Education Commons^™

Use Of Technology May Negatively Impact Learners, Dajsha A. Avery

Masters Projects

Integration of technology has changed classrooms vastly in the 21^st century. The research evaluates if the use of technology may negatively impact young learners. The Theory of Constructivism developed by Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky encourages the integration of technology in the classrooms because it allows the students to lead their educational journey. It is discovered that using technology allows students to be more engaged, self-paced and work on specific skills. Additionally, educational apps are helpful to build confidence and are an incentive for students while practicing skills. Yet, it is recommended to only allow up to 7 hours …

Supporting Oral Language Development Through Family Partnerships: A Family-Centered Toolkit For Children Enrolled In Pre-K, Celeste Baird

Masters Projects

Oral language development during early childhood serves as a critical foundation for later literacy achievement, communication, and preparation for kindergarten. Research indicates that children’s early language experiences are influenced by interactions with families, educators, and community environments, and that differences in access to language-rich experiences may contribute to variation in vocabulary, listening comprehension, and expressive communication prior to school entry. This capstone project examines the role of Pre-K participation and family engagement in supporting oral language development through the lenses of sociolinguistic theory, sociocultural theory, and an educational equity framework. Guided by current research, the project addresses the need for …

Impact Of Taped Problems Intervention Modification On Children With Deafness, Clyniece Hodge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children with hearing loss are at an increased risk of experiencing setbacks in various areas of life, including academic performance and employment opportunities. Academically, they are likely to experience poor academic achievement in reading, as well as in mathematics (ASHA, 2013). In comparison to gifted hearing students and average-ability hearing students, students with hearing loss are at a higher risk of low mathematics performance (Hassan & Mohammed, 2019). Despite these known challenges and risk factors, limited research has been conducted to identify effective intervention strategies for improving mathematical outcomes among this population. As such, this study aimed to evaluate the …

A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study Of A 10-Week Wellness Program For Resident Assistants, Emily L. Lee-Chong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods pilot study used semi-structured interviews with 15 resident assistants (RAs), complemented by descriptive pre- and post-test data from the Five Factor Wellness Inventory (FFWEL), to explore their lived experiences of participating in a 10-week wellness program grounded in the Indivisible Self Model of Wellness (IS-WEL). The purpose of this study was to examine the program's perceived influence on wellness practices and to explore the feasibility of implementing wellness-focused programming. Using a hermeneutic inquiry approach, the study identified four themes reflecting participants’ experiences throughout the program. Themes highlighted the importance of self-awareness through the IS-WEL model, the value of …

General Education Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Supporting Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Inclusive Elementary Mainstream Classrooms In Central California, Leah Blake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was a gap in practice about general education teachers’ support of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in inclusive elementary mainstream classrooms in Central California, where regional inclusion rates fall below state and national averages. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning, the purpose of the study was to explore general education teachers’ perceptions regarding inclusion and recommended support for students with ASD in inclusive elementary mainstream classrooms. For this basic qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 general education teachers who taught grades 1 through 6. Through open, in vivo, and subsequent axial …

Placement Scores As A Predictor Of Math Success For Students With Learning Disabilities, Latosha Knighton Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study was that students with learning disabilities (SWLDs) are not appropriately placed in college math courses at Southern State Community College (SSCC, a pseudonym). Guided by Piaget’s constructivist learning theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the predictive relationships between American College Testing (ACT), Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT), and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) standardized placement exams math scores and Intermediate and College Algebra course success. The sample in this study consisted of 946 SWLDs who completed at least one standardized placement math exam and enrolled in either an Intermediate …

How Texas Early Childhood Teachers Collaborate To Support Students With Disabilities, Anna Weathers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was it was not known how Texas early childhood special education (EGSE) teachers and early childhood general education (ECGE) teachers use collaboration to identify, place, and support students with disabilities (SWDs). Framed by Colby’s collaboration theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Texas ECSE and ECGE teachers when collaborating regarding identification, placement, and support for SWDs. Data were collected in semstructured interviews with 11 ECSE and 11 ECGE teachers who taught in Texas early childhood settings. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis with open coding, leading to …

Higher Education Instructors’ Perspectives On The Challenges Of Implementing Competency-Based Learning In Coursework, Sammie Leo Davis Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Higher education instructors face challenges in implementing competency-based learning (CBL) in their coursework. Grounded in Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of higher education instructors on the challenges and their needs to implement CBL in coursework. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 higher education instructors who had at least 2 years of experience teaching CBL courses. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and inductive coding to identify codes and categories, with the following five themes emerging: CBL implementation depends on (a) aligned assessment, curriculum …

Multimodal Digital Libraries: A Response To Culturally And Linguistically Sustaining Classrooms, Abigail Lopez

Masters Projects

Poorly represented minority groups fail to connect reader identity backgrounds

with the characters in texts due to curriculum traditionally relying on English dominant

translations. This system challenge deficit fails students by placing limitations on the

exposure of rich vocabulary, cultural awareness and sets up lack of engagement. This

project is grounded in Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Pedagogy, Sociocultural

Theory, Constructing Reader Identities and Engagement theories that transforms

student diversity into an instructional practice that empowers multilingual learners.

To empower students, this digital culturally relevant library optimizes educator

planning time. This digital library provides immediate access to multicultural books

alongside a …

Experiences Of Novice Assistant Principals: Perceptual Evidence From Texas, Gregory Vidal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Assistant principals play essential roles in supporting instructional leadership and campus operations. However, limited research has examined how novice assistant principals experience their transition into administration and interpret their preparation and support. This study addressed the gap in understanding how novice assistant principals in a suburban Texas public school district made sense of their preservice preparation and early leadership practice, and how these experiences shaped their perceptions of training and organizational supports. The purpose of this qualitative, experiential, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of novice assistant principals during their first three years in the role. The study …

Mitigation Of The Seductive Details Effect In Children, Allison S. Dobuler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The present thesis examines if interspersing guiding questions between sections of an expository text can mitigate the seductive details effect, in which the addition of interesting but tangentially related information to the base text may hinder the ability to learn the essential material, for typically developing children. Participants were given two passages to read, one with seductive details and one without. They either had no guiding questions for both passages or guiding questions interspersed between the text of both passages. They were given retention and comprehension assessments for both passages. While the guiding questions did not mitigate the seductive details …

How A Lack Of Curriculum Framework Impacts The Effectiveness Of The K-12 Visual Arts Curriculum, Ashley Breiler

Masters Projects

Visual arts education provides meaningful opportunities for students to develop creativity, self-expression, cultural understandings, and social-emotional competencies. However, the K-12 visual arts curricula do not intentionally integrate student choice, cultural responsiveness, and social-emotional learning (SEL) into a cohesive instructional framework, resulting in inconsistent implementation of these components across classrooms. As a result, students may receive varying opportunities to engage in meaningful art-making experiences that help to foster these skills. The purpose of this project was to address this gap by developing a research-based curriculum framework that intentionally integrates student choice, cultural responsiveness, and SEL into K-12 visual arts instruction. The …

Cross-Curricular Project-Based Learning As An Answer To Disengagement In Middle School Students, Jessica Blauwkamp

Masters Projects

Students are often disengaged with traditional classroom teaching practices and experience decreased academic and social emotional outcomes at school as a result. This project offers a solution to student disengagement at the middle school level by providing teachers tools to build cross-curricular project-based learning units that follow standards set by the state of Michigan while also giving students the opportunity to learn in more authentic ways. Authenticity, voice and choice, and collaboration are the cornerstones of the cross-curricular project-based learning model designed in this project. In addition to the tools provided to help teachers build their own project-based learning units, …

College Sports Clubs: Engines Of Emotional And Social Development, Robert Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the relationship between structured campus involvement and the development of campus connectedness among students at Rowan University. While the transition to university life is a critical period marked by social, emotional, and academic adjustments, this study highlights how sport clubs serve as a primary social anchor to facilitate successful integration. Utilizing a qualitative thematic analysis of focus group data across diverse campus organizations, this research clarifies how these spaces foster identity formation and resilience. Findings reveal that participation in sport clubs significantly enhances student wellbeing by providing support networks that mitigate early feelings of isolation. A key …

Depictions Of Girls With Adhd In Contemporary Picturebooks: A Critical Content Analysis, Madison Briann Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how girls with ADHD are depicted in contemporary picturebooks through the theoretical framework of critical disability studies (CDS). While research has increasingly explored disability representation in children's literature, depictions of girls with ADHD remain underexamined despite the ways in which ADHD manifests in female populations and the historical underdiagnosis of females with the condition. Using critical content analysis (CCA), six contemporary picturebooks featuring female protagonists with ADHD were analyzed for their visual and textual representations of neurodiversity. Findings were organized into two overarching themes: strength-based and deficit-based depictions. Strength-based portrayals emphasized creativity, identity formation through adult mentors, …

Improving Fluoride Varnish Application Rates In A Pediatric Primary Care Microsystem, Roman G. Roxas

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem

Childhood caries is a preventable public health issue disproportionately affecting the underserved. National guidelines recommend fluoride varnish (FV) application during well‑child visits. In California, fewer than 15% of children under age six received FV. In a pediatric primary care clinic, baseline performance was 11% in 2025.

Context

A six‑month quality improvement project was implemented. Key barriers included reduced team cohesion, workflow variability, unclear roles, and underutilized electronic health record (EHR) prompts.

Interventions

The change package standardized medical assistant–led workflows, activated EHR prompts, and provided targeted education. Leadership reinforcement through regular huddles supported adoption, consistency, and team engagement.

Measures

Outcome …

Leveraging School Leadership To Strengthen Teacher Retention In Urban High-Needs Schools, Sharri Zachary

Education Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study, supported by descriptive quantitative data, examined the leadership practices that principals in urban high-needs schools use to influence teacher retention while leading their schools and navigating external conditions and educational policies. The study was grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model of human development and reframed the traditional focus on family and social development to examine principal-teacher interactions within school environments. The study addressed the lack of clarity regarding how teacher retention is defined, measured, and interpreted, particularly in relation to principals’ efforts to recruit, develop, and support teachers under shifting conditions and accountability expectations. Descriptive quantitative data provided …

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perceptions Of Early Childhood Teacher Leadership, Their Leadership Experiences, And Teacher Leadership Skill Development, Danyle Watkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed in this study is that research into early childhood leadership has focused on early childhood directors and programs for leadership, but little research has been conducted on early childhood teachers’ (ECTs’) perceptions of the ECT leadership. Guided by the McCormick Center Whole Leadership Framework, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore ECTs’ perceptions on characteristics of teachers as leaders, their leadership experiences, and their leadership skill development in a Midwestern U.S. state. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 ECTs employed in licensed early childhood centers serving children from birth through …

Developing Confidence And Motivation In Writing Through Authentic And Collaborative Writing Approaches, Sara J. Weeks

Masters Projects

Writing is an expressive and complex process that takes time to develop, yet writing in middle school classrooms is primarily used as a way to demonstrate mastery of content rather than develop writers. Writing instruction is limited or used inefficiently in today’s classrooms, which gives students fewer opportunities to engage in authentic writing experiences. As a consequence, middle school students report a lack of confidence and motivation to write. These conditions contribute to stagnant writing achievement for middle school students. Research suggests that improving student writing outcomes requires writing environments that provide authentic, collaborative, and process-oriented writing experiences. However, these …

Supporting Students’ Self-Efficacy And Motivation In The Mathematics Classroom, Audrie H. Cox

Masters Projects

This project examines the role of mathematics self-efficacy in supporting student motivation, engagement, and achievement in secondary mathematics classrooms. Through a review of current research, the project identifies instructional practices that strengthen students' confidence in their mathematical abilities, including formative assessments, meaningful feedback, supportive teacher-student relationships, and opportunities for productive struggle. Drawing on these findings, a professional development workshop session was developed to equip secondary mathematics teachers with practical, research-based strategies that promote positive mathematics self-efficacy and improve overall classroom instruction. By translating research into actionable teaching practices, this project aims to support more confident, motivated, and successful mathematics learners.

Recognition Of Autism Characteristics In Females: An Examination Of Stakeholders, Laurel Lyn Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

Autism is a neurodevelopmental communication disorder, characterized by differences in social communication, attention, interests, and sensory perception. Diagnostic criteria have historically applied to males, but clinical diagnostic criteria beginning in 2022 now include slight differences in traits comprising the female phenotype. Until recently, autistic females may be missed by the professional and education community or diagnosed later than males. Like their autistic male counterparts, they face an increased risk of suicidal ideation, but they also face more difficulties in peer relationships, academic problems, and increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, but may not get supports. School-age girls spend their days with …

When The Road Leads You Home: A Self-Study Of An Appalachian Return Migrant Educator, Brianna Gerstner

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores one Appalachian educator's beliefs and judgments about her students' literacy practices after returning to her Appalachian hometown to teach at her alma mater. Upon her return, she experienced discomfort with the thoughts she had about her Appalachian students, recognizing that they reinforced stereotypes. Through the S-STEP process, the educator identifies her beliefs and judgments of her students, the teaching practice she engaged in over time, and the changes in her beliefs and judgments during a community literacy project. This period of critical self-study lasted 3 months, and the educator intentionally engaged in culturally sustaining pedagogy. Findings revealed …

From Fragmented Services To Integrated Support: A Proposal For A Centralized Adult Learner Center, Paul Cullen

Masters Projects

Research shows that higher education institutions provide a wide range of resources to their students. However, limitations in availability, accessibility, and navigation create a fragmented experience for adult learners. This fragmented experience often exacerbates barriers experienced by adult learners, such as difficulty navigating decentralized services and lack of availability outside standard business hours, that negatively impact the learner experience and outcomes, resulting in reduced persistence and retention. This project proposes a solution to this fragmentation and shows how the digital transformation in higher education can be utilized as an enabling approach to improve availability, accessibility, and navigation of services for …

Mathematics Anxiety And Academic Performance In Mathematics, Bradley Vandermissen

Masters Projects

Mathematics anxiety represents a psychological barrier that negatively impacts student academic performance and self-efficacy across all educational levels. Many secondary mathematics students experience physiological stress, self-doubt, and reduced working memory efficiency when encountering mathematical tasks, often leading to disengagement or an over-reliance on artificial intelligence (AI as a learning shortcut rather than an educational tool. Despite the widespread nature of this issue, educators frequently lack the formal training and practical pedagogical strategies necessary to identify, manage, and alleviate mathematics anxiety within their classrooms. Rooted in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, this project addresses the underlying cognitive and biological components of mathematics …

Fast Class: A Transition Program Supporting The Transition Of Incoming Freshman Division Ii Football Student-Athletes, Andrew S. Beck

Masters Projects

Division II football student-athletes often experience academic, social, and athletic challenges in the midst of their transition to college, particularly due to their college journey beginning without well-established academic habits, intentional learning behaviors and strategies, and awareness of campus support services and resources. This project examines the array of transitional experiences of incoming Division II football student-athletes and the imperativeness of intentional, proactive intervention prior to their college journey beginning. The project is rooted in research related to student-athlete transition, academic preparedness, resource utilization, help-seeking behavior, and first-year transition programming and intervention. Schlossberg’s (1984) Transition Theory serves as the primary …

Using Creativity Tools To Improve Perception Of Mental Health Resource Access On A College Campus, Laura Reindl

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This paper outlines the planning and implementation processes for executing a Creative Problem Solving (CPS) session at Binghamton University, with the goal of developing new ways to communicate accurate information about mental health resources available to students on campus and refuting common misconceptions. Led by communications and marketing staff in the Division of Student Affairs, the process included staff from Health and Counseling Services, staff involved in delivering health promotion and prevention services, and students with an interest in health and wellness. The project focused on the ideation and development stages of CPS and offered ideas for future implementation.

The Impact Of Using History On Learning In Physics Laboratory Settings, Patrick W. Clouse

Dissertations

Integrating History of Science (HOS) into science courses has many benefits. Students demonstrate improved scientific content knowledge, develop their understanding of Nature of Science (NOS), and improve their attitudes towards science. However, barriers prevent instructors from effectively incorporating history into their teaching. The traditions and culture of science instruction, individual teacher attitudes and skills, existing institutional frameworks, and prevailing curricular materials all prevent HOS integration. Preservice teachers may never be exposed to HOS in their science or education courses, meaning they lack experience and knowledge surrounding the benefits of HOS. Therefore, alternative avenues for effective integration should be considered to …

The Impact Of Mentoring: Professional Growth, Reflection, And Retention In Secondary Science Education, Summer M. Landreth

All Dissertations

Teacher attrition threatens the stability of the U.S. education system, with science teachers experiencing particularly high turnover rates. While research has primarily focused on early-career teachers, less is known about the factors influencing mid-career and veteran science teachers’ decisions to remain in or leave the profession. This study explored mentoring student teachers as a potentially transformative experience for cooperating teachers, offering opportunities for professional development, identity development, and enhanced retention. Guided by Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory, the study examined how mentoring may function as a productive experience that prompts critical reflection, revitalizes pedagogy, and reconnects teachers with their professional purpose. …

Language Learning Under Pressure: Rethinking Anxiety, Assessment, And Support In Second Language Classrooms, Bryn C. Cole

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This portfolio examines the role of anxiety in second language acquisition (SLA) and its impact on student performance, assessment, and overall participation. Drawing on both the author’s classroom experience and SLA research, it argues that language anxiety should be understood as a structural feature of classroom environments rather than an individual learner deficit. The paper explores how traditional assessment practices may obscure students’ underlying competence by prioritizing performance under pressure. It proposes two key shifts in response: reformatting assessments as a more flexible and context-sensitive process, and integrating peer mentorship as a form of interpersonal instructional support. Together, these approaches …

Student Study Teams For Child Find: Identifying Barriers In A Rural School District, Malynda Ivory

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This project explores the challenges associated with the teacher referral process for students at risk of academic and behavior difficulties in a rural school. The Student Study Team (SST) plays an important role in identifying and supporting students; yet, teacher engagement with the referral process is inconsistent in my K-4 school. Teacher participation in our school is low.  Referrals mostly occur after parent-teacher conferences, and teacher participation in the lower grades (K-2) is noticeably lower than referrals from our 3^rd and 4^th grade teachers. Many factors, including limited understanding of the SST’s purpose, time constraints, and perceived effectiveness …