instructional coaching on third-grade reading achievement. Guided by Walberg’s theory of achievement, the overall research question investigated the effect of instructional coaching on third-grade reading achievement. In this quantitative, comparative study, ratio-scale data from students who received instructional …

Elementary Teacher Perceptions Of Blended Learning In The Digital Classroom, Sarah Cummings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Blended learning is an instructional model in which instruction is delivered using a combination of traditional teaching methods and online learning materials such as digital textbooks, virtual textbooks, and teacher-made videos. The problem was that elementary teachers in local schools were not implementing blended learning as intended by the school’s improvement plan. The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of elementary teachers in Grades 3-5 who have experience using blended learning. The framework for the study is the complex adaptive blended learning system (CABLS) because it helps examine the blended learning elements and the changes that result …

Teachers’ Perspectives Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning In The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, Constance Marie Bahn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) curriculum for students ages 3–12 is implemented using inquiry-based learning. There is a lack of understanding about primary international teachers’ perspectives about their implementation of inquiry-based learning in this setting. The purpose and research question of this basic qualitative study addressed the identified lack of understanding about international IBPYP teachers’ perspectives in an urban setting in the International Baccalaureate Africa, Europe, and Middle East region about their implementation of inquiry-based learning. The Reggio Emilia approach served as the conceptual framework of this study. Data were gathered from 11 participants through semistructured interview questions, …

Elementary Teacher Levels Of Empathy And Responses To Boys Exhibiting Odd-Like Behaviors, Dominique Deveaux

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was the focus of this study is that disruptive classroom behavior has increased. According to a 2019 survey conducted by the consulting firm Education Advisory Board, teachers have reported a spike in disruptive classroom behaviors. Attitudes towards school expressed by students who exhibit behavior that characterizes oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) are influenced by teacher interactions and support, but no recent study had determined levels of empathy used by elementary school teachers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how elementary school general education teachers describe the level of empathy they apply in reacting to and …

Experiences Of Teachers Using Student-Centered Approaches In China, Raven Roytblat

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Schoolteachers in China are required by the government to transition from teacher-centered to student-centered instruction. Researchers have shown the challenges of and successes in implementing the instructional changes; however, a gap exists surrounding the challenges and successes of reforms from the perspective of teachers. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to better understand the experiences of Chinese schoolteachers as the system of education in China transitions from teacher-centered to student-centered classroom instruction. The conceptual framework for this study included Schön’s concept of the reflective practitioner and Liu and Hallinger and Knapp et al.’s work on the role of …

Reinventing Business Collaborations For HawaiʻI Career Academies: A Delphi Study, Jennifer Ann Slotter Clawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many Hawaiʻi high schools have adopted the career academy model to meet the innovative goals set by the state’s department and board of education. Few guidelines exist for implementing this model in a new and unique setting. In the literature, the most predominant component across successful career academies was high-quality business collaborations. However, no research was found that examined how business collaborations are implemented in Hawaiʻi schools, nor studies that reinvent the business collaboration component to develop variations for a specific location. The purpose of this qualitative Delphi study was to develop possible variations of the business collaboration component found …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Use Of Cognitively Guided Instruction In Mathematics Classrooms, Irin Sultana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elementary teachers in California were tasked to use cognitively guided instruction (CGI) strategies in mathematics classrooms, but it was uncertain if they had the self-efficacy, confidence, resources, and support to do so consistently. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate K-5 teachers’ perceptions about their self-efficacy and confidence in using CGI strategies in the mathematics classroom and what resources or support they felt needed to implement CGI strategies successfully. Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which emphasizes four sources of self-efficacy, was used for the framework analysis. Research questions supported teachers’ self-efficacy and confidence through research questions- What challenges …

Cultural Diversity Instructional Challenges Faced By Junior High School Teachers In Calgary, Lumbesi Amanwi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many Canadian children under the age of 15 were born to at least one foreign-born parent, representing 37.5% or 2.2 million children of the total population of children. Although this cultural diversity provides opportunities for teachers to use as a strength, it also poses instructional challenges. Much research has focused on cultural diversity challenges, yet it is not known whether specific cultural diversity instructional challenges have been overcome or how. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate specific cultural diversity instructional challenges faced by junior high school teachers and explore how teachers use Gay’s culturally responsive teaching …

Core Subject Area Vocabulary Instructional Strategies For Middle School English Language Learners, Tiffany N. Waller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Academic vocabulary is one of the most important skills needed in language learning, but it may be difficult for students whose native language is not English. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate how classroom core subject teachers at Middle School 55 (pseudonym) perceive their ability to implement specific instructional model strategies to support explicit academic vocabulary building for ELL students. This study was grounded in Becker and Engelmann’s direct instruction framework for effective and efficient teaching and involved providing research-based principles for teachers supporting ELLs in middle school who are developing academic vocabulary skills. Open-ended semistructured interviews …

Elementary Teachers’ Knowledge Of Implementing Culturally Responsive Pedagogy For Culturally Diverse Students, Michelle Daphne Matteis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Access to an equitable education is a federal mandate to ensure that all students can access curriculum and instruction that is relevant and purposeful. In a local urban school district located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, elementary school teachers are charged with being culturally responsive, but there is little understanding of what teachers know about using culturally responsive teaching (CRT) to improve diverse students’ performance on standardized assessments. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore what teachers know about implementing CRT practices to ensure that diverse students have access to equitable curriculum and instruction. …

Culturally Responsive Teaching With High School Teachers, Mahdee H. Muhammad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite incorporating the culturally responsive teaching (CRT) method into the culturally diverse classroom, teachers struggle to implement the CRT method. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of high school teachers about the effectiveness of using the CRT method to support the learning needs of their culturally diverse high school students in Midwest U.S. schools. The study sample was 12 high school teachers with 2 or more years of teaching experience who used CRT to teach a diverse class. Sixteen interview questions were used to collect the data with the participants through Zoom interviews that …

Teachers’ Integration Of Writing In Career, Technical, And Agricultural Education Classrooms, Caryn L. Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers’ instructional practices of integrating writing into their courses can improve students’ writing abilities and better prepare students for postsecondary education and career success. At ABC College and Career Academy (pseudonym), career, technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) teachers were required by the Common Core State Performance Standards to integrate writing into their courses, but 60% of teachers were not complying with that requirement. The purpose of this study was to explore how CTAE teachers at ABC College and Career Academy integrated writing into their courses, their challenges regarding integrating writing, and needed aids for integrating writing. The conceptual framework for …

Charter School, Kindergarten–6, Homeschool Parents’ Perceptions, Experiences, And Strategies For Mathematics Instruction, Wendy How Fayard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem for this study was the lack of understanding regarding parents’ perceptions of and experiences with mathematics and instructional strategies for kindergarten through sixth-grade (K–6) students in a charter school, homeschool setting. Dewey’s theory of experience and education was the conceptual framework for the study. In this basic qualitative study, charter school homeschool parents’ perceptions about providing mathematic instruction for K–6 students, experiences with instructing K–6 students in mathematics, and choices and adjustments concerning mathematics teaching strategies were examined. Twelve participants took part in semistructured interviews on the Zoom platform. Their interview responses were analyzed qualitatively using coding …