Education Commons^™

Women In Direct Combat Arms: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study Of U.S. Army Active-Duty Military Intelligence And Cyber Command Women Perspectives And Current Career Opportunities And Policies In The Military Combat Fields, Brenda Young

Theses & Dissertations

Effective January 1, 2016, the Department of Defense implemented a new policy pertaining to a full work role gender integration for service women in all U.S. military fields and positions. Active-duty women struggled to participate, adapt, and be completely integrated into the full institutional direct combat arms positions and careers. Research on such gender participation to date has focused specifically on physical fitness standards, unit morale and cohesion, successful entry into training pipeline for direct combat arms fields, and outcomes measured by current attrition rates. A constructivist qualitative grounded theory research study was needed to understand how current active-duty women …

“Who We Are On Paper”: Celebrating Writing Identity And Diversity With High School Seniors In A Dialogic Ela Classroom, Karen Larson Buechner

Theses & Dissertations

Grounded in theory that views language and writing as inextricable from the social event within which it occurs, the purpose of this ethnographic study was to explore how the dialogue produced within the context of a detracked English Language Arts (ELA) classroom contributed to students’ perceptions of their writing identity. The class consisted of a racially, socioeconomically, and academically diverse group of 12th-grade students enrolled in a suburban, public high school. Findings illustrated that writing identity was enacted through multiple iterations of literacy processes embedded in a curriculum that was culturally responsive and implemented through dialogic methods. The analysis of …

A Meaningful Paradox Of Color-Blind Racism And Racial Literacy: Understanding The Phenomena Of White Women Teachers Educating Students Of Color, Alaisa Rigoni Grudzinski

Theses & Dissertations

Recognizing school resegregation and the demographic imperative as systemic problems impacting the educational outcomes of students of Color, this study examined the role of White women teachers’ racial views within the sociocultural context of teaching and learning. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore how 15 high school teachers described their lived experiences as educators of Latinx, Black, and Asian students in a racially diverse, public high school on Long Island, New York. This qualitative study was conceptualized through combining the theoretical lens of critical whiteness studies and critical pedagogy utilizing a qualitative phenomenological methodology for data collection, with …

Toward An Understanding Of Student Agency Within Institutional Dis/Ableism: A Critical Phenomenological Study, Shalinie Sarju

Theses & Dissertations

Students classified with dis/abilities and situated in segregated special classes learn in a system of compulsory able-bodiedness. Peripheralized school high students in special classes experience marginalization and oppression leading to poor academic and postschool outcomes. This critical phenomenological study sought to investigate the lived agentic experiences of high school students classified with dis/abilities and placed in a special class for educational instruction during distance learning and in-person school. To gain deeper insight into students as actors in their learning environment, it was necessary to examine the forms of capital that students harnessed toward their agency. Five high school students in …

An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Nutrition And Physical Activity Intervention Study On Changes In Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Outcome Expectations Of Fathers, Sarah Hortman

Theses & Dissertations

Overweight and obesity rates are a continuing concern resulting in poor health outcomes and annual healthcare costs in the billions of dollars. An upstream approach of health promotion is critical to change the focus from treatment and management to prevention of chronic disease. Preventing chronic disease through evidence-based health promotion practices incorporating educational interventions aimed at dietary and physical activity behaviors will preclude negative health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

The family environment is an important consideration in the prevention of chronic disease including obesity. Parents are role models for their children, including fathers who are …

Effectiveness Of Goal Setting On Teacher Evaluation, Julie White

Theses & Dissertations

Research Focus. The purpose of this study was to determine effectiveness of goal setting protocol procedures implemented by three school districts on teacher evaluation scores using the Texas Teacher Effectiveness Evaluation System (TESS). It determined which school’s teacher evaluation ratings increased and the effect goal setting had on the increased goals. The evaluation system uses formative and summative goals to support teachers. Texas Teacher Support System added the goal setting professional development process for all teachers to reflect on their practice and identify needs of improvement. With these goals, teachers should become more effective teachers. The teacher and the administer …

The H.E.R.O. Within: An Examination Of Psychological Capital And Intent To Graduate Among Doctoral Students, Tiffany Stange

Theses & Dissertations

Understanding the factors contributing to a student’s ability to persist toward graduation is paramount to the success of an institution’s doctoral program. This study explored specific psychological factors (psychological capital) as they relate to persistence factors for doctoral students. Additionally, this study expands upon the research and literature on psychological capital using an established instrument, Compound Psychological Capital scale (CPC-12), in a new context. Finally, this study expands the research and literature on doctoral student persistence by applying the College Persistence Questionnaire (CPQ), designed for undergraduate students, to the doctoral student population. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used to …

Exploring How Formative Assessment Rubric Is Used In Schools To Support Teaching And Learning: A Case Study Of One Primary School In Kenya., Jacqueline Bahati Atak

Theses & Dissertations

Kenya implemented a new curriculum, CBC, due to the flaws experienced by the 8-4-4 system. The realization was made possible by borrowing ideas from countries with success anecdotes in CBC across the globe. A key component of the curriculum design book, the formative assessment rubrics, is a new concept especially in rural public primary schools, Kenya that have limited resources, infrastructure, and teachers. With just over five years of operation, opportunities and challenges are expected in its adoption. However, there is scant literature about the use of rubrics in primary schools in Kenya and therefore, this study sought to explore …

Exploring The Use Of Concrete Materials In Teaching And Learning Of Fractions In Grade Three: A Case Study Of A Public Primary School In Homa-Bay County, Kenya, Ouma Patrick Okoth

Theses & Dissertations

Learners who struggle with mathematics may have difficulties in comprehending the core ideas in mathematics. The concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) instructional sequence of teaching allows teachers to assist pupils in making sense of numbers and the mathematical concepts they represent. The use of concrete materials is critical in the teaching of mathematics to young children; they are the major instruments that early childhood teachers use to train young learners in their mathematics classes today. To encourage the use of concrete materials in mathematics instruction, this research investigates how mathematics teachers use concrete materials in the teaching and learning of mathematics, as well …

Conflict Management Approaches Practiced By Public Heads Of Secondary Schools And Teachers In Hai District, Daniel Samwel Maeda

Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the conflict management approaches practiced by heads of schools, teachers, and student leaders in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. The study's objectives were to examine secondary school heads' skills and knowledge in conflict resolution, to examine school heads' conflict resolution approaches, and assess the effectiveness of school heads' conflict resolution strategies. The study employed a qualitative approach, with data gathered through interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), and document analysis. Three different school heads, as well as three discipline teachers, were interviewed. The FGD included six student leaders, two from each of the three schools. The document analysis …

Exploring Stakeholders’ Views On The Implementation Of The Re-Entry Policy Of 1994 On Teenage Mothers: A Case Study Of A Mixed Public Secondary School In Kisumu East Sub-County., Jane Aoko Ogola

Theses & Dissertations

School girls in Kenya face myriad challenges among them teenage pregnancy. In 1994, the Kenyan government introduced the re-entry policy to give girls who get pregnant a chance to return to school after delivery to finish their schooling. Even after the introduction of the re-entry policy, many girls who fall pregnant do not return to school after they give birth. This study sought to explore the views of the stakeholders on the implementation of the Re-entry Policy of 1994. The study was carried out in one mixed day secondary school in Kisumu East Sub-County. Qualitative case study was used. Data …

Enhancing Learners’ Reading Comprehension Skills Using Multimodality In A Form Two Classroom In A Public Secondary School In Taita Taveta County: An Action Research., Lilian Mandilla

Theses & Dissertations

In the recent past, rapid technological advancements coupled with the increasing learner diversity as a result of social, economic, political, and cultural factors have completely altered the meaning process. The use of multiple representations of educational content would therefore, appropriate these learner differences and the multiplicity of text. A considerable body of knowledge indicates that multimodality provides affordance to multiple means of representation, expression, perception, and engagement thus promoting active learning. Numerous studies in the English language continue to indicate that multimodality is used in the teaching and learning of varied aspects of the English language. Based on other studies …

Students’ Attitudes Towards Learning Chemistry Using Mobile Phone Simulations: A Case Of Two Secondary Schools In Dar Es Salaam Region., Ahmed Mbaruku Nyenga

Theses & Dissertations

Students’ attitudes have significant influence on their academic achievement in life. While at a younger age, they show keen interest towards scientific concepts, they grew in teenage years with a declining curiosity and will to take up science subjects. This has been due to abstract content overload for which a student needs sequential understanding as new concepts are built on older ones. Although technology has presented us with simulation applications in mobile phones, which would bring back the exciting nature of learning that children experienced with toys and video games at a tender age, efforts in terms of studies to …

Defying The Gendered Norm; A Case Of Girls’ Successful Enrollment, Participation And Achievement In Science Subjects In A Public Secondary School In Taita Taveta County, Kenya, Alice Machocho Mwang'ombe

Theses & Dissertations

The 21st century requires learners that are critical thinkers, problem solvers, creative and innovators. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as a discipline demands logical thinking, engagement and exploration which results in the equipping of learners with these essential skills. In reality, however, STEM is perceived as difficult to master and in particular gender stereotyping prevail whereby science is constructed as male and masculine discipline. Research on women and STEM primarily reports women in science from a negative stance, from negative perception to science or high prevalence of gender stereotypes that affect female access to science. These studies uphold a …

The Use Of The Flipped Classroom Approach In The Teaching Of English In A Public Secondary School In Nairobi County, Kenya: An Action Research Study, Ovin Nyakango Nyarango

Theses & Dissertations

Flipped Classroom approach is a new pedagogic approach that leverages educational technology to replace passive learning, which is commonly associated with lecture method of teaching, with active learning, in which students are responsible for producing meaning and finding connections using the content supplied outside of the classroom. The purpose of this action research was to see how the flipped classroom may be used to teach and learn English at a Kenyan public secondary school. Data was collected through document analysis, semi structured interviews, focus group discussions, reflective conversations and lesson observations. Findings from the study indicate that using of the …

Exploring Teachers’ Questioning Practices During Teaching And Learning Of Mathematics: A Case Study Of A Secondary School In Taita Taveta County, Kenya, Caroline M. Makato

Theses & Dissertations

This study explored teachers’ questioning practices during teaching and learning of mathematics in form two: a case of a secondary school in Mwatate sub-county, Kenya. Despite the importance attached to questioning in causing class interactions and stimulating mathematical thinking, questioning may be underutilized during teaching and learning mathematics. Studies on teachers questioning practices seem to have also been neglected in the Kenyan context. This gap in mathematics pedagogy was the focus of the study. The study aimed at establishing the level of questions teachers ask during teaching and learning mathematics, the characteristic features of mathematics teachers’ questioning practices and the …

Exploring Classroom Assessment Practices And Their Impact On Preservice Teachers Self-Efficacy In A Selected Primary Teachers’ College, Uganda., Faith Bisikwa

Theses & Dissertations

The masterpiece of quality teachers is self-efficacy. Tutors' classroom assessment competence and attitude towards assessment abilities, strengthen the realm of definite type of self-efficacy among preservice teachers. Classroom Assessment Practices bear constructive effect on Preservice Teachers' self–efficacy. This study aimed at exploring classroom assessment practices and their impact on preservice teachers' self-efficacy in a selected Primary Teachers' College in Uganda. A descriptive qualitative method and case study design was employed. Purposeful and strategic sampling methods were used to select 13 participants (7 tutors and 6 preservice teachers). However, 9 participants participated in this study (5 tutors and 4 preservice teachers). …

Exploring The Use Of Gamification In The Teaching And Learning Of English Grammar In A Private Secondary School Classroom In Mombasa County, Lydia Nasike Nabangi

Theses & Dissertations

Grammar is fundamental to language. Historically, approaches to teaching English grammar have undergone many changes. However, there is much disagreement as to the effectiveness of different approaches for teaching English grammar to learners since they view English grammar as boring. The world of education is today confronted with the demands of instilling digital literacy and twenty-first-century skills to all learners to function properly in the emerging fourth industrial revolution. Embracing gamification is unavoidable, especially with the emergence of millennials, whose lives are greatly influenced by digital technology and who prefer to study in a fun, engaging, and motivating environment. Thus, …

Use Of Songs In Teaching And Learning Ionic Bonds: A Case Of A Secondary School In Vihiga County, Kenya, Daniel Omollo Odhiambo

Theses & Dissertations

Factoring learner engagement during chemistry lessons is key if conceptual understanding is an objective. In Kenya however, the gradual decline in chemistry mean scores, coupled with evidence from studies, reveal disengagement in chemistry among learners. One of the most cited causes of this disengagement is the domineering teacher-centred teaching pedagogy. This action research studied how science content songs can be used to enhance engagement and interest in ionic bonding among high school learners in Kenya. The study, which was conducted in a mixed double-streamed secondary school, involved two collaborating teachers and 65 students, out whom, 8 participated in a focus …

Exploring Teachers’ Use Of The Inquiry-Based Framework In Teaching English Language In The International Baccalaureate Programme: A Case Of A Private Primary School, In Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania., Shazma Mehboob Jaffer

Theses & Dissertations

Inquiry-based learning is a lauded approach in the teaching of English language. However, studies based on some IB PYP Schools indicate that teachers still face challenges in the teaching of English, using the inquiry approach, whereas learners face difficulties in reading, writing and problem solving. This case study, therefore, explored how English teachers used the inquiry-based framework in the teaching of English language at the IB PYP School, in Tanzania. Six teachers from Grade one to six along with the former PYP Coordinator participated in this study. The data collection methods used included interviews, observations and document analysis. Data from …

Exploring How The Head Teachers As Street-Level Bureaucrats Influence The Implementation Of Competency-Based Curriculum In Kenya., Gordon Odhiambo Okumu

Theses & Dissertations

Policy reform initiatives in Kenya, including educational policy reforms, fail to achieve their intended objectives. Written and intended policies are of excellent standards, but they fail to achieve their goals because of implementation pitfalls. The purpose of this study was to explore how the headteachers as Street-Level Bureaucrats (SLB) influence the implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) policy. The study employed a case study approach for in-depth inquiry of the problem. A concurrent mixed-method design where the researcher collected both QUAL and Quan data for analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to describe quantitative data while narrative thematic and descriptions for qualitative …

Positioning Co-Teachers In An Integrated English As A New Language Class: Making Sense Of Teaching Roles, Kelley E. Cordeiro

Theses & Dissertations

This study examined how co-teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and General Education (GE) perceived their roles, agency, and professional positioning within co-taught elementary integrated English as a New Language (ENL) classes. Theories of positioning and educational change guided this study, exploring teachers’ perceptions of parity and observations of their discourse and interactions within the context of school and district cultures and policies. ESOL and GE co-teachers who implemented the collaborative cycle of instruction with fidelity experienced parity in their partnerships. These teachers utilized their distinct areas of expertise and had a common understanding of each teacher’s …

Exploratory Study On The Teaching Of Reading In Lower Primary Classes: A Case One Government Primary School In Kocheka Sub County, Uganda., Kulwenza Rachael

Theses & Dissertations

Reading is an important aspect of the literacy development of children in the early years of education. Studies have indicated that if children are not given a strong foundation of basics of reading at early stages, it is probable that they might fail to read in the later stages. Therefore, study aimed at exploring the teaching of reading in lower primary classes in one public primary school in Kocheka sub-county, Uganda. It was a single case study that adopted a qualitative research approach targeting six teachers, two from every lower class, one head teacher, and one District Inspector of Schools …

A Narrative Inquiry: What Does It Mean To Be A Black Male Teacher?, Nathaniel Marner

Theses & Dissertations

Nationwide, only 2% of K-12 teachers in the United States are Black males. As student demographics are shifting, more Black male teachers are needed in urban schools as well as in suburban settings (where this research took place). Research has shown that when Black students see examples of same-race teacher role models in schools, it increases student outcomes and influences future aspirations. Therefore, my narrative research study examined the stories of Black male educators in suburban elementary and middle schools with mostly students of color. Stemming from my own story of why I became a teacher, my motivation for this …

Co-Creating A Culture Of Belonging Through The Relational Co-Teaching Framework: A Critical, Transformative Auto|Ethnography, Elizabeth L. Stein

Theses & Dissertations

This critical, transformative auto|ethnography highlights power relations and culture as it documents my four-month collaborative journey with co-teachers and their students in their fifthgrade suburban school in Northeastern New York. This study describes how Ms. K., a general educator, and Ms. D, a special educator, negotiated power and reimagined a culture of belonging through the shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The co-teachers’ interactions were analyzed on macro, meso, and micro levels with data sources, including transcripts from cogenerative dialogues and semi-structured interviews, written reflections through student journaling, researcher’s journal, and other artifacts. A theoretical bricolage guided my …

Exploring The Role Of Literature In English Second Language Acquisition To Promote Speaking Competencies: A Case Of Public Secondary Schools In Moshi Rural – District., Violet Magessa William

Theses & Dissertations

The ever-changing demands of English second language learning have impacted many language scholars to find ways that will best address the teaching of English as a second language. The shifting demands require powerful English language teaching approaches that require interactive; learner-centered techniques that transform knowledge into powerful but adaptive forms that can address the lofty demands of the modern classroom. This study, therefore, aimed at finding intervention on English language acquisition in developing learners' comprehensive speaking skills by utilizing literature as a pedagogical resource, it has driven interest among scholars who pioneer its usefulness for possessing a communicative language approach …

Exploring Ict Adoption In Teaching And Learning Of Science: A Case Of Senior Teachers In Homa-Bay Sub County, Kenya, David Ochieng Odhiambo

Theses & Dissertations

The high potential conferred to ICT in the 21st century has necessitated its integration in teaching and learning of science. The COVID 19 endemic has even increased the need to embrace ICT to reach learners away from educational institutions. Technological skills are necessary to solve daily life problems in this digital age. Many literatures have depicted age as positively correlated with ICT adoption. It is imperative that all teachers irrespective of age employ ICT to effectively enhance transfer of knowledge. This study, anchored on diffusion innovation theory, examined adoption of ICT among senior science teachers, aged 45 years and above, …

Exploring Tutors’ Pedagogical Practices In The Teaching And Learning Of Mathematics Education: A Case Of Three Primary Teachers’ Colleges In Eastern Uganda., Geofrey Mabonga

Theses & Dissertations

The major purpose of this study was to explore tutors pedagogical practices in the teaching and learning of mathematics education in primary teachers colleges in Uganda. This study employed qualitative research approach. That being the case, Qualitative approach was based upon the interpretive constructivist underpinnings whose aim was to explain the phenomenon from the subjective reasoning based on participants’ opinions, realities, meanings, attitudes, and motivations that lie behind their social behaviour. This study used case study research design. A total of twelve (12) respondents participated in this study. These included six (6) Mathematics Tutors and six (6) Student teachers. Tutors …

The Role Of Street-Level Bureaucrats In The Implementation Of The 100% Transition Policy For Deaf Students: A Case Of Principals In Secondary Schools For The Deaf In Kenya, Geoffrey Owino Ochieng'

Theses & Dissertations

The designing and passing of a good policy do not guarantee the intended success if the execution at the end of the policy’s chain is not oriented towards the proposed objective. The success or failure of an education policy can be attributed to the modus operandi preferred by the principals who are charged with the responsibility of the implementation task at the end of the policy chain, given the role the principals play as the government agent and their proximity to the policy’s clientele. The 100% transition policy ought to boost all children including deaf students' access to quality and …

Accessibility Of Mathematics Examinations To Students With Hearing Impairment: A Case Study Of A School For The Deaf In Nyeri County-Kenya, Peter Mwangi Kabethi

Theses & Dissertations

The objective of this study was to establish the extent to which mathematics examinations are accessible to students with HI. The study adopted a qualitative approach via a case study design. The participants included the principal, Head of the mathematics department, teachers, and students from Clifftop school for the deaf. Purposive sampling was used to select the 5 students with HI and 3 mathematics teachers. Data was collected through focus group discussion (FGD) with students and teachers separately and classroom observation. In addition, the principal and the head of the mathematics department were interviewed to ascertain the general accessibility of …