Education Commons^™

Middle And High School Teacher Perceptions Of Training To Manage Disruptive Students, Kelly Mero

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Schoolteachers report a lack of resources and training to manage disruptive student behavior that presents as antisocial, problematic, and/or symptomatic of mental illness. Disruptive student behaviors have a negative impact on students socially and academically. The social cognitive theory and social learning theory guided the research questions to examine differences in perceptions of 195 urban general and special educators in middle and high school regarding their skills to manage disruptive student behavior and teachers’ need for professional training to manage disruptive student behavior. A 2X2 between-groups nonparametric survey research design was used, and the two dependent variables were measured using …

Online Instruction In Higher Education: Promising, Research-Based, And Evidence-Based Practices, Alison A. Lockman, Barbara R. Schirmer

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The purpose of this study was to review the research literature on online learning to identify effective instructional practices. We narrowed our scope to empirical studies published 2013-2019 given that studies earlier than 2013 had become quickly outdated because of changes in online pedagogies and technologies. We also limited our search to studies with undergraduate and graduate students, application of an empirical methodological design, and descriptions of methodology, data analysis, and results with sufficient detail to assure verifiability of data collection and analysis. Our analysis of the patterns and trends in the corpus of 104 research studies led to identification …

Ies/Nsf Pipeline-Of-Evidence Protocol As Explanation For Successes And Failures Of Gates Foundation Funded Initiatives, Barbara R. Schirmer, Alison A. Lockman, Todd N. Schirmer

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

This study was designed to investigate the applicability of the IES/NSF pipeline-of-evidence protocol in ascertaining why two notable educational initiatives spearheaded and financially supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation achieved or not the goal of improved academic outcomes for K-12 public school students. Our interest was not whether there is a sufficient body of high quality research evidence to support the two initiatives but whether the research considered by the Gates Foundation established the likelihood that the initiatives would be successful and worth the decision to dedicate substantial funding, time, and effort required for each versus the many …

Job Transitioning Experiences Of Blue-Collar Employees After Federal Downsizing, Eduardo Hurtado

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Downsizing, realignment, and closure of military bases have forced many low-skilled, blue-collar federal employees into involuntary job loss and job transition. The impact of involuntary job loss on blue-collar workers has been linked to stress and other adverse psychological effects. There is gap in the literature regarding the lived experiences of federal blue-collar employees following downsizing of military bases. The purpose of this qualitative, interpretive phenomenological study was to examine lived experiences of job loss and job transition for federal blue-collar employees following downsizing of military bases. Schlossberg’s transition theory provided a conceptual framework for the study. Ten ex-federal blue-collar …

Readiness To Succeed Preparing The Scholar-Practitioner, Daniel W. Salter, Tony A. Ajsenberg, Tobias Ball, Joshua W. Bass, Michelle Brown, Shawn Picht, Denise Pranke, Adam Schnider, Kerry Sullivan

Walden University Position Papers

This report expands on a previous working group’s effort to clarify the alignment of existing scholarship around doctoral education with how students move through the process at Walden University (Salter et al., 2013). Following up on the recommendations in that report, the current working group was charged with understanding students’ readiness or preparedness to move through these stages/phases across the entire student timeline from prospect to graduate. Additionally, the group attempted to map the services currently in place to support that journey while identifying opportunities to improve it.

Metaphors For A Change:, Estelle R. Jorgensen, Iris M. Yob

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Publications

Two premises guide this paper: first, music education, like all educational enterprises, is shaped by its grounding metaphors which affect its aims, pedagogies, curriculum, and administration. Second, music education, like all educational endeavors, is increasingly encouraged to address issues of social justice and contribute in real ways to the benefit of the community through positive social change. In this conversation, the authors, each of whom have written about metaphors and social change, build on these two premises to explore ways of bringing together the two lines of inquiry in search of metaphors that would guide an education for social change. …

Metaphors For A Change, Estelle R. Jorgensen, Iris M. Yob

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Two premises guide this paper: first, music education, like all educational enterprises, is shaped by its grounding metaphors which affect its aims, pedagogies, curriculum, and administration. Second, music education, like all educational endeavors, is increasingly encouraged to address issues of social justice and contribute in real ways to the benefit of the community through positive social change. In this conversation, the authors, each of whom have written about metaphors and social change, build on these two premises to explore ways of bringing together the two lines of inquiry in search of metaphors that would guide an education for social change. …

Qualitative Case Study Of Teachers’ Morale In A Turnaround School, Louis Lane, Don Jones, Glenn Richard Penny

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

A small Southeastern high school that had undergone a turnaround or conservatorship process experienced a lower than average teacher retention rate. The authors conducted a qualitative case study to investigate teachers’ experiences and perceptions of how turnaround strategies may have influenced their morale and how that effect on morale may have affected the teachers’ retention. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory provided the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions addressed teachers’ perspectives of morale as well as their views and experiences with the conservatorship process. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 8 teachers who were actively employed at the school before the …

Postsecondary Online Students’ Preferences For Text-Based Instructor Feedback, Joseph J. Gredler

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Misalignment between student preferences and instructor practices regarding writing feedback may impede student learning. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study addressed postsecondary online students’ preferences and the reasons for their preferences. A survey was used to collect 93 responses from postsecondary students attending a large private online university; data collection included interviews with a subsample of 4 participants. Findings indicated students preferred proximal, detailed, supportive feedback to enhance their writing skills and to understand deductions assessed by instructors. Findings may increase instructor awareness of students’ preferences and enhance collaboration in the feedback process to promote writing skill development and improve academic …

Organizational Learning For Libraries At For-Profit Colleges And Universities: A Manual, Julie Evener

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The purpose of this manual is an introduction to the concept of organizational learning for librarians working in for-profit colleges and universities, though the suggestions and ideas herein are applicable to librarians working in a variety of institutions. Information in this manual was collected through a literature review, as well as the author’s original research focusing on organizational learning in libraries of for-profit colleges and universities in the United States. The content of the manual includes why organizational learning is important for libraries, factors that contribute to organizational learning, challenges to organizational learning and strategies to overcome the challenges, and …

Conceptual Framework For A Curriculum In Social Change, Iris M. Yob

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Colleges, universities, and many high schools are expressing their mission in terms of creating social change or contributing to the common good. Such a mission suggests that if they are going to graduate students who will fulfill this mission, they will need to consider how they will best prepare students to do this. The conceptual framework for a curriculum in social change in this article offers a holistic approach, taking into account what a student should know, be able to do, and what values and attitudes should be nurtured. To that end, the article identifies three competencies in the knowledge …

The Kindergarten Environment: Finding Alternatives To Reduce Overcrowded Classrooms, Jay Rodriguez

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

This study will address the difficulties young children have when are placed in overcrowded kindergarten classrooms. Creating an effective and constructive learning environment for the early childhood years must be in a positive learning climate in a school for young children. Motivation, skills and communication amongst teachers, students and parents is a place where children receive guidance and encouragement, security and trust from the responsible adults around them.

A major element that establishes a child’s learning and guides their success is the physical environment where he/she is. When teachers cannot engage their young students in learning activities, then the teaching-learning …

A Guide To Common Skin Disorders While Pregnant, Debra Henline Sullivan, Virginia Sullivan

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

During pregnancy, mothers strive to maintain good health and to promote the health of their babies. Having a chronic or acute skin condition during pregnancy could cause fear that treating these conditions could cause harm to their unborn child (American Academy of Dermatology [AAD], 2016). Women will need and seek guidance before and during their pregnancies as well as during lactation, when skin disorders affect them. The childbirth educator would benefit from a basic knowledge base to answer questions that may arise regarding various skin problems during the childbirth experience. This article will define and discuss treatment for some of …

Perceptions Of Women Receiving Services From Domestic Violence Advocacy And Counseling Programs, Lisa Y. Proby

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine domestic violence victims’ perceptions of advocacy and counseling programs that provide women with safe refuge, prevention education, mental health treatment, and other services. Many women in the United States are victims of intimate partner violence. Review of existing literature found that little is known about the extent to which the needs of these victims are met from available advocacy and counseling services. The health belief model was used to theorize victims’ perceptions of services and risk factors for re-abuse. A phenomenological design was used to answer research questions, and in-depth …

E-Mentoring The Online Doctoral Student From The Dissertation Prospectus Through Dissertation Completion, Ronald Black

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Faculty who mentor online doctoral candidates face many of the same challenges and opportunities as those mentoring doctoral candidates in traditional, face-to-face modalities. The main difference is that E-Mentoring is based on interacting in the online space rather than interacting face-to-face, which may present challenges for both the candidate and the mentor. The concept of mentoring, which originated from Greek mythology, defined a close relationship between the mentor and the student. In Ancient India, the word Guru from the Sanskrit language stood to symbolize a caring mentor and expert teacher. Structured E-Mentor programs are formalized programs which provide training, coaching, …

Evaluation Of A Temporary, Immersive Learning Community Based On Worldschooling, Aimee Ferraro

School of Health Sciences Publications

Learning communities are a proven method for engaging groups of people who share common goals for personal growth and knowledge acquisition (Gabelnick, MacGregor, Matthews, & Smith, 1990; Taylor, Moore, MacGregor, & Lindblad, 2003). However, little is known about the usefulness of this approach in the context of alternative education. This article describes the evaluation of a temporary, immersive learning community for self-directed teen learners, Project World School (PWS), which was based on a new, pedagogical approach to learning called worldschooling. Findings indicate that regardless of demographic characteristics and personal interests, PWS attendees experienced learning and progress in three main areas: …

Integration Of Place-Based Education Into Science Classes From Prekindergarten Through Grade 5, Terri A. Wade-Lyles

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Publications

Abstract In a large urban district in Ohio, 29.2% of Grade 5, 28.7% of Grade 8, and 45.7% of Grade 10 students passed the state test in science. School district administrators formed a community partnership with local science institutions in order to provide students with hands-on place-based learning experiences intended to improve science academic achievement in PK-Grade 5. The purpose of this qualitative program evaluation was to determine the level of implementation of that place-based program by examining the efficacy of the teachers’ embedded professional development and their experiences with the training components. Bruner’s theory of cognitive development was used …

Professional Doctorates 2016: Updates And Further Recommendations, Walden University Professional Doctorate Working Group 2

White Papers

The charge to this second working group was to examine the 2012 recommendations and clarify Walden’s position on professional doctorates. Unlike the first effort that addressed differences between professional and academic doctorates, the expectations for this group were to focus on the commonalities in the university’s professional doctorates; set clear and consistent definitions, standards, and requirements for our professional doctorates; and link those programs to employment paths more directly. From the outset, the working group acknowledged that any outcome will be a “living document” that continues to be refined as discussion continues in the university community.

Integration Of Place-Based Education Into Science Classes From Prekindergarten Through Grade 5, Terri A. Wade-Lyles

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract In a large urban district in Ohio, 29.2% of Grade 5, 28.7% of Grade 8, and 45.7% of Grade 10 students passed the state test in science. School district administrators formed a community partnership with local science institutions in order to provide students with hands-on place-based learning experiences intended to improve science academic achievement in PK-Grade 5. The purpose of this qualitative program evaluation was to determine the level of implementation of that place-based program by examining the efficacy of the teachers’ embedded professional development and their experiences with the training components. Bruner’s theory of cognitive development was used …

Evaluation Of A Temporary, Immersive Learning Community Based On Worldschooling, Aimee Ferraro

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Learning communities are a proven method for engaging groups of people who share common goals for personal growth and knowledge acquisition (Gabelnick, MacGregor, Matthews, & Smith, 1990; Taylor, Moore, MacGregor, & Lindblad, 2003). However, little is known about the usefulness of this approach in the context of alternative education. This article describes the evaluation of a temporary, immersive learning community for self-directed teen learners, Project World School (PWS), which was based on a new, pedagogical approach to learning called worldschooling. Findings indicate that regardless of demographic characteristics and personal interests, PWS attendees experienced learning and progress in three main areas: …

Promoting Effective Assessment For Learning Methods To Increase Student Motivation In Schools In India, Sunddip Panesar-Aguilar, Erick Aguilar

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

This qualitative study explored how using effective assessment can engage learners and motivate student learning in the Dehradun, Noida, Delhi, and Trivandrum regions in India. The study randomly sampled 26 teachers from six private schools. Private schools were used in this study since such schools allot substantial funds to support ongoing professional development. Four core themes were identified from this study. The implications derived from this study suggest that educational leaders, stakeholders, and teachers can help improve student motivation in the classroom if they involve students in assessment practices. This study provides a clear understanding of reasons why assessment can …

Expert Clinician To Novice Nurse Educator. Learning From First-Hand Narratives, Jeanne Merkle Sorrell, Pamela Cangelosi

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The nurse educator role often looks deceptively simple. Compared to the complexity of bedside care for a patient with multiple comorbidities and hour-by-hour monitoring, watching over students to guide their learning may appear easy. Yet, when experienced nurse clinicians try out this new endeavor for the first time, they often describe themselves as frustrated and uncertain about how to best implement the role. Through years of experience as clinicians, nurses often arrive at a comfort zone where they know what to do for their patients in order to keep them safe and enhance their healing. When moving to the nurse …

Una Perspectiva Humanista Para La Educación Del Futuro: Revelaciones Internacionales, Tom Cavanagh, M.C. Nieto Angel, L.H. Fickel, S. Macfarlaine

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Los sistemas educativos en diferentes países del mundo buscan respuestas a los problemas de convivencia e inequidad en los aprendizajes. Mientras la violencia en sus múltiples expresiones parece aumentar, se ha hecho evidente la necesidad de nuevas formas de “hacer educación”, que ofrezcan posibilidades más holísticas de resolver conflictos y restablecer las relaciones interpersonales, al tiempo que las escuelas cultivan ambientes de cuidado, favorables al desarrollo de seres humanos equilibrados y armónicos en todas sus dimensiones. El presente artículo resalta los resultados de investigaciones que se llevaron a cabo a una escala regional en América Latina y a escala menor …

The Role Of Ultrasound In The Lebanese Outreach Setting, Reem Abu-Rustum, Fouad M. Ziade, Hadi Danawi

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 669 patients to assess the role of introducing ultrasound into obstetrical outreach in Lebanon. Data were collected, and descriptive statistics were performed. Sonographic findings were compared using Chi-square tests between underserved Lebanese and Syrian refugee mothers. Ultrasound plays a significant role in properly dating pregnancies in addition to identifying at-risk fetuses and detecting placental abnormalities. Medical providers need to make sonographic evaluation in the Lebanese outreach obstetrical setting more available and more systematic in order to secure a safe outcome for underserved Lebanese and Syrian refugee mothers and offspring.

Are We There Yet? Data Saturation In Qualitative Research, Patricia I. Fusch Ph.D., Lawrence R. Ness

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Failure to reach data saturation has an impact on the quality of the research conducted and hampers content validity. The aim of a study should include what determines when data saturation is achieved, for a small study will reach saturation more rapidly than a larger study. Data saturation is reached when there is enough information to replicate the study when the ability to obtain additional new information has been attained, and when further coding is no longer feasible. The following article critiques two qualitative studies for data saturation: Wolcott (2004) and Landau and Drori (2008). Failure to reach data saturation …

The Current State Of Evidence-Based Practices With Classroom Management, Peter Ross, Bruce Sliger

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Publications

Education has been calling for evidence-based practices to help validate it as a bona fide profession (Gable, Tonelson, Sheth, Wilson, & Park, 2012). Lack of evidence-based practices presents an unusual irony in education since the literature has been addressing this research-to-practice gap for years. In particular, evidence based practices in classroom management and discipline have been nearly absent. Skinner noted as far back as 1968 (Skinner, 1968) that most teachers simply incorporate personal experiences into classroom practices rather than embracing science-based methods.

Using Teacher Performance Assessment (Edtpa) And Data-Informed Decision Making To Ensure Teacher Readiness, Martha Cheney, Janet Elerene Williams, Jennifer Knutson

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Publications

• Introduction to Research Study on Data-Informed Decision Making

• Data Collection Tools

• Research Findings

• Impact of Research Findings on Program Implementation

• Roundtable Discussions

Stress-Free Digital Activities For The First Days Of School, Rebekah Mcpherson, Haley Wallace

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The first days of school are a busy time and it is easy for technology to take a back seat, but it does not have to. Whether classrooms are Bring Your Own Device, have an iPad cart, or computer lab, there are many digital activities that can assist teachers with getting the year off to a great start, without adding extra stress. Participants will examine a variety of web-based tools (e.g. Google forms, Infuse Learning, Socrative, Tagxedo, Todaysmeet, Voki, Symbaloo, Kahoot, Powtoon, Padlet, Celly and Easel.ly), apps (e.g. Tellagami, Kodable, Art of Glow, Speakazoo, Evernote, Sketchlot, Showme, and Mindmeister), and …

Dog Bite Reflections—Socratic Questioning Revisited, Cheri A. Toledo

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

In the online environment, the asynchronous discussion is an important tool for creating community, developing critical thinking skills, and checking for understanding. As students learn how to use Socratic questions for effective interactions, the discussion boards can become the most exciting part of the course. This sequel to the article “Does Your Dog Bite? Creating Good Questions for Online Discussions,” applies sound communication principles and the prior question of trust to show online instructors how to phrase probing questions to increase comfort for learners’ use. Based on the questions from the original “Does Your Dog Bite?” article, a variety of …

Group Sizes Of Upper Paleolithic Cave Artists, Leslie Vangelder

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Since the first cave art was discovered two central questions have plagued the research. “Who made the art?” and “Why?” Multiple theories have been raised and explored, however, few lacked hard data to be able to narrow down to the individual level of artist and intention. Recent research focused on the study of finger flutings – lines drawn with hands and fingers in the soft surfaces of caves – has yielded a wealth of forensic data about their creators. While there is still no definitive way to know if the fluters are also the artists of the painted and engraved …