Education Commons^™

Enacting Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy In Diverse Secondary Classrooms: Teachers’ Perceptions, Preparation, Current Practices, And Challenges, Mariola Krol

Theses & Dissertations

Due to an increasingly diverse student population in U.S. public schools, there has been a pertinent need for teachers to enact culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP) when educating children from racially and linguistically diverse backgrounds. CSP is an asset-based approach that uses the cultural capital of communities of color to guide curriculum development, classroom climates, instructional strategies, and relationships with students. Although much is known about CSP, less work has explored how teachers enact CSP in diverse classrooms and how their background knowledge, lived experiences, pre-service preparation, and in-service professional learning may facilitate this process. Therefore, this case study examines the …

Moderators And Processes Of Change In Traditional Exposure And Response Prevention (Erp) Versus Acceptance And Commitment Therapy-Informed Erp For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Clarissa W. Ong, Shannon M. Blakey, Brooke M. Smith, Kate L. Morrison, Ellen J. Bluett, Jonathan S. Abramowitz, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

The present study evaluated moderators and processes of change in a randomized controlled trial comparing exposure and response prevention (ERP) delivered from a traditional framework versus ERP from an acceptance and commitment therapy framework (ACT+ERP) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This paper presents baseline, weekly session, posttreatment, and follow-up data from the study. We examined (a) moderation effects of anxiety, depression, psychological inflexibility, and interpretation of intrusions and (b) the role of psychological inflexibility and interpretation of intrusions respectively as processes of change. Participants with less dysfunctional appraisals at pretreatment performed consistently better in ERP relative to ACT+ERP. In process analyses, …

Experiential Avoidance And Negative Affect As Predictors Of Daily Drinking, Jason B. Luoma, Benjamin G. Pierce, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

People who drink alcohol to cope with negative affect tend to drink more and experience more frequent negative alcohol-related consequences. Experiential avoidance, the tendency to avoid, suppress, or otherwise attempt to control unwanted inner experiences, is a largely pathological process that may help account for how negative affect is linked to increased alcohol consumption. However, research to-date has typically used global, trait-like measures, which limit our understanding of the conditions under which experiential avoidance is problematic. The current study tested both between-person (trait) and within-person (daily) variation in experiential avoidance and negative affect as predictors of solitary and social drinking …

A Randomized Dismantling Trial Of The Open And Engaged Components Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy In An Online Intervention For Distressed College Students, Michael E. Levin, Jennifer Krafft, Elizabeth T. Hicks, Michael P. Twohig, Benjamin G. Pierce

Psychology Faculty Publications

This dismantling trial compared the effects of a full online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention to the isolated effects of the Open (i.e., acceptance, cognitive defusion) and Engaged (i.e., values, committed action) components of ACT. A sample of 181 distressed college students were randomized to one of four conditions: a 12-session full ACT website (Full), a version targeting the Open components (Open), a version targeting the Engaged components (Engaged), or waitlist. Participants in active conditions were also randomized to receive phone coaching or just email prompts to increase program adherence. All three ACT conditions significantly improved over time relative …

Pilot Evaluation Of The Stop, Breathe & Think Mindfulness App For Student Clients On A College Counseling Center Waitlist, Michael E. Levin, Elizabeth T. Hicks, Jennifer Krafft

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objectives: College counseling centers face significant challenges meeting the mental health needs of their students and waitlists are common. Mobile apps offer a promising solution to increase access to resources while students wait for services. Methods: This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a publicly available mindfulness app. Students on a counseling center waitlist (n=23) were randomized to use the app or not, with assessments completed over four weeks. Results: Recruitment over three semesters was slow, leading to an underpowered trial. Participants reported high satisfaction and moderate app usage. Very preliminary support was found for potential …

Evaluating Acceptance And Commitment Therapy And Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Self-Help Books For College Student Mental Health, Michael E. Levin, Woolee An, Carter H. Davis, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objectives: Self-help has the potential to improve access to mental health resources for college students. However, solutions are needed to improve sustainable delivery, cost- effectiveness, and to know which resources are most useful. Methods: A sample of 109 college students were randomly assigned to read either an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) self-help book through the University library website over 8 weeks with assessments at baseline, midtreatment (4-weeks), and posttreatment (8-weeks). Results: The majority of participants reported reading over half of their assigned book and high satisfaction ratings were given for both books. Both conditions …

Tracking Valued And Avoidant Functions With Health Behaviors: A Randomized Controlled Trial Of The Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Matrix Mobile App, Michael E. Levin, Jennifer Krafft, Seth Seifert, Jason Lillis

Psychology Faculty Publications

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the acceptability and additive effects of self- monitoring avoidant and valued functions of behavior, in the context of self-monitoring physical activity and dietary behavior in a mobile app. The self-monitoring approach was based on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Matrix. A sample of 102 adults interested in improving their diet and physical activity were randomized to a Health Behavior Tracking app (HBT), HBT plus ACT matrix app (HBT+ACT), or waitlist condition. Online self-report assessments were completed at baseline, mid (2 weeks), and post-intervention (4 weeks). Participants reported high usability, but mixed satisfaction with both …

Beyond Acceptance And Commitment Therapy: Process-Based Therapy, Clarissa W. Ong, Michael E. Levin, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

This article describes process-based therapy (PBT) as a natural evolution toward more effective and efficient mental healthcare. Using acceptance and commitment therapy as an example of an early prototype of PBT, this paper explicates the broader features of PBT and the shift in mindset researchers and clinicians will need to take to fully embrace PBT with respect to assessment, conceptualization, and intervention. In addition, the paper enumerates challenges to implementing the PBT model and proposes recommendations for circumventing these challenges in the areas of theory development, research methodology, and clinical practice. Finally, we make the argument shifting to PBT is …

Implementing A Web-Based Cognitive Defusion Program To Target Negative Self-Referential Thoughts In College Students: A Pilot Study, Clarie-Ann Henriques Wollach, Leeann Cardaciotto, Michael E. Levin, Sharon Lee Armstrong

Psychology Faculty Publications

Cognitive defusion may enhance healthy coping with negative self-referential thoughts amongst college students. However, research is needed to examine how to effectively introduce and teach defusion to this population. The current pilot study tested the usability of and satisfaction with the D-FUSE program, a single-session, web-based program for a mixed sample of undergraduates and its effectiveness in producing improvements in cognitive defusion and self-criticism. In an undergraduate sample (N = 141), the D-FUSE program was found to be usable and satisfactory. Program engagement rendered significant reductions in the believability of and emotional discomfort produced by negative self-referential thoughts. Further improvements …

Comparing The Efficacy Of Defusion, Self-As-Context, And Distraction Strategies For Getting Rid Of Possessions, Clarissa W. Ong, Carina L. Terry, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Interventions for hoarding disorder need to target difficulty letting go of items to reduce clutter and improve functioning. The present studies were designed to test the efficacy of brief cognitive interventions for letting go of possessions and self-report outcomes. Participants (N = 67 in Study 1; N = 110 in Study 2) received training on defusion or distraction in Study 1 and defusion, self-as-context, or distraction in Study 2 and completed measures at pre- and postintervention. Study 1 found no differences between defusion and distraction on saving, self-rated discomfort with discarding, or perceived importance of the target belonging. In …

Utilizing Act Daily As A Self-Guided App For Clients Waiting For Services At A College Counseling Center: A Pilot Study, Jack Haegar, Carter H. Davis, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: Considering increasing demands for mental health services at college counseling centers (CCCs), there is a need for cost-effective solutions that avoid depleting stressed CCC resources. This study examined if ACT Daily, a mobile application based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), could serve as an effective self-guided intervention.

Participants: 11 individuals on a CCC waitlist suffering from anxiety/depression participated in the study over 2 weeks.

Methods: This study implemented a pre-post, open trial design of ACT Daily. Assessments were completed at baseline and 2-week post assessment.

Results: Results indicated that ACT Daily was acceptable and that participants improved on …

Examining Processes Of Change In An Online Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Dismantling Trial With Distressed College Students, Michael E. Levin, Jennifer Krafft, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

This secondary analysis examined the processes of change from a randomized dismantling trial evaluating the Open (i.e., cognitive defusion, acceptance) and Engaged (i.e., values, committed action) components of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Analyses were conducted with 161 distressed college students randomly assigned to a full online ACT program (Full n=40), online ACT targeting the Open components (Open n=41) or targeting the Engaged components (Engaged n=39), or a waitlist condition (Waitlist n=41). The intervention occurred over six weeks followed by a post-treatment assessment with mental health symptoms as the primary outcome. Consistent with predictions, pre- to …

A Randomized Trial Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy And Traditional Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Self-Help Books For Social Anxiety, Jennifer Krafft, Michael P. Twohig, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Self-help resources such as books may help meet critical mental health needs in college students, but there is insufficient evidence on whether and how such books work. This randomized trial compared acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and traditional cognitive behavior therapy (tCBT) self-help books for social anxiety, a common concern with notable barriers to treatment seeking.

Methods: A sample of college students (n = 102) with social anxiety was randomly assigned to use one of the two self-help books over eight weeks.

Results: Improvements were observed in both conditions across all outcomes (social anxiety, general well-being, and social …

A Psychometric Comparison Of Psychological Inflexibility Measures: Discriminant Validity And Item Performance, Clarissa W. Ong, Benjamin G. Pierce, Julie M. Petersen, Jennifer L. Barney, Jeremiah E. Fruge, Michael E. Levin, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Psychological inflexibility is a rigid behavioral pattern that interferes with engagement in personally meaningful activities; it is the hypothesized root of suffering in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Thus, the quality of its measurement affects the research, theory, and practice of ACT. The current study aimed to evaluate the discriminant validity and item performance of four measures of psychological inflexibility: the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—II (AAQ-II), a revised version of the AAC-II (AAQ-3), the Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ), and the Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes (CompACT). We analyzed data from community (n = 253), student …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Perfectionism And Neurological Functioning, Julie M. Petersen, Clarissa W. Ong, Allison S. Hancock, Ronald B. Gillam, Michael E. Levin, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Clinical perfectionism is the rigid pursuit of high standards, interfering with functioning. Little research has explored neural patterns in clinical perfectionism. The present study explores neural correlates of clinical perfectionism, before and after receiving ten 50-minute, weekly sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), as compared to low-perfectionist controls, in specific cortical structures: the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), right inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Participants in the perfectionist condition (n = 43) were from a randomized controlled trial evaluating ACT for clinical perfectionism and low-perfectionist controls were undergraduate students (n = 12). Participants completed three tasks (editing …

A Preliminary Investigation Of The Effect Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy On Neural Activation In Clinical Perfectionism, Clarissa W. Ong, Allison S. Hancock, Tyson S. Barrett, Eric B. Lee, Nicholas Wan, Ronald B. Gillam, Michael E. Levin, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Clinical perfectionism is associated with various cognitive processes including performance monitoring and emotion regulation. This exploratory study analyzed neurological data from a randomized controlled trial for clinical perfectionism that compared acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to a waitlist control. The objective was to assess the effect of ACT on neural activation. Twenty-nine participants underwent a functional near-infrared spectroscopy assessment during which they completed behavioral tasks designed to elicit error detection and error generation at pre- and posttreatment. The hemodynamic response function (HRF) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, and right inferior parietal lobe was analyzed using mixed effects …

The Empirical Status Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy: A Review Of Meta-Analyses, Andrew T. Gloster, Noemi Walder, Michael E. Levin, Michael P. Twohig, Maria Karekla

Psychology Faculty Publications

The efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been evaluated in many randomized controlled trials investigating a broad range of target conditions. This paper reviews the meta-analytic evidence on ACT. The 20 included meta-analyses reported 100 controlled effect sizes across n = 12,477 participants. Controlled effect sizes were grouped by target conditions and comparison group. Results showed that ACT is efficacious for all conditions examined, including anxiety, depression, substance use, pain, and transdiagnostic groups. Results also showed that ACT was generally superior to inactive controls (e.g. waitlist, placebo), treatment as usual, and most active intervention conditions (excluding CBT). Weaknesses …

From Soup To Nuts: Expanding Liaison And Technical Services For Oer Development, Dawn Cannon-Rech, Jeffrey M. Mortimore

University Libraries: Faculty Publications

This case study highlights an ongoing library collaboration with faculty recipients of a statewide Wikipedia Image Open educational resources (OER) are free and openly licensed educational materials that can be used for teaching, learning, research, and other purposes. OER textbook grant at a rural public research university in the southeast. It emphasizes the evolving needs of teaching faculty open to OER grant writing and development, and the necessity of librarians to be creative in delivering this support. The authors describe how they expanded liaison and technical service roles to educate faculty about the meaning and benefits of OERs, guided selection …

Aware I Am Alone: Intersections Of Solitude And Mindfulness, Richard Cleveland

Leadership, Technology & Human Development: Faculty Publications

This paper explores the relationship between solitude and mindfulness. Parallels between the two constructs exist, allowing them to complement each other in furthering the well-being of individuals and communities. Three perspectives through which mindfulness may assist in forming foundational understandings of solitude are presented; these comprise Theoretical, Practice, and Research. The Theoretical lens provides introductory understandings of both solitude and mindfulness. On this basis, integral parallels between the two constructs are outlined. Next, Practice reviews solitude that is fostered through mindfulness practices. Further, additional models for recognizing solitude as a part of mindfulness are proposed. Finally, Research …

Making Sense Of Georgia School Leader Evaluation: Climate, Engagement And The District Office, Bipul Singh, Matt Townsley

Georgia Educational Researcher

Assessment of principal effectiveness is a complex process due to the multidimensional nature of their job. Historically, a disproportionate significance has been placed on standardized assessment scores when evaluating school leaders, therefore states are beginning to emphasize other factors such as school climate in order to increase employee retention. This study investigated any correlation between leadership effectiveness, the staff perception of school climate, and employee engagement in a suburban Georgia school district’s 139 schools. An improved understanding of these constructs may assist principals and assistant principals modify their leadership practices to better meet the needs of their teachers. Results suggest …

Do Advanced Degrees Matter? A Multiphase Mixed-Methods Study To Examine Teachers’ Obtainment Of Advanced Degrees And The Impact On Student And School Growth, Mei-Lin Chang Dr., Ivan M. Jorrín Abellán, Jim Wright, Jihye Kim, Rachel E. Gaines

Georgia Educational Researcher

Teacher quality has been found to offset the adverse effect of racial and socioeconomic differences in academic achievement; and teacher quality is often thought to be the product of a quality education. However, existing literature has produced mixed results regarding the relationship between student achievement and teachers’ possession of advanced degrees (ADs). Despite these mixed results, ADs are often the most efficient (if not the only) way for teachers to earn certification and salary upgrades. A longitudinal, multiphase mixed-methods explanatory study aimed to bridge shortcomings of existing research on the effects of teachers obtaining ADs. Associations between teacher credentials and …

Commentary: What Lies Ahead? Considering The Future Of A ‘New’ Vietnamese Higher Education, Yasmin Y. Ortiga

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

In this commentary, Ortiga discusses two main tensions in how the authors in this volume portray the future of Vietnamese higher education. The first tension is the issue of autonomy or how universities must redefine their purpose and role in Vietnamese society as the state loosens its monopoly over higher education. Meanwhile, the second tension is the issue of privatisation or whether for-profit corporations and private agencies should play an increasing role in providing higher education services in the country. In reflecting on the future, Ortiga compares the case of Vietnam to higher education systems in neighbouring countries like the …

Using Online Tutorials To Teach The Accounting Cycle, Tracey Chunqi Zhang, Lay Chin Low, Poh Sun Seow

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The accounting cycle is an important yet difficult topic for introductory financial accounting students to learn. These students often lack the business context to understand the accounting cycle and find the traditional teaching approach dry. This problem motivates the authors to examine whether a blended learning approach via online tutorials can improve students’ perceived knowledge of the accounting cycle for the undergraduate introductory financial accounting course. The authors developed four innovative online tutorials with a coherent storyline to enable students to learn the accounting cycle and to supplement in-class learning. To test the effectiveness of online tutorials, an independent survey …

Advance (Fall 2020), Georgia Southern Division Of Continuing And Professional Education

Division of Continuing & Professional Education

No abstract provided.

Developing Educational Websites In Lieu Of Clinical Fieldwork, Charles Tocci, Frances Bartolutti, Katherine Czajka, Jenna Jeffirs, Maddi Matassarin, Noe Serrano, Amanda Timlin

Education: School of Education Faculty Publications and Other Works

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted education, forcing teachers and teacher educators into emergency, remote instruction. While there were noted challenges, there also were global success stories of innovation in preparing current and future teachers. This AACE and SITE-published, open access eBook contains 133 chapters with over 850 pages documenting best practices, strategies, and efforts by teacher educators, professional developers, researchers, and practitioners. It is divided into seven sections that address pedagogy, collaboration, field experiences, preservice education methods, professional development, digital tools, and equity issues. Chapters are presented as innovations with supporting materials that could be easily replicated or studied. (v1.02)

Participate! An Urban Civic Education Curriculum Promotes Active Citizenship, Jon J. Schmidt, Todd A. Price

Education: School of Education Faculty Publications and Other Works

The Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act 099-0434 in August 2015, requiring that all high school students complete a semester long civics course in order to graduate from an Illinois High School. With the passage of civic education legislation, Illinois becomes the 39th state to require its students to study civics in order to graduate. What makes Public Act 099-0434 unique is that it is the first education policy in the state to require a particular classroom pedagogy. The following study revisits the history and philosophy of citizenship and civics, and secondly and most practically, examines the resurgence of civic …

Increasing College Entrance Testing Vocabulary For Secondary Students With High-Incidence Disabilities, Cynthia C. Massey, Margarett E. Shippen, Margaret M. Flores, Cindy Head

Georgia Educational Researcher

This study investigated the effects of an instructional technology device, specifically, a computer-based graphic organizer, called the Real-World Connections Vocabulary graphic organizer (Ellis, 2015), on vocabulary acquisition for college entrance testing skills of students with high-incidence disabilities. Although graphic organizers have been studied since the 1960’s, there is very little research regarding the effectiveness of computer-based graphic organizers when used with high school students with mild disabilities, and their benefit acquiring college entrance exam vocabulary knowledge, namely, the ACT exam. By means of a single-subject, multiple probe across participants design, this study demonstrated that a functional relation did exist between …

Designing Effective, High-Quality, Virtual Professional Learning For Educators, Rachel Ruggirello, Jeanne Norris

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

While traditional in-person professional development has been the norm, virtual PD, despite some challenges, presents unique opportunities for providers. Pivoting from in-person to online can be an efficient way to meet learning needs, even for those people used to the in-person touch. What’s key is setting up the conditions for a growth mindset. This publication provides10 strategies for educators to design effective, high-quality, virtual professional development learning environments for educators, with practicalimplementation suggestions.

The Formation Of A Professional Organization For Writing Across The Curriculum, Christopher Basgier, Michelle Cox, Brian Hendrickson

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

In this chapter, we describe the rationale for and development of the Association for Writing Across the Curriculum (AWAC), which held its first meeting for members at the 2018 International Writing Across the Curriculum Conference. We first provide a historiography of previous WAC/WID-related efforts, including the specific contributions of each one, leading up to the more formalized process of establishing this new organization. Finally, we explain our aspirations of AWAC’s role in supporting a sustainable and inclusive scholarly WAC/WID community.

College Of Education Annual Report, 2020, College Of Education

Annual Report and Findings

2020 Annual Report of the College of Education, Illinois State University