Education Commons^™

Persistence Of Female Faculty In Stem, Andrea Constantinou

Dissertations

The lack of women entering certain STEM fields impacts female representation in research faculty, teacher faculty, and leadership positions in higher education. Through a narrative inquiry methodology utilizing the theoretical paradigms of self-determination theory and relational autonomy, this study extended understanding of the factors that motivate persistence for women in certain STEM fields. While prior research focused on understanding the barriers to retention, this study sought to identify the factors motivating retention for women in certain STEM fields. The results of this study contribute to understanding the motivating factors that influence a woman’s persistence in STEM. The data gathered from …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Student Motivation In Secondary Instrumental Music, Martha Jane Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to provide strategies to improve student motivation in band and orchestra programs in Elkhart Community Schools. The problem for band and orchestra teachers was declining enrollment and student participation in outside music activities such as audition opportunities since the COVID-19 pandemic. The rationale for this study was to examine student motivation and provide educators with immediately applicable strategies to improve student participation in instrumental music programs. Educators must understand why students continued to struggle with returning to normalcy by seeking strategies as to how to reach and help these students. Early research following the …

Autonomy Relation To Student's Motivation In Stem, Halle Patton

Honors Projects

The purpose of this research project is to investigate how giving students autonomy can affect the way they learn and participate in a STEM environment. Autonomy-Supportive Teaching occurs when students take ownership throughout the entire learning process, becoming more actively engaged and motivated due to the personal responsibility that they feel to learn. Our education system is primarily made up of teacher-centered environments. However, the change to student-centered learning could be revolutionary. By making educational environments geared towards student interest and choice, it could increase both motivation and internalization– two factors that make a successful student. Research was conducted in …

Exploring Time Management Decisions On Persistence Among Non-Traditional Learners: A Phenomenological Study In Online Learning, James Dale Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to understand the time management decisions of persistent non-traditional online learners over 30 at large institutions offering online programs in the United States. The central research question is: What are the shared time management experiences of persistent non-traditional online students over 30 enrolled in large institutions in the United States? Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, journal prompts, and focus groups. The sample comprised 12 participants. Saturation began to visualize after the ninth interview. Data collection continued until all 12 participants were interviewed and their journal prompts were completed. The study was conducted in a …

A Comparison Of Student Motivation Between Two Ukulele Curricula In A Multi-Age Classroom, Jill K. Moth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Motivation is a topic of high interest to music educators as they attempt to understand what makes their students want to continue learning. The use of the ukulele in the music classroom has grown over the last ten years due to its versatility. Despite its popularity and music educators’ support for its use, very little research exists on students’ motivation while playing it in a general music classroom setting. Therefore, the purpose of this current study is to compare the motivation levels of two groups of multi-age fourth through sixth-grade students learning the ukulele via different curricula in the music …

The Effects Of Age, Employment, Marriage, And Education On Academic Motivation In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Jessica Hamm Msn Rn Phd Student

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

The Effects of Age, Employment, Marriage, and Education on Academic Motivation in Undergraduate Nursing Students

Purpose: The amount of research on non-cognitive variables affecting motivation is limited in nursing students. By using Self-Determination Theory, faculty can determine what motivates students to learn which will allow the creation of a learning environment that promotes student achievement.

Aim: To determine the effect age, marriage status, employment, and education level have on academic motivation in nursing students in the third semester of a baccalaureate nursing program within the framework of Self-Determination Theory.

Method: A descriptive correlational design was used to identify the effect …

Returning To School After A Pandemic: K-6 Education Teachers Perspectives On Low- Income Students Returning To School With Regard To Academic Achievement, Behavior, Mindset, And Social Connections, Sarah Orendorff

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to determine K-6 educators’ perceptions of the impact on low-income students returning to school after the trauma of a pandemic for 2 years with regard to behavior, academic achievement, mindset, and social connections.

Methodology: This qualitative study interviewed 12 K6 teachers who taught before, during, and after the pandemic in Orange County, CA. Semi-structured open ended interview questions was the main source of data collection with other sources including observations, and artifacts. Data was coded and the researcher analyzed the data for themes and patterns.

Findings: After analyzing data, codes, and themes …

Course Discourse: Reimagining Course Evaluations And Feedback, Andrea Walker, Katja Gehr, Gracie Allen, Sara-Lou Adams, Brooke Poirier, Greyson Gainey, Haven Ladd, Katerina Tkachenko, Braxton Lazarus, Bella Marquez, Nora Jones, Chase Lowery, Paul Hanson

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Through the Honors Scholars’ Collaborative, our class, under the guidance of Dr. Heather Finch, has attempted to solve the problem of biased and potentially unhelpful course evaluations. We identified this problem through personal experience with feeling unmotivated to complete school-issued course evaluations and mistrust in other review sources. We set out to educate Belmont students on the importance of course evaluations, work towards better resources for professors regarding feedback, and create a website to better suit students’ needs to prepare for registration. To complete our goals, we executed two WELL Core events, built connections in the Teaching Center, and designed …

Conceptions Of Heroic Leadership In Civil Society, Theresa A. Thorkildsen

Heroism Science

While nations face multiple disruptions to civil society, individuals in late adolescence and early adulthood are overlooked for heroic leadership opportunities in some cultures. An underestimation of individuals’ abilities is sometimes fostered by biological definitions of human development that align competence with physical changes in the brain (Blakemore, 2012). Prolonged exposure to such disregard can encourage individuals to restrict the information they notice, fostering distortion in the intentions that support leadership readiness (Pratkanis, 2007). Studies of individuals’ conceptions of how the world operates can improve leadership readiness if such evidence is used to verify that individuals notice essential information. Using …

Understanding Teacher Perceptions Around Feedback, Cari Ann Sloan

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This narrative research study sought to better understand teachers’ perceptions around feedback, specifically the significant drivers of quality teacher feedback and the effect of the evaluator/teacher relationship. The theoretical frameworks of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, adult learning theory, social learning theory, and self-determination theory were examined to determine what the research reveals about adults’ incentive to improve. Research around accepted best practices in feedback was also reviewed in order to understand current implementation in educational settings, specifically what motivates teachers when given feedback on instruction. Four teachers, chosen for their specific characteristics, gave first-hand accounts of their experiences with the …

The Power Of Team Sports And One Caring Adult, Don Poole

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

When team sports are combined with one adult(Synergy) you can give a child a "Why". Also when you committ to not use limiting beliefs or make judgements about a child's future the sky is the limit. Using the Goldfish principles amazing outcomes will happen!

The Effectiveness Of Qr Code Technology In Developing Digital Game Programming Skills In The Programming Curriculum And Motivation Towards Digital Transformation Among Fifth Grade Students, Rania A. Abed El Monaem, Hanaa Aljarousha

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

The study aimed to identify the effectiveness of using QR code technology in developing digital game programming skills in the programming topic for the fifth grade as well as to identify their motivation towards digital transformation. To achieve this aim, the researchers used the quasi-experimental approach. The study sample consisted of (30) fifth grade students from Bahrain Primary School for the scholastic year 2021/2020, and the study sample was treated as one experimental group that learned by using the QR code technology. To achieve the study objectives a cognitive test to measure digital game programming skills and a motivation scale …

Motivation, Learning, And The Workplace: A Study Of Community College Student Affairs Professionals And Continued Professional Learning, Joseph M. Ginese

Theses and Dissertations

Continued professional learning is a consistent focus of attention for the field of student affairs within higher education. Yet, very little research has been conducted on the factors that influence the motivation of student affairs professionals to pursue continued professional learning, especially professionals within community colleges. This study utilized a quantitative research design to examine the physical and psychological factors of the work environment that can influence a community college student affairs professional’s motivation to pursue continued professional learning. Through the theoretical lens of Lewin’s Field Theory and Eccles’ Expectancy-Value Theory, I designed a 58-item survey (N = 41) …

The Impact Of Perceived Job Satisfaction, Motivational Attitudes, And Organizational Commitment: A Comparative Analysis Between Special Education Teachers Employed In Public Versus Private Schools, David Haimovich

Theses and Dissertations

During and after the Covid-19 pandemic, a high turnover rate of PreK-12 special education teachers continues to persist. To ensure all students with disabilities receive equitable access to a special education teacher, turnover intentions among private school teachers require further insight due to a long-standing gap in research. Using the theoretical frameworks of Herzberg’s (1959) Two-Factor Theory and Meyer & Allen’s (1997) Three-Component Model of Commitment, this non-experimental correlational study examined the influence of six demographic factors related to teachers’ perceptions of job satisfaction, motivational attitudes, and organizational commitment among special education teachers employed in PreK-12 suburban schools in the …

Career Choice Motivation For Professional Pilots, Brett Watts Ph.D., Tamilla Curtis Dba, Scott Ambrose Dba

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study identified key motivational factors of current flight training students to better understand how individuals are motivated to pursue a career in aviation. The theoretical framework used in this study was based upon self-determination theory, as originally introduced by Deci and Ryan (2000).The research approach for this study was a semi-structured interview process where students were asked eight foundational career motivation source questions and their responses were organized into career choice motivation categories. Results showed most participants became motivated to pursue a piloting career at a very young age. This early motivation was largely due to influence from third …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Autonomy Support, Kimberly Hannah Siacor, Betsy Ng, Woon Chia Liu

Journal of Research Initiatives

This paper aimed to elucidate teachers' perceptions of using autonomy support in Singapore's classrooms. Science and mathematics teachers (N = 10) were gathered for semi-structured interviews after a 10-week autonomy support intervention. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis with emerging themes pre-conceived from the literature. The qualitative data provides meaningful insights into the teachers' understanding of what autonomy support entails, to which relevant examples of what teachers said and did to be autonomy-supportive were illuminated. The findings present an in-depth description of teachers' experiences of autonomy support, suggesting the interconnected nature of the autonomy-supportive features. Teachers should practice …

The Role Of Teachers (De-)Motivational Styles On Students’ Autonomous Motivation In Physical Education And Leisure Time, Henri Tilga, Kaija Vahtra, Andre Koka

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of this research was to examine the relationships of four perceived teaching styles (i.e., autonomy support, structure, control, and chaos) of physical education (PE) teachers with students’ satisfaction of psychological needs as well as autonomous and controlled motivation towards physical activity in PE and leisure time context. Materials and Methods: 320 students (166 boys and 154 girls) aged from 12 to 18 years old (M = 14.13, SD = 1.6) participated in the study. In this cross-sectional study, participants filled in a questionnaire of study variables. A variance-based structural equation model was employed to test the study …

The Effects Of A Shared Vision Of Teacher Leadership On Classroom Teachers’ Instruction, Tiffany L. Bockelmann

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning Infographics

Many models of instructional teacher leadership exist in schools with various outcomes for teachers. The aim of this illustrative case study was to understand systemic alignment in a formal teacher leadership system and how this alignment impacted instructional change. This dissertation was framed by three research questions: 1) How do the rationales of teachers, teacher leaders, and administrators regarding teacher leadership in their school align? 2) How does the coherence of a system of leadership impact classroom teachers’ abilities to engage with formal teacher leaders? 3) How does the coherence of a system of leadership impact classroom teachers’ abilities to …

How Participation In A Peer-Led Writing Center Impacts Struggling Students’ Self-Efficacy And Motivation, Laura Peterson

Doctor of Education in Secondary and Middle Grades Education Dissertations

Many secondary students struggle with writing, both in terms of skill and confidence. This qualitative case study follows six students who have a history of struggling in English Language Arts class as they undergo a tutoring intervention based on the writing center model of peer tutoring. Students were observed in seven writing sessions which took place at multiple stages of the writing process and with informational, narrative, and analytical writing assignments. Through interview and observation, the researcher examines how students’ self-efficacy and motivation shift over the course of the intervention. Students who began with low self-efficacy and low motivation were …

The Effects Of Communicative Language Teaching Methods (Clt) Of Teaching Ancient Greek On Student Motivation, Language Learning Experience, Self-Efficacy, Facilitating Anxiety, And Debilitating Anxiety Compared To The Grammar Translation Method (Gtm), Dustin J. Humphreys

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if ancient Greek language programs that use communicative language teaching methods (CLT) produce different student motivation, language learning experience, self-efficacy, facilitating anxiety and debilitating anxiety scores than programs that primarily use the grammar-translation method (GTM) of teaching ancient Greek. This study is critical because the comprehensive teaching of the ancient Greek language has been on the decline in recent decades. This research aims to inform colleges, seminaries, and other language learning schools that teach classical languages, such as ancient Greek, about the potential positive effects of CLT on student motivation, …

Students’ Motivation To Attend Synchronous Online Lectures, Kefah Barham, Abedulkarim Ayyoub, Zuheir Khlaif, Abdelrahim Barham

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

This study aims to sightsee students' perceptions of how online lectures should be through exploring factors that increase students' motivation to attend live zoom classes. A quantitative approach was used to achieve the purpose of the study. The data was collected through an electronic questionnaire using Google forms to explore students' attitudes and perspectives on influencing their attendance to online learning sessions. Five hundred eighty-five participants (154 males and 431 females) in the study made the decision to answer the questionnaire electronically via Google Drive. The study participants were undergraduate students from two universities located north of the West Bank-Palestine. …

Meeting Students’ Needs To Improve Motivation And Higher Academic Achievement In Rio Grande Valley Schools, Tanya Jessica Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

Educational systems are to prepare students for future success in our ever-changing world. Administrators must realize that before a student is willing to learn, crucial needs must be met, especially in low-socioeconomic areas such as the Rio Grande Valley. Some basic needs consist of food and shelter, which are vital for survival. Other needs deal with one’s social and emotional needs that support a child's safety, sense of belonging, and their self-esteem. In this study, focus groups were conducted with sixth, seventh, and eighth grade student participants that gathered the phenomenon of their experiences and their fulfillment of needs …

Examining Discourses In A College Readiness Program: A Qualitative Study, Kendra Marie Farr

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the past ten years, there has been an increase in the Hispanic student population incollege across the United States (Krogstad et al. 2022). However, U.S. Census Bureau statistics (2021; 2022) have shown that they are still less likely to attain a four-year degree compared to their White counterparts. To begin understanding why this occurs, researchers look to curriculum at the high school level to see how students are becoming college ready. High schools utilize college readiness programs to help students prepare for the rigor of college courses. One program is an elective course offered at primary and secondary levels …

An Exploratory Study Of Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions Of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Of Digital Games, Yu-Chun Kuo, Yu-Tung Kuo

College of Education Faculty Scholarship

This study investigated pre-service teachers’ perceptions of technological pedagogical content knowledge of digital games (TPACK-G), the correlation of TPACK-G constructs, and the relation of TPACK-G to personal factors and levels of motivation and self-efficacy. Participants were 96 pre-service teachers from a university in the northeastern United States. Data were collected using online surveys. Quantitative approaches were performed to analyze the data. Results indicated that game content knowledge (GCK) and game pedagogical knowledge (GPK) significantly predicted pre-service teachers’ game pedagogical content knowledge (GPCK), with GPK being the strongest predictor. Pre-service teachers with high levels of motivation or self-efficacy for digital game …

Perceptions Of Educators On Motivational Strategies Influencing Middle School Students In Mathematics Courses, Amy Rigsby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined educators' perceptions of motivational strategies influencing and motivating middle school students to comprehend and perform in mathematics courses. This study used interview data from 15 participants with 2 to 30 years of teaching experience. Educators may utilize this information in multiple settings within the classroom to influence and motivate students in mathematics courses.

Data collection strategies included one-on-one semi-structured middle school educator interviews. Analysis of data occurred in three phases: (a) categorization of data under the five organizational factors, (b) building the explanation in narrative form, and (c) re-examination of the data. The analysis of the …

Exploring College Student Experiences In A Kinesiology Course Using A Gamified Grading System, Rachel E. Williams, Jedediah E. Blanton, Christopher D. Kilgore, Matthew Jones

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Past findings indicate mixed results on the effectiveness of gamification in college courses. The use of a gamified version of specifications-based grading (e.g., gamified grading) is not yet well understood. The purpose of this two-part study was to understand students’ perceptions of intrinsic motivation and engagement in a kinesiology course using gamified grading, facilitated by a gamified grading platform called GradeCraft©. We used qualitative inquiry to capture a robust description of the student experience across a semester, identifying themes describing the course management (e.g., comparison with traditional course, individual approach), and the psychological experience (e.g., autonomy, stress). The following semester, …

Many Lenses With One Focus: Making Philosophy Learning Meaningful Through Collaborative Design, Jonathan Kaplan, Tianhong Shi

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Utilizing the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, a lead philosophy instructor and an instructional designer collaborated with seven other faculty members to create Great Ideas in Philosophy for online asynchronous delivery. We presented a broad array of topics in philosophy and provided substantial practices in “doing” philosophy, aiming to create a welcoming space for a diverse student body, to help students see philosophy as a diverse field, and to provide an engaging and meaningful learning experience for students. Student feedback and final project presentations demonstrated significant learning growth in students taking this newly designed Great Ideas in Philosophy. This …

Motivation In Student Retention: A Phenomenology Of Non-Traditional Undergraduate Students In Online Learning, Jasmine Monique Reynolds

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology study was to understand the experiences of non-traditional undergraduate students taking online courses at a public or a private university in Virginia. The self-determination theory, which guided this study, explained the motivated behaviors of intrinsic and extrinsic needs that affect the determination in non-traditional students completing a task. Self-determination theory provided the theoretical framework to answer the central research question for this study as well as the sub-questions: (1) What are the lived experiences of non-traditional students while taking online courses at a public or private university in Virginia? (2) What influences non-traditional students …

Measuring Motivation To Predict Perceived Success In E-Learning Courses For Pre-Service Teachers: A Predictive-Correlational Study, Erin G. Fleming

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined whether a predictive relationship exists between perceived success in e-learning courses for pre-service teachers and their motivation toward learning at the college level. In this post-pandemic, technology-driven world, e-learning is more prevalent than ever. Understanding who will be successful in these courses is imperative. This study aimed to determine whether perceived success in e-learning courses for pre-service teachers could be predicted by their intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation scores. This predictive-correlational study utilized logistic regression to test the predictor variables: intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, amotivation, motivation subsets, gender, age, sex, and program type against the criterion …

Examining Motivational Trajectories And Need-Fulfillment Dynamics Of Students On Academic Probation, Mary Moore

Educational Studies Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods phenomenological study was to explore undergraduate students’ experiences of academic probation by examining changes or stabilities in the quality of their motivation and students’ basic psychological needs, i.e., autonomy, competency, and relatedness, using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as the theoretical framework. The study was conducted during the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters. Students were recruited from three 4-year private and public research universities located in the Southern and Northeastern parts of the United States. Fifty-nine undergraduate students completed the survey, and five participated in semi-structured interviews. The key findings of this study identified three …