Education Commons^™

Surprises From The Shadows: Confronting Intrusions From Bots & Generative Ai In Survey Research, Vincent Cho, Sofia I. Duenas

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Unbeknownst to many researchers, online surveys can be vulnerable to attacks from bots and generative artificial intelligence (AI), which can generate hundreds of fraudulent responses instantly. Confronting this challenge to data integrity, we employed an adaptive approach to test the effectiveness of various anti-fraud tactics (e.g., CAPTCHA; honeypot questions; question pairs; open-ended questions) and to distinguish between good-faith human respondents versus bots or fraudsters. Findings revealed that bots with generative AI capabilities bypassed some conventional defenses, including CAPTCHA, and effectively supplied human-like responses to open-ended questions. Other tactics, like removing response incentives and verifying IP addresses, showed promise but came …

Embedding Social And Emotional Learning Into Educator Preparation Programs: An Alternative Certification Perspective, Valerie Flanagan, Lisa Fulks, Wanetta Morrow

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study discusses the impact of integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum into alternative certification educator preparation programs (EPPs), in response to prior research indicating the lack of SEL strategies in schools. It offers a review of educator preparation students’ thoughts concerning SEL implementation, as well as their selection of and reflection upon embedding SEL skills into lessons. Participants serving as teachers of record during their coursework reported positive outcomes in the classroom resulting from lessons including SEL content. Given the increasing importance of SEL in addressing students’ diverse developmental, behavioral, and academic needs, preparation for educators must go …

Educational Experiences Of Traditional And Online Learning Graduate Students, Beverly Crawford Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how graduate-level human services students who have attended both traditional and online courses describe their educational experiences, particularly in terms of engagement, knowledge application, and peer connections. Semistructured interviews were conducted among 12 graduate-level, human services students who had experience in both learning environments. Social learning theory was the theoretical foundation used in the study. Thematic analysis, revealed four major themes describing distinct learning experiences across modalities. First, online and traditional learning involve different forms of engagement. Second, relational engagement in academic environments is important. Third, constraints on engagement across learning …

Experiences Of Early Childhood Professionals Regarding Selective Mutism, Jessica Denise Huffman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is that the experiences of early childhood professionals (ECPs) working with children with selective mutism are unknown. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory of child development, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of ECPs working with children with selective mutism. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 12 ECPs who support children with selective mutism in several districts in southern California. Through open coding, the following themes emerged: ECPs noted (a) limited knowledge about selective mutism; (b) supporting children who have selective mutism is both enjoyable and …

School Leaders’ Perceptions Of Post-Covid-19 Recruiting And Retention Of Special Education Teachers In A Local School District, Framy Diaz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School leaders in a local school district continue to struggle keeping their special education (SPED) positions appropriately staffed. The problem was that the inability to fill these large numbers of vacancies could adversely affect the quality of services SPED students receive and impact school personnel's ability to meet legal IEP compliance requirements. Guided by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s two-way factor theories, the purpose of this qualitative study was to gain the perspectives of school and district leaders regarding difficulties in post-COVID-19 recruiting and retention of SPED teachers. A basic qualitative design was used to capture the insights of …

Positive Education And Student Success In College: An Overview And Practical Implications, Lin L. Agler, Saurabh Gupta

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Institutions of higher education are facing a historically challenging time as student graduation and retention rates continue to be less than ideal, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a critical time of transition for the competitive structure of higher learning, as finances, technology, student success, and institutional rankings all have a joint leading position in this structure. Applying concepts of positive psychology to higher education has been shown to be advantageous for student success and retention. This strengths-based approach helps institutions remain innovative and competitive. However, instructors face a great challenge in effectively applying positive psychology …

School Leaders And Strategies To Address Teacher Shortages In A Rural School District, Phaniki Antwanette Jenkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed was that education administrators struggle to reduce teacher shortages in rural public school districts in the Southeastern United States. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was three-fold: to understand what experiences education administrators had concerning teacher shortages, what practices they used to address shortages, and what strategies they deemed most helpful. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 state-certified administrators with at least 3 years’ experience in their role in one rural public school district in the Southeastern United States. Open and axial coding were used to support thematic analysis. Administrative experiences …

Teacher Perspectives On Challenges To Close The Reading Achievement Gap For African American Students, Miriam Aliyya Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was that African American students score lower than White students in reading across grade levels, demonstrating a gap in teaching practice in early childhood education. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives on challenges to increase African American students’ level of reading proficiency and what they believed they needed to close the African American-White student achievement gap in reading. The conceptual framework was Ladson-Billings’s culturally relevant pedagogy. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 kindergarten through third grade teachers who were currently teaching reading to African American students …

Open Distance Learning’S Transformative Potential To Bridge Educational Disparities While Fostering Inclusive Growth, Khalid Ghoulam

Higher Learning Research Communications

In recent years—during and after COVID-19—the demand for flexible and accessible education surged across the continent, prompting numerous institutions to adopt and expand their Open Distance Learning (ODL) initiatives. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of ODL programs in African universities while exploring the state of ODLs and examining institutional strategies, technological advancements, and ODL’s impact on student accessibility and success. Using case study analyses, which contain data from African universities from various regions, this paper highlights current ODL insights and future directions. This paper also discusses ODL best practices and implementation challenges, and delves into the socioeconomic and cultural …

Teachers’ Perspectives Of Student Engagement In Online Learning Communities, Reynaldo Sanchez, Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that although current literature has highlighted the importance of student digital learning communities (DLCs), there was limited information about how middle school teachers provide guidance to students and successfully build and monitor DLCs to foster student engagement and academic success in online education settings. Framed by Mishra and Koehler’s technological pedagogical content knowledge model, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore middle school teachers' perspectives of their role in student DLCs and instructional elements needed to guide students, build and monitor DLCs, and foster engagement and academic success. Semistructured interviews were …

Caregiver Perspectives About Implementing Educational Goals For Children Of Incarcerated Parents In A Head Start Program, Alissa Jane Stark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study is that caregivers of children with incarcerated parents inconsistently implement the mandated educational goals developed through the Head Start program. Grounded in Bowen’s family systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore caregiver’s perspectives on implementing Head Start Educational goals for children of incarcerated parents and their views on the resources or training needed to support these goals. For this case study, 12 former caregivers from a Head Start program in a women’s correctional facility in Oregon were interviewed. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed thematically with the …

Playful Learning Journeys: Exploring The Perceptions And Knowledge Of Lecturers/Tutors And Student Teachers, Frank Twum, Samuel Kweku Hayford, Dandy Dampson, Johnnie Kojo Hayford

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This paper investigated the perceptions and knowledge of play-based learning (PBL) by lecturers/tutors and student teachers. Ninety lecturers/tutors (68 males, 22 females) and 363 student teachers (191 males, 172 females) participated in the study. While both lecturers/tutors and student teachers favored PBL, they had some concerns. Lecturers/tutors acknowledged the benefits of PBL, including its enhancement of memory, conceptual development, and motor skills in children. However, nearly two-thirds found it time-consuming. Student teachers were of the view PBL promoted positive student experiences. However, more than half felt PBL offered limited opportunities for their own learning during lessons. Both groups demonstrated knowledge …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Mental Health And Socio-Emotional Challenges Of English Language Learners, Nilufer Guler, Dincer Guler, Kyle Bush

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

A fast-growing percentage of students in K–12 classrooms are English language learner (ELL) students, and a large number of these students are experiencing a vast array of academic and non-academic challenges at school. Many ELL challenges involve inadequate socio-emotional learning (SEL) skill development, as well as mental health obstacles, and many schools are not equipped with the resources needed to address and resolve these challenges for ELLs.

In this study, we focus on teacher observations of the SEL and mental health challenges that K–12 students face. In the initial survey, 120 teachers participated regarding ELLs and these challenges. Following the …

Artificial Intelligence And Collaborative Learning: Impacts On Creativity, Critical Thinking, And Problem-Solving, Abderrahim Agnaou, Hayat El Asri

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The rapid development of large anguage models (LLMs) has sparked growing interest in their potential to transform education. This study explores how LLMs influence collaborative learning, focusing on student creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collective intelligence. Specifically, it investigates whether artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted group work enhances or hinders these aspects of the learning process. We used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, structured interviews, and analysis of student project outputs. We collected data from 102 undergraduate students via questionnaires and 15 follow-up interviews, which offered deeper insight into their experiences using LLMs in team-based projects. The …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Children’S Aggressive Behavior And In-School Suspension, Martha Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Aggressive behavior can lead preschool students to be suspended in and out of school. The problem in this study was the high rate of in-school suspension (ISS) among preschool students in response to child aggressive behavior. Informed by Harvey’s domain model of social reasoning and social information processing, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore perspectives of preschool teachers working in childcare centers in one city in Texas regarding children’s aggressive behavior that may lead to ISS as a response to that behavior. Four research questions probed how preschool teachers describe the level of choice exercised by …

Service Learning And Association To Social Responsibility And The Process Of Cultural Competence In Nursing Practice, Helene Kay Hegge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Service Learning and Association to Social Responsibility and the Process of Cultural Competence in Nursing Practice by Helene Hegge MSN, Walden University, 2011 BSN, Mount Marty University, 1986 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nursing Walden University August 2025 Cultural competence and social responsibility are essential qualities of baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Cultural competence and social responsibility can occur in nursing students following their service learning (SL) experience and remain to influence practice as a professional nurse. The purpose of this basic qualitative study using 18 individual interviews of nurses who participated in …

Improving Communication And Collaboration: How Using A Communication App Improves The Online Student Learning Experience, Gina L. Solano, Jennifer Miller

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Due to the isolation of asynchronous learning, online university students face challenges that can impact performance, increase anxiety, and lead to dropout. This study explores the use of communication apps, such as WhatsApp, Nectir, and GroupMe, to enhance engagement, peer socialization, and learning in graduate-level online courses across New York from Spring 2022 to Spring 2023. Data from purposeful sampling reveals that these tools reduced anxiety, improved confidence in asking questions, and provided timely support for assignments. The qualitative study aimed to identify strategies to boost student success, constructive dialogue, and motivation. Results suggest that communication apps effectively mitigate isolation …

Counselors With A History Of Sexual Abuse Who Work With Sexually Violent Offenders, Chandra L. Goodwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on counselors who treat sexually violent offenders has emphasized professional challenges, ethical dilemmas, and vicarious trauma, while less attention has been given to clinicians with personal histories of sexual abuse who may face added strain yet also bring unique empathy and resilience to their work. Addressing this gap is critical for the counseling profession, as it informs how training, supervision, and wellness practices can be structured to better support clinicians with lived trauma histories. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of counselors with personal histories of sexual abuse who work with sexually violent offenders. Grounded in interpretative phenomenological …

Preparation And Support For Leadership Role In A Jamaican University, Tracy-Ann Keisha Dacres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is that academic leaders receive limited preparation and support at a Jamaican university, which poses challenges to effective leadership, teaching quality, and institutional success. Based on Katz’s three-skilled model, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore academic leaders’ perceptions of their preparation and support to carry out their leadership roles in a Jamaican university. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight purposefully selected academic leaders with a minimum of 4 years of experience. Through axial and thematic coding, the following nine themes emerged: (a) leaders rely on different pathways for …

The Impact Of A Major Educational Shift On Cognitive Load: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Uae University Students, Yousef Aljawarneh, Hasan Al-Omari

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The shift to remote learning has significantly influenced cognitive load among university students, impacting their ability to learn and comprehend effectively. In this study, we assessed cognitive load among students at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, we collected data from 2,085 students via self-administered questionnaires between February and May of 2021. The sample was predominantly female (78.5%) and single (91.3%). The Cognitive Load Scale (subscale range: 0-40) revealed moderate mean scores of 19.59 for intrinsic load (ICL) and 16.69 for extraneous load (ECL), with …

Effects Of Elementary And Secondary School Emergency Relief Grants On Math And English Language Arts Standardized Test Scores In Connecticut, Zoe Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was the decrease in proficiency levels in math and English Language Arts (ELA) of 3rd- to 8th-grade students on standardized tests following the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut (CT). The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the difference between the mean change in math and ELA standardized test scores for Grades 3-8 for 4 years before and 4 years after the introduction of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grant funding in CT, while controlling for all other funds received. The theory that supported this study was Lezotte’s school effectiveness and …

Award-Winning Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Missouri Leadership Development System’S Principal Competencies As A Factor In Teacher Retention, Shelly Parks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative descriptive study addressed low teacher retention in the U.S. state of Missouri, where ineffective school leadership is often noted as a primary cause for why teachers leave the profession despite the existing Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS) principal training. Guided by the job demands-resources theory, the purpose of this study was to explore award-winning teachers' perceptions of MLDS principal competencies as an influence on retention and gather suggestions for refinement. Phase 1 involved surveying 82 award-winning Missouri teachers on the appropriateness of the 41 principal competencies for retention where teachers ranked each competency. Survey data were analyzed to …

Staff Education To Use The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 To Improve Identification Of Depression Among Mental Health Clients, Lukresia Bhwanshe Kawira

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was an educational intervention to improve depression screening in a health clinic through standardized training using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The targeted practice issue was the variable use of the PHQ-9 which led to possible misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of depression, a critically vital issue in nursing practice owing to the necessity of frontline mental status evaluation by nursing staff. The practice focused question was, for staff in a mental health clinic, will training on the use of the PHQ-9 tool increase knowledge toward the goal of improving the identification of depression among clients? Hence, the overall …

Criminal Adult Perceptions Of Transition Services Following Histories Of Physical Abuse As Children, Kimberlyn Sherie Crook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is possible that childhood abuse and neglect could be linked to adult crime and delinquency. Intervention services' apparent ineffectiveness worries social workers, law enforcement, and policymakers. The literature found that abused children are more likely to commit crimes as adults without intervention and prevention, which harms society and abused children. Research suggests child abuse and adult crime may have early roots. The purpose of this qualitative study was to address adult victims firsthand accounts to identify intervention service gaps and suggest improvements. The qualitative design was used to address adult criminals who were abused as children and their unique …

Leadership In Action: Enhancing Staff Development For Organizational Success, Reinaldo Rivera Hernández

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit organizations face distinctive challenges that require specialized leadership and effective staff development strategies, particularly in community-focused organizations in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Leadership deficiencies can diminish employee commitment, restrict professional growth, and weaken organizational capacity, ultimately limiting mission fulfillment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore leadership and staff development deficiencies within a nonprofit organization in Lancaster County and identify strategies for improvement. Guided by Kurt Lewin’s change management model, the study examined barriers and supports for professional growth, the influence of leadership on organizational culture and retention, and practices promoting equity and succession planning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted …

Implementation Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy In Elementary Reading Instruction, Chelsea Renae Little

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) has been shown to help educators address the unique educational needs of African American students. While research has supported the belief that CRP promotes a sense of belonging and positively influences academic achievement, there remains a lack of research regarding elementary teachers’ perceptions of their implementation of CRP specifically when teaching reading to African American students. Framed by Ladson-Billings’s CRP framework, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore elementary teachers' perceptions of their implementation of CRP when teaching reading to African American students. Using a basic qualitative design, data were collected through semistructured …

Effective Strategies K–12 School Leaders Can Use To Improve Technology Integration In Classrooms, Shamila Ahmed Hashim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With the rapid rise in demand for effective technology integration in K-12 classrooms, particularly in nonpublic schools, strong leadership is crucial. The absence of effective strategies can hinder student learning outcomes, posing a significant challenge for educators who are striving to improve academic success. This qualitative research project included a pragmatic inquiry design was to explore the strategies that some K–12 school leaders apply to improve classroom technology integration and enhance student learning outcomes. Grounded in the technology integration matrix framework, the study involved a purposive sample of five school leaders from nonpublic K-12 institutions in Maryland. Data were collected …

Effects Of Summer School Attendance On The Assessed Reading Proficiency Of Third Grade Students, Lydia Evers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence shows students who are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade are more likely to eventually drop out of high school or be considered illiterate as adults, making it challenging to function adequately in society. The problem addressed through this study was that as many as 60% of U.S. third-grade students scored below proficiency on annual standardized reading assessments. Guided by faucet theory by Alexander et al., the purpose of this causal-comparative quantitative study was to compare reading standardized test scores of third-grade students who participated in a summer school program (SSP) in the summer following second …

Difference In High School Geometry End-Of-Year State Exam Scores Between Three Different Retake Time Frames, Christina Noel Walton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A grading policy was implemented in a Northeastern suburban public school district that left it to curriculum teams to define the amount of time between the original test and its retake resulting in a slight decrease in high school students’ geometry end-of-year state exam scores. Guided by Bloom’s theory of mastery learning, the purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to investigate if there were statistically significant differences between high school students’ geometry end-of-year state exam scores or between high school students’ geometry math growth scores when controlling for the preassessment score differentiated by three schemes of retake timing: short-term, …

Strategies To Use Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Programs To Increase Employee Performance And Profitability, Kecia Bailey Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of effective strategies for implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to increase employee performance and profitability is a concern for leaders in the education industry. This problem is significant to educational leaders because, without effective strategies for implementing DEI programs, they cannot address the gap in practice that hinders improvements in employee performance and organizational profitability. Grounded in Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry identified and explored the effective strategies educational leaders used to successfully implement DEI programs to increase employee performance and profitability. Participants were six leaders from both for-profit and non-profit educational …