Education Commons^™

Alumni Perceptions Of Formative Feedback During The Dissertation Process While Pursuing A Doctoral Degree In Biomedical Science At A Historically Black College And University: A Phenomenological Study, Shontell M.N. Stanford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to discover through the perceptions and lived experiences of biomedical research Ph.D. alums who earned their terminal degree at a southern regional Historically Black College and University (HBCU) if the formative feedback they received impacted their dissertation process. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory and it’s suggestions of how behavior cultivated by a mentor’s actions and feedback changes the mentee’s behavior and can mature into self-efficacy. This study sheds valuable insight through the lenses of this phenomenological qualitative research methodological strategy of one-on-one interviews, questionnaires, and document reviews. The findings not only uncovered …

The Need For Standardized Training For Volunteer Healthcare Chaplains, Dominic Anthony Korzecki

Masters Theses

For the past 50 years, many studies have examined the effects of Spiritual Care in medical environments. Though these studies have helped support the legitimacy and necessity for the presence of spiritual care in medicine, a lack of attention has been given to the level of professionalism of those who have been granted permission to administer care. The objective of my thesis is to determine the following: 1) if medical organizations that utilize volunteer-only spiritual care programs for their patients, and families, provide the same level of care as ones staffed by trained professionals, 2) if volunteer-only chaplaincy programs generate …

Remotely Close: A Phenomenological Exploration Of How Online Education May Impede Academic Persistence And Social Integration, Daniel Ryan Day

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The aim of this transcendental phenomenological study is to define and describe the lived experiences of those who have taught and taken online classes at post-secondary Assemblies of God schools. Tinto’s theory of academic persistence and social integration served as the guiding theory of the study, as it was an indispensable part of exploring how online education may impede academic persistence and social integration between students and professors. The central question of the study deals with how online educators may improve academic persistence and social integration between their students and themselves by applying Tinto’s model of integration. By strategically utilizing …

Private Christian Education And Utilization Of Evangelism Curriculum, Amy N. Mcbrayer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to develop and implement curriculum for equipping students to communicate their faith and the gospel interculturally. The central focus of this DMIN research project to introduce a novel World Religions course to the curriculum at Angleton Christian School in order to provide the students with practical training for cross-cultural evangelism and apologetics. There were eleven total participants, all who were either junior and senior-level students at the start of the 2023 fall semester. Each student was assessed using the same theological assessment and world religion survey on both the first day …

Engaging In Research: Reflections From Summer Undergraduate Research Assistants, Elyse Sumarsono, Julia Raugh

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

The aim of the journal was to organize the reflections of two undergraduate nursing students regarding the journey of navigating through summer research along with faculty. Through this reflective experience, research assistants were able to identify many benefits that come with participating in the research conduction process that should encourage other undergraduate students to involve themselves in future research. Research assistants were challenged to take on new and unknown tasks in a high-level research study, which ultimately enhanced skills for future academic success and professional careers as nurses.

Peer Feedback Among Nursing Students: Does It Enhance Learning?, Sydney Everett, Rachel Joseph, Tracey Turner, Dorothy Murphy

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Background: The American Nurses Association (ANA) describes that peer review is essential for excellent nursing practice and describes the principles of Peer Review. The Magnet program has embraced this in clinical excellence. Peer feedback has multiple benefits.

Purpose: The purpose of this manuscript is to examine the literature on peer feedback and identify the benefits of peer feedback on student learning and information retention.

Methods: Search terms such as Peer assessment, peer coaching, peer tutoring, peer-assisted learning, and informal peer learning were used to retrieve peer-reviewed publications from databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The term Peer feedback …

Recommendations To Improve Active Learning Implementation At The National Security Space Institute In Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mark S. Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research study was to provide recommendations to university leaders to improve active learning implementation at the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The problem is that 80% of the faculty at the National Security Space Institute faced a forced transition into active learning with no pre-evaluation, coordination, or effective training with the faculty. (NSSI, n.d.). A study conducted to identify and provide recommendations will help improve active learning implementation at the National Security Space Institute. This is an applied research study using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This research study addresses the central question …

Experiences Of Middle School Teachers Implementing The Flipped Classroom Method With Lack Of Student Preparedness: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Kristine K. Hickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of middle school teachers in the United States implementing the flipped classroom model (FCM) when students are not coming to class prepared. The FCM is a framework in which students engage in passive learning activities at home by watching videos uploaded by their teachers so that they can engage in active learning activities in the classroom. The theory guiding this study is Vygotsky’s social-constructivism theory as it promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills through collaboration, which are very important skills required of today’s 21st century learners. …

The Effect Of Blended Learning And Virtual Learning On Student Performance In High School Physical Education, Frances E. Caulder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The relationship between blended, virtual, and traditional learning on student performance can significantly affect the future of physical education programs’ curriculum and instructional methods. This causal-comparative research design study examines the difference in student performance measured by FitnessGram® scores between ninth-grade female physical education students who participate in an all-online/virtual learning instructional model, a blended learning instructional model, and a traditional face-to-face learning instructional model. Using a random sample of 143 students from six physical education classes from two high schools in a rural South Carolina school district, a one-way ANOVA was conducted to examine the difference in student performance …

High Musical Achievement In Underserved High School Band Programs: A Qualitative Study, Delton Marcus Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although information is available detailing methods and strategies for high achievement in school band programs, very little is synthesized specifically addressing high schools in urban, inner-city, and other underserved student populations. This study explores the effects of cultural responsiveness, director-student relationships, and establishing and maintaining high standards on student motivation and overall program achievement. The data collected in this study originate from five Texas band directors in minority-majority programs where the school comprises a student population with over 60 percent eligibility for free and/or reduced lunch. These directors have all made significant achievements at the high school level in the …

The Benefits Of The Suzuki Method For Children’S Cognitive And Physical Development: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Of Suzuki Specialists, Hyeyeon Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of Suzuki specialists regarding the cognitive and physical development of children participating in the Suzuki method of music instruction. Music educators recognize the Suzuki method as a successful approach for delivering content and meeting music students’ needs. This study may provide a roadmap for conducting the Suzuki method with young students aged five to twelve. The lived experiences of Suzuki teachers provided a unique perspective for understanding how Suzuki instruction contributes to children’s physical and cognitive development. This study explored the following central research question: How do Suzuki specialists …

The Effects Of Research-Based Strategies On Reading Achievement Among English Language Learners, India Chantel Graden

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to examine the results of phonics-based instruction versus guided reading instruction on reading achievement among minority students who are English Language Learners. This study is important because it addresses the gap in the literature that does not target research-based reading instructional strategies that are effective for English Language Learners separate from those that are observed as effective in students whose primary language is English. Archival data were obtained from 86 elementary school English Language Learners in the second grade at two Georgia suburban schools. The instrument used in this study is the …

A Phenomenological Understanding Of K-12 Leaders’ Lived Experiences Of Changing From Teacher-Centered Practices To Student-Centered Practices, Claudia Burregi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the process of changing from teacher-centered practices to student-centered practices for K-12 educational leaders at Blue Ocean school district (pseudonym) in Louisiana to equip students with 21st-century skills. The theory guiding this study is Lewin’s change theory, which undergirds the premise that as individuals embrace change, they are better equipped to support the vision of why change is needed, ultimately leading to lasting change. A transcendental study was used to capture the essence of the change from TCL to SCL experience of ten educational leaders from seven schools in BOSD …

Iñupiaq Culture And Wind Band: An Analysis Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy And Access To Music Education On Alaska's North Slope, Christian Eugene Roseboro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Iñupiaq Culture and Wind Band: An Analysis of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and Access to Music Education on Alaska’s North Slope is an observational ethnography examining implications for incorporating the Iñupiaq culture into the instrumental music education curriculum for the North Slope Borough School District. The North Slope Borough School District is the geographically largest and northernmost school district in the United States. The majority of the student population it serves are Iñupiaq Native Alaskans. The research interprets the Iñupiaq Iłitqusiat (cultural values), the North Slope Borough School District pedagogical frameworks, and the Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools to answer …

Business Viability & Communication Potential Of Modern Education Models, Santiago Frank

Senior Honors Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the education sector at large. This study aims to investigate which current education model best balances the sub-criteria of business viability and communication efficacy in the milieu of our modern context. In this study, five education models have been studied in order to uncover their performance in these two sub-criteria. Each model is analyzed in terms of its objective performance. The results reveal that in-person education provides slightly better scores for communication efficacy as well as much higher student and faculty satisfaction, while online education is incredibly economically viable. While the data is unclear, in …

Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance: A Review Of Related Literature With Cmp Based Unit And Lesson Plans For Middle School Band, Timothy M. Pietrofere

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The concept of comprehensive musicianship has been discussed since the mid-sixties referring to the interdisciplinary study of music. Many directors focus solely on teaching performing skills such as rhythm and musical notation, limiting the student’s exposure to a well-rounded musical teaching experience. Comprehensive musicianship has shown an increase in student’s musical knowledge in history and enhanced musical theory skills, aural skills, performance skills and improvisation. Although there is significant research on high school bands and their implementation of comprehensive musicianship, there is limited research pertaining to the Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) and the middle school band. This qualitative study …

Language-As-Skill Approach In Foreign Language Education: A Phenomenological Study, Xiang Y. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand foreign language educators' lived experience of language-as-skill that focuses on language use. The central research question explored the foreign language educators' experiences and perspectives on the concept of language acquisition as a type of skill acquisition. In addition, the researcher investigated foreign language educators' language-as-knowledge and language-as-skill methodologies. This study also aimed to discover how the language-as-skill with advanced technology could be a way to address the contemporary challenges in foreign language education for learners and improve learners' communicative competence to thrive in a globalized world with diversity. A transcendental …

Transformative Learning Theory As Applied To Worship Studies, Loueda B. Bleiler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite extensive research regarding the application of Transformative Learning Theory in adult education, there is very little literature promoting applying these principles and practices within Christian Worship Studies. Transformative Learning Theory is an educational theory that researches and promotes perspective-changing teaching and learning. Structured educational opportunities and spiritual development through Christian worship both have the potential to be life-altering events in human experience. In each of these dimensions of learning, the final result may include a change in perspective which then leads to modified behaviors. Transformative change occurs in the life of the learner. This qualitative research study explores the …

It’S The Trauma Talking: A Phenomenology Of Foster Parents’ Trauma Knowledge In Central Virginia, Stephanie Lynn Cheek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe foster parents’ trauma knowledge in Central Virginia. The theories guiding this study include childhood complex trauma theory and experiential learning theory (ELT). As discussed by Herman (1992) and Terr (1991), childhood complex trauma theory explains the behaviors and actions of foster children who have suffered complex trauma. As discussed by Kolb (2014), ELT explains the processes that foster parents go through in gaining and applying trauma knowledge to their fostering. The central research question is, how do foster parents in Central Virginia describe their trauma knowledge? Further research questions include, how …

Factors Which Facilitate The Successful Inclusion Of Students With Learning Disabilities And Emotional And Behavioral Disabilities, Mackenzie Gabrielle Nadeau

Senior Honors Theses

This paper examines the different types of strategies, supports, and technologies available to students who are classified with a learning disability (LD) or emotional and behavioral disability (EBD) in an inclusive setting. As the number of students with LD and EBD in a general, inclusive classroom setting is rising, it is necessary to find ways to maximize their educational performance. In an inclusive setting, children with disabilities receive instruction with support and accommodations alongside their non-disabled peers in their neighborhood school. The practice of inclusion promotes social interaction and peer-acceptance among students with and without disabilities, therefore providing opportunities for …

A Survey Of Teaching Methods Used To Relate To Generation Alpha Congregants In Central Texas, Shawna Mischell Dixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The evolution of time and approaches to addressing the learning styles of students were influential in designing and redesigning educational programming to meet the needs of each generation. The theory that guided this study was the Strauss-Howe generational theory which proposes that each generation has a personality and characteristics that shape how they learn. However, literature described current-day youth congregants as being taught with the same or very similar teaching methods as those that were implemented to teach previous generations. The purpose of this quantitative descriptive study was to discover the teaching methods being used by youth ministry leaders and …

The Development Of Cultural Intelligence (Cq) In The Secondary Social Studies Classroom, Asha Gillette

Senior Honors Theses

Cultural competence is an important skill in our globalized world. Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is a good metric for cultural competence. CQ is used by businesses to improve cultural competence of their employees. There has been a lot of research on the development of CQ in undergraduate business students. Experiential teaching methods are the most effective in improving students’ CQ. CQ is a valuable skill for high school students to learn. The subject most appropriate to include training in CQ is social studies, and specifically World Geography. Pedagogical methods such as cultural interviews used in undergraduate business courses can also be …

The Greatest Teacher: Modeling Jesus In Urban Education, Harley Rusk

Senior Honors Theses

Several key best practices from urban education research are reflected in the pedagogy of Jesus Christ, providing a practical foundation for Christian educators in urban schools. Related to the prevalence of poverty and trauma are the practices of learning students’ backgrounds to better interpret behavior, which Jesus reflects by healing before teaching, and holding high standards, demonstrated in Jesus’ interaction with the rich man and the Sermon on the Mount. Related to racial diversity are the practices of addressing implicit bias, a crucial part of being Christlike, and connecting instruction to students’ culture, like Jesus did through parables. Christians can …

Creating A Culture Of Learning: Intrinsic Motivation And Its Practical Value In The Wake Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Paige Hennen

Senior Honors Theses

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, students of all ages were required to rapidly transition to the demands of virtual learning, resulting in general amotivation. These changes have led to poor academic performance, due to the decreased efficiency of learning processes as these students learn to cope with the instability caused by the pandemic as well as school-related changes. Intrinsic motivation, especially when cultivated within the learning process, plays an important role in student academic success and acts as an influence on holistic success in adulthood. Thus, educators must cater to the needs of this generation's students by implementing …

Fostering Positive Teacher-Student Relationships In The Classroom, Mandi Lehman

Senior Honors Theses

The research in this qualitative study bases itself on the importance of positive teacher-student relationships in the classroom. Positive teacher-student relationships are critical in furthering students’ growth in the school. Teachers can take the place of a parental role in a student’s life, and positive relationships are essential to make a lasting impact on students. Teachers’ attitudes affect how they understand and build relationships with the students in their classroom, and factors such as closeness, conflict, and dependency affect these relationships. Five elementary education professors were interviewed to gain insight into the specific strategies and attitudes elementary educators need to …

How Teachers' Level Of Technology Use Affects Minority Students' Map Scores: A Causal-Comparative Study, Darron Hannah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This causal-comparative study sought to assess group differences between teachers’ level of technology usage and minority students’ (i.e., Black and Hispanic) Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) scores in grades 6-8 in Georgia public schools. This study adds to the body of literature that indicates academic gains from using digital technology in the classrooms and ensuring that digital technology interconnects with quality instruction to drive academic performance for minority students. The current study analyzed Teachers’ Attitude Towards Computers (TAC) and students’ examination scores from the 2021 to 2022 English, Reading, and Math MAP assessment to determine whether teachers’ technology usage level …

How Homeschooling Happens: A Phenomenological Study Of Educational Practices In The Home Education Setting, Bridgette Whitlow-Spurlock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to examine the educational processes and expand the personalized education theory of gifted and twice-exceptional homeschooling through the lived experiences of home educators at the international level via internet communications. Two theories guided this study. The first was the personalized education theory of gifted and twice-exceptional homeschooling, as it is part of the central focus in expanding the theory to new populations and could provide insight into parents’ experiences in designing their children’s homeschool environment. Secondly, the social cognitive theory was integrated within the findings. The central question guiding this study was: …

African American Administrators Utilizing Responses To Intervention For Identification Of African American Males In Special Education: A Phenomenological Study, Barbara Jean Batts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of African American administrators in public schools with their use of Response to Intervention (RTI) when identifying African American males in special education. In order to arrive at the crux of the matter, the central research question was, How do African American public-school administrators describe their experiences in using RTI in the identification of African American males in special education? This study attempted to discover the perceptions of African American administrators in the sub-questions of: (1) How do African American administrators describe the connection of misidentification and disproportionality …

The Experiences Of Elementary School Teachers Teaching In A Virtual Learning Program Who Have Established Presence In The Classroom: A Phenomenological Study In The Southeastern U.S., Amy Tyler Stevenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the shared experiences of teachers who have established presence in online classrooms after transitioning from face-to-face to online elementary classrooms in a virtual program developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The theory guiding this study was the community of inquiry (CoI) framework, developed by Garrison et al., as it specifically relates to distance and online learning and provides a context for research. In this qualitative study, data was collected through interviews, documentation, and a focus group with 11 online teachers (OT) representing several grade levels in an online program. Data was …

Common Attributes Among Highly Effective Middle School Teachers, Stacey Dejean-Bowie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Effective classroom management and delivery of quality classroom instruction is a complex task that every teacher has to face. It is not enough to have well thought out, planned lessons. To be a highly effective teacher, an educator must inspire, motivate and captivate their students all while delivering quality information and rigorous assignments that equip students with the skills and abilities needed in the twenty-first century. At the heart of student achievement is effective teaching. A teacher's effectiveness has been traditionally measured by the level of classroom control, delivery of quality instruction, and student achievement scores. Classroom management has consistently …