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Full-Text Articles in Education

Educating The Whole Child: The Transformative Power Of Self-Efficacy, Hannah Wallenta Feb 2024

Educating The Whole Child: The Transformative Power Of Self-Efficacy, Hannah Wallenta

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper examined research on the teaching strategies that impact self-efficacy and student achievement. This topic was explored through a multitude of quantitative and qualitative studies which provided a comprehensive understanding of overall benefits of increasing self-efficacy, teachers' roles in development, and multitude of strategies used in the classroom to support teachers in creating student learning experiences that promote self-efficacy. This research goes beyond what structures are needed for student success and delves into the methods used to support the whole child from a psychological perspective that prepares them for success outside of the classroom. Further research is needed to …


Fostering Self-Efficacy And Autonomous Motivation To Aid In Mastering High-Order Writing Skills, Jessica Nowacki Van Denheuvel Aug 2023

Fostering Self-Efficacy And Autonomous Motivation To Aid In Mastering High-Order Writing Skills, Jessica Nowacki Van Denheuvel

Graduate Teacher Education

Students need to be able to write to be successful in school, personal life, and professional settings. In upper elementary, fourth- through fifth-grades, students shift from basic to high-order writing skills. The increased cognitive load can overwhelm students and even lead to task avoidance. Self-efficacy and autonomous motivation assist students in engaging and sustaining complex tasks. This literature evaluated fifteen primary research studies on how teachers may foster these constructs to aid in students’ development of high-order writing skills. Three strands were revealed. The first strand explored the state of writing instruction - the influence of standards-based educational systems and …


Academic Achievement And Development Of Self-Efficacy Of At-Risk Girls Through Mentoring Programs, Latriace Wicks-Williams Apr 2020

Academic Achievement And Development Of Self-Efficacy Of At-Risk Girls Through Mentoring Programs, Latriace Wicks-Williams

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

At-risk girls of color face a variety of challenges; even more when they are in an urban setting. Girls must gain the tools necessary to transition effectively into adulthood. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the effect participating in a mentoring program had on the academic achievement and self-efficacy of girls of color in an urban setting who have been identified as at-risk. The primary focus of the study was academic achievement and self-efficacy. These two traits have been identified as essential to the successful transition into adulthood. The population of this study is girls of …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Self-Efficacy Of Veteran Traditionally Certified And Alternatively Certified Career And Technical Education Teachers, Khristy A. Franklin Apr 2020

A Phenomenological Study Of The Self-Efficacy Of Veteran Traditionally Certified And Alternatively Certified Career And Technical Education Teachers, Khristy A. Franklin

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Self-efficacy is important to be a successful teacher. As a result of successful teacher demands, veteran traditionally certified and alternatively certified career and technical education (CTE) teachers must be aware of their perception of their self-efficacy. Bandura’s (1977) foundational theory on self-efficacy was utilized as a conceptual framework to demonstrate the perception of veteran traditionally and alternatively certified CTE teachers. This phenomenological study enlisted 17 participants to investigate their perception of their self-efficacy of veteran traditionally certified and alternatively certified CTE teachers. This phenomenological study utilized interviews as qualitative instrumentation methods to answer the two research questions. Narratives and tables …


A Case Study: Perceptions Of An Indigenous Stem Nonprofit Contributions To Self-Efficacy And Educational Experience, Tyler Parisien Feb 2020

A Case Study: Perceptions Of An Indigenous Stem Nonprofit Contributions To Self-Efficacy And Educational Experience, Tyler Parisien

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Native American people and Indigenous people are underrepresented in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. According to the National Science Foundation (NSF, 2015), Indigenous people represented 1.7% of the United States population, but only accounted for 0.6% of bachelor’s degrees, 0.4% of master’s degrees, and 0.2% of doctoral degrees in science and engineering. The low participation of Indigenous people in STEM disciplines have been attributed to reasons such as (a) lack of exposure, (b) lack of interest, (c) lack of confidence, (d) lack of a sense of belonging, and (e) lack of goal congruency. This qualitative research study …


A Phenomenological Study Into How Early Childhood Educators Experience Gamification As An Employee Motivational Tool, Marlene C. Cooper Dec 2019

A Phenomenological Study Into How Early Childhood Educators Experience Gamification As An Employee Motivational Tool, Marlene C. Cooper

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore how early childhood educators (ECE) experience gamification as a motivational tool. The study was grounded in self-efficacy theory and used the transcendental phenomenological methodology to uncover the lived experiences of the participants. The researcher used questionnaires, journals, and interviews to gather data from respondents. The interview utilized open-ended questions to provide respondents the opportunity to give a detailed account of their shared experiences while operating the gamified technology used in their program. Data was collected from 8 ECE teachers working at a private preschool in a mid-Atlantic state. Participant accounts described a …


Computer Self-Efficacy, Digital Learners, And Completion Rates In The California Community College System, John R. Otte Dec 2019

Computer Self-Efficacy, Digital Learners, And Completion Rates In The California Community College System, John R. Otte

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The importance of online learning in higher education has increased considerably over the last two decades. As a result, online learning has become an important area of research. The purpose of the study was to examine if higher levels of computer self-efficacy (CSE) contributed to online course completion among online California community college students. Guided by Bandura’s (1977) work on self-efficacy and the work of Compeau and Higgins (1995) and Howard (2014) on computer self-efficacy, this study revealed that there is no relationship between high levels of CSE and successful completion of the course. A judgement sample was used to …


Lived Experiences Of Novice Public School Adapted Physical Education Teachers: A Phenomenological Study, Joyce M. Sakai Dec 2019

Lived Experiences Of Novice Public School Adapted Physical Education Teachers: A Phenomenological Study, Joyce M. Sakai

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of novice public school adapted physical education (APE) teachers and how their experiences affected their self-efficacy and job satisfaction. This dissertation is an original independent research project that contributes to the field of educational practice and knowledge. Five male and five female APE teachers who have taught in public schools for three years or less within California represented the population of this study. Bandura’s (1986) theory of self-efficacy and Knowles’s (1984) theory of andragogy was the foundation for the conceptual framework of this study because they represent factors …


Team-Based Academic Interventions At An Urban High School And Their Impact On Student Achievement, Erica E. Wolfskill Nov 2019

Team-Based Academic Interventions At An Urban High School And Their Impact On Student Achievement, Erica E. Wolfskill

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Academic improvement is a concern for urban schools (Jacob & Ryan, 2018) therefore it is significant to focus on requisite skills, which contribute to student success. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore how team-based academic interventions impact student achievement. This study examined how public, high school student­­–athletes, ages 14–17, understand and describe their experience with academic study table program as part of their athletic practices. Additionally, the study examined student–athletes’ perception of participation in team-based activities and the influence of academic achievement and how the implementation of study tables during athletic practices impact student–athletes’ academic success. …


The Effects Of Alternative Certification Program Type On Teacher Self-Efficacy: A Causal-Comparative Study, Tonda Handy Oct 2019

The Effects Of Alternative Certification Program Type On Teacher Self-Efficacy: A Causal-Comparative Study, Tonda Handy

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of alternative teacher certification program type on teachers sense of efficacy in classroom management, student engagement, and instructional strategies. Teacher self-efficacy has become the industry standard to measure a teachers sense of confidence in instructional tasks (Lauerman, & König, 2016). Measuring teacher self-efficacy of new teachers can indicate how teacher preparation program plays a role in establishing teacher self-efficacy. The study was built upon the conceptual framework of the teacher self-efficacy theory, which is a subset of the self-efficacy theory (Tshannen-Moran & Woolfolk-Hoy, 2001). Participants in this study were new …


The Current Training Practices And Perceived Training Needs Of Special Education Assistants In Texas, Carita J. Curry Aug 2019

The Current Training Practices And Perceived Training Needs Of Special Education Assistants In Texas, Carita J. Curry

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Special education assistants (SEAs) have been a vital source in the classroom since the early 1950s. When SEAs first began helping in the classroom, they were responsible for helping with clerical needs such as copying, filing, and data recording. However, those roles have evolved into more involved tasks well outside their job description and such as lesson planning and major delivery of classroom instruction. This phenomenological study delved into the training practices designed for SEAs in one Texas school district to determine if the current practices prepared SEAs to fulfil their state mandated job descriptions. The researcher also sought to …


How Students’ Reading Habits Are Affected By Library Genrefication, Sarah Fleming Aug 2019

How Students’ Reading Habits Are Affected By Library Genrefication, Sarah Fleming

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Reading for pleasure has multiple benefits, including an increase in math and science skills, in the capability to empathize, and in inferential abilities. Unfortunately, as students reach adolescence, there is a decline in reading for pleasure. The purpose of this case study was to explore what effect the genrefication of a school’s library may have on the reading habits of self-identified reluctant readers in the seventh grade. The research questions of this study were focused on self-efficacy in terms of reading skill and self-selection materials, as well as time spent reading for pleasure. The study site was a public middle …


Supporting Beginning Teachers Through Mentorship, Tracy Ehlers Jul 2019

Supporting Beginning Teachers Through Mentorship, Tracy Ehlers

Graduate Teacher Education

Beginning teachers are not always aware of the difficulties in teaching. It can be common for beginning teachers to feel overwhelmed, inadequate, and toil with emotions for the first few years of their career. Mentoring programs are established to help support beginning teachers. When the needs of beginning teachers are met, self-efficacy can be developed. Beginning teachers who are self-efficacious believe that they can achieve goals, accomplish tasks, and manage challenges in their practice. They are more competent and confident in the classroom. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies found that supporting the emotional needs of teachers can positively impact …


Effective Mathematics Instruction: Developing Best Practices For Student Learning, Debra Wecker Flores Jul 2019

Effective Mathematics Instruction: Developing Best Practices For Student Learning, Debra Wecker Flores

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, intrinsic case study was to examine the perspectives of teachers and students as they pertained to how they understood and described effective mathematics instruction. The research population consisted of six ninth-grade students attending the educational centers in a regional charter system in California. The research population also included six high school mathematics teachers from the same regional charter system who had taught ninth-grade mathematics for at least two school years. The research instruments used in this study included semistructured interviews, observations, and an examination of artifacts. Interview questions were open ended and designed to capture …


Exploring Female Perceptions Of Metacognitive Development In Online Learning, Heather Richards Jul 2019

Exploring Female Perceptions Of Metacognitive Development In Online Learning, Heather Richards

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

With increased access to higher education through online delivery mediums, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of the learning environment on disadvantaged populations such as female students. As the online learning classroom challenges through distance, isolation, and communication, these factors can influence a positive perception of the learning environment and interfere with deep learning. This qualitative study explored female perceptions of metacognitive development within the online learning environment, as metacognition is a core element of academic success in higher education. Through the design of the conceptual framework and with the support of the literature review, a methodology was selected …


The Perceptions Of Female High-School Students Regarding Their Engineering Self-Efficacy, Joyce Russo Apr 2019

The Perceptions Of Female High-School Students Regarding Their Engineering Self-Efficacy, Joyce Russo

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to develop insight from the self-perceptions of a small group of female students attending an Oregon high school regarding their self-efficacy in engineering. To answer the guiding research questions, female students were asked to complete a survey to gather data on their described perceptions. Ten randomly selected students also participated in a study interview, and student artifacts were viewed to better understand the student experience with the engineering practices of the Next Generation Science Standards. Science teachers at the study-site high school were also interviewed to gather data on teacher perceptions of the …


Impact Of New Teacher Induction On Beginning Teachers, Greta L. Scharp Apr 2019

Impact Of New Teacher Induction On Beginning Teachers, Greta L. Scharp

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Teacher retention and its much more emphasized antithesis, attrition, affects the Federation of Affiliated Christian Churches (FACC) school system. The FACC created the New Teacher Induction (NTI) program after the New Teacher Center model for induction out of Santa Cruz, California to assist new teachers and increase retention rates in their school system. Mentoring, professional development opportunities, and principal engagement were the three-prongs of the NTI approach to teacher support which aimed at increasing new teacher self-efficacy. This qualitative case study examines new teacher perceptions of the NTI program, and its impact on their decisions to remain in or leave …


A Single Case Study Of Blended Learning In A Colorado Middle School, Dave W. Baker Apr 2019

A Single Case Study Of Blended Learning In A Colorado Middle School, Dave W. Baker

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this single case study was to investigate the perceptions of teachers and administrators on the impact of a three-station rotation model of blended learning in a Colorado middle school. The study includes any benefits and drawbacks realized through “Hazleton” Middle School’s instructional shift to blended learning, specifically whether there is evidence that teachers and administrators perceive an improvement with students’ ability to grasp academic concepts, develop self-advocacy and self-efficacy skills, increase engagement, and reduce and prioritize teacher preparation time. The study was conducted using a focus group interview with three school administrators, interviews with 16 teachers, and …


The Difference Between Teacher Candidates’ And Veteran Teachers’ Perceptions Of Motivation, Nishika Edwards Dec 2018

The Difference Between Teacher Candidates’ And Veteran Teachers’ Perceptions Of Motivation, Nishika Edwards

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

In this study, motivational levels and self-efficacy of educators are assessed as a case study. Twenty-two participants were divided into three subgroups engaged in the study. The subgroups included a group of teacher candidates who had recently declared their majors, a group of teacher candidates who had completed all of their coursework, and a group of veteran teachers who had completed a formal teacher education evaluation system. An academic motivational scale was administered to determine if the participants are extrinsically or intrinsically motivated to be an educator. In addition, a teacher self-efficacy scale was administered to distinguish the self-efficacy beliefs …


The Impact Of Teacher Self-Efficacy On Methodology And The Use Of Graphing Technology In Teaching Factoring Quadratic Functions: Perspectives Of International Introductory Algebra Teachers, Malgorzata Mart Dec 2018

The Impact Of Teacher Self-Efficacy On Methodology And The Use Of Graphing Technology In Teaching Factoring Quadratic Functions: Perspectives Of International Introductory Algebra Teachers, Malgorzata Mart

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether there is a relationship between self-efficacy of international algebra teachers and their level of incorporating technology in teaching factoring quadratic functions to introductory algebra students. The secondary purpose of the study was to examine the influence of self-efficacy on the perspective of international teachers with respect to the methods they use to teach factoring quadratic functions to introductory algebra students. The participants, 54 mathematics educators form 15 countries on five continents, replied to the UVGIA survey instrument. Quantitative analysis of data brought two results. There is a strong positive relationship …


Understanding The Liberal Arts Experience: Developing Leadership Skills From Classical Education, Christina Kloch Nov 2018

Understanding The Liberal Arts Experience: Developing Leadership Skills From Classical Education, Christina Kloch

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This descriptive case study seeks to determine how public high school students perceive the value of participating in liberal arts activities and how they believe these activities influence their academic success and future choices after their high school graduation. Participants were selected from students who participated in both a liberal arts and leadership activity at the research site during the 2018 spring semester. The eight selected participants were asked to complete an initial interview and a member checking interview. The researcher also observed each participant’s leadership activities twice. Themes emerging from the collected data included participant’s access to leadership development …


A Phenomenological Study Examining Dual Educators’ Perceptions Of Their Impact On Students’ Educational Experiences, Marisol Rodriguez Jun 2018

A Phenomenological Study Examining Dual Educators’ Perceptions Of Their Impact On Students’ Educational Experiences, Marisol Rodriguez

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Educators take second jobs for a variety of reasons and in a variety of fields. However, there is limited research on educators who choose to assume two roles within the educational system and who bridge two educational settings (i.e., post-secondary and university levels). This qualitative, phenomenological research study explored the lived experiences of such “dual educators” in Portland, Oregon, who have been teaching simultaneously in high school and college. Specifically, this study examined dual educators’ motivations to pursue these dual roles, their perceptions of the impact of these hybrid roles on their students, as well as other factors including the …


A Case Study Of Middle School Teachers’ Attitudes Of Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities, Eucharia N. Nnawulezi Jun 2018

A Case Study Of Middle School Teachers’ Attitudes Of Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities, Eucharia N. Nnawulezi

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The aim of this study is to examine teachers’ attitudes toward the inclusion of students with special needs in general education middle school classrooms. Extant literature shows that factors such as teachers’ experiences with students with disabilities, ability to manage diverse classroom behaviors, understanding of individual disabilities, collaboration, self-efficacy, available resources, and school leadership support affect teachers’ willingness to consent to the inclusion model. Research reveals that teachers’ attitudes toward inclusion are greatly influenced by their experiences with students with disabilities and extent and level of collaboration in the school. These are the greatest predictors of employing a successful inclusion …


Motivation To Learn During Simulation-Based Learning: An Examination Of Learner Characteristics In Health Science Students, Lorraine Clarke Jun 2018

Motivation To Learn During Simulation-Based Learning: An Examination Of Learner Characteristics In Health Science Students, Lorraine Clarke

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine specific learner characteristics (age, gender, and prior completion of baccalaureate degree) as confounders in the self-reporting of perceived self-efficacy, task value, and affective factors in students’ motivation to learn in simulation-based learning (SBL). The theoretical foundation used in this research connects the definition of competency (CAMRT, 2014) with Bandura’s (1986) concept of self-efficacy and a model for motivation to learn (Pintrich, Smith, García, & McKeachie, 1991). This study was investigated across nursing and allied health programs in a Western Canadian institute of technology. A survey was distributed to full-time students registered in …


The Peripheral Factors Of Inclusive Education And Teacher Self-Efficacy, Debra L. Harper Aug 2017

The Peripheral Factors Of Inclusive Education And Teacher Self-Efficacy, Debra L. Harper

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Existing literature has indicated that self-reported challenges of general-education (GenEd) teachers often involve the experiences and views of these educators surrounding the peripheral factors of inclusive education (Caskey, 2008; Fuchs, 2010). Bandura (2012) asserted that most sources of hindrance to shaping the dynamics between self-efficacy (SE) and subsequent action are not knowledge-based, but rather, originate from such peripheral factors. The purpose of this current study was to explore the perceptions of GenEd high-school teachers in terms of how the peripheral factors of inclusive education shape their SE with regard to effective instruction within the inclusive classroom. A qualitative case study …


Fostering Motivation And Teacher Self-Efficacy Using The Guided Reading Method, Shelley Robinson Aug 2017

Fostering Motivation And Teacher Self-Efficacy Using The Guided Reading Method, Shelley Robinson

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This case study examines factors that support guided reading instruction to foster motivation in seventh and eighth grade readers. The goal of the analysis is to answer the following two research questions: “How do middle school teachers foster the motivation of struggling students?” and “How do teachers demonstrate efficacy in teaching using the guided reading method?” Twelve middle school teachers, who are employed by a public school system in the Dallas, Texas area were given survey questions focusing on early reading experiences, definitions of reading terms, and current reading practice, and were given a pre and post Teacher’s Sense of …


Teacher Self-Efficacy In Classroom Management Amongst Novice Middle School Teachers, Kentyl C. Byrne May 2017

Teacher Self-Efficacy In Classroom Management Amongst Novice Middle School Teachers, Kentyl C. Byrne

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

There is a lack of research pertaining to classroom management solely related to self-efficacy. This dissertation seeks to contribute to the field of literature and understand what support, if any is being offered to pre-service teachers and novice teachers in the area of classroom management. Rooted in Bandura’s (1997) Social Cognitive Theory, this dissertation examines how novice middle school teachers demonstrate teacher self-efficacy in classroom management, and how the teachers achieved their level of teacher self-efficacy in classroom management. Using a blind survey and face-to-face interview, participants demonstrated self-efficacy in classroom management by focusing on routine and procedures within their …


My Story: A Doctoral Candidate's Journey, John D'Aguanno Apr 2017

My Story: A Doctoral Candidate's Journey, John D'Aguanno

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This study seeks to understand my doctoral journey. Meaning for my journey was drawn from the intersection of shared program experiences with 13 other study participants who had either already earned or were in the midst of retaining doctoral degrees of their own. Common thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with earning the doctoral degree were discovered during open-ended professional conversations centered on the framework of my research study: self-efficacy, motivation, perseverance or grit, and change or transformation. The shared description of my journey helped me understand my experience in a different more meaningful way. Through my narrative, I hope a …