Education Commons^™

Mathematical Literacy And Video Games, Craig Carrigee

Dissertations

Mathematical literacy refers to the ability of a person to be able to comprehend and conceptualize real-world data and mathematical situations to make informed decisions. Minimal research exists compared to the explosion of video games available to the public over the past two decades. This study investigates the relationships between playing video games and the ability of a person to answer real-world questions about mathematics as well as the person’s attitude toward mathematics, including their self-confidence, perceived value, enjoyment, and motivation. Previous studies have shown mixed results related to the influence of playing video games on cognitive math ability, but …

Influence Of Career Services On Time To Undergraduate Degree Completion, Courtney Taylor

Dissertations

A national concern exists surrounding the value and quality of American higher education, as well as the extended time required to complete an undergraduate degree. Extending the time-to-degree completion costs students in tuition, room, board, and most importantly, missed career opportunities. More than 60% of students fail to graduate within four years, delaying entry to the labor market and increasing costs associated with a college degree (Bound, Lovenheim, & Turner, 2012; National Center for Education Statistics, 2017).

Numerous studies highlight college student persistence and retention efforts (Goodman, Hurwitz, & Smith, 2017; Hull-Blanks et al., 2005; Tinto, 1987, 2017), a few …

The Impact Of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Read 180 Next Generation Program On Middle School Students With Disabilities, Katherine Arnold

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if reading performance of students with disabilities in grades six through eight improved as a result of one year implementation of READ 180 Next Generation program. Teacher experience, student gender and teachers’ overall satisfaction and how the READ 180 Next Generation program may influence the academic reading performance of students with disabilities. Reading performance was measured by the Georgia Milestones assessment and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Reading Inventory.

Research findings show no significant differences in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade participants after one year of implementation of READ 180 Next Generation program. A …

Learning To Lead: Examining Leadership Competencies Of Participants In The Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy, Renyetta M. Johnson

Dissertations

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC, 2005) developed and approved a research-based competency framework for leadership development, consisting of six leadership competencies that were deemed as being “very” or “extremely” essential to the effective performance of community college leaders. The six leadership competencies are: “organizational strategy, resource management, communication, collaboration, community college advocacy, and professionalism” (AACC, 2005, pp. 4 – 6). While it has been well researched and documented that a leadership crisis exists within the leadership ranks of community colleges, an abundance of the research has focused on the position of president. Other leadership positions in the community …

Social-Emotional Difference Given Disability, Grade, And School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports, Edith A. Hayles

Dissertations

Students with disabilities as a group remain behind in academic achievement when compared to students without disabilities. Without the right school-based interventions, many students with disabilities will experience academic failure, disciplinary infractions, social isolation, self-doubt, school disengagement, and school dropout. Additionally, social-emotional intervention helps older students to improve executive functioning, develop self-regulation skills, and score better on achievement tests than the students not receiving any social-emotional programming. Moreover, students enrolled in schools that implement evidence-based educational interventions to facilitate students’ social-emotional competencies demonstrate more positive behaviors and social-emotional interactions. Students with social-emotional competencies have also described feeling safer and happier …

Faculty Interactions With Black Male Students At Hbcus And Community Colleges As Predictors Of Academic Achievement In Stem, Antoine Gates

Dissertations

A myriad of studies in STEM education aim to identify the underlying reasons behind poor achievement of Black males in higher education. Research studies have indicated that HBCUs make significant advances in various desired outcomes such as graduation rates for Blacks, especially males. However, Black males at community colleges do not always fare similarly to their counterparts at HBCUs. There are limited studies on faculty interactions with Black males in STEM at community colleges. Therefore, the goal of this study was to identify whether significant differences existed in the interactions STEM faculty formed with Black males at community colleges and …

The Impact Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Support, Counseling, And Mentoring On The Behavior And Achievement Of African American Males, Elesha Jean Buckley

Dissertations

The extensive gap in educational achievement between African American males and their peers is one of the most detrimental problems facing American society (Burchinal, McCartney, Steinberg, Crosnoe, Friedman, McLoyd, & Picanta, 2011). The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), counseling, and mentoring on disruptive classroom behavior resulting in office referrals. The study also examined the impact of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), counseling, and mentoring on student achievement in reading of African-American male students in Pre-K through fifth grade. Previous literature discussed Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), counseling, …

Enablers And Barriers Influencing African American Administrators’ Career Advancement At Predominantly White Institutions Of Higher Learning, Larry Webster

Dissertations

Many Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) of higher learning do not have enough African Americans to lead their institutions in curriculum development, mentoring, recruitment, and governance (Reyes & Rios, 2005). Previous studies have attributed the modest representation of African American administrators to systemic barriers impeding the recruitment and advancement of African Americans at PWIs of higher learning (Jones, 2007; Perna, Gerald, Baum, & Milem, 2007). Ideally, the administrative leadership at PWIs of higher learning would adequately represent—ethnically and racially—its student population (Higgs, 2014). Levin, Walker, Haberler, and Jackson–Boothby (2013) suggest minimal progress in hiring African American administrators at PWIs of higher …

Social And Literacy Development Of School-Based Pre-Kindergarten Students, Stewart Smirthwaite

Dissertations

In order to meet the demands of college and career ready standards, students are expected to enter kindergarten knowing more than ever before. A need exists to examine data that provides evidence of desired social and literacy outcomes for students in kindergarten. In order to address the need for further study of school prekindergarten opportunities for young children, two different sets of data were collected, examined, and discussed. Literacy proficiency was measured by using data from the Mississippi K-3 Assessment Support System’s (MKAS²) Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Social competence was measured using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, …

The Importance Of Practice: Learning To Teach Student-Centered Labs With Confidence, Linda Nix

Dissertations

This quantitative research study examined the relationship between science teachers’ science education experiences (high school, undergraduate science courses, teacher education program science methods courses, in-service teaching, and professional development) regarding exposure to student-centered labs and science teacher self-efficacy in teaching student-centered labs. This research study also examined the relationship between science teachers’ opportunity to practice teaching student-centered labs during their science teacher experiences (teacher education program science methods course, in-service teaching, and professional development) and science teaching self-efficacy in teaching student-centered labs as they relate to the social constructivist and experiential learning theories.

A modified version of the Science Teaching …

The Ebp-Cot Assignment: Increasing The Use And Understanding Of Ebps In Preservice Teachers, Margaret Bowman

Honors Theses

This study investigated whether the use of the Evidence-Based Practice-Classroom Observation Tool (EBP-COT) assignment in an introductory teacher education practicum increased the understanding of Evidence-Based Practice-Classroom Observation Tools (EBPCOT). Participants in this study were consenting special education majors in their introductory block practicum course at a mid-south university in the fall semester of 2018. Students were asked to complete the EBP-COT assignment to include focused checklists components and reflections as well as a pretest and posttest. The assignment, pretest, and posttest were analyzed for similarities in increased understanding of evidence-based practices and comfort with the use of evidence-based practices. Overall, …

Soft Skills In Mississippi Community Colleges' Online Career And Technical Programs, Joanna Sue Alston

Dissertations

Soft skills are an essential piece in the employment puzzle, and most students’ behavioral characteristics require development, if not complete transformation, before learning can subsequently be transferred to the workplace. To that end, this facet of occupational education in community colleges’ online courses was in need of exploration to determine whether instructors were having success in implementing instructional and assessment methods for both teaching and grading students’ soft skills behaviors. This mixed methods study narrowed the focus of an extremely broad topic to four skills, specifically communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and work ethic. A look at how those skills related …

Historically Black College And Universities Compared To Historically White Institutions: Factors Influencing Graduation Rates, Carlos Young

Dissertations

Historically black colleges, whose graduation rates have been low when compared to white institutions, are facing some serious issues (Kelderman, 2012). Nichols (2004) notes that institutions of higher learning play an important role in preparing students for professions, promoting equality for women and minorities, providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged and low income students, solving socioeconomic problems, servicing government and industry, complying with rules and regulations that ensure the rights of all people, trying to keep tuition low, paying competitive salaries to faculty and staff, providing a quality education, and providing social and cultural services to the community (Jones, 1984; Nicholas, …

Validation Of A Scale To Measure Phonological And Morphological Knowledge And Skill Of Speech-Language Pathologists And Elementary Teachers, Susan S. Perry

Dissertations

Phonological and morphological skills are crucial to the process of reading. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have received advanced trained in these basic foundations of language and could be an untapped resource in our school systems for teaching beginning reading skills. The purposes of this research were to examine SLPs’ and general education elementary (K-6) teachers’ attitudes toward SLPs taking part in reading instruction, to compare the differences in phonological and morphological knowledge and skill among SLPs and teachers, and to assess the performance of the Revised Basic Language Constructs Surveywhen administered to SLPs and teachers.

Results indicated that, although fewer …

Fundamental Attribution Error: Perspectives Of Principal, Teacher, And Parent Influence On Student Growth, Sonja Rayner

Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine principals’, teachers’, and parents’ attributions of their own and the other groups’ relative influence on student academic outcomes measured by standardized tests. The secondary purpose was to determine whether and how fundamental attribution error and self-serving bias predicts or explains the responses of each group. Descriptive analyses were conducted to compare responses from these three constituent groups. Additionally, repeated measures MANOVA was conducted in order to explain the effect the moderator variable, school performance level, had on the strength of the relationship between the independent (school rating and group) and dependent …

Classroom Response Systems: Does Instantaneous Feedback Affect Students' Knowledge And Self-Efficacy In A Secondary Science Course, Shani Bourn

Dissertations

Technological advancements have enabled educators to bring excitement in student success with instantaneous feedback utilizing classroom response systems (CRS). A quantitative, quasi-experimental research design was used in this dissertation research to build a comprehensive understanding of the impact of instantaneous feedback with student knowledge and student self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the benefits of instantaneous feedback and student self-efficacy with incorporation of CRS in a secondary science course. Statistical analyses were conducted with quantitative formative scores, summative test scores, and self-efficacy questionnaire results prior to the incorporation of CRS, and perceived self-efficacy questionnaire results after experience …

The Cultural Adaptation Experiences Of Chinese Higher Education Students In The American Deep South: A Comparison Across Disciplines, Xiaonan Song

Dissertations

In the past decade, Chinese international students have been found as one of the largest international student groups at American institutions across the country. However, the American Deep South was not less frequently studied in the past. Due to the distinctiveness of the Deep South, the researcher conducted this qualitative research on Chinese international students studying in this historically and culturally distinctive region. Mississippi was chosen as a representative state of the Deep South in the current study. The researcher collected data from in-depth interviews from three publicly funded institutions in Mississippi. Besides reporting many common issues regarding to cultural …

A Mixed Method Study: Assessing Critical Thinking, Metacognition, And Motivation In A Flipped Classroom Instructional Model, Phyllis Brown

Dissertations

Technology has changed pedagogical methods in higher education. Educators are using technology more and integrating more active learning techniques. One pedagogical method, the flipped classroom, is suitable for integrating technology and active learning techniques. The pedagogical efficacy of the flipped classroom has not been determined despite being a potential solution for technology savvy millennial students. This mixed method study assessed critical thinking, metacognition, and motivation in higher education flipped classrooms in the United States. Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) members teaching traditional and flipped format science courses were purposefully selected to participate in the study. A sample of 14 …

Student Loan Default Prevention And Management Practices At Mississippi Community & Junior Colleges, Lashanda Chamberlain

Dissertations

Cohort default rates can impact an institution’s ability to participate in the Title IV aid programs. Title IV aid programs such as the federal Pell grant, federal work-study program, and the federal loan program is critical to student enrollment. If an institution loses its participation in the Title IV aid programs, this would be detrimental to both students and the institution. Cohort default rates at Mississippi community and junior colleges are currently above the national average. This qualitative study examines the default prevention and management practices at Mississippi community and junior colleges. Using an interview protocol, the researcher interviewed financial …

A Mixed Methods Approach To Study The Effects Of A Naturalist Summer Program On The Perceptions Of African American Children About Nature, Kendrick Buford

Dissertations

African Americans have been reported to have a more negative outlook on nature than people of other races. Much work has been done to explain this phenomenon through the lenses of social and environmental justice. However, most of this information pertains to adults, and little to no exploration has been done to understand how children could be affected. This lack of information creates a novel research topic. This study addressed the problem using a mixed method analysis to better understand both the narrative of the children and any generalizable conclusions to better understand their attitudes in a summer program titled …

Factors Influencing Career And Technical Professionals’ Career Advancement, Deidra Minor

Dissertations

To remain globally competitive, the U.S. must address the need for a more technical- skilled workforce (United States Department of Labor, 2013). A technical-skilled has workforce occupations that require vocational associate’s degrees (Lewis, 2004). It is evident that the initiative to meet the demand for a highly competitive workforce for the 21st century requires a combination of progressive education, advanced skills and professional experience (Threeton, 2006). Historically, the technical worker gained skills without definite planned opportunities for higher education and career upward mobility (Skolnik, 2010). Further, some post-secondary institutions tend to dismiss the importance of recruiting the technical community college …

Music Integration And Self-Efficacy Among Middle School Teachers, Cassandra L. Weiss

Dissertations

Middle school teachers have a difficult task of finding new and creative ways to help their students achieve academic success. Research has shown that integrating music into regular academic classes has tremendous results. Music has the ability to help students relax, memorize, and engage, using their whole brains. Self-efficacy is an individuals’ belief in their ability. One’s level of self-efficacy can play a major role in one’s motivation to carry out certain tasks.

Despite that music has many benefits in the classroom, it if is not being used, the students will not benefit from it. Low musical self-efficacy could be …

Effectiveness Of Technology In An English Grammar And Punctuation Course, Deborah Brandon

Dissertations

As enrollment in online courses continues to climb, technology also continues to advance to provide students with course designs that promote optimal learning environments. New communication tools continually evolve that help improve learning outcomes in online course designs. The lack of physical class meetings in online classes necessitates a comprehensive focus on course design to optimize learning, including a focus on communication and collaboration opportunities.

Much of the available current research regarding the outcomes of increased online learning investigates the effectiveness of this learning format primarily in the fields of healthcare, foreign language, and the study of English grammar as …

Simulation As Replacement For Traditional Clinical In Pre-Licensure Nursing Education: Outcomes Of Different Ratios Of Replacement Time For Traditional Clinical With Simulation, Tiffany Zyniewicz

Dissertations

The use of simulation in nursing education has grown over the last 30 years. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing National Simulation Study indicated that up to 50% of traditional clinical hours can be replaced with simulation at a 1:1 replacement ratio and produce the same outcomes. A review of the literature indicated that there is no standard replacement ratio for simulation time to traditional clinical time being used in pre-licensure nursing education in the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore the outcomes of utilizing a 1:1 simulation-to-traditional clinical time replacement ratio and a …

Moderating Effect Of Homeschooling On Retention And Academic Achievement Of Stem Majors At A Private, Faith-Based, Liberal Arts College, Aresia Watson

Dissertations

Previous research has indicated that homeschooling is a growing trend within the U.S. Previous research has also indicated that less than one half of students who begin a STEM major at postsecondary institutions will complete their degree. This study sought to look at the possible moderating effect homeschooling has on the academic achievement and retention of STEM majors at a private, faith-based liberal arts college using a modified version of Tinto’s Model of Student Departure.

Independent sample t-tests were used to compare means and intercorrelations of homeschooled students and traditionally schooled students in unmatched and matched samples for several academic …

Elementary Preservice Teacher Preparation To Teach Mathematics And Science In An Integrated Stem Framework, Kelly Overby Byrd

Dissertations

This study investigated the extent to which successful completion of integrated mathematics and science methods of instruction courses related to elementary preservice teachers’ attitudes toward and confidence in teaching integrated STEM lessons, and the extent to which their attitudes and confidence correlated with their proficiency in planning integrated STEM lessons. A mixed-methods, longitudinal research design, with a sequential, explanatory approach was used. Participants included twenty-four elementary preservice teachers enrolled in their final two semesters of a teacher preparation program at a four-year public university in the southeastern U.S. To address the research questions in this study, both quantitative and qualitative …

Impressions Of Viability: How Current Enrollment Management Personnel And Former Students Perceive The Implementation Of A Chatbot Focused On Student Financial Communication, Courtney Robinson

School of Education Doctoral Projects - Higher Education

The increasingly competitive modern higher educational environment has forced student services professionals to increase focus on recruitment and retention, which corresponds with an expanding body of scholarly literature and research on retention practices (Moore, Hossler, Ziskin, & Wakhungu, 2008). These large-scale recruitment and retention goals coincide with significant declines in state and federal funding, leaving many financially-limited institutions struggling to balance higher expectations and declining resources. Oftentimes, institutions seek out technological platforms that streamline the workload, while remaining cognizant that selected platforms must appeal to the current student population, the technologically-savvy Generation Z (Castillo, 2018; Stillman & Stillman, 2017).

Outside …

Preparation Matters: A Quantitative Examination Of Faculty Active Shooter Preparedness, Latisha Pitts

Dissertations

In recent years, the occurrence of active shooter incidents has become more prevalent within the United States. Since the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007, there has been an increase in active shooter incidents at institutions of higher learning (IHLs). Educational settings have been identified by the FBI as the second most common place for active shooter incidents to occur. As a result, there has become an increased need for administrators at IHLs to create and maintain cultures of preparedness that include effective active shooter training. In this research study, Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory was used as a framework to …

Mechanism For Leadership Development And Effectiveness: The Relationship Between Followership, Leadership, And Psychological Capital, Saurabh Gupta

Dissertations

Research supports the strategic role of a leader in improving individual and organizational performance (Day et al., 2009; Kaiser & Curphy, 2013). Developing leadership and enhancing leadership effectiveness remains at the forefront of organizational strategic plans (Day et al., 2009; Kaiser & Curphy, 2013). However, a majority of leadership development efforts fail in their purpose, which causes a leadership crisis in many organizations (Fernández-Aráoz, Roscoe, & Aramaki, 2017; Gurdjian, Halbeisen, & Lane, 2014; Kaiser & Curphy, 2013; Madanchian, Hussein, Noordin, & Taherdoost, 2017; Pfeffer, 2015; Wakefield, Abbatiello, Agarwal, Pastakia, & van Berkel, 2016). Neglecting the role of followership and using …

Succession Planning For First-Year, P-12 Principals, Brannon Johnson

Dissertations

In order to improve retention of first-year principals, all schools should have a leadership succession plan for first-year, P-12 principals to help improve principal effectiveness and retention (Fink & Brayman, 2006). Russell and Sabina (2014) defined succession planning as the explicit design and implementation of programs to identify and develop high-quality principal candidates. Further, succession planning is about ensuring that the next set of leaders is trained and poised to take on leadership responsibilities when needed (Beaulieu, n. d.).

It is clear that the challenges of being a principal are great, and that this is especially true during the early …