Education Commons^™

Teacher Retention: A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of White Male Teachers In An Urban Secondary School, Bryce M. Woerner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover the commonalities and factors of retention for White male teachers at an urban secondary school. The focus was on the experiences of the White male teachers at an urban secondary school in Virginia. This research is an examination of the experiences and perceptions of White male teachers. The data included interviews, focus groups, and letter writing to fill the gap in literature for teacher retention in urban schools. The research questions included what are the lived experiences of White male teachers in urban secondary schools and why do they choose …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Early Career Elementary Teachers' Self-Efficacy Toward Meeting The Needs Of The Twice-Exceptional Students In The General Education Classroom, Paula Danielle Cox

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored how the lived experiences of elementary school teachers contribute to their self-efficacy when making instructional decisions to support twice-exceptional students in the general education classroom in a large suburban school system in northeast Georgia. The theoretical framework for this study is Bandura's self-efficacy theory. The study participant was the elementary school (K-5) general education teachers in their first five years of service. The phenomenon was examined through surveys, personal interviews, and focus group interviews. Data collection consisted of personal interviews, a questionnaire, and a focus group session with participants. A transcendental phenomenological methodology was used to …

Amplifying The Experiences Of Trans And Non-Binary Graduate Students At A Canadian University: A Case Study, Malcolm Macdonald

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study examines the lived experiences of transgender and non-binary graduate students as they navigate campus spaces at one Canadian university. It contributes to the field by addressing the lack of studies that both center trans and non-binary students and utilize a trans-informed theoretical framework. I conducted a phenomenological case study through semi-structured interviews with five participants attending graduate studies at Sullivan University (a pseudonym) located in Ontario, Canada. By centering trans desubjugation, this study created a safe space for trans and non-binary graduate students to articulate their experiences navigating higher education. The findings revealed that trans and non-binary students …

Helping To Make The Complex Accessible: A Review Of Larsen And Adu’S The Theoretical Framework In Phenomenological Research: Development And Application, Stephanie Greenquist-Marlett

The Qualitative Report

Understanding the philosophical underpinnings behind phenomenological research is critical for pursuing a proper qualitative study on one’s lived experiences. Larsen and Adu’s The Theoretical Framework in Phenomenological Research: Development and Application succeeds in breaking down the theoretical viewpoints and methodology of phenomenology and delivering it in a manageable way for researchers and practitioners alike. While novices may find the complexity of the theoretical content comparing Edward Husserl’s transcendental approach and Heidegger’s hermeneutic Dasein framework to be daunting, the book does lend itself as an instructional tool that offers easy-to-follow guidelines for those at any experience level interested in pursuing a …

Using Hermeneutic Phenomenology To Research Teacher Professional Learning, Rosamund Whaley

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

The professional growth of teachers is complex to study given the many factors involved in both adult learning and student outcomes. This article proposes phenomenology as an effective philosophy and method to provide a holistic investigation by describing a hermeneutic study of the professional learning experiences of teachers in the International Baccalaureate program. It is hoped this account will clarify some of the misconceptions regarding the different forms of phenomenology and provide detailed guidance to researchers utilizing this methodology to study professional development and other forms of learning in educational contexts.

Phenomenology Via A Narrative Inquiry In Action: A Study Identifying Themes Of Persistence And Barriers Faced By African American Male Students In Their Pursuits Of Higher Education, Jeremiah Rotich

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

The use of phenomenology via a narrative inquiry is increasingly becoming popular in qualitative research study as it provides an unparalleled approach in sharing lived experiences. This article employs a narrative inquiry study to improve the understanding as to why Black male students (also known as African American male students) graduate from college at a lower rate than their Latino, White, and Asian counterparts in the United States. These narratives helped describe the barriers that have frustrated African American male students from persisting in higher education. Participants identified the lack of financial support, lack of cultural competency, lack of identity, …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of African American Couples Attending Premarital Counseling, Jamie J. Pettis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of African American couples who completed a premarital counseling program in African American communities facilitated through local churches in New Jersey. How African American couples described their experiences attending a premarital counseling program in the African American church was the study’s central research question. The theory guiding this study was Schlossberg’s (1981) model of transition. This model offers a theoretical framework for understanding the experiences that African American couples endured in the transition from single to married. The study was a qualitative research using an interpretive phenomenological …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study On First-Generation Native Hawaiian College Students' Persistence In Online Courses, Nikki K. Kinoshita

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences and persistence of first-generation native Hawaiian college students (FGNHCS) in their first online courses at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College in the Hawaiian Islands. Tinto's student integration theory provided the theoretical framework for the research study. The central research question was: How do first-generation Native Hawaiian college students (FGNHCS) describe their persistence and success in at least one online course? The methodology involved an in-depth exploration of the participants' experiences through a phenomenological lens. Using three data collection methods: individual interviews, reflective written assignments, and …

Preparing For Kindergarten: An In-Depth Look At The Lived Experiences Of Parents Preparing A Child For Kindergarten, Grace Bache-Wiig

All Dissertations

The purpose of this multi-modal phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of parents preparing their first child for kindergarten and to evaluate the sources of information used to inform these experiences. Eight parents of rising kindergarteners were sampled for interviewing from preschool and homeschool settings in North Carolina. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participant experiences and participants identified sources of information to be gathered for content analysis. The interview transcripts were analyzed using van Manen’s approach to identify units of meaning. Four major themes emerged from this study: emotions about kindergarten readiness, an emphasis on social and …

Exploring Early Childhood Teachers’ Experiences In Teaching Multilingual Children In Public Mainstream Schools In Tennessee, Maria Dias

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study, grounded in a phenomenological perspective, delves into the lived experiences of early childhood teachers who teach multilingual children in mainstream classrooms in Tennessee. Amidst the rising number of multilingual learners in mainstream educational settings and the dearth of adequate teacher training to address their needs, this research illuminates the experiences of these teachers. Furthermore, it seeks to advocate for the integration of translanguaging pedagogy into teacher training programs and state policies. This study employed a qualitative study using the three-in-depth-interview series from a phenomenological perspective (Seidman, 2019). The first interview focused on participants’ overall teaching experiences and …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Influence Of Student-Centered Learners On Traditional Teacher-Centered Faculty In Medical Education, Michael Shan Deel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the challenges for traditionally teacher-centered medical faculty incorporating student-centered learning at the Pharmacy College. The theory guiding this study is Kolb's theory on experiential learning, as it shows how individual experiences provide insight into areas of challenges, especially in teaching methods. This study aims to answer the question of how traditional teacher-centered faculty incorporate student-centered learning experiences to ensure the end result for students in the medical education curriculum. This study includes 12 full-time faculty at a single rural graduate-level degree medical school. The medical institution of a rural graduate-level medical …

School Culture, Teacher Experience, And Commitment: A Phenomenological Study Of High School Teachers At A Cyber Charter School, Sarah Cole Brodish

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the influence of school culture and leadership on the experiences and levels of commitment of high school teachers at a cyber charter academy in the northeastern United States. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Dansereau, Graen, and Haga's Leadership-Member Exchange Theory, which examined the impact of leadership relationships on school culture and teacher experience. This study sought to answer the primary research question: How does school culture influence teacher experience? A phenomenological approach was chosen to gain a deeper understanding of these experiences specifically, a hermeneutic phenomenological …

A Phenomenological Study Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy In Special Education Classrooms, Ashley Deluccia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe experiences of dialectical behavior therapy for special education teachers at a large, suburban school district in the Southeast United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura's social cognitive theory (SCT), as it explains how new behaviors are learned and acquired. The central research question was: What are special education teachers' experiences of dialectical behavior therapy at a suburban school district in the Southeast United States? This qualitative design utilizes a phenomenological method. The sample included 12 special education teachers in behavior classrooms receiving dialectical behavior therapy. The setting was …

Non-Black Students' Perceptions Of Diversity And Inclusion At Historically Black Colleges And Universities: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Gary Aaron Tyler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand diversity and inclusion through the experiences of non-Black students attending a historically Black college and university (HBCU). Diversity referred to the integration of various racial and ethnic groups, and inclusion referred to conditions on campus that reflect practices and relationships that produce a feeling of being valued, respected, and supported by the institution and peers. The theory used in this study was Tinto's theory of integration, as it examined the existential experiences of students who integrate into an HBCU campus. This study's central research question asked: What are the integration experiences …

The Persistence Of African American Doctoral Students And Graduates From Or In Stem Programs: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study, Tanisha Johnson Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the persistence efforts for African American doctoral science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students or graduates. The theory guiding this study is Tinto's theory of student departure with a focus on the model of student persistence as it lays the foundation for how students persist to degree completion. The following questions guided this study: What lived experiences have helped African American current doctoral students or graduates persist in a STEM program? What challenges have African American graduate or current doctoral students experienced while completing a STEM degree program? What strategies …

A Phenomenology Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Chinese International Students In The Us During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Linlin Wu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study investigates the lived experiences of Chinese international students during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to delve into how these individuals articulate their experiences during the pandemic, with a particular focus on how their geographical location influenced their experiences. To achieve this, the study employs an innovative approach, integrating a phenomenological method with comparative analysis to elucidate the similarities and differences between students who remained in the US and those who returned to China.

The analysis identified four principal themes among students in the US: 1) Online Learning Challenges, (2) Social Life Adaptation, (3) …

Reducing The Gap: A Phenomenological Study Of Student-Faculty Interaction Experiences Of International Students In Korea, Natalie Thibault

The Qualitative Report

This phenomenological study explored lived experiences of student-faculty interactions of undergraduate international students in Korea, in a higher education context where direct contacts between professors and students are infrequent. Guided by Astin’s theory of student involvement, the study investigated students’ experiences of direct interaction with faculty members, inside and outside the classroom. Seventeen foreign students participated in semi-structured interviews, during which they shared experiences, recollections, and perceptions of direct interactions with professors. Participants explained how certain factors, such as professor demographics, language proficiency or means of instruction, influenced the quality and frequency of interactions. They also expressed a clear desire …

Consciousness And The Reality Of Monsters In Horror Movies: Dehumanization And What Monsters In Horror Films Say About Us, Leila Kincaid

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This essay responds to Carroll’s The Nature of Horror from the perspective of transdisciplinary phenomenological film theory, largely developed by Edgar Morin in the 1950s. It argues that Carrolls’s reduction of the phenomenological value of horror films to an unreal category minimizes and even dismisses the inherent value of horror films. Morin, Allan Combs, and others offer more integral and transdisciplinary methods for art interpretation and functionality. They help us understand how monsters in horror films can stand as mirrors and reflections of the monstrous in ourselves and society. Thus, the transformational function and value of film is revealed and …

Understanding The Experience Of Bullying Of Students With Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Miriam Patricia Brenda Crinion

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The purpose of the dissertation study was to increase understanding of the social experiences of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are at increased risk of being involved in the bullying dynamic and experiencing greater social difficulties relative to their typically developing peers. Consequently, students with disabilities are more likely to report adverse mental health outcomes due to bullying involvement. The current literature suggests the effectiveness of traditional bullying intervention programming for students with disabilities is limited. Students with disabilities may also perceive traditional coping strategies to be inadequate and may have their own unique coping strategies to help them …

The Perceived Influence Of Mathematics Anxiety On Self-Efficacy Among Adult Learners At A Technical College In Georgia: A Phenomenological Study, George Asare Ofosu-Anim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover the perceived influence of mathematics anxiety on self-efficacy among adult learners at a technical college in Georgia. The theory of self-efficacy introduced by Albert Bandura which explains how learners develop their self-efficacy beliefs by executing a series of actions while dealing with diverse situations, guided this research study. The central question, “What is the perceived influence of math anxiety on adult learners at a technical college in Georgia?” was answered through this study. Data collection followed a systematic criterion with 10 interviews conducted from a purposeful consideration of the diverse …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experience Of Parents Whose Child Has A Disability And Attends An Online School, M.K. Shires

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of parents whose child has a disability and attends an online K-12 school. The theory that guided this study is Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory. This theory posits three universal psychological needs that promote or erode individual growth and well-being. The satisfaction or frustration of parents’ psychological needs and their impact on their parenting have guided this study’s research questions, interview questions, and data analysis. In-depth interviews, journal prompts, and focus groups were conducted with 12 parents whose child has a disability and attends a full-time online …

Special Education Teacher Perspective On Implementation Of Assistive Technology Among Students With High-Incidence Disabilities, Olga Volkov

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of implementing assistive technology with students who have high-incidence disabilities for special education teachers at a large school district. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. Self-efficacy is one’s belief in one’s capabilities to organize a course of action to achieve a desired outcome. Self-efficacy determines how individuals think, behave, and self-motivate. Previous studies that investigated technology utilization in schools found that teachers’ self-efficacy is one of the key factors in determining and predicting technology integration. The study employed hermeneutic phenomenology as its research methodology. A …

The Plagiarism Question Of Ai: How Teachers Have Responded To Llms In The Classroom, Anthony E. Wolf

Master's Theses

This study is a phenomenology conducted in the Spring of 2024 that interviews seven educators to bridge the gap between speculation and the observable realities of the current applicability of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Interviews recorded pedagogical methods, classroom policies concerning LLMs, and various methods used to detect and address the use of LLMs for plagiarism. The findings seem to imply a relationship between the applicability of LLMs to teachers’ pedagogical methods and the policies that teachers implemented. Discussion is made through the lens of critical digital pedagogy, zone of proximal development, and Paperson’s …

A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of English As A Second Language Adjuncts, Dawn Annette Bell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of adjunct English as a second language (ESL) teachers in a collegiate setting in the Southwestern United States. The central research question was: What are the experiences of adjunct ESL instructors in higher education settings? The sub-questions explored the adjuncts’ experiences with students, colleagues, and the institution. Purposeful criterion sampling was used to secure 14 participants. The setting was a community college in the Southwestern United States. The theory guiding this study was the social exchange theory (SET) since the study described teacher experiences related to students, colleagues, …

A Phenomenological Study Of Latina Poets As Leaders At Higher Education Institutions, Rodney Gomez

Theses and Dissertations

This interpretive phenomenological study addresses the underrepresentation of Latinas in higher education leadership roles by focusing on the lived experiences of Latina poets who have served as higher education leaders. Data, collected through semi-structured participant interviews and participant writing samples, was analyzed through a standard method of thematic analysis. Latin American and U.S. theories of decoloniality and Yosso’s community cultural capital guided interpretation of participant experiences. Five themes emerged from the analysis: border negation, foundational values, othered leadership, importance of community, and writing as necessity. Discussion of participation experiences suggests that ways that poetry and creative writing can be used …

World Language Teachers' Perceptions Of Efficacy In The Modern, Communicative Classroom, Valerie M. Schmidt-Gardner

Doctoral Dissertations

Approaches to second language pedagogy have evolved from their earlier iterations. Methods that once focused purely on the translation of a document from its original language into the student’s own have been replaced by communicative approaches that require students to produce the language (ACTFL, 2014b). To that end, world language teachers must create an environment in which the second language is used as much as possible (ACTFL, 2014b). Creating the environments necessary for the acquisition of language (Aljohani, 2017) depends on teachers’ beliefs about themselves (Cooke & Faez, 2019) and the pedagogical approaches they find valuable (Brown, 2009).

Through the …

The Relationship Between Sex Education And Women’S Sexual Liberation And Exploration: A Phenomenological Study, Jessica Ann Boyles

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Sex education in schools is a pivotal yet contentious aspect of adolescent development, with enduring impacts on individuals' sexual exploration and liberation. However, the types of sex education offered have varied over time, often disseminating misinformation, and reinforcing traditional gender norms. Particularly for women, sex education can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, limit sexual agency, and contribute to disparities in sexual and reproductive health. This qualitative study aims to address the gap of intersecting sex education and sexual identity by examining the relationship between women's sexual liberation and exploration in adulthood and the sex education they received. Drawing from a phenomenological approach, …

Tales From The Classroom: A Qualitative Study Of Teacher Experiences With Covid-19, Stephen B. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to discover insights into how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has caused residual effects on students’ academic, social, and emotional health two years removed from the pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted education from the lockdown that the leaders in the United States mandated. This lockdown removed students from school’s traditional routines, causing them to learn new ways to participate in their education. The method guiding this study is a qualitative phenomenology to focus on the lived experiences of teachers. Using a transcendental approach, the researcher will focus on the depiction of the …

The Embodied Experience Of Adult Educators, Heather Drew Francis

Theses and Dissertations

This interview study investigates the embodied experiences of adult educators, exploring how they perceive and utilize bodily knowledge in their instructional practice. Through interviews and observations with five adult educators, the study highlights challenges in articulating the role of physical experiences in teaching. The study reveals four major themes: (a) participants perceive or approach instruction as a performance, engaging with various performance tools like voice, sound, proximity, and posture to impact content delivery and classroom management; (b) bodily knowledge informs the educator's improvisational skills as they receive sensory input and adapt to student and environmental cues during teaching; (c) while …

Exploring Time Management Decisions On Persistence Among Non-Traditional Learners: A Phenomenological Study In Online Learning, James Dale Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to understand the time management decisions of persistent non-traditional online learners over 30 at large institutions offering online programs in the United States. The central research question is: What are the shared time management experiences of persistent non-traditional online students over 30 enrolled in large institutions in the United States? Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, journal prompts, and focus groups. The sample comprised 12 participants. Saturation began to visualize after the ninth interview. Data collection continued until all 12 participants were interviewed and their journal prompts were completed. The study was conducted in a …