Education Commons^™

Evaluation Practices In National Science Foundation Research Experiences For Undergraduates Programs, Aly Busse

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess and describe the status of program evaluation within the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) sites. The National Science Foundation's REU program supports thousands of undergraduates annually in hands-on, immersive research experiences under the mentorship of science professionals. To date, there is a lack of published or accessible evaluation results from these REU programs and it is unknown what evaluation approaches are being used in the REU programs, how they are designed and implemented, how evaluation findings are utilized, and what barriers to evaluation activities exist. A self-administered electronic …

Narrative Reflection In Collaborative Composition: A Facilitated Approach To Group Processing In Middle Grades, Gretchen M. Dodson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was situated at Mountain Middle School (Pseudonym). Students at Mountain Middle School often engage in collaborative compositions embedded within week-long multidisciplinary and multiage units of study called Odysseys. These units of study and the collaborative composition projects are classified as formal cooperative learning. Johnson et al., (2010) identified five elements that make cooperative learning effective. These effective elements are: “positive interdependence, individual accountability, promotive interaction, appropriate use of social skills, and group processing” (Johnson et al., 2010, p. 1). The teachers currently design collaborative learning experiences emphasizing four of the five elements of cooperative learning. Together, we identified …

Gender Role Depictions In Arabic Children’S Picture Books, Aljawharah A. Almuqbil

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore gender role depictions in children's Arabic picture books. The importance of this study emerged from its focus on young children, where the concept of gender begins to be constructed. This study provided insight into the nature of gender roles in children’s picture books, especially under the remarkable changes that Saudi society is witnessing and the lack of Arab studies in this area. Social cognitive theory, gender schema theory, and critical literacy pedagogy guided the study. A sample of 26 picture books was selected from the Child Book Club at King Abdulaziz Public Library and analyzed …

The Use Of Proactive Progressive Muscle Relaxation To Increase Academic Engagement For Elementary School Students, Lillian G. Mccook

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) has been shown to produce desired outcomes by decreasing disruptive behavior in the classroom and increasing academic engagement. The integration of technology into the educational setting alleviates some of the burden on educators and enhances the learning experience for students. This study evaluated the effectiveness of brief video-based PMR to increase academic engagement in the classroom with three elementary school students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, this study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of video based PMR within a classroom setting. Results from this study show that PMR was a feasible, acceptable and effective …

Transfer Students Matter: A Case Study On The Student Experience Of First-Generation Transfer Students At A Four-Year Public University In A Bridge Program, Quishaundra R. Harris

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study aims to establish a knowledge base and learn about the experience of first-generation transfer students who have completed their Associate in Art (AA) degree from a community college and have transitioned to a four-year public university. The study aims to examine first-generation transfer students' sense of belonging and transition at a four-year public university. A qualitative case study was conducted to learn about the experiences of first-generation transfer students who transferred from state community colleges and are currently enrolled at a four-year university in a bridge program. This study was driven by two theoretical frameworks: Schlossberg's transition …

Head Start Teachers' Contemplative Journeys With Stress, Self-Awareness, And Interactions: A Narrative Inquiry, Candice L. Mckinnon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Early childhood teachers play a significant role in creating joyful, positive classroom environments for young children. Yet, occupational factors in early childhood settings create teaching stress, which can negatively affect the well-being of teachers and their interactions with children. Contemplative practices (CPs), such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, have been proven to decrease stress, increase self-awareness, and cultivate positive relationships with one’s self and others. The purpose of this study was to explore the storied lives of participants through a narrative inquiry to understand how the life experiences of Head Start teachers of color outside of school contexts led them …

Evaluating The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Secondary (Ptr-Sec) Model For Middle School Students With Disabilities Requiring Individualized Behavior Supports, Paris N. Thie

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) is a manualized, team-based, function-based intervention model designed to prevent problem behavior from occurring (prevent), teach functional replacement behaviors or skills (teach), and promote the replacement and other desired behaviors (reinforce). The current study extends the literature on the PTR intervention model by further evaluating the PTR model for middle school students in a public middle school setting. In particular, the PTR Secondary (PTR-SEC) model was evaluated with three students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) and other disabilities, involving their classroom teachers. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the behavioral outcomes of the …

Examining The Effectiveness And Acceptability Of A Single-Session Problem-Solving Teleconsultation Package With Caregivers, Tiara J. Rowell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study implemented a single case concurrent multiple baseline design to examine the effects of a single-session problem-solving teleconsultation package for behavioral caregiver training. This study sought to address a gap in the Problem-Solving Consultation (PSC) literature regarding the treatment of children’s challenging behaviors. Participants included three caregivers who received a single-session PSC through teleconsultation. The session focused on creating a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) in order to address their child’s challenging behaviors. The BIP was developed based on baseline data, questionnaires, and emails exchanged between the consultant and the three caregivers. Results indicated that two of the three caregivers …

Improving Academic Engagement And Task Completion Using Antecedent Physical Exercise In An Elementary School Classroom, Grace N. Maxwell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effectiveness of antecedent physical activity interventions in enhancing academic engagement and task completion among first-grade students displaying off-task behaviors. The research involved three student participants from a first grade general education classroom. An ABAB reversal design was used to assess the impact of the intervention. The intervention, implemented by the classroom teacher, consisted of short, structured physical activities conducted before targeted academic periods. Results revealed significant improvements in both academic engagement and task completion following the implementation of the physical activity interventions. The findings suggest that incorporating brief physical activities into daily classroom routines can lead …

Peritraumatic Distress And Dissociation In People With And Without Disabilities Utilizing Emergency Departments, Sydney C. Hart

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

To date the literature on peritraumatic distress and peritraumatic dissociation in individuals receiving emergency medical treatment has not examined people with disabilities or chronic health conditions as a specified population, despite these populations’ disproportional utilization of medical facilities and additional stressors faced in those environments. Thus, this study assessed and compared the prevalence and averages on the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) and Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ) in people with and without disabilities and/or chronic health conditions after Emergency Department (ED) visits. A sample of 138 participants 18 years of age or older, of which 109 reported disabilities and/or chronic …

Unveiling Ferroelectric And Multifunctional Insights In Hybrid Formate Perovskites, Abduljelili Popoola

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Formate perovskites, denoted as AB(HCOO)3, represent a diverse group of hybrid organic-inorganic compounds, renowned for their numerous phase transitions and a wide array of properties. These properties encompass (anti)ferroelectricity, ferroelasticity, (anti)ferromagnetism, and multiferroism. Despite extensive research on these materials, a comprehensive examination of their properties across a substantial number of formate perovskites remains scarce. This scarcity stems from structural complexity of these materials, potential systematic errors arising from different measurement techniques or incomplete data. For instance, data for critical parameters like piezoelectricity, dielectricity, and elasticity tensors have been lacking.

In this study, we address these challenges by employing first-principles density …

Enhancing Novice Teachers’ Social Justice Practices Through Critical Professional Learning: A Critical Participatory Action Research Study, Brianna C. Connors

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There is a crucial need for social justice-oriented educators in today's classrooms given the growing population of America's multicultural student population. Social justice-oriented teacher preparation programs (TPPs) have contributed significantly to shaping the pedagogies of teacher candidates, better equipping them to serve all students. The transition period following teacher candidates' engagement in the TPPs, however, presents political, contextual, and personal challenges for novice teachers (NTs) dedicated to teaching for social justice. This research presents findings from a critical participatory action research (CPAR) study delving into the experiences of NTs engaged in critical professional learning (CPL). The purpose of this research …

An Investigation Of Quaternary Metal Chalcogenide Semiconductors Possessing Intrinsically Low Thermal Conductivity, Oluwagbemiga P. Ojo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Inorganic materials with unique physical properties are vital components of modern technology, from electronic devices to energy storage and conversion systems. Recent advancements in materials research and development have garnered significant interest, particularly in the realm of sustainable energy applications like thermoelectrics and photovoltaics. The development of novel materials with enhanced electronic and thermal properties has emerged as a focal point in advancing these critical applications. Furthermore, low thermal conductivity materials are sought after for technologically significant applications such as thermal barrier coatings, rewriteable data storage utilizing phase change materials and thermoelectrics. However, the current efficiency levels of materials used …

Emergent Magnetism And Hyperthermia In Phase- And Size-Tunable Iron Oxide Nanostructures, K Mudiyanselage Tharindu Supun Bandara Attanayake

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) hold immense potential across diverse fields, from spintronics, magnetic hyperthermia to drug delivery, biodetection, and magnetic resonance imaging. Unlocking these applications hinges on our ability to tailor the magnetic properties of IONPs, and this dissertation presents novel and powerful approaches for enhancing magnetic and hyperthermic responses of multiphase iron oxide nanostructures. This is achieved by manipulating their phase volume fraction, size, and shape with a focus on the magnetic tunability of nanostructures via strategic control over structural and environmental parameters. The aforementioned has been achieved by the following three key approaches: (i) phase-tunability of iron oxide …

Us Elementary Teachers’ Perspectives With The Use Of Rubrics In Elementary Classrooms: A Shift From Traditional Assessment To Alternative Assessment, Roaa Adel Alajaji

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to explore US elementary teachers’ perceptions of their experiences using rubrics as a tool for student self-assessment and metacognition (assessment for learning) to improve elementary students’ achievement and their instructional decision-making at a private American elementary school in South Florida. The constructivist learning theory by Piaget (1970) and Vygotsky (1978), which emphasized that knowledge is best gained through the interaction of experiences and ideas in one’s mind and the interaction with others, framed the study. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight elementary teachers: three third-grade teachers, three fourth-grade teachers, and two fifth-grade teachers. Using thematic …

Effects Of Intercultural Interactions In 3d Virtual World On Efl Students’ Intercultural Communicative Competence, Foreign Language Anxiety, And Motivation, Umi H. Saidah

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Virtual worlds (VWs) as emerging technologies have been perceived as positive by students for foreign language (FL) learning. VW affordances of presence and immersion have enabled FL researchers and practitioners to design and develop classroom-like environments in virtual settings, allowing authentic intercultural interactions from different geographical locations, in a variety of languages. This study conducted mixed methods research to deliver English lessons via an immersive 3D VW for avatar-context-avatar interactions via voice chat with a view to improving ICC necessary for effective intercultural interaction. The avatar-avatar interactions were between a native English-speaking instructor and English as a foreign language (EFL) …

Developing Cultural Humility Through The Arts: Evaluating An Arts Intervention For Healthcare Provider Leaders, Katie L. Nickel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

At all levels of healthcare, providers are experiencing rising levels of professional burnout. For healthcare provider leaders, burnout is particularly critical since leaders must maintain healthy and trusting relationships with patients and their teams of healthcare professionals. This utilization-focused evaluation study explores an arts intervention program designed to promote cultural humility among healthcare providers. Increased cultural humility may provide coping tools for healthcare providers to ward off burnout. The arts intervention took place over three sessions: one at a museum, one virtual, and one at a hospital. Four types of data were collected including a quantitative pre- and post-survey, observation …

Abc It's Easy As...: Clarifying Alphabet Knowledge Development In Preschool Populations, Lauren Arielle Mckeever

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alphabet Knowledge (AK) is a critical precursor to literacy development. Despite a clear linkage between AK and childhood reading and later academic success, the progression of how this skill is acquired remains unclear. Through a series of investigations, this dissertation examined the assessment and intervention of AK in preschool populations.

The first study was a systematic review to delineate aspects of AK, focusing on instructional practices, measurement techniques, and how they align. This study synthesized existing literature on AK through a systematic review of 32 studies to identify common themes related to AK definitions, instructional content, and measurement approaches. The …

De La Escuela Al Hogar: Centering Latine And Hispanic Student Perspectives On Caregiver Involvement In The Well-Being Promotion Program, Nicole G. Pacateque Rodriguez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Latine students often face systemic barriers to accessing appropriate mental health support, highlighting the importance of culturally responsive school-based interventions to address mental health disparities (Gonzalez et al., 2022; Jackson, 2021). Although many interventions incorporate caregiver involvement, limited research has explored how Latine youth experience and make meaning of caregiver engagement in school-based mental health programs (Hansen et al., 2021; Wildmon et al., 2024). This mixed-methods study centers Latine student voices by examining how Latine students experienced and interpreted caregiver engagement in the Well-Being Promotion Program (WBPP), a school-based positive psychology intervention implemented during the 2023–2024 school year across six …

High School Acceleration And First-Year College Student Success: Do Advanced Placement Or Dual Enrollment Influence College Persistence Differently, Serge W. Desir Jr.

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The proliferation of Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment taken by high school students expanded over the past few decades due concerted efforts to make the accelerated mechanisms more available to historically underrepresented groups and to reduce the cost of higher education. Supported by years of research correlating improved first-year college performance to enrollment in such programs, AP and Dual Enrollment also allow students to earn college credit prior to enrolling at post-secondary institutions, further enhanced their appeal. Despite this enhanced popularity, little research has been done on whether there are any indications of different academic outcomes by the accelerated …

Public-Private Partnerships In Student Housing: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Acuho-I Publications, Ana Mercé Mcdermott Hernandez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines public-private partnerships (P3s) as represented in the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) publications from 1951-2023 and shares themes and patterns found. P3s have been used for on-campus student housing since the 1960s, yet the method is not well represented in the discourse of the student housing profession. The purpose of this qualitative content analysis is to serve as a resource for higher education administrators to support the evaluation of the P3 methodology for future student housing projects.

Less than 2% of the 12,264 ACUHO-I publication entries reviewed were related to on-campus student …

Mathematics Teacher Preparation Reimagined: The Exploration Of Preservice Teachers Planning Culturally Responsive Mathematics Lessons Using Culturally Relevant Mathematics Tasks, Lakesia L. Dupree

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Equipping teachers with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions deemed necessary to work with students from diverse populations is a documented need that plagues teacher education. Furthermore, the influx of students from diverse backgrounds enrolled in United States schools intensifies the need to prepare the future generation of teachers to be equipped to provide learning opportunities for each and every student in their classroom. This paper highlights the importance of culture and the integral place it holds when supporting current and future teachers with planning and subsequently enacting culturally responsive mathematics and culturally relevant mathematics tasks in their middle grades mathematics …

Narrative Language Assessment And Intervention: Applications With Children With And Without Disabilities, Norah M. Almubark

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Narrative is the art of conveying a sequence of causally and temporally linked events through monologic telling. Various functions can be served through narratives including sharing experiences, expressing ideas, providing entertainment, and imparting cultural or social values. Narrative language represents an authentic type of language that is useful for assessment and intervention because it can be analyzed according to content and form. The ability to use complex narrative language and produce quality narratives is associated with long-term academic and social benefits (Uccelli et al., 2019; Suggate et al, 2018). Given this crucial link, narrative language is suitable for child language …

Local Ecological Knowledge, Education, And Bilingualism: Ethnography Of A Stem Program For Elementary Students In Southwestern Florida, Barbara D. Herrera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In response to the limited inclusion of cultural relevant pedagogy in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) centered educational programs, this study illustrates dynamics that encourage inclusivity and provide a space for minority students to develop self-efficacy while also exposing them to formal modes of STEM knowledge. Elementary level English/Spanish speaking children were taught local ecological knowledge (LEK) during a STEM summer program in a city in Southwestern Florida. The use of participant observation, group interviews with the students, and interviews with the educators allowed for an in-depth analysis of the program and the established goals. This study provides insight …

Rate Of Latine Caregiver Involvement In The Well-Being Promotion Program Using Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Communication Practices, Nicole G. Pacateque Rodriguez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Latine and Hispanic youth tend to have higher rates of mental health disturbances in school compared to non-Latine youth, yet they are less likely to receive support (Alegría et al., 2008). Additionally, Latine families are more likely to terminate treatment for youth early due to negative stigma, lack of culturally appropriate mental health care, racial and ethnic discrimination, and linguistic and cultural barriers involving care (Kapke & Gerdes, 2016). Best practices in school-based mental health services often involve including caregivers in care (Hoover et al., 2019) as it can benefit outcomes of treatment for the child (Richards et al., 2007). …

It's Real, It Just Hasn't Happened Yet: A Three-Article Dissertation On Emerging Technologies In Higher Education, Jeanette Abrahamsen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this three-article dissertation is to better understand the role emerging technologies are playing in learning. This dissertation explores tools on a spectrum of reality from fully immersive virtual reality (VR), semi-immersive VR, non-immersive VR, augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality (XR). Three studies focus on emerging technologies from the student, educator, researcher perspectives to develop a holistic picture of emerging technologies in higher education. I explore factors that impact new technology adoption, which includes advantages and disadvantages to deploying different digital tools. This dissertation begins with a systematic literature review of 20 research studies …

Beliefs Of Male Elementary School Special Education And General Education Teachers Regarding Full Inclusion For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Saudi Arabia, Sultan Alanazi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

AbstractThe current educational settings for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Saudi Arabia consist of special institutions for students with intellectual disabilities and special classrooms within public schools. The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia is interested in full inclusion for students with ASD because of the social, psychological, and educational benefits it can provide them. One crucial factor for achieving full inclusion is considering elementary teachers’ perceptions and beliefs toward full inclusion, as they are one of the primary stakeholders in this venture. Therefore, elementary general education and special education teachers’ beliefs regarding full inclusion for students with …

The Integration Of Assistive Technology By Female In-Service Teachers Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Interview Study, Badriah Alotaiby

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study is to explore the teachers’ perceptions of integrating assistivetechnology into the curriculum for students with learning disabilities in Saudi Arabia. It is known that teaching students with learning disabilities had been one of the significant difficulties in the past and nowadays. Therefore, integrating assistive technology into the educational process would make it easier for the teachers of students with learning disabilities to teach these students through the use of integrating assistive technology. The use of such assistive technologies will be beneficial for learning disabilities students as well. The main question guiding this research is: What …

Band Members’ Attitudes Toward The Queer Community And Perception Of Band As A Safe Space, Brian J. Panetta

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework of human development and Yuval-Davis’ analytical framework of belonging as a lens to explain how the band environment might cultivate positive attitudes toward the queer community, this study investigated band members’ attitudes toward the queer community and their perception of the band as a safe space. Utilizing adapted inventories with established reliability and validity, the following research questions were addressed: 1) What are queer and non-queer band members’ attitudes toward the queer community? 2) What are queer and non-queer band members’ attitudes toward the band as a safe space? 3) What differences exist between the independent …

Inquiry-Based Teaching Of Science In The Saudi Kindergarten Classroom: A Multi-Case Study Of Early Childhood Educators’ Attitudes And Practices, Intisar Alawthah

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this qualitative multiple case study was to understand three Saudi kindergarten teachers ’attitudes toward enacting inquiry to teach science in the kindergarten classroom. This study was guided by two research questions: 1) What attitudes do Saudi kindergarten teachers hold about using inquiry to teach science in their classrooms? 2) How do Saudi kindergarten teachers enact inquiry in their science teaching in the Saudi context? This case study helped to understand Saudi kindergarten teachers’ attitude toward using it in the kindergarten classroom and clarified how Saudi kindergarten teachers enact inquiry to teach young children science in their classroom. …