Education Commons^™

Effect Of Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program On Fourth Graders’ Foundational Reading Skills, Kathleen Michelle Fox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem is that fourth-grade students in the United States are not meeting reading proficiency benchmarks. Phonemic awareness is a strong predictor of reading success; however, few studies have investigated its effectiveness for intermediate elementary students who are at risk or struggling readers. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental causal-comparative study was to find whether fourth-grade students who are identified as at-risk or struggling readers will show improvement in phonemic awareness and word recognition skills when taught with the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program as a supplement to regular reading instruction as compared to students who received traditional core reading instruction. …

Gender Differences In Kindergarten Students’ Internalizing And Externalizing Behaviors And The Role Of Inhibitory Control, Joy Ann Stickney-Mcdonald

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disruptive classroom behaviors are on the rise in U.S. classrooms. Children with early behavior difficulties are at an increased risk of school dropout, incarceration, and mental illness. A review of the literature indicates gender is a significant variable that can influence students’ behaviors, social skills, and academics. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of gender differences in externalizing behaviors and internalizing behaviors and the role of inhibitory control in a sample of neurotypical and neurodiverse kindergarten students. Bem’s gender schema theory was the structural framework used in this non-experimental study. The research question explored the …

Teachers’ Perspectives Of Using Assistive Technology When Writing Individual Education Plans With Parents, Garland Keith Voss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers of children with disabilities are not providing consistent opportunities for assistive technology (AT) services, even when mandated to do so. This phenomenon contributes to children with disabilities not receiving services that help their educational growth and development. The purpose of this study was to explore perspectives of K-2 teachers of children with disabilities in a rural Western school district about using AT when writing individualized education plans (IEPs) with parents. The conceptual frameworks for this study were Piaget’s constructivism theory and Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Eleven K-2 teachers of children with disabilities participated in semistructured recorded interviews. Data were …

Prekindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Kindergarten Readiness In Childcare Centers, Adrienne Dominic Stephens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prekindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Kindergarten Readiness in Childcare Centers by Adrienne Dominic Stephens MS, Walden University, 2016 BGS, University of Arkansas at Monticello, 2011 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2024

Prekindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Kindergarten Readiness In Childcare Centers, Adrienne Dominic Stephens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Primary Grade Teacher Perspectives About The Challenges Of Teaching Remotely, Jennifer Brooke Sample

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this basic qualitative study addressed was that primary grade teachers, who taught different curricula, were not prepared to teach in a fully remote environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perspectives about the challenges they experienced teaching primary-grade students remotely and to explore their perspectives on providing remote instruction training to teachers. This was accomplished using the conceptual framework of Garrison et al.’s community of inquiry model. Two research questions explored primary teachers’ perspectives on the challenges of teaching primary grade students in a remote platform and explored teachers’ suggestions for training in remote instruction. …

Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of Practicum And Its Relationship To Self-Efficacy In Teaching, Terri Gray Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited research exists on the factors that contribute to community college students’ development of self-efficacy (SE) while serving as preservice teachers (PSTs) during their early childhood education (ECE) practicum. This lack of research is concerning because educators who have high SE enhance the educational well-being of all children. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences in practicum that early childhood educators perceive contribute to the development of SE among PSTs. The conceptual framework was derived from Bandura’s theory of SE. The focus of the research questions was on understanding the development of SE during practicum experiences and …

Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of Practicum And Its Relationship To Self-Efficacy In Teaching, Terri Gray Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited research exists on the factors that contribute to community college students’ development of self-efficacy (SE) while serving as preservice teachers (PSTs) during their early childhood education (ECE) practicum. This lack of research is concerning because educators who have high SE enhance the educational well-being of all children. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences in practicum that early childhood educators perceive contribute to the development of SE among PSTs. The conceptual framework was derived from Bandura’s theory of SE. The focus of the research questions was on understanding the development of SE during practicum experiences and …

Primary Grade Teacher Perspectives About The Challenges Of Teaching Remotely, Jennifer Brooke Sample

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this basic qualitative study addressed was that primary grade teachers, who taught different curricula, were not prepared to teach in a fully remote environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perspectives about the challenges they experienced teaching primary-grade students remotely and to explore their perspectives on providing remote instruction training to teachers. This was accomplished using the conceptual framework of Garrison et al.’s community of inquiry model. Two research questions explored primary teachers’ perspectives on the challenges of teaching primary grade students in a remote platform and explored teachers’ suggestions for training in remote instruction. …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Challenges Of Integrating Technology In Math Instruction, Jennifer Denise Mcclellan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although teachers agree that technology is beneficial for enhancing math education and pedagogy, there are concerns about incorporating technology into their teaching practices. The problem addressed in this study was that high school teachers are challenged to integrate technology into math instruction. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school teachers’ perceptions of the challenges in integrating technology into math instruction to answer the research questions regarding those challenges and viable strategies for infusing instructional technology into math classrooms. The theoretical framework was based on the technological pedagogical content knowledge framework, which combines content knowledge, technology …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Challenges Of Integrating Technology In Math Instruction, Jennifer Denise Mcclellan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although teachers agree that technology is beneficial for enhancing math education and pedagogy, there are concerns about incorporating technology into their teaching practices. The problem addressed in this study was that high school teachers are challenged to integrate technology into math instruction. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school teachers’ perceptions of the challenges in integrating technology into math instruction to answer the research questions regarding those challenges and viable strategies for infusing instructional technology into math classrooms. The theoretical framework was based on the technological pedagogical content knowledge framework, which combines content knowledge, technology …

Formerly Incarcerated Women Describe Study Habit Challenges Within Adult Education Programs, Milan Kiana Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transitioning back into society successfully after incarceration comes with its downfalls, but educational support could potentially address transitional success, especially for formerly incarcerated women. Previous research mainly focused on exploring education options and recidivism outcomes for formerly incarcerated men. There is limited research regarding formerly incarcerated women and their educational needs within adult education programs. The purpose of this qualitative inquiry study was to describe study habit challenges for formerly incarcerated women within adult education programs. A further aim was to develop educational recommendations to promote successful study habits and potentially further educational attainment for formerly incarcerated women. Malcolm Knowles’ …

Formerly Incarcerated Women Describe Study Habit Challenges Within Adult Education Programs, Milan Kiana Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transitioning back into society successfully after incarceration comes with its downfalls, but educational support could potentially address transitional success, especially for formerly incarcerated women. Previous research mainly focused on exploring education options and recidivism outcomes for formerly incarcerated men. There is limited research regarding formerly incarcerated women and their educational needs within adult education programs. The purpose of this qualitative inquiry study was to describe study habit challenges for formerly incarcerated women within adult education programs. A further aim was to develop educational recommendations to promote successful study habits and potentially further educational attainment for formerly incarcerated women. Malcolm Knowles’ …

The Relationship Between New Jersey Primary Teachers’ Perceptions Of One-To-One Device Programs And Their Stage Of Adoption, Frances Amato

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Interest in one-to-one (1:1) device programs, where schools provide each student with their own computing device, has increased across the United States. The problem this study addressed was whether primary teachers’ perceived usefulness, ease of use, organizational support, and technical support of a 1:1 device program is related to their reported stage of adoption. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between primary school teachers’ perceptions of a 1:1 device program and their self-reported stage of adoption. The theoretical framework guiding the study included the diffusion of innovations theory and the technology acceptance model. Data were …

The Relationship Between New Jersey Primary Teachers’ Perceptions Of One-To-One Device Programs And Their Stage Of Adoption, Frances Amato

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Interest in one-to-one (1:1) device programs, where schools provide each student with their own computing device, has increased across the United States. The problem this study addressed was whether primary teachers’ perceived usefulness, ease of use, organizational support, and technical support of a 1:1 device program is related to their reported stage of adoption. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between primary school teachers’ perceptions of a 1:1 device program and their self-reported stage of adoption. The theoretical framework guiding the study included the diffusion of innovations theory and the technology acceptance model. Data were …

How Faculty And Students Understand And Experience The Development Of Critical Thinking In The Online Classroom, Katarzyna Peoples, C. Todd Correa, Gary J. Burkholder

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: There are essentially three schools of thought regarding critical thinking—humanistic, cognitive, and behavioral. Given the disagreement among them, confusion continues about what critical thinking means, and how it can be taught to students.

Methods: In this qualitative phenomenological study, researchers interviewed students and faculty in a distance education master of public health program about their perceptions and experiences of what critical thinking means and how it is developed in the online classroom.

Results: Themes emerging from student interviews included (a) differing thoughts on the meaning of critical thinking; (b) learning and meeting course requirements as students’ …

Use Of Integrated English Language Development To Improve Long-Term English Learner Instruction, Rosanne Reid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2023, California schools served 1.2 million students designated English learners (EL-classified students). Most EL-classified students in grades 6-12 were considered long-term English learners. The problem addressed by this study is that LTEL-considered students have historically had the lowest academic achievement of any student group, despite federal and state mandates for instructional support through designated and integrated English language development (ELD). The purpose of this case study was to explore how content-area teachers at one California high school used components of integrated ELD to support LTEL-considered students in learning language, literacy, and content knowledge and how site and district administrators …

K-12 Teachers' Perceptions Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy In Ontario, Canada, Heather Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) is an approach to teaching that emphasizes students’ cultural backgrounds in classroom learning to improve student success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness in culturally diverse learners. Research highlights that using CRP in multicultural classrooms supports the engagement, learning, and achievement of culturally diverse students around the world, but less is known about how K-12 teachers’ perceptions of CRP impact the usage of this practice in their classrooms. This basic qualitative study examined K-12 teachers’ perceptions of CRP in Ontario, Canada, to address this gap in practice and determine why educators are not widely using CRP in …

Secondary Mathematics Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences With Implementing Collaboration In Us Classrooms, Scott Norman Cairney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Collaboration is an underused teaching strategy despite its benefits and the call for curriculums worldwide to increase its use. To aid in discovering why the strategy is underused, more information was needed about the implementation of collaboration in the mathematics classroom. The purpose of this study was to investigate mathematics teachers’ perceptions and experiences when implementing collaboration in their classrooms. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was Vygotsky’s social constructivism. Data for the basic qualitative study were collected through 12 interviews with mathematics teachers in California, Oregon, and Washington who have implemented collaboration. Through inductive analysis, seven themes emerged …

Examining Barriers To Technology Integration Practices Of K-12 Teachers, Sherri N. Brackett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this study addressed is that K-12 teachers inconsistently implement technology into classroom instructional practices. The use of technology influences every aspect of our daily life. In fact, schools now have a responsibility to integrate technology into teaching and learning. This qualitative study aimed to investigate how K-12 teachers’ perceptions of technology integration and barriers influence the integration of technology into their classroom practice. The technology acceptance model and the barrier to technology integration were the frameworks for this study. The research questions explored teachers’ perceptions and barriers that influence the integration of technology into classroom instructional practices. The …

Implementation Of Social-Emotional Programs Found In Urban Elementary Schools In A Mid-Atlantic State, Stephanie Ann Gouskos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As the rise in need for social emotional learning (SEL) becomes apparent in schools, the lack consistent implementation in schools is apparent. Information has been collected stating how districts, schools, and teachers implement their own SEL lessons into the classroom to promote student well-being. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of administrators and teachers in urban elementary schools in a Maryland school district regarding possible barriers to consistent implementation of high-quality SEL. The theoretical framework for this study is based on CASEL’s SEL framework. The research questions focus on the perception of implementation and barriers …

Teachers' Experience Serving Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders In Distance Learning, Mireya Escalante Torres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders forced millions of students attending schools in the United States to shift to distance learning. As pandemic restrictions lifted and schools reopened, an emerging trend was observed: many parents of children with disabilities chose to continue distance learning. This decision gains significance in the context of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs) who are at a higher risk of disengagement from school. Educators need to understand how to address social, emotional, and behavioral needs within online learning frameworks. However, increasing engagement for students with EBDs in distance learning has not been well-researched. Drawing …

Jamaican Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of The Tablets In School Project On Their Literacy-Teaching Practices, Valri Leonie Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There have been many innovations targeting literacy teaching and learning in small countries such as Jamaica, but changes to literacy teaching practices are rarely sustained beyond the life of the initial projects. The purpose of this study was to understand teachers’ rationale for changes to literacy teaching practices that were and were not sustained beyond the life of the initial Tablets in Schools (TIS) project of 2014 in Jamaica. Grounded in Lewin’s and Rogers’s change theories, the study’s conceptual framework communicated that impactful innovation leads to sustainable change. The two research questions sought to establish how primary school teachers explained …

Parents’ Perspectives On School Readiness In Preschool-Age Children In Idaho, Courtney Painton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over half of Idaho’s incoming kindergarteners lack the necessary school readiness skills. The environment in which the child lives and grows, which includes the child’s parents, determines the child’s readiness for school. This study addressed Idaho parents’ roles in preparing their preschool-aged child for kindergarten, and their current ability to access resources and information on school readiness. The study was grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which provided a framework for the influence of parents on a child’s school readiness outcomes based on the idea that a person’s behavior evolves based on the relationship between the person and their environment. …

Mitigating Burnout In Primary School Teachers Since The Covid-19 Pandemic, Janine Celeste Adrian

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although teacher burnout has been experienced for decades, teachers faced additional stressors with the onset of COVID-19. Teachers faced newfound stressors due to lockdowns and restrictions on gathering face-to-face and instruction becoming virtual. Even the youngest students (kindergarten to fifth grade) had to be taught according to the virtual learning mandates. As a result, primary school teachers began to experience burnout differently. The purpose of this study was to explore the support primary school teachers needed to help mitigate the burnout they experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored what interpersonal, intrapersonal, or educational support helps mitigate burnout …

Perspectives Of Middle School Science Teachers And College Instructors Regarding Preservice Writing Pedagogy Preparation, Amanda Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The local problem explored in this study was the barriers and challenges facing middle school teachers in integrating and assessing writing in a science classroom. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of college instructors and middle school science teachers regarding how teacher education programs provide the pedagogical skills necessary to integrate and assess writing within the classroom. Grounded in the Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge framework, research questions were designed to ask college instructors to describe how they prepare their students to integrate and assess writing as well as how the teachers described how their …

Equality In Programming For Girls And Boys: Adolescents' Shared Experiences From An After-School Support Program In Urban Nairobi, Nelson Muhia, Benta Abuya

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

There has been marked progress in access to education, representation of women in leadership, sexual reproductive health, and gender-based violence as a result of gender equality initiatives. However, there is still a strong focus on interventions targeting girls only. Through the adolescents’ lens, this study sought to establish if there is a preference for interventions targeting girls compared to boys in two urban informal settlements; and what benefits were realized from programming for both adolescent boys and girls enrolled in an after-school support program. We employed a thematic analysis approach to answer the research questions. Results showed that most interventions …

An Empirical Study Of Student Satisfaction At Selected Private Universities In Bangladesh, Mubina Khondkar, Abureza M. Muzareba

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Satisfying students in higher education has proven to be a difficult task, although universities are striving to meet student needs and expectations. Private universities are trying to become more student-oriented and are seeking to understand students’ perceptions of higher education facilities. This research was designed to measure the gap between students’ expectations and perceptions of various aspects of private universities in Bangladesh. It uses a SERVQUAL framework and the Gaps Model of Service Quality. The population of students at private universities in Bangladesh is represented by a sample of 412 respondents from five top-tier private universities. Findings indicate that the …

Using Case-Based Instruction To Support Teaching Self-Efficacy For Cultural Responsiveness In Pre-Service Teachers: A Mixed Methods Study, Marisa Nodine, Carolyn Hushman, Ashley K. Vaughan, Kira J. Carbonneau

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Using a mixed methods design we quantitively examined how case-based instruction (CBI) influenced preservice teachers’ (PSTs) cultural responsiveness teacher efficacy development across three classroom case studies. Qualitatively, we examined how PSTs were able to engage in self-insertion when writing about their reactions to the classroom cases. Specifically, PSTs were randomly assigned to one of two conditions; one group received a content-based text excerpt prior to reading and responding to two classroom cases (Text–Case). Another group was given a series of three classroom cases (Case–Case) that contained similar information to the Text–Case group. The Text–Case group maintained their cultural responsiveness teacher …

Impactful Digital Technology Coaches: Identifying Their Characteristics And Competencies While Delineating Their Role, Tiffany L. Gallagher, Catherine Susin, Arlene Grierson

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Digital technology coaches (DTCs) often support teachers with integrating technology into their classroom and instructional program, as well as provide ongoing staff development. To be effective, coaches tend to have specific characteristics for instructional coaching and competencies for educational coaching. We investigated if these characteristics and competencies applied to effective DTCs while we observed their proficiency with technology, their interactions with other educators, and the way they provide support for the teacher-professional learning (PL) process. Three DTCs led over 80 K–12 teachers from the same school district in classroom coaching sessions, collaborative planning meetings, PL sessions, and conference presentations. In …