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Full-Text Articles in Education

Dual Enrollment: An Integration Strategy For College Persistence And Achievement Among First-Generation Students, Alisha Carey Jan 2016

Dual Enrollment: An Integration Strategy For College Persistence And Achievement Among First-Generation Students, Alisha Carey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Educational and political leaders across the nation seek to create a more educated population in order to compete in a global technology-oriented society and to increase earning potential of workers. Colleges and universities are currently seeking ways to increase persistence and achievement in order to produce more college graduates. Georgia’s ACCEL program provides funding for dual enrollment programs that exist to support earning college credit while in high school. This study explored one Georgia university’s persistence and achievement among first-time first-generation college students who participated in dual enrollment programs. First generation students are more likely to withdraw from college enrollment …


Exploring The Role Of Elementary Parent Involvement Coordinators In A North Georgia Title I Charter School District, Phillip Elrod Jan 2016

Exploring The Role Of Elementary Parent Involvement Coordinators In A North Georgia Title I Charter School District, Phillip Elrod

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the role of elementary parent involvement coordinators (EPIC) in a Northeast Georgia Title I Charter School District. EPICs were charged with facilitating programs designed to build social capital and network closure for families. This nested case study explored the experiences of five EPICs, each located in one of the five charter elementary schools, within the district of study. Data was collected through focus groups, interviews and related documents to identify emerging themes and shared experiences among the participants. Data sources were analyzed to develop an understanding of each EPIC program as well as an overall perspective on …


A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry Into The Meaning Of Language Learning Strategies As Experienced By Successful English Language Learners At A South Korean University, Eric Hall Jan 2016

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry Into The Meaning Of Language Learning Strategies As Experienced By Successful English Language Learners At A South Korean University, Eric Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the shared experiences and beliefs concerning the use of language learning strategies (LLS) among successful English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners at a South Korean university. The research questions focused on how successful EFL learners describe their experiences learning English through the lens of learning strategies. Further examination described the role LLS play in the student’s successful English language learning. The participants were 12 successful EFL students from a South Korean university. Data collection consisted of interviews, focus groups, and observations. Data analysis was achieved through use of the hermeneutic …


A Phenomenological Study Of Public School Biology Teachers Who Believe In The Literal Genesis Account Of Creation, Eric Dougherty Nov 2015

A Phenomenological Study Of Public School Biology Teachers Who Believe In The Literal Genesis Account Of Creation, Eric Dougherty

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

he purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of Christian public high school biology teachers who believe in a literal, young earth account of creation as revealed in the book of Genesis. There is a gap in the literature regarding understanding the teaching experiences of Christians who believe in a strict interpretation of the biblical book of Genesis. This study was conducted by interviewing 11 Christian public school biology teachers from multiple states who met the criteria for being identified as young earth creationists. Data were also collected through a focus group and reflective vignettes. Data were …


How Science Teachers Balance Religion And Evolution In The Science Classroom: A Case Study Of Science Classes In A Florida Public School District, Pierre Willems Nov 2015

How Science Teachers Balance Religion And Evolution In The Science Classroom: A Case Study Of Science Classes In A Florida Public School District, Pierre Willems

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to research how science teachers balance both religion and evolution in the science classroom with as little controversy as possible. In this study I attempted to provide some insight on how teachers are currently teaching evolution in their science classes in light of the religious beliefs of the students as well as their own. The case study was conducted in a school district in Florida where I attempted to answer the following questions: (a) How do science teachers in the Florida School District (FSD) approach the religion–evolution issue in preparing students for a …


Special Educators’ Perceptions Of Using Educational Rap Music To Build Phonemic Awareness Skills For Students Identified With Mild Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Martha Plumlee Oct 2015

Special Educators’ Perceptions Of Using Educational Rap Music To Build Phonemic Awareness Skills For Students Identified With Mild Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Martha Plumlee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to understand special educators’ experiences and perceptions of using rap music to teach phonemic awareness skills to students with mild intellectual disabilities, in three Smith County (pseudonym) public school self-contained special education classrooms. A purposive sample utilized six participants in data collection comprised of semi-structured interviews, observations, documents, and one focus group. Data was analyzed using phenomenological reduction. Using Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural theory, Gardner’s (1983) multiple intelligences theory, and Kolb’s (1984) experiential learning theory, the essence of the shared experiences and perceptions were reported. An analysis of the data from semi-structured …


The Relationship Between Gaming Addictive Behavior, Satisfaction, And Success In Computer-Based Learning, Marlene Carrilho Oct 2015

The Relationship Between Gaming Addictive Behavior, Satisfaction, And Success In Computer-Based Learning, Marlene Carrilho

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the association between college students’ levels of gaming addictive behavior and their levels of student satisfaction and student success in a computer-based learning environment. Additionally, gender was investigated as a moderator of the association between gaming addictive behavior and student success and between gaming addictive behavior and student satisfaction. Data was collected through online surveys from a convenience sample of undergraduate students enrolled at a large, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)-accredited, evangelical Christian university located in Virginia. The statistical program SPSS 22.0 was used for the analyses. Hierarchical …


Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Sixth Grade Academy: Implications For The Transition To Middle School, Rebecca Davis Oct 2015

Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Sixth Grade Academy: Implications For The Transition To Middle School, Rebecca Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine and evaluate teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of a sixth grade academy program, at a rural middle school in North Georgia, in helping students transition into sixth grade. The transition from fifth grade to sixth grade is a critical year in a student’s educational career. Over the past two decades, transitioning programs have grown as an effort to meet students’ distinct needs. There is very little research documenting teachers’ voices on this matter. The research conducted in this study sought to add the teacher’s perception in identifying the significant features …


The Relationship Between Hexaco Personality Traits And Cyberbullying Perpetrators And Victims, David Smith Sep 2015

The Relationship Between Hexaco Personality Traits And Cyberbullying Perpetrators And Victims, David Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is an increasing problem in high schools across America with the threat of cyberbullying from both a perpetration and victimization standpoint. Cyberbullying is a problem for many youth because of the inability to escape the use of technology and the incapability of escaping the online community. This non-experimental predictive correlational study examined personality traits, using the HEXACO personality structure model, to predict the susceptibility of freshman high school students either being perpetrators or victims of cyberbullying. There were a total of 256 participants who took the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression survey along with the HEXACO personality model survey. This …


A Phenomenological Investigation Of Transactional Reading Experiences Of 12th Grade Digital Natives In Rural Northeast Georgia: Print And Digital Texts, Katherine Kesterson Sep 2015

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Transactional Reading Experiences Of 12th Grade Digital Natives In Rural Northeast Georgia: Print And Digital Texts, Katherine Kesterson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the print and digital transactional reading experiences of 12th grade digital natives at Mountain High School in rural, northeast Georgia. The research questions include: What are the reading experiences of 12th grade digital natives in a rural high school in northeast Georgia? How do 12th grade digital natives in a rural high school in northeast Georgia describe their transactional experiences with print texts? How do 12th grade digital natives in a rural high school in northeast Georgia describe their transactional experiences with digital texts? Participants included a purposeful sample of …


The Perception Of The Effectiveness Of Classdojo In Middle School Classrooms: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Michael Burger Sep 2015

The Perception Of The Effectiveness Of Classdojo In Middle School Classrooms: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Michael Burger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study modeled after Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological reduction investigated the perceptions of teachers and students regarding the effectiveness of ClassDojo as a classroom management tool for three middle school classrooms at Cardinal Unified School District (pseudonym). The research questions for the study were aimed at understanding teachers’ and students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of ClassDojo as a classroom management tool as well as the necessary resources and experiences to implement it well. Furthermore, this research aimed at explaining teachers’ perceptions of how the use of this tool affected their administrators’ view of them as teachers. The participants consisted …


The Impact Of Non-Band Music Participation On The Academic Achievement Of 6th Grade Mathematics Students, Sherica Denise Jones-Lewis May 2015

The Impact Of Non-Band Music Participation On The Academic Achievement Of 6th Grade Mathematics Students, Sherica Denise Jones-Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is hypothesized that participation in non-band music has a positive impact on mathematics achievement. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the theory of self-determination, multiple intelligence theory, and brain research provide a theoretical foundation in support of this conjecture. This causal comparative study seeks to address three questions related to the hypothesis: a) is there a difference between the academic achievement of 6th grade mathematics students based on non-band music participation status; b) is there a difference between the academic achievement of 6th grade males based on non-band music participation; and c) is there a difference between the academic achievement of …


Noetic Sanctification: Using Critical Thinking To Facilitate Sanctification Of The Mind, Bryce F. Hantla Dec 2014

Noetic Sanctification: Using Critical Thinking To Facilitate Sanctification Of The Mind, Bryce F. Hantla

Christian Perspectives in Education

This literature review proposes four pillars of critical thinking (CT) that should be applied as the Christian educational discipline of noetic (or cognitive) sanctification: 1) CT is a broad term involving multiple aspects of an approach to life, 2) education brings individuals out of the classroom and into developing CT dispositions, 3) CT necessitates being conversant with multiple perspectives throughout the process of thinking and learning, and 4) CT involves a high self-awareness regarding assumptions, biases, and motivation. Based on these CT pillars, some applications are recommended for Christian educators, regardless of educational setting.


A Story Of Virtue: Moral Identity Development In Students Attending A Midwestern Evangelical College, Wendy Lundberg Jul 2014

A Story Of Virtue: Moral Identity Development In Students Attending A Midwestern Evangelical College, Wendy Lundberg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study discussed the essence of moral identity and provided an understanding of the context in which it was experienced by emerging adults attending a Midwestern evangelical college. Since a primary objective in Christian education today is the formation of moral character in students, this study provided a rich description of moral identity within the emerging adult and a deeper understanding of moral identity formation during adolescence by examining the life narratives of 11 students attending an evangelical college in the Midwest. This phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews and document analysis to describe the essence of the moral …


Elementary Christian School Teachers Utilizing Biblical Concepts In Classroom Management, Christy Hill May 2014

Elementary Christian School Teachers Utilizing Biblical Concepts In Classroom Management, Christy Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examined biblical concepts utilized by elementary Christian school teachers in classroom management in two Christian schools in Virginia. Items examined included which biblical components were being utilized and how teachers are utilizing them. Determining factors influencing the incorporation of biblical concepts in classroom management and teachers' perceptions of their utilization were also explored. The study used teacher interviews, focus groups, and document reviews. Data analysis was conducted through the use of interview and focus group transcriptions along with as analysis of pertinent documents. Significant statements from the data were coded into themes. Findings included biblical concepts were …


Discipleship In Education: A Plan For Creating True Followers Of Christ In Christian Schools, Joseph Allotta Dec 2013

Discipleship In Education: A Plan For Creating True Followers Of Christ In Christian Schools, Joseph Allotta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Students are often tested to evaluate their academic knowledge, but few Christian schools evaluate whether a student has become a true disciple of Christ. Schools need to know what they can do that actually has an impact. This project will focus on high school seniors at Baptist schools in the Tampa Area. Students will take a custom survey to determine their biblical knowledge, use of spiritual disciplines, and beliefs on morality, along with what factors influenced them the most. School officials will be interviewed to identify how each is attempting to influence said aspects. Special attention will be given to …


First Grade Teacher Perceptions Of A Character Education Program, Gina Skinner Dec 2013

First Grade Teacher Perceptions Of A Character Education Program, Gina Skinner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to describe perceptions of first grade teachers at a north Georgia elementary school regarding a character education program. Although the debate continues as to who should instill our children with values, little documentation exists concerning how educators perceive their role as instructors of character. Many character education programs exist, and many schools have adopted their use. However, school systems are struggling with budget issues, and when deciding where funding may be cut, non-academic programs such as character education are often the first areas terminated. Yet, teachers appear to have little voice in …


Effects Of Single-Gender Education On The Reading Achievement Of Third Through Fifth Grade Boys, Michael Brown Aug 2013

Effects Of Single-Gender Education On The Reading Achievement Of Third Through Fifth Grade Boys, Michael Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is said repeatedly, boys can't read. However, the statement should be boys can read they just don't. Understanding there is a need for action is the first step educators must take in helping boys emerge as confident and successful readers. Single-gender classrooms can be successful tools when seeking new ways in which to engage boys in reading. This is a step towards creating atmospheres where boys are encouraged to read and where reading is tailored to their interests. The purpose of this causal comparative study was to examine the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) reading achievement scores of third …


What Is The Profile Of The Ideal Christian Coach, Alan Coker Aug 2013

What Is The Profile Of The Ideal Christian Coach, Alan Coker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The question this writer would like to explore is: What is the profile of the ideal Christian Coach? Recently I sat down with Jonathan Reitz, CEO of CoachNet, one of the largest Christian coaching networking agencies in the world. Jonathan's question to me was can we come up with a profile of the ideal coach? The goal is to answer the question by using materials from evaluations and assessments provided by CoachNet. These have been agreed upon to be readily available for the purpose of this project. The research and statistical analysis provided should present a profile from a random …


An Exploration Of The Impact That Postmodernism Has On Competition In Sport, Shara Crow Jul 2013

An Exploration Of The Impact That Postmodernism Has On Competition In Sport, Shara Crow

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact that postmodernism has on competition in sport. Previous studies compartmentalized social thought and competition in sport. This study appreciates that the two are connected, and it is through this connectedness that the impact emerges. By describing, finding, and analyzing relationships through text as well as notating text iteratively, it was found through a postmodernist critical awareness to meta-narratives that sport is expressed in two main themes: (a) identity (b) and hierarchy/authority. Moreover, both of these themes are interrelated to social interaction. These findings indicate that social interpretation impacts the complex …


Secrets Of Their Success: A Multiple Case Study Of Mathematically Proficient Homeschool Graduates, Betty Cardinale May 2013

Secrets Of Their Success: A Multiple Case Study Of Mathematically Proficient Homeschool Graduates, Betty Cardinale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explain how mathematically proficient homeschool graduates acquired their proficiency. Bronfenbrenner's (1979, 1999) ecological and Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) models were used as theoretical frameworks to analyze the development of the graduates in the homeschool environment. The National Research Council's (NRC) Five Strands of Mathematical Proficiency (Kilpatrick, Swafford, & Findell, 2001) was used as a conceptual framework. I collected four types of data: (a) surveys; (b) National Assessment of Educational Progress; (c) Mathematical Self-Efficacy Scale scores; and (d) interviews. These data items were analyzed with explanation building, a special case of pattern-matching logic. Many …


A Phenomenology Of Teacher And Parent Perceptions Of The Characteristics Of Effective Schools: Working Toward A Shared Vision, William Sroufe May 2013

A Phenomenology Of Teacher And Parent Perceptions Of The Characteristics Of Effective Schools: Working Toward A Shared Vision, William Sroufe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research conducted at schools that have outperformed their counterparts points to specific characteristics that make them successful. These characteristics brought about the development of the effective schools correlates by Ronald Edmonds (1979). Various people from across the United States and in various occupations perceive these correlates differently (Sorenson, Goldsmith, Mendez, & Maxwell, 2011). Effective school research focuses school improvement on the variables that are within the control of educators and have the greatest potential to impact student achievement (Vaughn, Gill, & Sherman, 2009). Research surrounding effective schools concentrates on the seven effective school correlates: (a) clear school mission, (b) high …


State Tuition Tax Credits: A School Choice Policy Recommendation, Andrew M. Butler Apr 2013

State Tuition Tax Credits: A School Choice Policy Recommendation, Andrew M. Butler

Senior Honors Theses

Public schools are afflicted by a litany of ailments ranging from the methodological to the practical. Public schools operate on a conflicted educational philosophy, are rife with inefficiencies, and result in educational monopolies. A state tuition tax credit system is the most advantageous policy option available in regards to education reform and school choice initiatives. This paper will examine some of the 11 state tuition tax credit programs currently in operation as well as other school choice options, and identify problems inherent in the public school system. State tuition tax credits are a superior educational policy option as compared with …


Vocabulary With Character: Lessons From Newberry Books, Karen L. Parker Jan 2013

Vocabulary With Character: Lessons From Newberry Books, Karen L. Parker

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.


"Lighting The Way" With Differentiation In Reading, Leonard W. Parker Jan 2013

"Lighting The Way" With Differentiation In Reading, Leonard W. Parker

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.


A Multi-Site Case Study Investigating Teacher Perspectives Of Standards Based Reform And Gifted Students, Amy Valadez Nov 2012

A Multi-Site Case Study Investigating Teacher Perspectives Of Standards Based Reform And Gifted Students, Amy Valadez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The push by the Federal government to directly increase and positively impact achievement since the implementation of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) (2001) gave rise to the educational design known as standards based reform (SBR). This legislation impacted all sub-groups by measuring growth for sub-populations to determine yearly adequate progress. The growth of the sub-population of gifted students, however, was not included in the determination of a school's or county's success, so the impact of standards based reform on the gifted student is lacking. Therefore, this case study examined educators' perspectives of standards based reform on the gifted child in …


Augustinian Philosophy: Between Critical Pedagogy And Neo-Scholasticism, Emad Francis Nov 2012

Augustinian Philosophy: Between Critical Pedagogy And Neo-Scholasticism, Emad Francis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Augustinian thoughts have been widely revered for their great influence on the development of Western philosophy. While most of St. Augustine's ideas were adapted in various fields of modern thought, his ideas on education have been rarely discussed. In reality, one should recognize that St. Augustine, being one of the greatest teachers of the church and a towering figure in all ages of Western philosophy, had implicitly detailed in his works and portrayed in his colorful life important ideas of teaching on education. Although this may be open for arguments and debate, this study set out to examine Augustinian ideas …


Single-Sex Education Versus Coeducation In North Georgia Public Middle Schools, Catherine Blake Oct 2012

Single-Sex Education Versus Coeducation In North Georgia Public Middle Schools, Catherine Blake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The U.S. Department of Education is giving more liberties to school districts to offer single-sex schools in order to adequately serve the needs of students. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to test the theory of students' performances based on their educational environment by comparing students who received instruction in a single gender classroom in a public middle school compared to students who received instruction in a mixed gender classroom in a public middle school. The achievement test, Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test, was used with each site school. There were two years of data collected with the …


The Effect Of Implementing School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports On Student Misbehavior In A Large Urban High School, John Power Oct 2012

The Effect Of Implementing School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports On Student Misbehavior In A Large Urban High School, John Power

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the effect that implementing School-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) had on student misbehavior as determined by Office Discipline Referrals, chronic student misbehavior, In School and Out of School Suspensions assignments, and student tardy referrals in a large urban high school. School-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports is a systematic, proactive, preventive, research-based approach that has shown to reduce student misbehavior when implemented with fidelity. The study focused on the Primary Prevention Tier of SWPBIS to prevent and reduce student misbehavior. The study attempted to answer the question is School-wide …


A Phenomenological Study Of Teacher And Administrator Experiences In The Analysis And Interpretation Of Student Assessment Data, Matthew Ross Apr 2012

A Phenomenological Study Of Teacher And Administrator Experiences In The Analysis And Interpretation Of Student Assessment Data, Matthew Ross

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative empirical phenomenological study was to examine the experience of analyzing and interpreting student assessment data from the perspective of both teachers and administrators in order to identify: (a) those aspects of the experiences which are similar or dissimilar among the two groups, (b) the priorities and influences which affect those experiences, and (c) the most critical issues expressed by the participants. Ten teachers and five administrators participated in three in-depth individual interviews, online reflective journaling, and follow-on focus group interviews. This study revealed that the experiences of teachers and administrators can be characterized and described …