Education Commons^™

The Role Of Teaching Presence On Academic Achievement In Fully Online Asynchronous And Hybrid Undergraduate Mathematics Courses, Shaghayegh Azadi Setayesh

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to investigate how mathematics student perceptions of teaching presence differ by course delivery mode and student achievement. Online learning has had a steady growth in higher education, and mathematics courses are also offered in fully online and hybrid modes, but the research on online mathematics learning and academic achievement is limited. In order to contribute to the body of research in this field, the focus of this study was on teaching presence and academic achievement in two delivery modes: fully online asynchronous, and hybrid.

The Community of Inquiry was the theoretical framework of this study, where …

The Effect Of Digital Storytelling On Academic Performance, Interest And Motivation Of Police Cadets In A Law Enforcement Academy, Damon Ing

Theses and Dissertations

The Effect of Digital Storytelling on Academic Performance, Interest and Motivation of Police Cadets in a Law Enforcement Academy. Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), December 2018, 93pp., 6 tables, 83 references, 5 appendices. With increasing criticism concerning police interactions with the public and the use-of-force decisions, the importance of preservice law enforcement instruction is an ongoing concern for both police practitioners and the public. Law enforcement education can benefit from the integration of new instructional strategies that can increase comprehension and long-term knowledge retention transferable into the field. Digital storytelling has been proffered as an effective cross-cultural communication tool and has …

Self-Determined Motivation In Foreign Language Learning: Examining The Effects On Students' Achievement, Yawo Badagbo

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between foreign language motivation and self-determined motivation, as well as the issue of students’ perceptions of strategies used to improve foreign language motivation and achievement among undergraduate students in the department of foreign language. This research was conducted in two mid-western universities among undergraduate foreign language learners. The participants were undergraduate foreign language learners. A total of 391 students from 18- 43 years old started the paper-and-pencil surveys in which they shared their views and perceptions about foreign language learning motivations and strategies to improve motivations and achievement. However, only 380 completed the majority of …

A Mixed Methods Study Of The Implementation Of Collaborative Technology Tools For Enhancing Collaboration And Student Engagement In Online Learning: Faculty Experiences And Student Perspectives, Ayshah Abdullah Alahmari

Theses and Dissertations

The appropriate implementation of collaborative technology tools in online courses leads to a culture of social learning where technology empowers students to take central roles in their learning. Yet, critical questions still exist about how faculty design, develop, implement collaborative eLearning activities using technology tools that support collaboration and student engagement in online courses, and what perspectives students have toward their experiences while participating in these activities. The purpose of the study is to explore the experiences of faculty members implementing collaborative technology tools in online courses to support collaboration and student engagement, in addition, to obtain the perspectives of …

Seeking External Funding: Experiences Of Selected Full-Time Faculty At Rowan University, Lacey Taylor Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the obstacles and motivators that tenured and tenure-track faculty members at Rowan University's, Glassboro, New Jersey campus face while seeking and securing external funding. The surveys were distributed to all 433 tenured and tenure-track faculty members on Rowan University, Glassboro's campus. Of the subjects, there are 273 faculty members that are tenured, and 160 who are tenure-track. The results of the study conclude that Rowan University faculty members feel as though their heavy workload is a hindrance on their ability to seek and secure grant funding. Secondly, survey results indicate that Rowan …

Teaching The Common Core State Standards (Ccss) Using Interdisciplinary Units: A Qualitative Case Study Of How Secondary Core Curriculum Teachers Implement The Ccss Using Interdisciplinary Units (Ius), Ella Jones Burch

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how teachers understood and practiced using IUs to teach the core disciplines of the CCSS. The strategy of inquiry was a single case study in an urban high school where teachers of English, science, social studies, and math courses discussed IUs, and some teachers were observed using IUs. Data from public documents, teacher and student participant interviews, teacher classroom observations, a teacher survey, and field notes were analyzed and produced themes around the implementation of IUs.

The findings of this study indicate that teachers perceive how to conceptualize an IU, …

Autism's Affect On The Family, Jason L. Hicks

Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects millions of children and families alike and is characterized by impairments in socialization, communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviors. The impairments caused by ASD vary in severity and may negatively impact a child’s functioning. The purpose of this exploratory research is to critically examine ASD and how it impacts family units following diagnosis. To that end, this qualitative study provides first-hand accounts of families who have lived through their child’s ASD diagnosis. This study provides accounts from four participating families on the topics of their personal feelings of ASD, their knowledge of ASD before and …

The Implementation Of Positive Behavior Supports To Reduce Student Elopement, Melanie Mcglone

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to implement positive behavior supports to reduce student elopement. The participant of this study was a female fifth grade student who is diagnosed with Specific Learning Disability and has had documented chronic elopement issues. The experimental design was used in this study. First, a baseline period occurred where data was collected on the frequency of the student's elopement behavior. Then, the positive behavior support of a small tangible daily classroom reward was earned by the student when she did not elope. Next, a reversal period occurred where the student did not receive any positive …

Locating The Critical Component In Technological Pedagogical And Content Knowledge ( Tpack ): An Examination Of How Graduate Students Recruit Tpack And Critical Digital Literacy Into Classroom Practices., Vicki Ann Hosek

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were to gain an understanding of how practicing teachers believe they are prepared to meaningfully and critically integrate technology into their classroom practices; and to understand how practicing teachers recruited those beliefs into their teaching practices. This included gaining an understanding of what they believed led to their engagement in the critical dimensions of technology use in their teaching practices. This mixed-methods study contained two phases. In Phase 1, 58 graduate students in a College of Education completed a newly developed Critical Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (C-TPACK) survey containing likert-scale and open-ended questions. A subset …

The Persistence Of The Associate Degree Nursing Student: The Lost Nurse, Stella A. Barber

Theses and Dissertations

There is controversy surrounding the entry-level degree to the profession of nursing. This study had the focus of showing the persistence of the associate degree nursing student as a way of giving evidence to maintaining this pathway as entry to nursing. Narrative inquiry was used to interview 10 students and 3 faculty on the persistence of the nursing student. Callista Roy's Coping Adaptation Processing Scale was taken by 51 students enrolled in the same nursing program. The overarching themes of the student interviews were goals, learning environment, and admission criteria. The overarching theme as a result of the Coping Adaptation …

Investigating Pre-Service Secondary Mathematics Teachers’ Reasoning When Learning Trigonometry Using The Line Segment Approach, Lawrence Ssebaggala

Theses and Dissertations

Review of the history of trigonometry content and pedagogy indicates the necessity and importance of trigonometry in the school curriculum (e.g., van Brummelen, 2009; van Sickel, 2011). For example, understanding trigonometric functions is a requirement for understanding some other areas of science, such as Newtonian physics, architecture, surveying, and several branches of engineering. Research indicates that teachers have a narrow and inadequate understanding of trigonometry, researchers (e.g., Hertel, 2013; van Sickel, 2011; Weber, 2005) posited that learning trigonometry in a way that fosters and advances quantitative reasoning can help alleviate difficulties faced in the teaching of trigonometry. Examining participants’ reasoning …

Latino Immigrant Family Involvement: Feelings Of Belongingness And Attachment In An Urban Elementary School, Christel Marie Hibbard Pond

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the relationship between Latino immigrant family involvement and feelings of belongingness and attachment in relation to the school community. This study explored how Latino immigrant family voices described their feelings of belongingness and attachment by investigating the linkages between Latino immigrant family beliefs and social capital relating to school involvement and perceptions of belongingness. This study used theories of attachment and belongingness to understand the relationship between family feelings of belongingness, attachment, social capital, and family involvement in the school community. Findings of the study revealed that although Latino immigrant …

Resilience And Academic Achievement In Minority Students, James A. Britton

Theses and Dissertations

Students can thrive within school programs and sustain their capacity for success despite seemingly overwhelming obstacles. A model of school-based resilience can insulate students from risk and help students acknowledge challenges, embrace them, and learn as students encounter challenge and surmount it.

This study of a high school program analyzed the relationship between educational resilience and academic achievement through a direct measure of resilience. The research investigated whether a program increased resilience for minority and low-income high school students and whether stronger resilience was associated with improved academic outcomes. Students in the program produced significantly better academic outcomes, as measured …

The Effect Of Cross Age Tutoring On Math Fact Automaticity Using Students With Disabilities As Tutors, Wendy L. Krayer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the math fact knowledge and recall of students with disabilities improved when they acted as tutors in cross-age tutoring situations. I hypothesized that students with disabilities would exhibit increased recall, improved engagement and enhanced self-concept when they took on the role of expert. All the participants in our study were special education students with Individualized Education Plans and met for 15 three-minute tutoring sessions. The tutor and tutee did not change roles. Addition fact cards were presented and tutees were given a pre-determined amount of time to answer. All participants were …

Communication Between Home And School For Parents Of Children With Chronic Illness, Keri Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

A child with chronic illness has a physical or behavioral condition that affects the child’s daily functioning, lasts longer than three months, and requires medical intervention such as medication, hospitalizations, and/or home care (Newacheck, McManus, & Fox, 2001). Chronic illness interferes with all areas of development, including physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development, and a growing number of children with chronic illnesses are attending school. Effective communication between parents and educators is essential so that accurate information about the nature and extent of the impact of chronic illness on children’s learning experiences and schooling can be shared and appropriate supports …

Perceptions Of Principal Leadership On Teacher Morale, Caroline Elaine Gadson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what leadership behaviors high school teachers perceive as having an impact on teacher morale. This qualitative study explored the oral history of nine teachers from various high schools across South Carolina through semi-structured interviews. Various factors emerged regarding principal behaviors and characteristics that impacted teacher morale. The personal experiences shared by these teachers provided an insight of the actions and behaviors that increased or reduced morale. The study identified four factors that increased morale: (1) administrative support and trust; (2) recognition; (3) positive relationships; and (4) positive school environment. Factors that decreased …

The Impact Of Response To Intervention On The Reading Performance Of Third-Grade African American Male Students: An Action Research Study, Brandelynn S. Green

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study followed Mertler’s (2014) action research cycle of planning, acting, developing, and reflecting as the participant-researcher explored the impact of cultural and individualized differentiation to address the affective needs of learners within a response to intervention (RTI) framework in a third-grade classroom at Oak Park Elementary School (a pseudonym). A traditional RTI framework places the student at the center of all instruction while providing a scientific approach to meeting the needs of struggling learners (Williams, 2015a), but, as argued by Beth Harry (n.d.), simply providing evidence-based strategies to struggling students may not be enough; students also need …

The Impacts Of A Multimodal Assessment Project In General Biology I At A Southwestern Community College, Larchinee Turner

Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice (DiP) uses an action research (AR) methodology to answer a research question pertaining to the impacts of implementing a multimodal-based assessment project in the introductory, General Biology I (BI 114) classroom at East- State Junior College. A mixed-methods approach will be utilized to ascertain the impacts on student learning as well as student perceptions of the project. Chapter One provides a justification of the relevance and importance of the research question regarding student learning, the post-secondary science landscape, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and the challenges of providing positive learning opportunities and experiences to those students. A concise literature …

Discovering Discourse: Utilizing Peer Mediation In Middle School To Achieve Literacy, Stephanie Van Hassel

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the impact of implementing a peer mediation program in a middle school setting through an action research framework, presented as a series of case studies. The group of students receiving the intervention are on one “team” in the middle school, sharing the same group of teachers. The team is on a lower academic track, and are marginalized due to this placement. The intervention’s impact on the participants’ Discourse will be explored.

Impact Of Explicit Instruction Using Culturally Relevant Texts In Reading On Student Confidence, Wendy Harriford Platt

Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes an action research question focused on how explicit instruction in reading, coupled with culturally responsive teaching, can affect the confidence levels of African-American male ninth graders regarding their reading comprehension abilities. The research question seeks to illustrate the benefits of using explicit instruction in the context of materials seen as relevant by the student to unpack each step of the reading comprehension process thereby engaging students who otherwise view reading as a streamlined, passive process; it also uses teacher modeling to show how to increase reading comprehension, Also, classroom instruction on the secondary level makes use of …

The Impact Of Classroom Engagement In A College Civic Engagement Classroom: An Action Research Study, Kimberly Seibles

Theses and Dissertations

At Southern College (pseudonym), a liberal arts college in South Carolina, students were enrolled in an introductory civic engagement course. The purpose of this action research study was to examine how an introductory civic engagement course influenced students’ perspectives on civic engagement. Additionally, the research focused on how a civic engagement course prepared students to engage in service learning. The dissertation sought to explore how peer conversations, course readings, and direct instruction would impact students’ attitudes, beliefs, and perspectives toward civic engagement. The study was implemented over a 14-week period. The researcher collected and analyzed data using a mixed methods …

Enhancing Intrinsic Motivation And Reading Achievement Among Elementary Students In An Early Literacy Program, Rachel High

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study explores the enhancement of intrinsic motivation and reading achievement in an early literacy-tutoring program through the use of culturally relevant pedagogy. This program is an interventional method used in addition to the students’ reading curriculum. Students who have shown a reading deficit through low reading grades and consistently poor performance in benchmark tests qualify for the tutoring program. This paper contains a thorough review of the literature used to elucidate the theoretical framework. The historical background and importance of this research topic are also discussed. The methodology section of this study uses a mixed- methods design …

The Impact Of Differentiated Instruction On Student Accomplishment Through Mathematics Stations, Dawn M. Lawson

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this action research study is to determine how differentiated mathematics stations effect student learning. The research question that guided this study is as follows: How does the implementation of differentiated instruction using math stations impact individual student learning progression on the Student Learning Objective (SLO) posttest, unit pretests and posttests, and end of the year state assessment?

The research question is answered through an action research study where students completed mathematics stations designed to meet the individual needs of each student. Research theorists, instructional strategies, and policies effecting education support the focus of this study on differentiated …

A New System Of Teacher Evaluation In The Central Valley Elementary School District: An Action Research Study, Bryan Ballenger

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study describes the problem of practice as a dysfunctional evaluation system that is not meeting the needs of the teachers or the administration within the Central Valley Elementary School District. The identification of the problem of practice led to the development of a research focus examining elementary-level teachers’ beliefs concerning Danielson’s Framework for Teaching as the method for evaluation and the accompanying research question: What are elementary teachers’ perceptions of Danielson’s Framework for Teaching Evaluation Model? The purpose of the present action research study is to identify elementary teachers’ beliefs concerning Danielson’s Framework for Teaching Evaluation …

The Effect Of Professional Development On Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Role Of School Librarians: An Action Research Study, Jennifer C. Mandrell

Theses and Dissertations

The role of the school librarian has greatly evolved from its origination as a person who solely checks out books or reads to students. School librarians are a vital part of schools and, when utilized appropriately, can be an integral part of the learning process with students. When collaboration occurs regularly, collaborative relationships between school librarians and teachers have been found to improve students’ academic performance. This paper describes a proposed action research study, which stems from the lack of a collaborative relationship between the school librarian and teachers at a middle school in South Carolina. The study focuses on …

The Effect Of Professional Development On Middle School Teachers' Technology Integration: An Action Research Study, Kristen Collins Tyner

Theses and Dissertations

Equipping teachers with the appropriate knowledge and skills to integrate technology effectively into their practice is a key component of school-wide technology implementation. Technology is fast becoming ubiquitous in the realm of education. Teachers and schools struggle to keep abreast of changing technologies while preparing students for a 21st century workforce. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills defined four skills critical for success in the twenty-first century: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. School and district leaderships are tasked to provide relevant and meaningful technological professional development (PD) in order to prepare their teachers to integrate these skills into their …

Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction In The Urban Pre-Kindergarten Classroom, Jacqueline E. Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study describes the influence of culturally relevant literacy instruction on an urban preschool classroom and its effect on an educator-researcher. This research study was grounded in a theoretical framework that involved culturally responsive teaching pedagogy (Ladson-Billings, 1995), reality pedagogy (Emdin, 2012), and early literacy instruction (Algozzine, O’Shea, & Obiakor, 2009). The study was assembled as a case study bounded by one classroom in a federally funded daycare in a southern coastal city. It sought to answer the question: What are the important factors to consider when designing a culturally responsive reading curriculum for pre-kindergarten urban youth? The …

Challenges Of Attempting A Pedagogical Shift From An Essentialist Classroom To The Reformed Model, Joshua Germany

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study is to examine the challenges a teacher faces when shifting from an essentialist classroom toward a reformed approach in a high school US History class. The action research is taking place at a high school predominantly comprised of minority students who are considered to be of a high level of poverty.

The theoretical framework centers around the belief that a constructivist classroom will increase student engagement while enabling the students enhance their critical inquiry skills. This study’s mixed methods design uses both quantitative and qualitative data in a narrative case study describing the …

A Single Case Study Exploring Self-Efficacy In An After-School Program, Dubois T. Mcmillan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this single-case study was to examine the impact that the Young Moviemakers of America (YMA) after-school program had on the self-efficacy levels of six student-participants. Self-efficacy is considered a strong predictor of students’ academic success and social-emotional intelligence that influences life trajectories. YMA was formed to provide an outlet for youth in south Los Angeles to express their creative voices through a project-based, hands-on model where participants write and produce an original short documentary film.

This study was conducted to examine how YMA’s use of self-efficacy building strategies might impact students’ personal perceptions of general self-efficacy. Various …

Implementing A Rite Of Passage Intervention Through School-Based Extracurricular Activities: Instilling A Sense Of Belonging, Sharon Spry Dukes

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the impact implementing a rite of passage through school- based extracurricular activity has on a students’ sense of belonging. The students participating in the rite of passage are members of a school-based club known as the Orientation Team. The team consists of 24 students at an urban high school facing discipline challenges and a strained school climate. The intervention’s relationship with the theory of liminality will be explored.