Education Commons^™

Exploring Heuristics And Best Practices For Redesigning Instructional Video, Kelly L. Murdock

Theses and Dissertations

Instructional video is a common staple for delivering content in online courses. However, if the included videos are not properly created, many students will skip the video and its content. Improving instructional video has been the topic of many research projects, and we can learn from these studies how to create effective and engaging instructional videos--this is the topic of my dissertation. The first paper is an extended literature review that examines which key instructional design principles are supported in the literature. This helps developers to know which principles to focus on when designing video. The second paper is a …

A New Direction For Public Understanding Of Science: Toward A Participant-Centered Model Of Science Engagement., Christopher Rickels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Engaging the public with science is not an easy task. When presented, scientific findings, public health recommendations, and other scientific information filter through the personal values, beliefs, and biases of members of the public. Science communicators must contend with these differences in order to be effective in cultivating a public understanding of science. Given the importance of scientific understanding for living well in a complex world, increasing science understanding through science engagement is imperative. The field of public engagement with science is dichotomized by a public information deficit approach and a contextualist approach. The deficit approach prizes the factual content …

The Effect Of Choice In Reading: Motivation, Engagement, And Enjoyment, Jennifer Barberg

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of student choice in independent reading material. Specifically, the research focused on student motivation, engagement, and enjoyment of reading in classrooms where choice is offered versus those in which texts are assigned by the teacher. Data was collected through multiple student surveys and researcher observation of student behavior. The students in this classroom gave before and after information about their reading interest and self perceived growth. The results of this study were used to determine whether the freedom of choice in a student’s in class independent reading material fostered an …

Mentoring: The Factors That Contribute To Persistence To Graduation For African American Males In Predominantly White Institutions In Missouri, Paula Miller

Dissertations

Due to several decisions by the United States Supreme Court in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, African Americans were granted access to PWI’s of higher education. However, African Americans still face challenges in obtaining post-secondary education. For example, in 2019 – 2020, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics (2021), 13.1% of African Americans graduated with master’s degrees. Additionally, in 2020, 19% of African Americans attained a post-secondary degree in Missouri (Towncharts.com, 2021).

Despite access, the number of African Americans obtaining degrees remains low. And, when the lens is focused on African American males, the numbers are …

The Effect Of Universal Design For Learning On Student Engagement And Achievement In A Southwest Missouri School District, Amber D. Hainline

Dissertations

The researcher’s primary purpose in this mixed-method study was to investigate if teachers who applied Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to a unit of study noted increased engagement in students overall and in teacher-identified students considered “disengaged” compared to students in the same unit of study without the UDL methods applied. Additionally, the researcher sought to determine if students in a UDL course had more significant achievement than students in the same unit of study without the UDL framework applied. Primarily, the researcher aimed to ascertain if UDL would benefit the participating district's students, particularly those not utilizing special services. …

Healing The Burn: Assuaging Burnout And Increasing Work Engagement In University Admissions Counselors, Michael K. Wright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tuition-driven universities depend heavily on net tuition revenue to operate. However, the individuals responsible for delivering the type of enrollment that meets university goals, known as the university admissions counselors, tend to be underpaid, burnt out, and likely to depart their institutions before meaningful recruiting relationships can be formed. The implications of this issue lead to high costs of turnover and training of new staff, a recruiting territory in flux due to the turnstile nature of the profession and an office culture that lacks any genuine consistency. Many studies in the past have focused on the specific reasons that frontline …

The Relationship Between Motivation, Academic Achievement, And Engagement In Mathematics Using Digital Game-Based Learning: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Amy Rose Morgan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) has unique factors that can engage students in the learning process. It has been shown that incorporating DGBL into mathematics can help bridge the learning gap, differentiate instruction, and engage students (Yang et al., 2018; Hulse et al., 2019; Chen et al., 2012; Naik, 2017). This study examined how students’ prior engagements are related to their academic achievement as well as investigated students’ motivation while utilizing DGBL in mathematics. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was utilized to collect the quantitative data followed by the qualitative data. There were eighteen middle school participants in grades six …

Student Achievement And Teacher Perceptions Of School Climate In Title 1 And Non-Title 1 Schools, Jennifer E. Pangle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if there is a significant relationship between student achievement and teacher perceptions of school climate. An additional purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in teacher perceptions between Title 1 and non-Title 1 schools. The final purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in teacher perceptions of school climate among the schools according to overall student achievement. A series of Spearman’s Correlation analyses were used to analyze data to determine if there was a significant relationship between TVAAS composite …

Examining The Impact Of Student-Centered Teaching Practices On Ownership And Belonging In A Middle School Orchestra Classroom, Claire Dill

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of student-centered practices on the ownership and belonging of seventh-grade orchestra students. The student-centered practices, based in the theory of social constructivism, consisted of a project in which students worked in small groups to teach a vocabulary term and skill to the class, as well as the routines of class discussions, classroom jobs, and a seat-rotation system. The implementation of the study was documented in a daily teacher journal. Data on students’ ownership of the musical process and sense of belonging in the orchestra was collected through a bi-weekly student …

Providing Voice And Choice In The Classroom: The Effect Of Choice Boards On Student Motivation And Attitudes, Deborah B. Malinoski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research was to explore how incorporating choice boards as a tool for personalized learning in social studies influenced sixth-grade students to engage in the classroom. Engagement in the classroom is necessary for students to meet educational goals. To engage in learning, students need intrinsic motivation to encourage them to strive to meet their potential. Research in personalized learning shows students who are provided opportunities for “voice and choice” show higher signs of achievement in meeting their goals (Pane et al., 2017). This action research study was guided by two research questions that explored the effect …

Mixed Methods Action Research: How Integrating Student Response Technology And Case Studies In A Largely Populated University Course Influences Student Engagement, Feedback, And Learning, Scott L. Matteson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing student response technology (SRT) and case studies into a largely populated university undergraduate course would influence student engagement. When student engagement is influenced the potential for positive learning outcomes occurs leading to a higher likelihood of student success (Swap & Walter, 2015). Four research questions guided this study: How and to what extent does incorporating SRT and case studies in a largely populated undergraduate course at MSU influence: (1) student motivation; (2) cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement; (3) feedback; and (4) What are the effects of SRT and case studies …

Exploration Of Sense Of Belonging Phenomenon For Students Who Commute To Campus At Private, Not-For-Profit, Four-Year Institutions, Bryan P. Hamann

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

There has been substantial research conducted around facilitating student success at

institutions of higher education and exploring the student experience of undergraduate students,

specifically, those students who take part in the residential communities which have become

synonymous with the college experience. Through these studies, higher education administrators

have learned the significant role residential communities play in a student’s success and

persistence and have used these findings to inform master plans for institution’s

capital improvements, programmatic initiatives for residential communities and more. Although

this research is helpful for informing the decisions of higher education administrators as they

create plans for student …

Lessons Learned: Kinesthetic Learning And Engaging Students With Adhd (In The Time Of Covid), Claudia Freedman

Education | Master's Theses

While many studies have examined the benefits of movement and kinesthetic learning on the engagement of all elementary school-aged children, especially those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or children with common characteristics or behaviors of ADHD (undiagnosed ADHD), less research exists on how the COVID-19 pandemic and hybrid learning affected and continues to impact the engagement of children, especially those with ADHD or undiagnosed ADHD. The purpose of this study was to investigate how teachers engage students, particularly those with ADHD or undiagnosed ADHD, in an elementary classroom using practices from movement, music, dance, and theater, especially during COVID-19. …

Investigating Student Self-Beliefs And Learning Metrics In Online Courseware: A Quantitative Inquiry, Rachel Van Campenhout

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Online courseware is an emerging educational technology that has the potential to reach students at scale. Designed with cognitive and learning science principles, courseware utilizes effective methods to maximize learning outcomes for students. Mindset (implicit theories of ability) and self-efficacy are two widely researched self-belief topics which have been shown to influence student learning outcomes and self-concepts. These self-belief theories are not specific to a domain and therefore could be measured and analyzed in relation to student learning metrics from any subject. The purpose of this nonexperimental correlational research study is to investigate the relationships between student self-beliefs and key …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Using Social Media For Classroom Instruction In Secondary Schools, Beverlee Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Much research has been done to explore social media on students and instructors and their perceptions of social media use in higher education, but little research has been done on teachers in secondary education and their perceptions of social media use in the classroom. Due to the lack of research, the purpose of the study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of social media use to improve students’ learning and students’ engagement and if their perceptions varied by selected demographic variables. The study was conducted in three northeast Mississippi secondary schools, a 6th and 7th grade school, 8th and 9th grade …

Increasing Student Employee Engagement And Knowledge Retention Using Grounding And Mindfulness Practices, Jeffrey Fox

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

Higher education students have a critical need to be fully present and engaged in the learning space that they participate in. Incorporating grounding and mindfulness practices at the start of student employee training and team building seminars was tested to determine if their engagement level and knowledge retention increased. Grounding and mindfulness practices have predominantly focused on the classroom experience, failing to address additional shared learning environments that students occupy. In my action research, I implemented a multifaceted and fundamental grounding and mindfulness-guided practice for student employees in the Student Activities and Involvement department. I used control groups, whole-group guided …

Math Musicians: Exploring The Impact Of Content Integrated Pop Music On Students’ Attitudes And Engagement During Math Instruction, Megan Hook

Student Research Submissions

Traditional methods of math instruction have been consistently linked to students having negative feelings about math, as well as decreased motivation and engagement during math instruction. This study investigated how arts integration, specifically integrating pop music, impacted students’ attitudes about math and students’ motivation and engagement during math instruction in a fifth-grade classroom. This study was mixed methods, with quantitative data collected through an adapted version of a student dispositions survey to assess students’ attitudes, motivation, and engagement, and qualitative data collected through a short response question about how students feel music impacted their math experiences. Results indicated that the …

The Impact Of Discourse On Math Learning In Upper Elementary, Dawn Anderson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Upper-elementary mathematics becomes increasingly complex, and the gap between fluency and ineptitude grows. Considering the importance of math competency, the educator must act to narrow this achievement gap. This six-week action research study examined the effect of the implementation of teaching and encouraging student application of differentiated discourse strategies on mathematical achievement and empowerment on twenty-two nine-to-twelve-year old suburban students. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis yielded three key themes: nominal growth in student achievement, a marked increase in mathematical modeling, and a considerable shift in perception of discourse responsibility, impacting student mindset, behavior, and participation. Findings suggest that student engagement …

The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study examines the effect of combining vigorous exercise with cognitively engaging games on children’s executive functioning skills such as self-direction, engagement, and focus. Over four weeks, the research took place in a Montessori early childhood classroom with 17 children ages 2.6 to 6. The four-week study included a one-week baseline week to collect initial data on the capabilities of self-direction and comprehensive data on energy levels and engagement. The children participated in a 14-minute movement activity with 7 minutes of vigorous exercise and 7 minutes of cognitive-engaging games. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative data tools to examine …

Developing A Curriculum Model For Differentiating Instruction For All Learners, Emma Riemenschneider

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine what types of teaching strategies most engage gifted and talented (GT) students. This study poses the question, "How can classroom teachers engage gifted and talented students while not advancing past the abilities of non-gifted and talented students?" Two surveys were developed and administered to public school teachers and students. The teacher participants of this study were nine classroom teachers at a junior high school in the northwestern part of the state. The student participants of this study were 99 seventh and eighth graders at a junior high school in the northwest part …

The Lived Experiences Of Introverts And Their Extracurricular Involvement In A Four-Year University Environment, Maigan Wipfli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of introverts who were involved in two or more passive or active extracurricular involvement opportunities during their undergraduate experience at a four-year college or university. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom video conferencing with self-identified introverts who attended public, four-year universities in the South, West, and Midwest regions of the United States. Participants represented both medium and large institutions. The analysis of the data indicated common themes from the participants including personality traits and common misconceptions of introversion, cultural focus of extraversion, personal and professional development, opportunities granted, and individual preferences …

For Our Future: Why Suffrage Must Be Extended To Disenfranchised Youth, Nolan Mchugh

Honors Projects

Is our democracy truly representative if large portions of our population consistently fail to make their voices heard at the polls? 18-24 year olds consistently turn out to vote at the lowest levels of any age group, and yet these are the voters who will live the longest with the policy decisions being made today: how can we improve voter turnout and civic engagement in the next generation to ensure our democracy is truly "by the people and for the people?" To answer this question, we must turn to another group whose voices are not heard at the ballot box, …

Engaging Disinterested Adolescent Readers In The Middle School Classroom, Elizabeth M. Lezman

Culminating Experience Projects

Reading is a necessary skill and habit that adolescents need to carry into adulthood to set them on a more advantageous life trajectory. As students reach adolescence and their interest and engagement in reading tends to decrease, it is vital for educators to implement strategies and structures to promote engagement, passion and interesting in reading. Three key factors of increasing engagement are to build a community of readers, implement choice reading, and provide texts representing a variety of identities, cultures, traditions and voices. Research has proven that students are more engaged in reading when they feel part of a community, …

Who Can Teach Us? An Exploration Of The Influences Of Pedagogy On The Disempowerment Of Indigenous Peoples Of Oaxaca, Mexico, Mariaelena G. Steiner

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Persistent poverty coupled with inequality and marginalization continues to broaden the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous populations of Oaxaca, Mexico. Particularly in the field of education, Oaxaca exhibits an insufficient and inadequate pedagogical system. Federal, State, and NGOs educational interventions have been unreliable at best, demonstrating minimal outcomes predominantly in the degree and percentage of engagement that the indigenous of Oaxaca demonstrate at creating and implementing educational alternatives suitable to their local and state needs. The development of an ethnic pedagogical system—with all its propositions of community engagement for the purpose of progress—is critical to poverty exits as demonstrated by …

Why Ask Questions? How Phenomena-Based Inquiry Affects Student Engagement In A Middle School Science Classroom, Laura Nix

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of phenomena-based inquiry on students’ engagement levels in my science classroom. This action research study took place in the fall of 2021 with six student participants. Participants were enrolled in an eighth-grade honors science course in a middle school in South Carolina. The research was predominantly qualitative, and data was collected from participant pre- and poststudy surveys and interviews, anticipation guides, exit tickets, online discussion forums, and teacher field notes. The data revealed that phenomena-based inquiry encouraged students to participate and engage in their own learning, as indicated by post …

Almost Like Being There: Embodiment, Social Presence, And Engagement Using Telepresence Robots In Blended Courses, Karen G. Hickenbottom

Education Dissertations

As students’ online learning opportunities continue to increase in higher education, students are choosing not to come back to campus in-person for a variety of personal, health, safety, and financial reasons. The growing use of video conferencing technology during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed classes to continue, but students reported a sense of disconnectedness and lack of engagement with their classes. Telepresence robots may be an alternative to video conferencing that can provide learning experiences closer to the in-person experience, which also provides a stronger sense of embodiment, social presence, and engagement in the classroom. This study explored the use of …

Impact Of Gamification On An Online Middle School Classroom, Jeremy R. Hein

Masters Theses

Gamification is defined as the use of game elements in non-game contexts. The gamified element explored in this thesis is a leaderboard with various forms of engagement being tabulated. This study investigates the impact a leaderboard has on the behavioral engagement of an online middle school classroom. Research has revealed that elements of gamification can increase engagement but there is a gap in research that focuses solely on a leaderboard as an intervention to increase engagement. Also missing from the literature were studies conducted in middle school settings. The study presented in this thesis addresses these limitations and provides value …

Family Engagement And English Language Students, Megan Beuch

Graduate Teacher Education

Families are a child’s first teacher. Preschool students are learning and developing rapidly, while becoming accustomed to new school rules and routines. Dual language learners are a growing population in the United States. As children are learning English as a second language, parents, alongside early childhood educators, play an impactful role in each child’s development. When families and teachers work together, students will see more academic, social, emotional, and linguistic success during the early years. This paper explored a multitude of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies regarding dual language learners, family engagement, and the importance of fostering positive home …

English Language Teachers’ Perceptions Of Implementing Digital Game-Based Learning In The Uae Middle Schools, Israa Mohammed Abbas

Theses

This study investigates how English teachers perceive the use and implementation of DGBL in middle schools in the United Arab Emirates. Digital game-based learning is a relatively new method that is being integrated into the classroom. This method requires ICT skills in line with pedagogy to be practiced in a meaningful way. The main objective of this study is to highlight the positive aspects and the obstacles that teachers may face when using DGBL in the classroom. The study used a mix of methods to answer the research questions. The first phase used the quantitative method through a questionnaire distributed …

The Statistical Impact Of Faculty Mentoring Programs On Ninth Grade Student Achievement, Kevin Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Students’ transition from middle to high school is challenging on many levels. Research has shown that students who perform poorly academically during their freshman year are more likely to graduate later or drop out of school altogether. By studying the literature surrounding the transition to high school, I will identify elements of effective transition programs (the totality of transition activities a district employs). This will be a convergent mixed method study, where I will use Social Support theory as a framework to examine the statistical significance of faculty mentoring programs impact on grade student achievement during the 2018-2019 school year. …