Education Commons^™

Correlation Between Scores On The Assessment And Learning In Knowledge Spaces Placement, Preparation, And Learning Test And General Chemistry Course Outcomes For Undergraduate Students At A Public Midsize Master's University, Crystal Kaye Keso

All NMU Master's Theses

This study examined the problem of gateway courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), specifically, high-enrollment introductory chemistry courses with high rates of D, F, withdrawal, or incomplete grades. Previous research revealed a correlation between students’ prior mathematics knowledge and introductory chemistry course outcomes. Reports using the Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces Placement, Preparation, and Learning (ALEKS PPL) test were limited in number. This study conducted a non-experimental retrospective correlational analysis between undergraduate students’ ALEKS PPL test scores and introductory chemistry course grades. The study’s theoretical framework was grounded in prerequisite and placement testing theories. The major findings …

Transactional And Transformational Leadership In The Superintendency: A Phenomenological Study Of Three Upper Peninsula Superintendents’ Experiences, Lisa A. Coombs-Gerou

All NMU Master's Theses

This study aimed to analyze and provide an understanding of how three rural public school superintendents in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan practiced transformational leadership. Transformational leadership includes the elements of idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration (Burns, 1978). Transformational superintendents must lead our schools to provide students with the best educational opportunity. The study focused on the superintendents experiences in deciding to become a superintendent, their beliefs about leadership, and how they approached decisions through a transactional or transformational process. The study also sought to provide insight into the relationship with their school board and how …

Interrogating Racism: An Arts-Based Self-Study Of The Interactions Of One White Teacher Educator In A Rural Teacher Preparation Program, Jaime Vanenkevort

All NMU Master's Theses

This arts-based self-study examined racism, whiteness, and white supremacy in the practices of one teacher educator in a rural, Midwestern university. Data was generated using arts-based methods. Narrative inquiry and critical incident technique (CIT) were utilized to analyze data. Through arts-based self-study techniques, I demonstrate how arts-based self-study can create diverse and multimodal access to understand identity construction and the effort to dismantle racism and other systemic barriers in the teacher education context. Furthermore, through multimodal arts-based data collection, I demonstrate the possibility for educators to navigate complex memory and emotional processing to develop more complex, nuanced understandings of antiracist …

Barriers When Implementing A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports, Chelsea R. Norton

All NMU Master's Theses

This mixed-methods study investigated the perceptions educators have during the initial stages of implementing the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) model. A survey and semi-structured interviews were collected to identify if the perceived barriers found in a rural context were consistent with prior research. Quantitative survey data indicated that participants felt confident about their practicing foundational skills of MTSS, and felt MTSS will benefit both staff and students. However, quantitative survey results also indicated a discrete difference in the data between the answers regarding participant confidence, knowledge, and the answers regarding attitude regarding time, resources, and leadership. Qualitative analysis from …

What Keeps Teachers Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Teaching?, Kimberley Rodriguez

All NMU Master's Theses

Currently, staff shortages exist in all areas of education. In the field of special education, there are sub-groups of teachers and classrooms, each with unique challenges. This study explores the experiences of teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) disability in order to identify important retention factors specific to them. In this qualitative, phenomenological study, the researcher conducted four, one-on-one interviews to discover the district-related factors shared by teachers of students with ASD when considering staying or leaving their current position. Interview responses were categorized into the four themes critical to teacher retention according to the four capital theory …

Understanding Parent-School Communication And Involvement Of Children Receiving Title 1 Services, Holly B. Muscoe

All NMU Master's Theses

This qualitative, phenomenological research study was designed to gain an understanding of the experiences of parents of elementary school children receiving Title 1 services with a specific focus on parent-school communication and involvement. This study includes information gleaned from six interviews with parents of elementary students receiving Title 1 services from three separate elementary schools within the Northern Lakes School district (pseudonym), located in the Upper Midwest. Participant responses revealed the following themes:

1. Parental expectation of responsive two-way communication

2. Preference for frequent communication regarding student learning and progress

3. Communication to inform home-based school involvement

4. Parent interviews allow for reflection and …

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Implementing Faculty Development Modules To Increase Readiness For Addressing Social Determinants Of Health, Implicit Bias And Equity In Course Content, Claudia Ngafeeson

DNP Scholarly Projects

Implicit bias is viewed as an unconscious and involuntary attitude that lies below the surface of consciousness but can influence behavior, and cognitive processes (Maina et al., 2018). Social determinants of health are considered to be the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age; these circumstances are usually shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels, which in turns determines the distribution of the value of medical care. Existing literature on implicit bias has been fragmented in different fields such as; cognitive psychology, business ethics, and higher education, but …

The Need For Introspective Analysis During Teaching, Kimberly A. Salter

All NMU Master's Theses

This qualitative, phenomenological research study was designed to study the impact reflection has on student teachers. This study examines how and if reflection changes teaching practice. Specifically, how do student teachers use reflection to change practices during student teaching experiences? "Critical reflection is the process by which adults identify the assumptions governing their actions, locate the historical and cultural origins of the assumptions, question the meaning of assumptions, and develop alternative ways of acting" (Cranton 1996, p. 211). After conducting thorough interviews, the following themes emerged:

1. Time
2. Perspective
3. Reflective Process

With the findings of this study, teacher education programs …

A Phenomenological Study Analyzing The Challenges, Conflicts, And Practices Of Superintendent-Principals In Rural Upper Peninsula Of Michigan School Districts, Alan R. Tulppo

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze and provide insight into the complexities of the dual role superintendent-principal position from individuals currently serving in this position. The study focused on the challenges and conflicts individuals who serve in this dual role face and highlighted practices that have made them successful in their position. This study also sought to provide insight into the reasons why local school boards decide to employ a dual role superintendent-principal rather than having separate positions and the expectations of boards of education for individuals serving in the dual role.

As I conducted my research, numerous …

Differences Between First-Generation And Continuing-Generation College Students In Psychological Need Fulfillment, Academic Engagement, And Retention, Cole A. Holt

All NMU Master's Theses

First-generation college students (FGCS) often struggle to find academic success unlike continuing-generation college students (CGCS) who often obtain higher GPA by the end of the semester. Using self-determination theory (SDT) as a lens, differences between FGCS and CGCS both at the beginning and end of the semester were investigated. Measures included psychological need fulfillment (autonomy, competence, relatedness), academic self-regulation (relative autonomy index), stress, academic engagement (learning involvement), academic performance (GPA), and retention. Between groups t-tests were used to assess differences in FGCS and CGCS, whereas multiple regression analyses were conducted to test relationships among the measured variables. FGCS reported …

Evaluation Of A Hands-On Cooking Class And Its Effects On Self-Efficacy In Relation To Healthy Eating In Type 2 Diabetics, Codi A. Jenshak-Gorzinski

DNP Scholarly Projects

The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is alarming and poses a great threat to U.S. national health. Chronic diabetes can lead to serious conditions such as heart attack and stroke, and can result in premature mortality (World Health Organization, 2018). Diabetes can be prevented or treated by eating a healthy diet. Cooking classes are a potential way to improve American’s knowledge of nutritional principles and help them become confident that they have the capacity to eat a healthy diet. The purpose of this DNP project was to determine if participation in cooking classes enhanced self-efficacy as it pertains to healthy …

Caregivers’ Understanding Of Early Literature Expectations For Firstborn Children Entering Kindergarten, Kathleen England

All NMU Master's Theses

This qualitative phenomenological research was designed to develop an understanding of caregivers’ understanding of early literacy expectations for their firstborn or only child as they begin their kindergarten schooling. This study consisted of seven participants and six interviews with caregivers that enrolled their children in the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic Schools in Southeast, MI. With the findings of this study, school administrators and researchers alike may be able to find a deeper understanding in efforts to support their families as they begin their educational careers and establish a solid foundation for further growth and development.

Engaging Secondary Students: The Beneficial Intersection Of Young Adult And Classic Literature, Jacob Bonetti

All NMU Master's Theses

The positive attributes of both classic and young adult (YA) literature are significant, even when read separately. However, the benefits of pairing classic and YA literature together are even greater; yet, teachers often avoid integrating YA literature for a variety of reasons (Velazquez). Both administrators and the parents of students may question the use of YA literature, but that doesn’t mean educators should give up on using it as an instructional tool. Many of those in opposition to using YA literature would still agree that students struggle to find motivation to read classic literature. Students often have difficulty comprehending the …

An Examination Of The Impact Of Health Literacy Assessment On Incarcerated Individuals With A Diagnosis Of Type 2 Diabetes, Josi Rotunno

DNP Scholarly Projects

Low health literacy levels limit healthcare outcomes in a variety of diagnoses. Having a low health literacy level can significantly impact an individual’s ability to manage their condition. Among these individuals are incarcerated individuals, who are especially vulnerable to low health literacy levels. Due to regulations of the correctional facility, along with the vulnerability of the population, it is often difficult to get approval for studies and to make changes within this setting[TMD1] . The stigma of incarceration, along with the difficulty in navigating the correctional setting regulations, often create barriers to making changes that could improve the health …

Veteran Teachers’ Experiences In Connection To Teacher Empowerment Within The School, Jessica Aho

All NMU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

VETERAN TEACHERS’ EXPERIENCES IN CONNECTION TO TEACHER EMPOWERMENT WITHIN THE SCHOOL

By

Jessica Louise Aho

This narrative inquiry has been designed to explore the perspectives and experiences of veteran elementary teachers in connection to leadership and teacher empowerment within the school. This study examines the narratives of seven veteran elementary teachers from four different schools in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Each veteran teacher was interviewed one-on-one by the researcher via Zoom, due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Participants were identified through purposeful sampling. The researcher used an inductive approach to the analysis of the data, to identify themes …

Leadership Styles Present During Change In Secondary Education, Jeanine Sherman

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the leadership styles present during change in secondary education. Four high school teachers, from various districts in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, were interviewed about their experiences with leadership through the change of school structure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the teachers’ perspectives, the researcher determined which leadership styles were present and resulted in a feeling of support during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to understand what leadership styles are present during times of drastic and/or unexpected change. The review of literature provides the reader with a brief overview …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Teacher Interactions With Students With Special Needs, Travis Depuydt

All NMU Master's Theses

This qualitative, phenomenological research study was designed to study the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on teacher interactions with students with special needs during the mandatory school closures that took place during March of 2020. This study consisted of seven interviews with special education teachers, from three different districts, located in Menominee and Delta counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Participant responses to interview questions (See Appendix C), revealed six common themes:

1. Inability to consistently connect with students and a lack of participation amongst students.
2. Lack of training and no prior online teaching experience.
3. Lack of available technology …

Homeschooling During Covid-19: A Case Study, Rebecca Z. Johnson

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of this collective case study was to describe the lived experiences of homeschool families during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically how they managed their day to include teaching elementary school-aged children in the rural Midwestern United States. This qualitative case study allowed the researcher to analyze the phenomenon of homeschooling during a global pandemic, and the strategies necessary to balance home and schooling during unprecedented times. The data for this case study included a pre-interview questionnaire, an interview, and primary source documents from two homeschool families. The means by which the homeschool families organized their day to include the …

Availability And Perceived Effectiveness Of High School Programs, Services, And Approaches To Address Trauma-Related Outcomes In The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan, Jaime Vanenkevort

All NMU Master's Theses

Twelve administrators at Michigan Upper Peninsula (U.P.) high schools participated in 12 separate structured interviews to identify programs, services, and approaches to address trauma-related outcomes. Participants were three U.P. superintendents, eight principals, and one Intermediate School District (ISD) social worker who described a convergence of factors affecting assessment measures of programs, services, and approaches to address student trauma-related outcomes in U.P. high schools. The interviews addressed the identification of programs, services, and approaches to address trauma-related outcomes at U.P. high schools and the assessment measures in use to evaluate available programs, services, and approaches. A systems theory approach and understanding …

The Female Leadership Experience In Pre-Professional And Professional Ballet, Jill Grundstrom

All NMU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

THE FEMALE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN PRE-PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BALLET

By

Jill Grundstrom

The purpose of this qualitative, narrative research study was to explore the experiences of current female leaders in pre-professional and professional ballet. These stories often remain untold, as leadership in ballet has been largely male-dominated. The study examined the stories of four female leaders in ballet, including their journey to leadership, leadership philosophy and protocol, and thoughts regarding the future of female leadership in ballet. This study collected data using in-person, phone, and email interviews. The collected data was analyzed and coded for themes and conclusions using …

One District’S Stakeholders’ Descriptions Of The Supports And Barriers Impacting The Use Of A Digital Mathematics Curriculum, Andrew R. Mills

All NMU Master's Theses

Digital Curriculum Resources are a new, fast-growing educational technology for learning mathematics that can allow today’s classroom to be transformed instantaneously. More efficient technology, however, does not necessarily equate to increased student achievement. To ensure that these technologies benefit their learners, it will become critical for schools to identify potential barriers and develop plans for addressing these barriers during implementation. This qualitative case study sought to better understand the experiences of various stakeholder groups at a suburban middle school that has used a digital mathematics curriculum for the last two school years. Using an interview protocol, two administrators, five teachers, …

Queering The Curriculum: Establishing Equity For Lgbtqia Students And Educators In Michigan, Miranda Findlay

All NMU Master's Theses

This project examines the state of Michigan’s efforts in creating an equitable learning and working environment for LGBTQIA K-12 students and educators, explicitly focusing on 11^th and 12^th grade English Language Arts (ELA) standards. In the first chapter, I evaluate the relationship between queer theory and pedagogy and illuminate the need to implement queer pedagogy in teaching K-12 ELA classes. The following chapter reviews the progressive state of California for its promotion of culturally responsive pedagogy and its inclusion of LGBTQIA topics in its K-12 curriculum. The third chapter analyzes Michigan legislature and policies to highlight gaps that …

Teaching With Primary Sources: A Report For Ithaka S + R From Northern Michigan University, Catherine Oliver, Marcus Robyns

Books

During the 2019-2020 academic year, Northern Michigan University (NMU) participated in the ITHAKA S + R Teaching Undergraduates with Primary Sources research study. Catherine Oliver, Metadata and Cataloging Services Librarian, and Marcus C. Robyns, University Archivist, conducted seventeen interviews with NMU faculty from a variety of disciplines on their research and instructional use of primary sources. Oliver and Robyns collected and analyzed qualitative data with the intent on producing a local report. The report concludes with four important recommendations for supporting faculty in teaching with primary sources. The report’s findings cover five major themes identified in the study: Preparation to …

Assessing The Impact Of Computer-Based Simulations On The Interprofessional Education Of Undergraduate Students, Heather Isaacson

All NMU Master's Theses

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is not unique as it is a concept that has been advocated for more than 40 years by the Institute of Medicine (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], 2016). Interprofessional education occurs “when two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes” (World Health Organization [WHO], 2010, p. 13). It is a staple in the education of nurses and doctors; however, it is starting to make an appearance in Communication Sciences and Disorders programs. As a result, this is a topic of great interest to faculty teaching in the …

Thumbs: The Brain's (New) Writing Instrument, Mariel Morton

Conspectus Borealis

No abstract provided.

Outdoor Activities To Improve Writing, Alyssa Kyllonen

Conspectus Borealis

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Childhood Trauma In A Classroom Setting, Elizabeth M. Makela

Conspectus Borealis

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Choice On Multiplication And Division Fluency Acquisition For Third Grade Students, Terri Tammelin

All NMU Master's Theses

Students with the most pronounced behavioral needs are the ones missing the most instruction. A three-tiered system of intervention that is data driven and uses evidence based interventions is used within schools to meet the needs of all students. Within this tiered system, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), founded in the sciences of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), are used. Of the many PBIS interventions, instructional choice at Tier I has been established as an effective, low intensity, teacher delivered support that aims to reduce challenging behaviors and increase academic engagement. Instructional choice involves two parts: selection in response to …

Student Experience With A Teacher-Designed Discussion Protocol, Lacey O'Donnell

All NMU Master's Theses

This phenomenological research study was designed to examine student experience with a teacher-designed literature discussion protocol. The study took place in a dually enrolled high school literature classroom. The class consisted of 21 students, 13 of which were female and 8 of which were male. Throughout the course of the study, the students participated in six literature discussions using the teacher-designed protocol. After the first, third, and sixth protocol, students responded to an open-ended question gauging their experience with the protocol. All data was collected during regular class time. Analysis of student responses revealed student reflections on the intentional structure …

Understanding Neglect Of Plant Biology Education In Michigan Middle Schools, Kim Smith

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify historical trends of neglect in plant biology education, their continuation today in Michigan middle school classrooms, and to uncover reasons for this neglect. A content analysis of state and national science standards and an online survey of Michigan middle school life science teachers were conducted. Findings showed a trend of increasing references in national standards from animals or plants to general organisms, as well as a decrease in the overall number of specific references in the standards. The data also revealed that nearly half of the teachers surveyed spent less than ten …