Education Commons^™

Systematic Review Of Instruments Measuring Teachers' Tpack, Jose Ruben Avalos

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The study examines the assessment of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), a framework that integrates technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge for effective teaching. Given the increasing integration of technology in education, it is crucial to understand how TPACK is assessed and the tools used to measure teachers' proficiency in these areas. This study aims to review and analyze tools used to assess TPACK, evaluate their validity and reliability, and provide a synthesis of existing research to inform future developments in TPACK assessment. A systematic review of literature was conducted, focusing on studies related to the evaluation of TPACK. Four research …

¡Maestra, Ya Le Entiendo! Teachers And Students Creating A Language-Rich Learning Environment With Available Language Resources And Students’ Funds Of Knowledge, Yolanda D. Castro

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study investigates how dual language educators in elementary schools along the U.S.–Mexico border create language-rich learning environments with the Spanish resources available to them. Motivated by longstanding shortages of adequate Spanish instructional materials in bilingual classrooms, this study examines the extent to which this challenge persists in contemporary educational contexts. Grounded in translanguaging theory (de la Piedra, Araujo, & Esquinca, 2018; Flores & Chaparro, 2018; Otheguy, García, & Reid, 2015) and the funds of knowledge framework (González, Moll, & Amanti, 2005), the study explored: (1) the materials provided by districts and schools, (2) the challenges teachers face with …

Associations Between School Experiences And Mental Health Outcomes By Gender Identity In Sexual And Gender Minority Youth In Texas And California, 2022 - 2024, Andrea Susana Yanez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Depression and anxiety affect populations differently, with diagnoses disproportionately higher among sexual and gender minority groups, including LGBTQ+ youth. School experiences shape mental health; negative environments, bullying, and lack of support worsen outcomes, while affirming policies, peer support, and inclusive curricula are protective. Methods: This secondary analysis of the Family, Housing, and Me (FHAM) Project followed 83 LGBTQ+ youth from South Texas and California's Inland Empire (2022-2024). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, school experiences, and mental health outcomes were collected at baseline and at Waves I and II over 25 months. Analyses included descriptive statistics, monthly comparisons, and bivariate and …

Book Bans And Border Texans: Testimonios From The Middle, Laura Calvillo Neill

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study explores how Chicana and Mexican American teachers and librarians along the Texas-Mexico border describe their experiences navigating books bans and curriculum restrictions. Through a Chicana feminist epistemological lens, the research centers the testimonios of four educators who reflect on their lived experiences navigating censorship, representation, and professional identity in politically charged educational spaces.

Using a testimonio-based methodology, participants shared personal narratives that illuminated how state politics and local interpretations of "appropriate" texts shape classroom and library decisions. Thematic analysis of these testimonios revealed four interconnected findings: 1. Teacher identity under pressure, 2. Censorship and control in the …

¡Más Fuertes Y Resilientes! Strengthening Latino Occupational Resilience Through Career-Focused Support Services At Texas Hispanic Serving Institutions, Claudia Cochran-Miller

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Latinos face many threats to their occupational resilience. Occupational displacement is looming due to technological advances that threaten jobs where Latinos are overrepresented such as in manufacturing, retail, construction, agriculture, and food services. As technological advances, labor practices, and other factors disproportionately affect the Latino population, more will be seeking better employment opportunities and will turn to higher education. Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) are in position to significantly impact Latino occupational resilience. This correlational study examines the various career-focused support services offered by HSIs and how they relate to post-graduation outcomes for Latino graduates. Career-focused support services include alignment-driven career …

Exploring The Impact Of Stem Degree Attainment On Intragenerational Social Mobility Among Hispanic Students And Graduates In Two Texas-Mexico Border Universities, Pilar Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research employed a two-phase, sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods design to answer the research questions. The first research question examined how obtaining a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) higher education degree affects the socioeconomic advancement of current Hispanic students and alumni of the Louise Stokes Alliance for Minorities in Participation (LSAMP) within the context of two higher education institutions located along the Texas-Mexico border. The second research question explored the determinants shaping the professional pathways of Hispanic STEM students and graduates in the geographic vicinity of the Texas-Mexico border. For this study, STEM degrees refer to those recognized by the …

Disproportionately Disadvantaged: A Narrative Literature Review Into How External Stressors And Stigmas Impact And Affect A Lgbtq+ High School And College Student's Mental Health And Education, Amaya Perkins

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The LGBTQ+ community faces many stressors in educational, societal, and professional contexts. It is important to understand the factors that affect the lives of LGBTQ+ high school and college students, as they can impact their educational quality. This thesis will explore and identify the structures in place that affect the mental health of LGBTQ+ students which range from a lack of medical support to how stigmatization and violence impact mental health. This is a narrative literature review that aims to review, critique, and synthesize the literature of 26 academic journal articles. This thesis found that LGBTQ+ students were scared to …

J Mich Dent Assoc December 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons. The December 2025 (Volume 107, No. 11) issue of the Journal is published in a digital-only format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions will resume in the new year.

This issue includes feature articles on the Michigan Dental Foundation, A Case for Credentialing Dental Assistants, and a feature …

Career Readiness Competencies Among First-Generation Undecided Students And Their Parents In The United States, Nicole M. Kotlan, Evan W. Faidley

Journal of Global Education and Research

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between first-generation status and the value of career readiness competencies of first-generation undecided students (n = 106) and their parents (n = 178), explored through social cognitive career theory and Bourdieu’s theory of habitus and social and cultural capital. A non-experimental design using a non-random sample revealed, through an independent t-test, statistically significant differences in global/intercultural competency among students based on their first-generation status. The results of a multiple linear regression analysis suggest that parents’ values are associated with students’ values and professionalism/work ethic; however, no relationship was …

A Secret Society Of Readers: College-Age Mentors’ Literacy Experiences With Young Adolescent Mentees, Lindsay Persohn, Dulcey B. Hunter, Chelsea Rivera, Karyn Z. Mendez, Cheryl R. Ellerbrock, Lucy Monette

Journal of Global Education and Research

This study occurred within Year One and Year Two of an ongoing literacy initiative designed to build reader identities among underserved middle school students. Using a near-peer mentoring model, mentees were paired with college-student mentors to interact weekly around books and reading. Reader interests and identities are influenced by affective and relational approaches through mentored reading experiences and a variety of texts. This qualitative case study (n = 11 of 24 Year One and n = 13 of 37 Year Two mentors) aimed to identify the ways mentor/mentee relationships affect reader interests, attitudes, and skills, and to evaluate the …

Exploring The Foundational Pillars Of The International Baccalaureate (Ib) Through Pre-Service Teacher Experiences During B.Ed. Practica, Cody Alderson, Mark Hirschkorn

Journal of Global Education and Research

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is experiencing rapid growth, resulting in demand for IB teachers in both public and independent schools. Since teaching IB requires specific knowledge of the language and pedagogy of the IB programmes, initial teacher education programs are well-positioned to prepare pre-service teachers to teach IB. This paper shares the results of a study conducted following the completion of an IB Educator Certificate by pre-service teachers attending a Canadian initial teacher education program, where their experiences during practica in mostly public IB schools were reflected upon and documented in relation to IB philosophy. Several themes were identified and …

Examining Grade 10 Students’ Ict Utilization In Bhutan, Gembo Tshering, Thinley Phuntsho

Journal of Global Education and Research

In today’s educational landscape, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) presents immense potential for reshaping pedagogical practices and equipping students with essential skills for the digital era. This study delves into assessing Grade 10 students’ ICT proficiency in Bhutan, a nation renowned for its dedication to Gross National Happiness (GNH) and sustainable development. The study also explores affective factors, including attitudes and confidence. Despite strides in promoting digital literacy and widening access to ICT resources, challenges persist in ensuring equitable access and meaningful utilization of technology, particularly at the secondary education level. Through a thorough analysis of survey data collected from …

Internationalization Of Indian Higher Education: Mapping The Origins And Academic Choices Of International Students, Sanjeev Kumar Jha

Journal of Global Education and Research

This study explores the geographical origins, academic preferences, and key factors influencing the enrollment of international students in Indian higher education institutions. Drawing on primary data from interviews with 25 international students and secondary data from All India Survey on Higher Education reports, it provides an in-depth analysis of student mobility trends and factors shaping their choices. The results indicate that the international student enrollment is significantly below the Indian government’s target of 500,000 by 2024. Students come from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Nigeria, with Karnataka and Punjab emerging as the most preferred states within India. Engineering, particularly …

Little Did I Know, Christopher V. Hollister

Communications in Information Literacy

Christopher Hollister, co-founder and co-editor-in-chief, reflects on his time with CIL in this farewell editorial.

Investigating The Impacts Of Facial Gestures On Global Participants’ Perception Of The Speaker, Perception Of The Message, Emotional Responses, And Engagement During Video Conferencing, Hanan Mohammed Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

Facial expressions play a crucial role in shaping communication and emotional understanding during virtual interactions. This study investigated how facial expressions influence participants’ perceptions of the speaker, perceptions of the message, emotional responses, and engagement during video conferencing across diverse cultural contexts. A hybrid experimental design was implemented using self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data and examine cause-and-effect relationships. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three facial-expression conditions Positive (smiling and joyful), Negative (angry or nervous), or Neutral (expressionless) and viewed speakers representing three ethnic backgrounds: White American, Black American, and Middle Eastern. Using a seven-point semantic differential scale, …

Mental Health Screening For Students With Disabilities: An Intersectional Examination Of Universal Screening Data, James Sinclair, Eunji Kong, Katherine W. Bromley, W. Jamie Yang, Christen Knowles, Susan Stadelman, Geovanna Rodriguez

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

Universal mental health screening is a pivotal aspect of comprehensive school mental health programming. However, even with a recent focus on implementing comprehensive and equitable screening practices, students with disabilities continue to be excluded. This study takes an intersectional approach to gain an understanding on which students with disabilities report elevated mental health concerns and what intersecting identities predict mental health risk. A total of 280 students from three high schools were screened across three timepoints. Results indicate that students with disabilities report elevated levels of mental health concerns. Students who also identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer reported …

Including Students With Disabilities Within School-Based Mental Health Multi-Tiered Systems Of Supports, James Sinclair, Shannon R. Holmes, Christen Knowles, Katherine W. Bromley, Geovanna Rodriguez, Susan Stadelman, John R. Seeley, Christopher Murray

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

School mental health (SMH) services have rapidly reached countless of school-age students in recent years. The increase in services have positively impacted student mental health and academic outcomes. However, there is still a demand for comprehensive services to support all students in need. Students with disabilities are often excluded from the school mental health discussion yet experience mental health concerns at higher rates than students in general education. In many cases, schools are unprepared and uncertain how to best support students with disabilities. We take a historical perspective of school mental health and provide specific considerations for schools and special …

Employers’ Perceptions Of Workplace Readiness Skills, Tabitha S. Young, Natalie K. Ferand

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Employability skills are continually changing, and the workforce provides the transparency needed for the success of business employment. Workplace readiness skills and human capital theory form the backbone for organizational success and sustainability. This study examined employers’ perceptions of workplace readiness skills at the expected proficiency level of an entry-level employee, the average level of skill for an entry-level employee, and the level of importance of the skill to their industry. The Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills have impacted employers and prepared students for the workplace. The results indicated that the workplace readiness skills mentioned in the literature align with the …

Reported Value Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices Of Virginia Agricultural Education Teachers, Natalie K. Ferand, Kendrick Spencer, Bradley Bowen

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

To address the increasing diversity in schools and the monolithic culture of teachers, researchers have called for pedagogies that reflect the diverse and pluralistic identities of students. While core academic areas have long adopted culturally relevant pedagogy, school-based agricultural education (SBAE) has lagged behind. This study aimed to determine the views of agricultural education teachers in Virginia on culturally responsive pedagogy dispositions and identify areas of professional development need. Teachers valued the differences among students and the communities in which their schools are located. However, results revealed a need for professional development in using the local community as a resource …

Exploring Human Centered Design Thinking To Develop Career And Technical Education (Cte) Programs For Incarcerated Individuals: Development And Pilot Of A Faculty Survey Instrument At A Utah Technical College, Taija Jackson, Michael Pate

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) institutions are confronted with growing demands to improve efficiency while boosting student outcomes and achieving performance metrics for funding. As enrollment competition grows and funding sources change, technical colleges are looking to develop new programs and identify untapped student populations such as incarcerated individuals. Instructors of postsecondary CTE technical programs often bring industry experience but typically lack formal teaching training unlike their secondary CTE instructors which may create variable teaching success and impacts both teacher confidence and student achievement, especially for at-risk populations such as incarcerated individuals. This research explores faculty perspectives on human-centered …

Online Experiential Learning In Career And Technical Education, Matthew Bornak

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

This scoping review investigates the integration of OEL into Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step scoping review framework, articles were identified through ERIC and Google Scholar and managed in Zotero. MAXQDA was used for coding, revealing thematic clusters related to modalities (synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid), technologies (LMS, AR/VR, simulation tools), and learner characteristics (nontraditional students, CTE-specific learning styles). The review highlights the conceptual anchors of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, Carver et al.’s Experiential E-Learning Model, and Baasanjav’s online experiential design. Findings reveal that while OEL in CTE remains underexplored, it offers potential to increase accessibility, inclusivity, …

Supporting Career Navigation With An Online Occupational Information-Sharing Platform, Jay W. Rojewski, Janette R. Hill, Eunice Kim, Sejung Kwon, Linda Mccauley, Ikseon Choi

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Rapid changes to the nature of work and the workplace have shifted responsibility for career success from organizations to individual workers. Successful navigation of one’s career requires a proactive perspective where individuals anticipate training needs and make decisions for achieving both short- and long-term career goals. Relevant and accurate occupational information is an essential component of career success; yet few sources of reliable and targeted information exist for adult workers. This article provides a conceptual overview of an online system (eMPACT) that provides personalized occupational information for selected health care professionals. The contributions and benefits of key stakeholders—employees, trainers, employers—in …

December 2025 Bulldog Alumni & Friends News, Kari Jones, Garrett King

Bulldog Alumni & Friends News

• December 2 Emeriti Honors and Reception

• December 12 Fall Commencement

• January 22 SWOSU Near You: Tulsa

Legitimacy, Learning, And Launch: Exploring Relationships, Community, And Connection In An Undergraduate Research Experience, Randi J. Sims

All Dissertations

Undergraduate research experiences (UREs) are critically important methods for integrating undergraduate students into legitimate scientific practices. While widely celebrated for producing positive outcomes such as increased self-efficacy, research skills, and STEM retention, less is known about the processes through which undergraduate mentees become integrated members of their research groups and the broader scientific community. This dissertation presents findings from both a systematic literature review and a quantitative ethnographic study of a biological sciences URE at a southeastern R1 predominantly white institution (PWI). Grounded in communities of practice and legitimate peripheral participation frameworks, this study explores how undergraduate researchers build relationships, …

Virtual Coaching: Ushering In A New Era In School Improvement, Tygere Alisha West Charles

All Dissertations

This research study examined virtual coaching as a vehicle for principal professional development. The study focused on coaching a principal in a rural, low-performing, high-poverty South Carolina school district to improve support for teachers and students. This study explored virtual coaching and is rooted in improvement science as measured by plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles (Bryk et al., 2017). It explored how virtual coaching supported a rural principal’s professional development needs.

Principals must be transformational leaders who balance their support needs and accountability while meeting the needs of the diverse stakeholders they serve. Ongoing professional development is an essential component in helping …

Teacher Self-Efficacy As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Perceived Stressors And Overall Stress During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Study Of Dominican Public-School Teachers In The Usaid Leer Project, Yira I. Vargas

All Dissertations

This study examined the predictive and moderating roles of teacher self-efficacy (TSE) in the relationship between teacher perceived COVID-19 pandemic-related stressors and overall stress among public-school teachers in the Dominican Republic. Using secondary data from the USAID Leer Project (2021), the study analyzed responses from 142 teachers who completed validated instruments measuring teacher self-efficacy (TSES), pandemic-related teacher stressors (Oros et al., 2020), and perceived stress (PSS-14). The study had three main objectives: (1) to examine whether pandemic-related stressors negatively predicted teacher self-efficacy in student engagement, instructional strategies, and classroom management; (2) to determine whether teacher self-efficacy moderated the relationship between …

An Experimental Evaluation Of A Gamified Learning Approach To Address Bullying Knowledge, Perceptions, And Self-Efficacy Among Elementary Students: Playing Yozgoo In Albania, Sashen Rexhepaj

All Dissertations

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Yozgoo's web-based gamified educational intervention in enhancing elementary school students’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to bullying prevention in Albania. Utilizing a true experimental pre-test and post-test control group design, the study involved 120 students (ages 10-12) equally divided by gender and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 60) or a control group (n = 60). The experimental group participated in Yozgoo gameplay sessions over six to eight weeks, while the control group engaged in standard activities without exposure to the intervention.

Three validated measures were administered to assess outcomes: …

Closing The Achievement Gap: School Counselors’ Role In Enhancing College And Career Access For First-Generation Students, Conswyla J. Decoteau

All Dissertations

Professional school counselors play a vital role in supporting each student's academic, experiential, and personal growth, especially in preparing them for success in post-secondary education. Due to social, academic, and financial disadvantages, first-generation students face significant obstacles. Given that inequities persist despite efforts to improve access to higher education, this problem is important to address. To close the academic gap that first-generation students face, effective counseling programs that are sensitive to cultural differences are necessary. In order to better understand how school counselors in rural high schools may help first-generation students close the gap in access to college and careers, …

Enhancing Teacher Planning Practices To Improve Teacher Self-Efficacy Through Professional Learning Communities, Philip L. Price

All Dissertations

This improvement science dissertation investigated the impact of implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLC) on teacher self-efficacy at Parkway Elementary, a Title I school serving a diverse student population with historically lower academic performance. The study addressed the problem of low teacher self-efficacy, a critical factor influencing Tier 1 instructional quality and student outcomes. Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, this research tested the theory that adopting a four-question framework within weekly collaborative grade-level meetings would measurably increase teacher self-efficacy. Seven teachers participated in the research, with data collected through the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale, semi-structured interviews, and PLC observations. Quantitative findings …

A Qualitative Study On Black Women Leaders And Their Career Paths In Higher Education, Beatrice Porter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Black women remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles within higher education, especially in the presidency at historically Black colleges and universities. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the career paths and challenges Black women faced through their lived experiences in leadership roles across higher education institutions within predominantly White institutions and HBCUs. Guided by Black Feminist Thought as the theoretical lens, the study examined the intersecting barriers of race and gender that shaped the participants’ leadership trajectories in higher education. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires, allowing participants to reflect on systemic inequities, mentorship experiences, and leadership development. Findings revealed …