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An Overview Of Virtual Communities Of Faculty Practice, Narjis Hyder, Amy Adcock, David Brown Jan 2021

An Overview Of Virtual Communities Of Faculty Practice, Narjis Hyder, Amy Adcock, David Brown

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Virtual communities of faculty practice (CoP) provide support for and supplement the demanding doctoral curriculum with the purpose of assisting doctoral students through a holistic support system. This virtual community provides a positive private environment where faculty engage, share, and discuss current research questions or issues to encourage scholarship and collegiality. This scholarly essay presents an overview of faculty virtual CoPs in the context of mentoring online doctoral students. Attention is given to the definition of communities of practice, Wenger’s communities of practice model, producing and sustaining communities of practice, and incorporation of virtual CoPs at the doctoral level.


School Administrators’ Perceptions On Teaching Foster Children, Tisha Marie Hess Jan 2021

School Administrators’ Perceptions On Teaching Foster Children, Tisha Marie Hess

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children in foster care face multiple barriers compared to their nonfoster peers, especially as it pertains to their educational success. The problem was school administrators, such as principals and assistant principals, face greater challenges in meeting the educational needs of foster children in addition to balancing the extraneous issues foster children face. Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the experiences, perceptions, and challenges of elementary school administrators who work with foster youth in one school district in Illinois. The specific focus was on administrators’ role in curriculum design, support services, and ability …


General And Special Educators’ Perceptions Of Transition For Students With Disabilities, Doris Louise Rouson Butler Jan 2021

General And Special Educators’ Perceptions Of Transition For Students With Disabilities, Doris Louise Rouson Butler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students with disabilities (SWDs) require a transition process to support high school graduation and continuation to higher education or the workforce. In a rural district in a southern state, the problem investigated was only 37% of SWDs were graduating from high schools in the target district, compared to 79.9% of students without disabilities, which suggested that the transition design and implementation did not support SWDs’ needs. Using a transition-focused conceptual framework, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the perceptions of educators regarding the design and implementation of the transition process for SWDs at the high schools …


Development Of A Pilot Training Program For Middle School Students To Reduce End-User Cyber Vulnerabilities, Connie D. Howard Jan 2021

Development Of A Pilot Training Program For Middle School Students To Reduce End-User Cyber Vulnerabilities, Connie D. Howard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on cybersecurity in middle schools beyond awareness programs. The purpose was to develop a pilot training module for middle school students comprising an analysis of public documents to examine what topics should be included in a pilot training program to reduce problematic cyber practices. Attitude functional theory was used as the conceptual framework to provide insights into the process of persuading a positive behavioral change in a targeted group that is sustainable. A systematic analysis of national, state, and local public documents was conducted to compare practices, including a K–12 …


Educating Staff To Reduce Hospitalization Of Individuals Living In A Group Home, Caroline Aina Ibijemilusi Jan 2021

Educating Staff To Reduce Hospitalization Of Individuals Living In A Group Home, Caroline Aina Ibijemilusi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPersons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have significant health disparity in terms of high numbers of hospitalizations compared to the general population. The purpose of the project was to improve staff ability to recognize and respond to the changes in the health status of intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals living in a group home. The project utilized Knowles’s theory of adult learning to develop a curriculum suitable for adult learners and the Kirkpatrick model to guide the assessment of the training. Pre- and post-perception of learning and satisfaction surveys were provided to the participants online. A paired t test …


A Multicase Study Of Alaskan High School Teachers’ Adoption Of Digital Elements Of Gamification, Paul Marks Jan 2021

A Multicase Study Of Alaskan High School Teachers’ Adoption Of Digital Elements Of Gamification, Paul Marks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent studies have indicated that gamification, the process of using game-like elements in nongame situations, increases student engagement and comprehension. The problem was that little is known about the extent to which digital elements of gamification are being used to help engage students in high school classes in Alaska. The purpose of this multicase study was to examine the extent to which their teachers were using gamification. The research questions that guided this study addressed the extent to which the teachers used gamification, how the teachers perceived the usefulness of gamification, and how they perceived the ease of use of …


Relationship Between Criminal Behavior And High School Equivalency Program Completion, Lashawnda Cabey - Washington Jan 2021

Relationship Between Criminal Behavior And High School Equivalency Program Completion, Lashawnda Cabey - Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High School Equivalency (HSE) Programs operate in response to the national increase in high school dropout rates. These alternative learning methods are attractive to nontraditional high school students because they are designed to accommodate students who are unable to complete their high school diploma via the traditional classroom setting. However, even though these programs continue to thrive in many communities, many students are still unsuccessful at completing these programs. Therefore, there is a need to research the possible factors that prevent students from earning the equivalent of a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) via these programs. Grounded …


Staff Education Program: Increasing Nursing Knowledge Of Exclusive Breastfeeding, Leigh Anne Panek Jan 2021

Staff Education Program: Increasing Nursing Knowledge Of Exclusive Breastfeeding, Leigh Anne Panek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the initial postpartum period, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) improves women's and children's health status and outcomes. Gaps in nursing practice that decrease the rate of EBF during hospitalization at this site were identified by the lactation consultant using a standard chart audit during the last two years. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice education project was to provide a comprehensive education program that included the purpose, philosophy, nursing practice, and evaluation tools for increasing the EBF rates to meet the Joint Commission’s standard of improvement for perinatal care core measures. A formal educational program that included didactic and …


Elementary School Principals’ Perceptions Regarding Instructional Leadership Practices Supporting Character Education, Dawn Angela Engle Jan 2021

Elementary School Principals’ Perceptions Regarding Instructional Leadership Practices Supporting Character Education, Dawn Angela Engle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe problem addressed in this project study was that principals at the elementary schools under study had been inconsistent in applying instructional leadership practices (ILP) supporting character education (CE). The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of elementary school principals regarding ILP to support CE. The instructional leadership model was the conceptual framework guiding the study. The research question asked what practices elementary school principals implement to support CE in their schools. A basic qualitative research design with purposive sampling was used to select elementary school principals who were state-certified and administrators for at least 2 years. …


Secondary Educator Experiences Managing Digital Resources, Cameron Sharbel Mckinley Jan 2021

Secondary Educator Experiences Managing Digital Resources, Cameron Sharbel Mckinley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Secondary teachers use digital resources for teaching, yet little is known about how they find, evaluate, organize, and share these resources. This basic qualitative study was conducted to fill the gap and examine the experiences and practices of secondary educators in curating digital resources. Findings on how teachers manage digital information, strategies used, and necessary supports may aid in creating targeted professional development (PD) for teaching in face to face and blended environments. A conceptual framework based on Mishra's and Kohler’s technological pedagogical content knowledge theory and Siemens’ connectivism guided the research and informed the data analysis. The experiences of …


Training And Experience As Predictors Of Principals’ Efficacy For Inclusive Education Implementation, Courtney Lynch Jan 2021

Training And Experience As Predictors Of Principals’ Efficacy For Inclusive Education Implementation, Courtney Lynch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Federal inclusion law requires that school administrators provide an equitable and legally compliant inclusive education for all students. Previous research has shown that successful program delivery is not possible without efficacious school leadership. Prior studies have also revealed that principals’ self-efficacy judgments are directly influenced by contextual and personal factors. Limited research-based inquiries have explored which factors contribute to administrator confidence as it relates to successfully implementing inclusive educational programs in particular. Grounded in social cognitive theory, the purpose of this nonexperimental, survey-based, quantitative study was to assess the extent to which facets of elementary school principals’ educational background, experience, …


Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities As Replacements For Traditional Professional Development, Antwonette Woodlon Jan 2021

Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Learning Communities As Replacements For Traditional Professional Development, Antwonette Woodlon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Professional learning communities (PLCs) positively influence students’ and teachers’ success. Yet, traditional professional development, involving passive learning, is still widely used. The problem addressed in this qualitative case study is little is known about administrators’ perceptions about PLCs as replacements for traditional forms of professional development (PD). Administrators’ and teachers’ perceptions of PLCs should be explored to learn more about why PLCs are underutilized in schools, despite their proven effectiveness. The primary conceptual framework used for this study was Knowles’ adult learning theory supported by Contextual learning theory. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit eight participants – four administrators and …


Implementation Of International Society For Technology In Education Standards In Elementary School Teachers’ Pedagogical Science Practices, Rochelle Anne Mccoy Jan 2021

Implementation Of International Society For Technology In Education Standards In Elementary School Teachers’ Pedagogical Science Practices, Rochelle Anne Mccoy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study addressed the problem of whether elementary school teachers are consistently implementing the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards in their pedagogical practices of teaching science. It was evident that half of all teachers in the United States do not consistently implement technology into their instruction. The purpose of this study was to understand elementary school teachers’ perceptions about how teachers are using the three selected ISTE standards during their pedagogical practices when teaching elementary science in order to maximize learning. The technology acceptance model was the conceptual framework used in this study. The research questions focused …


Urban School District Principals’ Perceptions Of Job Satisfaction, Darcy Lynn Woodcock Jan 2021

Urban School District Principals’ Perceptions Of Job Satisfaction, Darcy Lynn Woodcock

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Principals in urban school districts directly and indirectly affect school communitiesthrough student achievement, teacher retention, and school climate. When a high-quality school principal leaves a school, it can negatively affect these areas due to the interruption of progress toward school improvement goals to increase student achievement. Seeking to address this issue, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the perceptions of job satisfaction among urban school district principals. The conceptual framework was Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory. The key research question concerned investigating the perceptions of job satisfaction among urban school district principals. Qualitative data were collected via virtual, …


Student Retention At The Community College Level, Davia Debisha Ramgeet Jan 2021

Student Retention At The Community College Level, Davia Debisha Ramgeet

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Student retention has been a serious issue for many community colleges globally for several decades. In a community college in Jamaica, persistence rates have been steadily declining within the last several years. The purpose of this study was to investigate students’ experiences with the pre-college program that was designed to prepare students to enter and successfully complete college undergraduate programs. Astin’s conceptual framework on involvement was used for this qualitative project study. Key questions for this study included what in-class experiences and what student support services students participating in the pre-college program perceived to be most useful to their college …


Effects Of Education On Rural Emergency Department Preceptors’ Self-Efficacy And Knowledge, Katherine Marie Jasper Jan 2021

Effects Of Education On Rural Emergency Department Preceptors’ Self-Efficacy And Knowledge, Katherine Marie Jasper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Emergency Nurses Association recommends nurse preceptorship programs for emergency departments (EDs) to give nurses the skills needed for precepting new nurses; however, many rural areas do not have nurse education for preceptorship, and no standardized training is available for preparing preceptors for their roles. Rural ED preceptors therefore lack knowledge and skills needed for precepting new nurses. The purpose of this study, guided by Benner’s skill acquisition and self-efficacy theory, was to determine if there were significant differences in 33 rural ED nurse preceptors’ knowledge and self-efficacy after they completed an online informational PowerPoint presentation. The PowerPoint education program …


Hospital Employer Perceptions Of Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Competency-Based Education To Meet Workforce Needs, Regina Cash Jan 2021

Hospital Employer Perceptions Of Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Competency-Based Education To Meet Workforce Needs, Regina Cash

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Competency-based education (CBE) is an alternative educational system of instruction that allows students to earn academic credit based on demonstration of learned skills and knowledge. This study addressed a gap in research related to the differences between the way hospital employers currently perceive potential employees’ educational credentials through traditional degrees and through CBE credentialing programs. The purpose was to explore the way hospital hiring employers perceive potential employees’ registered nurse Bachelor of Science in nursing (RN BSN) CBE credentials relative to traditional degrees to meet their workforce needs, which the research questions were focused on. Bailly’s model of employers’ beliefs …


Formative Assessment And Academic Performance As Predictors Of National Physical Therapy Examination Success, Tobi Fox Baldwin Jan 2021

Formative Assessment And Academic Performance As Predictors Of National Physical Therapy Examination Success, Tobi Fox Baldwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physical therapy educational researchers have studied various factors that may or may not predict success on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). One factor that has not been studied extensively is the use of the Academic Practice Examination and Assessment Tool (APEAT) as a formative assessment. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive power of the APEAT as a formative assessment along with Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program grade point average (GPA) on success on the NPTE. Carless’s learning-oriented assessment theory was used as the theoretical foundation for this study and to guide the analysis of …


Approaches School Leaders Employ Regarding Students Who Experience Socioemotional Crises, Ronald Stephen Gorney Jan 2021

Approaches School Leaders Employ Regarding Students Who Experience Socioemotional Crises, Ronald Stephen Gorney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many students in the local school district in a northeastern state suffer from socioemotional challenges that negatively influence their academic success. In the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, researchers found negative socioemotional outcomes resulting from ACEs. Risk factors associated with ACEs, and the influence of ACEs on poor school outcomes form the framework of this project study. To determine measures school leaders take to meet the needs of students in socioemotional crisis, a sample of semi-structured interview participants was selected based upon their roles in addressing students in socioemotional crisis, also forming the basis of this basic qualitative study. The …


Factors Influencing K–12 Female Educators’ Decisions Not To Apply For The Superintendency, Tiawana Giles Jan 2021

Factors Influencing K–12 Female Educators’ Decisions Not To Apply For The Superintendency, Tiawana Giles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDespite holding 75% of certified positions in K–12 schools in the United States, women hold just 24% of public school superintendent positions. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain an understanding of why female principals and central office personnel attained superintendent credentials and have not yet applied for a superintendent position. The conceptual framework for the study was feminist standpoint theory, which is often used to guide research regarding the knowledge and understanding of marginalized groups. Two research questions were used to explore why female K–12 principals attained their superintendent license and why they decided not to …