Education Commons^™

Exploring Psychological Empowerment Among Hiv Support Groups, Harit Agroia, Leyla Mousli, Rock Braithwaite, Silvia Boron, Rene Padilla

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Support groups can provide members with space to discuss life issues, foster a sense of community, and promote connections with others. For people living with HIV, support groups can improve knowledge and awareness of tools and resources for HIV management, reduce stigma, improve social competence, and overall health. Studies that have connected empowerment and support group structures in populations with HIV have found promising results; however, a dearth of research demonstrates how applying theoretical frameworks can improve understanding of factors that increase empowerment among support group participants. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to apply the Psychological Empowerment Theory …

Special Education Teachers' Experience Implementing Constant Time Delays On Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder To Improve Employment Stability, Ayodele Salihu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often encounter challenges in securing and maintaining employment. With appropriate support, they can gradually develop the functional and social skills necessary to perform job tasks independently, fostering long-term employment and greater autonomy. Achieving independence depends on both the cognitive abilities of individuals with ASD and the instructional strategies educators employ to engage them effectively in the learning process. Constant time delay (CTD) is an evidence-based practice that has demonstrated significant benefits for individuals with ASD in skill acquisition and task mastery. This qualitative study explored the experiences of special education (SPED) teachers in implementing …

Secondary Teachers’ Instructional Strategies And Challenges In Teaching English Language Learners In Mississippi, Megan Cara Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mainstream high school teachers in a district in the state of Mississippi have struggled to consistently implement research-based strategies that address the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs). Guided by Echevarría et al.’s sheltered instruction observation protocol (SIOP), the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the instructional practices implemented by mainstream high school teachers at a Title I high school in a Mississippi district that are aligned with research-based practices and the challenges they reported in improving ELL student achievement in mainstream classrooms. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with nine teachers from a Title I high …

Global Citizenship Education In Ghana: An Evaluation Of The Junior High School Social Studies Curriculum, Benjamin Takyi, Anthony Bordoh Dr., Isaac Eshun Prof., Frederick Owusu

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The aim of global citizenship education (GCE) is to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to address global challenges. Despite its significance, GCE is often insufficiently integrated into curricula, particularly in the Global South. The purpose of the study was to examine the alignment of the junior high school standards-based social studies curriculum with GCE principles. Using a qualitative case study design and content analysis, the study explores cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral aspects of global citizenship embedded in the curriculum. The findings indicate a strong alignment between social studies learning outcomes and GCE principles, with content incorporating …

Tensions And Transformations: Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion In A Diverse Urban School Division, Lesley Eblie Trudel, Kishi Anderson Leachman, Wayne Davies

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study examines how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are understood and implemented within a large, diverse, urban school division in Canada. Using a mixed-methods approach and grounded in theoretical perspectives, including critical race theory, intersectionality, the ecology of inclusive education, and collective efficacy theory, we gathered insights from surveys and focus groups with educators, administrators, clinicians, educational assistants, caregivers, and students. Findings suggest that, while support for EDI is broad, the implementation is inconsistent and shaped by systemic barriers, resource constraints, and unclear leadership. We highlight the need for shared language, coordinated supports, and ongoing professional learning and instructional …

Experiences And Training Of Early Childhood Education Directors, Rochelle Elaine Nadeau

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Colorado, early childhood education (ECE) directors are often not fully prepared to lead and develop high-quality teaching teams, which is integral to offering high-quality programming to children and families in the early years of development. Framed by transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Colorado ECE directors' experiences with training and support, and the resources needed to develop ECE directors to lead high-quality programming . Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 13 Colorado ECE directors from center-based programs that serve children from birth to 8 years. Thematic analysis using open coding yielded …

Chatgpt In Campus Life: Exploring Adoption Through Theory Of Planned Behavior And Trust Dynamics", Mamta Brahmbhatt Prof. (Dr.), Ravi Rajai Dr.

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

ChatGPT, a sophisticated generative machine learning chatbot, has impressed users with its groundbreaking capabilities, showcasing improved conversational skills and exceptional professional knowledge and contextual awareness. A plethora of scholars is investigating ChatGPT via various technology adoption frameworks, including the theory of planned behavior. The current study seeks to augment existing knowledge by investigating the behavioral intention to use ChatGPT for academic purposes, utilizing the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in conjunction with an additional variable of trust, while reassessing the formerly established associations among the components thereof within the framework of early technology adopters. The participants were students from several …

Effective Strategies For Business Leaders Of Homeschool Consulting And Testing Services To Attract New Clients And Sustain Operations, Chartel Arnida Amos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business leaders of homeschool consulting and testing services are experiencing a critical challenge in attracting new clients, which threatens their ability to sustain operations. Grounded in the Baldrige excellence framework and the diffusion of innovation theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore effective strategies used by one business leader of a homeschool consulting and testing services organization in North Carolina to attract clients and sustain operations. Data sources included (a) semistructured interviews, (b) organizational archival records and documents, (c) public data such as reports and websites, and (d) literature including peer-reviewed articles and books. Findings …

Experiences And Challenges Of Grades 6-12 Principals And Assistant Principals Supporting Implementation Of Standards-Based Learning, Judith Ann Zeka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that grades 6-12 principals and assistant principals are unprepared to support teachers’ planning and implementation of standards-based learning in classrooms at mid-size rural school districts in a single midwestern state. Grounded in Senge’s five disciplines of a learning organization, the purpose of this study was to examine grades 6-12 principals’ and assistant principals’ experiences and challenges, the resources needed, and the perceived influence of their leadership in the implementation of standards-based learning in content-area classrooms at the study sites. For this basic qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 principals and two …

Perceptions Of Academic Success Among African American Male High School Graduates In Urban Areas, Anthony Bourne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American males encounter more severe penalties, academic under-performance, and lower graduation rates compared to their Caucasian male counterparts. Numerous studies have delved into and elucidated the schooling experiences of African American male students from various perspectives, encompassing cultural, structural, racial, community, family, and school viewpoints. However, there remains a scarcity of voices documenting the experiences of African American males who have successfully completed high school in urban settings. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to examine the schooling experiences of African American males who graduated from high schools located in urban settings. The Critical Race Theory and …

Supports And Barriers Experienced By African American Men Aspiring To Become Elementary School Principals, Douglas Handy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American male elementary school principals are rare in diverse public school settings across the United States. The problem investigated was the limited awareness of how African American male elementary principal aspirants experience and understand supports and barriers related to becoming a principal. Guided by Hallinger and Murphy’s instructional leadership theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how African American male elementary school principal aspirants understand the supports and barriers to becoming principals. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with nine participants from a school district in the mid-Atlantic region who were state-certified and had been …

Perceptions Of K–5 Teacher Challenges In Supporting Military-Connected Children Overseas Who Experience Trauma, Lachanda Garrison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers serving U.S. military-connected students (MCS) overseas regularly address student trauma in the classroom that stems from relocation and separation events due to parents’ or guardians’ military service. The problem addressed in this study was that Grade K–5 teachers struggle to support overseas who experience trauma. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Grade K–5 teachers’ perceptions of the challenges to support MCS overseas who have experienced trauma. The study was guided by three principles from Soma and Allen’s trauma informed model, which emphasizes understanding trauma as an experience, prioritizing social and emotional skill development, and supporting …

High School Teachers' Use Of Project-Based Learning To Address Issues Of Equity, Social Justice, And Cultural Relevance, April Serenity Riser

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In many educational settings, marginalized populations—African American or Black students, Hispanic students, students in special education programs, and economically disadvantaged students—struggle with traditional assessments, which may create learning gaps. Grounded in Dewey, Vygotsky, and Bruner’s theories, the research problem and purpose of this qualitative single context exploratory case study was to explore high school teachers use of PBL as an innovation to address issues of equity, social justice, and cultural relevance to engage marginalized high school students. Purposeful sampling was utilized to identify 11 high school teachers who employ PBL from multiple campuses in a single school district. Data sources …

Increasing Knowledge And Awareness Of Cultural Competency Among Providers, Veronica Rodriguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In today’s challenging healthcare environment, coupled with increasing global migration, healthcare delivery has become more diverse, and providers must deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across diverse populations. Cultural competency, the ability to understand and effectively interact with patients from diverse backgrounds, is essential for reducing health disparities, improving patient satisfaction, and enhancing health outcomes. However, many providers struggle to integrate these practices into daily care due to limited or inconsistent knowledge on applying these concepts in real-world settings. Thus, the purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to determine whether an educational intervention focused on cultural competency increased …

Challenges And Successes In Retaining Direct Support Professionals For People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In Group Home Settings, Erica Kay Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Challenges and Successes in Retaining Direct Support Professionals for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Group Home Settings by Erica Kay Evans MA, Walden University, 2016 BA, University of Phoenix, 2013 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University November 2025

Staff Education To Internal Medicine Clinic, Rafael A. Cardona Gonzalez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This is a staff education project. The practice problem addressed was the lack of standardized orientation on the electronic health record (EHR) system for rotating students, which impacted documentation quality and workflow efficiency. Prior to the intervention, students received no formal training on the clinic’s EHR system, resulting in documentation errors, workflow disruptions, and dependence on administrative staff. The educational session, tailored to the clinic’s EHR platform, aimed to promote student knowledge and confidence through structured, site-specific training. The practice-focused question was: How does structured education on site-specific EHR use impact knowledge and documentation confidence among rotating medical and nurse …

K–5 Teachers’ Perceptions Toward Implementing An Lgbtqia+-Inclusive Curriculum In New Jersey, Stephanie J. Faille

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is the gap in literature about K–5 teachers’ challenges in implementing an LGBTQIA+-inclusive curriculum in New Jersey. Grounded in Fuller’s concerns of teachers framework and Foucault’s seminal work on the historical treatment of members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore K–5 teachers’ challenges in implementing an LGBTQIA+-inclusive curriculum in New Jersey. Purposeful and snowball sampling were used to recruit 11 K–5 teachers who self-identified as having implemented the New Jersey LGBTQIA+-inclusive curriculum. Data collected through semistructured interviews were analyzed using a priori codes in …

Evaluating Sustainability Research In Argentine Higher Education, María Belén Arias Valle, Frederic Marimon Dr.

Higher Learning Research Communications

This study analyzes the integration of sustainability into the research activities of Argentine higher education institutions (HEIs), both public and private. Through a quantitative approach, 132 HEIs were evaluated regarding the presence of sustainability research lines, the inclusion of this topic in strategic plans, and the existence of specialized institutes and academic publications. The results indicate that only 26% of HEIs have established research lines on sustainability, with greater participation from public universities. However, the overall commitment is uneven, with only 55% of institutions including sustainability in their strategic plans. The limited presence of observatories, specialized journals, and research centers …

Grade 6–8 Teacher Perceptions Regarding Teacher Resiliency Factors In A Northeastern State’S Public Middle Schools, Melanie Totten-Jonas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher attrition presents a significant challenge for Northeastern State Middle School Districts (NSMSD), threatening educational stability and student outcomes. This qualitative study examined Grade 6–8 teachers’ perceptions of resilience as a factor influencing their decisions to remain in the teaching profession. Grounded in resilience theory, the study explored how teachers overcame professional challenges and identified supports that promoted retention, addressing a gap in existing research. Using a basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 purposefully selected middle school teachers from NSMSD. Reflexive thematic analysis using open coding revealed five key themes: individual resilience factors, relational supports and collegial …

Teachers’ Perspectives On The Use Of Real-Time Online Assessment Tools In Urban Elementary Schools, Sally Adam

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Student response systems (SRS) and audience response systems (ARS) in the elementary classroom are sometimes used to assess students while keeping them engaged and offering them immediate feedback. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perspectives on challenges of and resources needed to implement SRS and ARS in urban elementary schools in the Northeast United States. The conceptual framework for this study included the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior. Semistructured interviews with 12 urban elementary school teachers from the Northeast United States were analyzed using a qualitative data analysis procedure by coding, …

High School Instructional Staff Perspectives On Effective Strategies For Increasing Enrollment In The Career And Technical Education Pathway, Briana O'Brien

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the challenges of enrolling students in the career and technical education (CTE) pathway at a northeastern high school, despite local and national commitments to expanding CTE opportunities. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school instructional staff perceptions of the challenges in enrolling students in the CTE pathway and the strategies they suggest would increase enrollment. The study was grounded in the conceptual framework of the concerns-based adoption model and the expectancy-value theory, which allowed for an understanding of staff concerns, motivations, and perceptions in relation to student enrollment …

Parents’ Experiences With The Social-Emotional Development Of Toddlers With A Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder After Completing Early Intervention, Veronica Bayer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The social-emotional development of autistic toddlers is a critical area of concern for parents and early childhood professionals. Parents need to understand how early intervention programs influence this development, as it can significantly impact long-term outcomes for children with autism. Grounded in the DIR (Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based) theory by S. I. Greenspan and S. Wieder, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences parents had with their autistic toddlers’ social-emotional development after completing an early intervention program. The participants comprised of eight parents whose toddlers completed an early intervention program and were later diagnosed with autism. …

Emotional Labor, Dissonance, And Job Satisfaction Among Black Student Affairs Professionals, Joseph Glover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black Student Affairs Professionals (SAPros) at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) experience high levels of emotional labor that diminish job satisfaction and increase turnover, threatening workforce diversity and culturally affirming student support. However, limited understanding exists of how emotional labor relates to job satisfaction among Black SAPros at PWIs and whether emotional dissonance mediates this relationship. Grounded in Hochschild’s emotional labor theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between emotional labor scores as measured by the Emotional Labor Scale and job satisfaction scores as measured by the Job Satisfaction Survey and to determine whether emotional …

Experiences Of Northern Ontario Nurse Educators In Adapting Teaching Methods, Julianna Panontin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing education is evolving, requiring educators to adapt teaching methods due to advances in technology, pedagogy, and accreditation standards. In Northern Ontario, geographic and resource limitations make this adaptability critical for ensuring equitable, high-quality education. Guided by Lewin’s change theory, this qualitative phenomenological study examined how Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) nursing educators in Northern Ontario adapted their teaching practices to these evolving demands. Six full-time educators teaching in BScN programs with at least 3 years of recent nursing education experience using synchronous instructional methods participated in semistructured qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed using Saldaña’s coding framework. Four themes …

Community College Students’ Perceptions Of Access And Barriers To Mental Health Supports, Kevin Paul Kuntz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated in this project study was that community college students are graduating at lower rates than the national average, despite the on-campus mental health services in place in the Midwestern United States. Grounded in Tronto’s framework of institutional ethic of care, the purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of their access to and barriers to receiving mental health support in community colleges. For this basic qualitative design, 10 students who attended at least one semester at one community college were interviewed. The semistructured interviews were coded and thematically analyzed with the following themes emerging: Students …

Secondary World Language Teachers’ Perspectives On Gamification-Based Assessments, Taryn Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study was that there was a gap in the literature about secondary world language teachers using gamification-based assessments and the influence on student learning. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perspectives on the benefits and challenges of gamification-based assessments. The study was grounded in the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, digital game-based language learning, and Krashen’s second language acquisition theory. To secure a sample of 12 participants for this study, purposeful and snowball sampling were employed, wherein potential secondary world language teachers were solicited through …

Influence Of High-Speed Internet Infrastructure Availability On Aggregate Academic Outcome Measures For Washington State High Schools, Jessie A. Tanksley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited research has been conducted about the potential influence of high-speed broadband infrastructure availability in rural and urban communities on high school academic outcome measures in Washington state. Guided by Siemens’s theory of connectivism and van Dijk’s digital divide theory, the purpose of this quasi-experimental, causal-comparative, quantitative study was to determine whether significant differences in high school academic performance, measured by graduation rates and standardized test scores, exist between urban and rural communities with and without access to high-speed broadband internet infrastructure in Washington state. Three research questions were developed to examine differences in graduation rates, 10th-grade English Language Arts …

Novice Teachers’ Perceptions Of In-Person Professional Development On Technological Self-Efficacy, Spencer James Kiper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that prompted this study was the lack of professional development opportunities that address novice K–12 teachers’ technological self-efficacy. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of novice K–12 teachers in a large urban school district in Louisiana regarding professional development opportunities for technological self-efficacy. The conceptual framework for this study was composed of Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework. Ten novice teachers with fewer than 5 years of teaching experience participated in semistructured interviews. Data analysis procedures included descriptive coding, axial coding, and thematic analysis. Results revealed …

Faculty Perceptions Of Interprofessional Education To Prepare Physical Therapy Students For The Workforce, Marianne Hanover, Heather Pederson

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) aims to enhance patient care by improving outcomes. Interprofessional education (IPE), a teaching approach for IPC, is now mandated in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curricula. Although faculty perceptions of IPE in other healthcare fields are documented, studies exploring faculty attitudes in entry-level DPT programs remain limited. In this qualitative study, we investigated how DPT faculty perceive IPE as a means to prepare students for clinical practice. Using Rogers’s Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory as a guide, we collected data during interviews with PT faculty in DPT programs. Study findings suggest that the advancement of IPE in …

Artificial Intelligence In Education: The Power And Dangers Of Chatgpt In The Classroom, Muhammed Parviz

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has accelerated significantly in recent years, fundamentally shaping pedagogical practices and learning experiences. Among these advancements, OpenAI’s ChatGPT stands out as a sophisticated language model capable of generating human-like text. This capability opens new avenues for educational applications, such as personalized learning experiences and automated assessments. By embedding ChatGPT into e-learning platforms, educators can provide instantaneous feedback and foster interactive language learning. However, the deployment of ChatGPT in educational contexts presents challenges, particularly ethical issues related to data privacy and the potential for inherent biases in AI models.

In this context, the …