Education Commons^™

Online Resources For Oral Communication Courses, Sean P. Palmer

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Online resources focusing on oral communication skills are lacking, even as online education itself expands. While I was aware of this lack, I didn’t realize its severity until LaGuardia Community College went fully remote during the 2020 global pandemic, and I was looking for online tutoring aids for oral communication. Furthermore, the information presented online is frequently unsuitable for the purposes of online pedagogy due to its specialized and jargony mode of presentation. Also, many existing assignments involving oral communication assume public speaking as the default model, despite the growing importance of emergent digital modes of oral performance, like podcasting …

Liberated Learning Spaces: A Visual Playlist, Tarilyn R. Little

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Liberation can be defined as “the act of setting free” or “being free from limits on thoughts and behavior.” Both an action and a state of being, liberation has long been centered as a key function of education, particularly for those who live in historically and systemically marginalized identities. Despite the long-standing existence of liberation-focused pedagogies and activism aimed at transforming schools and students’ lived experiences, educational institutions in the United States have struggled to live out these ideals, often sustaining and replicating systems and practices of oppression. Drawing on historical and contemporary conversations in education and psychology, Liberated Learning …

Aligning Novice Special Educators Classroom Practices, Mentoring Support, And Needs With Discrit Classroom Ecology, Kaitlyn Stillwagon

Theses and Dissertations

This multiple case study investigates the alignment of novice special educators’ classroom practices, mentoring supports, and expressed needs with DisCrit Classroom Ecology. Situated in a large, urban city in the Northeast United States, this study centers the experiences of novice special educators and their mentors to examine this alignment to uncover gaps and best practices for improved mentoring support for novice special educators. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom artifacts, and teacher reflection journals. Thematic analysis using both deductive and inductive coding revealed that novice special educators demonstrated emerging entry points toward DisCrit aligned practices, particularly in the use …

Generative Ai In The Classroom: Best Practices, A Cetll Guide, The Center For Excellence In Teaching, Learning, & Leadership, S E. Hackney, Brandon K. Jeffries Mr., Emily Drabinski, Joshua Rogers, Holly Weisberg, Yael Neumann, Ashlyn Cavitt, Claudia Brumbaugh, Lindsey Albracht, Robin Naughton, Annalee Roustio, Amy Wan, Soniya Munshi, Jean Kelly

Open Educational Resources

In 2024-2025, in collaboration with Amy Wan, Professor of English and Special Assistant to the Provost for Writing, CETLL hosted a Generative AI in the Classroom Faculty Fellowship, through which an interdisciplinary cohort of thirteen faculty members were supported to critically engage the different concerns and opportunities that generative AI presents for our work as educators.

From our discussions with the Faculty Fellows and other resources, we have developed Generative AI in the Classroom: Best Practices, a CETLL Guide. This guide includes step-by-step guidance about how to engage with questions of generative AI in your classrooms, sample syllabus statements, …

Investigating Relationships Between Education Professionals' Trauma Histories And Causal Attributions For Students' Disruptive Behaviors, Christina D. Rodefeld

Theses and Dissertations

Using attribution theory as a theoretical framework, this mixed methods study investigated how education professionals reported and perceived the relationship between their histories of trauma and their attributions for disruptive student behavior. Participants completed four surveys to measure Adverse Childhood Experiences, adulthood trauma, COVID-19-related trauma, and causal attributions for disruptive behavior. Bivariate correlations between each of the trauma history datasets and causal attributions datasets were conducted to investigate these relationships. Two semi-structured interviews with six participants were also conducted and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding processes. Quantitative analyses found a statistically significant relationship between participants’ reported adulthood trauma amounts …

Collaborative Class Zine: Weekly Reflection Assignment With Powerpoint Template, Brett Whysel

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This collaborative class zine assignment uses a shared PowerPoint format to deepen student learning while building community. Students contribute visual reflections (graphics, diagrams, quotes, or doodles) weekly or periodically throughout the semester. Faculty provide reflection prompts about key takeaways and unclear concepts (sample prompts included). The resource includes both sample LMS instructions and a ready-to-use PowerPoint zine template that works across all disciplines. By combining metacognitive reflection with creative expression, students consolidate learning by finding new connections and applications. The collaborative format creates community connections and joy while students learn from peers' diverse perspectives.

"Chatgpt Told Me To Say It": Ai Chatbots And Class Participation Apprehension In University Students, Daisuke Akiba

Publications and Research

The growing prevalence of AI chatbots in everyday life has prompted educators to explore their potential applications in promoting student success, including support for classroom engagement and communication. This exploratory study emerged from semester-long observations of class participation apprehensions in an introductory educational psychology course, examining how chatbots might scaffold students toward active and independent classroom contribution. Four students experiencing situational participation anxiety voluntarily participated in a pilot intervention using AI chatbots as virtual peer partners. Following comprehensive training in AI use and prompt design given to the entire class, participants employed systematic consultation frameworks for managing classroom discourse trepidations. …

The Storm They Didn’T See Coming, Qamar Bazar

Publications and Research

The Storm They Didn’t See Coming is a personal story about what it feels like to chase success and still feel like it’s not enough. I discuss the pressure I put on myself, how difficult it is to slow down, and the fear of falling behind. It’s about trying to be proud of where I am while still wanting more, and learning that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. This piece is for anyone who's ever felt like they had to keep proving themselves just to feel worthy.

Kingsborough Community College Education Program Cite Playbook, Laura Scheiber, Joanna Maulbeck, Denise Farrelly

Publications and Research

As equity is a core value of our program, we believe that it is important to not just offer exposure to computing and digital literacy activities to preservice teachers, but that our teacher education program intentionally incorporates design principles that support student agency, foster co-learning, highlight creativity and joy, understand how computing can be used for social action, and critically assess tech tools and cultures(CUNY Computing-Integrated Teacher Education, 2025). In sum, we want to make sure technology is integrated with thoughtful scaffolding that fosters more critical thinking and digital citizenship. As List et. al (2020) point out, “If pre-service teachers …

What Before Means: Teaching The English Pluperfect, Max Miller, Joseph C. M. Davis

Publications and Research

This paper extends existing linguistic analyses of the English simple past tense (e.g., took) and pluperfect tense (e.g., had taken) by thoroughly examining communicative effects. It also proposes a pedagogical application. The analysis is based on authentic contextualized discourse (primarily a single published text). In distinction to the simple past, the pluperfect establishes a communicative link between a past time and an event before that time. In this way, the pluperfect makes conceptional connection (which could be termed "tethering") through temporal priority. The meaning of the pluperfect thus contributes to textual cohesion. The distinction made is communicative, not a matter …

Growth Mindset And Generative Ai, J. Elizabeth Clark, Casandra Silva Sibilin

Open Educational Resources

This module expands the CUNY Learning Mindsets framework—originally developed with the University of Virginia’s Motivate Lab to support student motivation through growth, purpose and relevance, and sense of belonging (GPS)—by introducing a fourth module focused on generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI). Designed in spring 2025 by CUNY Learning Mindset Ambassadors Casandra Silva Sibilin and J. Elizabeth Clark, the module integrates growth mindset principles with emerging research on Gen AI to help educators and students engage with these tools as opportunities for learning and development rather than shortcuts or sources of academic misconduct.

The module provides an introduction to …

Evidence-Based Shared Agendas For Scholarship On Teaching With Primary Sources: Reflections On A Bibliometric Analysis, Jen Hoyer, Anne Bahde

Publications and Research

This article explores how scholarship about teaching with primary sources (TPS) has evolved over time and what future directions past work might suggests. Using bibliometric analysis and visualization tools, we examined how TPS work has grown; what fields and disciplines focus on this work; key themes and issues; and what scholarship has been influential to the field. These insights led to reflections on disconnects across the field, considerations for publishing about TPS, and the potential of pedagogical standards and guidelines. Finally, this article concludes with recommendations on how this analysis points to possibilities for shared education, space, conversation, and products.

Living Heritage, Resilience And Ethically Informed Infrastructures In Malawi, Martha B. Lerski, Frank Puluputu Mwale

Publications and Research

Rooted in a rural community’s needs, this paper explores how historically, and ethically informed infrastructures can support community engagement towards identification, documentation, and dissemination of local, traditional, and indigenous knowledge relating to climate change. The paper examines climate adaptation and sustainability issues through the lenses of community organizing and Library & Information Science best practices. It draws on a growing body of literature identifying a role for expanded epistemological and subject discipline perspectives. While the impacts of climate on material culture are increasingly recognized, intangible, and biocultural heritage have not received as much attention. Living heritage traditions and knowledge systems …

Board # 414: Nsf S-Stem: Developing An Ecosystem Of Stem Success For Built Environment Scholars, Melanie Villatoro, Muhammad Ummy, Hamidreza E. Norouzi, Masato R. Nakamura, Daeho Kang

Publications and Research

The National Science Foundation S-STEM program, Developing an Ecosystem of STEM success for Built Environment Scholars (Award Number 2150432), focuses on supporting and developing scholars in the majors relating to the Built-Environment which include Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Environmental Control Technology. The intent of the project is to implement evidence-based effective practices and assess the impact of these practices, degree attainment, and entry into the U.S. workforce or graduate programs in STEM. Students are provided faculty mentors and opportunities to engage in cohort building activities that include field trips, research, workforce …

Shaping Future Innovators: A Curriculum Comparison Of Data Science Programs In Leading U.S. And Chinese Institutions, Elizabeth Milonas, Qiping Zhang, Duo Li

Publications and Research

Background: In recent years, the data revolution has sparked widespread interest in Data Science (DS) across numerous fields and disciplines [1]. As society becomes more reliant on data-driven decisions, the demand for professionals equipped to handle data challenges is rising. The need for skilled workers in diverse roles and capacities continues to grow as these demands evolve [2,3]. To meet the demand for skilled workers, training in the latest data science technologies has become a priority in colleges across the US and China. These colleges have established comprehensive data science programs to ensure students graduate with the expertise required in …

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning For Composite Materials Design, Kazi Imran, Akm Rahman, Jiayue Shen, Md Zahidul Haque

Publications and Research

Artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful tool to design and develop new materials, especially in composite materials design. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have an exceptional advantage over traditional materials for their superior or specific stiffness and strength, and resistance to corrosion and fatigue, which results in low total lifetime cost. One of the primary limitations of these composite materials is predicting mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties due to the anisotropy of the materials. Predicting mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties is important in utilizing these composite materials for multiple engineering applications. To address this issue requires a machine learning model trained from …

Board # 186: The Impact Of Virtual Reality On Learning In Engineering Materials Courses, Ozlem Yasar, Angran Xiao

Publications and Research

Virtual reality (VR), one of the leading technologies in immersive learning, has the potential to transform the teaching of mechanical engineering by providing interactive, 3D learning environments. Traditional teaching methods in mechanical engineering often rely heavily on theoretical concepts and offer limited practical demonstrations. However, giving students hands-on experience with advanced machinery, such as scanning probe microscopes (SPM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM), poses significant challenges. These challenges arise from factors like cost constraints, limited availability, and safety concerns. These machines are prohibitively expensive to acquire and maintain, making it impractical for many educational institutions to provide widespread access. Even …

Board # 363: Effective Strategies To Support Student Success In An Nsf S-Stem Program, Diana Samaroo, Urmi Duttagupta, Nadia E. Stoyanova Kennedy, Armando R. Solis, Viviana Acquaviva

Publications and Research

This paper reports on the success of an NSF S-STEM grant, which builds on two successful previous programs at “our institution”. The initiative aims to improve retention and graduation rates, increasing the participation of minority and female students in STEM fields and the NYC workforce, thereby reducing socio-economic disparities.

From Spring 2020 to Spring 2024, the project awarded an average of 40 scholarships annually to academically strong and financially disadvantaged students in various STEM programs, benefiting 93 unique students. It also enhanced early research experiences, internships, and provided robust academic advisement and mentoring. Seminars and meetings with STEM professionals expanded …

Predicting Secondary Mathematics-For-Teaching Knowledge Using Beliefs, Experience, And School Culture: A Hierarchical Regression Analysis, Adam R. Brulhardt

Theses and Dissertations

Research in recent decades has supported the notion that practice-based mathematical knowledge is crucial for effective teaching, playing an important role in enacting reform-oriented instruction required for improving student achievement. Despite its importance, teachers—especially novices—require more support in acquiring such knowledge, an ongoing challenge exacerbated by teacher shortages. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine whether collaborative school culture (CSC) explained variance in knowledge of algebra for teaching (KAT) beyond variance explained by mathematics-related beliefs and years of teaching experience for U.S. secondary teachers. Measures within an online Qualtrics survey included the Beliefs About Mathematics and Teaching Scale …

Proceedings Of The Cuny Games Conference 11.0, Robert O. Duncan, Grace Axler-Diperte, Joe Bisz, Christina Boyle, Devorah Kletenik, Carolyn Stallard

Publications and Research

The CUNY Games Conference combines workshops, idea exchanges, interactive participant presentations, playtesting, and playing tabletop games into a one-day online event to promote and discuss game-based learning. The conference focuses on creative pedagogy, such as playful learning activities or games, that teachers can use in the classroom every day. The conference is online and features interactive presentations by attendees, informal idea exchange sessions, and workshops by the conference organizers.

Extended Abstract—Using Augmented Reality To Teach The History Of Classical Athens: A Presentation Of The Methodology And Preliminary Findings, Christopher Tripoulas, George Koutromanos

Publications and Research

In this extended abstract, the methodology for a study in progress regarding the design, development and evaluation of an Augmented Reality application for the teaching of the History of Classical Athens to students of Greek descent living abroad is presented. Following a review of the reasons necessitating the adoption of this technology for the teaching of History – and specifically relating to fifth-century B.C. Athens – the preliminary findings including a review of the literature and results of interviews with teachers, students, and parents are also shared. The detailed methodological framework of Design-Based Research guiding this study is detailed, as …

Edc 5000 Zero Textbook Cost Syllabus, Maureen Greco-Blois

Open Educational Resources

A zero-textbook-cost syllabus for EDC 5000, which focuses on special education.

Edc 3100 Social Science In Childhood Education Spring 2025 Syllabus, Ivana Espinet

Open Educational Resources

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the standards, curricula, and methods of teaching social studies in a childhood setting. The students will learn pedagogical strategies and develop critical thinking skills concerning curriculum content and the creation and implementation of classroom activities.

Measurements Lab Quiz – Exported As Brightspace Package, Vasiliy Znamenskiy

Open Educational Resources

This Brightspace-ready quiz assesses foundational measurement skills in physics laboratory settings. It includes 16 questions covering key concepts such as random and systematic errors, least counts of measurement tools (micrometer, Vernier caliper, meter stick, graduated cylinder, and triple-beam balance), and data interpretation from physical instruments. The quiz features multiple-choice and numerical answer formats, including visual instrument reading exercises via linked images. Designed for use in college-level introductory physics courses, this package supports automated grading and student feedback within the Brightspace LMS environment.

The Library Is Open: Making The Case For Academic Libraries As The Planning Hub For Frederick Douglass Day, Shaina V. Anderson

Urban Library Journal

This case study showcases the value of having a library act as the central planning and event location at a public, land-grant university. Frederick Douglass Day is a hybrid day of “…collective action for Black history” (Center for Black Digital Research, n.d.) that was founded by Dr. Jim Casey, an African American Studies faculty member at Pennsylvania State University. It is a day where students and community members from higher education institutions, archival institutions, and museums from around the world log onto a transcription program and participate in transcribing historical documents. Some of the participants are assigned to be “transcribers” …

Arts-Based Sustainability: From New York To Malawi, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Recognizing that libraries serve multiple constituencies and subject areas, this chapter documents and advocates for development of transdisciplinary arts-based research (ABR) and culture-related projects linked to environmental challenges. Libraries contribute collections and spaces, as well as the research of library and information scientists. Libraries are currently among invisible contributors to sustainability planning and services. The chapter will link this invisibility to the value of what visual arts refer to as negative space elements in subjects ranging from traditional ecological knowledge to environmental science. Library collections, projects, and research contribute to education for sustainable development (ESD) as required to achieve the …

Integrating Universal Generative Ai Platforms In Educational Labs To Foster Critical Thinking And Digital Literacy, Vasiliy S. Znamenskiy, Joel Hernandez, Rafael Niyazov

Publications and Research

This study investigates the educational potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) platforms based on large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, as tools for studentcentred learning. Recognizing the current limitations of GenAI, particularly its propensity for generating inaccurate or misleading information—the paper proposes a novel instructional strategy: an interdisciplinary laboratory designed to foster critical evaluation of GenAI-generated outputs. In this pedagogical model, students engage with GenAI systems by posing questions or solving problems drawn from topics they have already studied and understand. Equipped with correct answers, students are positioned to assess the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated …

Historical, Philosophical, And Social Foundations Of Education, Ashraf A. Shady

Open Educational Resources

This course is designed to examine the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of American education. Attention will be paid to comparative analysis of past and contemporary historical, philosophical, and sociological factors that continue to influence and shape education decision-making. Theoretical analysis of major educational ideas and practices in the United States will be explored. 3hr.; 3cr.; 25 hr. field experience.

SEYS 201W is aligned with the core values of the education unit, which promote equity, excellence, and ethics in urban schools and communities. More specifically, the Education Unit is committed to preparing teachers and other school professionals who:

• Build …

Belonging Against The Odds: Exploring Restorative Justice Practices As Pathways To Foster Belonging In New York City Transfer Schools, Miguel Rodriguez

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The U.S. education system perpetuates structural inequities that disproportionately affect Black students with the School-to-Prison Pipeline (STPPL) criminalizing them through Zero-Tolerance policies. Transfer schools are often a last resort for students pushed out of traditional schools provide a lens to examine the impact of Restorative Justice Practices (RJP) and Black student representation on belonging. This quantitative dissertation study analyzes secondary data from the NYC Department of Education using multivariate models to explore the relationship between RJPs and sense of belonging (SOB). Model 1 found that discussing feelings and emotions at school (Tier 1 RJP) had the strongest association with SOB …

Nurturing The Student Voice And Its Creative Power In Mathematics Teaching And Learning: Research With Students On Emotion, Imagination, And Understanding., Luis Adolfo Zambrano

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This research in mathematics education explores the teaching and learning of mathematics at the high school and community college levels, integrating diverse research methods to examine how educators can cultivate a dynamic, collaborative, and responsive classroom climate. Framed by K. Tobin and K. Alexakos’s authentic inquiry education research framework (2020), the methodology actively engages students as co-researchers, valuing their insights and experiences as integral to the learning process. This approach fosters a meaningful dialogue on managing emotional and cognitive challenges faced by students of mathematics while identifying strategies to support and enhance students’ innate imaginative and creative capacities.

Grounded in …