Education Commons^™

Reimagining Learning Outdoors: How Active Outdoor Play-Based Learning (Aopl) Supports Student Growth And Academic Success - A White Paper For School Leaders And Classroom Teachers, Steph Dean

Publications

Active Outdoor Play-Based Learning (AOPL) is an evidence-based approach that integrates active play, outdoor environments, and academic goals. It supports not only curricular learning but also students’ physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. This white paper shares practical insights from a systematic review of 21 empirical studies (2008-2024) on AOPL implementation in formal school settings.

AOPL is a pedagogical strategy that uses play and the outdoors as meaningful contexts for learning. Teachers who implement AOPL build connections between curriculum and students’ natural curiosity while leveraging the benefits of being outside¹.

This paper highlights practical strategies and compelling outcomes …

Barriers In Trauma-Responsive School Implementation: A Study Exploring And Comparing Rural, Suburban, And Urban Districts In Indiana, Allison L. Makowski

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trauma responsive practices are a type of educational practice currently being utilized in our schools. Our students come to school every day with some type of trauma which is a negative event that a child experiences. Types of traumatic experiences could be in the form of a natural disaster, car accident, or some type of abuse. The current study examined barriers that schools experience when implementing trauma responsive practices. The schools were examined further to investigate whether or not there were differences in barriers in rural, suburban, and urban school districts in the state of Indiana.

Trauma-Informed Practice In K-12 Education: How Training, Knowledge, And Skills Impact Teacher Self-Efficacy, Megan N. Aker

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trauma experience is a pervasive problem for Indiana students that may hinder their functioning within the educational environment. Difficulty in addressing the impact of trauma for students often makes educators feel ineffective and is a contributing factor in educators leaving the profession. Trauma-informed care is an evidence-based framework of practice that may be implemented to mitigate the impacts of trauma for students. Indiana legislation now mandates pre-service educators receive education in trauma-informed care, but there is limited research on the current state of in-service educator trauma-informed care knowledge and skills, as well as the impact on their self-efficacy as educators. …

A Convergent Parallel Mixed Method Design Analysis Of Sponsorship And The Advancement Of Women In The Workplace, Shaparak Malek-Morvai

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Sponsorship is vital for advancing women's careers but is often inconsistently applied. Limited programs for women seeking leadership roles and a lack of sponsors can hinder progress. This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data from 73 participants with qualitative insights. Sponsors advocate for protégés, emphasizing visibility, promotion, and networking, while mentorship offers guidance and coaching. Many leadership roles confuse sponsorship with mentorship, as noted by Helms et al. (2016). However, the key difference lies in influence. The study had four objectives: to explore women's perceptions of sponsorship, analyze how roles and tenure influence these perceptions, enhance discussions …

Paying The Education Debt: How Community Colleges Can Lead In Restoring Higher Education Access In U.S. Prisons, Tammy Zimmer

Instructional Leadership Abstracts

Discusses paying education debt with respect to how community colleges can lead in restoring higher education access in United States prisons.

"The question is no longer can we provide higher education in prison, it’s will we. For those of us already engaged in this work, the answer is clear. I invite you to join us."

2025-2026 Academic Calendar, Office Of The Registrar, East Tennessee State University

Academic Calendars

No abstract provided.

Ua21 What's New, Wku Institutional Equity

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the Office of Institutional Equity.

• Demir, Ena. A Message from the Executive Director
• Training Opportunities: Stay Informed & Engaged
• Understanding Title VI
• Student Accessibility Center Joins the Office of Institutional Equity
• Need Workplace Accommodations?
• Web Accessibility Regulations
• Relevant Information
• Stop Campus Hazing Act
• Meet the Team

Beyond The Badge: Exploring Perceptions Of School Resource Officers' Self-Efficacy And Role In Arkansas Public Schools, Bradley M. Reeves

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

School and student safety remain urgent issues that school leaders and law enforcement face across the United States. This quantitative study examined the perceptions of School Resource Officers (SROs) and building-level administrators across public schools in Arkansas regarding their implementation of the Triad Model, which outlines SROs’ primary roles as educators, informal counselors, and law enforcement officers. This study also examined SROs’ perceived self-efficacy and the collaboration between SROs and building-level administrators. A Likert-scale survey was administered to 104 participants (including 65 building-level administrators and 39 SROs). The collected data were then analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test to identify …

Joint Kinematics And Kinetics During Vertical Jump Landings With Progressively Increasing External Loads, Darcie L. Yount

Dissertations

This study examined sagittal and frontal plane kinematics and kinetics during countermovement jump (CMJ) landings performed with either a traditional barbell (BB) or a hexagonal bar (HEX) across increasing submaximal loads in recreationally active males. Generally, hip and knee flexion angles and joint mean angular velocities decreased as loads increased. Hip extension and knee flexion moments increased as load increased up to 20 kg, at which point these values decreased. Performing the CMJ with the HEX exhibited increased frontal plane stability compared with the BB group. Additionally, the BB group exhibited stiffer landing strategies, with decreased sagittal plane joint angles …

Elizabeth Female Academy: A Historical Case Study Revealing Antebellum Mississippi's Role In Shaping The Southern Belle, Summer Cutrer Tierno

Dissertations

Historians and educational scholars have extensively examined the subject of women's education, resulting in a rich body of literature that traces its evolution over the centuries. Moreover, this body of work encompasses significant movements advocating for women's rights to education and the establishment of colleges specifically for women. Scholars have also analyzed the challenges women encounter in accessing educational opportunities, including societal norms, economic barriers, and institutional discrimination. Notable works highlight the contributions of key figures, such as Mary Wollstonecraft, who advocated for women's education in both historical and contemporary contexts. Overall, this comprehensive scholarship not only documents the advancement …

Exploring The Connection Between Emotional Intelligence And Academic Achievement In Senior Nursing Students, Kimberly Smith

Dissertations

The need for nurses is now greater than ever, with a projected shortage of nearly five million nurses by 2030. Several factors exist that hinder the number of practice-ready nurses, causing nursing programs worldwide to explore and re-examine admission practices and increase student retention rates. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2024) reported that over 100,000 students were denied enrollment in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2024, indicating that maximizing admission processes is crucial in addressing the current nursing shortage. This emphasizes the need for greater participation to ensure that all students have access to the educational …

Adolescent Students’ Adaptability During The Covid-19 Pandemic Impacting Their Academic Preparedness In College: A Qualitative Exploration Of Resilience In Secondary School Disruptions, Nicole Tyanne Jameson

Dissertations

This study, conducted several years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, takes a unique approach to investigating the long-term effects of the pandemic-induced disruptions on adolescents during secondary schooling and their academic preparedness in college. The study combined a descriptive qualitative analysis of academic routine data with quantifiable resilience scores, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges students faced, their adaptability and resilience, and the overall impact on their education journey into college. This comprehensive descriptive qualitative study utilizes triangulation of quantitative data and qualitative approaches to understand the subject matter thoroughly. The quantitative scores meticulously analyzed resiliency and …

Investigating The Use And Acceptance Of Information And Communication Technologies By University Faculty In Liberia And Its Implications To Sub-Saharan Africa, Michael K. Gray

Dissertations

This descriptive, non-experimental, correlational quantitative study examines the relationship between components of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Human Capital Development (HCD) in determining the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among university faculty in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). With the increasing importance of ICT in educational transformation across developing regions like SSA, understanding the underlying factors that influence ICT acceptance is essential for effective policy and implementation strategies. The researcher surveyed 336 university faculty in Liberia using a questionnaire designed to capture perceptions related to TAM constructs (perceived usefulness …

Empowering Excellence: Nurse-Educator Led Ccrn Study Group, Mary Judson Msn, Rn, Ccrn, Cnl

Posters

Key Takeaway:

Implementation of a nurse-educator led study group for specialty certification exams can potentially increase the number of certified nurses in a unit.

Go Beyond, Etsu's Strategic Plan (Webpage), Committee For 125, East Tennessee State University

ETSU 125 - Chapter II

This submission contains a PDF copy of the "Go Beyond, ETSU's Strategic Plan" webpage (formerly www.etsu.edu/strategy/background/) as it existed August 29, 2025. Additional file format versions of the webpage are available below under "Additional Files." Links contained within archived webpages may no longer be active.

This webpage has also been archived in the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine.

Newsletter, Wku Staff Senate

Staff Council

Newsletter created by WKU Staff Council to report on work accomplished.

Sustaining Focus When It's Hardest: Emotional Design Strengthens Sustained Learning, Especially In Contexts With Attractive Alternatives, T. Endres, C. Vössing, K. Ann Renninger, A. Eitel, A. Renkl

Educational Studies Faculty Works

Learners increasingly use digital devices such as laptops or tablets for studying. While these devices offer advantages, they also pose challenges. They present attractive alternative opportunities for learners, such as communication or entertainment opportunities that may distract from learning. Such alternatives increase demand for self-control, particularly over time. We investigated the potential of emotional design in learning materials to support self-control by triggering and maintaining situational interest, thereby reducing the mental load required for self-control. We hypothesize that emotional design becomes especially effective in distraction-prone learning situations, such as during extended learning durations or when attractive alternative opportunities are present. …

Creativity: Interwoven In The Curriculum Or An Afterthought?, Amanda Bourne

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Students are identified as gifted and talented based on their abilities, including both academic and creative strengths. This study examined whether teachers foster creativity in their classroom, their perceptions of creativity, and how they incorporate creativity in their classroom. Using a mixed methods convergent parallel design, teachers at a K-8 school in the southeastern United States responded to questions about how they define creativity, how they incorporate creativity into the classroom, and their teaching practices, using the 45-item Creative Fostering Teaching Behaviour Index (CFTIndex). The study found that teachers implement practices in their classrooms that promote creativity, though there are …

The Relationship Between A School Psychologists Workplace Stressors To Their Home Life Functioning, Trevor Burns

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

School psychologists face increasing professional demands due to rising caseloads, paperwork requirements, and staffing shortages, which contribute to elevated levels of occupational stress. Although prior research has examined job-related stress within the profession, little attention has been given to how these stressors may impact practitioners’ personal and home lives. The purpose of this study was to examine how occupational stress experienced by school psychologists relates to stress experienced in their home lives. A total of 176 practicing school psychologists from across the United States completed an anonymous online survey, which included the School Psychologist Distress Inventory (SPDI) and a newly …

Deposition Of Nickel/Iron Oxide Co-Catalysts Onto Titanium Dioxide Towards Water Photolysis, Md Towhidul Islam Tareqe

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Photocatalytic water splitting is one potential approach for sustainable hydrogen production, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. This process typically employs metal–semiconductor hybrid systems, where the semiconductor absorbs sunlight to generate charge carriers, and the metal cocatalyst facilitates charge separation and surface redox reactions. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a widely studied semiconductor due to its stability and abundance, but its limited absorption of the solar spectrum requires the incorporation of efficient cocatalysts. Platinum is regarded as the benchmark cocatalyst due to strong proton binding energy that easily facilitates the reduction of water to produce hydrogen gas. …

Reducing Inpatient Falls On A Cardiac Progressive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project., Danielle R. Turner

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Background: Inpatient falls are harmful to patients and to the healthcare organization. Fall prevention interventions and strategies are necessary in the acute setting to reduce the number of falls and increase patient safety.

Environment: This quality improvement project will take place at a Midwest acute care hospital on a cardiac PCU. This is a 38-bed unit where there has been an increased number of patient falls.

Purpose: The John Hopkins Evidence Based Practice Model was used to design, implement, and assess a nurse-driven, bedside, visual tool to reduce the number of inpatient falls on a cardiac progressive care unit.

Methods: …

An Application Of Vocal Pedagogy For Thai Singers, Phitchaya Klimov

Dissertations

Vocal pedagogy incorporates diverse techniques and methodologies that aim to maintain longevity of the voice and to improve vocal performance, range, and tone. While vocal pedagogy has been extensively studied in Western music traditions, its application in the context of Thai singers remains unfamiliar. This dissertation will investigate the application of vocal pedagogy for Thai singers, with a focus on understanding the unique challenges faced by them. It will outline pedagogical approaches to address these challenges and will therefore lead to more authentic performances. “Complete mastery of the voice as an instrument is an idea toward which every singer must …

“We Are Not Robots”: Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Focus Group Talk About Problems Of Practice Around Literacy Instruction, Jacquelynn S. Popp, Carin Appleget, Tori Golden Hughes, Crystal Dail Rose, Christine Leighton, Kierstin M. Giunco, Poonam Arya, Xiufang Chen

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of elementary preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) problems of practice around literacy instruction and to explore how the PSTs framed/talked about such problems. The study comprised qualitative analysis of data collected from focus group interviews with 21 PSTs from five teacher education institutions across the United States. Analysis of the PSTs’ talk about problems of practice in the focus groups yielded three themes about the nature of their problems and how they defined and discussed strategies or solutions to problems. PSTs expressed concerns about (1) meeting the needs of students below expected …

Bootmaking Before Bootstrapping: Patterns Of Grit And Slack In Multicultural Nonfiction Picture Books, Kristine Mensonides Gritter, Wing Shuen (Alice) Lau, Yaru (Sarah) Zhou, Jiang Pu, Munyi Shea

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This investigation reports the findings of a critical multicultural content analysis of recent-award winning Orbis Pictus (non-fiction) picture books. The analysis examines patterns of grit and slack strategies across race and gender for historical characters of color as they overcame boundaries and accomplished long-term goals. Findings suggest that the concept of “grit” is not merely a universal construct of an outstanding individual who lifts themself up by their own bootstraps but that systems are important in allowing an individual to succeed to overcome boundaries. The bootstrap myth can be contested by critical readers, even young readers of picture books, as …

“I Didn’T Understand How Powerful This Could Be”: The Synergy Of Arts-Enhanced Literacy Instruction And Multicultural Literature In A Rural Classroom, Shuling Yang, Natalia A. Ward

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Guided by culturally sustaining pedagogy, this study examined how an elementary language arts teacher engaged with a yearlong project that focused on enhancing literacy instruction through the synergetic power of using multicultural children’s literature combined with arts. The case study conducted in a context with strict policy guidelines on literacy instruction demonstrated the teacher’s growing understanding of how to integrate multicultural children’s literature and arts in her instruction and powerful shifts in her view of students’ potential for empathy and engagement with complex social issues. The discussions of the books and creative artwork made by her students reshaped the teacher’s …

August 2025 Cafe Newsletter, Center For Advancing Faculty Excellence

CAFE Faculty Newsletters

No abstract provided.

A Word From The Writing Team (August 2025), Pam Walter, Mfa

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

This issue includes:

• Publications Spotlight
• Join the Last Summer Writing Warriors Session Tomorrow
• Check out our Fall Workshops
• Two Ways to Fund Open Access Fees

Graduate School Of Engineering And Management Academic Catalog 2025-2026, Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Air Force Institute Of Technology, Walter F. Jones

AFIT Documents

No abstract provided.

High School Students’ Navigation Processes In An Internet Reading Task: A Descriptive Video Analysis, Hyeju Han, Kole Norberg, Byeong-Young Cho, Scott H. Fraundorf

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Most research on internet reading has identified skilled readers based on well-established theories of print reading. Nevertheless, an emerging body of work suggests that higher competency in print reading does not fully account for competency in internet reading comprehension. The authors conducted a descriptive video analysis of high school readers’ online navigation behaviors to identify characteristics that could account for differences in their internet reading outcomes. In particular, they focused on students with high grade point averages but diverging internet reading outcomes. The authors found that the participating students with lower outcomes tended to adopt a linear path of navigation …

Editorial Review Board Vol. 64 Issue 2

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

No abstract provided.