Education Commons^™

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 …

A Case Study Of Early Childhood Educators' Self-Determination In Implementing Social Emotional Learning Pedagogy, Ingrid Brouwer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single common case study will be to answer the question, “How does intrinsic motivation and self-determination in the ability to make choices and manage one’s behavior guide the implementation of social-emotional teaching practices into the early childhood classroom?” for the participants at Mount Uinta (pseudonym). The theory guiding this study will be Deci and Ryan’s Self-determination Theory (SDT), as it will validate the three basic psychological needs to strengthen learners’ autonomy, competence, and a sense of positive relatedness in social-emotional learning and teaching. Reaching the goal of implementing intrinsic motivation and professional development (PD) for early …

Virtual Coaching, Self-Directed Learning, And The Implementation Of Evidence-Based Practices: A Single Qualitative Case Study, Elisabeth Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single instrumental case study was to understand how a virtual coaching program provides opportunities for self-directed learning during the implementation of evidence-based practices for adults at Navigator Coaching. The theory guiding this study was Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory as conceptualizations of self-directed learning described in the literature mirror descriptions of self-determination. The central research question was: How does a virtual coaching program provide opportunities for self-directed learning during the implementation of evidence-based practices? As a single instrumental case, the setting for this study was one virtual life-coaching program in North America. The sample of participants …

Resilience Of Teaching Juveniles: A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers In Juvenile Corrections Facilities, Jessica D. Bradshaw

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to interpret the experience of resilience in teachers in juvenile corrections facilities. The theory guiding this study is the self-determination theory, which Richard Ryan and Edward Deci developed. Self-determination theory is a means to understand human motivation. The methodology to be used is a hermeneutic phenomenological approach using interviews, exhibit scenarios, and a journal reflection prompt from 13 voluntary participants of teachers and former teachers with experience in long-term juvenile corrections facilities from around the United States. Although the education field has challenges in any setting, the challenges specific to working in …

Exploring The Role Of Undergraduate And Graduate Real Analysis Experiences In The Mathematical Trajectories Of Women Mathematicians From Historically Disenfranchised Groups, Te'a Riley

Mathematics Dissertations

This phenomenological study examines the role of undergraduate and graduate Real Analysis courses in shaping the mathematical trajectories of seven women Ph.D. mathematicians from groups historically disenfranchised in mathematics.Qualitative analysis of interviews explores various aspects of their development as mathematicians with a focus on their experiences in Real Analysis. This study applies Ryan & Deci’s (1985) Self-Determination Theory's Basic Psychological Need Theory and Critical Race Theory to analyze the trajectories of the participants. The research explores how the fulfillment of basic psychological needs in their Real Analysis courses may have influenced their academic and professional journeys. The basic psychological need …

Examining Women’S Persistence In Stem: A Mixed Methods Study Of Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness, And Sociocultural Influences On Women In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics, Heather Midori Saigo

Theses and Dissertations

Several decades of effort have improved the participation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), but the gender gap remains. Researchers have found diverse reasons for women’s underrepresentation in STEM, but less is understood about factors supporting persistence. This study’s purpose was to understand how women persist in STEM, through the lens of self-determination theory. Self-determination theory posits that persistence improves when one’s needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are satisfied. This embedded mixed methods study provides evidence of how autonomy, competence, relatedness, and sociocultural factors influence women’s persistence in STEM. Using network and snowball sampling, the researcher …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Autonomy Support, Kimberly Hannah Siacor, Betsy Ng, Woon Chia Liu

Journal of Research Initiatives

This paper aimed to elucidate teachers' perceptions of using autonomy support in Singapore's classrooms. Science and mathematics teachers (N = 10) were gathered for semi-structured interviews after a 10-week autonomy support intervention. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis with emerging themes pre-conceived from the literature. The qualitative data provides meaningful insights into the teachers' understanding of what autonomy support entails, to which relevant examples of what teachers said and did to be autonomy-supportive were illuminated. The findings present an in-depth description of teachers' experiences of autonomy support, suggesting the interconnected nature of the autonomy-supportive features. Teachers should practice …

University Student Choice And Attitudes Toward Second Language Learning: A Causal-Comparative Study, Jazmin Marielis Chinea Barreto

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal comparative study was to determine if student language choice at the university level affects their attitudes toward second language learning. Current literature in second language acquisition primarily focuses on English as a second language; additionally, studies that address languages other than English are primarily conducted in the United Kingdom. This study addressed this gap in the literature and added to the existing body of knowledge to ascertain student attitudes toward L2 learning based on the language of study. Participants included 190 monolingual speakers of English enrolled in a first-semester language course in a North …

Third-Grade Students’ Poor Performance On The Math Section Of The Stanford Achievement Test At Chapel Hill Elementary School: An Instrumental Exploratory Qualitative Single-Case Study, Giovanny Guillermo Gaviria

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental exploratory qualitative single-case study was to explore the understanding of the principal, teachers, and parents related to the poor performance on the math section of the Stanford Achievement Test and the related factors of self-determination and self-efficacy of third-grade students in a private Christian elementary school in a city (pseudonym, Chapel Hill) in the Western United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura's social cognitive theory, which is the foundation of self-determination theory, academic self-efficacy, and school-related parental monitoring. This case study contained a purposeful sample of ten participants (one principal, four teachers, and …

Addressing Engagement: Student Perceptions Of Meaningful Gamification In Online Courses, Jessica M. Sanchez-Barrera

Theses and Dissertations

Although there is high enrollment in online college courses, there are concerns about student engagement (Martin & Bolliger, 2018; Dumford & Miller, 2018). Gamification has been shown to have the potential to improve student engagement. The purpose of the study was to describe how academic student engagement is impacted by Nicholson’s Meaningfully Gamified online course compared to traditionally taught online course. An embedded multiple case study research design was employed using self-determination theory as the theoretical framework to measure engagement. The theory constructs analyzed were autonomy, competence, relatedness, and student engagement. The research was conducted …

Exploring College Student Experiences In A Kinesiology Course Using A Gamified Grading System, Rachel E. Williams, Jedediah E. Blanton, Christopher D. Kilgore, Matthew Jones

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Past findings indicate mixed results on the effectiveness of gamification in college courses. The use of a gamified version of specifications-based grading (e.g., gamified grading) is not yet well understood. The purpose of this two-part study was to understand students’ perceptions of intrinsic motivation and engagement in a kinesiology course using gamified grading, facilitated by a gamified grading platform called GradeCraft©. We used qualitative inquiry to capture a robust description of the student experience across a semester, identifying themes describing the course management (e.g., comparison with traditional course, individual approach), and the psychological experience (e.g., autonomy, stress). The following semester, …

Self-Determination Theory As A Possible Explanation For The Motivation Of Norwegian Outdoor Life Students, Arne Martin Jakobsen

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: This study, based on the self-determination theory (SDT) by Deci and Ryan (1985), investigates the motivation among outdoor life students at universities and colleges in Norway. It also examines how students score on basic psychological needs, such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and their frequency of engagement in outdoor activities. The significance of the nature experience and the activity itself for the outdoor life students were analyzed, along with the extent to which the SDT can explain these two variables. Material and methods: The participants completed two standardized questionnaires. Results: The results showed a high degree of internal motivation …

Re(Engineering) Student Success: Constructing Knowledge On Students’ Experiences In Engineering Education Programs To Encourage Holistic Student Success, Shaylin Williams

Theses and Dissertations

If a group of engineering deans were asked whether students at their institutions were successful and why, what information might they immediately or subconsciously use to measure or gauge the engineering students’ success? If only academic performance outcomes like GPA, individual course grades, or graduation rate race to their minds, then their rationale aligns with the majority of researchers. My research seeks to shift the mindset that frames engineering student success mainly within the boundaries of academic performance measures. By measuring students’ perceived autonomy, competence, social integration and relatedness within their programs, and aspirations after graduation, one can more accurately …

The Second And Third-Year College Experiences Of Online Nontraditional Adult Learners Following An Online Remedial English Course, Jenny Marie Walter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of nontraditional adult learners (NALs) in online education who persist after completing an online remedial English course. This study sought to answer the central question, “What is the motivation of NALs taking all online courses who persist to their second or third year of school after completing at least one remedial English course?” The theories that guided this study were Knowles’ (1977, 1980) theory on andragogy, Deci and Ryan’s (1985) self-determination theory, specifically, organismic integration theory and cognitive evaluation theory, and Tinto’s (1975) theory on attrition as there …

Understanding Motivational Differences Through The Lens Of Gamification User Types, Heather J. S. Birch

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

In the context of an educational technology course, teacher candidates completed Marczewski’s User Types Hexad Test, a questionnaire based on a typology for classifying both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational tendencies. The test results showed teacher candidates' motivational tendencies, through indicating their resonance with six different User Types, including Socializers, Free Spirits, Achievers, Philanthropists, Players, and Disruptors. Knowing their User Type allowed teacher candidates to reflect on their own personal motivations to use various types of digital tools, as well as to consider how their peers and their students with different user profiles may be motivated differently than themselves. The …

The Impact Of A Design-Based Engineering Curriculum On High School Biology: Evaluating Academic Achievement And Student Perceptions Of Epistemology, Self-Efficacy, And Self-Determination In Life Science, Courtney Cox

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Integration of the engineering design process (EDP) into the high school biology classroom may improve academic achievement, alter epistemological beliefs about learning science, and positively influence student perceptions of science self-efficacy and self-determination. This quasi-experimental research study tested these claims by implementing an EDP curriculum within two honors biology classes (n=36) at an independent high school in a large urban city in the Southeastern United States. Two additional honors biology courses at the school (n=34) were instructed using the department's traditional curricular resources. Achievement data were collected from both groups and compared for statically significant differences using independent t-tests …

Uplifting An Invisible Population: How We Can Combine Psychology And Policy To Improve The Educational And Mental Health Outcomes Of Homeless Youth, Melissa Hamilton

Washington Semester Program

The goal of this thesis is to a) explain why homeless youth are frequently linked to poor mental health and education outcomes, and b) offer evidence-based suggestions that ought to be considered when developing any intervention aiming to improve the education and mental health of homeless youth. To accomplish this, prominent theories in both the psychology (ex: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) and political science (ex: failed implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act) fields that pertain to student homelessness were reviewed, and a comparative analysis of existing intervention models was conducted. Three key trends were identified across successful homeless youth intervention models …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences That Motivate Young People To Volunteer As 4 H Camp Teen Leaders, Ruth E. Wallace

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences that motivate teenagers to volunteer as 4 H Camp teen leaders in Virginia. The theories guiding this study were Lerner and Overton’s relational developmental systems theory (RDST) and Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory (SDT). They relate to the developmental connection between an individual and the surrounding context and internal and external influences as motivating factors, respectively. The two theories together informed this study which sought to answer the central research question “What lived experiences do teens identify that motivate them to volunteer as 4 H Camp teen leaders?” …

Special Education Teacher Burnout: A Phenomenological Study Of The Challenges That Influence Motivation, Sarah Margaret Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the challenges that lead to special education teacher burnout and how these challenges influence the motivation of special education teachers in North Georgia. In this study, factors that lead to special education burnout were generally defined as potential challenges, such as quality teacher preparation, inadequate professional development, and lack of administrative support, and how these challenges impact motivation and extrinsic influences of special education teachers. The theory that guided this study was Deci and Ryan's (1985) self-determination theory, which allowed for a deeper understanding of motivation and how intrinsic and extrinsic …

Professional Learning Community Conflicts And Teacher Leader Conflict Management From Multiple Stakeholder Perspectives, Amanda B. Dunn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study examined the nature of conflict within professional learning community (PLC) collaborative groups and the teacher leader’s management of the conflict from the teacher, teacher leader, and administrator perspective at suburban secondary schools. Purposive, criterion sampling based on job title and having at least one year of experience at a PLC campus qualified participants to capture the phenomenon’s characteristics. Semistructured interviews of three administrators, four teacher leaders, and two teachers were recorded and transcribed before an initial round of open coding. After analyzing open codes, the data were analyzed using closed coding, which established common themes. The …

Engaging In Self-Directed Leisure Activities During A Homework-Free Holiday: Impacts On Primary School Children In Hong Kong, Vicky C. Tam, Phoebe Chu, Viola Tsang

Journal of Global Education and Research

Homework is a core pedagogical tool used by schools around the world. Yet concern for heavy homework load has been raised regarding stress on students and families and how it may overshadow opportunities for non-academic development. Drawing support from Self-Determination Theory and Hope Theory, an innovative intervention project was designed to create homework-free opportunities for school children to take part in freely chosen self-directed leisure activities. The project was implemented in four primary schools in Hong Kong during the Easter holiday in 2017 and 2018. A mixed-method evaluation was conducted to appraise the experiences of student participants as well as …

Ungrading General Education: Preliminary Results From A Pilot Study, Stacey J. Korson, Eric B. Meiners, Matthew Howell, Alison Buck, Kaitlynn Moody, Matthew P. Winslow, Travis L. Martin, Anne Fleischer

Pedagogicon Conference Proceedings

A group of faculty members representing more than 20 courses listed in the Eastern Kentucky University General Education curriculum participated in a pilot program to test and measure the effectiveness of “ungraded” pedagogy. “Ungrading,” as defined by the group, can be any conscious effort to move student emphasis away from grades and onto learning. Given this definition, ungrading took many forms in the pilot: gradeless classrooms, grading contracts, and greater choice of assignments by students, to name a few. At the end of the semester, quantitative and qualitative data was gathered from student course evaluations; DFW and retention rates were …

The Impact Of Effective Motivation Strategies On Student Engagement In Secondary Physical Education Classrooms, Devin Wortman

Education Theses

Properly motivating students is not only the backbone of academic success but positive in-class experiences. When students are having more positive classroom experiences, they will ultimately be more motivated to engage and succeed. More and more students today are choosing not to take physical education in school. A lack of self-confidence and a general interest in the subject are two of the many factors associated with this problem. With the help of intrinsic motivation and self-determination theory, this thesis will seek to answer the question: What impact does effective motivation have on secondary students’ willingness to participate in physical education …

Increasing The Duration Of Treadmill Walking To Reach Moderate Intensity Levels For 2 Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Nicholas Velazquez

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study aims to increase the duration of treadmill walking to reach moderate intensity levels for 2 students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researcher incorporated a token-economy board that was used to indicate total time walking and walking goals. A single case changing-criterion design was used in this study and consisted of a baseline, multiple sub-criteria intervention phase, and a follow-up phase. Results showed that there was a positive relationship between the intervention and the total walking time for each participant. Each participant met the criterion for each phase, eventually leading to meeting their overall goal for the study. …

Self-Determination Theory And Exercise Performance For Individuals With Autism., Martin Calderon

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to demonstrate low levels of physical activity and exercise when compared to their developing peers. Low physical activity levels are associated with multiple factors, including lack of understanding of how to perform exercise movements and low intrinsic motivation. Token economy reward systems have shown to be practical in behavior analysis for changing behaviors however, there is limited research on the effects of token economy reward systems in an exercise setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a token economy board combined with self-determination theory (SDT) on the exercise …

A Study Of The Verification Of The Effectiveness Of Multiple Endings In Learning Novel Games, Jiejin Luo, Zhe Li

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Today, digital games that incorporate multi-ending scenarios are not uncommon in the entertainment field. However, there is no such application of the multiple endings to learning games and educational situations. Therefore, there are no studies that have examined the learning effects of the multiple endings in learning games. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a multiple endings learning game on learners' motivation and learning effectiveness. To test effectiveness of multiple endings, a multiple endings learning novel game was designed in the experiment. The results of the experiment showed that the learners of group with multiple …

Middle School Teachers' Experiences Addressing Gifted Students' Basic Psychological Needs: A Phenomenological Study, Lorri Thibodeaux Caldwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study aimed to investigate teachers’ experiences addressing the psychological needs of gifted middle school students within a public school district in Louisiana. Psychological needs-supportive teaching was defined as the pedagogies teachers employ to build students’ perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The study was grounded in Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory (SDT), which posits that human beings seek growth as part of human nature. The participants were a sample of 12 middle school teachers of identified gifted students in a Louisiana school district. Data collection included personal interviews, artifact submissions, and a focus group discussion. The …

The Impact Of Student-Teacher Interactions On Academic Achievement: A Phenomenological Study Examining The Perceptions Of First-Year University Student-Athletes With Online Education, Shinelle Wallace

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the impact of student-faculty interaction and its perceived effects on academic achievement in online education for student-athletes attending a Division I university in Missouri. At this stage in the research, quality of student-faculty interaction in online education is defined as online interaction between teachers and students that leads to better self-directedness, motivation, engagement, student satisfaction, and academic achievement. The theory guiding this study was self-determination theory as it helps to identify and understand the student-athlete’s inherent drive towards action and doing tasks towards growth and proficiency in online education. The …

“Even The Little Things Matter:” A Phenomenological Study On Factors Impacting Student Motivation During And After Covid-Related Disruptions In Education, Jennifer Ferris-Crisafulli

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented disruptions in education, as schools were forced to make a rapid transition to virtual learning in March 2020. Students’ motivation seemed to decline significantly during and after this virtual learning period, which ranged from months to over a year in various areas of the United States. This study seeks to understand the factors impacting student motivation during and after this virtual learning period.

This action research study was conducted using a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Data was collected from open-ended surveys and semi-structured interviews during Spring 2021 and Spring 2022. Data was analyzed through the …

A Multiple-Case Study: Motivating Students With Disabilities In Personalized Literacy Instruction, Courtney Kozelski

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents often experience a decline in motivation, yet support for basic psychological needs can prevent such a decline. Individuals with disabilities face particularly high motivational obstacles, placing them at the center of this action research study. This study took place within a special education classroom during one school year. The intervention unfolded over the course of the year, using personalized learning to support students’ basic psychological needs and provide sources of self-efficacy. The findings lend support to previous studies, indicating literacy motivation can be promoted through implementation of a needs-supportive personalized learning intervention that builds upon both self-efficacy and self-determination …